Video submission for Racer X Amateur Film Festival
My kid showed me this video because he's a dirt bike riding nut! I appreciate the quality of the video and the perfect choice of music. This is a fun clip for everyone. Crank up the volume . . .
Man's best friend . . .
I don't drink but I love this video. People complain about their kids not listening to them ought to take some training tips from this guy . . . seriously, 'Peach' is happy to assist her guardian just for praise. She puts the empty can in the trash and she even closes the bloody fridge! This will surely bring a smile to your face, enjoy!
This short film illustrates the power of words to radically change your message and your effect upon the world.
The Story of a Sign by Alonso Alvarez Barreda Music by: Giles Lamb http://sonicdesignagency.wordpress.com Filmed by www.redsnappa.com Director Seth Gardner
Messy desks, unmade beds, disorganized refrigerator . . . these are things that send my brain whirling and can have me in a 'stuck state', a bit like a deer in headlights. I've never functioned well with messes, what I perceive as messes or disorder. I like neatness, cleanliness and order. I've been called, 'type A', neurotic, picky . . . whatever. I know what has me feel centered and grounded and it's order. It's not just visual order, it's financial order, relationship order, health order . . . OK, maybe I am a teeny bit neurotic . . .
As I read the Discover article, "Disordered environments promotes stereotypes and discrimination", I felt validated. 'Michael' comments on the blog, 'Unclutterer' that Malcom Gladwell illustrates the "broken window' theory in his book, 'The Tipping Point'. I read Gladwells book years ago and the 'broken window' theory was one among several theories Gladwell brought to light that made perfect sense to me.
According to Wikipedia, The broken windows theory is a criminological theory of the normsetting and signaling effects of urban disorder and vandalism on additional crime and anti-social behavior. The theory states that monitoring and maintaining urban environments in a well-ordered condition may prevent further vandalism as well as an escalation into more serious crime.
What the heck does this mean to me, you might ask? De-cluttering is one easy way to simplify your life, and simplifying life leads to less upset, less drama and more productivity.
our Freestone house great room
Throughout my son's life I've noticed he functions better with order and certainty. I don't necessarily think he realizes this about himself. Knowing that certainty was a high value for him as a child, I set up life to be more orderly which helped him function at a much higher level. From his homework environment to the amount of toys he had and how they were stored, I made sure that his environment was less distracting, more orderly. Now unless you want to raise a kid that is fearful and anxious, you need to add inuncertaintyas well. The key isbalance. My kid now functions pretty well in all environments, he's adaptable. My belief is that I took away chaos and it gave him the space to relax and find his way. How has disorder and uncertainty effected your life? How is it working for you? Are there areas in life where you could choose more order or certainty that would make your life and your family's lives more enjoyable?
Tell me one thing that you do in your environment that has you feel calmer and more centered.
My Uncle John shared this YouTube video with me and I'm grateful he did, these children are amazing. I hope they're enjoying their music as much as it appears that they do in this clip.
I was disturbed by some of the negative ethnic slurs people posted on YouTube.Are we so jaded that we have trouble appreciating what is or may be and instead must diminish someone's brilliance? I for one appreciate the amount of dedication and obvious talent of these little children.
I played music from the time I was eight years-old to high school and never chose to do what it took to play excellent. The difference between brilliance and mediocre is the effort we choose to put into whatever it is that we're doing. No doubt these children put untold hours of practice into their music and are now reaping the rewards of their efforts. And that we are entertained and in awe is double the reward I'm sure.
OK, obviously I find these videos amusing, actually, I find them hysterically, pound the desk funny. This one was sent to me by my Uncle John who lives with his wife, Claudine, in Lake Chapalla, Mexico. They have no pets but he does have a decent sense of humor . . . runs in the family . . .
This note was posted along with this YouTube video:
Two dogs waiting patiently to get served in "restaurant", and in spite of waiting, never get anything to drink.
This video has had many positive comments - thanks to all of you. Some people though are worried for the dogs - were they forced and did they hurt themselves on the forks?
Firstly the dogs loved it - they are best friends and really like getting all the attention. We practised with the cutlery in advance, and both dogs very quickly figured it out. Besides the "waitress" kept on talking to them and encouraging them. They are very well behaved, and know when to sit still, take it slow and wait. This video was shot in one take, no cuts or editing - and both dogs had a wonderful time..The hand coordination was not preplanned - since everything was up to the dogs - but we both intuitively acted on the feeling of the dogs movement, plus we could hear from the "waitresses" comments, what the dogs were doing.
