The Star Wars Saga Flash Forward to Flash Back

Just to clarify to all those who love the Star Wars Saga--sadly, I am not a fan. Lets start with when I was  thirteen my Dad retired from the Fire Department. One of his many activities to fill in his free time was going to see movies. Most of the time he went by himself but sometimes as was what our family of three motto was; if he wanted to do it, we all did it. Don't get me wrong, I love movies just not this particular type.

Flash to the opening of the first Star Wars. I don't know that the hype of today happened back then, my guess is no.  I had to look up when the original actually opened, thinking maybe they opened this one to coincide with the first but, nope again the original opened May 25, 1977.  As a sixteen year old girl my idea of fun wasn't going to the movies with Dad but guess what we went to see? I remember the time distinctly because I had a terrible, ear infection and head cold, hard to believe May in California would create such a perfect storm. I remember I could barely hear and my head throbbed from sinus pressure. The only seats available were pretty much in the first couple rows of the packed theater. Go figure.  The only impressive thing I remember is the musical score. I knew as soon as I heard the opening music that every other person would be skating to routines to it in the near future. Did you doubt that this post would have some sort of skating connection?

Now cut to Christmas season of 2015 the first in an almost five year new generation of movies starting. Articles in the newspaper, cards and action figures in the store. Thank goodness no one in our family put Star Wars requests on Santa's list this year probably because they are too young to appreciate and truth be known I think after only a few days if I hear one more utterance I may implode. Could it be that my sinus have been bothering me the last few days? Brings back uncomfortable memories of childhood? Thanks George Lucas, putting you on the naughty list. Bah Humbug.

Sunrise, Sunset-December 2015

This past weekend I did something I haven't done in a long time. I was actually able to see a full sunrise and a full sunset both in the same day. Some would say, "Big deal" others would say "What a gift".

Lifestyle changes, demographic changes sometimes dictate how our days begin and end. As we age just the fact that we get up in the morning and go through a complete day and end our days is something lately isn't a given for everyone.

When I was skating, especially when I was doing team skating, many a weekend required me to get up at the "butt crack of before dawn" and drive to the skating rink and step on the ice at an ungodly hour. Some would say "why do such a thing" but when you love something so much you do practically anything to have the chance to do it. Those years were a gift that I miss dearly.

One year when I was in junior high school, I literally walked the few blocks to school in the dark. I would pick up a few friends along the way, but without fear we did it. Today, you sometimes wonder if stepping out to get your newspaper each morning, if you are safe.

Last week a horrific event happened in California. I am sure those worker's never thought in the morning when the woke up that it would be the last day they would.   Although the reasoning behind it is different, workplace safety has always been in question for as long as I can remember. Civil servants especially can be targeted because the public feels "they pay your salaries". I personally had several instances where between the public and the people you worked with created issues that your comfort level was taken into consideration each and every day I stepped into the office. 

The event that allowed me to see the above sunset was a road trip with a friend to attend a board meeting. I had distanced myself somewhat from the organization and was lured back after a request from the State President of the organization to handle some social media for them. Since I thought it would be a great opportunity to maybe guide the group into another direction my hope was that the weather would be great and the group listen to what I had to say. I think both reasons were successful. We shall see.

Many things can happen between the time you get up in the morning and the time you go to sleep at night. Not every day is a given anymore. Although I would rather see a sunset from the Pacific Ocean, this one was a keeper and the ending to a productive day.