Start with an affluent, handsome white man, add in a complicated female love interest and a special-needs brother, find an addictive catchphrase destined to be repeated on Facebook, and you’ve got what it takes to make an Academy Award-winning film.

Mandatory plot points, thematic imagery, character conflicts, and musical cues are detailed in “Academy Award Winning Movie Trailer“  — a Cracked.com video produced by the comedy duo Britanick. Watch it, and you’ll recognize great moments from many fabulous films, though probably not in the way you’re expecting…

Brian McElhaney and Nick Kocher are two NYU students who decided decided that they didn’t want to use the knowledge and experience they garnered in college for anything but creating short stupid videos that would make people laugh.  The duo from Atlanta majored in film and drama, and have been working together since collaborating on a freshman year film project in 2004.

They’ve produced nearly two-dozen short films. Most recently, their short film ‘Eagles Are Turning People Into Horses’ was screened at this month’s 2010 South By Southwest Film Festival. “Academy Award Winning Movie Trailer” is their latest, and most successful, endeavor. Since it was originally posted on YouTube on March 7, 2010, the film has garnered more than 1.288 million pageviews.

Want to see more videos by these funny guys? Check out their entire collection at http://www.britanick.com/videos.php Read more about the video here at Time.com

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Here’s another way you can be a winner:
Recycle your used printer cartridges & cell phones too!
Your inkjets, toners, and cell phones are worth more than you think.
Why not recycle them at eCycleGroup.com?

So, how much did you love those Super Bowl ads? For some of us the advertising is more entertaining than the game. Well, according to this website,  Drive-In Music Company is in a tizzy, about one Super Bowl ad in particular, and is hurling lawsuits at Kia Motor Company, CBS, the NFL, and anyone else they can reach. Apparently, Drive-In feels the backing track used in Kia’s Super Bowl commercial for the 2010 Kia Sorento, is a rip-off of a tune by 60s funk band Dyke and the Blazers. Quite honestly, I think the commercial sounds more like James Brown on a good day.

Well, Drive-In, get over it: as this video by Axis of Awesome demonstrates, pretty much all popular songs are created using the same four chords. Apologies in advance: they do drop a couple f-bombs in the intro, but once you get past that, the music mix will keep you grinning all weekend long.

Creative commons guitar photo by Taliesin at morguefile.com

“Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle” are the three most popular chords in our eco-friendly theme song

If you already recycle empty cartridges and used cell phones, you’re among a growing number of people who understand the benefits to the environment. What you may not realize is that your inkjets, toners, and cell phones are worth more than you think. They can be reused again and, that way, they definitely reduce waste. Why not recycle them at eCycleGroup.com?

It’s well known that exercising your body will help keep you healthier longer. In fact, an article at MayoClinic.com says regular physical activity can help prevent chronic health conditions, promote weight loss and better sleep, and improve your mood and energy level.

Now, think about how much better your brain would function if you applied the same theory to mental exercises! Just as we exercise our bodies to keep physically fit, we can exercise our minds to stay mentally fit, or so say the specialists at Posit Science.

Posit Science strives to help people flourish throughout their lives by providing effective, non-invasive tools that engage the brain’s natural plasticity to improve brain health. They’ve got a large and growing global team of more than 50 leading university-based researchers, staff scientists, and other specialists who collaborate on programs that improve the cognitive performance–and change the lives–of everyday people.

Based in San Francisco, Posit Science grew out of the pioneering work of neuroscientist Dr. Michael Merzenich. A member of the National Academy of Sciences and Francis A. Sooy Professor of the Keck Center at the University of California at San Francisco, Dr. Merzenich has a track record of turning neuroscience into practical tools that help people. His discoveries continue to change how scientists and the medical profession look at the brain.

Under the leadership of Dr. Merzenich and CEO Steven Aldrich, a team of scientists, researchers, programmers, and other experts are designing, testing, and refining drug-free programs to address cognitive issues related to healthy aging, as well as a broad range of other conditions, including Alzheimer’s disease, mild cognitive impairment, and schizophrenia.

Essentially, Posit Science states, our eyes, ears, and other sensory organs are constantly sending information to our brain. Our brain then uses this information to construct experiences and memories, from the magnificent (a loved one’s face, a once-in-a-lifetime vacation, or a wedding proposal) to the mundane (an acquaintance’s name, a grocery list, or a routine drive to a nearby store). » Read more

Pi — the ratio of circumference to the diameter of a circle — has captivated imaginations for thousands of years. Pi is generally rounded to 3.14 though it was calculated out to 2.7 trillion places in December by French computer scientist Fabrice Bellard.

