Forrest Gump Flag

In Forrest Gump's bedroom, Forrest drew an American flag.  Although it does not accurately portray the flag, it accurately captures a child's perception of the US flag.  It has the key elements of stars, and red and white stripes. 

Blue Jeans Awareness Ribbon

The blue jeans awareness ribbon is dedicated to helping find a cure for all sorts of genetic diseases.  Nearly 1 in 10 people are affected by rare and genetic orders.  Approximately 30% of children with these nearly invisible to the media and public syndromes will not see their first day in kindergarten.  Over 7,000 distinct rare and genetically related diseases are represented by this symbol.

The jeans ribbons is a poetic reference to malfunctioning genes associated with these disorders. The golden rivet in the center refers to the origin of jeans when Jacob Davis first used reinforced metal rivets to make hardy denim work pants - also known as jeans, first created sometime in the 1870s.  

The golden rivet also symbolizes the proverbial golden genetic thread that connects all of our lives.  It is reminder that we are all related to each other and share the same basic genetic blueprint.  And that strangers, friends and others are actually members of our family.  Furthermore the golden rivet distinguishes this blue ribbon symbol from the multitudes of other important causes that also utilize a blue ribbon.

http://globalgenes.org/

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Batten's Syndrome - Falling under the Jean's Awareness Ribbon

Awareness ribbons are popular vexilloids that carry a message by a colourful and simple means.

 Like flags, depending on the colours used - these ribbons communicate a message.  Perhaps the most successful and renowned ribbon is the pink breast cancer ribbon.  But since there are a limited number of colours, some awareness groups use designs to convey their message.  One particular unique design is the jigsaw autism awareness ribbon that a pieces of the puzzle in red, yellow, and blue.

The purpose of these ribbons is to promote public awareness, inspire hope, muster moral support, and aim for healing.  One particular unique ribbon is the blue jeans ribbon that refers to rare types of genetic syndromes that often cut life short or add a heavy burden to those persons born with rare genetic complications.  The jeans ribbon, is play on the word for genes.  It is a unique ribbon that represents all types of genetic complications united under one ribbon - the jeans ribbon.

Rare Genes Ribbon with a Golden Rivet to 
distinguish it from other blue ribbons

My attention to the genes related "Jean's Ribbon" was sparked by tragic condition of Batten's Disease that has affected one of my family members.  Batten's Syndrome causes persons to loose their eye sight at an early age, then effects the central nervous system.  Eventually their minds regress along with motor coordination leading to a shortened lifespan.


We are at primitive stage of genetic therapy, but with good science and caring hearts a cure is surely within our reach.

For More Information on Batten's Disease please visit this website: www.bdsra.org
More Information about rare genetic diseases:
http://globalgenes.org/rare-diseases-facts-statistics/

1950s Refeshments Vexilloid

A vexilloid appears in the most iconic theater refreshment ad during the 1950s.  The leading refreshment dressed in blue, which appears to be a chocolate bar is holding a drum majors mace with golden orb as the finial.  Behind the leader is a bucket of popcorn holding a refreshment standard.  The refreshment standard is a white broadside with a "Refreshments" written in all capital letters in the colour green.  


 Imagine going to the movies in a suit?  That's what some people did in the 1950s.  Here the four snacks are being consumed by the American nuclear family of the 1950s.

It has been said that Frylocks father is the bucket of popcorn and Master Shakes mom is the cup of soda.  Oddly Meatwad's father was a chocolate bar. 

Flags from the Sixth Sense - 1999

In 1999 the best spooky thriller that was ever made came to be under the guidance of M. Knight Shyamalan: The Sixth Sense 1999.  Most horror movies end on a sad, funny, or on a note of horror, but Shyamalan created a paradoxical movie that was sad and uplifting.  It addresses bullying, parenting, love, death, the sprit realm, and justice.  It was worthy of attention back then, and even more so today.

Playing with the viewer's one dimensional perception of a movie, the twist at the end reveals the biased eye of the beholder phenomena, that many souls fall into with a tunneled perception of their surroundings.   The great thing about this movie is a second viewing is completely different from the first. 

Of vexillological consequence are a few flags that appear during a local Philadelphia elementary school's production of Camelot.  Flags pennants can be seen on the tops of the castles, which are so common in fairytale settings. The most unique flag is the frozen blowing in the wind felt red lance pennon.

The Vexillological Trainline

The Vexillological Trainline is a flag arrangement from national to the ultra-micro political level.  Officially speaking the township/city/borough flag is the lowest political level of the US.  But below the township are several more personal levels: the Quadrant, Blockship, Hutship and Partship.  

Here we have a map of the world with two Vexillological Trainlines showing two "Engine to Caboose" flags from the personal ultra-micro political level up unto the national level.  On the West Coast by Los Angeles is the Vexillological Trainline of a fictional character from the Big Bang Theory Show.  On the East Coast is the Vexillological Trainline of a friendly neighborhood blogger.  

As Pasadena is a part of Los Angeles Metropolitan Area so too is Lansdale a part of the Philadelphia Metropolitan Area.  Likewise the Rose Bowl is renowned in Pasadena, just as the Army vs. Navy Game is best known for being played in Philadelphia; as this was the city where the official US Army and US Navy were created during the 1776 Revolution.  Likewise a good match for Caltech is the University of Pennsylvania.  

To quote Joseph Ridgeway Grundy, "If a man does not have pride in his own hometown, he isn't likely to give a rap* about his own country."

 *sometimes a letter 'C' can be placed in front of the 'R' when appropriate

Link to Grundy Quote:http://www.grundymuseum.org/