Big Geek Daddy

I came across a website called, Big Geek Daddy, and I found a couple of videos that were just amazing.  I wanted to share one of the videos with you.

5-year-old piano player (prodigy) plays a piano for a woman who is 101.  It is so moving.  I love to see interactions between older and younger generations.  It warms my heart and brought tears to my eyes.  This little boy is very talented.  His name is Ryan Wang, and he plays for Dorothy Landry.  Dorothy is so appreciative and grateful.  Ryan appears to be moved as well.

Have an awesome day!

Angela G. Gentile

Pinterest for Fun

Doggy Cupcakes Lookalike

I have been enjoying Pinterest.com these days. It is a pinboard-styled social photo sharing website.  


Above is an example of a picture I found on Pinterest.  It's originally from the site called, http://www.theentertainingelf.com/animals/doggy-cupcakes-lookalike/

From Wikipedia:

Pinterest allows users to create and manage theme-based image collections.  The site's mission statement is to "connect everyone in the world through the 'things' they find interesting." The website has proven especiallay popular among women.

Check out Pinterest.com for great pictures and links.  I have started with a number of boards, and it's lots of fun.  It's like when I was younger and I had scrapbooks.  It's almost guaranteed that you'll find something that will make your day.


Cheers,
Angela Gentile

Ways to Inspire

Image Source: http://tinyurl.com/7gxsvtd

I subscribe to the blog called, Marc and Angel Hack Life; Practical Tips for Productive Living, and they have a wide variety of lists that they make that are really good and useful.  The one I got today was called, 18 Ways to Inspire Everyone Around You.  Here is their 18 ways to inspire, in a nutshell:

18 Ways to Inspire Everyone Around You

1.  Be authentic and true to yourself.
2.  Stick with what you love.
3.  Express your enthusiasm.
4.  Excel at what you do.
5.  Focus on building your character.
6.  Care about people.
7.  Challenge people to do their best.
8.  Lead by example.
9.  Articulate what everyone else is thinking.
10.  Make people feel good about themselves.
11.  Help people heal.
12.  Share lessons from your successes and failures.
13.  Keep your cool in tense situations.
14.  Focus on the positive.
15.  Keep your promises and tell the truth.
16.  Listen intently to what others say.
17.  Communicate clearly.
18.  Be faithful to your significant other.

I particularly like #14.  Focus on the positive.  The article goes into more detail on each point.  Here's the link to the complete article:  http://www.marcandangel.com/2012/02/13/18-ways-to-inspire-everyone-around-you/#more-413

Have an awesome, inspiring day!

Angela Gentile

Happy People = Happy World

World Happy Day - February 11, 2012

I came across this information on "World Happy Day".  There is a website devoted to this day, and there is a video as well.

Check out this link, to get to the World Happy Day website: http://www.worldhappyday.com/

I am looking into getting to a screening of the movie, and I have also joined the Facebook page. 


Happy - A Documentary Trailer from Wadi Rum Films on Vimeo.


Click on the above to go to the movie tralier.

Let's get happy!

Have an awesome day,

Angela Gentile

Fréya Art and Design - Simple and Sweet.

I came across this great artwork by Fréya  and it's just wonderful.  It's simple, optimistic and has a primary, almost childish feel to it.  There are a lot of great products - such as prints that can be framed, baby gifts and greeting cards with really nice messages on them.  Artist & poet, Fréya Eté creates work with a purity of vision and a forever optimistic view of the world. Her quirky, heart warming and thought provoking pieces are much loved and sought after and held in many public and private collections around the world. (taken from her Etsy profile: http://www.etsy.com/people/FreyaArt?ref=ls_profile)

Check out the Fréya Art and Design website here:  http://www.freya-art.com/

 
I am sure you'll find something you like.  Here are a couple more of my favourites:
 
 

Have a great day!

