Kombinators

The chapters that we have been reading so far have been very interesting. We were asked the question of what do we think about the “Kombintaors”. Well, in my opinion they are trying to survive just like every Jew in Poland. It’s kind of hard to say that you think its right to support someone who has been working for the enemy. I believe you should not judge someone until you’ve walked a mile in their shoes. I wonder for those that believe it was wrong to work for the enemy would believe it would be wrong to not fight to say alive. Come on, I would do anything in my power to the last breathe in my body to make sure I had a fighting chance to survive.

What comes to my mind is the example of a “Kombinator” Haskel Spiegelman on page 114-115. Families have now been separated. Families do not exist if you want a favor. The favor must be paid wither it is money or little treasures. It’s kind of sad that Vladek made arrangements for his in-laws to be saved but then to be double crossed by his own cousin. I know that Haskel gave him a warning and told him that the in-laws would never make it past the guards. I guess the cousin had to do what he had to do. We don’t hear his side of the story and maybe there was more to it. We can assume that maybe deep down he knew that they would not survive and played his cards as of to take a little while they still had some valuables because the elderly never had a chance in the camps.

Another example is on page 116- 117. Here we are shown how Haskel is known to the Gestapo. He plays cards with them and apparently loses large amounts of money so they can like him. Again, Haskel has adapted to do what he has to do to survive. He keeps the enemy close at hand like a symbiotic relationship. I wonder if he would treat his own family same as he did Vladek? I mean his brothers. It is said that just another of his brothers is also a “Kombinator” which is Pesach and the other brother is Miloch who is considered a fine fellow. Miloch is the one how gave him a job at the factory to make boots for the Germans. We have come learn that that factory became very useful for Vladek and his family thanks to Haskel. I guess you have to play a part as a double agent to get what you want.

The last instance I like ends on a funny note. Pesach the other brother of Haskel is featured in this example on page 119. He is also a “Kombinator” that works for the Jewish police. Pesach has spread the word that he has cake. Most of the Jews have not eaten or even seen any type of bread in a very long time. So they really want some of that cake no matter the cost. Now he sells the cake and wouldn’t you know the town becomes ill. What happened is that the ingredients were wrong the flour was dry laundry soap. It makes you wonder did he do it purposely just to make a buck or was he brainless. Nothing is mentioned if Pesach ate the cake and if he became ill. What is mention is the whole Ghetto fell ill. I feel that what has to be done wither it hurts people or not it must done. The” Kombinators” were looked upon by the Jews to be rotten but I think the Jews also knew they had to survive just like them.

Maus

Maus is a graphic novel I thought that I would never read. As I read through the first four chapters it seems that I have become hooked. When at first we were told that we would be reading a comic I was in fact shocked. I have to admit I have never read a comic before. The comic at first was rather difficult for me to read, but it became second nature after the first chapter. What caught my eye had to have been the black and white pictures. I love the way the pictures are drawn. They are quite sketchy but for some reason the style caught my eye. They story is of a son and father that are coming to terms with each other and on the other hand the father is recalling the events in his life through Hitler’s reign. I tend to enjoy reading things of past events. I especially love to hear of events that are related to history that are told form firsthand experience. By telling this story through a comics view I believe softens the reality of what the characters have gone through.

The fact is that people have many memories that allow us to experience what happened to them during that time in their life. In chapter one I like how we are introduced to Art’s father. If you didn’t know already you can only tell that the father and son have a distant relationship. Art’s father Vladek as of being older and wiser is a very tired man. His life has drained him. Also in chapter one we are introduced to a girl by the name of Lucia that Vladek has dated. You can say she is made to seem obsessed with Vladek and she almost causes the breakup between Anja and Vladek. Anja is Art’s mother. In chapter four we have the introduction of Anja’s grandparents. They were to be transported to Czechoslovakia a place for older folks. But what we know it’s not true. We know from history the Germans had other plans. They didn’t want to be separated, so they hid them. They are a close family so separating them will just be hurtful. You know if I was in that situation I would have hid them also. I guess it’s what you do for your family.

Although we can get a lot of information from reading but I believe the pictures in this book helps explain the details. For instance, the grandparents of Anja are hiding in a false wall. What’s illustrated is a cut view with great detail of how the storage shed was made. Another good illustration was the dream that Vladek had. It is made to seem like the hand of God has touched him. There he is told he would be free on the day of Parshas Truma. I find it quite interesting that this picture can hold so much meaning. I also like the picture that’s in chapter one of the Lucia on the floor holding on to Vladek’s leg. If I was just reading the book I don’t think I would be able to visual the desperation she had for Vladek.

We are made to believe that history is what text books say it is. Without any evidence of cause or effect sometimes it’s made not to be true. So, I like when stories are told from first hand experiences. I’m glad that Art can give us this view through a comic book. Not only is the information interesting the fluidity makes you want to keep on reading. I know that sometimes history can be very boring and some may think why we need to learn about this stuff. But what I think history is our life lessons. We are not meant to repeat things that happen in the past. So by reading this comic I believe I’m being taught a lesson in someone else’s culture. It’s just supple touch turned into a comic.

