Art in Automation

Our world has become an amazing modernistic world of automation. Have you ever noticed how many things have become automated? I was amazed the other day when I was at McDonalds and watched as the girl at the window got drinks from a machine that automatically dropped the correct sized cup, filled it and put the lid on for her to hand out with an order -- blew my mind.

I know that automation was began as a blessing to mankind, especially in factories -- but I think the most well known was when the car was invented with the Model T. Automation was what made it an affordable car.

Now, most things that are automated are not what I'd class as beauty. Good grief, most of it is covered in grease, noisy, and not something I understand. On the other hand, I was fortunate to work in the cannery in Ogden last week. If you've ever worked at a church cannery, you know the experience. Everyone is a volunteer, everyone has a position at the line, and hundreds of cans pass in front of you. It's amazing. What's even more amazing, is how clean it is. I mean, everything is shiny and bright and I watched the metal cans come flying down the twisting chute with awe. What amazing minds came up with this stuff!

The kind of automation that really amazes me, is something that is totally useless. Have you ever been the Clark Planetarium? There's an exhibit there called Newton's Dream, and it's pretty cool. I wonder what Newton would have thought about it. I think it's amazing, and it promotes the idea I wanted to present for the blog -- Automation can be art. I'm sure the original inventors of automation saw it only as a way to make thing faster and more efficiently, but when it's put together as these things are, it's art.

There is also another site that discusses the different aspects of it.

What I like, is that it's not only fascinating to watch, but it's musical. There are several spots where the balls hit levers that hit pieces of wood, or hollow pipes that make sounds like a wind chime! It's totally engrossing, and when we were there, that's where we could always find the children. The display is two stories tall, and there are different spots top and bottom for kids to move the balls and start the thing rolling.

That's what I call automation! I guess part of what amazes me, is the brain power that thought up these different things. Newton's Dream alone is amazing, but even when thinking of the cannery and the different belts that ran along a line and how smoothly the whole thing runs. It takes engineering and invention. It takes inspiration and desire. It's a gift.

Just another amazing part of our lives. Check it out sometime and see if it doesn't astound you.

And, it's that time of year again! When the EFY CD comes out with all the great songs for our youth. I've never been to one of these conferences, but I discovered the music two years ago, and have made it a priority in our music listening. I think I know all the songs on the two CD's we have by heart. What's really cool, is that the LDSneighborhood will be selling this years copy on August 16th. Be sure to look for it -- I'm way excited it has Ryan Shuppe And the Rubber Band!!

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The Colors of Patriotism

Since Friday is the 4th, I decided we need to focus a little on patriotism and how we show our colors.

If you're anything like me, you're very patriotic. I love decorating the house in red, white and blue! Our next expense is going to be putting in a flag pole so that we can fly the flag while our son is gone to basic training.

But even before we afford that, we hang all the stuff we can find up. What about you? There is some that is tasteful, and there is stuff that is -- well, tacky. While I guess it could be said that tacky is still patriotic, I think it needs to be thought out a little.

I used to have a little flag for my car, but it broke. It was a cheap one! (grin) We have had the magnetic strips that clink to the car, but someone moved it off our truck and now it's gone. sigh. I guess it's time to find another one.

You know what is interesting? I discovered that there are rules regarding how the flag is to be displayed! I found this information on a site about the flag:

* The American Flag can't be draped over anything or used as a covering. It shouldn't touch anything beneath it. The only time the flag can be used as a covering is for a casket. This is common practice for the funerals of servicemen, veterans and government officials.
* Don't draw the flag into folds. It should always be able to fall free.
* Never use the flag or its image to advertise products or merchandise. The only instance where it may be used in advertisement is when the product advertised is an American Flag.
* The flag can be displayed behind a speaker, but it cannot be used to decorate a platform or stage.
* In a church or auditorium, if a flag is displayed on a staff, it should be located to the speaker's right as he/she faces the audience.
* Don't wear the flag as clothing or use it as bedding or drapery.
* A flag patch or pin may be worn by military personnel, policemen, firemen, and members of patriotic organizations. It should be placed near the heart.
* Do not use the flag or its image to wrap a gift or to carry anything.
* The flag shouldn't be marked with designs, drawings, letters, words or anything else.
* It is acceptable to add gold or yellow fringe around the border of a flag as long as nothing is added to the body.
* Representations of the flag shouldn't be printed or embroidered on paper products or anything else meant for temporary use and disposal.



