Bunraku is the traditional puppet theater of Japan. Bunraku puppets are about one-half life size and each is operated by three performers: a principal operator and two assistants. Strings are not used, but rather the puppeteers co-operate to maneuver the limbs, eyelids, eyeballs, eyebrows and mouths of the puppets, thereby producing life-like actions and facial expressions. The puppeteers are in full view of the audience, but are dressed in black to symbolize that they are to be taken as “invisible”.
The story is narrated by a single person, who also speaks the voice of all the puppets, and therefore must have a diverse repertoire of vocal expressions to represent both genders and all ages. The pace of the narration is dictated by accompanying music played on the shamisen. It is delightful to watch the sophisticated puppets come to life as the performers create their intricate movements, synchronized with the narration and the music from the shamisen. (Source)
1. Realize that you’re not alone. The reality is that most of us worry about the same kinds of things – like whether others like us, are bored by others, or the kind of impression we’re making.
2. Try to uncover the roots of your anxiety. There may be a variety of reasons for feeling self-conscious, such as having had a bad experience in the past, feeling that you’re with people who are very different from you, or feeling you’re with people who don’t understand you. Also, it may simply be that you’re more introverted so social situations are stressful for you. Understanding the reasons behind the feelings can help you address them in a more appropriate way.
3. Acknowledge the feelings as soon as they arise. That will enable you to start targeting them through positive self talk. For example, remind yourself that: “I always feel like this in these kinds of situations. I’m going to be okay. I usually cope – and don’t fall apart.”
4. Fake looking and acting calm, relaxed, and self confident. In time, you’ll find your feelings will change to match the way you appear on the outside.
5. Act warm and friendly. Being friendly helps to put other people at ease, and encourages them to open up and feel relaxed with you.
6. Try not to worry about what other people think. In reality, other people will often feel as nervous as you do. It’s just that they’ve learned how to cover it up. Also, some people think negatively about everyone. You’re never going to change this kind of person – and you don’t need their approval anyway!
7. Be kind to yourself. Praise, affirm and reward yourself for deciding to do something that’s difficult for you.
Here, have a little Pohutukawa flower, sure sign for holiday season down under!
Enjoy these last days of 2016 and rejoice, the pre-Christmas stress is over!
Yours,
The Laughing Chestnut
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my crippling anxiety: *forces me to be overly early for everything because I panic when im even 1 minute late*
friends: “lol ur always so prepared and ready! I wish i could do that but im so lazy hahahaha!”
When filming certain stop-motion scenes in Stephen King’s It, animators used this creepy clown puppet to perfectly capture Pennywise the Clown’s dramatic posture.