Voluntourism Graft, Meatballs

December 27, 2023 Lehan Edirisinghe

VICE shorts prompted a hard line on charity transparency, then a New York Times photo set the pace: slow, molasses-like. Italian food clips and celebrity restaurant lore fueled big hospitality plans with a tightly controlled partner circle

The image is a screenshot from YouTube, displaying a short video by the channel @VICE. The video is titled "The Dark Side of Rich Kids Volunteering Abroad | A Glimpse Into the Sham World of Voluntourism #shorts." In the video frame, a person is seated on a stool against a dark grey background. They have long, wavy hair and are wearing a green long-sleeve top and dark pants. The lighting is focused on the individual, creating a stark contrast with the background. They are gesturing with their hands, indicating they might be explaining or discussing something important. The VICE logo is visible in the upper right corner, and overlay text reads, "they won't donate money for better beds and better mattresses." The video touches on themes related to voluntourism and its criticisms. The YouTube interface surrounds the video, showing interaction options like thumbs up and down, comment count, and share buttons. The browser tabs and address bar suggest this is viewed on Google Chrome.

Managing Charities With Transparency

10:45 a.m.

Wow, this sucks. We're managing charities with utmost scrutiny, ever watchfully and very responsibly, with full transparency. I think it's shameful, how they try to steal money like that.

The image depicts a film set for the movie "Rust" with cast and crew members engaged in a scene. The setting is a rugged, mountainous landscape with patches of snow visible on the hills in the background, suggesting a winter environment. The scene is outdoors, surrounded by trees and uneven terrain. In the foreground, two horses are saddled, indicative of a western film theme. Several individuals are present, including Patrick Scott McDermott, who is holding a replica gun pointed at Alec Baldwin. Alec Baldwin, wearing a long coat and hat, stands near one of the horses. A boom microphone is visible above the group, capturing audio for the scene. The lighting appears natural, consistent with the outdoor setting. The scene is part of the film's production resumption following a previous incident involving a firearm on set. This image is part of an article titled "Best Arts Photos of 2023" published by The New York Times.
- Title: "Best Arts Photos of 2023"
- Site / app: "nytimes.com"
- Captions / subtitles: "Patrick Scott McDermott pointed a replica gun at Alec Baldwin as filming resumed on “Rust” in April, 18 months after a revolver Baldwin was rehearsing with discharged, killing the film’s cinematographer. Todd Heisler/The New York Times"

Describing Something as Slow Like Molasses

11:30 a.m.

Nice and slow, all molasses like

The image showcases an intense moment from a UFC mixed martial arts fight, featuring Nazim Sadykhov and Viacheslav Borshchev. The scene captures the raw physicality and determination typical of the sport. Sadykhov is positioned on top, exerting pressure on his opponent, Borshchev, who is on the ground. Both fighters are visibly bruised and bloody, highlighting the brutal nature of the match. They are inside the octagonal caged ring, which is a signature setting for UFC events. The lighting is bright and focused, emphasizing the fighters' muscular build and the dramatic tension of their struggle. The backdrop is blurred, drawing attention to the action and intensity in the foreground. The fighters are wearing MMA gloves, and the expressions on their faces convey determination and resilience. The event was announced by Bruce Buffer, known for his iconic "It’s time!" catchphrase, adding to the high-stakes atmosphere of the match.
- Title: "Best Arts Photos of 2023"
- Site / app: "nytimes.com"
- Key OCR Lines: "Nazim Sadykhov, top, and Viacheslav Borshchev, grappled on a Saturday in November in front of 19,000 fans in a U.F.C. mixed martial arts fight announced by Bruce Buffer, known for his baritone growl and “It’s time!” catchphrase."

