A Visit to the Magic Kingdom

By Nate Feldman

Since I was a child, I have seen countess Disney movies which began with the iconic Cinderella Castle in the background, so this was what I sought out when I arrived to Disney World this week. , Having never been to Disney World previously, this is the landmark I have always associated with the park. 

Cinderella's Castle 

Mosaic inside the castle

When I arrived at Magic Kingdom, I went to the castle and was surprised to discover I could actually walk on its inside.  There is a walkway that takes you through a tunnel covered with colorful mosaics depicting scenes from various stories. 

The castle, and the environment surrounding it, has an enchanted feeling that people of all ages can appreciate.  It is the hallmark of the Magic Kingdom. 

Cinderella's Castle up close 

This Week in Review, November 24, 2019

By Nate Feldman

The weather was mostly overcast with periods of sun this week in Southeastern Pennsylvania.  It cleared up a bit by the weekend.  Also, with Thanksgiving approaching, expect to see more and more people travelling for the busiest travel holiday of the year.  Finally, I conclude the report with a piano piece I am working on.

The Hectic Life

By Nate Feldman

For many years, Derrick Myers has complained abut his hectic lifestyle.  He has been working at a local area high school teaching 10th and 11th grade American history.  Derrick has always loved history and teaching events to students.  "We can't plan for the future if we don't know where we have come from," is how he always starts the school year.

Derrick's passion for history is equally matched with his passion for sports.  Because of that, he has been the school's head football coach for the past five years and an assistant coach with the baseball team in the spring.  "A healthy body and a healthy mind go well together," he tells his athletes all of the time.

If that isn't enough, Derrick is also an avid musician.  He plays piano with a local band on weekends.  They perform at restaurants, local coffee shops, and different fairs and festivals throughout the area.

Derrick's busy lifestyle has made his life very interesting, but there have been some consequences of this.  Due to his endless activities, he has been hardly around his two young children recently.  He and his wife go out to places less and less.  He also complains of feeling worn out frequently.  Those around him insist he change his habits, but he can't imagine what he'd do without them.  It's a big problem.

Types of Music

By Nate Feldman

Music is something which you can find in every culture around the world.  It doesn't matter where you are or what traditions the people may have.  You are certain to find some kind of music there.  Although everyone likes music, not all music is the same.  There are many ways to classify music, but if I had to, I would classify it between music played with instruments, music with singing, and music with both instruments and singing. 

There are many types of music which only use instruments.  It could be an orchestra playing a famous symphony.  It could be people playing jazz.  It could be a band of some kind playing brass instruments as part of some kind of parade.  There are also many people who perform their instruments by themselves.  They can do it for a recital of some kind, or they can do it in a train station or by the side of a road. 

There is also music that uses only a person's voice.  This could be people in a choir somewhere singing songs.  It could be an opera singer.  There are also a cappella groups that have several singers performing songs together. 

Then, there are people who sing and use instruments.  An example of this would be popular rock bands.  The musicians play instruments, such as the guitar, bass, drums and or piano while they sing the songs.  This type of music is probably the most popular music in modern western culture and perhaps in most other cultures as well. 

In conclusion, music is an important part of who we are.  Some people like to sing it, others like to play an instrument, and many like to do both.  The most important thing is to find the music you love and enjoy it.  Thank you. 

This Week in Review, November 17, 2019

By Nate Feldman

This week, I continued work on my film project about a workaholic who lets his habits take over his life.  I gave the story some background showing scenes of the character at a different time in his life where he was busy with different activities and wasn't all consumed by work.  I plan to film how he went from this to where he is today. 

The weather dramatically changed on Tuesday.  On Monday, it was warm and in the 60s.  However, by Tuesday afternoon it had dropped a good 30 degrees bringing some light flurries during the late morning.  The temperatures were a little more pleasant on Friday, but by Saturday it was breezy and cold again.

Thanksgiving is still a week and a half away, but there are many people decorating their houses and businesses with Christmas lights already.  At malls, Santa is already taking pictures with young children. 

Finally, I received some videos from Panama of a bad rainstorm that covered most of the country. 

