Yahoo! Singapore article on mermaiding is out! :)

[Mermaid Syrena]

Yahoo! Singapore interviewed a couple of us mers, and here's the final result- the 1st article of 2 articles on the mermaid trend. (I don't really agree with the use of the word "trend", as well as quite a few other terms, but news will do what news does after all, and that's an entirely different debate...) (the journalist was very nice though)

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http://sg.entertainment.yahoo.com/blogs/singapore-showbiz/mermaid-series-part-1-why-world-going-crazy-051022676.html

A big, salty thank you to Merman Arion, PearlieMae, Finfolk Productions, Nigel, Anahita, and a bunch of other lovely mers and mer-lovers for their input. You all talked with real heart.

Yahoo! will also be publishing an interview with my mermaid alterego a little later this week, so I'll make a little post here when it's out.

Keep making waves, mers! Butterflies and hurricanes. <3

[Mermaid Syrena]

Also, sidenote: ... has anyone else noticed the multitude of vampire/mermaid parallels being drawn in the media lately?!

[PearlieMae]

Syrena! It was such fun doing this interview! Of course, ignore the comments below it, Yahoo can be filled with yahoos. You look absolutely stunning and I can't wait to read your extended interview!

The Mer/Vamp parallels are probably mostly marketing. Once the whole vampire thing started to wane, they were casting about to find the "next big thing".

Funny thing, all it takes to be a vampire is a set of dentures and a bad attitude. You want to be a Mer, you gotta COMMIT!

[Mermaid_Dominique]

Thank you for sharing :), great to see that they also interviewed french merman :D. And it's not so strange to see them comparing mermaids to vampires, you see it so often, vampires, giants, sorcerer's, people are always searching for the next hype.

[AniaR]

congrats on the publication everyone! There were a few points I disagreed with them making, and I think they got a few things wrong (Alex isn't 100% deaf for one thing... lol). But this is media, they change things around. :/ I've done interviews and one they published said I hated swimming growing up and I was like uh, I never said that? lol. Too bad they didn't point out that Alex DID get into some pools... makes it sound kinda weird and negative the way they worded.

The business guy being consulted kinda rubbed me the wrong way, because if that were true, I wouldn't have the top investors in the East Coast of Canada pursuing me right now, for a fad ;) I think mermaid world will always be there for those who know how to find it and make it. I think pop culture will rise and swell but honestly, Vampires haven't just recently come into the spotlight, they've been in and out for decades- especially in the 80s.

Mermaid Shelly wasn't the first one to make a mermaid index... I think the first official index was Blue Mermaid's www.mermaidtails.net and www.mermaidtales.net which have been up for several years. Prior to that, I've seen indexes of mermaids as far back as 2004- that's how I found a lot of the people I know now. Most of it came up from Kurt over at Seatails. Same goes for the statement about being the first to organize meetups, meetups have been going on for a long time.

I think they should have been more careful about using the word "mertailor" to apply to all tail makers- but what are you going to do? It's nice they feature finfolk and showed their beautiful tails.

It's really cool to hear about the mermaid wave going through Asia though, really shows you how it's going world wide. I had no idea the mermaid documentary was the #1 for ratings of all time on animal planet though...! wow.

Anyway, publicity is publicity. It was very kind if you Syrena to include so many others and share the spotlight :) It's nice to see how often mermaids keep popping up on yahoo.

Also, never read the comments. lol

[PearlieMae]

The business consultant probably wouldn't know a mermaid if it swam up and bit him.

[Mermaid Oshun]

Congratulations you guys!

[Anahita]

The business consultant probably wouldn't know a mermaid if it swam up and bit him.