Hating Boxing, Wrestling and UFC

11:30 a.m. (c)

I never watch blood sports, or contact sports like this. I hate boxing or wrestling or ufc. I guess, Sumo is not that bad, but it is. I don't know why those people want to fight like that. I did karate in school. I pack a mean right hook. But I don't believe in violence, and I don't engage. ███████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████

In this YouTube video screenshot titled "Is Jamaica KFC The Best In The World?" from the channel Davidsbeenhere, the scene takes place inside a KFC restaurant. The interior is modern, with tiled floors and wooden wall panels. On the left, there is a drink dispenser with a Pepsi logo. A group of four people sit at a table in the center-right, engaged in conversation while enjoying their meal. The group includes a person in a red shirt and hat, likely a staff member, who is standing and appears to be attending to the guests or cleaning. The lighting is bright and evenly distributed, creating a welcoming atmosphere. A sign on the wall reads "CHICKEN HAND-BREADED COOKED FRESH DAILY," emphasizing the restaurant's focus on fresh food. Red chairs and simple tables contribute to the casual dining setting.

A Pantry Lunch, Pauline and Sandwich Subtext

11:45 a.m. (b)

This one time.

So, we got this "kitchen pantry area" in our flat.

So, Pauline was there that day.

This white dude, who is there to repair the place.

Some kind of technician or somebody.

He stops by, to check on something.

So, I'm like seated there, having lunch.

Pauline's there.

And he's also suddenly hungry.

He pulls out this sandwich and he's munching away.

And we're talking or something too.

Pauline did something, and left.

And then, suddenly.

This dude, he suddenly remembers he's got stuff to do.

He throws the sandwich away.

And he leaves.

I also, I also just throw my sandwich and leave.

And over here.

The subtext is key.

Hehehe

The image is a screenshot of a web browser window displaying the site "votelehan.com" with a focus on a campaign page for Lehan Edirisinghe. The page contains a black-and-white photograph of a smiling individual with a flower in the hair, assumed to be Lehan Edirisinghe. The photo is overlaid with playful doodles: a stick-figure drawing of a person with scissors and another doodle of a smiling face with brown hair. The words "BROKEN THRONE" and "PAULINE" are written prominently in different colors across the page. A portion of the campaign text is visible, discussing political strategies related to Sri Lanka, and ends with a request for support signed by Lehan Edirisinghe. The browser tabs indicate the page is open in Google Chrome, with other tabs for Facebook and YouTube visible. The browser's address bar at the top shows the URL and the page title. The image conveys a mix of serious political messaging with lighthearted doodles, possibly added for humor or emphasis.

Hallalujah

12:15 p.m.

Hallalujah

Steve Irwin is featured prominently in this video screenshot from a YouTube video titled "Poorly-Aged 90s Commercials," hosted on the channel "Microsoft Sam." The scene shows Steve Irwin outdoors, pointing towards the camera with an enthusiastic expression. His attire is a classic khaki shirt, fitting his adventurous persona. The background displays a bright, partly cloudy sky, suggesting a daytime setting. The focus on his extended hand and animated posture emphasize his dynamic storytelling style. The video seems to capture a moment from a commercial or presentation, given the context of the title. The layout of the interface shows YouTube's standard design, including options like like, share, and subscribe below the video frame.

Saying This Is Really Sad

12:15 p.m. (b)

This is real sad.

In this video frame from a YouTube video titled "Poorly-Aged 90s Commercials," Donald Trump is featured prominently. He is indoors, seated in what appears to be a corporate or upscale environment. Donald Trump is holding a hamburger in his hand, suggesting this is an advertisement likely related to fast food. He is wearing a dark suit with a white shirt and a red tie, characteristic of a formal business setting. His expression is animated, possibly mid-speech as he might be discussing the product he is holding. There is a building visible through the window in the background, hinting at an urban setting. The lighting is bright, indicating it's likely daytime. The frame captures a moment that reflects 1990s advertising styles, focusing on celebrity endorsements. The video, hosted on YouTube, is part of a compilation showcasing commercials from that era.

Admiring Trump, McDonald’s and Hating Vegetables

12:15 p.m. (c)

Trump is so cool

Remember that time, he gave his WH staffer McDonald's?

