A happy person is not a person in a certain set of circumstances,
but rather a person with a certain set of attitudes.
My circumstances move my attitude and my attitude moves my
circumstances toward having a Happy Friday!
Aug 31, 2012
Touching Birds and Eggs Myth
Many of us have heard that
handling a baby bird or bird egg will cause the parent birds to
reject it.
Most birds have a very poor sense of smell, so they are unable to notice human scent on baby birds (even a skunk’s spray doesn’t seem to bother many types of birds). In most cases, even if the nest is destroyed by wind or other means, you could create a new one and put all the nestlings back in it and the parents wouldn’t care that their baby birds were in a different nest when they come back; so long as the new nest near where the old one was so they can find it.
Hoopoe
Ducks and Hoopoe will often poop on their own eggs with particularly smelly discharge to discourage predators from eating them.
Most birds have a very poor sense of smell, so they are unable to notice human scent on baby birds (even a skunk’s spray doesn’t seem to bother many types of birds). In most cases, even if the nest is destroyed by wind or other means, you could create a new one and put all the nestlings back in it and the parents wouldn’t care that their baby birds were in a different nest when they come back; so long as the new nest near where the old one was so they can find it.
Hoopoe
Ducks and Hoopoe will often poop on their own eggs with particularly smelly discharge to discourage predators from eating them.
Parking Tip
Since most of us have smart phones and usually
do not carry pencils, pens, or paper - take a picture of the nearest
sign where you parked so when you return, it will be easy to find
your vehicle.
Whats in a Name, Union Station
Many towns have a Union
Station. Some larger ones are in Chicago, Chattanooga, Cincinnati,
Denver, El Paso, Indianapolis, Kansas City, Los Angeles, Nashville,
St. Louis, Washington, D.C., and many more.
Union stations or depots were constructed to consolidate rail traffic into a single terminal instead of having each railroad build a separate station and approach-track system. They formed a 'union', or coming together of railroad companies, facilities, and tracks.
The intent was to save money and hundreds of acres of valuable downtown real estate. It was and remains a success for achieving those goals. In addition, It is handy for travelers to have one place to go, regardless of final destination.
A railroad operating only a handful of trains per day through a town couldn't afford to build a fancy station, but several railroads sharing one facility could. Many Union Stations were impressive works of architecture that were preserved long after the trains that used them disappeared.
Union stations or depots were constructed to consolidate rail traffic into a single terminal instead of having each railroad build a separate station and approach-track system. They formed a 'union', or coming together of railroad companies, facilities, and tracks.
The intent was to save money and hundreds of acres of valuable downtown real estate. It was and remains a success for achieving those goals. In addition, It is handy for travelers to have one place to go, regardless of final destination.
A railroad operating only a handful of trains per day through a town couldn't afford to build a fancy station, but several railroads sharing one facility could. Many Union Stations were impressive works of architecture that were preserved long after the trains that used them disappeared.
Sticking to Legend
According to legend, Scotch tape earned
its name when a frustrated customer told a 3M scientist to “take it
back to your Scotch bosses and tell them to put more adhesive on
it.” Today, Scotch “Magic Tape” is manufactured in one place in the
world: Hutchinson, Minn.
The Real Little Mermaid
In the Disney version, the film
ends with Ariel the mermaid being changed into a human so she can
marry Eric. They marry in a wonderful wedding attended by humans and
merpeople.
In the original version by Hans Christian Andersen, the mermaid sees the Prince marry a princess and she despairs. She is offered a knife with which to stab the prince to death, but rather than do that she jumps into the sea and dies by turning to froth.
Andersen later modified the ending to make it more pleasant. In the new ending, instead of dying when turned to froth, she becomes a 'daughter of the air' waiting to go to heaven.
In the original version by Hans Christian Andersen, the mermaid sees the Prince marry a princess and she despairs. She is offered a knife with which to stab the prince to death, but rather than do that she jumps into the sea and dies by turning to froth.
Andersen later modified the ending to make it more pleasant. In the new ending, instead of dying when turned to froth, she becomes a 'daughter of the air' waiting to go to heaven.
Aug 28, 2012
Nero Didn't Fiddle
The violin (fiddle) was invented a
thousand years after the Great Fire of Rome. It belongs to a family
of stringed instruments, which includes the cello and viola. Among
these three, it is the highest-pitched and smallest.
