Here Comes the Sun: Flashmob in Madrid Unemployment Office
Wednesday, January 16th, 2013 Posted in Current Events, Fun Clips, Music, Uncategorized | 1 Comment »Know this: Unemployment in Spain is at 26 percent. The country, and its people, are going through a very tough time. High taxes, plunging salaries, confusion, bitterness, anger, fear, desperation -- with record numbers applying for jobless benefits. So one recent ...
“The Swimmer” in BEFORE YOU GO
Monday, November 5th, 2012 Posted in Before You Go, Fun Clips | No Comments »Burt Lancaster starred in a literate little 1968 film called "The Swimmer," based on a short story by John Cheever. I'm certain that I watched the movie as a kid, probably on The 4:30 Movie during Burt Lancaster week. Growing ...
A Public Service Announcement: How to Trade Halloween Candy
Wednesday, October 31st, 2012 Posted in Fun Clips | No Comments »I'm passing this along, because it is brilliant and funny and easy for me to do. My thoughts go out to friends & family & everyone else contending with the ravages of this past storm, so I'm not sure how to ...
One Thing I Did for Banned Books Week
Friday, October 5th, 2012 Posted in Current Events, Fun Clips | No Comments »Back in September, the Macmillan Children's Publishing Group invited me to participate in "something special" that they had cooked up for Banned Books Week (September 30 - October 6). Essentially, I was one of several authors invited to place three copies ...
Caine’s Arcade: Worth Ten Minutes of Your Life
Thursday, April 12th, 2012 Posted in Around the Web, Fun Clips | 1 Comment »There's no getting around it. This film is nearly eleven minutes long. And in web surfing time, that's like three years. But, but, but. This short film is brilliant and beautiful, artfully done, and it will hit you right in the heart, while ...
Watch This . . . JP on TV (A Star Is Born)
Tuesday, March 13th, 2012 Posted in Along Came Spider, Around the Web, Fun Clips | 3 Comments »On Monday, I appeared on a local morning televison show in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Click here to see me in all my telegenic glory. I'm posting this, just barely, from the antiquated computer in my hotel in downtown Grand Rapids, birthplace of Amway ...
Funny, for Anyone with a Middle Schooler: Brain-Dead Teen
Monday, March 12th, 2012 Posted in Around the Web, Fun Clips | No Comments »"We just keep reminding ourselves that the real Caitlin is already gone. It's just her body texting." [youtube:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MGXSPf9b-xI]
Fan Mail Wednesday #136: Happy Dance
Wednesday, February 15th, 2012 Posted in Fan Mail, Fun Clips, Jigsaw Jones | 1 Comment »Here's one I got from a second-grader -- Lauren in Kentucky -- via the miracle of the interwebs! Dear Mr. James Preller: How are you today? This year I’ve been reading your Jigsaw Jones Mystery books and I think you have been doing a ...
For Teachers: 13 Ways of Raising Your Hand in the Classroom
Friday, January 20th, 2012 Posted in Around the Web, Fun Clips, In the Classroom | No Comments »Teachers will like this. All teachers, every one. There will be universal "like" on this little clip. [youtube:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a2YPBQCHV7E] You can find more of her charming, off-beat clips, here.
Friday Video Weekend: “(Cups) You’re Gonna Miss Me” Cover by Anna Burden
Friday, January 6th, 2012 Posted in Fun Clips, Music | No Comments »Here's 90 seconds of joy, a great voice and a great smile, to send you off on the weekend. I can't wait to show this clip to my daughter. Thank you, Anna from Indiana. Now get outta here! [youtube:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XKcChGsDqnU] Still hanging around? I guess ...