Here we are, almost 10 years later following the hyperinflation period. I scraped by that’s for sure– and let me tell you, it was definitely not easy. I finally finished art school and I was trying to find my place in the world. All of my friends were going their separate ways putting their art skills and other skills to use. I need to make myself get out into the world. That day I decided to figure out what I was going to do with myself. First off I really needed to find a place to live. I have been saving a little bit of money as much as I could and the inflation period definitely didn’t help. As I walked the streets, I saw newspaper headlines and radios all saying the same thing: Paul Von Hindenburg. .  Dead. I couldn’t believe it. These past few years I have been trying to pay attention and be more involved with the political climate I was living in. I felt as though Hindenburg was seen as a symbol of stability and authority during a time of political and economic turmoil. I think along with many others, we believed that his death marked the end of an era and left me and my fellow Germans feeling a sense of loss and uncertainty about the future. Honestly, along with the sense of uncertainty, I was also very fearful. Hindenburg’s death further weakened the already fragile democratic institutions of the republic. He had been seen as a moderating force on Hitler and the Nazi Party. His death removed one of the few remaining checks and balances on Hitler’s power, allowing the Nazis to pursue their radical agenda more aggressively. I had fears that our society would revert to times of trouble and turmoil again– setting me back once again. I finally had dreams of mine I wanted to accomplish. I once again turned to Passionate Journey  and tried to relate it to my current reality as the book represents a visual narrative of the human experience, capturing the hopes, struggles, and aspirations of individuals in a changing society–that changing society being mind in this moment. Hitler’s consolidation of power and the subsequent establishment of the Nazi regime led to the erosion of civil liberties, the suppression of political opposition, and the dismantling of democratic processes. Hindenburg’s death was more than just loss of life. He really meant something to the people and now we are stuck with the feelings of uncertainty and fear to guide us further in this life. At this point I actually miss being in art school still, when life was somewhat simpler.