This encore presentation of one of last year’s popular video posts should help ignite your Christmas spirit. It features the original members of Straight No Chaser, Indiana University’s premier men’s a cappella group, performing their comedic version of “The Twelve Days of Christmas” at the Musical Arts Center in Bloomington, Indiana, December 7th, 1998. Since its founding in 1996, the group has performed at universities and auditoriums all across the country.

As promised last week, here’s another of Simon Tofield’s “Simon’s Cat” video series. (If you missed the first two episodes, you can view “Cat Man Do” and “TV Dinner” in previous posts. Those of you owned by cats will enjoy them all.

If you’ve never enjoyed a “living” Christmas tree, you might want to consider it. The idea is that, by buying a living tree for your home and then planting it after the holidays, you’re not only “saving a tree,” you’re helping landscape your yard. Some of us, though, shy away from decorating green because we think it’s too much work or we’re not sure how to plant the thing once we remove all the ornaments.

Granted, a living tree is heavy, what with the root ball and all. Lugging it into and out of the house takes some ingenuity and maybe a couple strong friends. But the big question remains, “How do you plant a Christmas tree?” Well, don’t fret. Here’s a primer from the good folks at Growing Wisdom:

Remember Simon Tofield’s hilarious animated ‘toon, “Cat-Man-Do”? I posted it last year and helped contribute to its more than 5 million views on YouTube. Well, he’s added a couple more along with a line of “Simon’s Cat” t-shirts. I still think the first film was the funniest, but if you have cats, I know you’ll recognize yours in all of them. Here’s one you’re bound to appreciate. I’ll post another next week, and expect a brand new one by Christmas.

‘Tis the season and I’m getting 200-300 views a day of one of last year’s Christmas posts!

Remember doo wop? Then you’ll enjoy this fun Joshua Held Flash animation from Mike featuring Irving Berlin’s Christmas classic, White Christmas.

“Santa” is the late Bill Pinckney and “the reindeer” are The Drifters. Rather than post it again, I thought I’d just link back to the original for readers that missed it the first time around. Requires Flash Player. Enjoy!

I’m a beta tester for extranormal, a site that enables people to make primitive animated movies. Like this one…

Silly, I know, but you can see what fun can be had making them. You pick your characters and setting - these are co-workers in an office - then type your dialogue. The characters act and speak your script. I’ll post more as I get time and, uh, inspiration.

Another movie trailer mash-up from Blinks. Coming soon to a theater near you…

Just happened upon this video on Bizarroblog and thought it was pretty amazing. Says Dan, “My favorite is the bank robbery. Nothing grisly here, so no fear for the squeamish. Sorry about the hideous music.”

Got this Onion News Network spoof (putting the “party” back in party politics) via Dan Piraro…

Warning: It’s political satire. If you’re completely burned out on politics, if watching even one more attempt at political humor will make your head explode, just say no… and walk away. Really.

Personally, I found this amusing.

So, how’s that bailout working for us? Not so well, I’m afraid. Read John Hawkins’ assessment. Maybe it’s time we start taking things “a little more seriously”…

Got this from Mike. I fear some folks are going to be left high and dry come February…

We spent Sunday evening with good friends enjoying Sisko’s excellent chili, Michael’s choice cigars and some fine Napa Valley red wines. The “guy talk” eventually rolled around to how as kids we’d all made rubber band guns — pretty much a piece of wood with a handle and a wooden clothes pin attached to the back or top to hold a stretched rubber band — and how seldom we see kids making them today. It’s probably the fault of merchandising. The unfortunate result? Kids are no longer satisfied with “home made”, not when they can buy this…

…which, of course, leads to this when they need more firepower.

You know, technology is great, but I think our simple “single round” shooters were more fun, easier to make, cost less and, if a “part” broke, we just replaced the firing mechanism (clothes pin) or made a whole new gun! Kids today miss the joy of building something from nothing using only their imaginations, ingenuity and sense of discovery.

Talk about a rudder throw! Mike sent this with the notation, “And you think you’re a good pilot… whew!”

Impressive, but to be honest, Mike, I think it’s “CG” trickery. For one thing, right after the starboard wing “falls off”, the plane begins to spiral (counterclockwise) “into” the remaining wing which, I believe, would be aerodynamically impossible. In addition, and this is purely speculative, the plane looks a little “wrong” when it first lands, a little too “CG”. I’ll do some research into it, but you’re a pilot; what do you think?

Anyone else have an opinion?

In 2006, American stand up comedian and juggler Chris Bliss enjoyed widespread fame when an online video of his juggling finale became a viral internet sensation. The five minute video shows his energetic finale where he juggles three balls to Golden Slumbers/Carry That Weight/The End by The Beatles. It was widely circulated via email and blogs with an estimated 20 million viewings within 40 days. He later expanded his brief juggling act to include stand up comedy.

The first video below offers a taste of Chris’ “Smart Comedy for the Information Age” act, and the second is the juggling finale that made him famous. Sit back and enjoy!

HT: Michael