The Big Picture: Caught in the oil

ugh. I missed these photos of the Gulf Oil Spill when they came out a couple weeks ago. As the oil hits land it's even easier to see the effects.

Ryan Montbleau Band: Stretch

Thankful for being introduced to this band. And very much connecting with this song.

Pachelbel Rant by Rob Paravonian

A former cellist was deeply scarred by Pachelbel's Canon and takes it out in comedy.

CANON de PAgagNINI

This Pachelbel's Canon in D is hilarious! (Never thought I'd say that)
Now I really want to see Pagagnini in "concert"

Rock A Hula Baby

So proud of my HulaLindy sisters - and totally delighted by their super-fun number at the Na Lei Hulu fundraiser!
(also: I want one of those dresses now. With petticoat and wig, of course)

The LXD at TED

LXD at TED. Amazing.

People: the Philippines' best export

So when I say that "the Philippines' biggest export is people" I'm not joking. Eleven percent of the economy is remittances.

Read the article in The Economist.

News: Obama declares King Kamehameha Day

June 10, 2010, has been declared King Kamehameha Day. Read the Presidential Proclamation.

State Dept. Changes Passport Policy to Allow Gender Change

Very exciting & major progress for transgender rights! The State Department has changed its policy to allow transgendered passport applicants to get a new passport that accurately reflects their gender - without requiring that they be post-surgery.
Read the press release from the U.S. State Department.

On the Dangers of Social Dancing, c. 1921

In 1921, Dr. R. A. Adams wrote The Social Dance, addressing the dangers of dance. He warned women against an early death should they choose to continue on their paths of destruction on the dance floors.

Visit the dancing woman the day "after the ball is over;" hear her weak voice, and look into her listless eyes; note her general lassitude, observe that she has scarcely any life left in her, and you will get some idea of the effects of the dance.

Read more in the original article from the Orlando Examiner.

Hellzapoppin, Then and Now

One of the top highlights from Frankie95 was the recreation of the Helzapoppin routine. This video captures that performance beautifully, with a great mashup of the original. The only thing it doesn't show is how insanely the crowd reacted at the time - or how it brought tears to my eyes seeing it again just now.

Life 2.0 (Documentary)

I saw Life 2.0 at SFIFF and definitely recommend it. It is, at minimum, a glimpse into a particular time and (virtual) place. It's also a tale of longing and belonging (or not).