One of the unfortunate side effects of not having anyone you can really trust or confide in as a kid, is that you have to work everything out for yourself. My siblings were always pretty forthright about not liking me very much as a kid, and whenever I did put my trust in them growing up, I was always rewarded with broken confidences and a lot of hot water as a consequence.
In turn, that meant that I made a shit load more mistakes along the road to becoming an adult than the average person has made, or needed to make, in order to become a reasonably functioning member of society. I did find myself in a lot more trouble, and I did continue to do things that others saw as 'stupid shit' and I did hate myself for being such a chronic fuck up, especially throughout my early teenage years, when the tests and the mistakes seemed to come at their thickest and fastest.
If no-one is watching out for your best interests or helping you with the decision making, you will screw up colossally and regularly. I was a total fuck up in my early teens, I swung between self involved and stupid, and I did some tremendously dangerous and dumb things along the way. But what I did have going for me, was the fact that I learnt from my mistakes. I never made the same mistake twice, but I did have a lot of first time fuck ups. Fortunately I dodged a few bullets as well, and I found my feet eventually, so I was one of the lucky ones.
It's the kids that never learnt from their mistakes that scared me the most growing up, they were the real rebels in my mind. They were the ones who would step over the line and then jump over it three more times, even after they had been caught. These were the kids that did not seem to have any conscience or any thought about the consequences or ripple effects that they were creating. They were the kids that weren't just being stupid, they were being outright bad arses without a thought for tomorrow or any other moment to come.
I have known a few kids like that in my lifetime, and they grew up to be really scary adults. I also know for a fact that they were never supervised or instructed by anyone responsible when they were growing up, and that they have perpetuated that cycle in an almost textbook like fashion.
You see, you can find out about the world by yourself, but it isn't fun or pretty. However, if you lack the skills to learn from your own mistakes as you go, well then you're just doomed really. Nothing that I know of can ever really fix that level of broken in a person, I think that it can't ever really be repaired. And I suppose that the skill to learn from my mistakes was the only thing that pull me back from a doomed future. I have to say that I am grateful that my parents managed to generate a sense of self ownership for my actions and a nagging conscience in me, because when all's said and done, it really did save me on so many occasions from a terrible fate.
In turn, that meant that I made a shit load more mistakes along the road to becoming an adult than the average person has made, or needed to make, in order to become a reasonably functioning member of society. I did find myself in a lot more trouble, and I did continue to do things that others saw as 'stupid shit' and I did hate myself for being such a chronic fuck up, especially throughout my early teenage years, when the tests and the mistakes seemed to come at their thickest and fastest.
If no-one is watching out for your best interests or helping you with the decision making, you will screw up colossally and regularly. I was a total fuck up in my early teens, I swung between self involved and stupid, and I did some tremendously dangerous and dumb things along the way. But what I did have going for me, was the fact that I learnt from my mistakes. I never made the same mistake twice, but I did have a lot of first time fuck ups. Fortunately I dodged a few bullets as well, and I found my feet eventually, so I was one of the lucky ones.
It's the kids that never learnt from their mistakes that scared me the most growing up, they were the real rebels in my mind. They were the ones who would step over the line and then jump over it three more times, even after they had been caught. These were the kids that did not seem to have any conscience or any thought about the consequences or ripple effects that they were creating. They were the kids that weren't just being stupid, they were being outright bad arses without a thought for tomorrow or any other moment to come.
I have known a few kids like that in my lifetime, and they grew up to be really scary adults. I also know for a fact that they were never supervised or instructed by anyone responsible when they were growing up, and that they have perpetuated that cycle in an almost textbook like fashion.
You see, you can find out about the world by yourself, but it isn't fun or pretty. However, if you lack the skills to learn from your own mistakes as you go, well then you're just doomed really. Nothing that I know of can ever really fix that level of broken in a person, I think that it can't ever really be repaired. And I suppose that the skill to learn from my mistakes was the only thing that pull me back from a doomed future. I have to say that I am grateful that my parents managed to generate a sense of self ownership for my actions and a nagging conscience in me, because when all's said and done, it really did save me on so many occasions from a terrible fate.
THE GIANTS
Release Date: 2011
Rating: M
Running Time: 84 mins
A french language film that beautifully illustrates the pitfalls of coming of age without any adult supervision. Set against the sprawling landscape of a lush Belgian countryside, this is a movie of true contrasts. Among the gorgeous landscape are some of the most decrepit homesteads imaginable; perfectly mirroring the contrasting emotions and characters that are scattered throughout this film.
Teenage brothers Zak and Seth are left to fend for themselves over the summer by their neglectful mother. They befriend a teen named Danny that has unfortunate ties to local drug dealer through his abusive older brother. Without any adult supervision, the boys start to make decisions that they clearly aren't ready for.
This is a perfectly realized coming of age tale that really showcases all of the wild abandon of teenagers, but also the desperate need for adult appreciation, approval and acceptance. It is actually quite heart breaking at times, and I certainly felt quite moved by the fantastic child actors and their passionate portrayals.
FINAL SAY: Lose yourself down river.
3.5 Chili Peppers
Release Date: 2011
Rating: M
Running Time: 84 mins
A french language film that beautifully illustrates the pitfalls of coming of age without any adult supervision. Set against the sprawling landscape of a lush Belgian countryside, this is a movie of true contrasts. Among the gorgeous landscape are some of the most decrepit homesteads imaginable; perfectly mirroring the contrasting emotions and characters that are scattered throughout this film.
Teenage brothers Zak and Seth are left to fend for themselves over the summer by their neglectful mother. They befriend a teen named Danny that has unfortunate ties to local drug dealer through his abusive older brother. Without any adult supervision, the boys start to make decisions that they clearly aren't ready for.
This is a perfectly realized coming of age tale that really showcases all of the wild abandon of teenagers, but also the desperate need for adult appreciation, approval and acceptance. It is actually quite heart breaking at times, and I certainly felt quite moved by the fantastic child actors and their passionate portrayals.
FINAL SAY: Lose yourself down river.
3.5 Chili Peppers
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