In class writing June 20, 2006

Disturbing, is one of the best ways to describe the film "Tarnation" by Jonathan Cauolette. Partly, because from puberty he decided that he wanted to record his life, no matter how depressing, hurtful, abusive, confusing, or brain damaging it may have been.
Practically, from birth, Jonathan had to endure / experience some of the worst things anyone could imagine. His mother was viewed as a mental patient. Foster care abused him physically, which had to affect him mentally. He didn't have any real structure from his grandparents, who obviously did not know how to place the best interest of a child above their own stupidity. After all, they thought shocking their daughter wasn't harmful. Yet, through all this he found a way to make sure that he captured the world he lived in on VHS.
Watching Tarnation made me think of the people you see on the street in downtown Detroit, and around Comerica Park. What happened in their lives that made them possibly "lose their minds". What events in their lives drove them to a life of being viewed as disturbed, or in need of psychiatric help? Why weren't they strong enough to handle the strain of living? What happened to their support system, or was it the lack of one that assisted in their current state of being?
Furthermore, what keeps me sane enough to function in my day to day life without going in and out of mental institutions. I can think of a few things that could have drove me over the edge. Such as, the death of my father, who died when I was sixteen. (My mother died when I was two, I have no memories of her, just pictures). I was "Daddy's Little Girl" even though I had four other sisters, but I'm the baby and that's what count. Although, I do recall having a small meltdown after his death, but I recovered after a month. Maybe it should of been the probing eyes of older men that always made me feel dirty that should have driven me straight to psychic ward.
This movie shows that some of us are stronger than others. That no matter what life may throw at some of us, there will be those that land on their feet. Although it may not come off as strength in the film. It took a lot of strength on Jonathon's part to create the film.