Sublime Goodness: March 2009

Monday, March 30, 2009

Youth No Obstacle for this Volunteer

Sixth-grader Alex Rosencrance, 11, carries a batch of meatloaf to the oven as he cooks for 80 during his shift in the First Presbyterian Church kitchen Thursday in Waunakee. Rosencrance coordinates 17 volunteers who help to feed homeless people.

Here is a great story that I'm proud to say is from my area - I found this in my local paper yesterday:

Through a calendar in his iPod touch, Alex Rosencrance easily tracks when he needs to call volunteers, order groceries and write newsletter articles as part of organizing a monthly meal to feed about 80 homeless in Madison.
The 11-year-old Waunakee boy reliably reminds the mostly adult volunteers of upcoming shifts and some say his involvement has reinvigorated the monthly meal program that was hurting for participants.

“It comes kind of naturally for me,” Alex said of the leadership role.
Alex’s main duty is organizing about 17 volunteers needed each month, and while he doesn’t always help make the meal, he does like cooking at home.

> Read the whole inspiring story at the Wisconsin State Journal

There are a number of cool things about this story -

I like how he is leveraging technology for a good cause
When I was eleven, I spent most of my free time playing Nintendo!
Reading stories like this remind me that "Hey, if an eleven year-old kid can do something as awesome as this, why can't I do more?"

Sunday, March 29, 2009

The Sublime Goodness Mixtape

Every Sunday for the past twelve weeks, I've been posting sublime songs (uplifting, moving, beautiful songs...) for your listening pleasure. Well, after I posted last week's I thought, "Hey, that's the twelfth song - an album is usually about twelve songs...OH YES, it's mixtape time!"

I took the twelve songs and came up with a nice playlist (so I think). It starts off slow, and then builds up in pace and tempo to the end. I also threw together some front and back cover art that goes together with the music (a tracklist is on the back cover).I'm very pleased with how it turned out and very excited to share it with you. It's a great mix to chill out to.

Here is the tracklist (with links to the original blog posts)

DOWNLOAD the mixtape:

> Click here to download (68.5 MB)

Click the "Download Now" button at zShare and the download will begin after a bit. The mixtape zip file above includes all twelve songs in mp3 format (192kbps) and front/back cover in jpg format. Close your eyes and listen. :)

Need some free "zip" software? Download 7-Zip here which is what I used. Your Windows program most likely can unzip this mixtape file with no problems - just double-click it and click "unzip!"

Disclaimer: I own all the CDs for which these songs came from - if you like any of the songs, please go buy the albums. I am offering them here for "sampling" only.

Friday, March 27, 2009

Where the Wild Things Are - Movie Trailer

One of my favorite books when I was a child. I still remember first seeing it featured on Reading Rainbow when I was five or six and rushing to the library soon after to take it home. That book enchanted me with those illustrations. At night in my room a forest grew and I was Max, and waited for a private boat just for me....

Being a parent now of two little girls brought the book back into my life and of course, they both love it. It's one of the few books I don't mind reading to them over and over.

So you could guess my exhilaration at finding out that one of my favorite directors, Spike Jonze, and one of my favorite authors, Dave Eggers, have been working on the first live-action movie adaptation. It was the first time that "Where the Wild Things Are" author Maurice Sendak gave the green light to a movie after all these years...which gives me faith.

The trailer for the film was released this week and I wanted to share it with you:

I can't wait until October when I can take my little ladies to see this movie!

Thursday, March 26, 2009

Fireman Dresses as Spider-Man to Rescue Boy

This was already posted in one of my favorite blogs, Operation Nice, yesterday, but it's such a great story that I couldn't resist sharing here. The fact that I used to be (used to? wink, wink..) such a big comic book nerd makes this story even better for me:

A Thai firefighter dressed as Spider-Man to rescue an autistic boy who climbed onto a third-floor balcony and dangled his legs over the side because he was nervous on his first day of school.

