Halloween: Enjoy what is Positive

This week was celebrated Halloween and in our country is a tradition that has been taking force during the last years.  Halloween was born as a Celtic celebration which started in Anglo-Saxon countries like Canada, United States, Ireland and The UK. That is why in Chile there are mixed feelings about this celebration. Some people say that is something that does not belong to our country, so, we do not have to take traditions that do not represent our own culture. They give it a negative connotation because they think there is nothing positive in their children dressing up as monsters. I am part of that group that thinks that there is nothing bad about it. I believe it is always positive to have something fun specially made for kids. I have to say, I prefer seeing kids dressing up as monsters rather than maintain “activities” like the rodeo, a “tradition” that is full of violence where animals get hurt as a main attraction. As final reflection, I think we have to be more open minded when it comes of things that does not hurt anybody; and in the other hand, we have to look how positive are our own traditions.  

       

Education: The Core of All

Today, education is a topic that everyone is talking about, this month we are on the doorstep of new elections, and we can hear something related with education in all the candidates’ promises. Basically the last years, people have been demanding free quality education for all. So, to start talking about what I think education is, it is necessary to understand that not everyone has the same concept about this topic, so, here is mine. I hardly believe that education is not only what you learn and receive in school or college, education is something more transversal. I personally think people are delegating all the responsibility to those institutions (schools and universities) and they are forgetting the core of all. Education practically starts when you are in your mother’s arms. If you guide your child since the beginning, encouraging him to be curious and creative, you will give him the right tools to be someone positive in life. I think that is the real essence of education. In conclusion, education is not only practical and tangible knowledge that you receive from a state entity; it is a collection of things that you explode since the very begging. Those things will make you a complete and unique being.       

Drawing and Design: Art at Hand

This time I would like to share something that I really love to do. I think that almost every person on earth have at least one thing which they enjoy doing, mine are drawing and design. Since I was a child I have developed a fascination for drawing and design things. One of the things that I remember the most is my mom’s complaints due to my irresponsibility, I still remember that day when my mother almost died when she realized that I had all my notebooks scratched. Regardless that I love to elaborate things, I don't do it as much I would; time is a conditioning factor when it comes of create something. One of the things that I love of drawing is that you don't need to be the best, or to have a certain skill to do it. You just can do whatever comes from your mind, and the best part is that is really cheap. A pen and a piece of paper are all that you need to do whatever you want. In the other hand, photoshop has become a good friend of mine, and since I discovered it, I have developed a taste for it. I think that the combination between these two items (drawing and photoshop) is great, and I'm always discovering new ways of exploit them. To conclude with this reflection I have to say that until these days I'm still drawing and using photoshop, and I really enjoy make my classmates laugh with some funny stuff. So I guess I will be doing it for a while.   

Silence as Strategy

       In a few weeks Chile is going to face new elections, both presidential and parliamentary. This year Michelle Bachelet wants to be elected for second time, and I have to say that she is probably one of the main topics in people’s conversations about politics. The numbers says that she is one of the strongest candidates, but I do think that without a doubt the mixed feelings that she causes are more interesting than her candidacy for itself. One of the main reasons of the rejection that she causes is what happened in her previous mandate. That fatidic episode where many people lost their houses and even more died; yes, how to forget the earthquake of 2010? That catastrophe in great measure caused the division between people who approves Bachelete’s candidacy and those who don’t. Regardless the perceptions, it is clear that her decisions at that time caused a big impact in what happened after the earthquake. So, despite all what I have said before, most of the people are still with her. Having said that, this is what surprise me the most:  the fact that people are going to vote for someone that these days doesn’t have a voice,  they are about to vote for someone who doesn’t want to give answers. Honestly, it is really sad.

    

Video Killed The Radio Star

         Well... music, what can I say about music that has not been said before? Probably, nothing, but it doesn't matter, because if there is something that I really love to talk about is that. I have to say that I am a pretty visual person, so, I really enjoy music videos. I think that videos are the perfect complement to a great song, and there is nothing cooler than a great well made video.  Modestly, I must say that I do know some things about videos. Actually, I have favorite directors, for example, Joseph Kahn. He has made some spectacular things, and the way he uses visual effects and light is simply amazing, but definitely his signature is the camera movements.  His clients go from Elton John to Korn and Lady Gaga, so he is very versatile.  I watch a lot of videos using whether Youtube or my TV. I’m always searching for something to see, and Youtube has helped to keep videos alive since music channels are worried about reality shows.  A few days ago I read about something that surprised me, Youtube is planning to create its own awards show, and I personally think that those awards will be quite interesting, because as we all know Youtube is probably the most popular platform for videos right now. Having said that, I’m looking forward to see what happens and certainly I will stay tuned.    

Josheph's work