Vide-Ohs

Video – Moving Pictures from Above and Beyond

Jeff

Trey Ratcliff, proponent of HDR photography and photographic pioneer has produced yet another beautiful and stunning piece of art. This time, however it is a video.

These moving pictures have a mystic and often ethereal quality to them because of the choice of music juxtaposed with the words of Alan Watts. You can’t help but ponder the meaning of life, death and existence while watching and carefully listening.

I found myself replaying parts of the video so I could better understand the words.

NOTE – Some of the words are hard to understand in places, but the images are superb and inspirational.

Thank you Trey!

 

JBRish.com originally published this post

See previous Videos of Inspiration, Humor or Education HERE

Loyalty – A Dog Shows Us All What It Is

Jeff

Perhaps this is why Mark Twain suggested that if, given a chance, he would choose a dog over a person. Loyalty is a hard commodity to earn, but this animal was dedicated to his owner. It was sad that the owner was never to return because of his untimely demise.

“The more I know about people, the better I like my dog.” – Mark Twain

You can read more about this story at OddityCentral

Did you ever hear the story of Hachi (Hachikō)? Hachi is held up as the prime example of loyalty and the Japanese have built a statue to salute his dedication and loyalty. We saw it when we visited Tokyo!

Phoenix, AZ Weather – It Can Be Hotter Than You Think

Jeff

When I tell people I meet that I live in Phoenix, AZ, at some point in the conversation their eyes get real big and they generally ask something like: “How can you take the heat?” I then explain that during the hot weather, and when my wife and I are in “the Valley” (as it is called), we get up at 5AM to do all of the outside chores which are primarily gardening and we are back inside by 6:30 or 7AM.

After that, we focus many of our days on the 3Ms (not the manufacturing company): Museums, Malls and Movies. With that introduction, I would like to share a video of one of our area meteorologists who reported SIGNIFICANTLY higher than usual temperatures even for our very warm summer desert. Grab a cold drink before watching!

Video – Dogs through the Eyes of the Dogist

Jeff

Do you know who the Dogist is? Well, you aren’t alone. I am apparently, out in the cold on this one and maybe it is because I don’t have a dog (although I do like dogs; a lot!). There are many who do know and enjoy the work of Elias Weiss Friedman aka “The Dogist.” He is doggin’ it and really having a good time!

The Dogist from E.J. McLeavey-Fisher on Vimeo.

Video – Anyone Want to Adopt Pinky the CAT!

Jeff

Let’s paraphrase Robert Burns and put this under the category of “The best laid schemes o’ mice an’ men often go astray.”

Nobody likes to see animals in shelters especially if those shelters can not house these former pets or strays indefinitely. We can all identify with people who create videos to help find these pets a new, loving home. There are times, however, when the animals themselves are working at odds to that goal.

Enter Pinky the cat...

Craco, Italy – A Mediterranean Ghost Town

Jeff

Abandoned Town of Craco, Italy

Map Courtesy of Google Maps

Everything ages and with time, some things begin to decay. This happens to machines, people, buildings and whole towns. One noted place of decay is the Italian Town of Craco which suffered from landslides as well as sewage and water system leakage. The villagers decided it was easier to leave than to stay and try to salvage their beautiful, historic hillside village.

This brief video pays homage to this picturesque and haunting landscape leaving viewers to wonder at the majesty and grandeur it once must have displayed at the height of its history.

Craco – The abandoned town from Walter Molfese on Vimeo.

Quoted from the Vimeo web page:

“Craco is an abandoned town in the province of Matera, Basilicata, Italy.

In 1963 a landslide destroyed part of Craco. The population decided to abandon their homes. The landslide was mainly caused by leakages of water and sewerage networks and by the urban growth of the 20th century.

The Municipality of Craco is trying to recover the ancient part of the town, restoring the old centre for recreational and cultural purposes. Despite damage caused by landslides over the years, Craco is still gorgeous.

Word of appreciation goes to the Municipality of Craco (MT-IT), Craco Research and Craco Production who have authorized and allowed the video shoot in the site of Craco – Scenografic Museum Park.

The historic center of Craco was listed among the 93 sites to be saved in the world in 2010 Watch List of the World Monuments Fund which is reported every two years by the prestigious international institution.”

You can learn more about Craco and some of its history at the links below:

The Abandoned Italian Hilltop Village of Craco

Mediterranean Ghost Town: Craco Italy

Craco, coming alive on film

A Slam Bam Reply to Spam

Jeff

This is a tongue-in-cheek monologue about what might happen when a snarky techie replies to a spam email. He gives the spammers a run for the money.

NOTE: Some NSFW statements and inbuendo (IMHO)

As outlined on the TED Talk website:

James Veitch: This is what happens when you reply to spam email

Suspicious emails: unclaimed insurance bonds, diamond-encrusted safe deposit boxes, close friends marooned in a foreign country. They pop up in our inboxes, and standard procedure is to delete on sight. But what happens when you reply? Follow along as writer and comedian James Veitch narrates a hilarious, weeks-long exchange with a spammer who offered to cut him in on a hot deal.”

Via

Dictionary of Obscure Sorrows – Lachesism

Jeff

NOTE – If you are new to the “Dictionary of Obscure Sorrows,” read the quote at the bottom this post (under the asterisks) then watch the video.

Lachesism: Longing for the Clarity of Disaster

Via The Dictionary of Obscure Sorrows
As quoted from the YouTube webpage for this video [emphasis is mine]:

LACHESISM – For a million years, we’ve watched the sky, and huddled in fear. But somehow you still find yourself quietly rooting for the storm. As if a part of you is tired of waiting, wondering when the world will fall apart—by lot, by fate, by the will of the gods—almost daring them to grant your wish.

ETYMOLOGY – Greek, from LACHESIS, “the disposer of lots.” Lachesis is the name of the second of the three fates in Ancient Greek mythology. Clothed in white, Lachesis is the measurer of the thread woven by Clotho’s spindle, the apportioner who decided how much time for life was to be allowed for each person or being. She measured the thread of life with her rod.”

**************

Do you like moods? Perhaps the question would be better phrased: “Do you like videos that provoke or elicit particular emotions?” The Dictionary of Obscure Sorrows is intriguing because John Koenig, creator, presents a word that is obscure or completely invented and then connects it to a stylized video to further enhance the definition of that word. As Koenig indicates on his website (linked below), “Each original definition aims to fill a hole in the language—to give a name to emotions we all might experience but don’t yet have a word for.”

Frozen Kitten is Life in the Raw via Go Pro

Jeff

I enjoy photography because it enables me to capture a moment in time that will never be exactly the same again. Videography, however has not appealed to me, but when I see footage like the video below, I appreciate how a live action cam enables us to witness life in its raw form.

Although this is an advertisement for GoPro, let us assume that it is true and because of that provides the viewer with a first-hand glimpse of nature, emotion, caring and human kindness. That’s the key phrase,; “first-hand!”

From the notes accompanying the video:

Published on Dec 14, 2015

“On a cold Thanksgiving morning, Branden Bingham and his family stumbled upon a seemingly frozen kitten buried in the snow. In an attempt to save his life, they rushed inside and began performing CPR on the lifeless cat. ”

You Can’t Get It Straight

Jeff

Nobody knows why humans, when blindfolded, or when there is no visible anchor point such as a mountain, sun or moon, cannot walk or swim in a straight line. This has puzzled scientists for many years.

The NPR video below explains it in visual terms:

A Mystery: Why Can’t We Walk Straight?

A Mystery: Why Can't We Walk Straight? from NPR on Vimeo.