Who’s A Believer?

Maybe Sharknado wasn’t so far-fetched. No, actually it was. Each of the sequels rated higher on the outrageous scale, and a situation like the one in Mexico might have initiated the whole thing. This week, townspeople in Tamaulipas reported how it rained fish. Scientists backed up their story, admitting that this phenomenon has happened in the past. A waterspout catches fish up in the air, blows onshore, and shocks everyone by depositing fish onto roadways in town. Compare this story to Sharknado:       

                                         https://youtu.be/JSHYNfb5Ppw

As unbelievable as Sharknado looked, raining fish is a real thing. Given the amount of fake news flying around, it’s difficult to tell what’s true and what’s not. Sometimes we rely on experts or scientist to convince us of the truth, other times it’s friends and Facebook. How do we decide what’s true? What’s the most incredible, true story you’ve heard lately?      

Outside the Gift Box

After all the hustle and bustle of the season, it’s time for the most relaxing part—gift wrapping. Let your creativity soar by matching paper and bows, name tags and ribbons, or not. I’ve seen at least one person wrap gifts in newspaper. Once you’ve shelled out the money for gifts, free newspaper or brown paper bags for wrapping gifts fit right into the shopping budget. And for those of us too pooped to wrap, we can always replace wrapping with those amazing, decorated gift bags.

The worse part of wrapping is tackling the awkward, oddly shaped item that reveals itself as soon as the recipient spots it. There’s no way to disguise those gifts. If you’re giving a car this year, don’t bother wrapping it, settle for the traditional, oversized bow. And if you’re wrapping something like this, just do your best:  

                                     https://youtu.be/jm3dm5J5r0A

 On Facebook, someone posted a message that mentioned how every year their Christmas list gets shorter because they want more and more things that money can’t buy. What’s the gift you want for someone that could never be wrapped?     

If You're Captivating

Help! I’m stuck on You Tube and I can’t get off. Yeah, it happened. I tried to send an S.O.S. text to the kids to come get me, but I couldn’t take my eyes off the screen long enough to type it. Who doesn’t get trapped on Facebook, Pinterest, Instagram, and the many other captivating social media sites?  

I got online to look for a music video, migrated to (Name a Country’s) Got Talent, and ended with my favorite—flash mobs! It was that kind of evening. Here’s one of the time-stealing videos I watched: 

                                         https://youtu.be/qDqTBlKU4CE

Hilarious! The judges’ expressions seemed to say, “You’re singing what?” How does a huge voice like that come from such a small mouth? The little singer seemed matter-of-fact, but she had an extraordinary gift to share.

There was no English translation on the initial video I saw. This one packed more power because it explained how she found her song. I want to know how she found that voice. Her video collected over fourteen million hits. That’s huge! If you could make a video guaranteed to attract millions of viewers, what would you share with the world?  

 

P.S. I typed the last word in this post, glanced up, and saw this face flash across the TV screen: https://youtu.be/SwhtbtSmcDs  What a gift!          

 

Calling All Messengers

Isn’t it great that social media sites like Twitter, Facebook, and  Instagram  allow us to voice our opinions, promote interests, and share pictures with the world?  Some folks prefer to skip the technology and take their personal expression to the streets. Maybe you’ve seen 3-D message blasts? I’m referring to those physical spots in the community where the most curious comments show up.

For instance, a vehicle carrying wood painted with angry, puzzling complaints used to park around town like a traveling billboard. In another spot, sits a building splashed with phrases that might be part of a local political feud. I’d like to decipher these unusual messages, but so far, they’re still mysteries.  See if these 3-D messages are easier to interpret:      

 

                                              http://youtu.be/02-Eeh8qflU

 If you could post a 3-D message in your community, what would it say?        

 

Best Day of My Life? Well…

Have you ever had a wonky week that made you wonder what could possibly happen next? Last week we struggled with a  stubborn plumbing problem. This week yellow jackets decided to make our home their home. Fortunately we’ve managed to eliminate the clog and our winged guests. 

There’s more. We’re still wading through several other life and death situations. But we’re not alone. Initiate authentic, heart-to-heart chats with acquaintances and you’ll discover that they face major challenges, too. What about you?

