Saturday, July 30, 2011
Friday, July 29, 2011
Friday Video: The Bright Side Of Life
Once again, last weekend, the world was stunned by news of the slaughter in Norway. Once again, parents are burying children that were senselessly murdered in cold blood. Once again we hold our own children tighter. Once again we are reminded of how vulnerable we are. Once again the world feels unsafe.
I have heard the statement, more then a few times this week, "Man, this world sucks." But, while I do agree that this tragedy was unspeakable and that, yes, we do live in a world where terrible things do happen - and, yes, those things do absolutely suck - I am here to yell as loudly as I possible can that this world we live in is also stunningly beautiful. It is filled with light and love and creativity and peace and hope and faith. There are millions of people that are loving and kind and generous and selfless and are powerfully working to make this world a better place. This planet is literally filled with silent heroes that help, bless and save every single day.
Look for the good, it's there. Focus on the beautiful, you will find more and more of it. Be a creator of goodness, it will come back to you. Take things less seriously. Laugh more. Love more. Allow a sense of humor to permeate your existence, learn to laugh at the unlaughable - it will save your life. Believe me.
And for those things for which there can be no laughter - cry, mourn, be silent and then re-center and turn back to the sunshine.
If I were to vanish from the planet today, the thing that I would want to leave behind is the absolute and unshakeable knowledge I have that all of us, without exception, are better, brighter and bigger than anything that has ever, or will ever, happen to us. I promise.
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I have heard the statement, more then a few times this week, "Man, this world sucks." But, while I do agree that this tragedy was unspeakable and that, yes, we do live in a world where terrible things do happen - and, yes, those things do absolutely suck - I am here to yell as loudly as I possible can that this world we live in is also stunningly beautiful. It is filled with light and love and creativity and peace and hope and faith. There are millions of people that are loving and kind and generous and selfless and are powerfully working to make this world a better place. This planet is literally filled with silent heroes that help, bless and save every single day.
Look for the good, it's there. Focus on the beautiful, you will find more and more of it. Be a creator of goodness, it will come back to you. Take things less seriously. Laugh more. Love more. Allow a sense of humor to permeate your existence, learn to laugh at the unlaughable - it will save your life. Believe me.
And for those things for which there can be no laughter - cry, mourn, be silent and then re-center and turn back to the sunshine.
If I were to vanish from the planet today, the thing that I would want to leave behind is the absolute and unshakeable knowledge I have that all of us, without exception, are better, brighter and bigger than anything that has ever, or will ever, happen to us. I promise.
* * *
Wednesday, July 27, 2011
My Own Religion
This makes me happier than a puppy with two peters. An Austrian man, Niko Alm, fought for three years for the right to wear a pasta strainer on his head in his driver's license photo - claiming that he belongs to The Church of the Flying Spaghetti Monster and wearing the strainer on his head is part of his religion. Ask me how much I love this guy.
I am, seriously, going to start my own religion and you're all invited to join! The outfits will rock, the sacrament snacks will be amazing, there WILL be wine, and just wait until you see the underwear I'm gonna make you all wear...
I am, seriously, going to start my own religion and you're all invited to join! The outfits will rock, the sacrament snacks will be amazing, there WILL be wine, and just wait until you see the underwear I'm gonna make you all wear...
Tuesday, July 26, 2011
Currently Listening To
Sorry for the Video pull, Internetland. Gotta love technical difficulties. It'll be back. In the meantime... join me and the Orleans boys in a rousing rendition of "Could We Look Any Gayer?"
Friday, July 22, 2011
Friday Video: Birch Creek Service Ranch
The cute boy first shown in this video is my son - several years ago - before he grew a million feet and got his new man-voice. At that time, I wrote about his summer at Birch Creek Service Ranch that was started by my wonderful cousins. My friend CJane also gave them a great shout out.
Not sure what registration is looking like for the rest of the summer, but it really is an incredible place for kids to spend some time. Check it out.
Perception
I stole this wonderful piece from Jeff Bridge's Website.
Washington, DC Metro Station on a cold January morning in 2007. The man with a violin played six Bach pieces for about 45 minutes. During that time approx. 2 thousand people went through the station, most of them on their way to work. After 3 minutes a middle aged man noticed there was a musician playing. He slowed his pace and stopped for a few seconds and then hurried to meet his schedule.