Renowned violin maker Andrea Amati constructed the very first violin sometime in 1555. Before that, there was a violin-like instrument called violetta, which only had three strings instead of the usual four strings that are found in modern-day violins.
Many archive documents relate that from about 1585 Brescia, Italy was the cradle of a magnificent school of string players and makers, all called with the title of 'maestro' of all the different sort of multi-string instruments of the Renaissance: viola da gamba, violone, lyra, lyrone, violetta, and viola da brazzo.
A Persian geographer, Ibn Khurradadhbih of the 9th century was the first to cite the bowed Byzantine lira, which is held upright as a typical instrument of the Byzantines and equivalent to the rabāb used in the Islamic Empires of that time. The Byzantine lira spread through Europe westward and in the 11th and 12th centuries European writers use the terms fiddle and lira interchangeably when referring to bowed instruments.
The rabāb was introduced to the Western Europe and both bowed instruments spread widely throughout Europe giving birth to various European bowed instruments.
Renowned violin maker Andrea Amati constructed the very first violin sometime in 1555. Before that, there was a violin-like instrument called violetta, which only had three strings instead of the usual four strings that are found in modern-day violins.
Many archive documents relate that from about 1585 Brescia, Italy was the cradle of a magnificent school of string players and makers, all called with the title of 'maestro' of all the different sort of multi-string instruments of the Renaissance: viola da gamba, violone, lyra, lyrone, violetta, and viola da brazzo.
A Persian geographer, Ibn Khurradadhbih of the 9th century was the first to cite the bowed Byzantine lira, which is held upright as a typical instrument of the Byzantines and equivalent to the rabāb used in the Islamic Empires of that time. The Byzantine lira spread through Europe westward and in the 11th and 12th centuries European writers use the terms fiddle and lira interchangeably when referring to bowed instruments.
The rabāb was introduced to the Western Europe and both bowed instruments spread widely throughout Europe giving birth to various European bowed instruments.
Lutherie
This is the practice of crafting stringed
instruments, such as a violin or guitar. Lutherie is commonly
divided into two main categories: makers of plucked or strummed
string instruments or makers of stringed instruments that are bowed,
which may require the additional help of an archetier. An archetier
is someone skilled in the crafting of bows.
Experimental luthiers are craftsman who design string instruments with altered parts, or who create new and original instruments as are commonly used in the rock and jazz genres. Most instruments are never replicated or mass produced on a scale like the guitar or violin. However, additions to major instruments, such as the original vibrato bar become a vital part of the instrument.
Experimental luthiers are craftsman who design string instruments with altered parts, or who create new and original instruments as are commonly used in the rock and jazz genres. Most instruments are never replicated or mass produced on a scale like the guitar or violin. However, additions to major instruments, such as the original vibrato bar become a vital part of the instrument.
Yogurt Breath
Research shows that the live bacteria in
yogurt can suppress levels of bad breath causing bacteria. "Good"
bugs in yogurt may crowd out the "bad" stink-causing bacteria or
create an unhealthy environment for it.
Wordology, Called on the Carpet
To be called 'on the
carpet', i.e. for reprimand by superior, is likely an early 1900's,
American colloquial, from one's uncarpeted work area to carpeted
offices of one's superior.
During the early 1700s it also referred to a cloth (carpet) covering a conference table and therefore came to mean "under consideration or discussion." In 19th-century America, however, carpet meant "floor covering," and the expression, first recorded in 1902, alluded to being called before or reprimanded by a person rich or powerful enough to have a carpet.
During the early 1700s it also referred to a cloth (carpet) covering a conference table and therefore came to mean "under consideration or discussion." In 19th-century America, however, carpet meant "floor covering," and the expression, first recorded in 1902, alluded to being called before or reprimanded by a person rich or powerful enough to have a carpet.
Aug 25, 2012
Happy Friday
If you want others to be happy, practice compassion. If you want to
be happy, practice compassion.
To be truly happy, practice compassion while having a Happy Friday!
To be truly happy, practice compassion while having a Happy Friday!
Picnics and Barbecues
Just about all the ingredients to
make a perfect ‘All-American’ picnic come from German origins.
