"The only home we've ever known."

“Earth is a small town with many neighborhoods in a very big universe.”

― Ron Garan, The Orbital Perspective: Lessons in Seeing the Big Picture from a Journey of 71 Million Miles 

                     


         Earth Day is observed worldwide on April, 22nd and 2015 marks its 45th anniversary. Founded  by former United States Senator Gaylord Nelson, Earth Day was intended  to promote ecology and respect for life on our planet. The first Earth Day resulted in the creation of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency , Endangered Species Act, and the Clean Air Act . On the first Earth Day back in 1970, over 2,000 United States colleges and universities participated, along with 10,000 primary and secondary schools. Earth Day is a celebration among global citizens used to encourage action and awareness of  urgent issues affecting human life, all animals species, soil, water and air pollution. So what can we do right now?

Share information.  Educating ourselves is the only way to save our planet and help children understand taking care of Mother Earth is a moral imperative. We have the ability to stop, improve or involve ourselves in some form of resolution for the following disturbing facts.

The average person tosses out about 4 pounds of garbage every single day. 84 percent of our garbage is recyclable.


Half the world’s tropical and temperate forests are now gone. Forests around the globe provide habitats for thousands of animal species which are being destroyed or endangered, gravely upsetting the balance of our ecosystems.

Every ton of paper that's recycled saves 17 trees.
During a 2011 Earth Day celebration, 28 million trees were planted in Afghanistan by the Earth Day Network.

Art, instruments and other trinkets manufactured with ivory can only be made from dead elephants. Don't buy, sell, trade or promote ivory. Don't promote or condone trophy hunting.

Approximately 5 million tons of oil produced in the world each year ends up in the ocean.

Water pollution comes from many sources including pesticides, fertilizers and other toxic substances that wash away from industrial factory waste, untreated human wastewater, and farms. Talk to your local government representatives to see what's being done to prevent water pollution and how its affecting your family, community, food and health.

Plastics contained in garbage dumped in our oceans kills at least 1 million creatures each year.  Last week alone pollution from excessive garbage caused the death of more than 37 tons of fish in the Rodrigo de Freitas lake in Rio de Janeiro.


   It may seem unbelievable for many of us who have instant access to tap water, 24/7 but 1.1 billion people worldwide lack access to water. Only 3% of the world's water is available to us, and soon we will run out. https://www.worldwildlife.org/threats/water-scarcity



Earth Day is a time to take action, reflect, honor and be grateful for the natural resources and beauty of our planet. But Earths resources are limited and our time is limited. Its the only home we've ever known because its the only home we have.

















A special Happy Birthday to Chuck on April 20th.






         




   

"You're a sky full of stars."

“Love is the voice under all silences, the hope which has no opposite in fear; the strength so strong mere force is feebleness: the truth more first than sun, more last than star...”

― E.E. Cummings

           

   

    For my niece, Bri.  On her journey. Love you.

                   Look Up  

                                             by Lisa More

           Whisper a wish upon the air

               gaze upon the twinkling lights

                   those bright stars above

                      shimmer morning, noon and night

                           like gleaming children they appear

                                play hide and seek against the sun

                                      and dancing in the sky afar 

                                          sparkle and shine upon every one.

                                                                

                                                 So like a magic wand was waved

                                                      behind dawns curtain, melt we trust    

                                                          until we greet them once again

                                                               stars like love, remain with us.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   

                                                                                                           

                                                                                                                                                            

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   

                                                                                                    

                                                                                                  

                                                                                                  

                                                                                             

                                                                                               

                                                                                                  

                                                                                                        

                                                                                                 

                                                                                                     

                                                                                                      

                                                                                     

                                                                                 

                                         

                                                        

                                                                          

                                                                                  

                                                                                

                                                                                                                            

                                                

                                                        

                                                            

                                                         

                                                           

                                             

                                             

                                             

                                             

"The world's not what it seems."

