This is the kind of thing YouTube recommends for me

Based on my previously viewed videos:



But really, how awesome is that?

Surprise!

This kid does not look nearly old enough to have a voice like this:



(via Tyler Knott)

More Dweeby wonderfulness

I probably shouldn't be surprised that these exist. But I am, a little. I also kind of want them:




I have also found my new life moto:


(via Dweebist)

Also, my readership is up! My parents may just be stalking me more than normal, but if you're reading this and you didn't contribute to my genetic make-up, THANKS! You're awesome!

No fricken way!

These are awesome!


Oh, and this one also made me very happy:


And this one's funny too:



(via Dweebist)

Powerful Stuff

In case you weren't aware (and if you know me at all, you are most certainly aware), I am a huge fan of Donald Miller. This video is from a DVD series for small groups called Convergence that he is the host of. The DVDs cover many different topics, but in this particular clip, Don and his guests Dr. Dan Allender and Dr. Tremper Longman talk about suffering, and the misconception that once we accept Christ as our Savior our lives will become perfect and problem-free. I know I often fall into the trap of believing that my life should be easy because of my relationship with Jesus, and it's always helpful to be reminded that that just is not the case!

Frustration and False Gods from All Things Converge on Vimeo.

Breathe

Rob Bell is amazing.

As we are coming up to finals, I think we all need a reminder to breathe, and I don't think there could be a better one that this right here:

Wht didn't I think of this?

This is totally something I could have thought of. I could have been rich!

I think my favorite part is the attorney's argument in response to North Face's lawsuit: "the consuming public is well aware of the difference between a face and a butt ... "

LOVE IT!

An Awesome Thing: A Good Haircut

Inspired by the blog 1000 Awesome Things (which I have mentioned before), I just had to write an entry about something I am way too excited about: my new haircut. BEWARE: This entry was written after midnight, meaning that I cannot account for what late-night giddiness and/or half-asleep-ness may be fanning the flames of my already extremely vain feelings about my hair.

About a week ago, I got approximately 6.5 inches of hair cut off. For me, that is a pretty significant amount. Not only have I had relatively long hair for a good 4ish years, when I did get it trimmed, it was usually just that - a trim, an inch or two off, just to make the ends look nice again.


Now, I know how vain/shallow/conceited this will make me sound, but for a long time, I was very attached to my long hair. I'm not kidding you when I say it took about a week of mental preparation leading to what I like to call "The Big Chop." Yes, I realize that some people, usually participating in Locks of Love or a similar program, will get 10+ inches cut off at a time, but for me, over 6 was a pretty big deal.

All this to say, I could not be happier with the result of my hair cut! A week later, and I am still excited about it (that's how you know it's good). After having to manage that long, thick, wavy mane of mine for so long, it is so freeing to have half as much hair. Anyone out there who has had a good haircut knows what I'm talking about. It's easier to style, it looks good, it feels good – I know you know.

For those of you out there who have not yet experienced the pure bliss of the perfect haircut, have faith. One day, when you least expect it, you will walk out of the salon feeling like a changed person, and at that moment, you'll just know. Until then...well, I'm not really sure what to tell you to do, I just felt the need to say until then.

I apologize for this post. I'll try not to write blog posts at such late hours in the future. I can't make any promises though.

I'm still alive!

So, I am fully aware that I have not updated in over a month. This is mostly due to the fact that I haven't had much to say (hard to believe, I know), but also due to the fact that I have been extremely lethargic lately. The seasonal depression has definitely set in hard-core and I find myself sitting around listening to music about summer and hoping that spring will come sooner rather than later.

That said, I realize that almost anyone else living in snow-country (which is actually most of the US right now, apparently there is snow on the ground in 49 states) is probably feeling the same way. Therefore, I would like to share a blog that has certainly been a ray of sunshine for me throughout this dreadful Michigan winter. It's called 1000 Awesome Things. Basically every weekday they post one "awesome thing." Some examples of previous posts include:

#572 Learning a new keyboard shortcut
#585 Figuring out the plot twist just before they reveal it
#916 The sound of scissors cutting construction paper
#921 Snow days
#937 The smell of rain on a hot sidewalk

As a person who tends to get really excited about little things like this, I find myself nodding in agreement every time I read the newest post. If you are like me and you enjoy trivial things, I highly suggest adding this blog to your Google Reader or RSS feed of choice. It's definitely a spirit-lifter.

A Decade of Favorites

So, I wouldn't be a true blogger if I didn't write a post to commemorate some of my favorite things from this decade. So here goes. My favorite things of this decade, in no particular order (other than that in which I thought of them):

1) Being a teenager. Because who doesn't love teen angst? And goodness knows I had my fair share of it!

