Occasionally we find a video post that we can feature and highly recommend for your viewing. “Between the Lines” is certainly one. This is a cinematic story following the photographic journey of Sacha Specker. It’s an intricate and rewarding relationship between man and the sea that evokes food for thought.
We all stare at the same ocean, however some of us choose to read between the lines.
– Jason Hearn
Produced, directed and shot by Jason Hearn, a highly regarded Director of Photography, born in South Africa, now operating out of London, viewing this short film one has a very strong sense that his heart and soul was put into the ideas, and moreover, the exquisite execution.
We’ve also included his Adventure Sport and Lifestyle Showreel where some of his professional work highlights can be seen.
Apple releases 3rd in the “Experiments” series, this one by Donghoon Jun and James Thornton of Incite in collaboration with WET
The previous clip in the series was an excellent video showing what can be done using 32 iPhone XR cameras set up into a Bullet-Time” rig like the one used in “The Matrix”. As was the case with the previous release, a behind the scenes video is provided also, showing the techniques that were used to produce the effects in the main clip.
It can be seen immediately how much the lighting set up, creative experimentation and even the water resistant qualities of the iPhone XS all play a large role in finding the beautiful, mesmerizing, stylized results. The music, perfectly synchronized and a melange of watery sound effects and impressionistic electronica, is perversely flattering and enhances the visuals infintely. The water “rigs”, dry ice dispensers and various cylindrical plastic containers are, all by themselves, quite impressive and the art department that provided and produced those deserve much of the credit for the results!
All that being said, however, the quality of the images and versatility and range of the camera effects settings is impressive and hardly what comes to mind when one thinks of “smartphone” video.
Poster from Toy Story 3 (2010) Directed by Lee Unkrich
Old Friends meet New Friends
After several writers were replaced and the crew survived a laborious pre-production process, Disney and Pixar are finally back with Toy Story 4. Nearly 25 years old, the original “Toy Story” first hit theaters in 1995.
The first computer generated full length animated film, using the latest and most advanced technology available at that time, it had a budget of “only” $30 million dollars and grossed over $350 million dollars worldwide at the box office.
With all the issues in getting to the screen, Toy Story 4’s releasewas ultimately delayed almost 2 years, originally scheduled to launch in the summer of 2017 but Cars 3 was put in its slot. In 2018, after the aforementioned pre-production and re-writing struggles, a summer release was again pre-empted in favor of Incredibles 2.
“[Toy Story 4] was supposed to come out this year and then they threw out three-quarters of it and rewrote. Usually, it takes – from start to finish – two years. But because they threw most of it in the bin and started over [my time on the project has] been extended a little bit. I’ve done a lot of work on it.”
-Annie Potts (voice of Bo Peep)
Finally and thankfully, this year will be the year. The 4th installment of the storied franchise reunites the whole gang; Woody, Buzz Lightyear, Bo Peep and Mr. Potato Head.
This time around, Sheriff Woody befriends the newest addition to the cast, a homemade “toy” named “Forky” (although obviously built from a plastic “Spork”). The utensil is Voiced by Tony Hale, best known for his work on television series “Arrested Development” and “Veep”.
Drama ensues as Forky, in an existential crisis, does not want to be a toy, but rather resume life as an eating utensil, as his maker, presumably the spork factory, intended.
Don Rickles, the original voice of Mr. Potato Head, passed away in 2017 but, thanks to the magic of archived audio files, he will still remain the voice behind the beloved character.
Many fans of the first three Toy Story films felt that the third installment had what appeared to be a definite and satisfying conclusion for the “trilogy”, and assumed there would never be a Toy Story 4. Although aware of the skepticism that the fourth installment could extend and conclude in an equally pleasing fashion, the creative team have shown confidence that this is indeed the case. We’ll see in June.
In a side note of interest, there are rumors that numerous Pixar “Easter eggs” are specially and purposefully hidden within the film. Attention to detail, a long standing Pixar speciality, is said to be incredible. Fans of arcane digital minutia will not be disappointed.
Toy Story 4 is directed by Josh Cooley and stars Tom Hanks, Tim Allen, Annie Potts, Tony Hale, and Keanu Reeves.
Disney and Pixar’s “Toy Story 4”: in U.S. theaters on June 21, 2019.
New iPod Touch Released: Increased Power, Performance and Features –
Finally, a new iPod Touch release from Apple. Available immediately online (at Apple.com) and hitting stores later this week, with features like a speed bump, provided by Apple’s A10 Fusion chip. The added oomph will enable better gaming, group FaceTime and AR capabilities and a general performance increase. Soon, of course, the power under the hood will also have iOS 13, expected to debut in June at WWDC, to extend software quality and features as well.
With a lowest price of $199 and a max storage up to 256GB available (for an additional $200), the sleek beautiful form factor will be on a higher functional level than ever. So thin and light, due to the intentional omission of iPhone elements for telephony, on a trip to Europe people will think you have an iPhone 12 and beg you for a closer look!
Sometimes Less is More
It has been a closely held secret that the thinner form factor, lower cost and full software functionality are all a huge plus for anyone who wants to enjoy an iPhone-like computing experience without the cost and size of the real thing.
Now with the improved power of the A10 fusion chip and additional storage available, it’s an improved alternative, even if you have an iPhone and just want a thin, light non-phone device to surf news aggregators or check emails and add to notes, etc. With iOS 13 and full iCloud synchronization across all your devices, the usefulness of this new iPod is increased even more.
The new iPod touch also provides fun and productive AR experiences across gaming, education and web browsing. AR is even more engaging and immersive with the new capabilities of shared AR, persistent AR, which is tied to a specific location, and image detection, making it possible for the new iPod touch to magically bring to life 3D objects like toys and sculptures.
It is very good news that Apple made the decision, after several years without an update, to continue with the iPod Touch line, like they did by resurrecting the Mac mini last October.
After new iMacs, iPads and iPad pro, as well as AirPods, were released in March, and with the Mac Pro promised before the end of 2019, this might just be the year of Apple’s ultimate upgrade redemption. Great news for lovers of these special products, somewhat neglected and needing updates for so long. In this case we can agree with Greg:
“The ultra-thin and lightweight design of iPod touch has always made it ideal for enjoying games, music and so much more wherever you go.”
– Greg Joswiak, Apple’s vice president of Product Marketing
With Apple Music, subscribers can gain access to a catalog of over fifty million songs, Beats 1 Radio, thousands of playlists and daily selections from the world’s best music experts. Apple is offering the new iPod touch in Pink, (PRODUCT)RED, Space Gray, Silver, Gold, and Blue.
Pricing and Availability
The new iPod touch starts at $199 (US) for the 32GB model, $299 (US) for the 128GB model and $399 (US) for the 256GB model from apple.com, in the Apple Store app and Apple Stores, and is also available through Apple Authorized Resellers and select carriers (prices may vary).
The new iPod touch models are available to order starting today from apple.com and in the Apple Store app in Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Luxembourg, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, the UAE, UK and US.
Ali Wong Takes the Leap from Stand-Up To Feature Film Star
Ali Wong and Netflix have produced two successful endeavors together; the hilarious “Hard Knock Wife” and “Baby Cobra“. Both stand-up specials were met with great acclaim. As an artist best known for her behind the scenes work as writer and producer for the TV series ‘Fresh Off The Boat‘, surprisingly, critics immediately lauded her stand-up specials and praised her in the same breath as Sarah Silverman and Chris Rock (who is also Wong’s “Mentor”).
The San Francisco native’s often “blue” and absurd look at the human experience was particularly disarming because the comic was visibly pregnant in both of her specials.
Photo / Netflix
Those specials now bear fruit as the Vietnamese-Chinese American stand-up comic is graduating to feature-film star status in the new Netflix produced Rom-Com “Always Be My Maybe”.
The film tells a story about a man and woman with a “When Harry Met Sally”-feel. The two life long friends haven’t seen each other in years. Sasha (Wong) and Marcus (played by comedian Randall Park) reconnect as adults. Their lives have taken two different routes; Sasha is a successful celeb chef and recovering from a failed engagement, at the same time Marcus is a struggling musician working a day job.
And, just as it seems the long-time friends appear on the verge of a romantic connection – enter Keanu Reeves as Sasha’s new rebound beau (who actually looks hilarious with his iconic “John Wick” character giving us all a mental disconnect). Triangle dram-edy ensues.
Photo / Netflix
“Always Be My Maybe” doesn’t just star Fresh Off The Boat’s Randall Park, but also features Nahnatchka Khan as director. Khan was the creator and served as Executive Producer, and occasional director on the show, which is based on Taiwanese-American restaurateur Eddie Huang’s autobiography.
Ali Wong has also written a compilation of essays entitled Dear Girls—a series of stories about Wong’s wild youth. She is dedicating the book to her young daughters.
“Always Be My Maybe” stars Ali Wong, Randall Park, and Keanu Reeves, and is directed by Nahnatchka Khan.
The film will be available to stream starting May 31st, on Netflix
The world of John Wick is a dark, violent, fast and slippery place. The rapid fire franchise on Wick, a retired hitman seeking vengeance, has resulted in hit after hit at the box office. The movie’s rabid fanbase is fed with a near seamless story, the second movie picks up 4 days after the first, and the third chapter continues right after the second.
Photo / LionsGate
After killing D’Antonio, an Italian Mafia boss, on the grounds of the Continental Hotel known for its neutral, no-kill territory, a contract is placed on Wick. John finds himself fighting for his life (again) with the $14 million dollar bounty for his head. The hit results in the flooding of all the greatest assassins around the world to come for him. Once again, the odds are super stacked against the now “excommunicado” Wick.
Photo / LionsGate
The John Wick movies are known for their bruising, fast paced sequences, gunplay, realistic fight scenes and dark tone. All three films have been directed by Chad Stahelski, who broke into the film business as a stunt coordinator. Stahelski doubled for the late great Brandon Lee after his fatal accident on the set of The Crow.
Brandon Lee was vocal about the lack of realism and craft in fight choreography. This commitment to fantastic realism follows the family line, his father Bruce Lee reinvented the Martial Arts and action film genre. It is also no coincidence that Keanu Reeves studies Martial Arts and performs a lot of his own stunts in the film.
Photo / LionsGate
Keanu Reeves stars as John Wick alongside Halle Berry, Laurence Fishburne, Anjelica Huston, and Ian McShane.
John Wick: Chapter 3 – Parabellum crashes into theaters May 17th, 2019
Scaling a wall near the City of London’s “Gherkin Building” Photo / Sony Pictures
Spider-Man: Far From Home is the latest installment in the MCU (Marvel Cinematic Universe). It will presumably have box-office juice coming hot on the heels of Avengers: End Game (currently, the second highest grossing film of all time, recently surpassing Titanic and only behind James Cameron’s Avatar at 2.8 billion).
Peter Parker takes a little sabbatical from his Queens, NYC Spidey-life and embarks on a European trip with his friends. Somewhere along the way, Nick Fury commissions Spider-Man to uncover mysterious elemental creatures creating havoc across the continent. But, it looks like Mysterio (Jake Gyllenhaal) is already on the case!
As an unassuming tourist in Italy. – Photo / Sony Pictures
Spider-Man: Far From Home trailer plays like a travelogue for Europe and the Marvel Universe
Poster showing Venice, Italy – Photo / Sony Pictures
Spider-Man fans will rejoice in the fun little ‘easter eggs’ planted within the film. Parker is seen wearing shades and an upgraded Spidey suit designed by fellow Marvel superhero, Tony Stark.
Stark Designed Stealth-Black Outfit. – Photo / Sony Pictures
New York’s most well-known superhero is seen scaling a European wall, in a black makeshift costume. Not quite the black “symbiote” outfit that hatched Venom, but we’ll take it.
In front of the “Brandenburg Gate” in Berlin. – Photo / Sony Pictures
Spider-Man: Far From Home is directed by Jon Watts (Spider-Man: Homecoming), and stars Tom Holland, Jake Gyllenhaal, Zendaya, Marisa Tomei, and Samuel L. Jackson.