Sunny but Cold Weather Envelopes the Region

By Nate Feldman

Despite the fact that it was mostly sunny throughout the day on Wednesday, the Philadelphia area continued to be very cold as temperatures rose to just about the freezing mark. 

Most residents of the area bundled up in jackets and or winter coats to deal with the winter-like temperatures.  International visitors continued to comment about the cold and how it differed from their respective countries. 

In spite of the cold, many people continued to perform outdoor activities.  At tracks and on sports fields, local athletes maintained their routines, but with hats and gloves on them. 

Temperatures are supposed to get slightly warmer tomorrow, but it will still only be in the 40s.

Arctic Blast Hits the Northeast Region

By Nate Feldman

Despite warm weather in the mid-60s on Monday, the temperature dropped dramatically on Tuesday.  Because of this, the early morning rainfall changed over to snow by mid-morning. 

Many international students welcomed the first snowflakes of the season with fascination, especially those from warmer countries that get little if any kind of snow. 

Although the precipitation was gone by the early afternoon, and there was sunshine as it got closer to evening, the temperatures were only in the 30s, leaving the area quite cold. 

According to the weather reports, the temperatures are going to get as low as the teens perhaps overnight and will not get higher than the 30s tomorrow.  Due to the cold weather, people will have to dress in warm clothing and be prepared to heat up their houses. 

This Week in Review, November 10, 2019

By Nate Feldman

This week, I began a film project I am titling, "The Workaholic," a story about a person who must learn to manage their obsessive work habits.  I also caught what is left of the fall foliage in the area. 

Remnants of Foliage Still Around

By Nate Feldman

Although the branches of many trees are bare now, the remnants of the fall foliage can be found in different locations throughout Pennsylvania.  The maple tree in my front yard still has many leaves.  When I went up to Trexler Park in Allentown this afternoon, I found pockets of trees with colored leaves that have yet to fall.  The fall scenery, although well past its peak here, still isn't finished yet. 

The Workaholic (An Introduction)

By Nate Feldman

This is the beginning of a short film I am putting together about a workaholic, and how his obsession with working affects his life.  I will develop this story further, but this is the introduction.

Clear Skies and Mild Temperatures Before Big Changes

By Nate Feldman

The skies were mostly clear throughout the day and the temperatures were extremely comfortable.  Although today was a pleasant day to be outside, tomorrow is expected to be different with rainy weather coming in.  By Friday, the rain is supposed to go away, but it is expected to be significantly colder with highs only in the 40s. 

The Workaholic (Continued)

By Nate Feldman

In this video, I continue the story of someone who works obsessively and enjoys little else in life. 

A Workaholic

By Nate Feldman

A workaholic is someone who doesn't find time to enjoy the daily pleasures of life because they are so wrapped up in their work life.  Whether they are in the office or at home, their mind is always fixated on work.  Here is a clip of a movie I plan to do about a workaholic. 

This Week in Review, November 3, 2019

By Nate Feldman

After waiting the entire month of October, Halloween finally arrived this week.  In spite of some severe weather, people were able to get out and enjoy the festivities.  Also, although we are now past the peak of the fall foliage season, there are still some trees with colored leaves on them.

Still Some Fall Foliage Left

By Nate Feldman

Although the fall foliage is past its peak in most of Pennsylvania, there are still some trees with colored leaves on them.  I was up in the Lehigh Valley region of the state and caught some glimpses of fall colors on a brilliantly clear day.  Here are some images I got from Ontelaunee Park in New Tripoli, PA and Kalmbach Memorial Park in Macungie, PA.

Halloween in Berwyn, PA 2019

By Nate Feldman

Despite talks of severe weather, people were able to get out and enjoy the Halloween festivities this year in the Philadelphia area.  In Berwyn, PA, there was the annual Halloween Parade hosted by the Berwyn fire company on Wednesday night.  On Thursday, there was enough time before dangerous weather came overnight for trick or treaters to go outside and enjoy getting candy.

To see the video about this, check out this link:
https://youtu.be/u9LS53vs48k