Video Week: Part Six, Dance Dance Dance

FRIDAY BONUS!

Who loves you? Who loves you more than anyone in the history of ever?

I do.

Since it's Friday, and I know Friday's are hard, I've grabbed one more clip for you to round out this week's Video line up.

I really hope you guys liked this week - I really had fun pulling these all together. If you have some videos that you love and watch a billion-ty times over, feel free to send them my way - I can add them to my ongoing hoard.

So, our final video for this week is insanely cute.

But I think the thing that I love the most is the simplicity of it.

Sometimes, our strengths can seem so transparent to us. Maybe it's because to us they are likened to breathing - they feel natural so we think nothing of them. We might say to ourselves "Yea, I'm amazing at that, but it's no big deal. It's just a thing I can do." They come so easily, we often fail to see their enormity.

Seeing the little girl in this next video just reminds me that sometimes are passions are simple and uncomplicated. And to really follow them, it is simple as well. Just keep doing what you love.

Even two year olds can understand that.

Alright my sweet angle faces. Hope you have a killer weekend. Go hike a mountain or something.

See you Monday.

-J

Video Week: Part Five, The Mountain

It's FRIDAY!!!

Congratulations amigos, we've made it through another week. Hopefully it didn't feel too long, since you've had all of these amazing clips to look at through the week, keeping you inspired and ready to kick ass.

Today clip is amaze-balls.

As with the others, you might have seen it before, since I'm pretty sure it's one of the most miraculous videos ever created.

I probably have watched this one fewer than any of the others in this week's line up, but it still holds a spot in my tops list.

Again, this is going to be one that you're gonna want in HD, and as big as possible. The quality of this video is simply staggering.

Bah. 

This. World. Is. So. Beautiful.

Happy Friday Friends - 

- J

And ps, since I love you so much (and since sometimes Friday's can draaaaag on forever), I miiiiiiight have a bonus post to help you get through the afternoon. Check back with me in a few hours.

Loveyoumeanit.

Video Week: Part Four, Alan Watts

Hi Friends,

I'm really excited for today's clip.

I found this maaaaybe about six months ago, and this was definitely a factor in the decision to leave my job and pursue writing.

That decision and the factors around my career vs. my passions can be a whole post in themselves, but this clip happened to find me at the right moment and hammered into my guts like a railroad spike.

 I'm very lucky to be married to someone who I think was born without fear, and probably has never even considered the questions of "How will I pay my bills?" or "What if I fail?"or "What if I can't make a living do that?" He just started doing what he loved, and somehow everything has fallen into place.

So now, as I wrestle with my own career and passions, he looks at me simply and says "Who cares if you fail, or if you never make any money....just go for it."

And then came along this video.

And then I quit my lovely marketing career to pursue writing. Fingers crossed.

Be warned friends, if you are even thinking for one tiny minute that you are not happy with your career, this clip might get you. It might burrow under your skin and make you itch a little. It might make you think thoughts that scare you, or create plans that you never dreamed of. Watch with caution.

"It's all wretch and no vomit....it never gets there."

Ass kicked.

-J

Video Week: Part Three, Kuroshio Sea

Heeeeeeellllloooooooooooo.

If you're unsure of how I said that, it was exactly like this:

And you're in luck because that wasn't even the clip of the day today. That was a bonus-extra just for your sparkle face.

Ok, today's video from my YouTube hoarders collection goes waaaaaaaaaaay back. I think the first time I saw this was back in 2009. And I think I have watched it 2 million of it's 3.6 million views.

This clip is of the Kuroshio Sea, one of the largest aquariums in the world. It holds over 1.9 gallons of water, and something of that magnitude really does something.

There's nothing deep about this. There's nothing magical. 

But every time I watch this video I feel so small.

I am reminded of the breathtaking world that is all around us every. single day.

Do your self a favor with this one.

Play it on HD if you can, expand it to the largest screen you can get, and crank your speakers as loud as they will go.

You won't regret it.

The world is a magical place friends.

- J

Video Week: Part Two, Thumbs Up

Happy Tuesday Party People.

I hope you watched yesterday's video on repeat all day long. And if you didn't it's ok....you probably just don't have feelings.

Today's video is a little more lighthearted.

There's some good chances that you've seen it before, because:

a) It has over 5 million views
b) If you're my friend I've most likely sent it to you before

In fact, I have used this clip when resigning from my last two companies. I love that it's funny and cute, but really actually has some really good advice for trying new things and facing something that scares you.

Are you ready?

Little kid learns how to ride a bike and makes a speech:

Ahhhhhhh....so much cuteness I die.

So remember kids:

- Find the things in life that make you happy of yourself

- I know you can believe in yourself

- Just keep practicing

All right, thumbs up for rock and roll,

-J

Video Week: Part One, The Pale Blue Dot

So, I have a small guilty pleasure.

I collect YouTube Videos.

Well, I suppose I don't "collect them"...they're out on the internet for free for anyone to look at. But over the past 3 or 4 years or so, I have started growing a collection of videos that I watch over and over and over and over and over.

They aren't the kind of videos you might expect me love. There is no burning hair, men pretending to be women, or auto tuned remixes.

These are a different kind of video.

I am tempted here to go into a big long spiel trying to capture exactly what it is about these clips that I find so enthralling, and why I keep coming back to them....but I don't know if that can be done.

That is exactly what I love about this little collection: they are enthralling and elusive at the same time. Simple yet moving.

Some of these clips I have literally watched hundreds of times. I have had bad days where I feel lost and uninspired and have put them on repeat, and just sat at my desk letting them go by over and over and over. They whisper things that kick my ass in the worst of ways.

So this week, I have a surprise for you. We're doing a week of movies, where I am going to share my top 5 favorites. Some of these are popular and you might have seen them before. Some you might not like or get why I think they're so amazing - but this is my blog so shut up. Hahhaa. I'm totally kidding. I think you'll like some of these, and I'm excited to share them.

So, first up is The Pale Blue Dot.
(I have watched this 17-billonty times. I simply cannot get over it.)

It literally pushes the air from my lungs.

We are so small.

There are a thousand other words in my brain, but I feel it will do no justice. I'm just going to press replay.

Happy Monday,

-J

Cookbook Proj.

Ok, so a few days ago I mentioned that I am working on a cookbook project.

There are some interesting things that you should know so you can understand why this project is so difficult.

1) I have never made a cookbook before
2) I am not a professional photographer
3) I am not a professional chef
4) I have no idea how to get a booked published

Additionally, it is a cookbook about the mexican food that my grandma used to make. So that adds some additional complications.

5) I don't speak Spanish. She doesn't speak a lot of English.
6) I live in San Francisco. My grandma lives in LA.

So, clearly after seeing these factors, my immediate response was "LET'S MAKE A COOKBOOK!"

Actually what happened was this: