Monthly Archives: January 2018

The Super Blue No-Moon Eclipse

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Stupid cloud cover…

So, I got up early this morning at 4:30 am, and headed to the Seattle waterfront (on Pier 66, upper level), to see the once in a lifetime combo of the Moon being a full Super, Blue, and Lunar Eclipse. The sight would have been amazing, given the reflection of the Elliot Bay waters and possible surrounding clouds.

Sadly, the distant cloud layer was too thick and overbearing, hogging the vision to itself. You could see a little glow from the moonlight above the mountains, and that was all for the duration until Moonset. The air was cold but shared nearby with other disappointed persons. We stared, and made the most of the moment, talking and chuckling at teasing of reddish moonlight.

Well, there will be more rare happenings to behold, or not. But what matters is that I was ready for either.

– Orion T

The last day of Zanadu

Today brings a somber feeling to my sequential art loving heart, as my local comic store (Zanadu Comics) is having its last day of business today.

In downtown Seattle, Zanadu Comics has sold books, graphic novels, manga, and comic books of all kinds to its consumer community for over 40 years. For me, it was a place to pick up new titles and follow up on recommendations for over 5 years. I appreciated this store for its attention to local artists, indie titles, and good recommendations from the staff. It felt old-fashioned in a time when comic-book properties are now associated with movies, TV, and video games. Sad, for the printed industry is a struggling one, which is a partial reason for its departure (the rest probably being Seattle’s rising cost of living and lessening consumer traffic in the area).

There are other comic stores, but not as near or focused on the indie support. But, I will still go when I can and continue my loving excitement for all comics books until the last one is printed, or there are no more stores to buy them.

– Orion T

The crazy truth of carrots

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Carrots are not always orange. This popular vegetable can appear in white, yellow, red, and purple.

The orange color is popular and well-known, said to be the result of 17th-century Dutch farmers who selectively bred the orange variants in a higher quantity, to symbolize the Netherlands through its nation’s chosen color and independence.

Before them, carrots have been known for its many colors and grown as a food source around the world. The color is dependent on the wavelength of light they absorb, creating the natural pigments. They still do, but the orange ones remain the most popular for being an excellent source of beta-carotene in its natural pigment.

Also, popularized in modern times by the famous cartoon rabbit, Bugs Bunny.  His original voice actor, Mel Blanc, did not like carrots and spit them out while eating them in voicing sessions.

I like them because they are filling, and a healthy way to rid hunger while avoiding fast food.

– Orion T 

The picture above was taken a stand at Seattle’s Pike Place Market, where you can buy some of these unusual carrots.

 

 

The Seattle Women’s March of 2018

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On Saturday and mostly in the cities, the second annual series of Women’s Marches happened across the United States. Big results followed through once again, with an emphasis of unease towards the current President, his administration, and GOP establishment (also the year anniversary of #45’s inauguration).

The people of Seattle and surrounding areas arrived, and filled the march route for several hours by tens of thousands in number. The weather was murky with spots of light sprinkles with a forgiving temperature of the upper 40s. Signs on hand were many focused toward “liberal” causes, many of which are championed by strong-minded women fighting back today.

Especially for the Seattle event, there was a grand presence of the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls March happening within. Such was heartfelt for the troubling history involving such, bringing awareness to the ignored gender-based violence in the United States and Canada to Indigenous Women. Here with the march, drums and native symbology mix with red cloth for solidarity to the victims and unresolved cases.

Here are my pictures of this event…

An overall good day, with refreshed optimism and new unity for our challenging times.

-Orion T

A Present Day for Martin Luther King Jr.

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“In a real sense all life is inter-related. All men are caught in an inescapable network of mutuality, tied in a single garment of destiny. Whatever affects one directly, affects all indirectly. I can never be what I ought to be until you are what you ought to be, and you can never be what you ought to be until I am what I ought to be…
This is the inter-related structure of reality.”

― Martin Luther King Jr., Letter from Birmingham Jail

Today is the 32nd third Monday of January, known as Martin Luther King Day, in celebration of the greatest civil rights activist leader of our lifetimes. We spend it as a day off for many, and in remembrance of King’s message and strive for justice, liberty, and peace for all.

Here in Seattle, there was a march and a rally held, of which I sadly missed. But the message remained on signs and shirts later on in the day. The current vibe focused on the road ahead toward the full accomplishment of Dr. King’s dream, with sentiments on social movements on civil rights for immigrants, people of color, LGBTQ persons, and others marginalized by oppressive systems.

A general theme can be seen throughout brought on by organizers to “Take a Knee for Justice” referring to the prayer actions of Martin Luther King and company during his famous march in Selma, Alabama, then recently brought back by modern civil rights activist/ NFL star Colin Kaepernick and company, overall in solidarity for wrongs in the system against people of color. Signs throughout are a reminder, there is still much to do, and more unity needed to achieve a nation where persons will not be judged by the color of their skin, but by the content of their character.

– Orion T

 

Enter the Wolf Moon of 2018..

Happy New Year!

Today begins with that, and a new Full Moon or Super Moon (given its fullness and slightly closer position to Earth) on this night.

This first Full Moon is also known as the Wolf Moon, according to some ancient naming tradition unclear in origin. It is said that wolves howl more during this time, though not at the Moon but toward the night sky. Reasons I believe, are their use of the open sky as better acoustics to announce their presence, and communicate with each other.

Meanwhile, I did not feel like howling, and felt shivers from the cold air during my short time in the outside today. I took the above pic during a needed walk after a long sleep recovering from the long night before, and the tough year that ended.

So, onto new things ahead, which will be exciting with some curiosity and daring moves to be done. Then perhaps, I will feel like howling.

– Orion T