Paula Slade: In My Humble Opinion

Advertising with cats: 'Catvertising'

2012-01-29T10:41:00.000-05:00

"Mr. Kitty" photo by Paula Slade

“Cats are intended to teach us that not everything in nature has a purpose.” ~ Garrison Keillor ~

Whether you call it categorically correct, or a purrfect passion for the pulse of the populace, a very bright creative team of advertising professionals known as John St. have tapped into something very unique in terms of making products memorable, including their own firm.

Based in Toronto, John St.’s mottos is, “We exist to make our clients’ brands unignorable,” and in doing so they count some pretty impressive companies as clients, from corporations such as Tetley Tea and Kraft Foods, to Mitsubishi Motors and Moosehead.

On November 10, 2011, John St. uploaded a video on their YouTube Channel, which has become a viral sensation with almost 1,500,000 page views – it’s titled: “Catvertising.”

According to John St., the video was created, “To stay on top of the ever-changing advertising landscape,” and in their effort to deliver on that promise, they declared that they had, “opened the world's first cat video division. With production, filming and seeding all in-house.”

There’s no denying the worldwide popularity of Felis silvestris catus, better known as the domesticated cat. One has only to look no further than the runaway success of Lolcats, and Nyan Cats, along with the number of cat videos that are constantly uploaded to YouTube.

IMHO, John St.’s video is certainly humorous, albeit with an ever so slight, tongue-in-cheek delivery. However, it definitely promotes what was promised. Even if it’s a spoof, “Catvertising” has put their name on the map in an “unignorable” way.

Thanks to John St. for this delightful infomercial.

Being a kid again with Debbie and Friends

2012-01-12T14:57:00.001-05:00

Jake Morrison Deutsch, an honorary member of Debbie and Friends

“The most sophisticated people I know - inside they are all children.” ~ Jim Henson ~

On Sunday, Jan. 8, 2012 in Brookline, Massachusetts, at the venerable Coolidge Corner Theatre, I bore witness to Henson’s famous quote in action, during a packed-house, live performance of Debbie and Friends.

An extraordinary group of polished musicians, Debbie and Friends takes children’s entertainment to joyful levels, where even parents, grandparents and care givers sing-along, play-along, stomp their feet and clap in time – myself included in that 440 seat interactive audience.

Right from the start of the opening number “I’m Glad You’re Here,” and all the way through to the closing song there was no time for little ones getting restless or whining, as Debbie Cavalier and her band seamlessly delivered an engaging performance that kept the multiple generations mesmerized and involved. At times, it was difficult to discern who was having more fun, the musicians or the audience.

(L-R) Rory McKenzie, bass; Mike Carrera, vocals; Debbie Cavalier, keys and vocals; Bill D'Agostino, drums and vocals; and Eric Saulnier, guitar.

Cavalier, a music educator and author with over 20 years experience, also serves as Dean of Continuing Education at Boston’s prestigious Berklee College of Music. She has worked with some of the legends of children’s musical entertainment, which includes such greats as Sesame Street’s famed music teacher Bob McGrath, Buffalo Bob Smith of Howdy Doody, and the beloved Shari Lewis.

Along with being treated to various genres of music, playing a song-version of “Simon Says,” and calling out rhymes with “Rosie,” we watched three of Cavalier’s signature storybook cartoons, helping a rather humorous “Big Bad Wolf” puppet (character voiced by Mike Carrera) blow down piggy houses in “Three Pigs and a Wolf “.

Jake at age 3

A surprise highlight of the morning was the special guest appearance of 10-year old Jake Morrison Deutsch, who as an “honorary” member of the band, played saxophone right along with the accomplished musicians in a number called “Opposite.”

Cavalier explains Jake’s history with the group: “When he was 3, Jake said the intro phrase "Three Little Pigs" at the start of the recording on our Story Songs and Sing Alongs CD. He and his brother and sister (Joshua and Riley) sang along with the chorus parts on that song as well.”

Jake, age 10

Jake took up the saxophone just three months ago, and IMHO his poise and ear for music are quite amazing – a definite name to keep an entertainment eye on in years to come.

Debbie and Friends’ DVD and CDs have won an astounding 18 National Awards, and most recently, have provided a powerful song “Walk Away”, which is performed on an anti-bullying compilation album, All About Bullies Big And Small. The album is one of five Grammy nominees for Best Children’s Album of 2011. The winner will be announced at the 54th Annual Grammy Awards Ceremony on Feb. 12.

The next performance stop for Debbie and Friends will be at the legendary McCabes in Santa Monica, California on January 22, and then back to the East coast. To keep up with their ever-evolving performance schedule, simply follow this link.

Thanks to Debbie Cavalier and Friends for helping me find my “inner child” again, and thanks to their YouTube Channel for this delightful music video cartoon of “Cinderella,” which emphasizes self-esteem, and is part of their Story Songs and Sing-Alongs DVD.

Possibilities in the New Year

2011-12-31T12:03:00.000-05:00


*"Madonna of the Rocks" Leonardo da Vinci, detail*

“What lies behind us and what lies before us are tiny matters compared to what lies within us.” ~Ralph Waldo Emerson ~

As we come to the close of this year, and in light of the turmoil and hardships that so many have faced in war torn countries and with down turned economies, it seemed appropriate for me to revisit a post that I wrote in 2010 about a musically gifted young child, Rhema Marvane and her story of loss, survival and amazing grace in the face of adversity.

This young eight-year old and her music provided me with inspiration and a belief in a better tomorrow when I needed it the most. My hope is that her music will do the same for you - even if just for a few fleeting moments.

Many thanks to sarah7cktc’s Youtube Channel for this marvelous recording of “The Prayer” with lyrics - sung by Rhema Marvanne.

Wishing you a peaceful New Year filled with hope for a better tomorrow and unlimited positive possibilities.

Wishing each of you a joyous holiday season

2011-12-25T09:32:00.000-05:00

"Music, being identical with Heaven, isn't a thing of momentary thrills, or even hourly ones: it's a condition of eternity." - Gustav Holst -

One of the finest choral groups in the world is the famous Choir of King's College in Cambridge, England.

Considered the most accomplished representation of the British choral tradition, the choir was established by King Henry VI, founder of King’s College, Cambridge in 1441.

The choir, composed of some of the most outstanding young scholars in England, sings daily in the college’s chapel and over the years has toured and established a wonderful repertoire and an extensive discography of recordings.

Each year, the choir’s “Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols” is broadcast around the globe on Christmas Eve with rebroadcasts through National Public Radio stations on Christmas Day.

For your holiday enjoyment, the following video, which is comprised of all 16 members of the Choir of King’s College, Cambridge provides an exquisite representation of their talent as they sing Gustav Holst’s, “In the Bleak Midwinter.”

May you and yours enjoy a most beautiful and peaceful holiday.

One night of peace on earth…

2011-12-24T16:47:00.001-05:00

On December 24, 1914, a miracle of sorts took place on a field in Belgium. It happened just five months after the outbreak of World War I , and on that bitter cold night, men who were foes in battle became gentlemen who refused to fight.

Perhaps this legacy might be repeated and become long lasting in our lifetimes.

This is the story of the Christmas Truce of 1914. It is something to think about during these long, dark nights of winter.

Giving thanks for many gifts…

2011-11-24T09:38:00.000-05:00

“Praying Hands” by Albrecht Durer

Today I say “thank you” for many gifts:

The Gift of Love – given freely and without judgment

The Gift of Family – for the ties that bind generations

The Gift of Shelter – all that surrounds, protects and comforts

The Gift of Food – that which nourishes and sustains

The Gift of Friendship – a binding knot of understanding and camaraderie

The Gift of Nature – the glory that envelops me in the beauty of each season

The Gift of Time – to cherish all that is and has been

Today, I honor the blessings of all of these, and every kindness.

Thank you to filmmaker Louie Schwartzberg for this beautiful and inspirational video, with music by Gary Malkin, and narration from Brother David Steindl-Rast.

The art of pumpkin carving from the hands of a master

2011-10-12T16:54:00.003-04:00

"Jack O Lantern" photo by Petr Kratochvil

“All my life as an artist I have asked myself: What pushes me continually to make sculpture? I have found the answer. Art is an action against death. It is a denial of death.”

~Jacques Lipchitz~

Nothing symbolizes Halloween more than a jack-o-lantern. Traditionally they have ushered in the spook season for centuries.

It is believed that carving pumpkins originated from the Irish custom of hollowing out turnips, gourds or potatoes, which were conveniently used to house a burning coal - a lantern of sorts. That custom was based upon a legend about a man named:”Stingy Jack,” a bit of a scoundrel during his lifetime, he not only met the Devil face-to-face, but tricked him.

When Jack passed from this worldly realm, his raucous lifestyle did not permit him into Heaven, nor was he even allowed eternal sanctuary in Hell, but was banished by the Devil, out of the land of fire and brimstone, and sent on his way with only a burning coal to illuminate his journey through eternity.

The video below reflects (in my humble opinion) how far the carving of a simple turnip has come. In the hands of master artist, Ray Villafane, this symbol of All Hallows’ Eve embraces the stuff of nightmares.

Villafane not only creates works from pumpkins, but is an accomplished sculptor with sand, and the creator of model toys. His clients have included such well known companies as Warner Bros./DC Comics, Marvel, McFarlane Toys and Sideshow Collectibles.

In addition to the video below, there are numerous photos in an online gallery of Villafane’s sculptures at: http://villafanestudios.com/

Classics or clichés?

2011-09-27T16:54:00.000-04:00

“Last, but not least, avoid clichés like the plague.” ~ William Safire ~

For 30-years, in addition to his political commentaries, Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist William Safire was a master etymologist and grammarian whose column, “On Language” was read weekly in the New York Times Magazine.

Safire’s humorous quote that opened this post has been embraced as gospel by writers everywhere, and has been printed on everything from bumper stickers to t-shirts. Any journalist or novelist who peppers prose with clichés is presumed by his peers to be an amateur, or worse - a lazy writer.

Sometimes however, nothing says it better and faster, or with a minimum of fuss than a good old-fashioned cliché. In my humble opinion, a cliché is “conversational” and hits a verbal homerun without need for additional interpretation.

In everyday one-on-one discourse, I have used numerous clichés. Here are some of my favorites:

“It’s like an Albatross around the neck.”

“Why would you want to pour the baby out with the bathwater?”

“I bet you’ll have to bend over backwards to get that accomplished!”

“I never look a gift horse in the mouth.”

“I think she’ll turn over a new leaf.”

“People who live in glass houses shouldn't throw stones.”

“I’m at wits' end!”

“I draw the line at that type of behavior!”

“They’re as close as two peas in a pod.”

“I’m between a rock and a hard place.”

“He’s going to go postal when he hears what happened.”

“It’s all Greek to me.”

“When it rains it pours!”

“It’s like putting a square peg in a round hole.”

For those of you who enjoy using clichés, or simply want to avoid them like the plague, here is a fun website to checkout – Steven Morgan Friedman’s Cliché Finder, where (at minimum) if you’re a fan of clichés, you will find an index of over 3,300 of the best examples, perfect for verbal use and abuse.

The word cliché is not just relegated to trite or hackneyed sentences or phrases, but the word is also awarded to anything that has become commonplace through overuse – even music and art, hence the picture of Mona Lisa (above) that has come to represent Leonardo Da Vinci’s most celebrated painting.

The video below (thanks to BoredomStrikesU's YouTube Channel) demonstrates music that everyone has probably heard at some point in their life, be it in an elevator, a doctor’s office, watching cartoons and feature films, or while on-hold waiting to speak to an agent from the Internal Revenue Service.

You may not recognize these musical gems by title or composer, but as soon as you hear anyone of these…

1. Eine Kleine Nachtmusik-Mozart
2. Symphony No. 5, 1st mvt-Beethoven
3. Rondo Alla Turca-Mozart
4. William Tell Overature-Rossini
5. Für Elise-Beethoven
6. Blue Danube Waltz-J. Strauss
7. Moonlight Sonata-Beethoven
8. Minuet(from Quintet No. 11)- Boccherini
9. Spring-Vivaldi
10. The Barber of Seville (Overature)-Rossini
11. Dance of the Hours- Ponchielli
12. Also Sprach Zarathustra-R. Strauss
13. Hoedown(from Rodeo)-Copland
14. Prelude to Act 1. (Los Toreadores)-Bizet
15. Adagio for Strings-Barber
16. Classical Gas- Mason Williams

The only tune I think should have been on this list and wasn’t - Pachebel’s Canon in D.

What’s your favorite cliché and classic over-used tune?

Let us never forget…

2011-09-10T18:01:00.000-04:00

  “Unable are the Loved to die

For Love is Immortality,

Nay, it is Deity --

Unable they that love -- to die

For Love reforms Vitality

Into Divinity. “

~ Emily Dickinson ~

Dandelions: Gardener’s scourge or chef’s delight

2011-08-16T18:13:00.001-04:00

‘Dandelions’ photo by Petr Kratochvil

“If dandelions were hard to grow, they would be most welcome on any lawn.” ~ Andrew V. Mason ~

Whether a few seeds hitchhiked on some gentleman’s three-cornered hat or were purposely tucked inside a lady’s apron, dandelions took root in the New World as quickly as the settlers themselves, and were prized for a number of uses that are still popular today.

One of the most prolific flowers on the planet, the dandelion (Taraxacum officinale) carries only a brief historical mention as being brought over to the New World by “settlers.”

