Something Looks Different

Japan is well-known for its quirky sense of humor. They definitely look at the world through different eyes, and that’s what makes so many of their tv shows so much fun to watch. When there are off-the-wall shows (especially from Japan), then you can bet that the Net (well, Reddit) will share the hilarity.

Take a look at Japanese Matrix Ping Pong. It takes a while (actually not all that long) to realize that the players are the only ones in the game. Look closely…something looks different. Enjoy this awesome take on ping pong as only a Japanese variety show can do it. : )

- thanks to Reddit and Kasou Taishou for the giggles

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Rudy’s Tat Lady

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A weekly visit to Piccsy is a requirement, just to see what others find worth sharing. And this gorgeous image of a Tattoo Lady by Rudy Faber really peaked my curiosity to find out more about this illustrator who puts atmosphere into a simple look from his subject. Going to his site, I found a whole lot more fabulous waiting to be experienced. His story of his growth in illustrations leads to a treasure chest of imagery that combines the feel of the 20′s with the vibrancy of a paint shop explosion and a touch of the best emotions that you might see in from a silent film. What an amazing combination from the land of Netherlands which already has a long history of incredible artists who benefited from a rich artistic culture. Go check out more of Rudy’s work. It really captures you.

- thanks for another perfect share, Piccsy

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One Minute

Life is just busy, sometimes too much so. We forget that it’s important to experience moments and not just tick off a checklist. Here’s your reminder (found on Reddit):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

- just saying

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Ring The Bell

Ring the bells that still can ring
Forget your perfect offering
There is a crack, a crack in everything
That’s how the light gets in.

- Leonard Cohen

Listening to a conversation between Dr. Cornel West and INET Executive Director Robert Johnson, I heard the most beautiful quote from a song by Leonard Cohen which really strikes at what so many of us are trying to day in today’s increasingly silent world (on things that should count more). Songs have been the carriers of wisdom since we first learned to create them, and sometimes, the lyrics are so powerful that they will stand on their own outside of the context of its shell. These lines definitely fall into that category.

This isn’t going to be a long dissertation as I’m wont to do with powerful words. Just felt like contemplating how we could spread them even more than they already have. We need to.

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Magic In An Elevator

Newton Faulkner! Get to know this guy. I just found a video he made in an Amsterdam elevator of his song, Teardrop. I haven’t heard of him before, but his acoustic playing and singing really makes you catch your breath (so powerful). As a matter of fact, I had to catch a few more of his songs and…OMG…they are really incredible. How did I not hear of him before now??? He’s got talent radiating from him like eternal sunshine. Take a listen and see if you don’t want to hear more!

- seriously, thank you Reddit for sharing him!

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Stephen Fry Being “Book”

Stephen Fry is someone who is loved by all simply because he is such a cool guy. Or in his nephew’s eyes…”book”. Though its definition isn’t the same as most of us know, it has evolved because technology sort of forced this new meaning as it tries to help us predict what we’re typing. Perhaps our devices feel sorry for us waiting as we poke in a series of letters on the itty, bitty keyboards that frustrate us to no end. So, the youth of today simply make do by redefining the word based on a shortcoming in the system. So, for all of you luddites, “book” now means cool. Who knew, right?

This clever little discussion between Stephen and Jonathan Ross is a reminder that following the rules doesn’t mean that everyone else will. Or that those rules are right and should always stay the same. Whenever a shortcoming is discovered, we humans have a pesky way of compensating for that flaw by modifying the rule on the fly and getting others to accept this new mod.

As a writer, I’ve been frustrated at all of the straight-laced rules that the writing industry pushes on us, as though they were written in granite and could never be changed. EVERYTHING CHANGES. It’s what makes life grow and transform to fit with the changing world that flows all around us. So, whenever someone corrects you for not following the rules, perhaps you might want to question them on their rigidity that won’t allow for better changes to transplant the known flaws that boggle the mind of so many. Creative endeavors, like writing, are as unique as the individual who creates these remarkable works of imagination. Telling someone that they are flat-out wrong is tantamount to ripping out their heart in my book.

Not book.

just saying…

 

- another great reminder that will make you think, from Reddit

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Herakut’s Giant Storybook

So, German artist team extraordinaire Herakut made a stop at Coachella 2013 to bring some life to an enormous snail (by Poetic Kinetics). And all of their talent brought it to life as a chapter from their now-evolving Giant Storybook. This short clip they put up on Vimeo shows the awe-inspiring duo doing what they do best: Creating dreams. Just looking at the details of this new project has me imagining how each chapter will emerge into being. Do yourself a favor and follow this amazing team as they start on another project that will leave your eyes filled with stardust and your jaw on the floor. One of these days I’m going to see them do their magic live. They are truly filled with everything magical captured in children’s storybooks.

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Crazy (From Egypt)

This gorgeous rendition by an incredibly talented Egyptian group, Haggar and the Band,  just popped up on Reddit, and it really is worth the listen. Every member brings that uniquely rich Middle Eastern sound to a song that we all know well… Crazy. And can you believe that one of the singers (Layla Mostafa) is only 13?! It’s going to be hard to imagine her getting better, and you know she will being accompanied by some amazing talent. There is something about the sounds that come from the land of  the mysterious sands that resonates deep within you whenever you hear them. Beautiful!

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Build

 

 

 

 

Sometimes, fighting what exists won’t get you as far as building something new so that others can understand what you’re dreaming about. There will be some people who believe that we have to live with what we are given. You can believe that if you choose, but you may find your world being buffeted by the thoughts of those with grander dreams than what’s around them. We have done some amazing things in modern times, but they mean very little when compared to the changes that have occurred over our time in existence, or even the time in context with our universe’s existence. Time doesn’t mark a constant, because it isn’t constant. It’s an ever-changing flowing river on which we ride, living our individual lives as part of the grander universal time piece.

We all fight to be the individual that we want to be, sometimes sacrificing ourselves at the alter of perfection. But perfection lies in the eyes of the beholder, and therefore cannot be held as a constant model in which we all have to fit into. So, when you find yourself not fitting into the cookie-cutter mold that is held to high standards by a majority, don’t question yourself but do question the mold. Status quo doesn’t like to rock the boat. But if you find that there is even one thing wrong with that mold, then  you are doing yourself a disservice by changing yourself to fit with expectations. Change doesn’t happen because people do as they’re told. Change happens when people change (or even break) the mold.

If you find that you can’t affect the change that you want within what already exists, then perhaps it’s up to you to build an alternative that just might fit into another’s dreams. It will feel a whole lot better than trying to overcome your frustrations because the walls confine a dream much grander than what we already know. There’s more than one solution to any problem. Frankly, there’s as many solutions as there are of us. Just think of how many alternatives could lead to a more perfect solution than the one we have now.

Think about it: Over 78,000 “regular” people showed an interest to go to Mars with the Mars One mission when the call went out. And they were told that they will not return to our little blue marble. If this many people can dream beyond the boundaries of Earth, then something as simple as changing the way we live with one another should be equally possible.

So, don’t take those naysayers to heart. Maybe their dreams aren’t as big as yours, and you just need to show them just what you imagine. That’s how we reached the stars after so many millenia of our ancestors just gazing up at them. Never-ending IMAGINATION.

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Difficulty Pushes

Today seems to be a good day to hear from one of my heroes, Albert Einstein:

 

 

 

Will opportunity’s light outshine that of the unknown darkness? When it threatens to derail your enthusiasm for new possibilities, then you need to list out all of the reasons why you’re making the change. Just remember that any difficulty will only be overcome when you are completely engaged in the belief that you will come out better on the other side. Don’t look at the closed doors, but imagine what could be on the other side and then make the idea come alive. And if you have someone who walks beside you on this trip, then you are all the more richer in true treasures. Share your fears and your hopes with one another, so that you each can ehlp set the shape of your new dreams. Limitations are only in your mind. And if your mind is set free, then there can be no limitations.

Besides, you heard it from one of the greatest minds of our times. And look at what he accomplished!

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