Paul 'Bear' Vasquez, 'Double Rainbow' Video Guy: Where Is He Now?

Paul "Bear" Vasquez was just one of a host of people who momentarily grabbed the spotlight in 2010 and dominated a news cycle or two while getting their 15 minutes of fame. In this series, AOL News is checking in on 25 of these newsmakers and giving them a 16th minute.

Paul "Bear" Vasquez Made News in 2010 When He: Posted a video on YouTube of his exuberant reaction to seeing a double rainbow.

The Full Story: On Jan. 8, Paul Vasquez -- "Bear" to his friends -- uploaded a personal video to his YouTube account, one that showed an enormous, sky-filling double rainbow, shot not far from his house just outside Yosemite National Park. The sight throws Vasquez into ever-increasing fits of awe, captures his caught-in-the-moment gut reaction -- "DOUBLE RAINBOW," he utters in stunned disbelief at nature's majesty, reaching near delirious heights of shouted ecstasy and curiosity about the mysteries of the universe -- and eventually leaves him in a puddle of tears. About six months later, the video was picked up by Jimmy Kimmel and tweeted out to his fans, picking up steam until it went viral and briefly steamrolled all Internet consciousness.

What's Happened Since? Vasquez has been using his fame to spread a message of spirituality and faith. He has dedicated his land toward a spiritual retreat called the Yosemitebear Mountain Farm Healing Center, a charitable place where, in Vasquez's own words, people can come "who just need a quiet, restful, temporary place to heal in a way that works best for them. I want to offer food that is grown here and nearby organically and meals prepared in a way that food is medicine as well as the water, energy and Spirits of this land. I also want to use Yosemite as a way to heal, taking trips and adventures there to heal the soul." He has also been active in promoting a "back to the land" consciousness, encouraging people to be curious about where their food and resources come from, how they get there and what we can do to better use them in a sustainable and earth-friendly manner. More practically, his Internet stardom has led to a trip to Iceland, a Microsoft commercial, a documentary and a nomination for a People's Choice award, among other projects still in development.

In His Own Words: "I don't care about money," Vasquez told AOL News. "I spent six years living on less than $5,000 [a year] -- I only focused on spirituality, art, improving my spiritual and emotional growth, and loving my fellow humans. My videos are signs of my growth, and since I always have my camera handy, I can capture them and share them. The fame is coming, but it's not what I want -- I am only serving a higher purpose. If it all goes away, I'm happy to go back to the way I was before. All I ever wanted was a good car and alternative energy. Neither of them are here yet, but I think it's close."

Video: Double Rainbow Ice Cream Parody

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Antoine Dodson, the 'Bed Intruder' Viral Superstar
Gary Faulkner, Osama bin Laden Hunter
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Jimmy McMillan, the 'Rent Is Too Damn High' Guy
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Christine O'Donnell, Not-a-Witch Senate Candidate
'General' Larry Platt, 'Pants on the Ground' Rapper
Dharun Ravi and Molly Wei, Alleged Rutgers Cyberbullies
Juan Rodriguez, the Obama Rally Streaker
Ines Sainz, Sports Reporter Harassed by New York Jets
Faisal Shahzad, the Times Square Bomber
Rupesh Shingadia, Tiger Woods' 'Cigar Guy'
Steven Slater, the Runaway Jet Blue Flight Attendant
Bethany Storro, Acid-in-the-Face Hoaxtress
Abby Sunderland, Teenage Solo Sailor
Tilikum, the SeaWorld Killer Whale Who Killed His Trainer
John Tyner, the Don't 'Touch My Junk' Guy
Paul 'Bear' Vasquez, 'Double Rainbow' Video Guy