Mark Grist shares his great attraction to a girl who reads. (I just happened to notice that one of the ‘related videos’ on the very same Youtube page was “Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show 2013”. And which video do you think has the most views? Might be closer than you’d think.)
BALLET – The Stars Of Tomorrow
A wonderful documentary, FIRST POSITION follows six exceptional young ballet dancers as they prepare to perform at an event that can open the door to a professional career.
Bruised and bloodied feet, near exhaustion, debilitating injuries, plus the regular challenges of adolescence, all at the same time. An awe-inspiring portrait of “the most gifted ballet stars of tomorrow.”
See more here: http://www.balletdocumentary.com/trailer/
George Carlin – Great American Philospher
One of America’s greatest philosophers – comedian George Carlin: “The only true American value that is left – Buying Things.”
Just in time for Black Friday madness.
And a related classic: George Carlin Talks About “Stuff”
TOP 5 REGRETS PEOPLE HAVE ON THEIR DEATHBED
From a palliative care nurse who spent the last 3-12 weeks of her patients lives: “When questioned about any regrets they had or anything they would do differently, common themes surfaced again and again.”
What were the most common five?
1. I wish I’d had the courage to live a life true to myself, not the life others expected of me.
2. I wish I didn’t work so hard.
3. I wish I’d had the courage to express my feelings.
4. I wish I had stayed in touch with my friends.
5. I wish that I had let myself be happier.
How ’bout you? Any regrets?
Read more here:
http://worldobserveronline.com/2013/11/17/nurse-reveals-top-5-regrets-people-make-deathbed/
Cover of "Look At Me Now" by Chris Brown/Karmin
Say what?? Ya wanna learn the lyrics to this tune? Emmalyn & DJ Hunt do a cover of Look At Me Now – by Chris Brown/Karmin.
Promising New treatment For Flesh-Eating Disease?
Flesh-eating disease (necrotizing fasciitis) is caused by a bacterial infection and rapidly destroys the body’s soft tissue. (Believe me, you don’t want to see any images for this post.)
It is typically treated with antibiotics and surgical removal of the infected areas of the body. Though rare, it can be fatal in up to 70 percent of patients, and the survivors are often left with devastating handicaps due to amputations.
A new treatment containing a common chemical disinfectant, hypochlorous acid, is showing promising early results.
Read more here:
http://www.foxnews.com/health/2013/11/21/necrotizing-fasciitis-new-treatment-discovered-for-deadly-flesh-eating-disease/?intcmp=latestnews
McDonald's Aims To Help Its Low-Paid Employees Cope … Kinda
Take a vacation twice a year … sing more … stop complaining … break your food into smaller pieces to eat less … but don’t ask for a raise.
She makes $8.25/hour after working at McDonald’s for 10 years. CEO not too sympathetic: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hVBh9M5UnZk
ORIGAMI INSANITY
Exploring the relationship between art and science though origami, a wonderful documentary: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bJRBiIeFe7Q
“BETWEEN THE FOLDS chronicles 10 stories of several fine artists and theoretical scientists that are abandoning more conventional career paths to forge lives as modern-day paper folders. Featuring interviews with and insights into the practice of these intrepid paper folders.
Through origami, these offbeat and provocative minds are reshaping ideas of creativity and revealing the relationship between art and science.”
A few highlights:
18:00 on – mega folds
18:30 dragon
24:00 minimalist
29:15 – 35:00 action origami by Chris Palmer of Chicago
30:44 spinning top – incredible
35:00 – 36:00 Anarchist Folding by Le Crimp
"THE CONCERT" – great piece of music
Final piece of music in the French movie The Concert (Le Concert) – Tchaikovsky’s Violin Concerto In D, performed by Sarah Nemtanu with the Budapest Symphony Orchestra. Now there’s another time it would have been great to be in the audience.
(Some consider Jascha Heifetz to have been the master at this piece. You can see his version here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kFaq9kTlcaY)
THOSE BANKSTERS AGAIN – $415 billion and counting
Bloomberg Businessweek has some nifty graphics on the litigation against those pesky banks. Turns out that settlements so far (to Nov 7) are $415 BILLION, with lots more on the way.
“Banks have been accused of improper foreclosure practices, selling bonds backed by shoddy mortgages, and misleading investors about the quality of the loans.” More here:
http://www.businessweek.com/articles/2013-11-14/2014-outlook-banks-face-investigations-and-litigation