Interessanter Besuch im Klassenraum!

Die Klasse 7a bekam am 19.11.09 Besuch von einem Journalisten der Waiblinger Kreiszeitung. Die Schüler waren gespannt auf den Mann, den die Lehrerin bereits Tage zuvor angekündigt hatte, deshalb war im Klassenraum schon der Stuhlkreis aufgebaut. “Wie sieht wohl ein Journalist aus?” hatten sich viele gefragt.

Er sah eigentlich normal aus bis auf seine schwarze Kleidung. Die Schüler dachten sich, schwarz ist seine Lieblingsfarbe. Peter Schwarz setzte sich zu den Schülern in den Kreis und begrüßte alle. Danach erzählte er der Klasse von seinem Berufsalltag. Ein besonderer Fall war der Amoklauf in Winnenden vor einem Jahr.

Später stellten die Kinder interesannte Fragen, die Herr Schwarz gerne beantwortete. Die zweite Stunde, die er bei der Klasse war, gingen für die Schüler wie im Flug vorbei.

Lars Schmidt

Dies war der Bericht von Lars Schmidt, geschrieben von Reto Nitzsche

First Published Saturday 21 November 2009 here at Ace Gamez – Summarising the entire back story of the Tekken series is a massive task thanks to the fact that we never really know which character’s ending is considered canon. Plus, the whole ‘daddy issues’ chess game of power between the Mishima bloodline has more twists, turns and double entendres than an interview with Hideo Kojima. It is seriously convoluted and, at times, improbable. I mean how many times can geriatric megalomaniac Heihachi be thrown into a volcano or fired off a giant cliff and still return with not so much as a scratch? At least a fracture or a scraped knee would have been believable, but really? Originally a hallmark series for Sony consoles and a launch title for both PSOne and PS2, this sequel may have arrived late in the generation and lost its exclusivity to Xbox 360, but has this tardy re-emergence had a negative effect on the winning formula?

Well typically, a little extra development time works wonders for observing the competition, researching the wants and needs of the fan base and delivering all of these observations in a competent and well-crafted package. Tekken 6 delivers an exemplary arcade mode and painfully detailed visuals, but falls in to the trap that too many modern games seem to blindly stumble in to time and time again. The problem is that we are living in a generation that seems to demand online features, multiple modes and a gamut of customisation options. As a result, too many developers will tack on a lot of extras in the hope that the ‘less is more’ rule will kick in and that the game will be awarded a rake of top marks from critics. Granted, Namco does deserve brownie points for delivering a pretty exhaustive package, but it is a package that feels too lumbered with naff modes, questionable decisions and throwaway features to be designated as a pure Tekken experience.

For starters, almost every one of the 40+ character roster is unlocked from the moment you pop in the disc. Part of the allure of Tekken was that you were always keen to play through the story mode and unlock a new character every time you completed the game. Not only did this make the game longer, but it gave you incentive to play as every character and become accustomed to their fighting style and maybe, just maybe, you would find yourself a new favourite character in the process. Instead you are steamrollered by a tidal wave of characters from the word go and, if you are new to the series, you will probably feel a tad overwhelmed by the breadth of choice. For example, If you are a die-hard Law player and you really have no desire to play with anyone else, then chances are you won’t and you will skip straight to the versus modes.

It’s a baffling decision by Namco, but again it shows that the developer has pandered to this recently recurring notion that players don’t want to be forced to play through a game before unlocking all of the available multiplayer content. Yeah, thanks a lot Guitar Hero and Rock Band! The only alternative to the straight arcade mode is an incredibly dire story campaign that players of previous games will recognise as another sloppy re-hash of Tekken 3’s Force mode. So far, none of these side-scrolling, Streets of Rage wannabes have been any fun, verging on the realm of budget shovelware, rather than a competent and fully-fledged extension of the core game. It follows Lars, one of the leaders of Jin Kazama’s Tekken Force unit as he attempts to secure the scarily doll-like Alisa Bosconovitch from a testing lab. Oh and she’s also a robot with a detachable head and saw blades for arms.

Again, this incredibly ludicrous plot, coupled with the overall shoddiness of the game mode is proof that sometimes less is more. Had this game simply consisted of refined and painfully balanced arcade and multiplayer modes, this could have been the best entry to the series yet. Instead, Story mode gives us dodgy cameras, a barely functional lock-on mechanic and a stripped down move set complete with throw moves that only work when they feel like it. It’s certainly not a short mode, but this just highlights what a tedious slog the whole thing is. Where previous Tekken games let you play through each character’s story via arcade mode, here you must slog through this campaign and unlock each fighter before you can view their ending cinematic. It’s an odd choice to make players suffer through the slack campaign to view these scenes and while most of them are great to watch, the method is far from inspiring.

The only upside is that you will progressively unlock new customisation items throughout the campaign, ranging from simple items of clothing to special accessories that give your character stat boosts such as regenerative health and increased attack power. Perhaps the coolest feature is character-specific weapons such as a pair of assault rifles for Lars or Law’s Nunchucks . While these look impressive they remain balanced, keeping everything on a level playing field. For example, Brian Fury gets a mini-gun, which isn’t exactly fair game in what is supposed to be a hand-to-hand fighting tournament.

On the other hand, the actual core arcade mode is a fine-tuned piece of mastery. New characters are always a gamble, but here each of the six newcomers are superbly crafted, boasting unique move sets and a diverse range of fighting styles. The slinky Zafina is a strong addition for her double-jointed, almost boneless movement that smacks of Soul Calibur IV’s freakish gimp Voldo, but without the ugly. She almost mimics Lei thanks to her multiple stances and also bears elements of Xiaoyu, thanks to her low crouching stance that allows for a range of devastating follow-up attacks. Although the influences are clear, she is incredibly unpredictable and this odd movement makes her a formidable opponent.

In true Tekken fashion, the end boss Azazel is an absolute cheesemonger, battering you in seconds with a ludicrous barrage of laser blasts and literally earth-shattering magical attacks that are simply infuriating. Forget Street Fighter IV’s bald badass Seth, this demigod entity really takes the cheddar, with an unpredictable move set and AI that reacts with split second precision. At least Seth had predictable traits and once you got these ingrained in your memory, he was a piece of cake. Azazel on the other hand is a real sticking point that throws all sense of skill out the window in yet another disappointing final battle.

The insanely tough boss battle is a staple of the genre, but Tekken 6 isn’t entirely set in its ways. Instead of simply giving each of the classic characters a visual makeover, Namco has tweaked and re-balanced the move sets of all of the series mainstays to make sure every fighter exists on a level playing field. As such, you may need to spend some time with your favourite character to re-adjust to these changes, which range from subtle additions or omissions to parts of a combo chain, to the deletion or insertion of moves altogether. Another new fight mechanic is Rage, a last-minute attack boost that is granted whenever a player is dangerously close to being knocked out. This opens a last-ditch window that allows players to turn the tide of battle and in some cases this really does ramp up the tension. There is also a new Bound system that lets you smash opponents off the arena floor and launch them into the air to for juggle combo possibilities.