In my humble opinion, I think I know why - anyone who would have proclaimed propagation fame for a plant that provides continuous and intrusive coverage to every lawn, sidewalk crack, and garden would be forever doomed and relegated to non-stop cursing on a hot summer day by homeowners everywhere.

The dandelion is considered the most recognized flowering plant world-wide, and takes it’s naming from French “dent de lion” (meaning “the tooth of the lion”) a phrase that aptly describes the plant’s saw-toothed, smooth, ground-hugging leaves.

It is no wonder that the dandelion has flourished in our country and everywhere else; dandelion seeds develop without cross-fertilization and are capable of traveling many miles on a gentle breeze.

Once established, they enjoy one of the longest growing seasons of any plant, appearing in early in spring and continuously populating anywhere until the first frost.

Dandelions were prized by the early settlers because the leaves, roots and flowers were used for various medicinal purposes - treating everything from rheumatism, gastrointestinal disorders, warts and the gout, and are today still considered important in Western herbal medicine for their nutritional value, immune enhancing capability and energy balancing properties.

It is believed that when refined as a tincture and added to water, the dandelion essence purportedly staves off or shortens the common cold, helps people listen and focus more, and assists with releasing grief. Whether this is the placebo effect or wishful thinking, one thing for certain is that dandelion greens (by themselves) are indeed a very healthy food, packed with vitamins A, C, D, and B-complex as well as minerals boron, calcium, choline, copper, iron, manganese, magnesium, potassium, silicon, and zinc. When you stop and think about it, they virtually rival off-the-shelf supplements.

If you’ve never tasted dandelion greens, they have a flavor a bit sharper in taste than arugula – more like endive, somewhat spicier and bitterer.

Small, new dandelion greens can be mixed directly with salads, but the larger, tougher, older leaves are best sautéed in olive oil with garlic, and then enhanced with a bit of lemon juice and salt to taste.

Other uses for dandelions have been as a coffee substitute (using primarily the root of the plant) and as a luscious jam or jelly by combining the flowers (minus the bitter bracts) with pectin, sugar, lemon juice and a little fresh grated ginger.

The flower heads, when prepared almost the same way as you would jelly or jam (minus the pectin and ginger and adding yeast and finely shaved lemon and orange rind) makes a lovely light wine, which ages well in the bottle.

Because the dandelion is known to have a slight diuretic property, individuals who are pregnant or taking any medications should always talk to their doctor or pharmacist before introducing anything new into their diet.

So what do you do if you don’t want to start raising dandelions, which interestingly enough were cultivated (to the exclusion of grasses) up until the 19^th century? You can pull them out before they flower and go to seed, or use an herbicide.

IMHO, I prefer the natural method; it’s a little more difficult on your spinal column and knees, but it provides good exercise and promotes a healthier environment for all.

Below is an interesting video that was captured with time-lapse photography, and covers the complete cycle of the dandelion, flower to seed head.

Filmed by Neil Bromhall, with music by Debbie Wiseman, the photos were taken utilizing a Nikon D200 with 55mm lens that included a grow light and studio flash.

The pictures were snapped in intervals between five to 45 minutes over a period of one month. The camera even captures aphids that continue to feed on the flower as its seeds mature.

Even though the dandelion is considered a weed, the almost miraculous transition of the bud, golden bloom, and finally snowy seeds mirrors the passage of human years.

‘Take a look it’s in a book’: FREE book downloads

2011-07-18T20:07:00.000-04:00

Library at Thebes

“A book is the only place in which you can examine a fragile thought without breaking it, or explore an explosive idea without fear it will go off in your face. It is one of the few havens remaining where a man's mind can get both provocation and privacy.” ~Edward P. Morgan~

One of the things I love about the Internet is that the world and all it’s knowledge is at my fingertips. It’s like having your very own Library of Alexandria, or Thebes or Congress. But, instead of stone tablets, scrolls and parchment under glass you get instant “e-formation.”

If you surf around as much as I do during the course of a typical day, you are probably very familiar with free eBook offers from Google and from major online retailers like Amazon, Barnes & Noble and Apple. However, there are a number of sites where free eBooks are always the daily norm.

Some of these sites offer direct reading from your computer, or down-loadable PDF format; others invite free legal downloads to smartphones, eReaders and tablets.

Everything imaginable, for every reading taste and age is available - from established classics to emerging writers, and even children’s books.

Almost all of these sites offer fiction and non-fiction, but for your convenience, I’ve called out specialized categories that might be of interest.

You may want to bookmark this page for future reference and perusing these links at your leisure. Free is always fun.

And, if you get a bit weary from searching for the perfect FREE eBook, sit back and take in a most unusual retelling of The Three Little Pigs, performed in 1993 by (normally menacing actor) Christopher Walken, for the British TV series "Saturday Zoo". Thanks to MrMojomc’s YouTube Channel for the following funny video, “Walken Piggy “

FREE eBooks

AskSam Ebooks (Everything from governmental texts and legal to Shakespeare).

Authorama

Baen Free Library (For Science Fiction fans).

Bartleby.com

Bibliotastic (Good reads from self-published authors).

BookYards (Includes audio books, educational materials, foreign language books and more).

eBookLobby (Cooking, food, travel, law, arts, photography and more).

Feedbooks.com

FreeBookSpot

FreeComputerBooks (Best for computer, programming, lecture notes, tutorials, and math).

4eBooks (Specializes in books on computer programming).

Free-eBooks.net

FreeTechBooks (Just what the name implies – engineering, science, textbooks etc.)

Fictionwise.com

GetFreeEBooks

Globusz

KnowFree (A virtual educational think tank).

Literature.org

ManyBooks (Perfect for iPod, eBook readers and Personal Digital Assistants).

MemoWare (Maps, technical references, religion, philosophy, literature).

The Online Books Page (From the University of Pennsylvania includes prize-winning books, women writers and banned book collection).

OnlineComputerBooks (Not only computers books but math, physics, science, Internet, business and marketing).

OnlineFreeEBooks ( A wide variety including health, hobbies, sports and martial arts).

Open Library

Project Gutenberg

Scribd.com

SnipFiles (Free software along with free eBooks).

Universal Digital Library at Carnegie Mellon University

zillr.org (Magazines, games, graphics, photography).

HAPPY BIRTHDAY AMERICA

2011-07-04T17:28:00.001-04:00

"He who warned, uh, the British that they weren't gonna be takin' away our arms, uh, by ringing those bells, and um, makin' sure as he's riding his horse through town to send those warning shots and bells that we were going to be sure and we were going to be free, and we were going to be armed." ~Sarah Palin~ (Commenting on Paul Revere's midnight ride, June 3, 2011)

“What I love about New Hampshire and what we have in common is our extreme love for liberty. You're the state where the shot was heard around the world in Lexington and Concord." ~Michele Bachmann~ March 12, 2011 (Duh… “The shot heard round the world” and the Battles of Lexington and Concord actually took place in Massachusetts – ouch!)

It’s hard to say whose seat should be in the back of the classroom when it comes to American history – Sarah Palin or Michele Bachmann. Both have received low marks for their media-pleasing clangers.

In all fairness to Ms. Palin, she got her real history confused with legend, as sometimes happens.

IMHO, if it weren’t for Henry Wadsworth Longfellow's 1861 poem "Paul Revere's Ride" she might have gotten her facts straight – maybe… doubtful.

Longfellow’s version clearly immortalized Revere and left out several other riders, namely William Dawes and Dr. Samuel Prescott. (Ah, but that’s just historical trivia.)

Kudos to the comedy sketch group, “Better Than the Machine” and “Green Shoe Animation” for this hysterical and skewed version of Paul Revere’s famous midnight ride, "Paul Revere: The Truth."

The animated short was directed by Jason Shwartz, Executive Produced by Reid Levin and involved “many great and patriotic friends who generously donated their expertise and time so the truth could be told!” (Full credits are provided at the end of the video.)

I wonder if Ms. Palin would change her story this time, now knowing the truth. After her initial gaffe she said, "[Paul Revere] did warn the British. And in a shout-out, gotcha-type of question that was asked of me, I answered candidly. And I know my American history."

Happy Birthday America, and keep smiling; better days are sure to come – eventually.

Koi ponds: Tranquility in the Garden

2011-05-16T20:20:00.000-04:00

“I know the joy of fishes in the river through my own joy, as I go walking along the same river.” ~ Zhuangzi ~

Today’s over-scheduled lifestyle has reflected the need to reconnect to a more serene and natural environment, and this in part may explain the evolution of water features in home gardens. Koi ponds in particular, are now one of the more popular home and garden enhancements.

Revered in the Orient as the perfect artistic environmental blend of showy plants and colorful fish, a koi pond, if built properly, becomes a year round ecosystem providing hours of relaxing pleasure while furnishing an unrivaled property investment.

“Koi” or “nishikigoi” (Japanese for “brocaded carp”) are amazing fish with fossil lineage stretching 20 million years to southern China. Not to be confused with goldfish or common carp (although related) koi are often referred to as “living jewels” or “swimming flowers”.

Popularized in Japan during the late nineteenth century, koi were farmed in rice paddies for their high quality source of protein. Over the century, these prolific fish found their way to ornamental garden ponds in the West.

Today’s koi come in 13 varieties (each containing a number of sub groups) and are classified by colors and patterns, ranging from bright orange and white (with black irregular spots) to solid silver or blue with reticulated net-like scales.

They are a curious breed of fish that make great pets. They hear, taste, smell, and will blush red when stressed, and can actually be trained to take food from your hand.

Koi have voracious appetites but should not be fed more than twice a day, with only enough food to be totally consumed during one feeding.

Often koi are accidentally killed by overfeeding, causing the fish to excrete excessive amounts of ammonia, which makes it difficult for them to breathe, and weakens their immune systems to infection and parasitic invasions. ( Proper filtration and pump equipment lessens the chance of that happening.)

Koi that winter-over outside should cease being fed when temperatures dip below 50 degrees Fahrenheit, since their metabolisms slow down and they go into a semi-hibernation state. Once milder days return consistently, they may go back to their normal feeding schedule. It’s also a good idea to provide a deep enough pond (at minimum three feet depending on local climate) so your koi have a place to rest on the bottom during a frigid spell.

When building a koi pond, a bigger surface area is also better as well as adding a pond heater and keeping formed ice aerated as part of winter care.

Female koi begin to spawn at around three years of age, laying thousands of eggs. Hatchlings start life about one-sixteenth of an inch in size and should be culled to prevent overpopulation. Within ten years, if well cared for in a spacious pond, koi easily reach three feet in length and tip the scales at around 25 to 30 pounds. Their average life span is between 40 to 70 years, but it is not uncommon for certain varieties to live 100 plus years and be handed down from one generation of human caretakers to the next.

Unusual or fancy mature koi, when full grown, fetch thousands of dollars on the retail market, so it’s an investment that enhances more than your property value.

Plants and flowers are also an integral part of your pond that provides an idyllic and healthful setting for your fish. Your local garden center may stock pond exotics, but if not, a quick Internet search provides numerous outlets for fish stock as well as flowers.

HGTV (Home and Garden Television) as well as DIY (the Do-It-Yourself Network - both on cable and satellite) devoted several shows and episodes to the creation of these beautiful and serene landscape additions. If you follow the links above, these are great sources of information to familiarize yourself with the work and cost involved in this type of home improvement project, in addition to determining if you are a do-it-yourself type, or feel more secure in hiring a professional to assist in building the koi pond of your dreams.

Thanks to Kisinkona’s Youtube channel for this relaxing capture of koi in their habitat.

Important Announcement

2011-03-30T21:32:00.000-04:00

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

2011-03-27T15:16:00.000-04:00

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

2011-03-21T18:46:00.002-04:00

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

2011-03-08T21:41:00.000-05:00

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

2011-03-04T17:50:00.000-05:00

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.

Nat Geo Channel highlights priceless cultural heritage with TREASURES OF EGYPT

2011-02-22T16:03:00.000-05:00

A side view of Tutankhamen gold sarcophagus. (Photo Credit: National Geographic Channel)

In light of the historic events that have been unfolding in Egypt, the National Geographic Channel is presenting — Treasures of Egypt — spotlighting the antiquities of one of mankind’s most significant ancient cultures. Beginning tonight, Tuesday, February 22 and all week long at 8PM ET/PT, Treasures of Egypt will showcase five best of National Geographic Channel’s Egypt programming, with newly produced segments to introduce the subjects of the shows within the context of recent events.

Segments will be hosted by Fox News Channel’s Bill Hemmer, and will include an exclusive interview with Dr. Zahi Hawass, National Geographic Explorer-in-Residence and most recently the Egypt’s minister of state for antiquities affairs. In an interview with NGC, Hawass — who himself has come under pressure and faced criticism in recent days — candidly recounts the break-in at the Cairo Museum in new detail, reveals how some stolen treasures have already been recovered and takes us into the Cairo Museum’s conservation lab to show antiquities that have been restored or are in the process of being restored:

Treasures of Egypt Week

February 22 at 8PM ET/PT Treasures of Egypt:Tut’s Treasures

More than 80 years after the discovery of Tutankhamun’s tomb, the great-grandson of Lord Carnarvon returns to Egypt for a new analysis of Tut’s treasures. With special access to the artifacts in the Cairo Museum, NGC uses the latest techniques to help the real pharaoh emerge — a very different pharaoh than the King Tut we’ve long imagined.

Video below: “Pharaoh’s Curse” – A curse may have found the finder of Tut’s tomb.

