View From the Shore – Page 4 – Art, Entertainment & Stuff

On a Desert Island

During these times when everyone is staying inside and spending time one Facebook, there have been many games being passed around. Games such as if you were stranded on a desert island what one book would you want to have with one. One person actually said, How to Build a Boat. I don’t know if that is actually a book title, but I thought it was a good answer.

So I’ve been thinking, which books would I want with me. Following in the mode of 6 Things to Consider I thought I’d pick six. All of these I have read, some of them several times.

The Stand – Stephen King
I have been a Stephen King fan since I picked up the just printed paperback edition of ‘Salem’s Lot in the summer of 1976. At the time The Stand hadn’t been released. When it came out, I immediately purchased it. It was my first Hardback book.

I would also take with me ‘Salem’s Lot.

And the other:

J.R.R. Tolkien’s Lord of the Rings
The way that Tolkien wanted it printed as one long book.

Harold Robbins The Carpetbaggers
Robbins was a best selling writer of in the 50’s, 60’s and 70’s, but not many know his work today, other than from the movies. The book based loosely on the story of Howard Hughes was made into two movies in the early 60’s. The Carpetbaggers and Nevada Smith.

James Jones’ From Here to Eternity
Perhaps the best novel written about the WWII even though most of the novel takes place in the months prior to the attack on Pearl Harbor. The movie just touched on parts of the entire story.

Nine Play of Eugene O’Neil
Those that know me know that I’m involved with community theatre. Eugene O’Neil is my favorite playwright and this collection has some of his best early plays.

No He Didn’t!

We all have heard of Nostradamus. Michel de Nostradame was an astrologer who lived in France in the 1500s. He is known today for the poetic quatrains he wrote for his book, “Les Prophéties,” which many claim foretold various significant historical events.

There is a meme that he predicted the Coronavirus.

“There will be a twin year (2020) from which will arise a queen (corona) who will come from the east (China) and who will spread a plague (virus) in the darkness of night, on a country with 7 hills (Italy) and will transform the twilight of men into dust (death), to destroy and ruin the world. It will be the end of the world economy as you know it.”

Various people who have studied the 942 poetic quatrains have said that this isn’t one of them. So no he didn’t predict the world as it is today.

But I found a few points in this false claim interesting. I’ll start with the “twin year” and “spread a plague”. The interesting part of this is that in both 1919, and now 2020, twin year, there was a deadly virus.

The spanish flu pandemic may have begun in 1918, it lasted through output the twin year of 1919 and wasn’t declared to be fully over until 1920.

The other is the phrase, “end of the world economy as we know it.” To what degree the economy changed after the Spanish Flu I do not know, but it would seem to me that there had to be some, if fo no other reason that the workforce changed.

Back to Business as Usual?

During these past weeks when we are all being asked to work, as much as possible, at home and limiting human contact, I have been attending a few online business meetings. Some of those meeting have had business consultants/coaches as speakers. Words that I’ve heard is that business should pivot, just like in basketball when the player with the ball keeps one foot in place and pivots, looking in various directions, to see what is their best next move. Follow John Boyd’s OOPA Loop (observe–orient–decide–act). Another is to RE-, which includes Revise, Resolve and Reset.

I’ve also been hearing, when we will get back to normal? Or when things get back to normal.

I’m afraid that the normal that we had will never return. Just as it didn’t after the Influenza breakout, the end of WWI, Kennedy’s Assassination, the Iranian Hostage crisis, and 9-11, the United States and the world is going to be different.

Aren’t we really in a time where we are evolving!

Evolution is defined as the process of growth and development. There have been many examples of how things have evolved since 2001. Two of the biggest are the Internet and our phones. Actually in a way these two have evolved together, even to some as one singular.

With Covid-19 and orders to self-isolation we are using the Internet and devices that we connect to it, phone, tablets, computers and TVs in new ways. Not that we couldn’t do business like this before, we were just comfortable or in some cases to work in the old standard ways.

Even though it’s only been a few weeks, we are already seeing ways businesses are doing things differently. Some because they have been forced, others so that they can survive.

What will we see in the future?

Will we be seeing a change in the Restaurant Industry?

Will it now be a time for chefs to create an out-dining experience, now that people have become more accustomed to take-out dining?

Will education move more towards online?

Will business offer more Work from Home Opportunities?

Will the US create more manufacturing jobs here at home, instead of overseas to stimulate the economy.

Will the handshake or hug remain a greeting?

These and many other questions will be answered in the New World after Covid-19.

About April Fools

First Published at Steve Atkinson’s “6 Thing to Consider”

April Fools’ Day, which is sometimes called All Fools’ Day, is one of the most lighthearted days of the year. While its origins are uncertain some see it as a celebration related to the turn of the seasons, while others believe it comes from the adoption of a new year. Many cultures celebrated the beginning of the year on or around the spring equinox.

