[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F3j8q6x-gE0]
The newly discovered giant in Redwoods National Park in Humboldt County, California, stretches 379 feet toward the sky, almost six stories higher than the Statue of Liberty. Here’s a cool video of the naturalists who spotted, measured and climbed it.
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z19zFlPah-o]
Filmed over the period of a few months in and around Edinburgh by Dave Sowerby, this video of Inspired Bicycles team rider Danny MacAskill (more info at www.dannymacaskill.com) features probably the best collection of street/street trials riding ever seen. There’s some huge riding, but also some of the most technically difficult and imaginative lines you will ever see. Without a doubt, this video pushes the envelope of what is perceived as possible on a trials bike.
I was incredibly blessed to be able to take a class with Nancy this summer!
Related post at my personal blog: Self-Portrait: “Bridge to Somewhere”
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NORTH AMERICAN NATURE PHOTOGRAPHY ASSOCIATION
PHOTOGRAPHY AND THE CREATIVE LIFE with Nancy Rotenberg
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“I hope you never lose your sense of wonder
You get your fill but always keep that hunger
And when you get the choice
to sit it out or dance
I hope you dance…I hope you dance.”
— Mark D. Sanders and Tia Sillers
“In most men,” wrote Augustin de Saint Beuve,” there is a dead poet whom the man survives.” Why does the poet die so young? Why are so many men and women limping along the trail of life, the doors to their hearts tightly bolted? What happened to the light we had as small children when we were filled with awe and excitement? Where or when did we learn that original thinking is wrong? At what point did we begin to follow the path of others’ perceptions of who we should be? How do you want to travel on the journey that is your one precious life? How do you get home to your one authentic self?
We can’t always find the answers to these questions but we can cultivate a way of living that celebrates uniqueness and we can travel deeper into our seeing. As we journey, we can develop a quality of mind that not only enriches the creative process in art, but results in a return to our true souls and to a more imaginative, richer state of being.
THE DRAGONS:
There are dragons that roam the wilderness of creative quests. If left to run amok, they can inhibit the most determined artist. The creative process transforms you, the artist, into a creative warrior – arming you to slay the dragons or at least keep them at bay.
The first step is to develop the courage to venture into the unknown, to climb into the mode of exploration – of subject and light, of assumed boundaries of photography and on paths that travel beyond personal horizons.
The dragons that plague the creative process appeal to the part of your mind that deals with product and ego. The way to combat these dragons and to discover images that grow from your heart and soul is not by searching in the drawers of your mind.
Prevailing mythology has it that creativity is a gift of some sort, but really it is a state of being – a quality of mind available to all. In a creative mind, the world is unique, has beauty, and is filled with potential. Creativity is an attitude. Creativity is like being in love – with life and with yourself. Creativity doesn’t have a simple definition, but we know that it is an ongoing process and it is about the search to discover the place where truth, beauty and fire live.
Joseph Campbell said, “If the path before you is clear, you’re probably on someone else’s.” Campbell knew that we don’t always know where we’re going or what the path will look like, but on the photographic path, the creative warrior knows photographic technique, owns great optics and good tripods, but that is not where they stop. On this path, craft is fine and necessary, but this is a search for transcending technical knowledge and is the quest for imagination and love.
[…]
DARE TO BE IDLE:
Learn to slow down and dare to be idle. We live in a culture that looks at idleness as something slovenly, lazy, and non-productive. It is only when you stop and reflect, that you can be filled and recharged. What you photograph today will be the result of yesterday’s “idling.”
[…]
To be on a creative path, we must work at ridding our thought processes of internal judges, worrying about winning camera club ribbons, or impressing editors. Photography should not be a competitive sport.
[…]
Have the courage and conviction to do whatever works for you. Do not let the appetites of those who “need” to stay in the box consume your taste for creativity.
[…]
We can’t blame the people around us who try to thwart our artistic expression. They don’t know any better. We can choose however, to trust what we know and who we are. We can move through fear and soar with the wings of our original creative selves. Eleanor Roosevelt knew this when she wrote, “Nobody can make you feel inferior without your consent.”
[…]
When viewers ask the question, “How long did it take you to get this shot?” There should be only one answer – “My whole life.” And when you get the choice to sit it out or dance, make sure that you step onto the dance floor of a creative life and enjoy your dance.
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[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4vAw1CC4A3g]F2A World Record – Control-line model aircraft speed.
On Saturday 13 October 2001 at Fairmile Common near Cobham in Surrey, UK, Paul Eisner made an attempt on his existing World Record for Control Line Speed (1.0 to 2.5cc) which he had held at just over 194 mph since 1987. In unseasonably warm conditions (24C) the best run of the afternoon registered a provisional speed of 208.28 mph. This beats his existing record by the considerable margin of around 14 mph. The model is powered by an Irvine 15 “special” and uses a single-blade carbon fibre prop – as is usual with models of this type. More details and photos on my website at http://www.flyrc.org.uk/record/contro…
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n9bY_2odnFI]
Elizabethan Serenade | Mexican Whistler
Watch at YouTube
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RuC6e8NHM9s]
Mexican Whistler (Live version 2006)
Better late than never….
A little over a year ago, I finally (not being a basketball fan) discovered John Wooden. I happened to see Bill Walton on Charlie Jones Live to Tape* — and the way Bill talked about Coach Wooden — WoW!! This started me on my search.
Here is leadership the way it is supposed to be, hate-free, which sadly, I haven’t seen demonstrated very much in most of the leaders whom I have known personally. Why is Godly leadership so rare in America? I recently wrote this article at ONEcanhappen, thinking hate is a huge reason why. Hate destroys leaders’ ability and right to lead: The Boot-Camp Factor: The Hate & Anger Factory Where Men are Programmed to Kill and Then Become Our Dads?!! Our Pastors?!!! Let’s Get Free to Bring in the True Kingdom!!!!!!!
Finally, I found the gold standard — a man who not only did it, but skillfully explains how to do it (he started out as an English teacher).
I watched everything I could find (on TV, DVD and online), and then I sat down and carefully read his book, Wooden on Leadership, cover to cover, small pieces at a time, actually underlining and marking about 1/3 of it. I highly recommend this book!
I’m amazed at this man: his heart; his genuine love for others, wishing them all (black or white) to succeed in life (not just in the game); being firm when he knows he’s right, but always open to hearing about or seeing a better way to do it; his thorough research, being willing to try new things; etc..
What a man. No wonder why his players still love him so! He was way more power-under than power-over. And he was so careful, thinking out every aspect which he painstakingly implemented.
But John Wooden wasn’t born “no hate.” He gives a few examples in chapter 7 in Wooden on Leadership. Early in his career, he said he made a decision about a player that still bothers him to this day, because he reacted out of emotion instead of doing the right thing. And on one occasion, he actually punched out the opposing coach in response to the false accusations and string of expletives that coach was spewing at him. But coach Wooden learned from his mistakes. He not only learned to control himself externally, but also internally — not even thinking hateful thoughts.
Coach John Wooden is an example to us all! He deserves this award. What a heart of gold!
“Success is peace of mind, a direct result of self-satisfaction in knowing that you did your best to become the best that you are capable of becoming, and not just in a physical way: seek ye first the kingdom and His righteousness and all these things will be yours as well.”
– John Wooden (source)
John Wooden is clearly a Christian.
Jeff Fenske : )
* sadly I just learned that Charlie Jones has passed away. I also very much enjoyed Charlie’s interviews with ‘the gold standard,’ himself and also Ken Blanchard.
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From: AP, UCLA’s Wooden honored as sports’ greatest coach
John Wooden’s friends, family and former players all say they didn’t need an award from a national magazine to confirm the identity of the greatest coach in American sports history.
Yet the Sporting News made it official Wednesday, recognizing the 98-year-old Wooden as the pinnacle of a profession that was redefined by the UCLA coach over his unmatched career in Westwood.