There is the hot dog, wiener, or a Frankfurter; a pork sausage that originated in 13th century Germany. We also cannot forget the Brats or Bratwurst and Knackwurst, both great grilled. All of these washed down with a chilled beer, while not originating in Germany, was certainly made popular there many years ago.
Ketchup was developed by Heinz, and Mayonnaise, developed by Hellman, both German immigrants. Some of those items are based off earlier recipes (Ancient Rome: ketchup; France: mayonnaise) but the favorites eaten today are definitely German.
Then, of course, there is the Potato Salad. There are many different versions to this dish, one of the most popular variations is the traditional German potato salad.
There is the hot dog, wiener, or a Frankfurter; a pork sausage that originated in 13th century Germany. We also cannot forget the Brats or Bratwurst and Knackwurst, both great grilled. All of these washed down with a chilled beer, while not originating in Germany, was certainly made popular there many years ago.
Ketchup was developed by Heinz, and Mayonnaise, developed by Hellman, both German immigrants. Some of those items are based off earlier recipes (Ancient Rome: ketchup; France: mayonnaise) but the favorites eaten today are definitely German.
Then, of course, there is the Potato Salad. There are many different versions to this dish, one of the most popular variations is the traditional German potato salad.
Smallest Park in the World
The smallest park in the world
is Mill Ends Park in Portland, Oregon. It is 452 square inches or
barely two feet across and not quite suitable for a barbecue. The
nearby Forest Park is 60 million times as big.
Mill Ends started in 1948, when Oregon Journal journalist Dick Fagan noticed a forgotten hole outside his office on Front Street. He planted flowers and began to write a weekly column about goings-on there.
When Fagan died in 1969, Portland took up the tradition and dedicated Mill Ends as an official city park in 1976. Sometimes it has a swimming pool for butterflies, with diving board, a miniature Ferris wheel, and statues. It hosts snail races, weddings, and regular rose plantings.
Mill Ends started in 1948, when Oregon Journal journalist Dick Fagan noticed a forgotten hole outside his office on Front Street. He planted flowers and began to write a weekly column about goings-on there.
When Fagan died in 1969, Portland took up the tradition and dedicated Mill Ends as an official city park in 1976. Sometimes it has a swimming pool for butterflies, with diving board, a miniature Ferris wheel, and statues. It hosts snail races, weddings, and regular rose plantings.
A Long Rhode Island
Speaking of small, it is the smallest
state with the longest name. The official name, used on all state
documents, is “Rhode Island and Providence Plantations.”
Remembering Elvis
Elvis Presley died at age 42 in August
1977. Thousands lined the streets of Presley’s hometown on the day
of his funeral. The nation, the music world, and fans from around
the world were in shock over his passing. Even to this day, some say
that Elvis didn’t die, he just wanted to get away from it all.
The sales numbers may seem small compared to a few of today's musicians, but then many have come and gone without fanfare and few remained on top for 25 years. The number of hits remains large as Elvis had an 107 hits on the pop music charts. His first hit was Heartbreak Hotel in 1956 and his last was Guitar Man, after his death in 1981. Presley had 28 gold records, 12 number one songs and 38 top-ten hits.
The sales numbers may seem small compared to a few of today's musicians, but then many have come and gone without fanfare and few remained on top for 25 years. The number of hits remains large as Elvis had an 107 hits on the pop music charts. His first hit was Heartbreak Hotel in 1956 and his last was Guitar Man, after his death in 1981. Presley had 28 gold records, 12 number one songs and 38 top-ten hits.
What's in a Name, Jacuzzi
The seven Jacuzzi brothers
emigrated from Italy to California in the early 1900s. In
California, they began developing innovations for the big new craze:
the airplane. Their biggest hit was the creation of the first plane
with an enclosed cabin, which the US Postal Service bought to
deliver mail.
According to legend, their mother was worried about her sons’ safety and eventually convinced the brothers to change jobs. They started concentrating on hydraulic pumps for irrigation and hospital use. In the late 1940s, Candido Jacuzzi’s young son Kenneth started suffering from arthritis. He received hydrotherapy at a hospital, but his father decided his son needed to have access to it at home as well. He filed a patent for his invention, but it wasn’t until another relative, Roy joined the business years later that they started selling their Jacuzzi tubs to the public. Well, that is just about the hot and cold of it.
According to legend, their mother was worried about her sons’ safety and eventually convinced the brothers to change jobs. They started concentrating on hydraulic pumps for irrigation and hospital use. In the late 1940s, Candido Jacuzzi’s young son Kenneth started suffering from arthritis. He received hydrotherapy at a hospital, but his father decided his son needed to have access to it at home as well. He filed a patent for his invention, but it wasn’t until another relative, Roy joined the business years later that they started selling their Jacuzzi tubs to the public. Well, that is just about the hot and cold of it.
Aug 21, 2012
Smarter Pills
The Food and Drug Administration has just
approved a device that is integrated into pills and let’s doctors
know when patients take their medicine and when they don’t.
The device, made by Proteus Digital Health, is a silicon chip about the size of a sand particle. With no battery and no sensor, it is powered by the body itself. The chip contains small amounts of copper and magnesium. After being ingested the chip will interact with digestive juices to produce a voltage that can be read from the surface of the skin through a detector patch, which then sends a signal via mobile phone to inform the doctor that the pill has been taken.
Sensors on the chip also detect heart rate and can estimate the patient’s amount of physical activity. It will allow doctors to better assess if a person is responding to a given dose, or if that dose needs to be adjusted.
It has been in clinical trials since 2009, but currently the FDA has only approved the chip for placebo pills, which were used in trials showing the chip to be safe and highly accurate. Proteus hopes to gain approval to use the digestible chip with other medicines. Andrew Thompson, chief executive of Proteus, says the chip has already been tested with treatments for tuberculosis, mental health, heart failure, hypertension, and diabetes.
The company is currently working with makers of metformin, a drug used to treat type 2 diabetes and the most commonly prescribed drug in the world. The company also plans on adding a wireless glucose meter to their device so that dosage amount and frequency can be correlated with changes in blood glucose levels.
The device, made by Proteus Digital Health, is a silicon chip about the size of a sand particle. With no battery and no sensor, it is powered by the body itself. The chip contains small amounts of copper and magnesium. After being ingested the chip will interact with digestive juices to produce a voltage that can be read from the surface of the skin through a detector patch, which then sends a signal via mobile phone to inform the doctor that the pill has been taken.
Sensors on the chip also detect heart rate and can estimate the patient’s amount of physical activity. It will allow doctors to better assess if a person is responding to a given dose, or if that dose needs to be adjusted.
It has been in clinical trials since 2009, but currently the FDA has only approved the chip for placebo pills, which were used in trials showing the chip to be safe and highly accurate. Proteus hopes to gain approval to use the digestible chip with other medicines. Andrew Thompson, chief executive of Proteus, says the chip has already been tested with treatments for tuberculosis, mental health, heart failure, hypertension, and diabetes.
The company is currently working with makers of metformin, a drug used to treat type 2 diabetes and the most commonly prescribed drug in the world. The company also plans on adding a wireless glucose meter to their device so that dosage amount and frequency can be correlated with changes in blood glucose levels.
To Bee or Not to Bee
It is not exactly clear where the word
derives from, but “bee” as in “spelling bee” means a gathering or
get together. One early case referred to a “spinning bee”, where
people would gather to protest purchasing goods from Britain due to
the high taxes on those items. Other gatherings that were commonly
labeled with “bee” were: apple bee, logging bee, quilting bee, barn
bee, hanging bee, sewing bee, and corn husking bee.
Any competition or work gathering, with a specific task in mind, tended to get the “bee” label added on the end. With many of these bees being tedious work events, it was also customary to serve refreshments and provide entertainment at the end of the task.
Any competition or work gathering, with a specific task in mind, tended to get the “bee” label added on the end. With many of these bees being tedious work events, it was also customary to serve refreshments and provide entertainment at the end of the task.
Wordology, Aluminum
Aluminum is the older term, while
aluminium was created later by the British to make it sound more
like the other elements. Here is a timeline:
1808: Sir Humphrey Davy isolates the metal for the first time. He calls it alumium
1812: Sir Humphrey decides to change the spelling of his element: he renames it to aluminum (the term adopted in the United States)
1812: British scientists dislike the new name and change it to aluminium to match the other classic sounding elements, such as Magnesium, Helium, Potassium, etc.
That's my symposium on aluminum. - Incidentally, the Greek symposium was originally a drinking party and forum for men of good family to debate, plot, boast, or simply to revel with others.
1808: Sir Humphrey Davy isolates the metal for the first time. He calls it alumium
1812: Sir Humphrey decides to change the spelling of his element: he renames it to aluminum (the term adopted in the United States)
1812: British scientists dislike the new name and change it to aluminium to match the other classic sounding elements, such as Magnesium, Helium, Potassium, etc.
That's my symposium on aluminum. - Incidentally, the Greek symposium was originally a drinking party and forum for men of good family to debate, plot, boast, or simply to revel with others.
Aug 17, 2012
Happy Friday
Do not dwell in the past, do not dream of the future, concentrate
the mind on the present.
I do not dwell in the past or dream of the future, I am concentrating on having a Happy Friday!
I do not dwell in the past or dream of the future, I am concentrating on having a Happy Friday!
Soft Drink Facts
Soft Drink refers to nearly all beverages
that do not contain significant amounts of alcohol as hard drinks
do.
The term soft drink is typically used mostly for flavored carbonated beverages and that is because of advertising. Flavored carbonated beverage makers were having a difficult time creating national advertisements due what people call their product varies from place to place.
In parts of the United States and Canada, flavored carbonated beverages are referred to as “pop”; in other parts “soda”; in yet other parts “coke”; and there are a variety of other names commonly used as well. In England these drinks are called fizzy drinks and in Ireland called minerals.
Since beverage makers can’t refer to their product in the generic sense in national or international advertisements due to the varied terms, they have chosen the term soft drink to be more or less a universal term for flavored carbonated beverages.
The term soft drink is typically used mostly for flavored carbonated beverages and that is because of advertising. Flavored carbonated beverage makers were having a difficult time creating national advertisements due what people call their product varies from place to place.
In parts of the United States and Canada, flavored carbonated beverages are referred to as “pop”; in other parts “soda”; in yet other parts “coke”; and there are a variety of other names commonly used as well. In England these drinks are called fizzy drinks and in Ireland called minerals.
Since beverage makers can’t refer to their product in the generic sense in national or international advertisements due to the varied terms, they have chosen the term soft drink to be more or less a universal term for flavored carbonated beverages.
First US Government Building
This should come as no
surprise. Construction started with the laying of the cornerstone in
the first building to be used solely as a US Government building.
The U.S. Mint in Philadelphia was built in 1792.
Bird Poop
Today I learned why bird poop is usually white
vs. other animal and human poop. Birds do not urinate. While their
kidneys extract nitrogenous waste it is not expelled in the urea as
ours (and many other animals) does. It is excreted in the form of
uric acid, which has low solubility and, when combined with other
waste comes out like white paste. Other colors from various fruits,
etc., do not change as they pass through the system, so they come
out the color of the fruit ingested. Some vegans seem to pass green
due to the excess green vegetables and iron in the body.
In order to fly efficiently, birds, especially smaller birds need to eliminate waste often. A budgie may excrete 40 to 50 times in a day, whereas a macaw may only go 15 or 20 times.”
Since birds only have one opening, it is used for sex, waste elimination, and dropping eggs.
The word poop comes from the Middle English word poupen or or latin puppis, and it originally meant fart it acquired its current meaning around 1900.
In order to fly efficiently, birds, especially smaller birds need to eliminate waste often. A budgie may excrete 40 to 50 times in a day, whereas a macaw may only go 15 or 20 times.”
Since birds only have one opening, it is used for sex, waste elimination, and dropping eggs.
The word poop comes from the Middle English word poupen or or latin puppis, and it originally meant fart it acquired its current meaning around 1900.
Flush Tax
You pee, you poo, you pay. A while back, the
Maryland Legislature took a step towards protecting the Chesapeake
Bay and its tributaries when it passed what has become known as “the
flush tax.”
The bill established the Chesapeake and Atlantic Coastal Bays Restoration Fund to be supported by a $2.50 a month fee on sewer bills and an equivalent $30 annual fee on septic system owners. These funds are collected by the County and turned over to the State which distributes the funds to utilities to upgrade waste-water treatment plants to reduce nitrogen discharge which causes algae blooms that harm other aquatic life.
