Michal's films are meant to promote feminism... Is he being earnest?
Posted:
Women are not weak. Most of them have ten hands. What many of them lack in comparison to men is aggression. Men like to act without listening. I want to empower women so that they can influence men to act more favorably for justice, equality and peace.
I'm learning how to listen to women - even if they sometimes say horrible things. I want everyone to have the same opportunity.
I've decided to export fine art handcrafted by women in Poland to America. High quality handcrafted art produced by high quality women deserves to be shared. The more I can sell stateside to people who know the difference, the more I can buy from those whose worthy hands to continue the fight for openness and equality, a fight that I've taken to the world wide web.
Your support ensures that films for women will make a difference.
Author's Note: I have been enjoined from sharing the details of my true romance adventure until such time that the other party is prepared to present her perspective on the affair arrangement...
Four days after I arrived in Poland, the largely Catholic country was celebrating Corpus Christi, complete with solemn processions down the street. Three days later I had made a solemn vow that if given the chance to express it, I would show love to a woman I had only just met.
Though I felt fully formed as a writer, and had been trained in visual language, it was my first time with a professional camera in my hands. I was just learning the ins and outs and had come to Europe to find as diverse a selection of subject matter as possible, preferably something that fit my aesthetic devotion to promoting body acceptance. Enter Margo.
I had grown up in America. Land of opportunity. I came of age in the booming 90s when everything was possible. She had grown up in Poland. She had come of age at a time when the Soviets were making sure that there wasn't even anything to eat in the country. I couldn't even properly translate the word "opportunity" into Polish.
Do unto others as you would have done unto you. But how to judge what we would want done to us if we've never been in somebody else's shoes? If we've never been abandoned by our mother, how do we treat somebody who has? Somebody who seems to constantly suffer the repurcussions of it? Margo and I had 46 days and 6,000 miles to try on each other's shoes. We had one car and one tent in which to hear each other's words. We learned to cooperate. We started learning how to listen.
6,000 miles across Europe with a complete stranger
During our trip across Europe, Margo very bravely opened up to me and to the camera. It was a difficult thing to do considering the scars that she carries. I wanted to share with the world her often joyful, often sad, often angry but always liberating experience except that the Internet is full of pictures of naked women and men and full of trolls who abuse them.
I realized that what I really need to point out is not the openness that Margo and I cultivated between ourselves, but the darkness that continues to surround us. When I censor nudity, I do so in a way that does not compromise the integrity of the human body. In censoring the photographs that Margo and I took during our trip, I was quick to notice that in those pictures where Margo was at her most open, at her most unguarded and most relaxed, in a word, when she was herself and basking in the sun I was forced to blacken her completely.
Why does our society drive people into darkness? Why can we not accept ourselves as we are? Why can we not accept our bodies? Have we truly become eunuchs? Or are we capable of defying the sickness that pits us against each other? Together we could conquer the devils that abuse us.
Whether you enjoy being nude or not, whether you've been photographed nude or not, but especially if, for you, like for Margo, it's something you never thought you would do, consider submitting your own photograph to be published in a censored manner as a form of protest against the ubiquitous presence of the human body on the internet, naked or not, that is published and duplicated ad infinitum without context and without regard for the identity or the needs of the individual being depicted.
Michal's Dictionary: Protestant Reformers
Each successive pillar of culture is built upon the previous one. Just as you cannot have Saturday without Friday, you cannot have a strong military without successful children. You can't have successful children without good science. Proper science requires a strong and confident body politic to accept its conclusions. A strong body politic, a peaceful assembly, is made up of strong families. A family is built upon labor. Labor is guided by art.
Good art is a good idea well expressed. A victory over oblivion. Carry that thought down the line. Efficient labor sows the fruit of capitalism. The members of a loving family pray to each other. A just constitution keeps the assembly focused. Science studies movement. Education inspires children. Children grow strong and defend our freedom. Democracy thrives.
