Me.
Ideals.
Monday, April 19, 2010
The winner of the 1998 Academy Award for Best Documentary, this powerful film traces the compelling experiences of five Hungarian Holocaust survivors who fell victim to Hitler's brutal war against the Jews during the final days of World War II.Including newly-discovered historical footage and a rare interview with a former Nazi doctor at Auschwitz, the film tells the remarkable story of five people - a grandmother, a teacher, a businessman, an artist and a U.S. Congressman - as they return from the United States to their hometowns and to the ghettos and concentration camps in which they were imprisoned.Through the eyes of the survivors and other witnesses, The Last Days recounts one of the most brutal chapters of this dark period in human history, when families were taken from their homes, stripped of their dignity, deported to concentration camps and ultimately murdered. Above all, The Last Days is a potent depiction of personal strength and courage, and a testament to the power of the human spirit.
As stated above, this is a documentary. Produced in the year 1998, it was - and still is, to me - an incredibly moving and educational documentary on the lives of the Jews during the second World War. I watched this when it was first released - as a boy of twelve years, it was fairly difficult to watch the horrors that people were subjected to under Hitler's rule. This came during a time where I was fixated on the history and ideals of pre-World War Germany, spurred on by film and written work such as Schindler's List, Night and Marxism.
If you should ever come across this documentary, I urge you to take the time to watch it. I trust that you will not feel disappointed once the credits start rolling.
***
I only mention this now because I was reminded of the documentary after looking for my old copies of Das Kapital and The German Ideology - my memory ties socialism and capitalism to Hitler and the birth of the new world (as I see it).
Looking back, I cannot say for sure what went through the minds of my parents when I - no more than twelve years of age - began talking to them about Marxism. I know that at the very least they were alarmed at their son's sudden interest in capitalism. Even so, my father allowed me my interests, and even went so far as to buy Karl Marx's written works (both Das Kapital and The German Ideology, as mentioned above) for me.
As I preferred to have time to myself, rather than busy myself with school and hang out (of which I thought was a complete waste of time - this certainly helped cement the fact that I was very much an outcast at school, as I never bothered trying to fit in), I spent many days/nights reading, re-reading, and discussing with myself (unfortunately) about the theories surrounding socialism and capitalism (contrary to what my parents believed, I wasn't interested in capitalism, rather I was fixated on socialism, and I understood that to fully comprehend the basics of socialism, I had to understand capitalism).
At this point in time, I cannot help but be thankful for the confidence my parents had in me - certainly the works of Karl Marx weren't easy to understand, and I'm sure they thought so too. I believe the only reason I understood his works is the fact that I didn't stop reading (and asking questions) till I understood it all. However, it must be said that one can only understand so much if one has no one to truly discuss these theories with, and that was the issue with me. My interest in it went down the drain over the years, as the people around me never related to my discussions about capitalism and socialism. Now with the ease in getting connected to the Internet, as well as having a bigger head on my shoulders (heh), I see no reason not to go back to reading his works again - maybe I'll find something new in it all. It might even provide me with a special view on certain things.
A visit to the bookstore has been long overdue.
Given a certain level of thought byAdam Dewind at 8:02 PM 0 comment(s)
Imaginary.
Friday, April 16, 2010
Thus he kept watch over her, and liked to feel that she was there. The consciousness of her living presence stimulated him. But she remained more or less an ideal character, about whose form he began to weave curious and fantastic day-dreams.
This sounds all to familiar.
Given a certain level of thought byAdam Dewind at 11:37 PM 0 comment(s)
Music Is Universal.
Wednesday, April 14, 2010
Ah, do that again!Jabba the Hut
There are days when I walk around almost aimlessly, and often, ever so softly, I sing to myself - "Cha tang ima ti tu rang tap meee tuuu". Granted, I may not be singing it correctly - it is an alien language, after all.
You're confused, and you think I'm a little off my rocker - don't you? For you Star Wars fans, I'm sure you remember this very, very well.
The bass is mean in this song, and who can argue with the coolness of the drummer at 0:19? I know I can't. In fact, even if anyone could - I don't think they should. Must've taken him a lot of work to get into Jabba's live band.
Or a lot of bad luck.
I've had the song on repeat for about fifteen minutes now. There's no saving me, and I damn sure hope I'm not alone in this one.
Given a certain level of thought byAdam Dewind at 6:19 PM 0 comment(s)
Indifference.
Tuesday, April 13, 2010
The opposite of love is not hate, it's indifference. The opposite of art is not ugliness, it's indifference. The opposite of faith is not heresy, it's indifference. And the opposite of life is not death, it's indifference.Elie Wiesel
And so we are indifferent, always - but not for much longer. This I say not as a promise to you, but as a promise to myself. And who would tell the difference, when it doesn't really matter?
Given a certain level of thought byAdam Dewind at 11:05 PM 0 comment(s)
Thought For The Night.
Wednesday, April 7, 2010
It's a slow night.
Given a certain level of thought byAdam Dewind at 9:53 PM 0 comment(s)
A Leap of Faith.
I wish I was less of a thinking man and more of a fool not afraid of rejection.Billy Joel
It is done - all for the better. Now I've a weight off my chest, and everything is fine. And now, as it was done before, I will keep my eyes open for new opportunities to pursue - when they come, and I'm sure they will - I will do as I should, as is needed of me, as is needed for me - and there I will find myself a better man.
Given a certain level of thought byAdam Dewind at 5:03 PM 0 comment(s)
All In A Row.
Monday, April 5, 2010
Hi there, how are 'ya?Been a long time.Seems like we've come a long way.My, but we learn so slow;And heroes they come and they go,And leave us behind, as if we're supposed to know why.Why do we give up our hearts to the past?And why must we grow up so fast?And all you wishing well fools with your fortunes,Someone should send you a rose; With love from a friend,It's nice to hear from you again.And the storybook comes to a close.
Gone are the ribbons and bows.Things to remember, places to go.Pretty maids all in a row.The Eagles
One of my all time favourites - I sing this song to myself fairly often. Though it isn't nearly as popular as the rest of their songs, I daresay this is the most honest track they've ever released.
Given a certain level of thought byAdam Dewind at 9:41 PM 0 comment(s)
Ring, Ring, Ring.
Sunday, April 4, 2010
The poetry is all in the anticipation, for there is none in reality.
Mark Twain
My mind is playing tricks on me - I keep hearing my phone ring, only to turn to it and find that I've no calls or messages. I know then that I am expecting something, someone - but what, who? And the bigger question is: why?
Given a certain level of thought byAdam Dewind at 8:08 AM 0 comment(s)
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