Random thoughts and equally random web links. Unfortunately for you, I like to share.
The latest on my list of must-see YouTube videos is an improv event from New York.
You take 200-plus people, turn up at Grand Central Station and at a predetermined time, everyone freezes on the spot for several minutes.
Then, like magic, they all start moving again at the same time. The reactions of onlookers are classic.
Maybe we should try that on Esk St on a Friday night just to confuse the hell out of the boy racers.
Movember is well under way and it’s been interesting following the progress of the various competitive moustache-growers about the place and the spot of controversy that erupted via (once again) the Trade Me message board.
It amazes me that people still haven’t managed to grasp the fact that internet message boards are viewed by all and sundry and that what they post there isn’t a private chat with friends.
Last week, a Trade Me member posted a tale of woe concerning her son and his participation in Movember. It seems his school had to ban her son from taking part in exams if he turned up unshaven because having the facial fluff contravened the school’s standards and appearance guidelines.
The tread was started and generated stacks of responses so it should come as no surprise to anyone that a news story on the topic appeared on Stuff. Well, apparently it came as a shock to the mother and all the other message board users, prompting even more debate on the board about whether or not journalists should be picking up stories from internet message boards.
One bright spark even posted a link to an image of a story from the Nelson Mail on Stuff with the message for any lurking reporters: “Hi, notice and report this!!!” Guess what Einstein? I think you’ll find that story had already been noticed. And reported.
The mother who started the whole story reckons she just wanted to have a bit of a private vent among friends but here’s the deal: if you post on a public message board, you’re offering up your opinions, life story or latest drama for all the world to share. If you don’t want any old Joe Bloggs having a crack at you, or your local newspaper picking up on it if it’s something interesting, then step away from the keyboard.
As for the school and its grooming rule, fair enough. Sure, the whole thing may be for charity but most schools and workplaces have required standards when it comes to the appearance of their pupils, staff and inmates. Rules are rules, if one pupil is allowed to breach that rule where is the line drawn?
My husband didn’t take part in the Movember event because the rules (yes, there we go following rules again) state that entrants must be clean-shaven on October 31 and shave everything but their moustache on a daily basis during the event. Unfortunately, the bloke I married isn’t big on regular facial landscaping so he’s just been his usual hairy self for the month of November.
No big deal: Our planet is a mere blip.
There’s a link that has been doing the rounds via e-mail lately that might just put it all in perspective. If you’ve ever pondered your place in the universe, the size of our world might depress you.
In the scheme of things, Earth is a blink-and-you’ll-miss-it speck in the universe.
How’s that for an ego boost?
Woohoo, it looks like I’ve finally got something to blame my poor memory on. An Auckland University study reckons that having a drink or two might just enhance your memory and can even help Alzheimer’s sufferers.
I wonder if that means I can request a bottle of Drambuie with the next office stationery order?
Everyone must know about Air New Zealand’s Grab-A-Seat website by now but have you checked out How Far Can I Go?
This nifty little site takes the dollars you have available and tells you where to go. In the nicest possible way, of course.
With all the retouching and Photoshopping going on, it’s hard to tell just what is real these days.
Dove highlighted that fact with its evolution of a model ad, which has been beautifully spoofed with a video called Slob Evolution.
And if you ever had any doubts about the power of the airbrush, check out the power of Photoshop.
If you fancy yourself as a chart-topper, test drive your singing abilities at Singshot.
This site is effectively an online karaoke bar. Well, a bar without alcohol (and after some of the performances, you might just be in the mood for something a little stronger than cocoa).
However, it’s a fun little site where everyone has the chance to be a star. You can pick a song and record yourself doing your thing, uploading it to the site for the entire world to hear.
There are some great performances here and some that aren’t so great, just like karaoke night at your local pub.
Evolution of a Model highlights just how little of what we see in glossy magazines and on billboards is real:
