Mars Rover Year 1 in 2 Minutes - video

So, this is cool.

More Internet Things

I think I did this sort of post once before, but whether I did or not here it is:

Some things I've shared on Facebook which were worth my time and which I might want to see again in the future.


Serious and Cool

AIDS-Related Problem solved by gamers
 
Funny and Cool

Laser Grid game

Quote Quiz - Shakespeare or Batman?

To be a Kid again


Musical and Cool

Billy Joel sings with student accompaniment

Ender's Game - the Trailer

Ender's Game, by Orson Scott Card is one of the best books I have ever read.

For years, fans of the book (which basically include anyone who has ever read it) have hoped for a film version of the story.  Finally, it's been made.  Here's the trailer.



What does it look like, to you? 

To me, it looks like a pretty standard "Earth is fighting aliens and we need a Reluctant Hero to win" story.

Which, of course, makes sense -- to a point.  I mean, that's what Hollywood is going to make out of the story, so it makes sense the trailer shows that. 

The problem, though, is this: for years the movie did not get made because the author, Card, wanted enough control to ensure that the essence of Ender's Game did not get lost in a movie version.  And I had heard that he finally got that control.  So, if he did, how does the movie end up looking like this?

My hope?  It's the old trailer bait-and-switch.  We have all seen trailers which lead us to believe one thing about a movie, only to find that the movie was quite different.  We have also all seen trailers which seem to show us the entire story, but in fact, only show us a tiny piece of it.

If this trailer is like those, then Ender's Game has a chance to be something special.  Because, you see, the story is Something Special with two capital S'es.

If, on the other hand, the trailer is a good indicator of what we'll see in the theater, then we'll be seeing another Starship Troopers.  And the world does not need another Starship Troopers.  And Ender Wiggin deserves better.

Here's hoping.

Unscripted - Famous Improvisations in Film

This one is definitely worth saving for posterity.  I have not seen all 25 films in this list, but I have seen most of them.  I love the fact that an improvising actor can have such a positive and memorable addition to the work.

Star Trek Continues

I don't know how this came about, but a web series is getting set to begin which continues the stories of Star Trek (the original series).  I'll point you to their site for complete information. ( http://www.startrekcontinues.com/)

Watching their initial clip, it is clear they are trying to faithfully recreate the series.  This is not a "reboot" -- like the latest movie was.  This allows the "five year mission" to continue, with new stories, using the same elements used in the original series.

Here's the clip. It appears to be the last several minutes of the episode "Turnabout Intruder" -- the final episode of the original series. The people behind Star Trek Continues describe it as "a vignette that bridges our new series to the original."



As a fan of all things Star Trek, I am looking forward to seeing this new entry take its shot at being worthy of the franchise.

Video: The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey trailer

I am not one to wish that time would move more quickly than it should or does.  Hence, I shall not say

"I cannot wait for "The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey!"

I can wait.  And the waiting will make the viewing all the sweeter.

Take a look at the trailer, folks.  Peter Jackson has done it again.




Oh, and if you missed it, here's the video blog Jackson did to describe the making of a new form of 3-D filming specifically for this movie.

Video - Ventriloquism Done Right

Be prepared to laugh.

An Unexpected Journey is Coming

Yeah, so, um, I'm excited about this.

297 days, and counting.

No Photo - Just Video

Today I am imbedding videos which I have found interesting, entertaining, funny or touching over the past few months.  I have shared all of these on Facebook, so for some of you, these are repeats.  For others, I hope you enjoy them.

And, selfishly, for me, I want to keep track of them.

The first one is in the "touching" category.  It is also an excellent example of why the SOPA/PIPA laws must not be passed.  Why?  Because according to SOPA/PIPA, someone could complain that this girl was using a song without permission (which she was, when she posted it) and youtube.com itself could have been shut down.

Anyway, her story is touching, and here is the link to the Minneapolis Star/Tribune story where I read about it.



The second one is viral this week, ahead of the Super Bowl (did you know we can't technically use that term?) Anyway, I think it's genius in two ways. First, having the dogs do this piece, in costume, hits so many right notes (to pun, or not to pun....). Second, to release it a few weeks ahead of the Big Game is a great way to get a jump on the hype.


While I'm on the music/video theme, this one made me smile so big at Christmas time. And I have learned that the creator was from Luther College, my alma mater, so that's cool, too.


There was a semi-mini-faux "war" between William Shatner and Carrie Fisher concerning whether Star Trek or Star Wars was better. You can find those videos easily enough, but the one I really liked was George Takei's "peace" plan, which involves finding a common enemy.



Finally, a video I can't imbed, because the youtube source video won't allow it. It's of a contortionist/archer, and I think it's incredible.