Jon Favreau reprises his role as Parker’s mentor, Stark’s bodyguard and chauffeur, Harold “Happy” Hogan.
Quentin Tarantino’s ode to late-60’s Hollywood is loaded with stars
Quentin Tarantino is on the verge of releasing his ninth movie, “Once Upon a Time in… Hollywood”. In a slight departure from his stark early 70s styled crime dramas, this time Tarantino will pay homage to the late- 60’s genre and his love for his hometown, Los Angeles.
The film takes place in 1969 Hollywood, amidst the chaotic events of that year, including the infamous Manson Murders. Much like The Altamont Free Concert, as chronicled in the film Gimme Shelter (with it’s high profile murder during the show), the gruesome, violent Manson murders are often cited as an historical moment marking the end of the free love 60’s and a pivot towards the darker times in the me decade of the 70’s.
The film stars Leonardo DiCaprio as Rick Dalton, as an actor on a Western television series alongside Brad Pitt as Cliff Booth, Dalton’s stuntman. The two work and live closely together as they carry out their urban cinematic adventures. The characters and their friendship are said to be based on 70’s icon Burt Reynolds and his stuntman Hal Needham.
Dalton and Booth live next door to Sharon Tate, played by Golden Globe winner Margot Robbie. Other sixties icons help flesh out the milieu of the film including Bruce Lee, Steve McQueen, and celebrity hair stylist, Jay Sebring
Tarantino meticulously redressed Hollywood Boulevard, and other LA landmarks to thrust us back into sixties Hollywood. Los Angeles natives visiting the location sets got to experience a blast from the past, witnessing recreated historical exteriors as well as authentic movie posters, displays of old advertisements and vintage logos.
Tarantino recreated vintage storefronts including The Pussycat Theater, Vogue Theater, Peaches Records & Tapes, Larry Edmunds Cinema, and Theatre Bookshop.
Additional Tarantino alums in the cast include; Tim Roth, Michael Madsen, Bruce Dern and Kurt Russell. By no accident, in a movie celebrating multiple Hollywood generations, he includes children of past costars, Maya Hawke (Uma Thurman’s daughter) and Rumer Willis (Bruce Willis’ daughter).
Academy Award winning cinematographer Robert Richardson also returns, after working alongside Tarantino in all his films since Kill Bill.
In 2016, Tarantino made news at the Jerusalem Cinematheque when inferred that he was considering retirement stating: “I’m planning on stopping at 10”. The chatty director made this proclamation while presenting a retrospective screening of his second film “Pulp Fiction”. The film that made Samuel L. Jackson a star and revived the career of John Travolta and also won the Palme d’Or at the Cannes Film Festival in 1994, the legendary film festival’s top award.
The film is slated to premiere at the Cannes Film Festival in May.
Jungle Book director back to recreate the old magic
Disney
Jon Favreau’s new reimagining of the Disney classic “The Lion King” is all the buzz. Recently, at CinemaCon, the press were floored by newly released footage from the faux-live-action, photo-realistic movie.
Favreau’s recreation of the “everything the light touches’’ scene is the most recent reveal. This is the iconic scene where King Mufasa explains to his son Simba where and how they rule. Even better, James Earl Jones reprises his roll as King Mufasa, and delivers the speech once again.
Similarly, Favreau recently reimagined “The Jungle Book” in pseudo real VFX style. Jungle Book won several awards for its visual effects, including the Academy Award for Visual Effects in 2017. The award winning team returned with Favreau for “The Lion King”.
Classics reimagined
Although Disney has been recreating some of their classic animated movies in hybrid CGI / live action form, technology for a full VFX treatment seems to be catching up with the ideas and nostalgia.
The “re-boot and reimagining” isn’t an uncommon concept in Hollywood. Warner Bros. is reworking a stand-alone Joker origin story prequel, to be released in the fall, for example. But Disney’s new visual interpretations stir excitement and nostalgia all at once. This looks like a fresh and exciting take and I’m looking forward to the full experience.
