 J Kessler - cemkess | All Comments |
Comments | |
| 19th August 2009 Sheldon | eerie - From: Secrecy and Transparency This sent chills down my spine. To have your entire life monitored and always being treated like a potential traitor, I can't begin to imagine how I'd feel. I think I would look at my file out of some sordid sense of perversion. But that's just my masochistic nature. |
| 15th August 2009 DAD | - From: Heuringen Hi Jame, Liked that verboten dog picture. Your pictures are very artistic. Must take after me. Love, Dad |
| 11th August 2009 Ashley | Vienna - From: Preconceived Notions Hey, If you want to go for a concert in vienna - there are lots of guys walking around selling tickets. You can preview the shows - by going to the standup area for 15 mins the previous day and then go the next day for the full show. I loved the gardens in the palace outside the city - the hapsburgs palace. Love the pics |
| 6th August 2009 cemkess | Thanks - From: Hunting for Havel Eso, thanks for the insider insights! That helps me understand things a bit better. I did see the plate you mention (I actually discuss it in my blog entry)... I wish I could have understood Czech TV, though! |
| 6th August 2009 Eso | - From: Hunting for Havel Czechs don't like to praise people whose are still alive. There will be enough time after they will die ;) Also Czechs blame Havel for some economic and politic decisions he made as president. And Czech aren't big on pathos, anyway :) About Dubcek - reform communists were still communists, you know. :) There is plate at Narodni trida, where students were attacked by police in 1989. Czech tv is full of programms about 20th anniversary of Velvet revolution. |
| 5th August 2009 cemkess | Shadows - From: In Leipzig, at a Tramway Stop Although I have yet to read False Papers, Aciman intrigues me. I will have to take a look at his idea of the Shadow City! |
| 4th August 2009 TBui | "Mr. Kessler, tell me another story!" - From: Occupation and Revolution Your pieces are so eloquently told through the eyes of a story teller. Come visit my class any day-- my geeks would LOVE your stories! |
| 4th August 2009 Gavin Plumley | Shadow Cities - From: In Leipzig, at a Tramway Stop Andre Aciman is a brilliant commentator on triggers to memory... being a thoroughbred Proustian, he has often commented on the shadow of a city. Nazım Hikmet had such an epiphany in Leipzig, the sunset triggered the memory of home. However, what Aciman goes on to describe is even more far-reaching. He posits the idea that on returning to the 'remembered' place, there won't necessarily just be a sense of homecoming, but of a further involuntary memory of the place in which the memory stirred. Read Aciman's False Papers: Essays in Exile and Memory. That 'Shadow City' thing happens often in Bar Italia or in Louis in Hampstead! http://entartetemusik.blogspot.com/2008/09/bar-italia-part-of-shadow-city.html |
| 4th August 2009 Gavin Plumley | Composer's Graves - From: Parting Glances Ah... another cemetery addict. And so marvellous that you saw some of the 'cubist' architecture. There's a fabulous example quite near the Staroměstské náměstí with a black madonna on the outside of the building. I was once kissed by a bellboy from the Four Seasons there. http://entartetemusik.blogspot.com/ |
| 3rd August 2009 cemkess | thanks - From: Occupation and Revolution Tracey, I am glad you are enjoying the blog! |
| 3rd August 2009 Tracey Cook | Thanks! - From: Occupation and Revolution James, Thanks for "taking" me with you through your blog!! Looking forward to your next adventure!! Tracey |
| 31st July 2009 Ashley | Memories - From: Parting Glances Hey, I loved Prague - If I had know you were going there I would have given you a few tips. One of them being attend the concerts - especially in the concert hall - even the churches open their doors and have concerts in the evenings. Budapest is lovely - find the caves on the side that does not have the castle - they are a fun silly thing to do. Take a dip in the hot springs (much better and nicer than aguas calientes. |
