Fascinating Stories: Lost Temples of India

Mysteries of Asia: The Lost Temples of India

Fascinating Stories: Best Evidence—Chemical Contrails

Best Evidence: Chemical Contrails

This special program was broadcast August 10th, 2007.

It looks at those who claim that jet fuel of commercial and military aircrafts contain secret experimental additives, such as aluminum oxide, for weather modification purposes.

The scientific theory behind this claim is that such additives could act like small mirrors to reflect sun rays, thus, slowing down the coming disastrous effects of global warming and climate change.

Those who make this conclusion also say that some of these alleged experimental jet fuel additives can harm the health of plants, animals and humans, even if there was a positive intent behind them to help slow down global warming.

Interviewed are atmospheric scientists who say that there is no scientific evidence available to make such conclusions.

The Discovery Channel team traveled to Kettering University in Flint, Michigan, where they commissioned a scientific test of a random jet fuel sample from the local airport. Though a limited test using only one random sample of commercial jet fuel, it doesn’t show anything abnormal about its chemical composition.

Discovery Channel’s conclusions is that though there is no proven scientific evidence yet that contrails of civilian or military airplanes contain experimental additives and chemicals, they discover that the US military has the technology available to manipulate the weather using these means if they wish to do so through a secret program, as they did in Vietnam during the Vietnam war through a project called “Operation Popeye.”

Journalist William Thomas concludes by saying that in the winter of 2005, the United States government established a federal bureau of weather modification in Washington, DC. He says this is a government mandated agency whose stated mission is to modify the weather and climate. Under this rubric, he claims that the government could come out and admit to a chemtrail-type project. [2007, Length: 59:32]

Fascinating Stories: Detroit S.W.A.T.

Detroit S.W.A.T.

A special documentary for the Discovery Channel exploring what it takes to serve and protect the city of Detroit. Amongst it's riverfront, casinos, two new sporting arenas, and world-class events, these brave men and women give their lives so that you can feel safe, either living or visiting this once great city reemerging as a new destination place for people around the world. True heroes that go unsung. Narrated by Kate Fleming. [2000, Length: 50:00]

Fascinating Stories: Can We Save Planet Earth?

Can We Save Planet Earth?

Can We Save Planet Earth? was released on June 1, 2006 on the BBC and The Discovery Channel as the second of a two-part series, the other entitled, Are We Changing Planet Earth?

The documentary is presented by acclaimed filmmaker David Attenborough as he discusses the science and implications of climate change and what we can do to stop climate change. [2006, Length: 58:53]

Fascinating Stories: Are We Changing Planet Earth?

Are We Changing Planet Earth?

The global warming documentary Are We Changing Planet Earth? was released on May 24, 2006 on the BBC and The Discovery Channel as the first of a two-part series, the other entitled, Can We Save Planet Earth? will appear in a future post.

The documentary is presented by acclaimed filmmaker David Attenborough as he discusses the science and implications of climate change. [2006, Length: 57:52]

Smooth Jazz Pianist: Keiko Matsui

Keiko Matsui is my all-time, favorite smooth jazz pianist. Born July 26, 1961 in Tokyo, Japan, she is married to Kazu Matsui, himself a talented musician, and they have two children.

Matsui received the Oasis award for Best Female Smooth Jazz Artist of the Year in 1999 and again in 2000.

From Wikipedia:

Matsui’s music is powerful and introspective, blending both Western and Eastern musical influences. She has a very spiritual view of composing music, feeling out each composition as though it were, in her words, “coming to me from another space, another dimension,” and “catching notes from the silence and then simply placing them together.” Matsui sees music as “the great gifts from the human souls from the past, for the children of the future.” She believes that music has a power to bring people together and change their lives. “We are connected by music,” Matsui wrote, “as the Ocean connects the continents.”

A lover of nature, Matsui often makes reference to plants, animals, the elements, and other natural features and phenomena in her song titles. She shows an especial fascination with the moon as a number of her compositions refer to the moon in their titles.

Matsui’s music shows signs of evolving over the years. Her American debut album A Drop of Water showed a promise of east meets west with a jazz fusion flavor. However, her recordings for MCA Records in the early 1990s lacked this appeal and, for many, sounded indistinguishable from the rest of what is now known as smooth jazz. Starting with Cherry Blossom, though, her music increased in popularity as she differentiated herself from the rest of contemporary jazz. By the time Sapphire was released in 1995, her music flirted with everything from funk music to Latin and world music.

Whisper From the Mirror from 2000 showed Matsui leaving the smooth jazz style and moving towards new age with a soundscape sound. A number of her fans had a problem adapting to her new style of music (though she continued to play smooth jazz at her concerts). But many welcomed the change. Over time her post-2000 albums show a more worldbeat flavor to them. Her 2005 release Walls of Akendora, however, is a return to her pre-2000, smooth jazz days.

I hope you enjoy her music/videos as much as I do!

Beyond the Light
Bridge Over the Stars
Bridge Over the Stars (live)
Bronze Casting
Doll
Foot Steps
Forever, Forever <--one of my favs!
Kappa
Light Above the Trees
Meadow
Night Hawks' Dream
Night Waltz
1942, from Russia
Ruins of Sonora
Safari
Tears from the Sun
Water Lily
Whisper from the Mirror
White Owl
Wildflower

Official Web site: www.keikomatsui.com

Photo: Keiko in Seattle after concert at Dimitriou’s Jazz Alley, August 2007.
Photo Credit: Takatakatang

Fascinating Stories: Threads

Threads

Threads is a 1984 television docudrama depicting the effects of a nuclear war on the United Kingdom and its aftermath. Written by Barry Hines and directed by Mick Jackson, Threads was filmed in late 1983 and early 1984.

The premise of Threads was to hypothesize the effects of a nuclear war on the United Kingdom after an exchange between the Soviet Union and the United States escalates to include the UK. [1984, Length: 1:47:45]

Laugh of the Day

A Penguin Joke


www.youtube.com/watch?v=UTfvYZ1MV40

Fascinating Stories: Nosferatu

Nosferatu

Originally released in 1922 as Nosferatu, Eine Symphonie Des Grauens, director F.W. Murnau’s chilling and eerie adaption of Bram Stoker’s Dracula is a silent masterpiece of terror which to this day is the most striking and frightening portrayal of the legend. [1922, Silent; Length: 1:24:19]

Fascinating Stories: Plan 9 from Outer Space

Plan 9 from Outer Space

Edward D. Wood Jr. wrote, produced and directed what is considered by Hollywood to be the worst movie ever made. Here’s your chance to see it and make up your own mind! Don’t say I didn’t warn you...heheh [1959, Length: 1:18:21]

Fascinating Stories: Paradise Found

Paradise Found
A Documentary on Islamic Architecture

Paradise. We imagine many things when we think of this word. However, we do not think about Islamic Architecture, which influenced the art of Europe so profoundly. This documentary tours through the Muslim world, in search of that “atmosphere of Paradise,” hidden away in mosques and palaces. [Length: 1:33:25]

Visit www.IslamicVideos.net for more videos like this!

Fascinating Stories: Invisible Children

Invisible Children

In the spring of 2003, three young Americans traveled to Africa in search of such as story. What they found was a tragedy that disgusted and inspired them. A story where children are weapons and children are the victims. The “Invisible Children: rough cut” film exposes the effects of a 20-year-long war on the children of Northern Uganda. These children live in fear of abduction by rebel soldiers, and are being forced to fight as a part of violent army. This wonderfully reckless documentary is fast paced, with an MTV beat, and is something truly unique. To see Africa through young eyes is humorous and heart breaking, quick and informative—all in the very same breath. See this film, you will be forever changed. [Length: 55:08]

Visit www.invisiblechildren.com for more info.

Fascinating Stories: Parent to Child About Sex

Parent to Child About Sex

Stuart M. Finch, M.D. (Prof. of Psychiatry, Dir. of Children’s Psychiatric Hospital, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI) and Tommy N. Evans, M.D. (Chairman, Dept. of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI) discuss openly and frankly how and when parents should talk to their children about sex. This film is from 1966 and is showing its celluloid age, but is still fascinating to watch. While this film’’s producers should be applauded for their sensible approach in teaching parents how to talk to kids about sex, the awkward reading of cue cards and embarrassing situations will produce nervous giggles among even the most jaded audiences. This film was produced by some of the pioneers of sex education whose ideas are still being challenged by school boards today. [1966, Length: 30:41]

Watch video free online: video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-668561865849651427

Fascinating Stories: Wal-Mart: The High Cost of Low Prices

Wal-Mart: The High Cost of Low Prices

Wal-Mart: The High Cost of Low Price is the documentary film sensation that’s changing the largest company on earth. The film features the deeply personal stories and everyday lives of families and communities struggling to survive in a Wal-Mart world. It’s an emotional journey that will challenge the way you think, feel...and shop.