Firefighter Somchai Yoosabai was called in after the 11-year-old boy's teachers and mother failed to coax him off the ledge on Monday, he said in a telephone interview Wednesday.

"He was nervous about the first day at school, and he was asking for his mother," Somchai said. "He cried and refused to let any of us get close to him."

Overhearing a conversation between the boy's mother and his teachers about his love for comics and superheroes, Somchai rushed back to the fire station to change into a Spider-Man costume before swinging into action.

"I told him Spider-Man is here to save you. No monster will hurt you now," Somchai said. "Then I told him to walk slowly toward me. I was very nervous that he might have slipped if he got too excited and ran."

Somchai, who keeps costume of Spider-Man and a Japanese superhero Ultraman to liven up fire drills at schools, said the teary-eyed boy broke into a smile and started walking into his arms. (from MSNBC)

Wednesday, March 25, 2009

News Anchors Dance During Commercials

This is a cute story that most likely falls in the "uplifting" category.

I think it would be far too easy to be in a bad mood reporting so much awful news all the time, but some anchors find a way to keep things light. What tickles me the most about this story is that I grew up watching WGN in Chicago, so I'm glad to see them highlighted for something so neat.

Enjoy:

> Watch the video on CNN (wouldn't let me embed!) - it's a good piece to watch for background.

Here is the original YouTube video that generated the interest - WGN Reporter/Weekend Anchors, Jackie Bange and Robert Jordan, bring you "The 2-Minute Drill.":

From WGN's website - What is "The Routine?"

"The first moves are from "The three Stooges," followed by reaching into the air. The reach came from the night I tried to swat a fly not realizing that Jackie was still on camera. The "fist bump" comes from Barack and Michelle. The shotgun comes from the incident involving Dick Chaney. Following a John Travolta movie -- Saturday Night Fever -- we added that move. After a Cubs game we added the baseball move. Other movements have lesser significance and just keep the flow going.

We don't add another move until we have a smooth routine. For that reason the entire act took around 10 years to perfect. Even so, we still forget things and seldom have a flawless routine."

- Bob Jordan, WGN News

Tuesday, March 24, 2009

The World's Greatest Music Collection

Here is a story I came across via Twitter today that moved me - it's about a guy with the biggest record collection in the world. Yes, I love music and this piece made me want to bust out all my vinyl, but more than that, you really want to help Paul by the end of this video. If I only had three million dollars...

Here is the intro:

Paul Mawhinney was born and raised in Pittsburgh, PA. Over the years he has amassed what has become the world's largest record collection. Due to health issues and a struggling record industry Paul is being forced to sell his collection.

This is the story of a man and his records.

The Archive from Sean Dunne on Vimeo.

> Visit Paul's website to learn more about his collection.

Monday, March 23, 2009

The Key to Happiness...But You Won't Believe It

I came across this intriguing article and had to share it with you. At first the notion of "talking to strangers" seems obvious when reading it, but upon further reflection...how often do you really do it?

A Harvard professor says he knows the secret to happiness and is ready to share it with the world.

Unfortunately, nobody believes him.

The secret, according to psychology professor Daniel Gilbert, is to ask a total stranger.

"In some common situations, surprisingly, the best way to know what will make you happy is to find somebody who is already in the situation you're contemplating and see how happy they are," Gilbert told CTV.ca in a recent interview.

"Obviously, you and other people are different but the differences between people seem to be relatively small."
....he said people should trust their own imagination less and trust other people's experiences more.
"Don't fall for the mistaken idea that you are so different from other people that their experience has little to teach you," Gilbert said.

"You and other people have a lot in common."

So, if you want to become a lawyer, stop daydreaming. Instead, go find a lawyer.

"All you have to do is find one person who is a lawyer and you're already going to have more information about what it's like to be one than you could ever generate on your own," Gilbert said.

"That's not just true for being a lawyer, it's also true for moving to Cleveland, eating apple pie, marrying Andrea, and every other thing that you can possibly name."

