Since yesterday’s post was in honor of my late mother, this one goes out to my father who introduced me to legions of fantastic monsters, aliens, villains and robots.
Last time I visited him in LA we enjoyed some Ray Harryhausen. Here’s a complication of stop-motion animated goodness from the master himself.
Dad, you know I think of you fondly whenever I see something explode, zoom through space, rise from the grave or battle.
Precious moments. 🙂
With recording devices (even mobile phones) banned at customs, and the staggeringly small number of people who have ever willingly traveled to North Korea, the country remains shrouded in mystery.
All visitors are carefully monitored and led by guides, who frequently speak of the country’s achievements. Great airs are put on in shockingly empty public spaces, often lavishly decorated with displays of abundance.
It is as if the entire world exists (and is scripted) for the single person currently touring it. Charlie Crane managed to get a rather surreal photo set.
The stillness and pristine order are disconcerting, like a giant movie set no one is using.
See the rest of the photo set here.
I HIGHLY recommend you watch The Vice Guide to Travel’s North Korea episode. It is on Netflix instant, or you can access it by clicking the link below.
The Vice Guide to Travel: North Korea (WATCH THIS!)
This film will blow your mind. I guarantee it. I spent a good half of it with my jaw dropped, and if you read this blog regularly you know how much it takes to shock me.
This video comes from my friend Tom (too bad it’s on the tail end…pun intended…of Easter). Didn’t get to post it in time…
Thanks for the nightmares, Tom!
When I first saw this pig on the stage, I did not think he’d have such sweet moves in store.
This song is composed entirely of vocal samples, musical chords and sounds effects from Disney’s 1937 version of Snow White. Who knew Disney movies could be remixed into catchy trip-hop tracks? Well done!
There is also an entertaining Alice in Wonderland Gangsta Rap Mashup if you’re interested.
Another genius video has surfaced about one of my favorite things! Julian Smith made this badass video about reading.
His intensity is priceless.
And here I thought nothing would compare to the Arts and Crafts Gangsta Rap. I may have to check out his other videos.
I do not follow any form of organized religion. However, science often leaves me humbled, awestruck and downright ecstatic. Musing about how all things are materially and energetically interconnected in the vast scheme of the universe brings me a kind of meditative peace there is no real word for (as the following video aptly points out).
Science and spirituality are one and the same to me, so I find the separation of these matters baffling. I am in what I gather to be a minority: those who worship reality and find “soul” in harmonious complexities of nature and properties of energy.
This video does a nice job of presenting my case (yes, it is 15 minutes long, but I highly recommend it to all with an interest in the wonders of science).
We are so very small and insignificant. Yet, with the incomprehensible particles, patterns and occurrences in the universe…simply existing at this place in time is miraculous.
The holidays had some unexpected challenges in store for me this year (including hospitalized family, and what may be the largest data loss of my entire electronic life, if my paid backup service fails me). I’m trying to stay positive, so instead of lamenting anything quite yet, I’ll simply go ahead and give you a belated Christmas collection of links I had marked.
Incredible paper cut snowflakes
Amazing Galaxy Science Fiction Christmas covers
A great collection of gingerbread creations
Simon’s Cat: Santa Claws (I had the pleasure of watching two new cats “discover” a Christmas tree this year…this video pretty much captures it all):
I hope you all had fantastic holidays…whatever and however you celebrate!
You don’t have to be a Slayer fan (though it sure wouldn’t hurt) to appreciate this display.
Ryan Iverson is back with another Werner Herzog reading of a childhood classic.
I wish he could have gotten the real Herzog to narrate, but if you’re familiar with Herzog’s work, this reading is brilliantly done.
See others here.
SheWalksSoftly 