-Name: Bani Pera
-Nickname: Bebeto (or other variations of
it). Sometimes known as Amigo
Australiano which was what I was refered to while I was in Brazil recently.
-sex/age/location: male/28/ Port Vila in
Vanuatu
-Tell us about your life, what do you do, and what
are your interests?
Where do I start? I am originally from Sydney Australia, but I have been
living in a country named Vanuatu for the last year (most people have never heard of Vanuatu....LOL). I currently work for an offshore betting firm
which specialises in horse racing and sports betting, soon to include virtual casinos. I have a degree in Chemical Engineering although I have
never really been given a chance to work in that field. Interests
include soccer and Rugby League. I also love travelling. I just wish I had
more of a chance to do it. I love playing backgammon (tawla) and chess, and of
course, I love chatting to all my online friends throughout the world.
For
more details, visit my website at http://members.nbci.com/bebetinho/
I find that most of
the "old gang" from NOL and atour chat
no longer chat so I guess the people have changed and a whole new generation
is now getting into the internet chat
-What are your plans for the future?
I have no definite plans. At the end of the day, all I want to do is to
be
happy. Right now, I am happy, so I guess if I stick to what I am doing
and
where I am living at this moment, I should insure that I remain happy.
-Where were you born?
Sydney Australia...yuuuuuukkkkkkkkkk!!!! LOL
CHAT QUESTIONS
-When was your first day on the chat and who referred
you to it?
Well I am a NOL veteran and i started there 3 years ago and then sometime
this year, your website became the meeting place. I think it was you and
Marroush who refered me to Assyrianvoice.net. I honestly can't remember
who
told me about it.
-Do you consider chatting a hobby, fun, or just waste
of time?
Definitely not a waste of time. I have made quite a few great friends,
not
just in Australia but overseas. I have met some long lost cousins in
North
America through internet chatting and I have also made friends with several
Brazilians, but there are 3 special people from Brazil who allowed me to
stay with them and their families while I was holidaying there. Yes, it
is
a hobby but I do think of it as a useful and productive hobby as well.
If
it wasn't for internet chatting, I would not have enjoyed my last holiday as
much. I wouldn't have known about my relatives in North America.
And most
important, internet chatting allows you to be able to communicate with so
many different people from so many different backgrounds. I think it is
great.
-As the voice chat entered its first anniversary,
tell us about what you think
is the greatest thing this voice chat has done for us as Assyrians?
I think it has been a great communication tool. You deserve a medal for
what you have given the Assyrian poeple. It has created so many
friendships. When used right, it is a great tool. Yes you do get
those odd
idiots who want to spoil it for everyone else and many people can't see past
that. But overall, bringing people from different parts of the world
together is a great thing. No other media forum can provide what you
have.
-What is your best of funniest nickname that you have
come across on the
chat?
Saddam'sMother (read the answer to the next question and you will know why)
-What is the funniest moment you have ever been faced
with on the chat?
It actually happened on the text chat. Some dork came into the chat
called
Saddam and was abusing everyone thinking he is so cool. Shapera was
copping
most of the abuse. With his broken English, he was giving Saddam as well
as
what he was copping. He claimed to have made Saddam's Mother sing ale
ale
ale to him. Shapera left the chatroom and came back as Saddam'sMother
and
started spanking Saddam for his rude behaviour. Normally I don't like
any
type of fighting and arguing but Saddam and Shapera really entertained those
who were there.
-Being one of few chatters from the voice chat who
used NOL/atour text chat.
Tell us about the difference between the two.
I don't see a difference (apart from voice of course). Just a different
group of people. I find that most of the "old gang" from NOL
and atour chat
no longer chat so I guess the people have changed and a whole new generation
is now getting into the internet chat
-What comes to your mind when you first hear these
three nicknames:
mona, Yala Nasha, Yogi The bear
Mona..I could be nice but I could also be embarrassing....better not say
anything here.
The other two, I am not familiar with.
-First person that you met on the chat
Not sure with Assyrianvoice.net who the first one was. I can say that
when
I first went to NOL 3 years ago, the first three people I met were NK
(Nena), Michi and Marroush. I think just for the record that NK was the
first.
-What do you think of those who play music in the
politics room, and talk
about important things in the music room?
I think of them the same way I think of people who go to the beach wearing a
tuxedo (and yes, I have seen it in Sydney). There is a time and a place
for
everything people. Understand this concept PLEASE!
-Your last comment about the voice chat
I just wish the ones who go into it looking for trouble realised that they
are just being childish. We have a great medium here. Spoiling it
will
eventually detroy it and we certainly don't want that. You aren't
proving
anything by being a goose! Other than the fact that you are a goose of
course!
FAVORITES
-favorite sport ...... Soccer and Rugby
League. I like playing Table Tennis
as well.
-favorite Assyrian/foreign singer... Don't
have any standout favourites,
Assyrian or non-Assyrian.
-favorite soccer team... If we are talking
about clubs, I love Deportivo La
Coruna in Spain and Ipswich in England. If we are talking about National
teams, Australia comes first but as they always seem to find a way of
missing out on qualifying for the world cup, I tend to support Holland and
Brazil because they are the only ones who play skilful and stylish soccer at
all times. I hate when they have to play each other. But I loved
Bebeto's
dance when he scored against Holland at USA94. What a legend!
Sheesh, did
you ask what is my favourite soccer team? Hmmmmmmmm, I guess I got a bit
carried away with the answer....LOL
-favorite travel destination .... Without
a doubt, Brazil. Let me tell you,
you have not been anywhere till you visit Brazil. And I supposedly went
there in the worst time of the year. Hawaii is also nice but Brazil is
something else. Impossible not to have fun when in Brazil.
-favorite TV channel- ...In Vanuatu, there
is only one channel TBV
(Television Blong Vanuatu) so I don't have a choice in the matter here.
Blong is Bislama (Pidgeon English) for belong.
-favorite thing to wear when going for a date....Eternity
or Aramis
aftershave. As for clothes, it all depends where I am going.
-best three websites ......
www.sports.com/football
gives all the news and live scores of soccer
matches throughout Europe.
www.theworldgame.com.au gives
plenty of news and views on the world's
greatest sport.
and third, I must say this very website that the interview will be published
in.
-best PC program- ... As I want
Portuguese to be my third language, I guess
"Learn portuguese Now" is my favourite.
-favorite food- ... One of the few things
I miss in Sydney are donor kebabs.
I love donor kebabs. The best place for kebabs is the corner of
Cabramatta
Rd and Hume Highway in Cabramatta (Western Sydney).
-What is better, msn, ICQ or AIM- I have
never used MSN and I only have AIM
for the sake of one person so I guess ICQ is the one for me. I have
heaps
of contacts there.
ASSYRIANS RELATED
QUESTIONS
-Do you ever watch or read about what our brothers
and sisters are doing at
homeland to gain
their rights?
yes I do. I receive many articles in my email regarding this very
subject.
-What do you personally think is the best thing
Assyrians can do to get
their rights or at least
some of them?
I realise it is easier said than done, but Assyrians need to be unified.
Without Unity, nothing will be achieved. First step is for all parties
to
agree on one principle and even one leader, with everyone getting behind
that leader. Without Unity, there can be no second step.
-Your advice to young Assyrians.
Money is great to have but it should not be your life. When choosing a
career, do what you enjoy or are good at, don't be influenced by $$$$.
Be responsible and respectable, don't become some lowlife junkie.
Remember,
life wasn't meant to be easy but don't give up on life when things get
tough. Usually, success will be waiting around the corner when you least
expect it.
-Do you ever read the Assyrian newspaper Bahra or the
weekly magazine
"zinda"?
Very seldom do I read Zenda.
-Your stand from the recent news of the arrested
Assyrian priest in Turkey?
To put it bluntly, I was disgusted. How can the Turks deny the truth?
I
heard this news just 2 days after French soccer International Yuri Djorkaeff
(of Armenian decent) had death threats made against him if he travelled with
the French team to play a "friendly" international against Turkey,
due to
his insistance that the Turks must acknowledge the attrocities committed
against his people as well as the Assyrians and Greeks. Now one of our
own
priests is in trouble for stating the truth. We have to do all that we
can
for the sake of the priest who was only serving his people.
- What are your plans to help your nation specially
those living in the home
land?
As I stated above, everything starts with unity. I will do all I can but
being unified is a team effort. Unity is the best help we can give to
the
Assyrian nation.