| 31st July 2009 cemkess | Thanks - From: 2x2 Does Not Equal 5 and Confronting Sachsenhausen I really appreciate you giving me a second look. The last thing I wanted to do is reduce German history to a 12 year period. History requires a broad view, over space and time. Hopefully, I will have a chance to visit Munich someday, to explore all its history. Thanks for you comments! |
| 31st July 2009 cemkess | Thanks - From: A Kafkaesque I wish I had time! But I leave today... Hopefully, I will be back and have a chance to the Entropy.EU piece. I am glad you enjoyed my blogs! |
| 30th July 2009 pilnikjezerobota | Černý - From: A Kafkaesque If you're still around and can stand going back to Holešovice, one of Černý's best works (imo) is the Entropy.EU installment at the DOX gallery there. The rest of the exhibitions are also rather interesting, definitely worth a visit. Really enjoyed reading your blogs! |
| 30th July 2009 Günter | It´s just difficult - From: 2x2 Does Not Equal 5 and Confronting Sachsenhausen I fully understand and accept your thoughts and reactions, I´m used to it and felt similar after I visited KZ Sachsenhausen. I´m just bored if not angry about the typical reactions of tourists who´re on the dark history tour in Germany (me being from Munich, a city with 850 years of history constantly reduced to its 12 years Nazi era), repeating the well-known phrases ("how could this happen", let this never happen again") without really meaning it. There so much more to know about the past, and no one really cares. Visit a KZ, be horrified, blame the Germans, eat pizza and go to the next city, and live in a world that hasn´t changed a bit from the past. Unfortunately you´re the wrong person I address this to, because you show great interest in German history in your blogs, which are a real pleasure to read. Thanks for your understanding. |
| 26th July 2009 Dad | - From: Dresden Sans Firebombs Jame, Liked those things on the side of buildings. Gives me ideas. Back from our road trip. Love, Dad |
| 26th July 2009 wolfcook | Wrap Ends - From: That's a Wrap! James- Nicely done! It was a great seminar!! I look forward to hearing about the rest of your travels! Wishing you a safe journey!! T.Cook |
| 25th July 2009 TBui | Awww, shucks! - From: That's a Wrap! Hey James, I miss ya already! That was a nice ending blog to an incredible four weeks. I know we'll keep in touch... where else am I gonna stay when in D.C.? (When Sarah doesn't answer her door...) Prague is interesting thus far, but it's not the same without the gang. See you soon! --T |
| 25th July 2009 Drew | Hurray - From: That's a Wrap! Congrats on a summer well-spent. I've enjoyed keeping track of you on this. And am slightly jealous. Travel safe and have fun as you head out across Europe! We miss you back here in DC> |
| 24th July 2009 cemkess | response - From: 2x2 Does Not Equal 5 and Confronting Sachsenhausen Gunter. If you read the actual entry, you will see that I am not trying to judge Germans (particularly those today), but attempting to understand the past on its own terms. I am a history teacher; that's my job. I fully agree that people have not done much about the atrocities occuring today. But my aim was simply to reflect of my own experience visiting Sachsenhausen. |
| 24th July 2009 Günter | How did they bla bla bla - From: 2x2 Does Not Equal 5 and Confronting Sachsenhausen Most of the Germans knew of the concentration/prisoner camps, and did nothing against it due to many reasons (living under dictatorship; fear of being arrested, tortured and killed if going into resistance; ignorance, opportunism, whatever). We knew of what happened in Cambodia, at Srebrenica, in Ruanda, what happens know in Sri Lanka and Israel: genocide. And what did we and are we doing against it (not living under dictatorship like Nazi Germany, but in so called free countries with internet and free information for everyone): NOTHING!!! So let´s all stop complaining about what happened in the past and what not, and begin learning the lessons of the past and use them for our presend and future. We don´t have the right to judge Germans or whatever people for their acts of the past without fully understanding the time and circumstances they lived in. |