Mathematicians know that pi is not algebraic, and it cannot be represented as one number divided by another. Theoretically, its digits will continue on randomly and indefinitely without ending in repetition.  It’s so random, that there are no occurrences of the sequence ‘123456′ in the first million digits of pi.

Well, the mysterious number has its own holiday today: March 14 (3/14, get the pun?) the same date as Albert Einstein’s birthday. It was only last March that the U.S. House of Representatives passed a resolution supporting Pi Day and encouraging schools to teach students about the magical number.

An article at CNN.com pays homage to Marc Umile, a math geek who holds 10th place in the world for pi memorization; in 2007, he typed out 15,314 digits from memory. (The world record for memorizaton was set by Chao Ly in 2005: he memorized 67,890 digits.) According to the article “any string of numbers you can imagine is somewhere in pi — for instance, look for your birthday. Coincidentally, ‘360,’ the number of degrees in a circle, occurs at digits 358 to 360.”

Dozens of memorization enthusiasts (like Umile, here at 1,000 digits)  have posted videos of themselves reciting or typing out digits on YouTube; there are also plenty of poems and songs online dedicated to pi. One of my favorites is the video below of Folk Singer Lucy Kaplansky singing her own ode to Pi. And don’t miss this parody of the hit song “American Pie“   written by CNN SciTech blogger, Elizabeth Landau.

I’m not so good with numbers, myself. Remembering birthdays and phone numbers has always been a challenge, so for me, pi is best expressed as simply 3.14. I’ll have to enjoy its enormous majesty through the others who are saluting it on this day!

You don’t have to memorize and recite enormous strings of random numbers to show you can be eco-minded!
You can help the environment by recycling your used printer cartridges and cell phones. Your inkjets, toners, and cell phones are worth more than you think!
Why not recycle them at eCycleGroup.com?

Every March, we celebrate Women’s History Month, an annual declared month in the United States and worldwide that highlights contributions of women to events in history. Its origins are found in 1978 when the school district of Sonoma, California, participated in Women’s History Week, a weeklong celebration designed around International Women’s Day, which is now celebrated on March 8. In 1987, Congress expanded the celebration when March was declared Women’s History Month. Its official centennial will be celebrated in 2011. The theme for 2010 is “Equal rights, equal opportunities: Progress for all.”

Last year, Speaker Nancy Pelosi has even issued her own public statement on the celebration, in which she states “Every March, we take time to honor the many women whose courage and vision have helped build and sustain our nation. We honor those who fought for progress; we acknowledge those who lead the charge today; and we recommit ourselves to expanding opportunities for all.” She also promises “Congress will continue to work to put women and children first. That includes investments in early childhood education, ensuring military families have the benefits they have earned and deserved, and strengthening the equal pay act. And as we do, we will take forward the lesson of Women’s History Month: that by knowing their power, women can, and do, change the course of history for all Americans.”

International Women’s Day has been observed since in the early 1900’s, a time of great expansion and turbulence in the industrialized world that saw booming population growth and the rise of radical ideologies.

It all began in 1908, a time of great unrest and active campaigning by women demanding shorter hours, better pay and voting rights. In accordance with a declaration by the Socialist Party of America, the first National Woman’s Day (NWD) was observed across the United States on February 28, 1909. Women continued to celebrate NWD on the last Sunday of February until 1913. » Read more

After a Starbucks customer received her coffee from the Barista, she was so inspired by the employee who thanked her in sign language that she wrote a letter to the company suggesting that all employees should do the same.

Starbucks has posted a video response at MyStarbucksIdea.com and the reader commentary there is extremely supportive.

Should Starbucks Baristas be able to say Thank You in sign language? How should Starbucks best accommodate hearing- or speech-impaired customers?

Watch the video below, and share your vote at MyStarbucksIdea.com.

You don’t have to learn sign language to tell the world you’re eco-minded!
You can help the environment by recycling your used printer cartridges and cell phones. Your inkjets, toners, and cell phones are worth more than you think!
Why not recycle them at eCycleGroup.com?

As the 2010 Winter Olympics draw to a close and athletes from around the world count up their Bronze, Silver, and Gold medals, it is also important to honor the planners of the great event with their own “Green” medal for making the 2010 Vancouver games one of the most eco-friendly and sustainable Olympic games ever.

As reported at the British Columbia Renewable Energy Blog,  The David Suzuki Foundation awarded the Vancouver Olympics with a bronze medal for its “climate scorecard.”  The Vancouver-based foundation lauded Olympic organizers for creating innovative and energy-efficient venues which use clean hydroelectric energy as well as waste heat from refrigeration systems, landfill methane, and ground-source heat pumps.

“We feel like we’ve raised the bar,” said Vancouver Mayor Gregor Robertson. “Some of these technologies will be a legacy for generations to come, that will benefit cities all over the world.” Such eco-friendly concerns come naturally to 45-year-old former organic farmer, who earlier ran the Happy Planet juice company, and whose primary form of transportation is a well-used mountain bike.

Grouse Mountain, Vancouver’s most visited attraction (drawing more than a million visitors annually) constructed its very own 1.5 megawatt wind turbine. Dubbed “The Eye of the Wind,”  this 213-foot tower was installed this winter and was fully operational in time for the Olympics. The force of the wind will spin the blades to speeds as high as 160 mph at their tips, and is expected to offset up to 25 percent of the Grouse Mountain’s annual operational electricity needs.

Offsetters estimates the 2010 Winter Games will create 118,000 tons of carbon emissions directly attributable to the 2010 Winter Games through venue construction, facility heating, and athlete travel. Additionally, the site estimates the event will produce 150,000 tons of ‘indirect’ emissions from flights and accommodation for spectators, media, corporate sponsors and their partners. Visitors to the event can offset their carbon footprint while attending the Games by purchasing offsets at the venue. Eco-minded Olympics fans around the world can purchase one ton of carbon offsets for $25 (Canadian dollars) at the Offsetters site and receive a commemorative certificate and a special limited edition Offsetters 2010 pin. » Read more

When watching fashion models stroll down the runway, besides asking “What on Earth is she wearing?” many a viewer wonders how they are able to walk in “those heels.” Depending on the designer, shoe styles may range from strappy and shiny to anteater-type ankle booties or skyhigh ankle-threatening platforms.

As a matter of fact, it can be quite difficult to sashay effortlessly down a glossy runway and stay footed like a mountain goat.

This cringe-worthy video from CNN.com and Youtube.com demonstrates what can happen when disaster strikes those high-fashion heels. You’ll only want to wear flats after watching this one!

This week marks the beginning of Lent, a period of 40 days of penance and reflection in which many Christians prepare for the coming of Easter. The week typically begins with feasting at Mardi Gras (Fat Tuesday) parties as people celebrate eating richer, fatty foods before the ritual fasting of the Lenten season.

Ash Wednesday officially begins the season as many faithful receive blessed ashes on their foreheads symbolizing the confession and penitence of the day. The remaining days of Lent are symbolic of the 40 days of temptation that Jesus spent in the wilderness following his baptism.

According to the Journal Gazette/Times Courier “In addition to special worship services, Christians generally observe Lent with acts of introspection, self-examination, and repentance for one’s sins.” Some may fast or give up something (e.g., a food or an activity) during the time of Lent. Others spend the 40 days in prayer, practicing special devotions, or volunteering for various charities. (Technically, the time period between Ash Wednesday and Easter is 46 days, but Sundays don’t count, as each is considered to be a ‘mini-Easter.’)

This year, Reuters reports,  “Church leaders are encouraging people to give up their iPods for Lent, instead of more traditional vices such as chocolate, to help save the planet.”

What a great idea! The Bishop of London, Richard Chartres, and the Bishop of Liverpool, James Jones, are calling it a “technology fast,” and are suggesting that people give up such devices as mobile phones or iPods as a way to cut carbon emissions during Lent.

“Instead of giving up chocolate for Lent, why not fast for justice … to help those suffering from the effects of climate change,” said Jones. “There is no climate justice for the poor. The Carbon Fast helps us change the way we live; the Climate Justice Fund helps the poor adapt to a changing climate.” » Read more

This man’s home built of Budweiser cans is the envy of his friends and neighbors. It’s eco-friendly and great-looking — until his visitors discover the cans are not empty!

You don’t have to build a house out of cans to show you can be eco-minded!
You can help the environment by recycling your used printer cartridges and cell phones. Your inkjets, toners, and cell phones are worth more than you think!
Why not recycle them at eCycleGroup.com?