Watch this amazing holiday musical flash mob presentation by the USAF Band from Union Station in Washington, DC celebrating the service and sacrifices of our nation’s World War II veterans and commemorating the 70th anniversary of the end of the war.
This awesome 1940’s musical flashback will really move you. What an incredible way to honor a time past and celebrate this Christmas season!
Featuring The USAF Band, Washington DC, an extraordinary dance troupe from NYC (choreographed by Jessica Hartman), and a cameo appearance by Secretary of the Air Force Deborah Lee James.
A Guide To The Most Fun Things To do In Atlanta Today
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Would you mind visiting a place that is bursting with history and plenty of funky neighborhoods and old southern charms? If that sounds interesting to you, Atlanta is the place to be! Atlanta is known to be Georgia’s hot and steamy capital, known to have a distinctive personality and charm. Everything here ideally assures that every day is different in Atlanta for the visitors; that’s what locals claim. Whether you have a thirst for history or came for the food, this place indeed has something or the other to offer. The best part of that going from one neighborhood to the other is super easy. You can shop at vintage shops in the morning and head to the cafe area in the south by the evening through the eco-friendly trams joining at least 45 neighborhoods.
If you are visiting this place or are already here, keep your spirits high because a lot of fun awaits you. Here is a list of interesting things to do in Atlanta today and in the coming days while you’re here. The list of categories according to the type of fun you want to have. Let’s begin.
For family fun
First on the list are the things to do here for the people who are visiting the place with their family.
● Atlanta festival
People in Atlanta are really fond of celebrating different festivals, and thus, no matter what time of the year you are visiting, you can definitely catch some festivals. You can try some most delectable barbeque at the Decatur BBQ, blues, and bluegrass festival, or get cozy in a blanket to enjoy the music fest at the Atlanta jazz festival. Live art, music shows, and parades happen almost every weekend.
For free and cheap fun
Who said you need dollar bills to have fun? Explore these free things to do in Atlanta today.
● Atlanta beltline
You can explore miles of the city by walking or cycling in the Atlanta beltline. Here on your way, you will witness the changing artwork, unique neighborhood restaurants, and shops. When you are all worked up, relax and refuel yourself on one any spot along your pathway.
Only in Atlanta fun
This list will cover the things that are found only in Atlanta.
● Georgia aquarium
People wouldn’t think of Atlanta as a great place to go scuba diving. But a place with over ten million gallons of water is a great place to start. So, what can you expect to see in the country’s largest aquarium, The Georgia Aquarium’s state-of-the-art facility? Begin with infinite deep-sea animals, including beluga whales, whale sharks, manta rays, sea lions, penguins, and more. After just one visit, you’ll understand why the Georgia Aquarium is one of Atlanta’s top attractions.
For art lovers
Love art? This is what you can do in Atlanta.
Center for puppetry arts
Here you can witness the award-winning puppet shows, films, and workshops.=
These are the things that you can do in Atlanta. The list can go on and on, but we tried to pull something for every type of visitor.
Why Leonard Cohen’s “Hallelujah” Is The Ultimate Thanksgiving Song (You’ll Be Amazed By Its Meaning!)
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Leonard Cohen, the hugely influential singer and songwriter died on November 2, 2016 at the age of 82. Cohen’s “Hallelujah” was voted “the most perfect song ever.”
Thanksgiving is a day to give thanks for the many blessings we have in our lives. Among the many things I am personally grateful for, I give a huge “Thank You!” to the late Leonard Cohen for all of the incredible songs he gave the world, but most especially for the song Hallelujah.
In Hallelujah, songwriter Cohen takes thankfulness to another level, suggesting that we should be grateful not only for our blessings, but for ALL of our experiences in life (good, bad, happy, and sad).
I first fell in love with the song when I watched k.d. lang sing it during the opening ceremonies of the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver, Canada. I was captivated by the sheer beauty and majesty of her performance and the lyrics. And, I felt compelled to learn more about what the song was actually about.
In short, here’s what songwriter Cohen said of the song’s meaning:
“It explains that many kinds of hallelujahs do exist, and all the perfect and broken hallelujahs have equal value.”
“Finally there’s no conflict between things, finally everything is reconciled but not where we live. This world is full of conflicts and full of things that cannot be reconciled but there are moments when we can transcend the dualistic system and reconcile and embrace the whole mess and that’s what I mean by Hallelujah. That regardless of what the impossibility of the situation is, there is a moment when you open your mouth and you throw open your arms and you embrace the thing and you just say ‘Hallelujah! Blessed is the name.’ And you can’t reconcile it in any other way except in that position of total surrender, total affirmation. That’s what it’s all about.”
