Saturday 31 July 2010
Saturday 24 July 2010
Why I loved Inception.
Last night I went to see Inception with some friends of mine at the cinema. I didn't know anything about the scenario or anything about this film, just that stunning trailer witht the upside down buildings. But from the very first minute of the movie, I've been captivated.
Of course there are some gigantic special effects but that's not the reason why you should absolutely go to see this movie. You should go for the humanity of it. You should go because you will relate to these people stuck in moments, the people living with constant ghosts, the people trying to get home byt any possible way. And maybe you should go to remind yourself that our live are stories as well and every good story is about someone who is fighting a battle against his own enemies and there are no greater enemies than the ones called guilt, regret, pain, shame. I think that the movie serves as a reminder that these enemies will haunt and hunt you always. But this film shows as well that people need other people, that our stories and our battles and our dreams, these things are meant to be shared.
The movie suggests that we are most alive and most awake when we are dreaming. And while a case could be made that it is speaking to the dreaming that occurs when we’re asleep, perhaps it's true or even more true of the dreams we dream awake.
Inception suggests that there is much at stake: our hearts and our children and the air in our lungs. It's easy to buy into the idea that "dreaming" is a silly word for children, that "battle" means the military and that ghosts are not real. Inception felt like an invitation, a reminder that there might be more to the story, a world we don't see but one connected to the days we wake to.
These kinds of movies, studied and opened to lots of interpretations about our world, are those of which you leave the movie theaters completely changed. Even if you don't understand everything from the first time, Inception sows a brand new feeling in your mind and it's so powerful that you have this impression that the world may be a dream, after all.
Of course there are some gigantic special effects but that's not the reason why you should absolutely go to see this movie. You should go for the humanity of it. You should go because you will relate to these people stuck in moments, the people living with constant ghosts, the people trying to get home byt any possible way. And maybe you should go to remind yourself that our live are stories as well and every good story is about someone who is fighting a battle against his own enemies and there are no greater enemies than the ones called guilt, regret, pain, shame. I think that the movie serves as a reminder that these enemies will haunt and hunt you always. But this film shows as well that people need other people, that our stories and our battles and our dreams, these things are meant to be shared.
The movie suggests that we are most alive and most awake when we are dreaming. And while a case could be made that it is speaking to the dreaming that occurs when we’re asleep, perhaps it's true or even more true of the dreams we dream awake.
Inception suggests that there is much at stake: our hearts and our children and the air in our lungs. It's easy to buy into the idea that "dreaming" is a silly word for children, that "battle" means the military and that ghosts are not real. Inception felt like an invitation, a reminder that there might be more to the story, a world we don't see but one connected to the days we wake to.
These kinds of movies, studied and opened to lots of interpretations about our world, are those of which you leave the movie theaters completely changed. Even if you don't understand everything from the first time, Inception sows a brand new feeling in your mind and it's so powerful that you have this impression that the world may be a dream, after all.
Wednesday 21 July 2010
Tuesday 20 July 2010
Kapodistrian / Καποδιστριακό.
Alright gentlemen, I'm now registered @National & Kapodistrian University of Athens to spend a full year in order to study shitloads of meaningful law subjects such as Intellectual Property Law (that's great actually), Competition Law, Maritime Law, Penology and, (yes I do love that) Philosophy of Law among others.
And nothing can't prevent me from going to that wonderful country. Even if there's a so called economic crisis or fires, I'm going to Athens next year.
I won't hide from you that I have kinda misty eyes to leave everything behind me for a full year abroad. It means leaving friends, family, hopes and expectations in here as well. But I feel really glorious to change a bit and begin something new for a year.
Seize the opportunity. It's all about it.
And now, a few snaps of the Kapodistrian university, just to make you rage :D
And nothing can't prevent me from going to that wonderful country. Even if there's a so called economic crisis or fires, I'm going to Athens next year.
I won't hide from you that I have kinda misty eyes to leave everything behind me for a full year abroad. It means leaving friends, family, hopes and expectations in here as well. But I feel really glorious to change a bit and begin something new for a year.
Seize the opportunity. It's all about it.
And now, a few snaps of the Kapodistrian university, just to make you rage :D
Entrance.
Sunset.
Wing.
You can see a statue of Athena.
You can see a statue of Athena.
Detail.
National Library next to the University.
University Library.
Sunday 18 July 2010
Verba volent, scripta manent.
What happened to us? I feel like I'm living in a world made of pure illusion. A world made of things you can't touch, you can't feel anymore. I feel like nothing isn't real anymore. Even things we write are nothing but lines of text in front of a screen. Is this what life has become?
With shattered souls and minds around me, I need some answers.
My eyes avoid the light and this can only mean but one thing.
My life has been changed.
What happened to our old postcards? I don't receive this kind of paper anymore but I don't send those as well. These are just remains of a lost time. A time of reality, of sincerity and patience.One day, I heard one of law lecturers at my university yelling at a student who was sending texts during the class:
"You and your generation are the ones of instantaneousness. You don't respect anything anymore."
This feeds my concerns about what I am. Because I realise I'm not using pens, pencils, felt-tip pens to express myself and share with others, just a black keyboard with a different alphabet. And sometimes I smile, thinking of what could be my life without a mobile phone. Would I be able to talk with others? Surprisingly I feel like I could do this, and even more: I feel like I could be more confident in myself. A letter written by your hand with ink is in all ways better than a quick text on your iPhone.
Some will tell me that it would be more difficult to communicate and make acquaintances and sustain relationships. I totally agree but at what price? Most of young students enter secondary school without any knowledge in spelling and reading...
I feel truly sorry when I look at the new device we invent and produce to read paperless books. Only lines on a screen. Only letters made of pixels. No more touch. And so I look at my own little library. I see all the books I bought with my own money and I feel glorious because I know one day, people will look at these and think that reading was something more than letters. It meant something real.
With shattered souls and minds around me, I need some answers.
My eyes avoid the light and this can only mean but one thing.
My life has been changed.
What happened to our old postcards? I don't receive this kind of paper anymore but I don't send those as well. These are just remains of a lost time. A time of reality, of sincerity and patience.One day, I heard one of law lecturers at my university yelling at a student who was sending texts during the class:
"You and your generation are the ones of instantaneousness. You don't respect anything anymore."
This feeds my concerns about what I am. Because I realise I'm not using pens, pencils, felt-tip pens to express myself and share with others, just a black keyboard with a different alphabet. And sometimes I smile, thinking of what could be my life without a mobile phone. Would I be able to talk with others? Surprisingly I feel like I could do this, and even more: I feel like I could be more confident in myself. A letter written by your hand with ink is in all ways better than a quick text on your iPhone.
Some will tell me that it would be more difficult to communicate and make acquaintances and sustain relationships. I totally agree but at what price? Most of young students enter secondary school without any knowledge in spelling and reading...
I feel truly sorry when I look at the new device we invent and produce to read paperless books. Only lines on a screen. Only letters made of pixels. No more touch. And so I look at my own little library. I see all the books I bought with my own money and I feel glorious because I know one day, people will look at these and think that reading was something more than letters. It meant something real.
I'm travelling to Kythira.
It is often told to young Greeks that the ionian islands are one of the most mysterious places in the world and are known in greek folklore and mythology to be the landmarks where the mythologian Gods enjoyed their immortal lives, escaping from the Olympus Mount.
Therefore, these places are rich of legends and myths about Gods and their endeavours to get closer to the humans. Before the reign of Zeus over the Greece and the Sky, there were Titans. Zeus defeated them with his brothers.
The beginning of the mythology in Greece begins with the birth of Titan and Cronus. Titan was the eldest child of the union of Ouranos (the Sky) and Gaia (mother Earth). Titan was the master of the world to be, but Gaia decided to promote her last born child, Cronus over Titan. Titan eventually decided to give his place of master of the world to his younger brother but under one condition : he had to kill all his children he would have with his spouse Rhea. At his death, the world would go to the sons of Titan. Cronus agreed and his reign began. But Rhea wasn't that kind of mother : she concealed the birth of Zeus, Poseidon and Hades to her husband : she gave him big rocks instead of the babies (Here is one of the most interesting metaphor of the Time : Cronus is the greek word for "time" and therefore the God Cronus is the allegory of the relentless Time, devouring everything in its everlasting march, the source of Eternity). The babies were sent to Crete with the Korybantes where their father could not see them (In some versions, Poseidon is eaten alive by Cronus and saved later by Zeus).
But Titan eventually discovered the deception. He declared the war to his brother Cronus and took him prisoner. But Zeus was now strong and powerful and thanks to the help of the Giants he triumped over Titan and his family. Cronus was from now on the master of the world but his was distrustful towards his son, the almighty Zeus. He decided to kill him to reign safely. Zeus called to arms his brothers Hades and Poseidon. The Cyclopes forged the lightning-bolts for Zeus. The three brothers defeated their father who exiled in Italy to Janus house.
This is how begins all the greek mythology: with a strong brotherhood. Cronus escaped to Italy to find Janus, King of the Latium. Here began the Golden Age with the reign of Cronus and Janus. No more hard work, no masters, no slaves and total liberty. To thank Janus for sharing the throne with him, Cronus gave him the skill to see the future and the past. This is why Janus is represented double faced.
Zeus and his brothers decided to settle their kindgom in the Olympus. Zeus divided the world into three major parts: Poseidon was given the Seas, Hades obtained the Hell kindgom, Zeus took the Sky and became the master of the Olympus. But the Giants decided to attack Zeus. These horrific creatures tried to break into the Olympus Palace. Thanks to the Cyclopes' gift, Zeus won once again the battle for the Olympus. He destroyed the Giants and the Titans and buried them under the Earth. But the Titans were not completely defeated: crippled, they continue to scream and show their anger. Therefore in the greek mythology, the volcanos were considered as the mouths of the buried titans.
From this event, the pantheon of greek Gods grew larger and larger to rule the world.
Let's get back to the ionian islands. Most of them have a peculiar history related to greek Gods. But I'm pretty sure you never heard about the small island of Kythira. Heaven of tranquility and beauty, this small island is located right in the South of the continental Greece.
One of the most beautiful goddess of the olympic pantheon was Aphrodite. She was the incarnation of beauty, seduction, love and pleasure. In the Illiad, the masterpiece of Homer, this poet tells more about this goddess. It appears that Aphrodite is the daughter of the Zeus and Dione (one of the several daughters of Atlas). But nobody's sure about that version of the story. Ask a Greek who looked into mythology and he will tell you that Aphrodite was in no way the daughter of Zeus but came into life from the the oldest god : Ouranos, the Father Sky. She was born when Cronus cut off Ouranos' genitals and threw them into the sea. From the sea foam (aphros in greek), Aphrodite came into life. This birth is worldwide known thanks to the work of Boticelli and its Birth of the Venus (latin name for Aphrodite).
And the story tells that she was born from a crashing wave on the shores of that small isle of Kythira.
Nowadays, our language is mostly inspired by these kinds of stories and myths. Here is one example with the birth of Aphrodite: as she was born on the shores of Kythira, this island became a kind of peculiar landmark for lovers. And in heritage, there is one phrase that is used to express love: I'm travelling to Kythira. This metaphor is used in poems and essays to say that someone is ready to sink into love and its delights.
Maybe I'm getting ready for that delicate journey and I'm about to travel to that mysterious island...
EDIT: Actually I do think I have arrived.
Yeah, mythology is one of my greatest passion along with music. And here is the first article of a long serie I guess.
Therefore, these places are rich of legends and myths about Gods and their endeavours to get closer to the humans. Before the reign of Zeus over the Greece and the Sky, there were Titans. Zeus defeated them with his brothers.
