The Ultimate Star Trek Soundtrack (2000 edition)

This particular compilation of music from the Star Trek universe came out in 2000 and carries the title of "The Ultimate Star Trek "  which may be viewed dubiously now that it's almost 20 years later and there's a new Star Trek series with the Discovery franchise branch just ending its second season in April of 2019. Still, the cd was entertaining with many recognizable pieces from the movies to the Voyager series of Star Trek.  I always appreciate when movies and shows utilize orchestras and bands to flesh out their scores and not just rely solely on pre-released songs or musical pieces.  I feel it give a greater depth to the work with a fresh musical score.

Moana Soundtrack - Learning to follow your own path

Moana is a Disney animated movie that came out in 2016.  The first 14 songs are musical numbers from the movie with the remaining 15-40 tracks playing different  pieces from the film's score.  It's a feel-good flick with plenty of family, friends, following your heart, and finding your own path.

John Wick and John Wick Chapter 2 Soundtracks

I liked the soundtrack for John Wick Chapter 2 (2017) better than the soundtrack for the first John Wick movie (2014)-just more variety in the score.  Bates and Richard have created a good backdrop for the Wick movies and I've got the soundtrack for John Wick 3  (2019) on hold at my local library.  Music cd's are another resource offered by most libraries.  Check one out today!

Sunday Randomness #402 : Random food pictures from June 2017 Portland trip

  While in Portland in June of 2017 we went to a number of different places like Dan and Louis Oyster Bar. http://www.danandlouis.com/ 

 Flowering tea at the Lan Su Chinese Garden in Portland.

 Daisy and Mica eating dumplings at the Lan Su Chinese Garden.

  The International Rose Garden in Portland with Daisy, Mica, and Hedgehog. https://www.portlandoregon.gov/parks/finder/index.cfm?action=viewpark&propertyid=1113

 

 Voodoo Doughnuts-also in Portland.  https://www.voodoodoughnut.com/

But we preferred the doughnuts at Blue Star in Portland. https://www.bluestardonuts.com/

And me by a giant whisk on the sidewalk. 

Sunday Randomness #16 : Dashboard Decor Done Dark

While going to a local branch of the city library this spring, I spotted a rather different dashboard decoration in the car of a fellow library patron :

While aesthetically cool looking, this spider, about 12 inches in height and width including its leg span, is not something I'd put on my car dashboard anytime soon. 

However, I'd dearly love to know the story behind the arachnid and why it is on their car dashboard of all places.

Sunday Randomness #464 : Shop Local when possible

https://tenor.com/view/farmers-market-shop-local-shopping-grocery-shopping-organic-gif-13249731 

There are multiple reasons to shop locally.  It's better for the environment, it's better for the economy, it's better for your community, and ultimately it's better for all of us.  Wouldn't it be great to generate $1.3 billion dollars a year for Utah's economy?  It could happen if we all bought just 10% more local products.  Want some great recommendation for Utah products?  Check out Utah's Own website for Utah products ranging from salt and honey to cheese and chocolate and soaps and herbs but we can't forget local farmer's markets, food trucks, and farms!   https://www.utahsown.org/

Here's a few thoughts from some other sites:

10 Reasons to Buy Locally (in Utah)

Thank you for buying locally! Here’s what happens when you do:

01. YOU KEEP YOUR MONEY IN OUR ECONOMY

For every dollar spent in a locally owned business, $.55 stays right here in Utah. That's four times more money than if that same dollar was spent at a national retailer.

02. YOU EMBRACE THE CHARACTER OF OUR COMMUNITY

Independent businesses emerge from a sense of place and contribute to a sense of place. They are fed by the nature of the community and define the unspeakable attributes of a town.

03. YOU CREATE LOCAL JOBS

Local businesses are better than chains or giant online retailers at creating more jobs per consumer dollars spent. As well, independent business provide a diverse array of job opportunities and wages.

04. YOU HELP THE ENVIRONMENT

You conserve energy and resources, in the form of less fuel for transportation and less packaging. Walkable business districts reduce sprawl and automobile use.

05. YOU BENEFIT FROM OUR PASSION AND EXPERTISE

To thrive as an independent business, many owners have spent years honing their craft. Often it is the intangibles that set local businesses apart — their dedication, the quality of their personal character, and their commitment to customer service.

06. YOU KEEP YOUR TAX DOLLARS HERE

Buying from locally owned business that are rooted here in Utah ensures that sales and property tax dollars are reinvested right where they belong, paving your roads, providing for your local schools, and supporting your first responders.

07. YOU ENCOURAGE INNOVATION AND PRODUCT DIVERSITY

Independent businesses are able to identify the niche markets in their communities, and expand from those niches into broad markets creating diverse products.

08. YOU LOVE YOUR NEIGHBORS

We know you and you know us. Studies show that Utah's local businesses donate to community causes at three times the rate of chains.

09. YOU KEEP THE AMERICAN DREAM ALIVE

Buying locally nurtures entrepreneurship, which fuels prosperity by serving as a means for families to move out of low-wage jobs and into the middle class. This is the foundation of our American economy.

10. YOU MAKE US A DESTINATION

Utah is already a world-class destination. A vibrant, active, independent business community will amplify life in Utah for visitors and residents alike! This benefits everyone!

(from https://www.localfirst.org/10-reason-to-buy-local )

And I love this infographic from the Huffington Post that came out in 2013: (just click on the picture to make it large enough to read)

https://images.huffingtonpost.com/2013-11-20-buying_local_infograph1-thumb.jpg

Utah is not the only one to benefit from trying to buy more local products and services.  Buying locally helps people around the country and around the world, not just in your own backyard.