America’s Got Talent is an OK show – but when I was introduced to the “outside the US” versions, I came to realize there are some very good versions of that show around. Several things define it for me, but perhaps the biggest on of all ~ there is no 90-second time limit. The acts take as long as necessary to show what their talent is and how it works. Here is the winner from 2009 who introduced me to real sand painting.
BTW, this really does have something to do with this post – I promise …
I have been watching sand paintings/painters for several years … until I ran into this interpretation of Vivaldi’s Four Seasons. To quote:
” And today, we bring you the live-action sand animation of Hungarian artist Ferenc Cakó, who projects his work on a screen for a theatrical audience. These more sculptural forms may be more painstaking than traditional cel animation, and for that reason more rare, but they are also often much more interesting.”
Spring:
Summer
Autumn
Winter
And to give proper credit – here’s the site I found this…I have it bookmarked and visit it daily…It’s call “openculture” for a reason.
It’s been awhile since I posted one of these ….. here’s the description where I found this charming game ….
“It’s the classic trick to avoid English homework: Don’t read the book, just play the video game. Wait, what? That’s right: Two game developers have created a charming 8-bit Nintendo version of “The Great Gatsby,” and it could be the first time a masterpiece of American literature has ever been merged with a little electronic man collecting coins and killing bad guys. You play Nick Carraway as he searches for Jay Gatsby, leaping from platform to platform as you fend off demented flapper girls and tray-wielding waiters with your magical flying hat. So basically, it’s exactly like the book.”
And I thought, with The Great Gatsby movie either doing well, or completely “bombing” – depending on who you read – this might spark some interest ….
If you don’t want to play the game, here’s a video of someone else playing it. Oh, that’s right – I now have to say spoilers to the game if you watch the video. (Sheesh….)
Absolutely one of my favorite awards to read about are the Darwin Awards:
“Darwin Awards: We watch the watchman watch the watchmen.”
Natural selection deems that some individuals
serve as a warning to others. Who are we to disagree?
The next generation, ever and anon, is descended from the survivors.
Yes, it’s several (ahem) days AFTER April Fools. I had every intention of getting the answers to the videos posted – but a bit too much got in the way. I’ll admit that a nasty cold/cough illness played a great part in it ….
In The video from Charlie Chaplin’s “The Circus” …. It certainly looks as if there were cell phones in 1928 …. right?
In staying with the comments on YouTube, which is a fascinating/horrifying place to be for any length of time. It was suggested and confirmed that this is nothing more than a compact hearing amplification device that was available and was actually quite expensive. Personally, it seems to be nothing more than something to replace cupping your hand behind your ear ….
The video from 1938 causes more “conspiracy” theories … It looks like a cell phone, she’s talking on the phone and THEN she puts it down from her ear.
The film itself is, evidently, part of a longer film from DuPont .. who at the time was working with the concept of radio phones – think walkie-talkies (walking and talking – having nothing to do with the famous BBC series which introduced the world to “walkie-walkies”.)
The problem with this device (as there was NO infrastructure at the time) It would only work within a very small radius and for a very short time … the batteries evidently sucked as well.
Sadly, I’ll have to put my Dr. Who fantasy back in the drawer for a while, but I’m sure there’s other fascinating videos out there …..
There, now that I’ve gotten that out-of-the-way ….
Along the years, I’ve gotten to enjoy some really bizarre “conspiracy theories”. Some are in the category of >banging head on keyboard> while others actually make you stop and go “Hmm.” This is one of those.
In spite of what my Grand-kids might think, cell phones are a rather new invention … or are they?
[NOTE: the two videos that follow have NOT been doctored, they are as they were … ]
OK, let’s set the way back machine to the year – well close to the year – 1928 and Charlie Chaplin’s The Circus … watch and you might think that Dr. Who had been there ….
Really? A cell phone in 1928(ish) …. To quote the infomercials: “But wait there’s more…..”
Skip the record ahead just a few years to the somewhere toward 1938(ish) ….
Totally flummoxed? As always, there are some explanations….. I’m just not going to include them now. I’ll post about it tomorrow after you’ve dealt with them ….
No matter your beliefs, there’s something amazing about taking a moment and just being thankful … for a new day, a new start, new hope … or just that you’re breathing!!!!
I’ve always loved the Hallelujah Chorus more at Easter than Christmas. I discovered the Silent Monks several years ago. They’ve adopted a total vow of silence, but yet – how do they “Make A Joyful Noise Unto The Lord” … click play and see …
There’s been a lot going on this week. I have a friend at Stage (end) cancer, another friend that is facing what could be heart failure. I’ve been strong and uplifting until last night …. that’s when I discovered that the well had run dry. I’ve been around long enough and through enough (look back through this history of the blog for those episodes that really revitalized my outlook) to know that it’s bound to happen.
Even counselors know that a sponge can only absorb so much, and then all that has to be squeezed out or the sponge becomes of no use.
Today, then – became a quiet and reflective day. However (comma) I really wanted a few things to possibly 1) kick me in the behind to make me move (LOL) or 2) make me laugh and/or 3) inspire me ….
Here’s the laugh factor …. as a preface – the Mouse House (AKA Disney Studio) is NOT known for their sense of humor in regards to what others might do with their material. I’ve been surprised at some of what on YouTube is allowed to remain and not so surprised at what they’ve wanted removed.
In this case, they took the recording outtakes/bloopers from The Lion King and animated them and included them (evidently) in The Lion King DVD … I’m still chuckling over parts – especially the last one. I have to admit when I saw the film the first time (and the stage show) a part of me wondered if that had ever happened.
And now – THIS video made my day just to be able to watch these folks fly … and what a rush it must have been for them …..
Let me quote:
Wingsuit flying is the sport of flying the human body through the air using a special jumpsuit, called a wingsuit, which adds surface area to the human body to enable a significant increase in lift. Modern wingsuits, first developed in the late 1990s, create the surface area with fabric between the legs and under the arms. A wingsuit may be referred to as a birdman suit, flying squirrel suit, or bat suit.
A wingsuit flight normally ends with a parachute opening, so a wingsuit can be flown from any point that provides sufficient altitude to glide through the air, such as skydiving aircraft or BASE jumping exit points, and to allow a parachute to deploy.
The wingsuit flier wears parachute equipment designed for skydiving or BASE jumping. The flier deploys the parachute at a planned altitude and releases the arm wings, if necessary, so they can reach up to the control toggles and fly to a normal parachute landing.
Let us leave the world of children’s toys in space .. (AKA “Kid’s Toys In Space”) and enter another time-waster. This is titled Snake Squad. It’s an interesting combination of several game themes but just like Mario – remember to “gather” the money!! It’s totally controlled by your mouse …
Failure to remember to “collect” the money will result in a fairly low score ..,..
As always, I’m not responsible for time wasted, broken keyboards, or smashed objects (in frustration) .. ENJOY!!!!
Living in Houston and not driving (which is another story all in itself) one learns very quickly how to make the Metro bus system work in your favor.
One of the major routes (for me) involves the length of Westheimer and the bus numbered 82. I have maintained for years that Metro should charge an extra entertainment fee for the 82 bus … I’ve seen street preachers, hook-ups, un-hook-ups, and the “chair lady” who rode the bus with her beach chair and her imaginary boyfriend. (I’ve posted about her before)
Last night was no exception to the entertainment. I actually was looking around to see if maybe we were a part of that television show “What Would You Do”, but then I realized that nope, it’s just people forgetting that talking on a cell phone is NOT a private conversation ~ especially at a loud volume!
I sent a txt to my daughter C about that and she wanted to know what I meant. I’m sure she’s sorry she asked…. In a short space of time I got so much TMI (too much information) my main difficulty was not busting out laughing.
I found out about a really bad boss,a school party that went awry (“her two-year old couldn’t even carry her own tray!!”), some really bad customers, a post-break-up break-up … but the topper of the conversations had to have been the faults of a current boy friend. Let’s just say, one of his really bad habits is wearing his socks for two days in a row, then leaving them on the bedroom floor.
Way, way, waaaaaay TMI!!!! ( to say nothing of the ewwwww factor)
I think there’s a TV show possible involving the 82 bus … but I’m not sure I’d watch it!!!!!
No, I’m not talking about Disney this time, but rather one of the most amazing parties in the world!!! This has been called Burning Man for people who like to bathe … whatever, it still looks like a heck of a party. It’s world party staged in Belgium since 2005. This year was HUGE with 180,000 tickets completely sold out. Here’s a description of the party:
The 2012 edition took place on Friday, July 27, Saturday, July 28 and Sunday, July 29. The line-up consisted of 400 DJs, such as Skrilles, Avicii, , Skazi, David GUretts, Nervo, Hardwell, Swedish House Mafia, Afrojack, Steve Aoki, Carl Cox, The Bloody Beetroots, Paul van Dyk, Martin Solveig, Chuckie (DJ), Fatboy Slim and Pendulum playing on 15 stages per day. Because of the enormous success of Tomorrowland and the fact that it is a Belgian festival, ID&T decided to give Belgians an exclusive chance with a presale (80,000 of the 180,000 tickets) on Saturday, March 24. In less than one day, all of the tickets sold out and at some moments there were 2,000,000 people on the online waiting list. The worldwide sale started Saturday, April 7 at 11am. Within less than 2 hours, the other 100,000 tickets sold out. The event became the most international one as yet, attracting over 75 nationalities. More than 35,000 people used the camping option at the so called “Dreamville.” [bolding is mine]
This is actually the first time I’ve heard of this party … and even though I’m slightly (ahem) above the age of most of the participants … I’d still LOVE to go. ‘
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