As the game has been in development since 2006, the visuals can show their age at points, failing to match the painstaking detail of Namco stable-mate Soul Calibur IV. But for the best part, this is as razor sharp as they come, with each character rendered in suitably chunky style and flourishes of motion blur thrown in to underline the frantic pace of every battle. The stages themselves are a treat for the eyes, throwing your fighters head to head on neon-lit rooftops that tower above a sprawling metropolis, to a sunny farm complete with animals that can be knocked about like bouncy balls. So quite far removed from the realistic settings of past Tekken games, but colourful nonetheless. Many stages are also multi-tiered with collapsible floors. If you smash your opponent off the ground enough times, the floor will give way, causing both players to fall to the next level. This looks great when it happens, but if either player happens to be sprawled out on the ground when the drop occurs they will lose a significant chunk of their health once they hit the lower floor, which can seem a tad unfair at times.

So while the offline modes are a mixed bag ranging from the mundane to the magnificent, it is the online element of Tekken 6 that stings the most. It has become vital for developers of fighting games to really nail online modes to push longevity, but some genuinely crippling lag sours the experience. Playing with people on your friends list seems to run much smoother then challenging random fighters but then again, the loading time for each match can often border on the unacceptable. The ranking system from Tekken 5: Dark Resurrection makes a welcome return, awarding you with GP points for each victory. If you lose a fight, you are given a chance to earn GP through a neat fruit machine system that softens the blow of a crippling defeat somewhat. Its functional, but is still far from the sprawling tournaments and deep levelling up systems that could have been.

It is difficult to bemoan such a generous package when it delivers so many modes, superb new characters and an intricately balanced fight mechanic. Offline multiplayer will always be a key draw for Tekken, but without a lag-free online mode to back it up, the entire experience suffers as a result. While a welcome online patch is currently in the works, it still doesn’t excuse the game shipping with such glaring issues. The meagre campaign mode is another thorn in the side of Tekken 6 and as such, the game simply fails to stack up against the slick perfection of Street Fighter IV. It will be interesting to see what patches and DLC will become available in time and whether or not they redeem the package.

74%

De senaste dagarna har jag haft fullt upp. I torsdags var det avslutning på kursen i Praktiskt förhandlingsarbete med Unionen. Sista dagen var minst lika bra som de två första och jag är helnöjd med kursen! Känns verkligen som att jag har fått massor av kunskap och verktyg som jag kan ha nytta av om det blir någon ny omorganisationsförhandling på jobbet, vilket vi får hoppas att vi klarar oss ifrån. På torsdagskvällen var det så dags för Winnerbäckskonserten. Jag och Sofia var först hemma hos min jobbarkompis och fick lite mat, tack för det Jutta! Insläppet till konserten skulle vara klockan sju och en kvart innan ställde vi oss i kö. Vi hängde av oss jackorna när vi kom in och sedan gick vi in i hallen. Vi hade ju ståplatsbiljetter och hittade ett par finfina platser längst framme vid scenen fast inte mitt för utan lite till vänster, dock kunde vi konstatera att vi skulle kunna se perfekt från där vi stod. Sedan var det bara att vänta och försöka fördriva tiden till klockan åtta då det skulle dra igång. Vi körde lite “Ett skepp kommer lastat” och twistade till det med att man bara fick välja saker som finns att köpa på Apoteket, blev lite klurigare då.

När klockan var åtta var det dags för förbandet, Andreas Grega, var väl sådär, mest ett tidsfördriv innan den verkliga stjärnan skulle ta scenen och boråsarnas hjärtan i besittning. Strax efter halv nio drog han igång, den alldeles underbare och begåvade Lars Winnerbäck. Vilken konsert! Man blev alldeles varm inom sig och skrek sig hes mellan låtarna. Jag kan ju inte alla hans texter men det är jag ganska glad för. Jag hade nog inte haft någon röst kvar om jag hade sjungit med i alla, det räckte gott och väl med de jag hängde med i. Vid kvart i elva slutade konsterten och hela Boråshallen sjöd. Lite lätt lomhörda tog vi oss ut för att i trängseln försöka komma fram till garderoben utan att tappa bort varandra. Vi lyckades och vid halv tolv var jag hemma och lunde lägga mig med ett leende på läpparna efter en lång dag.

Fredagen kom och det var dags för jobb igen. Det blir alltid lite att reda ut och fixa när man har haft vikarie så jag hade att göra på jobbet. Slutade strax efter två, åkte och hämtade paket som kommit på posten. Hem. Skrev inköpslista och när Oscar kommit hem från skolan körde jag honom till sin pappa i Borås och passade på att storhandla inför söndagens kommande kalas. Oscar fyller 13 på söndag och min sambo Peter fyller 37 på tisdag. Kom hem vid åtta packade upp alla varor och kikade sedan på Idol under tiden som sambo och Jonathan var och grejade lite hos grannarna. De kom hem vid tiotiden och efter lite datorpyssel satte vi oss och tittade på Hedebyborna och käkade räkor och aioli. Rackarns gott!

Idag har det blivit lite slappande i soffan framför ytterligare några avsnitt av Hedebyborna samtidigt som Jonathan hade en kompis här. För nån timma sedan tog sambon med sig hunden ut i skogen för att kika efter rådjur och jag fastnade här för att försöka uppdatera mig lite om vad som har hänt runtom i bloggvärlden. Ska strax ta tag i lite röj och städ här hemma. Det behövs verkligen!

Glöm inte att det fortfarande finns tid kvar innan det är dragning i min tävling! Klockan 18:00 smäller det!

Önskar er en skön helg!
Kram Ann

Metallica planea regresar a México en marzo para ofrecer una serie de conciertos en el DF, Monterrey y Guadalajara, en el marco de su gira por América Latina.

La banda estrenará el 30 de noviembre su DVD “Orgullo, Pasión y Gloria: Tres Noches en la Ciudad de México”, grabado durante su visita al país, en junio pasado.

http://www.eluniversal.com.mx/espectaculos/94937.html

Idag har jag varit på dag två av tre i Unionens kurs i praktiskt förhandlingsarbete. Vi är totalt 16 deltagare från olika företag i Borås- och Varbergsområdet. Under kursens första dag igår blev vi satta vid fyra olika bord och sedan fick vi presentera oss själva inför hela gruppen. Sedan blev det lite genomgång av olika avtal och lagar såsom kollektivavtal, MBL och LAS. Under dagen fick vi lite olika frågeställningar som vi skulle ta ställning till, dessa skulle sedan redovisas i helgrupp. Väldigt nyttigt att höra vad andra har för erfarenheter och få ta del av deras kunskap samt att själv få dela med sig. Konferensanläggningen är helt underbar! Kanonbra värdinnor, underbar fika och suveränt god mat. Våra kursledare från Unionens regionkontor i Borås är också helt underbara! Kunniga, pedagogiska och roliga. Det var en kanonbra första dag!

Under dagen idag fick vi så sätta igång med lite rollspel. Vårt bord skulle agera arbetsgivare i en varselsituation och vi fick förhandla mot ett annat bord som agerade klubb. Vi hade fått en del underlag som beskrev hur det fiktiva företaget såg ut, vilka som var anställda på respektive avdelning, deras ålder, utbildning och anställningstid. Vidare fick vi ett omorganisationsförslag från ledningen och det var det vi skulle sätta oss in i för att sedan argumentera mot “klubben”. Det var lite snärjigt att sätta sig in i företagets struktur och ta på sig rollen som arbetsgivare men vi lyckades riktigt bra tycker jag! Vi tänkte till en början som en klubb för att kunna förbereda oss på hur vår motpart skulle reagera på förslaget och på så sätt fick vi även med tänket som klubben bör ha innan en förhandling. Rollspel är kul! I morgon är det dags att ta fram turordningslistan, då ska vi kicka folk… =)

Efter kursen i morgon ska jag och Sofia hem till min jobbarkompis som också är med på kursen. Hon ska bjuda oss på middag! Därefter ska jag och Sofia gå på konsert och se och höra Lars Winnerbäck. Hon fick biljetter av oss när hon fyllde år för en månad sedan och nu är äntligen dagen för konserten här. Ska bli riktigt kul!

Ha det gott!
Kram Ann aka Anna, VD-sekreterare på GodGlass AB

2009 Mayor of RSM, CA

Opens City to

Irresponsible Corporations

Sanctuary for Illegal Immigrants?

Unabated Latino Trespassers

Threatening Locals

(syndicated article) 

Photo of the Mayor of Rancho Santa Margarita, CA

Iconic Photo of the Mayor’s City, RSM, CA

Iconic Video of the Mayor’s City, RSM, CA

The Whole Story

Mayor of RSM, CA Shakes Hands

with Irresponsible Corporations

-OVERVIEW-

BRE Properties and the Mayor of Rancho Santa Margarita’s joint responsibility of protecting the safety and quality of life of it’s local inhabitants seems to be -to them- a moot point. Both simply ignore pointed confrontation by any outraged and terrorized RSM taxpayer.

Case in point, the seemingly under-the-table company Sam Cast Landscape Services out of Santa Anna CA., an employer that most would say is a prime candidate for a swift ICE investigation -along with BRE Properties- and to all appearances supports hired personnel that are straight from the devils-highway, (and suspiciously has no website), basically dominates BRE’s southern properties. Why isn’t Mayor Thompson aware of this? Or perhaps he is aware. In what era would one find a reputable company with million-dollar assets in equipment, contracted and/or hired by multi-billion corporations like BRE Properties in RSM CA., that not only abstains from acquiring their own highly visible and/or public website as the first course of action in establishing a business, but maintains virtual invisibility as far as the general public is concerned with near zero internet presence?

“We’re literally being invaded by illegal aliens in our neighborhoods. Stay out of our trash cans means stay out of our yards and neighborhood. Neither the city nor BRE Properties respond to our outcry for help” says one RSM local.

It is no wonder that the locals are rising up in a fury. The above photo and video are just the tip of the iceberg relating to the monumental library of ammunition (photos and HD videos) taken by locals in RSM, who are organizing at a record pace to take BRE Properties and the Mayor of RSM to the mat with proof in hand.

Citizens of Rancho Santa Margarita pay a 67% higher cost of living than the national average, hoping to raise their families in a city that was once seen as family friendly and safe, offering a higher quality of life for their buck, but no more. They’re finding that the slum elements of bad neighborhoods are coming to them, literally to their front door unabated by the powers that be. “RSM locals want their 67% higher cost of living returned,” feeling with little doubt that they’ve been defrauded by the city of RSM and by housing corp.s like BRE Properties, explains a BRE tenant.

Video documentation by highly concerned members of the community shows without a doubt that not only do BRE and other properties refuse to secure their southern CA properties against trespassing prowlers and/or scavenging by unknowns cruising their properties, they encourage it by blatantly allowing it to occur daily. Both the City of RSM and BRE point the finger at each other, stating that it’s not their responsibility when handling the unending complaints.

Still, the mayor’s office refuses to slap BRE with a junction to clean up or pay restitution and get out. Even worse, his office refuses to have trespassing city ordinances and/or state laws (code 602) seriously enforced, according to those living in RSM. One vocal inhabitant says, “RSM is an open hunting ground for trespassing prowlers of would-be crimes of convenience, ever-threatening lawless illegal aliens, rapists, thieves, terrorists and murderers.” “Derelicts come and go as they please, looking as though they drove all the way from Compton or through the devils-highway and we have hundreds of hours of video to prove it,” reports a exasperated mother.

Those enduring this untenable situation, currently trapped in RSM CA. and places like BRE Properties via tainted contractual agreements (victims of facts not disclosed prior, that relate to serious personal and property safety issues), in most part are unprotected with little to no recourse to circumvent prowling trespassers in their front yards, streets, and neighborhoods. Things are quickly coming to a head, with many flocking to their attorneys for plan of action.

Angry RSM citizens gather to form a unique neighborhood-watch linking multiple communities in the area as one massive voice. Feeling swindled, they have some satisfaction, seeing their ever-increasingly motto rapidly proliferate throughout RSM comunities and So-Cal faster than a California wildfire, and it’s burning hot. “Who needs trespassing ordinances after the fact except victims of crime, newspapers, insurance companies, lawyers, mortuaries and funeral-homes,” chants one determined RSM victim!

This is not to say that those captured by near fraudulent contracts in So-Cal’s city of RSM don’t currently see themselves as victims of crime, having their homes violated by unknown and unabated frightening trespassers, as the current powers that be simply look the other way.

“If I weren’t stuck in this contract I’d leave immediately, I don’t care how nice the place is. I’m so concerned about the safety of my family from the RAZA-like scavenger’s daily intimidating gauntlet that my wife has to friggin get through in the wee early morning hours to get to her car, that I may pay the penalty and move anyway, and settle with all responsible parties later in court!” voices one fed-up RSM resident.

Locals are calling for Mayor Thompson head, relatively speaking. The rumor is that the very least that’s planed, taking matters into their own hands, is a collective mass exodus if change is not forthcoming very soon. Can you blame them?

It’s almost like home

It’s safe to say that no one would feel at home with that warm cozy and secure feeling of being snuggled up with your family while clamorous, scary, unknown strangers are prowling around just under your balcony at all hours, no matter how nice the neighborhood or home may be.

Mayor Gary Thompson is amongst the powerfully influential in southern California, while President  Constance “Connie” Moore is one of the most financially influential individuals in California, bringing in a salary of over two million annually with BRE Properties.

One might think that between the two of them, via their mutually advantageous business union, that they could figure out how to not only protect their business investments in Rancho Santa Margarita, but more importantly how to best protect the safety and quality of life of the people living there.

One might also ask why the people in RSM are paying them a 67% higher cost of living than the national average and for what, for a place that’s almost safe or almost like home?

Read…The Whole Story

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Hier ist der Link für die deutsche Version.

Um aspecto da RDA observado sob o ponto de vista atual, me deixa especialmente curiosa: como os alemães orientais lidam com o fato de que o país de sua infância, literalmente, já não existe mais? Muito do que se aprendeu  naquela época como sendo “certo”, desapareceu com o tempo.

Abaixo as lembranças de Lars dos Santos Drawert que nasceu em uma pequena cidade próxima a Dresden, capital da Saxônia. Ele é o grande responsável pelo fato de eu poder escrever pra vocês diretamente daqui.

Quando o muro caiu em 1989, eu tinha 13 anos e naturalmente não pude entender  muito bem o que acontecia naquele momento.

Eu lembro muito pouco dos acontecimentos concretos daqueles dias. A maior parte do que sei, aprendi nos anos seguintes através de leituras ou de relatos de familiares, amigos e conhecidos. Apesar disso, as emoções fortes e incríveis daqueles meses vivem em mim como grandes animais adormecidos.

Imagens das demonstrações de Segunda-Feira em Leipzig ou da queda do muro em Berlim, surtem exatamente o mesmo efeito poderoso que antes e me tiram o ar de imediato, além de acelerar as batidas do meu coração. Os sentimentos fortes que surgem de repente, quase do nada, só me provam que eu vivi tudo aquilo, só que sob o olhar infantil.