Now I understand why it was such a big thing in the sixties and seventies when the protesters were wearing shirts of the flag...and I always thought it was just patriotic. Interesting.

The 4th of July always makes me think of food and fireworks. We usually have a big breakfast with family, watch the local parades, and then have a BBQ later before going to watch fireworks somewhere. We usually see them from our own neighborhood, as we live between two large shows. It amazes me how LONG the firework shows are now! Seems like they lasted a whole 10 minutes when we were kids, and now they go one forever...grin. Almost feels like they are too long.

My favorite part of the fireworks is the music that is played with it. For many years when we lived in Salt Lake, we were right by Sugarhouse park. They would have a big firework display sponsored by KISN radio and they would play music that you could get on the radio while the fireworks were going off. It was sooo inspiring. There is one song, I'm Proud to be an American, by Lee Greenwood that ALWAYS makes me cry. It is so touching and true.

So, despite what your traditions or favorite thing to do this holiday weekend, I hope you spend it with family and reaffirm your desire to live in this country of the free, land of the brave -- and support our soldiers who are out there fighting for that right.

I want to add the words to his song so that if you care, you can sing along with the song. I've changed my play list at the bottom of the page for this month, so you can also hear it.

If tomorrow all the things were gone I’d worked for all my life,
And I had to start again with just my children and my wife.
I’d thank my lucky stars to be living here today,
‘Cause the flag still stands for freedom and they can’t take that away.

And I’m proud to be an American where at least I know I’m free.
And I won’t forget the men who died, who gave that right to me.
And I’d gladly stand up next to you and defend her still today.
‘Cause there ain’t no doubt I love this land God bless the U.S.A.

From the lakes of Minnesota, to the hills of Tennessee,
across the plains of Texas, from sea to shining sea,

From Detroit down to Houston and New York to LA,
Well, there’s pride in every American heart,
and it’s time to stand and say:

I’m proud to be an American where at least I know I’m free.
And I won’t forget the men who died, who gave that right to me.
And I’d gladly stand up next to you and defend her still today.
‘Cause there ain’t no doubt I love this land God bless the U.S.A.

God Bless The U.S.A. Words and Music by Lee Greenwood

Also, there is a great song at the neighborhood jukebox. Have you checked it out yet? This song is an appropriate one for our nations birthday. Go listen to it and check out some of the others. I love the jukebox!

Have a safe and wonderful 4th!

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August Rush

Have you ever watched a movie and felt that it struck a cord deep inside? The whole idea should offend me -- with the two side characters sleeping together -- but for some reason it's the real story that gets me. And the music.

A lot of people don't know that I used to sing. I say was because my voice has been going for the past couple of years. But in high school and college, I sang in choir, and loved it. Singing is such a joy, and music touches me in a way nothing else can. I asked a woman in my neighborhood who teaches voice lessons why my voice would be going -- she said that vocal chords are like any other muscle. When they aren't used frequently, they weaken. It's really sad, because I don't know how I sing less than I did before --but that was the only thing she could tell me. What was amazing, was at Christmas my stake had a music sing-a-long for the Halleluja chorus and I was able to hit every note. Even the high soprano ones -- it was a miracle. So...that's a quick blurb on my background.

This movie was wonderful. I've read reviews that said it was a re-make of the story OLIVER, and it was terrible. I could see the comparisons, and there was much alike. However, it was a whole new story -- starring music. Robin Williams actually plays a mixed bag. I've never really seen him play a villain, but he did it in this one, and does it well. You like him and hate him at the same time.

But the main character, that same little boy that everyone thinks is wonderful right now, (having done Charley and the Chocolate Factory, Finding Neverland and several others) he did excellent. The expressions on his face are so perfect, so clear and clean. He makes you believe him. He makes you hear the music.

I hope that you take the chance to watch it. Bring lots of tissue, and be prepared to enjoy a musical experience that will hum along your nerves. I want the soundtrack now...