~ Angela Gentile

Life is Good

Life is good wheel cover

I was sitting in my car one day, and I noticed this wheel cover on the back of a Jeep.  It was so bright and cheerful, that it made me wonder what this "Life is good" trademark stood for.  I went to the "Life is Good" website, and I was quite impressed with their products and services.  Not only do they carry great looking merchandise, their website was full of quick, upbeat sayings like,

The Art of optimism, and

Laughter has no foreign accent.

They even have a Life is Good radio station.

What most impressed me was their "Playmakers" program.  This is a program that is dedicated to training caregivers to teach children how to discover joy, although they may have gone through some very difficult times in their lives.  Here is a great video that you should check out so that you can see what they are doing, and that Life is Good.

You can click on the arrow above, or to to this YouTube link:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=yfd_Kn-SXd0

You can even enter a raffle to win $50 Life is Good online Gift Certificate for subscribing - http://www.lifeisgood.com/customer-service/monday.aspx

Have a great day, and I hope your Life is Good!

~ Angela Gentile

Beautiful Words, Ready to Print

I stumbled across a great website called, "BeautifulWords.net" (formerly PagesForPrinting.com).  You will find some gems amid this American, Christian focussed website as there are many great ready-to-print quotes and other inspirational poems with coloured photographs and illustrations.  There are details about what you can do with the .pdf files, such as "put into a 5x7 frame", or use as "bookmarks".  Here are a few of my favourites:

http://www.beautifulwords.net/sites/default/files/76_May_today_there_be_peace_within.pdf

http://www.beautifulwords.net/sites/default/files/101_Quote_Bookmarks.pdf

http://www.beautifulwords.net/sites/default/files/FindAHeart.pdf

You can also buy an e-book of more than 100 pages for only 99 cents!

Go to the BeautifulWords.net website and see if there is anything you'd like to print.

Have a great day!

~ Angela Gentile

Online Makeover Fun

Before....                                                After (with botox)

There are a number of free, online, makeover programs on the internet. If you want to try out new haircolours, makeup styles, or facial treatments, there is something out there for you to try. Here are some websites that I've had some fun with. You just need a good picture of your face downloaded onto your computer desktop, and away you go for some harmless makeover fun.

Here are some sites for you to try out:

New Beauty Magazine Facial Instant Makeover Tool: http://www.newbeauty.com/makeover-tool.aspx
 (see the above before and after picture).

Clairol Try It On Hairstyle Studio: http://www.clairol.ca/en-ca/try-it-on-studio/tios.jsp?gclid=CM6T_OTAhqgCFcK8Kgodv0QyOw

Taaz.com - Vitual Makeup, Real Beauty (Sign in Required): http://www.taaz.com/

Here I am with some new makeup and some crazy eyelashes. I made this on Taaz.com.

Have a great day!

~ Angela Gentile

Lorenzo the Cat

Still Life with Cat

I found this cute website, about Lorenzo the Cat.  The photographer Joann Biondi of Miami, says her cat, Lorenzo, is an ordinary, working-class feline.  He is mellow and independent.  He just happens to like fashionable clothes and enjoys having his picture taken.

Check out the website at http://www.lorenzothecat.com/.  The "Gallery Prints/Shop" section is very entertaining.  Some of my favourites are Born Free and Buddha Puss.  I'll have to ask if he could do a "Canadian Cat".

Have a great day!

~ Angela Gentile

Online Pho.to Editor - Lots of Fun!

Pho.to online photo editor is fun and has special effects and tools that you can use to spice up your digital photos.  I was having some fun with it and wanted to share with you how fun and easy it is, and it's free.  Here are some of my creations.  I used one of my own photos to make all these.  Go to pho.to to have some of your own fun.

Angelina Jolie

Avatar

Huge Painting

Money

Twilight

Have a great day!

~ Angela Gentile

Jango - Free Internet Radio Your Way

I learned about a great way to listen to music when I am on my computer.  The website, www.jango.com has free music, that plays like a radio station right off of your computer.  It is free and easy to sign up.  Play music that you want.

From the www.jango.com website:

Custom radio that plays what you want

Discover new music you're likely to like

Jango is all about making online music easy, fun and social.


Just type in an artist - and your first station starts playing right away. You'll get the music you want, along with similar favorites of Jango users who share your taste. Customizing your stations further is just as easy. Just add more artists and rate songs that you want to play more or less.

You can also tune in to other people's stations - and they can tune in to yours! In your player, you'll see who's listening to the same music as you, who's listening to your stations, and what your friends are playing.

Tune in to Jango and see how easy it is!

Have a great music-filled day!

Angela Gentile

Jigsaw Planet - Online Personalized Puzzle Fun

Looking for some fun?  Here's a fun game that I found on the internet.  It's called, Jigsaw Planet.  I used to love doing jigsaw puzzles, when I had lots of time, and I found this game that you can do and it's quick and easy.  The most fun part is that you can take pictures from your computer, and "Create" a puzzle from your own private photo collection. 

Go to http://www.jigsawplanet.com/?rc=explore&tp=1 for some puzzle fun.  Create your own, it's very easy to do.

Have a great day!

~ Angela Gentile

Do You Have a Magic Eye?

The world-wide 3D craze of the 90's

The other day my eyes were being lazy as I was looking at my computer screen, you know, like when you get into a really good stare, then realize you aren't really looking at anything?  Just looking "through" whatever it is that's in front of you?  Well, that got me thinking about those 3D "Magic Eye" images that were really popular in the 90's.  I don't see too much of them anymore.  They used to have big displays set up in the malls, and people would be staring at these messed-up, colourful collages, trying to see the "hidden" 3D illusion. It took me awhile, but finally I was able to figure out how to "see" these Magic Eye images and thought it was pretty fascinating.  Now, in addition to movies, there are TV's with 3D capability.  What will they think of next?!

Here is a link to the Magic Eye Inc. Image of the Week.   Check it out for some fun.  This website also teaches you how to see the 3D images.  They even have a contest where you put your name in to win a Magic Eye product.

Have fun!

~ Angela Gentile

Videojug - Get Good at Life

I found an interesting website and YouTube channel called Videojug that is full of interesting and sometimes funny How-To and Instructional videos.  I laughed at the one called, "How to Stop Farting", and found "How to Sing High Notes" interesting.  

"1000s of videos, articles, answers and people, here to help you. You can do anything and Videojug will show you how - it's all free, so get involved and get good!"

I'll share one of the more popular videos they have done (over 8 million hits) - How to Kiss Someone Passionately.  It's done in a humorous way and I thought it was a good instruction video!


Dating Humor:
How To Kiss Someone Passionately

Or try How to Wolf Whistle, How to treat a sore throat with lemon,or How to tie a tie using a full windsor knot.

Go to Videojug.com or Videojug on YouTube to see what interesting videos you can find.

There's something for everyone! Beauty and Style, Creative Culture, Family and Education, Food and Drink, Health and Wellbeing, Lifestyle and Home, Love and Dating, Money and Careers, Sports and Outdoors, Technology and Cars.

Have a fun-filled, informative day!

~ Angela Gentile

The Top Good News Stories of 2010

This time every year, I like to reflect back on the year that has just passed, and I try to think of things that were positive and good about it.  Although the BP Oil Disaster was the top news story for Canadians in 2010, I did some google-searching, and came up with some good news stories that I wanted to highlight here.

On AOL News, there is a list of the The Top Good News Stories of  2010. In their list they included the Chilean Miners Rescue and they also listed a story about an unemployed man who gave away $10 a day in Washington DC and he wrote about who he gave the money to and what they did with it.

NewsOne for Black America lists their Top Ten "Good News Stories" for 2010 and in their list they include a story about twin girls with identical grades become joint valedictorians of their high school.

Canada's MuchMusic's Top Ten Moments of 2010 include the production of the song, Wavin' Flag - Young Artists for Haiti.

The Gazette HealthWatch's Top Ten Stories of 2010 include all those intriguing findings (mostly good news) that researchers were eager to share with us, including the good news about aspirin, vitamin D and smoking bans.

Canada AM's Top Tech Stories of 2010 series includes some great news about all the technology that has enhanced our lives - like the Apple iPad, Kinect for Xbox 360 and the Kobo eReader.

My personal favourite is the story about the Large's from Nova Scotia who won $11.2 million in July and have given away almost all of it.  Check out this video from CBC news: http://www.cbc.ca/canada/nova-scotia/story/2010/11/03/video-ns-lottery-winners-update.html

My greatest stories of 2010 were that I went on a fabulous cruise with relatives, I went on a road trip to the Black Hills with my family, and I got a new job.  What are your good news stories of 2010? 

Have a wonderful day!

~ Angela Gentile

Her Next Chapter is Her OWN - What's Yours?

"Let this be the year you release your fears about what you can achieve. Know for sure what you want and be willing to give yourself what you need to get it." -- Oprah

I picked up the January 2011 issue of  "O - The Oprah Magazine"  the other day.  The title on the front page intrigued me - "What's Your Next Chapter?".  Oprah Winfrey has had a talk show for 25 years and she is moving on to a new venture.  In the interview with O Editor in Chief Susan Casey, Oprah talks about her 18-year-journey to have her own network.  She said she wrote in her journal in 1992 that her partner Stedman had said to her, "Why don't you own your own network?".  She sat with the idea and thought of the letters OWN - standing for the Oprah Winfrey Network.  That was when the seed was planted.  She goes on to say in the article how she was looking for "signs and signals" and over the next 18 years this idea grew and now is ready to sprout.  She wants OWN to do what The Oprah Winfrey Show and her O Magazine have done for years - inspire and entertain.  It will be a channel filled with creative, meaningful, and mindful programming.  January 1, 2011 marks the beginning of her new chapter - the Oprah Winfrey Network.  With programming 24/7/365 she even admits they have a lot of work ahead of them.

"I would like for people to have that space to go to. A breathing space -

where you knew that something would always be there to fill you." -- Oprah

"Everything you've ever done prepares you for all that you can do and be.  

So I move forward to start a new chapter with the lessons I've learned 

and the strength I've gained."  -- Oprah

Oprah inspires me to "live my best life".  She has touched the lives and hearts of many all over the world.  She has encouraged people to think about "What's your next chapter?" As we head into a new year, it's a really good time to look at our lives from a fresh perspective and think about how we want to live our best life. What's your next chapter?

"Once you clarify your purpose for doing something, 

the way to do it becomes clear." -- Oprah

Why Oprah decided to start her OWN Network.  See the complete article here: http://www.oprah.com/spirit/Oprah-Winfrey-Network-Sneak-Preview/1

Cheers!

~ Angela Gentile

Cut the Drama! Stop Complaining.

A couple of years ago I heard about this movement called, "A complaint free world".  The idea is that you wear a Complaint Free purple bracelet and you don't complain when you wear it.  To reduce drama in your life, one of the things you can do is stop complaining.  The absence of complaints really does make you feel better.  I remember taking the 30 day challenge and it was a good experience.  Wearing the bracelet really did remind me not to complain and I did feel better.  The bracelets were free. So far they've given out over 6 million bracelets worldwide.  Take the challenge by trying not to complain, just for one day.  You may find it harder than you think.

"A Complaint Free World, inc. is a non-profit, non-religious 501c3 organization which provides Complaint Free purple bracelets and other materials to help people affect positive change in their lives by becoming Complaint Free."

Check out the website to learn more.  http://www.acomplaintfreeworld.org/

Have a wonderful, complaint-free day!

~ Angela Gentile

Meditation Technique

The September 2010 edition of the Oprah Magazine called "O" had an article on Meditation.  It was called, Learning to Exhale.  The article proclaims to help people slow down time, quiet the mental chatter and savor life's breezes.  The secret is to coax your mind into a state of "nondoing".  Mindfulness is a technique of meditation and Licensed Family and Marriage Therapist  Diane R. Gehart, Ph. D shares a lot of tips and techniques in the article and on her website so that you can learn how to meditate.  Gehart specializes in areas of stress, depression/anxiety, couples, parenting, and has sections on mindfulness and happiness.  I have checked out some of her resources, and audio files, and they are great.  Oprah knows an expert when she sees one.

Go to Gehart's website for more info on Mindfulness Meditation Techniques: http://www.dianegehart.com/page12/page12.html.

Have a wonderful, peaceful, day.

~ Angela Gentile

Top Ten Tips for Living Joyfully

Deb Dawson-Dunn owns a business called, "Get it Dunn".  She helps people reconnect with themselves.  She is a professional coach and speaker.   She has some great resources on her website, and there is a "Free Stuff" section.  In this section, is a tip sheet.  She calls it:

Top Ten Tips for Living Joyfully!

Breathe
Deep breathing calms you down, frees up your energy, 

and keeps you in the present moment. 

The present is where you will also find joy.

Treat Yourself Like a Most Valuable Person (MVP)
Beating yourself down and berating yourself is not motivating.   

Instead always treat yourself with gentleness and loving kindness.   

Take care of your needs, speak lovingly to yourself 

and spend your time with others who treat you beautifully.

Focus Your Thoughts
Are you focused on what you want, what you like and what brings you joy?   

Your actions follow your thoughts so the more you focus on what you want, 

the more likely you are to take actions that will lead you to joyful living.

Be still
Spend some time everyday doing nothing.  Get quiet.  Be still.   

Just for a few minutes and notice how your day gets lighter. 

Laugh Daily
Find something to laugh about everyday.   

Laughter releases endorphins and increases oxygen flow 

both of which help your body feel better.

Listen to Your Heart
Your heart is wise and holds answers and guidance for you and your life. 

 Take the time to listen closely and then take action

on what your heart desires for you.

Take Baby Steps Towards Your Dreams
The tiniest steps eventually add up to big results.   

Make one phone call, read one paragraph, 

talk to one person about your dream

and soon your joyful dream will be accomplished.

Move Your Body
When you are stuck mentally, emotionally or spiritually get up and move.   

Shake your leg, go for a walk, do a forward bend.  

 Moving your body will move your energy 

which will get you moving and feeling lighter.

Cultivate Your Creativity
When you were a child, you created mud pies and 

lopsided popsicle stick houses and it was an expression of

who you were at that moment.  Connect with your creativity regularly

simply for the fun of creating.  Notice how this joyful energy weaves through your day.

Be Authentic
Discover who you truly are and stay connected to your truest self. 

It’s a much easier and more joyful way to live.

I love her philosophy, and really like the messages she gives.  She also shares a free 2-minute meditation.  It is quick and painless and helps us learn how to slow down.  If you want to learn more about Deb Dawson-Dunn, please visit her website at: http://www.getitdunn.ca/ 

Have a joy-filled day!

~ Angela Gentile

Funny Video for You

Call it my "Dark Side", but sometimes I laugh at other people's misfortune.  I found this great YouTube video called, "BEST funny accidents!" and I wanted to share it with you.  It is a compilation of video clips, bloopers and funnies set to music and some of the clips are older and I've seen them before (years ago) and some are classics that we still have circulating today.  Some I had never seen before.  I don't care for the scenes where it looks like there's a big chance of injury, but I am assuming all these people and animals in this video were okay and did not suffer serious injury.  I was laughing out loud at some parts. 



If you are having trouble seeing this, go to this link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GoCqvnJFUUA&has_verified=1

Schadenfreude is a German word  and it means "pleasure derived from the misfortunes of others". This German word is used as a loanword in English and some other languages (English doesn't have a word like this).  I believe that most of us get nervous or upset when we see someone else get hurt, so our knee-jerk reaction to it is to laugh.  Remember, it's okay to laugh WITH people, not AT them.

Have a great day, and please, don't get hurt!

~ Angela Gentile