Our problem is not that we lack a strong army or smart teachers or scientists or political dialogue or money or prayer. Our probem is that nothing ties it together. Our culture is unraveling. We have business executives who only care about the bottom line. We have church leaders who only care about the good name of the church. We have politicians who only care about getting re-elected. We have artists who only care about their self-expression.
Our pillars of culture have climbed quite high. Yet there's nothing but hot air at the top. There's no roof over our heads. We're exposed. Either nobody taught the people at the top to listen to each other or the only way to get to the top is by not listening. Don't say nobody taught us how. Whenever people try we crucify them. That has to change. We need to accept the fact that we are building this church of Man together and it needs a roof.
We need to bridge the pillars of culture.
Pronunciation of Protestant Reformers
I have yet to publish a pronunciation for the words "protestant reformers."
Video of me pronouncing "protestant reformers."
Definition of Protestant Reformers
I have yet to publish the definition of Protestant Reformers.
I'm sure it won't take too long.
References for protestant reformers
I have yet to find good references for Protestant Reformers
Samples of Fiction from Michal's Corpus
Michal's Fiction Corpus of Acceptance Literature (FiCAL) is presented under the Bare Bottom imprint. It is currently comprised of six bodies of work, each representing a different pillar of culture and incorporating a wide variety of writhing styles.
A story bible for a comic book series set in a post climate-change California narrated by eight characters who live through a natural disaster that sinks Los Angeles and triggers a war with an expansionist Mexican government covertly supported by China.
Frame #3875
the suburbs around san diego are as bad as they are around la. if the grandparents moved to keep etsy safe they went into the city.
An experimental science fiction Christology that makes Jesus the hard boiled narrator of his own early years on a bizarro earth made dark by volcanic ash and informally ruled by a man from Mars who sells bottled air.
Jesus would've accepted more recruits, as many as applied, but he was afraid: not trusting anyone whose life he hadn't saved, Jesus subjected prospective Confederates to a rigorous test, which included securing a building completely on one's own. Candidates had no idea whether the building had already been cleared - they invariably had been, but even then: who knew what hid within their walls? Jesus even subjected members of his own family to the test. Sapper peed his pants while probing Town Hall. Jesus had unleashed a host of cats for the very purpose of scaring him. If not for that, Jesus would've sent him home; considering his own contribution to Sapper's mess, Jesus decided to take pity. His cousin was avenged, however, when Jesus made him his personal chef. That was a bad move.
Going off on my own for a while, I encountered a medium-sized fly agaric. Its bright red-orange cap was fascinating and poisonous. Wondering what it was like to eat it, I pondered its colors for a brief time. Then I left. Continuing through the straight rows of wood, I passed another fly agaric, this time a smaller one. I didn't like it. I kept my eyes on it while I walked. When I turned my head, there was a spider's web right in front of me. I stopped. Turning left, there was another spider's web right in front of my eyes. Undaunted, but upset, I turned around and walked a few paces. There were spider's webs all around. Turning south, I went back to that small specimen of fly agaric. I stomped it into the ground. I crushed it, but I didn't kill it. I went south until I found that medium-sized fly agaric whose bright red-orange cap had fascinated my imagination. I kicked it, shooting it off into the distance, leaving it alone and uprooted for the elements to wear away, for the bugs and mean things to eat it, for the inevitable onset of decomposition and hastened death.
A literature book narrated by a pair of siblings on either side of the Atlantic whose profoundly weird sexual experiences pose a serious challenge to their traditional understanding of mathematicians, marriage, gay young men and God.
Indiana just came by for a visit. She didn't stay long: apparently, she came by to make a request. A few minutes ago, she asked me whether I could take care of her children tonight. I agreed. Apparently, according to Indiana, she made a deal with the babysitter, who wanted Friday off in exchange for working on Saturday - or maybe, that's what Indiana wanted - I don't know - either way, I'll be spending my night with Fabric and Olympia. Much looking forward to it, dear sister: I haven't taken care of children since our cousin stayed with us for the whole month of August - remember? when you were in Austria and our mother was constantly working on Ramapo? I don't think I did a good job then: I don't think I'll do a good job now, but, anyway, it must be done - for the sake of the greater good or whatnot.
– Title 3, Regarding a Dream, Chapter 5, The Fifth Day, Part 2, Science & Reform Schools, Section 6, Making a Request, Paragraph 1
Albert had called me the previous day, asking if it were 'alright' if he moved in tomorrow. I repeated my consent, and, with gratitude, he made one more request: he asked if I could drive him. I, of course, agreed, thinking nothing more of it, and, the next day, getting off at Holland Park Station, I crossed the perilous avenue, making my way around the corner and down the street. Olympia was kind enough to open the door for me.
– Title 3, Regarding a Dream, Chapter 4, The Fourth Day, Part 2, The Assembly & Government Reform, Section 6, Being Obedient, Paragraph 6
And I'm not about having sex with you. Unfortunately, you need sex. I could give you as much intellectual, emotional, whatever kind of intimacy you want - except sex. And you need sex, don't you? Well, I don't blame you: what man doesn't want sex? But, when desire springs from personal appetite, no matter how much love you give, your desire is selfish. That kind of sex is inherently selfish. That's why: I'm trying to deny it.
– Title 3, Regarding a Dream, Chapter 5, The Fifth Day, Part 1, Greenery & Land Reform, Section 5, Surrendering the Debate, Paragraph 6, Clauses 3-9
A collection of stories featuring a sexy Parisian ghost, a spooky Moon base full of vagina-faced aliens, a policeman with an Irish name, a truck full of watermelons, a flautist, and a man who has to see another man about a diseased horse.
At the end of the irrigation ditch that he himself had grudgingly helped to build, Tae found Bo laboring in her field. "Good morning," he said. Bo looked up. Tae smiled. "It's a nice day for a walk." He gestured towards the desert. "Would you care to join me?" Bo looked at the landscape. She thought about it. She put down the rice plant she was holding. She wiped her hands. She looked at Tae. She nodded.
Tae looked to the right. A meadow stretched for about half a mile. It thinned into desert. Mountains rose in the distance. In front of the ship, gentle hills dominated the landscape. To the left, a river ran next to a thick forest. Beyond that were more mountains. Tae walked to the bank. The man followed.
Their bare feet sank into the soft ground. The man said, "This river runs parallel to the equator."
A wisp of steam rose from the rocks. Tae felt the urge to check it out. "Excuse me," he said. He left Kwon and Do behind. He climbed the rocks with his bare feet. He heard the sounds of splashing. Two women laughed. A man said, "That bean counter wanted us to till fields." It was Kung. "I showed her. We marked out the best spots for ourselves-right next to a hot spring. We should open a resort. Charge the others admission."
A real play. With drama in it. Talk fast. It takes two hours. Set in a guest house. In a small community. After a murder. Lots of suspicion. The characters learn to listen to each other. It's funny.
LESBIAN: The overcoat?
FLETCHER: The penis.
LESBIAN: I couldn't see. It was too dark.
FLETCHER: You mean you didn't look.
LESBIAN: I looked.
LUKE: You mean you didn't have a chance to taste it.
MS. JACKSON: Oh, my God!
FLETCHER: What?
MS. JACKSON: It's gone! My heirloom pincushion is gone!
– ACT I, lines 190-198
MS. JACKSON: Fletcher!
FLETCHER: That's right. You were a Jackson to begin with. Then you became a Christian. Now you're a Jackson again. My mistake.
ALICE: What was his old name?
FLETCHER: Alexander Smith.
LESBIAN: It's a good thing he changed it. There are plenty of Smiths.
FLETCHER: And not enough Christians.
LUKE: It must be tough havin' an island full of your rellies: bunch of stickybeaks.
LESBIAN: I suppose it came as a great relief when they named a New Zealander their prime suspect.
MS. JACKSON: It ended a frightening period for all of us. Everybody had been suspicious of everybody else.
FLETCHER: Some of us were firm believers that it had to be an outsider.
– ACT I, lines 102-111
LUKE: Hoopani Koopani.
Witi tay rah!
Kissa kissa kissa ha!
Kissa kissa kissa ha!
Winna tee, winna tee.
Tee tee ta.
FLETCHER: What the devil was that?
LESBIAN: It's a haka dance developed by the Maori people of New Zealand. I didn't know Aussies could appreciate it.
LUKE: It's me old school chant - thanks to the junior rugby union.
GREY GOOSE: Your husband's been teaching it to me.
A story book full of short fiction stories. An interesting bedtime mystery. A fairy tale. Science fiction romance. Adult life. Uninspiring gay fiction. Horror.
I almost didn't go to see Barack. I was ashamed of the time he asked me to move in with him and I said no. It was right after Obama disappeared. There were skinheads crawling all over Moscow looking for Africans to beat. Barack thought it would be safer if we lived together. I didn't disagree. It would have been cheaper too but I was used to my own apartment. That's what I told Barack. I never liked him much. Obama was always goofing off. He was a trickster. He was fun to be around. Barack was always in a bad mood. It could have been partly because of Obama. I don't know.
The girl behind the counter had a slight frame. She was cute. My first thought was that making love to her might break her in half. I had to shake the image out of my head. I was sure she was underage. When I told her where I was heading she nodded and said it was an easy place to miss. She had just moved there from the capital. She told me she had hitchhiked south and the last person to pick her up worked at the camp and had offered to get her the job. She was afraid he would want something in return but he didn't. "If you know what I mean," she said. She told me her name was Kelly. She was a talkative girl. I asked her how old she was. She said eighteen.
Indiana was perplexed. She sputtered out the same reassuring words I had just used.
"No," I said. "I just got your skirt dirty." I checked my hand. The moonlight betrayed a streak of ash. Indiana stretched the fabric of her skirt. There was a small smudge.
"Don't worry," she said. "I'll have it removed." We laughed.
I glanced at Indiana. She was looking at me. I turned back to the road. I watched her from the corner of my eye. She didn't seem to move. I wondered if she were still looking. I glanced. She was. I turned back. The road was empty. Shadows of trees stirred on either side. Autumn winds were blowing.
The Amazon assigned a top-notch surveillance unit to watch Orbitz's every move. They watched him clear out his flight deck locker. They watched him go to the gym one last time before turning in his passcard. They watched him share a smoke with the old-time janitor. They tweaked their earpieces as they listened to him tell stories about the janitor's great-great-grandfather who was shining floors and taking names the last time Orbitz was around. They fell asleep. The Amazon found out. He went crazy. He warned them that Orbitz was capable of anything. He had a thousand year head start. He was the richest man in the universe. He spoke hundreds of languages. He could have treasure buried on every planet in the Orion cluster if not the entire Orion arm of the galaxy. They were sleeping while Orbitz was on a transport to Earth.
To promote democracy, the strong must empty themselves of their strength. The weak must be granted the opportunity to grow strong. We cannot force the end of patriarchy. To do so simply perpetuates feudalism under a different name.
Help maintain the "Protestant Reformers" page...
If you love women and art...
Michal is importing Polish art...is he bats?
Michal's Sales Pitch Lot 1: Silesian Handicrafts
T-shirt fundraiser for sale
Last T-Shirt with the logo that I designed.
From a set of, I believe, twenty produced by Margo and given out to a portion of the last 20 women to finish the 20th anniversary Fiat Road Race in Bielsko-Biała, cf. the movie. This is the last one left in it's original packaging and my supporters - like the poor women of Bielsko - are going to have to fight for it. Whoever invests the most money with me, and who lets me borrow it to invest in the next lot, will not only be rewarded with some beautiful piece of art, but will get this priceless t-shirt as a reward for being my top supporter. $1000.00 or best offer. Remember to authorize me to hold the sum as credit against a future purchase and to authorize me to borrow against it.
To purchase please mail a USPS money order in an envelope clearly marked Lot #1/Item #1 to M. Slaby at house number 201 on Ridge Road in the town of West Milford, in the state of New Jersey, one of the beautiful United States of America. The postal code is 07480-3112.
Felt handbag for sale
Felt bag by Dorota.
Entirely hand-sewn. Base: polyester felt, 100% PE. Motif: South American woolen yarn, dyed, 100% wool. Hand-worked with a needle. Unique and inimitable design. Inside: cotton fabric, closes with zipper, inside pocket. Available now for $220.00. Ships free of additional charge via USPS (uninsured) unless otherwise directed.
To purchase please mail a USPS money order in an envelope clearly marked Lot #1/Item #2 to M. Slaby at house number 201 on Ridge Road in the town of West Milford, in the state of New Jersey, one of the beautiful United States of America. The postal code is 07480-3112.
Decorative collar for sale
Decorative collar by Zuzanna.
Ethnic layered cloth jewelry constructed on a cotton base and adorned with ribbons, tassels, and a yellow fringe. Fastened on the side with 11 buttons, fitted entirely with a pleasant lining. The style is an Indo-Asian-African multinational color combination. The collar is very extravagant and an extraordinary addition to any clothing, guaranteed to attract attention. Just a simple dress and a unique image is ready. Dry-cleaning recommended. Available now for $200.00. Ships free of additional charge via USPS (uninsured) unless otherwise directed.
To purchase please mail a USPS money order in an envelope clearly marked Lot #1/Item #3 to M. Slaby at house number 201 on Ridge Road in the town of West Milford, in the state of New Jersey, one of the beautiful United States of America. The postal code is 07480-3112.
Seamless handbag for sale
Handbag by Sylwia.
Handmade from felted all-natural Australian and South American wool. Entirely felted, seamless. Finished with a white lining, inside is a small pocket. Lining is sewn and stitched in by hand. Available now for $180.00. Ships free of additional charge via USPS (uninsured) unless otherwise directed.
To purchase please mail a USPS money order in an envelope clearly marked Lot #1/Item #4 to M. Slaby at house number 201 on Ridge Road in the town of West Milford, in the state of New Jersey, one of the beautiful United States of America. The postal code is 07480-3112.
Patchwork quilt for sale
Patchwork quilt by Alicja.
Bedspread made of cotton and polyester material. Inserted with polyester lining. 90 by 70 cm. Available now for $120.00. Ships free of additional charge via USPS (uninsured) unless otherwise directed.
To purchase please mail a USPS money order in an envelope clearly marked Lot #1/Item #5 to M. Slaby at house number 201 on Ridge Road in the town of West Milford, in the state of New Jersey, one of the beautiful United States of America. The postal code is 07480-3112.
Nuno-felt shawl for sale
Shawl by Sylwia.
Scarf made with the nuno felting technique (wet felting fibre into a silk gauze) using South American wool. Two-sided scarf with latticework at the ends. Wholly in the colors red, black, green in an abstract pattern. Available now for $100.00. Ships free of additional charge via USPS (uninsured) unless otherwise directed.
To purchase please mail a USPS money order in an envelope clearly marked Lot #1/Item #6 to M. Slaby at house number 201 on Ridge Road in the town of West Milford, in the state of New Jersey, one of the beautiful United States of America. The postal code is 07480-3112.
Clara the doll for sale
Clara by Alicja.
Clara loves roses and greenery, adores tormenting spiders with long legs and sleeping soundly in the afternoon. Cuddly toy made of cotton and polyester, stuffed with polyester lining. Available now for $70.00. Ships free of additional charge via USPS (uninsured) unless otherwise directed.
To purchase please mail a USPS money order in an envelope clearly marked Lot #1/Item #7 to M. Slaby at house number 201 on Ridge Road in the town of West Milford, in the state of New Jersey, one of the beautiful United States of America. The postal code is 07480-3112.
Noah the doll for sale
Noah by Alicja.
Noah doesn't know what to like and what not to like but keeps wondering and thinking about it. Cuddly toy made of cotton and polyester, stuffed with polyester lining. Available now for $70.00. Ships free of additional charge via USPS (uninsured) unless otherwise directed.
To purchase please mail a USPS money order in an envelope clearly marked Lot #1/Item #8 to M. Slaby at house number 201 on Ridge Road in the town of West Milford, in the state of New Jersey, one of the beautiful United States of America. The postal code is 07480-3112.
Black suspenders for sale
Black suspenders by Zuzanna.
Two-sided suspenders from black material with a rose motif on one side and striped cotton on the other. Connected by a leather triangle. Adjustable length. Hand washing in cold water recommended. Available now for $50.00. Ships free of additional charge via USPS (uninsured) unless otherwise directed.
To purchase please mail a USPS money order in an envelope clearly marked Lot #1/Item #9 to M. Slaby at house number 201 on Ridge Road in the town of West Milford, in the state of New Jersey, one of the beautiful United States of America. The postal code is 07480-3112.
Orange suspenders for sale
Orange suspenders by Zuzanna.
Two-sided suspenders made of denim and orange material with a Polish floral folk design. Connected by a leather triangle. Adjustable length. Hand washing in cold water recommended. Available now for $50.00. Ships free of additional charge via USPS (uninsured) unless otherwise directed.
To purchase please mail a USPS money order in an envelope clearly marked Lot #1/Item #10 to M. Slaby at house number 201 on Ridge Road in the town of West Milford, in the state of New Jersey, one of the beautiful United States of America. The postal code is 07480-3112.
Green suspenders for sale
Green suspenders by Zuzanna.
Two-sided suspenders made of denim and green material with a mountain folk design. Connected by a leather triangle. Adjustable length. Hand washing in cold water recommended. Available now for $50.00. Ships free of additional charge via USPS (uninsured) unless otherwise directed.
To purchase please mail a USPS money order in an envelope clearly marked Lot #1/Item #11 to M. Slaby at house number 201 on Ridge Road in the town of West Milford, in the state of New Jersey, one of the beautiful United States of America. The postal code is 07480-3112.
Felt earrings for sale
Felt earrings by Dorota.
Material: South American woolen yarn, dyed, 100% wool. Hand-worked with a needle. Pendant of anti-allergenic metal. Available now for $40.00. Ships free of additional charge via USPS (uninsured) unless otherwise directed.
To purchase please mail a USPS money order in an envelope clearly marked Lot #1/Item #12 to M. Slaby at house number 201 on Ridge Road in the town of West Milford, in the state of New Jersey, one of the beautiful United States of America. The postal code is 07480-3112.
Round ceramic earrings for sale
Round ceramic earrings by Dorota.
Material: Glazed ceramics, hand-molded. Available now for $40.00. Ships free of additional charge via USPS (uninsured) unless otherwise directed.
To purchase please mail a USPS money order in an envelope clearly marked Lot #1/Item #13 to M. Slaby at house number 201 on Ridge Road in the town of West Milford, in the state of New Jersey, one of the beautiful United States of America. The postal code is 07480-3112.
Oblong ceramic earrings for sale
Oblong ceramic earrings by Dorota.
Material: Glazed ceramics, hand-molded. Available now for $40.00. Ships free of additional charge via USPS (uninsured) unless otherwise directed.
To purchase please mail a USPS money order in an envelope clearly marked Lot #1/Item #14 to M. Slaby at house number 201 on Ridge Road in the town of West Milford, in the state of New Jersey, one of the beautiful United States of America. The postal code is 07480-3112.
'Coral' necklace for sale
Corals by Sylwia.
Necklace made of cotton pieces with organdy and decorated with beads, suspended on cotton strings. Can be worn as a necklace, as a brooch or as a belt tied at the side. Available now for $40.00. Ships free of additional charge via USPS (uninsured) unless otherwise directed.
To purchase please mail a USPS money order in an envelope clearly marked Lot #1/Item #15 to M. Slaby at house number 201 on Ridge Road in the town of West Milford, in the state of New Jersey, one of the beautiful United States of America. The postal code is 07480-3112.
Michal Recommends:
