atinysecretsittinginthedark,lookingoutthroughthecracksofcloseddoors,toallthelightandvoicespassingby.DidtheyknowIwasthere? Someonehadtoknow…
B e ware th e badl it tlec a t ca rry i n g a gr udg e
This is the Yoduk concentration camp in North Korea as seen from google earth. North Korean officials deny that this camp and several others exists, despite mounting testimonies of defactors who have managed to escape and witnessed unspeakable torture within the camps. There are currently thousands of prisoners in each other camps around the country who are being starved, beaten, and worked to death. This is happening right now. If you have never heard anything about this, it is not surprising as a majority of the west has remained clueless about it.
But I’d like to see that change.
Hitchens
It’s been almost 4 months and I still find myself feeling profoundly sad that Christopher Hitchens is gone. I don’t have too many heros who are actually alive, hence writing a show about a girl who is visited by dead, inspiring figures from history. It was comforting to know Hitchens was out there. A highly intelligent and incredibly empathetic human being who used his wit and words to pummel opponents. He spoke fiercely and unapologetically for all of us who know you do not need to rely on ancient beliefs to be good to one another. For those of us who are immediately considered less than because we do not swear our lives to traditions and beliefs which are completely outdated and archaic. This man was not malicious. He loved life and he loved people. And he knew that as his death rapidly approached, that this was it for him. There was nothing on the other side. And it didn’t sadden him or frighten him. That peaceful acceptance is so admirable and encourages me even more to enjoy the life I have now and love those around me whole heartedly before it’s all gone.
I continue to listen to his debates and read his books. And every time he makes me smile or laugh, I’m immediately met with that sad reminder that he is not here anymore. I’m not sure if anyone can fill his shoes, but in case someone can at least come close, I hope they stand up soon.
“The only position that leaves me with no cognitive dissonance is atheism. It is not a creed. Death is certain, replacing both the siren-song of Paradise and the dread of Hell. Life on this earth, with all its mystery and beauty and pain, is then to be lived far more intensely: we stumble and get up, we are sad, confident, insecure, feel loneliness and joy and love. There is nothing more; but I want nothing more.” – The Portable Atheist: Essential Readings for the Non-Believer, 2007
I really like this actress. Her delivery is so intense and fiery, in Battle Royale and Kill Bill. I love it.
This movie came out when I was 21.
As much as we hated to admit it, we really loved it, especially for this scene. We would go to stupid scene clubs in Hollywood and dance and drink ourselves retarded. Then when last call would happen we would go up to the balcony upstairs, stand on the edge and scream as loud as we could, down into the dark abyss of club goers frantically taking down their last drinks. We didn’t care if people heard us or not, which they did sometimes and shot us smuggy, annoyed looks. We were on our own schedule, our own time, our own adventure. We’d bolt from the club and hurl down Sunset or Hollywood towards whatever late night diner was still open, laughing and hollering up a storm.
Stand on the edge and scream into the unknown with the people you love. It feels pretty great.