One theory deals with the switch in 1852 from the Julian to the Gregorian calendar. Among the changes was that the year would begin on January 1st. Under the Julian calendar the first day of the year was April 1st. Various jokes were played upon those who clung to the old calendar system.

Another possible origin of April Fools’ Day was provided by Joseph Boskin, a professor of history at Boston University. He explained that the practice began during the reign of Constantine, when a group of court jesters and fools told the Roman emperor that they could do a better job of running the empire. Constantine, amused, allowed a jester named Kugel to be king for one day. Kugel passed an edict calling for absurdity on that day, and the custom became an annual event.

It also is seen as occurring because of turning of the season, winter to spring leads itself to lighthearted celebrations. Many different cultures have had days or weeks of foolishness around the beginning of spring.

Practices include sending someone on a “fool’s errand,” looking for things that don’t exist; playing pranks; and trying to get people to believe ridiculous things.

One superstition says that the pranking period shall end at 12 noon on April 1st. Any jokes after that time will call bad luck to those who breaks the rule.

Note:
This year it seems as if nature has pulled a huge April Fool’s plank on us. We are needing a little lighthearted pleasure, but please let’s make it fun and nothing dangerous.

The New Plan, Same as the Old Plan

Here we are. Day one of the latest Order by Governor Larry Hogan that “states that no Maryland resident should leave their home unless it is for an essential job or for an essential reason, such as obtaining food or medicine, seeking urgent medical attention, or for other necessary purposes.”

Funny thing, I don’t feel like it is affecting me any different. Not yesterday, not last week, in fact for around 2 weeks. I have been staying at home, and only leaving for those listed purposes.

Even though I could go out to parks, and other nature locations to take photographs, I have been staying home. Taking a few photos of my front and back yard is all that I have been photographing.

The only human contact has been my wife, son and one brief trip to visit my brother just to be certain he is doing ok, since he lives alone.

The only other human contact I have had has been via tele-conferencing. I have a bunch of Networking Associates and we have been having virtual meeting these past two weeks. So I have been having my human contact.

What I am missing though are my community theatre friends. This weekend was to be the closing weekend of a show that I had been working on as a photographer and planning to help back stage. Of course that show has been put on hold, and may not ever be seen by an audience. And there the next show, which was to begin rehearsals a couple of weeks ago and scheduled for opening in June. Whether we will do that one is WAY up in the air. I hope we do!

C&D Canal at Chesapeake City

For a number of years I have published Calendars featuring my photographs. While they haven’t been big sellers, they have given me a little extra spending money at the end of the year.

For several of those years the photograph for that month’s page was taken the year prior. This photo of the C&D (Chesapeake-Delaware) Canal was taken in May of 2018 and appeared in the 2019 Calendar. As you can see, the water level is low, and it was the first time I realized that even canals have High and Low Tides.

Since March 17th, I have been publishing a “Photo a Day” on my Facebook page ShoreToBeFun Photographs and Instagram – SGAtkinson_Photographer as my way to help brighten my visitors world. It’s not always the same photo. I hadn’t realized it, but it has become a Photographic Journey of places I’ve been and seen on MD Eastern Shore and Delaware. I would love to say the Delmarva Peninsula, but so far I haven’t gone onto the Virgina’s Eastern Shore. I plan to change that as soon as I can.

Do you consider a photographer as an Artist. I do. But not every one that takes photographs is an Artist. And there many times that I don’t believe my photos are Art. Often just a documentation since as a photojournalist, photographing events, I often just photograph what’s going on around me. But even at these events sometimes I do find something to photograph that I think of as Art.

As an Artist I have a Patreon Page. Patreon is a place where artists post exclusive content for their followers. It would be great if you would follow me there at Patreon.com/DelmarvaScenes.

FYI,
The 2020 Calendar, which is still available to purchase, is of Sunsets. Order it at the Printer – Lulu.com

2020 May be Known as the Year that Wasn’t

For me when the year began I was recovering from a minor health issue, a couple of costly repairs needed on the house, and a delay on a new project that I had planned on launching during the first couple of weeks of January.

March began with the launching of that project, all the repairs had been made, and I was feeling that I had fully recovered from the health issue. I was looking forward to spring beginning and getting out.

Even though there was some mention of the coronavirus not many, including myself, was thinking that in just a few days our lives would be changing.

Now as March is coming to an end, there is no clear signs on when the dangers of the coronavirus will be behind us. Events that I would normally be looking forward to attending and photographing have been cancelled. A few have been postponed, but will they be postponed again. I’m starting to think so, even those that have been postponed to mid-may. I’m not thinking that any events will be held before the end of May and even then, they will be much different.

So far we have missed the NCAA basketball championship, the NBA and NHL may not return. Baseball is on hold for who knows how long. Movie and TV productions are at a standstill. New movie releases that had been scheduled to this time have been postpone to later dates. Broadway is dark. Will we have any more sport championships in 2020, or even award shows. When all is said and done and we look back on the year 2020, we may remember it as the year that wasn’t.

