It looks like my web host went down today. As a result, JonBaas.com is not accessible. But, I'm looking into the issue, and will report back when I have news. For now, this blog remains active (since it's hosted on a different server), and will continue to be your source of information until the issue is resolved.

Thanks for your patience, everyone!

UPDATE: (Tuesday, 2:19pm)
JonBaas.com appears to be up again. I'm not sure what the problem was, but everything seems to be back to normal. Here's hoping the issue has been fixed.

-Jon
posted by Jon at 1:37 PM  I   I  0 comments

As a blogger, I'm always on the lookout for new things to read. New perspectives. New creative minds. New "cool things". So, I thought, for a change, I'd let YOU help me find these new blogs. I'm looking to be introduced to new bloggers. Maybe even your blog. Leave me a comment and a link. If I visit, read, and like the blog, I might even add it to my blog for others to see.

Maybe I'll even write a post about it.

So... send me some links. Introduce me to some cool new blogs!

-Jon
posted by Jon at 2:26 AM  I   I  0 comments

Color theory is a vast and complicated subject. It consists of different scientific elements, such as: optics, spectroscopy, human anatomy and physiology, psychology, art history and theory, philosophy, ethics, architecture theory, design and many other applied sciences.

Here's an article that demonstrates the concept of harmonic color combinations, and then offers a few examples of their usage by some very talented vector artist. Take a peek, and enjoy!

-Jon
posted by Jon at 1:49 AM  I   I  0 comments

I bet you didn't know that the upcoming animated movie, "Tangled", is actually Disney's 50th animated motion picture. Yep. It is. And to celebrate, Disney Animation Studios have put out a short retrospective video. It's just over two minutes long, and features clips from all fifty films.

Have YOU seen all fifty? Which one is your favorite?

-Jon
posted by Jon at 1:34 AM  I   I  0 comments

Canadian–American actor and comedian Leslie Nielsen died yesterday. He is best known for his roles in the films "Airplane!" and "The Naked Gun", as well as his portrayal of serious characters who were oblivious to their absurd surroundings. He was 84.

"Naked Gun" actor Leslie Nielsen dead at 84"

-Jon
posted by Jon at 12:58 PM  I   I  0 comments

May your table overflow with tasty fixings. May your homes be full of happy voices. And may your hearts be thankful for all that you have been blessed with this year! Happy Thanksgiving!

-Jon
posted by Jon at 1:38 AM  I   I  0 comments

My inner geek came out this morning. I was looking through possible blog material, and came across this instead. It's one of my favorites. So I thought I'd share.

The video, shown here, was produced for the 40th Anniversary of Star Trek back in 2006. And while it displays iconic visuals from the franchise since it's beginning, it also features one of my favorite musical compositions from all of Star Trek -- the orchestral theme from the Hugo Award-winning Next Generation episode, "The Inner Light". Also one of my favorite episodes.

So... sit back, hit play, and listen as you watch. This is Star Trek at it's best.

-Jon
posted by Jon at 3:30 AM  I   I  0 comments

Here's another fun little online game. It's called White Jigsaw, and it is, quite literally, an online jigsaw puzzle. Use your mouse to put the pieces together. Every time you complete a board, it grows larger... and more challenging. Have fun!

-Jon
posted by Jon at 2:16 AM  I   I  0 comments

The Cave City of Vardzia is fascinating place. Situated in the European country of Georgia between Eastern Europe and Western Asia, it has an over eight hundred year history. What's even more interesting about this place is that it's built into the side of a mountain... in the middle of nowhere.

-Jon
posted by Jon at 1:59 AM  I   I  0 comments

Six Flags: New Orleans is an amusement park that closed when Hurricane Katrina approached New Orleans in 2005. It has never reopened, and the sign outside the park still announces it as "Closed For Storm."

The theme park was in New Orleans' Ninth Ward, one of the hardest hit areas during Katrina and the massive flooding that followed. Although many of the rides still stand, Six Flags says the saltwater from the flood has corroded them to the point that they cannot be saved. Louisiana photographer Teddy Smith shot this video in October, with permission from the City of New Orleans.

-Jon
posted by Jon at 11:31 PM  I   I  0 comments

"Marriage is that relation between man and woman in which the independence is equal, the dependence mutual, and the obligation reciprocal."
-- Louis K. Anspacher

-Jon
posted by Jon at 11:33 PM  I   I  0 comments

Horses are beautiful creatures. Majestic. Strong. Determined. And our world history wouldn't be the same without them. Here are some amazing photographs of horses -- courtesy of Polish photographer Wojtek Kwiatkowski. Enjoy!

-Jon
posted by Jon at 10:51 AM  I   I  0 comments

When thinking of great walls, almost everyone will reference the Great Wall of China. But, that isn't the only wall of it's kind still in existence. There's one in Croatia -- hundreds of years old -- which carries the title of being the longest fortified wall in Europe. They're known as the Walls of Ston.

-Jon
posted by Jon at 10:39 AM  I   I  0 comments

Yesterday was Halloween. And, as noted on my Facebook page, I dressed up for the occasion. If you came trick-or-treating at the Baas house, you saw my costume in action. However, for those who did not, here are some photos. Enjoy!

-Jon
posted by Jon at 11:33 PM  I   I  0 comments