Sorry I couldn't find a video that allowed embedding, but I just had to include What's Opera, Doc? as a Saturday Morning Cartoon. After all, it's widely considered to be the best cartoon ever made!
"What's Opera, Doc?" [SMC]Saturday, July 30, 2011
Sorry I couldn't find a video that allowed embedding, but I just had to include What's Opera, Doc? as a Saturday Morning Cartoon. After all, it's widely considered to be the best cartoon ever made!
The CarouselThursday, July 28, 2011
My thoughts are back in Texas, where Tropical Storm Don is hopefully going to relieve the terrible drought they've been having.
However this blog post brings you news of a different Don—that is Don Draper, fictional 1960s ad exec of the AMC hit show Mad Men. As of this week you can stream all four seasons of Mad Men on Netflix Instant Watch.
I heard a lot of talk about this show for a long time, but it wasn't until last winter that I snagged the DVDs on sale from Amazon. I was instantly hooked—if you're a fan of HBO-style character drama and you haven't seen Mad Men then you should check it out. While the show occasionally strays into the bizarre, episodes are consistently well-made, and they are always guaranteed to serve up an enjoyable mix of quality writing, acting, social commentary, history, music, and for some, nostalgia.
In this Season 1 clip Don Draper pitches the next big thing in slide technology:
Embedding disabled, click here to view (YouTube)
However this blog post brings you news of a different Don—that is Don Draper, fictional 1960s ad exec of the AMC hit show Mad Men. As of this week you can stream all four seasons of Mad Men on Netflix Instant Watch.
I heard a lot of talk about this show for a long time, but it wasn't until last winter that I snagged the DVDs on sale from Amazon. I was instantly hooked—if you're a fan of HBO-style character drama and you haven't seen Mad Men then you should check it out. While the show occasionally strays into the bizarre, episodes are consistently well-made, and they are always guaranteed to serve up an enjoyable mix of quality writing, acting, social commentary, history, music, and for some, nostalgia.
In this Season 1 clip Don Draper pitches the next big thing in slide technology:
Embedding disabled, click here to view (YouTube)
Alfred Sirleaf and The Daily TalkMonday, July 25, 2011
Thanks to Mental Floss, where I first discovered this story.
This incredibly inspiring story comes out of Monrovia, Liberia.
In the capital of one of the world's poorest countries, Alfred Sirleaf works as the unpaid one-man editorial staff of a most unlikely news publication.
The Daily Talk isn't your regular newspaper. In a country where most cannot afford a newspaper, or television, or internet, or often electricity, Sirleaf has made a heroic effort to sustain that most important ingredient of any functioning democracy—a well-informed citizenry.
Monrovia's most-read news source, you see, is nothing more than a blackboard on the side of a shed on the side of a road.
Sirleaf updates his chalkboard bulletin daily with succinct summaries of the day's events, often accompanied by biting editorials which provide his audience with critical analyses of government leaders and policies that Daily Talk readers would otherwise never hear.
The Daily Talk is hugely popular, with crowds gathering and cars queuing up every day, patiently awaiting the unveiling of the day's news.
Some have characterized the Talk as the worlds only (and most popular) analog blog.
Sirleaf has even developed a subtle system of visual symbols that accompany his stories, so that Monrovians who can't read are able to follow along with others. For example, next to a story about the president's failure to electrify the city Sirleaf hangs a kerosene lamp juxtaposed alongside an unlit fluorescent bulb.
It's clear that Sirleaf provides an invaluable service to his city and country. As an admitted news junkie myself, I know how easy it is to forget that the fire-hose of news and ideas I enjoy on a daily basis is a precious commodity for so many others.
If you have a few minutes, check out the great article about Alfred Sirleaf over at the New York Times. You can also watch the video from Motherboard.tv below.
This incredibly inspiring story comes out of Monrovia, Liberia.
In the capital of one of the world's poorest countries, Alfred Sirleaf works as the unpaid one-man editorial staff of a most unlikely news publication.
The Daily Talk isn't your regular newspaper. In a country where most cannot afford a newspaper, or television, or internet, or often electricity, Sirleaf has made a heroic effort to sustain that most important ingredient of any functioning democracy—a well-informed citizenry.
Monrovia's most-read news source, you see, is nothing more than a blackboard on the side of a shed on the side of a road.
 |
| Photo credit New York Times |
Sirleaf updates his chalkboard bulletin daily with succinct summaries of the day's events, often accompanied by biting editorials which provide his audience with critical analyses of government leaders and policies that Daily Talk readers would otherwise never hear.
The Daily Talk is hugely popular, with crowds gathering and cars queuing up every day, patiently awaiting the unveiling of the day's news.
Some have characterized the Talk as the worlds only (and most popular) analog blog.
Sirleaf has even developed a subtle system of visual symbols that accompany his stories, so that Monrovians who can't read are able to follow along with others. For example, next to a story about the president's failure to electrify the city Sirleaf hangs a kerosene lamp juxtaposed alongside an unlit fluorescent bulb.
It's clear that Sirleaf provides an invaluable service to his city and country. As an admitted news junkie myself, I know how easy it is to forget that the fire-hose of news and ideas I enjoy on a daily basis is a precious commodity for so many others.
If you have a few minutes, check out the great article about Alfred Sirleaf over at the New York Times. You can also watch the video from Motherboard.tv below.
Texas SkyThursday, July 21, 2011
Getting away from the big city lights certainly has its benefits. I love being back in Texas because I get to enjoy these beautiful sunsets. I snapped these photos at Stephen F. Austin's Mast Children's Garden, in gorgeous Nacogdoches.
Potter on Sporcle [HP WEEK]Thursday, July 14, 2011
It's happening! I'm headed to the movie theater to see the Deathly Hallows Part 1 + 2!
Hopefully you're going to see the movie soon, too. If you find yourself feeling a little Potter fatigue and need to rally before the main event, head on over to Sporcle,where they are also celebrating Harry Potter Week:
Thanks, Sporcle!
Hopefully you're going to see the movie soon, too. If you find yourself feeling a little Potter fatigue and need to rally before the main event, head on over to Sporcle,where they are also celebrating Harry Potter Week:
If you thought the Ordinary Wizarding Levels test would be challenging, wait until you try these Harry Potter quizzes! Be you Witch, Wizard or Muggle you will need to rack your wizardry brain to complete these Harry Potter spell games and Quidditch quizzes.Some of my favorites include:
- Characters by First Line
- Characters by Last Line (spoilers)
- Top 200 Characters
- Name These Spells
- The Dumbledore Quiz
Thanks, Sporcle!
Wheezes [HP WEEK]Wednesday, July 13, 2011
I'm a Hufflepuff!
This video has been working its way around the internet recently:
For the record:
Daniel Radcliffe on Extras
If you've never seen Extras then you're missing out on one of the great British comedy gems of the past decade. Developed by Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant (original creators of The Office), Extras follows Andy Millman (Gervais), an ambitious actor who can't seem to grow out of the bit parts in which he is repeatedly cast.
Each episode of Extras features a chance encounter between Gervais and a different film star—usually an A-list Brit portraying an outrageously parodied version of her/himself. As with this episode guest starring Daniel Radcliffe, hilarity quickly ensues:
Other stars that have lent their considerable comedic talents to Extras include Kate Winslet, Patrick Stewart, Ian McKellen, and David Bowie.
Save Ginny Weasley From Dean Thomas, by Harry and the Potters
Because Harry Potter Week needs a theme song, here is the wizarding world's definitive punk rock cover band, Harry and the Potters.
Other songs by Harry and the Potters include: My Teacher is a Werewolf, Let's Drink to Aragog, The Economics of the Wizarding World Don't Make Sense, and Fleur is Fine.
Yes, you can stream all of their albums online.
This video has been working its way around the internet recently:
For the record:
You might belong in Hufflepuff,(via the Sorting Hat, Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone)
Where they are just and loyal,
Those patient Hufflepuffs are true,
And unafraid of toil.
Daniel Radcliffe on Extras
If you've never seen Extras then you're missing out on one of the great British comedy gems of the past decade. Developed by Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant (original creators of The Office), Extras follows Andy Millman (Gervais), an ambitious actor who can't seem to grow out of the bit parts in which he is repeatedly cast.
Each episode of Extras features a chance encounter between Gervais and a different film star—usually an A-list Brit portraying an outrageously parodied version of her/himself. As with this episode guest starring Daniel Radcliffe, hilarity quickly ensues:
Other stars that have lent their considerable comedic talents to Extras include Kate Winslet, Patrick Stewart, Ian McKellen, and David Bowie.
Save Ginny Weasley From Dean Thomas, by Harry and the Potters
Because Harry Potter Week needs a theme song, here is the wizarding world's definitive punk rock cover band, Harry and the Potters.
Other songs by Harry and the Potters include: My Teacher is a Werewolf, Let's Drink to Aragog, The Economics of the Wizarding World Don't Make Sense, and Fleur is Fine.
Yes, you can stream all of their albums online.
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