Ad is an entertaining dramatization of their famous circular pizza box patent.
Still / Apple
The head of Apple’s food services team helped design a circular pizza box a few years ago. The next time you order a pizza at Apple’s Cupertino Campus – you’ll see one.
What makes it special, other than the circular shape and clean Apple-white aesthetic, are the holes that allow the steam to escape and insure that the pizza doesn’t get soggy. Looking as much like a UFO as the Campus looks like a Space-Ship is also somehow implied. The patent can be traced back to 2010.
https://youtu.be/G9TdA8d5aaU
The ad takes you through the adventure of invention, tracing the quirky, creative steps of these rag-tag designers.
Above all, it does an excellent job capturing the essence of the creative process, the near-neurosis of the design team, and all the hurdles life puts in front of invention.
Still / Apple
The spot also does an excellent job of showing how we could all use Apple products to scale those hurdles, much as our underdog heroes do. Finally we are along for the ride as these future design champs get the chance to make their big pitch.
Still / Apple
[ During the last shot as they board the elevator headed for the upper floors, I do wish they added an insert with someone pushing a circular elevator button (with the iconic Apple logo, of course), — Ed. ]
Convention Center Project gets green light for first phase
Photo / The Boring Company
It looks as if Elon Musk is inching closer to realizing his express tunnel transit system. Projects are already at various stages of development in Los Angeles and Chicago with Musks’ Boring Company. But, it looks like Las Vegas is all-in on a Musk tunnel transit proposal. It received initial approval Tuesday after the board directors for the LVCVA voted in favor of the project.
The Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority have been long looking for an alternative way to transport convention visitors. LVCVA CEO Steve Hill thinks that underground is the way to go. He also called it “innovative” and “an attraction in and of itself”.
The tunnel will initially be approximately one mile long, with a focus on moving convention goers to and from the convention halls. The visitors will be rocketed at an estimated 150 mph in Musk’s Model X, Model 3, and a new “High-occupancy AEV” that will use a modified Tesla Model X chassis and will carry up to 16 passengers, with both standing and sitting options. A 15 minute walk will be replaced by a 1 minute ride.
The transport system will be free to convention visitors. If approved by city officials the project should be ready in time for the CES 2021 Technology Show, the largest trade show of the year which attracted over 180,000 visitors in 2019.
Graphic / The Boring Company
Three Design Options are being considered, which will offer convenient access from five potential station locations placed in close proximity to key LVCC destinations and nearby transportation connections.
-The Boring Company
Projected additional destinations are also indicated by The Boring Company:
“Future expansions to augment LVCC Loop can include service extensions to McCarran International Airport, hotels on the Las Vegas Strip, downtown Las Vegas, Las Vegas Stadium, and, in the long term, Los Angeles”
Musk approached Los Angeles with a similar opportunity last year, showcasing its “Hawthorne Tunnel” test. Plans for The Boring Company’s “Dugout Loop” project is still in the works. This project would connect passengers from Dodger Stadium to parts of Hollywood.
A similar project in Chicago (connecting parts of the city to O’Hare Airport) appears to have stalled indefinitely.
City officials throughout the United States have shown skepticism and opposition towards companies and corporations making promises to revitalize decaying parts of major cities. These endeavors are normally determinative with tax breaks for the corporations, and tax payers paying the bill. Musk’s The Boring Company plans to build the Las Vegas tunnel without a taxpayer contribution. Estimated costs are 35-55 million dollars.
Amazon scrapped plans for its contentious HQ2 project in Queens, New York, following backlash from local lawmakers and unions. The cancellation came after much fanfare, and a sweepstakes like fervor from city and state officials (including Governor Cuomo, and Mayor de Blasio) who made clear they were in favor of the deal. The agreement to lure Amazon with government incentives became a subject of great debate due to a climate of high cost of living, lack of affordable housing and rapid gentrification.
The 2.8 billion dollars in incentives offered to Amazon came with promises to jumpstart the Queens waterfront, and also included a helicopter pad for CEO Jeff Bezos. The Amazon/Queens location deal came under fire and skepticism for largely being brokered behind closed doors. This lead local community leaders to petition door to door for it to be blocked.
