Lately I’ve been really interested in “time lapse” art – a series of either photos or short video clips taken over a period of time and then shown as a collection in quick succession. It’s common to see time lapse videos of plants growing or flowers blooming, but it’s really cool to see time lapse videos of people changing over time. This is a particularly cool time lapse video I found that depicts the growth of a man’s beard, but also much more. It displays his travels and adventures as he walks across China. Take a look.
[youtube 5ky6vgQfU24]A Little Something To Listen To
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This week in class we watched Revolutionary Road. One of the songs that really hit me was the ending theme by Thomas Newman. It had a calm soothing tone to it, that I though everyone could appreciate at anytime, so I decided to share it with everyone here. Hope you all enjoy it as much as I did. Also, if you have the time, watch Revolutionary Road. It’s a really good movie to watch and heightens the appreciation for the “common man’s” struggle.
Inspiring Strangers Every Day
So my awesome friend decided to do a tribute to Operational Beautiful and posted sticky notes with inspirational quotes and messages on them.
I think this is a beautiful idea and I also started doing similar things like this. Why? Because I believed that this would help people. I read PostSecret every week and saw this one secret where a person put inspirational sticky notes everywhere they went.
I also saw some secrets where people’s lives were saved because a stranger gave them hope just by writing something kind to them, even without knowing them personally. I think that’s the best kind of compliment or advice–when a stranger takes time out of their day to write something interesting or kind to help another.
I started writing notes and sticking them in everything I took out from the library. They referred to the content and also gave them a little bit to think about. I bookmarked certain pages and wrote random things on notes in hope to bring a smile to someone. Whenever I find things in a book it’s usually a book mark or a receipt, but it’s always nice to just stop and think who the person was. Why would they read this? Was it by chance that you got this book and read this particular item from the previous owner? I don’t know, there’s just something about used items that make me smile. Novelty items, vintage – they’re all so awesome!
So basically, what I want to share with you is this: Why don’t you do something nice for a stranger? Perhaps leave your secret in a PostSecret book, or tuck notes inside books or DVD covers. Perhaps you want to open a door for someone or pay for someone in line behind you. I truly believe that if we all do a little good in the world that people will be able to have brighter days and be more fulfilled. I believe that kindness and generosity spreads, and isn’t that what volunteering is mainly about? Why don’t you go do a random act of kindness today and feel even more like an awesome youth? 🙂
P.S. Who is the cutest?
ConnecTeen Launch
We got this note from our friends at TeenLineVibe; check it out!
Hi!  I’m a teen volunteer at the Distress Centre, and I wanted to let you know that we are excited to be launching ConnecTeen, a peer support service to help YOUth be heard! Some of you may remember Teen Line- this is a new and improved version!  We are now offering online chat, so everyday between 5 and 10 p.m. you can anonymously chat with a peer who will help you talk through your problems, connect you with resources or just be a listening ear.  As always, you can call us at 403-264- TEEN (8336) for support as well.  We’d love to hear from you!  It would also be great if you could help spread the word with your friends!
The Calgary Hitmen hockey team are helping us officially launch ConnecTeen this Friday, March 11th at 7 p.m.  If you are interested in attending the game, tickets are $12 with $2 being donated to ConnecTeen.  So come on out and enjoy a good game of hockey and support ConnecTeen!

Video of the Day: Love Language
This video is truly touching, and to be literal, no words said could describe it.
[youtube lmq321zjkvs]Roll up the Rim to Win? The Facts!
I don’t know about anyone else, but I’ve been going to Tim Horton’s nearly every day just to get a cup of coffee so I can roll up the rim. Unfortunately, out of the twenty-two cups I have rolled, none of them have won, which makes me believe that there must be something wrong with the statistics of one in six cups win a prize. When I was angrily looking for some answers on the Tim Horton’s site I came across the rules and guidelines for Roll up the Rim.
Apparently, they spread out the prizes evenly across Canada. Meaning that one province cannot win all 40 Toyota Matrix’s. In Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Northwest Territories, and Yukon there are only 5 Matrix’s to be won, whereas in Ontario alone there are 20 Matrix’s that can be won. On the site, they have even written the chances of winning a Matrix as being 1 in 7,148,780.
Another neat fact about the contest is that you don’t even have to buy a cup in order to play. On the rules and regulations it states…
“NO PURCHASE NECESSARY TO PLAY: In Canada, obtain a FREE Tim Horton’s contest cup and/or a copy of the official rules, by writing to: Tim Horton’s Contest Cup, P.O. Box 9156 Saint John, N.B. E2L 4Y1. In U.S.A., to receive a FREE contest cup and/or a copy of the official rules write to: Tim Horton’s Contest Cup, P.O. Box 1315 Calais, ME 04619-6315.
All requests for a Free Cup must be postmarked by April 29, 2011 and received by May 9, 2011. Limit of one request per envelope with sufficient postage, while supplies last. Not open to residents of Vermont, Hawaii, Florida, Alaska and where prohibited by law. No mechanical reproductions of requests permitted. All requests must include a postage paid, self- addressed envelope.”
