It takes all sorts

But "Chan" struck me as a different breed of cat altogether. Notwithstanding his rather boisterous penchant of identifying himself with the super hero in "Mortal Kombat," he's Jim Carrey, Jackie Chan, and Bill Cosby all rolled into one. You can do one of two things when he's around: roar with laughter or box his ears.

All energy and gusto, he would one moment hum a tune of Pundit Amaradeva or Bryan Adams or quote a full paragraph, word-for-word, from The Gadfly or How the Steel was Tempered (two of my favourite novels). The next he would pull one of his schoolboy pranks, taking you so completely unawares, you wish you could wring his neck.

The guy can switch moods with lightning speed and is legendary for his tomfoolery. He's like a one-man animated cartoon, always jumping up and down like a cat on a hot asbestos roof. After all, we're talking about an only child who's spoiled rotten. With his trademark toothy grin, Big Bang Chan is a consummate wacko. Spot on.

Unless you watch out, you could be the butt of his rather embarrassing jokes (and I have firsthand experience!). There's no telling what he'll do. Of course, you could try giving him a piece of your mind, but this is a hard nut to crack. What more could you expect from a person who looks as if he hasn't got a serious bone in his body and who has no qualms about screaming his guts out right in the middle of a jam-packed canteen if he feels like it? Life at campus would really be dull with no Chan to clown around.

Just as we were psyching ourselves up for the games came the disheartening news that they'd been indefinitely put off. Everybody was sorely disappointed. Moi the more so because I was looking forward to visiting the beautiful Peradeniya campus. So much so that when an ardent fan of this column confronted me to tell me how much he enjoyed it, he couldn't have timed it worse. Instead of being flattered, I was annoyed. The poor guy was abashed. Please be informed that I'm no snob or meanie, just a little publicity shy.

The past two weeks saw the rookies of the Industrial Management Department having their first taste of responsibility. Career Fair 2001, having already been postponed twice, seemed a long way off from being a reality. But the lads buckled down to the job and pulled it through at the last minute. 

Most corporate executives who took part in the fair drove home the point that a mere degree certificate, even with a first class, will get us nowhere. Keep your options open, go out and explore the world, we were told. All work and no play makes Jack a useless, if not dull, boy when it comes to the job market, they stressed. Hats off, guys, for a thought-provoking session.

It was a welcome break from the old routine when a certain students society - which had better remain nameless- decided to screen a movie after more than a six-month lapse. 

At campus, whenever there's a movie, a drama, or a musical show, you end up buying tickets whether you intend to see it or not. That's the price you pay for being buddy-buddy with everybody. Even if you're the type who keeps to yourself, you buy one anyway just to get rid of those wheeler-dealers.

So after a hearty lunch we settled ourselves comfortably for two full hours of uninterrupted entertainment. There was entertainment all right with the organizers running around frantically trying to put things together at the eleventh hour. A good 30 minutes behind schedule there was still no sign of the Crouching Tiger, let alone the Hidden Dragon. We were already beginning to doubt the wisdom of our coming when the movie finally got off the ground.

I know that enough people in the Science Faculty hate me and they're going to put a price on my head for this. But facts are facts however unsavoury they may be. I don't mean to be nasty, guys, but c'mon, get your act together.

Prevention: the only answer?

The drug problem has become a significant issue in our country. In fact it is a major problem globally. And while law enforcement and treatment is imperative, sadly some lose the battle against drugs: Youth who have been rehabilitated plunge back into their old ways of life and for some, it's painfully clear that, if they take to drugs, never will they be able to find their way out. 

So what could be the solution? Prevention could be the only answer to this problem. Yet, the fact remains that at this point we simply aren't sure how to prevent drug abuse effectively, as much as we want to. At times our efforts at prevention have even backfired for peers and sometimes the media give the message that using drugs such as tobacco and alcohol is fun. Young people form an impression that these substances are symbols of adulthood, sophistication, wealth, sexuality, popularity, strength, liberation and success. By the time they come to know the truth, it is often too late. 

Parents lead the way 

Effective prevention efforts will likely combine a variety of strategies, but studies indicate that children are less apt to use drugs if the family is warm, affectionate, and communicative. 

In a country like ours, where we are bound by cultural traditions, parents feel rather uneasy to speak with their kids on subjects such as drugs, alcohol and sex. And young people too, feel edgy questioning them and don't expect their parents to explain such matters. As parents, we should take the initiative to narrow this communication gap. Then, children too will change their attitudes and look to their families to provide answers. 

Always remember our focus should be on prevention rather than drug education. Because teaching children about drugs will only increase their desire to taste these substances at least once. 

Saying no to drugs 

Saying 'no' isn't always easy. In spite of good logical evidence telling us we should avoid certain things, we all do give into temptation any way. We would be hard pressed to find good, sensible reasons why we should smoke cigarettes, drive faster than the speed limit, sleep late after a night out, flirt with someone and risk a good relationship with someone else or use heroin. But we humans don't live by logic alone; we are social animals who like to impress each other, and we are pleasure-seeking animals as well. These factors help us realise why we do some of these things, though we may suffer bad consequences. 

Learning to meet the needs that cause the risk by developing positive self-concepts, such as assertiveness, critical thinking skills, decision- making skills, coping skills and knowing the facts about dangers of substance abuse will facilitate drug prevention. We do have options. 

Guru's have fun

By Ruwanthi Herat Gunaratne

This much loved classic set in France centres around the tragic figure of Quasimodo, the hunchback. The trials and tribulations of his life and love is a story that has been tried and tested throughout the ages. It brings out the prejudice that was present in those days and slowly hints that maybe we too, considering the present scenario need to learn some lessons. 

It also, according to Director Indu Dharmasena, subtly suggests that there really is no point in proclaiming to the world all that is good if you simply cannot clean up 'your own act'. "What we are aiming at is an interpretation of the Disney classic," says Indu, "most of the songs are all pretty much from the Disney soundtrack."

Students from both the Junior and Senior school make up this relatively young cast which stars Devinda Arangala as Frollo, Glen Abeywardene as Quasimodo, Aravinda Page as Phoebus with Anoli Ratnayake and Dinali Wijesinghe sharing the role of Esmerelda. 

The excitement and enthusiasm surrounding the production is evident in the faces of the players. So how has it been so far? "Great," they chorus. "The only difference in this version is that ultimately there is a happy ending." 

The cast also includes Shiraz Badurdeen, Danya Pieris, Johann Wijesinghe, Maria Saifudeen, Malsha Kumaranatunge, Graham De Hoedt, Fatema Saifudeen, Dilmini Lecamwasam, Sanjeewa Sinniah, Anjalie Page, Aritha Wickremasinghe and Harshi Bandara. 

With practices in full swing, there's little doubt that the cast has immersed themselves in the script thoroughly. "The only problem I have faced so far is the lack of boys," laughs Indu. In a co-ed school? 'Yes, funny as it may seem the majority of the parts are played by girls.' 

Soundarie David handles the musical and choral direction whilst the choreography is by Yoshita Abesekera. Tickets are available at both the Senior and Junior School offices and at the Lionel Wendt. The play is bound to be a treat for the entire family.