Randy Pausch October 23, 1960 - July 25, 2008
Posted in Commentary, Inspirational, News, Personal Interest
Friday, July 25th, 2008 by James S. Huggins

I have tracked this for some time. It is a sad day.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Randy_Pausch

 

Happy Fourth of July
Posted in Creativity, Fourth of July, Freebies, Inspirational, Patriotism
Friday, July 4th, 2008 by James S. Huggins

Jacquie Lawson does some great stuff. This one takes about 1 minute.

http://www.jacquielawson.com/viewcard.asp?code=1221321706636 

Compassion - A TED Talk by Karen Armstrong
Posted in Advocacy, Inspirational, TED
Friday, April 11th, 2008 by James S. Huggins

Tomorrow, I will be flying to Colorado to help a friend go back to California
(see http://JSH.us/helen)

Just a month ago I had helped her come from California to Colorado to try to start something new. That effort did not work. And now, I am working to undo what I did.

Lots of people ask me why.

Is it that I feel responsible? No. It is not.

Then, if not, why. Why take these actions? Why spend this money? Why do these things?

The answers are relatively simple.

1. Because she is a friend … someone I have known on the internet for 10 years … who I have corresponded with a lot, and helped a little, through many ups and downs.

2. Because I believe what I do might help (though I admit that I have been incredibly wrong before).

3. And because I feel compassion.

I’ve written previously about TED. (To see those prior posts, just go to http://www.myephemerae.com/category/ted/).

Today, as I prepare to travel, I wound this most recent TED video about compassion.

It seemed appropriate to share it today.

(Depending on your browser security settings, may need to click twice to start the video. If you are receiving this via email, or want to open the TED site with the video, just click here: http://www.ted.com/index.php/talks/view/id/234)

Bio of Karen Armstrong
http://www.ted.com/speakers/view/id/208

Transcript of the talk
http://blog.ted.com/2008/03/karen_armstrong_1.php

 

Expressing Your Gratitude to Our Soldiers
Posted in Advocacy, Inspirational
Tuesday, January 15th, 2008 by James S. Huggins

Have you ever wanted to say “thank you” to soldiers you encounter in your life.

We may hate the war. We may think our politicians are clueless.

But the soldiers are doing their duty. And, I don’t know about you, but I’d like a way to say thanks.

The Gratitude Campaign exists to give us that.

(Depending on your browser security settings, may need to click twice to start the video. If you are receiving this via email, or want to open the YouTube page with the video, just click here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MSfFYxSdKdo)

How Do You Answer, “What Do You Do?”?
Posted in Inspirational, Personal Interest
Sunday, June 17th, 2007 by James S. Huggins

Has anyone ever asked you, “What do you do?”?

Po Bronson, in his book, What Should I Do With My Life?, calls this “the great American cocktail party question”.

The man in the video below is Paul Potts. What does he do?

It is tempting to answer that he is a mobile phone salesman. After all, he works in a store (Car Phone Warehouse) that sells mobile phones and he sells them.

His hair is a bit short.

His suit is a bit inexpensive.

But, somehow, I don’t think selling mobile phones is what he really does.

As you watch the video, watch those who are watching Paul. Watch those initial faces … the expressions of doubt. Then watch them transform.

Perhaps it will bring a small tear to your eye.

(Note that if you are clicking on my blog, depending on your browser security you may need to click twice to start the video.)

If you are receiving this via email, or want to open the YouTube page with the video, just click here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1k08yxu57NA

The YouTube page has more information on the man and the event.

Also see this article http://www.news.com.au/story/0,23599,21904047-2,00.html

Lizzie Palmer - FlutieCutie - Remember Me
Posted in Commentary, Inspirational, Personal Interest
Tuesday, May 22nd, 2007 by James S. Huggins

I am strongly opposed to the conflict (”war”) in Iraq and what I believe to be the politics of deception that took us there.

But that said, for me, opposing the fight and supporting the troops are not opposites. For me they are parallel, synchronous thoughts and feelings.

There is a video on YouTube which was put together by Lizzie Palmer (with some help).

Lizzie is 15 years old. She uses the YouTube handle of FlutieCutie.

Here is some info about Lizzie
http://www.youtube.com/profile?user=FlutieCutie

She has made many “tribute” videos about the military.

This particular one, uploaded more than six months ago (12.Nov.2006) is experiencing lots of internet fame. In part because of it’s appearances on conservative blogs and lists, it has now been viewed more than 6.6 Million times.

But it isn’t just on conservative blogs and lists. Like I said, I oppose the war.

Frequently, the young remind us of what we knew when we were young … and what we fail to remember in the hub-ub of adultness.

I recommend you get a box of tissues.

Large version
http://www.youtube.com/v/ervaMPt4Ha0&autoplay=1

Smaller screen
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ervaMPt4Ha0



 

Click here to receive updates to my blog via email

Add to Yahoo Reader Add to Google Reader or Homepage Subscribe in NewsGator Online Subscribe in Rojo Add My Ephemerae to Newsburst from CNET News.com Add to My AOL Subscribe in FeedLounge Add to netvibes Subscribe in Bloglines Add to The Free Dictionary Add to Plusmo Subscribe in NewsAlloy Add to Excite MIX Add to netomat Hub Add to Webwag Add to Attensa Add My Ephemerae to ODEO Subscribe in podnova Subscribe using PodCastReady.com Add to Pageflakes