Autism 51 – Of Neurons and Networks

Being autistic means having a very rigid way of thinking, and of usually feeling disconnected from humanity.  Let’s chat for a few minutes so I can offer you some illustrations, some metaphors so you can better understand why our thinking is so black-and-white, and why we have difficulty feeling connections.  I’m not a doctor, but … Continue reading Autism 51 – Of Neurons and Networks

Short Takes – Blown Away: The Nu’uanu Pali

Discover how the beauty and mystery of Oahu can blow your mind when you visit the Nu’uanu Pali.  The Pali is a cliff overlooking the windward side of the island, and this geologic wonder is both true a natural wonder—and central to the identity of the Hawai’ian people.  Come take a short look at the … Continue reading Short Takes – Blown Away: The Nu’uanu Pali

Short Takes – The Pony Express

Come ride along with the Pony Express here on Short Takes!  Looming large in the mythos of the American Wild West, the Pony Express only operated for 18 months before fading into history.  Come take a brief look at the United States’ first transcontinental high-speed mail delivery system! https://youtu.be/J319KWEDWZE #nathanaelmiller, #sparks1524, #ponyexpress, #shorttakes, #wildwest, #western, … Continue reading Short Takes – The Pony Express

Sleight of Pen – The King of Omashu

PENSACOLA, Fla. (April 25, 2024) – M. Night Shyamalan created one of the greatest literary twists of all time in 1999’s The Sixth Sense.  Shyamalan needed a mere 108 minutes to stun audiences so completely that The Sixth Sense is rightly credited as a master class in a perfectly executed twist, but a 24-minute cartoon … Continue reading Sleight of Pen – The King of Omashu

Short Takes; Unexpected Ships – The Unexpected Propeller

Discover another of the Unexpected Ships here on Short Takes!  Find out how an unexpected propeller in the middle of Delaware heralds the story of USS Shangri-La, the only ship in Navy history to be named for a mythical place! https://youtu.be/6jWAlToOEO0 #nathanaelmiller, #sparks1524, #shorttakes, #unexpectedships, #USSShangriLa, #USSShangri-La, #ShangriLa, #Shangri-La, #history, #Navy, #aircraftcarrier, #warship, #carrier, #navalaviation,

Cutthroat Island – The Underrated Classic

Pensacola, Fla. (Feb. 15, 2024) – Cutthroat Island was a disaster. The movie cost around $100 million—and that was back in 1995!  The film grossed about $10 million, and its losses were so high that Carolco Pictures’ financial hull was holed, sinking the studio to the depths of Davey Jones’ Locker.  Of course, Carolco was … Continue reading Cutthroat Island – The Underrated Classic

Frontiers – Lincoln Logs

Come explore the frontiers of American history by visiting the birthplace of Abraham Lincoln!  Born in 1809 in a log cabin nestled in the Kentucky frontier, Lincoln would rise through tragedy, set-back, and multiple business failures to become a successful lawyer and, eventually, President of the United States.  Join me for a brief tour of … Continue reading Frontiers – Lincoln Logs

Short Takes – Music to My Ears!

The dawn of the sound recording industry can be found in a small museum nestled in historic Dover, Delaware.  Take a short tour with me around the Johnson Victrola Museum and glimpse the beginnings of today’s multi-billion-dollar music industry! https://youtu.be/d0bBYveMeGs #nathanelmiller, #sparks1524, #victrola, #dover, #delaware, #johnsonvictrolamuseum, #museum, #museums, #music, #soundrecording, #musicrecording,

Short Takes: Unexpected Ships — USS Memphis

Another Unexpected Ships here on Short Takes!  Strolling about Nashville’s scenic Centennial Park can reveal the bronze scrollwork from the bow of the cruiser USS Memphis (CA 10), a ship that started life as USS Tennessee!  Join me for the story of USS Memphis—the USS Tennessee before the USS Tennessee! https://youtu.be/EbnGh-4CaRg #nathanaelmiller, #sparks1524, #shorttakes, #tennessee, … Continue reading Short Takes: Unexpected Ships — USS Memphis