Richard Joyner has led his rural community of Conetoe, N.C., to better health by helping students grow and distribute 50,000 pounds of fresh food a year.
Richard Joyner has led his rural community of Conetoe, N.C., to better health by helping students grow and distribute 50,000 pounds of fresh food a year.
When a school bus driver had a heart attack and the vehicle careened out of control, a couple of middle school students heroically saved the day.
It was a normal day for middle school students in the small town of Milton, Washington as they rode the school bus, until their driver suddenly lost consciousness and started flailing uncontrollably. Suffering from a heart attack, driver Ryan Callis let go of the steering wheel, and the bus careened out of control. Almost immediately, 13-year-old Jeremy Wuitschick ran to the front of the bus, grabbed the wheel, and steered to the side of the road, while taking the keys out of the ignition. Fellow seventh grader Johnny Wood, who had recently learned CPR, ran to the incapacitated driver and began chest compressions, while another student called 911.
When an elderly man is trapped in a burning inferno, a stranger happens along, bravely rescues the man and then disappears.
It was a lazy Saturday morning when fire erupted from a duplex in a small neighborhood in Fresno, California. Robert Wells, 73 years old, who was hooked up to an oxygen tank, could not get himself out. He had difficulty breathing and walking by himself and was desperately trapped. The people who crowded around the scene were in a state of panic and didn’t know what to do, especially after a propane tank explosion accelerated the fire that continued to ravage the home. Then suddenly, out of nowhere, a man braved the fire and pulled Wells out to safety, carrying him on his shoulders.
Then just as quickly as he entered the scene, the man disappeared; and the neighborhood couldn’t find him for days after the incident despite his heroic act being recorded.
When someone had a seizure on a NY subway platform and fell on the tracks, a brave man sprang into action and saved him.
Wesley Autrey, now dubbed the “Subway Superman,” was waiting on the platform with his two little girls when he noticed a man suffering from a seizure, causing him to fall onto the tracks. Knowing there wouldn’t be time for the train to stop, Autrey jumped on top of the man, praying he could keep him from flailing long enough to allow the train to pass on over them both—a clearance of 21inches high. Wesley and the man topped out at 20.5 inches.
Mysterious and stunning alien life is indeed with us on Earth today, and they’re hanging out in the darkest depths of our oceans.
The term deep sea creature refers to organisms that live below the photic zone of the ocean. These creatures must survive in extremely harsh conditions, such as hundreds of bars of pressure, small amounts of oxygen, very little food, no sunlight, and constant, extreme cold.
These creatures live in very harsh environments, such as the abyssal or hadal zones, which, being thousands of meters below the surface, are almost completely devoid of light. The water is between 3 and 10 degrees Celsius and has low oxygen levels. Due to the depth, the pressure is between 20 and 1,000 bars. Creatures that live hundreds or even thousands of meters deep in the ocean have adapted to the high pressure, lack of light, and other factors.
Flowers at weddings are beautiful—but their beauty doesn’t have to end there. People donate to Repeat Roses, who picks up the flowers, re-purposes them, and drops them off at hospices, hospitals and nursing homes, where they conjure needed smiles on patients’ faces.
And then Repeat Roses takes it one step further–a week later, they pick up the flowers and compost them, saving them from the garbage.
GIVING BACK TO THE COMMUNITY.
Spread smiles to those in need. On your behalf, we deliver beautifully refreshed flower bouquets and arrangements to residents and patients in hospitals, cancer treatment centers, nursing homes, hospice care and shelter facilities.
Together, we can bring kindness and make a positive impact in communities across the country. From our headquarters in New York City to Los Angeles, California and all points in between. Continue reading »
My new year’s resolution was to create more images of a non-commercial, personal nature. Shooting whatever I see while walking my dog Nunzi around our Venice neighborhood. Seems I’m actually doing it and enjoying it and here’s what I’ve shot so far.
From kinetic sculpture to light sculpture to classic marble statues, these works of art are some of the most creative and witty pieces I’ve ever seen. A nice sampling from all over the world.
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One of the most eye-catching artworks at this year’s Burning Man festival was a 55-feet tall sculpture of a woman in a beautifully elegant pose. Truth is Beauty is the second of three sculptures in a series called The Bliss Project by artist Marco Cochrane. Constructed of welded steel rods and balls and covered in stainless steel mesh skin, the massive sculpture had interactive lighting effects that made it constantly change.
