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Thursday, February 28, 2008

Addicted to History...

One thing you don't know about me. I can just sit and watch the History and Military channels all day long. I don't know why. I used to hate this stuff back in school, but now that I don't have to learn it, I love it. I've seen the Vietnam War chronicles, the Cold War, WW's I and II, the Iraq wars, the Civil War Reenactments, the Civil Rights Movement (yes, that was a war!) a few times over. I especially love when they do reenactments and stories of Genghis Khan, Alexander the Great, Shaka Zulu and all the ancient empires. Basically, stories of the way the world was won. I eat that stuff up like cereal! Any war story that's been captured on film, including non US involved wars, I've seen it. For some reason this all interests me to no end. I don't know why. I used to be addicted to Court TV's crime shows, but after seeing them all a few thousand times, I think I'm good.

Right now I'm watching the Nuremberg Trials that occurred after the WWII. After this, comes on the story of the Tokyo trials, and of Tojo, the Japanese general that ordered the bombing of Pearl Harbor, and who basically is responsible for bringing the US fully into WWII. The stories and history behind these retold events always amaze me. I guess I find it amazing that people managed to survive some of the atrocities that went on, from being in combat to becoming POWs, some for years. Real life drama beats anything you can make up from your imagination.

Yeah, I'm a real hoot at parties! Don't you dare bring up any historical war reference with me! I'll corner you and talk you to death on it! ;)

On a much lighter note, I am also addicted to a few select reality shows. So I AM well rounded, okay? ;). Project Runway, Make Me a Super Model and Millionaire Matchmaker are my guilty little pleasures right now, in addition to Making the Band 4, and America's Best Dance Crew. Ahhh. If not for reality TV. We get so caught up in all these dramas, don't we? I know I do. Who's gonna win at Fashion Week? Who's gonna become the super model? Will Diddy's new group be a hit? Will the Flavor of Love Series EVER end????? (keeping fingers crossed on that one. ENOUGH. It's not even funny anymore). What in the world did we watch before reality TV? I wonder if it will ever go out of style.

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8 comments:

Jeezus said...

I share your love of History Channel. I would have hated it as a kid, but now I'm actually commenting on your post with HC in the background (highway systems), i really love when they show battles thru computer animation. You know, I'd be bored to death reading about the Napoleanic campaigns , but when I see the actual battlefields and formations I'm hooked.I can't wait till they show the Battle of the Dardenelles ( Galipoli)

durano lawayan a.k.a. brad spit said...

Fitness Diva,

History is always viewed from the perspective of the writer, or videographer if you may.

War documentaries may be fascinating but it is the most brutal, horrible, and senseless act of man that epitomizes man's inhumanity to other men. All evils are at play in war. It is a political action that is rooted in economics.

The writer sees and records war subjectively, not objectively. If the Allies lost World War II, America would have been bombed and Eisenhower, Patton, Montgomery, Churchill, and MacArthur would have all been hanged as war criminals. The extermination of the Jews could be forgiven as preserving the economic and social survival of Germany that was being strangled by the Jews.

Just like the Battle of Little Big Horn where General Custer was defeated by Sitting Bull. Washington and the Military called it a massacre. But it was a legitimate battle. However, when the Indian camps were systematically burned and soldiers killed all men, women and children; it was called a victory by the same groups.

The truth about wars is that men who fight are made to believe they are doing it for their country and to preserve their way of life, when in fact it is usurping another country's resources and profiting from it by using their own citizens to die for it at the expense of taxpayers.

George Bernard Shaw said, "We learn from History, that men never learn from history". I hope I have not dampened your interest in wars. Do continue, but view it from all perspectives. You will always reach the same conclusion - they could have just discussed it. --Durano, done!

aphotog said...

I've learned so ugh from the History channel too. But I think history will forever be tainted now that Rommy, not Chris is going to show at Fashion week.

The Fitness Diva said...

lmao! Ok. What was Chris thinking with his hair extension couture?? Now, I'm all for thinking outside of the box, but DAMN! That's all the way outside of the room! lol

I don't know which of them is going to win, but it's either going to be Christian (Mr. Fierce) or Jillian. They both are able to come out with some slick out of the box ideas too.
Should be a great finale!

The Fitness Diva said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
The Fitness Diva said...

I agree, Oscar, that the computer animated reenactments really bring it all to life. And they get all analytical and technical with the explanations and all. LOVE that!
Like when show how Alexander the Great defeated the Persian army and explained what a phalanx was and why it was such a formidable war tactic and tool. I think it's great how they bring it all to life in such an interesting way.
I'll be sure to check out the Battle of the Dardenelles. I'm sure it will be good. You just made me Google that!

Moby Dick said...

Reality TV is the proof that American society has totally gone down the tubes. No coincidence that the rise of Reality TV parallels the rise of China as the world power and the decline of the USA into third world status.

The Fitness Diva said...

I do have to agree, Spider. I admit allowing myself to get sucked into it a bit, but truthfully, it does tend to highlight the absolute worst in human behavior, and pretty much glorifies it. The straw that breaks the camel's back for me is this new reality series called "Celebrity Rehab". TV execs are so willing to appeal to the basest, watch the train wreck instincts in us, that they've decided to not only glorify being in rehab, but figure that we will actually find that entertaining. Back in the day, going to rehab was a hush-hush thing, with a little touch of shame attached to it. Nowadays, these celebs wear it proudly like a badge of honor, and a show like "Celebrity Rehab" doesn't help matters. I can just see more desperate for airtime, strung out actors lining up to be in the next season. Disgusting and sad.
By the way, I don't watch that show. I refuse. THAT is where I draw the line!

 
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