The Budget 2010 March 24, 2010
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Can’t believe someone has done this already – another Downfall Video:
Negotiation [video] March 12, 2010
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Many of you may have already seen this video: but again fitted in with the theme of this week’s seminar – that you should know what the walking away point is, particularly when negotiating on behalf of someone else.
The Reader (2008) December 7, 2009
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I bought this DVD and watched it over the weekend. The Reader is a post WWII movie set in Germany, telling the story of a brief affair between a 15 year old boy, Michael Berg and an Older Woman, Hanna Schmitz. Michael Berg then later sees Hanna again when he is a law student sitting in on a trial – where she is being tried for war crimes.
I am still undecided about whether I actually like the film.
There are some well-made Holocaust films out there – Schindler’s List and Life is Beautiful to name my favourites. Life is beautiful is my favourite film of all time because there is so much emotion in it – no film has made me laugh and cry so much. The Reader is full of emotion, but it is a shocking emotion, you feel sympathy for Hanna, who is a former SS concentration camp guard who allowed 300 people to burn to death, among other crimes. Feeling sympathy for her, made me feel uncomfortable, guilty even.
I found the movie disturbing on other levels – the affair with the 15 year old boy was designed to shock. But when he started reading to her, I began to overlook the age gap and see their connection.
As far as trial / war-crime trial movies go, this one had little action (for that you need to watch Judgment at Nuremberg, great movie). But it made you question the law and justice. And as always, made you agonise over morality and being fair. With war crimes, everyone is already convinced of the guilt of the defendant. We question (as with everything regarding the holocaust) how such crimes were allowed to happen? why people did nothing? How one could do a job, willingly, knowing the consequences of their actions would be the death of others? The issue in this trial is concerned with her sentencing rather than her guilt. In many ways I was shocked that Michael Berg did nothing. But then I questioned what would I have done if I was in his position – and I know, I would have done the same thing.
So disturbing but thought-provoking movie, that in many ways challenges your view on the holocaust and justice. Not really a nice sit back and watch movie, but I would recommend that you see it – after all the performance from Kate Winslet is amazing. And if you’ve not already seen them the movies mentioned above are even more worthwhile – just make sure you’ve got tissues.
1 Exam down… June 8, 2009
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Just a quick message whilst passing though, having a relaxing few minutes before going back to tackle planning.
Employment exam DONE! We started the exam half an hour late because no one could find the papers and then there weren’t enough papers – complete and utter shambles. But generally the exam was manageable, got discrimination question which I didn’t want. But you can’t have everything.
Trying to resist the urge to post about the Omagh Bombing verdict – Relatives of the Victims won £1.6m damages against IRA. The 1998 Bombing is still one of those things I remember like yesterday. So more on this later.
On a brighter note: Awesome video to get you motivated (or dancing).
There is even a Brooklyn tribute to this mashup.
This Captures how I feel Perfectly.. June 4, 2009
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Another Cartoon by Legally Drawn: The Life and Times of the paranoid student.
Older than me, but I don’t love it any less June 3, 2009
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Been busy, so a little late catching up with my reading. But as you probably all know Tetris is 25 yrs old. So I share with you some of their old advertising:
For the timeline of Tetris ads and see how they have changed see the collection over at Adfreak. Be sure to check out the last one, I think it’s pretty cool, that or revision is driving me insane. 
Bring on the Trumpets!!! June 1, 2009
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Okay, old ad (not seen it in ages) but its getting posted around by some friends (procrastination at its best), and during exams its a good laugh and makes me want to scream bring on the trumpets in random in appropriate places, or out the window at unsuspecting passers by.
For more procrastination the natural confectionery co have more videos on their youtube page. Classic.
Revision (& Evolution) May 31, 2009
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End of another day’s revision – and missed all the sun must to my disappointment, having to endure the torture of watching those below me walking around in their shorts and t-shirts. My back hurts, from hunching at the desk and both my hands have seized up (whose stupid idea was it to make write-your-own-textbooks, oh wait that was mine).
Progress report: 2 more Commercial workshops, 5 Commercial Property and 1 Employment.
I’m going to sleep now (for 100 years) so I leave you with: – Legally Drawn’s latest illustration: Evolution – love this.
Try to do – cute UCLA squirrels video May 23, 2009
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In case you haven’t already seen it this is adorable – just wanted to pass it on – suitable for another coffee break.
Advanced Cat Yodeling May 19, 2009
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In case you haven’t seen it yet… something to keep you amused on your next coffee break:
