World Cup 2010

Flags become ubiquitous
during World Cups

When the world cup approaches, the waving of flags becomes a tradition. It seems that international flags are more intensely flown than on any other occasion, perhaps even more so than the Olympics.

Even the Yahoo Website has a soccer ball with flags displayed for its daily corner animation. See Below.

As of 2010 there is a great imbalance in the world cup via gender and politics, at least for the USA. The rest of the world (third world and first world) that have economies much less than par with the USA can always produce (much more than par-USA) soccer teams. How is it that nations smaller and with less always out play one of the largest, richest, and grandest nations of the world?

Ghana is an African nation with less people, economy and wealth. Yet the United States is no match. Does this mean if given the same blessings as the US, Ghana could potentially be a richer and more economically diverse nation?

But this US-Soccer deficit is true only in reference to Men's Soccer. When you look at US Women's Soccer (here is another weird imbalance). The women of the USA can kick the butts of all nations large, small, voluptuous, wide, flabby, and tight. For the foreseeable future the Women's USA Soccer Team will kick buns and reign on the podium for many decades to come.

Perhaps as the US Men's Soccer gets stronger the US Women's Soccer will get weaker. Which will come first: a Women's World Cup when US girls place below fourth or a Men's World Cup when the American boys place higher than fifth? Only time will tell.

This is a video of the Yahoo World Cup Logo 2010
Notice the flags and soccer ball

Flag Capture & Mine Sweeper

Back when Ronald Regan was president and Donkey Kong was King, Atari ruled the home video game market. The games were cutting edge at the time, but by 2010 standards Atari Games were about on par with late 1990s cell phone video games.

One vexillological game was Flag Capture. It was a simple logic game, an ancestor to the infamously free computer game Mine Sweeper, which uses flags as symbols-markers.

Since then no sequel or flag centered video game has ever hit the market, successfully. Flags have been in the background, but never as the key subject in a franchise. Yet the opportunity is there. Flags are visual things!

The cover art of Flag Capture has a UK flag, Danish flag, what maybe the Lithuanian flag and some kind of pirate flag. During the Atari Era the cover art and package was often more elaborate and beyond the truth of the game. It was nearly a deceptive tactic, an ancient sales tactic, visual bait to make a transaction. Remember Nintendo's over rated ROB? Didn't think so, only something about Schmicks? All my friends that had the Nintendo's ROB, totally felt like Schmicks.

However computers are so much more powerful. Retro game remakes that really reflect the cover art of box art can finally be made!

For instance I always wanted to play Zelda, Adventure, and Flag Capture in a game that like totally matched the cover art, or art in the instruction manual. Old school gamers would no doubt want to play the true-retro art remakes. It'd be a new genre game market. You could call it Truetro?

Imagine a Pac Man and Space Invader game were the game totally mirrored perfectly the characters and setting of the art!? A game that matches the original Metal Gear cover art would be like soo tubular, fresh, and gnarly. They could even just redo the first Metal Gear, with nearly the same plot and add elements from that era, like music, style, pics of Regan and Gorbi.

Screen Shot of Flag Capture
The Pac Man art on the side of the original game cart looked nothing like Pac Man in video game. Why not now make one? Since Tron is being updated....it's only natural. Finally in the game Mine Sweeper, as it was with Flag Capture, game play is based on logical deduction and avoidance of hidden bombs!
















For some Nintendo Nostalgia Click the video to see ROB (Robotic Operating Buddy) in Action. Most kids who got a ROB felt like they were robbed of their money and time

Fourth of July 2010

The Sacred 13 Spirits of America
1776 TIMES OVER

1. Freedom
2. Faith
3. Love
4. Gratitude
5. Sacrifice
6. Hope
7. Honor
8. Decency
9. Forgiveness
10. Kindness
11. Family
12. Respect
13. Joy

With these 13 virtues I was able to discover the flag symmetry phenomena amongst the sacred and honored flags of our 50 states.