Esses acontecimentos dividem a minha vida em duas partes: o antes e o depois. Não tanto em um sentido lógico ou abstrato, mas sim em um senso diretamente ligado às emoções. O passado – ou seja, a infância – está em uma terra distante que já não existe mais. O  que passou está separado de mim, como se uma cortina semi-transparente,  pintada com imagens revolucionárias, estivesse entre o passado e o presente. Mas no fim das contas, o passado também faz parte da minha vida.

No entanto, algo dos anos na escola socialista permaneceu na memória. Muitas coisas legais, sobretudo as experiências comunitárias, infelizmente ainda estão ligadas ao que sei hoje: que a pureza e a inocência das crianças foram usadas em prol do ensino socialista.

Uma estrutura fundamental semi-militar que chegava até as salas de aula, o que se traduzia em divisão clara de funções (líder de classe, vice-líder, etc.), formação periódica dos grupos em posição de sentido e com uniformes de pioneiros-mirins, medalhas e elogios para os que fossem obedientes e  estudiosos ou repreensão e às vezes até advertências públicas para os que cometessem algum erro. Se contempladas hoje, muitas lembranças de fato bonitas e multifacetadas dos tempos de escola, têm um sabor amargo estranho.

O tempo depois da queda do muro também foi uma experiência marcante. De repente, os cartazes da propaganda socialista desapareceram das paredes destruídas dos edifícios e foram, pouco a pouco, substituídos por publicidade de carros ou máquinas de barbear.

Em matérias como estudos sociais, por exemplo, as perspectivas mudaram dentro de pouco tempo. O que ainda era válido, de pronto passou a ser inválido. O ruim virou bom e vice-versa. De repente passou-se a olhar para a História sob um ponto de vista completamente distinto.

Em parte, os novos enfoques foram transmitidos durante alguns meses pelos mesmos professores, os quais haviam ditado  um texto a respeito do triunfo do Socialismo sobre o Capitalismo um pouco antes  da mudança de rumos no país – tudo meio estranho para uma pessoa tão jovem.  Nessa fase, provavelmente muitas pessoas devem ter vivenciado o que significa relatividade ou também qual a diferença entre realidade e interpretação.

Um pouco mais tarde, bares improvisados foram erguidos em muitos lugares. Bandas, galerias ou revistas pequenas foram criadas. Em todos os lugares se podia notar  movimento, florescimento de ideias, alegria de viver e otimismo. A sensação de efetivamente ser alguém e poder mudar alguma coisa foi compartilhada pela maioria, assim como entre nós, jovens estudantes.

Juntos, criamos grupos de interesses comuns, fundamos um jornal escolar crítico e xingamos os carrões da  Mercedes.  A memória da energia desse tempo logo após a mudança, sobrevive em mim como uma saudade. Algumas desilusões, o entendimento da nova realidade e o difícil processo de integração que vieram depois, foram talvez tão dolorosos, porque os contrastes entre as emoções diversas (prisão, libertação, esperança e algumas decepções) eram muito fortes.

O que ficou em mim foi uma saudade crônica dos primeiros anos depois de 1989, uma saudade dessa energia e da inocência maravilhosa da juventude.  Em paralelo a algumas dificuldades no “novo país”, ficou também em mim uma  profunda gratidão a todos aqueles que tornaram possível essa mudança radical.

Onde eu estaria hoje se a transição não tivesse ocorrido ou quem eu poderia ter me tornado naquela ditadura socialista, eu realmente nem quero saber.

Clique aqui para ir direto a esse post em português.

Eine Sache der DDR-Zeiten macht mich neugierig: wie kann man heutezutag mit der Tatsache umgehen, dass das Land seiner Kindheit nicht mehr existiert? Vieles, was man als “richtig” gelernt hat,  ist mit der Zeit verschwunden.

Jetzt die Erinnerungen von Lars dos Santos Drawert, der bei Dresden geboren ist. Er ist  auch der grosse Verantwortliche, dass ich euch von hier schreiben kann.

Als 1989 die Mauer fiel war ich gerade mal 13 Jahre alt und verstand natürlich noch nicht so recht, was da gerade passierte.

An die konkreten Ereignisse in diesen Tagen erinnere ich mich kaum. Das Meiste habe ich erst in den Jahren danach von meiner Familie, von Freunden und Bekannten erfahren oder habe es nachgelesen. Trotzdem wohnen die unglaublich starken Emotionen dieser Monate in mir wie große schlafende Tiere. Bilder von den Montagsdemonstrationen in Leipzig oder dem Mauerfall in Berlin wirken nachwievor so stark auf mich, dass mir unmittelbar die Luft wegbleibt und mein Puls in die Höhe schnellt. Die starken Gefühle, die dann so plötzlich wie aus dem Nichts hochkommen, beweisen mir dann, dass ich das alles, wenn auch aus einer kindlichen Perspektive heraus, erlebt habe.

Dieses Ereignis teilt mein Leben in zwei Teile: dem Vorher und dem Nachher. Nicht so sehr im logischen oder abstrakten Sinn, sondern ganz unmittelbar im eigenen Empfinden. Die Vergangenheit, die Kindheit liegt in einem fernen Land, daß nicht mehr existiert. Sie ist wie durch einen halbdurchsichtigen, mit Revolutionsbildern bemalten Vorhang abgetrennt und doch, natürlich, gehört sie zu mir.

Aus den Jahren in der sozialistischen Schule ist dennoch einiges im Gedächtnis geblieben. Viele schöne, vor allem gemeinschaftliche Erfahrungen sind aber leider immer wieder gekoppelt mit dem Wissen, dass die Unschuld und Naivität der Kinder für die sozialistische Erziehung benutzt wurde. Eine halbmilitärische Grundstruktur bis in die Schulklassen hinein hat es ebenso gegeben wie das Verteilen von Funktionen (Gruppenratsvorsitzender, Stellvertreter etc.), regelmässige Appelle in Formation und Pionieruniform, Medaillen und Lob bei fleissigem und gehorsamen Lernen oder Tadel und teilweise sogar öffentliches Bloßstellen bei Fehlverhalten. Von heute aus betrachtet haben daher viele Erinnerungen an die eigentlich schöne und sehr vielseitige Schulzeit einen ziemlich bitteren Beigeschmack.

Die Zeit nach dem Mauerfall war eine ebenso prägende Erfahrung. Plötzlich verschwanden die sozialistischen Werbeplakate von den kaputten Hauswänden und wurden nach und nach durch Produktwerbung von Autos oder Rasierapparaten ersetzt. In Schulfächern wie z.B. Gesellschaftskunde änderten sich innerhalb kürzester Zeit die Vorzeichen. Was eben noch gültig war, wurde plötzlich ungültig. Aus schlecht wurde gut und umgekehrt. Auf die Geschichte schaute man plötzlich aus einer völlig anderen Richtung. Zum Teil wurden sogar die neuen Sichtweisen noch einige Monate von den selben Lehrern vermittelt, die mir kurz zuvor noch einen Text vom Sieg des Sozialismus über den Kapitalismus diktiert hatten – schon merkwürdig für einen jungen Menschen. In dieser Phase haben wahrscheinlich viele erfahren was Relativität bedeutet oder auch was der Unterschied ist zwischen Wirklichkeit und Interpretation.

