Important Announcement

Due to a family crisis, Ms Slade regretfully announces that she must temporarily suspend publication of her blogs. She is grateful to her readers, and hopes they will check back in a few weeks. Thank you.

Seeing is believing: Something to make you smile

Oscar Wilde photo 1882 by Napoleon Sarony

“The true mystery of the world is the visible, not the invisible.” ~ Oscar Wilde ~

If he were alive today, the witty master of the epigram, Oscar Wilde, would have loved the video that’s below.  A friend sent it to me earlier today, and I have to say it had me laughing out loud.

IMHO, Wilde probably would have come up with a one-liner even more appropriate than the quote above. 

The video, “Invisible rope trick fools motorists,” has appeared in numerous locations online, so it is difficult to attribute the originator. Thanks however to GuitarheroPresident’s YouTube channel for this version.

I hope it puts a smile on your week.

Embracing Life: One seat belt at a time

Courtesy myparkingsign.com

“Safety on our highways has improved significantly, with the help of the Legislature and the media.” ~ Jane D. Hull ~

Once in awhile the advertising community does more than promote products – they promote public awareness on issues of great importance, and such is the advert, which appears at the bottom of this post.

Each year, thousands of people worldwide will lose their lives in automobile accidents; many of those fatalities could be prevented by simply wearing a seat belt.

The public service commercial, EMBRACE LIFE has been viewed online more than 13 million times; its message is stunning and there is absolutely zero dialogue.

The advert, created independently by Alexander Commercials has gone on to win numerous awards.

Produced by Sarah Alexander and directed by award-winning filmmaker Daniel Cox, with music by Siddhartha Barnhoorn, this video features a family of three portrayed by Austin Spangler (Father), Lara Corrochano (Mother), and Clare Denning (Daughter).

 According to Cox, “Key to the film's creation was to focus on a message that didn't take a conventional route to shock and scare the audience; rather it was my intention to bring the audience in on the conversation of road safety, specifically seat belts, and the best way to do this was to make a film that could engage the viewer purely visually and could be seen and understood by all, whoever they are and wherever they lived."

In my humble opinion, Cox and his fellow filmmakers did an extraordinary job with a wordless message.

Thanks to SussexSaferRoads for posting this life-saving message.

Celebrating women everywhere: Google has honored us all

On Tuesday, March 8, 2011, Google celebrated the 100th anniversary of International Women’s Day with the logo that appears above, and I must say, that I, on behalf millions of women everywhere, who have blazed myriad trails in their own lives as well as industry, arts and science - this is a lovely honor.

Recognition oftentimes comes slowly if you are a woman. This, I have learned.

Today, I too am honoring women who are generous in spirit as well as heart, and whose voices have spoken above the crowd and continue to speak for generations yet to come.

Below are words of wisdom from some of the best and greatest women who have influenced my life and many others, and I hope their words and thoughts will touch your life, and the lives of those yet to come.

“Every great dream begins with a dreamer. Always remember, you have within you the strength, the patience, and the passion to reach for the stars to change the world.” ~ Harriet Tubman ~

“There are no shortcuts to any place worth going.” ~ Beverly Sills ~

“I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” ~ Maya Angelou ~

“To feel valued, to know, even if only once in a while, that you can do a job well is an absolutely marvelous feeling” ~ Barbara Walters ~

“There are two ways of spreading light: to be the candle or the mirror that reflects it.” ~ Edith Wharton ~

“Do what you feel in your heart to be right- for you'll be criticized anyway. You'll be damned if you do, and damned if you don't. “~ Eleanor Roosevelt ~

"I dwell in possibility…” ~ Emily Dickinson ~

“Nothing in life is to be feared. It is only to be understood.” ~ Marie Curie ~

“Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness, that frightens us most. We ask ourselves, 'Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, and famous?' Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that people won't feel insecure around you. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It's not just in some of us; it's in all of us. And when we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.” ~ Maryanne Williamson ~

Human beauty revealed: An extraordinary underwater art installation

Artist/Sculptor Jason deCaires Taylor

“There is nothing more perfect than the complex creation of the human form. It defies explanation. Unless an artist relinquishes control to the belief of a higher power, they never know perfection. It is from our own image and understanding that we create.” ~ Paula Slade ~

In a depth of approximately 29.6 feet (9 meters) off the coast of Cancún, Mexico, lies a stunning underwater art installation created by artist Jason deCaires Taylor.

Four hundred human figures, created from concrete and installed by Taylor over a two year period, represent a veritable sea of humanity that functions not only as a tribute to Cancún ‘s local citizens, but serves as an artificial reef providing an ever-growing habitat that nurtures the area’s precious sea life.

The installation, known as La Evolución Silenciosa (The Silent Evolution) is an amazing artistic feat.

The exquisite video footage below, provided by rodrigo86197’s YouTube channel, exhibits the creativity and passion of Jason deCaires Taylor.