You’ve likely heard about those smarties at TED (Technology, Entertainment, Design). I’ve enjoyed their fine podcasts for years and now their staff has come up with the 25 best apps to help make your everyday life easier.
I’ve been using a few of the selections here and have indeed found them quite useful. The app selections cover four categories: For random life stuff, For getting around, For staying organized, For computer and email ease.
At our small, fast-moving nonprofit company, everyone does a couple of jobs — and productivity apps help us manage roles that shift between coding, writing/designing and running a full-scale conference twice a year. We asked the TED staff what apps they can’t live without. And beyond the classics—Instagram, Google Maps, Spotify, Uber, Seamless—we found some great apps that might help you too.
CityMaps2Go Pro
This app downloads offline, zoomable, searchable maps of major cities, so that even if you are roaming around Tokyo and can’t read any of the signs, you can still find your way around. “It’s good for people like me who travel internationally but don’t like to get data plans,” says Thu-Huong Ha, of our editorial team.
TED’s best apps to make your everyday life easier – Couch to 5k app
Word Lens
Another great app for travelers, Word Lens visually translates printed text into your language in real time. When you snap a photo of a sign or document, it shows the image to you in English. “It’s crazy,” says Kyle Shearer of our Events Workgroup. “The translations are not always 100%, but it’s good enough to get by on.” Hello, food menus. Continue reading »
From time to time we can find ourselves out of gas, in a rut or even knocked to the ground, and can use a little inspiration to get going again. These sites could lend a hand.
Sometimes I get blown away with the awesomeness of the regular things in life. The other day I was in the shower (best place to meditate) and was thinking about the Internet.
I rarely think about the Internet in deep ways, yet I use it more in a day that another other object besides my own body. It is SO vast, full of information, and such a great resource for connecting us to others across the globe. I’m thankful for the Internet and its infinite possibilities.
And I’m thankful for the dynamic people whom fill the webisphere with their knowledge, creativity, and inspirational words to help us live a little better each day. I get asked all of the time what websites I go to for inspiration and so I’ve decided to roundup my top 10 fave sites for you (in no particular order).
photo © Gregory Mancuso Top-ten-inspirational-websites-to-help-you-improve-mind,-body,-spirit-and-even-business-to-new-heights—waves-at-sunset
Elephant Journal
The Journal’s tagline, “dedicated to a mindful life” is spot on. I am a huge fan of any info-hub that brings together multiple sectors of life. EJ is a brilliant resource for wellness, spiritual, and creative inspiration. They publish tons of articles everyday, so there is always new inspiration waiting for you. And the layout just makes me smile quite a bit. Article continued here Continue reading »
Hang Up and Listen is a weekly sports discussion from the online magazine Slate. It features Slate sports editor Josh Levin, writer Stefan Fatsis (author of A Few Seconds of Panic), and NPR sports reporter Mike Pesca.
Hang Up and Listen isn’t a “scream and debate till the hosts are red in the face” PTI-style yap fest type of podcast. Anchored by Slate’s sports editor Josh Levin, writer Stefan Fatsis, and NPR’s Mike Pesca, these three are smart, thorough, and highly analytical. They can be pedantic at times-some of their segments are as dense as a dissertation—but it’s better to be critical and informative than beer-bellied, redundant, Bayless-like, and dependent on the adjectives “good” and “great.”
Instead of putting in a review by me (I listen every week) or a professional smarty-pants reviewer, I’ll just paste some insights from mere average humans for your edification. Then check it out for your own selves.
Increase Your IQ..just tune in.
by frommaui66 on Oct 17, 2013
Rating: ★★★★★
This has got to be the wittiest, consistently wry and most intelligent sports podcastâ¦EVER! Listening to the guys making hilariously arcane observations about sports and related events around the world is like getting a Masters Degree in Smart and Funny Sportstalk. This show is one of the few podcasts I listen to regularly. Continue reading »
Here are excellent apps to assist you in traveling around the world without busting your budget.
Thanks to mobile technology, planning a trip is easier than ever. From booking hotels to buying plane tickets, scouting restaurants to figuring out where to go. Our top 10 apps help you explore the world without breaking the bank.
With the rise in the number of travel apps in Google Play and App Store, first time, and frequent travelers are provided with convenient ways to plan their upcoming vacation. Some of these applications are not only time savers but also efficient tools for cutting your trip’s cost. If you’re searching for money saving apps you can use on your next trip, here are ten of them that we highly recommend.
