Phi - The Number of... Everything

Name: Kathy Runkle
Date: March 30, 2012

Phi is the name of the number 1.618.  It is the most incredible number because EVERYTHING in the entire universe is measured using that number - from our spiral galaxy to Earth's path around the sun to the proportions of our body to the fractal measurements found in trees and snowflakes to the spiral patterns in sunflower seeds and pineapples.  How can this be?  Look at this incredible video by DollyHot:

For more information about phi (the golden ratio) and how it applies to measurements everywhere, including music, and also to see how truly cool math is, check out Donald Duck in Mathemagic Land:

Something Pretty

Author: Kathy Runkle
Date: March 30, 2012

In line with posting feel good videos today, I found another beauty from the Bubble Vision channel.  Go check it out:

Bringing Smiles to Our Faces

Author: Kathy Runkle
Date: March 30, 2012

I found two new videos this morning that brought a great big ol' smile to my face and I just had to share them:

Dancing Granny

Author: Kathy Runkle

Date: March 16, 2012

Check out this 97-year-old grandma.  She is so precious.  Not only is it amazing to see someone make it to age 97 in the first place, but it is amazing to see that that someone is still active.  But, let me tell you, she really knows how to swing her hips.  Way to go, grandma!  I hope I can do this when I'm your age.

Mario Piano Medley

Author: Kathy Runkle

Date: March 16, 2012

Not only is this a FABULOUS melody, but there is humor woven throughout the whole video.  Just watch the pianist's friend:

What is It Like at a Landfill?

Author: Kathy Runkle

Date: March 16, 2012

I don't know about you, but I never really gave much thought about what a landfill was like or how it was operated.  Here is an interesting video, from a child's perspective, of what a landfill is really like:

Vintage Curls Without Heat

Author: Kathy Runkle

Date: March 9, 2012

Who says we do things better in our modern age?  Here's a cool trick - curls without heat.  Sometimes the way they did things in the good ol' days IS better.  Check out this awesome video by thelipstickdiaries, and then visit her blog.

Electric Universe

Author: Kathy Runkle
Date: February 25, 2012

You've probably heard of "dark matter", although you may not know what it is.  It is one of the current popular theories proposed to explain our universe and how it works.  But there are other theories that are not quite as popularized and yet are still fairly well accepted, are well supported by experiments, and are peer reviewed, such as the electric theory of the universe:

Lotte Reininger's Silhouette Animations

Author: Kathy Runkle

Date: February 25, 2012

Lotte Reininger was born in 1899 and died in 1989 at the age of 90.  She created animated films by using hand-cut silhouettes and worked for companies such as Disney and Warner Bros.  No one has ever had the patience or ability that she had to create such intricate works of art and it is quite possible that no one ever will.

Mixed Emotions

Kathy Runkle / February 24, 2012

Disney Songs

Author: Kathy Runkle

Date: February 20, 2012

Meet Nick Pitera, a 25-year-old man with the most incredible vocal range EVER.  He met fame on YouTube when he entered a vocal contest and his video went viral.

And meet Rae Sterling, a female vocalist and songwriter from Santa Monica, CA, whose usual style is folk, soul, and pop.  But here she sings the catchy Disney song, "I Won't Say I'm In Love".

Canadian Tenors - Hallelujah

Author: Kathy Runkle
Date: February 19, 2012

The powerful voices of these four amazing young men are incredible.  Canadian Tenors.  That's what their group is called.  And they've traveled the world to share their beautiful music and voices.

 

The Life of Women in Delhi

Author: Kathy Runkle
Date: February 17, 2012

Delhi is the largest metropolitan area in India with a population of 16.7 million.  In this short video (about 3-1/2 min), you get a window into the lives of the women who live there.  It's pretty interesting.

Electric Pop - Adele's "Set Fire to the Rain"

Author: Kathy Runkle
Date: February 17, 2012

Here is a really neat electric pop, California band, David Unger Music, affectionately known as DUM.  They are located in the San Fransisco Bay area, and currently have two albums released.

Feel Better

Author: Kathy Runkle
Date: February 17, 2012

Dan McDonald is the Life Regenerator.  He is a raw foodist that tries to help as many people as he can to be healthy.  He is a very encouraging person to listen to and always has an positive message to share.  Check out his YouTube channel and his website.

Stephen Wiltshire Draws Cityscapes from MEMORY

Author: Kathy Runkle
Date: February 15, 2012

This amazing artist, Stephen Wiltshire, draws ENTIRE cityscapes from MEMORY.  Not only are his pencil drawings amazingly detailed and accurate, but to think that he doesn't even have a photograph to work from is nothing short of astounding.  He is a truly amazing artist.

Private Zoo in Australia

Author: Kathy Runkle
Date: February 15, 2012


This was a neat video posted back in 2009 about a private zoo in Australia.  Only two of the animals are featured - the kangaroo and the crocodile - but both have great big personalities.  The kangaroo is best mates with a dog and it is adorable watching them play together.  And the crocodile, also known as "Maniac", is the meanest croc around.

Girls' Toys Become YouTube Shows

Author: Kathy Runkle
Date: February 15, 2012

To my delight, I have discovered the most hilarious kids' shows on YouTube, featuring the Fisher Price Loving Family and Mattel's Barbie dolls.  These funny episodes were entirely written, acted out, and filmed by the kids' themselves (with only occasional help from their parents).  Maybe it's the kid in me or maybe it's the fact that I have five kids, but I giggled my way through both of these mini shows.  The first episode is of Barbie (with a "Back to the Future" scenario), which was voiced and animated by young Kevin Jones.  The second episode is of the Loving Family and I'm not sure who created that.

Sideshow Alley

Author: Kathy Runkle

Date: February 14, 2012

According to their website: "Sideshow Alley is a music video project captured live in alleys and on rooftops around Melbourne and NYC."  They have wonderful folk-style music that is a pleasure to listen to in today's modern fast-paced world:

Bubble Football (Soccer)

Author: Kathy Runkle

Date: February 14, 2012

Bubble football (soccer for us Americans) is the most hilarious game.  I'm not really a sports fan myself.  I think sports like tennis and golf are boring to watch, while other sports, like football and rugby, are simply too angry or too violent.  But this... this was awesome because it made me laugh all the way through it.  If THIS was a regularly televised sport I would definitely watch it: