What's Playing

The website below is pretty cool.

http://beta.radiooooo.com

It's a map of the world.  You click on an area, and popular songs by the decade will play.

Be patient.  It takes a minute for them to load.

"All About That Bass" Avi Kaplan ft. Mario Jose and Naomi Samilton (Megh...

This is a silly song, but these guys could sing the names in the phone book and I'd listen.

You'll recognize the bass singer from the group Pentatonix.

Side note - I just discovered how to embed videos and I'm kinda having fun with this.

Don't worry.

I'll get over it soon.

Until then,

Enjoy!

Andrea Bocelli & Heather Headley - 'The Prayer'

Two of my favorite folks . . . together!

Now We Know

Who killed Sam, on "How to Get Away With Murder."

STOP READING IF YOU HAVEN'T SEEN THE EPISODE ENTITLED "KILL ME.  KILL ME.  KILL ME."

I was surprised.

I didn't think it was "the pup."

Not innocent, doe-eyed Wes.

THEN.

When Wes says, "I'm so sorry" to the corpse that is Sam,  he hears, "Don't be."

WHAT?!?!!!

Sitting in the dark with the dead body of her husband lying on the floor in front of her, Annalise reveals herself.

Now, this is just me, but I think this is when she schools Wes on "how to get away with murder" and everything that happens after that is orchestrated by her.

I love this woman.

I know she's wicked, mean, self-serving, and wrong on so many levels, but DAMN she is wicked smart and powerful, too.

I understand completely why Tony Soprano was loved, in spite his felonious behavior.

Back to "How to Get Away With Murder."

Now what?

Does life go back to normal for everyone involved is this murder?

Do one or more of the kids crack under the weight of the guilt?

How does the relationship between the Keating Five and Annalise change?  Do they still admire her or are they afraid of her and what she could do to them?

I know.

I know.

It's just a tv show, and . . .

Yes, I should get a life, but . . .

This is tv at it's best.

All hail Shonda Rhimes.

This is the real smokin' smart sista.

Here's one of the many recaps on this episode.

http://link.theroot.com/53bac403dd52b82c5d00c60220fda.3i5/VG-0uEmOBfcmbusKA7af1

Mama Said

"What you do in the dark, will come out in the light.  It might not be today, maybe not tomorrow, but it's gonna happen."

I have been reminded of this with the Cosby fiasco that is getting uglier with each passing day.

As Forrest reminded me, "The chickens are coming home to roost."

It's Early

Holiday Dinner Party

I know it's early for Christmas music, but I absolutely love it and since Christmas is not celebrated here, I tend to long for it, especially now.

So please indulge me.
(Hat tip:  Forrest)

Taking Charge

I love this guy!

He's a former NFL player who left football, bought a farm that feeds the hungry, and to top it off, delivered his son when the baby came faster than help.

He's a great example of . . .

Brawn.

Brains.

And . . .

Heart.

http://ftw.usatoday.com/2014/11/ex-nfl-player-delivers-his-own-child-on-a-farm?csp=Mostpopular

Good Idea?

Somebody thought these high school kids in blackface was a good idea.

You?

http://www.theroot.com/blogs/the_grapevine/2014/11/high_school_powder_puff_football_team_s_blackface_photo_goes_viral.html?wpisrc=newsletter_jcr%3Acontent%26

Hidden Gifts & Talents

Forrest, my second brother, older by ten years, is a master story teller.

Always has been.

He's also an entertainer and wonderful musician.  Although his skills as a singer and musician on the saxophone and flute are amazing, it's his monologues between songs that folks enjoy the most.

Writing was never his strong suit.

Very recently though, he decided to write his story.

On one of our chats, he shared this with me.

Well, I can testify firsthand that writing is not a strength, so it was with hesitation that I opened the file containing his narrative.

And there appeared another example of hidden gifts and talents bestowed from God, that we don't even know we possess.

That's the only explanation for this marvelous manifesto he is producing.

