Autum Equinox

The balance between day and night!

Patriot Day USA

In between Delaware and Philadelphia, one of the most important battles of the US Revolution took place on September 11, 1777. The battle of Brandywine, along the Brandywine Creek. General Washington lost this battle and it opened the door for Loyalist occupation of the nation's original capital, Philadelphia.

Brandywine Creek Flag
September 11, 1777

America's future was in peril, if the British would have been more aggressive, Washington could have been captured. Washington's opponent was an old ally turned new enemy. Previously Washington fought alongside General Howe for King and Country during the 'French and Indian Wars.'

This situation is akin to Grant and Lee who were once allies in the Mexican American War, but later become mortal enemies during the Civil War. But instead of it being North vs. South, one can frame the US Revolution as a proverbial battle of East vs. West. Washington fighting for the West, since he was born on the west side of the Atlantic, and Howe representing the East since he was born on the east side of the Atlantic. Howe was an experienced colonial war veteran who helped destroy the French North American Empire.

Interestingly the Brandywine Flag and Foster Flag are two flags of similar design. The more famous flag is the Battle of Brandywine Flag. According to tradition this flag was flown on September 11, 1777 by the Pennsylvania 7th Regiment under captain Robert Wilson. The battle of Brandywine was one of the largest engagements of the Rebellious West and Loyalist East. Perhaps a reason Brandywine is often overlooked is because the pro UK-Unionists were the victors. Ironically Washington's September 11th defeat was good for his men and nation. The consequence was a permanent forging of the American Spirit unto diamond like resolve. The bitter winter at Valley Forge was a curse as much as it was a blessing.

Forster "First Blood" Flag
April 19, 1775

Another flag of similar mark to the Brandywine flag is the Forster Flag. This flag is originally thought to be a UK regimental flag modified and turned in to a US flag. The story is, on the first day of blood shed between colonials and British troops April 19, 1775 a British flag was captured and turned into a rebel US flag.

Form April 19,1775 until June 14, 1777 there was no official flag, so a variety of flags fluttered for the revolutionary cause.


Eleven years ago in 1999 the US Post Office issued a commorative US Flag set

You can Visit the Battle Brandywine Creek Museum

You can visit the Brandywine Visitor's Center Here

First Friday Doylestown, PA

Under Construction

The Virgo Islands and Monserrat

Flag of the UK Virgin Islands
In the Eastern Caribbean

September is Virgo month, so in honor of the cosmic Virgin of the night sky, who is ironically not visible during September, here are two Virgo like flags. The first flag belongs to the UK Virgin Islands. They are right next to the US Virgin Islands but with a British flare.

Amazingly there is another British Island in the Caribbean next to the Virgin Islands that also has a woman on the badge, Montserrat. These astoudingly beautiful tropical islands are similar yet different. It's like the difference between Ohio and Pennsylvania.

The Women of the Caribbean Looking Eye to Eye

The woman on the British Virgin "Virgo" Islands is wearing a white dress on a green background and coincidentally the woman of Montserrat is wearing a green dress. The girls are holding several items: a cross, harp, and lamp. The cross and lamps are Christian symbols. The Cross is an obvious symbol but the lamp is a wee bit obscure. Back in the late 1400s Cristofolo Colon gave the Virgin Islands its name, since there were so many, in honor of St. Ursula.

The story of St. Ursula is rather interesting. St. Ursula was a Roman-British Princess, who lived long before the creation of England proper. One version of her story is that after surviving a deadly sea storm and visiting the Pope she went on a pilgrimage with 300 to 11,000 other virgins. While crossing by Cologne her mass of virgins were attacked and killed by the Pagan Huns. This all took place sometime between the 3rd and 4th century. There is a deep grain of truth to this story, but as this story was retold it may have been embellished.

Flag of Montserrat
in the Western Caribbean

The British used to love this story when they were still tied to the Catholic Church, since a Roman-British Princess was involved. Coincidentally the harp on Montserrat is reflective of Ireland where the last bastion of 'British Catholics' still celebrate St. Ursula's day at mass on October 21.


10 Sec Clip of Video I made last year about UK Islands

Pineapple Welcome Flag

Who lives at the bottom of the sea in a proverbial welcome mat for all to see?

Sponge Bob Square Pants!!!!!

Bob is an enchanting animated yellow coral sponge known by Gen-X, Gen-Y, and Gen-I. Nationally and internationally children and young adults are familiar with arguably Nicktoon's biggest superstar "Sponge Bob Square Pants."

He is a total square, like a nerd, whose innocent fun loving attitude is perpetually that of an elementary school kid, but the show is also spiced with adult oriented themes. Certainly, children who grew up on the show will be able to enjoy this cartoon on a different level in adulthood.

The interesting vexillological-flag coincidence is that the "PINEAPPLE FLAG" reflects Mr. Pants, Bob Square's attitude.... "WELCOME." If you didn't know, places that fly the pineapple flag are basically saying come on in! We want you to visit!

Everyone is Welcome at Bob's!

When a business flies the flag, it's sending out a signal that all are welcome to visit here, argh matie! And if your business happens to sell crab cakes - "Crabby Patties" - be sure to fly this flag!