The beginning of the mythology in Greece begins with the birth of Titan and Cronus. Titan was the eldest child of the union of Ouranos (the Sky) and Gaia (mother Earth). Titan was the master of the world to be, but Gaia decided to promote her last born child, Cronus over Titan. Titan eventually decided to give his place of master of the world to his younger brother but under one condition : he had to kill all his children he would have with his spouse Rhea. At his death, the world would go to the sons of Titan. Cronus agreed and his reign began. But Rhea wasn't that kind of mother : she concealed the birth of Zeus, Poseidon and Hades to her husband : she gave him big rocks instead of the babies (Here is one of the most interesting metaphor of the Time : Cronus is the greek word for "time" and therefore the God Cronus is the allegory of the relentless Time, devouring everything in its everlasting march, the source of Eternity). The babies were sent to Crete with the Korybantes where their father could not see them (In some versions, Poseidon is eaten alive by Cronus and saved later by Zeus).
But Titan eventually discovered the deception. He declared the war to his brother Cronus and took him prisoner. But Zeus was now strong and powerful and thanks to the help of the Giants he triumped over Titan and his family. Cronus was from now on the master of the world but his was distrustful towards his son, the almighty Zeus. He decided to kill him to reign safely. Zeus called to arms his brothers Hades and Poseidon. The Cyclopes forged the lightning-bolts for Zeus. The three brothers defeated their father who exiled in Italy to Janus house.This is how begins all the greek mythology: with a strong brotherhood. Cronus escaped to Italy to find Janus, King of the Latium. Here began the Golden Age with the reign of Cronus and Janus. No more hard work, no masters, no slaves and total liberty. To thank Janus for sharing the throne with him, Cronus gave him the skill to see the future and the past. This is why Janus is represented double faced.
Zeus and his brothers decided to settle their kindgom in the Olympus. Zeus divided the world into three major parts: Poseidon was given the Seas, Hades obtained the Hell kindgom, Zeus took the Sky and became the master of the Olympus. But the Giants decided to attack Zeus. These horrific creatures tried to break into the Olympus Palace. Thanks to the Cyclopes' gift, Zeus won once again the battle for the Olympus. He destroyed the Giants and the Titans and buried them under the Earth. But the Titans were not completely defeated: crippled, they continue to scream and show their anger. Therefore in the greek mythology, the volcanos were considered as the mouths of the buried titans.
From this event, the pantheon of greek Gods grew larger and larger to rule the world.
Let's get back to the ionian islands. Most of them have a peculiar history related to greek Gods. But I'm pretty sure you never heard about the small island of Kythira. Heaven of tranquility and beauty, this small island is located right in the South of the continental Greece.
One of the most beautiful goddess of the olympic pantheon was Aphrodite. She was the incarnation of beauty, seduction, love and pleasure. In the Illiad, the masterpiece of Homer, this poet tells more about this goddess. It appears that Aphrodite is the daughter of the Zeus and Dione (one of the several daughters of Atlas). But nobody's sure about that version of the story. Ask a Greek who looked into mythology and he will tell you that Aphrodite was in no way the daughter of Zeus but came into life from the the oldest god : Ouranos, the Father Sky. She was born when Cronus cut off Ouranos' genitals and threw them into the sea. From the sea foam (aphros in greek), Aphrodite came into life. This birth is worldwide known thanks to the work of Boticelli and its Birth of the Venus (latin name for Aphrodite).
And the story tells that she was born from a crashing wave on the shores of that small isle of Kythira.
Nowadays, our language is mostly inspired by these kinds of stories and myths. Here is one example with the birth of Aphrodite: as she was born on the shores of Kythira, this island became a kind of peculiar landmark for lovers. And in heritage, there is one phrase that is used to express love: I'm travelling to Kythira. This metaphor is used in poems and essays to say that someone is ready to sink into love and its delights.
Maybe I'm getting ready for that delicate journey and I'm about to travel to that mysterious island...
EDIT: Actually I do think I have arrived.
Yeah, mythology is one of my greatest passion along with music. And here is the first article of a long serie I guess.
Monday 12 July 2010
Devil Sold His Soul - Blessed & Cursed.
