Video Projection

I've always loved video projection on large objects.  A case in point:  Using the Guggenheim museum in NYC as a big screen.  It might not seem like much until you factor in the difficulty of keeping everything looking proportional on the curvy building. 



It reminds me of a music video by the Canadian band Sandbox and their 90s video Curious.



Cool stuff...

A different kind of Jumbo landing

In this PSA for the International Fund For Animal Welfare (IFAW), a different kind of jumbo comes in for a landing at a busy airport.  Pretty amazing CGI.  And a reminder about buying souvenirs made from animals.

Top 5 Things my friends have posted on Facebook - Friday Oct 22, 2010

Sure, this is yet another cheap trick to drive more eyeballs to Roadspill (fingers, too).  But it also an easy way to share some pretty cool stuff from the innertubes.  The perfect way to waste part of your Friday workday... (you're welcome).

Up first:

#1 -- Cat vs Printer - Translated version (salty language advisory)

 [VIDEO LINK]

#2 -- A scary and thought provoking video about self-esteem and girls. 

A New Dove Film : Onslaught - For more amazing video clips, click here

[VIDEO LINK]

#3 -- Thoughts on a new Google service called Baraza that is aimed at connecting Africa and Africans.

#4 -- John Gushue discovers El Caminto del Rey -- the scariest hiking path ever:

#5 -- A tasty treat from Top Gear!

Happy Friday!

Funny Air New Zealand Ad

Air New Zealand has created some pretty funny and risqué ads and videos over the last few years. And to prove the point, here's a brand new one featuring a rather suggestive puppet:

So You Want to be a Travel Writer?

Here's a funny little video I discovered via my pals at Lonely Planet. It pretty much hits the nail on the head.

Warning: There is salty language.

Music Videos - They're Baaaaack...

I reckon that I'm a child of the video generation. And by this I don't mean the television generation - although I'm a member of that too.

What I refer to is music videos. I remember the launch of MTV and Canada's MuchMusic. I remember seeing Erica Ehm in person and swooning. I remember channels that played music videos 24/7. Today? Not so much. Although I'm sure I'd still swoon if I saw Erica Ehm in person.

Lately I've noticed a resurgence of music videos. They didn't disappear. They went online. And there's some pretty cool stuff being made. Sure, the main purpose of these videos is to move product. But that doesn't mean there aren't some forward thinking directors creating some awfully unique videos. I speak of bands like OK Go and Cee Lo Green.

Haven't seen their work? Today's your lucky day! View away...

OK GO: This Too Shall Pass:

OK Go - This Too Shall Pass. Watch more top selected videos about: This Too Shall Pass, OK Go

Hollerado - Americanarama:




OK GO: Here It Goes Again:


OK Go - Here It Goes Again Clip
Cargado por Galaxiestarwars. - Mira más vídeos divertidos.


Cheers!

from the "funny cat video" dept

Actually, click below!

Cheers!

from the "beer there, done that" dept.

Brilliant musical parody of "Chasing Cars" by Snow Patrol. Look familiar?

from the "sesame street" dept.

Even at my creaky old age, I love Sesame Street. It's more than just a kids show -- and after all these years remains fresh and relevant. And then there are the guest stars. If you haven't been on Sesame Street, you're not a big star (see Ricky Gervais, below).

Watch the following clips and see if you don't feel decades younger. I believe this may just be the fountain of youth.

Here's Ricky Gervais helping Elmo fall asleep in Celebrity Lullaby:



And Paul Rudd saving Planet Earth:



And Richard Pryor teaching the alphabet:



And Tina Fey as a BOOKaneer (or is that Sarah Palin?):



And Ben Stiller meeting his neighbours:



And many more HERE.

from the "true north strong and free" dept.

A hip-hop take on Oh Canada by Classified. Don those colours. The games are comin'!

from the "be my friend" dept.

Don't know what all this Facebook stuff is all about? Watch this (safe for moms):

from the "request denied" dept.

Facebook, oh how I love to hate thee. Replica of other social media, you force me to check mail in two places, post photos and goofy stuff in two places, and generally eat up my free time.