Lol, we should test that theory.. Just to see. :D

[PearlieMae]

Lol, we should test that theory.. Just to see. :D

I like the way you think! ;)

[Mermaid Syrena]

Raina- I have to say I agree with every one of your points. I guess it's just the news doing what the news does, though. Also, I know for sure that this particular journalist had good intentions. Maybe it was just difficult for her to present an entirely accurate picture of the mer-community (which, btw, is NOT a trend. Not to a lot of us, anyway!). I know she had about two days to research all her background info, and I guess it can be kinda hard to grasp all the nuances of the community in just two days. Re: sharing spotlight-- of course! I'm not the most experienced mer anyway, so it's not like I deserve all of it to myself. I think the article benefited from the multi-culturality of the interviewees. I really wish she'd been able to interview more mers, though!
Also. Yar. Maaaan, the comments are rubbing me all sorts of wrong ways! Mermaids are NOT obliged to be topless, NOT obliged to have double D's and a whip-thin waist.... I could go on. It's strange, because on Facebook I'm getting lots of new supporters, and people writing in expressing their support. But on the direct Yahoo! article? Nothing but stupidity. Guess these people have nothing better to do than to display elaborate showcases of their ignorance.

On the other hand, it made me smile to see you and PearlieMae retaliating in the comments. Which is a huge task, because there's so much stupid there. But it kind of made me think of a "revenge of the mermaids" scene. One mer for all mers, and fuck unrealistic, porn-centric expectations! (I've been wanting to post a FB status about that for SO long...)

Also, reaching out to mers who have been on the news and then gotten bad comments (probably all of 'em) before... how dyou guys deal with it? Just water off fishes' backs?

[Mermaid Syrena]

Also- I expect the comments to get a LOT worse when the interview with just me alone gets published. Fat, ugly, maid-like, a dugong (but dugongs are so keyewt), etc. COME ON AT ME.
Of course, one should never read the comments- but dang, it's hard not to! :p

[Anahita]

Yeah, I avoid the comments on any and all articles, whether or not I'm in them just because the comments section is like, a troll breeding ground. Seriously, some people should just be banned from life as a whole, and those are the people who often show up in comments sections of articles. lol

[AniaR]

I am totally enjoying trolling the commentors right now

[Anahita]

I am totally enjoying trolling the commentors right now

Hahahaaa, the ability of trolling trolls is a special skill I'm very envious of. :highfive: I wish I could do it, but my brain reads all the stupid stuff and then pulls a Professor Farnsworth (http://i695.photobucket.com/albums/vv315/theh0lyc0w/Futurama-Farnsworth-IDontWantToLiveOnThisPlanetAnymore.png) in protest .... And I lose the ability to do anything but stare blankly.

[AniaR]

this was my favourite:


why must put a gay picture to get attention? 1 Reply (http://sg.entertainment.yahoo.com/blogs/singapore-showbiz/mermaid-series-part-1-why-world-going-crazy-051022676.html#) http://l.yimg.com/a/i/us/nws/2008/news/us/assets/common/images/transparent.png (http://profile.yahoo.com/KB4VQEO6EU55EKLWR3RFE7RLYU)
0users liked this commentThumbs Up (http://sg.entertainment.yahoo.com/blogs/singapore-showbiz/mermaid-series-part-1-why-world-going-crazy-051022676.html#)Thumbs Down (http://sg.entertainment.yahoo.com/blogs/singapore-showbiz/mermaid-series-part-1-why-world-going-crazy-051022676.html#)0users disliked this comment
Raina Mermaid (http://profile.yahoo.com/KB4VQEO6EU55EKLWR3RFE7RLYU) • 12 minutes ago Remove (http://sg.entertainment.yahoo.com/blogs/singapore-showbiz/mermaid-series-part-1-why-world-going-crazy-051022676.html#)
why u no speak english

[AniaR]

oh and this one:

Not Alladin


i feel so embarrassed for these people. 1 Reply (http://sg.entertainment.yahoo.com/blogs/singapore-showbiz/mermaid-series-part-1-why-world-going-crazy-051022676.html#) http://l.yimg.com/a/i/us/nws/2008/news/us/assets/common/images/transparent.png (http://profile.yahoo.com/KB4VQEO6EU55EKLWR3RFE7RLYU)
0users liked this commentThumbs Up (http://sg.entertainment.yahoo.com/blogs/singapore-showbiz/mermaid-series-part-1-why-world-going-crazy-051022676.html#)Thumbs Down (http://sg.entertainment.yahoo.com/blogs/singapore-showbiz/mermaid-series-part-1-why-world-going-crazy-051022676.html#)0users disliked this comment
Raina Mermaid (http://profile.yahoo.com/KB4VQEO6EU55EKLWR3RFE7RLYU) • 11 minutes ago Remove (http://sg.entertainment.yahoo.com/blogs/singapore-showbiz/mermaid-series-part-1-why-world-going-crazy-051022676.html#)
it's a good thing you aren't Aladdin

[AniaR]

omg and this one

Eric

Swim in ocean not in pool. 1 Reply (http://sg.entertainment.yahoo.com/blogs/singapore-showbiz/mermaid-series-part-1-why-world-going-crazy-051022676.html#) http://l.yimg.com/a/i/us/nws/2008/news/us/assets/common/images/transparent.png (http://profile.yahoo.com/KB4VQEO6EU55EKLWR3RFE7RLYU)
0users liked this commentThumbs Up (http://sg.entertainment.yahoo.com/blogs/singapore-showbiz/mermaid-series-part-1-why-world-going-crazy-051022676.html#)Thumbs Down (http://sg.entertainment.yahoo.com/blogs/singapore-showbiz/mermaid-series-part-1-why-world-going-crazy-051022676.html#)0users disliked this comment
Raina Mermaid (http://profile.yahoo.com/KB4VQEO6EU55EKLWR3RFE7RLYU) • 12 minutes ago Remove (http://sg.entertainment.yahoo.com/blogs/singapore-showbiz/mermaid-series-part-1-why-world-going-crazy-051022676.html#)
we swim in all water. Hows about you don't tell us what to do... Eric. I mean seriously, Prince Eric, as Ariel's husband, you should know a mermaid has the right to choose

[Anahita]

Bahahahaa those are good.

And hey, for the first one, it seems it got his attention, so I guess it worked. ;)

[AniaR]

Another guy said "wow big armpit" so I said "wow small male sex organ" lol I'm sorry I'm so bad. I have way too much fun with these idiots. Reddit has schooled me well

[Anahita]

Another guy said "wow big armpit" so I said "wow small male sex organ" lol I'm sorry I'm so bad. I have way too much fun with these idiots. Reddit has schooled me well

:rotfl::rotfl::rotfl::rotfl::rotfl:

I love teeny-weenie jokes... Because I too am a badfish. :D

[Mermaid Syrena]

I wanted to quote your Aladdin one and then I wanted to quote your Eric one and then I wanted to quote your penis one and then I couldn't decide so I'm doing a general PAHAHAHA.
Raina, you made my day. I honestly want to go back to Yahoo!, screenshot, all your comments, and post them on FB in a collage of awesome.

[Mermaid Syrena]

*Krakens* ;)

[Mermaid Kalliope]

Raina.... I might break a fin from laughing. XD You are the best troll ever. <3 This is fantastic.

[PearlieMae]

Damn! I can't see the replies to comments from my phone! But when I get into the office, THE GLOVES ARE COMING OFF!

[Anahita]

All I can think of now is this:

http://24.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lsibwb86OS1qcah0do1_500.gif

[Mermaid Syrena]

Anahita- THAT IS PERF.
PearlieMae- You go, girl!

[PearlieMae]

That was fun... I tried to be kind of civil. :D

[AniaR]

Jolene your comments are made of win

"why got no hairs?"
"why got no grammar?" lmao

[Merman Dan]

I am totally enjoying trolling the commentors right now

As am I. Muggles, muggles, everywhere...

[Mermaid Syrena]

I didn't try so hard to be civil. Teamwork is fun.

Also, Merman Dan- big kudos to you for putting yourself out there and laying down a good word! It has NOT gone unappreciated. And man, you word-kicked that guy's butt.

[PearlieMae]

Jolene your comments are made of win

"why got no hairs?"
"why got no grammar?" lmao

I try. :D

And yeah, I did professional stand-up comedy for about six years. Hecklers for breakfast, anyone?