TripIt
Instead of carrying printouts of your itinerary, TripIt Travel Organizer provides you a virtual solution to bring these important documents on your mobile device. One of Verizon’s suggested vacation apps, it collates thousands of information about travel related companies like airlines, car rentals, hotels, restaurants that they include in their extensive list. Continue reading »
Italian student filmmaker Giacomo Sardelli used thousands of photographs taken by astronauts in space and made an exquisite time-lapse video called Further Up Yonder.
There have been a lot of these kinds of videos, but Sardelli wanted to do more, to tell a story. I won’t steal his thunder; you can read an excerpt about it below and on his blog. It’s a fun idea.
One thing he did that I appreciate is take care to sync the timing of the video with the music. There’s an added kick when the scene changes in time with the music; it ties together the two senses of sight and sound and adds depth to the experience.
On Earth, everyone is in their own tiny bubble. We are all just trying to survive while it seems the rest of the world is only inching closer towards war, famine, and despair. But, right now, at this very moment, there are a group of humanoids from a slew of different nations and cultures all living together in a tiny metal box, called the International Space Station. Exploring the edge of our world. To inspire more peace and partnership, Giacomo Sardelli published this powerful video, titled Further Up Yonder, with messages from the ISS to help brighten the world back on Earth. Continue reading »
The Big Oven app is a great demonstration of why recipe apps can be better than recipe books. It lists over 250,000 recipes, with a powerful search engine that offers many options for finding a recipe you’d like.
BigOven has a “leftovers” search trick, excellent for using up spare food in your refrigerator. And if you just want to be surprised by a new recipe, you can see recipes that Big Oven users nearby are cooking, or dive straight into a random one.
The app also comes with a suite of tools to make cooking a meal easier — like its virtual grocery list, based on your chosen recipes. If you’re a keen menu planner, then you may also love its calendar-based planning feature. The recipes are clearly arranged. The app looks just like a traditional glossy book — right down to its photos and clearly marked sections telling you how many people each recipe serves, its calorie content and its reviews.
But it is actually a huge searchable database of recipes that people have uploaded (you can use your device to upload one of your own). Continue reading »
When your dear smartphone is lost, Plan B, Find My iPhone and other apps can reunite you. They find iPhones & Androids so check them out now before it’s too late!
By David Pogue
Last week, I lost my iPhone on a train. I used Apple’s Find My iPhone feature to track it to a house in suburban Maryland, and the local police were able to return it to me. Because I’d tweeted about these developments, the quest for the phone became, much to my surprise, an Internet-wide, minute-by-minute real-life thriller.
Several readers wrote to ask how to set up their own phones to be findable. As you’d guess, given last week’s experience, I have some strong feelings about the importance of setting up Find My iPhone or the equivalent on Android phones. Continue reading »
William Eberhard, of the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute, and colleague Daniel Briceno film spiders in the lab, in the field and under a dissecting microscope to untangle this longstanding arachnological mystery.
The age-old mystery is finally solved. The secret to not getting stuck? Watch.
Video comes from those smart geeks at Science Friday.
There’s artistry to creating the world and Rob Simmon, art director of NASA Earth Observatory, shows us how.
NASA’s collection of Earth-from-space imagery dates back to the Apollo 8 mission, when astronauts snapped a picture of Earth rising over the moon. Simmon and NASA scientist Gene Feldman explain how the modern “Blue Marble” images are made and how they relate to scientific study of the Earth. Video comes from those smart geeks at Science Friday.
This superb free app, GasBuddy, finds the cheapest gas prices on the go or at locales you know. GB is my BFF and he wants to be yours too.
When gas prices rise at a rapid rate, large price discrepancies in a region become more prevalent. Right now GasBuddy is showing that there’s over a 40 cent price differential within a couple of miles of me. Fill up a tank and that adds up.
This free app easily finds the lowest prices right where you happen to be, via gps. Or you can plan ahead to where you’re going to be by typing in a zip code. I’ve found it has about a 90% accuracy which ain’t half bad. Give my dear buddy a try and save a buck or ten. Best gas pricing app.
GasBuddy app finds cheap gas prices, best top 10 app
I’ve found RedLaser is the best app for comparing product prices. It also delivers food nutrition and allergen info, finds library books and more.
RedLaser uses your smart phone’s camera to scan the barcode of products that you might buy. It then hits the Internet to pull down a list of prices so you can see if you’re getting a good deal. Better price online?
Then, with a few taps, RedLaser lets you jump to a merchant’s online site to close the deal or e-mail yourself the details if you prefer to do your online shopping from a desktop.