“….. a number of state and local politicians have made it clear that they oppose our presence and will not work with us to build the type of relationships that are required to go forward with the project we and many others envisioned in Long Island City.”
Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez was among the chorus of local politicians and advocates taking the debate to the public. In a statement, Amazon applauded Governor Cuomo, and Mayor de Blasio for their cooperation. Amazon also took the opportunity to state that (unnamed) “state and local politicians” “oppose our presence”.
Representative Ocasio-Cortez tweeted her clear opposition and stance, indicating that she may be among the politicians referred to in the statement:
Anything is possible: today was the day a group of dedicated, everyday New Yorkers & their neighbors defeated Amazon’s corporate greed, its worker exploitation, and the power of the richest man in the world. https://t.co/nyvm5vtH9k
The Chinese Zodiac assigns an animal to each year (in the lunar year, more on this below) for 12 years, after which the cycle repeats. Just as a person born on July 30th is considered a “Leo” or lion in Western Astrology, a person born in the year of the Pig a.k.a. Boar carries characteristics assigned to their birth year animal, in this case the Pig.
The next year of the Pig begins on February 5th due to the difference between the Chinese lunar calendar year and the Western (Gregorian) New Year. The year of the Pig will end, for example, on January 24th, 2020, which will lead us to the year of the Rat.
The twelve animal signs are depicted above. Each is surrounded by the associated elements and the years over the last 100 that were linked to each animal sign. photo: Adobe Stock
The twelfth of the animal year signs (bottom right in the image above), the Pig is said to be lucky, of mild constitution and reflects the characteristics of carefree fun, wealth and good fortune. People born under this sign are said to be trusting, honest, brave, sincere and easygoing, but also may show signs of stubbornness, self-indulgence and be petulant, materialistic or even lazy!
Each Pig year has unique qualities and characteristics, partially due to the element that it is associated with. 2019 is an “Earth Pig” in the cycle of elements, as can also be seen in the graphic above.
Also known as the Female Brown Earth Pig, she will arrive in the 4,716th Chinese Year (!) and is said to portend a very lucky year. Colors for the year are yellow, gold, gray and brown so it can also be seen as a lucky golden (yellow) Pig!
Virility is also associated with the Pig, based, according to folk legend, on the huge litter of piglets that are almost always produced by an expecting sow. In China, couples trying to conceive often prominently display a portrait of a lucky golden pig above their bed in order to assist (spiritually) with the process.
It’s all a bit complicated for a Westerner, but the combination of the Pig designation for 2019 and the animal year of your birth allows you to consult a Chinese astrologer as to what this year of the Pig may hold in store for you personally.
Although many may see this as far-fetched hog wash, at least in some parts of Germany they share the positive view of the Pig. The saying for getting lucky is literally “having had a Pig” (“Wir haben schwein gehabt“) and lucky pig trinkets and stuffed animal toys abound at the turn of the year (every new year, not just in the year of the Pig).
Indeed, many cultures around the world view the Pig as a symbol of wealth and prosperity. Here in the USA, for example, a piggy bank is an omnipresent reminder of the positive connection between the Pig and money. Naturally, we also use the negative connection as well, “greedy pig” being a typical epithet hurled at those thought to be taking more than their fair share.
Considering the virtually endless tumult around the world in the year 2018, it seems we could all use a little luck and good fortune!
It can also be said, justifiably so, that many positives were initiated during the year of the Dog. Hopefully, the 2019 Pig will carry that mantle forward and use her hard-working spirit to bring about more positive changes.
If you were born in the year of the Pig (1959, 1971, 1983, 1995, 2007) you can help us all with your lucky, honest temperament to find prosperity, peace and cooperation in 2019!
Looking for a way to kick-start your day? If social media is any indicator, it appears many are turning to an unlikely source: a cool cocktail of celery juice.
Best known as a very low calorie, high fiber, stalk for chomping while dieting, the juice option for celery is catching on as a healthy, refreshing drink option.