Disney's Parades

The gems of the Disney Resorts, by far are their wonderful parades. Disneyland and Disney’s California Adventure park produce the best choreographed, audio, and visual effects in the west. Disneyland’s Celebrate: A Street Party honors Disneyland’s guest for the events that they are celebrating in the park. The choreographed dancers and Disney characters are all well tuned to swing, rock n’ roll, and Latin groves. Disney’s California Adventure park has two parades. The first parade is the very exciting Pixar Play Parade. This parade is dedicated to characters that are involved with Pixar Studios. The characters range from the movies such as Toy Story, A Bug’s Life, and Monster’s Inc. The interaction with the crowd draws a lot excitement from everyone. For example, the CDA (child detection agency) characters from Monster’s Inc. squirt you with water as they walk by. The second parade is the dazzling Electrical Parade. This night time spectacular is eye candy for the young and old.

The Electrical parade has been one of my favorites since I was a little girl. It holds a special place in my heart for the fact that it gives me a memory of watching it with my grandmother who has now passed, and for the wonderful show it provides. All the floats in this parade are lit with either blinking or non-blinking lights of all colors. Even the character’s clothing has lights on them. One by one the floats pass by from scenes like Peter Pan, Pinocchio and Snow White. I especially love the Snow White float, because it features Dopey sitting in a mine cart that has been filled with beautiful lights made to look like jewels. It makes you feel like you just want to grab and hold the jewels in your hand. The music is all electro –synchronized to the lights on the floats. I feel that’s what gives the parade its special touch. Without the lights blinking to the music it would just be boring. Make sure if you want to see the parade before its last run you need to go to Disney’s California Adventure park before April 18, 2010.

Disneyland’s Celebrate: A Street party is the best parade of both parks. The music, dancing and visual effects are very impressive. The hot salsa sounds and the fast swing beats are the best that I’ve heard in any parade. Thanks to Ricky Martin’s, “Cup of Life”, and The Jungle Books, “I Want to be like you”, songs are just a joy to sing-along with. All the characters are non-stop dancers and each cast member dances perfectly to every tune. At this part of the parade I enjoy the salsa dancing. Each cast member chooses someone from the audience and they join into form a giant conga line. When at night the lights are so beautifully arranged. Many spot lights of all colors illuminate the parades path. I also applauded the cast members that are using stilts, I understand that it could be quite difficult to walk in those things let alone dance in them. If you enjoy parades like I do, then I suggest that you see all of them. Believe me when I say that it’s worth waiting in one spot for an hour or two to view one of these gems.

Hidden Mickeys

What is a Hidden Mickey? A Hidden Mickey is the image of Mickey Mouse’s head placed in certain areas or on objects throughout Disney Resort’s. A fun activity to do while visiting Disneyland, Ca is to hunt for these special Mickey heads. The shapes of these Hidden Mickey’s range in different sizes, and can even be low as the ground or high as Space Mountain. They can even be in the food you eat or in the plants you see. One of the most obvious Hidden Mickey’s you can find is you’re snack food. If you purchase a funnel cake it will be the shape of Mickey’s head. Even the whip crème that is placed on top is in the shape of Mickey. Most of the snack food you buy is in this shape. You can also find a Hidden Mickey while you are on The Pirates of the Caribbean. This is the perfect ride to hunt for Hidden Mickey’s because the ride is slow moving. In fact, as you’re on The Haunted Mansion ride you can find two of the Hidden Mickey’s. You have to be fast and your eyes have to focus for what you’re looking for.

The Haunted Mansion ride perhaps is one of the best rides at Disneyland. The story and the animation effects of this ride are of great detail and are amazing. The first Hidden Mickey on this ride is somewhat difficult to find. The Hidden Mickey is located on the hearse, the boarders edging is where you can find it. It’s possible to miss the Mickey shape if that’s not what you’re looking for. Paying attention to great detail is how you find Hidden Mickey’s. The second Hidden Mickey I believe is obvious. The next location is the ballroom scene where the ghosts are dancing around the room. If you look on the banquet table you see dinner plates. Sometimes the location of the place setting changes but you will always find the shape made of plates.

Another great ride is the Pirates of the Caribbean. The swashbucklers adventure where dead men tell no tales. This water ride is just the right speed so that the rider can view almost everything from all angles. The Hidden Mickey can be found towards the end of the ride. Before the ride ends the last scene of the pirates shooting aimlessly is where it’s found. Look above at the red barrels hanging from ropes. As the barrels turn you can see the Mickey shape. Hidden Mickey’s are placed in the parks purposely. The Disney imagineers are constantly adding new Mickey’s around the park to keep the fun and excitement flowing.