Evolution of the Eye

This is just so cool.  When media tries to cover science, it often over-simplifies, or sensationalizes.  That's why it's great to have media which is specifically trying to explain bits of science in ways we can understand.




This is another thing I saw because I follow Roger Ebert (@ebertchicago) on Twitter. I can't possibly read or view everything he recommends, but when something catches my eye -- and the connection to the Great Courses I've taken which talk about evolution was so strong (here and here), this one did -- I read/listen/view and am never disappointed.

Video: Born X

We saw "X-Men: First Class" last night.

Micro-review later.

Today, a funny video. No spoilers. Just Gaga-X-Men-Parody funny.

The Lazy Song - the BEST video version

Fair warning: the song and the video are both likely to offend.

But, man, this is funny.

Happy Monday.

No Really ...

... I watch it for the stories.

[Seriously, the stories are very good. But also, seriously, these are attractive people playing people attracted to one another.]

[And, double seriously -- what a promo!]

[Castle]

QMX - The Raven - John De Lancie

OK, so if you were asked "Who wrote 'The Raven?'" you could probably give the right answer.

But most of us didn't get as much out of reading it as we could get by listening to a good actor read it.

And so, visit this page, and listen to John De Lancie.

In fact, make the video full-screen and just look into his eyes and soon you will be sitting beside the narrator in his chamber.

[Mike H once recorded this for me on an audio cassette, if I recall correctly.  It, too, sent chills down my spine.]

"What Does a Teacher Make?" - Video

Back from vacation, and one of the things I happened upon (from one of the blogs I follow) is this wonderful piece by Taylor Mali on "What Does a Teacher Make?"  I shared this on Facebook yesterday, but it deserves a more permanent and prominent place in my recorded thoughts.

It is a stark contrast to the recent attacks on teachers and what they are "worth" to our society.



I was at dinner a few weeks back, and the Wisconsin protests were just a few days old. A couple of my dinner partners -- who almost certainly received salaries and benefits far above those of an average teacher -- were talking about how easy teachers have it.  They -- the opinionators speaking -- would be glad to have that job, for that pay, for that "little work."

Sorry guys, you could not handle it. Honestly. And if you tried, I would be sorry for your students. Our students deserve people who want to do the work, who treat it as a vocation or a calling, not people who think it is easy work for the money.

This should not be political, folks. All but a tiny percentage of us were taught by teachers. A good teacher -- and there are millions -- does a good job, and the result is well-educated young people. A great teacher -- and there are many of these, too -- I'd venture more than one per school of most any size -- does a great job, and the result is a set of inspired students who do more than anyone would have thought possible, and who will grow up grateful to what those teachers did.

If I tried to list all of the teachers who inspired me over the years, I might give offense by leaving someone off the list -- and it would be unintentional, but understandable, because I have had so many.  But here is a list anyway.

• The elementary teacher whose name escapes me, but who introduced me to Tolkien by reading us "The Hobbit"
• Mrs. Hacker
• Mr. Gesme
• Mr. Evelsizer 
• Mr. Eittreim
• Mrs. Hein
• Ms. Olson
• Mr. Sexter
• Steve Hubbard
• Diane Scholl
• Ed Kaschins
• Weston Noble
• Leigh Jordahl
• Richard Simon Hanson
• John Bale
• Walt Will

These people, by their dedication to their students, and their skill in the art of teaching, challenged me, pushed me to do more than coast.  They taught me to question, to research, to create, to write, to revise, to analyze, to think.  They opened my eyes to subjects and ideas which lit my imagination on fire.  Would I have discovered the joy of singing choral music without Mr. Sexter?  The thrill of performing on stage without Ms. Olson?  The reasons Shakespeare's work was special without Dr. Bale?  How Economics could be interesting and understandable without Ed Kaschins?

The Paideia class taught by Dr. Scholl helped Sherry and me as we grew to know one another better just before our marriage. The class on Christian Humanism as taught by Dr. Jordahl helped clarify for me the kind of faith which still makes most sense to my heart and head -- and he simply loved having a married couple in his class.

And while it is clear my mind was primed for mathematics & the sciences, many of the teachers above found ways to encourage me to rise above the expectations of the ordinary syllabus, to learn things I could learn, and to help others learn them when I could.  I wanted to be a teacher because of Mrs. Hacker and my dad.  I learned to love and appreciate math and science because of them and the rest of the math and science teachers on that list, and others I omitted while trying to finish this in less than an evening.

To evaluate these people by how much money they make, or to think you can put a price on what their jobs are worth?  It can't be done.  These people, and the work they have done, are priceless.

Ash Wednesday - Wearing the Kyrie

It has been two years since I wrote an Ash Wednesday blog.

Though my faith life has changed quite a bit since then, as I re-read that entry, I can see I struggle with the same things, and so Lent will provide me an opportunity to focus, once again, on the messages I need to hear.

Tonight as the ashes are applied, I will once again hear the words "From dust you have come, and to dust you shall return."  Humans have had to face this reality for all time.  How do we deal with that certainty?  How will I?

Once more I will try to remove the blinders of all I know, to allow myself to discern what I still have yet to learn, and to be faced with the knowledge that while I live, I can never know completely.  Once more, I will hang the "Alleluia" carefully in the closet, knowing I can wear it again Easter morning.  Once more I will drape myself in the Kyrie for 40 days, and try to truly appreciate the meaning of "Mercy."

Stuck in the Middle

When you travel very rarely, a trip on an airplane can be fun. I remember some of my first flights. I was excited. I wanted to sit near the window, and I spent much of the flight looking out the window at the sights. Back then, it was cool. [And shouldn't it still be? A blogger can't let this topic go without linking to Louis CK's "Everything's Amazing and Nobody's Happy" can he?]

Well, I don't want to be part of the trend Louis CK spoke about. I merely want to comment on the situation some semi-frequent travelers find ourselves in.

If you travel for business, you know that after flying enough miles [one might even say too many miles] you reach a special level in a frequent flier program where you become eligible for special treatment by the airlines. I've never been at one of these levels, but I've traveled with a few colleagues who are, and the perks are very nice. Not only are there quiet, comfortable lounges to spend time [with little snacks and coffee and nice restrooms] but these privileged fliers also can be upgraded, or even change flights, without extra fees.

I have absolutely no problem with this. Frequent business travelers put up with frequent inconvenience. Even with this special treatment, airports are like cattle yards, airplane seats are designed for people the size of a typical 10 year old, and only the ultra-privileged who travel first/business class have seats that don't cause appendages to fall asleep. [Oops. I'm complaining. It's Amazing. Really. {Sorry, Louis.}] They deserve their perks.

My situation, though, is that I have been flying pretty frequently this year; far more than I ever have before. But I am not at one of these special levels yet. I am caught in the middle. It's a strange situation. Part of me wants to fly a bit more, so I can finally get some of the sweet treats I've seen. But the more rational side of me realizes that, on the whole, that would still put me in airports and airplanes far more than it would put me in nice lounges. It's like I have these two little spirits, one on each shoulder, arguing about what I should want, and I'm stuck in the middle.

That's why, when I flew home last week from Vegas, it did not surprise me when I had to pay an extra $50 to change flights. Oh, it might seem illogical. You see, I had been asked to move off of my scheduled flight (1:30), to a later one, because my scheduled flight was overbooked. For this trouble, the airline would pay for my ticket and give me a voucher for future travel. Apparently it was worth it for the airline to give me hundreds of dollars of value to inconvenience me. But when I discovered I could get on an earlier flight (10:30), increasing my convenience while also freeing up space on their overbooked flight, not only did I not get compensation for helping them, I paid for the courtesy. Had I been at one of those special frequent flier levels, it would have cost me nothing. Had I been a less experienced traveler, of course, I would not have known to ask. I was stuck in the middle.

And so, when I got on that earlier flight, giving myself a chance to spend 3 fewer hours in the Las Vegas airport, you can imagine where my seat was on the plane.

Yep.

Stuck in the middle.

But am I complaining? No, of course not. It was Amazing! Really. [Really?] {Sorry, Louis.}

I'm just sayin'.

[Well, OK, I guess I have to embed this.]

Tripod - King Kong - Song on YouTube

My friend, Eric, shared this with me. Essentially it's a review of the blockbuster movie King Kong, from 2005, but the review is a song. A really hilarious song. I laughed so hard. I simply have to share it.

BUT

Warning: Profanity! Don't listen if you can't enjoy humor with profanity.

[It helps if you remember the film. But I bet it's not completely required.]




[Thank you, Eric.]

Harry Potter approaches

I am beginning to get excited about the upcoming release of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows - Part 1. I've been avoiding trailers, but recently I gave in and started looking around.

The website has a great, long trailer which reminds me of the many aspects of the book which made it such a thrilling page-turner.

Shorter trailers exist, too. Like this one (which looks like it might have some scenes from Part 2, as well):



I know I have seen several good movies this year. Iron Man 2 was exciting. The Book of Eli was imaginative and atmospheric. Kick-Ass blew me away with action, comedy and unexpected heroics. Inception took a cool science fiction idea and did great things with it. And, I missed a few movies that others have recommended highly (How to Train Your Dragon, for sure.)

But....

Unless they really screwed this up, when Harry Potter 7.0 comes out on November 19, it will be my favorite movie of the year. Four weeks from tomorrow. I can't wait.

Cute Little Girl's Dance Leadership

Cute. And then way cool.



Saw this on Smacksy.