Ocean Wonders: Sharks Review

Unlike other predators, sharks have developed a certain reputation for being blood thirsty creatures who have a particular taste for human flesh.

The New York Aquarium recently opened their new exhibit entitled Ocean Wonders: Sharks. The exhibit not only presents the various species of sharks in a recreation of their natural habitat, but it also shows how important sharks are to the natural order.

Opening on June 30th, the visitor is greeted by an overhead tunnel of water that has been recreated as a reef. As the visitor walks through the exhibit, they are presented with the facts about sharks in a way that teaches without getting on the soap box.

Though the education aspect of the exhibit is important, it is the visuals that are captivating. If the overhead tunnel is not enough to make to excite the visitor, is the very large tank that is the center of the exhibit. Containing sharks and other marine life, it is a wonder of an experience to see these creatures living in harmony.

I absolutely recommend it.

The New York Aquarium is located on Surf Ave and West 8th Street in Brooklyn, NY. Check the website for hours and ticket prices. 

 

Thoughts On The Scott Pruitt Resigination

Richard Nixon does not have what one would typically call the best track record when it comes to American Presidents. But he did authorize the creation of the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) in the early 1970’s. The goal of the agency is protect the environment for not just this current generation, but for generations to come.

Yesterday, EPA chief Scott Pruitt resigned from his post. Many point to his abuse of power, using tax payer money for expenses that are not related to the position and ethics violations as the reason for the resignation.

While it’s about time that he was ousted as head of the EPA, the troubling fact is that his replacement and former second in command Andrew Wheeler is not exactly a proponent of protecting the environment. The previous positions listed on his resume include working as a lobbyist for the coal industry and as an aide for a Senator who is known for openly rejecting the facts of climate change.

The fact is that climate change is real. While we have to protect the economy and make sure that every American has access to reasonable employment, we should not be doing so at the expense of Mother Earth. If we don’t, we may not have a planet or a country to call home.

The Greatest Thing You Can Do Is Serve Your Country, But Some Are Still Prevented From Serving

Immigrant has become a dirty word in this country, especially since you know who became President.

While the ban on Transgender troops was lifted last year, there are many who are willing and able to serve, but are given the runaround when they present themselves as recruits.

Today, the Associated Press reported that immigrant recruits are being quietly discharged by the military.

Not only is America the land of immigrants, but her military is made up of immigrants or children of immigrants. My grandfathers, the sons of Jewish immigrants, served their country in World War II. One of my great-uncles served in World War I.  Many Irish immigrants fought for the North and the South during the Civil War. Similarly, European immigrants fought for America during World War I. They wanted to prove that they were just as American as any native-born soldier.

The fact is that America has not had a draft since Vietnam. Everyone who signs up for the military is doing so of their own free will.  They know, just as we know, that it is an honorable, but perilous profession.

To potentially put your life on the line to protect the American people, reveals to me at least, the nature of those who join the military. I could say the same thing about you know who, but he did use the excuse of “bone spurs” to get out of serving in Vietnam.

 

Flashback Friday-Orphan Black (2013-2017)

Science and the ability to play with nature has always fascinated humanity. But there is dark side to science that sometimes creates more problems that solutions.

In the television series Orphan Black (2013-2017),  Sarah Manning (Tatiana Maslany) is a street hustler who finds herself at a train station the moment another woman takes her life by jumping in front of an incoming train. Eager to make a quick buck by pretending to be the dead woman, Sarah notices that she and the woman are mirror images of one another. What starts out as a quick con job reveals that she and the woman are not long-lost twins, but clones. As Sarah discovers the truth about the many clones, she also discovers that someone is making a concerted effort to kill these women.

Can Sarah find out the truth or will the secret forever remain a secret?

This show was one of the most entertaining, intelligent and provocative science fiction dramas of the past few years. It also helped immensely that star Tatiana Maslany played all of the clones in their various incarnations.

I absolutely recommend it.

Star Wars Character Review: Rey

The new group of characters I will be discussing is…. the new characters from the Star Wars franchise. 

*Warning: This post contains spoilers about the new characters that were introduced to audiences for the episodes seven and eight in the Star Wars franchise. Read at your own risk if you have not seen The Force Awakens Or The Last Jedi.

There is something to be said about a well written, human character. They leap off the page and speak to us as if they were right in front us, as flesh and blood human beings, instead of fictional creations.

In this series of weekly blog posts, I will examine character using the characters from Star Wars to explore how writers can create fully dimensional, human characters that audiences and readers can relate to.

If we are lucky, we are raised in a loving family by parents who do everything in their power to ensure that we grow up to be successful and happy adults. But that is not always the case. In episode seven of Star Wars, entitled The Force Awakens, the audience is introduced to a new heroine, Rey (Daisy Ridley). Rey is a woman alone, living as best she can on the desert planet of Jakku. Her parentage is unknown. She is a scavenger, who earns her bread by selling whatever she can scavenge. The fate introduced her to Finn (John Boyega) and BB-8 and she discovers that not only does have to makeshift family but she also is very strong in the force.

