Injury and Recovery

Restrepo

When watching the film Restrepo it leads one to think about war and the reasons for it. A lot of wars start because of political and religious conflicts, epically when talking about the Middle East. Most wars on history are wars of religion but there have also been wars because of politics. Restrepo takes place in Afghanistan's Korengal Valley and revolves around a platoon of soldiers serving a one year deployment.  The journalist, Mr. Hetherington, selects to use little to no narration in the film. The lack of narration leads to the viewer having to come up with their own way to interrupt the film. In an interview, when Hetherington was asked if the film was political, he responded "Everything we do is political. So in some ways, of course, it's political." I would have to agree with that statement, when you think about it the things you wear, eat, buy, and drink all kind of show who you are as a person. When you think of the people you are friends with you tend to have things in common with them, meaning you might like the same clothes or band, which means you started talking based on what you observed about the other person. The way we meet, talk, and display ourselves is all political in one way or another. In Restrepo Hetherington doesn't seem to be supporting the war or be against it. He doesn't use narration which leads one the think was Hetherington believes about what is happening in the film. The sections of footage he uses is interesting because he mixes battle scenes with scenes of the soldiers dancing back at outpost Restrepo. Hetherington seems to use the film in a mutual way and really just shows the life of a soldier in the Korengal Valley.  

I recently went back to a place that molded my young life. As I was doing behind the wheel we made a stop at my old little league football field, the place I spent my autumn Saturdays. The cold air blows as I see the new generation warm up for their games, and it’s a harsh reminder that you can’t go back in time and relive great times or memories. As I stand in the line to enter the stadium, the smell of the snack bar loams in the air around me. The field looking just as I did when I played, green and lively, the announcer calls out the names of the young boys who will soon know victory or defeat. The field hosts a team of local boys and a team from one town over, which seem to bring out the best in me as a young player. The field seems smaller than the vast land I played at and much smaller at my now High school field. The excitement is in the year as they begin the coin toss, and all wait in anticipation. The away team wins the toss and deferred, this was odd for a little league team. As the ball is kicked off, I zone out and enter a former game of mine, the championship game I played on that very field. I can’t remember much of my games, just certain plays. The visit to the past time renews my love for the game. The time we are in goes by faster than, at least in my opinion, we all realize.

 

 

As I look at the ball that has changed my life since I was old enough to walk, I wonder what my life would be like without such a simple item. When you think of things in life it's easy to overlook a small brown ball. The easy white lines that directed so many young men into a life of team ship and dedication. My childhood ball, now covered by signatures of men who have made it big time of the simple concept, is now my motivation to get out of bed in the morning. The tough outer skin, which is needed not only for the ball but for the players who use it, shows the brutality of the sport and it speaks to the character of the men who play it.

In my mind is not only the name of my blog but my thought of this class. Throughout this year I hope my blog won't be to serious but have somewhat of a comedic undertone to it. My only fear is that people will take what I write to serious and maybe be offended by what I write. My blog isn't going to be some deep weekly post but like I said almost a comedic relief. I'm a pretty basic guy, don't really belief in crazy things, just  know what is right and wrong and react accordingly. I have two big interests Football and the Baltimore Ravens, you'll without a doubt see me talk into the subjects much more throughout the year.