I'd rather work in WH for Trump, not Obama or Biden

Donald Trump is a hero of mine

I look up to and admire Trump

I would QUIT if Michelle Obama sprang vegetables up on me

If she tried to give me vegetables I'd quit

I used to separate out the vegetables in my plate as a child

I have grown up

I still do it -- because I hate vegetables

Go do your Cain thing with God, I'm Abel all the way!!!

The image is a screenshot of a Google Chrome window displaying a PDF document titled "Consolidated Financial Results for the Year Ended March 2023." It focuses on the "Status of Owned Fishing Concessions and Access Rights" by Maruha Nichiro Corporation. The central element is a world map highlighting various Regional Fisheries Management Organizations and fishing zones. Different regions are marked with colorful labels and acronyms, such as NEAFC, NASCO, ICCAT, and CCAMLR, indicating areas of fishing operations. Specific fish types like Greenland Halibut, Red Snapper, and Bluefin Tuna are listed next to their respective fishing regions.
The map is visually packed, with text boxes and colored lines connecting regions to fishing organization names and fish types. The design uses bold colors like red, blue, and green for emphasis. The map is part of a comprehensive financial report by Maruha Nichiro Corporation, detailing their global fishing operations. The screenshot includes browser tabs and a visible URL linking to the PDF document. The document appears to be part of a detailed business presentation, likely aimed at stakeholders or investors interested in the company's fishing rights and concessions.
- Title: "Consolidated Financial Results for the Year Ended March 2023"
- Site / app: "Google Chrome"

Saying Cool

4:00 p.m.

Cool

The video frame is from a YouTube tutorial titled "How to Cut Michelin Star Onions" on the channel Senpai Kai. The scene features a close-up of a knife blade with finely chopped onions adhered to it. The focus is sharp on the blade, showcasing the meticulous chopping technique, while the background is slightly blurred, likely showing a cutting board and some out-of-focus kitchen items. The lighting is warm, emphasizing the texture and fineness of the minced onions, suggesting a professional kitchen setting. The video seems to be demonstrating a cooking technique, with the absence of speech indicated by the subtitle "[Music]."
- Title: "How to Cut Michelin Star Onions"
- Channel / profile: "Senpai Kai"
- Site / app: "YouTube"
- Captions / subtitles: "[Music]"

Learning to Feed a Whole Army

4:00 p.m. (b)

Look close kid, you never know, you might having to feed a whole army some day

The image is a screenshot from a YouTube video titled "How to Cut Michelin Star Onions" by the channel Senpai Kai. The video visually compares the onion-cutting techniques of a home cook and a Michelin star chef. In the foreground, there is a close-up of a knife blade with finely chopped onions. The text “Home Cook” and “Michelin Star” is placed next to different sections of the knife, indicating a comparison in skill or technique. The background is blurred, but a wooden cutting board is visible, suggesting a kitchen setting. Subtitles at the bottom read, "because you don't need a sharp knife at all to do this," emphasizing the ease of the demonstrated technique. The image captures a focused, instructional moment in the culinary video, highlighting the difference in precision and efficiency in culinary skills.

Reacting With Whoa

4:00 p.m. (c)

Whoa

The screenshot displays a YouTube video from the channel "Insider Food" titled "America's Oldest Italian Restaurant Makes The Best Meatballs In Philly | Legendary Eats." The scene shows a plate of spaghetti with a rich red tomato sauce and topped with grated cheese, likely depicting a traditional Italian meal. A person's hands are seen adjusting the plate, which is set on a wooden table alongside a neatly arranged place setting including a fork, knife, and spoon. A glass of red wine with the "INSIDER" logo is seen to the side, adding a touch of elegance. In the background, there is a bread basket with butter packets, and condiment shakers are visible in the upper left corner. The setting conveys a warm and inviting atmosphere typical of a classic Italian restaurant. The video appears to explore the culinary offerings of a Philadelphia-based restaurant, focusing on its acclaimed meatballs.

