2015 AND WHERE IT GOT US
Sunday, December 27, 2015
THE MOVIE OF THE YEAR.
You expected STAR WARS, didn’t you?
I did, too..
Even though it was one of the greatest movies of the year, it did not surpass the choice I made when I saw the MARTIAN.
Let me first say how amazing STAR WARS THE FORCE AWAKENS was. At press time, I went to see it thrice, with each time yielding more interesting little tidbits I did not pick up on the previous time. The film was amazing visually and even more so storyline wise.. It was filled with nostalgia and beautiful sequences that make me wish the next film was set to be released now. However, for me, it was not the movie of 2015. Perhaps the next one or the one after will be.. and maybe after looking at FORCE in a rear view mirror, I will regret this decision, but I am making it.
THE MARTIAN was quite possibly one of the finest movies I saw in years.. The story by now, you should know, a NASA mission gone wrong and a space flight leaves the red planet without the star of the film, Matt Damon. As the beat goes on, Damon has to fend for himself for years and learn to grow his own food.. he finally thinks up a marvel way to contact NASA and it works. As time goes, the entire world cheers on the safe return back to earth of the ‘Martian.’
This movie is filled with hope, dreams, and aspirations. It should be used as a tool to get the world excited about a space conquest–dreaming about the stars and how to leave the planet Earth and explore.
The disco songs in THE MARTIAN were a wonderful touch–each song used in the movie is also the soundtrack somehow added a touch of mystery and drama, perhaps utilizing this music was smart since it was all made during a time when a space race and excitement over NASA was at a fever pitch in the United States.
THE MARTIAN was like CASTAWAY in space–but better..
The Martian. My 2015 movie of the year.
The runners up:
STAR WARS THE FORCE AWAKENS
JURASSIC WORLD
and….
KRAMPUS. ;)
Saturday, December 26, 2015
DOWNFALL OF THE YEAR
No, not Ben Carson. Not Pennsylvania Supreme Court justices.. this prize belongs to Brian Williams, who was accused of ‘tall tales’ and skewered by the media officials who once loved him. He either lied or just simply enjoyed making stories up and believing them.. by the time the scandal was in full swing, he lost his prized anchor position on the NIGHTLY NEWS on NBC.
He’s back on MSNBC now.
And perhaps that’s the finest eternal punishment someone can get after a downfall..
Friday, December 25, 2015
According to Zombie's Facebook, the MPAA slapped his film with an NC-17 rating after he edited it twice
He wrote this on his Facebook page:
It was rated NC-17 for some normal things like “sadistic graphic violence” and “some strong language,” but also for some weirder things like “bizarre sexuality.”
‘31′ promises to be sadistic and sick–I guarantee that even though Zombie is expressing indignation about it, he’s perfectly fine with the attention and the type of horror movie fans that will be out to see it.
FedEx Delivering Christmas, Employees 'Volunteering' to Work
All customer counters at FedEx Express stations across the U.S. will be open from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. today, allowing customers to pick up shipments,“ a statement from a FedEx spokesman read. "FedEx Express employees have volunteered to work these Christmas Day shifts for the benefit of our customers."
‘Volunteering’ eh? Calling all labor standards investigators and lawyers…
FedEx Delivering Christmas, Employees 'Volunteering' to Work
Warm Weather Prompts Flowers to Bloom Way Too Soon: The freakishly warm weather in the Northeast and Midwest is prompting some trees and shrubs to bloom when they shouldn’t, creating an unusual attraction in gardens and parks but raising the possibility that spring’s flowers will be disappointing.
And it just plain weird–maybe not detrimental. But weird.
As I type this Christmas morning, my son is dangerously playing with his four foot tall ImagineX dinosaur and my dog is looking out of an open window at a seemingly spring-like horizon. The temperature is quickly rising into the 60s. Yesterday set a record for heat. Today may too.. No White Christmas here in a place it should be cold. But instead, as the linked story references, flowers are blooming.
Not a first, by the way.. as I wrote yesterday, 1955 was warm. As was 2012–another year that Cherry Blossoms were blooming in DC and NYC during weird December/January warmth..
Warm Weather Prompts Flowers to Bloom Way Too Soon: The freakishly warm weather in the Northeast and Midwest is prompting some trees and shrubs to bloom when they shouldn’t, creating an unusual attraction in gardens and parks but raising the possibility that spring’s flowers will be disappointing.