While training with Luke Skywalker (Mark Hamill), in episode eight, otherwise known as The Last Jedi, Rey must not only learn what it is to become a Jedi, but also confront her past and her relationship (if you want to call it that) with Kylo Ren (Adam Driver).

To sum it up: Family is not always blood. For some, the lack of blood relations creates an emotional hole that is never truly filled. But for others, they find within themselves the ability to create a family.  While the fact remains that her parents are still a mystery, Rey not only finds a family within the members of the rebellion, but also finds a father figure/mentor in Luke. Family is sometimes not born, it is made. The question is, can a character built a family or will they always mourn the loss of the blood relations they have never known?

Throwback Thursday: Airplane! (1980)

Disaster movies are sometimes taken a little seriously.

That is why movies like Airplane! (1980) exist.

Ted Striker (Robert Hays) and Elaine Dickinson (Julie Hagerty) broke up a long time ago. But that doesn’t mean that Ted has moved on from his ex.  In a last-ditch effort to rebuild his relationship with Elaine, Ted is conveniently flying on a specific flight where Elaine is working as a flight attendant. Somewhere on route, everyone gets food poisoning. That is with the exception of Ted, Elaine and Dr. Rumack (Leslie Nielsen).  Can Ted fly the plane and land it safely at its final destination or is the flight (and her passengers by extension) doomed?

This one of the funniest movies of all time for a reason. Not only is the screenplay is quotable, but the filmmakers took every narrative they could satire and still were able to create an entertaining story.

I absolutely recommend it.

Thoughts On Independence Day

Today, the 4th of July, is America’s Independence Day.

242 years ago today, the Declaration of Independence was adopted and ratified as the backbone of the new American democracy.

While this country and her citizens is far from perfect, I am proud to call this country home. I have written in the past about my immigrant forebears, who like millions of others, left their families and homelands for the freedom and opportunity that America represents.

Whatever you’re doing today, whether it be the beach, a barbecue, a family reunion, watching the fireworks or simply hanging out at home in the air conditioning, have a safe and happy Independence Day.

Thoughts On The Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez Victory

There was an earthquake in New York City politics last Tuesday.

In the 14th district, which covers part of Queens and The Bronx, there were two candidates on the Democratic primary ticket. The first candidate was Joe Crowley. He is was an established member of the Democratic party and a representative of that district for many years. The other candidate was Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, whose only political experience is working for the Bernie Sanders campaign in 2016.

It was a shock to many that Joe Crowley lost the election.

From my perspective, American voters are tired of the same b*llsh*t coming out of Washington, from both sides of the political aisle. While Ms. Ocasio-Cortez is very much a newbie when it comes to politics, she represents the future not just of the Democratic Party, but also the future of the country.  She is young, female, a Latina and knows what it is like to have parents who have struggled to ensure that their children have what they need to succeed in life.

Only time will tell if she actually wins the Midterm election in the fall. But, if I were to be honest, I hope she does. This country and this city desperately needs her.

The Lost Family: A Novel Book Review

Our past is our past. Whether we like it or not, it will always be with us.

Jenna Blum’s new novel, The Lost Family: A Novel, starts in 1960’s New York City. Peter Rashkin is chef/owner of Masha’s, one of the most respected restaurants in the city. He is also one of the most sought after bachelors in the city.  A survivor of Auschwitz who lost his wife and young daughters in the war, Peter is not interested in dating anyone. Then he meets June Bouquet, an up and coming model who is two decades his junior. Despite the age and religion difference, Peter and June fall in love. When June finds herself pregnant, they marry. The rest of the book covers the next two decades as Peter, June and their daughter Elsbeth face not only the challenges of change, but Peter’s past.

This book is an absolute must read. What makes this book a must read is that is just so good. What I loved about the book was the human imperfection of the characters and how that played into the narrative.

I absolutely recommend it.

Modern Loss: Candid Conversation About Grief. Beginners Welcome. Book Review

Grief and loss are are without a doubt human experiences. Regardless of class, creed, sex, race, etc, we all deal with grief and loss during our lifetimes.

Rebecca Soffer and Gabrielle Birkner both dealt with unexpected losses at an an early age; their respective parents died when both women were still relatively young.  Together, they founded the website, Modern Loss.

They also write a book about loss and grief entitled Modern Loss: Candid Conversation About Grief. Beginners Welcome.. Interviewing a  variety of people, the message is clear: grief and loss are emotions that are both difficult and complicated to deal with.

 

While the book is well written, the quality that makes it stand out is the humanity of the stories the interviewees tell. They come from all walks of life, but they know all too well what the pain of grief and loss feels like.

I absolutely recommend it.