Which isn’t troublesome at all… right?
Facts about winning a donut or a coffee:
Something a lot of people already know is that winning a coffee means you can get any size hot beverage with a contest cup. My recommendation is that you get an XL, and not a small because getting a small without a contest cup is quite idiotic considering you have the chance to win another prize with any other size. The neat thing that I found out however, is that winning a donut does not restrict you just to a donut. With a win a donut rim you can choose from a donut, cookie or muffin and some of Tim Horton’s other baked goods.
If you can’t get enough of Roll up the Rim, check out the online Roll up the Rim contest at http://www.rolluptherimtowin.com/. The prizes on the online contest differ slightly as instead of winning donuts and mountain bikes you are able to win Tim Horton Gift Card’s and coffee for a year (which is sadly not even coffee for a year – just a lot of Tim Horton gift cards).
Good luck with the rest of your roll up the rim cups – hopefully you win! If you are ever fortunate enough to win a big prize such as the big screen 3D TV brace yourself and prepare to answer the skill testing question of:
MULTIPLY 5 x 4
SUBTRACT 3
ADD 10
ANSWER:
Website of the Day: Follow That Way
Looking for some inspiration? Feeling down and need some words to inspire you? Or maybe are you just looking for a way to kill time? Followthatway is a Tumblr website full of inspirational typography. Whether you are looking for some words to live by or a thing to do for a couple of hours, this site will leave you satisfied.
Video of the Day: Canada
Normally, I’m not one to fall for what I deem to be patriotic propaganda rubbish, however, in this case I’ll make an exception. Today’s Video of the Day is about Canada, and O Canada indeed; it even brought a little tear to my eye.
[youtube bV_041oYDjg]Video of the Day: A Messiah amongst Lizards!
This is a Basilisk Lizard, aka The Jesus Christ Lizard, running across water. The video is in slow motion.
[youtube 45yabrnryXk]Review of The Drowsy Chaperone
Last weekend, I had the lucky fortune to attend a performance of The Drowsy Chaperone. Presented by Theatre Calgary, it was a family-friendly “Musical within a Comedy.” How is this possible? The show begins with a lone actor, known as “Man in Chair,” who reminisces as he plays an old record of a (fictional) musical performed in the 1920s. An avid musical theatre fan, Man in Chair calls for everyone in the audience to appreciate his favourite show.  Hilarity ensues as his home is transformed into the set of a “roaring twenties” musical. The Man in Chair often pauses the show to add his own humourous or interesting tidbits, such as the “real lives” of actors, or to replay particular moments.
The Good
The Drowsy Chaperone is appropriate for ages 12 and up, making it a great family outing. It’s hilarious, and sure to lift your spirits.
Adam Brazier plays Aldopho, a ridiculous character, with surprising finesse, and Dean Paul Gibson makes a wonderfully relatable Man in Chair. Naomi Costain as Janet Van De Graaff delivers a beautiful vocal performance, and Todd Talbot with Timothy Gledhill as Robert Martin and George perform a delightful tap routine. Additionally, the costumes and many set changes really added an authentic element to the show.
The Not-So-Good
This 90 minute (approx.) show does not have an intermission as most Theatre Calgary performances do, as Man in Chair points out that you are not really watching a Broadway musical, but re-imagining with him in his living room.
Overall
For those who have not yet made plans for this weekend, I recommend getting tickets for the last couple performances of The Drowsy Chaperone. A high-spirited comedy-musical, it will be sure to make you laugh and maybe even sing along.
Video of the Day: Baby laughs hysterically at ripping paper
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Benefits of being on a team
Teams, no matter in what shape, form or way, are the best way I know of to get your adrenaline rushing, whether you’re on your school’s newspaper crew, or on a basketball team, hockey, leadership, lacrosse (my personal favorite) or even newly-established Quidditch teams. It’s not just about a sport itself; when you join a team, you’ll always make tons of friends and have fun cheering everyone on!
So join a team today. You won’t regret it.
AMV of the Day
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This week’s AMV features a movie that I just watched today.
This week’s Anime is Sword of A Stranger, and quite literally focuses on the sword of a stranger that a boy meets. The Nameless Swordsman in the end saves the boy from a sacrificial ritual, one reason for the song. However we learn that the Swordsman has a past that he has not come on terms with and haunts him, and is in need of someone to save him from that; this character becomes the boy. The mutual need and eventual recognition of a hero, both big and small, is why this song was chosen for this Anime. In fact everyone in the trio – the swordsman, boy and dog – is in one way a hero to the others. The song fits very well with the movie and I recommend both to all of you!
My Morning Fix: Interview with Sam Gregory
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Find your Grad dress for free!
Pre-loved Prom dresses are finding new romance this season at the Calgary Public Library, where you can pick up a donated Grad dress and turn it into your own unique garment.
The Village Square library branch is hosting a Prom Dress Extravaganza where youth ages 15-18 can get fashion advice, try on dresses and take one home for free on Saturday, March 12 from 1:30 p.m. to 3 p.m.
Register online at www.calgarypubliclibrary.com, by phone at 403-260-2620 or stop by the library.