During a luncheon in the John Wooden Room at one of his favorite restaurants in Sherman Oaks, the coach saw the real reward for a life spent teaching, mentoring and improving lives: A room packed to overflowing with the recipients of those lessons, from his daughter, Nan, to current UCLA coach Ben Howland, to former Bruins center Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. …
“He was the greatest teacher ever. His integrity, the way he lives his life, is a model for all of us.” …
“The most important thing in the world is family and love,” Wooden said. “Love is the most important thing in the world. Hate, we should remove from the dictionary. … They say you never use love in your Pyramid (of Success). I just say I never thought of it.”
Get The Pyramid of Success at
Coach Wooden’s Site
It may not contain the word, ‘love,’
but certainly contains the concept!
Also Related:
John Wooden [1910 – 2010] recites his poem about being with his Lord: “Don’t Look Back”
My Favorite John Wooden Quotes
Coach John Wooden (at age-90) redefines ‘success’ AND John Wooden on ‘change’ we can believe in
John Wooden: A man who would NOT curse people — “Goodness Gracious Sakes Alive!”
Los Angeles
(75 miles of coastline, 7200 miles of roads)
Los Angeles has over 7200 miles of roads, but their traffic congestion is still among the worst in the country. Excessive wear combined with frequent earthquakes constantly damages our streets.
Even if we only repair our roads every 100 years, that means continuously rebuilding 72 miles per year!
The streets of Los Angeles are so bad that some have never been repaved since they were originally paved over 50 years ago. (source)
Alaska
(34,000 miles of shoreline, 14000 miles of roads)
The list of our State’s opportunities remains promising. We have vast coal reserves and enormous potential in oil and gas both on and off our shores. Trillions of feet of gas hydrates lie beneath our permafrost. Our State’s 34,000 miles of shoreline are the gateway to some of our Nation’s most promising tidal and ocean energy prospects. Our forests contain much of the Nation’s timber and pulp. Sixty percent of our country’s commercial fish harvest is caught in the waters off of our State’s shores. …
The list of our State’s opportunities is long, but we are still a young State. For each of our opportunities, there is a challenge to overcome. The Federal Government owns more than 60 percent of our lands. We have only 14,000 miles of roads. Seventy percent of our towns, villages, and cities can be reached only by boat or air. (source)
I just visited Rodney Lough, Jr.’s galleries in San Fransisco and Sausalito. He also has galleries in Minneapolis and Portland.
My current favorite photo is the eighth one in this video (two photos after the Tetons image), called Canyon Song. The $4000, 24 x 40 inch version is like paradise! [pdf of article that includes this gorgeous photo!]
His backpack weighs over 100 pounds when he’s out for multiple days, as he shoots an 8 x 10 view camera, so the prints are tack-sharp even when picture window size.
So imagine what these beautiful images look like in high definition, totally sharp and in gorgeous color!
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uTR43l7uxZw]
just breathe
Rodney’s website: The Lough Road
“I am so thrilled because I know everyone was against you. We are all so cynical, but that was a complete wake up call. It was a complete privilege.”
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9lp0IWv8QZY]
From: itv
A star is born!
The audience were on their feet and cheering by the time 47 year-old Susan Boyle had finished singing.
The unassuming, currently unemployed lady from West Lothian near Edinburgh had looked shy and a little out of place as she stepped on stage.
There were even smirks on the judges’ faces when she told them, “I am trying to be a professional singer. I’ve never been given a chance before but hopefully that will change”.
Then Susan, who has ambitions to sing on stage like Elaine Paige, launched into the West End anthem I Dreamed a Dream from Les Miserables.
And the look of shock and awe on Simon Cowell’s face as he did a double-take at her talent was worth a million pounds in itself. As Simon recovered, Piers and Amanda were giving Susan a standing ovation.
Piers told her, “Without a doubt that was the biggest surprise I have had in three years. When you stood there with that cheeky grin and said ‘I want to be like Elaine Paige’ everyone was laughing at you. No-one is laughing now, that was stunning. I am reeling from shock”.