The Most Perfect Song Ever Took Five Years to Write
In 2008, Q Magazine held a poll in which Hallelujah was voted “the most perfect song ever.” According to Cohen, it took him at least five years to write the song:
“Hallelujah was at least five years. I have about 80 verses. I just took verses out of the many that established some sort of coherence. The trouble that I find is that I have to finish the verse before I can discard it. So that lengthens the process considerably. I filled two notebooks with the song, and I remember being on the floor of the Royalton Hotel, on the carpet in my underwear, banging my head on the floor and saying, ‘I can’t finish this song.’”
Cohen trimmed the number of verses and released the song in 1984 on his album titled “Various Positions.” But, the song did not receive popular acclaim until 1991 when John Cale, a Welsh singer-songwriter, recorded a cover version of the song.
Since 1991, more than 200 versions of Hallelujah have been recorded in various languages. A version performed by the late Jeff Buckley attained #1 on Billboard’s Hot Digital Songs in March 2008. Singer k.d. lang’s performance of fellow Canadian Cohen’s song was for many (including myself) the highlight of the opening ceremony of the 2010 Winter Olympics.
The Meaning of Lyrics to Hallelujah
In the Bible, the word hallelujah is found primarily in the book of Psalms. The word hallel in Hebrew means a joyous praise in song. The second part, Yah, is a shortened form of YHWH, the name for the Creator. The word hallelujah can therefore be translated as “Praise God.” Hallelujah is frequently spoken to express happiness that a thing hoped or waited for has happened.
Below are the lyrics to Hallelujah and one of the many interpretations of the lyrics from lyricinterpretations.com, this one by Francis O’Brien:
For the first part:
Now I’ve heard there was a secret chord
That David played, and it pleased the Lord
But you don’t really care for music, do you?
It goes like this
The fourth, the fifth
The minor fall, the major lift
The baffled king composing Hallelujah
This relates to the story of King David who was had an intimate relation with God and was also a great harp player (secret cord/pleased the lord). The hallelujah at the end of this verse is a happy and spiritual one.
Second part:
Your faith was strong but you needed proof
You saw her bathing on the roof
Her beauty and the moonlight overthrew you
She tied you
To a kitchen chair
She broke your throne, and she cut your hair
And from your lips she drew the Hallelujah
In this part Cohen relates to the story of David and Bathsheba when David was walking on the roofs he saw her bathing and seduced her. He ended up committing adultery and lost a lot of influence and weakened his link with God (broken throne). Then we move to the story of Samson who gets his hair cut and loses all his powers, once again, a broken throne. In this verse, the hallelujah is a very sad and desperate one.
Third Part:
Baby I have been here before
I know this room, I’ve walked this floor
I used to live alone before I knew you.
I’ve seen your flag on the marble arch
Love is not a victory march
It’s a cold and it’s a broken Hallelujah
In this part Cohen talks about the ambivalence of love and its effect on your faith. It can be glorious like a flag on a marble arch or it can be cold and broken. And when in heart break you may lose or strengthen your faith, in this case it is strengthened because he still praises the lord in the end. In this case, the hallelujah is (obviously) cold and broken.
Fourth Part:
There was a time you let me know
What’s really going on below
But now you never show it to me, do you?
And remember when I moved in you
The holy dove was moving too
And every breath we drew was Hallelujah
This is an obvious reference to sexuality… In this verse the hallelujah can be interpreted as an “orgasmic” one.
Fifth Part:
You say I took the name in vain
I don’t even know the name
But if I did, well really, what’s it to you?
There’s a blaze of light
In every word
It doesn’t matter which you heard
The holy or the broken Hallelujah
This is a reference to one of the ten commandments and through this Cohen is trying to make the listener understand that religion and faith is not etched in stone and that everyone should interpret the holy texts and religion in his own way and that there is no “Right Way” to believe. This is an uncertain hallelujah, meaning that he is not sure what to believe but he believes anyway.
Sixth Part:
I did my best, it wasn’t much
I couldn’t feel, so I tried to touch
I’ve told the truth, I didn’t come to fool you
And even though
It all went wrong
I’ll stand before the Lord of Song
With nothing on my tongue but Hallelujah
In this part, he has found what to believe in and realizes his past errors but he is ready to face the lord because he now has complete faith. This hallelujah is one of total faith and love for “the Lord”.
Hallelujah Performed by Pentatonix, k.d. lang, the late Jeff Buckley, and the late Leonard Cohen
Which version do you like best?
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Where is Deal or No Deal Now?
