Frank Sinatra

Today I came across this lovely clip that brought back some memories of teenage years. Frank Sinatra was an icon of the time and left his mark in the music world. A unique voice and a classic crooner Sinatra is unmatchable. Hope you like this tribute to him.

Next week a Sinatra package is going to be launched entitled Sinatra: Vegas consisting of a boxed set of 4CDs and 1DVD. Worth checking for serious collectors.

Submarine entering Valletta in 1965

For the lovers of seacraft I found this short clip of a submarine entering grand harbour in 1965, taken by Roger Neil of UK.

Nowadays you are more likely to see a cruise ship or two - sometimes four - in the Grand Harbour of Valletta. The era when the crisp white sailors crossed to shore from their Navy ships, onto dghajjes (boats), is long gone by. They were quite a sight....although I was only a kid then!

Moon Hoax?

The American moon landingin the late 60s was another important phase on us baby boomers. I remember clearly how here in Malta everyone was consumed by this great event in 1969 which had a great impact on all of us. We all felt very grateful and lucky to experience such a great human achievement.

But what if later in life we discover that we might have all been taken for a ride? How funny! Was it all a cock-and-bull story?

Earlier this year we read news that NASA has lost all the moon landing tapes. Oh dear. A historical event like that! See this seven-odd-minutes video with the claimed evidence of the flaws in the whole event.

I leave it to you to munch this for yourselves.

Humphrey Bogart

Who does not remember Humphrey Bogart's The Maltese Falcon? It's a classic that should be in every film buff's collection - not only Maltese but internationally.

This week a great DVD collection was launched. It is the Signature Collection: Volume 2 consisting of Bogart's films between the years 1941-44.

It includes The Maltese Falcon-Special Edition, Across the Pacific, Action in the North Atlantic, All Through the Night and Passage to Marseilles.

Go for it. Check it here.

To Hell with Limbo

So limbo is being erased from the Catholic doctrine! Unbaptised babies are now being offered a better place in the afterlife rather than staying in a no-man's land.

These babies are at the mercy of human (inspired!) whims that form the Catholic doctrine along the ages. And I am sure that due to these 'inspired' teachings many followers have had their spiritual health and phsychological wellbeing challenged.

(photo: M Attard)
Many in their 50s and 60s know what I am saying and in their maturity question their beliefs for the sake of their sanity. Similar to a number of other teachings, limbo was created out of thin air in the 13th Century in order to justify its continual ritualistic involvement in the life of Catholic families.

One can readily see how the Church places dreadful fright in the hearts of Catholic parents. If your infant had not been baptized by the church, he or she could face hell. If your child has been baptized, then there is hope!

Earlier this month, Rev. Luis Ladaria, a Jesuit who is secretary general to a 30-member theological commission said, "All of us have hope for the babies" that they will go to heaven under revised Catholic Church thinking.

How absurd and pathetic.

The point I am trying to present here is that not all past happenings are necessarily nostalgic. Some things and issues that we held sacred in the past, now stink. To question your beliefs (and traditions) and come to your own conclusions is healthy.

Nowadays, I strongly believe that one can be more spiritual, away from any organised religions. Otherwise you are at the mercy of human fabrications which form a defective morality based on false teachings along the years from enitities that had hidden agendas for these inventions.

The new book God and Gravity by Roger Rogers, published this year, is a small publication which explores similar issues regarding both religion and science. Amongst other things, it challenges the accepted ideas on the black hole, the gravity theory, the Ten Commandments, sexuality and other topics. All food for thought.

Old Railway Track, Attard

On the 28th of February 1883 the Malta Railway was born. It was the start of a short spell which lasted around 50 years until the trams and cars slowly took over. It was in 1931 that the railway ceased its services.

Few relics remain today of that railway phase. The few odd pictures we have are the only witness to those times. It is interesting to compare today certain places that had a connection with the train.

Have a look at the picture below. The road to the right is Old Railway Track and leads to the side of the Corinthia Palace Hotel in Attard. The main road in the picture is now wide and open but at the beginning of the last century when the Malta Railway was running, the two sides of the street where once connected for the train to pass over the street (see graphic of bridge). The reinforced stone supports are still visible today. Look at the picture underneath and you get the idea.

(photo: M Attard)

Dedication to all baby boomers (1946-64)

At Last!

It had to be a postcard about old Malta that I came across lately that helped me in my decision on the setting up of my blog.

You see, I have two interests and I kept wondering what type of blog could blend these two interests.

One of the interests is Maltese landscape and the other is photography.

Talking of Maltese landscape I am always intrigued at how much changes took place across the years and therefore I want to make this blog as a portal of old Maltese scenery and with my photography reveal present day changes of the same views.

I will be posting on this site various interesting pictures, videos, presentations and even sounds as I come across them for those baby boomers like myself that are old enough to appreciate the kaleidoscope of changes that took place in our Maltese culture.

I hope that this would fill a special nook for all those who are nostalgic at heart.

As a fitting start to my blog may I present you with a nostalgic video of a 1972 Eurovision entry from Malta entitled L-Imhabba that surely takes us back to when things were charming in their simplicity.