January 3, 2006
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Topic: Chicago & Munich
Well…my trip to Chicago is nearly complete. Have an early flight back to NY tom. Unlike Sept. when I had such a good time here that I wanted to relocate, I’m now excited to head back to NY, and also excited for future returns to the Windy City.
As it turns out, many people from my college, Wash U., have relocated to Chicago. Along with my 2 best friends, I have close to 10 acquaintances who live here, who I’ve grown much closer to after catching up with them this past weekend. I have a friend at U of Chicago Divinity School who is studying to become a minister, and will be studying public policy there in a few years, with the hopes of using Christian values to influence politics(helping the poor, vs. helping to fight abortions and same-sex marriage). Another friend is the drummer in a punk band, “Much the Same,” and will be recording an album this spring and doing some touring, trying to make the next big step towards a full-time career as a musician. Two of my close friends from freshman year, who have been dating for some time. My guy friend has a dog now, a real step up in responsibility from his days as a “drunkin’ frat boy.” The girl, like myself, living at home in the ‘burbs, trying to save a buck and enjoy the city life.
It’s a great city for me to visit, and while I will miss having this kind of community at home, I’m starting to find some interesting people in NYC, and I’m looking forward to the next few months with them.
Tonight, my friend Doug and I went to see Munich. Hands down, one of the best movies I’ve seen in ages. While not meant to be a 100% accurate movie historically, the movie made some amazingly powerful commentary about the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, as well as addressing the issues of terrorism and violence in general. What is gained? Is this the only way?
There’s about 15 different issues I’ve been talking about tonight w/ my friend…and will slowly begin incorporating them into my writing. I’ve also decided, that while I realize writing will not be my main pursuit in life, or at least, not my main pursuit financially, writing will always be central to me. In fact, I’m just starting to think about what it means, “to be a writer.” I’ve never considered myself a writer…even though I wrote a book (which…felt in many ways like writing a college paper. I wrote, but more to convey a message than out of the desire to simply do some writing). However, I now feel that the creative aspect of writing, as well as the social aspect, are two things that I love. I love taking ideas in my head, and finding ways to lay them out there for others to look-at, to reflect on, and to respond to. In fact, writing for myself now ranks significantly lower than writing for others. Actually, affecting people and having them affect me with their responses are the ultimate things that drive me to write.
Anyways…it’s late, but topics that Munich has got me thinking about…
1) a future post, essay, something, perhaps titled, “Tomorrow” regarding the direction individuals and society are headed. No argument or thesis, just thoughts and observations.
2) a discussion on cultural psychology…ex) If you had to put an age to our culture, what would it be? For example, cave men would be like infints, without language or knowledge of the world. What is the personality of the world, or just the US today? My initial thoughts were that we’re about late-teens. Relatively intelligent, although still in that angry phase, still ignorant and naiive, still having trouble relating to others, still unsure what direction we’re heading in. I think the next 100-200 years will be along these lines, but I think it’s possible in 200-400 years, to reach a more adult-stage of culture, where we are a bit more mature, have lived more life and have more to reflect on and more experiences to have learned from, and we can look back at our awkward teenage years, and laugh a bit.
3) This movie Munich…i just want to digest the politics, history, commentary, cinema…so many things.
Giants in the playoffs!
New Year’s resolutions to increase fitness and eat/cook more healthy/creatively.
Matisyahu…Hasidic regae. Considering catching them at MSG next week.
Comments (4)
I love that you are listening to Matisyahu. What a good Jew you are. Frankly, I can’t tolerate him!
Happy New Year.
I am glad that you had a good trip to Chicago!
There is always a certain amount of excitement for me though when I get close to New York. It’s like I can feel it in my veins before I even know that I am close. I don’t think that the two can be compared. I will be in NYC in April and am looking forward to it.
As for the writing. You always write pleasing thought provoking things. I always enjoy reading.
I hope that you had a New Year!
I can’t wait to see Munich. I’ve only heard good things about it. Did you see Syriana? I wanted to see it, but my teacher told me it was the worst movie he’d ever seen, so I’m torn.