Friday Play List

You might be noticing a trend--that on Fridays, I like to link videos here.  Sometimes words just don't cut it; though sometimes, bad videos can make an experience ten times worse.  Looking at some of the recent NASA uploads with regard to their Humans to Mars project, I have to say that I'm actually kind of disappointed with how uninspiring they are.  I feel like I'm back in my 1980's science class watching one of those ridiculously boring learning videos in which there will be a quiz afterward.

The most interesting part of that is that while I'm watching them, I can see the enthusiasm of NASA's Charles Bolden, but that sentiment doesn't carry over into the framing of the video.  It's like he's saying, "This is going to be the most awesome human achievement ever!"  And then I get four more minutes of a late-night infomercial that doesn't have any of that Billy Mays excitement.  I'm not looking for something extraordinary, but I do wish NASA would step out of the 80's with their videos and actually join us in the 21st century.

Now that I've got that out of my system, I hope that you'll enjoy the videos I did find for you today.  This isn't meant to be too thought-provoking, but rather to just add a little depth to your day.  So let's start off with some Lindsey Stirling from her new album Shatter Me--the track that bears the album title name.


I don't think there's much that can compare with that today, but we'll move along to our next video from the Ted Talks stage.  Here is Sarah Jones and the voices in her head telling us about what the future holds.  Or at least what the present may hold for our future.


So you might have heard Ms. Jones speaking about the fact that she went to the United Nations school.  I had no idea that this existed, and I have to admit, looking at its charter, this seems like it would be a really amazing place to have grown up.  Understanding that our culture and way of life is not the center of everyone's universe is, I think, liberating in a lot of ways.  It helps us to see the good things in our own culture and improve upon those areas where other cultures may have surpassed us by learning from their successes...and their mistakes.

All right, skylovers; I haven't forgotten about you.  NASA's JPL put out their monthly sky watch report for May.  And if you haven't had a chance to see it, ...well, enjoy!


Maybe not quite as exciting as April, but if that new meteor shower is anything like some people hope it is, we could be in for some interesting end-of-the-month sky flowers (Yes.  I went there.)

For those of you who listened to Lizzy Hale above in the "Shatter Me" video, I went and took a look at one of her newest videos "Mz. Hyde."  This is not safe for children; so, don't listen if you've got the little ones around.  I have to admit that I'm a little disappointed with the band's musicians, but the lyrics and vocals make me think that Halestorm is definitely worth keeping an eye on.  This fits into a genre of music that has very few good performers in it--a genre I call female metal/rock.  Among its greats, I consider Evanescence, Within Temptation, and Lacuna Coil.  Halestorm definitely has the potential to join their ranks--if she's willing (and her band is able) to be as diverse in its instrumental skill as she is with her vocals.


Hope you all have a good weekend, and this time I will see you on Monday.  Enjoy yourselves, and don't forget to stop and smell the roses!