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Cracked
The Oatmeal
The Onion
Parabnormal The Comic
Savage Chickens

THe Blackwater Gospel

Bachelor film project 2011 from The Animation Workshop
Best viewed on You Tube, I can't get it wide enough here.
I got a copy that wasn't loaded with stupid comments. Take
it for what it is, a cautionary tale.

What it looks like when a camera is mounted on a Hula-Hoop

"PEEL"

This is an animation, an animation done in oil. It is not an artist being unable to make up his mind about what he wants to paint. The artist, Duane Keiser, really has a handle on his subject matter. I think it's simply brilliant.

Liking Is for Cowards. Go for What Hurts. By Jonathan Franzen

Jonathan Franzen is the author, most recently, of “Freedom.” This essay is adapted from a commencement speech he delivered on May 21 at Kenyon College.

VIDEO

ESSAY


"In the long run we get no more than we have been willing to risk giving." -Sheldon Kopp

Will Smith inspiration

"It isn't what happens to us that causes us to suffer; it's what we say to ourselves about what happens." -Pema Chodron

Great Advice!

How to steal like an artist

"You were born original. Don't die a copy." -John Mason

How thinking for others can boost your creativity

How thinking for others can boost your creativity

Do you have writer/painter/creator block... this
may help! I'm going to try it. :)

Paul Stamets on 6 ways mushrooms can save the world | Video on TED.com

Paul Stamets on 6 ways mushrooms can save the world | Video on TED.com
Paul Stamets believes that mushrooms can save our lives, restore our ecosystems and transform other worlds.
This Ted Talk makes me want to ask Mr. Stamets a lot of questions!

This makes my hands sweat!

Devils and demons, zombies, ghosts, vampires and other assorted
monsters are not the stuff of my nightmares... But this, this
is exactly what gives me the serious creeps!!
You would never, and I mean NEVER, get me to do this!!

Or this:

This was made in 1984 when Big Brother wasn't watching

Anijam (1984, color, mono, 10m), Jury Prize winner of the 1984 Toronto International Animation Festival. It featured the work of 22 world famous animators. Each successive animator received the last frame of the previous animator's sequence. None of the animators had any idea of the action in the preceding sequences or the order of their sequence within the completed film. Each section of this "animation jam" revolves a semi-humanoid lead, Foska, who is placed into bizarre situations.



Anijam Cast and Crew

But would it work long term?

Fun is a very serious business, this was a competition to see if fun could change people's behavior.



For even more serious fun check this out. The Fun Theory Sequence

Only Breath - Video Poem by Rumi

Put together by my young friend Jeremy Fiest.

Rives controls the Internet | Video on TED.com

Rives controls the Internet | Video on TED.com

How many poets could cram eBay, Friendster and Monster.com into 3-minute poem worthy of a standing ovation? Enjoy Rives' unique talent.

The Death Ray

Love this so much it makes me feel guilty! Check it out.

I love this animation, it is fantastic!

Lightheaded from Mike Dacko on Vimeo.

lightheadedthemovie.com
Lightheaded is a journey we take with temperature sensitive candle creatures who sacrifice what they know to become who they are.
This is my first independent film. My advances in 3D allowed me to fully realize a concept I never stopped believing in. I managed to create all of the visuals by myself on a Dell laptop. A brilliant thanks to Mac Smith of Skywalker Sound for his sound design and Thievery Corporation for the congruous soundtrack.
thieverycorporation.com

Worth thinking about.

The Story of Stuff ~Annie Leonard

The Story of Stuff

www.storyofstuff.com

"In her new book The Story of Stuff: How Our Obsession With Stuff Is Trashing The Planet, Our Communities, And Our Health - And A Vision For Change, author Annie Leonard connects the stuff you consume with everything and everyone that made it and will be stuck with it when you're done."

6 Things for good relationships with others

1. Loyalty: Whether it's in friendships or in family, loyalty is truly important to maintain a healthy relationship. All of us are guilty, at one time or another, of making mistakes, having ups and downs, and even displaying some behavior that we may not always be proud of. When we find friends or loved ones who can forgive us and stand by us…even during our worst moments…we should be especially grateful. That said, loyalty should never be taken for granted and we should always be deeply appreciative when it comes our way.

2. Respect: I once knew an individual who was very opinionated about political topics. She would talk down to people who disagreed with her and would be very disrespectful. Not only did she make people feel stomped on, but she left many disinterested in friendship. Treating others with kindness and the respect they deserve is important in gaining the respect that WE desire. It never feels good to be taken for granted, judged or used and it doesn’t feel good to be talked down to or treated rudely or inappropriately. There will be times that we may not always have full agreement with our friends or loved ones, but respecting them along the way is a must.

3. Unconditionally There: There is nothing worse than having someone always resurface in your life when they are in need, are looking for something or need a favor. In a culture of “you scratch my back, and I’ll scratch yours,” it is somewhat rare to find those “who just scratch your back,” period. Finding individuals who want you in their lives just because…and not because they want something in return is refreshing and worth holding on to. Those who are generous of heart are to be treasured!

4. Trustworthy: I once worked with a woman who, within my first week on the job, felt the need to tell me all of the intimate details of the various extra-marital affairs that had occurred with the management of the firm. She was supposedly friends with these people and I have no doubt, was told this information in the most strictest of confidences. How she felt it was appropriate to divulge this information to a new-hire like me, I still have no idea. But, it was her nature to gossip about everyone and everything. If you share something in confidence, you should be able to trust that the information will remain that way.

5. A Genuine Sounding Board: Taking a genuine interest in what others have to say and really listening to someone is important in developing solid relationships. Letting go of the “me, me, me” and focusing on the other person not only makes the other person feel valued and appreciated, but they feel that they can really talk to someone who cares. Those who take the time to really listen to our thoughts and feelings, and then help us work through difficult times and situations, share our lives at a much deeper level than those who don’t. These are individuals worth hanging on to.

6. Dependability: I had a friend who frequently would RSVP to small gatherings and then would never show. They never explained…never brought it up…and never apologized. Although this example is somewhat trivial, it still makes the point. Obviously there are times when things come up that prevent individuals from following through on what they promise, but if a friend, co-worker or family member perpetually drops the ball, they may be sending you a message. If a friend says they are going to do something or be somewhere, you should be able to count on them. And, in reciprocation, they you.
Copyright 2009 - Brett Blumenthal

I like cars!

This drawing by Michael Paul Smith took four months to complete.
11x17 Bristol board-Prismacolor pencil.


Amazing! A must see!
Michael Paul Smith's photostream