Only a few bands have this ability to make you feel the music they produce and play. Not just hearing and listening to sounds and tracks of an album through iTunes but really make you feel the music, with all your senses. Yeah that's pretty much it : this last effort of the British band Devil Sold His Soul is a record you can touch, taste, hear, smell and see. The 10 tracks off the record are all beautiful that you feel like you can enter musicians' mind by means of the "play" button on your disk drive.
There is that irresistible and compelling sense of dommed fatality in their music, like everything is coming to an end in grand heroic sound, like it was the last fight you lead in your life to take a stand. Everything matches everything throughout all the record with a stunning voice, illustrating the last emotions, what you cherish the most during the moments of darkness and hopelessness. But this is only one side of the two-faced record. As it bears the title 'Blessed and Cursed', there's also a bright side, something more shiny like crystal. You enter the world of DSHS with the track called 'Tides' which comes to wash your brain and senses to brace yourselves for the journey to come. It travels you to astmospheric places where you're surrounded by strange but crystal-clear melodies that leave you vunerable.
This is how begins the blessed trip which grows more and more on each song. Everything is running towards something you can touch, like spectral material as you're flowing effortlessly as a conqueror to the next songs. The journey is 1 hour long but you feel like it only lasts a second, leaving you with this devouring passion and a consuming need of more. The thing is that you're hardly breathing during the listening of the record as you don't want to disturb your senses to feel the music. The sound is a convergence of dark and light with countless different shades in between, everything corroborated by a formidable sound.
This band is properly stunning, crossing the frontiers of imagination. It is both devilish and angelic, like a bright divine picture with horns and a malicious glance. The band has progressed and their sense of melody has taken a brighter turn. It's different, but it's a nice break from the constant dark feel. But even as hopeful these songs sound, there's still an underlying feeling of despair. Sometimes you feel safe, with the warmth of some songs but, on the other hand, maybe you can experience fear during cold parts of some songs and that's exactly what is magnificent. If you're glorious enough to dare going on this trip, you'll come back changed for a long time. Look at your stuff in your own room : objects, papers, furniture, clothes, books ... And you'll see them eating you, trying to come into your mind. This the time : everything is made of textures you're now sensitive to.
It has this wonderful granite-like force that strikes you with violence. But you can't feel no pain. The paradox of this album reigns in it. It's blessed and cursed. YOU are blessed and cursed. And above all, as much as you are BLESSED, you are CURSED as well.
If you don't feel very confident to go on this hazardous journey where everything is changed, where what was up is now down, you may want to have a beacon in the ocean of sounds that opens before your scary eyes, like a port casting light in the storm. Don't be afraid , here is a preview of what you can here : this is the third song of the record called "Callous Heart". But don't think that you can feel the electricity of the record with only one song : this album is a whole, nothing like 10 unlinked tracks. Will you be brave? Will you cast-off the moorings?
If you're still not convinced by the almighty of the band, you can still check out the song called Clouds off the very first EP that you can find on the right collumn in the "REMAINS." section.
_____
So you think you're ready? All set? BY ALL MEANS, CAPTAIN! So, cling onto your armchair, open your eyes and free your mind, here is the blessing and the curse. You want to understand better the sirens' chant? Here are the lyrics.
PS : Yeah, I'm finished with french on this website I guess. I'll write down things in english so everybody will be able to read. Sorry Molière.
Sunday 11 July 2010
tweeeeeetz.
Alright, I have a twitter now.
I wanna feel so high and loved by the love.
Feel free to say I'm awesome on it: http://twitter.com/iamthib
I wanna feel so high and loved by the love.
Feel free to say I'm awesome on it: http://twitter.com/iamthib
Wednesday 7 July 2010
Harder to Breathe / Wiseman.
Sid to his father, after discovering his girlfriend was sleeping with another man :
- Dad, I think I dumped Cassie. She's with some ... guy
- Oh son, they are ALWAYS with "some guy". But, if she's special to your eyes, you just have to make sure that, that "guy" ... is you.
pieces of you
- Dad, I think I dumped Cassie. She's with some ... guy
- Oh son, they are ALWAYS with "some guy". But, if she's special to your eyes, you just have to make sure that, that "guy" ... is you.
pieces of you
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