Happy New Year!
Welcome to 2014!
As surreal as it is to write, it’s equally as unbelievable to comprehend that it is now the year 2014. Despite the fact that we are not driving flying cars or living like The Jetsons quite yet, there are many things to celebrate and look forward to in this brand new year. For instance, there will be plenty of personal resolutions that we will each be working hard at to achieve in the next 365 days. Some will be easy and some will be hard. It’s possible that there will even be a couple that will have staying power beyond January. For me, there are several in which I intend to use every single available day to make happen.
With so much joy and happiness spread around the world today, January 1, 2014, it’s important to remember what hard work and perseverance can bring. In certain circumstances, an entire year may be required to pull off an achievement or spectacle so grand that it goes down in history as the best ever.
In the case of the shining Middle Eastern metropolis known as Dubai, their hope and extraordinary effort just may be rewarded with the title of “greatest ever.” Last night, the city attempted to pull off the world’s largest fireworks display. NPR online had a good description of what was being attempted in the night sky of the United Arab Emirates.
Starting precisely 20 seconds before midnight local time, over 500,000 fireworks are set to be used during the display which is set to last around six minutes, with Guinness World Records adjudicators on hand to officiate the attempt.
Covering a distance of over 94km (61.6 miles) of the city’s seafront, the display will incorporate some of Dubai’s top landmarks, including Palm Jumeirah, World Islands, the Burj Khalifa and Burj Al Arab.
Having been in Dubai for New Years several years ago, it’s an incredible sight to see the glistening city light up in all directions. To give you a taste of what it’s like to experience it first-hand, below are two videos showcasing last night’s fireworks display.
Enjoy!
Here’s to Our Own Record-Setting Year!
The One Night We Should All Raise a Glass
The final day of 2013 has arrived, which is when we collectively reflect on what this year has meant to us, as well as the people we care about. We will think about the good and the bad scratch that: only the good!
It’s New Year’s Eve: the special, global celebratory moment (depending on the time zone) when the lens through which we see the world shows us that anything is possible in the upcoming new year. The sky is the limit. And let’s be honest, there’s really only one thing you can and should be doing tonight.
And it goes a little something like this…
Happy New Year’s Eve!
Happy Monday!
It can be the little things that can encourage one to get better, especially if one happens to be sick. In this circumstance, movement of one’s body is minimal. The alarm that will ring relentlessly on a cell phone merits a quick jolt to the right to turn it off. However, before swiping my finger left to right, listening to the predetermined song choice (that had been forgotten) was surprisingly motivating. It provided a nice little spark to get better as fast as possible because it’s difficult to enjoy this specific music with a cold.
This song was meant to be listened to and experienced when feeling good.
Happy Monday!
…Sorry, I Just Zoned-Out for a Minute
The mere passing of time has a funny way of evolving the things in our daily lives. Add in the fact that humans have long proven they will innovate to varying degrees (and yes, I am aware of The Dark Ages) during a certain amount of time. Whether in days, weeks, months, years or decades, familiar things change. Incentives arise. Reality is altered for the future. This can pertain to a myriad of items or even entire environments.
It can also involve stories.
The Secret Life of Walter Mitty is not a new story by any stretch of the imagination. However, the version known to a particular generation varies. For instance, there are two movies derived from the famous James Thurber short story of 1939 of the same name, one in 1947 and one recently released in 2013.
Same title, different interpretation.
Part of this distinction between the two major motion pictures is due to the year it was produced and the world we lived in and are currently living in at the moment. Another prominent factor is not only the technology available, but also filmmakers trying to define who Walter Mitty would be back then and today. Where would he live? What would he do for a career? What or who does he dream about and why?
Below are two trailers for the two film adaptations of the Thurber classic.
Same character, different time.
Do you know a Walter Mitty? Are you Walter Mitty?
Only time will tell.
FYI: Friday is a pretty good day to find out either way…
P.S. Walter Mitty in 2013 is well-worth daydreaming about in a movie theater for a couple hours.
Jimmy's Daily Planet 