"Her Morning Elegance"

Creativity fascinates me. That may be why this music video was so entertaining to watch. Plus, it gives a whole new meaning to sleep-walking. Song by Oren Lavie. Enjoy. ... [video]

-Jon
posted by Jon at 7:11 PM  I   I  0 comments

"The Emergency Yodel Button"

In case of emergency, press the yodel button.

-Jon
posted by Jon at 6:55 PM  I   I  0 comments

"Text-To-Movie"

Here's something you might enjoy -- an opportunity to make your own movie.

It's presented by a company called Xtranormal, and their mission is to bring movie-making to the people. You type something; they turn it into a movie. Be it a creative experiment, or a fun distraction from what you should be doing, you can start making a movie by doing the following:

Click the Make Movies tab at the top of the page. On the page that appears, chose the style and number of characters you want to use. The movie maker appears, and you can change the set, actors, and background music. You can type the dialogue for your actors, and even drag actions into the text blocks such as camera angles, sound effects, and facial/character animations.

It may not be quite the same as producting a live-action movie, but it's the next best things for those unfamiliar with the industry. Plus, you can have a little fun in the process. Give it a try sometime, and if you make a movie, feel free to share. I'd love to see what you come up with!

-Jon
posted by Jon at 6:36 PM  I   I  0 comments

"Online Coloring"

Remember when you were a kid, and you'd sit for hours coloring in your favorite coloring book? Well, now you can do it online. Select a category, pick an image, and start coloring. Have fun!

-Jon
posted by Jon at 5:28 PM  I   I  0 comments

"Movie Friday: "Marry Me"

Another Friday, another movie. This week my selection is titled, "Marry Me".

It's one of the cutest short films I've seen in a long time, about a little girl who likes a little boy, and a little boy who likes his BMX bike. Directed by Michelle Lehman.

Enjoy, and have a wonderful weekend all!

-Jon
posted by Jon at 10:47 PM  I   I  0 comments

"100 Abandoned Houses"

If walls could talk, then these abandoned houses might have some fascinating stories to tell. Alas, however, time and chance happen to all things. Photographs by Kevin Bauman.

-Jon
posted by Jon at 9:36 PM  I   I  0 comments

"A Soundtrack For Your Life"

Click buttons, hear things: Virtual Audience.

-Jon
posted by Jon at 9:09 PM  I   I  0 comments

"Central Station Freeze Meets Evolution of Dance"

I love this sort of thing. Spontaneity is so much fun!

Here's a neat little commercial from T-Mobile that mixes the very popular and oh so entertaining Frozen in Grand Central Station and Evolution of Dance video clips. Enjoy! ... [videos]

-Jon
posted by Jon at 12:44 AM  I   I  0 comments

"What’s Your Middle Name?"

Here's a fascinating question posed by another blogger I like to read. He asked, "What if your middle name was actually your first name? How would your life be different?"

Well, my middle name is David. So, if this were so, you would be reading this blog at DavidBaas.com. Also, veryone would call me David, since I'd insist they use my full name (I'm not a fan of "Dave"). And I would also have a very different signature/autograph. In addition, I'd be known in professional circles as "David Baas", which would, interestingly enough, be the same name as an NFL football player who plays for the San Francisco 49ers. That could be very confusing. And, not to be forgotten, my younger cousin might very well have been named Jonathan instead, since I came first, and there are no duplicate first names among my cousins.

Other than that, though, I don't think anything else would be all that different. My name didn't really affect who I became. It's just a name. Although, I will have to say, I'm rather fond of "Jonathan". It has a warmer ring to it.

How would your name/life be different?

-Jon
posted by Jon at 11:12 PM  I   I  0 comments

"Internet Game: Sirtet"

Here's a fun little internet game. It's called Sirtet, and the object is make tetrads -- clusters of four identical shapes. Keeping your eye on the next piece as it falls is essential. Have fun!

-Jon
posted by Jon at 10:40 PM  I   I  0 comments

"Unusual Architecture"

I find this kind of thing fascinating: Pictures of Strange Buildings.

-Jon
posted by Jon at 10:19 PM  I   I  0 comments

"A New President"

Congratulations to Barack Obama, the 44th President of the United States. In a moment of historic unity, Americans -- once deeply divided by race -- have welcomed their first African-American president. From this point on, barriers are broken, dreams are renewed, and no matter who you voted for, change has most definitely come to America.

-Jon
posted by Jon at 11:51 AM  I   I  0 comments

"The Love of a Woman"

This past weekend, Kelli came down to Milwaukee for a visit (hense the lack of blog posts, since I was spending my time with her). We shared each other's company, talked, joked, played the Atari, went to see the Adam Sandler movie, "Bedtime Stories", did a little shopping, went out to eat a few times, and spent some time cooking in the kitchen. It was a sweet and oftentimes romantic three-day weekend... and one that reminds me just how powerful love can be.

There are many things awaiting the two of us as we continue into the future, but there is one that I adore above all others -- the chance to love and be loved by someone as fascinating, captivating, and altogether amazing as she. My life is changing, and I owe the wonder of all those changes to both God's guidance, and Kelli's hand in mine.

A man is not complete until he has felt the love of a woman walking beside him, her hand supporting him in his struggles, and her heart teaching him how to love her in return.

I... am no longer complete without Kelli.

-Jon
posted by Jon at 9:18 AM  I   I  0 comments

"Movie Friday: "The Black Hole"

Another Friday, another movie. This week my selection is titled, "The Black Hole".

In this fun little film, a sleep-deprived office worker accidentally discovers a black hole while working late. But then his greed gets the better of him. Moral of the story? Some discoveries bring wonderful things, but you also have to be careful how you use them.

Enjoy, and have a wonderful weekend all!

-Jon
posted by Jon at 3:55 PM  I   I  0 comments

"How cold is it?"

• It's so cold, my shadow froze to the sidewalk.
  
• It's so cold, the cold is complaining about how cold it is.
  
• It's so cold, Starbucks is selling coffee on a stick.
  
• It's so cold, New York cabbies are wearing flannel turbans.
  
• It's so cold, a Chicago alderman was seen with his hands in his own pockets.
  
• It's so cold, it's still yesterday -- today read the forecast and called in sick.
  
• It's so cold, the hands on my wristwatch are begging for mittens.
  
• It's so cold, I fell out of bed and my pajamas broke.
  
• It's so cold, Chuck Norris put on a jacket.

-Jon
posted by Jon at 6:26 PM  I   I  0 comments

"Milwaukee Chill"

Current West Allis temperature: -8 degrees (F)

I was originally planning to run a few errands today (out and about by city bus), but I think I'll wait until tomorrow when it's ten degrees warmer. A daytime temperature of 2F, though still cold, sounds a wee bit better to me than -8F.

"Bone-chilling temperatures settle over East"

-Jon
posted by Jon at 1:25 PM  I   I  0 comments

"T-Shirt Thursday: Christian T-shirts"

In an effort to show off some of my popular (or new) t-shirts, artwork, and gift ideas exclusive to my online store, Jon Baas Designs, I've decided to feature a few of them here on my blog every Thursday. I call it, "T-Shirt Thursday". Feel free to comment, and enjoy!

Today's Featured Designs:
(click on each image to see available products)


More T-shirts & Gifts: .... Christian T-shirts & Gifts .... Love (heart) T-shirts

And for those of you who like to shop, weekly sales and coupons are available on the front page of my store. Feel free to use them for special discounts!

Have a wonderful Thursday everyone!

Your happily blogging friend,
-Jon
posted by Jon at 12:45 PM  I   I  0 comments

"40 Inspirational Speeches in 2 Minutes"

If you like inspirational movie scenes -- but don't want to sit through the entire movie -- then this post is for you. Here are: 40 inspirational speeches in 2 minutes (or one really long and somewhat silly one, depending upon how you look at it). ... [video]

Go forth, be inspired.... and, above all... enjoy! :)

-Jon
posted by Jon at 2:40 AM  I   I  0 comments

"The Hero Factory"

I'd heard stories about a secret machine that could turn ordinary people into superheroes. Legends really. Myths. I didn't think it was possible. But, this morning, I learned the truth... it is. With one click of a button I received unimaginable powers. I become a superhero. And so can you....

Make me a hero.

-Jon
posted by Jon at 2:09 AM  I   I  0 comments

"One Year In 40 Seconds"

Here's a fantastic collection of images taken from the same geographic spot throughout the course of a year. Together, they depict the changing seasons in Oslo, Norway, 2008. Enjoy! ... [video]

UPDATE: - (Wednesday, 2:58 AM)
A higher resolution version can be found here.

-Jon
posted by Jon at 10:48 PM  I   I  0 comments

"Sulu Rides the Bus"

Here's something interesting: I was surfing around YouTube earlier today, and came across a Milwaukee County Transit commercial from 1984. The thing is, it featured actor George Takei as Mr. Sulu from Star Trek. And he was promoting the Milwaukee bus system. How very odd.

-Jon
posted by Jon at 10:10 PM  I   I  0 comments

"1100 Miles and a Big Bang"

A week has passed since I returned home from my Holiday traveling, and without even realizing it, I've become caught up in all manner of projects, work, and play. Time has zipped by in a flash, and I've been left blinking in the dust.

So, with that said, I think it's time to get things back on track again. Time to get back to blogging, and time to catch everyone up on the goings-on in my little corner of the world. A lot has happened... but, for now, I'll just focus on recapping my Holiday adventures.

Back on December 23, my younger sister, Becca (the Air Force officer stationed in Germany), stopped here in Milwaukee for a visit. A day or two earlier, she had landed in Washington D.C., rented a car, driven 790 miles west, and by the 23rd, was passing through Milwaukee on her way to Minneapolis for Christmas. I hopped in the car, and joined her on the remaining 336 miles.

When we arrived at my parent's house in the Twin Cities, we settled in, and spent the next four days among family. The only sibling unable to make it home was Ben, and that was only because his Marine base near San Diego didn't grant him enough leave for the Holidays. Otherwise, my parents and other four siblings made an appearance. As did Joe, Rachel's husband.

When Saturday rolled around (the 27th), Becca and I set out eastward again -- retracing the route taken earlier in the week. The plan this time, however, was for me to be dropped off in Tomah, WI -- the midway point between Milwaukee and Minneapolis. My girlfriend Kelli grew up there. I would stay there, spend New Years with her family, and Becca would continue on to D.C. alone.

That evening, after arriving in Tomah, I joined Kelli at the wedding and reception of one of her childhood friends, and then, by late evening, the two of us settled into Kelli's parent's house. I visited with them through the weekend.

On Tuesday the 30th, Kelli and I hopped into her car, and we drove back up to Minneapolis, where she had the opportunity to meet and visit with my family for a day. On Wednesday, she and I returned to Tomah, where we hung out through New Years Eve/Day. And on Friday, January 2, we set out on a 142-mile drive east to Brillion, WI (near Appleton), where she lives and teaches.

I spent the rest of the weekend there at her apartment in Brillion, visited her church/school on Sunday, and then by Sunday evening (January 4), we had driven 101 miles south back down into Milwaukee. We had dinner at Applebee's, I was dropped off at my apartment, and Kelli returned north to Brillion. She had to teach the next day.

All-in-all, over the thirteen (13) days of my Holiday vacation, I traveled (by car) a grand total of 1092 miles (not counting the local side trips at each destination). This was 14 miles less than Becca traveled -- one way -- between Washington D.C. and Minneapolis. In other words, I spent 19 hours and 24 minutes on the road, and traveled the equivalent of halfway across the United States -- without ever leaving Wisconsin or Minnesota.

That's a lot of traveling!

But, in the end, it was well worth it. I was able to spend Christmas with my family up in Minneapolis, and most of them were able to meet Kelli in there as well. I spent New Years with Kelli's family, and got to meet all of them for the first time. And... I was introduced to small town Brillion -- a place I will soon become very familiar with.

Yes, it was a wonderful Holiday adventure, and one I will remember for a very long time. The rest of my life, actually. And although I can't go into further details at the moment, this adventure opens the door to many exciting new changes, challenges, and opportunities waiting just around the corner. 2009 starts off with a bang. Stick around, and I'll do my best to surprise you.

No... better yet... I'll knock your socks off!

-Jon
posted by Jon at 10:34 PM  I   I  0 comments

"Back in Milwaukee"

I have returned home from my Christmas/New Years adventures. I am, however, still getting back into the grind of things, so please pardon my delay in posting. For those that are curious, I'll have a recap out shortly. But until then, have a blessed evening, and a wonderful Wednesday!

Your happily blogging friend,
-Jon
posted by Jon at 9:34 PM  I   I  0 comments