"I had the strangest feeling
Your world's not what it seems
So tired of misconceiving
What else this could've been." 
             "Believe"-  Mumford & Sons

           Right now the top ten hottest hits in alternative music for the week of April 11th include an interesting mix of outstanding established acts such as the Foo Fighters and Death Cab for Cutie with youthful solo performers like indie phenom Robert DeLong and 21 year old baby-faced George Ezra.  Claiming the number one position after fifteen weeks on Billboard Magazines Alternative top 20 list, "Lampshades on Fire " by Modest Mouse continues its reign but is challenged by a thoughtfully moving track from an anticipated album being released May 4th.
        "Believe" by Mumford & Sons is featured on the UK bands third release "Wilder Mind".  Following the success of  "Sigh No More" (2009) and the 2012 Grammy Award winner for Album of the Year,- "Babel",  the British band shakes off the "folk"and just wants to rock.

  Keep up with the latest band information including tour dates in your area here:   http://www.mumfordandsons.com/   Enjoy the fast paced journey as you travel the intricate twists, turns and tunneled avenues of London in the video above. Believe me, the song will get in your head.




10. Stolen Dance- MILKY CHANCE

  9. Congregation- FOO FIGHTERS

  8. What Kind of Man- FLORENCE +THE MACHINE

  7. Budapest- GEORGE EZRA

  6. Black Sun- DEATH CAB FOR CUTIE

  5. Long Way Down- ROBERT DELONG

  4. Hollow Moon (Bad Wolf)- AWOLNATION

  3. Shut Up and Dance- WALK THE MOON

  2. Believe- MUMFORD & SONS

  1. Lampshades On Fire- MODEST MOUSE













                

"It is there....all the time."

     "If we are peaceful...."

Being Peace   by Thich Nhat Hahn 


If we are peaceful.

If we are happy.

We can smile and blossom

Like a flower.

And everyone

In our family,

Our entire society

Will benefit

From our peace.

"Loving the whole process."

"Before I even knew what that half of my family did, I was interested in performing. I remember being seven years old and up on a stage and loving it. I've always adored it. Not just acting, but the whole process of writing and directing movies, everything that has to do with that part of life. Maybe it's in my blood."-  actor Jack Huston, (grandson of legendary director John Huston, nephew of Angelica Huston)

             April showers us with two exciting new films based on best-selling novels, captivating characters, award winning directors, starring two of my favorite British actors.  Based on the highly successful Nicholas Sparks novel, the film adaptation of The Longest Ride opens in US theaters, April 10th. The long awaited romantic drama was directed by multi-talented writer, producer George Tillman Jr.(Faster, Men of Honor, Notorious) screenplay by Craig Bolotin with Nicholas Sparks. Featuring Scott Eastman, son of preeminent actor, director Clint Eastwood as (Luke) and Britt Robertson (Sophia) as a passionate pair of conflicted lovers, the tale transports the audience through time. The Longest Ride also stars celebrated veteran actor Alan Alda, and the gifted Jack Huston (American Hustle, Kill Your Darlings) as Ira now and then. Rounding out the cast is the beautiful Oona Chaplin as (Ruth) and Melissa Benoist. 

      Coming to theaters April 17th is yet another highly anticipated film based on an international best-seller.  Child 44 is the brainchild of British novelist, Tom Rob Smith. The first book of a suspenseful trilogy which includes The Secret Speech and Agent 6, Child 44 follows a dishonored member of the military police investigating a series of gruesome child murders as the Stalin-era Soviet Union spirals out of control. The screenplay for Child 44,  was written by Richard Price, directed by the talented young Daniel Espinoza (Easy Money) (Safe House) and once again reunites the impressively skilled duo of Tom Hardy (Leo Demidov) and Noomi Rapace (Raisa) from 2014's The Drop. The Child 44 cast also includes brilliant French actor Vincent Cassell (Black Swan) Jason Clarke (Zero Dark Thirty) and the renowned Gary Oldman. Enjoy the clips above. Check your local theaters for times or availability near you. For more movie insights visit the following official film links:

http://www.foxmovies.com/movies/the-longest-ride

http://www.child44film.com/


          



















http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/quotes/j/jackhuston492703.html#Re3cHqiAWxyfIobd.99

" So we meet here."

Wake! The sky is light!

let us to the road

again . . .

Companion butterfly!

                       -Basho

          

"Buy the ticket..take the ride."

"I'm always willing to endure humiliation on behalf of my characters."

     Ben Stiller-  star of "While We're Young" brainyquote.com

           If you're looking for current entertainment and need an evening out instead of binge watching "Peaky Blinders" episodes on Netflix, check theater times for three fresh films opening Friday, March 27th.  "While We're Young" stars the always impressive actor, producer, director Ben Stiller and the superbly talented Naomi Watts (Birdman, St.Vincent) as Josh and Cornelia, a couple reevaluating their mid-life priorities after connecting with an eclectic pair of young lovers played by the charming duo of Amanda Seyfried and Adam Driver. Written by acclaimed director, Noah Baumbach (Kicking and Screaming) (The Squid and the Whale) the son of two movie critics,( no pressure), the film has already garnered positive  press. Look for Maria Dizzia and much loved Beastie Boy, Adam Horovitz as safely settled besties to Josh and Cornelia. Check out the official trailer above.

         Competing for your hard earned movie dollars this week is director Etan Cohen's "Get Hard" the powerhouse comedy contender starring the incomparable Will Ferrell and hilarious Kevin Hart. Ferrell portrays millionaire, James King, an unsuspecting wealthy financier who's framed for embezzlement while Darnell Lewis (Hart) is hired to harden him for prison prep. Imagine a modern day bad ass Professor Henry Higgins to King's clueless Eliza Doolittle. The creative writing team behind "Get Hard"includes Cohen, Adam McKay (Anchorman,Step Brothers, Other Guys) Jay Martel (Key and Peele) and Ian Roberts (Anchorman) so expect hardcore laughs."Get Hard" is Rated R for mature audiences.

        If your weekend involves entertaining children or you're just young at heart Dreamworks Animation offers, "Home". "Home" features Jim Parsons (Big Bang Theory) as the voice of Oh. Super stars Rhiana, Jennifer Lopez, Steve Martin and many more lend their incredible talent. Director Tim Johnson brings a lovable alien's magical journey to life as he lands on planet Earth for a close encounter with a little human girl called Tip. Together their adventures entwine. Check your local theaters for availability and showtimes. http://www.moviefone.com/

     

                           

"Enjoy the Silence"

"Certain songs like 'Enjoy the Silence' - to me, it always fits anywhere. There's something about that song that's really timeless, and I never get bored or feel like I have to muster something up."- Dave Gahan, vocalist, songwriter -Depeche Mode

        March 19th, 1990 was the official release date of  the now celebrated British electronic synth band, Depeche Mode's seventh and most commercially successful album, "Violator".  Named one of Rolling Stone Magazines best albums of all time, "Violator" features such tracks as"Personal Jesus", "Policy of Truth", "World In My Eyes"  and masterpiece "Enjoy the Silence".  

     Depeche Mode formed around  the year 1980 in Basildon, Essex, UK with original members Vince Clarke, Martin Gore, Dave Gahan and Andy Fletcher. Early in their career Clarke dropped out of the band  and classically trained musician Alan Wilder was added, departing in 1995. Today the core of the band remains, Gahan, Fletcher and Gore who continue to perform  for devoted eager audiences of all ages across the globe. Song- writer, singer and keyboardist, Martin Gore has a new 16 track instrumental album due out  April 27th entitled, "MG". For more info see their website   http://www.depechemode.com/news/

   The quality of Depeche Mode's writing and musicianship married with an illustrious stage presence has influenced countless contemporary artists such as German industrial band Rammstein, The Killers, Muse, The Deftones and Arcade Fire. Front man Win Butler, while promoting 2010's album, " The Suburbs" is quoted in Emily Smiths biography (2013), "The Depeche Mode Handbook-Everthing You Need to Know about Depeche Mode" as saying:

 " I grew up listening to bands like Depeche Mode and New Order and bands that used a lot of sequences and synth stuff"  he went on to explain, " there are songs to me on the new record that sound like Depeche Mode mixed with Neil Young." 

    Transcending their early synth pop identity while continuing to evolve musically for over 25 years is no minor accomplishment for any artist.  Depeche Mode's most recent album is 2014's "Live in Berlin"  (Columbia Records)  Check out their entire discography at http://www.allmusic.com/artist/depeche-mode-mn0000239921/discography

     

"All sorts of wonder follow..."

