Time for Dinner!

I saw this time-lapse video the other day and thought it was cute. Had to share with you!

The Nova Scotia Lighthouse Project

Peggy's Cove Lighthouse is one of the world's iconic lighthouses and every year hosts thousands of visitors clambering over its rocky point, many of them looking for that perfect photo angle. Nova Scotia is home to more than 150 lighthouses and like most around the world, since they have been automated there are no longer any lighthouse keepers.

Many of these lighthouses, suffering from shoreline erosion and general neglect, are in need of reconstruction or coats of paint, so in 1994 concerned citizens stepped up to form the Nova Scotia Lighthouse Preservation Society (NSLPS). The NSLPS website is full of information about the province's lighthouses, which ones are open to visitors, maps, lighthouse sounds, reading lists and more.

Original Cape Forchu Lighthouse near Yarmouth, also known as The Old Yarmouth Light

Cape Forchu Lighthouse rebuilt in 1961, automated and destaffed in 1993

Enter Larry Peyton and Cory Webb, Nova Scotians passionate about the beauty of their province. Peyton, an enthusiastic drone "hobbyist" and Webb, a musician, have undertaken to film Nova Scotia's lighthouses, using a drone, then to put them to music and make them available for us to see.

Drone-flying and filming can be a challenge in a coastal climate, so the whole project will take some time to complete. They often set out on what seems like a perfect day, only to arrive at the destination lighthouse to find it engulfed in fog or rough weather, or just too windy. So far, though, they have more than a dozen videos ready to view on their website, with plans for at least 100 more.

Here's a February 2016 video of the Coldspring Head Lighthouse first built in 1890 and located on the Amherst Shore overlooking the Northumberland Strait.

What I love about this video:

• the map
• the great views of the shoreline as well as all aspects of the lighthouse itself
• seeing the guys and their car on the ground ;)
• Cory Webb`s instrumentals

And here's one from November 2015: the Cape Forchu Lighthouse, same one as in the photos above:

For lots more lighthouse videos, be sure to click on the link above.

By the way, you can follow Peyton and Webb on Twitter @NoKaOiDroneGuys 

Cape d'Or

Next Rage?

We've seen the lasting popularity of roller skates, inline skates, skateboards, longboards, ripstiks* and the winking popularity of hoverboards. And for those who prefer their feet on the ground, hula hoops.

I came across an old video from 2009 highlighting a wheeled contraption called Orbit Wheel. You need one for each foot. The comments are quite dismissive, but I think that it looks like fun, if you overlook the treacherous learning curve.

What do you think? Want to give it a whirl?

*Never heard of a ripstick? Here it is in action:

Kids can do the most awesome things!!

More Art from Simon Beck

Ok, it's snowy here in south central Ontario for the moment, snow that will soon disappear, though, since we're already a week into March.

I know, too, that many people have opted to spend this time in lands of sun and sand, so here's a different version of what Simon Beck can accomplish, even at the mercy of the time and tides.

and

and even more on Simon Beck's YouTube Channel.

Snow Art

It finally snowed in Southern Ontario two days ago, the first significant snowfall of the season here. So now we can go outside to play. Like this maybe?

Simon Beck is an Englishman who uses snowshoes to create snow "paintings". He has a recently-published book filled with photographs of his art.

also beautiful at night

You can see more photos of his work on his Facebook Page. 

Here is the blurb from Simon Beck's Website, where you can also order his book.

Simon Beck is the world’s first and most famous "Snow Artist". He graduated in Engineering from Oxford University but decided later on to leave his office job in order to become a cartographer.

In December 2004, after a day of skiing, he got the idea to draw a star on the small frozen lake in front of his place. His sense for orientation in combination with his passion for outdoor and physical activities inspired him to complete a snow creation. The day after, looking down from the ski lift; he was impressed by the result. After the next snowfall, he repeated the exercise by creating an even more complex drawing. Snow Art was born.

During his childhood, Simon Beck drew mostly geometrical forms. The geometrical drawings were inspired by Koch's snowflake and became more complex over time. Simon’s drawings cover an area of 1 to 4 hectares (corresponding to 2 to 8 soccer fields - 2.5 to 10 acres) and take up to 12 hours to complete and demand a walk of 20 to 30 kilometers in the snow - wearing snowshoes. Hence, his creations are both artistic and athletic performances – truly unique creations shaped by the varying and challenging conditions of the environment.

Simon's creations gather thousands of fans from all around the world with over 270 000 fans on Facebook. He has also created and accomplished Snow Art performances for world-renowned brands. As he is always looking for new experiences, with the desire to raise awareness of the environment, Simon Beck continues to provide beautiful creations and wonderful photos of his fascinating art form.

This book is his first and contains the collection of 10 years of groundbreaking artwork. 

Gross Science

Gross Science is a WGBH/PBS Digital Studios/NOVA YouTube series featuring "bizarre stories from the slimy, smelly, creepy world of science".

Here's one that the kids might have fun with: using your iPhone as a microscope. Be prepared to buy a few inexpensive supplies first.

More inspirational videos at the Gross Science YouTube Channel.

2016

Let's start the New Year off on a high note, with positive wishes and high-hearted hopes for ending suffering everywhere. As writer George Eliot (1819-1880) said, "What do we live for, if it is not to make life less difficult for each other?"

Toronto Symphony Orchestra Celebrates What Syrians Bring to Canada

Published in Dec. 2015

In Canada we see no contradiction in belonging to more than one nationality or culture. In fact these shared identities are the basis of our success. We celebrate this success as we celebrate the arrival of Canada's newest residents and their path towards becoming full members of Canadian society.

Elephants

Who doesn't love elephants! There's so much to say about them - you've likely heard it all before: their sense of family, their caring, intelligence and memory. Their shrinking habitat, their vulnerability to poachers, their decreasing numbers.....