Long known as a low-calorie vegetable, it is also high in vitamins such as Vitamin A, K and C as well as being a source of potassium and, of course, the aforementioned high dose of fiber (even in juice form, apparently).
Additionally, celery juice is said to be an anti-inflammatory agent and a contributor to gut health and ease of digestion. (And who doesn’t need that!).
Judging from numerous articles, books and posts on social media interest in the unusual beverage has had a spike in interest of late. Public figures and influencers attest to the many perceived benefits and confess to drinking a minimum daily dose, which many claim has lead to weight loss and improved feelings of well being and overall health.
One major reason for this increase of riders on the celery juice bandwagon may be due to the influence of Anthony Williams, self-proclaimed pioneer of the celery juice movement, also known as the Medical Medium.
Here with my friend Anthony William, The Originator of the Celery Juice Movement. If you guys haven’t checked out his new book Liver Rescue, it’s a life changer! @medicalmediumhttps://t.co/zeUA7hTVb5
Williams is an author of four New York Times bestselling books with a strong celebrity following. On his site, he layouts the “miracles” of celery juices and how drinking sixteen ounces daily on an empty stomach can promote, heal and reverse many health related issues.
So, skeptic or true believer, likely little harm can come from a dip in the celery juice oasis. Any testimonials or comments welcome.
Marie Kondo wants to help others find joy in the act of tidying up. The opportunity to reassess and bring more awareness to our personal belongings in a more mindful way is her unique approach to cleaning.
Best Known for her bestselling books, “ The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up”, “Spark Joy”, more recently Kondo is gaining fans for her Netflix show, “Tidying up with Marie Kondo”.
On a mission to inspire others and to “spark joy”, she’s aided by her expertise in tidying along with her organizational method called KonMarie.
Thoughts of tidying often conjure up an end result of little more than a somewhat cleaner and more tidy outward appearance. Marie Kondo’s special talent is to help illuminate many indirect personal benefits that can arise as a result of confronting your sub-conscious attachments to belongings.
Marie’s unconventional and heart-warming approach is refreshing and helpful in comparison to how most people view cleaning (example: as a dreaded chore).
Take the clothes in your hands and see what you feel. If they make you feel happy and motivated, keep them. On the contrary, if they make you feel guilty or bring you unhappy emotions, let them go. By letting go, you can make space for clothes that make you happy and support you.
Her methods are systematic and start by organizing items based on categories (versus by location). There are five categories that are in a specific order: clothing, books, paper, komono (which encompasses kitchen, bathroom and garage), and lastly, sentimental/emotional items.
As can be seen in her Netflix Show, when first coming into any clients home, Kondo first greets the home, allowing the residents to give thanks to the home for shelter and protection, and as a formal way of communicating the beginning of the tidying process.
Under her system, each category requires you to accumulate all the items together (e.g. gathering clothing from all rooms and creating a large pile) in order to pick up and touch each individual item.
The very act of collecting all belongings within each category forces one to confront the possessions and, in some cases, take a hard look at any excessive materialism.
Only items that spark joy, creating a warm and positive feeling (“holding a puppy feeling”) should be kept and items no longer wanted or needed, are to be thanked and and then let go.
By choosing to keep only items that spark joy and letting go of unnecessary items a cathartic refocus can occur, leading to understanding of what is most important and, ultimately, learning to cherish what you have, in order to achieve greater happiness in life.
Services, Mac and Wearables Set New All-Time Revenue Records
Apple today announced financial results for its fiscal 2019 first quarter ended December 29, 2018. The Company posted quarterly revenue of $84.3 billion, a decline of 5 percent from the year-ago quarter, and quarterly earnings per diluted share of $4.18, up 7.5 percent. International sales accounted for 62 percent of the quarter’s revenue.
The 15% drop in iPhone sales. though no surprise, was coupled with a year over year annual revenue decline of roughly one-half of 1% which is the first yearly decline since 2001.
As has historically been the case with Apple, volatility and drama related to this earnings report will be soon washed away by many new innovations, scandals and continued excellence from the world’s foremost technology manufacturer.
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