This just in from San Diego..
Not from the ONION.. but it should be..
The victim was taken to a hospital with an injury that wasn’t life-threatening.
NASA used Santa Claus as codename for THREE UFOs spotted on moon.. and more: In a video testimony, Donna Hare explains Nasa covered up a UFO sighting they called 'Santa Claus' in Houston. She also claims the agency airbrushes anomalies from pictures.
Among her claims:
- Claims to have walked into restricted area where she saw UFOs in pictures
- She says Nasa has airbrushed UFOs from thousands of pictures
- Claims Nasa has threatened people with their retirement if they speak
NASA used Santa Claus as codename for THREE UFOs spotted on moon.. and more: In a video testimony, Donna Hare explains Nasa covered up a UFO sighting they called 'Santa Claus' in Houston. She also claims the agency airbrushes anomalies from pictures.
"Where God is born, peace is born," the Pope said. "And where peace is born, there is no longer room for hatred and for war. Yet precisely where the incarnate Son of God came into the world, tensions and violence persist, and peace remains a gift to be implored and built."
Some of the words Pope Francis said this Christmas during his annual address..
"Where God is born, peace is born," the Pope said. "And where peace is born, there is no longer room for hatred and for war. Yet precisely where the incarnate Son of God came into the world, tensions and violence persist, and peace remains a gift to be implored and built."
Thursday, December 24, 2015
VATICAN CITY (AP) — The following is the Vatican’s official English translation of Pope Francis’ Christmas Eve Mass homily, which he delivered in Italian.
___
“Tonight ‘a great light’ shines forth (Is 9:1); the light of Jesus’ birth shines all about us. How true and timely are the words of the prophet Isaiah which we have just heard: 'You have brought abundant joy and great rejoicing’ (9:2)! Our heart was already joyful in awaiting this moment; now that joy abounds and overflows, for the promise has been at last fulfilled. Joy and gladness are a sure sign that the message contained in the mystery of this night is truly from God. There is no room for doubt; let us leave that to the skeptics who, by looking to reason alone, never find the truth. There is no room for the indifference which reigns in the hearts of those unable to love for fear of losing something. All sadness has been banished, for the Child Jesus brings true comfort to every heart.
Today, the Son of God is born, and everything changes. The Savior of the world comes to partake of our human nature; no longer are we alone and forsaken. The Virgin offers us her Son as the beginning of a new life. The true light has come to illumine our lives so often beset by the darkness of sin. Today we once more discover who we are! Tonight we have been shown the way to reach the journey’s end. Now must we put away all fear and dread, for the light shows us the path to Bethlehem. We must not be laggards; we are not permitted to stand idle. We must set out to see our Savior lying in a manger. This is the reason for our joy and gladness: this Child has been 'born to us’; he was 'given to us’, as Isaiah proclaims (cf. 9:5). The people who for two thousand years has traversed all the pathways of the world in order to allow every man and woman to share in this joy is now given the mission of making known 'the Prince of peace’ and becoming his effective servant in the midst of the nations.
So when we hear tell of the birth of Christ, let us be silent and let the Child speak. Let us take his words to heart in rapt contemplation of his face. If we take him in our arms and let ourselves be embraced by him, he will bring us unending peace of heart. This Child teaches us what is truly essential in our lives. He was born into the poverty of this world; there was no room in the inn for him and his family. He found shelter and support in a stable and was laid in a manger for animals. And yet, from this nothingness, the light of God’s glory shines forth. From now on, the way of authentic liberation and perennial redemption is open to every man and woman who is simple of heart. This Child, whose face radiates the goodness, mercy and love of God the Father, trains us, his disciples, as Saint Paul says, 'to reject godless ways’ and the richness of the world, in order to live 'temperately, justly and devoutly’ (Tit 2:12).
In a society so often intoxicated by consumerism and hedonism, wealth and extravagance, appearances and narcissism, this Child calls us to act soberly, in other words, in a way that is simple, balanced, consistent, capable of seeing and doing what is essential. In a world which all too often is merciless to the sinner and lenient to the sin, we need to cultivate a strong sense of justice, to discern and to do God’s will. Amid a culture of indifference which not infrequently turns ruthless, our style of life should instead be devout, filled with empathy, compassion and mercy, drawn daily from the wellspring of prayer.