Amanda agreed. “I am so thrilled because I know everyone was against you. We are all so cynical but that was a complete wake up call. It was a complete privilege“.
The official music video for the new song WE MUST TAKE AMERICA BACK by Steve Vaus. Visit http://www.SteveVaus.com
Related: Dr. Stan Interviews Singer/Songwriter Steve Vaus: RCA Pulled Steve’s Contract in the ’90s
From: Telegraph
New evidence suggests the Turin Shroud could have been the cloth in which Jesus was buried, as experiments that concluded it was a medieval fake were flawed.
Radio carbon dating carried out in 1988 was performed on an area of the relic that was repaired in the 16th century, according to Ray Rogers, who helped lead the Shroud of Turin Research Project (STRP).
At the time he argued firmly that the shroud, which bears a Christlike image, was a clever forgery.
But in a video made shortly before his death three years ago, he said facts had come to light that indicated the shroud could be genuine.
Rogers, a chemist from the Los Alamos National Laboratory in New Mexico, said: “I don’t believe in miracles that defy the laws of nature. After the 1988 investigation I’d given up on the shroud.
“But now I am coming to the conclusion that it has a very good chance of being the piece of cloth that was used to bury the historic Jesus.”
I haven’t tried this yet, but it’s supposed to be an inexpensive and fun way to make great tasting coffee.
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C6aQMN8us9Q]Brewing With the Vacuum Pot
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b3JcOndpcGU]Siphon coffee in Tokyo
From: Ground Truth Trekking Blog
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Redoubt Volcano Ashfall
27 Mar 2009
More Redoubt
28 Mar 2009
How does volcanic lightning form?
02 Apr 2009
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YIOsIbqpR5s]
“You are not alone. You’ve got a friend,
who will help you through your pains and sorrow
and will always be at your side…”
A new sand art from Ilana Yahav for 2009.
You can see more video clips in her website
www.sandfantasy.com
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EBwqbqZ3L60]
Penguin jumps into boat to escape Killer Whales.
I have been in contact with the guy who was driving the boat. He said the whales were just playing with it and traning a youger member of the pod and that they could have taken it at anytime. He also said they were never in any danger from the whales. And I did NOT ADD THE MUSIC!
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rooyt3ptNco]
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yNy9jTeolUk]
Twin baby moose and mother playing in sprinkler in Anchorage, AK. June 2008
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=roJzWYiXFtg]
“If they can do it, what’s our excuse?”
– Steve Hartman
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cBtFTF2ii7U]
In this latest installment of CBS News Assignment America, Steve Hartman visits an animal sanctuary where a dog and an elephant have formed a very lasting, and unusual, friendship.
Related: My entire ONEcanhappen website
[youtube=http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=mc0fY3BstdU]
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G_tXI4GyFZw]
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zVNTdWbVBgc]
Related:
Video: Lion Hugs Rescuer – So Cool!!!
Video: Otters Holding Hands – Sweet, Sweet, Sweet!!!
[youtube=http://youtube.com/watch?v=JE-Nyt4Bmi8]
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zKQgTiqhPbw]
[youtube=http://youtube.com/watch?v=diPoB7wljHI]
Grannies On The Road
Sitting on the side of the road waiting to catch speeding drivers, a state trooper sees a car puttering along at 22 mph. He thinks to himself, “This driver is as dangerous as a speeder!” So he turns on his lights and pulls the driver over.
Approaching he car, he notices that there are five elderly ladies – two in the front seat and three in the back, wide-eyed and white as ghosts.
The driver, obviously confused, says to him, “Officer, I don’t understand. I was going the exact speed limit. What seems to be the problem?”
The trooper, trying to contain a chuckle, explains to her that ’22’ was the route number, not the speed limit.
A bit embarrassed, the woman grinned and thanked the officer for pointing out her error.
“But before you go, Ma’am, I have to ask, is everyone in this car OK? These women seem awfully shaken.”
“Oh, they’ll be all right in a minute, officer. We just got off Route 127.”
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