          "The thief left it behind:

the moon

at my window "  

             -Ryokan

    A SOLAR ECLIPSE

                             by Ella Wheeler Wilcox, poet -(1906)

In that great journey of the stars through space
    About the mighty, all-directing Sun,
    The pallid, faithful Moon, has been the one
Companion of the Earth. Her tender face,
Pale with the swift, keen purpose of that race,
    Which at Time's natal hour was first begun,
    Shines ever on her lover as they run
And lights his orbit with her silvery smile.
Sometimes such passionate love doth in her rise,
    Down from her beaten path she softly slips,
And with her mantle veils the Sun's bold eyes,
    Then in the gloaming finds her lover's lips.
While far and near the men our world call wise
    See only that the Sun is in eclipse.

Poems of sentiment by Ella Wheeler Wilcox
Chicago, IL : W. B. Conkey Company, c1906.

"You are the music."

" music heard so deeply
  That it is not heard at all, but
  you are the music
  While the music lasts.”
― T.S. Eliot, Collected Poems, 1909-1962

        Imagine a world without music? It's like trying to imagine a world without LOVE. It's almost impossible. Do we really want to try? As an experiment watch your favorite movie with the volume down. Walk around a busy shopping center with earplugs or give up Spotify and iTunes for one week. Music lovers and musicians are conducting an orchestra in their heads at all times and every casual conversation evokes a song lyric. " Love is what I've got- I said remember that.." Music is one of the few activities that involves using the entire brain. Intrinsic to all cultures, music has surprising benefits including enhanced language development, improved memory and focused attention.  Music is valuable for physical coordination and development in children and adults.

  Why were we labeled  "band geeks" in high school?  Resentment? Jealously? Did other teens secretly covet our sexy plumed band hats, bedazzled polyester jackets and white spats? Maybe. Did insecure bully's instinctively recognize musicians as more attractive, superior, cooler, smarter? Well, it doesn't do all that but scientists have discovered listening to music or playing an instrument allows us to actually learn better. Aware of this for many years, research confirms music has the power to enhance higher brain function. Harvard University researcher, Gottfried Schlaug studied the cognitive effects of musical training. Schlaug and his colleagues found a direct correlation between early-childhood music training  and enhanced motor and auditory skills. They also measured improvements in verbal ability as well as nonverbal reasoning. Schlaug reported those suffering from tone-deafness often had an absent or reduced arcuate fasciculus, which is a fiber tract connecting the frontal and temporal lobes in the brain. A damaged or reduced arcuate fasciculus has been associated with language problems such as dyslexia or aphasia in young children. (see video above)


      Music is for music's sake. English author and philosopher Alan W. Watts stated in his inspired  lectures: 
     "When we make music we don't do it in order to reach a certain point, such as the end of the composition. If that were the purpose of music then obviously the fastest players would be the best. Also, when we are dancing we are not aiming to arrive at a particular place on the floor as in a journey. When we dance, the journey itself is the point, as when we play music the playing itself is the point."

      Schools across the country shouldn't have to fight to fund and maintain their music programs. Brain benefits aside, music allows us to fully express our unique creativity. Children who aren't coerced or forced to study music or learn an instrument but come to acquire a natural appreciation on their own will  find it enriches their lives in the most profound and powerful ways imaginable.

"Moment by moment."

"Don't call it uncertainty- call it wonder. Don't call it insecurity- call it freedom." -Osho

        We all experience moments of nervousness, hyper awareness, fear. Do you perform or speak in public? Are you taking an exam? Are you going out on a first date with a crush? Do you have a job interview?  Many of us get a sinking feeling in the pit of our stomachs when having to face certain events or people in our lives. There is nothing wrong with being nervous. Nervousness shows we actually care about the outcomes of our actions. However, we may notice the more we focus on ourselves, the more anxious we become, doubling our own discomfort. We imagine all the possibilities which lead to failure or disappointing our loved ones. How harshly do we judge ourselves?  Would you judge others so harshly? Where did these negative and critical thoughts originate?
     The real problem is we write stories in our minds that simply aren't true. "If I flunk this exam, I'll never get into college." "If I mess up this speech everyone will think I'm an idiot." " If they don't like me it's because I'm unattractive." " If I don't make everyone happy I'm unlovable." Your mind is constantly busy manufacturing terrible scripts that have nothing to do with the reality of your situation. So take a step back. Breathe. One of the best ways to overcome fear is to entirely rewrite and edit our dramatic scenes. In the eloquent words of author, Pema Chodron, "The future is completely open, and we are writing it moment by moment." How do we refocus our attention and overcome fear and uncertainty?

When we find ourselves in a fearful confrontation our adrenaline  kicks in, our faces flush, our mouths become dry, our hearts beat faster. We become hyper alert and more aware of physical sensations. But if we can cool down and stay calm, we have the ability to refocus our attention on others. Our anxiety begins to slowly dissipate. We refocus on our audience, refocus on being part of a team or refocus on the individual with whom we're speaking. By taking our mental focus away from ourselves we can redirect all that nervous energy and conviction towards our initial objective. Why are we there? Why are we doing what we're doing?

Positive affirmations may sound like pop psychology cliches but we all develop strong mental habits which began in our own minds. We have to replace negative self-talk with positive thoughts. Believe we can't and we won't. Believe we can and we'll find a way. Remember the scene from the classic Rodgers and Hammerstein film, The Sound of Music when Maria was sent from the abbey to act as governess for the von Trapp children?  Even though her future felt incredibly uncertain, she fought back her self-doubt with encouraging words, consoling her frustrations.

  "I Have Confidence"

What will this day be like? I wonder.

What will my future be? I wonder.
It could be so exciting to be out in the world, to be free
My heart should be wildly rejoicing
Oh, what's the matter with me?

I've always longed for adventure
To do the things I've never dared
And here I'm facing adventure
Then why am I so scared?

Read more: The Sound Of Music - I Have Confidence (Maria) Lyrics | MetroLyrics

Why are we so scared of the unknown?  Rest assured, it's normal to desire security. Staying in our comfort zones gives us a sense of safety. Letting go of our need for certainty, letting go of fear little by little allows us to gain more strength and courage. The more courage we gain, the more positive steps we take in obtaining what we really want in life.  Word by word, moment by moment, chapter by chapter, we give ourselves permission to create reality from our own passions and dreams. Each day, we should wake up and realize we are the fearless authors of our own story.



A special birthday wish, March 14th, goes out to my niece.
I will always believe in you, Bri.  Love you, forever.

"Watching the moon."

    "Watching the moon at midnight."

Watching the moon

by Izumi Shikibu

Watching the moon
at midnight,
solitary, mid-sky,
I knew myself completely,
no part left out.

" Use your voice."

"How important it is for us to recognize and celebrate our heroes and she-roes!" - Maya Angelou, poet

     

        The first female to become United States Secretary of State, Madeleine Albright was quoted as saying at the 2006 Celebration Luncheon for the WNBA's All-Decade Team,  "There is a special place in hell for women who don't help other women."  Building a worldwide support system for women and girls is crucial for further advancement. True, women in many countries have come a long way but disturbing facts remain. Globally, only 24 % of senior management roles are filled by women.  Each year, an estimated 1.2 million children are trafficked into slavery, 80% are young girls. In some countries the gender pay gap is 15% or higher. 70% of those living in poverty are women and children. So while we have every reason to celebrate our she-roes we must seriously examine why progress is being stalled or completely halted for so many. We must protect our human rights. When we empower ourselves we must find a way to empower others. (photo's above:  First female, African-American astronaut, Dr. Mae Jemison, Sandra Day O'Connor, first woman appointed to the U.S  Supreme Court, Admiral Michelle J. Howard, first female four-star admiral in the history of the United States Navy.)

 

    March has been designated  "Women's History Month" and Sunday, March 8th is "International Women's Day."  Many classrooms, college campuses and international organizations will honor and discuss the inspiring, courageous and often tragic timeline contributions of women in history. Let us also thank our mothers, grandmothers, sisters, aunts, teachers, mentors and all women who have loved and supported us on our journey.  Please take a moment to remember all men and women who have fought and those who continue to fight for human rights, justice and human dignity every day, all over the world. 

"And our little life is rounded with a sleep."

"The two big unfixables are aging and dying."-Dr. Atul Gawande, Being Mortal

              The New York Times "Best Sellers Nonfiction Books "list for the week of March 8th, 2015 includes the factual account of a former Navy SEAL and the political memoir of a White House campaign strategist. At number five is a courageous examination of aging and death in our society by masterful author and surgeon, Dr.Atul Gawande. Being Mortal has spent 20 weeks on the best sellers list for its illuminating look at a subject most of us refuse to speak of with much honesty or openness.

    "Hope is not a plan. We find from our trials that we are literally inflicting therapies on people that shorten their lives and increase their suffering out of an inability to come to good decisions."
http://atulgawande.com/book/being-mortal/

      Dr. Gawande's insightful comments come from professional observations as a physician and the personal experience of losing his own father to cancer. With great compassion Gawanda  focuses both on medical procedures and living conditions in later life. He addresses the reality of those nearing the end making their own choices. Living situations are primarily aimed at "safety" concerns at the expense of retaining autonomy, especially when a spouse or adult children are making the decisions. Dr. Gawande shows us how physical conditions are most often treated as medical crises needing to be callously corrected instead of managing pain and ensuring quality of life. Knowing when a treatment is causing greater suffering or has become futile for a  patient is imperative. Gawande eloquently discusses a topic many people fear and yet must face. Being Mortal has been suggested as required reading for those in the medical health care field but it should be seriously explored and contemplated by anyone who faces mortality- all of us.



New York Times Best Selling Combined E-Book & Nonfiction for the Week of March 8th


  10.    THE BLACK COUNT, by Tom Reiss
    9.    YES PLEASE, by Amy Poehler
    8.    BELIEVER, by David Axelrod
    7.    THUNDERSTRUCK, by Erik Larson
    6.    KILLING PATTON, by Bill O'Reilly and Martin Dugard
    5.    BEING MORTAL, by Atul Gawande
    4.    THE BOYS IN THE BOAT, by Daniel James Brown
    3.    WILD, by Cheryl Strayed
    2.    UNBROKEN, by Laura Hillenbrand
    1.   AMERICAN SNIPER, by Chris Kyle with Scott McEwen and Jim DeFelice


best-sellers-books

"And now your moment of Zen."

“It is just an illusion here on Earth that one moment follows another one, like beads on a string, and that once a moment is gone, it is gone forever.” ― Kurt Vonnegut, Slaughterhouse-Five

                                       

      Currently, fans of late night television have encountered  more changes than a pubescent Peter Brady. David Letterman proclaims his retirement, Craig Ferguson bids farewell, the departure of beloved Stephen Colbert of The Colbert Report and then Daily Show host Jon Stewart announces he's leaving soon. Yes, we adore Larry Wilmore. We've absolutely fallen for Jimmy Fallon. Conan is the coolest. But those of us who have matured nurtured by and admiring  Stewart's uncompromising wit and cerebral satirical style will feel an acute emptiness.("The Daily Show with Jon Stewart: where more Americans get their news than probably should.") Jon Stewart created an entertainment empire at Comedy Central and has introduced us to an amazing cast of incredibly talented comedians and performers including Aasif Mandvi, Rob Corddry, Samantha Bee, Jason Jones, John Oliver, Steve Carell, Ed Helms, Kristen Schaal, John Hodgman and Jessica Williams to name a few. Even though we know change is an inevitable part of life, our attachment to a four nights a week fake news guru is a powerful force. Sadly, in the end, like all things, we must let go.

Jon Stewart's words of wisdom.


“Insomnia is my greatest inspiration.” 

"Why is it that if you take advantage of a corporate tax break you're a smart businessman, but if you take advantage of something so you don't go hungry, you're a moocher?"

"Fatherhood is great because you can ruin someone from scratch."

"I like not to be good at anything, so I keep hopping around."

"I’m not going to censor myself to comfort your ignorance” 

 “By the way, when you finish the bottle of Crown Royal, you can still use the pouch to hold your broken dreams.” 

“If everything is amplified, we hear nothing.”

“The internet is just a world passing notes around a classroom.”

“The Westboro Baptist Church is no more a church than Church's Fried Chicken is a church.”

  "You know what they say: If at first you don't succeed, f**k it.” ―  The Daily Show with Jon Stewart Presents America (The Book): A Citizen's Guide to Democracy Inaction

The wild places are where we began. When they end, so do we."

“For most of history, man has had to fight nature to survive; in this century he is beginning to realize that, in order to survive, he must protect it.”
― Jacques-Yves Cousteau

         What is an endangered species? Why should all of us be active and more concerned with this issue? Its a fact, the destruction of a single habitat affects many species of animals, plants, insects, and other organisms. The biodiversity of adjacent habitats will remain altered forever. An animal species that is endangered is at serious risk of extinction throughout most or a significant portion of its range. A species is considered " threatened" if it is likely to become endangered in the foreseeable future. Right now, around the world, the destruction, modification, or restriction of habitat resulting from human activity such as urban development, deforestation, mining, and pollution are the greatest threats to our wildlife. In addition human exploitation of an animal species for recreational, commercial, educational, scientific or other purposes results in diminished populations. Disease,  displacement from invasive species and competition among animals for resources are also driving numbers down.

       Why should we care? Due to a global increase in air and water pollution, forest clearing, loss of wetlands, and other man-made environmental changes, extinctions are now occurring at a rate that far exceeds the speciation rate. Every extinction diminishes the complex diversity of life on earth. The loss of  one single species may result in few environmental changes. Where we are failing miserably and selfishly is the realization that all life on earth is interconnected. When our species or living  connections are destroyed, whole ecosystems fail,. Thrown off balance, our own survival will be jeopardized. The diversity of animal and plant life provides us with food and many of our life-saving medicines. When a species is destroyed, the benefits it may have provided will be gone forever.

    What can you do? Get involved. Join an organization which truly fights for the survival of all animal species such as the World Wildlife Fund  http://www.worldwildlife.org/initiatives/protecting-species  or  The National Wildlife Federation http://www.nwf.org/news-and-magazines/national-wildlife.aspx . Educating ourselves and our children is free and its something we can all do. 80% of Americans strongly support ending all commercial trade in elephant ivory in the US. Sadly, the US is one of the largest importers of ivory. The beautiful elephants we see slaughtered by illegal poachers in documentaries and news stories continue to be killed because US citizens and those in other countries consume ivory products. Make sure our government officials are passing and enforcing laws to stop the trade. Protecting elephants, tigers and rhino's from extinction is our collective responsibility. These magnificent creatures have the right to be here and the right to live. If we continue to stand by and do nothing but watch their destruction we are only destroying ourselves.













"The wild places are where we began. When they end, so do we.”
― David Brower

"From the East Coast to the West Coast."

“Tradition is a guide and not a jailer.”
― W. Somerset Maugham

       
      Sunday, February 22nd, 2015 from the East Coast to the West Coast of the US there will be action packed excitement and the moving presence of pageantry and tradition. Start your engines at 1 PM  EST for the 57th annual DAYTONA 500 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race on FOX  from Daytona International  Speedway- Daytona, Florida. Actor, Vince Vaughn, star of 20th Century Fox’s and New Regency’s soon to be released comedy “Unfinished Business,” ( in theaters March 6th ) will serve as Grand Marshal. Recording artist Kid Rock will perform. Be sure to catch the spectacular opening ceremonies as for the fifth straight year, the world-renowned U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds will provide a breath taking flyover during the finale of the National Anthem. The Thunderbirds feature six F-16 Fighting Falcons. The squadron is composed of 12 officers and more than 100 enlisted Airmen serving in about 30 Air Force career specialties.
          With over 43 drivers The Daytona 500 was the first 500-mile (800 km) auto race to be televised live green flag-to-checkered flag on network television when CBS aired it over thirty years ago in 1979.  http://www.nascar.com/en_us/race-center/sprint-cup-series/daytona-500.html

     On the West Coast live from Hollywood at 7 PM EST ,  The OSCARS keep us entrhralled and entertained with a long tradition of honoring the finest in film making. http://oscar.go.com/   The 87th Academy Awards ceremony will be hosted by popular stage, screen and television actor Neil Patrick Harris. The very first Academy Awards ceremony was held in private and the winners were already revealed three months prior, far different from the glamorous highly anticipated public spectacle it is today. In fact the first gala was staged at the Blossom Room banquet hall of the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel. Approximately 270 people attended the May 16, 1929 event as guest tickets could be purchased for a mere $5. Fast forward to 2015, now actors, directors and producers are courted with expensive cuisine, over flowing gift baskets worth thousands of dollars and the "ordinary folk" can follow the ceremony with a simple smartphone app. Oscar.com , the OSCARS online companion website actually took home an Emmy Award for "Outstanding Creative Achievement in Interactive Media". Check out all the nominees  http://oscar.go.com/mypicks  Even events close to our hearts, deeply rooted in years of rituals and convention change. From female stock car drivers to interactive OSCAR after parties some traditions follow a natural flow of evolution.
                                                 



http://www.daytonainternationalspeedway.com/Tickets-Events/Events/2015/Daytona-500/DAYTONA-500.aspx

"The shadows will fall behind you."

"Turn your face toward the sun and the shadows will fall behind you.”
― Maori proverb

10,000
       -Wu Men (Wumen Huikai) poet


Ten thousand flowers in spring,
the moon in autumn,
a cool breeze in summer,
snow in winter.
If your mind isn't clouded
by unnecessary things,
this is the best season of your life.

"In the longrun we get no more than we have been willing to risk giving."

"In the longrun we get no more than we have been willing to risk giving."-Sheldon Kopp, author, psychologist.

                           If you love movies more than you love Valentine's Day then you've chosen an acceptable week to attend the theater. Opening this Friday, February 13th:

Kingsman: The Secret Service  reveals an ultra-secret spy organization who recruits an unrefined street thug to train for a super high powered program fighting global threats and sinister masterminds. The film has been denounced by some critics as a gratuitous violent graphic novel come to life featuring the ultimate Bond-esque British gentleman, Colin Firth. The film was directed by Matthew Vaugh (X-Men, KickAss, Layer Cake) and stars Samuel L. Jackson, Michael Caine, Mark Strong, Taron Egerton and Mark "Luke Skywalker" Hamill. But if fast-paced thrill-a-minute,smash, smack slap, jab, jaws to the floor action and suspense is too much, how about a saucy S&M love story slightly less rough and tumble?

Fifty Shades of Grey opens on Saturday, February 14th.  Based on the 2011 best-selling E.L James novel, the movie introduces newcomers Dakota Johnson and Jaime Dornan. The screenplay was written by talented British writer, Kelly Marcel (Saving Mr. Banks, Terra Nova) and directed by Sam-Taylor-Johnson. Many critics have railed against the lack of female pleasure visible on screen and seem to believe the movie is oriented more towards the thrill of male dominance. Unfortunately, many women who were intrigued by the eroticism of the book may be disillusioned with the performances. So if you're planning on seeing the movie for a first date be prepared to squirm uncomfortably in your seat like a Catholic nun at a Magic Mike review or take mental notes for some spicy experimental recreation later.  However, "disappointed" is not the sexiest "safe" word.  

If you  truly want to play it safe wait a week and see the inspiring Disney family film,  Mc Farland USA which premieres on Friday, February 20th.  Directed by Niki Caro, the film portrays Kevin Costner as a cross country coach for a small California town.  Based on a true story, a passionately persistent teacher transforms a team of athletes into championship contenders. (Trailer featured above.)
Also in theaters soon.
 The Last Five Years with Anna Kendrick,
 What We Do in the Shadows  -February 13th

February 20th

Hot Tub Time Machine 2 -starring Adam Scott, Thomas Lennon
Focus  with Will Smith
Maps to the Stars with Juliann Moore, Robert Pattinson, John Cusack
Little Boy
The Duff
Everly starring Salma Hayek
The Lazarus Effect
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