On the First Glimpse of “Star Wars Episode VII – the Force Awakens”

Black Friday’s come and they go but something happened yesterday that made me feel like I was nine years old again.  The first teaser trailer for “Star Wars Episode VII – the Force Awakens” and, as weird as it may sound, I want to thank J.J. Abrams a year ahead of schedule for evoking all the right elements of a proper Star Wars experience and strumming all the right chords.  He is doing this because of an incredibly simple reason: J.J. Abrams is a fan.  He saw a movie in 1977 and it changed him and, in turn, he has the unique opportunity to now influence GENERATIONS of Star Wars fans – both young and old.  If this teaser is any indication of things to come then I believe he just may have succeeded.

So, did you see it?  If, “Yes”, then we’ll talk in a moment.  If, “No”, then click right here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OMOVFvcNfvE

How about the new designs for the Stormtroopers (or are then New Republic forces?).

The new X-Wing fighters.  I love the new wing design.

The Light-Claymore.  One would have to be a master to wield one of these – you’d poke your eye out if it wasn’t so.

And then, right on queue with John Williams unmistakable score, the MILLENNIUM FALCON!  This is where I turned to jelly.  Did you catch the new sensor dish?  That last Death Star battle at the third moon of Endor took it’s toll.  I love the contrails.

Tie Fighters!?  Whose are those?

Star Wars is shared wonder.  And I’m looking forward to sharing that wonder come December 2015.

May the Force be with you.

Project Thanksgiving

Low and behold time marches onward and it’s November.  Let that sink in a moment – NOVEMBER.  Christmas junk has been in the stores now for over a month (all hail the spirit of commercialism!), we’ve just turned the corner on Halloween, NaNoWriMo is underway (all the best to those participating!), Election Day is nigh (yes you should vote in the hopes that something will eventually change somewhere), Veterans Day too, and then Thanksgiving – one of my favorite holidays. 

“Why is that – Thanksgiving being one of your favorite holidays?”

Because it’s still genuine.  It’s untouched by the greed of other holidays.  Thanksgiving hasn’t sold out and, frankly, we need to pause and take account of all the blessings (yeah, that’s the right word) that we have and be thankful.  I don’t say this to make you feel guilty, Gentle Reader.  I say it because it is true.  I live in the South Jersey area and up the road in Atlantic City, five major casinos are closing.  That translates to a LOT of people out of work; a lot of families who are going to be scrambling to make the rent, buy food, or pay bills.  Forget, Black Friday; to paraphrase Billy Joel, surviving will be the noblest fight and, yes, even in surviving we can be thankful – it’s much better than the alternative.

If you would like to help ease the burden for some families in the South Jersey area this year I humbly suggest supporting the Project Thanksgiving Turkey Drive (https://www.facebook.com/pages/Project-Thanksgiving-NJ/302695739793341).  The nuts and bolts are as follows:

On November, 22^nd from 9:00 – 5:00 PM, there will be collection points set up at both Shoprites in Vineland and the Shoprites in Millville and Bridgeton; as well as, the Mullica Hill and Sewell Shoprites and the Venice Italian Eatery in Pitman.  They will be accepting frozen turkeys, store certificates for free turkeys, cash, and checks payable to the Food Bank of South Jersey or the Salvation Army.

So there it is.  If you have a spare turkey consider giving it over to Project Thanksgiving on November 22^nd.   They have a way of uniting turkeys with people who need them.  It’s a win – win; you get extra space in your freezer and the knowledge that your turkey has done some good in the South Jersey area.  It’s a win – win because, even in these incredibly uncertain times, we have much to be thankful for.

Happy Thanksgiving!

  

Nigel & Alex

 

Robin Williams

“You've said Death is nature's way of saying "your table's ready." We wish we could've waited with you a bit longer.” – Cracked.com via Twitter

Robin Williams has passed due to an apparent suicide.  He was brilliant.  He was talented – known and loved by people the world.  He made that world all the more brighter simply by being in it.  I won't beleaguer the point by giving you my spin on my love for Mr. Williams; however, below are some links concerning the man he was and the laughter he brought with him.  

http://www.theatlantic.com/entertainment/archive/2014/08/the-many-faces-of-robin-williams/375902/

http://www.wired.com/2014/08/actor-robin-williams-dead/

http://www.aintitcool.com/node/68340?utm_source=full-feed&utm_medium=feed&utm_term=coolnews&utm_campaign=1310_RSS

My sincerest thoughts & prayers to his family & friends at this horrible, horrible, time.  There are only so many lights in the world and his will be sorely missed.  Godspeed, Sir.

Now – and this is important – if you are sad, if you are depressed, and you feel you’ve lost your way to the point that you feel the world would be fine without you?  PLEASE think again.  You are not and do not have to be alone.  Find someone to talk to that you can trust, perhaps someone at your local church or synagogue, or you can talk about how you are feeling right here:  there is this: http://www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org/.  As it says on their site, “No matter what problems you are dealing with, we want to help you find a reason to keep living. By calling 1-800-273-TALK (8255) you’ll be connected to a skilled, trained counselor at a crisis center in your area, anytime 24/7.”  Please, find someone to talk to.

The world needs your light.