"People that succeed in life are those that don't quit."
- Donald Trump

-Jon
posted by Jon at 1:17 AM  I   I  0 comments

On Sunday, after ascending to an altitude of 128,100 feet in a helium-filled balloon, 43-year-old Austrian skydiver, Felix Baumgartner, completed a record-breaking jump from the edge of space. He reached a maximum speed of 833 mph as he plummeted toward Earth -- through the near vacuum of the stratosphere. His free fall lasted four minutes and twenty seconds.

He also broke two other world records -- highest freefall, and highest manned balloon flight.

UPDATE:
And, for a little fun, how about a recreation of this historic jump -- in LEGO!

-Jon
posted by Jon at 11:02 PM  I   I  0 comments

NASA's Space Shuttle Endeavor has orbited the earth close to five thousand times. It has traveled over a hundred million miles. This past weekend, that same space vessel made a historical drive through the streets of Los Angeles to its final resting place at the California Science Center.

Here are some photos of its final journey through Los Angeles.

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

"Life is either a daring adventure or nothing."
- Helen Keller

-Jon
posted by Jon at 10:25 PM  I   I  0 comments

Here's something fun for both sides of the political arena. It's a humorous lip-reading of both Mitt Romney and Barack Obama at last week's presidential debate. I dare you not to laugh!

-Jon
posted by Jon at 1:08 AM  I   I  0 comments

The season of Autumn is, in my opinion, the most beautiful time of the year. I love the colors, and I can't get enough of the brilliant reds and oranges that paint the trees where I live. Rich, vibrant colors; truly beautiful! Here are 40 amazing autumn photos to inspire YOU this Fall. Enjoy!

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

 I have to admit, this is really cute. My favorite part:

INTERVIEWER: "If you were to look into the camera and pretend you were talking to the American people, what would you say?"

BOY: "Hello?.... I come in... peace? ... Maybe if they don't know my language, I could just.... [does a Vulcan salute with his hand] ... like that."
posted by Jon at 3:10 AM  I   I  0 comments

What if the Romans won the Battle of the Teutoburg Forest? What if Napoleon had kept going? What if the South had won the American Civil War? Or... what if the Cuban Missile Crisis escalated into a full-scale war? Here are seven fascinating ways in which the world could have been completely different. Enjoy!

-Jon
posted by Jon at 2:52 AM  I   I  0 comments

Folks, followers, readers of this blog,

I wanted to take a moment and apologize. This blog, a long-time blog -- a once popular place -- has been quiet lately. For most of the year in fact. And that was not at all something I intended.

I love this blog. I love writing, and sharing cool things with you. I've just gotten caught up -- like the rest of the world -- in the "suck me in-ness" of Facebook. My official Jon Baas Facebook page has been a buzzing place in my absence (from blogging). So has my personal Timeline, and, to be honest, almost anything I'm connected to that shows up in my Facebook feed. I am VERY active on Facebook, both among my friends, as well as my administrative duties for the official brand, organization, and creative project pages that I maintain.

But I need to get back to blogging. I have a successful, busy life -- lots going on. But do I miss blogging. I really do. Right now, I'm in the process of re-evaluating and reorganizing a number of my projects. Some of them are being cut, wrapped up, and brought to an end. Others are being refocused.... and still others are getting a little more love and attention. I can only do so much, though, and in some areas, I've probably over-extended myself. So, it's time to bring things down to size a bit.

I plan to return to blogging -- right here -- starting today. I've got ideas. I've got thoughts. And I've got those cool things I discover while I travel the web. There's plenty to write about. I'm going to make it a goal, from this point forward, of keeping my blog as fresh and interesting as it was a year ago.

I hope you're still around. And if you aren't, well, I suppose I'll have to win you back.

I've been "away" for a while. I've been busy elsewhere. It's time to change that. It's time to get back to blogging again. Join me. I'd love to have your company!

Until next time,

Your happily blogging friend,
-Jon
posted by Jon at 3:05 AM  I   I  0 comments

I'm fascinated by American history, the stories behind why things are the way they are, the motivation that drove our early pioneers, the progression from wilderness to superpower. I'm also fascinated by the "what ifs", the "could have beens", and the "came close to happening, but never did". That's why this discovery fascinated me enough to want to share it here -- with you.

Take a moment and explore with me: the 12 U.S. States that could have been, but never were.

-Jon
posted by Jon at 1:36 AM  I   I  0 comments

The World's Tallest Farris wheel will soon be located in New York City. It will be built on the northeastern side of Staten Island, and will be the tallest observation wheel in the world -- 625 feet tall, or, about the height of a 60-story building (which is equal to about half the height of the Empire State Building). Construction is expected to begin in early 2014. It should be finished by New Years Eve, 2015.

Here are some artist's rendition images of the New York Farris wheel.

The New York Ferris wheel will accommodate up to 1,440 people per ride, and will welcome as many as 30,000 visitors per day, with an anticipated 4.5 million visitors per year. Thirty-six capsules, each carrying 40 passengers, will rotate ten inches per second and offer stunning views of New York City. The entire ride will last 38 minutes. It will cost an estimated $230 million to build.

In addition, the new Staten Island Ferris wheel will anchor a retail complex with 100 designer outlet stores, theater space, a hotel, as well as restaurants and cafes.

"Worlds tallest Ferris wheel to turn above New York City"

-Jon
posted by Jon at 1:23 AM  I   I  0 comments