Had a fabulous time countering the weekly smear campaign by the Chester County Peace organization.  The above poster was held by a student who was directed by her professor to attend the protest. 

I believe she thought this was a shockingly original phrase for her poster.  In fact, it is not- I've come across this tired phrase numerous times over the years.  Plagerism is NEVER original. 

Let us take a closer look at this statement. The ideas compared in this phrase are not mutually inclusive -  they are polar opposite in meaning.  All through human history fighting  (wars) have all eventually ended with peace.  Peace is common outcome of fighting (war).  Making love , especially when one or both partners are virgin,  tends to have an outcome of a net loss of virginity.  Once it is gone, it is unrecoverable.

Unless you are doing it wrong. 

But I digress.

The two phrases that compose this statement are not comparable, but opposite of each other.   SIGH....

More thoughts on the day's events, photos and video can be found on MidnightBlue 

The complete set of photos can be found on Flickr 

Flu Vaccine Facts & Myths

Flu season is just now starting and I encourage all my readers to help protect yourself and your loved ones by getting a Flu Shot. Listed below are several common misconceptions surrounding the Flu Vaccine and the facts to help you in your decision to get the flu shot.  If you have any other concerns regarding the Influenza, the vaccine or even Avian Flu, please leave a comment or email me via my contact form. I'll be happy to answer any of your questions or concerns.

MYTH: “The flu isn’t a serious disease.”

FACTS: Influenza (flu) is a serious disease of the nose, throat, and lungs, and it can lead to pneumonia. Each year about 200,000 people in the U.S. are hospitalized and about 36,000 people die because of the flu. Most who die are 65 years and older. But small children less than 2 years old are as likely as those over 65 to have to go to the hospital because of the flu.

MYTH: “The flu shot can cause the flu.”

FACTS: The flu shot cannot cause the flu. Some peopleget a little soreness or redness where they get the shot. It goes away in a day or two. Serious problems from the flu shot are very rare.

MYTH: “The flu shot does not work.”

FACTS:Most of the time the flu shot will prevent the flu. In scientific studies, the effectiveness of the flu shot has ranged from 70% to 90% when there is a good match between circulating viruses and those in the vaccine. Getting the vaccine is your best protection against this disease.

MYTH: “The side effects are worse than the flu.”

FACTS: The worst side effect you’re likely to get from a flu shot is a sore arm. The nasal mist flu vaccine might cause nasal congestion, runny nose, sore throat and cough. The risk of a severe allergic reaction is less than 1 in 4 million.

MYTH:“Only older people need a flu vaccine.”

FACTS: Adults and children with conditions like asthma, diabetes, heart disease, and kidney disease need to get a flu shot. Doctors also recommend children 6 months and older get a flu shot every year until their 5th birthday.

MYTH:“You must get the flu vaccine before December.”

FACTS: Flu vaccine can be given before or during the flu season. The best time to get vaccinated is October or November. But you can get vaccinated in December or later.

For more information, ask your healthcare provider or call 800-CDC-INFO (800-232-4636)

 Website : CDC

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof;

 BOULDER, Colo.  —  About 50 Boulder High School students walked out of class Thursday to protest the daily reading of the Pledge of Allegiance and recited their own version, omitting "one nation, under God."

The students say the phrase violates the constitutional separation of church and state.

They also say the daily reading of the pledge over the school public address system at the start of the second class takes away from education time and is ignored or mocked by some students.

*SIGH*  If only these students had paid attention in their language arts class, perhaps they would comprehend the difference in meaning between the phrases  "Freedom FROM Religion" and "Freedom OF Religion".  The Pledge is not their problem, nor is it unconstitutional. Their demonstration against the Pledge is a testament to their shoddy education - too bad they haven't a care about that.

Gathering of Eagles 3 - Eagle Justice - September 15, 2007

My videos of the event can be found on YouTube

My photos of the event can be found on Flickr

Review of the day, more photos and video can be found on MidnightBlue 

It's a good thing Leonardo DiCaprio made so much money from "Titanic" a decade ago.

His environmental documentary, "The 11th Hour" has been a total bust at the box office. After 18 days in release, the film has grossed only $417,913 from ticket sales. The 90-minute snore-fest is playing on 111 screens this week, but that number is likely to be reduced this Friday. The film will be sent to DVD heaven after that.

11th Hour, an aptly named film...sorry..won't be viewing this movie unless I score a copy of it online.  Why pollute the environment any more so by  purchasing a copy from Borders.

