THE OBSERVATORY - ENTRY # 073: "WHY AREN'T YOU AT YOUR POST?"
THE OBSERVATORY - ENTRY #072: MUCH MAHALO!
Patient of labour when the end was rest,
Indulged the day that housed their annual grain,
With feasts, and off'rings, and a thankful strain."
- Alexander Pope
THE OBSERVATORY - ENTRY # 070: OLDER...BUT WISER?
November 7, 2010
When we were all younger, we desperately tried to look and act older. We were all in such a rush to become adults that before we knew it, our childhood was gone. Yes, just like that.
The acne and the bad hair days have slowly been replaced by crow's feet and grey hair for days!
How ironic that we, as children had longed to be older and when we finally reached the status of ''adult', we wished that we were kids again.
It really is true when they say that "Youth is wasted on the young."
When you inevitably wake up one morning and look in the mirror and say "Wow, I'm old." That is the point in your life that you have to make a decision. The one that will shape your remaining days.
More importantly, slow down. Take a breath.
Enjoy life and what it has to offer. We all know where we will eventually end up, so why not enjoy the trip and really check out the scenery?
What's the hurry?
Live.
THE OBSERVATORY - ENTRY # 069: HAPPY HALLOWEEN
Of the grave's delight,
And the warlocks are at their play;
Ye think that without
The wild winds shout,
But no, it is they - it is they."
THE OBSERVATORY - ENTRY # 068: ESCAPE
October 24, 2010
With all the problems going on in the world today and the different levels of stress that each of us have to endure everyday, we all have our ways of 'escaping reality', so to speak.
It could be anything really. Just something to help break the monotony. It may be a simple walk in the park or a game of pick-up basketball. Unfortunately, it may also be something darker like substance abuse.
I'm not here to preach or say what you should or shouldn't do. I m just pointing out the fact that we all have our means of getting away from it all.
My drugs of choice are my childhood memories.
When things get so tough and overwhelming for me, I try to think of how it was when I was a kid and thought that there was nothing that could hold me back. I miss that youthful confidence.
But, was it really confidence or just the fact that I didn't know any better? ;)
I thought that I would have my costume ready for this year's Halloween festivities, but priorities usually trump everything else. That and the proverbial financial woes! (blah)
Anyway, I wanted to be an Imperial Stormtrooper or Sandtrooper and the pics above are what the suits look like so far including accessories. Not done, but almost there.
THE OBSERVATORY - ENTRY # 067: DON'T THINK, JUST WATCH
October 17, 2010
I recently watched the movie "MacGruber".
Is it bad? Yes. Is it worth the watch? Believe it or not...Yes.
This film isn't going to win any Oscar nominations, nor was it ever trying to.
No, I'm not going to review the movie. I just wanted to give my opinion on these particular movies.
With all the things going on in the world today, watching corny, good natured comedy films is a great escape. One doesn't have to think too much about plot twists and story lines to enjoy these movies.
The bottom line is that movies are for entertainment purposes for the most part and not for extreme detailed analysis.
Mr. And Mrs. John Q. Public and their 2.5 kids know that what most of what they are watching isn't real. They don't need to be reminded that space battle explosions don't occur in space or that there aren't any dinosaurs running around Costa Rica. Let them just enjoy their escape.
Everybody views things differently. If we all listened to critics, then I wonder how a majority of the movies from the past 100 years would have fared.
We all have are own opinions on various things and it's great that we have the freedom to express that. (In this country, anyway.)
Stop telling us that water is wet and that man cannot really fly unassisted.
With all the things going in the world, I think the last thing on every one's mind is the acting performance of a substance abusing non Shakespearean actor/actress in a movie based on the origin of Play-Doh.
Relax, people. They are just movies.
Just sit back and relax. Don't think, just watch.
Unless it's the movie DRAG ME TO HELL. Then, you can just shoot the TV and gouge your eyes out.
Now THAT was a bad film. ;)
THE OBSERVATORY - ENTRY # 066: LEGEND
by MRAM
October 9, 2010
On this day. John Winston Lennon was born.
Who knew that this young boy from Liverpool, England would be such an inspiration to so many people?
His music still plays all over the world and his influence is still felt by everyone young and old.
I was so inspired by his work that I taught myself how to play several musical instruments, just so I can play his songs. Heck, if I had dedicated myself to my homework and studies as I did learning those instruments, I probably would have been valedictorian of my high school.
How come the good are always taken from us early and the bad seem to stay with us forever?
The following is a piece that a BEATLES fan wrote a few years ago. These words really stuck with me:
"There was a man who wrote about peace and love.
You may remember him and he may be one of your heroes.
Well, he was certainly one of mine.
But, not by what he said. It's because he had the guts to say it.
More importantly, he worked hard to become a citizen in these United States where he had the freedom to say what he wanted to say.
You know it all seems a bit ironic now, but that same man who believed so much in peace and non-violence, was so brutally murdered outside his own home.
It's all senseless really.
It seems that we kill off our heroes and we let the evils of the world carry on.
I'm not a bloody genius over here, but I think we got things the wrong way around."
The illustration above was made to honor what would have been John's 70th birthday. I will always see him as an inspiration, an artist, a poet and a legend.
John Winston Ono Lennon
THE OBSERVATORY - ENTRY # 065: WARNING...
THE OBSERVATORY - ENTRY # 0064: EPIPHONY
THE OBSERVATORY - ENTRY # 0061: REMEMBRANCE
THE OBSERVATORY - ENTRY # 0060: TAKING RESPONSIBILTY
August 29, 2010
One thing I’ve never been able to understand is how parents can blame fast food places for their child’s obesity. Yes, I’ll agree that these fast food joints are enablers, but damn, take some responsibility. Do you really not have the power to get your child something else to eat?
Ever heard of exerting some self control? Or using your brain?
Okay, I’ll be sympathetic and let’s say you have a brat of a child who LOVES burgers and really won’t eat thing anything else. First off, YOU’RE still the parent. If you’re getting bossed around by a four year old, than that’s a different problem altogether. Secondly, the world is getting more health conscious and healthier foods are becoming more available. Some turkey or veggie burgers instead?
But if you really decide to let your child eat the unhealthier (and most likely tastier) burgers, then do so in moderation. Turn off the TV and get your child outside playing. Take some responsibility for your children’s health. They’ll thank you for it later.
THE OBSERVATORY - ENTRY # 0059: CURTAIN CALL
August 29, 2010
44 years ago tonight on a Summer night inside a baseball stadium in San Francisco, four legends decided that enough was enough.
From the time they burst onto the worldwide scene in February 1964, this group of youths from Liverpool, England had been working day in and out, creating new material, participating in the obligatory mindless interviews and inane photo shoots and more importantly...touring.
Not that this 'Fab Four' didn't have fun in those early times. Who wouldn't, with the fame, money and fan adulation?
But, as with all bad relationships, the bad times started outweighing the good.
Recognize that there were no "Roadies" back then. The group had to pretty much lug their own equipment around from venue to venue. Of course they had one or two friends help them. That's 1 & 2 as opposed to a at least 50 which are used by bands today.
That would be fine if this 'little band' was touring small clubs in a few nearby cities and such. But no, they were doing stadiums and arenas WORLDWIDE.
Man, I get tired just lugging my suitcase to Las Vegas!
Now just imagine dragging multiple guitars, drums and amplifiers to Australia by way of Germany!
Performing a quick 10 song, 20-minute set to a crowd that could not even hear them perform over the roar of 45, 000 plus at times finally took its toll.
It's like working in a bell factory. After a while, you just don't hear the bells anymore.
They were tired and the fun most likely died a long time ago during a gig in some country on one of their world tours, which by the way they did 2 a year for 4 years. Bands today go on a world tour once every other year to put things in perspective.
Factor in that they could not leave their hotel rooms due to lack of security and absence of personal bodyguards during that particular time. Imagine going from city to city, country to country and just performing to screaming fanatics that can't tell that you've forgotten the lyrics to your own songs or that you had missed numerous chord changes. Then picture going back to your hotel room and doing it all over again for the next few weeks or months?
All that glitters isn't gold, People.
They were stuck in the proverbial rut and there was only one thing to do. The only thing they could do.
One of the few positives that came from being trapped in their existence during this time was that their new material was being fine tuned and curious experimentation both professionally, musically and socially (ahem) paved the way to what may have been their finest work.
They had now moved on from the arenas to the studios full time and never looked back.
44 years ago tonight on a Summer night inside a baseball stadium in San Francisco, four legends decided that enough was indeed...
enough.
THE OBSERVATORY - ENTRY # 0058: MINDLESS BUYERS
August 22, 2010
Companies know how to sell their products. And we know they know how and yet we still buy their products.
For instance, the original Star Wars trilogy has been released and re-released countless number of times. Oh, it’s on DVD now? Must buy! It’s been digitially remastered? Must buy! It’s has changed scenes and added commentary? Must buy!
The introduction of Blu Ray has already started a mass rebuying of things.
Introducing Final Fantasy VII: Advent Children Complete. The exact same movie as FFVII:AC but on Blu-Ray and thirty minutes of extra footage. And I bought it anyway.
Street Fighter IV… one of the biggest games when it came out. Amazingly improved graphics with 23 characters at your disposal, Cammy, Chun-Li, Vega, M.Bison… just to name a few. Then less than a year later Super Street Fighter IV comes out. With 10 new characters and new modes to play. And we buy it anyway!
I’m not saying we’re stupid for buying the new product with additional content. Just that these companies and advertisers really know how to do their job.
THE OBSERVATORY - ENTRY # 0057: DEAD...AND ALIVE.
August 8, 2010
Screw the sensuality of a beautiful woman having her blood drained by her mysterious unknown visitor and those two measly little marks left on her neck after he‘s finished with his meal. It’s all about the blood spattering aftermath of a zombie sinking its teeth into your flesh and tearing out your innards!
Okay, so maybe zombies are just as old a subject as vampires, but blasting your way through hordes of vampires doesn’t sound as fun (though I’m sure some of you may disagree if you have something against those sparkly ones that seem to be so popular nowadays).
While there are some variations in the way people portray the blood sucking undead, those changes never really stray away from what’s been done before. The slight differences range from how sunlight/water/garlic/etc affects vampires to some ‘power’ they might possess.
However, the brain eating undead may have an unfair advantage as ‘the infected’ seems to have become synonymous with ‘zombies’ thus creating a broader range of possibilities. You can have the T-Virus infected from the Resident Evil series, the exceptionally infected beings from the Left 4 Dead series or the simple pole vaulting zombies of Plants versus Zombies.
And then you have zombie movie quotes like “Are you a fighter, Fish Queen, or zombie food?"
Hmm... Maybe vampires do win this round.
THE OBSERVATORY - ENTRY # 0054: ANONYMITY
by duvalia
July 18, 2010
The Internet has opened up a whole new world of anonymity. You can create multiple accounts on countless websites and your friends and family may never know they’re looking at your artwork or reading your writing.
However, this level of anonymity also seems to have given viewers the audacity to say whatever they want about the work posted and even about the poster himself. It’s one thing to have a differing opinion on a piece of work, but there’s no need to be a jerk about it.
After reading my observations, you can comment how I’m not being fair as I only present one side of the story. Or you can say how the view I’ve written is completely wrong and that I’m an ugly moron for having written it. You’re entitled to your opinion, but keep the comments relevant to the topic presented.
THE OBSERVATORY - ENTRY # 0053: GRAMMAR
Living in the world of instant messaging, texting, and constant status updates it’s normal to come across misspelled words and messages like “omg i lyk totally PWNED u!”, “i’ll c u l8r” and “kthx bai”. But if you’re writing a newspaper article or an essay for school? Run a spell check or at least stick the word in a search engine box if you‘re too lazy to look for a dictionary.
Texting someone? Then write whatever way you want. Understandably, it’s a hassle to type whole words out and people expect quick replies. Though sometimes it can be annoying when unknown acronyms start popping up and you have to search the internet for what they mean.
But to be fair, I’m a horrible speller who still manages to screw up the written English language. So for the most part, poor grammar and lack of correctly spelled words doesn’t bother me. Key words being “for the most part”. We all have our pet peeves. At the top of my list…
Trending topic: #yourlame
I click the link and ninety-eight percent of tweets are “#yourlame because” whatever lame reason.
You fail because of your lame grammar.
THE OBSERVATORY - ENTRY # 0052: CLEVELAND ROCKS?
July 8, 2010
OK, Let's get the information straight here...Cleveland offered $30 Million MORE than any of the other teams including the HEAT. They signed a bunch of max contracts to surround LeBron with better players the past couple of years. Now they are stuck with those contracts with no flexilibilty to help improve their team. They did have the best record in the league and were Title contenders for the past 4 years were they not?
THE OBSERVATORY - ENTRY # 0051: LACK OF CONNECTION
By duvalia
July 4, 2010
I’m all for the world of technology… First off, posting this for all of you to read would be impossible without it. Secondly, I’m an avid gamer, which means hooking up a console, a flat screen TV, and the added stereo system to enhance my gaming experience. And who can forget the wonderful air conditioner, which keeps you nice and cool on a hot summer’s day.
As you can see, I have a deep appreciation for the advancements mankind has made, but these things never come without some sort of unconventional price tag.
Cellphones…connecting people all around the world with the press of a button! Annnnnd… alienating the people sitting next to each other on the couch.
Here’s the situation…
You look around the room as your companions click away on their cell phones. Then feeling stupid since you’re just sitting there doing nothing, you decide to pick your phone up as well. Now you have a silent room of friends more in tune with what’s happening out there. But being glued to your phone is understandable in certain situations like you’re expecting a call, are on call for your job, or even if there’s a lull in conversation.
But if someone’s actually talking to you, it’s common courtesy to place aside your phone to at least let them finish their sentence. Otherwise, you “lose your connection“. The person sits there feeling like you obviously have better people to talk to or that you honestly don’t care what he has to say.
It’s great to get the latest status updates, news feeds, and tweets from friends and family… but don’t forget to connect with the people right in front of you.
THE OBSERVATORY - ENTRY # 0050: GOODBYE LITTLE ONE...
by MRAM
June 30, 2010
"JUNIPER"
That was the name that my sister had given to this little 2 month old furball that just happened to end up underneath the stairs in our backyard on a December morning in 1993. Somehow, this little dynamo with the familiar tortoise colors of the highly recognizable Calico species managed to infiltrate our pet-free household.
It's funny how this little thing caught the interest of a family that included 3 people that were allergic to pet dander and 1 that despised felines with a passion.
(Ahem. That would of course be Yours Truly.)
Yet, there was something about Juniper. I can't describe it and I doubt that I ever will.
I remember Dad telling us not to feed it because it will never leave.
We continued.
He told us that she could never come inside the house.
She made it through the back porch entrance.
Dad made it clear that Juniper was not allowed past the kitchen area.
Yeah, right.
Finally he said that Junie was not permitted into the living room or near the furniture.
No such luck. She was now part of our family. haha
I was converted from a Cat-Hater, my sister had become her protector, my Mom loved petting her even though she had allergies and my Dad may have shown more affection towards her than me or my sister! lol
For the next 16+ years we watched her grow and she was also witness to many events in our family: Graduations, Relationships, Cancer Scares and L.A. Lakers Championships (hehe) to name but a few.
She kept my sister company during late night study sessions, kept my feet warm on cold nights watching television and she always managed to trick my Mom into feeding her after she had already been fed! =)
Junie had a special bond with each member in this family, but as irony would have it she connected with the one person who didn't want her in the house in the first place.
Dad.
Juniper and my Dad had become best friends. What I will never forget, other than the fact that she loved watching my Dad practice his putting in the living room, is that she would wait for him to come home from work every night by the screen door at 10pm on the dot without fail.
She was a fighter since birth but unfortunately, she did not have enough of that strength to fight on in her twilight years.
In 1993, she found us.
In 2010, we lost her.
Goodbye, Juniper, Junie, Joober, Joogie, Boogie and Baby...
We will miss you and you are forever loved.
"Until one has loved an animal, a part of one's soul remains unawakened."
~Anatole France
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KskOh3EqVmY
THE OBSERVATORY - ENTRY # 0049: FAIL
by duvalia
June 27, 2010
To me, one of the most disappointing things I can hear is that a series is in jeopardy due to conflict in development. Of course, a few resignations or firings may not indicate that a particular series will be dropped, but for me the original intent/storyline is gone.
Change isn’t always bad, so I suppose the disappointment I feel arises from preparing myself for a new installment that might not quite meet my standards.
One example, is the Call of Duty: Modern Warfare series. CoD4 was the top selling game worldwide in 2007 and MW2 sold over 14 million copies worldwide as of March 2010. I’ve heard varying opinions on the ‘greatness’ of the games, but I honestly love them both. That aside, the Infinity Ward founders were fired, which led to a stream of loyal workers resigning to follow their development leaders.
So… what happens now? From how well the MW series is selling, there’s no way that Activision won’t capitalize on the potential profit of a third game in the series. However, with the majority of the development team gone can we really expect MW3 to remain true to what was originally intended? Especially considering MW2 ended on such a cliffhanger.
Another series is the Dead or Alive fighting franchise. Despite the bouncing breasts fan service, the series had amazing graphics, an intriguing, albeit sometimes vague, storyline and a fresh counter based fighting system. Problems arose with the Tecmo President, which forced the story and character creator to resign. Though rumors of a DoA5 have circled the internet, the 2005 DoA4 remains the last of the main series.
An anime series that continued despite legal disputes with the original character designer is Weiß Kreuz. However, the dramatic changes in designs between the first and second seasons are enough to ask whether the characters are really the same. I’ll admit that sometimes it’s nice to see a character get a makeover, but when it goes as far as not being able to tell if two characters are the same person then we have a problem.
And the movie industry is so full of these disputes, I’m not even going to try. Replacing characters, killing them off early, recasting in the middle of production, the list goes on. Fights and disagreements are bound to happen, but it sucks when the fans have to suffer for it.
THE OBSERVATORY - ENTRY # 0045: WHO WINS?
First off, I just want to say that Jet-Li is FREAKIN' CAT- QUICK! I'm a huge fan and I LOVE his fighting style, as well!
The thing is, Bruce Lee is my 'hands-down' pick.
Bruce Lee was a Jeet Kun Do (Martial Arts style) founder AND teacher. Every day he trained himself to be peerless. It has been documented that he would go around the world searching for other martial arts techniques that were popular and would challenge the Dojo. It was also proven that Jeet Kun Do is one of the top systems, if not THE best technique in the world and a hybrid style he developed from studying multiple teachings from various techniques. Bruce Lee also studied and did research on the human body to find its limit of movement and weakness points. He would then test those in competition. We've seen those results.
Jet Li studied Kung Fu and the the Wu Shu practices and just perfected what he was taught. He is definitely a great movie stunt fighter hands down. Again, no disrespect whatsoever to Jet Li. I'm one of his biggest fans. I'm not saying that Bruce Lee is God or taking anything away from Jet Li. It's just my opinion. Any pick would be a good one.
The bottom line is that if they did fight, WE'D all win. =)
THE OBSERVATORY - ENTRY # 0043: THANK YOU
HIGH FIVE #003 -- SHYLA STYLEZ: SHOWING THE LOVE
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