| 23rd July 2009 cemkess | How did they not know? - From: 2x2 Does Not Equal 5 and Confronting Sachsenhausen Mat, I never received the message you refer to. As to your comment on the photo from Sachenhausen, the point was not that THAT specific house was around during the time of the Nazi regime, but that the camp had been built right next to town (which it was). Moreover, in the 1950s, the camp was being used as Soviet "special camp" for political prisoners. |
| 23rd July 2009 TBui | Pickled Pork Knuckles... - From: The Last Days... ''Pickled pork knuckles... Is it like kim chi????'' Ha, ha-- that was great... minus the major pain afterwards of eating too much... Ciao! |
| 23rd July 2009 chants | cool - From: City of a Thousand Malls I just read the girls of riyadh and was really wondering what it looks like there...its fascinating how advanced they are yet...not. strange. |
| 22nd July 2009 Mat | How did they not know!! - From: 2x2 Does Not Equal 5 and Confronting Sachsenhausen Well you seem to have deleted one of my comments about your observations about Germany. Here is an other one: you posted one picture showing a white house suposedly close to the concentration camp. You titled it "How did they not know?" Well this comment attached to this house makes little sense because the house shown on your photo is build in the 1950s bulding style. Hence the house wasnt even standing there during the Nazi reign from 1933-1945! |
| 20th July 2009 Dad | - From: The Last Days... Hey Jame, What about emphysema? Love, Dad |
| 18th July 2009 Michael-Ann | Food - From: The Last Days... I'm glad I'm not the only one who takes pictures of my plate when I travel! Looks like you're having a great time- fantastic entries. |
| 15th July 2009 Pranjal | Was it wurst food ever? - From: Ja Ja Ja Ja Ja, Nee Nee Nee Nee Nee or It's Just a Missile Jaa Nee - in village gujarati means please go! |
| 15th July 2009 Pranjal | Awesome structure - From: Secrecy and Transparency I saw it in the delta magazine the first time. looks like a really cool structure! |
| 15th July 2009 Pranjal | Potsdamnnn - From: A Prussian Kind of Weekend Nice palaces, i had no idea there were so many palaces around there. I love the photos, keep posting! |
| 11th July 2009 Susanna Hasse | changes without me - From: Prenzlauer Berg with Bernhard Hi James, Sheena has forwarded your blog to me. I don´t know if ou remember me, the German exchange student from Hannover/Germany - and still best-friend of Sheena Weller/Groat. It´s interesting to read your experiences, especially when you say that your guide was aged 14 when the wall came down. In case you remember, I was at DeKalb when that historical event happenend, far away form my friends and family who were more or less part of it. I was invited to German and History classes then to tell everyone what was going on Germany but the event was too far away for most of the kids at school to understand- not very many were able to locate Germany on the map. So I had to visit Berlin and the former DDR to take impressions in and understand more of the circumstances involved, as I wasn´t there at that time (weired!). I enjoy your pictures (and the comments) of daring (?) artists (title:"instructions?") and everyday situations. Maybe Sheena has told you that she is going to visit me from July 22-31. Are you nearby then? Travellers are always welcome in our appartment :-) Best Greetings, Susanna |
| 9th July 2009 Michael-Ann | - From: Ostalgia Love the pic of you and Papas Smurf. |
| 7th July 2009 Zoë | Great photos! - From: Because It's Berlin "White trash fast food" - how does that become a good idea for a restaurant name?! And Who Killed Bambi? Who Let The Dogs Out?... All Hilarious! Berlin's great : ) |
| 7th July 2009 nick | how jealous!! - From: Because It's Berlin hola, well i am just so jealous, i love berlin, there is just so much to see and do, and frankly never enough time. i definitely need to get back there soon, not been in 5 years, everytime i go it has always changed so dramatically. speak soon, besos, nick x |