Italian Food and Spaghetti With Meatballs

4:15 p.m.

I love this, I love Italian food. I think Rocco's and the local restaurants are all saying they offer up their best foods for me, for free, as their leader now. We can, if I end up with someone, we can make spaghetti with meatballs all the time.

Story

Jimmy, Meatballs and Spicing Up Food

4:30 p.m. (b)

Jimmy, jimmy...

Meatballs best!!

Jimmy, get me food..

Jimmy you should spice it up

Maybe chilli flakes

Jimmy only love me when he wanna get food

Story

Laughing

4:30 p.m. (c)

Hehehehe

The image is a composite of three separate photos, showcasing various individuals at a restaurant. The first photo on the left features a group posing in what appears to be a kitchen. There are four people; one is wearing a chef's uniform with a "Ralph's" cap, suggesting this might be the chef, accompanied by two other casually dressed individuals. The second photo in the center captures a moment outside, with two people smiling warmly in front of a restaurant. One of them is Danny DeVito, recognized from the hint, wearing glasses and a dark shirt, standing next to a man in a white outfit. The third photo on the right shows a group of five people, dressed formally in suits and ties, perhaps at a different event or time.
The video frame is from a segment titled "America’s Oldest Italian Restaurant Makes The Best Meatballs In Philly | Legendary Eats" on the INSIDER channel on YouTube. The subtitle displayed reads, "Along with a long list of celebrities," indicating the restaurant’s popularity and its celebrity clientele. The setting is likely within a historical or renowned Italian restaurant in Philadelphia, adding context to the celebrity appearances.

Planning to Visit Celebrities

4:30 p.m. (e)

Wow, celebrities..

I'm going to visit you now

The screenshot is from a YouTube video titled "America’s Oldest Italian Restaurant Makes The Best Meatballs In Philly | Legendary Eats," presented by Insider Food. The scene features a black-and-white historical image of a man waving a hat, identified in the subtitles as "former President Theodore Roosevelt." He is captured in an outdoor setting, under a pavilion adorned with American flag motifs. The mood is celebratory, as Roosevelt appears to be greeting a crowd, indicated by his raised arm and the visible expression of a smile. The video is likely exploring the historical connections of the restaurant being featured, with this specific frame tying in past notable figures. The overall composition is typical of historical footage, adding a sense of depth and authenticity to the narrative. The video belongs to the Insider channel, known for its engaging food and culture content.

Imagining Serving the President

4:30 p.m. (f)

You served the president?

THE President?

The LEADER of your country who is super cool and awesome?

And the savior of your peoples?

No..

F***ing way.

That's just so cool

This black and white screenshot features a vintage image of Frank Sinatra, who is sipping from a cup marked with what appears to be a handwritten "L." The image has a classic and nostalgic feel, often associated with the mid-20th century. Frank Sinatra is wearing a patterned jacket and a white shirt, and he gazes upward as he drinks, lending the scene a contemplative or thoughtful mood. The background is dark, drawing focus to Sinatra and the cup he holds. The text overlay includes a subtitle reading “and Frank Sinatra,” indicating the context or subject of mention. Additionally, the word "INSIDER" is visible, a nod to the publisher of the video. This screenshot is part of a YouTube video titled "America’s Oldest Italian Restaurant Makes The Best Meatballs In Philly | Legendary Eats," hosted by the channel Insider Food.
- Title: "America’s Oldest Italian Restaurant Makes The Best Meatballs In Philly | Legendary Eats"
- Channel / profile: "Insider Food"
- Site / app: "YouTube"
- Captions / subtitles: "and Frank Sinatra"

Admiring a Mug, Ol’ Blue Eyes and Autographs

4:30 p.m. (g)

