This great view come from the mapping site (http://maps.live.com/) that can generate great "bird's eye" views of places.
Saturday, November 17, 2007
Friday, November 16, 2007
Audio books
I learned to love audio books while I was working at the Kingwood Library and driving back and forth more than an hour each way. It introduced me to new authors, and saved me from conservative talk radio. Popping in some cassettes, or even better some CDs, was a simple process that helped me keep my sanity.
I soon found that some audio books, because of the voice of the reader, seemed even better than the written version. My all-time favorite in this regard is the "No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency" series, written by Alexander McCall Smith, and read by Lisette LeCat in a terrific South African accent that makes the Botswana setting seem all the more real. The first six or so of Janet Evanovich's Stephanie Plum mysteries are also great because of the "New Joizy" accent of the reader C.J. Critt.
I soon found that some audio books, because of the voice of the reader, seemed even better than the written version. My all-time favorite in this regard is the "No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency" series, written by Alexander McCall Smith, and read by Lisette LeCat in a terrific South African accent that makes the Botswana setting seem all the more real. The first six or so of Janet Evanovich's Stephanie Plum mysteries are also great because of the "New Joizy" accent of the reader C.J. Critt.
Thursday, November 15, 2007
YouTube videos
If you haven't already discovered it, www.YouTube.com is a great site for videos of all sorts.
A recent video that I found shows a fascinating way of increasing the power of old forms of graphics by adding motion. In the segment, Swedish professor Han Rosling takes a look at how most of us view third world countries, as compared to more developed countries. Prof. Rosling demonstrates that most of the things we currently believe are myths. But as he says, "the problem is not ignorance, but pre-conceived ideas." He then uses the graphic illustrations he has developed to blow away those pre-conceptions.
The video of his lecture can be seen at:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RUwS1uAdUcI
The video is a little long, about 20 minutes, but you will see what I mean if you watch at least until he starts to show his graphics. If you watch the whole thing, you will change some of your thoughts about the world today.
A recent video that I found shows a fascinating way of increasing the power of old forms of graphics by adding motion. In the segment, Swedish professor Han Rosling takes a look at how most of us view third world countries, as compared to more developed countries. Prof. Rosling demonstrates that most of the things we currently believe are myths. But as he says, "the problem is not ignorance, but pre-conceived ideas." He then uses the graphic illustrations he has developed to blow away those pre-conceptions.
The video of his lecture can be seen at:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RUwS1uAdUcI
The video is a little long, about 20 minutes, but you will see what I mean if you watch at least until he starts to show his graphics. If you watch the whole thing, you will change some of your thoughts about the world today.
Saturday, November 3, 2007
Galveston Post
Walking on the beach in Galveston today with my favorite person gave me inspiration to stop and smell the ocean breezes. Time passes too fast!
Friday, November 2, 2007
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