4 minutes later: The violinist received his first dollar: a woman threw the money in the hat and, without stopping, continued to walk.
6 minutes: A young man leaned against the wall to listen to him, then looked at his watch and started to walk again.
10 minutes: A 3-year old boy stopped but his mother tugged him along hurriedly. The kid stopped to look at the violinist again, but the mother pushed hard and the child continued to walk, turning his head all the time. This action was repeated by several other children.. Every parent, without exception, forced their children to move on quickly..
45 minutes: The musician played continuously. Only 6 people stopped and listened for a short while. About 20 gave money but continued to walk at their normal pace. The man collected a total of $32.
1 hour: He finished playing and silence took over. No one noticed. No one applauded, nor was there any recognition.
No one knew this, but the violinist was Joshua Bell, one of the greatest musicians in the world. He played one of the most intricate pieces ever written, with a violin worth $3.5 million dollars. Two days before Joshua Bell sold out a theater in Boston where the seats averaged $100.
This is a true story. Joshua Bell playing incognito in the metro station was organized by the Washington Post as part of a social experiment about perception, and people's priorities.
The questions raised:
*In a common place environment at an inappropriate hour, do we perceive beauty?
*Do we stop to appreciate it?
*Do we recognize talent in an unexpected context?
One possible conclusion reached from this experiment could be this: If we do not have a moment to stop and listen to one of the best musicians in the world, playing some of the finest music ever written, with one of the most beautiful instruments ever made...
How many other things are we missing?
Washington, DC Metro Station on a cold January morning in 2007. The man with a violin played six Bach pieces for about 45 minutes. During that time approx. 2 thousand people went through the station, most of them on their way to work. After 3 minutes a middle aged man noticed there was a musician playing. He slowed his pace and stopped for a few seconds and then hurried to meet his schedule.
4 minutes later: The violinist received his first dollar: a woman threw the money in the hat and, without stopping, continued to walk.
6 minutes: A young man leaned against the wall to listen to him, then looked at his watch and started to walk again.
10 minutes: A 3-year old boy stopped but his mother tugged him along hurriedly. The kid stopped to look at the violinist again, but the mother pushed hard and the child continued to walk, turning his head all the time. This action was repeated by several other children.. Every parent, without exception, forced their children to move on quickly..
45 minutes: The musician played continuously. Only 6 people stopped and listened for a short while. About 20 gave money but continued to walk at their normal pace. The man collected a total of $32.
1 hour: He finished playing and silence took over. No one noticed. No one applauded, nor was there any recognition.
No one knew this, but the violinist was Joshua Bell, one of the greatest musicians in the world. He played one of the most intricate pieces ever written, with a violin worth $3.5 million dollars. Two days before Joshua Bell sold out a theater in Boston where the seats averaged $100.
This is a true story. Joshua Bell playing incognito in the metro station was organized by the Washington Post as part of a social experiment about perception, and people's priorities.
The questions raised:
*In a common place environment at an inappropriate hour, do we perceive beauty?
*Do we stop to appreciate it?
*Do we recognize talent in an unexpected context?
One possible conclusion reached from this experiment could be this: If we do not have a moment to stop and listen to one of the best musicians in the world, playing some of the finest music ever written, with one of the most beautiful instruments ever made...
How many other things are we missing?
Thursday, July 21, 2011
The Big Whoop
A comment was left a few videos ago asking what the point was of The Whole Shebang. It is a show (part sketch comedy, part talk show, part satire) that me and a group of friends are producing - starring myself, JJ Neward and Laura Montoya. We are in the process of writing and shooting a pilot and 6 episodes. In the meantime we are shooting web content, building an online presence, working out kinks and having a ridiculously fun time. These preliminary videos are just us being dorks with cameras rolling.
Enjoy. Or, not. I will let you know as the actual show takes shape and moves forward...
In June, the crew and I hit the Scottish Festival. I had WAY too much fun - playing bagpipes (something I have ALWAYS wanted to do), the Didgeridoo, flirting, spanking, kilt checking (stay tuned for how THAT turned out ;-), searching for alcohol at the "dry" UT venue (don't get me started) and being my silly self. The guy above was oh-so married and oh-so Mormon - he wasn't quite sure what to make of me. I decided to go easier on him than I did with Mr. Sexy Didgeridoo. Actually, I think it was Mr. Sexy that went easy on me. Whichever. T'was a damn good time.