Like the shepherds of Bethlehem, may we too, with eyes full of amazement and wonder, gaze upon the Child Jesus, the Son of God. And in his presence may our hearts burst forth in prayer: 'Show us, Lord, your mercy, and grant us your salvation’ (Ps 85:8).”
Would you vote for a time traveler for President?
His name is Andrew Basiago. He claims to be a time traveler. He claims he was on Mars during secret missions–with Barack Obama. And he says he wins the presidency in 2016.
He declared he is running for office on–of all things–Coast to Coast AM.
So good luck.
Time–travel–will tell.
This is my original artwork.. it’s my nostalgic Christmas postcard to you.
The scene I drew in this picture, several years ago actually, is gone now. It is of the former St. Ignatius Church in Centralia, PA, a place I attended Christmas midnight mass for several years when my life began. The road signs are indicating that a highway was closed, most likely because of the Christmas blanket of snow causing mine fire fumes to overtake the highway.. The footsteps? Could be mine walking around .. could be my father, as he was the caretaker of the property for 20 years..
But it’s all gone now.
So often, we are greeted yearly with cards of this nature–places that are now gone or changed for good.
My Christmas memories hold this scene in high esteem.
They always will.
Times were simpler then–even though my hometown was being bulldozed over and people were being forced out. Still simple.
A quiet blanket of snow..
This year, 2015, it’s about 60 or so degrees outside of my house.
This scene is a memory.
As is the town and all buildings that were in it.
Christmas Eve 1955 Was Much Warmer
Yes it has been warm before.
And it is this year.
Enjoy a Heat Miser. You never know when the next really white Christmas will be.
In Irving Berlin’s 1954 musical “White Christmas” – the story line was 70 degrees in Vermont on Christmas eve and no snow. That was why they were “Dreaming of a White Christmas”
Christmas Eve 1955 Was Much Warmer
This is weather for spring time days.. not Christmas Eve..
But this is the year, as the AP reports here, the weather has changed and everything is upside down.
Americans in Beijing warned of terrorism threat; parts of city locked down: “The U.S. Embassy has received information of possible threats against Westerners in the Sanlitun area of Beijing, on or around Christmas Day,” the embassy said in an email to American citizens living in Beijing. “U.S. citizens are urged to exercise heightened vigilance. The U.S. Embassy has issued the same guidance to U.S. government personnel.
I like today’s Drudge Report headline. Good touch ole sparky.
The story linked above his fold is well to do with weather–it’s some weird weather this year actually. The temperature this Christmas Eve as I write this at 7:15am outside my Pennsylvania abode is nearing 60. It’s going to edge towards 70 as the day persists.. by nightfall, Santa’s sleigh will trudge through mud as it attempts to gain entry to all East Coast cities and towns.
This is going to be a warm one.. Actually a hot one.
All records in various places may be broken today.. There will be no white Christmas.. the Heat Miser is winning.
From ACCUWEATHER:
It is a strange moment, walking out into the December air and being greeted with the warmth of a spring or summer morning.. And even more, explain the Santa’s sleigh issue to a nearly 5 year old child who analysis things way too much for his own good at his age. My son told me he could not wait to build a snow man Christmas day. I had to break the bad news of weather. . while he did not seem to care too much after a few months, it was an intense line of questions hurled at me all about why pictures show snow and he was under the impression that Santa needed it.
Nonetheless,
No white Stuff.
Only the hot stuff.
And lots of it.
Merry Christmas EVE.
A few more reminders of the heat:
New Yorkers Seen Wearing Sandals, Shorts During Freak Heatwave…
Ice Cream Sales Up in Times Square!
Orlando to reach 86°, topple 1924 record…
Tuesday, December 22, 2015
Vatican Newspaper Slams 'Star Wars: The Force Awakens'
The Vatican descents!
The pope won’t watch it!
Paper says it overdoes the darkness..
Vatican Newspaper Slams 'Star Wars: The Force Awakens'
Warmest Christmas Eve on record to unfold across eastern US
Wear shorts and a bathing suit caroling this year.. No snow for Santa. Warmth is about to break records ..
Warmest Christmas Eve on record to unfold across eastern US
AP Poll: Islamic State conflict voted top news story of 2015
Mass shooting, racial police issues, and fear over terrorism reign high as well.