Bobby's house is for everyone to enjoy, and it's made out of the universal symbol for welcome....a pineapple!

Below is an edited version of this Nicktoon. This intro is cute and clever. It basically invites all kids (and adults) to watch and enjoy. It doesn't matter your ethnic, religion, or language....Mr. Square-Pants will welcome you all!


A video combining Sponge Bob theme with the Pineapple Flag


You can visit Sponge Bob's Website Here at Nickelodeon
http://spongebob.nick.com/

The Yin & Yang of Pepsi & Coke

Coke is the Bigger Established

US Cola Company, it looks
kinda' like Japan's Flag?

Yin and Yang may be a foreign concept for American people over the age of 50, perhaps the best way older Americans can relate this contradictory concept of balance, harmony, tension, and rivalry is to think of the Korean War. If you ever study the Korean War, it is dynamically like Yin-Yang energy flow.

The circular icon on the Korean Flag is essentially the Yin-Yang symbol, minus the contradictory dots. This symbol originally came from China. It is the icon for the philosophy-religion of Taoism.


The Yin-Yang symbol. A Korean War Veteran told me his troop called it the 'meatball' and the US Gov didn't bother to explain what it meant or what it was other than that it was the South Korean Flag.

Simply put the Yin-Yang symbol is a reflection of the inherent dichotomy to any idea, choice, or stance one must take, " To do or not to do." Do you buy Coke or Pepsi? Sure there are other choices out there, but restaurants who want to get 'corporate game' must choose a side 'Do we serve Coke or Pepsi?' Otherwise you'll just stay in the minor leagues with RC Cola and Shasta.

In 1992 Crystal Pepsi
tripped people out, did you save your
Crystal Pepsi Bottles?

Back in the 80s and 90s the logo of Pepsi looked a lot like the flag of South Korea. Pepsi's icon caused media stir in South Korea and was subsequently changed. Coincidentally the colours of Coke mirror the flag of Japan.

Korea and Japan are natural rivals just as much as Coke and Pepsi are rivals. Do you want to drive a Hyundai or Honda? If your are a minor league baseball player and want to play baseball in Asia you can choose to play in the pro-Korean or pro-Japanese league. Are you a recent college grad and want to expereince East Asia by teaching English in relatively safe, modern, well paying, non-communist, non Muslim nation? You must choose Japan or Korea.

In 1985 Coke switched the flavors
with New Coke, it made most Coke Drinkers mad,
but in the end it caused mad profits as via risky marketing tool

If you are having trouble wrapping your head around the Yin-Yang symbol just think of the natural and spontaneous rivalry and dynamic between Coke and Pepsi.

Both Coke and Pepsi are in the same market, as they are consumed in a similar fashion. Coke and Pepsi compete at fast food joints, movie theaters, and sports events (at home or at the stadium). People who drink cola can be choosy to non-choosy. I call the extreme Coke or Pepsi consumers Cokanistas and Contra-Pepsinistas. Basically these people will flip out and refuse to drink the opposing cola if it served at a party or restaurant. On the other end there are non-aligned cola drinkers who really can't tell the difference or just don't care and drink whatever. Most people don't care but because of cola-extremists, restaurants must always confirm if Coke or Pepsi is okay when you ask for cola. I ask for the 'house-cola' or sometimes say, I'll have the 'Cokerpepsi.'


Personally I like them both. However my taste buds prefer Diet Pepsi over Diet Coke, but I wouldn't throw a hissy fit if a restaurant serves Diet Coke, I'd just drink it with a smile like Bill Cosby.

Pepsi is the relatively newer upstart
US Cola Company that provides 'choice'

Pepsi Changed Logo in 2008

because it looked to much like Korean Flag Symbol

Classic Commercials featuring 80s Super Stars Bill Cosby and Van Halen stomping for New Coke and Crystal Pepsi.

In the Cosmic Contest for Cola Consumers the corporate universe is dominated by two factions: Coke and Pepsi.

EPYX Summer Games Flag

In 1984 the Summer Games computer game was released by EPYX. The games are based on the Olympics. There is a novel opening ceremony, and for its time it really was 'one giant leap forward for gamer kind.'

This EPYX's Summer Games came out at about the same time the arcade game Track and Field came out.

The first thing must do in this game is to pick a nation to play as. Since it was made in 1984, the Soviet Union was included. As you select a nation by clicking the flag, you get to hear a shortened jingle of the national anthem.

The interesting vexillological note is that EPYX added their own national flag, with a national anthem.

Flag of the 'EPYX' nation
The Original 1984 Gamer Flag

Enlarged here is the flag of the EPYX nation. It is has a black background. In the center is the outline of a man in white who looks like the famous thinker, but has his left hand on an 80s style joystick. There are two horizontal parallel yellow lines that run behind the man just below the mid section of the flag. Near the bottom is thicker violet line that is unbroken.


You can listen to the EPYX Anthem here!



For more info on this game you can visit Matt Chat on Youtube
http://www.youtube.com/user/blacklily8#p/u/60/uONYq4tfPVA