We humans need to take steps now to ensure that elephants continue to be cared for both in the wild and in captivity. Of course around the world are many already doing just that, zoos and sanctuaries, both here in North America and in Africa and Asia, people like former TV game show host and animal rights activist, Bob Barker and my niece, Wendy who uses part of her busy retirement to volunteer with elephants at the zoo in Portland, Oregon. This zoo recently opened a new habitat and pool for their elephants. See videos and more about that here (the making of Elephant Lands) and here (a baby elephant's first swim in the new pool) and on the zoo's YouTube channel.

There are so many wonderful elephant videos to watch, This is one that Judy sent me awhile back. It's about a remarkable cooperation between man and beast at Mfuwe Lodge in Zambia. More info here.

Polar Bears

Here in southern Ontario, we're still waiting for snow. The other day snow came as a Christmas treat for the polar bears at the San Diego zoo.

Of course, they were delighted!

Merry Christmas!

Merry Librarian Christmas!

Librarians and library patrons around the world will relate to this creative video from the Shoalhaven Library staff who really get into the spirit of the season.

For those interested in details, Shoalhaven is in New South Wales, Australia. A coastal city on the Tasman Sea, not too far south of Sydney, it's a popular vacation area, close to more than 100 pristine beaches of white sand. Of course, it's summer there now and I'll bet it's crazy busy.

This group of Aussie librarians at Shoalhaven are a wild and crazy bunch. Here's an earlier video they also collaborated on to promote the various services offered there.

Landing

Are you ready for this?

Moosebridge and Murdoch

Those of us living in Canada are familiar with the CBC's long-time (over 40 years!) institution, journalist and news anchor, Peter Mansbridge who has just been inducted into the Canadian News Hall of Fame. Like many other Canadian "fixtures" Mansbridge has had his share of being the target of jokes and pokes, all good-natured of course.

This time, Mansbridge has agreed to have a laugh at his own expense when he voices a character in the upcoming movie, Zootopia.

Yup! He's going to voice the character of Peter Moosebridge, created intentionally with Canada in mind. How kind is that!

It's only a cameo role, so don't blink when you're at the theatre. Apparently P.M.'s grandkids are pretty excited by his upcoming role. Opens in March 2016.

Here's the trailer (P.M. not included) for Zootopia, so you can get a feel for it:

Oh, and by the way? For all the Murdoch Mysteries* fans out there, Mansbridge also has a small part coming up on that series' very first Holiday Special, A Very Murdoch Christmas. Also appearing on the same show will be veteran actor Ed Asner, British actor, Brendan Coyle (valet John Bates on Downton Abbey) and Kelly Rowan (the O.C.) along with the regulars, Yannick Bisson, Hélène Joy, Jonny Harris and Thomas Craig. It will be a 2-hour special airing Dec. 21 and will also feature a very special connection to the Hospital for Sick Children (Sick Kids) in Toronto which is celebrating 140 years of excellence.

It's little things like this that make me a very happy Canadian.

*Murdoch Mysteries: extremely popular Canadian detective series, now in its 9th season. Set in Victorian Toronto, the series has excellent writing and is all the more interesting thanks to the use of period persons of note, such as Prime Minister Wilfred Laurier, US President William McKinley,who was assassinated in nearby Buffalo, New York, Mark Twain, Arthur Conan Doyle and others, often played by prominent contemporary actors.

The series also brings early 1900's current affairs, issues, inventions etc. into the plots, so there are many layers to the series, making it all the more amusant. The hairstyles and costumes are also noteworthy. The dialogue is often tongue-in-cheek.

When I went looking at the Murdoch Mysteries website to check facts, I also discovered tons of extra behind-the-scenes clips and also an interactive episode called The Infernal Device
which is still available online.

A Great Canadian Story

These guys, brothers, Michael and Neil Fletcher in the Sudbury area were out in the woods with their dog the other day when they found a mature bald eagle caught in a trap. Like so many modern heroes, they made sure their handy device was ready to record and then took care of the problem.

Of course they had to take a selfie when it was all over. 

Stomp with the Harlem Globetrotters

We've all heard of the Harlem Globetrotters. Did you know they're celebrating their 90th year? 

Stomp is a 20+ year old percussion group that has performed to rave reviews around the world. Here they combine their talents in a wonderfully entertaining video. Enjoy!

Today's Boxer Fix

Holton Rower

Holton Rower is a New York-based visual artist who jokingly says he probably uses more paint than any other artist. He creates amazing pieces by pouring concentric pools of acrylic paint onto wood and allowing them to flow downwards.

The results are organic and always interesting. A video from 2010 shows the process:

Looks like fun, doesn't it!

Orly Faya

Last week we spent Halloween in North Carolina where almost everybody, kids and adults alike, enjoy getting into the spirit of the night.

Our little family went out as the characters/emotions from Inside Out, the movie in which Pixar shows us the emotions that live within each person, driving our speech, actions and decisions. Here's the trailer:

These are the five emotions from the movie: 

  Joy   Disgust  Fear

 anger   Sadness

Perfect! One for each of us to be for Halloween. There might have been a little face painting involved!

Don't worry, it all washed off easily. 

When I came across something on social media about Orly Faya, an Australian body painter/photographer, I knew I had to share it here. This takes face and body painting to a completely different level.

Inspired by nature, Faya paints people into landscapes and lighting, with astonishing results. Here's her intro for her Gaia Project which is being crowd-funded.

Another video:

The Science of Baking

I wish we'd thought of cooking science 40 years ago when the kids needed some good ideas for science fair projects.

Bubbles

Amazing expertise with bubbles. I wonder if the stage gets wet/slippery by the end of the show.