Basically I have self-isolated myself at home and only getting out virtually. My financial situation is such that the economy is not hurting as bad for me as it has for others. I am feeling sorry of those who don’t have that and are worrying about what’s going to happen to them.

The Baltimore Colts Move

When I was doing “6 Things to Consider” I put together pieces on each of the NFL teams. I did the baseball teams as well.

Since today is the Anniversary of the Colts leaving Baltimore, I thought I’d republish the one I did for the Colts.

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The Baltimore Colts were created in 1953 out of the failed NFL franchise Dallas Texans. There were two other football teams in Baltimore prior to 1953 to use the name Colts. In 1947 the Miami Seahawks of the All-American Football Conference moved to Baltimore and took the name Colts. In 1950 the AAFC merged with the NFL and played for one NFL season before folding.

In 1958 the team led by Hall of Fame quarterback Johnny Unitas won the NFL championship 23-17 over the New York Giants. It was an overtime contest that many call ‘the greatest game ever played’. This game is credited with helping to make football the game it is today.

The Baltimore Colts were in 2 of the first 5 Super Bowls. They lost to the AFL New York Jets, a team with much less talent, but led by Joe Namath, in Super Bowl III. After the AFL merged with the NFL after Super Bowl IV, they moved to the AFC and won Super Bowl V against the Dallas Cowboys.

On July 13, 1972 Carroll Rosenbloom, owner of the Colts, exchanged ownership of franchises with Robert Irsay, owner of the Los Angeles Rams.

At the end of the 1982 season, the Baltimore Colts had the number 1 draft pick and selected John Elway. Elway refused to talk with the Colts, threatening to play baseball instead. They traded Elway to the Denver Broncos for 2 players and Denver’s 1984 1st round draft choice.

On March 28,1984, on a snowy morning, the Colts packed their belongings into Mayflower trucks and moved to Indianapolis. The Baltimore region was so angered with the move that many fans and former players completely disassociated themselves from the Colts.

You Oughta Know

I am taking the advantage of spending my time at home catching up on some TV shows that I have missed over the past few years. Since 2016 I have spend many evenings out working on productions with my local Community Theaters. As photographer, stage manager and even on a couple of shows as a part of the cast.

Even with it being called one of the best shows on TV, one of the shows I have missed is “This is Us”. I am now nearly finished season 2, and I have to agree it’s an amazing show telling the story of the Pearson’s. Even not watching it, there has been parts of the story I knew from reading about it. But there has been a lot of heart touching items that has hit me like the proverbial ‘lead ballon’.

Last night I watched the episode when Jack and Kate discussed music. Kate was off to a record store to see Alanis Morrisette. An musical artist that spoke to her through the album “Jagged Little Pill.” Of course her father, Jack, was into Bruce Springsteen and couldn’t get into it.

It took me back to the mid-90’s. My favorite period of is the 70’s, which I think would be the same for Jack. At that time I was busy living live, and not doing really listening to much music of that period, and when I did it was usually County Music. Tanya Tucker has been a long time favorite and I was enjoying Garth Brooks.

The Grammy Awards was one of the Award Shows I still always watched. By that time there were many artists nominated that I didn’t know. One of them was Alanis Morrisette and her Grammy nominated Album “Jagged Little Pill”.

When she performed “You Oughta Know”, I was blown away. After she won Four Awards that night, ironically she didn’t win the award for New Artist, that went to Hootie & the Blowfish, I had to hear more. The next day on my way home from work I purchase the CD. This was a time when music could only be heard on the radio, seen on MTV (when they were still playing music) or buying the CD.

I wasn’t a young girl, nor a young man. I was approaching 40. But I loved the album. I actually credit the album as the one that brought me back to listening to Pop music again.

Here is that Grammy Award performance. The arrangement is a bit different than the album version. And the best one that I have seen.

Don’t Fear the Fear

Beginning today, March 26, 2020, I have been self-isolated for a week. The last time I went out of my house for anything other than a trip to the grocery store was last Wednesday.

Since that day there has been plenty of things to fear. But if we follow the simple guidelines of only going out for essential trips, such as going to the grocery store and work, if your job fall under the essential category, I think that the only real fear is fear itself. And listen over listening to the news, for me is one way that I see fear arising.

When you look outside the window, spring is fast approaching. Changes are happening every day.

Beginning on St Patrick’s day I have been posting a “Photo a Day” of the scenery seen on the Delmarva Peninsula on my facebook page “ShoreToBeFun Photographs”. Most of these photos have been ones I’ve captured over these past few years. One or two, like “Spring Arrivals” posted here is a recent one. It would be great if you follow me there. Or on my Instagram at SGAtkinson_Photographer.

While it’s true that many people will be hurt by what’s going on, the one thing we all know is that things will change. Some for the worst and others for the best. I hope that I’m not one that comes out hurting.

As for me, I am going to venture out today for the first time in a week and enjoy the scenery. I will maintain social distancing and maybe capture some beautiful scenes.