Showing posts with label video. Show all posts
Showing posts with label video. Show all posts

Saturday, September 13, 2014

Saturday, September 13, 2014 - ,,, 2 comments

Hodgepodge

It's my time for the Hodgepodge, hosted by Joyce at From This Side of the Pond. I'm a little behind. I drafted most of it several days ago and wanted the satisfaction of posting it. If you wish to play, answer a question or two in the comments here.Then, look for the next set of questions at Joyce's on Tuesday. :)

1. On Thursday we paused to remember a dark day in history-9/11. Did you mark it in some special way?
 I wore a red, white, and blue ribbon pin.

2. Do you ever/still...listen to an actual radio? Watch a videotape (VCR)? Look up a number in a phonebook? Refer to a paper map while traveling? Set an alarm on an alarm clock as opposed to your phone?
 I do most of those things almost everyday. The one that is least likely is looking up a number in the phone book. The internet is so much faster and likely to have some listing. I listen to the radio in the car all the time. I don't even have a DVR. If I want to record something, a VCR is my only option. It still works. If my alarm clock breaks, I might start using my phone instead, but I can certainly see the time better in the dark with my alarm clock. I will say that I gave up my landline many years ago now. I felt very nervous about it at the time. Now, I don't think anything about it, and it has greatly reduced the telemarketing calls.

3.  Is it ever a good idea to discuss religion or politics with people you don't know?
I don't think it's every a "good" idea, but sometimes it is unavoidable. I try to keep those times to a minimum.

4. What's a dish you haven't eaten all summer, but come September find yourself craving? Have you made it yet this month?
I can't think of a thing. I guess that I should make a greater effort to eat locally in season.

5. What's something you know nothing about?
How long to you have? I guess something that totally escapes me is Pintrest. Despite long hours spent explaining techy stuff to my friends, acquaintances, and colleagues, they have zero patience trying to show me. It seems inconceivable to them that I don't intuitively get it. I remained confused.

6. September is Classical Music Month. Do you like classical music? If so, what's your favorite piece?
I can like it. Not everything. Not exclusively. It may sound cliche, but Beethoven's 5th Symphony is probably my favorite with the Moonlight Sonata right up there, too. I am strangely drawn to Erlkonig by Schubert. It tells a dark story of a father, son, and the spirit that tries to steal him away. It's in German, of course, but this video tells the story along with song. Personally, I find the visuals to be distracting to my enjoyment of the music, but the visuals are quite good.


(But Beetovan's still my favorite. *smile* I am also grateful for this question. It gave me an excuse to listen to some excellent music in an attempt to pick my favorite.) 

7. What's the oldest thing you own?
You mean besides my VCR? ;) Probably a china tea set that I inherited from my grandmother.

Have a great week! :)

Tuesday, July 22, 2014

Tuesday, July 22, 2014 - ,,,, 3 comments

Hodgepodge

It's time for the Hodgepodge, hosted by Joyce at From This Side of the Pond. Fancy playing along? Answer a question or two in the comments here. Post all your answers on your own blog. List your post over at Joyce's, and some nice people will visit your blog and comment.

1. When I look at the sky I am endlessly fascinated.

When I look at the sky I am endlessly facinated. This is especially true since I've moved to drier climes. I love to study the quality of the blue.Sometimes it's more of a baby blue. Sometimes it's shockingly dark and intense. Storm clouds can be very interesting. Sometimes I'm trying to figure how bad the storm is going to be. Grey and uniformly overcast is less exciting. That's how it was a lot in Update New York where I grew up. We were told that NY State had more cloudy days a year than any other state in the Union including Alaska. I don't know if it is a scientific fact, but it surely seemed plausable. Is it any wonder that I set off in search of sunnier skies?



2. If you had to run for political office, which one would you run for? Do you have any real desire to actually do this?

Maybe for City Council, but no, I don't have any real desire to do it.

3. What scent makes you think of home?

Baked ham and potato salad. That's what my mom always makes the day I arrive at her house. My grandmother used to do the same thing. Not only was it absolutely delish, but neither the traveler nor the cook had to worry about the exact timing.

4. How often do you take a step back to think about where you're headed in life? Do you need more or less self-reflection?

Periodically ... Usually near the beginning of the year. I have a survey that started out as a meme. However, the questions are pretty good, and it's nice to be able to compare and contrast one year from the next. I did it quite a lot as I was preparing for seminary until shortly after I graduated. I needed a break from that for a while. It was nice to coast for a while. However, the course I'm following to become ordained clergy requires quite a lot of direction assessment and self-reflection. (Yes, you can have too much of a good thing! lol)

5. July is National Ice Cream Month...besides a cone, what's your favorite food item to top with ice cream?

Something called Paradise Pie that used to be offered at Chili's. They've discontinued it. *sad face* It was a wonderful concoction with brown sugar, choclate chips, coconut, among other things. They would heat it for a moment then put the ice cream on top. Can you tell that I'm still mourning the loss?

