Carl Sagan - A Glorious Dawn (Auto-tune)

Among my interests are pop culture, science and having fun with media. I ran across a video that combines all three and had to share. Melodysheep, a YouTuber, took some Carl Sagan videos and mashed them up with Stephen Hawking video. Some auto-tune effects, looping and synthesizers were added for this impressive result. I must have listened to this 20 times so far. It's a fine tribute to both scientists. I really hope Hawking gets to see this. Be amazed and enjoy.

The Devil and Daniel Johnston

Many moons ago I had a radio show while at university. It was a great Thursday 8:00-10:00pm slot and I used this time to explore the best in alternative music. Well, at least what I considered to be the best. During this time I picked up a tape called Yip/Jump music by Daniel Johnston. Daniel was a unique and troubled soul, having bipolar disorder and believing Satan was after him. His music was very melodic, touching, urgent, sometimes disturbing and always deep. He became a musical star in his own right, and his songs have been covered by The Flaming Lips, Beck, Death Cab for Cutie and Tom Waits. I suppose you'll either love or hate his music, but if you do like it, you'll like it a lot.

A few years ago, a documentary film was made called The Devil and Daniel Johnston. I've seen it at least five times and continue to be amazed by his genius and shaken by his instability. In some respects, he reminds me of Pink Floyd's Syd Barrett.

As one of its coolest apps to date, Apple has released the Daniel Johnston's "Hi, How Are You" game. Appropriately, you play Jeremiah the Frog trying to escape Satan's curse, with some of Daniel's songs as background music.

Daniel is still around, living in Texas, still performing on occasion, and producing his own style of art. I recommend you take the time to check out his movie. Here's the trailer.

Another Test Day

Sorry I have not posted in a while. I recently started working again after a great vacation, and it's been nuts, to say the least. So here's a bits and pieces post.

Another test day's already here. As usual, Bence-Jones and blood tests, following by waiting for a call from one of my doctors. To my knowledge, my MM is still indolent, but it's a bit unsettling to wonder for how long. I often forget I have stage I cancer... and it's nice.

A Canadian actor, Lisa May (37), was recently on television to promote her new movie and discuss her mutliple myeloma diagnosis. You can check out the video here.

A new Canadian lottery is starting soon, on the same day as my birthday, no less. So, wish me luck.

I'll leave you with this gem of a viral video.