Monthly Archives: March 2020

Pizza dude’s got 30 seconds…

In isolation, I can use some renewed cheers looking back on my childhood nostalgia. I learned a day too late of 30 years ago marked the cinematic release of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles live-action movie. I was there on that day of the release at the AMC Kabuki 8 Theater in San Francisco, very excited.

I hold my nostalgic love for the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, grown from its super-weird, totally out there cartoon of the late 80s (and darker original comic books by creators Kevin Eastman and Peter Laird). I enjoyed the 1990 from day one, movie backed up by awesome Jim Henson puppetry, outdated jokes and 80s humor, a darker feel matching my brewing angst of city life, and somewhat restrained action scenes…a true experience, that I shall carry with me over 30 years later, into an uncertain present.

There’sThe some great messages in this movie, especially useful now. Social distance when necessary. Choose friendship wisely. The power of family is binding. Get through difficult situations with humor and challenge. Train, and listen to your wise elder (especially if it’s a talking rat). Possess the right thinking…only then can one receive the gifts of strength, knowledge, and peace. Anger clouds the mind, and forgiveness is divine but never pay full price for late pizza!

So, for TMNT fans out there moving forward with current challenges far worse than any Foot Clan now, remember your Turtle Power!

Orion T

Picture above: taken by me of my personally owed movie versions of the Ninja Turtles, released by NECA in 2018. Beautiful sculpts and worth every penny.

To yearn, in this still time…

Still yearn for the days of normalcy to return…

For the music to play,

and the food trucks to stay,

For a share a table with friends,

while sipping coffee blends,

To discuss among strangers the news,

or complain about life with booze,

To stop and hear how your day went,

is better than a texting back sent,

To chat and listen and learn and dance and love again, is what I yearn.

Orion T

Waiting for the emptiness to pass…

Stay home if you are sick, avoid crowds, use keep washing those hands.

Weeks ago, many passed off the COVID-19 strain as just another virus, something that may die out soon, and whatever else puts most of our 1st world lives feel comfortable, and at ease.

But, then comes those little alarming reports of rising cases, people affected, and the deaths, all increasing at an exponential rate. Such was local here in Seattle, but then reported in other states, and other countries, and you then you look back outside, and the magnitude of the situation becomes global.

In the downtown streets of Seattle, the streets gain an unsettling emptiness. Devoid of heavy entertainment, there is mere purpose left among visitors and locals. Local business owners and staff share in the melancholy silence, lacking participation and their future in question. I choose a few small stores to spent money on some simple things around the Pike Place Market, doing what little I can with those little ounces of morale to spare.

Recently, the World Health Organization declared COVID-19 a pandemic. Italy remains quarantined, and many significant events closed down or canceled. Some are far more affected than others, and I feel a bit fortunate not to suffer at the bottom. Yet, I am also unhappy at the slow, messy response by our national government under the current Executive Branch administration. Still, we listen together now, anxious for the unknown days ahead and hope for a bounce-back recovery soon.

I felt a wandering need between destinations. I am currently unemployed and feeling the struggle of this new emptiness. Now, there are no new friends, no new gatherings. I fight this further despair with home projects, but taking a moment infrequent to appreciate the new calm. I reflect on what will be a hard lesson for humanity, that our civilization that relies on commerce and consumption means nothing to microscopic strains of viral infections. We should be mindful of each other; help when needed. That is how we best get through and keep living.

Meanwhile, here are some recent pictures of the new quiet around the normally tourist heavy areas of downtown Seattle. I hope for a return to the usual noise soon.

Orion T

Clowning around with the Clownfish

Did you know…

That clownfish, also known as anemonefish, are born male, But, the dominant adult one of its group becomes female when the previous one dies. It’s an irreversible change, where it can then reproduce with another male, for the next generation of hermaphroditic organisms.

Clownfish are mostly found in coral reefs in south Asia, and Australia, feeding on a diet of plants and very small organisms (algae, zooplankton, tiny crustaceans). Clownfish live in harmony with sea anemones, sharing in food scraps and immune to their tentacle released toxins meant for prey. Those anemones also cover as shelter from larger predators. The clownfish pays their kindness back by removing parasites, and sometimes standing guard.

These strange factoids are just morsels of the countless grand wonders that make up of our complex planet, and build ecosystems meant to naturally create a long-lasting system of life coexistence.

I learned of such and more in a recent visit to the Seattle Aquarium on Pier 59, where I took the above pictures. Such wonderful things, I will share of more in later postings, spread out over future times. I hope you will enjoy, and be as fascinated as I was in observing, learning of these lively occurrences.

Orion T