February 23 at 8PM ET/PT Treasures of Egypt: King Tut’s Final Secrets

He is the most famous Egyptian king in history, but he ruled for only 10 years before his mysterious death. King Tut’s Final Secrets offers a high-tech forensic investigation that presents new findings from behind the iconic mask, including the first-ever reconstruction of Tut’s face and head using revolutionary 3-D CT scan imaging — revealing what he looked like on the day he died.

Video below: “The Mummy of King Tut” (features Dr. Zahi Hawass) – An archaeologist’s first look at King Tut reveals his mummy to be in worse condition than expected – but how did it get this way?

February 24 at 8PM ET/PT Treasures of Egypt: King Tut and the Lost Dynasty

One of Egypt’s enduring mysteries … what happened to Nefertiti and her husband, the pharaoh Akhenaten, the likely father of King Tut? In a dark and mysterious tomb located in the Valley of the Kings, there is a small chamber with two mummies that scholars, filmmakers and historians have identified as Nefertiti and Akhenaten. But the evidence has been circumstantial at best. Now, for the first time, NGC and Dr. Zahi Hawass use a CT scanner in search of scientific evidence. Narrated by Emmy Award-winning Alfre Woodard, the program documents this high-tech forensic investigation dedicated to resolving the fate of the famed Queen Nefertiti and the possible father of King Tut.

Video below: “Mummy Scan” – Watch scientists scan Egyptian royal mummies.

February 25 at 8PM ET/PT The Real Cleopatra

Legend portrays her as a self-indulgent temptress who used seduction to cement her rule. But she became queen at 18 and was highly educated, so what was she really like? We’ll reveal archaeological findings, including underwater sculptures that shed light on her life and home. And watch as scientists seek to unravel the mystery of her legendary beauty by converting artifacts with her likeness into a 3-D model, presenting a new reflection of one of history’s most powerful women.

Video below “Last of the Ptolemies” – There’s more to Cleopatra than the Romans would have you believe.

February 26 at 8PM ET/PT Secrets of the Valley of the Kings

Built over 500 years, spanning nearly two and a half miles and holding 63 tombs, Egypt’s Valley of the Kings is a staggering, complex set of enigmas locked beneath the sands for 3,500 years. What drove Egypt’s greatest pharaohs to seek out this secluded valley? How did the ancient craftsmen achieve such feats of engineering? And why was this sacred site finally abandoned? Join National Geographic Explorer-in-Residence Dr. Zahi Hawass and a team of experts as they uncover new evidence about how early engineers were able to construct the elaborate structures of tombs and chambers.

Video below: “Egyptian Doodles” – Ancient artifacts reveal how Egyptian construction workers sketched and took notes in their free time.

Treasures of Egypt will also include a marathon “stack” of shows on Saturday, February 26, starting at 2PM ET/PT through 8PM ET/PT. For further information on each of the episodes, please click on the highlighted link.

Treasures of Egypt Marathon

Saturday, February 26 at 2PM ET/PT Treasures of Egypt: The Pyramid Code

Saturday, February 26 at 3PM ET/PT Treasures of Egypt: Secrets of the Sphinx

Saturday, February 26 at 4PM ET/PT Treasures of Egypt: The Real Ramses

Saturday, February 26 at 5PM ET/PT Treasures of Egypt: Alexander the Great’s Lost Tomb

Saturday, February 26 at 6PM ET/PT Treasures of Egypt: The Scorpion King

Saturday, February 26 at 7PM ET/PT Treasures of Egypt: Mystery of the Screaming Man

Finding the lost art of handwriting…

2011-02-08T16:44:00.000-05:00

“A signature always reveals a man's character - and sometimes even his name.” ~ Evan Esar ~

I don’t know about you, but one of the things that I miss the most in our technologically driven social network society is the element of face-to-face, eyeball-to-eyeball interaction, as well as getting a simple handwritten message now and then – the latter truly makes my day.

Yes, there are computer webcams and Skype that keep people connected, but not everyone has that luxury.

It takes a lot more time to write a note by hand because emotions are often tethered to the act of writing – just ask graphologists.

A handwritten note might be an indication that someone doesn’t have access to a computer, but more often, it’s says someone cared enough to carve time out of their day to pen a message.

Well, technology has come full circle, and you can send a handwritten note with a little help from your computer and a nifty program you download free from Pilot Handwriting.

Save this one to your “Gizmos, Gadgets and Stuff File” – the Pilot Handwriting program makes it relatively simple to translate your very own script to your email via an easy process of transferring your handwritten alphabet to a downloadable form, and then scanning that form into your computer, and et voilà ! You now have the ability to send handwritten messages that blossom from your keyboard. Not quite the same as pen to paper, but pretty cool nonetheless.

IMHO, in a pinch, from script to screen works for me, but please don’t totally give up your gel pen. I’m headed to my mailbox now to see if anyone has sent me a letter.

Take a look at the Pilot Handwriting video below. What do you think?

Celebrating Groundhog Day

2011-02-02T19:23:00.000-05:00

"The Groundhog of Lenoir - photo by Grubbmeister cc 3.0

"This is like deja vu all over again." ~ Yogi Berra ~

Today we turn our attention to the Marmota monax, better known as the groundhog (aka woodchuck or land beaver) and we not only celebrate his prognostications, but call attention to a true classic film released in 1993 from Columbia Pictures, GROUNDHOG DAY starring Bill Murray and Andy MacDowell.

The film honors Punxsutawney Phil and his annual prediction for the start of spring, but the true crux of the story highlights an unusual premise and asks: “What would it be like if you had to live one day in your life, over, and over, and over again, just so you could get it right?”

As most of the nation is currently digging out from the great snowstorm of 2011, this comedic/fantasy/love story is sure to make you feel a tad bit better (along with the fact that Phil has predicted an early spring, however, this remains to be seen.)

The movie is rated PG for “some thematic elements” and is available to download free from StageVu.

It’s a fun fantasy romp, which is thought provoking and worth revisiting, particularly in the depths of winter.

IMHO, the movie provides lots of excellent ”what if” talking points.

If you could live your life over again until you got it right, what would you do differently?

State of the Union address versus satirical fake news

2011-01-25T14:52:00.000-05:00

Jon Stewart at the Rally to Restore Sanity and/or Fear CC 2.0

“If you watch the news and don't like it, then this is your counter program to the news.”
~ Jon Stewart ~

Today is not necessarily a slow news day as there are articles galore to read, ponder and discuss.

A favorite topic for the last several days seems to be predictions that pundits are making about the contents of President Obama’s State of the Union address tonight. Heady stuff indeed, if you happen to be a journalist and make the correct call.

Take your pick for suggested talking points; it could be the deficit, healthcare, jobs, Afghanistan, foreclosures, banking regulation – perhaps all of the above plus more - the list is pressing and seems endless.

Then again, maybe in light of so many national concerns we should turn our attention to something more frivolous.

The video below will momentarily take your mind off reality; it’s a satirical fake-news segment that was produced several months ago by The Onion, the Chicago-based tabloid and online news source, which often creates controversial news of its own.

In my humble opinion, I wish the problems facing our country were a bit more like this.

The color of transparency...

2011-01-18T15:15:00.000-05:00

“And while some people have to be public, what we really encourage is for other people to not be martyrs but to give us material. Keep your job, sit down and relax, let us do the work. We’ll protect you as best we can and we have never lost anyone so far.” ~ Julian Assange ~

Today’s post title is an oxymoron at best but it actually fits like a proverbial glove.

On Monday, Jan. 17, 2011 Rudolph Elmer, former executive-turned- whistle-blower from the Julius Baer Group, a private Swiss banking concern in the Cayman Islands, turned over two discs at a London press conference to WickiLeaks founder/editor Julian Assange, which allegedly contains information on 2,000 multinational banking clients who have been squirreling away funds from 1990 to 2009 in a possible effort to evade taxation in the United States, United Kingdom and Germany.

The dishy data, pilfered from private Baer files was provided by other insider whistle-blowers that passed the information to Elmer.

Scheduled to go on trial Wednesday, Jan. 19 in Switzerland, for previously breaching banking secrecy to WickiLeaks, which got him sacked from Baer in 2002, Elmer obviously believed at this juncture he had nothing to loose.

The discs are said to contain sensitive information on corporations, politicians, business people, artists and a few banks – one in particular, Elmer’s former employer. (Talk about ‘don’t get mad, get even.’)

Assange, who himself is out on bail and fighting extradition from Britain to Sweden for questioning over alleged crimes of a sexual nature, was quoted saying, "He (Elmer) is clearly a bona fide whistle-blower... We have some kind of duty to support him in that matter."

Elmer, who was privy to the mysterious world of off-shore banking for eight years, was also quoted by the press saying, "I know how the system works... It's damaging... (I want) to educate our society."

Whether you agree or disagree with the dissemination of private files to WickiLeaks, one thing for certain is the information is vetted before release.

In the meantime, we’ll all have to wait till the bugs hit the fan, but in case you just can’t get enough good gossip and conspiracy, your invited to visit this visual effort at transparency at the Julian Assange (online) Coloring Book; a place where you’ll be able to make your own colorful statement and even print it out.

As Jack Paar, one of the very first hosts of the Tonight Show would say, “I kid you not.” (Click the picture link below to take a look.)

The Julian Assange Coloring Book

Extreme cuteness goes viral and her name is 'Heidi'

2011-01-16T15:02:00.000-05:00

“Ich bin beeindruckt. Mehr als 100.000 Fans. Wahnsinn.
Ihr könnt mich ab dem 1. Juli 2011 in der Tropenerlebniswelt Gondwanaland im Zoo Leipzig besuchen - ich freue mich auf euch :)
Just for you:” ~ Heidi ~

She’s an Internet sensation; she’s garnered over 240,000 Facebook fans worldwide, and she’s a cross-eyed opossum named “Heidi.”

The translation to Heidi’s statement from her fan page a couple of days ago was as follows: “I'm impressed. More than 100,000 fans. Madness.You can reach me from 1 July 2011 in the tropical world of adventure Gondwanaland in the Leipzig Zoo visit - I look forward to you:) Just for you.”

After those remarks were added, in a matter of two days time, Heidi added another 144,000 new fans - impressive to say the least.

Heidi’s online presence started on Tuesday, Jan. 4, 2011 when a handful of news organizations reported about her arrival at the Leipzig Zoo, and about the unusual eye abnormality that afflicted the 2.5 year old opossum.

Sudden fame ensued, and in addition to her Facebook page, she has her own song, a faux movie trailer and numerous tributes on the Internet.

This snowball media effect took even zoo officials by surprise.

Without doubt, this little critter’s charm rivals the adorable Knut the polar bear who captured world attention and hearts in 2006 when he was born in captivity at the Zoologischer Garten Berlin.

Heidi has two siblings, a brother Teddy and sister Naira, who live with her at the Leipzig Zoo, and you’ll read much more about them by following this link to the zoo’s homepage.

The video below, courtesy of ITN, tells more about Heidi’s eye condition, which according to veterinarians may be caused by being overweight.

Currently, Heidi is on a diet, and will officially be greeting her public in July.

Enjoy, she is adorable.

The 12 Days of Internet music: Day 12

2011-01-01T17:18:00.001-05:00

“I hear babies crying, I watch them grow
They'll learn much more than I'll ever know
And I think to myself:
‘What a wonderful world!’" ~ Music and lyrics by
Bob Thiele and George David Weiss ~

The song “What a Wonderful World” was inducted in the Grammy Hall of Fame in 1999 and featured the original recording by the late Jazz legend Louis Armstrong.

When “Wonderful World” was first released in 1968 as a single, the recording did rather poorly in sales in the United States for lack of promotion, but surprisingly reached the top of the charts in the United Kingdom.

Today, the song is considered a signature of Armstrong’s career, and his version has been featured in the soundtracks of motion pictures and performed as a cover by many artists.

Thanks to Fonkelstar’s Youtube Channel for this inspiring video version, which features a beautiful musical interpretation by Celine Dion.

As this New Year dawns, the song’s message is perhaps more relevant than ever. We do indeed have a “wonderful world” if we take time to appreciate the gifts that are given.

Blessings to you and yours in this New Year, and may you always have time to appreciate our wonderful world.

The 12 Days of Internet music: Day 11

2010-12-31T17:38:00.001-05:00

Scottish Poet Robert Burns

“Should auld acquaintance be forgot,
and never brought to mind ?
Should auld acquaintance be forgot,
and auld lang syne?” ~ Robert Burns ~

The song that has become synonymous with the passing of the old year to the new is “Auld Lang Syne.”

The lyrics that are sung today were transcribed from oral tradition by Scottish poet Robert Burns.

Based on a traditional folk tune, the lyrics and melody reach further back and predate the Burns’ version by 200 years.

The phrase “Auld Lang Syne” loosely translates as, “for old time’s sake.”

In a plaintive farewell, the video below needs no words as the song is sung in an instrumental voice by the Grammy-winning American Saxophonist, Kenneth Bruce Gorelick, who is better known as “Kenny G.”

Thanks to mezzogal’s Youtube Channel for this lovely recording.

Happy New Year!

The 12 Days of Internet music: Day 10

2010-12-30T17:34:00.000-05:00

"Enhanced Rainbow" photo by Barb Ver Sluis

“Somewhere over the rainbow
Way up high,
There's a land that I heard of
Once in a lullaby.
Somewhere over the rainbow
Skies are blue,
And the dreams that you dare to dream
Really do come true.”
~ “Over the Rainbow” music by Harold Arlen
lyrics by E.Y. Harburg ~

In 1939, when the unemployment rate hovered at 17.2 per cent, there was one song that gave much hope to many - “Over the Rainbow,” from the MGM motion picture THE WIZARD OF OZ.

Sung by 16-year old Judy Garland, “Over the Rainbow” went on to win the Academy Award for Best Original Song, and Garland was honored with a Juvenile Academy Award for her work in OZ as well as BABES IN ARMS.

The song became permanently associated with Garland throughout her entire career and over the years, "Rainbow" has been covered by many vocalists, but in my humble opinion, the finest and most meaningful rendition since Garland, was recorded by the late Eva Cassidy, whose gentle voice, thoughtful phrasing and delivery give hope for better days to come, and provides a poignant and lasting signature of a young talent lost all too soon..

Thanks to CasaLucita’s YouTube Channel for the video below.

The 12 Days of Internet music: Day 9

2010-12-29T16:37:00.002-05:00

Edvard Grieg, 1891 painting by Eilif Petersse

“Artists like Bach and Beethoven erected churches and temples on the heights. I only wanted...
to build dwellings for men in which they might feel
happy and at home.” ~ Edvard Grieg ~

Edvard Grieg, the great Norwegian composer/pianist from the Romantic period is probably most identified with his incidental music to Henrik Ibsen's play Peer Gynt, which was subsequently adapted into two suites of music that contained the highly identifiable selections, “Morning Mood,” “Solveig's Song” and "In the Hall of the Mountain King."

Grieg was not only an accomplished pianist, but a composer of many other works, that when heard, never fail to paint vivid landscapes of his country by combining classical traditions with native folk music.

An excellent example of this melding of musical styles is present in Grieg’s Sonata no. 3 in C minor for Violin and Piano, 2nd Movement, “Allegretto expressivo alla Romanza.”

The piece is lush and lyrical. The piano and violin easily converse and compliment one another while bringing forth romantic images.

The recording below is a superb interpretation by two young artists, violinist David Radzynski, a graduate student at the Yale School of Music, and Israeli pianist Ron Trachtman.

The sonata, one of three composed by Grieg, was the artist’s favorite and was completed in 1887.

The recording by Radzynski and Trachtman was taken from a live performance at the Jerusalem Music Center, May 19, 2009.

12 Days of Internet music: Day 8

2010-12-27T10:44:00.000-05:00

Photo by Paula Slade

“Oh the weather outside is frightful,
But the fire is so delightful,
And since we've no place to go,
Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow!”
~ Let it Snow! Let it Snow! Let it Snow!
Music composed by Jule Styne
Lyrics by Sammy Cahn ~

Composed in Los Angeles on one of the hottest days of the year in 1945, “Let it Snow! Let it Snow! Let it Snow” has become one of the most popular songs of all time by legendary crooner Frank Sinatra, with over 25,000,000 downloads from Apple iTunes.

If you’re digging out from the major snowstorm that has enveloped most of the east coast, take a moment and enjoy “old blue eyes” rendition and smile, remembering the lost days of summer.

Thanks to elijahendtre’s YouTube channel for the video.

12 Days of Internet music: Day 7

2010-12-25T10:27:00.004-05:00

Portrait by Catherine Wicks

It’s Christmas morning and below is something special, “Da Day Dawn,” an ancient and haunting Shetland aire that traces its roots from the Norse.

Traditionally performed in the early hours of Christmas morning to awaken members of the household for the day’s celebration, this version was presented at the Great Hall in West Brookfield, Massachusetts on December 2, 2007 by Celtic/Classical violinist/violist/ composer, Samantha Gillogly.

May you awaken to the promise of a beautiful day filled with peace and love.

12 Days of Internet music: Day 6

2010-12-24T10:39:00.000-05:00

One of the finest choral groups in the world is the famous Choir of King’s College in Cambridge, England.

Considered the most accomplished representation of the British choral tradition, the choir was established by King Henry VI, founder of King’s College, Cambridge in 1441.

The choir, composed of some of the most outstanding young scholars in England, sings daily in the college’s chapel and over the years has toured and established a wonderful repertoire and an extensive discography of recordings.

Each year, the choir’s “Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols” is broadcast around the globe on Christmas Eve.

May you and yours enjoy a most beautiful and peaceful holiday.

12 Days of Internet music: Day 5

2010-12-21T12:35:00.000-05:00

“On the twelfth day of Christmas,
My true love sent to me
Twelve drummers drumming,
Eleven pipers piping,
Ten lords a-leaping,
Nine ladies dancing,
Eight maids a-milking,
Seven swans a-swimming,
Six geese a-laying,
Five golden rings,
Four calling birds,
Three French hens,
Two turtledoves,
And a partridge in a pear tree!”

The religious period in the Christian church known as “The 12 days of Christmas,” which officially begins on Christmas Day and ends on “Twelfth Night” was immortalized in song by English Scholar, James Orchard Halliwell-Phillipps who popularized the piece when he published it in 1849.

The melody is believed to be much older and possibly originated in France.

The version of the song, which we know today, is attributed to an arrangement for choral and solo voices written by singer/teacher/composer Frederic Austin in 1909.

The video below takes this popular carol down a different path as a commercial for Allstate Insurance and is amusing.

Thanks goes to InsuranceAgentDenver’s Youtube channel for sharing 12 Days of Christmas Mayhem.

Enjoy!

The 12 Days of Internet Music: Day 4

2010-12-17T19:09:00.001-05:00

The recording below features one of the finest classical/crossover tenors of our time, Andrea Bocelli.

This will surely get you in the holiday spirit.

Thanks to marcelofacamargo's YouTube Channel for capturing such a magnificent performance of this classic Christmas carol, Adeste Fidelis.

Enjoy!

The 12 Days of Internet Music: Day 3

2010-12-15T12:19:00.000-05:00

“Somehow, not only for Christmas, but all the long year through, the joy that you give to others, is the joy that comes back to you. And the more you spend in blessing, the poor and lonely and sad, the more of your heart's possessing, returns to you glad.” ~ John Greenleaf Whittier ~

Although not a traditional Christmas carol, the music video below exemplifies the true meaning of this season.

Recorded on June 15 of this year at the Troy, New York PBS television studios of WMHT, this selection features: Tim Janis and the Tim Janis Ensemble; Sarah Darling; the Antioch High School and the Canajoharie Middle/High School choirs in a newly released song “Rejoice at Christmas,” written by Andrew J. Wight and arranged by Tim Janis.

The music is available to download for .99 cents at iTunes and CDBaby with proceeds going to charity.

Enjoy, and spread the word.

The 12 Days of Internet Music: Day 2

2010-12-14T16:06:00.000-05:00

“Deck the halls with boughs of holly
Fa-la-la-la-la, la-la-la-la
'Tis the season to be jolly
Fa-la-la-la-la, la-la-la-la
Don we now our gay apparel.
Fa-la-la, la-la-la, la-la-la
Troll the ancient Yuletide carol.
Fa-la-la-la-la, la-la-la-la.”

The familiar tune for “Deck the Halls” is based on a 16th Century Welsh air. Lyrics were originally written and presented in Welsh by John Ceiriog Hughes.

If you’re a pet owner or just love animals, you’ll get a chuckle out of this version of “Deck the Halls.” After a brief musical intro, anthropomorphism reigns here.

Many thanks to klaatu42’s Talking Animals YouTube channel for compiling and presenting this very funny video.

Enjoy, and be sure to spread the cheer.

The 12 Days of Internet Music: Day 1

2010-12-13T18:28:00.000-05:00

“Hark how the bells, sweet silver bells, all seem to say, throw cares away”~ The Carol of the Bells ~ Music composed by Mykola Dmytrovych Leontovyc and adapted lyrics by Peter Wilhousky

In order to bring the season in with song, the next 12 days are devoted to some of the most original adaptations of traditional Christmas carols that are presented on the Internet.

First, “The Carol of the Bells,” a fun-filled interpretation by The Muppets.

Thanks so much to The Muppets Studio, LLC and the good folks at Disney.

Enjoy this holiday musical journey, and be sure to spread the cheer with your family and friends.

Big Cat Week on NAT GEO WILD roars in helping endangered species

2010-12-05T13:53:00.001-05:00

BIG CAT WEEK - NAT GEO WILD

They are often referred to as “big cats.” We also know them as lions, tigers, jaguars, cheetahs and leopards; each species an awesome predator. They hunt and kill only to survive, but now it is their survival that is on the line, and beginning Monday, Dec. 6, 2010, National Geographic channel’s NAT GEO WILD gives us a closer look at these magnificent animals during, Big Cat Week.

As part of National Geographic Society’s Big Cats Initiative, which is their ongoing commitment to save these endangered species; Big Cat Week provides extraordinary film footage in an effort to raise worldwide awareness of their potential loss to future generations.

Poaching, destruction of natural habitats, prey decline, pesticides and even tuberculosis and canine distemper has drastically reduced big cat populations. As an example, in the last 2,000 years, more than a million lions roamed the earth with those numbers presented across the African continent to as far as parts of northwest India. Then, only 60 years ago, the population had contracted to an estimated 450,000, and is currently assessed to be as few as 20,000 individuals. A link to an interactive map that clearly displays this devastation (as you progress the timeline forward) provides the shocking and rapid proof of the decline that we see today.

Derek and Beverly Joubert

“We no longer have the luxury of time when it comes to big cats,” says National Geographic Explorer-in-Residence Dereck Joubert, who along with his wife and film making partner Beverly, captured footage for the premiere episode of Big Cat Week. Joubert adds, "They are in such a downward spiral that if we hesitate now, we will be responsible for extinctions across the globe. If there was ever a time to take action, it is now.”

Over the last 25 years, the Jouberts, who are also staunch conservationists, have amassed a body of distinguished research, which has been translated into 10 books, numerous articles for National Geographic Magazine, six scientific papers and 22 films that have garnered them five Emmys, a Peabody, the World Ecology Award and most recently induction into the American Academy of Achievement.

To find out more about the National Geographic Society’s Big Cats Initiative and how you can participate, simply follow this link.

Big Cat week begins Monday, Dec. 6 at 9:00 p.m. ET/PT on NAT GEO WILD.

Below is a preview of Monday’s premiere episode, Big Cat Odyssey.

For other videos in the series along with interesting big cat facts, photos and programming schedule, visit NAT GEO WILD online.

One thousand random acts of culture…

2010-12-01T15:15:00.001-05:00

‘Christmas Present’ photo by Petr Kratochvil

“Whether I was in my body or out of my body as I wrote it I know not. God knows." (Quote attributed to George Frideric Handel in reference to his composing the 'Hallelujah Chorus.'

If this doesn’t get you in the holiday spirit, nothing will.

The results for Black Friday are in, and according to a press release from the National Retail Federation, “212 million shoppers visited stores and websites over Black Friday Weekend,” spending an “estimated $45.0 billion” on holiday shopping.

(And, I thought we were still in a recession.)

Cyber Monday seems to have done impressively well too, according to a press release from ComScore, Inc., which trumpets a headline stating, “Billion Dollar Bonanza: Cyber Monday Surpasses $1 Billion in U.S. Spending as Heaviest Online Shopping Day in History.”

So much for my take on the economy, as millions nationwide are poised to loose extended unemployment benefits as well as their homes to foreclosure in the coming weeks.

Each year the holiday shopping season officially kicks off with the traditional Macy’s parade in New York City, but this year, Macy’s took a bolder step and launched their season (at least in their Philadelphia Center City store) the day before Halloween, when something quite unique occurred; the venerable Opera Company of Philadelphia’s chorus, accompanied by the world’s largest pipe organ (the Wanamaker ) along with 650 other primed voices from the community, launched into a noontime spectacular rendition of George Frideric Handel’s ‘'Hallelujah Chorus.'

The event, that created a massive shopper sing-along was funded by the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation as part of their community outreach program, Random Act of Culture, which endeavors to bring “classical arts out of the concert halls and opera houses and into our communities to enrich our everyday lives.”

Over the next three years, a total of 1,000 Random Acts of Culture will take place in the following cities: Akron, Ohio; Charlotte, N.C.; Detroit, Mich.; Macon, Ga.; Miami, Fla.; Philadelphia, Pa.; San Jose, Calif.; and St. Paul, Minn.

The entire six minutes of glorious music echoed through every balcony and department at Macy’s, and was captured on the video below, which has been viewed by over five million people, and (judging from the comments left on the Knight Foundation site) brought tears to the eyes of those who participated or viewed it online.

In my humble opinion, this wonderful Random Act of Culture, spread more holiday cheer, and did more for the American psyche than any store-bought gift ever could.

Giving thanks for animal friends

2010-11-24T07:34:00.000-05:00

"Animals are reliable, many full of love, true in their affections, predictable in their actions, grateful and loyal. Difficult standards for people to live up to." ~ Alfred A. Montapert , Author/Philiospher.~

With the Thanksgiving holiday upon us, gratitude is often found in the smaller moments of everyday life.

For many people, pets fill those smaller moments and take center stage in offering unconditional love and companionship, which is so important this time of year.

The other day, I received a PowerPoint presentation from a friend via email, and was so taken with the quality and sensitivity poured into it, that I felt compelled to share it in this post.

The slide show is called “Partners With Paws,” and IMHO it was created by a person who is grateful for those smaller moments of everyday life, which are often brought about by living with a dog or cat.

In tracing the origin of the PowerPoint, I was able to link it to authorSTREAM, a website, much like YouTube, but one that caters to folks who enjoy creating and sharing slide shows.

The individual, who posted the presentation that is below, simply goes by the moniker, “guug li “from Budapest Hungary.

I hope you enjoy it, and that you and yours (whether human or pet) have a holiday filled with the blessings of love and companionship, along with an extra helping of turkey and pie.

