Two Column's of Fame

Cinematographer Heading to Haiti
By Ted Shaw--The Windsor Star

February 26, 2010

Windsor's Sarorn (Ron) Sim is donating his talent with a camera to relief efforts in Haiti.

The 29-year-old filmmaker will volunteer his services to record the efforts of several Non-Government Organizations, or NGOs, in the earthquake-ravaged country.

The film will then be turned over free-of-charge to the NGOs for promotional and fundraising use.

Sim is employed by Dow Chemical of Midland, Mich., to shoot films around the world. When his travels take him to Third World countries or places reeling from disaster, he offers his services to local NGOs.

"I'm not a doctor or a medical worker," said Sim.

"But I have a talent and this is how I can make a difference."

A native of Cambodia, Sim was just five when he immigrated with his family to Windsor in 1985. He attended J.E. Benson elementary school and W.D. Lowe high school before studying cinematography at Oakville's Sheridan College.

Since graduating, Sim has worked for Discovery Channel and CTV in Canada, and currently freelances for BBC-TV. His film work has aired on documentary specials on the National Geographic channel and Discovery Canada, as well as news outlets around the world.

His film has also won awards, and recently footage he shot for an NGO in India was nominated for a prize from the Canadian Society for Cinematographers.

This weekend, Sim will travel to Honduras to document the work of the Central American Medical Outreach organization.

The day after arriving back home, on March 10, Sim will head to Haiti's tent cities in Port-au-Prince, where he'll record the efforts of Michigan-based Pure Water for the World, a group which donates water purification units.

"I want to use my camera to tell stories that affect people," Sim said.

© Copyright (c) The Windsor Star

Shadows of Fate

Photo by: D2 Photography

Sometimes, I wonder if I'm the person I was born to be, if the life I've lived really is the one I was meant to, or if it is some half life--a mutation engineered by fate, cobbled together by the will to live.

In my life, I've seen beauty. I've seen the sun paint the desert, the ocean ebb and flow to the sound of crashing waves in the distance, the rise and fall of water and rain. I've seen places I can't pronounce, people I'll never forget, horror I wish I hadn't. I've seen it all, yet never enough.

There are times in my life when it all happens too fast, when the winds of change casts doubts on the road ahead, when wrong becomes right and nothing is left. There are times when I look at myself and see not the man I am, but the boy I once was--and I smile. And there are times when I'd see nothing at all. Mere shadows of fate glistening off the contours of my soul.

Sometimes, I stand alone, lost, waiting for something I cannot define in words--but rather, in rays of light. Most times, it finds me before I find it--and within the blink of any eye, we dance to the tune of a camera's shutter, of strobing lights and sweaty palms--and for a fraction of a second, I'm able to see myself, yet again. When I am lost, only my pictures define my existence.

In reflection, maybe some questions aren't meant to be answered--but just accepted. Maybe the life I live is merely the life of someone else, but borrowed. Maybe...

To Touch an Angel

Photo: Along the Pakistan/Afghanistan border. 2008.

"Let us touch the dying, the poor, the lonely and the unwanted according to the graces we have received and let us not be ashamed or slow to do the humble work. " --Mother Teresa

Blogger note: I'm currently packing for an assignment in Haiti and Honduras. I hope this finds you well.

L is for Lily

Photo: Ron and Lily, 1986
Note: For those who do not know the history of me and Lily, please read here on a previous post entitled: My Girl

Dear Lily,

Today is Valentines day, and for some devine reason, I awoke this morning with you on my mind. Last night, I dreamt of you, felt cupids arrows puncture the bottom of my bum--and when I looked down, I saw none other than you. It reminded me of when you bit me...down there.

Wiping eye-poop from my eyes, I sat up on my bed, felt my heart pounding in disarray as I quickly realized that you were only in my dreams, a mere synapse of a moment as my soul wondered through my sleep. Looking into the darkness of my room, I remembered you.

Our first Valentines day was spent together in Mr. Vee's first grade classroom. You looked beautiful that day, dressed in pink with pony tails protruding from your head. Looking at you, I saw my world unfolding in slow motion, complete with dreamy white haze, romantic music and doves flying thru the air. Goose bumps rippled through my body as I sat there and smiled. You turned around, saw me gazing, and handed me my first and only Valentines day card. "Lily" was what you wrote.

It was perfect. On it was the picture of a dinosaur, and in huge red letters, it had a pre-typed message that read, "YOU'RE DINO-MITE."

Walking home, I felt the warmth of your love fill my soul. And when the wind howled, I heard your name. Held tightly in my yellow mittens, I cradled your card in both hands, carefully making sure I'd never lose it.

There were no candle lit dinners that night, no phone calls to say hello or even messages to say goodnight. But I did pray for you, for us, forever. And on my mirror was your card, held up with glue and gum, watching me while I slept.

Lily, I've gone through twenty three Valentines days without you since. I've travelled the world looking for you, searching for your smile once more. I've seen the sun rising over the Ganges, the mountains of the Himalayas, and the plains of the Sahara. I've felt the northern winds gusting through my hair, heard the cry of infant angels, and even touched the hands of sacred Gods--but nothing ever comes close to that sight of you, your touch, your voice, your smile and smell, beauty and grace.

If wishes came true, I'd wish for you. If dreams were real, I'd never stop dreaming of you...because on this day and everyday, I LOVE YOU.

Forever yours,
Ron

Winter Expedition

It's a blistering minus 20 degrees as we ventured onto the frozen tundra of Northern Ontario, Canada. I'm with two of my closest friends: College roommate Steve and childhood buddy Yean--and together, we've decided to test our man-hood...or in my case, luck.

We've talked about this trip for years, but due to a hectic work and travel schedule, this trip was postponed year after year--until now. Here's a few snapshots from our trip.

Yours truly trekking through the snow covered canopy of Algonquin Provincial Park.

College buddy Steve trekking through the woods.

Buddy Yean chopping up some fire wood.

Yours truly punching a hole through the ice to fetch water. (Sexy hat courtesy of my good friend Dan).