[Mermaid Syrena]

Hi lovelies!
Soooo the second part of the article on mermaiding is out. I'm pretty happy with how it turned out, the journalist was a dear. I also sound relatively intelligent here, which is always good. Lol.

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http://sg.entertainment.yahoo.com/blogs/singapore-showbiz/singapore-mermaid-cara-nicole-neo-reminding-people-magic-041214746.html

Of course, the little negativity guppies are out again in full force, but it doesn't really bother me this time. I get irked at a few of the comments, just because they're so inane (come on guys the "take your top off to show you're a mermaid" line is so OLD), but I'm taking everything in my stride/fluke-flip!
Also, y'all's hilarious comments the last time around made me realize that as mermaids, we're never alone. We've got a whole community behind us-- we SWIM DIZ HOOD. BEACH.
;)

(also I've realized that a lot of you have bright futures as stand up comer-dians)

x, Mermaid Syrena.

[PearlieMae]

You are so beautiful! And smart, and clever, and sweet...

Ordinary people just don't get it. And I do hope the sampling of yahoos commenting are not an example of the majority of people in Singapore!

[Mermaid Syrena]

Wow. The article made it to the Top Headlines front page of the website. And appeared right next to the article of our Minister Mentor (and founding father of Singapore). Probably the closest I'll ever get to that guy...

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[Mermaid Syrena]

PearlieMae- You are such a sweetheart and a pillar of strength. Thank you for your constant support and love. :) Interestingly- it's only on the anonymous Yahoo comment board that negative comments are being made. On every other NON-anonymous channel (Facebook, Youtube, Gmail)... it's been nothing but positive!

[PearlieMae]

Cowards will be cowards!

Big luv, sweetie!

[AniaR]

Imma going nuts with the comments XD

[Mermaid Syrena]

"Lah, a note to follow so..."

PAHAHA. (*lah = Singapore slang expression of carelessness)

Raina - I'm having the time of my life just reading through your comments. Everyone there must be like "who is this Rain Mermaid ah??". My Mum was reading the comments too, and asked who Raina Mermaid is. I told her that you're one of the leading international mers, and Halifax's own mermaid. Now she doesn't know much about mermaiding, but I think she was a little bit impressed. :P
PearlieMae- Your deadpan comedy just gets me EVERY. TIME. I love it. I really do. A lot of the people there probably don't know they're being trolled.

[PearlieMae]

Doing my part to make your day a little more surreal! ;)

[AniaR]

we gotta stick together. <3

[Mermaid Oshun]

Part 2 of the article was wonderful. It offers a tiny glimpse into the world of whimsical playfulness, myth and sensuality that are all part of the world of mermaiding. In a world full of so much competitiveness, back stabbing, hatred, negativity, mean spiritedness and general hateful attacks, the mermaid community should remain a safe haven to escape from all of that gloom and remember that a bit of magic does exists. I feel that this series of articles portrays that somewhat.
Congratulations to all the water spirits who helped to share a glimpse of that magic with the mundane world! May your lights continue to be a beacon in the darkness!

[Mermaid Syrena]

Golden Pearl-- that was beautifully written. YOU should be a journalist yourself! ;) I agree, I liked this part of the article a lot more. It sheds a little more light on the magick that mermaiding really is.
The response (Yahoo comments aside-- and Raina, PearlieMae, and MermanDan have been a veritable- and very witty- ARMY in deflecting trolls) has really been great. I've since been contacted by a Mandarin newspaper, and an online magazine, "The Diplomat". I reaaaaally would love to let more mers have a say in these articles, when the next opportunity arises-- so please add me up on FB, so I can easily shoot out a message when and if the time comesa!

And. I feel so loved. It's been a while since I've felt this loved. Thank you, mer-community. <3
Part 2 of the article was wonderful. It offers a tiny glimpse into the world of whimsical playfulness, myth and sensuality that are all part of the world of mermaiding. In a world full of so much competitiveness, back stabbing, hatred, negativity, mean spiritedness and general hateful attacks, the mermaid community should remain a safe haven to escape from all of that gloom and remember that a bit of magic does exists. I feel that this series of articles portrays that somewhat.
Congratulations to all the water spirits who helped to share a glimpse of that magic with the mundane world! May your lights continue to be a beacon in the darkness!