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There are deals discussed all around the world all of the time. From outlets citing Donald Trump’s ‘The Art of the Deal’ book, to the UK government scratching away to try and get new trade deals in the wake of Brexit, major deals continue to take hit the news worldwide. However, the real question is: what happened to the peoples’ deals?
Deal or No Deal was the show of the people, with its simple guessing game captivating audiences and potentially rewarding its lucky players with millions in prize money. So, where is Deal or No Deal now, and what happened to its regular TV slots across the globe?
Deal or No Deal still going strong, but without the TV cameras
Its TV spot may have vanished into thin air, but the Deal or No Deal game is still very much alive and well online. Playing through the same format of picking a lucky box, opening others, and dealing with the banker, the real-money game offers the same thrills as the TV show. Of course, with a game that’s playable via a smartphone or computer, you’re always the one picking the boxes instead of having to wait your turn.
In an almost ironic turn, the Deal or No Deal game is a gambling game. You place your bet – the size of which determines the box rewards available – and then play through your choices to find your prize. One of the reasons why the game show came under the spotlight in the UK – where it won awards and broke records for viewership – was because some perceived the luck-based game as being gambling. Now, the game is happy to come under that banner to appeal to online players.
Where did the Deal or No Deal show go?
In the United States, CNBC’s rendition of Deal or No Deal with Howie Mandel was must-watch TV for a time. Using cases of cash opened by dazzling models, the game show premiered in 2005 on NBC, running for five seasons, which included a revival season in 2018. Since the end of its first run, which ended in 2009, the game garnered more attention from one of its models, Megan Markle, marrying into the British royal family.
In 2019, the game show met the same fate as it has done in many regions of the world: it was canceled by CNBC in 2020. Since 2016, Deal or No Deal shows have been axed en masse, despite their historic high ratings. Four years ago, the UK’s show that started in 2005 came to an end, which was followed in 2017 by the end of Italy’s 14-year-old program and Vietnam’s version, which premiered in 2005. In 2018, 13 years on Bulgarian television also came to an end.
That said, some nations have stuck with their version of the money-finding game show, including its native land, the Netherlands. The original version of Deal or No Deal, Miljoenenjacht, has just celebrated its 20th anniversary, with its top prize standing at €5 million. Brazil’s 2006-born show Topa ou Não Topa continues to air.
The game show may have faded from several of its longest-running jurisdictions, but those who always wanted to play Deal or No Deal can do so at any time with the online game.
Having trouble interpreting what’s really going on in the world? Of course you can always trust the media to lead the way to the promised land of truth. Here’s how the media wants you to think- according to JP and friends.
Join ‘Peace Through Music’ December 10th | 200+ Musicians | Streaming on YouTube
In honor of the United Nations’ 75th Anniversary and #HumanRightsDay, Playing For Change and the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) are proud to announce an encore presentation of ‘Peace Through Music: A Global Event for Social Justice,’ presented by Corning® Gorilla® Glass in partnership with Gibson and produced by Playing For Change and Blackbird Presents. The event will be released December 10th at 12pm PST/3pm EST/8pm GMT on the Playing For Change YouTubechannel and be available until December 31st. #UN75#LeavingNoOneBehind#PeaceThroughMusic
Featuring performances from more than 200 musicians including: Aloe Blacc, Angélique Kidjo, Becky G, Brandi Carlile with Mike McCready of Pearl Jam, Carlos Santana and Cindy Blackman Santana, Gabi Melim, Gary Clark Jr., Jack Johnson, Keith Richards, Mavis Staples, Nathaniel Rateliff, Peter Gabriel, Rhiannon Giddens, Ringo Starr, Robbie Robertson, Run The Jewels with Josh Homme, Sheila E., Skip Marley and Cedella Marley, The War and Treaty, Yo-Yo Ma and many more. Special Appearances include Billie Eilish, Danny Glover, Jamal Murray, Killer Mike, Megan Rapinoe and Sue Bird, Norman Lear, Prince Ea and Sara Bareilles.
Contributions from partners and all donations will support the Playing For Change Foundation, the United Nations Population Fund, the United Nations Remember Slavery Programme, Sankofa, The Bob Marley Foundation, Silkroad, and The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Foundation – organizations that strive to eradicate poverty, inequality, and systemic racial and gender discrimination around the world. Learn more at https://peacethroughmusic.live
The Downsides to Life in the Spotlight as a Movie Star
Big screen fame is a lifelong dream for many people. Film stars and celebrities seem to have it all: fame, money, cars, and the glamorous lives many of us can only imagine. Aside from fame, the film industry’s profitability is a significant reason people want to become screen players. According to Statista data, worldwide box office revenue reached over $42 billion in 2019. So while you’re watching your favourite stars on TV or in the movie theatre, take a minute to consider that whilst their lives look highly desirable on the surface, the reality is not always the same. And here’s why.
1. They can’t enjoy simple pleasures
Speaking to Esquire, George Clooney revealed that his celebrity status prevents him from enjoying some of life’s simple pleasures like taking a walk in the park. According to him, he hasn’t walked in Central Park for over 15 years! Johnny Depp, speaking to Today, also likens his routine to that of a fugitive, as he needs a strategy for mundane activities like checking in and out of hotels to avoid the paparazzi and fans. Indeed, it is common knowledge that famous people struggle to live everyday lives like the rest of us do. The round-the-clock scrutiny you will likely be under may affect your ability to enjoy the things that many people take for granted.
Engaging in routine activities like bringing your kids to school, reading on a park bench, enjoying a nice cup of coffee, or going shopping could quickly become front-page news. You can expect constant paparazzi attention wherever you go, seeking to capture all your private moments to share with the rest of the world. You may likely also have to forget about being called by your real name. Vic Reeves, a famous comedian and actor, shared in a Guardian article about how often people presume Vic Reeves is his real name, despite only developing the character for a stage project at some point in his career.
2. There’s a lot of pressure
Being in the film industry brings a lot of pressure to be “perfect” both on the big screen and in your private life. Scarlet Johannson, speaking to Candis Magazine, spoke about the pressures of maintaining a required fitness level to continue playing her role as “Black Widow” in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) franchise. Many other actors like Christian Bale, Ben Affleck, and possibly all other film stars who play superheroes or villains often have to shed or gain some bulk to qualify for the roles. Aside from the on-screen pressure to have perfect bodies, the off-screen pressure to be thin and fit is also a disturbing reality for film stars and other celebrities. Social media’s influence often leaves celebrities at the mercy of fans and other users regarding body shaming and other undesirable pressures.
3. Fame can make you paranoid
Several film stars confess to developing paranoia after becoming a big-screen hit. In an interview with Loaded in 2014, Idris Elba, known for notable roles in movies like ‘Hobbs and Shaw’ and ‘Thor,’ laments how difficult it is to trust people, especially potential love interests. Elba says he commonly feels unsure about whether relationships he has developed with people after becoming famous are real or not. Indeed, this is a significant concern and a source of anxiety for notable people that transcends theatre into other areas like music and business. Many end up having to hire celebrity security guards in order to feel safe.
4. Substance abuse is always a threat
The tabloid press, television, and other media platforms are continually reporting stories about celebrities battling an addiction to drugs, alcohol, and other substances that are detrimental to their health. Some experts theorize that stars continuously face the threat of substance abuse due to inherent personality threats. Studies have found traits of obsession, risk-taking, strong drives, etc., (common celebrity traits) in individuals with substance abuse disorders. According to these studies, these celebrity traits use the same brain pathways that affect the brain’s reward center in addicts and successful people alike, putting them at risk of substance abuse.
Some other experts think the likelihood of substance abuse is high among celebrities because they have easy access to them. Hollywood’s elite have plenty of social influence and cash to spare, making it easier and cheaper to acquire substances than non-celebrities. Also, public scrutiny can be a factor that drives celebrities to indulge in substance abuse. Stars are under constant observation by fans, the media, and colleagues. People react to situations differently, and as such public opinion and bad press may affect one person more personally than others. Drugs and alcohol, therefore, become easy coping mechanisms that many celebrities resort to.
Peer influence is another driving factor behind stars always facing the threat of substance abuse, as is the case of actors like Macaulay Culkin and Selena Gomez. While it isn’t a guarantee that you will also abuse substances, it is undoubtedly a threat you are very likely to face as a film star.
5. Dating is almost impossible
With a rigorous work schedule leaving little room for romantic entanglements, you can expect a life where dating is difficult. Whether you are dating a fellow film star or an “ordinary” person, the demands of show business will likely leave you little time to prioritize personal relationships. This reality is even evident among celebrity relationships and marriages, whose high failure rates are often a topic of concern and gossip for many interested in show business.
Why is this so? Psychologist and fame expert Donna Rockwell spoke to Cosmopolitan about the world of fame and relationships. She cited fame as the primary reason why many celebrity relationships fail. According to her, the ego tends to get in the way of focusing on your partner due to your familiarity with always being on the receiving end of attention.