But what if nobody else has been married to Andrea?

"Well then you're out of luck aren't you?"

> Read the full article

You might also like these related Sublime Goodness posts:

* Hat tip to Happytweets for the tip on this story

Sunday, March 22, 2009

"Knot Comes Loose" by My Morning Jacket

You could easily put anything My Morning Jacket does in the Sublime category - soaring, enveloping vocals and atmospheric alt-country/rock. It's hard to categorize their music, but one thing is for sure, it's really, really good.

The song "knot comes loose" is off their last album and is one of my faves - the first time I heard it, I knew. I love the quiet percussion in this song more than anything. Enjoy.

Close your eyes and listen:

Note that the above video isn't the "official" video, just someone's creative version on YouTube - the song is the same version on the album though, which is why I posted.

Thursday, March 19, 2009

Disabled Iraq Veteran Overcomes Tragedy & Inspires Others

As a veteran, American and well, a human being, this story really touches me. Mr. Smith was speaking this week as part of Disabilities Week in Arkansas:

Imagine joining the army and being sent to Iraq to serve your country. Then an explosion caused by a rocket-propelled grenade causes you to lose almost every function of your body.

This is what happened to retired Army Maj. Anthony Smith April 4, 2004.

Pronounced dead after the attack, 17 minutes passed before soldiers discovered Anthony Smith was alive. He was in a coma for 62 days and lost part of his right arm and his entire right hip. After more than thirty surgeries, the retired army Major now uses his survival to help inspire others to never give up.

"No matter what you're going through, use it to your advantage and don't ever give up. You may lose some battles, but the key is to win the war," said Smith.

Now Smith uses his experience to help counsel other injured soldiers. He is working on getting his PhD in counseling so he can counsel others.

Wednesday, March 18, 2009

Funny Dog Videos

After I posted funny cat videos last week, I quickly saw it become one of my top posts. Therefore, I would be remiss if I didn't post some funny dog videos right?

Enjoy!

Tuesday, March 17, 2009

Inspirational Video - The Laws of Attraction & More

I came across these videos today and they are worth checking out. Yes, some of the imagery is a little cheesy, but the combination of choral music and good quotes make for some inspiring imagery. Check it out:

Bonus video: 12 Things to Remember

Monday, March 16, 2009

Community Surprises Family with New Home

Leah Hayes embraces a volunteer and fellow community member who helped give her and her mother their new house.

A real life "Extreme Home Makeover." Here is the lowdown on this amazing story of a community rallying together for one of their own:

It started out simple enough - as a Bible study fundraiser for a family in need in the McClain County town of Washington. However six months later, the result was a made-for-TV complete home makeover.

Family and friends credit faith for helping 16-year-old Leah Hayes make it through a lifetime of unwelcomed seizures and most recently, brain surgery.

For the first time Betty and Leah laid their teary eyes on their new, 'healthy' home built by neighbors, by the high school music teacher and by dozens of others who, for at least one day, made Leah forget all about her world of seizures and surgeries.

"I thought my gift was to keep getting her back every time something happened to her, and then you give me this gift," Betty Hayes said.

> Read more from KWTV

Watch the CNN video recap:

Sunday, March 15, 2009

"Into the Mystic" by Van Morrison

Ever since I heard this song from the "classic" film Dream a Little Dream (!) with the two Coreys (Feldman and Haim) when I was younger, I was enthralled. It's got such a great vibe and feeling, it's hard not to get goosebumps - I challenge you to just listen to it and let the song wrap around you.

Close your eyes and enjoy:

As a bonus, enjoy this sublime cover version from the Swell Season (the group in the fantastic film Once):

Friday, March 13, 2009

Dog Saves 9 People

Kenai woke up her owner after carbon monoxide began building in the New Castle home. (Special to the post Todd Smarr)

Another great rescue story about a very special canine.

A pet's barks and cries alerted the occupants of a Western Slope [Colorado] home to a carbon-monoxide buildup this weekend and saved their lives, a family says.

Kenai, a 14-year-old Bernese mountain dog mix, started "whining and barking" at 4 a.m. Sunday, waking one of three adults sleeping in the basement of the New Castle home, said Kirstin Kraig of Arvada.

"We're sure glad she was there," Kraig said of Kenai, a friend's dog. "I truly believe that if it weren't for Kenai, we wouldn't all be here today."

Kraig and her husband, their two children, five other adults and four dogs were all using the home during a family-and-friends getaway weekend, Kraig said.

> Read the rest of the story here at the Denver Post

An Assortment of Related Sublime Goodness Posts:

* Hat tip to AmericanHumane on Twitter for the tip

Wednesday, March 11, 2009

Girl, Age 7, Had 6 Organs Taken out to Remove Tumor

Seven-year-old Heather McNamara, shown here with dad Joseph and mom Tina, has a message for those with dire medical problems: 'There's hope.'

All I can say is, if this story doesn't just break your heart and make you feel so happy and proud for the McNamara family, I don't know what to say. I want to give them all a hug:

Little Heather McNamara still has her priorities, even after having six organs removed so doctors could cut out a tennis ball-size tumor others had declared hopelessly "inoperable."

With a smile, the Long Island 7-year-old said all she wanted to do was "play with my dog ... and play with my sister."

Heather underwent 23 hours of groundbreaking surgery last month to remove the abdominal mass wrapped around crucial blood vessels and eating away at several vital organs.
Chemotherapy didn't work, and her parents, Tina and Joseph McNamara of Islip Terrace, were told by other surgeons that there was nothing left to do.... "We came here with no hope, and they gave us hope," said Tina McNamara.

"It's a miracle, it's the best day ever," she declared. (NY Daily News)

Monday, March 9, 2009

Funny Cat Videos

Let's start off the week with some laughs shall we? I tested out a few clips of funny cat videos on YouTube with my two little daughters, and the following won by a landslide (rated by giggles)...probably because it's a best of the best compilation from America's Funniest Home Videos and YouTube. Enjoy!

Sunday, March 8, 2009

"Star Guitar" by the Chemical Brothers

I know what you are thinking - don't the British duo known as the Chemical Brothers make electronic dance music? Well, they do, and pretty good electronic music too - this song in particular is an ethereal gem. It's upbeat, but there is something about it that is just sensational and melancholy - the first time I heard it I was on a plane with my new wife (on our honeymoon!) and it was playing on the airplane music channel I was plugged into. I remember staring down at the clouds and being taken away by the music.

Enjoy. If you haven't seen it, the video by Michel Gondry is pretty cool too:

Friday, March 6, 2009

Inspirational & Motivational Quotes

Similar to Sublime Goodness, where I collect...um, sublime goodness, I came across another collection of inspiration and motivation - www.worldofinspiration.com. This site just lists uplifting quotes and continually adds them. I can dig that.

Here are some of my favorites at the site:

“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, It is the only thing that ever has.”

Margaret Mead (this is a classic!)

“You have succeeded in life when all you really want is only what you really need.”

Vernon Howard

“You will find as you look back upon your life that the moments when you have truly lived are the moments when you have done things in the spirit of love.”

Henry Drummond

“Time you enjoy wasting, was not wasted.”

John Lennon

“For every minute you are angry you lose sixty seconds of happiness.”

Ralph Waldo Emerson

“The best thing about the future is that it only comes one day at a time.”

Abraham Lincoln

Thursday, March 5, 2009

Fifty People, One Question: New York

First of all, if you haven't seen "Fifty People, One Question: New Orleans," go and do that now. Here is the 2nd video in the series. The lowdown from the filmmakers:

We asked the same question and it took us somewhere new. Gone were the lazy days of summer. A cool breeze swept the streets with leaves under foot and the familiar hustle of the city…welcome to autumn in New York.