Looking back with poll results like this, the spirit of he nation seems battered, broken, and down..
AP Poll: Islamic State conflict voted top news story of 2015
A New Years dissolution
The final few days of shopping are here..
The last chances to wrap gifts..
Tis the season for small annoyances, like bad traffic or office Christmas parties where someone you never expected would get a bit too tipsy, or offensive. I have often thought that often co-workers (sometimes family, too), aren’t people you pick. They aren’t friends. They are necessary. You may like some.. but chances are, if you’re at a party of 50, you’ll really want to associate with just four or five.
Nonetheless, at a gathering just days ago of people, I noted several conversations were about attempts to get better health in the new year, be happier, eat right, and cut down on the luxuries and lushness of life. All this being said while food was in one hand and alcohol in the other..
I am perplexed yearly by this notion that December 31 into January 1 will suddenly equal a burst of health, weight loss, and better moods. By the second week of January, when the bills start coming in and researchers say “Blue Monday” hits, we are already ditching the yearly get rich or well quick schemes, and replacing them with the bad habits all over again.
But maybe that is because the actual attempts are wrong to begin with.
The end of a year and the beginning of a new one is sort of the same as how parts of the earth feel this time of year, as well. The cyclical nature of seasons and time—we are one with the planet and quite possibly one with the feelings of the season. Sorry to go pagan, but maybe even the natural phases of the moon and sun, along with the Solstices, deserve a party! Minus the human sacrifices of ancient Yule time.
My point is, trying to change habits at this time of year is fine. It’s the end of a year. Again. Another 12 months, 525,600 minutes behind us, and a whole new 12 months of anarchy on the way..
But what habits are you trying to break? And why..?
“I want to be healthier.”
Fine and cool. It is not bad to be healthy.. But think before you drink. I love the idea that “wine may be good for my heart.” I’m no doctor, but I know the dangers of alcohol when used in excess. And while the skin of grapes could have benefits, so does dark chocolate. Oh, and skin of grapes—meaning you can actually eat grapes as opposed to drinking fermented versions of the product..
“I want to lose weight.”
So quick diets and fad trends are imposed on your body. You don’t react as you’d expect in two weeks, and you give it. Weight loss takes time. It took a while to gain it, you surely won’t lose it faster. So if you’re serious about losing weight, just realize you may get a quick hit of ten pounds if you’re really overweight, then it will become stagnant. If you’re closer to normal, you may lose very weight at all but could gain muscle if done the right way…and muscle has weight, so your scale could stay the same.
“I want a new job.”
Don’t we all sometimes? Before you get on a new job bandwagon, make a “why I hate my job list.” Then make a “why I have it okay at my job list.” And be honest, include everything, like 401K or pension, free parking, health insurance. See which list has more. Afterwards critically think about what you put. If hatred of your co-workers made the “Why I hate my job list,” go back and read some Yoda. Fear equal hate. Hate equals war.
Be brave and be honest. Trying to get a better job is not a bad thing. But never do something simply based off of hate. You’ll make the wrong decision every time.
My advice for this time of year.. Use the force. It’s all around you. Close your eyes…wait…I saw STAR WARS too many times.
or did I?
The ‘force’ may not only be strong for the Jedi, but it could be real..
You could be a part of something far greater than yourself. A universe that goes on forever and somehow is connected in strange ways by invisible math and physics. It’s a great time to be alive, with advanced discoveries that are beautiful and making life better. Yes there is loathsome fear and terror, as we talked about on here several times over the past few weeks, but don’t give into it. Do not let fear guide you. Embrace fear.
A few years ago when I had to give a public speech to a group of 700 people, I did something remarkable. It changed me forever. Up until that point I Was scared to death of public speaking. It’s when I realized that my entire life was made up of public speaking that the fear started to dwindle. I was a waiter since 16. I addressed crowds of 8 to 50 people on a regular basis, even made an open mic speech to a wedding party of 200 naming dessert choices. So public speaking was the simple part.. the hard part was figuring out that if you just do it and stop thinking so much, you’ll be fine. I embraced the fear and actually let it consume me for a moment, I purposely even tried making myself more fearful of the event. At that point, it left me.
Was I still a bit nervous? Yes. Was I filled with trembling fear anymore? Not even close..
Fear about the future is a strange thing, after all.
Consider this: The future is not real, it did not happen, and there is no proof of what is coming. The only thing real is now. Even the past may not be real anymore since it stopped existing. The second of time you stand in, however, is undeniable.
So fearing the future is insane. You’re fearing something that did not occur, that is not here, and that is not year coming to fruition.
Stop fearing.
And on that note, the real new years’ resolution you should strictly maintain:
Be you. Stop hating. Your hating is equaling worse things. It’s creating a worse world. It’s making things bleak. It’s ruining children’s futures. It’s stopping progress. And it’s forcing you to be cemented in ideologies that are failed and ones that should be long gone.
Believe me, I have never been accused of being an optimist.
But I equally have never defined myself as a pessimist. I am a realistic, sometimes nervous and paranoid, conspiracy-theory loving (not always believing) observer of society. From my own personal circle of friends and family to the world as a whole, I sit back and often watch.
My resolution: in 2016 I plan on watching less and doing more..
The next time a fight breaks out at a mall, and I know who is at fault, I will make sure I speak up.
Fear is not an option.
In 2016, neither is silence.
Monday, December 21, 2015
CHRISTMAS WEEK.. BE CAREFUL IN THE JUNGLE OF TRAVEL..
And seriously it’s December 21 already? The year…went…where? It’s almost gone? Done? Finished.. That’s bizarre to me. It really feels like it turned the big 15 yesterday… It did not. But ‘tomorrow’ or something similar it will be 16.. And you know how 16 year olds act… Get ready for another wild year no doubt..
THE MEAN SEASON IS HERE.. THERE IS A CAMPAIGN TO REMOVE MARISSA MAYER AS THE CEO OF YAHOO!
Michael Wolff in USA TODAY writes,
For investors the choice is simple. Sell it now in a way that, according to various estimates from some of the funds now heavily invested in the company, would yield approximately $46 a share. Or, look a year or more into the future, when, after a restructuring, Yahoo managers can try again to make good on a turn around plan that they have for several years gamely tried, and abjectly failed at.
In the eyes of investors, and, likely the cosmos too, it is not just mismanagement, and lack of vision, or lost opportunities — not buying Netflix when it was cheap, for instance. Rather the problem is in the nature of Yahoo, and, arguably, digital media itself.
And this is important for a few reasons to some of you reading. If you blog on Tumblr, don’t forget who the landlord is..
Geocities part 2?
Sunday, December 20, 2015
Saturday, December 19, 2015
It’s beginning to look a lot like summer, just in time for Santa..
Seriously. This will be the temperature map around Christmas.. 70 in DC.. widespread 50s and 60s. No snow, no chance of reindeer tracks.. no need for a sleigh..
No ice skating.. No nostalgic Christmas feeling. Instead you may get a hint of a notion to try to find Easter eggs and wear a bonnet.
The Heat Miser victorious in ‘15..
Friday, December 18, 2015
The Force Awakening for a generation that sleeps
It’s this weekend..
It’s happening..
Star Wars is about to take over pop culture.. take over movie theaters.. take over the gift selection on Christmas morning.
But will the newest generation of movie going Star Wars fans awaken enough to accept Kylo Ren over Darth Vader? Will the newest generation appreciate the circumstances that befall the heroes of A NEW HOPE, the EMPIRE STRIKES BACK, and THE RETURN OF THE JEDI?
There are some prospects that this weekend’s movie going audience will make the FORCE AWAKENS’ profits swell to over $200 mil by the time we hit Sunday. Maybe more.
Actually probably more..
I think there will be more than a few that also see the movie more than one. Or twice.. or thrice..
There will be debates outside of movie theaters..in the seats.. people soiling and spoiling online without regard to kindness of those who have yet to see the film.
The NEW HOPE was seen by over 230 million people from 1977 through 1979, according to most estimates. This film? Maybe not nearly as much. So does that mean less of a pop cultural impact? Does that mean it’s going to amount to a less significant purpose in society?
Most likely nothing will ever be able to recreate the magic of the original STAR WARS series. Not even George Lucas was able to do that with the newest batch of forgettable flicks–except Jar Jar Binks, who we actually remember for all the wrong reasons. But this new movie may come close to redefining a series of a new generation.. one that has the unruly mayhem of Kylo Ren as the villain.. and a new generation of Jedis with attitude as the heroes and heroines.
