Hello,
Once I used to take great pride in my New Year’s Speeches, especially those that I uploaded to my Blogspot-I’m Jeffrey Rex blog. When that blog was drowned by the internet dust, I gave up on uploading these speeches – and therefore I did not give you one at the end of 2013. Now, however, I’ve decided to return to the comfortable world of speech writing. With that having been said, I haven’t done this in a long time – so beware.
The two speeches that I was able to upload to the archive on this blog both had specific dedications. I dedicated 2011 to democracy, and 2012 to the victims of mass shootings. Seeing as I never wrote this type of speech in 2013, I never got to dedicate that year to anything – but retroactively I’d probably dedicate it to the freedom fighters that chose to stand up against their own nation, their own government – the ones that do what is best for the many civilians. I’m talking about Snowden, of course, and people like him. Some things should be kept secret, but the information leaked did also aid us in understanding the governmental injustices of a Goliath in the western world.
But enough of that, let’s get to 2014. A year that is full of disappointment for me, loss, a depressed state, but also a year in which I finally got to do what I really wanted.
Let’s get the disappointments, the bereavements, and the downsides of 2014 out of the way. There were a lot of very famous people that passed away this year, some of whom definitely inspired me to do things to change the way I view art. I cannot list all of the well-known people that passed away – but the ones I remember are Shirley Temple, Mickey Rooney, Maya Angelou, Joan Rivers, and Robin Williams. I hope they all rest in peace, of course. The death of Robin Williams was probably my biggest celebrity sorrow this year – this man was amazing, so funny – and his performance in Dead Poets Society is a personal favorite. I will never forget this actor.
Sadly, I also encountered a lot of very personal bereavements this year. One of my best friends’ father passed away, along with my friend’s mother-in-law. What makes it even worse was that it happened on the same day – during the same night, I actually believe. This was extremely tough, and it solidified my depressed look at 2014 as a year.
The worst thing for me this year happened on Bastille Day – the 14th of July. On this day my God-mother, who was also my grandmother, passed away. I will never forget her, she represented christmas, and holiday cheer for me – and this holiday season has been extremely lonely without her. I pray that she is in a better place, and that she rests in peace. She had a tough life, and she deserves the peace – even if the bereavement was extremely tough for my family.
The death of my God-mother definitely changed my family, and with it came a lot of repercussions that, frankly, no member of my family deserved. I stop myself from going into detail, but this summer was probably the worst I’ve ever had – solely due to these aforementioend repercussions.
Without my God-mother I’ve been very depressed this winter – and my winter-depression might not be over yet, to be completely honest with you. But I think I’m starting to get better.
At the University of Copenhagen I still feel good; however, recently I did have some trouble with a course – and on the 5th of January 2015 I have an exam for a very difficult grammar-course. I am very worried, and I pray for luck in that exam.
I’ve mentioned a lot of depressing things so far in this ‘speech’, but I will try to end this summary of my 2014 on a high-note. My 2014 New Year’s Resolution was to watch 365 films in 365 days – and even though I failed, I did get to watch a lot of films this year, and it made me pursue a career I’ve always wanted. Now that I am releasing what-I-consider-to-be decent written reviews of films, my love of cinema has grown. You may have noticed how I’ve labeled myself an amateur film-critic on Twitter. We’ll see if it works out for me.
So what do I dedicate 2014 to, and what quote do I end this year with on I’m Jeffrey Rex? I dedicate 2014 – MMXIV – to passion projects. This year I found my very own passion project, in being an amateur film-critic. I love writing about films, discussing them – and discussing the state of cinema, It has become my passion project, a reason to wake up every day. My passion project made me think of other things than bereavements. My passion project made me calm, when no other thing could. I hope that you can all find your very own passion project – so that life doesn’t become too boring, classic. So that you can be somewhat unique.
In other New Year’s Speeches I’ve finished by releasing a quote of mine – this year that won’t happen. In stead, I decided to find a single famous quote. Not one from 2014, but one that makes me think of it – or rather – one that makes me think of where I am in my life right now.
“I was within and without. Simultaneously enchanted and repelled by the inexhaustible variety of life.” F. Scott Fitsgerald, The Great Gatsby.
Happy New Year! Enjoy 2015!
– I’m Jeffrey Rex
I'm Jeffrey Rex 