RedLaser is the best app for comparing product prices & it delivers food nutrition, allergen info, finds library books
A marine biologist captures nature’s finest underwater camouflage artists performing their almost magical transformations in this intriguing video.
When marine biologist Roger Hanlon captured the first scene in this video he started screaming. Hanlon, senior scientist at the Marine Biological Laboratory in Woods Hole, studies camouflage in cephalopods–squid, cuttlefish and octopus. They are masters of optical illusion.
These are some of Hanlon’s top video picks of sea creatures going in and out of hiding. Cephalopods have several impressive tricks for blending in with their undersea surroundings: they can change color, pattern and even the shape of their skin.
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Best-video-clip-a-marine-biologist-shot-underwater-of-nature’s-camoflage-masters,-the-octopus
The Arts | stunning animal creations from living human models
You may think you're seeing a frog--but in fact you're seeing five human beings, painted and intertwined to create an incredible art illusion by Italian artist Johannes Stoetter.
Video | comedic film-maker creates hilarious Vine illusions
Zack King can make traffic disappear, jump through the closed doors of a moving train and steal the Eiffel Tower–and he does so with imaginative fun in his very short films known as Vines.
Video | aliens among us–beautiful deep sea creatures
Mysterious and stunning alien life is indeed with us on Earth today, and they’re hanging out in the darkest depths of our oceans.
Funny Dog & Cat Video | Unlikely hodgepodge of cross-species fun friendships
This funny and heartwarming viral video, Be Together–Not the Same, features a hodgepodge of animals of different species, romping around together and having furry fun.
Business Hacks | Learning to love networking
Why? Because professional networks lead to more job and business opportunities, broader and deeper knowledge, improved capacity to innovate, faster advancement, and greater status and authority.
Podcasts | The David Steinberg Podcast
The legendary comedian and director, David Steinberg, sits down with comedians, entertainers, and creators to discuss life, art, and comedy.
Photography | My Venice Neighborhood Project
I’ve added video to the mix, and posted new photos as well.
Business Hacks | win-win biz, helping the environment and humans in need
Flowers at weddings are beautiful—but their beauty doesn’t have to end there. People donate to Repeat Roses, who picks up the flowers, repurposes them, and drops them off at hospices, hospitals and nursing homes, where they conjure needed smiles on patients’ faces.
Websites | being professionally personable on Facebook
When people talk about using social media to advance their careers, they’re usually talking about LinkedIn, Twitter, or maybe their blog. But the reality is that more people use Facebook than any other social network, which means you need a Facebook strategy for your career.
Life Hacks | the little-known everyday habit of highly successful people
Working late into the night can make you more productive--and more successful--than you ever imagined.
Video | a hero saves a stranger's life in NY subway
When someone had a seizure on a NY subway platform and fell on the tracks, a brave man sprang into action and saved him.
Video | young teen heroes save bus driver and passengers
When a school bus driver had a heart attack and the vehicle careened out of control, a couple of middle school students heroically saved the day.
Video | man helps poor community with fresh food
Richard Joyner has led his rural community of Conetoe, N.C., to better health by helping students grow and distribute 50,000 pounds of fresh food a year.
Video | mystery hero saves man from home fire
When an elderly man is trapped in a burning inferno, a stranger happens along, bravely rescues the man and then disappears.
Photography | images around my Venice neighborhood
My new year’s resolution was to create more images of a non-commercial, personal nature. Shooting whatever I see while walking my dog Nunzi around our Venice neighborhood. Seems I’m actually doing it and enjoying it and here are some from the first batch.
Apps | the 12 best travel apps
A travel pro takes you to the best apps which will make your journeys easier or more enjoyable.
Business Hacks | being happier at work
Emma Seppälä, author of The Happiness Track, explains the proven benefits of a positive outlook; simple ways to increase your sense of well-being; and why it’s not about being ecstatic or excited all the time. Audio IdeaCast available too.
Essay | The Frail Bliss Tornado Vs Gloom And Doom
A true tale and appreciation of my mighty Special Olympics’ hero
Business Hacks | what is disruptive innovation now?
The theory of disruptive innovation has proved to be a powerful way of thinking about innovation-driven growth. Here’s an excellent article and video about how it’s evolving.
Dog Video | Great Dane helps child learn to walk again
When Bella met George, something wonderful happened. Not long ago, the 11-year-old with a rare disorder was clinging to crutches. But now she's walking with the help of a Great Dane who has become her best friend and constant companion.
