Third World Countries

Did you ever wonder what the 'third world countries' are? Here is a picture of the first, second, and third world countries.

Now you know.

Audio Books

There is a web site, LibriVox, that makes audio books from public domain books and they are free to download. The range is wide, from Aesop to Emile Zola.  LINK

Nice to have when you are driving, or just seeking a pleasant diversion. Also, great if you have someone in the family that does not see as well as they used to. I sampled "The Importance of Being Ernest" and it was read by a cast, just as if it were being acted on stage. Good stuff.

Ebook Reader

This is a picture of a new ebook reader from Plastic Logic to be announced at CES this month. Looks like it is about as thick as a cover from a real book.

Another ebook reader, Skiff will be announced this week, also. It is 9 x 11 and is .268 inches thick. It also is bendable, with stainless steel substrate, instead of glass. Prices have not been announced yet, but will likely be in line with the other readers. Awesome technology.

Look for a spate of new readers this year and don't be surprised when your school age children call home and request one, so they do not have to lug around their backpack stuffed with paper books. A number of school book publishers are already making text books available for the readers.

Quotable

A dirty book is rarely dusty.

New Year's Eve

The last day of the year is New Year's Eve. Many people see the old year out with a party, welcoming in the New Year with toasts of champagne, and exchanging good wishes for a 'Happy New Year'. This celebration is particularly dear to the Scots. They call it Big Ben Hogmanay. All over Britain there are parties, fireworks, singing and dancing, to ring out the old year and ring in the new. As the clock Big Ben strikes midnight, people link arms and sing a song called 'Auld Lang Syne' to remind them of old and new friends.

A New Year superstition in Yorkshire, England - people say 'Black rabbits, black rabbits, black rabbits' during the closing seconds of the old year. Then they say, 'White rabbits, white rabbits, white rabbits,' as their first utterance of the New Year. This is suppose to bring good luck.

Blue Moon

On December 31st, will be the second full moon of the month, or the 13th full moon of the year. These rare occasions are called a blue moon, as in “once in a blue moon.” There will also be a partial lunar eclipse on the 31st (visible in Europe, Africa, Asia, and Australia).

Quotable

Last year I made a list of things to do.
I’ll use that list again this year,
It’s still as good as new.

1959 Inventions

Looking back to fifty years ago, here is what was invented in 1959 -
Royal Crown Cola
Frosty O's (General Mills)
Ocean Spray brand products (name changed from National Cranberry Assn)
Haagen-Dazs Ice Cream (nonsense name that was chosen for its sound)

Christmas Gift

Here is something left over from Christmas. Time to put it away!