Etwas später schossen vielerorts improvisierte Bars aus dem Boden. Es gründeten sich Bands, Galerien oder kleine Magazine. Überall war Bewegung, Erblühen, Lebensfreude und Optimismus. Das Gefühl, tatsächlich jemand zu sein und etwas verändern zu können teilten wohl die meisten und auch wir jungendlichen Schüler miteinander. Wir schlossen uns zu Interessengemeinschaften zusammen, gründeten eine kritische Schülerzeitung und schimpften gegen Autos von Mercedes.

Die Erinnerung an diese Energie lebt in mir als Sehnsucht fort. Die späteren Ernüchterungen, Einsichten und schwierigen Lernprozesse waren, jedenfalls teilweise, vielleicht auch deshalb so schmerzhaft, weil die Kontraste zwischen den verschiedenen Emotionen: Unfreiheit, Befreiung, Hoffnung und Dämpfung so stark waren.

Was für mich bleibt ist eine ständige Sehnsucht nach den ersten Jahren nach 1989, eine Sehnsucht nach dieser Energie und der wunderbaren jugendlichen Naivität, aber auch, bei allen Schwierigkeiten im „neuen Land“, eine tiefe Dankbarkeit den Menschen gegenüber, die diesen Umbruch möglich gemacht haben.

Wo ich heute ohne die Wendeereignisse wäre  bzw. wer ich in dieser sozialistischen Diktatur überhaupt hätte werden können, möchte ich wirklich nicht wissen.

Heightened Security at U.S.- Canada Border

-papers please-

border-patrol quadrupled?

the internet’s ever-increasing border-patrol bashing platform today (via youtube and blogs), in most part, is noticeably and routinely spearheaded at the front-lines by so-called rev’s of the faith. it makes no sense why an american pastor is more concerned for antichrist, idol worshiping illegal aliens than for God fearing gentiles -so it seems.

grasping at straws, struggling to understand this bizarre phenomena, perhaps these zealot-like preachers are motivated by: large sunday morning returns from the offering-plate of very large immigrant and/or immigrant related congregations;  and/or are interested in certain lucrative rewards that can be obtained by catering to certain questionable constituents with US voting rights; and/or said rev’s are simply distracted from doing the responsible thing, being blinded via solicited temptations by political bribe-touting lobbyists offering big time favors and kickbacks. amen!?

these identifying themselves as men of the cloth, making a name for themselves as god crusaders fighting for immigrant rights vs US border-patrols, might be mentally unbalanced on primitive mind altering pharmaceuticals. of course, these proposed ideas, that seem most likely, are just a wild shot in the dark. i have no actual facts to substantiate these seemingly obvious conclusions. so, don’t quote me on this. after all, what are the chances of that actually happening?

seriously, there’s little doubt that said church-like figureheads lean toward the false prophet category, trying to reinvent an antiquated argument tailored for one who might wear a nonsensical puppet’s suit, more than for one clothed with wisdom and a robe of righteousness. there’s also little doubt that the pay-off for such questionable bearers of the faith points toward either self-gratification via mental incompetence or outright insanity, or hopes motivated by financial profit, fame, and promised power favors (or, promises from money puppet-masters somewhere behind the scenes, pushing the legalization of illegal immigrants and the eradication of US borders.)

this particular group’s rehearsed one liners, to all appearances, seem to be a script straight from the cubicles of telemarketers, mainly consisting of a few lines of jargon that almost sounds right, favoring freedom and equality in america. this cookie-cutter platform is as common today as ‘mom’s apple pie.’ however, it smells more like third-world-mentality dumpster-divers, and not anything like what our loving mothers have prepared homemade.

the immigrant mudpie, slash, “border-patrol” argument consists of the same four flat ingredients: first, start with a dark heavy syrup known as ‘police state’ comments; second, spice heavily with an imaginary icon personified as victimized innocent foreigners, while overstating the peaceful and civilized angelic virtues of nonconforming, fanatical third-world cultures and/or values and morals; saturate with ample amount of guilt and misplaced healthy shame into the good natured value system of protestant christians; then, whip up as much US pride as possible into a frosty thick layer of misguided remembrances of america’s glorified multiculturalism of a bygone era -that never was.

who claims we are the great melting pot?-

was the US ever truly a multiculturalist nation or did a century-old and long forgotten hierarchy ruling class simply trick a naive, cheap third-world labor force into coming to america with the false promise of obtaining the good life -while merely hiding behind the moniker of multiculturalism?  america’s history speaks volumes regarding the truth, leaving no doubt of the true intentions of those shrewd powerhouse corps and politicians of the day. some say that their marketing ploy created yet another american grand illusion in the minds of foreigners around the globe. america’s multiculturalism, this absurd ideology, lingers still, but only in the minds of the delusional.

“Give us your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning…,” that’s right, to work in sweatshops, …that is, with horrible wages, no medical, and unbearable living conditions for you, and your whole clan and/or tribe for generations -with no possible way out. america’s today-generation is not that stupid, nor should immigrants remain senseless, attempting to make that centuries old false promise a real thing. get over it already.

off topic, have you ever noticed which ethnic cultures in america live their entire lives in the past, refusing to assimilate, instead trying to redo history, forever attempting to breathe life into the past for a second chance to dominate?  that ancient -false- multicultural persona of the US perpetrated upon this country by the ruling class of that era as is just that. ancient! today, the majority are fully aware that the US is just as much a culturist country as any other country, if not more so. multiculturalism. lol.

the american majority are resolved in upholding american culturism, with it’s inherent values. today, americans have no qualms about being americans, or about being openly interested in american things, including their anti-war stance. the majority aren’t street-skinheads with uncultured, uneducated, narrow minded, and twisted ideologies. they’re americans.

how does america really treat immigrants?

ignoring universal facts relating to particular cultures from backward societies found in places like mexico and the middle-east is something few abide by these days. immigrant cultures thirsty for control, having earned notorious reputations for violent rioting in the streets, attempting to force an antichrist, anti-american, fanatical, subversive and hostile way of life, and/or culture upon upright communities by said immigrants and/or the lawless is hitting an ever-increasing tough resistance by american communities.

peaceful, laid back communities across america, especially in southern california, refuse to be terrorized by trespassing immigrant thugs in their yards digging through their trash, and prowling their neighborhoods in mass intimidating numbers, attempting to convert US city and residential streets into a home-sweet-home away from home of third-world cultural. a state full of very pissed off citizens are taking action, starting with city officials. until recently they’ve gotten away with running amuck in our streets as if with diplomatic immunity, with the US rule of law seemingly not applicable to these foreign, hostile and lawless invaders.

demonizing of foreign immigrants?-

the culturalism that said immigrants live and religiously adhere to is the vehicle that demonizes them, needing little help from americans in this regards. even a child is known by their acts.  this is america. ’straighten up and fly right’ may be, in part, a prerequisite of american culturalism that parties wishing to eradicate the US culturalism and borders may not like, but few americans care under these days,  ...our jobs, our streets, our communities, our country, …and, our rules.

we live in a police state? vs necessary force

the growing consensus weighs heavily towards the understanding that few -balanced- family oriented and civic minded people desire to share their streets, schools, and communities with the peoples of our country’s known enemies. only an american fool turns a blind eye to the real potential dangers and troubles inherent to the unchecked third-world amongst us who hate americans and america.

no. you won’t find many americans complaining about the border-patrol, except for complaints about it needing a much larger budget; with more deportations; and stricter enforcement of city ordinances and state laws (code 602) relating to trespassing.

Wir haben uns endlich getraut….

