"Music is a Visible Thing"

Very few television commercials impress me these days. But the ones that do involve creativity, vision, entertainment... and often combined into one single visual presentation. They're memorable. Most television commercials are not.

Here is one, however, that is. And it might inspire you.

It's a Thai commercial for Pantene hair care products -- the story of a deaf and mute girl who learns to play the violin against all odds. Great message. Very touching. Enjoy. ... [video]

-Jon
posted by Jon at 8:17 PM  I   I  0 comments

"Simon's Cat: Fly Guy"

Simon Tofield has a brand new animation featuring his cat: "Fly Guy". This time around, his persistent little feline tries to catch a housefly. Previous animations have featured "TV Dinner", "Cat Man Do", and "Let Me In!". Great stuff! Very entertaining. Enjoy! ... [videos]

-Jon
posted by Jon at 7:28 PM  I   I  0 comments

"Tron Legacy Trailer"

Very cool movie trailer!: Tron Legacy is a forthcoming 2010 science fiction film. It's a sequel to the 1982 film Tron. Joseph Kosinski is directing the film, while the previous film director, Steven Lisberger, returns as a producer. Jeff Bridges will reprise his role as Kevin Flynn, while Garrett Hedlund will portray Flynn's now-adult son, Sam. The other cast members include Bruce Boxleitner, Olivia Wilde, Beau Garrett and John Hurt. ... [video]

I've seen the original Tron in recent years, and loved the artistic innovation it offered in computer animation -- cutting edge for 1982. It'll be interesting to see the direction in which the 2010 sequel goes. If you're a sci-fi geek like I am, keep an eye on this film. It could be interesting!

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

"Two Weeks Later..."

Oi. Two weeks of non-blogging. ... [sigh] ... Where did the time go?

I sincerely appologize for my blogging disappearance. After I returned from my weekend visiting with Kelli's family (July 17-21), I got caught up in projects, and neglected to blog. That's not at all how I've intend to maintain my profile as a successful blogger. So, now, two weeks later, I find myself having to get back into the swing of things. Better late than never, right?

Oh, and before I forget, thank you to all those of you who inquired about my silence. It's nice to be missed -- even if the lack of blogs was due to my own distraction. ... [sheepish expression]

So, anyway, on that note... let's get back to some blogging! Daily musings, here I come!

-Jon
posted by Jon at 6:31 PM  I   I  0 comments

"Gone For the Weekend"

I will be gone for the weekend -- spending some time with Kelli and her family. I'm heading north to Brillion by bus later this morning, and then Kelli and I will be driving west to Tomah. Her new nephew is getting baptized on Sunday (in Tomah), and we'll be in town for that. I plan to be back here in Milwaukee by sometime Tuesday evening.

So... have a wonderful weekend all, and if I don't blog earlier, I'll see you when I return!

-Jon
posted by Jon at 12:46 AM  I   I  0 comments

"Quote of the Day"

"Obstacles cannot crush me. Every obstacle yields to stern resolve. He who is fixed to a star does not change his mind." -- Leonardo Da Vinci

-Jon
posted by Jon at 9:26 AM  I   I  0 comments

"Burned by the Sun"

I spent the day today working out in the warm summer sun. My project for the day was to help move a large pile of fresh bark mulch (about three yards), and spread it over decorative areas of the landscape at the apartment buildings I used to live in last year. When I left home in the morning, my skin tone was sunless white (some might say "pasty white", but I won't go that far!). When I returned at the end of the day... I was pink/red like a lobster.

Yes, the sun had left it's mark. Thanks to my German/Norwegian heritage, the back of my neck is brick red, while my forearms are a lovely shade of deep pink. Strangely, no other areas of my body got burned -- and I was wearing shorts.

I've been told that aloe and vitamin E are good solutions to ease the often painful effects of sunburn, so, I'm slathering up the affected areas on a regular basis tonight. I'll probably be tingly and red for a while... but I can live with that. I'm just glad the project didn't take longer than it did. And I'm reminded... always wear sunscreen when working outside in the middle of July. The sun and I don't always get along.

