Spiritual and Inspirational Sunday - June 24, 2012

Today's post doesn't exactly follow our normal Sunday's Inspiration but, for whatever reason this morning, I was thinking about the changing times and how our economic situation may seem very dismal to some it still really does not completely mirror the Great Depression. 

 People still spend $600 to go see Justin Beaver and by Coach bags so apparently we are not quite as poor as we think we are.  But it has been very tight for our family (maybe we just have a more frugal personality) none the less it has changed our entertainment habits. 

This of course led me to the look into the differences and similarities of this era to the Great Depression's era and (for my own curiosity's sake) I would like it if you would join me in answering my poll at the end of this post.  

Movies from the Depression Era, 1929 – 1942 (roughly,) were attend at an astonishing rate of approximately 60 – 80 million people each week according to www.digitalhistory.uh.edu.  This is an astounding rate considering that at the peak unemployment was at 25% and the average income of most people was around $1,300.00 a year for the family.  Comparing this to the average income in the USA currently of approximately $30,000 – $40,000.00 annually makes me wonder about our movie going habits during this generation’s economic downturn. 

'Going To The Movies - Classic 1930s' by ButterflyInTheAttic

Vintage Maine Postcard ... VintagePlum $5.00	Gambling Ship Cary Gran... nukes $1.00	The Invisible Man H. G.... nukes $1.00	Esther Williams Classic... iowajewel $19.99
Vintage Sepiatone Print... leewidener $6.00	REDUCED PRICE - Custom ... ARTbyDKS $200.00	Classic Movie Stars - C... GhostsofGrandm... $7.00	Old Movies Gone With Th... OldPaperAndPag... $18.55
Classic Movie Monster K... ihazabag $50.00	Vintage Sepiatone Print... leewidener $6.00	Halloween Retro Movie M... HopePhotoArt $2.98	R53 "Red River Ran... MontanaMoviePo... $40.00
Karloff in The Mummy - ... StephenBurger $15.00	Gone With the Wind with... aBeesCreations $7.50	Original Pastel Pencil ... HollywoodPaste... $25.00	CALIFORNIA photo art BR... VintageBeach $44.00

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At that time the movies were .15 (nothing to sneeze at) but people were willing to pay this to escape the real world and to forget about how scary the future seemed at the time. 
During that time movies would often show dramatizations of the little guy coming out on top, heroes saving the nation, and the theatrical antics of comics like the Marx Brothers.   It was the great escape of The Great Depression and people were willing to pay for it. 

The difference today is that we have so many different ways of “going to” the movies:  we can actually go to the theater, stay at home with a rented video, pick one from the on-demand system or just watch a free one. 
So the question of the day for me is do we, as a society, still physically go to the theater to escape into another world?  Do we stay in our homes and find our own private little escapes? or do we not rely on those wonderful heroes and comedians on the screen at all anymore?

'Movies - Recent Releases ' by ButterflyInTheAttic

Hollywood Sign Matted P... WesVanDykeART $35.00	Steampunk Optimus Prime... kyoob $25.00	Black Swan Natalie Port... nukes $1.00	Limited Edition Signed ... Bogies $50.00
The Princess and the Fr... nukes $1.00	Twilight New Moon - Bel... anna6454 $14.99	BOGO SALE - One Free Pr... TheRekindledPa... $8.98	Alvin and the Chipmunks... MyGlitterShop $6.00
Journey to the Center o... outwardbound $9.00	Madagascar 3 Birthday I... PortlyBallerin... $10.00	Men in Black magnet-mov... PopCultureChar... $5.25	Battleship movie keycha... StylishEncount... $5.99
NEW RELEASE MOVIE Chimp... AardvarksInPet... $1.50	Titanic Movie Notebook ... Momsmedia $22.00	Printable THE SMURFS Bi... therandompanda $20.00	Rise of the Planet of t... nukes $1.00

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Made In America - Christmas 2011

I found this on Christie Cottage a wonderful blog that I follow. I think that it is great that she reposted this and would love it if my followers would do the same. I feel a little silly to say that I never thought of some of the ways to "buy American" that is in this article. Best of all, some of these gift ideas would be greatly appreciated by my friends and family. I hope you have a beautiful day and get a chance to check out Christie's blog http://christiecottage.blogspot.com/

Christmas 2011 -- Birth of a New Tradition

As the holidays approach, the giant Asian factories are kicking into high gear to provide Americans with monstrous piles of cheaply produced goods -- merchandise that has been produced at the expense of American labor. This year will be different. This year Americans will give the gift of genuine concern for other Americans. There is no longer an excuse that, at gift giving time, nothing can be found that is produced by American hands. Yes there is!

It's time to think outside the box, people. Who says a gift needs to fit in a shirt box, wrapped in Chinese produced wrapping paper?

Everyone -- yes EVERYONE gets their hair cut. How about gift certificates from your local American hair salon or barber?

Gym membership? It's appropriate for all ages who are thinking about some health improvement.

Who wouldn't appreciate getting their car detailed? Small, American owned detail shops and car washes would love to sell you a gift certificate or a book of gift certificates.

Are you one of those extravagant givers who think nothing of plunking down the Benjamins on a Chinese made flat-screen? Perhaps that grateful gift receiver would like his driveway sealed, or lawn mowed for the summer, or driveway plowed all winter, or games at the local golf course.

There are a bazillion owner-run restaurants -- all offering gift certificates. And, if your intended isn't the fancy eatery sort, what about a half dozen breakfasts at the local breakfast joint. Remember, folks this isn't about big National chains -- this is about supporting your home town Americans with their financial lives on the line to keep their doors open.

How many people couldn't use an oil change for their car, truck or motorcycle, done at a shop run by the American working guy?

Thinking about a heartfelt gift for mom? Mom would LOVE the services of a local cleaning lady for a day.

My computer could use a tune-up, and I KNOW I can find some young guy who is struggling to get his repair business up and running.

OK, you were looking for something more personal. Local crafts people spin their own wool and knit them into scarves. They make jewelry, and pottery and beautiful wooden boxes.

Plan your holiday outings at local, owner operated restaurants and leave your server a nice tip.

And, how about going out to see a play or ballet at your hometown theatre. Musicians need love too, so find a venue showcasing local bands.

Honestly, people, do you REALLY need to buy another ten thousand Chinese lights for the house? When you buy a five dollar string of light, about fifty cents stays in the community. If you have those kinds of bucks to burn, leave the mailman, trash guy or babysitter a nice BIG tip.

You see, Christmas is no longer about draining American pockets so that China can build another glittering city. Christmas is now about caring about US, encouraging American small businesses to keep plugging away to follow their dreams. And, when we care about other Americans, we care about our communities, and the benefits come back to us in ways we couldn't imagine.

THIS is the new American Christmas tradition.

Forward this to everyone on your mailing list -- post it to discussion groups -- throw up a post on Craigslist in the Rants and Raves section in your city -- send it to the editor of your local paper and radio stations, and TV news departments. This is a revolution of caring about each other, and isn't that what Christmas is about?