Media attention coupled with thousands of fans doting on you when you walk on the streets, on social media, and at shows, makes it harder to maintain romantic relationships that need compromise to flourish. Also, before her engagement to Cooke Maroney, Oscar-winning actress Jennifer Lawrence spoke to Vogue concerning her struggles with finding and connecting with eligible bachelors because few people asked her out. As such, you can also expect your celebrity status to intimidate a few potential partners.
6. You may have to overcome a lot of bad press
As a film star and a celebrity in general, it is common to wake up to many unflattering things concerning your life popping up in the media. It is no secret that the media loves to cover the good, bad, and ugly of celebrity lives at length. Mel Gibson, a renowned actor and movie director, was all over the news in 2006 when he was caught on camera using anti-Semitic slurs against a Jewish police officer who had pulled him over for drunk driving. However, he made a surprising comeback with Hacksaw Ridge, an Oscar-nominated war film classic.
Christian Bale received a lot of bad press for his profanity-laden outburst on “Terminator Salvation” back in 2008. Despite going viral online, he apologized and went on to reprise his role as Batman in ‘The Dark Knight in 2010″, even winning an Oscar for best supporting actor in his 2010 film “The Fighter.” You may remember Arnold Schwarzenegger being in the news in 2011 for admitting to fathering a child with one of his household staffers despite being married, but he has since starred in hits like “Escape Plan” and “Terminator Genisys.” Bad press is simply a showbiz reality, so be prepared to face it and most importantly, overcome it.
Why Baby Boomers Are Rediscovering Board Games
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In the new normal that is 2020, men and women of all ages have found themselves discovering new passions and interests as well as rediscovering old ones. One activity that baby boomers have rediscovered and fallen in love with all over again is the simple pleasure that comes with sitting down in the living room or at the kitchen table and unboxing a wonderful, challenging and engaging board game!
If you are curious about some of the top reasons why boomers are rediscovering their deep love for trivia board games, just keep reading.
1. They encourage human interaction
No matter what age you are, chances are good that you have found a major reduction in day-to-day human interaction. The COVID-19 pandemic has not only forced people to stay indoors more often than they could have ever imagined, they have also left some families keeping to themselves. Anxiety and uncertainty do sometimes lead to people going inward and wanting more alone time than they really should have.
Board games are fantastic because they can’t be played alone. Unlike a video game, television show or social media, board games are always multiplayers. That means you can play with your friends and your spouse, your children or anyone else who is in your social bubble.
2. They decrease stress
There is no doubt that we are living in stressful times. It can be hard to find a healthy and happy outlet for you to destress, have fun and take your mind off of the day-to-day. A board game can play a major role in helping to distract from stressful, invading thoughts and refocus your mind on something challenging and light.
Board games are especially great in the late afternoon or evening as your body and your mind are beginning to wind down towards sleep time. Being able to de-stress and get away from your work desk and instead spend time laughing and thinking of a strategy to win your game is a great way to end the day!
3. Get off the phone
Year by year it seems that we are all growing more and more dependent on the little computers that we put in our pockets. For baby boomers, it can start to feel somewhat impossible to speak to younger people about anything of importance because their faces are always buried knee-deep in the latest Twitter thread or Instagram post.
Playing board games demands focus and engagement, which makes people put down their phones and keep their eyes on the prize, and also invites the opportunity for you to interact with your family and friends in a deep and meaningful manner.
4. A new drinking game
There is absolutely nothing wrong with having a glass of wine or two to help wind down the day. If you’re looking to do something a bit more productive than pouring a glass and just watching old reruns, consider turning a nightcap and board into a friendly and light-hearted competition. What sounds more fun than that!
Missing Live Sport? Why Not Try These Activities Instead?
Being able to get tickets to watch the big game is something that sports fans everywhere have always taken for granted. However, this year is a year like no other, and among the many changes that people have faced is the absence of live sports. The COVID-19 pandemic has put the ability to go and watch a big game on hold for now, and sports fans across the world are either missing out on seeing their sports teams or attending games with reduced capacity.
One of the best parts of attending a game is the atmosphere that it creates and the excitement of the tension building as you watch your team in action. This season excitement and tension have been missing from sport, so you may be looking for ways to fill the gap left in your life by seeing your team in person. If you need some inspiration to get your sports fix without being able to see your team play live, then how about bringing more sport into your life in a different way? Here you will find lots of ideas that will help you enjoy everything sport-related until the crowds can once again return to stadiums across the world.
Join a Supporters Club
If you are missing the camaraderie that comes from being in the stands around other fans of your team, then you may want to join a supporters club, so that you can regain some of that sense of belonging. One of the great things about joining a fan clubis that you can talk about your team as much as you like with people that share your passion.
Joining a supporters club means that you can also stay up to date with the latest team news as well as sharing your opinions with other fans.
Play Sports
While you may not be able to watch a game live and in person, you could still enjoy all the fun of sport from a new perspective, by playing it yourself. Playing sports is not just a great way to get fit; it also has a fun, social element to it. Playing sports should help you to get some of that excitement that you would typically get from watching sports, with the bonus that you are getting fit at the same time.
Increase Your Sports Knowledge
If you are looking for ways to fill some time once the season ends, why not spend it learning all that you can about your favorite team and giving your sports knowledge a boost? Learning about the history of your favorite sport and all the statistics can be a lot of fun. You may also like reading autobiographies of sporting greats from the past and your favorite current sportspeople too.
Get Gaming
If you want to let loose with your competitive edge, then how about playing some sport video games? There are absolutely tons of video games available featuring sports, so it won’t be hard to find one that you love. If you fancy getting extra competitive, you could even play online against your buddies to build up some friendly rivalry.
Organize a Sports Quiz
After brushing up on your sports knowledge, why not show off all of this new information by hosting your own sports quiz? Writing all the questions will be a lot of fun, as you will be able to choose whether the quiz is themed in one particular area or to host separate rounds on different sports. You can then include questions on everything from questions about the NFL such as which team does Head Coach Ron Rivera – Carolina Panthers now work with through to golf, such as who has won the Masters the most times?
Hosting a sports quiz is an excellent way to take your mind off the fact that you can’t watch sports in person, and a great way to fill your time. You could host your quiz online so that your friends and family living outside of your area are able to join in with sharing knowledge.
Discover New Sports
If all of these activities are not enough to help keep you occupied, then why not learn about some new sports instead? Discovering new sports is an excellent way to develop a new hobby, and you may find that you enjoy the new sport just as much as your regular favorites. Either way, expanding your sporting interests is an excellent way to ensure that sports are a constant part of your life.
Contentment Content: What to Watch for a Mental Health Boost
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People spend a lot of time on screens nowadays, whether at home or on the go, watching movies, TV shows and web videos. This is especially true during COVID, as people increasingly spend time indoors.
Here’s what few people discuss, though: your media diet should be as balanced as your regular diet. Think of those true-crime procedurals and agitated political web videos as fried foods. They feel good in the moment, but over time they can turn your stomach and leave you feeling lousy.
In this article, let’s look at the fruits and veggies of video content – those shows, movies and web series that uplift rather than weigh down. Here are four types of content that can help give you the mental boost you need!
Look for the Happy Endings
Movies and shows with unresolved or unhappy endings are a necessary part of art. They depict a genuine part of the human experience and allow people to come to terms with negative feelings and circumstances. That said, you don’t have to watch them all the time.
If you’re feeling particularly stressed or depressed, it’s okay to avoid unhappy endings. Search for movies and shows in which things work out well for the protagonists. Sometimes, you need a second-hand hit of joy and resolution in your life.
Get into ASMR
Autonomous sensory meridian response – or ASMR, as its commonly known – is a calming sensory sensation that’s since become its own genre of content. These videos typically feature sounds and images that are engineered to make you relaxed and content.
There are several ASMR videos available on streaming platforms like YouTube, some more effective than others. If you need a slow-paced, nerve-soothing video experience, try searching for ASMR videos.
Watch an Uplifting Talk Show
Sometimes, you need to listen to real people talk about real issues. But the news can be distressing in its alarmism sometimes, so where do you turn?
Look for talk shows that tackle important issues in a generous and empathetic fashion. For instance, there’s a new talk show hosted by Jada Pinkett Smith called Red Table Talk, where she sits down with her mother and daughter to discuss current hot-button topics. The conversation is warm, the tone convivial, but the content is always instructive and illuminating.
Chill with a Nature Documentary
Neuroscientists agree that nature has a calming effect on the human mind. Not everyone has access to the outdoors, however – especially not during quarantine and lockdown. If you’re looking to unwind, but you only have a TV or tablet handy, the next best thing to a nature walk is a nature documentary.
Stunningly filmed, jubilantly narrated docs like Planet Earth are a good place to start. They often feature the success stories in nature – the prey that gets away from its predator, and the babies that learn to thrive in their natural environments.
There’s a time and place for hard-hitting news, sad films and action-packed shows, but if you want something a little gentler, try these four types of content.
5 Cool and Fun Ways to Kill Online Boredom In 2020
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The current scenario and situation is unprecedented for the world, and so it is no surprise that people are facing issues which they may not have faced in their lifetimes. Having to stay inside their homes for our safety is not something we are used to, and maybe the last time something like this was experienced by all, or most of humanity was back during the two world wars. However, it was the threat of war which was the problem then, not a pandemic which could wipe out many thousands of people if left unchecked. As we stand right now, the need is to still stay at home till a vaccine is found, which means that there is bound to be a lot of boredom. However, here is a list of five things you can do while being at home to keep yourself busy and thus away from anxious thoughts about the current situation of the world –
Meditate – The importance of mental health has perhaps never been higher than right now, where people have every right to be panicking about themselves and their loved ones. Therefore, it is even more important that we practice meditation and other ways to calm ourselves. Meditation will allow us to be fully aware of the moment and our surroundings, and therefore create a sense of calmness and detachment, which will help in doing the daily mundane tasks and work without feeling overwhelmed.
Play online casino – Online gambling has become quite popular all over the world during the last few months, especially during lockdown periods, as land-based casinos have had to shut their doors to comply with government restrictions. It has seen many people play casino online games for the first time as a way to remove boredom and find another way to entertain themselves during this time.
Exercise – Physical exercise is perhaps one of the best ways in which people can pass the time, as it gets them fit, while also releasing endorphins in the body which serve to boost their mood. Exercising can be done without any equipment, at home, with a plethora of videos and tutorials now available on social media for even the most novice of people to look at learn from. It is doubly important to keep exercising, as people may not be able to leave their homes for walks or visits to the gym, and so they must maintain their physical fitness, and through it, their mental health as well while staying at home.
Learn a skill – The internet has so many ways in which people can pick up a skill at the moment. The amount of free time that you may have on your hands can be productively utilized by learning something online, whether it is playing an instrument, taking an online course in a subject or just plain reading to make yourself more knowledgeable about a particular topic. Several online learning platforms have had offers and discounts during this period to help people, as they see a surge in demand while people have had to stay indoors.
Watch something online – Another great way to keep boredom away is to watch movies and TV shows online. There are many online streaming services on hand where there is almost too much content available to consume, and so the difficulty will probably be in choosing what to watch, because there are so many options. Nevertheless, you can even go back and rewatch some of your favorite movies and TV shows, especially together with your family, to spend the time in an enjoyable way.
Pentagon’s Top-Secret UFO Unit to Brief Senate as Ex-Official Says ‘Off-World Vehicles’ Found
(TMU) – As secretive unit operating within the U.S. Department of Defense that is charged with investigating unidentified flying objects (UFOs) will make some of its findings public after it was revealed that the Pentagon has been recently briefed about “off-world vehicles not made on this earth.”
The once-covert UFO unit, which operates within the U.S. Navy’s Office of Naval Intelligence, will soon begin giving regular biannual updates on its research to the U.S. Senate’s Intelligence Committee, reports The New York Times.
The Unidentified Aerial Phenomenon Task Force was formed in 2019 for the purpose of studying strange and inexplicable encounters between U.S. military pilots and unidentified aerial vehicles or UFOs in a bid “to standardize collection and reporting” of the various sightings.
The program is the successor to the Advanced Aerospace Threat Identification Program, which also investigated UFOs but was dissolved in 2017 due to a lapse of funding. However, the team working on that program continued its work alongside the intelligence community even after it was officially disbanded.
Luis Elizondo, a former military intelligence official who headed the Pentagon program, resigned in October 2017 after a decade with the program. Elizondo, along with a group of former government scientists and officials, remains convinced that objects of unknown origin have crashed on Earth and that these apparently extraterrestrial materials have been the focus of research.
“It no longer has to hide in the shadows,” Elizondo told the Times. “It will have new transparency.”
Former Senate majority leader and retired Sen. Harry Reid (D-NV), who led the push to fund the earlier UFO program, also believes that the studies should see the light of day.
“After looking into this, I came to the conclusion that there were reports — some were substantive, some not so substantive — that there were actual materials that the government and the private sector had in their possession,” Reid said.
So far, none of the alleged crash artifacts have been subject to public scrutiny or verification by independent researchers. However, some of the retrieved objects such as strange metallic debris were identified as being manmade – raising the possibility that they could be related to the military of U.S. rivals such as China or Russia.
However, astrophysicist Eric Davis – who served as an advisor for the Pentagon program since 2007 – said that he had briefed the Pentagon in March about material retrieved from “off-world vehicles not made on this earth.”
The Department of Defense subcontractor also said that he had concluded that the objects found were of the type “we couldn’t make … ourselves.”
In an interview last month, President Donald Trump told his son Donald Trump Jr. that he had heard some “interesting” things about supposed aliens as well as the secretive Area 51 base near Roswell, New Mexico, that some theorists claim is a UFO crash site.
The U.S. government has been increasingly open in its discussions of UFOs since last September when the U.S. Navy admitted that widely-circulated video footage captured by Navy pilots that purportedly showed UFOs flying through the skies did depict actual “unknown” objects that flew into U.S. airspace.
While officials admitted that they have been baffled by the unknown flying objects, they also admit that past encounters with them have been frequent. They also said that rather than calling them “UFOs,” they prefer the term unidentified aerial phenomena or UAPs.
While it remains yet to be seen what information the once-secret UFO unit plans to layout for lawmakers, acting intelligence committee chairman Sen. Marco Rubio (R-FL) is intent on finding out who or what precisely is behind the apparent UFO activity over U.S. military bases.
“We have things flying over our military bases and places where we are conducting military exercises and we don’t know what it is — and it isn’t ours,” Rubio told CBS Miami in an interview last Friday.
“Frankly, that if it’s something from outside this planet — that might actually be better than the fact that we’ve seen some technological leap on behalf of the Chinese or the Russians or some other adversary that allows them to conduct this sort of activity,” the hawkish senator added.
For Reid, further transparency is needed.
“It is extremely important that information about the discovery of physical materials or retrieved craft come out,” he said.
Watch this super fun video with Camille and Kennerly Kitt, the Harp Twins, performing “Dancing With Myself” by Billy Idol, while sharing one harp amongst them.
7 Reasons To Listen to Audiobooks
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Audiobooks have come of age! Long gone are the days of cassette tapes and poor quality recordings. Today’s audiobooks are convenient, portable and of the highest quality
There are many reasons to listen to audiobooks. Whereas once they were regarded as a niche product, today people from all backgrounds and walks of life enjoy listening to the latest bestsellers or classic literature.
Audiobooks Save Time
One of the victims of today’s busy life is the time to read. Many people just do not have the luxury of a few spare hours to sit down and read a book, however audiobooks can be listened to on the go. While it is possible to read a book on a busy bus or train when commuting, it is obviously so much easier simply to put on some headphones and be transported into the virtual pages of a book.
Audiobooks are Portable
Audiobooks can be listened to while leaving the hands and eyes free to do other things. Unlike reading a paper book or watching the television, an audiobook can be popped into a pocket or a bag and becomes completely portable. An audiobook can also be listened to in the gym, while gardening or crafting, during out of doors activities, like walking or hiking, in the car while on a long journey or in any number of ways.
Green Issues
Audiobooks, particularly those that are downloaded, are an environmentally friendly way to own books. Audiobooks not only reduce the amount of paper that is used, but also use minimal packaging materials. Little energy is used in the production of these books, unlike their paper counterparts that are often printed overseas and shipped back to a warehouse before being finally shipped to a store.
Technology
Smartphoneor any other audio devices now sit in the palm of a small hand while holding many hours worth of listening. At one time an audio book would have been split over many cassette tapes (or before that over many vinyl records). These were far from convenient and meant that several tapes had to be carried around. Today, many audiobooks are available digitally on cd or available for download and as such are much more convenient to listen to. Technology has also increased the number of listening options available. It is possible to listen to an audiobook on a tablet, computer or smart phone, as well as standard mp3 players.
Cost
Thanks to the advent of downloadable audiobooks, the average price of audiobooks has reduced over the last few years. Major online retailers such as Audible sell a wide variety of fiction and non fiction books on subscription or at a discounted price and these represent significant savings. As there is no book production involved with a downloadable audiobook and no distribution costs, the savings are reflected in the price to the consumer. Free audio versions of many classics are also available and initiatives such as Librivox are recording and publishing many public domain titles.
Variety
As the popularity of audiobooks has increased, so has the range of books available. Until recently it was common for an audiobook to be released several months after the paper version. Today, the paper and audio version of many best sellers are released concurrently.
Quality
The enjoyment of an audiobook is largely determined by the narrator or reader. An excellent book can be ruined by the ‘wrong’ reader, while conversely a mediocre novel can be bought to life by an animated and skilled reader. This is indicated in the way that some audiobooks describe the reading of the book as ‘being performed by’, which is an indication of the fact delivering a book text is so much more than just reading words. Well known names such as Stephen Fry, Richard E Grant and others have moved the reading of audiobooks further into the field of entertainment.
If it is a while since you last considered an audiobook, here is a list of best audiobook services. Now is the time to take another look – you could well be pleasantly surpassed!
