THE OBSERVATORY - ENTRY # 069: HAPPY HALLOWEEN

by MRAM

October 31, 2010

I don't know how I did it, but I did.

Well, with a little help from my sister and some sound advice from my fiance', I managed to get my costume for this year's Halloween festivities...and maybe a few more after. hehehe

Have a fun and safe night, Everyone!

"Tis the night - the night
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."

~Arthur Cleveland Coxe

THE OBSERVATORY - ENTRY # 068: ESCAPE

by MRAM
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? ;)

Those memories are my escape.

I think that's why I hang on to certain things. Toys, old records, etc. Stuff that made really happy when I was a kid. I really feel that if I let those material objects go, I will lose my grip on an 'out'. In other words, my 'weapon' against stress.

Which brings me to my current problem...

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.

It would have been cool. But like I said, there's always next year, right?

Just gotta suck it up and keep motoring. No problem.

Sure, it would have been pretty nifty AND geeky at the same time, but...

...it was an escape. =)

THE OBSERVATORY - ENTRY # 067: DON'T THINK, JUST WATCH

by MRAM
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

October 9, 1940 - December 8, 1980

THE OBSERVATORY - ENTRY # 065: WARNING...

by MRAM

October 3, 2010

There's really not much to say about this. I think it speaks for itself. Either you love the series or you hate it. There is no in-between.

All I know is that I'm actually looking forward to another round of shenanigans!

THE OBSERVATORY - ENTRY # 0064: EPIPHONY

by MRAM

September 26, 2010

Many of us to hold onto the past and wonder what might have been instead of living for the day and embracing what the future may hold.

It's only human.

The thing is that we really never have full control of what happens to us. Call it fate, but it's only natural to look at things through a pessimist's eyes rather than the those of the proverbial optimist.

Life is indeed TOO short. We've all heard that time and time again. The sad truth is that a majority of us unfortunately do not realize that fact until it is much too late.

We stress about our present jobs (or lack thereof), as well as our weight issues and relationship woes.

You know, if we put as much energy into trying to remedy those situations as we do complaining about them, then guess what?

Ding, ding.

Things will obviously get better. Heck, it can't get any worse, right?

Life is full of challenges, People.

It's how we meet those challenges that will determine our state of mind, well-being and level of happiness.

It really is easier to frown than it is to smile. The first challenge is to smile more.

I always did like challenges. So I wonder what made me stop trying to win?

Wow, all that by just looking in the mirror this morning.

*FYI, above is the sign for POSITIVITY =)

THE OBSERVATORY - ENTRY # 0063: THE RETURN

THE URTHLINGS

BACK IN ORBIT

NOVEMBER

2010

THE OBSERVATORY - ENTRY # 0062: (TBA)

THE OBSERVATORY - ENTRY # 0061: REMEMBRANCE

“There are stars who's light only reaches the earth long after they have fallen apart. There are people who's remembrance gives light in this world, long after they have passed away. This light shines in our darkest nights on the road we must follow.”

THE OBSERVATORY - ENTRY # 0060: TAKING RESPONSIBILTY

by duvalia
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.