2) The OC. I just love it, there's really nothing else to say. You can read my other post to get my more in-depth feelings on the show.


3) Pixar. Though Pixar didn't begin in this decade, they made a lot of great movies in it, from Monster's Inc. to Up!. Hopefully this trend continues for decades to come!


4) Aéropostale. It was basically my favorite store from the age of 11 to the age of 14.


5) Children's Ballet Theatre. Though it was the source of much of my teenage angst (see number 1), it was also the source of six and a half years of performance experience and great memories.
6) Jump5. My favorite musical group until I was about 14, and the first concert I ever attended.


7) Relient K. Though technically formed in '98, the really gained success in this decade. They are still on of my all time favorite bands, and I hope they continue to create awesome music forever and eternity.


8) Hilary Duff/Lizzie McGuire. I was a pretty huge fan.


9) High school. Glad it happened. Glad it's over.

10) Middle school. Even when you're home schooled, it's still awkward.

11) Braces. It only took four years for my teeth to look as good as they do today!


12) Epic movies. From Pirates of the Carribean to Lord of the Rings, you can't deny that this was a great decade for great epic movies.


13) Avril Lavigne. Before she went all blonde and pink and got married. Great background music for my teen angst (see number 1).


14) Digital. Photos, videos, you name it. Feeding the flames of our instant-gratification culture.

15) Facebook/YouTube/the Internet. These things totally changed the way we live. Anything funny that happens on camera is an instant candidate for a YouTube hit. Any picture taken has to be reviewed by it's subjects (immediately after it's taken, thanks to number 14) and deemed worthy or unworthy for Facebook. And of course, my favorite: everyone knows you're not really dating someone until it's Facebook Official (I would not be a bit surprised if this term showed up in a dictionary in the near future).

16) The iPod. I think it would be safe to say this is one of the best products of the 2000s.
17) Children's/Young-Adult Fiction. From Ella Enchanted to Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants to Harry Potter, I read a lot of good books in the past ten years!


18) Reality TV. I can't believe I almost forgot this decade's greatest gift to mankind: the reality television show. From American Idol to Survivor to all those "reality" shows on MTV, I think we can all agree this is a defining product of the past ten years.

19) Tom Izzo and the MSU Men's Basketball Team. They're awesome. Period. Even Sports Illustrated acknowledged this fact.


20) Top 40 Hits. If you know me, you know how anti-Top 40 I am. But sometimes, you just can't help yourself. And this decade has been full of some great chart-topping hits. Or if not great, at least songs that you just can't get out of your head no matter how hard you try. From Usher's "U Got it Bad" in 2001 to Beyoncé's "Single Ladies (Put a Ring On It)" (my personal anthem), we certainly have a decade full of hits that we can look at ten more years from now and reminisce about.

So there it is. I'm sure as soon as I post this, I will think of a million other things, but I'm satisfied with this list of 20. Leave a comment with you're favorite memories/products/musicians/movies/etc. from the past 10 years!

Aquarium

This is fascinating!

Kuroshio Sea - 2nd largest aquarium tank in the world - (song is Please don't go by Barcelona) from Jon Rawlinson on Vimeo.

789

Happy 789 everyone!
As I was reminded via the Science Channel:
Today is a once in a lifetime moment when numerology reigns! At precisely 12:34:56 on July 8, 2009, it will be 123456789
I can't say I will be waiting in front of a clock (that shows seconds, no less, I don't think I even have one!) for that moment to occur. Just knowing that it's gonna happen is enough for me.
I know there is some YouTube hosted gathering in NYC, but other than that, I haven't heard of any special events going on for this occasion.
Personally, I will be watching So You Think You Can Dance tonight, and this blog post is about as much recognition as I will be giving to this momentous time in history.

Velcro and the Swiss

Who knew that a Swiss man invented Velcro?
Not I!
Rhett and Link provide us with a little history of the strangely sticky stuff:

Green Houses

Check out this list of the 40 Innovative Green Homes of 2008. They're pretty cool if you like the more modern style.

What are you gonna do with Jesus?

My Future Home/Back Again

I kinda want to live in one of these someday:

See all the pictures here.

I realized I have pretty muched ignored my blog for the past few months. Good thing no one reads it anyway! haha

Amazing Music Video

I feel like music videos these days are all the same - set in a club, people dancing, the singer singing in various locations and outfits. This is one of the most imaginative music videos I have seen, well, ever. I think it may be one of my favorites of all time. I had never even heard of this song or this artist, but as soon as I saw this, I loved it.