I'm still in the early stages of planning and development of a videocast for Ancora Imparo. Based upon what I've researched on the web about how to go about setting up a video cast for the blog, I've gathered together a few essential items:   Green material,  halogen lights, Photoshop Elements bundle and a digital video camera.  

If you are interested in this new blogging technology, I've found some particulary useful YouTube Videos that you may want to check out:

Mark Apsolon

SMP Films

EDWorks

I'm looking at a Chroma Green Screen from B&H, unless a certain camera store in Delaware can provide the chroma green muslin.

Fight Club - 1999

 If you are reading this then this warning is for you. Every word you read of this is useless fine print is another second off your life. Don't you have other things to do? Is your life so empty that you honestly can't think of a better way to spend these moments? Or are you so impressed with authority that you give respect and credence to all who claim it? Do you read everything you're supposed to read? Do you think everything you're supposed to think? Buy what you're told you should want? Get out of your apartment. Meet a member of the opposite sex. Stop the excessive shopping and masturbation. Quit your job. Start a fight. Prove you're alive. If you don't claim your humanity you will become a statistic. You have been warned... Tyler"

 Uh-huh.

Official Synopsis

 In this movie Edward Norton is the narrator who suffers from a lack of sleep. He tries different ways to cure this, but he does not succeed. He does get some sleep, but his conditions rebounds back into it's original state when he meets a lovely young woman, whose name is Marla. He finds out that she and he both have a lot in common and they spend a lot of time together. While touring, he meets an enigmatic young man named Tyler and after a short conversation both become fast friends. Both like to relieve their inner tensions by hitting each other. Soon word gets around about their fights, and lots of young people also get interested. Then a club is formed, which the narrator and Tyler call 'Fight Club'. Both start spending a lot of time and both also make lots of money. Then one day the narrator finds out that Tyler has been using him. You must really watch this movie and find out why the narrator feels this way about his friend

Skye's Review:

The first rule of Fight Club is you don't talk about Fight Club. 

I'm all about breaking group think rules, so let us discuss this movie.   It took two sittings for me to view this movie in its entirety.  Why? I just too frakking busy.

My first impressions of this film, and of the main characters inhabited by the actors Edward Norten and Brad Pitt, is of gratitude that I never fell for the ideology of group-think.  The film itself was a visual treat for its time, dark and gritty, with the special effects enhancing the story arc and not smothering it.  Splicing in nansecond images of Brad was a clever echoing of the storyline. Did you catch all the instances in this movie, I did.

 Both actors were incredibly believable in their roles - you do not see Brad Pitt and Edward Norton - only Tyler Durden.

Is this an allegory for the redemption of man's self determination?  Yes and...No.  As Jack reflects on the begining of the tumultous relationship with Tyler, you see what the PC generation has wrought. Stripped of every drop of animus by strict adherence to political correctness, he tries to fill the gap with furniture from Ikea and attending various cancer support groups.  This is the pathetic heap that calls himself Jack  when he strikes up a friendship with Tyler. And yes, I do mean STRIKE.   After discovering his condo blew up, he finds himself at an all-night diner with Tyler - major kung-fu occurs and the Fight Club is born.

 Jack's passive agressive behavior is at odd with the world around him. - as is with any passive agressive personality.  Real change is difficult and most people need a catalyst in order to change, that catalyst in this story is Tyler Durben.  Tyler is everything Jack is not, but dreams of being.  The change in this character was refreshing, and in a violent way he was reclaiming his lost self.  As the story rolled along, the change from emancipation to yet another form of servitude became more evident.  There are people in this world who do not want to be a rugged individualists (insert your favorite jab at the DNC) but seek out servitude of one kind or another. They simply WANT to be sheeple - "In Tyler We Trust".  At the end of this movie, Jack finds himself back in a same predictament that instigated his rebellious rejection of his life. 

How quickly emancipation can become servitude. This movie shines an unflinching light on this particular human trait and is a great source for thought on this subject.  

Skyes Verdict:

 Go out and add this to your movie collection - NOW.

Each week Photo Friday posts a photo assignment. Your mission is the creative interpretation of the week's theme. When you're done, post the picture you took to your website and submit your link to Photo Friday.

Photo Friday is about challenging our participants to be original and creative within the constraints of the week's theme. It's not a competition. Anyone with a camera and a place on the internet to post pictures can participate.