Apps | Yahoo Video Guide combines all your streaming apps into one
The streaming app to rule them all. With Yahoo Video Guide you can quickly find and stream all your favorite TV shows and movies in one beautiful app.
Business Hacks | the new science of customer emotions
When companies connect with customers’ emotions, the payoff can be huge.
Video | heartwarming story of sick Cheetah cub and his puppy savior
Just when the Cheetah cub was having a hard time surviving, some kind-hearted humans and a brave shelter puppy came to his rescue.
Life Hacks | you’re already more persuasive than you think
It’s amazing the opportunities we miss because we doubt our own powers of persuasion.
Business Hacks | marketing - why some videos go viral
In “Puppyhood,” a video for Purina Puppy Chow produced with BuzzFeed, a guy spontaneously adopts a puppy, they bond in typical roommate fashion...and a marketer’s dream comes true.
Life Hacks | mindfulness as a productivity tool?
A wisdom tradition associated with personal growth and insight is now being absorbed by our culture as a tool for career development and efficiency.
Podcasts | Story Worthy – true stories from interesting talents
Story Worthy is a free weekly storytelling podcast featuring Hollywood’s most creative talents and normalish people spinning intriguing true tales.
Comedians In Cars Getting Coffee
With Stephen Colbert, Jim Carrey, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Trevor Noah, Steve Harvey, Bill Maher–this latest season 6 is my fave. And kudos to the improved cinematography
Lessons from the 20 most popular TED talks
The 20 most popular TED talks ever are likely to make you question just about everything. And they will toss in a few answers.
Proof that life experiences, not things, make you happier
If you’re wondering whether to use that extra money you came upon to buy that new expensive bag or go on vacation, a new study suggests your best bet may be the latter
Good samaritan dog surprises new friend
This good samaritan dog surprises his new friend with secret good deeds that improves his life and romance.
Life Hacks | how to impress anyone in 30 seconds or less
Few things in life will help you more than knowing how to make an immediate great impression. Make note of these impressive habits.Life Hacks | 12 things successful people never reveal at work
You can’t build a strong professional network if you don’t open up to your colleagues; but doing so is tricky, because revealing the wrong things can have a devastating effect on your career.
Video | jungle animals funny reactions seeing their first mirror
French photographer Xavier Hubert Brierre traveled to Gabon, Africa, and set up a mirror in several locations of the jungle to capture animals walking by. In this video, they caught their interesting reactions on camera.
Life Hacks | natural, herbal and homeopathic sleep remedies
Insomnia can negatively affect your daily activities. Here are various home remedies for insomnia including natural remedies, herbal treatments and homeopathic medications.
Architecture | “Building Of The Year” awards – showcasing inspiring innovation
From a pool of over 3,000 buildings designed and created in the past year, the folks at Arch Daily reveal the stunning winners.
Photography | Babies thrive with their furry friends
When I was studying for my pet therapy certification test, I remember reading studies about the many health benefits humans, especially kids, garner from interacting with animals. Well here is the visual evidence showing how babies thrive with pets.
Essay | My Mother, My Best Friend
Here’s a touching tribute to mom that resonated with me and I hope you’ll enjoy it too.
Apps | a guide to the best weather apps
Weather apps are among the most used programs and here is a good guide that shines a light on the best.
The Arts | The most creative & witty sculptures from around the globe
From kinetic sculpture to light sculpture to classic marble statues, these works of art are some of the most creative and witty pieces I’ve ever seen. A nice sampling from all over the world.
Video | Babysitting dogs display their effective & funny skills
Ideal babysitters for the job are always happy, caring, and willing to go the extra mile. Check out this video to see four-legged babysitters who show they are very qualified for the position!
Apps | TED’s best apps to make your everyday life easier
You’ve likely heard about those smarties at TED (Technology, Entertainment, Design). I’ve enjoyed their fine podcasts for years and now their staff has come up with the 25 best apps to help make your everyday life easier.
Video | extreme dog teams up with Parkour athlete
I’ve been a big fan of Jumpy and think he does the most impressive extreme dog stunts out there. In this video, Jumpy has found his human athletic soul mate, and they do a romping duet that's nicely captured by an excellent slow motion cinematographer.
Humor | Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee – season 4
With a wide range of comedians, this Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee season is one of my favorites. Slugging down the java with Seinfeld is John Stewart, Aziz Ansari, Sarah Jessica Parker, Robert Klein and George Wallace.