World Trade Center

So last weekend I went and saw World Trade Center by Oliver Stone. 9/11 is a sad tragedy and it's one of these events were most people instantly remember what they were doing when it happened. I was on a business trip in Baltimore and first I heard was someone mentioning a helicopter went into the WTC. This sounded so unbelievable to me that I told the guy this can't be true. Then went into a meeting and it didn't take long and along came the CEO knocking on the door telling what was unfolding. I and a friend were stuck for a couple of days in Baltimore and than had to take a flight back to Seattle and from there drive back to Vancouver.

The movie makes the tragedy personal. It tells the story from the perspective of two families and seeing it makes you realize what horrible times these families went through. Even after seeing the movie it is unimaginable for me what the two police officers buried under the buildings went through. The terror they had to live through and will continue to live through for the rest of their lives.

I also saw United 93 which ends quite differently than WTC. United 93 ends showing the despair people went through on the plane and their families on the ground while WTC shows the horror two families went through but the happy ending they have. It ends with the hope we all clamor for. Both movies are very emotional but both movies tell a bit of today's history and I really hope many will go and see it. Because our western society is inflicting the same terror on innocent people in Afghanistan and Iraq. The same terror is unleashed in Lebanon. Unfortunately it is innocent people who pay the price in this war. And there is no doubt this is a war, like WWI or WWII but obviously quite a different war where the enemy doesn't particularly live in a certain place you can just bomb. The enemy is a moving target and is recruiting terrorists amongst our own people.

This movie has been very well done. And like United 93 it is very moving. We can only hope that we don't have to go through such a tragedy again. I for sure would not have the courage many of the affected people and families have shown! I have the utmost respect for the individuals and families affected by this and who are than able to move forward in live!

Celebration of light - Mexico

Last night I went and saw the last of the four shows. This year I made a point to see all of them. And before the show I was quite sure Italy would make it. But it didn't take long and I wasn't that sure anymore. They had a great music and choreography! And yes they made it, it's well deserved. They have put on a great show! And the crowd was just unbelievable. The show on Wednesday - Czech Republic - wasn't that well visited. But this one, I don't remember ever seeing so many folks watching it.

So this year's shows are over. All of them were great and for anyone who likes fireworks this is a must event! I am looking forward to see it again in a year! Here is a video clip from YouTube.

The Culture Code

The book "The Culture Code" is quite interesting. The author through his studies and methodology is establishing the sub-conscious code we associate with basic behaviors and things. It claims that each culture has its own code, so for example the code for health in America is movement while in China it is being in harmony. This book is about the American culture code and explains the code for things like

beauty...man's salvation
fat...checking out
health...movement
nurse...mother
hospital...processing plant

And many more. This is a very interesting read and gives great insight into some of America's behaviors and values. A must read on my book list for marketers and anyone who wants to understand American behavior better.