Der Heiratsantrag ist nun schon über zwei oder sogar drei Jahre her und eigentlich wollten wir am 07.07.07 heiraten,aber das haben wir irgendwie verpasst. Naja,und da dachten wir uns (oder nur ich?) wir heiraten ganz spontan und im kleinem Kreis! Und es war wirklich sehr spontan. Innerhalb 1,5 Wochen mußten wir nun die Ringe organisieren,die Abschriften unserer Geburtsurkunden,das Zelt,Essen&Getränke, Klamotten usw… Zum Glück war Chantal da,um mir die Kinder ab zu nehmen,dafür opferte sie ihre Ferien und konnte die Woche nicht einmal ausschlafen. Dafür nochmal vielen,vielen DANK Chantal!!!! So nahm dann alles seinen Lauf bis zum 17.10.09! Nun konnte geheiratet werden und natürlich mit Familie und Nachbarn gefeiert werden. Und da wir unsere Nachbarn mittlerweile kennen ( Saufköpfe!!!!), hat Mama und Oma uns das beste Geschenk gemacht,was man als Eltern bekommen kann! Wir durften im Hotel schlafen ohne Kinder!!!!! Danke nochmal!

So hier nun ein paar Foto`s:

busco novas maneiras de se contar histórias. se alguém conhece me manda um email ou deixa um comentário aqui. ontem fui na mostra ver um filme argentino que parecia contar a história de um jeito diferente. Aqui está o trailer de “Todos Mienten”:

Infelizmente me pareceu uma releitura ruim do cineasta francês Erich Rohmer  misturada com o filme “Os Idiotas” do Lars Von Trier. Mas como eu mesmo digo: “coisa ruim serve ao menos pra incentivar produzirmos nossas coisas”. 

Concretizar nossos projetos não é nada fácil, sei bem. Existe a dificuldade de recursos, a coragem na decisão, na feitura e na exibição. Eu por exemplo curto animação. (Sabe aquele papo da pessoa bater o olho e saber que quer aquilo? sinto isso com animação). Pois aqui vai a parte auto-ajuda do meu post: Se você sente algo desse tipo por algo, pense se não quer trabalhar nisso. Eu achava que todo mundo via filmes e animações e percebia se a estética tava boa, a luz, o roteiro etc etc demorei pra notar que era uma facilidade minha e com boas possibilidades de tirar proveito próprio.

Aceito propostas e parcerias audiovisuais!

Kręci się, pani. Kraj żyje telewizyjną debatą polityczną, do której po raz pierwszy w historii BBC zaproszono przedstawiciela nacjonalistów (BNP), Polonia żada kastracji Stephena Fry’a za niefortunną wypowiedź o Auschwitz, Lars znalazł sobie prawdziwą dziewczynę a wodospady w Neath eksplodują wodą po ostatnich opadach. Plus Rob Cztery Żony twierdzi, że kiedyś w Amsterdamie spotkał prawdziwych Bonnie i Clyde’a; mogło mu się to jednakże tylko wydawać, bo w tamtych czasach w Amsterdamie sporo się wypalało tego i owego; zupełnie inaczej niż dzisiaj.

Ale po kolei.

Lubimy Nicka Griffina, lidera BNP, oj lubimy. Głównie dlatego, że dostarcza nam tak rzadkiego w tym kraju, a wspominanego z łezką w oku jako element życia codziennego w ojczyźnie, folkloru politycznego. Przez niektórych zwanego prościej cyrkiem. Griffin jest politycznie niepoprawny, jest rasistą, często wygaduje straszne banialuki; scena polityczna traktuje go jak zgniłe jajo, większość społeczeństwa go nie trawi.. ale jego partia wygrała w tym roku 2 miejsca w parLamencie Europejskim. Pozostałe partie, nie wiedząc co z tym fantem zrobić, postanowiły go ignorować, mając chyba nadzieję, że się sam rozpuści w walijskim deszczu (mieszka na farmie w środkowej Walii); alternatywnie stosuje się taktykę wyśmiewania. Najwięksi prześmiewcy, tak rządowi jaki opozycyjni,  przegapiają jednak drobny fakt, mianowicie, że społeczeństwo jest zmęczone kryzysem, niewydolnością dotychczasowej sceny politycznej, dyplomatycznym bullshitem płynącym z ust polityków oraz byciem ignorowanym. Jedną rzecz trzeba przyznać Griffinowi: mimo, że jego poglądy są bardzo niepopularne, wręcz karalne, on ma odwagę je głosić z uczciwością kompletnie niedyplomatyczną, i czasem wśród banialuk zdarza mu się mówić wprost o tym, czego niektórzy zwykli zjadacze chleba nie mają odwagi wyartykułować, żeby nie być posądzonym o ciemniactwo i nietolerancję. I to właśnie może mu przysporzyć zwolenników.  Podobnie, jak traktowanie go jak nieszkodliwego przygłupa przez pozostałe siły polityczne. Ludzie są wściekli, że rząd nawala w wielu sprawach, m.in. w sprawie polityki imigracyjnej, udając już zbyt długo, że sprawa nie istnieje. Griffin mówi: wysłać wszystkich kolorowych do domów i po sprawie; i nagle niektóre białe jednostki myślą sobie, no tak, tak, może coś jest na rzeczy. I niedorzeczność tego postulatu nie ma tu znaczenia, bo Griffin proponuje Rozwiązanie, coś, czego nie oferuje żadna inna partia. Griffin mówi: islam to zagrożenie. I trafia do tych, którzy czują sie niepewnie w swoich własnych małych mieścinach, w których nagle pojawia się mnóstwo ludzi w dziwnych ubraniach.

Dostało się BBC za zaproszenie go do debaty. Niesłusznie moim zdaniem, bo w końcu od tego jest ta jakże obtrąbiana przez wszystkich cudowna demokracja, żeby każdy mógł głosić swój pogląd, i każdy mógł oceniać, w co chce wierzyć. Ale politycy boją się, że społeczeństwo nie jest dostatecznie mądre, i chcą upewnić się, że dokona właściwych wyborów. Niesłusznie również z innej przyczyny – potężni szefowie publicznej doskonale wiedzą co robią. Pomijając fakt, że oglądalność skoczyła astronomicznie, to upewniono się, że lidera BNP spotka odpowiednie przyjęcie ze strony pozostałych gości i publiczności. Cały program był tendencyjny i sprowadził się do atakowania typa, bez dania mu szansy skończenia jakiejkolwiek wypowiedzi; co wskazuje na to, jak bardzo ktoś obawia się, żeby Griffin nie zabrzmiał zbyt rozsądnie.

Umówmy się, mnie BNP wisi zasadniczo, raczej bawi, niż denerwuje; przyglądam się im jednak z pewną dozą ostrożności podyktowanej naszym doświadczeniem historycznym. Tak, powinniśmy być ostrożni, ale też jeśli mamy wierzyć w tę całą demokrację, to powinniśmy stosować jej zasady dla wszystkich jednakowo; i  jeśli obawiamy się BNP, to powinniśmy pojąć z nimi dyskusję opartą na argumentach. Logika jest bardzo skuteczną bronią w walce z nacjonalizmem, znacznie lepszą niż szydzenie, lekceważenie lub zaprzeczenie. Politycy nie wydają się uczyć na błędach przeszłości, chociaż kto jak kto, ale właśnie oni powinni, dla ogólnego dobra. Tylko, że do tego trzeba być politykiem odpowiedniego formatu, a tych dzisiaj nie ma wielu.