[Merman Dan]

So when is part 3? :)

[Mermaid Syrena]

Merman Dan - Yahoo! Sg isn't gonna have a part 3, but I've just finished an interview with "The Diplomat" and then there's a Mandarin newspaper tomorrow LOL. Singapore is so tiny, and our mer community is even tinier... so it's not that surprising that this is spreading like wildfire, although I am happy and very grateful. Y'all need to GET your mer butts over to this side of the equator!

[PearlieMae]

It's getting cold here in NJ/NY...I AM ON MY WAY!

[Merman Dan]

Y'all need to GET your mer butts over to this side of the equator!

I have been to China three times and Taiwan once. Granted, with each trip we brought a child back home. :)

[Talia]

Funny thing, all it takes to be a vampire is a set of dentures and a bad attitude. You want to be a Mer, you gotta COMMIT!

Funny that you mention it, because I am both. I am usually a vampire in the fall/winter seasons and a mermaid on Spring/Summer seasons. I don't really have an explanation for this, other than the ones that follow:
1- I wanted to be a vampire before I wanted to be a mermaid (when I was 7 years old. I will be 38 next January).
2- The fact that there is more sun in the spring /summer and temperature raises make me want to go outside and do stuff. I hate the cold, and during winter I prefer to stay inside reading or watching movies. It easier being a vampire when there is no sun :)
3- I get to dress up in winter with clothes made of velvet and satin, long skirts, corsets, hats, cloaks and pointy boots. Most people do not dream on wearing on the street what I do wear, unless it's Halloween (I am NOT a Twilight vampire, thank you very much).
4- You would be surprise how many people ask me if I am not ashamed of walking down the streets with fangs, or with my outfits. I have never gotten that question while wearing the tail.
5- You do need to commit to being a vampire. You know how expensive are velvet cloaks, corsets and coats? You know how easily they can get damage by rain and/or snow?
6- I was very happy to see I could be both of them at the same time when I watched Pirates of the Caribbean 4.

It is a different type of commitment, but to me it is worthy being both. I am the sum of many hobbies, not just one.

Leaving aside that, it was great reading those articles. Thank you for sharing them, Syrena. You guys were great!
By the way, I found a couple of videos regarding mermaiding in Philipphines. Did you guys see them?


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aQOqFUSvoic&amp;feature=youtu.be


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PlgPRzaasw4&amp;feature=youtu.be

[PearlieMae]

Talia, please forgive me for minimizing your vampire pursuits. Believe me, I understand the cost and commitment to heavy costuming. I was really referring to the Twilight-type of trendy vamp.

[Talia]

PearlieMae, nothing to forgive :)

I myself am against the trendy vamp thing. If something, I think that it has done more harm than good. Before, one could barely find any (not even saying good) vampire fiction; now the market is oversaturated, and the same people that were saying vampire were the coolest thing ever since the invention of cheese will say now that vampires are lame and they never really like them anyway, while adopting the next cool-to-like thing.

It is hard seeing something that one holds dear be dismissed as a teenage fad. I would hate to see mermaids following the same route as vampires.

[PearlieMae]

We know the difference between a lifestyle and a teenage fad. I've been doing this for over thirty years.

[Mermaid Syrena]

There will always be people (newspapers included) who try to make a particular passion seem *relevant* by positioning it as a trend, or fad. Sometimes it really does become one... like the unfortunate vampire trend, which I'm sure offended a majority of the true vamps. So Thalia, I completely understand how you feel. A lot of us are acutely aware of it too!

I'd hate seeing mermaiding become a trend too, and the word does niggle at me. But the fact of it is- there will always be people who appropriate it just as a fashion statement (GaGa, Katy Perry etc) and there'll be the true blue believers. Like us.

[PearlieMae]

Well said!