-Last word to all people out there and how they can
serve our nation even
better? Put meaningless grudges aside and work together.
General and
Miscellaneous Questions
-What do you think of ICQ in terms of helping you get
closer to your friends
worldwide?
A great tool. People who I would otherwise not be able to communicate
with
so often, I am able to thanks to ICQ
-Being one of few and first Assyrians to open an
online business, would you
please tell us about it and the location?
Well it is an online shopping mall and casino bought together by the Lucky7
network. Several online vendors, selling their products have come
together
into one large virtual mall. New Vendors are constantly being added and
last month, Amazon.com (one of the largest online businesses) became the
latest. The website address is http://www.lucky7networkusa.com/bebeto/.
Whatever it is you are after, the chances are that you will find it and just
by going through my website into these online stores, you will receive a
discount when purchasing. With the casino, just about any casino game
can
be found in the virtual casino. Blackjack, roulette, slot machines, you
can
bet on sports as well. I also have a facility that allows you to book
hotel
accomodation in several cities around the world, again at discount prices
just by going through my website. This business required a small
investment. Basically anyone can operate this and I would be happy to
help
and/or sponsor anyone who wishes to open up such a business. The more
successful you are, the more successful I will be so it is in my best
interest to help others start up a similar online business. For more
information, take a look at the "business opportunity" which can be
found on
the website.
-How often do you go to the church?
Before I came to Vanuatu, i was a semi
regular, once or twice a month. Since coming here, I have not been to
church but i will be back in Sydney this Christmas and i will go to church
then.
- Do you use the internet more than TV?
Considering Vanuatu has just the
one station and it is on for 4 hours a day, I will say that I definitely use
the internet more.
-What would you rather be : singer, actor,
broadcaster......I love singing
although most can't stand my singing voice. i think I would make a great
actor though.
-What is your favorite car(s)? My
old car. Holden Commodore VL
-Where would you love to spend your honeymoon?
I have always said Hawaii
though I have had several friends suggesting Reunion Island in the Indian
Ocean is the ideal honeymoon spot.
-Have you ever thought of eshopping using Assyrian
online shops such as
wawallap.com and assyrianmarket.com? Up till now, I have not
used either of
them but that is not to say that I won't. Basically, if they are selling
something that appeals to my senses, I won't hesitate to buy their products.
-Best three langauges: English,
Assyrian and Portuguese
-What do you think of the following figures?
Hammurabi, Pele, Kennedy
Hammurabi was a very wise leader. With the exception of his illegitimate
child which he only knew about a few years ago, Pele is a perfect role model
for all sportsmen and an inspiration. As for Kennedy, he seemed to be
involved in too many scandles and other shifty deals which probably led to
his death.
FINAL THOUGHTS
-One question you were glad we didn't ask you?
My opinions on marriage and
marrying from other cultures
-One question you wanted us to ask you?
What I would do if I came face to
face with ChicagoSSecurity. I would have written an essay on that
subject....LOL
-Your best quote in life. Gwara ila
makh shiptiya (Marriage is like a
watermelon). Don't ask me why. My cousin said it once and now, I
say it
all the time, even if said out of place and out of context. I just think
it
is a unique saying.
-What do you think of this interview?
It was great. I really enjoyed it.
-How can we improve these interviews and make them
even better? I think
things are good as they are. I guess if you could make them more regular
but I guess you are a really busy man to be able to conduct interviews too
often. Just stick to current format and you should be OK.
-If you were to choose the next person to be
interviewed who would it be
from the chat and why? Peach and Mona. Both are unique
in their own way
(very different to each other) and famous especially among the Aussie
chatters.
-Any final comments or thoughts>
I know I am repeating myself but I urge
everyone to make the most of life. You only have one life, so enjoy it
and
make the most of it. When times are tough, just bare with it because
something good can be around the corner. Don't give up so easily.
I am
sure glad I didn't!
At the end of this interview we would like to thank
you and wish you a good
luck in your life.
The pleasure was all mine. I wish you all the best as well Ashoor and I
am
really proud of the work you have done. I was reading one of the
guestbook
entries on my website which you had left on it last year or the year before,
complimenting my website saying how good it was. Your site was in its
infancy at that time. You have since taken over and everyone visits your
website on a regular basis, because it is a great site. I wish you luck
with everything.