Jak ktoś życzy poświęcić godzinkę, ot, dla podszkolenia postawy obywatelskiej, tudzież pokłócenia się z moim odbiorem spraw, to może sobie debatkę obejrzeć tu.

Alem sie rozpolitykowała. To jeszcze krótko o S.F. i potem luzik. Stephen Fry jest niesamowicie łebskim facetem, intelektualną legendą w UK, gościem słynącym z erudycji i dowcipu. I oto w ferworze jakiejś telewizyjnej dyskusji o nacjonalizmach i euroośle Kamińskim, zdarzyło mu się chlapnąć o tym nieszczęsnym Auschwitz (..pamietajmy po której stronie granicy był Auschwitz..). Polonia natychmiast zagrzmiała; odbyły się protesty, w kościołach palono gromnice i  śpiewano Rotę a w okolicach Hyde Parku zorganizowano na prędce kilka oddziałów powstańczych. Znowu nas biją, krzyczeli naród; nie damy, nie pozwalamy, Bóg, Honor, Ojczyzna! Wielkie mózgi forum onetu określały Fry’a w najlepszym przypadku jako angielskiego analfabetę. Tymczasem Fry grzecznie przeprosił na swoim blogu (świetnym z resztą), przyznał się do palnięcia głupoty i bynajmniej nie próbował się rozgrzeszać. Zostałam fanką. Niecierpię pieniactwa i nierzetelnej dziennikarki, a to, co media typu onet nawyprawiały z tym drobnym incydentem, bez najmniejszej próby dowiedzenia się kim jest ten człowiek, i jakie są jego poglądy, pozostawia mnie w niesmaku.

No ale przynajmniej coś się dzieje, odrobina emocji w jesiennej stagnacji. Plus wodospady – taa, te co już znamy, w Pont Nedd Fechan (free kibel przy mini parkingu). Było mokro, szarawo, zimnawo; tradycyjnie wpadłam w błotko po kostki i zaliczyłam kontakt intymny z glebą; ale było warto.  Pacz:

Co jeszcze.. Lars! Prawie zapomniałam o Larsie. Bianca wyjechała z miasta a Lars znalazł sobie prawdziwą dziewczynę. Nawet nie czytaj opisów ani pseudo recenzji, wypożyczaj w ciemno, czy tam kupuj, mówię ci. Ryan Gosling zasługuje na Oscara, kilka linii w scenariuszu na nieśmiertelność a film na miejsce honorowe na półce, gdzieś pomiedzy pomiędzy Jak w niebie (szwedzkim) , Billy Elliot i Historiami Kuchennymi.

O Robie Cztery Żony będzie kiedy indziej, osobistość ta bowiem zasługuje na odrębną opowieść.

A Kuba ciągle w Azji. Chyba będzie się żenił.

1. Mathias

2. Emil

3. Jonas

4.Magnus

5.Oliver

6.Tobias

7.Andreas

8.Henrik

9.Daniel

10.Adrian

How to say these- Sondre, Eirik, Ole, Hakon, Even, Sindre, Trym, Sigurd, Mikkel, Mats, Olav, Aksel, Brage, Vetle, Sivert, Petter, Ola, Eskil, Sverre, Vegard.

Suprised by- Martin, Marius, Kristoffer, Lars, Kasper, Kevin, Leander, Jorgen, Johan, Linus, Felix, Robin, Dennis, August & Birk.

Like these- Jonas, Tobias, Noah, Sander, Elias, Leon, Julian, Theodor, Oscar, Gabriel, Johan, Theo, Leo, Iver, Felix and August.

Lars Calmfors, i sin oändliga makroekonomiska visdom (vilket är exakt samma visdom som motbevisades på 70-talet, och intressant nog samma visdom som orsakat flertalet ekonomiska kollapser sedan JM Keynes skrev ned sina förvirrade ekonomiska plattityder), har kommit fram till att siffran 2% är precis lagom för årets löneavtal. Onekligen är det välsignat att vi har en så bra ekonom på svensk mark, på gammal-stalinistiskt vis kan han troligen även upplysa oss om hur mycket lån som SE-banken skall göra, hur mycket kullager som skall produceras av SKF, hur många hus som skall byggas, hur mycket olja som skall köpas in, äsch vaffan, varför ger vi inte killen kontroll över hela ekonomin??

Det gick ju så bra sist någon försökte sig på något liknande.

Today is going to be a special post. To celebrate our one-year engagement, my fiance and I thought it would be cool to put together a list of our 18 favorite date movies. We hope you enjoy it and feel free to let us know what your favorite date movies are! (C=Chelsea, D=Damen)

18. Being John Malkovich- C and D: Even if you’re not obsessed with John Malkovich like we are (and everyone in the film), this makes a great date movie for several reasons. 1) The dance sequence. Nuff said. 2) Spike Jonze is a mastermind of visually captivating images and this one is chock full of them. 3) cute monkey.

17. Forgetting Sarah Marshall- C: Okay so we didn’t completely agree on this one. But I think it’s a great date movie because it’s got a little bit of everything: heartbreak, new romance, cute jokes about relationships and sexuality, and situations that can simultaneously make you laugh and feel a little uncomfortable.

16. Doubt- C and D: This is a great movie whether you’re on a date or not but we like it because it’s a conversation starter. The ending leaves you with questions; questions that you’ll want to be asking each other when it’s over. It’s powerful, Meryl Streep and Phillip Seymour Hoffman are incendiary on the screen and the tension between those two characters could be cut with a knife.

15. Star Trek- C: EPIC!!!!!!!!

The Enterprise crew

14.  The Princess Bride- C: a classic. Hilarious and romantic. Princesses, pirates, Andre the freakin giant (RIP). You just have to love everything about this movie, no matter how many times you’ve heard someone quote “Hello, my name is Inigo Montoya, you killed my father. Prepare to die.”

13.  Watchmen- C: Okay before you watch this one, both parties really should read the graphic novel. It’s brilliant but even if you don’t, the film is still packed with awesome. It’s a long one but what’s better than a group of costumed heroes that are really just everyday people with no special powers? (with the exception of Dr. Manhattan). There’s tons of action, a little humor, and some VERY steamy scenes between Silk Spectre II and Night Owl…umm…make sure there’s no kids around for this one (unlike the parents who decided to bring children to the theater when we saw it. That was awkward). Anyway, it’s a masterpiece, but you have to really pay attention to it to get the full effect of the awesomeness. Oh yeah, and it has a kickass soundtrack too.

Night Owl and Silk Spectre II kickin ass and takin names

12. Burn After Reading- C: Damen loves the Coen Brothers and he was really excited to see this one. I was looking forward to it but I did not expect to react the way I did. No exaggeration, I HAVE NEVER LAUGHED SO HARD IN MY ENTIRE LIFE!!! This is the funniest movie I’ve ever seen. I’m sure many of you may disagree but I can’t think of anything funnier. The plot is so unique, so many unexpected twists and yet there is no actual conflict, it is all perceived through the minds of the most neurotic bunch of characters you can pack into one film.

Chad Feldheimer talking to Osbourne Cox

11. The Royal Tenenbaums- D: This is a unique contribution to this list.  I feel it makes a perfect date movie because it blends the themes of a lot of different types of films but somehow they dovetail into a very interesting story about a family on the verge of falling apart.  Parental separation, forbidden love, family secrets- this film has it all.  Gene Hackman as the patriarch of this strange family is at the top of his game and Wes Anderson is a visionary director who knows how to tell a story.  If you’re watching this on a date, you’re sure to get some solid laughs with whomever you’re with, and also he/she will appreciate your choice of a smart contemporary comedy.