Is THE FORCE AWAKENS going to give us heroes we want? Or heroes we need? Are we going to get the villains we want? Or potentially the villains who will remind us all too well of the madness on Earth?
There are lots of interesting comparisons STAR WARS can have to society at large, the planet of politics and international intrigue..
Pop culture awaits a decision by the movie going audiences of the planet earth. The force awakening? Or just tossing and turning during sleep…?
Despite my exuberance over the newest STAR WARS movie ..
…I’m going to institute a self imposed ban on reviewing the film or giving any personal thoughts on it for at least 24-48 hours.. Much to digest. Much to contemplate.. Much to consider .. Expect something from your friendly neighborhood Coal Speaker.. Just not yet.
Thursday, December 17, 2015
Amazing story.. A nearby (relatively nearby considering the vast distances of space and time) a planet rests that may be habitable ..
http://www.cnn.com/2015/12/17/world/wolf-1061-exoplanet-alien-life/index.html
Why This Year’s Christmas Season Is So Angry - Bloomberg Business
Good article.. I have my own thoughts I’ll be writing.
Why This Year’s Christmas Season Is So Angry - Bloomberg Business
Bill Carter: How Jimmy Fallon Crushed Stephen Colbert (and Everyone Else in Late Night)
This article goes to great pains attempting to explain why Stephen Colbert is failing in ratings.. One theory even says he is too smart for his audience.
I disagree.
If you read back in the annals of this website, I predicted it would fail.. I thought this was a moment for CBS to name a female host for late night.. It was the moment. They blew it.
People don’t like politics at night. For that, they turn to the DAILY SHOW. For late night, they want silly lip synch battles, or as David Letterman once did, sidewalk races..
People want something to make their minds forget the day before bed.
Colbert reminds them of everything about the day they hated.
And that is why they turned to Fallon and will not turn away.
Bill Carter: How Jimmy Fallon Crushed Stephen Colbert (and Everyone Else in Late Night)
TRUMP VS MALALA
Nobel Peace Prize winner Malala Yousafzai, who survived a Taliban shooting in 2012, called Donald Trump’s anti-Muslim views “tragic” and discriminatory, becoming the latest in a stream of luminaries, celebrities and politicians to condemn the Republican presidential front-runner’s comments on Muslims.
“Well, that’s really tragic that you hear these comments which are full of hatred, full of this ideology of being discriminative towards others,” Yousafzai, the youngest Nobel peace laureate, told AFP in response to Trump’s comments.
Do Muslims and Christians worship the same god? College suspends professor who said yes.
Wheaton College, a prominent evangelical school in Illinois, has placed a professor on administrative leave after she posted on Facebook that Muslims and Christians “worship the same God.”
The official school statement Tuesday about associate professor of political science Larycia Hawkins’s suspension said Wheaton professors should “engage in and speak about public issues in ways that faithfully represent the College’s evangelical Statement of Faith.”
Very interesting stuff.
I have actually had this same conversation with people as of late. In one room, I chatted with a Jehovah’s Witness, an atheist, and a born against Christian .. I made note that all of the people n the room believe they are 100% right about what they believe and that would mean the other two are wrong. They religious people disagreed, saying even though they have differences, they have the same foundations. I told them they don’t.. I made mention that there are Chinese and Italian restaurants too but that they are not the same.. even though they both serve food.
Imagine no religion>
It’s not easy.. even if you can.
Back to the POST story.. things sure can get silly.
Do Muslims and Christians worship the same god? College suspends professor who said yes.
FEAR PORN SELLS..
But the FBI is a bit perturbed about the reporting of the San Bernardino shootings..
This is the wording from reporter Erik Wemple at the WASHINGTON POST:
A whoa moment here: FBI Director James B. Comey today told the media that the suspected assailants in the San Bernardino, Calif., massacre — Syed Rizwan Farook and Tashfeen Malik — wrote private messages to each other stating support for jihad. However: “So far, in this investigation we have found no evidence of posting on social media by either of them at that period in time and thereafter reflecting their commitment to jihad or to martyrdom. I’ve seen some reporting on that, and that’s a garble,” Comey said at a media availability during an event in New York City.
Maybe you should read that again. “No evidence” of something Jihad related.. ISIS related..
The smoking gun to connect this to a bigger issue of terrorism seems to be weak at best.
But that never mattered.. fear always win. Doesn’t it?
Nothing to fear but fear itself? The same person who said that also set up internment camps that later would be viewed as repulsive.
Yes fear wins. Facts lose.
Wednesday, December 16, 2015
Droids and The Force: How the Science in ‘Star Wars’ Is Actually Real
From the WALL STREET JOURNAL:
For a story that takes place “a long time ago in a galaxy far, far away” a great deal of the technology in the “Star Wars” series actually has parallels today on planet Earth. Part of the reason is, ironically, how long the franchise has been around. Concepts and ideas that were the stuff of science fiction when the first “Star Wars” movie came out in 1977 have had almost four decades of science to become real.
If such stories like this continue, surely also will the swelling ranks of the Church of Jedi..
Droids and The Force: How the Science in ‘Star Wars’ Is Actually Real
STAR WARS will earn a lot of money.. may even break some budgets.. but there is one thing important to consider..
INFLATION!
Ticket prices back in the 1970s were .. oh.. a wee bit lower than the wallet bursting prices that greet consumers today.. on average then: $2.23. ON average now? A lot more than that..
So STAR WARS got $512 mil in ticket sales in 1977 and 1978 (theaters in some cities actually played the movie daily for two years) .. I saw a number today that approximately 230 million Americans saw STAR WARS A NEW HOPE..
Here is a good graph from BLOOMBERG today on how inflation has impacted STAR WARS’ release:
Yes the force will awaken. It will be gigantic.
But it will not be the new hope .. nothing quite will ever be the new hope..
MASHABLE review: 'Star Wars' review: 'The Force Awakens' is a magical mystery tour
There will be much exuberance after people see STAR WARS..There will be many positive reviews, like the one linked here from MASHABLE..
I think for me, I will not review the movie or say much about it for the first 24 hours. I am going to let things sink in..
I remember how much I hated–just hated–the newest incarnations of STAR WARS. Besides potentially the birth of Darth Vader in the most recent, nothing much in the films were memorable. Unless you count in Jar Jar Binks and how he became the picture of why people disliked the newest Lucasfilms..
In this case, all reviews–all of them are spoiler free at this point–are seemingly very happy after seeing the movie.
I think there is a cooling off period before you should talk about it.
Think about it..
Consider it.
And make a decision that will not be rash.
Will STAR WARS be good? Probably.. will it be great?
Wait 24 hours after seeing it and answer that question.
Let the force be with you. But don’t let it shade your perspective..
MASHABLE review: 'Star Wars' review: 'The Force Awakens' is a magical mystery tour
Debate polls show Trump and Cruz strong in last night’s Vegas brawl… While some thought Jeb, or should I say JEB!, did his best yet, the debate watching party he threw really doesn’t showcase strong support..
$30mil candidate with 3%..
http://www.weeklystandard.com/jebs-debate-watch-party-is-mostly-empty/article/2000239
Dr Sandra Lee and the rise of 'PIMPLE PORN' and spot squeezing videos
A dermatologist has amassed millions of fans by creating a YouTube channel dedicated to ‘pimple porn’ in which she pops explosive spots and blackheads on camera.
The videos are divided into hard pops and soft pops..
Six million people have viewed the videos..
People asked why they love it say it caused them to stop picking their own skin..
I don’t know..
I just don’t know.
Dr Sandra Lee and the rise of 'PIMPLE PORN' and spot squeezing videos
Local police warn of suspicious Santas
Lancaster county Pennsylvania on high alert for a not so jolly St Nick..
Local police warn of suspicious Santas
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Water cooler moment of zen
(Source: https://www.instagram.com/)
FAA Advisory Group Endorses “Moon Village” Concept
A Federal Aviation Administration advisory committee has recommended that the FAA start discussions with the European Space Agency about commercial participation in an international lunar base concept promoted by the agency’s leader.
It would be called ‘moon village.’ It’s purpose could be mining and tourism..
Not science fiction…
Though some would say we are already on the moon..
FAA Advisory Group Endorses “Moon Village” Concept
Investigation into 4-year-old's death reveals scary truth about dental practices
Reporter Brooks Egerton at the Dallas Morning News is doing God’s work with his investigation story.. Frightening stuff included. And when you see the numbers of people who have died at the dentist you will be as surprised as anyone.
Investigation into 4-year-old's death reveals scary truth about dental practices
Tuesday, December 15, 2015
If we make it through December we'll be fine
I went to a viewing last night for a friend.. I will skip the details, they are very personal and I wouldn’t want to exchange thoughts on such an instance to the world at large.. I wish I could write down most of what I am saying but if I do so, it will not be in a public forum. It will be kept private intentionally. There are some parts of the modern age of websites, Tweets, Facebooks, and blogs that I still don’t embrace. One of those parts is the emergence of saying everything and anything for all to read.
I will simply say this.. one of the saddest things to watch is a son stare at his mother in a casket—when that young man is not even of an age to understand what he is seeing.. When a child is so young that he cannot care for himself.. when a boy is just starting to mature and already his father and mother are both gone.. that is remarkably sad..
I cannot get the image out of my mind.. a well-dressed young man.. staring at his now at rest mother.. regardless of what anyone may say about the deceased—tacky as it may be, people don’t stop preachy gossip when someone dies—that young man has still lost a pillar, a rock of strength, and potentially the last remaining vestige of security he had..
You may not find this post much of help in your life.. but I ask you only to stop before you say something cruel. Cease your words before something vile comes from your mouth.. judgmental people abound. Dare to be different. Accept.
Because that grown adult you’re talking to today may have been the boy of yesterday who stared at his mother in a casket as his world changed.
The product placement awakens
I’m going to go to the opening night of STAR WARS.. I’m also going to be taking my son most likely next weekend. Don’t get me wrong, I’m a fan.
But I’m tired of seeing Star Wars everywhere.. It’s overdone, overkill, over the top..
What if the movie is awful?!
If it’s anything like the previous three, it could be. Maybe instead of Jar Jar Binks we will get a Mickey Mouse character ..being Disney and all.
Regardless of my fandom, it’s too much for me to handle. There’s no way to keep up with it. For God’s sake I even saw a Darth Vader toaster in a store appliance section. (Though I was considering buying it)
Just my two cents. The force is awakening. And so are credit card purchases of Star Wars products from sea to shining sea and a galaxy far far away.
THANK YOU FOR READING.
THANK YOU FOR LOOKING DAILY..
THANK YOU FOR FOLLOWING.
Continue to do that and I will continue as best I can to keep writing, posting, and attempting to educate your senses..
# # #
This song dedicated to Angie. RIP.
Monday, December 14, 2015
YOUR SHRIMP IS BEING PEALED BY SLAVES
FROM THE AP:
Hundreds of shrimp peeling sheds are hidden in plain sight on residential streets or behind walls with no signs in Samut Sakhon, a port town an hour outside Bangkok. The AP found one factory that was enslaving dozens of workers, and runaway migrants led rights groups to the Gig shed and a third facility. All three sheds held 50 to 100 people each, many locked inside.
YOUR SHRIMP IS BEING PEALED BY SLAVES
The person of the year choice that did not matter.
It has been a week since TIME magazine named Angela Merkel the person of the year.. and a week since people did not care.
Print is dead.
Long live print.
The idea of who TIME named used to matter. Those days are over.
For those following the madness, the quitting, the maybe returning, the quitting, the Sirius XM, the podcasting, the quitting, and the potentially return of Art Bell, you can check my other site http://horrorreport.com/ for that all..
There’s trouble afoot.
Lots of rumors to boot..
Is Bell done for good? Friday he was..
But now it’s Monday. In Bellland, days make or break..
The autism no one talks about
Read this great article on Huffington Post today about the autism no one talks about.. And you should read it too
Elon Musk says 'We must get to Mars before World War Three'
Mankind may only have a brief window to set foot on Mars before a disaster such as a third World War makes it no longer possible, Elon Musk has warned.
The founder of SpaceX, which was the first private company to resupply the International Space Station, fears such a war could set back technological advancements.
His company is preparing to announce its ambitious plans for rocket and space exploration..
A lot of people are laughing at Musk and his fear.. But consider what he is saying. Consider the chances.. And yes, it could become likely that a war to end all wars could also end all progress and humanity on this planet.
In the 21st century, it’s strange to think we fear a return to the Stone Age..
Elon Musk says 'We must get to Mars before World War Three'
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