As both a Star Wars fan and space geek, this video from StarWars.com explores the real science that is inspired by the film.
I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.
Category: Cool Stuff On The Internet
Things that interest me, inspired me, made me laugh, or taught me something.
Mountain Biking In Hawaii: Fun Video
One of my bucket list items: mountain biking in Hawaii. With that, I discovered the YouTube channel Mahalo My Dude. Now, despite the name, these guys are from the Vancouver, BC area. But the video below features biking on Oahu and Maui. So, I thought it was great, and reccomend it.
Are there any places you long to ride? Let me know!
Free and Useful Tech Tools for Students
This week I started my coursework for my new career: full-stack web developer (for more about that decision, head here). In the few days since courses launched (online, as we’re still practicing social distancing), I discovered/reinforced the importance of several tech tools.
I started experimenting with this about a week ago. I’d seen ads for the free app, and, well, haven’t been too interested. I think I’m a solid writer. But I finally wore down and decided to try it. I’m actually quite pleased. And, as the syllabi that I’ve read the past few days state pointedly, grammar, spelling and syntax in the online posts are a part of our grades. So, that much more valuable. Though less delightful, but important, I’ve seen I’m not so perfect a writer. Having these, shall we say “nudges” helps make me that much better. So, I recommend it.
2. Evernote
This tool is one I’ve been using for at least 10 years. It’s my journal, and main note-taking tool. Articles I’ve read, want to read, brainstorming sessions, projects I’m working on, travel info, checklists…all of this an more are dumped into this tool. The searchability is great! And the ability to customize your organization system is excellent, too. Whether you prefer to have custom “notebooks” or you prefer to “tag” notes, you’re covered by Evernote. I also appreciate that there’s geocoded information in the notes, and also a number of third-party tools to explore.
I’ll post other ones as I discover them. Do you know of any I should explore? Leave a comment and let me know.
4/16: Editted as WordPress converted my manually typed numbers into a <ol> list.
Please Watch This Short Film: Alike!
As someone who values creativity, this speaks to me greatly. Especially how our society works hard to create drones, and is terrible at accommodating the creative mind.
So, I think this little gem is well worth your time. I hope you love it as much as I do.
Positive Energy: Xavier Rudd’s Honeymoon Bay
I discovered Xavier Rudd years ago, but during the quarantine, I’ve started binging his music. I find his music fills me with joy and with hope. Check out one of my current favorites.
Lyrics:
Angels flying, wind at her heels
Serpents gliding, nothing revealed
Full back circles
I believe, I believe
It’s my beginning, woah, oh, oh
Serpents gliding, nothing revealed
Full back circles
I believe, I believe
It’s my beginning, woah, oh, oh
Gone are those winters
Gone are those days
Gone are those choices, to be recklessly brave
I’m guided by angels,
Decided by choice
It’s my beginning, woah, oh, oh
Gone are those days
Gone are those choices, to be recklessly brave
I’m guided by angels,
Decided by choice
It’s my beginning, woah, oh, oh
I believe, I believe, I believe
Woah, oh, oh, oh
We are young, we can fly, we are free
Woah, oh, oh, oh
Woah, oh, oh, oh
We are young, we can fly, we are free
Woah, oh, oh, oh
Take a chance, take a chance
And see
Woah, oh, oh, oh
I believe, come believe with me
Woah, oh, oh, oh
And see
Woah, oh, oh, oh
I believe, come believe with me
Woah, oh, oh, oh
Honeymoon waters, Honeymoon Bay
Safe to assume now,
That we’re on our way
Sweetwater turtle, mingly roads
It’s our beginning,
Woah, oh, oh
Safe to assume now,
That we’re on our way
Sweetwater turtle, mingly roads
It’s our beginning,
Woah, oh, oh
A dream of stories, etched in the stone
Time to dream now and create our own
Forgotten by angels
Time to dream now and create our own
Forgotten by angels
Ten…well, Eight Things The Oatmeal’s Matt Inman Learned About Creativity
I’ve long been a fan of Matt Inman’s “The Oatmeal“. I admire his work, and his creative vision. I recommend this little comic essay on creativity.
Check Out “Hey Tim – The Story Of My Life”
A friend of mine shared this video with me today. Just. Wow! First the artistry of the film shines brilliantly. The story, though, carries it to great heights.
So, clearly, I recommend it. Check it out, then let me know what you think. I hope you love it as much as I.
Laugh of the Day
Upon reading this, I snorted boldly. No one in my house woke, thankfully.
Streaming Music On YouTube
I’ve been exploring music on YouTube for years. I’ve found the YouTube Music feature pretty lackluster, but that’s probably mostly due to my eclectic musical tastes and interests.
Lately, I’ve been obsessing about a couple musical things. First, the Hang Drum. Imagine a steel drum that’s much more portable. I find them rather ethereal and lovely. I particularly like the video below. The music is delightful, and the imagery stunning. My favorite combo on the platform. Here’s a playlist I’ve started, and will add to as I go forward.
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLBWQh5c_54C7L3LlYodlbn9_55OIPxYNl
Another recent musical obsession: these long playing live streams. I’ve been bopping in and out of the one below for months…maybe years.
https://youtu.be/jGIdW3sp-NM
Design Matters Podcast Featuring Derren Brown
I love to listen to podcasts. As I try to go for a walk every evening, that’s one of my favorite times to listen. One of my favorites podcasts is Debbie Millman’s Design Matters. This week’s edition features mentalist, hypnotist, and what I’m going to label “anthropological psychologist” Derren Brown.
I was unfamiliar with his work until this evening. And when, during the introduction, they described his performance work, I disconnected some. Which really helped me actually listen. Most often, I’m feeling compelled to capture every detail. But mental magic/hypnosis? Yeah…and I was pulled in.
Listening to his description of what’s happening in the minds of the audience spoke to my old fascination with psychology. And then I was able to see the connection to all the things I love. Communications is psychology. The mind is the key component for this inter-human facilitation of information transfer. Even my haiku reflect that. I love the challenge of communicating an idea with a few words as possible. The stripping down to the essential.
Also, I appreciated the notions of suggestibility and how it plays out in multiple human contexts. And reminders of how malleable memory is.
So, with all that, I highly recommend you take an hour and listen. It was very enlightening.