Welcoming Week For 2011

Maybe we could consider calling the last week of December, 'Welcome Week,' for we're about to welcome a new year into our lives.  Welcome week or the week of reassessment sounds good to me. We go through the whole month of December preparing for the great celebration of Christmas and before one  knows  its come and gone.  It could be that we should be adopting the philosophy of the converted to goodness Scrooge,  who learned to observe the spirit of Christmas giving the whole 365 days  a year. That would mean of course that everyday would be like Christmas! 

 

Might I suggest however that the kind Scrooge would still believe in the logic of a good business plan. Instead of just giving his last dime to the poor don't you think he'd probably put a high priority in educating people as well? We've all heard that you can give a poor man a fish but ultimately the real solution is to teach him how to fish for himself and that my friends is what I think Scrooge would have done. Oh yes, he would have gone around saying, "Happy New Year!" but I'm convinced he would have tried to instill within friends and neighbours, prudent and  wise ways of thinking so they'd have a hope of really bringing about a Happy New Year, as much as possible by design.

I wonder therefore if the last week of December might rightly be considered the most exciting time of the year!  Always its been known for a time for the setting of goals and hopes for the year ahead. The thing that comes to mind when thinking about this week is a ski-jump leading to its launch at the end. The question is though,  are we ready for the jump and have we thought to prepare or do we rather go flopping off the end of the ramp on Dec 31 and say to one another. "Happy New Year!" Yes January 1st has always been considered a day for New Years resolutions--it's a fresh start or considered  a brand new page.

If we were to project a vision ahead, where exactly would we like to be a month from now, three or even six?  A year from now will we look back with regrets knowing we didn't make good use of our time?  I would surely hope not for that alone would be the definition  regrets. For certain in developing a plan many adjustments might be made along the way but walking through what you've laid down, one stage at a time allows one to mark their progress and provides a sense of achievement however small each day. "Well keeping New Years resolutions just doesn't work!" I can hear somebody say.  Admittedly it's a challenge to follow through to accomplishment but lets look in the mirror and ask the most difficult question....are we at times allowing the good things of life to rob us of the best things?

Do we spend an excessive amount of time on useless  frivolities which if we're honest  we'd consider shelving, or at least showing more balance and perspective in the time we allot  such things?  I recall an inspirational message on the 'Three D's', desire, discipline and delight. We all for sure want to experience the third D, delight. Nothing would delight us more then to see the realization of our hopes and dreams but to get to the third D, one most go through the way of the the second and that's DISCIPLINE.

Where again do we want to be one, three or even six months from now? What is the plan we're implementing having it laid out stage by stage to get there? Could it be that invariably some negative things might happen in 2011?  Perhaps.  You'll recall that Dickens not only wrote 'The Christmas Story' about Scrooge, but also the "Tale Of Two Cities' where he talked about the state of things in time, "It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness...."

In so far as it applies to us how about we be known as ones at least seeking to apply well thought out plans? Wouldn't that at least give us the best chance at experiencing the Happy New Year one and all are going to be wishing for us in the days ahead?  There was one last thing I was wanting to say...Oh yeah.....HAPPY NEW YEAR AND I WISH YOU ALL THE BEST!!! LOL :))))

Sometimes An Odd Time And All Of The Time!

Sometimes you have to laugh when you don't feel like laughing, and smile when you don't feel like smiling! Sometimes  you have to not take many things too seriously but try to see a bigger picture. Sometimes  you have to reset look to the future and set forth a positive agenda for happiness. Sometimes you have to shake off negativity  and rise up and make something good happen,

Sometimes you need to break through self pity that can hold one bound and make sure it doesn't take hold of you.  Sometimes you need to stop being a Gloomy Gus realizing some people have had the same problem as you or even greater. Sometimes you need to get your mind off yourself and seek to be an encouragement to others.

Sometimes you need to consider a few months from now you won't even be thinking about the problems you now face they'll be a thing of the past, gone forever! Sometimes you need to respond to situations and not react, responding being a positive thing, reacting being negative. Sometimes you need to jump up out of your despondency and bounce back with great resilience !Sometimes you need to refrain from getting bitter but rather to get better instead realizing that  many dark clouds have a silver lining,

Sometimes you need to capture the thought that weeping may endure for a night but joy comes in the morning, Sometimes you need to not be pointing fingers knowing that if you do three are pointed back at you, Sometimes you need to stop seeking to give people advice like this  and let them figure out these things on their own but sometimes that's not the case. Sometimes you need to admit you're wrong and recognize that you don't need to do these things just sometimes, BUT ALL THE TIME : )

Perhaps you'd enjoy my blog, "Wilson From Cast Away Discovered On Lonely Blog Island!" Just click on the link,

http://bob-richards.blogspot.ca/2010/10/wilson-from-cast-away-discovered-on.html

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Refreshments Are Free And Ready To Enjoy !

Hi !  I had stated in the lead in to my blog that while visiting my site you're invited to have refreshments on the table and I encouraged you to help yourself to whatever you like. This is the refreshment  room and well, as you can see I try to decorate it pretty nice for my guests. Hope you like the nice white and red flowers and that you find them visually appealing.  I can change the flower arrangements anytime you like to add variety.

I'll show you some of the tables of the goodies and as stated before make yourself at home and help yourself!  Don't worry about taking seconds either, come back as many times as you want!  I'll try to add new food items from day to day so just give me a comment on anything you'd like.

First of all help yourself to a drink.  I have coffee, tea, and egg nog for Christmas and there's some bowls  of punch over there in  the corner!   You just name it and I'll seek to provide it. My butler and maid will go and purchase anything else we need as well. First why don't you try some  tea, coffee or punch to get the ball rolling.

Here let me pour you some tea!  If you desire one of those  cup cakes feel free, I see the dinner though is ready to be served maybe I should tell you to hold off on the cup cakes until later...but of course you can help yourself.  
 :)  

Here's the table full of wonderful goodies! Just join the line there and help yourself to whatever you'd like!

Lots of food on the other side of the room too folks!  No need to thank me , its my pleasure and delight to want to do something nice for those who visit my blog! I really think it's the least I could do!   :)

Oh, you say you would like a little bit more healthier food choices?  You don't care for all the gravy and fried things?  No problem...step right over this way!   Hey!  Now does that look good or what!

You say you've went up for seconds and thirds?  Hey take your time, I don't mind if you're here all night! Even just stay here if you like! No, no, no you don't have to pay me for the meals, they're on the house!  No you don't have to leave me a tip either, there's definately   no need for that! Oh you say you wouldn't mind some desert? No problem, right over this way. Better still close your eyes and I'll take you to them! I'll tell you when to open them. Ok good!  You can open your eyes now!

Now don't even tell me that you wouldn't like a piece of that! I mean really! Who could resist turning down such a wonderful delight and such a exhilarating experience to the taste buds as that? What happens when all  the chocolate cake is gone? Oh I have a whole tray of sweets! Again just help yourself! So hey my visiting friend! Thanks for coming to my blog and again don't hesitate to share with me certain type foods or refreshments you'd like to see in this room. My goal is to please and I most certainly hope I've achieved  even a little bit of that today! Thanks for popping in!

P.S.  Oh by the way in case you feel you need to burn off a few pounds after visiting my refreshment room  I have a treadmill room  you can  use as well, as many of my guests do. It's all yours free to the using!  Thanks for coming and hope to see you again soon!

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Grinch Can't Find Christmas Tree!!!

Christmas trees...what an interesting tradition, interesting for the very thought of cutting one down, bringing it into  ones home seems so illogical, getting it cut, lugging it home, dragging it into ones room and having needles scattered all throughout  and unceasingly  seeking to gather them up, assuming that is, one is using a real living tree....not a little crazy?

Perhaps a little crazy but fun?  Maybe the thing is the uniqueness of it all for it most certainly does add an annual touch of excitement of doing something to home decor out of the usual norm, or as some say 'variety is the spice of life'. 

Whatever generation of which one has been apart it is noteworthy at just how differently the tree has been adorned. Obviously the Christmas tree has evolved and changed with time, so let's consider a few of them.  It's hard for me to consider that the early decorating of the Christmas  tree had attached to them, real live candles aflame on the tree!  I can never get over the  thought of flames setting ablaze the tree and then the house!  Does each succeeding generation always exclaim of the one before, "I can't believe they did that!"  Edward H Johnson, an associate inventor with Thomas Edison of the light bulb,  was known to be the first  to electrically illuminate his Christmas tree, in 1882. 

It was not until fifty or so years later however that lights became a replacement for candles and maybe it could be said  fire departments  had more of a Silent Night on Christmas Eve, putting out fires.  While there had been various types and sorts of artificial  Christmas trees throughout history in the late 1950's there came a new approach; a Christmas tree made from aluminium. 

I wonder if its popularity was due to it being the era of man seeking to go to the moon and perhaps it was considered a tree for what many termed the 'space age'. If astronauts' wearing their shining silver suits were ever going to have a tree on board surely its composition would be aluminium. 

Personally I was glad to see it was a mere passing fad for as me it created  too much of a dazzling effect. Artificial  tress of various types and sorts were continually developed and one new interesting innovation came with the lights already attached.   Or perhaps some might prefer their tree, with all its branches and needles being themselves fibre optic light strands.  This means instead of the tree having lights the tree is a light itself.  One good thing with all the wide variety of trees, with the real or artificial from which to choose I'm sure even the Grinch who stole Christmas, may not even know what it is!  

 With the newest type of upside down Christmas tree i'm sure it would be considered Grinch proof. Perhaps his only conclusion would be such could never be a tree!  I'd suggest we're ultimately heading for the best innovation of all, if I might say, coming right out of the holodeck of Star Trek! The hologram tree must be up there in the distant horizon, a tree with no substance, a holographic projection  displaying itself in a 3D effect! 

You don't want to lug the real or artificial l trees, up and down stairs and are willing to forgo the joys every year of trying to figure out how the putting of it together?  How about a tree that your cat can jump on repeatedly and  never knock over?  If so the hologram tree will be for you!  With a simple  voice command your tree will appear, doing so  in whatever room, or in all rooms for that matter at the same moment in time!

Due to the programming,  you'll also will be able to change the tree each night to whatever variety you desire;the space age silver tree, the fibre optic type or maybe even 19th century candle lit variety.  The children of the next era will probably be asking, 'How in the world did they only cope with one tree?  We've got seven type of trees we can change over to at any moment and  I'm wanting  to upgrade my programming to include a lot more!"  One wonders, if wanting more of everything and all actually moves away from the true meaning of Christmas though.  Just in case I think I'll stay with my, 'Lights Already On It', tree'.

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The Original Real Life Winnie-The-Poo, Bear Of 1914

Was the real life Winnie-The-Pool a grizzly bear, a black bear or hokkaido brown bear?  You say you didn't even know he existed and was a figment of someone's imagination?  Nope...so make your choice, and you might even want to guess its nationality as well.   An American brown bear you say or perhaps Russian?  Nope.  The fact is the original real life Winnie-The-Poo WAS NOT BROWN AT ALL  and you guessed correctly by not considering his colour was white, as in polar bear,  but the real actual colour of  "Winnie"  was black.

Here's  the background of this caniform creature. Winnie was purchased from a hunter in 1914 in White River, Ontario Canada by  Lieutenant Harry Colebourn while on the way to England during the First World War. "Winnie" was a short form for Colebourn's  hometown of Winnipeg, Manitoba.  Colebourn  took the bear to England and became accepted as The Fort Gary Horse regiment mascot. While the Lieutenant served in France, "Winnie" was provided a home at the London Zoo, where he was later donated to.

It was a common site to see "Winnie" giving children piggie back rides around the zoo and eating treats from their hands. One young boy, Christopher Robin developed a great affection for the bear who had even spent time in its cage.  Longing to take it home, Christopher's father, A. A. Mine, promised rather to write cute little bear stories for his son to enjoy.

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Wake Up Call To See The Dream Movie....INCEPTION ! [Part 2]

Continuation From Part One

In the bigger picture of things, lets say even with the developing or evolving of nations there comes at times when a doing and accomplishing of certain things need to be done.  Yes on occasions there is a breaking of laws but can't it be deemed necessary at times to create a just society?  One might consider even American Independence from the Brits. Who were the bad guys in that scenario?  Did any of them really exist?

 Perhaps in similar fashion one can feel empathy with Cobb and his dream teams goals. I found the story line of Cobb's departed wife to likewise raise questions that need considered. Do we live in a world, even now, which many would rather choose the illusionary, as compared to the more substantial perimeters of reality?

Cobb's wife chose the make believe, and indeed became confused as to which was which.  How many in present culture actually have succumbed  to being absorbed or assimilated into the cyber space of internet game videos, living as a full time participant with almost real life avatars in the world of their choosing. Cobb wanted the real world and ultimately wanted to get back home, out of the dream,  and one is pretty much led to believe he achieved it....BUT DID HE? 

The movie ends with a delightful spin which makes one wonder.   Or could it be the many viewers of the film,  are merely dreaming themselves that he did?  In conclusion, I'd rate this film a 10 out of 10 for the extraordinary movie going experience it was, great acting, and spectacular special effects.  I would hope one thing however, that a sequel will never be done.

Admittedly I'm not too much of a fan of such and with INCEPTION i'd fear the wonderful dream it created would begin to crumble, with a second or third sequel, or for those who viewed the film, on the second or third level down into the dream.  If you've seen the film you know my meaning but  if not I hope my piece serves as a wake up call inspiring you to view  it.  I can pretty much guarantee, you won't  feel sleepy even though you're in the dream!  

Wake Up Call To See The Dream Movie....INCEPTION ! [Part 1]

Time for me to wake up and share my thoughts on having seen INCEPTION,  which could rightly be called the movie of dreams!  DREAMS....Didn't Leonardo DiCaprio, one time before have great success as an actor by boarding a Ship Of Dreams, Titanic--- and now a movie about Dreams?  The basic theme of INCEPTION is concerning  a team of individuals who see their goal as to sway the  mindset of a particular individual to carry out a certain agenda he wasn't beforehand inclined to do--or something like that! :)    

The way of so doing is via the way of entering the subjects dreams, and have him conditioned to believe the implanted thought his own. I'm sure many would feel it  most unfortunate that Mr Cobb, [Leonardo DiCaprio] and his dream team weren't around a few years back. Perhaps they could have  conditioned  the  minds of cooperative  heads, of say mega corps like Wal-Mart, subtlety persuading such into the adopting of business plans which would leave the small, mom and pop shops, to solely provide for local clientele. 

Understanding this, then you capture the main idea of INCEPTION.  This raises a myriad of questions as it relates to situation ethics.  Is every issue always black and white? Are the bad guys totally and absolutely  bad in everything they do,  or are the good guys truly that good after all? Is it many times merely a matter of opinion?  Even Cobb acknowledged to his side kick, Ariadne [Ellen Page] that what what they were up to was not strictly legal. Can it reach a point however where it's deemed justifiably right to take certain questionable actions for the common good? 

[Those who stay awake for the next 72 hours I'll reward the right to read Part 2 ! Then again maybe I'm dreaming anyone would do so.  Here's a plan,  go to sleep, but set the alarm for three days up ahead and let that awaken  you to the realization that my INCEPTION piece, Part 2 has now been posted!  See you on the other side of the sleep and above all...Sweet Dreams!  

To read Part 2 of Inception please click on link,
http://bob-richards.blogspot.ca/2010/11/wake-up-call-to-see-dream_24.html

It's Got To Be A Dream ! [Part 2]

The previews of other films began...one after another after another and I thought, I'm going to go to sleep!  Sleep? I did come to enter into the dream of INCEPTION  however and if this was the way to get there  I'll take the preview sedatives! There came a break and I knew this was it!  The images on the screen reminded all to turn their cell phones off, and I thought here we go! Some  sweet music introduced the film, and much to my utter astonishment I  see appear in the middle of the screen the word, 'HEREAFTER'  Hearafter I wondered!  Hearafter what!?!  This can't be real!!!  This must be a dream!!!! 

Really though I knew the truth.  The girl at the desk must have pushed the wrong button concerning our requested movie  and oddly enough I had stated it to her twice.  No, I wasn't overly upset  for I can appreciate mistakes can happen and perhaps I should have checked the ticket stubs to make sure but....what were we to do?   I considered that if we got up and went into the other theatre we could get into the Inception dream but what sort of seats would be left?  Surely they'd probably be right at the front row with a huge screen enveloping ones whole being, and I didn't care to get into the dream that deeply.

I then remembered that I had the day prior read the reviews concerning this  'Hereafter' film and the consensus was that it wasn't too bad, and I had considered  wanting to see it.   We stayed with that plan.  My quick review?   It was  OK, although I truly didn't think Matt Damon came across well in the part. It won't win any  awards but  I don't think Clint Eastwood who directed and produced it had that in mind.  His primary goal of this project  I would say, was  to produce a piece dealing with the issue of death and  the afterlife, a film basically to generate discussion.  

He can be applauded for perhaps having achieved this goal.  We went home having enjoyed our evening but the next day I did make a polite phone call to the manager of the theatre to inform him what occurred. He apologised  and offered us two free tickets to see INCEPTION.  This was like a dream come true, I was hoping that he'd allow me at least one free ticket and we'd pay for the other,  seeing we did enjoy the  film of the night before but he wanted to give me both.  If one thinks about these words I guess it could be said that we got to see, INCEPTION,  in some future time or state, or in ....."THE HEREAFTER".

OK now. Would you like to see what I thought about "Inception"? Click on link,
http://bob-richards.blogspot.ca/2010/11/wake-up-call-to-see-dream.html 

It's Got To Be A Dream! [Part 1]

'No this can't be real!  It's got to be a dream!' I exclaimed to my wife as we sat in a theatre awaiting to see INCEPTION...the film about dreams.  Could it be that in reality I was in a deep sleep and my thought of taking my wife to this place , I had entertained  the notion  the night before? Was I  in reality right now in bed....asleep? 

I gave myself the supreme test to ascertain whether this was the case, that being, do I recall how we arrived?  Isn't that usually the way of dreams, that you never can quite recall how you got  where you are?  [a line from Inception]

  Well....after giving it only a passing thought-yes I did remember.  I distinctly recalled the three streets we drove down to arrive,  buying our tickets, popping into one of the many eating establishments for a quick bite, and rushing back to ensure we'd get the best seats in the house.

To our way of thinking they're the two in the middle of the back row.  We were disappointed however to find that another couple had claimed them for themselves! 

Well, more people begain to file in, until the place was comfortably full.  It was then I noticed something quite peculiar and I mentioned to my wife, "You know," I say, 'This is pretty neat!  Look at the general age of the crowd! The greatest percentage of them are of the baby boomer generation 50 or over, not in totality but generally speaking.' 

I went on to point out how wonderful it is that people of an older age group are looking like they want to stay current,, in what the younger age demographics like to see.  I would have thought that most who'd want to see a  DiCapreo  film would be around 40 years or younger and looking around I hardly could even notice one present. 

Very strange but I now had a new appreciation,  and I was beaming with pride towards people of my own demographics for now it seemed the younger types couldn't keep up to us!  It is we who enjoyed the fast moving thrillers and where are the younger ones?  Maybe in a deep sleep and need awoken to the fact  that a great movie like this is playing?      :)

Part Two--->  http://www.bob-richards.blogspot.ca/2010/11/its-got-to-be-dream-part-2.html

 

 

The Scariest Halloween On Record!!!

"Should I be afraid or shouldn't I?"  was the question plaguing many citizens of the northern US states on what could be considered the most peculiar Halloween night on record.  The date was October 30th 1938.  Howard Koch and Orson Welles had written a radio play, adapted from the H.G. Wells novel, "War Of The Worlds," concerning the idea of Martians, aliens from another world invading the earth.  Millions of people thought the broadcast to be credible, and took what they considered appropriate actions in response.

To one,  that meant shooting at a farmers water tower, convinced it had to be a Martian tripod craft readying itself to wreak destruction.  To others, they fled, believing they could smell poison gas, and seeing flashing lights off in the distance, surely it could be nothing else except the aliens utilizing their ray gun weapon of mass destruction!  The community of Concrete, Washington was particularly impacted when a power failure put the town of 1,000 in darkness.  Numbers of citizens gathered their families and headed to the high country, better to be safe then sorry!

One citizen in a state of panic ran down the main street screaming in sheer terror! Thankfully a few hours later the town came to the conclusion that it was, what it was, merely a  fictional radio broadcast.  As bizarre as their reactions  might seem, to be fair I'd say they deserve to be cut a lot of slack.  When considered in a proper historical context,  it should perhaps be considered, they didn't have a myriad of countless ways to verify a story.  We understand The Most Trusted Name In News, outlets like CNN were not as yet born, neither could they google other news agencies for the latest developments.

When researching the event, one can observe there are questions raised and a debate on just how hysterical people became or to put it another way where does one separate the truth from myth?    One thing we do know, the commotion it caused generated close to 3000 newspaper articles discussing the event. Some were even concerned that the purpose  of the broadcast was for an even more of a sinister intent,  a psychological  warfare test, backed by the Rockefeller Foundation, to study the effects of panic upon the citizenry.  How nuts can you get? 

One very influential world leader took it quite seriously holding that it was indeed a US  government conspiracy.  He found it quite deplorable the American elites would use their people in such a fashion and pointed to it as, "evidence of the decadence and corrupt condition of democracy." How ironic, that this man, Adolf Hitler seemed to forget the meaning of the word "corrupt" and "decadent" some time later, with the great atrocities he committed against defenceless people.  Instead of War Of The Worlds, he insisted I guess in creating his own, World At War, a true monster indeed of whom you'd never want to meet on any scary night of  October Halloween.  I think I would've much rather wanted to deal and try to reason with the Martians instead!

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