PARTNERS WITH PAWS

See more presentations by guugli | Upload your own PowerPoint presentations

A Beary Happy Ending

2010-11-20T16:36:00.000-05:00

John Muir - 1907 -

"Bears are not companions of men, but children of God, and His charity is broad enough for both... We seek to establish a narrow line between ourselves and the feathery zeros we dare to call angels, but ask a partition barrier of infinite width to show the rest of creation its proper place. Yet bears are made of the same dust as we, and breathe the same winds and drink of the same waters. A bears days are warmed by the same sun, his dwellings are overdomed by the same blue sky, and his life turns and ebbs with heart-pulsings like ours and was poured from the same fountain....." ~ John Muir ~

Scottish-born American, John Muir, naturalist and ecologist will always be remembered as a spiritual advocate for the preservation of wildnerness, which earned him the title, "The Father of our National Parks."

Today, his legacy provides a basis for thoughtful land conservation providing protected habitats for creatures great and small.

Once in a while, those creatures venture into man’s territory, which unfortunately happens more often as rural areas develop and spread into cities.

Such is the story that was captured on the video below last spring by the Ventura County Star; a Cinnamon black bear had made it’s way into the town of Oxnard, California, only to find itself in a bit of a jam as it climbed a tree using it’s short non-retractable claws, most likely in search of food. (Black bears are notorious for their constant foraging.)

It’s estimated that about 300,000 black bears populate the United States, and for the most part are solitary and rather docile animals, despite their size, which varies from two to three feet in height (at shoulders) and four to seven feet in length from the tip of the nose to the tail. The weight of male bears spans 150 to a whopping 600 pounds, while females tend to be smaller overall in size, but still look formidable when found wandering in a human setting.

Fortunately, for the 200 pound black bear in this story, some alert game wardens and the local fire department took time to rescue the bear and relocate it back into a forest habitat.

It’s not that often that animals this size get a second chance - John Muir must have been smiling down that day.

Hackenschmied and Derenkowsky

2010-11-11T21:01:00.000-05:00

“Another cat? Perhaps. For love there is also a season; its seeds must be resown. But a family cat is not replaceable like a worn-out coat or a set of tires. Each new kitten becomes its own cat, and none is repeated. I am four cats old, measuring out my life in friends that have succeeded but not replaced one another.” ~ Irving Townsend ~

If you’re you’re a true cinephile or perhaps a student at UCLA or NYU film school you’ll probably recognize the names Alexandr Hackenschmied as well as Eleanora Derenkowsky and not think it’s a New York based law firm. The pair, both filmmakers, and once husband and wife, also went by the more recognizable Americanized names of Alexandr Hammid and Maya Deren.

When they were together in the 1940’s, Hammid and Deren created some extraordinary avant-garde films, most notably, MESHES OF THE AFTERNOON.

Recently, one of Hammid and Deren’s lesser-known works, THE PRIVATE LIFE OF THE CAT surfaced on the Internet and begs to be shared; it’s a poignant documentary short, only 22 minutes long, but cinematically packs a haunting punch.

Today, when we go to the theater, we expect to see movies in 3-D with computer generated imagery, oftentimes backed up with thundering Dolby sound, all designed to assault the senses and draw the theater patron in, as close to the onscreen action as possible.

However, if we step back to a gentler time, without music or voice over, and only a modest printed card or two along with a cinematographer’s black and white visuals, we are in for a surprise, and such is THE PRIVATE LIFE OF A CAT.

The story is quite simple – two cats named “He” and “She” and their timeless bond in daily life with their family of kittens.

The documentary, shot against the backdrop of Hammid and Deren’s Manhattan apartment, reaches back 66 years as if it were yesterday.

A special thanks to the Prelinger Archives for making THE PRIVATE LIFE OF A CAT available for viewing. Enjoy!

THE PRIVATE LIFE OF A CAT

National Geographic channel spans the globe with GREAT MIGRATIONS

2010-11-03T17:17:00.013-04:00

On Sunday, November 7, 2010, at 8 PM ET, the National Geographic channel premieres GREAT MIGRATIONS, a visually stunning and expertly crafted seven-part series that covers the dramatic life and death struggles of numerous animal species that span the globe as they travel, answering their instinctual calls for survival.

Over two and a half years in the making, NATGEO crews covered 420,000 miles across 20 countries and all seven continents to capture rare footage of millions upon millions of animals seeking food, water and mating grounds.

One of the most ambitious productions ever brought to television, GREAT MIGRATIONS is to be viewed in 330 million homes in 166 countries and in 34 languages.

Each one-hour episode will cover species such as Wildebeest; red crab; zebra; monarch butterfly; elephant seal; army ant; Mali elephant; whale shark and many more.

Four core hours of the series are narrated by two-time Emmy, three-time Golden Globe winner Alec Baldwin.

Additional episodes include a scientific investigation into the mysteries of animal migration; a behind-the-scenes look into the technology used and challenges faced in capturing GREAT MIGRATIONS, plus a special hour-long visual concert, which includes exquisite film footage set to original music.

Below for your viewing pleasure is an excerpt from the upcoming premiere episode along with a complete breakdown for each episode of GREAT MIGRATIONS, presented exclusively on the National Geographic Channel.

After viewing the video excerpt, simply click on the episode title to explore the series further in-depth.

Video "Red Crab Marathon" –“Red crab males must endure a harrowing journey towards the sea -- facing yellow crazy ants and traffic along the way”

Born to Move Sunday, Nov 7, 2010, 8 PM ET

Need to Breed Sunday, Nov 7, 2010, 9 PM ET

Born to Move (Repeat) Sunday, Nov 7, 2010, 10 PM ET

Science of Great Migrations – Special Episode- Tuesday, Nov 9, 2010, 10 PM ET

Feast or Famine Sunday, Nov 14, 2010, 8 PM ET

Race to Survive Sunday, Nov 14, 2010, 9 PM ET

Behind the Scenes – Special Episode- Sunday, Nov 14, 2010, 10 PM ET

Behind the Scenes (Repeat)Tuesday, Nov 16, 2010, 9 PM ET

Rhythm of Life – Special Concert - Saturday, Nov 20, 2010, 8 PM ET

Born to Move (Repeat) Sunday, Nov 21, 2010, 8 PM ET

Need to Breed (Repeat) Sunday, Nov 21, 2010 9 PM ET

Race to Survive (Repeat) Sunday, Nov 21, 2010 10 PM ET

Neil Gaiman reads The Graveyard Book free online

2010-10-29T18:18:00.009-04:00

"It's kind of like The Jungle Book, only instead of a jungle it's a graveyard. It's about this 2-year-old whose family is killed, and who is adopted and brought up by dead people and taught all the things that dead people know." ~ Neil Gaiman ~

It doesn’t get any better than this for Halloween and even after; author Neil Gaiman reads all eight chapters of his Newbery Medal and Hugo Award-winning bestseller, The Graveyard Book, online and free of charge.

Going hand-in-hand with a new literary tradition started by Gaiman, “All Hallows Read,” this online telling intends to put spooky, spine tingling books in the hands and minds of children for Halloween.

Each chapter of the Graveyard Book is almost like a novel unto itself and is presented in video format.

Chapters vary in length from approximately 25 minutes to just over an hour.

Suggested reading levels for The Graveyard Book are ages 9-12, but more often than not, Gaiman’s superb storytelling and rich language as well as imagery crosses boundaries well into the adult world.

In a different video that is below and not part of Gaiman’s book tour readings, he shares his inspiration for The Graveyard Book.

You can connect to Gaiman’s free video readings of The Graveyard Book at Mr. Bobo’s Remarkable Mouse Circus, the author’s official website for young readers.

After you hear the entire book, you may want to view some of the informative question and answer sessions that took place during his book tour.

Enjoy!

Did a time traveler visit Hollywood in 1928?

2010-10-29T09:56:00.009-04:00

“I do not have much patience with a thing of beauty that must be explained to be understood. If it does need additional interpretation by someone other than the creator, then I question whether it has fulfilled its purpose.” ~ Charlie Chaplin ~

Okay folks, this post is for all you SciFi fans, movie buffs and conspiracy theorists.

On Wednesday, October 20, 2010, Irish filmmaker, George Clarke, uploaded a piece of film footage that shows a behind-the-scenes look at the premier of Charlie Chaplain’s THE CIRCUS from 1928, which took place at Grauman’s Chinese Theater in Hollywood, California.

The vintage piece of footage, captures what appears to be, an older woman who is walking along the sidewalk in front of Grauman’s and chatting on a cell phone.

“Impossible,” you say.

Take a look for yourself and you decide.

Clarke replays the footage several times and isolates the subject in question and he says, “I have studied this film for over a year now - showing it to over 100 people and at a film festival, yet no-one can give any explanation as to what she is doing.”

At this point, the original video, with Clarke’s own commentary from his YouTube channel, has had over 350,000 views, is being constantly downloaded and is poised to go viral.

A fascinating controversy is brewing and chat boards everywhere are chattering and asking, “Could this actually be a time traveler?”

The entire video runs eight minutes, 27 seconds and is worth watching all the way through.

What do you think?

Have you ever purchased a book because of its cover?

2010-10-26T15:36:00.015-04:00

“’Forgive me, sir,’ he said. ‘I had you all wrong. You can never tell a book by its cover.’” ~ Murder in the Glass Room by Edwin Rolfe and Lester Fuller (1946) ~

In May 2008, Random House Publishing commissioned Zogby International to create a survey, The Reading and Book Buying Habits of Americans.

Zogby questioned 8,218 adults not only about their reading habits, but everything from the reasons for purchasing a book, to the respondent’s political affiliation.

What was very telling about the report was the percentage of people who actually made their literary purchase based on a book’s cover.

When asked, “Do you ever judge a book by its cover?” Fifty-two percent of the respondents confirmed they did, and that “younger respondents were more likely to base their selection on a book’s cover.”

(IMHO, maybe this reflects a certain wisdom and discernment that only comes with age.)

However, what is even more telling is that when asked, “When you go into a bookstore for a specific book, do you make additional unplanned book purchases?”

Seventy-seven percent of those surveyed said, “Yes.”

Regardless the reason behind what appears as superficial purchasing, publishers, book designers and graphic artists have their work cut out for them in coordinating a strong first-response-visual that tempts a shopper to choose one book over another.

The video below, from orbitbooks YouTube channel, shows just how much creative work and choices goes into assembling a book cover.

The one minute, 53-second video is a distillation of six hours of Photoshopping –that involve cutting, pasting, erasing and adjusting so that Gail Carriger’s latest novel, BLAMELESS, makes the New York Times Bestseller list.

Of course, I think that Carriger’s fine storytelling and fan following from her previous romance/fantasy/steampunk PARASOL PROTECTORATE series had as much to do with the book’s success.

Have you ever impulse purchased a book because of its cover?

Another bargain: Free downloadable sheet music

2010-10-20T19:53:00.004-04:00

Earlier today, I posted another bargain on my second website. If you have a child who is interested in classical music or is wanting to learn classical music for piano, voice, chamber groups or orchestra, here is profile and a link for free sheet music downloads from composer, Charles McCreery. His compositions are tonal, tuneful and accessible for children of all age groups and abilities. Enjoy.

Free book downloads: Don't you just love a bargain?

2010-10-15T18:38:00.007-04:00

"a man, tall and thin, and ghastly pale... I crept behind It, and gave It my knife; but the knife went through It, empty as the air."
- Bram Stoker, Chapter 7, Dracula

I love a good bargain, and when it’s totally free, I love it even more!

I’m not sure how long this will be available, but here goes…

Amazon Digital Services is providing totally free downloads of some of the finest spook-filled literature classics, guaranteed to get you in the mood to celebrate Halloween: Bram Stoker’s Dracula; Washington Irving’s The Legend of Sleepy Hollow; Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley’s Frankenstein and Grimm’s Fairy Stories by Jacob Grimm.

These are complete book downloads of the original editions, presented in the English language, and carry a digital list price of $0.00. Plus, they are also delivered free by wireless delivery via Amazon Whispernet.

The free downloads are compatible with the following: KindleKindle; DXKindle (2nd Generation); Kindle (1st Generation); Kindle for PCKindle; for MacKindle’; for iPadKindle; for iPhoneKindle; for AndroidKindle and for BlackBerry.

Don’t you just love that kind of bargain?

Shakespeare’s ‘The Tempest’ debuts on the big screen in December

2010-10-12T16:21:00.013-04:00

“Our revels now are ended. These our actors,
As I foretold you, were all spirits, and
Are melted into air, into thin air:
And like the baseless fabric of this vision,
The cloud-capp'd tow'rs, the gorgeous palaces,
The solemn temples, the great globe itself,
Yea, all which it inherit, shall dissolve,
And, like this insubstantial pageant faded,
Leave not a rack behind. We are such stuff
As dreams are made on; and our little life
Is rounded with a sleep.” ~ “Prospero” ~ Shakespeare’s The Tempest Act 4, scene 1, 148–158 ~

Every few years the entertainment industry takes up the charge of reinventing the works of William Shakespeare, either for television or for the big screen, and it’s that time again, as Touchstone Pictures/Miramax Films pick up the gauntlet with the mystical thriller, THE TEMPEST.

A few things have undergone a major transformation in this interpretation of THE TEMPEST - the addition of computer generated special effects to provide a 21st century viewing experience, and sorcerer Prospero has changed gender into sorceress Prospera. Set to handle this daunting transformation is Oscar® winner Helen Mirren who is no stranger to performing Shakespeare’s works on film.

2010 marks the 400th anniversary of Shakespeare’s THE TEMPEST and it’s slated for limited release in the United States at select theaters beginning Friday, December 10, 2010.

The film has already been screened at the Venice, New York and Mill Valley Film Festivals and is scheduled to launch in Argentina in February, 2011.

THE TEMPEST has been rated as PG-13 for “some nudity, suggestive content and scary images.”

Are you a purist in terms of The Bard’s work and enjoy seeing it only on stage in its original form, or would you consider seeing director Julie Taymor’s version on film?

Autumn fun: Pick-your-own-pumpkins a definitive guide

2010-10-09T12:18:00.034-04:00

“Each year, the Great Pumpkin rises out of the pumpkin patch that he thinks is the most sincere. He's gotta pick this one. He's got to. I don't see how a pumpkin patch can be more sincere than this one. You can look around and there's not a sign of hypocrisy. Nothing but sincerity as far as the eye can see.”– Linus – from It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown

If the weather is cooperating where you live, and if you’re looking for an entertaining and fun-filled afternoon, why not make an outing for the whole family and pick-your own pumpkin for Halloween?

To plan your trip, there’s a wonderful and comprehensive website, Pumpkin Patches and More, where you'll find a pumpkin patch near you, take a peek at what it’s like to traverse a corn maze (in daylight or at night) and locations for safe trick-or-treating, hayrides and more.

Be sure to scroll further down on all of the linked pages that have been provided and you’ll see listings for not only pumpkin picking in the United States, but pick-your-own-farms for many other fruits and vegetables in the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and South Africa.

You’ll also find a super recipe for making pumpkin pie from scratch, information on pumpkin festivals and weigh-offs, and even a “how-to” for making a carved pumpkin last longer.

In the video below, P. Allen Smith, gardening maven, visits a pick-your-own site, and takes us on a quick historical tour about Halloween’s most popular vegetable-like fruit, the pumpkin.

If you’ve already purchased this year’s pumpkin but are still looking for another fun outing, check out my earlier post, It’s Apple Pickin’ Time: The Definitive Guide to pick your own apples nationwide – Part 1, Part 2, Part 3 and Part 4.

For more fun seasonal offerings, be sure to visit my other website: Paula Slade: National Children's Entertainment

Extreme controversy: Donald Duck versus Glenn Beck

2010-10-06T13:33:00.009-04:00

“Only in his wildest dreams could an actual suicide bomber do as much damage to this country.” ~ Keith Olbermann ~ (Referring to political commentator Glenn Beck.)

If you’re sitting in a packed movie theater and someone yells, “Fire,” when there is no fire, that’s not exercising free speech; it’s considered dangerous and in this case, a criminal act.

Political commentators like Glenn Beck and Rush Limbaugh clapperclaw their brand of “fire” over the airwaves on a daily basis, mesmerizing the masses and polarizing both political left and political right.

This is free speech and it is what our country is all about.

However, the video below, which surfaced October 2, appears to do a great job at discerning commentator fire, from that which is reality.

Said video, “Right Wing Radio Duck," created by Jonathan McIntosh, is a brilliant and technologically astounding remix of classic Donald Duck cartoons (circa 1930’s to 1960’s) with the fear-mongering verbal gymnastics of Glenn Beck.

As a social commentary, it hits the mark spot on. (No wonder the video has begun to go viral, chalking up over a half million hits in three days.)

IMHO, the message speaks for itself. It definitely makes me want to take that free bus ride to Washington, D.C. on October 30 and witness first-hand Jon Stewart’s “Rally to Restore Sanity.”

If anyone’s going, could you save me a seat?

Glenn Beck photo by David Shankbone; CC 3.0

Seeking truth in journalism

2010-10-02T19:56:00.017-04:00

“First say to yourself what you would be; and then do what you have to do.” ~ Epictetus ~

Early this morning, I was visiting various news sites that I had missed during the week and came upon an article on the front page of the Huffington Post - Watch: The Funniest Employee Training Videos.

I needed a good laugh, so I surfed in and began viewing all nine of the videos, everything from industrial training at Wendy’s (on how to serve hot or cold drinks, accompanied by rapping music) to the “Casual Male’s Super Associate Video,” which is dedicated to informing sales personnel in the proper methodology for creating customer satisfaction while increasing the bottom line.

After going through all nine videos, the funniest one (IMHO) was a Chrysler Training video; however, it did not get the most hits and was not considered a contender for the top five on the page’s poll box.

I showed it to my husband at breakfast and we both laughed hysterically as it was touted (under the clip) as having too much technical jargon to effectively understand, and I have to assume people just passed over it, or watched it for less than 15 seconds because the picture was a bit fuzzy, and then moved on thinking it was probably too dry to bother watching.

I had no intention of doing a post on this, but after seeing my husband’s reaction and his comments that the video reminded him of Professor Irwin Corey delivering what sounded like real technical jargon (such as “Turbo Encabulator” and “dingle arm”) I thought I would share it with you and garner your opinion, hopefully seeking out someone with advanced technical knowledge on the subject.

When I returned to the Huffington site, the video had disappeared. Poof! Just like magic, it was gone, so I did a search on the site and nada. This piqued my interest and I began sleuthing and discovered that this video had been posted several times on YouTube and received a number of hits, upwards of 400,000.

Then I decided to meticulously review each Youtube entry for comments, and folks were voicing in as if they understood what was being said… Except for one person, who referred to the video as (expletive deleted) a joke.

Ah-ha, the smoking gun had been found, and I returned to the Huffington site to search their comments section, and lo and behold, one person, at 10:36 AM, simply known by the handle, “greenearthman” caught the spoof and weighed in saying, “Somebody got trolled on the "Chrysler" video.” O-o-ops, too late, the article had hit the Twitterverse, social network sites and moi.

As it turns out, the Chrysler video was indeed a parody and was made to show at a convention, but only as an insider joke, however, it had made its way onto the Internet.

Moral to this story: Whenever you hear, someone on film say, “You will be directed to perform a series of tests that will effectively raise the billable hours for the service department, but will perform no other useful function,” you’ve got to check your source.

To sleep, perchance to dream of food...

2010-09-28T18:54:00.009-04:00

“Cats never strike a pose that isn't photogenic.“ ~ Lillian Jackson Braun ~

The other day I was surfing around for article ideas and ran across a remarkable morphing video.

It first appeared on the icanhazcheezburger site, a place where all folks who love cats get a daily dose of “catspiration” in the form of funny feline pictures that include witty cat-speak commentary.

I’m absolutely entranced when someone does an excellent job of marrying images in succession by melding and blending in such a way that it is almost mesmerizing.

Such is the video below, “Cats Morph to Croissants.”

Even if you are not a cat lover, you will appreciate the thought process involved.

This little jewel not only shows how creative some folks are, but how the truly expansive mind works – taking disparate ideas and imaging and blending them into a symphony of site.

Enjoy… but don’t try chomping on your kitty. I don’t think they would take too kindly to having jam on their head.

Banning Books: An embargo on brain power

2010-09-27T17:55:00.012-04:00

“WHEREAS, the freedom to read is essential to our democracy, and reading is among our greatest freedoms” ~ Opening sentence of Banned Books Week Proclamation ~

It’s that time of year again, Banned Books Week, September 25 to October 2, 2010, when we salute the American Library Association and our First Amendment rights that celebrate the freedom to read whatever we choose.

Since 1982, this annual event has promoted public awareness for precious intellectual freedom.

Over the years, some of the greatest classics in literature have been challenged or banned by special interest groups and individuals, for being deemed “offensive,” “unsuited,” or “too explicit.”

Thank goodness, libraries, librarians, teachers and booksellers uphold our right to choose, and challenge those who (because of special interests) would seek to have books removed from libraries, classrooms or booksellers.

This past year, Stephanie H. Meyer’s “Twilight” series was challenged along with the classic, "Anne Frank: The Diary of a Young Girl," and even the "Merriam Webster Collegiate Dictionary" received flack along with many other surprising titles.

Robert P. Doyle, executive director of the Illinois Library Association and noted authority on the First Amendment has conveniently kept track with his “Books that Were Challenged or Banned 2009-2010,” which can be viewed by clicking on the link.

You may or may not agree with the selection of books, or the reasons for challenging or banning, and even the outcomes, but if you embrace this year’s Banned Books Week motto, “Think for yourself and let others do the same," IMHO you’ll get the point.

The humorous video below, from 2009, drives it home even more effectively. HAPPY READING!

A possible candidate for the Darwin Awards

2010-09-23T14:38:00.011-04:00

“The Darwin Awards salute the improvement of
the human genome by honoring those who
accidentally remove themselves from it...” ~ The Darwin Awards ~

If you think you’re having a bad day, it’s not as bad as James Brienzo, who was spotted by police as a suspected shoplifter when he exited (with a shopping cart full of merchandise) through a fire door at a Walmart store in Alliance, Ohio at approximately 6:00 AM, Wednesday, September 22, 2010.

According to reports, Brienzo spotted the police, fled on foot and decided to hide in a dumpster, which was behind the Walmart store. Bad idea. Moments later a garbage truck picked up and proceeded to compact the trash along with Brienzo.

Fortunately for Brienzo, he had the presence of mind to use his cell phone, calling a friend for help and was subsequently tracked by GPS by the police.

Once the police located and stopped the truck, they couldn’t immediately extract Brienzo, so he was taken to the Alliance Recycling Center where the trash was emptied.

According to police, Brienzo had been “compacted” a few times during his ride.

Presently, Brienzo is in critical condition at MetroHealth Medical Center, and the incident is still under investigation.

If he survives, he will forfeit the opportunity for a “Darwin Award.” IMHO, I think he would prefer not to receive the dubious honor. (If you are not familiar with the awards, simply follow the link that has been provided.)

Thanks to Cleveland Fox 8 News for the embedded video footage below.

I think I’ll file this post under “Bad Timing.”

Peace and Gratitude

2010-09-21T18:10:00.004-04:00

September 21st is marked by the celebration of Peace Day and World Gratitude Day, and there is much to contemplate about both.

Many voices have spoken eloquently on these ideals and may their words and song inspire a moment of reflection for us all.

“If we have no peace, it is because we have forgotten that we belong to each other.” ~Mother Teresa ~

“Peace cannot be achieved through violence, it can only be attained through understanding.” ~Ralph Waldo Emerson ~

“Peace is not merely a distant goal that we seek, but a means by which we arrive at that goal.” ~ Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. ~

“When the power of love overcomes the love of power, the world will know peace.” ~ Jimi Hendrix ~

“Let us forgive each other - only then will we live in peace” ~Leo Nikolaevich Tolstoy ~

“We can only be said to be alive in those moments when our hearts are conscious of our treasures.” ~Thornton Wilder ~

“There are only two ways to live your life. One is as though nothing is a miracle. The other is as though everything is a miracle.” ~ Albert Einstein ~

“Can you see the holiness in those things you take for granted–a paved road or a washing machine? If you concentrate on finding what is good in every situation, you will discover that your life will suddenly be filled with gratitude, a feeling that nurtures the soul.” ~ Rabbi Harold Kushner ~

“Whatever our individual troubles and challenges may be, it’s important to pause every now and then to appreciate all that we have, on every level. We need to literally “count our blessings,” give thanks for them, allow ourselves to enjoy them, and relish the experience of prosperity we already have.” ~ Shakti Gawain ~

“Both abundance and lack exist simultaneously in our lives, as parallel realities. It is always our conscious choice which secret garden we will tend… when we choose not to focus on what is missing from our lives but are grateful for the abundance that’s present — love, health, family, friends, work, the joys of nature and personal pursuits that bring us pleasure — the wasteland of illusion falls away and we experience Heaven on earth.” ~ Sarah Ban Breathnach ~

Random acts of kindness and the power of touch

2010-09-20T16:28:00.019-04:00

“Too often we underestimate the power of a touch, a smile, a kind word, a listening ear, an honest compliment, or the smallest act of caring, all of which have the potential to turn a life around.” ~ Leo Buscaglia ~

This morning there was a fascinating feature on National Public Radio’s Morning Edition - “Human Connections Start With A Friendly Touch,” by Michelle Trudeau.

The three minute/35 second recorded segment (with accompanying text) covers what social scientists have known for years; human beings experience less stress and thrive from the power of simple human-to-human touch, and it’s not all psychological.

Be it a hug, holding hands, a massage or even a pat on the back, the slightest pressure on skin, which is the body’s largest organ, activates Pacinian corpuscles ( a mechanoreceptor) that helps spread feel-good nerve impulses to multiple organs, including the heart, and the body responds by lowering blood pressure.

Touching also prompts the reduction of the stress hormone cortisol, and the release of the neurochemical, oxytocin, which promotes feelings of trust, bonding and devotion.

Below is a video that demonstrates the power of touch, as students from the University of Miami take over the campus and offer “Free Hugs” to all. As you will see, everyone who is hugged breaks out in a smile, so there is definitely something good going on.

IMHO, hugs are a great way to start the week, and you’ll probably be humming the John Lennon/Paul McCartney standard from the video, “All You Need is Love,” long after this clip has ended.

During these troubled times, dominated with major stress for many, just reach out and touch someone; you’ll both feel good.

Pigeons: Winged Rats or Gourmet Treat?

2010-09-15T18:44:00.006-04:00

"Accept that some days you are the pigeon and some days the statue." ~ Dilbert [Scott Adams] ~

For as long as there have been people, there have been pigeons.

They are found in almost every corner of the earth, from rock cliffs to city sidewalks.

The Rock Pigeon (Columba livia), which we probably see most often is a monogamous bird, and both parents share in the raising of the typical two- squabs-per-brood.

The little feathered squab in the picture is about 22 days old and is considered a gourmet delicacy that is sent to slaughter after its first month of life.

Yes, domestically raised pigeons are considered a main course treat.

One can buy farm-raised squab from places such as Marx Foods, and get an 18-pound box of 24 (11 to 12 ounce birds) for $243.40, which includes overnight FEDEX shipping. (I don’t know about you, but for everyday dinners that kind of blows my weekly grocery budget.)

However, if you should be so lucky as to find a smaller quantity of squab from your local butcher, Chef Emeril Lagasse has a superb recipe for Pan Seared Squab with a Dried Cherry Reduction Sauce.

If baby pigeons are considered a delicacy, why is it the adult bird is considered such a nuisance?

Pigeon guano is part of the problem, as the birds indiscriminately litter everything from statues to human heads, and there is an ever-so-slight slight risk that their droppings contribute to such diseases as psittacosis, , cryptococcosis and histoplasmosis. They also contract the West Nile Virus but do not spread it to humans, but are potential carriers for avian influenza, however, not the deadly H1N1 variety.

Also, adult pigeons are literally murder to statues and historic facades as they love to peck away at marble and other soft stone, gathering calcium carbonate, which they need for their egg laying.

To understand how serious the problem is for some cities, one needs to know that feeding pigeons in places such as St. Mark’s Square in Venice, Italy is no longer allowed in hopes of quelling the burgeoning bird population.

If you want to find out more about pigeons, there is a terrific website that offers “21 Amazing Facts You Didn’t Know About Pigeons” and is brought to you by deterapigeon - “The Pigeon Deterrent People.” At deterapigeon’s site, you will find answers to such need-to-know questions as, “Why do pigeons bob their head?” and “Are pigeons intelligent?” (The answer to the latter question is a big YES.)

The video below also proves that pigeons are really smart critters – they know how to take public transportation and not pay at the turnstile.

Sure beats winding up on the dinner table.

Looking back in peace…

2010-09-11T11:30:00.005-04:00

“The World Trade Center is a living symbol of man's dedication to world peace... a representation of man's belief in humanity, his need for individual dignity, his beliefs in the cooperation of men, and, through cooperation, his ability to find greatness.” ~ Minoru Yamasaki ~

Oil painting on an iPad: Oxymoron or art?

2010-09-07T15:42:00.005-04:00

"Throughout history a small number of artists have rejected both palette knives and brushes. A few used their fingers to spread the paint. Artists turned to such primal means for various reasons, including display of skill, experimental playfulness, or nose-thumbing at convention. The young Leonardo's use of his fingers can be linked to the properties of the newly available medium of oil painting. ... It should not surprise us that he played with the tackiness of the new oil medium, palpating the paint as he sought new effects." ~ Seeing Through Paintings by Andrea Kirsch and Rustin S. Levenson, p133/4. ~

It’s apparent that Kirsch and Levenson were not referencing Leonardo da Vinci’s “Mona Lisa,” but perhaps the initial youngster-like steps he took to get to the height of his painting career.

The art of finger painting in and of itself was rediscovered and popularized by American educator, Ruth Faison Shaw in 1926 while in Rome, Italy teaching at the Shaw School. Since then, finger painting has become a major part of early art education, and used as a significant tool in psychiatric therapy.

Earlier this year, in April and May, when the Apple iPad was being launched, I was fascinated with the technology and penned two posts: "The iPad Chalenge: Cat, Dog or Man," and "The iPad Challenge: Part Deux."

Frankly, I was impressed with the multitude of inexpensive applications for this gadget, which seemed to be surfacing daily – everything from reading and games to writing and music.

I still don’t have an iPad, but I love to paint, and recently I discovered that there is an app called “Brushes”; it has all of the fun of finger painting but none of the mess, and it not only works on an iPad but is available for an iPhone and iPod touch.

In the hands of a fine portrait artist, David Jon Kassan, the Brushes app (at a mere $4.99) is more than child’s play. Take a look at the video below, which is a distillation of a three-hour live portrait painting session from Kassan’s Brooklyn Studio, which took place on Monday, June 21, 2010. The video has already been seen by over 900,000 people.

In case anybody wants to know (hint, hint) this is definitely going on my “wish list.”

One person's commercial is another person's entertainment

2010-09-03T18:35:00.015-04:00

“Advertising may be described as the science of arresting the human intelligence long enough to get money from it.” ~ Stephen Butler Leacock ~

Television commercials have come a long way both creatively and financially since 1941 when the Bulova Corporation paid four dollars for a ten-second spot, which simply showed a picture of a superimposed watch on a map of the United States.

Interest in the advertising world in general has been popularized over the last few years with the Emmy and Golden Globe-winning television series, Mad Men, which is set in the 1960’s hey day of advertising, at the fictional firm of Sterling Cooper Draper Pryce, and added to that viewership, each year the advertising community honors the best-of-the-best with their annual CLIO Awards, helping provide a higher level of public awareness for what is being sold to new generations of viewers.

In my humble opinion, a finely created commercial is oftentimes more entertaining than conventional programming – even if they are trying to sell me something.

Although the CLIO Awards honor traditional 30 and 60-second commercials, some of the best advertising is now on the Internet, specifically viral videos, which reach a whole new breed of consumer through spots that are slightly longer than 60-seconds and border on being a hybrid cross between a traditional commercial and a music video, but pack a walloping creative punch.

Here are three of my favorites:

From Kia Motors America (with over two million views in three months) the Kia Soul Hamster, which popularizes the 2010 Kia Soul automobile; I’m not sure I would buy the car, but the rapping hamsters are darn cute.

Evian Roller Babies, weighing in with over 27 million views in one year is absolutely adorable and besides babies always sell, but in all honesty, I was predisposed to the product many years ago.

And last but not least, a faux commercial, which actually sells the genius of PESFilm, the company that created this spot titled, “Western Spaghetti,” which tallies in at five million views in two months, and was a 2009 Sundance Film Festival Winner as well as a 2009 Annecy Animation Audience Award Winner, and voted by Time Magazine # 2 Viral Video of the Year – absolutely brilliant.

Love at First Book: Compatibility based on the written word

2010-08-31T21:25:00.012-04:00

“A popular admonition goes, ‘Don’t judge a book by its cover.’ Yet we do it all the time. We ascribe qualities of character to people based on their physical characteristics. And our language takes shape to reflect that attitude.” ~ Anu Garg ~

These days, online dating sites are popping up all over the place. Some are free and some charge monthly fees; some are dedicated to specific ethnic groups or religious ideologies, but all have one purpose in mind – hooking up singles so they become couples.

The granddaddy site of them all, eHarmony, is probably the most widely recognized service, but every so often another website enters the fray attempting to bring together strangers seeking a common bond.

The latest site, Alikewise, which is just barely a month old, has taken a completely new spin on the dating scene with their philosophy rooted in bringing together singles based on the books they read.

It’s an interesting concept. So far, Alikewise seems off to a slow start, but one never knows what will happen in the days or weeks to come.

When Anu Garg (see above quote) began his website, Wordsmith.org, in 1994 (simply for the love of words and language) who would have thought he would have over 900,000 followers today?

There’s something to be said for the power of the written word in bringing people together.

Enjoy the beautiful video from nomojofoyo’s YoutTube Channel, which includes some memorable excerpts from great literary works. One might say, “There is clearly passion in the written word.”

Parrot University

2010-08-30T14:34:00.010-04:00

“Essentially, a parrot is a monkey with wings.” ~ Joseph Garner ~

Here’s a possible, albeit non-human contender for “America’s Got Talent” – “Kili” the parrot.

This is not your average little winged green gal who spouts family secrets and slang; she can wave, play dead, drop a mini-basketball in a hoop and deposit a coin in a piggy bank among other talents.

Kili is a Senegal Parrot, not more than nine inches in length from beak to tail, but has proven to be a remarkable pet that is highly trainable.

Senegal Parrots are endemic to a wide area of West Africa, primarily savanna and open woodlands but are prized in the aviculture world as pets, not only for their comical and charming personalities but their ability to domesticate, and with proper training and socialization become attached to their owner with the same devotion as a dog.

Kili’s owner, simply known as “Michael,” created an amazing video, World Record 20 Parrot Tricks in 2 Minutes, which over the past eight months has gone viral, being viewed by more than a million folks from kiliparrot’s YouTube Channel.

Michael also maintains a very comprehensive website and blog, Trained Parrot.com that covers everything you need to know about raising parrots as pets.

It’s apparent from the video below that this “Polly” could not only ask for a cracker but open the box and get it out.

Welcome to the funny skies

2010-08-27T20:42:00.011-04:00

"Flying. Whatever any other organism has been able to do man should surely be able to do also, though he may go a different way about it." ~ Samuel Butler ~

A little over a year ago, I wrote the post, “Welcome to the Friendly Skies Again,” which featured Southwest Airlines and their “unique corporate culture” that allows employees to be themselves and have fun, which ultimately translates into happier and less stressed out passengers.

At the time, I thought nothing could top Southwest’s YouTube sensation, the “Rapping Flight Attendant” or their on-board “toilet paper races.”

Well, I was wrong.

The other day I received a hysterical email that opened my eyes to another budget airline; this one headquartered in Johannesburg, South Africa – Kulula Air, a wholly owned subsidiary of Comair Limited.

Kulula goes way over the top making passengers smile with their brightly colored Boeing 737 aircraft fleet, which is promoted as “Flying 101,” and includes painted text that points out various under-the-skin aircraft components.

I had to grin when I took a closer look at the forward left cockpit area designated with an arrow pointing to “the big cheese” – this is where the captain sits.

In the email I received, there were reported samples of Kulula’s in-flight announcements, which said, “Kulula airline attendants make an effort to make the in-flight safety lecture and announcements a bit more entertaining. Here are some real examples that have been heard or reported.”

I have to tell you I laughed quite hard as I read them, but was skeptical that many of these one-liners were the product of someone’s over active humor gland, so I did some sleuthing and found the smoking gun, which is in the YouTube video at the end of this article.

For airline stories/jokes, these are some of the best in the business.

On a Kulula flight, (there is no assigned seating, you just sit where you want) passengers were apparently having a hard time choosing, when a flight attendant announced, "People, people we're not picking out furniture here, find a seat and get in it!"

On another flight with a very "senior" flight attendant crew, the pilot said, "Ladies and gentlemen, we've reached cruising altitude and will be turning down the cabin lights. This is for your comfort and to enhance the appearance of your flight attendants."

On landing, the stewardess said, "Please be sure to take all of your belongings. If you're going to leave anything, please make sure it's something we'd like to have."

"There may be 50 ways to leave your lover, but there are only 4 ways out of this airplane."

"Thank you for flying Kulula. We hope you enjoyed giving us the business as much as we enjoyed taking you for a ride."

As the plane landed and was coming to a stop at Durban Airport , a lone voice came over the loudspeaker: "Whoa, big fella. WHOA!"

After a particularly rough landing during thunderstorms in the Karoo , a flight attendant on a flight announced, "Please take care when opening the overhead compartments because, after a landing like that, sure as hell everything has shifted."

From a Kulula employee: " Welcome aboard Kulula 271 to Port Elizabeth To operate your seat belt, insert the metal tab into the buckle, and pull tight. It works just like every other seat belt; and, if you don't know how to operate one, you probably shouldn't be out in public unsupervised."

"In the event of a sudden loss of cabin pressure, masks will descend from the ceiling. Stop screaming, grab the mask, and pull it over your face. If you have a small child traveling with you, secure your mask before assisting with theirs. If you are traveling with more than one small child, pick your favorite."

“Weather at our destination is 50 degrees with some broken clouds, but we'll try to have them fixed before we arrive. Thank you, and remember, nobody loves you, or your money, more than Kulula Airlines.”

"Your seats cushions can be used for flotation; and in the event of an emergency water landing, please paddle to shore and take them with our compliments."

"As you exit the plane, make sure to gather all of your belongings. Anything left behind will be distributed evenly among the flight attendants. Please do not leave children or spouses."

(From the pilot during his welcome message) "Kulula Airlines is pleased to announce that we have some of the best flight attendants in the industry. Unfortunately, none of them are on this flight!"

(Heard on Kulula 255 just after a very hard landing in Cape Town, the flight attendant came on the intercom and said) "That was quite a bump and I know what y'all are thinking. I'm here to tell you it wasn't the airline's fault, it wasn't the pilot's fault, it wasn't the flight attendant's fault; it was the asphalt."

Overheard on a Kulula flight into Cape Town on a particularly windy and bumpy day: During the final approach, the Captain really had to fight it. After an extremely hard landing, the Flight Attendant said, "Ladies and Gentlemen, welcome to The Mother City. Please remain in your seats with your seat belts fastened while the Captain taxis what's left of our airplane to the gate!"

Another flight attendant's comment on a less than perfect landing: "We ask you to please remain seated as Captain Kangaroo bounces us to the terminal."

An airline pilot wrote that on this particular flight he had hammered his ship into the runway really hard. The airline had a policy which required the first officer to stand at the door while the passengers exited, smile, and give them a "Thanks for flying our airline.” He said that, in light of his bad landing, he had a hard time looking the passengers in the eye, thinking that someone would have a smart comment. Finally, everyone had gotten off except for an elderly lady walking with a cane. She said, "Sir, do you mind if I ask you a question?" "Why, no Ma'am," said the pilot. "What is it?" The lady said, "Did we land, or were we shot down?"