I had heard bits and pieces of his story over the years, but with the age difference, he experienced so much before I was even born.  That time alone could fill volumes.

I couldn't be prouder of him.

One day I hope to share his story with you.

He's 68 and discovering his hidden talent.

I promise, it's not too late for you, no matter what your age.

Ok. I Can See That.

This article suggest that the Arab Spring was caused by Dubai.

Not necessarily by these other Arab countries wanting freedom and democracy, but by the fact that they saw the world that the Dubai created, and wanted/longed for their country to be like this.

Interesting theory, for sure.

http://www.nytimes.com/2014/11/19/opinion/thomas-friedman-did-dubai-do-it.html?action=click&pgtype=Homepage&region=CColumn&module=MostEmailed&version=Full&src=me&WT.nav=MostEmailed&_r=0

Honk

Honk is a new roadside service app.

It's gonna give AAA a run for their money.

It's available for iPhones and Androids.

Check them out in this article below, followed by their website.

http://www.usatoday.com/story/tech/columnist/talkingtech/2014/11/19/app-promises-quicker-roadside-assistance/19242149/?csp=tech

http://www.honkforhelp.com

I should get paid for these endorsements, right?

Watch Her

She's amazing!

http://www.theroot.com/articles/culture/2014/11/_7_year_old_plays_for_peace_in_ferguson.html?wpisrc=newsletter_jcr%3Acontent%26

Who Killed the Scoundrel?

We find out this week who killed Sam on "How to Get Away With Murder."

You get the chance to vote at the bottom of the article below.

http://www.theroot.com/articles/culture/2014/11/poll_who_killed_sam_on_how_to_get_away_with_murder.html?wpisrc=newsletter_jcr%3Acontent%26

[Official Video] Mary, Did You Know? - Pentatonix (I LOVE THESE GUYS!)

Robotic Houses

A project lasting several years, located in Knoxville, Tennessee, fitted three empty homes with robots that simulated average American homeowners consumption of energy.

The results:  fascinating.

http://www.popsci.com/blog-network/zero-moment/robohouse-project-pumped-simulated-sweat-and-breath-empty-homes

The Languages We Speak

It never ceases to amaze me how fluent so many people are in speaking two, three, four or more languages.

This is especially evident here with the ex-pat community being so large and varied. There are people here from all over the world.

The article below features maps that represent the many languages we speak, and the origin of them.  Some of them are arcane, but keep going, they gather steam and are pretty interesting as you move along.

http://www.vox.com/2014/11/17/7082317/language-maps-charts

Great Apps

I have this app on my iPhone called "Appsgonefree."  Everyday it offers free apps that would otherwise cost.  There are a lot of things I'm not interested in like games, or productivity apps, but sometimes, the featured apps are nuggets of gold.

Like today.

The free apps are:

iComm = a picture and voice communication aid for toddlers or non-speaking folks with disabilities.

Language Lab:  Core Words = teaches kids core words through visual association

iAdvocate = a comprehensive resource for parents of kids with disabilities helping them to be the most effective advocate

Please pass this info on to others who might benefit from it.

A Better Bike

Chilean engineering students have created a theft-proof bike.  Here's another example of necessity being the mother of invention.

Check out their prototype below.

http://college.usatoday.com/2014/11/16/engineering-students-design-a-bike-that-cant-be-stolen/?csp=tech

Alive and Well

For those of you who thought the Klu Klux Klan was a thing of the past, think again. Their threats to the folks in Ferguson, Missouri opens the window a crack into their devious, deadly behavior.

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2014/11/16/1345394/-Anonymous-Seized-the-Klan-s-Main-Twitter-Account-This-Morning?detail=email

Ouch!

This is what happens to our feet when we wear those gorgeous sky high shoes.

It ain't pretty.

http://www.salon.com/2013/08/27/study_wearing_high_heels_causes_long_term_foot_damage_clawing_of_the_toes/