updated: new video from Youtube (original video in link below)
On the Hudson River (by yes18325)
It’s summertime and I can’t remember the last time that I got to see fireflies. I used to chase them when I was little, but haven’t lived in a region where they have them since. So, the next best thing is to find a video that shows them in all of their little illuminating beauty. Luckily, I found a few on YouTube (man, there are a lot of unrelated songs) and this one from the University of Nebraska Lincoln was my favorite (thanks for making this video). Enjoy a little taste of summer filled with magic as dusk approaches.
Eric Fortune has always been a favorite painter of mine. I found out through iheartmyart that Eric has a new show at LeBasse Projects that looks absolutely incredible. He’s known for his powerful depiction of humanity, but I think that he really caught the vulnerable side of it in this series.
This is a project called “A Life To Leave”, which depicts the transitions from a life we know to one completely unknown. I’m sure that a lot of us can relate as many are doing just that in order to find a life more controlled by us as individuals. The poignancy in this series is sure to touch those who are in the midst of this transition, as the feelings are depicted eloquently. I wish that I’d gone to see this show.
Batman has been full of tragedy lately (well, always), yet we still ask ourselves, “Why so serious?” That this question was portrayed so brilliantly by the late Heath Ledger in The Dark Knight gives even more meaning to the question. Here was an actor who seemed to have his own personal demons to fight, though he had a life that looked amazing from the outside.
Nothing is as it seems. No matter what you have, it can be taken away. Especially things that you cherish. Nothing is safe, and the Batman story showed how that single question shaped every character in it, without exception. Bad and good are hard to distinguish when situations flip so easily to change their meanings. Life is just like that – never straightforward.
While the movies may be calling an end to the tale of the Dark Knight, his mission is far from over. As is ours. Because life goes on, and we constantly have to answer that question, “Why so serious?”
Looking around, the answer’s pretty easy to come by. Not everyone’s recognizing the symptoms that are making this question quite serious in today’s world. And yet the comic world is attacking that question endlessly, in many creative ways. And within all of that inspiration, there has to be an answer that we can use. Rose-tint is not something that the comics world pays attention to very often. It’s good that we have people who refuse to ignore the darkness, and even acknowledge that not everything dark is bad.
It’s always been about what we do with the darkness – use it or learn from it. That’s what defines us.
p.s. Sorry this post was heavy, but it was necessary given the question.
Monday are always a little slow to start, and this beautifully quiet moment in Batman’s life by Moebius (we miss you) is the perfect way to start out our week. Even caped crusaders need a moment to reflect – the only difference being the place they might choose to do so. Another reason why I love Batman so, as he embraces his moments of weakness in order to reach a firmer foundation on which to travel.
You can’t get a much better uplift than with this image. The ever-popular Blu continues his trek, and now can be seen in Ordes, Spain celebrating vegetarianism. Blu seems to have been in a happy mood and it shows with his latest creation. It’s still a powerful commentary, as Blu likes his work to signify, but this time it’s a positive message on the benefits of veggies (even I’m switching towards it more and more). I guess even he can only take so much negativity coming from global politics. I totally feel for you, Blu. Most of us are feeling the same.
I’ve got to say that those veggies are looking mighty happy, considering the visible outcome. Maybe it’s because Blu celebrates veggies and they’re happy that someone recognizes their sacrifices? Of course, we’ll take an optimistic message any day, won’t we?
Check out some of the close-up on Colossal or more of his incredible work on his site.
So I was going through Reddit (yes, I’m getting addicted) and found out about this amazing lake in Palau that is home to an insane amount of jellyfish. It seems that they became trapped when the ocean receded, and now they in perfect harmony and safety in this lagoon. They stay alive by eating sugars that are created by their symbiotic partners known as zooxanthellae.
I figure that this is the perfect video to get you into the mood to relax…or perhaps get you motivated to take a trip to experience this for yourself. Wow, a jellyfish lake! Nature’s beauty is really hard to match.
So, it seems like the perfect time to share a couple more quotes that are just begging us to set our minds free:
Unleashed imagination – it’s not something that we allow ourselves to do often enough. And yet, we are surrounded by proof that this action leads to some pretty incredible insights and life-altering events.
During our brief stay on planet Earth, we owe ourselves and our descendants the opportunity to explore—in part because it’s fun to do. But there’s a far nobler reason. The day our knowledge of the cosmos ceases to expand, we risk regressing to the childish view that the universe figuratively and literally revolves around us. In that bleak world, arms-bearing, resource-hungry people and nations would be prone to act on their low contracted prejudices. And that would be the last gasp of human enlightenment—until the rise of a visionary new culture that could once again embrace the cosmic perspective.
When people who are passionate about learning describe life as an adventure and a cause, telling us to go explore and experience, then you know that this recommendation isn’t being made lightly. Many of these people spend their lives researching the topics that fascinate them, and they all agree that they can’t remain 2D by only staying in their field of interest. There’s not a career path out there that is only dependent on a single subject. All subjects inter-relate with one another, bringing a new dimension to our outlook on the world when they are combined. Expanding our mind can lead to a fascinating once-in-a-lifetime experience (hopefully more than once if you become passionately inspired) such as:
Yes, this is Felix Baumgartner with the Redbull Stratos project, taking a leap to become the longest freefall jumper as well as the first person to break the speed of sound with his body as the sole vessel. As you can tell from the news, this video is one step closer to becoming reality because Felix completed a test jump on July 25, 2012 in which he reached a speed of 536 mph after falling from 18 miles up. And this isn’t the real jump yet, since the ultimate goal is to fall from the stratosphere (23 miles up). He’s already completing some amazing feats in his bid to surpass the current record holder, Joe Kittinger (who is also part of the Stratos team). We’ll have to hold our collective breaths and wish the team success (and Felix a safe return) in the ultimate freefall.
So, these are the kinds of things that happen when you unleash your mind and expand your horizons. It doesn’t have to be as drastic of an act as this, but it should leave you wanting more. Because that’s how we continue to expand our mind so that we keep deepening our curiosity to learn.
“The most beautiful people we have known are those who have known defeat, known suffering, known struggle, known loss, and have found their way out of the depths. These persons have an appreciation, a sensitivity, and an understanding of life that fills them with compassion, gentleness, and a deep loving concern. Beautiful people do not just happen.”
I found this quote while going through a painful post on Reddit from a first responder who is clearly still suffering after 9/11. It seems to sum up what life is all about. We are indeed made up of our challenges as well as our triumphs. These days, our challenges seem to be coming at us from all directions. So, if you’re having a tough life, read the quote above. You are a beautiful person. We all can be.
And speaking of quotes, this thought about vandalism by Bigmouth speaks volumes, don’t you think? This is a stark (though beautiful) image that fits with the emptiness found in our cavernous cities whose focus is rarely inward. Some people call this form of art vandalism, and yet it’s message is more important than most of the advertisements that are probably near by. Yes, we do seem to get what we deserve.
Some of those people who get to experience the many, many vibrant pieces of street art all around the world must be some of the luckiest people in the world then, right? Because there is a lot out there that rivals all of the masterpieces found in museums. Here’s hoping that we succeed in becoming a society that is surrounded by such pieces of beauty made for contemplation and inspiration.
This poster by Inksurge quotes the perfect thought while contemplating things like piracy. We creators may fall on different sides of this epic battle, but this thought really drives home the point that every single one of us worries about. The day that we’re no longer sought out is the day that we just might welcome the side benefits that actually come from piracy. There’s always two sides of the story, and which side you stand on will probably indicate whether you’re currently a “big name” or not.
Since most of us are in the “not” category, we might want to start thinking a little rebelliously. Don’t worry, because you won’t be alone.
The RSS Feed button is the oval button just above this note. Click on it to get to my RSS Feed to subscribe. And you can reach me via twitter using @CSBraj. I'm new there and still learning, so bear with me. Thanks!
** STOP CENSORSHIP! **
Our censorship fight with the US Congress is far from over, as they continue to attempt to break the Internet with legislations driven by crony capitalism in the US and abroad. Though SOPA (Stop Online Piracy Act) and PIPA (Protect IP Act) have been pulled back for now, more continue to follow them. Now, we have to contend with ACTA(more) and TPP(2), which are international attempts to censor and control the Internet for the sake of commerce. And if that's not enough, now there's CISPA (more).
Go to EFF.org to keep up with the legal news that impacts our world and its technology. The greed won't stop, so we have to stay vigilant as well. Especially now that lobbyists are admitting out loud that they expect to be rewarded for their "contributions": Read it on TorrentFreak
Thanks for visiting!
I want to thank all of my visitors who are taking the time to leave such inspiring and thoughtful comments. I'm glad that I'm able to connect with so many of you through my writing. This blog is all about things that drive my creative inspirations, and all of you are part of that inspiration. So, thanks for your support. I look forward to getting to know you better throughout this creative journey.
Except where clearly noted, all CBrajkovich Ramblings content is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported License. Please contact me if you want to use my writing, and be sure to attribute the original to Carolyn Brajkovich, as indicated in the license.
Recent Comments