Here’s the good news: A bright spot can lighten our darkest times. Perhaps this video will brighten your day.  Take a look:   

                                              http://youtu.be/ofmi03d1U0s

No matter how small or far away, bright spots can change your perspective. Take a moment to pause, relax, and reflect. In spite of your worries, what’s your bright spot?     

Say Something

Two songs, “Say the Name” by Martha Munizzi and “Say the Word” by Christy Carlson Romano, underscore the fact that words matter. You probably already knew that. Words encourage, words hurt, and as we’re seeing in the news, they can get you in a whole lot of trouble. Everyone’s talking, but rarely face-to-face. Instead we use Facebook, Twitter, and hordes of other social media sites. Some chatter is downright horrendous while other parts, like crowdfunding, is constructive. When little people start wielding words—watch out! Listen to this:         

                                       http://youtu.be/l-gQLqv9f4o

 Well, he has personality! That young man is going places and sharing his message with the world. Given the technology at our disposal, it’s never been easier to send a message to the pope, the president, or Pink. Just be careful what you choose to say. Remember the children’s rhyme about how sticks and stones can break my bones, but words can never hurt me? Not true. Let’s be encouraging face-to-face and on the Internet. Perhaps there will be a pleasant message for you the next time you log on to your favorite social media site. What good news are you waiting to hear?

Wrap it Up

Have you encountered product lock-down? It occurs when you purchase a product, take it home and discover that the manufacturer played a bad joke on you by packaging the product so securely that you can’t open it. The worst packages require the use of tools, bare hands just won’t do.

Buy a child’s toy and you’ll struggle with the fused plastics that companies use to hermetically seal in their trucks and dolls. Those plastic edges are dangerous!  The packages ought to come with warnings because there’s a strong possibility you’ll emerge from the ordeal bruised and bloodied. Opening jars can be difficult, too. Why does it take the strength of four hands or warm water trickled over a lid to open a jar?  Earlier this week I almost strained a muscle trying to open a package of crackers. Some things should not be.

Here’s my solution to the problem: manufacturers should package everything in bubble wrap.  It’s easy to open, keeps products safe, has multiple uses and provides unlimited entertainment.  Do you need proof of bubble wrap’s popularity? Someone chose January 31 as National Bubble Wrap Day and if you check on Facebook, you’ll see that a number of people think bubble wrap is awesome. It even has its own page. Go ahead, “friend” it, you know you want to. Check out something else that’s awesome:

I’m sure you already know many interesting ways to use bubble wrap. If you could bubble wrap something (or someone) precious in your life, who or what would it be and why?

    

Houston, We Have a Problem

Seriously, we have a problem.  Track with me for a moment.  Do you think we’re out of control with our cell phone usage?  I think that once we combine walking, with texting and falling into fountains, we’ve gone over the edge—literally.

Now, I’m not the most tech savvy person.  I don’t own a smartphone and, I admit that frugality plays a role here but, those data plans just add more expense than I’m prepared to shell out.  I’m not trapped in the dark ages—l  can text and take and make phone calls.  I rarely use the camera, alarm or calendar.  I like paper and pencil so my event planner is a wall calendar.  (Did you just snicker?)  In short, my phone is devoid of the ultra-sophisticated Internet and Apps, and I am probably the last of the pencil-and-paper breed.

 It’s sad to see people use every waking opportunity to entertain themselves with a cell phone.  An occasional call is fine, but when over half of the time is spent on the phone while a child ambles silently alongside— it’s time to hang up.  I’m guilty of it, too!

Technology can be great when used in moderation.  That’s the key.  Let’s  make a resolution to do better and the first step is to admit there is an issue.  Thinking about your daily cell phone usage,  respond to the sidebar survey question.  By the way, if you need a definition for “out of control,” just go ahead and check “Definitely! Send help!”  

Remember our drive-the-speed limit challenge?  (See Feb. 21, 2011 Post: Is Change A Comin’? )Well,  here comes another one. Ready?  Can you refrain from non-emergency/non-essential phone usage for one week? That means no games, surfing the Net or here’s-what-I’m-doing-now tweets.  Calls to friends are fine, as long as you’re not in a store or with another person.  

 Embrace the silence, think or chat face-to-face (not  Facebook!) with the person next to you. Initially, it may feel awkward but I promise that you won’t go crazy, unless…nevermind.   You can do it! Let us know how it goes.