Sometimes you've just gotta be unreasonably happy

[charlie]

With the grim tide we're swimming in, if you wait for reasons, you'll never climb out of a terminal funk. So...

For those who haven't seen Dancing Matt Harding -- Matt is a games developer who quit his job a couple of years ago and used his savings for a 6-month world trip. Documenting his travels on video, a buddy suggested he do a klutzy softshoe he was fond of (you've seen it a bunch of times in Warner Bros cartoons, or if you're of a certain age, seen Carson do it when he blew a joke). Uploaded to YouTube in 2006, Matt's worldwide dancing made him an internet celebrity.

Last week, Matt uploaded a new video, filmed in 42 countries. This time the world was ready for him and joined in:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zlfKdbWwruY

Seeing the entire world act the dancin' fool makes me stupid happy. And even a little misty. Maybe it'll do the same for you. I hope so.

The original 2006 video is here - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bNF_P281Uu4

[readmoreoften]

1. That video made me really happy.

And also a little sad.

[zippy890]

2. thats great

thanks
:)

[Dammit Ann]

3. Laughing and crying...

probably the booze. Beautiful and recommended. thank you.

[midnight]

4. Nope it is not the booze.... I'm drinking coffee.......

[Lone_Star_Dem]

6. I'll second that it's not the booze

I'm sipping tea...it had the same effect.

Beautiful indeed.

[boobooday]

5. Feel Good YouTube of the Year

Even better than the parrot that says "For Fuck's Sake" with an Irish accent.

[charlie]

7. Kick

For a morning smile. For no reason.

[malaise]

8. Beautiful indeed but isn't this a parody

on Matt Lauer's meaningless trips?

[windoe]

9. K & R

:) love this

[RoyGBiv]

10. Thank you ...

Against all expectations, that did make me happy. I have this stupid grin on my face now that won't go away. :)

OnEdit: I dunno what it is exactly, but I keep re-watching it.

That's one of the best things I've seen ... maybe ever.

Still grinning ...

[charlie]

12. I don't know why it's so affecting, either

Maybe I just needed reminding that us unwashed can enjoy our own moments of "irrational exuberance" if we want to, whenever we want to. We still have that.

I wasn't especially interested in seeing this video, few things misfire as often as sequels. But a thousand people dancing, as they say, "like nobody's watching", charmed the daylights out of me all over again.

[RoyGBiv]

13. He had this quote on his website ...

"The moral of the story is we're here on Earth to fart around. And, of
course, the computers will do us out of that. And, what the computer
people don't realize, or they don't care, is we're dancing animals. You
know, we love to move around."
- Kurt Vonnegut

I think that about nails it.

[charlie]

14. Lol, true

And Kurt farted around magnificently, didn't he? It's always the impish ones who re-clue us to what's under our very noses.

[Batgirl]

11. hmmm, now my angst levels are all out of whack

maybe even dangerously depleted.

For real, thanks.

[TahitiNut]

15. Sometimes you feel like a nut ...

:rofl: :cry: :rofl:

It's magic. Fizzy bubbles in the human broth. Can there be any question we're family?

The music (from the album "Praan" by Garry Schyman) is enormously evocative ... and here's where y'all can get an MP3 ... listen.
http://www.imeem.com/people/bsU15-/music/MsOEMTeG/garry_schyman_praan/

Music from "Where the Hell is Matt?" Lyrics from Rabindranath Tagore's poem Stream of Life: The same stream of life that runs through my veins night and day runs through the world and dances in rhythmic measures. It is the same life that shoots in joy through the dust of the earth in numberless blades of grass and breaks into tumultuous waves of leaves and flowers. It is the same life that is rocked in the ocean-cradle of birth and of death, in ebb and in flow. I feel my limbs are made glorious by the touch of this world of life. And my pride is from the life-throb of ages dancing in my blood this moment.

[charlie]

16. Cool!

Thanks, TN :hi:

[MisterHowdy]

17. No Canadian destinations?

n/t

[charlie]

18. Vancouver, Montreal

Watch for highrises and umbrellas.

[Contrary1]

19. It made me stupid happy too...

and a bit envious. The places he has seen, and the people, well; it just reinforces what I have known all along. We are the same.

Watch the outtakes for a few more smiles:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tT8jA_pps3o&NR=1

[bonito]

20. Kick

[annabanana]

21. It feels like the 60's!. . silly overwhelming irrational happy. . n/t

[Swamp Rat]

22. Happy Happy Joy Joy!

[Karenina]

27. Hi Swampykins!!!

:hi::loveya::hi:

[Contrary1]

23. Another kick! And if you get the time, read his journal and the comments.

I think he may be one of us. :)

June 25, 2008

"...Went to lunch with my handlers after the Austin morning show. Figured we should get some barbecue before we left. Our cab driver took us to a place we could smell before we pulled into the lot. Their beverage options were Dr. Pepper and RC Cola. The walls were adorned with used human-outline target sheets from a gun range.

If it wasn't for that stop, I don't think we could say we'd been to Texas.

Quick layover at George Bush airport in Houston. Didn't have time to visit Haliburton's main office and hurl feces at the sign."

http://www.wherethehellismatt.typepad.com/blog/

[Hissyspit]

24. That sucked. Stride gum has Aspartame in it. How big was his carbon footprint?

Hey, someone had to be the voice of DU cynicism and/or concern troll! :evilgrin::7

Seriously, thanks for posting. Very moving.

[dysfunctional press]

25. so does that make him a virtual millionaire, or a virtual billionaire...?

i forget.

[Karenina]

26. Tanzen is Leben

und Leben ist Tanzen!

[Contrary1]

28. A Thank you for posting this kick. n/t

[PA Democrat]

29. I'm still smiling. They can't take away the joy in your heart, can they?