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

"Finding the Time"

Sometimes I get so caught up in my other work, that I neglect to blog. This has sadly become the case the past few days, and I appologize. Bad Jon. So... I'm going to try to reverse that trend, and get back into the regular habit of blogging. I owe it to myself, and I owe it to you -- my readers. Stick around, keep me on task, and let's see if I can get these Daily Musings back in gear!

-Jon
posted by Jon at 7:55 PM  I   I  0 comments

"Married in 365"

Three hundred and sixty-five days from today -- in exactly one year -- I will be saying "I do"... in a church... and in front of God, my family, and all my friends. In 365 days, I will become the loving husband to my Kelli. Now THAT's something to look forward to!

So, here's to my fiancee. Happy Annipraestolor!

From the Latin words "annus", for year, and "praestolor", meaning to wait for.
(Yes, I know, it's a made-up Latin word. Just go with it! ... [wink])

-Jon
posted by Jon at 8:17 PM  I   I  0 comments

"Movie Friday: "Beyond Words"

After a long break, my "Movie Friday" blog feature is back! So...

Another Friday, another movie. This week my selection is titled, "Beyond Words".

In this thriller of a short film, a young, deaf woman finds herself stalked by a mysterious man. But everything isn't quite as it seems. A 2009 Tropfest Australia Short Film Finalist. ... [video]

Enjoy, and have a wonderful weekend all!

(Click link to watch.)

-Jon
posted by Jon at 10:11 AM  I   I  0 comments

"ArtisanCam"

ArtisanCam is an intriguing website where you can watch artists at work, and then have a go at it yourself. You can try your hand at a variety of activities -- all without any of the mess.

You can learn how to draw a landscape or a comic. You can try carving a two ton stone block in 3D. Or, you can learn how to draw a human figure with the help of a virtual life model. There's a lot to explore. So, take a peek, jump in, and enjoy!

-Jon
posted by Jon at 1:45 AM  I   I  0 comments

"Bicycle Art"

I like bicycling. And I like art. So, that said, here are fourteen of the most interesting Modern Concept Bikes the world has to offer. Enjoy!

-Jon
posted by Jon at 11:48 PM  I   I  0 comments

"Quote of the Day"

"Where there's a will, there's a way."
-- English Proverb

-Jon
posted by Jon at 1:04 AM  I   I  0 comments

"Eleven Score and Thirteen Years Ago..."

..."our fathers brought forth on this continent, a new nation, conceived in Liberty, and dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal."

Two hundred and thirty three years ago -- on July 4, 1776 -- America claimed it's independence from Britain... and Democracy was born. Since then, every day, thousands of immigrants come to this country, so they too can live the American Dream of Freedom and Prosperity. If it weren't for my own ancestors doing just that, and coming from Germany, Norway, and Russia over one hundred years ago, I wouldn't be here writing this.

So, here's to Freedom! Here's to Liberty. Happy Birthday America!

-Jon
posted by Jon at 9:13 PM  I   I  0 comments

"Wednesday in Review"

Awoke. Worked on computer projects. Moved trash from private bins to public dumpster. Stinky job. Hauled branches and tree limbs. Sweaty job. Met a few interesting tenants. Enjoyed a tasty dinner at Golden Corral. Came home. Showered. Napped. Talked to Kelli on the phone. Watched some television. Relaxing; doing more work. Going to bed by 3am.

-Jon
posted by Jon at 11:54 PM  I   I  0 comments

"Karl Malden: 1912-2009"

Academy Award-winning actor, Karl Malden, died of natural causes today. He won an Oscar for Best Supporting Actor in "A Streetcar Named Desire", served as the President of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences from 1989-92, and together with his wife Mona, celebrated one of Hollywood's longest marriages (70 years!) back in December. He was 97.

"Oscar-winning actor Karl Malden dead at 97"

-Jon
posted by Jon at 10:29 PM  I   I  0 comments

"Obama Kung-Fu"

Let's start the day with a little humor, shall we?

Here's a fun little video that pokes fun at a television interview President Obama did a few weeks back... a video in which he killed a fly with a single swat. The question is, though, how well would he do against a swarm of ninja-like blood thirsty mosquitoes? ... [videos]

And for those that remember, Cory Williams (of SMP Films, and producer of the above Obama video) is also the creator of the catchy Mean Kitty Song.

-Jon
posted by Jon at 9:28 AM  I   I  0 comments