I cannot tell you how desperately I wish that I could say I was drunk when we shot this. Nope. Just me. Channeling Ethel Merman. Gawd...
Enjoy. Or, not. I will let you know as the actual show takes shape and moves forward...
In June, the crew and I hit the Scottish Festival. I had WAY too much fun - playing bagpipes (something I have ALWAYS wanted to do), the Didgeridoo, flirting, spanking, kilt checking (stay tuned for how THAT turned out ;-), searching for alcohol at the "dry" UT venue (don't get me started) and being my silly self. The guy above was oh-so married and oh-so Mormon - he wasn't quite sure what to make of me. I decided to go easier on him than I did with Mr. Sexy Didgeridoo. Actually, I think it was Mr. Sexy that went easy on me. Whichever. T'was a damn good time.
I cannot tell you how desperately I wish that I could say I was drunk when we shot this. Nope. Just me. Channeling Ethel Merman. Gawd...
Tuesday, July 19, 2011
Sunday, July 17, 2011
Happy Birthday To My One True Love
Ready to celebrate My Hoff? Start the video and then, while listening to the wondrous sounds of the man that Rocks Me Amadeus, scroll through the I Heart The Hoff Super Fantastic Activity Fun Book.
(Note: You might need a few cocktails first. And a cheeseburger.)
(Note: You might need a few cocktails first. And a cheeseburger.)
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Related Posts
The Hoff
Friday, July 15, 2011
Friday Video: Recycling A Bottle, Flash Mob Style
Hey, Internetland - just a quick shout out to Recycling. Please, please, please do all you can, every day, to leave the world a better place than you found it. I lose sleep thinking about the world one day being completely covered in garbage. And dead bodies. I know that last one is weird, but countless people die every minute and if we all get buried in caskets then one day the world will just be covered in boxes filled with gooey and dusty dead humans. Icky and morbid, I know. But, true.
I also know that we can't really recycle humans - although, I guess, cremation is maybe, kind of human recycling. I want to have all my various parts donated to whoever needs them and then be cremated - but that would foil the command I have given my children to write "Balls" across my forehead with a Sharpie right before closing my casket. Hmmm...
Anyway, again, Please Recycle. Have you seen the Pacific Ocean Garbage Patch? Sooooo Not Cool.
Thursday, July 14, 2011
Tuesday, July 12, 2011
The Whole Shebang: Rub-a-Dub-Dub,Three Girls In A Tub
Gotta love me constantly boob checking / bubble covering. You CAN always find a reason to show the boob, just not sure this was one of them. ;-)
Monday, July 11, 2011
Friday, July 8, 2011
Friday Video: Bike Lanes
This guy rocks. I LOVE it when people get back at The Man with humor and creativity.
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Related Posts:
Don't Get Mad, Get On YouTube
Impromptu Kitschy-B Film Fest: Flash Gordon
"Flash! Flash, I love you! But, we only have fourteen hours to save the earth!"So, a couple of nights ago a few of my friends threw me a Belated Birthday Wa-hoo and we watched the movie Flash Gordon. Oh My Gawd - it totally rivaled Barbarella (although failed to de-throne the B-movie queen.) I am seriously bummed that I didn't have my notebook to write down any of the amazingly well crafted dialog or to take notes on all the Stop Me In My Tracks and Slap Me Upside My Funny Bone movie moments. If I hadn't enjoyed so many of the "Wine-A-Ritas Made By Donna & Judy" I would have had the presence of mind to take notes on my shoe. Or a sanitary napkin. But, alas...
Suffice it to say IT WAS AWESOME. Best thing about it, BY FAR, was the Theme Song Sung By Queen.
Next official Kitschy-B film: Troll. I'll let you know...
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Related Posts:
Barbarella
Plan 10 From Outer Space
Thursday, July 7, 2011
The Whole Shebang: Tom Cruise, Mel Gibson or Charlie Sheen
Have sex with Charlie Sheen??? Ewwwwwww. No thanks.
Tuesday, July 5, 2011
Friday, July 1, 2011
Friday Video: Love Your Vagina
My "little man in a canoe." Oh My God. This song is going to be stuck in my head all weekend. Bella Bella Woo-Woo!
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