Real-Life Two-Face Illusion

Everyday Heroes: Strong Spirit, Tender Heart

Japan is the land of superheroes. They are all multi-colored fierce, kick-ass powerful, and staunch defenders of the good against evil. Intelligent and funny, they exude strength and restraint at the same time. 
As a child in the 80s and a teenager in the 90s, I followed a lot of Japanese superhero cartoons and live-action shows like Bioman, Maskman, Voltron, Voltes V, Ultraman, and Magmaman just to name a few.  

After the harrowing magnitude 9 earthquake and major tsunami that destructed Japan last March 11, many selfless heroes and heroines have dedicated their services and even their lives in rescuing people and tending to the survivors amid the deadly radiation leak and nuclear power plant meltdown in Fukushima. The Great Eastern Japan Earthquake of 2011 claimed more than 15,000 dead, more than 5,000 injured, and about 8,492 still missing and unaccounted for.

To this day, the troubles and dangers brought by the Fukushima Nuclear Power Plant meltdown and radiation leak are still being dealt with by the selfless young workers and dedicated professionals.  
Now, a team of modern day Japanese superheroes-in-the-making are volunteering their services to work in the Fukushima Nuclear Power Plant almost three months after the catastrophe. This courageous group of about 200 seniors and pensioners composed of retired highly-skilled engineers and other professionals over the age of 60 are more than willing to fix the nuclear facility complex or what's left of it. They want to spare the brave young professionals who are presently working in the radiation contaminated area so that they can live longer and help more people in the future.      

This group calls itself the Ultra Power Magmamen Giga Association but it is more commonly and appropriately known as The Skilled Veterans Corps.  

Yasuteru Yamada, the group's leader said people from all walks of life are welcome to join them.

"We are not kamikaze. They were going to die but we're going to come back." - Yasuteru Yamada, one of the 200 pensioners volunteering their services to work at the Fukushima Power Plant.

VIA BBC Japan and BBC Asia-Pacific:

Everyday Heroes: Brave Mexican Teacher Sings To Her Students During A Violent Shooting

IN TIMES of crisis and imminent danger, a keen presence of mind is key to surviving the ordeal. When Martha Rivera Medina, an elementary teacher in Monterrey, Mexico, sang for her pupils the Spanish version of the famous Barney song about chocolates and treats during a heavy shooting that killed five people just outside the school, she was able to calm her scared pupils and successfully diverted their attention away from the deafening gunfire. She then asked the kids to join her in singing. When a little girl was worried and alarmed, she told her "No, my love, nothing is going to happen, just put your little face on the floor." Medina Alanis recorded it all on her cellphone video.                

Nuevo León state governor Rodrigo Medina presents a certificate
of recognition to the brave teacher, Martha Rivera Alanis in Mexico.
PHOTO by Tomas Bravo/Reuters

Watch the VIDEO:

Everyday Heroes: Mrs. Reifler, Educator and Inspiration to Kids

"Ideal teachers are those who use themselves as bridges

over which they invite their students to cross, then

having facilitated their crossing, joyfully collapse,

encouraging them to create bridges of their own."

                                      –Nikos Kazantzakis

Shelter from the Storm from John X. Carey 

Monday Morning Charm

TEAM means Together Everyone Achieves More!

World's Funniest & Most Adorable Airline Safety Videos & Demos

Funny and creative:

Sleep won't be a problem anymore inboard Thomson Airways, the UK-based world's largest charter airlines, because they guaranty you'll sleep like a baby.

This Air New Zealand safety video titled "Crazy About Rugby" is for the rugged and fearless. interestingly, this video caused a stir in New Zealand and internationally when LGBT groups complained because of the seemingly homophobic part when the male flight attendant asked for a kiss and the guy gestured no. I don't think there's anything wrong with that part regardless if it was shown in comedic fashion. That said, the airline company removed and re-edited the part. READ HERE...  

Air New Zealand safety video no. 2 is the disco-inspired pre-flight demo with fitness guru Richard Simmons.

The most controversial and most preferred Air New Zealand safety video titled "Bare Essentials of Safety."

This adorable Pegasus Airlines safety demo from the Turkish low-cost carrier is for the child at heart. Full horse power with wings. 

Charming and funny, this new Philippine Airlines (PAL) pre-flight safety video is a great departure from the old one and completely done in high taste.

Of course, I saved the best for last. This video is from Vendo Airlines launched on the 1st of April 2008. They only fly during April Fool's Day, so better catch it next time. 

Person of the Week

My Dearest Oprah,

You’re the first Person of the Week because it’s the first time I’m doing it and because you're really the Queen of Daytime Talk. I'm wondering how come your queenship is limited to Daytime Talk? Oh, I guess people don’t want a chatter bug like you to tuck them to bed. But I still love the episode when you and Maya Angelou are in bed and in your pajamas. You know what I mean. How can I forget that thunderous and almost Greek god-like voice of Maya Angelou talking beside you in the same bed. I know you’re not a lesbian. I know. And I think it’s a big loss to the lesbian community (I’m not saying the whole LGBT community, okay.) for not having you. But anyway, that bed scene is classy. 

I watched so many of your shows throughout the years but I’m not what you can call a big fan or an “ultimate viewer” as you always say. I was there watching your very last episode and cried a bit when you walked off the stage and officially signed off. Oh, I love your dog Sadie’s reaction when she saw you. It was like “Is it the end now? Are we done with the final episode? How come no one woke me up? I was waiting for my cue.” Then you picked her up and the camera captured her puzzled look. Sadie’s face conveyed deep regret for having slept through the whole duration of the shoot of your final episode. Poor Sadie! But well, isn’t that what dogs do all day. 

READ MORE and WATCH VIDEO...