Tag: Time
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Dream Theater’s “Take the Time”: Finding Balance in a Fast-Paced World
Read more: Dream Theater’s “Take the Time”: Finding Balance in a Fast-Paced World“Find all you need in your mind if you take the time.” These lyrics from Dream Theater’s song Take the Time resonate deeply in todayās ever-accelerating world. Known for their extraordinary musical virtuosity, the progressive rock band released their iconic album Images and Words in 1992. This was my first real exposure to their music,…
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Space Brothers: A Journey Beyond Rivalry
Read more: Space Brothers: A Journey Beyond RivalryI was recommended the manga Space Brothers by ChÅ«ya Koyama, and its premise intrigued me enough to give it a try. As the title implies, the story revolves around two brothers who dreamt of going to space as children. The younger brother, Hibito, successfully becomes an astronaut for JAXA, while the older brother, Mutta, faces…
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LāEnfer by Stromae: A Reflection on Depression
Read more: LāEnfer by Stromae: A Reflection on DepressionI was living in Japan when Stromaeās song LāEnfer was released, creating a buzz as it debuted in a unique wayāduring a live interview on French national news. Stromae, whose name is the reverse of “maestro” in French slang (verlan), is a Belgian artist with roots in Rwanda and Flanders. Drawing inspiration from Jacques Brel…
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Detroit Metal City and the Masks We Wear
Read more: Detroit Metal City and the Masks We WearWatching Detroit Metal City by Kiminori Wakasugi was a surprising and hilarious experience. Though I had no idea how I came across it initially, the anime and movie adaptations were enjoyable, and even my wife, unfamiliar with the world of death metal, found them funny. Through its characters and absurdities, Detroit Metal City gives a…
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Dreams in the Snow: A Reflection on Noi the Albino by Dagur KƔri
Read more: Dreams in the Snow: A Reflection on Noi the Albino by Dagur KĆ”riI watched Noi the Albino on ARTE, a unique French-German channel known for broadcasting lesser-known films and documentaries. This film, set in Iceland, tells the story of Noi, a 17-year-old teenager living in a small, remote fishing village. Noi’s appearance, marked by alopecia totalis (a complete absence of hair), sets him apart visually, but itās…
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Look Back by Tatsuki Fujimoto: Reflections on Art, Loss, and Society
Read more: Look Back by Tatsuki Fujimoto: Reflections on Art, Loss, and SocietyLook Back, Tatsuki Fujimotoās emotional one-shot manga and recent anime on Prime Video, explores deep themes of friendship, purpose, and loss. When my wife recommended the manga a few years ago, I didnāt expect how much it would resonate. The adaptation, which spans less than an hour, portrays an intense bond between two friends and…
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Finding Connection and Resilience in Toumei Ningen by Tokyo Jihen
Read more: Finding Connection and Resilience in Toumei Ningen by Tokyo JihenTokyo Jihenās Toumei Ningen (Invisible Person), released on their 2006 album Adult, portrays the delicate, sometimes paradoxical journey of someone who feels invisible to the world around them. The Japanese band, led by vocalist and lyricist Sheena Ringo, is known for blending various musical styles and complex lyrics. Toumei Ningen is no exception, weaving difficult…
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“Departures” and Lifeās Hidden Lessons: Reflections on Work, Death, and Family
Read more: “Departures” and Lifeās Hidden Lessons: Reflections on Work, Death, and FamilyDepartures by YÅjirÅ Takita, originally titled Okuribito (“one who sends off”), follows a cellist who loses his job and returns to his hometown with his wife. He unexpectedly finds work “assisting departures,” which he assumes is in travel. Instead, he prepares bodies for cremation ceremonies. This thought-provoking film examines themes of prejudice, our relationship with…
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Living with Purpose: Reflections on Steve Jobs’ Life Lessons
Read more: Living with Purpose: Reflections on Steve Jobs’ Life LessonsSteve Jobs, known for founding and reviving Apple, reshaped our world with innovations like the iPhone and iPad. His worldview and approach to life contributed to his success, and he famously shared his insights as a Stanford commencement speaker. In his speech, Jobs highlighted a powerful lesson: “Remembering that you are going to die is…
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Rediscovering Life’s Purpose: Reflections on Living by Oliver Hermanus
Read more: Rediscovering Life’s Purpose: Reflections on Living by Oliver HermanusIn Living, directed by Oliver Hermanus and adapted from Akira Kurosawa’s Ikiru, Bill Nighy portrays a bureaucrat in a public works office who, upon learning of his terminal illness, confronts the monotony that has defined his life. Once called a āZombieā by a former colleagueāa woman he admires for her lively spiritāhe realizes heās lost…