Enjoy and don´t be worried - both dogs love it, and we love them..
I have to say, these dogs demonstrated better table manners than many people I observe . . .
One of my favorite qualities in a human being is a good sense of humor.I love to laugh! I've always been drawn to people who make me laugh.
I have a friend 'Connie' who used to fake laughing (in the shower) when she felt glum. She reported that she often ended up genuinely laughing at the absurdity of what she was doing and felt great when bath time was over. Another good friend, 'Audrey' would purposefully call just to get in a good belly laugh for the day. We once fell asleep laughing . . with our mouths open (I kid you not).
I feel closest to my husband and my son when we're having fun and laughing. I typically don't enjoy humor at someone else's expense but I do tease my guys a bit. Often times I tease them about some quality that they themselves are aware is a bit quirky and will usually see the humor as well.
My mother-in-law chided me a bit once when I told her my husband was too "serious". Although he is more "serious" than me, my husband has a great sense of humor but his best quality is his laugh. I love his unabashed laugh! If I can make him laugh, I feel a stronger connection to him.
My son is funny. I don't think he realizes how funny he is. It's not just a mom thing, he's truly funny. My kid is an observer of people and notices humorous characteristics and uses them (not in a harsh way) in his telling of a story or situation that often has me rolling . . .
My brother-in-law could be a stand up comedian . . . his brother is a stand-up comedian! My nieces and nephews make me laugh. My oldest nephew has me doubled over when he starts into one of his shticks . . . I have to confess that he's often mimicking someone he's encountered in life that he feels possesses some annoying quality he can't resist exploiting (so I lied, sometimes I do enjoy humor at someone else's expense if they aren't directly harmed). My nieces and nephews are often most entertaining when the four of them are together and they're playing off one another. My sisters family has this 'cutting' humor that is not for the faint-of-heart but I have to admit, they do make me laugh!
Turns out laughing is about more than just feeling jolly, laughter is healthy.
At About.com, Elizabeth Scott, M.S. writes the following post on laughter.
The Stress Management and Health Benefits of Laughter
Health Benefits of Laughter: Stress Relief, Immunity, and More
"Research has shown that the health benefits of laughter are far-ranging. While more studies need to be done, studies so far have shown that laughter can help relieve pain, bring greater happiness, and even increase immunity. Positive psychology names the propensity for laughter and sense of humor as one of the 24 main signature strengths one can possess, and laughter yoga clubs are springing up across the country. Read on for more findings about the health benefits of laughter, and see how to incorporate more humor and fun into your life. Stress Management Benefits of Laughter:
Hormones: Laughter reduces the level of stress hormones like cortisol, epinephrineadrenaline), dopamine and growth hormone. It also increases the level of health-enhancing hormones like endorphins, and neurotransmitters. Laughter increases the number of antibody-producing cells and enhances the effectiveness of T cells. All this means a stronger immune system, as well as fewer physical effects of stress.
Physical Release: Have you ever felt like you "have to laugh or I'll cry"? Have you experienced the cleansed feeling after a good laugh? Laughter provides a physical and emotional release.
Internal Workout: A good belly laugh exercises the diaphragm, contracts the abs and even works out the shoulders, leaving muscles more relaxed afterward. It even provides a good workout for the heart.
Distraction: Laughter brings the focus away from anger, guilt, stress and negative emotions in a more beneficial way than other mere distractions.
Perspective: Studies show that our response to stressful events can be altered by whether we view something as a 'threat' or a 'challenge'. Humor can give us a more lighthearted perspective and help us view events as 'challenges', thereby making them less threatening and more positive. (For more on changing your perspective, see this article on cognitive reframing.)
Social Benefits of Laughter: Laughter connects us with others. Just as with smiling and kindness, most people find that laughter is contagious, so if you bring more laughter into your life, you can most likely help others around you to laugh more, and realize these benefits as well. By elevating the mood of those around you, you can reduce their stress levels, and perhaps improve the quality of social interaction you experience with them, reducing your stress level even more!"
So lighten up, don't take life so seriously! Laugh your way to health!
My husband and I have been discussing "our compelling future" these past few days. I've always liked adventure and can get a bit bored without a certain amount of uncertainty.
I sent my husband a video about guys flying with 'wing suits' . . . he one upped me and sent me this clip.
I suppose after this anything else in life would look boring . . . unless you have a teenage son . . .