| 5th July 2009 Dad | - From: Memory and Jewish Berlin HI Jame, I might skip this place, not Disneyesque. Love, Dad |
| 26th June 2009 Zoë | Wurst, anyone? - From: Ostalgia Hey James, I love Berlin -- and one of the reasons is how openly it wears the past and soars into the present and future. But, the real reason I wanted to comment --- the "wurst, anyone?" photo is too funny!! I love it! |
| 24th December 2008 Lisa | - From: Camel Macchiato Camel Macchiato - hilarious! Beautiful desert photos, looking forward to more. Are you using a laptop? Happy Islamic New Year! Lisa W. |
| 19th December 2008 Pranjal | Love your posts - From: Death by Hospitality in Dhahran Waiting for the real thing... its interesting to know that there are places in Saudi which are free from opression |
| 16th December 2008 DAD | - From: Death by Hospitality in Dhahran Hi Jame, We enjoyed your pictures. Not sure about that Bambi thing. That Fed Ex picture looks like you're sitting beside a bunch of pizzas. Love, Dad |
| 15th December 2008 Ami | awesome post - From: Death by Hospitality in Dhahran love your travel posts! glad you are there safely (well, safe from regular dangers, but not from death by food) and able to access the internet. more stories and pics, please. |
| 11th December 2008 Andrew | - From: You are going where? Hey James--Goodbye and good luck! May you travel safe and sound and REMEMBER SAND THIS TIME. Not that I'm self-centered or anything. But good on you! Enjoy the desert and the monarch-fascists and such (I'm talking about my home state of Texas of course). |
| 11th December 2008 Pranjal | Good Luck! - From: You are going where? My your trip be successfull, Inshallah! |
| 11th December 2008 ami | good luck! - From: You are going where? great pic of the not-a-real saudi! |
| 21st August 2008 sharon zonker | Easter Islands - From: The Lines Have been following your S. American adventure...Your comments about Easter Island questions brought back memories of 6th grade at DMS and your research paper. I am so pleased you have traveled to many places we talked about in History class. My own grandson is now a 6th grader and I hope he will become as excited and interested in ancient civilizations. He needs a passion. I understand you'll be back teaching next week. Good luck and have a great year. |
| 23rd July 2008 Ami | your message was as tranquil - From: Island Hopping and Other Adventures above the Tree Line (Almost) as the scenery you describe. a nice tone on which to end this, or any, trip. one question - remind me how you found the family with whom you stayed? looking forward to welcoming you back to DC! |
| 17th July 2008 KST | Maybe my next Amazon trip - From: "All Creatures Great and Small..." Nice photos. That is one corner of the Amazon I still haven´t been to -- I´m presently on the upper Rio Negro after a three week boat trip from Puerto Ayacucho (Venezuela, upper Orinoco). My blog is slowly going up at www.mytb.org/KST I can see why everyone who goes to Manu area raves about. Glad you got to see a tapir -- I got to eat one (well, part of one) as well as paca (lapa in Spanish) and wild pig. KST |
| 17th July 2008 cemkess | - From: Simple, Solid, Symmetrical...and Sexy I am following the Quecha spelling (the Inkan language), which seems to be having something of a resurgence. I have even seen Cusco being spelled "Qosqo"! |
| 17th July 2008 Sheldon | Inca on the Hill - From: Simple, Solid, Symmetrical...and Sexy Wow - that's some trek! Yeah and as you say, what were those Inkans thinking? Man, it definitely seemed worth it to me though. Yeah some of those indigenous Americans had a propensity for the high life. The Pueblo people of Colorado lived up on Mesa Verde but of course that's at most 2k m, nothing like the 4k m you had to trek. I have a stupid and inconsequential question though, you keep spell 'Inka' with a 'k'. Is that a more proper transliteration than the traditional 'c' or used in certain circles? |
| 17th July 2008 k8 | Wow! - From: "All Creatures Great and Small..." Great pics! It looks like this has been a facinating adventure. btw, my niece said, "That's just wrong!! Why didn't he save them instead of eating them???" |