(Picture by Ph.Ds of FOOD.)
6. What might your autobiography be called?

This is a hard one. If you've ever read this blog before, you'll know that I'm usually crap at titles. lol How about Spiritual Dancing? No, that might give the wrong impression. Maybe I should go with Spirituality Quest: One Woman's Journey to Find God One Dance Step at a Time. What do you think it should be. What would be the title of your autobiography?

7. Your least favorite mode of transportation? Why?

Scooter? It just seems like it would be such an uneven workout for one's legs. Eventually, one leg would be a lot larger than the other. *smile*

8.  Insert your own random thought here.

I'm going to be teaching some new ballroom dance classes soon, and I needed some new tango music. It's incredibly difficult to find good new ballroom tango songs. Usually, it's the same songs done in different (and often beautiful) arrangements. I was able to add some great ones to my collection. Here's just one.



Any questions capture your attention?

Tuesday, July 8, 2014

Wednesday, July 2, 2014

Wednesday, July 02, 2014 - ,,,,,,,,, 2 comments

Hodgepodge

It's the 180th Edition of the Hodgepodge!  It's a weekly meme hosted by the beautiful and gracious Joyce at From This Side of the Pond. Here we go!

1.  Speaking of 180...when was the last time you 'did a 180' on something? It was probably when I had to make a u-turn when I forgot something at the office. lol

2. It's Independence Week in the US of A! What's your favorite thing about America right this very minute? Favorites only! Let's hear what you love about America. This is a hard one because there are so many things to pick. Right this very minute my favorite thing about the good ol US of A is that I could spontaneously hop in my car and drive a couple of towns down the road to favorite restaurant. Freedom of movement and travel is a glorious thing.

Yes, I still have this car, and yes, I still love it!

3. Stars or stripes? Red, white, or blue? Watermelon, homemade vanilla ice cream, or blueberry pie? There is only one set that isn't highly variable, watermelon. I suppose generally my preference is stripes, but if we're talking about red white and blue, I find the stars more striking. And I love the colors red, white, and blue, but I usually only wear them together on patriotic holidays.


4. When did you last see stars, figuratively speaking? When I was ill. When I would lay down and close my eyes, a little woozy, I may have seen stars.

5.  'Clear as a bell', 'with bells on',  'lots of bells and whistles', 'saved by the bell'...which phrase 'rings' truest for you lately?  Have you ever seen The Liberty Bell? I haven't seen the Liberty Bell, but the phrase that rings true for me lately would be clear as a bell. One of my favorite things about living in the dryer climate like Idaho, or West Texas for that matter, is the clear blue skies that seems to be practically permanently present. Something about looking at them brings me joy and peace.

Not absolutely clear sky, but just look at it.

Those times in West Texas when clouds actually make the sky more beautiful!
6. Are you caught up in World Cup fever? Have you watched a lot or a little or none at all? I have not caught the fever. My favorite part is watching Jimmy Kimmel's Play of the Day. This primarily involves putting the ball back and play, and it immediately going back out of bounds. I have to admit it always makes me laugh.


7. Bid farewell to June in 10 words or less. Oh June, so glad I could enjoy your summery ways.

8.  Insert your own random thought here. I was very pleased that the Supreme Court could have some unanimous decisions this season. The ruins may have been narrow, but they were able to find common ground. Okay Washington D.C., they've proved it could be done. Acknowledge the humanity of people with whom you may disagree vehemently, but find some common ground. That's the only way we're going to move forward as a nation.

Have a great 4th of July no matter where in the world you are!

Friday, June 6, 2014

Friday, June 06, 2014 - ,,, No comments

What Makes Summer Awesome

Kid President gives us his top five of what makes summer awesome. Go ahead and watch this. You know you want to. It's Kid President for crying out loud! lol



Though it's technically not summer yet, but what I'm finding awesome so far is the more casual feel of things. Things still have to be done, but it can even be more fun when you're doing them. (That might have something to do with me having to play Disc Golf during the day with my youth. lol)

I also like grilling things outside. I think that I've already done it more this  year than the last two years combined. Oh, happy days.

What makes summer awesome for you?

Okay people, let's push ConAgra to the max.  They've already increased their commitment from a max of 1 million meals to 2 million meals. View and share this video like a bandit, and you'll be helping to feed kids. How could it be easier to be awesome this summer?