It’s a simple question. And the answers can lead us anywhere.

So go ahead, ask yourself…

Here is the question - "By the end of today, what do you wish to happen?" I love the diversity of this one. The diversity of responses and people. Beautiful.

Seriously - if this blog ever put together a video, it would probably be pretty close to something like this. Sublime video goodness. Enjoy.

Fifty People, One Question: New York from Fifty People, One Question on Vimeo.

Wednesday, March 4, 2009

Amish Aid Neighbors in Storm

A buggy takes an Amish family home in Mayfield. Thousands of people have been without power since an ice storm hit more than a week ago, and some may not get power back for weeks. Kentucky's Amish have helped their non-Amish neighbors live without electricity.

Here is a great story about being a good neighbor, even when your neighbor is a little "different."

When ice storms recently pummeled large portions of Kentucky, hundreds of thousands of people were left helpless and without power. But their Amish neighbors, who have lived all their lives without the benefits of electricity, came to their rescue. Amish families lent out kerosene lamps, cooked meals on wood-burning stoves, and provided advice about making do without modern appliances. “Best neighbors we’ve ever had,” said 76-year-old James Hutchins of Mayfield, who was without power for almost a week, “and we’ve been around a few places.” (from The Week)

It's too bad that it takes an ice storm to bring people together right? It's always important to get to know your neighbors and get involved in your community.

> Read the Full Story from the AP

Also, that Amish coffee sounds really, really good.

Tuesday, March 3, 2009

More Secrets to Happiness

My secret to being happy? To love and be loved - the rest will come easy.

Here are two posts I've come across today that also give a few secrets (and non-secrets):

> 10 Non-secrets to Happiness

> The Zen Millionaire's 14 Secrets to Happiness (yes, from MarketWatch!)

My favorite ideas from the above:

Do something nice for yourself.
Do something for someone, without expecting anything in return.
Eat something you love to eat, at least once a week.
Happiness is getting lost in whatever you're doing.
Happiness is more a bunch of little moments than big deals.
Happiness is not being attached to money and stuff.

You might also like these related Sublime Goodness posts:

* Hat tip to Happytweets for the Zen Millionaire article.

Monday, March 2, 2009

Woman with Two Wombs Delivers Twin Daughters

Shane and Sarah Reinfelder of Sault Ste. Marie, Mich., hold their twin girls Valerie Marie and Kaylin Joy, who were born from two separate uteri at Marquette General Hospital.Photo-AP

This is pretty amazing. In the video below, they said this is only the third time something like this has happened:

A northern Michigan woman with two wombs has given birth to twin daughters -- one from each uterus.

The Mining Journal and WLUC-TV reported 21-year-old Sarah Reinfelder's babies were delivered seven weeks premature Thursday by Caesarean section at Marquette General Hospital in the Upper Peninsula.

Dr. Connie Hedmark and Dr. Breanna Pond first delivered Kaylin Joy, then Valerie Marie, the larger twin by one pound. Kaylin Joy weighed 3 pounds, 15 ounces. Both babies are healthy, and they and their mother are doing fine.

Reinfelder has uterus didelphys, and doctors say such twin births are rare. The uteri are different sizes, with the larger twin born from the larger uterus.

> Read More from the Associated Press

I'm so happy for the proud parents! Watch a CNN video of the story:

Sunday, March 1, 2009

"Dear Someone" by Gillian Welch

Gillian Welch & David Rawlings - Photographer: Reuben Cox

When I think of sublime songs, Gillian Welch embodies sublime. Playing with songwriting partner David Rawlings, her songs are haunting, beautiful, and all around dazzling.

One of my favorites is "Dear Someone" from her brilliant album Time: The Revelator. It makes me feel like I'm lying on my back in the grass gazing up at the stars. Enjoy.

Close your eyes and listen:
Note that the YouTube video is just the song w/a screen shot - there isn't a true "video," only music.