Released simultaneously in theaters and DVD in November 2005, the film has been seen by millions worldwide. Families, churches, schools, and small busineses owners have screened the film over 10,000 times and the world is taking notice. See the film, share it, and become part of the movement forcing companies to act responsibly. [2005, Length 01:37:37]

Watch video free online: video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-3836296181471292925
Read more: www.walmartmovie.com

Fascinating Stories: The iPod Revolution

The iPod Revolution

“The iPod Revolution” is a fascinating documentary that aired on the Discovery Channel in December of 2006. It traces the evolution of the iPod from Steve Jobs return to Apple to the present day. [2006, Length 43:30]

Watch video free online: video.google.com/videoplay?docid=6960974522224017009
Read more on Steve Jobs: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steve_Jobs

Fascinating Stories: Hunt for the Lost Ark

Hunt for the Lost Ark

Indiana Jones, watch out! Host, explorer and survival expert Josh Bernstein takes a fresh look at the world's greatest ancient mysteries and puts adventure back into history as he travels to some of the most intriguing, remote and physically challenging locations in the world.

Digging for the Truth is a History Channel documentary television series. The first three seasons of the show focused on host Josh Bernstein, who journied on various explorations of historical icons and mysteries. Bernstein is the president and CEO of BOSS (Boulder Outdoor Survival School) and has a degree in anthropology and psychology from Cornell University. The show airs every Monday night at 9:00 EST on the History Channel. The series premiered in January, 2005 and has since become the highest-rated series in the history of The History Channel. The third season premiered on January 22, 2007, with a 2-hour special event on the quest for Atlantis.

This episode Bernstein travels to Jerusalem and Ethiopia in search of the Ark of the Covenant. The vessel that holds the Ten Commandments. [2005, Length 41:46]

Watch video free online: video.google.com/videoplay?docid=8466065381869534785
Digging for the Truth Web site: www.history.com/minisites/diggingforthetruth/

Fascinating Stories: Stupid in America

Stupid in America
20/20 Investigation on Education in America

20/20 investigation by John Stossel entitled, “Stupid in America” highlighting some of the flaws with the education system in the United States. The story started out when identical tests were given to high school students in New Jersey and in Belgium. The Belgian kids cleaned the American kids’ clocks. The Belgian kids called the American students “stupid,” which gave the piece its name. Jay Greene, author of “Education Myths,” points out that “if money were the solution, the problem would already be solved: we’ve doubled per pupil spending, adjusting for inflation, over the last 30 years, and yet schools aren’t better.” [Length 40:45]

Watch video free online: www.viddler.com/explore/razrhog4life/videos/1

Fascinating Stories: History of Halloween

The Haunted History of Halloween

Discover how trick or treat originated in ancient Ireland's harvest festivals, when food and sweets were offered to entice the dead to stay in the spirit world. See how Christianity tried to co-opt the celebration by turning it into All Saints Day, but how the underlying dark elements have survived, inspiring debate to the present day. From ghoulies and ghosties to the origins of the Jack-O-Lantern, THE HAUNTED HISTORY OF HALLOWEEN is a delicious journey into the enchanting past of the spookiest night of the year. [1997, Length: 45:17 (DVD released 2005)]

Watch video free online: video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-1077540724317334372
History Channel: www.history.com/minisites/halloween/
Buy this DVD from Amazon.com

Fascinating Stories: Nikola Tesla

The Lost Wizard

This fascinating short video gives us a glimpse of who Nikola Tesla was and shows us just a few of his vast inventions and patents of which there were close to 300 worldwide.

Some of Dr. Tesla’s inventions and developments include the ac motor, the bifilar coil, various devices that use rotating magnetic fields, the alternating current polyphase power distribution system, the fundamental devices of systems of wireless communication (legal priority for the invention of radio), radio frequency oscillators, devices for voltage magnification by standing waves, robotics, logic gates for secure radio frequency communications, devices for x-rays, apparatus for ozone generation, devices for ionized gases, devices for high field emission, devices for charged particle beams, methods for providing extremely low level of resistance to the passage of electrical current, means for increasing the intensity of electrical oscillations, voltage multiplication circuitry, devices for high voltage discharges, devices for lightning protection, the bladeless turbine, and VTOL aircraft. [Length: 14:16]

Watch video free online: video.google.com/videoplay?docid=448493458864593229
Nikola Tesla Museum: www.tesla-museum.org/
Wikipedia: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nikola_Tesla

Fascinating Stories: Daniel Tammet

The Boy with the Incredible Brain

This is the breathtaking story of Daniel Tammet. A twenty-something with extraordinary mental abilities, Daniel is one of the world’s few savants. He can do calculations to 100 decimal places in his head, and learn a language in a week. This documentary follows Daniel as he travels to America to meet the scientists who are convinced he may hold the key to unlocking similar abilities in everyone. He also meets the world’s most famous savant, the man who inspired Dustin Hoffman’s character in the Oscar winning film Rain Man. [2005, Length: 47:32]

Watch video free online: video.google.com/videoplay?docid=4913196365903075662
Daniel’s Web site: www.optimnem.co.uk/media.php