"We are all in the gutter, but some of us are looking at the stars."

— Oscar Wilde

22 May 2008 ~ 0 Comments

Pilots Run Out of Fuel, Pray, Land Near Jesus Sign

news
This story from New Zealand is awesome in its simplicity.

It seemed like an almost literal answer to their prayers. When two New Zealand pilots ran out of fuel in a microlight airplane they offered prayers and were able to make an emergency landing in a field — coming to rest right next to a sign reading, “Jesus is Lord.” 

“My friend and I are both Christians so our immediate reaction in a life-threatening situation was to ask for God’s help,” Stubbs told The Associated Press on Wednesday.” 

Read the rest of the article…

22 May 2008 ~ 0 Comments

Is Universal Being Fluffy on Duffy?

Duffy music

Ok, maybe not the best title. Anyway, I was hanging out with Will & James this past weekend and they introduced me to Duffy. Well not personally, but to her music on YouTube. She’s a talented British singer-songwriter with a retro country/soul edge to her. 

Her second single from her debut album went to #1 in the UK. And Universal Music Group just released her album here in the USA last week. If you haven’t heard of her before (like me), I’m sure you will soon. 

But there seems to be what Will calls a “dumbing down” in creativity for us Americans. Here’s the proof. Take a look at the first video for “Mercy” released in the UK. It has a sophisticated retro, smokey vibe to it, with creative use of slow motion and fire. 

Compare that to the American version, which is slicker and more polished, but lacks that special something… the original soul, you could say. 

Compare for yourself and let me know if you agree or disagree:

Here is the UK video of “Mercy” (Polydor Records)… make sure you watch the last half:

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UMx1jt1KPG0&hl=en&fs=1]

and here is the US version (Unversal Music Group)

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6QSm5f1eiIk&hl=en&fs=1]

21 May 2008 ~ 0 Comments

eBay and Fair-Trade?

ebay fair trade
Some of us might have a love/hate relationship with eBay, but it seems like they’re starting to more socially responsible. This summer they’re launching worldofgood.com as a marketplace to sell fair-trade products and educate folks on living more consciously. It’s mostly though the work of Robert Chatwani, one of their employees who took some initiative to make something happen with the support of his company. Check out the full News.com article. 

Right now, World Of Good is mostly a community site with discussion groups and blogs on the topic but their goal is to “create positive change through commerce, as part of a global community”. Surprisingly, it’s a good resource in its current form. And if it gets people involved and to rethink the way they live and what they buy, well I’m all for it. Even though I had the same idea – James can vouch for that :)  

20 May 2008 ~ 0 Comments

HI Burma

Burma global non-profit
Its amazing that with the explosion of calories that we consume every day in America, there are still people in the world without their basic nutritional needs met.
That’s especially true in Burma, which was recently hit by a devastating cyclone. People are going hungry and the military government there is slow to act in providing relief. A new group has been setup by ex HI Phi Phi (Help International Phi Phi) volunteers calling on previous volunteers and others to help those affected. 
I had the opportunity to volunteer with Hi Phi Phi for a short while in 2005 after the island was ravaged by the Asian Tsunami. Time Magazine wrote about their efforts on the island’s recovery. Some of those folks are trying to make the same impact with HI Burma. 

Website:

It contains the latest details on new efforts to help those desperately in need.

20 May 2008 ~ 0 Comments

Don't Eat This!

food health

So if you’re like me and eat out more often than you should, here’s a sober reminder of what we really putting in our mouths. 

One of the worst things you can order at Chili’s is their Awesome Blossom (or Outback’s Blooming Onion equivalent). It packs over 2700 calories and over 200 grams of fat. 

Even if you spit it with 3 friends, it’s still 900 calories and 67 grams of fat per person. If you split it with 4 friends… ok, you can do the math. 

Here’s what the folks at Men’s Health had to say about it:

“It takes a special talent to turn a single oversized onion into the fat equivalent of 67 slices of bacon, but the line cooks at Chili’s manage this horrific feat with the help of a thick batter, a calorie-loaded dipping sauce, and a vat of bubbling fat.”

So I spent $10 at Costco and bought the book Eat This, Not That! 

It’s a good read. An eye opener really, and an interesting look at what America eats. 

20 May 2008 ~ 0 Comments

Burj Dubai is Now the Worlds Tallest Structure

architecture Dubai

A milestone was reached today. Construction of the 160+ story skyscraper in Dubai surpassed the height of the previous tallest man made structure, the Warsaw Radio Mast at 2120 feet tall. When finished, the Burj Dubai is expected to be a whopping 2680+ feet tall.

Lets put this into perspective. That’s over half a mile high! About the height of 3 Eiffel Towers. Or 2 Empire State buildings.

On one hand, I’m impressed with man’s ability to create an engineering marvel, but on the other hand, is this a modern day tower of babel?

Here’s the Wikipedia article:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Burj_Dubai

And an image from Skyscraper.net:

20 May 2008 ~ 0 Comments

Go Green – Buy a Used Car

environment green news
Better than a Hybrid? This month’s Wired Magazine offers an interesting perspective:
“Ditching your gas guzzler is a great way to reduce your carbon footprint, but if you really want to do something about global warming, get a used car. You’ll be putting less carbon dioxide into the atmosphere.”

Read the rest of the article here:

20 May 2008 ~ 0 Comments

From Will… Knitta What???

ideas

19 May 2008 ~ 0 Comments

Down the Road Project

Central America documentary non-profit
Joel and two of his buddies took a trip to Central America and filmed a documentary on the beauty and tragedy of the region. They’re in the process of putting the final touches on the film. Take a look at the trailer when you get a chance: 
“The film’s intent is to educate through exposure, entertain through adventure, and inspire through living purposeful lives with an outward focus.”

19 May 2008 ~ 0 Comments

Spilled Milk Truck

news
If you read the post below of a truck full of Oreos spilling it’s contents today, here’s the milk to go with it…. they missed each other by 3 weeks. 
Thousands of gallons of milk spilled in Port Sanilac

TIMES HERALD • APRIL 27, 2008

A Rasmussen milk truck went on its side and dumped 6,000 gallons of milk this morning after the driver took a turn too fast, said Port Sanilac Fire Department Chief Jack Willis. Craig Sheridan, the driver, survived but his condition is unknown. 

The accident, which occurred just after 5:30 a.m. today, happened north of Port Sanilac on M-25.

“He missed a curve,” said Willis. “When he hit the ditch, it went on its side… It did about total the truck and trailer.”

“There was a little oil and diesel mixed in with (the milk),” he said.

Clean-up crews are still on the scene.

 

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