Time Lapsed Video of a Guy Who Walked 2900 Miles Across China

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This guy, Christoph Rehage, walked 2900 miles in one year across China, from Beijing to Ürümqi, and took pictures of himself along the way.  Personally I think I could have done this in 4 months...but getting past that this time lapsed video of Rehage's face is quite amusing and I love the music.  For more information about his journey (he originally planned to walk from Beijing to his hometown in Northwest Germany), visit www.thelongestway.com.

BREAKING NEWS! City of Thousand Oaks Changes Name to Nine Hundred Seventy Eight Oaks!

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The City of Thousand Oaks announced today that effective immediately, the city's name has been changed to the City of Nine Hundred Seventy Eight Oaks!

Prompting the name change was an extensive review and inventory of trees in Thousand Oaks by the Ventura County Auditor-Controller's office.  Since the city's incorporation on October 7, 1964, there had been no formal assessment of the number of oak trees residing within city limits. 

The recent audit indicated that only 978 full grown oak trees are located in the city.  Lead auditor Mia Countdemup notes "I was shocked!  We looked in every nook and cranny and couldn't find those other 22 trees. Kind of bums me out!"

While numerous oak trees have been planted in city limits between 1964 and 2009, it can take up to 15 to 20 years for an oak tree to reach full size.  Growth of the city through the years to over 127,000 inhabitants has caused a number of oaks to be displaced, resulting in the shortfall of trees.

City spokesperson Ayn L. Retentive indicated that future tree counts will be performed annually in March and results will be announced on April 1st.

In related news, the City of Twentynine Palms in San Bernandino County announced that it has changed its name to A Dozen Palms after an exhaustive review for 17 missing palm trees.  City council member and palm counter Ivana Findemall stated "We kind of don't mind, as 29 is such an odd number anyhow. A dozen is much more memorable."

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HAPPY APRIL FOOLS' DAY!!!

16 Movies That I Can Watch Over and Over and Over Again

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One of my favorite pastimes each year is to watch the 1983 classic, "A Christmas Story." Something about the adventures of little Ralphie, his little brother, his doting mom and his quirky pop (Darren McGavin) that keeps me glued to the screen. Doesn't matter what's going on around me; I'm just drawn to it.

What is it that makes certain movies watchable, over and over again? For me it is a combination of certain factors...funny, touching in some way, sincerity, humor that can be incredibly dumb but you can relate to it in some way, nostalgia and certain unique, memorable moments (check out clips at the bottom of this post for a few favorites).

Perhaps the clearest distinction of these 16 magnetic movies is an "underdog" element that keeps me coming back for more.  They all are endearing to me in their own way.

To be clear, this is NOT a list of all-time best movies.  Perhaps a couple of these would make that list (Shawshank and Forrest might make the cut).  This is a list of films that have the ability to retain my interest and amusement after multiple watchings.

So with no further ado, here is the list of the other 15 "Movies That I Can Watch Over and Over and Over Again":

Forrest Gump (1994) starring Tom Hanks. This is one of my all-time favorite movies with so many classic, memorable scenes that I can watch this movie anytime. Some of these scenes are shown at the end of this post.

Back to the Future (1985) starring Michael J. Fox is just such a great movie. I just love the skateboard scene (see bottom of this post).

Shawshank Redemption (1994) starring Tim Robbins and Morgan Freeman. This is one of the few non-comedic (not to be confused with non-comedogenic) movies on this list. Although this movie is about life in a prison in the 1940s, the story and acting is engaging and uplifting, interspersed with sadness and the stark reality of the situation.

Tommy Boy (1995) starring Chris Farley and David Spade as a duo trying to save a company. This movie has me in constant stitches.  And it has the funniest "2 guys singing in a car" scene ever (see video below).  Classic, just classic.

Groundhog Day (1993) featuring Bill Murray and Andie MacDowell. Just love the way Murray's character reacts to, learns from and changes his ways by living through the same day over and over again.

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The Popular "Mom Song" Sung to William Tell Overture

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This is Anita Renfroe's popular summation of what a mom says in a 24 hour period into 2 minutes, 55 seconds, sung to the tune of the William Tell Overture. The lyrics are shown below after the video. Visit www.anitarenfroe.com to learn more about her.  (Is it my imagination or does she have a close resemblance to Sarah Palin?)

And here's another very nice rendition of the song by Patti Harshey:

"The Mom Song"

Get up now
Get up now
Get up out of bed
Wash your face
Brush your teeth
Comb your sleepyhead
Here's your clothes and your shoes
Hear the words I said
Get up now! Get up and make your bed
Are you hot? Are you cold?
Are you wearing that?
Where's your books and your lunch and your homework at?
Grab your coat and gloves and your scarf and hat
Don't forget! You gotta feed the cat
Eat your breakfast, the experts tell us it's the most important meal of all
Take your vitamins so you will grow up one day to be big and tall
Please remember the orthodontist will be seeing you at 3 today
Don't forget your piano lesson is this afternoon so you must play
Don't shovel
Chew slowly
But hurry
The bus is here
Be careful
Come back here
Did you wash behind your ears?
Play outside, don't play rough, will you just play fair?
Be polite, make a friend, don't forget to share
Work it out, wait your turn, never take a dare
Get along! Don't make me come down there
Clean your room, fold your clothes, put your stuff away
Make your bed, do it now, do we have all day?
Were you born in a barn? Would you like some hay?
Can you even hear a word I say?
Answer the phone! Get off the phone!
Don't sit so close, turn it down, no texting at the table
No more computer time tonight!
Your iPod's my iPod if you don't listen up
Where are you going and with whom and what time do you think you're coming home?
Saying thank you, please, excuse me makes you welcome everywhere you roam
You'll appreciate my wisdom someday when you're older and you're grown
Can't wait till you have a couple little children of your own
You'll thank me for the counsel I gave you so willingly
But right now I thank you not to roll your eyes at me
Close your mouth when you chew, would appreciate
Take a bite maybe two of the stuff you hate
Use your fork, do not burp or I'll set you straight
Eat the food I put upon your plate
Get an A, get the door, don't get smart with me
Get a grip, get in here, I'll count to three
Get a job, get a life, get a PHD
Get a dose of,
"I don't care who started it!
You're grounded until you're 36"
Get your story straight and tell the truth for once, for heaven's sake
And if all your friends jumped off a cliff would you jump, too?
If I've said it once, I've said at least a thousand times before
That you're too old to act this way
It must be your father's DNA
Look at me when I am talking
Stand up straighter when you walk
A place for everything and everything must be in place
Stop crying or I'll give you something real to cry about
Oh!
Brush your teeth, wash your face, put your PJs on
Get in bed, get a hug, say a prayer with mom
Don't forget, I love you
And tomorrow we will do this all again because a mom's work never ends
You don't need the reason why
Because, because, because, because
I said so, I said so, I said so, I said so
I'm the mom, the mom, the mom, the mom, the mom!!
Ta da!!!