That's a cool mug

Ol' blue eyes

Johnny Fontana

I like the way the L shaped up

And the arrow

I got good at it

I think every autograph I give out is unique

Taylor Swift and Ed Sheeran are featured in a black and white image that appears to be a casual, fun moment captured at a restaurant. Taylor Swift is in the center, making a heart shape with her hands. She is wearing a sleeveless white top, and her expression is playful. To her left, Ed Sheeran is smiling broadly, wearing a plaid shirt and giving thumbs up with both hands. Both are clearly enjoying themselves. The composition is tight, focusing on the upper bodies of the people in the photo against a simple restaurant interior background. The lighting is soft, typical of indoor settings. The image is part of a YouTube video titled “America’s Oldest Italian Restaurant Makes The Best Meatballs In Philly | Legendary Eats” from the channel Insider Food. Captions in the screenshot mention "to Taylor Swift and Ed Sheeran," highlighting their presence in the image. The overall mood is lighthearted and informal, reflecting a moment of camaraderie and fun.
- Title: "America’s Oldest Italian Restaurant Makes The Best Meatballs In Philly | Legendary Eats"
- Channel / profile: "Insider Food"
- Site / app: "YouTube"
- Captions / subtitles: "to Taylor Swift and Ed Sheeran,"

Celebrating Taylor Swift

4:30 p.m. (h)

TAYLOR F***ING SWIFT!!!!!!!!!!

Story

Watching Aristocats and the Spaghetti Scene

4:30 p.m. (j)

Pauline, I was watching this cartoon called Aristocats, and in it, there is this scene at the Italian restaurant. Where they share the same plate of spaghetti. And they end up with the same spaghetti roll and they---

Story

Calling Phil DeFranco Not Exactly Not a Traitor

4:30 p.m. (k)

Phil De Franco is not exactly not a ███████████traitor

Story

Zuck and Americans Voting for Lehan

5:15 p.m. (b)

Zuck

Hehehe

I think literally every one in America

Except Rosie

Who only gets one vote

And not two or three airline seats (Trump's joke)

They would all vote for me

The image is a screenshot from Wikipedia, featuring a world map labeled "Marriott International hotels worldwide." The map is dotted with various colored markers indicating the locations of Marriott hotels globally. These markers are concentrated heavily in North America, Europe, and parts of Asia, with fewer in regions like Africa and South America. The map is interactive, allowing users to explore different areas for hotel locations. The background is a typical map style with light blue oceans and white continents. The title and map attribution indicate it was created by Jkan997, with a link to an interactive version. The browser interface shows it's being viewed on Google Chrome, with multiple tabs open along the top, and the computer's status bar displaying the time and battery level.
- Title: "Marriott International hotels worldwide"
- Site / app: "Wikipedia"

Possibly Opening a Controlled Hotel

7:30 p.m.

We might open one of these

We want to keep the hotel market small, controlled by our friends and partners

Story

Calling It Très Romantique

10:00 p.m. (b)

Tres romantique

Story

Comparing Adele Sandberg and Nandani Atapattu

10:00 p.m. (c)

Sandberg's mom Adele looks prettier than her

Like Nandani Atapattu looks slightly better than Pooja

Story

Remembering Forty-Five-Degree Beijing Duck Slices

10:00 p.m. (e)

45 degrees like they cut my 100 plus slices of Beijing Duck

Story

Calvin Harris and Rihanna’s “This Is What You Came For”

10:30 p.m. (b)

Calvin Harris, Rihanna - This Is What You Came For (Official Video) ft. Rihanna

https://youtu.be/kOkQ4T5WO9E

[Chorus]

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And everybody's watchin' her

But she's lookin' at

You, █████████████████████

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Story

Continuing the “This Is What You Came For” Chorus

10:45 p.m.

[Verse]

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[Chorus]

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Story

Bridge and Chorus From “This Is What You Came For”

10:45 p.m. (b)

[Bridge]

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[Chorus]

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█████████████████, ooh, ooh, ooh

Story

Quoting “I Don’t Know”

10:45 p.m. (c)

"I don't know.. "

Hidden

Quoting “Maybe”

10:45 p.m. (d)

"Maybe... "

3 matched names linked to the Names index.