(POST 101 of 2010)

Super Mario Brothers Flag

The Original

Super Mario Flag

The most viewed flag in entirety of the known video game known universe is the Super Mario Flag. After the completion of each level Mario is supposed to jump on a flag pole. The higher he jumps the more points you get. You can get a maximum of 5000 points or a minimum of 100. Super Mario Brothers was made when getting points mattered.

During the 80s high score arcade period: getting a high score allowed you write you name or initials on the public game cart. When I was a kid I really didn't care. But with today's internet it can sort of matter. It is possible for an arcade renaissance but games would have to be super gnarly! They have to be at least 3 steps beyond what home game systems can offer, like an X-99 Box , Wii Max III, and Play Station 6.

Mario Jumping towards Bowzer's Flag

As the Super Mario Franchise grew, flags have come in and out of the series. But since the creation of the Nintendo Wii, the flags have made a comeback.

Who knows some day Nintendo may take my idea and the next Mario Game might be a wee bit educational? If they use real flags in the game, when you're done the game... instead of nearly mindless fun and a mild case of tunnel carpel syndrome.... you'd now know all about the flags of the world!

Mario Victory Flag Rises once you Finish a Level
note the colours are that of Japan: Red and White

Click the Video to Watch Mario Lower Green Flag and Raise Red Star Flag with Fire Works

How to jump over the flag pole

Heraldry USA

This website is about heraldry and flags, mostly flags. I guess it is time for some heraldry. Since 4th of July is just around the corner, here is some USA Heraldry. This rejected USA heraldic symbol was designed in 1782. The team in charge of this design were the heavy weights of Benjamin Franklin, John Adams, and Thomas Jefferson. A light weight involved too was Secretary of Congress, Charles Thompson. The design was deemed too cluttered and the eagle holding 13 arrows and olive branch was chosen, which you can see on the 'normal', quarter.

Rejected US Heraldic Design

Symbols on the central shield represent England, Scotland, Ireland, France, Netherlands, and Germany. In order of traditional reading: United Red and White Rose, Thistle, Harp, Fleur de Lis (stylized Lily), Lion, Siamese Eagle.

ENGLAND & SCOTLAND

IRELAND & FRANCE

NETHERLANDS & GERMANY

Canada Day!

In Honor of Canada Day, Canadian Flags!
(California Republic Mojo V)

These flags were created to honor California Residents from different parts of Canada.  If you were born any of these Canadian Provinces and moved to California you have every right to fly these flags.













Prince Edward Island is represented by a baby harbor seal. A young seal was chosen because the ceremony to instate the real Prince of Wales is usually done when the heir apparent is a young pup. The first official UK Prince of Wales was Prince Edward I.












This critter is a Northern Marmot, it has a white colouration and thick heavy fur. Its one of the largest ground squirrels in North America just as the Polar Bear is the largest bear.













More lizards in Canada! Alberta is kinda' like the Texas of Canada. Or rather Texas is the Alberta of United States? Alberta is considered by many as the most Southern, culturally speaking, state of Canada.












The flying squirrel is the emblem for the Saskatchewan Republic flag. The critter is common to most of North America. He wishes he could really fly, he is more of a hang glider.


This is the last installment of North American Flags with the California Republic Mojo, see previous posts to see what they all look like.

Link to Part I

Nick Artimovich's Washington Post Feature

This video was originally posted on the Washington Post, Website. The story features Nick Artimovich's vast collection of flags and flag related items. Nick has hundreds of flag books, flag games, flag buttons, and flags. I have never seen a greater concentration of flag stuff in the my entire life. If they ever open a Flag Museum, which would be a great idea in Philly, next to Betsy Ross's House, make sure you consult with Nick Artimovich. He has the mother load-treasure chest of awesome flags.

Below is another video about the Chesapeake Bay Meeting on March 7, 2010 at Nick's Place Enjoy!

You can see more of Nick Artimovich's flag collection
Here on Flicker www.flickr.com/photos/artimovich