The Tenenbaums

10. Back to the Future- D: Come on.  You’d have to be crazy not to LOVE this movie.  Male or female, this movie is a classic.  It’s got adventure, laughs, romance and MICHAEL J. FOX.  The guy’s a legend.  This really is a timeless film, and there has never been a time travel movie that has even come close to being as good as B.T.T.F. (unless you count Donnie Darko, but that may be a little too dark for a date)  Doc Brown, Biff Tannen, and a classic rendition of “Johnny B. Goode, see this movie with somebody and you’ll have a long conversation about being a kid and seeing this movie. 

9.  Indiana Jones: Raiders of the Lost Ark- D: I still get goosebumps when that first image of Indy in his iconic fedora appears on the screen.  Audiences young and old still appreciate this movie for exactly what it is- a fun adventure.  As far as a date goes, this one may be perfect.  It’s got thrills, romance (Marion Ravenwood was my first crush ever),  laughs and a few sequels to keep the date going. All the fellas who read this will agree with me 100 percent on this choice.

8.  Lars and the Real Girl- C: The main romance in this film is between Lars and a life-sized doll named Bianca. It’s not perverse, it’s just a sweet, humble guy who is so far removed from society that in an effort to find companionship, all he can do is project his ideals of a real, living, breathing woman onto a plastic one. Everyone knows Bianca isn’t real, but everyone is on Lars’ side and wants him to be happy and in an effort to get him more acclimated into the community, everyone treats Bianca as if she were a real person. It’s touching, sweet, and a perfect portrayal of the inherent goodness of humanity.

Lars and Bianca

7. Chicago- C: This is my favorite movie of all time. It also happens to be the film I saw on my very first date during those oh so wonderful days of high school. It opens with a bang. “All that Jazz” sung by the strong, sultry Velma Kelly, played by Catherine Zeta-Jones in an Oscar-winning performance. Renee Zellweger plays a lovely little jazz killer with a murder on her hands and a guilt-free conscience, Richard Gere makes a very convincing, tap dancing lawyer, and Queen Latifah plays the powerful, tough-as-nails prison guard Momma Morton. So why is this a great date movie? It’s fun, sexy, exciting, and all that jazz.

Velma Kelly and Roxie Hart

6. Spiderman- D: Despite the fact that Spiderman is one of the most recognizable figures in popular culture, the film translation of the comic book is pretty spot on.  Origin stories of comic book heroes are always the best because you get to know the characters and where they come from.  Spiderman does just that and introduces the well known Peter Parker/Mary Jane Watson love story.  This is where the movie becomes a date movie.  It’s got a great blend of action and romance, and it’s sure to entertain you and your date.

Spiderman and Mary Jane

5. Edward Scissorhands- C: I cry every time I watch this movie. I don’t know a chick that doesn’t cry watching this movie. Guys, this works to your advantage. Ladies, two words: Johnny. Depp. The character of Edward is so loveable and sweet, you forget how threatening those large, sharp blades attached to his arms are. When a person has been as isolated and lonely as Edward has for so long, we want him to be happy and feel loved. Of course those scissorhands are the permanent barrier between Edward and the normal life of Suburbia. Sad but genuine and beautiful, this one is definitely a winner with the ladies.

Edward and Kim

4.  Breakfast at Tiffany’s- C: Diamonds are a girl’s best friend–well in this case, they are second only to a cat named cat. Maybe some guys would consider this a chick flick but I disagree. The main character, Holly Golightly played by Audrey Hepburn is charming, impulsive, stubborn, and fiercely independent, a character idolized by many women and one that men will undoubtedly find very intriguing. This film shows the uncommonly shown woman who is afraid of committment and her struggle to recognize love as something different from dependence.

Paul Varjak, Holly Golightly, and Cat

3. 500 Days of Summer- D: This is kind of the anti-date movie.  Yet, somehow it says something honest about how relationships really work.  Like the fact that some of them have expiration dates.  Really, this is not a romantic comedy.  It’s about a man named Tom Hansen who works as a greeting card writer, but secretly longs to be an architect, which is what he studied in college.  Tom is also looking for the love of his life.  Then he meets Summer.  Summer seems to be the girl of his dreams, but there is one problem- she doesn’t believe in love.  The film chronicles the ups and downs of their Jekyl and Hyde relationship.  Of all the films of this genre, I think this one is the most relatable.  We all know how Tom feels because we’ve been there.  We’ve all had our Summer.  Really the film is about being in your 20’s, after college, trying to figure out what you want.  It’s funny and heartbreaking at the same time, with an awesome soundtrack.  Watch this with your date and you’ll hear alot of these: “Oh my god that’s definitely happened to me before,” and “Ugh I know exactly how he feels.” Watch it, and you’ll know what I mean.

Tom Hansen and Summer Finn

2. Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind- C: They meet on the train. It’s certainly not love at first sight, it’s more like a guy who just wants to be left alone and a chatty, obnoxious woman who starts pestering him. Somehow it turns out to be love and the road is rocky the whole way. You wonder, “why are they together?” until one day, Clementine does not recognize Joel. This beautifully crafted masterpiece is about loving, losing, and winning it back even though you know you’re going to lose it again. It’s about two people who are so wrong for each other but just can’t seem to live without each other.

Joel Barish and Clementine Kruczynski

1. Juno- C: The reason why we chose this movie for number 1 is more of a personal one. You could rearrange this list in pretty much any way because all of these movies are amazing. This happens to be the film we saw on our first date and it was the most perfect date movie we’ve encountered thus far. Why? Well, it’s how we discovered we have pretty much the exact same taste in films and music. This movie really does have it all. On the surface, it’s a simple premise: a teenage girl gets pregnant and gives up her baby for adoption. Not something you’d typically want to see on a date. But the characters are so well written and the actors fill the roles flawlessly. Every character is loveable and more importantly, they are relatable. The best way to describe this film is unique. It’s cute, the jokes are impecable, and the soundtrack is amazing.

Juno McGuff and Paulie Bleeker

These last days have been all about eating together. For a long time everyone in my unit has been cooking on their own (even though we most of the time cook at the same time). But last week Lars, Pil, Kirstine and I decided to get together and make lasagne

Then Friday it was Kirstines birthday. To make her forget a little bit about that she is getting older and to give her a good start, Pil and I got up and made a totally delicious brunch for her.

We also had cake later And in the evening we went out to an absolutely fantastic Vietnamese restaurant called Hanoi 3 Seasons. Wonderful service and everybody had a good time. I think we were around 20 people there, us and a lot of the other international students.

Last but definately not least, it was Thanksgiving this weekend so Sunday night we had invited Katharina from Austria, Stefan and Hendrik from Germany (now, they didn’t come all the way from Europe to eat with us, they’re also staying at Neill Wycik) and Arndis and Gretar to come and join me, Kirstine, Emilie and Pil for stuffed turkey, sweet potatoes, mashed potatoes and pumpkin pie. It was soooo great! And tonight we enjoyed the leftovers

Arndis and Gretar cutting the turkey breast

Stefan and Hendrik getting ready to eat

We felt really stuffed after the great feast!

I really enjoyed all the eating together and I think we’ll definately do that more often from now on…