After a real crusher of a landing in Johannesburg, the attendant came on with, "Ladies and Gentlemen, please remain in your seats until Captain Crash and the Crew have brought the aircraft to a screeching halt against the gate. And, once the tire smoke has cleared and the warning bells are silenced, we will open the door and you can pick your way through the wreckage to the terminal."

Part of a flight attendant's arrival announcement: "We'd like to thank you folks for flying with us today. And, the next time you get the insane urge to go blasting through the skies in a pressurized metal tube, we hope you'll think of Kulula Airways."

Heard on a Kulula flight. "Ladies and gentlemen, if you wish to smoke, the smoking section on this airplane is on the wing. If you can light 'em, you can smoke 'em."

A plane was taking off from Durban Airport. After it reached a comfortable cruising altitude, the captain made an announcement over the intercom, "Ladies and gentlemen, this is your captain speaking. Welcome to Flight Number 293, non-stop from Durban to Cape Town. The weather ahead is good and, therefore, we should have a smooth and uneventful flight. Now sit back and relax... OH, MY GOODNESS!" Silence followed, and after a few minutes, the captain came back on the intercom and said, "Ladies and Gentlemen, I am so sorry if I scared you earlier. While I was talking to you, the flight attendant accidentally spilled a cup of hot coffee in my lap. You should see the front of my pants!" A passenger then yelled, "That's nothing. You should see the back of mine!”

NOW… if you think these were not for real – check out this video.

Have a great weekend, and keep smiling. Laughter is always the best medicine for anything that ails you.

Of Poppy Flowers and Starry Nights: Vincent Van Gogh

2010-08-24T10:04:00.019-04:00

“The job of the artist is always to deepen the mystery.” ~ Francis Bacon ~

When the Anglo-Irish artist, Francis Bacon spoke those words, he was obviously referencing his own avant- garde style of figurative painting, which caused many to wonder what inner turmoil produced his emotionally wrenching pictures. But, Bacon’s quote is even more meaningful today as it points to another artist who was also an enigma during his lifetime, and even more so in the years following his death - Vincent Willem van Gogh, the 19th century Dutch post Impressionist painter.

Van Gogh’s life, like Bacon’s was tortured in many ways. Over the years, theories as to Van Gogh’s genius versus his mental condition have been speculated, attributing his erratic lifestyle and paintings to conditions such as Temporal Lobe Epilepsy and Bipolar disorder along with his dietary tastes for absinthe and lead paint; the former substance causing one to see objects in the color yellow while the latter poison contributes to retinal swelling, which might explain the halo effects around light in his pictures.

The mystery of Van Gogh’s life and subsequent suicide at the age of 37 was overshadowed this weekend, with the questionable heist of his painting (pictured in this post) known as “Poppy Flowers,” or alternately referred to as “Vase and Flowers.”

Lifted in broad daylight, on Saturday, August 21, the 12 inch by 12 inch (30 centimeters. by 30 centimeters) painting, valued at $55 million (43,293,470 euros), was literally cut out of its frame, disappearing from the Mahmoud Khalil Modern Art Museum in Cairo, Egypt.

It has been reported that the museum’s alarms were malfunctioning and only seven surveillance cameras out of 43 were in working order, which is practically an open invitation, and IMHO it definitely smells like and inside job.

Ironically, this is the second time Poppy Flowers has been stolen from the same museum; the last burglary occurred in 1978, and the canvas went missing for two years until it, and the thieves were apprehended in Kuwait.

The disappearance of Poppy Flowers, though not as shocking to the art world as Vincenzo Peruggia’s theft of Leonardo da Vinci’s “Mona Lisa” from the Louvre 99 years ago, rivals the mysterious twice-stolen Edvard Munch’s “The Scream” in 1994 and 2004 from the National Gallery, Oslo, Norway and then later from the Munch Museum.

Both The Scream and Mona Lisa were eventually found; the fate of Poppy Flowers remains uncertain at this time and was erroneously reported as recovered, but the official statement was recanted yesterday and the entire affair remains a mystery under investigation.

Also a mystery as to why this particular painting was so appealing to thieves as it is not considered as important as Van Gogh’s magnum opus, “The Starry Night,” which was popularized in the 1971 song, "Vincent" by Don McLean, who was deeply touched by Van Gogh’s life story after reading a biography about the artist.

To learn more about Van Gogh’s life, there is an outstanding and comprehensive website covering all his artistic works, writings, and complete biography at The Vincent Van Gogh Gallery, which is endorsed by the Van Gogh Museum, Amsterdam.

To hear McLean’s beautiful song and view many of Van Gogh’s paintings, simply click on the video below from MrAdamBurns Youtube channel. The haunting words and music are synced beautifully to Van Gogh’s images.

Paper or Plastic?

2010-08-17T21:09:00.009-04:00

“Water and air, the two essential fluids on which all life depends, have become global garbage cans.” ~ Jacques Yves Cousteau ~

Kudos to Californians, instead of simply talking about pollution, they are hoping to pass some revolutionary legislation that will ban the use of plastic bags.

The California senate, at the end of August will be voting on AB1998, which if passed into law will successfully eliminate the state’s 19 billion-a-year plastic bag habit.

As part of the campaign to raise consumer awareness as to the environmental problems with using plastic bags, the non-profit organization Heal the Bay, has provided a rather entertaining, but extremely informative “mockumentary,” The Majestic Plastic Bag.

Narrated by noted actor Jeremy Irons, the four minute, tongue-in-cheek video smacks of a typical class-act BBC nature documentary, but wallops a big punch regarding the perils of plastic.

Okay now, so which is it going to be when you go shopping – paper, or plastic?

Actually, being a tree lover, I vote for cloth.

Seasoning from the sea

2010-08-10T17:21:00.011-04:00

"Some people like to paint pictures, or do gardening, or build a boat in the basement. Other people get a tremendous pleasure out of the kitchen, because cooking is just as creative and imaginative an activity as drawing, or wood carving, or music." ~ Julia Child ~

Recessionary times often bring out the best in entrepreneurial spirit, and such is the case with a culinary product that was an idea just waiting to happen - Acquamara.

Recently launched at the Taste of Edinburgh Festival, Acquamara is bottled seawater sold in three-liter containers and priced at £4.95, which is roughly $7.87 US.

The product is geared not only for professional chefs but for home use.

By now, I know what you are probably thinking: “Why would anyone buy salt water when you can easily make your own?” Excellent question.

Cooking with seawater has been practiced for centuries. Even some contemporary chefs, such as Rick Stein, who is also multiple-location restaurateur and television presenter, has discussed cooking with seawater in the excerpt below from one of his shows.

The main difference between cooking with any old seawater and Acquamara boils down (so to speak) to this: source and refinement. And goodness knows we are all keenly aware of water pollution these days.

Acquamara is sourced from the cleanest area of the Atlantic Ocean, off the tiny island of Berneray, which is part of Scotland’s Outer Hebrides.

It is then filtered, removing any remaining particulates including sand, rust or dirt, and is bottled certified safe under EC drinking water standards.

The idea for Acquamara was the brainchild of 49-year old Andy Inglis, a clever entrepreneurial Scotsman who hails from Dunbar, East Lothian.

Inglis had been mulling over the thought for a couple of years but was pushed into action after helping his daughter with a school project that included historical recipes, which required cooking with seawater.

Taking his inspiration to the next development stage, Inglis began doing extensive market research with a prototype, seeking out opinions from some of the top chefs in the United Kingdom.

According to those top chefs, Acquamara was a winner that provides an exceptional taste to a wide variety of recipes. It’s also a nifty way of using less salt in preparation or for flavor enhancement.

Acquamara’s website offers some recipes and a seasoning guide along with endorsements from those top chefs. Hey, if it’s good enough for them…

I just wish I had thought of it first.

Go Granny go…

2010-08-02T16:51:00.019-04:00

"There is a fountain of youth: it is your mind, your talents, the creativity you bring to your life and the lives of people you love. When you learn to tap this source, you will truly have defeated age." ~ Sophia Loren ~

When 80-year old Janey Cutler was escorted out onto the stage of Glasgow’s Clyde Auditorium by Ant McPartlin for the initial televised auditions of the 2010 season of Britain’s Got Talent, no one expected this tiny songstress to pull a Susan Boyle moment.

Cutler, who hails from Wishaw, a former burgh in North Lanarkshire, Scotland located 15 miles south-east of Glasgow is a seasoned mother of seven, grandmother to 13 and great grandmother of four, but as her name was announced to take her place in front of an audience of 3,000 she appeared hesitant, perhaps a bit overwhelmed.

Judges Simon Cowell, Amanda Holden and Piers Morgan were polite and welcoming to her nonetheless, perhaps in deference to her age: they were all in for a shock.

Cutler belted out her own interpretation of “No Regrets,” the cabaret song made famous in 1960 by Edith Piaf and she won the hearts of all, receiving a standing ovation as well as continuing on to the very last rounds of BGT.

Even though Cutler’s subsequent performances appeared more polished and she was gussied up a bit, there were slight problems with intonation and a certain stiffness that was not present in the audition taping. Ultimately, she and the other finalists lost the top title to a gymnast troupe known as Spellbound.

The video below shows it was not so much a Susan Boyle moment but more a Betty White Facebook generation moment, which is best referred to as “Elder Cool” a term coined by John H. Green, Ph.D in his book, In Elder Cool Time.

What is “Elder Cool” you ask? Well, according to the editorial review of Green’s Book – “You are Elder Cool if you decide it is time to teach others based on the wisdom of your aging process. Elder represents a purpose-evolving life experienced teacher, and cool is accepting the aging process with grace and dignity. Elder Cool is grace under challenge...”

When I finally grow up, I want to be just like Janey, Betty or Sophia – Elder Cool.

The commercial that never was…

2010-07-27T19:06:00.017-04:00

“I love to see a young girl go out and grab the world by the lapels.” ~ Maya Angelou ~

Eleven years before Phil Lord and Chris Miller directed last year’s hit family film, CLOUDY WITH A CHANCE OF MEATBALLS, these two brilliant entertainment hyphenates concocted a television commercial that never made it to Saturday mornings – the “Brontë Sisters Power Dolls “

According to Lord and Miller, from their YouTube page, “This was a fake commercial we made in 1998 for a series of educational shorts about action figures based on historical figures. Its educational value was somewhat suspect. It was never aired.”

The commercial parody featured everything one would see in a typical cartoon break, which included kid-friendly action figures slugging it out for dominance of good over evil. The only difference were the action figures, they were based on three Victorian women writers, Emily, Charlotte and Anne Brontë, all who initially wrote under the pen names, Ellis Bell, Currer Bell and Acton Bell respectively. (Such was the fashion of the literary era and the non-acceptance of women as writers.)

How myopic times were then, as all three women produced some of the most enduring and popular novels of all time – Jane Eyre, Wuthering Heights and Agnes Grey.

Too bad the commercial below was never allowed to inspire legions of young girls – it’s something, in my humble opinion that Gloria Steinem would relish.

Talk about smashing the glass ceiling with a “Brontesaurus.”

Frank, the Truckin' Duck

2010-07-23T20:17:00.008-04:00

“I've always looked upon the Ducks as caricature human beings. Perhaps I've been years writing in that middle world that J.R.R. Tolkien describes, and never knew it. “~ Carl Barks ~

In 1976, American playwright David Mamet offered up a small off Broadway theatrical gem, “Duck Variations,” It’s a simple tale of two men sitting on a park bench observing the nature of nearby ducks, and discussing the meaning of life, death and friendship.

Fast forward 32 years and Twin Cities award-winning journalist Boyd Huppert reports a remarkable and heartwarming story for local television station KARE channel 11.

Huppert’s feature is a different kind of ‘duck variation,’ but uses the same touchstones of life, death and friendship, when hunter (Joe Mansheim) and the hunted (Frank the duck) become one of the oddest couples to share a delivery truck.

In this day and age, there aren’t enough news stories that have happy endings, so take a moment to enjoy a very rare tale of bonding.

An Unforgettable Face

2010-07-19T19:19:00.009-04:00

"In every man's heart, there is a secret nerve that answers to the vibrations of beauty." ~ Christopher Morley ~

The female face has long been inspiration for countless number of artists over the centuries. Take for example the hauntingly elegant oil on canvas that accompanies this post. It is a portrait of 19-year old Amalie von Schintling painted in 1831 by Joseph Karl Stieler, an artist who worked primarily in the service of the Bavarian court.

Stieler painted the portrait at Schloss Nymphenburg in Munich, and endearingly captured von Schintling's hopeful visage. At that time, the young girl was betrothed to her cousin Fritz von Schintling, but sadly would never see her wedding day as she died of tuberculosis shortly after the painting was finished.

Three years ago, St. Louis, Missouri digital artist, Philip Scott Johnson further immortalized Amalie's image in a video, along with that of 89 other beautiful women, all of who had stories of their own to speak from the canvas.

The exquisite video tribute to portraitists and their distaff models displays Johnson’s carefully cropped thumbnail images, which are morphed one on top of the other in a fantasy dance of visual beauty that spans 500 years of Western art.

For two minutes and 53 seconds centuries roll by from face-to-face as we see the passionate works of such artists as Rubens, da Vinci, Reynolds, Winterhalter, Renior and more, as each beauty dissolves and melds accompanied by the sensitive cello performance of Yo-Yo Ma playing Bach’s Sarabande from Suite for Solo Cello No. 1 in G Major, BWV 1007.

Johnson’s outstanding work was recognized with a nomination for Most Creative Video by YouTube for their 2nd annual awards ceremony.

For a complete list of artists and their un-cropped paintings, please follow this link.