But I'm not the only one. Here's Kate Miller-Heidke singing a song about old flames on Facebook. The lyrics are subtitled.

This is somewhat questionable for work and not recommended for mothers with sons in Guatemala (you know who you are).



Cheers!

from the "milestone" dept.

Another milestone for Roadspill today -- this is the 2000th post. That's a lot of blather and ego-centrism over the past six years. Thanks for reading!

Meantime, here's a nice timelapse of "A Day in Vancouver." It was created using still images from the amazing katkam.ca webcam. The day in question was July 25, 2009 and ended with an amazing sunset, huge thunderstorm and the Celebration of Light fireworks competition.

Watch:



Way to make me miss home.

Cheers!

from the "video on demand" dept.

A tip of the hat to MN for the following two amazing videos.

The first from what must have been the most fun wedding ever:



And the second... well... just watch:



Cheers!

from the "lost in translation" dept.

A CBC Newsworld translator got a little flustered the other day. Not surprising, it's no doubt a tough job. It's just too bad her mic was still on. Whoops!

from the "practice makes perfect" dept.

When I first watched this video of trials rider Danny MacAskill I was floored by some of the most technical riding imaginable. The second time I watched I was completely gobsmacked.

Sit back, click play and be inspired.

Shot in Edinburgh, Scotland.

Cheers!

from the "bird dance" dept.

The BBC has a cute little story today about birds and rhythm:

"Some birds have a remarkable talent for dancing, two studies published in Current Biology suggest.

Previously, it was thought that only humans had the ability to dance, but footage has revealed that some parrots have a near-perfect sense of rhythm." [MORE]

Click HERE to see video of Snowball, a sulphur-crested cockatoo getting down with the Backstreet Boys!

Science, schmience... the video is great entertainment.

Cheers!

from the "Qatar Hero" dept.

I've been lax in putting up video and photos of Mr. P.'s retirement bash Monday night at the Biltmore in Vancouver.

It was a night of cool people, great tunes and fabulous snacks!

Special guests included Chad van Gaalen, The Wet Secrets and the Compadres! Plus a cast of thousands!



Music in the video:
Blame It on the Moon:
Performed by the Compadres
Written by Mr. P

Images: Yours Truly

UPDATE: The night even made the local press. From the Georgia Strait (note last line):

Radio vet Don Pennington feted
By Adrian Mack

Vancouver was treated to a surprise performance by freak-folkie Chad VanGaalen on March 31.

The critically lauded Calgarian, whose 2006 album Skelliconnection made the final 10 in last year’s Polaris Music Prize competition, made a rare appearance at the Biltmore Cabaret, performing alongside Juno nominees the Compadres and—making their Vancouver debut—Edmonton’s the Wet Secrets.

The event began as a private surprise party for retiring CBC Radio 3 producer Don Pennington, but, as emcee and CBC Radio 3 host Grant Lawrence explained to the Straight, “It’s such a special occasion, we figured we should open it up to the fans.” A notice posted on the Radio 3 Web site last Friday drew about 200 people to the event, which was also recorded for future broadcast.

Pennington has produced live music for the CBC for 33 years. “He’s worked with everyone from Ray Charles and Ella Fitzgerald to Black Mountain and Broken Social Scene,” Lawrence said. “People love him. We secretly called these bands, and they said ‘Don Pennington, absolutely.’ ”

He added, “Chad agrees to almost nothing. He doesn’t even like leaving Calgary.”

When asked at the show about the impact of his retirement on the CBC, Pennington joked, “Well, they’re fucked now.”


Cheers!

from the "briefing" dept.

A short note. Surprise!

I've finished all my interviews in Tamale. My work is done. It's time to go home.

Tonight: dinner with JHR trainer Nichole Huck and her partner Shawn.

Tomorrow: The 6 a.m. bus back to Kumasi. I'll have dinner with Leffler. The last one until next year.

Saturday: The noon bus to Takoradi.

Sunday: The packing begins.

More tales from the last few days to come. Likely this weekend. I've also got some pictures and video up on FB and Flickr.

Cheers!

Doug

Here's a sample... from Salankpang, about 45 km east of Tamale, in northern Ghana: