Photos of the devastation caused by Friday’s 8.9 earthquake in Japan.

And videos …

And these 10 videos (courtesy, the Georgia Straight), and 10 more videos.

Yes, it’s another Friday morning. I mean, where does the time go?
So, this week’s potpurri of articles of interest includes a video trailer of a summer blockbuster we’re looking forward to, a throwback to the kind of films Steven Spielberg made back in the late 70s / early 80s, this time out, though, directed by J.J. Abrams, who didn’t do a bad job with Star Trek (really, it was our favourite blockbuster in the summer of 2009).

Although it took awhile for VanRamblings to find her, we’re pleased that we ran across British songstress Rumer awhile back, and thought we’d share some British soul music with you this inclement late winter Friday morning.

For those who find that Vision Vancouver has become, during their two-plus years in office, to be the worst civic government since the regrettable days of ‘Terrific’ Tom Campbell in the late 60s / early 70s, the following video from VanRamblings’ friend / associate Michael Klassen.

Yes, it’s true: a 75% turnover of senior administrative staff at Vancouver City Hall in the past two years, and devastatingly low morale among the remaining middle management and line staff. The November civic election cannot come soon enough to kick these ne’er-do-wells out of office!
And, finally for the week, Two and a Half Men’s Jon Cryer responds to Charlie Sheen’s accusation that he is a troll. From Conan O’Brien’s show …

As VanRamblings does most mornings, while sipping our morning coffee and finishing off a plate of scrambled eggs (one egg and free-run egg whites), we surf the ‘Net to apprise ourselves of the day’s events, all while attempting to gain some pungent insight into the daily cultural zeitgeist.
Here’s what we’ve run across this chilly late winter Friday morning (a note: you’ll want to take all videos below full screen for a proper appreciation) …

Thom Yorke and the folks in R.E.M. have just released the video for their single “ÜBerlin” featuring actor Aaron Johnson (who starred in the breakout hit Kick-Ass, along with Chloë Grace Moretz, as well as the quite wonderful John Lennon movie Nowhere Boy, both released last year) who, dressed in a yellow T-shirt, tracksuit pants and sneakers, makes Fred Astaire-like dance moves, a wonderful life affirming feat which can only effectively be accomplished when hope springs eternal and you’re in your early 20s.
Shot and directed by Johnson’s fiancée Sam Taylor-Wood (the director of Nowhere Boy) in and around London’s Brick Lane one recent afternoon, REM’s new album, Collapse Into Now, will be released Monday, March 7th.
Also on our radar this morning, the new trailer for Water for Elephants, starring Academy Award winners Reese Witherspoon and Christoph Waltz, along with Twilight’s Robert Pattinson, director Frances Lawrence’s screen adaptation of Sara Gruen’s best-selling 2007 romantic page-turner cum historical novel …

Continue reading A Friday Morning Potpurri of Sites VanRamblings Has Surfed To →