Thursday, May 22, 2014

Thursday, May 22, 2014 - ,,,, No comments

Love Never Felt So Good - My New Favorite Song

I think that I got caught in a trap when doing my DWTS Finale post. I was choosing a video to post for James & Peta's Cha Cha routine to Michael Jackson's "Love Never Felt So Good." Every time I tested one, I would hear the song again and again. It got into my blood.

Now, I hear it playing in my sleep, and it doesn't even bother me. I suppose I'm late to the party because it was premiered at the MTV music awards at the end of April to much fan fair. I can confirm that it was co-written by Paul Anka in 1983.

Now, there are several remixes with different artists.  This one is with Justin Timberlake, and it's quite good. I like it almost as much as Michael'a solo, but that one won't let me embed. You can see it here.

Without further ado ...


Sunday, April 20, 2014

Sunday, April 20, 2014 - ,,, 1 comment

Happy Easter! Christ the Lord Is Risen Today!

After we eat the chocolate bunnies, find all the eggs, and play all the games, what is Easter really all about? What makes the death of a single man by the Roman Empire so important?

There may have been a pax Romana, but that doesn't mean that everything was peaceful and lovely in the Roman Empire. The way they maintained the peace was with an iron fist. What that means is that at the very first sign of  trouble they would round up the leaders and execute them.

The Roman Empire executed Jesus just like they executed over hundred other rebel leaders. What makes Jesus extraordinary is not that he died on the cross. That was a typical execution method for political prisoners. What makes Jesus extraordinary is that he defeated death. He rose from the dead and showed himself not just to the disciples. It happened over 2000 years ago, and we're still talking about it.

Here is a hipster version of "Christ the Lord Is Risen Today." Happy Easter!


Thursday, March 27, 2014

Thursday, March 27, 2014 - ,, No comments

When One Wins, We All Win

Gives a whole new meaning to the term "one armed bandit." lol



Can you imagine living with four golden retrievers? My mother has one, and that is quite exciting enough. (Though I must say she is beautiful, fun, and I love her to death.)

Monday, March 10, 2014

Monday, March 10, 2014 - ,,, 2 comments

Because I'm Happy

To tell you the truth, I've completely forgot that this song was in Despicable Me 2. Then around the time the Superbowl I saw a commercial that featured the song. It didn't make me want to buy the product advertised, but it did make me investigate the song.

What I found out was the song hadn't been released yet. Then, about a week before the oscars I heard it on the radio. Naturally, it made me "Happy." This particular tribute video features of a couple friends of mine and is set in Washington DC.




  • Have a great week!

Saturday, November 19, 2011

Saturday, November 19, 2011 - ,,, 2 comments

Two Things That Don't Go Together

Current events in Syria and anticipated theme park rides. But there it was on my screen.



I was reading a story in the LA times about the increased pressure the Arab world and specifically the Turkish government was putting on Syria. Then, there it was. I could hardly believe my eyes. There was an ad about the Top Thirteen Theme Park Rides for 2013.

Really? I guess everyone needs a little escapism to get a rest from the violence and mayhem. Though I guess their oxymoronic plan worked, I did click on it. I suppose, there's no accounting for taste. ;)

Earthquest Adventures, Houston, Texas
Now, I've added insult to injury by bringing the Cookie Monster and Sesame Street into it. My apologies to them both.

For the record, I couldn't be more pleased about how the Arab League has taken the lead in the diplomatic measures with Syria. (Though, naturally, they took a 1/2 a step back since the news article was written.) Sooner would have been better, of course, but you can say that regarding just about anything. A step in the right direction, at least. That is if democracy in the Middle East is "right."

Thursday, November 17, 2011

Thursday, November 17, 2011 - ,,,,, 4 comments

The Rest of the Story - The Force of Volkswagon

You may recall when I posted about the superior Volkswagon Superbowl Commercial featuring a pint-sized Darth Vader. As a self-proclaimed Star Wars enthusiast (original trilogy), I was utterly delighted. Here's a little something to refresh your memory.



As I was reviewing my Favorites on Youtube ... Unbelievably Mini-Vader was not among them. I have corrected this oversight ... I came across a "making of" video.  Truth be told, it's so much more than that. It helps me understand baby-Vader like I never have before.



And now, you have the rest of the story.

Thursday, February 3, 2011

Thursday, February 03, 2011 - ,,,, 7 comments

Thrilling Thursday - Use the Force Luke

Yes, the title alliteration continues...

I shamelessly confess that I saw this on my friend Joy's blog.  She is a national treasure and truly lives up to her name in every way.  She is a joy.  (Like I'm sure she's never heard that one before. lol)  This has got to be one of the funniest videos/ads that I've seen in a long time.  You may have already seen this on tv, but this video was a first for me.  Enjoy!

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