Summer Ball Group Shots

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Is 'Sex Tourism' an economy that meets the sexual needs of men?

Being a student of media and cultural studies means lots and lots of research needs to be done. Earlier this year, I completed an essay on 'Sex Tourism', investigating if it is motivated by the 'sexual needs' of men. I thoroughly enjoyed the research process, and was surprised and disgusted by some of the things I read. The essay relies heavily on research done on western men who visit 'sex tourism' havens in South East Asia, it explores their motivations and compares them to western men who use 'local' prostitutes in their countries. I also employ a gendered analysis of 'sex tourism', as it is also practiced by western women who visit countries in Africa and the Caribbean; there are some interesting similarities and differences between male and female sex tourism.

If this research is 'right up your alley' then feel free to read the whole thing. I feel there's no point bottling and hiding gained knowledge, it's our duty as students and researchers to spread the word (once our peers and professors have deemed this 'word' to be robust and thorough of course)

Is 'Sex Tourism' an economy that meets the sexual needs of men?

Retrospection & Introspection

Some of my fellow post-grads

So, my first semester at Newcastle University has pretty much come to an end. It's been a pretty interesting few months, it's great to be amongst people with a real zeal to learn, as an undergrad you feel that some people are there just because they had nothing better to do after college, university for them was 80% alcohol and 20% studying. With post-graduates, I certainly feel that I'm amongst people who are passionate about what they are studying.

The last few months have also taught me a great deal about myself, about aspects of my character that I need to develop and show, and other aspects that I need to get rid of.

I don't really like labeling myself, but I've always considered myself to be an introvert, my closest friends would probably disagree, as they are probably used to me being loud, boisterous, polemical and humorous. And, yes I am all these things to a certain degree, but I find that it is when one is in unfamiliar company that the distinction between introvert and extrovert is best displayed, and when in unfamiliar company, I am the opposite of all those adjectives listed above. Especially in a social gathering, I just don't know what to say, and that's also when the stammering kicks in, so I may know what to say, but I'm just unable to say it. Oftentimes I'm just on the periphery, nodding my head at an ongoing conversation and appearing deeply interested.

In a social setting, I find that I work best if I'm with someone I know very well, someone to bounce my thoughts and jokes off on, with the presence of a familiar face I feel very much at ease. Being able to socialize effectively (solo) is definitely something I'm working on, and it's something I sort of have to do now that I'm a member of a new church and Christian community, I can't always run to Marlene for help.

Which brings me to the second aspect of my behaviour that I need to work on, and that's being 'warm' to everyone around me. More than once this year, I've heard through the grapevine that certain people like my character, but I seemingly don't give them the time of day; when they try engaging me, I'm either distant or brief. It's certainly not something I do on purpose, and it is flattering that some people genuinely want to make my acquaintance, but I think I may be rubbing off the wrong way, as being aloof or arrogant, and these are words that no one would like associated with them. I am partially aware of this 'fault' in my character, and I am very aware of certain individuals I feel want to know me better, and it hurts me when they sing my praises (based on their observations of my interactions with close friends) and I cannot honestly repay them in kind, because I have not made the effort to get to know them.

Well, they say the first step in solving a problem is identifying it, and I have definitely identified this one, and over the next few months I'll be doing my best to rectify it.

With Friends (and Family) like these

William came over last Friday, he left yesterday (Sunday) it was great to catch up with my big brother and have a long chat with him about life and the future.

On Saturday, Marlene offered to make us a meal (an offer we could not refuse of course)...the meal was quiche, and it looked as good as it tasted, it looked like one of those cookbook pictures, you know, the one that you can quite never get your own version to look like. It was stupendo!!!

Renate joined us a little later in the meal, she is also studying in Newcastle Uni, and we had planned to meet up, but somehow hadn't managed to get our schedules right. Anyway, William's visit prompted everyone to get right and meet at Marlene's.

We chatted for ours about or respective lives, what we had been up to in the years we hadn't seen each other, lot's of great tales of Oriental adventures....all I could offer was my exciting time writing my dissertation (thrilling!!!)

It's great to have these mini-AIS reunions and think back to what an amazing time we had in that grand old school.

We only managed to take one picture...and there it is. Enjoy!

Newcastle in her glory

So I've been living in Newcastle upon Tyne for over a month now, and I just felt I haven't talked about or shown you the beauty of this city enough. They say a picture is worth a thousand words, so here you go, enjoy pictures of Newcastle

The Baltic

Gateshead Millennium Bridge

Tyne Bridge

The Sage, Gateshead

Vibrant Colours!

Approaching the Bridge

Grey Street, going downhill

Church of St. Thomas the Martyr

Newcastle University Student Union Building

Framed shot of Church of St. Thomas the Martyr

Entrance to the Quadrangle

The Armstrong Building, Newcastle University