The Nature of Life and Death

Hello,
I am in an extremely depressed mood, and I should probably explain why. My friend who is always tired has just explained why. His girlfriend who he clearly loves is dying of Leukemia. Only two years left to live. It took my breath away when I heard this. I thought about death in a way which I have never before.
   Before I had always thought death to be miraculous or powerful, a great beginning to the afterlife. As such, when characters die in the novel people care, but it is soon forgotten. I realised this is wrong. Death is not powerful or beautiful, it's just the end, the end of all things. One moment a person is alive and the next they are not. It's nothing more than that. It is not a bang, but a whimper. A quiet moment of the removal of life, not some powerful Universe saving action.
   People die everyday but we move on. When we watch the news and hear about a car accident, it is barely likely to register and by the following day we have forgotten it. We do not grieve or feel pain, it's just old news. But it's not, to the family and those close to the person their pain goes on and it will never, ever end. Because that is the nature of death.
   Rarely, do we get the chance to farewell the person who is no longer with us. We always assume that we'll do it the next time, or the time after. But that never comes and soon we are left wishing and hoping that we had had the chance to farewell the person that meant so much to us.
   How are lives bearable? We are born with the knowledge that one day life will cease, but we forget it and push it away to the back of our mind, safe in the hope that there will always be tomorrow. That is until the day when someone close to us stops and we are forced to confront our greatest fear; that one day the same thing will happen to us.
   We can but hope to make an impact upon the world, because we shall not be remembered. The memory of us shall fade away and we shall be no more. Even if we do make an impact, we will still be forgotten. How many names shall be remembered in twenty years time? Is it fair that George Bush or Hugh Heffner are more likely to be remembered than a man who changes lives, saves them?
   There must be more, there has to be. That is why religion is so popular, because it gives us hope that are friends and one day, us, will live on. Because otherwise life is not bearable, and we create our own destiny and are forgotten.
Thanks,
James

The Magical Musicals Tour - An Introduction

I have rather unfortunately realised that I am a movie musicals virgin. Well, okay not a virgin. I have seen a number of genre films but they are few and far between.

When I was younger I saw the excellent movie Mary Poppins many, many times and it always is a joyful experience. It remains perhaps one of the top ten films that I have ever seen. The cast is spot on, the songs are joyous and it has aged exceptionally well.

The other movie musical that I saw a lot of when I was younger was Wily Wonka and the Chocolate Factory, which isn't really your 'typical' movie musical. I love this film! Due to the fact that I was bullied a lot in my primary schiool days, the main friends I had were actually teachers. Yes, really. One of my teachers loved this film with a passion and I remember one rainy day, she allowed her class to stay in and watch it.I wasn't in her class that day, but she alllowed me to watch it. The song Pure Imagination was in my head the remainder of the day and I kept singing it. It was probably one of the campest experiences of my primary school life.



Mamma Mia is one of the more recent of my musical forays. It is magnificently camp as was the band that inspired the film, ABBA. My mum and dad are massive ABBA fans, and as such I grew up knowing many of the songs. It's great fun, watching these musicals!

The last movie musical that I am familiar with is the Beatles film Yellow Submarine. No, it didn't turn me off the genre forever. In fact it seemed to strengthen the interest! The plot is almost non-existent, and it really only exists as a means of showing off some of the best Beatles song. But still it is pretty fantastic!

So, what next? And what is all this leading to? What is a Magical Musicals tour? Well, this post is just the first in my continuing quest to watch as many Movie Musicals as I can. I have never seen the classics, such as West Side Story, Cabaret, The Sound of Music, Singin' In The Rain or My Fair Lady. Come with me on the journey of The Magical Musicals Tour!

NEXT UP:

The Rose

The Sound of Music

Thoroughly Modern Mille

West Side Story

Marriage

Hi,
Iam really angry at the moment and, as such, this will come out in a very angry post. I was in class today, and we had to discuss the persuasive techniques in an article. One kid chose an article about Julia Gillard blocking gay marriage and her plans to block it overseas. As such, the class ngot into an in-depth discussion as to the validity and importance of gay marriage. Some kids were against it, and some were for it. I was forced to button my lip or I would have been involved in a massive shouting match. As I am gay, I rather naturally believe that me getting married is a posibility.
This is my response to those kids who were against it. Why do you want it banned? Is my love for a guy somehow less important than your love for a woman? What the hell gives you the right to tell me if I can get married or if I can't?! It shows a total lack of respect for every gay person!
One kid raised the old chestnut of the fact that marriage is a religous institution, and as God is particularly against gay marriage then it should be banned. Apparently it's in the Bible and everything. Yes, but in the Bible it states that God had a purpose for everyone. As such, it seems therefore logical to assume that being gay is part of my 'divine purpose'. And what, so following my destiny means I can't get married? What the Feck!
And, on religion, I don't have any. Do you want to know why? Any religion is completely against gay individuals and for what reason? Apparently, it's because it's unnatural! What so somehow being gay is unnatural? Who I am as a person is bloody unnatural? Well, then bugger me, I'm unnatural. What are you going to do about? One of my gay friends was all into religion years ago and they tried to change him. They told him to try dating girls, see if you changed your mind. Would you tell that to a straight man. "Oh, just try dating a guy for some time to see if you're gay or not?" No, you bloody well wouldn't so why do you need to tell a gay guy this?
Religion is supposed to be accepting and yet it is completely against gay people full stop. Is it any wonder why I am not religous?
I think the problem is that a lot of people think that it is a choice. Well, here's something you may want to know. It's fucking not! Who would want to feel unnatural, be bullied or worse feel like an outcast 24/7? Who would want to face the terrible fact that the people who raised you may not accept you for who you are? Who the hell would want that?
The bell for next class has just rung, and as such I need to go to class.
But this is not the end.
Thanks,
Hartnellfan2

Beautiful People - DVD Cover

Above is my DVD cover for the incredibly wonderful series. I LOVE this series so much, and everything it stands for resonates with me so much. Over the course of my blogging, I will be noting the points that affect me the most, but I thought this might be the best way to start!
I made this with Photoshop 5.5, a pen tool, two gradients, three promotional pictures, plus a whole lot of time, fonts and effects! This is my best art that I think I have done so far, as it really captures the true spirit of the seies, while still looking pretty amazing!
Anyway, thanks. Until next time!

Hello and Welcome!

Hello,
Welcome to my new blog! I used to have one before but it was shut down, due to copyright reasons. But that's not really important as this blog will be completely different. While the other blog focussed on what I was interested in, this one is more about me and who I am. Coming to figure out myself, maybe. Anyway, as such, I really don't know how this blog will work.
I think I will just post whatever catches my fancy, interests me or that is a little interesting. To do this and fully understand what the hell I am talking about there are a couple of things you need to know about me first. I am 17 years-old, have Aspergers Syndrome and are gay. Being a teenager and the above two make my life occasionally very dificult, as I am completely different to anyone else in my male-only school. The counsellor that I have has suggested that I write, as I am quite good at that apparently... So, this is my answer. A blog for all the world to see. I hope you love it.