The revenues from septic tank users are used to upgrade or replace failing septic systems and to provide financial assistance to farmers to help plant cover crops to prevent nutrient runoff from agricultural land. This is the government equivalent of the pay toilet. The government has now completed the cycle where what we eat and drink is taxed when it goes in and now it is taxed when it comes out.
The bill established the Chesapeake and Atlantic Coastal Bays Restoration Fund to be supported by a $2.50 a month fee on sewer bills and an equivalent $30 annual fee on septic system owners. These funds are collected by the County and turned over to the State which distributes the funds to utilities to upgrade waste-water treatment plants to reduce nitrogen discharge which causes algae blooms that harm other aquatic life.
The revenues from septic tank users are used to upgrade or replace failing septic systems and to provide financial assistance to farmers to help plant cover crops to prevent nutrient runoff from agricultural land. This is the government equivalent of the pay toilet. The government has now completed the cycle where what we eat and drink is taxed when it goes in and now it is taxed when it comes out.
Wordology, Taser
Few people, including police know that
Taser stands for Thomas A. Swift’s Electric Rifle.
"Tom Swift and His Electric Rifle; or, Daring Adventures in Elephant Land" was a young adult novel published in 1911. It was one of a series of more than a hundred books about Tom Swift, with the most recent series in 2007.
In the novel, Swift's invention of the electric rifle, which fires bolts of electricity can be calibrated to different levels of range, intensity and lethality. It can shoot through solid walls without leaving a hole, and is powerful enough to kill a rampaging whale. With the electric rifle, Tom and friends bring down elephants, rhinoceroses, and buffalo, while he saves their lives several times in pitched battle with the red pygmies.
In one book, written in 1912, Tom develops a telephone that can actually send pictures.
The Taser was really invented by Jack Cover, completed in 1974, and marketed by Taser International.
"Tom Swift and His Electric Rifle; or, Daring Adventures in Elephant Land" was a young adult novel published in 1911. It was one of a series of more than a hundred books about Tom Swift, with the most recent series in 2007.
In the novel, Swift's invention of the electric rifle, which fires bolts of electricity can be calibrated to different levels of range, intensity and lethality. It can shoot through solid walls without leaving a hole, and is powerful enough to kill a rampaging whale. With the electric rifle, Tom and friends bring down elephants, rhinoceroses, and buffalo, while he saves their lives several times in pitched battle with the red pygmies.
In one book, written in 1912, Tom develops a telephone that can actually send pictures.
The Taser was really invented by Jack Cover, completed in 1974, and marketed by Taser International.
Aug 15, 2012
What's in a Name, Crash Blossoms
What's in a Name, Crash Blossoms - Crash Blossoms are
ambiguous headlines that usually convey more than one meaning and
make you want to scratch your head. Here are a few examples.
"Chinese cooking fat heads for Holland"
"Analysis: China currency move nails hard landing risk coffin"
"Doctor Testifies in Horse Suit"
"American Ships Head to Libya"
"Don't help old, blind council tells parking officers"
"McDonald's fries the holy grail for potato farmers"
"Dog helps lightning strike Redruth mayor."
"Virginia Beach man accused of decapitating son to stay in hospital"
"Kids Make Nutritious Snacks"
"Miners Refuse to Work After Death"
"Teacher Strikes Idle Kids"
"US President Wins on Budget, but More Lies Ahead"
"Chinese cooking fat heads for Holland"
"Analysis: China currency move nails hard landing risk coffin"
"Doctor Testifies in Horse Suit"
"American Ships Head to Libya"
"Don't help old, blind council tells parking officers"
"McDonald's fries the holy grail for potato farmers"
"Dog helps lightning strike Redruth mayor."
"Virginia Beach man accused of decapitating son to stay in hospital"
"Kids Make Nutritious Snacks"
"Miners Refuse to Work After Death"
"Teacher Strikes Idle Kids"
"US President Wins on Budget, but More Lies Ahead"
Gummi Bears
The sweet treats were invented in the 1920′s by
German Hans Riegel Sr. when he started the Haribo company. Not only
do they produce Gummi Bears, and all other chewy candy under the
Haribo name, but the company also makes all Trolli brands of gummy
candy, like gummi worms.
English and the Internet
According to the translation firm
Smartling, native English speakers only represented 3% of the total
Internet population in 2011. Yet, 56% of online pages are
English-only.
Many would not spend time on a Japanese website without understanding Japanese if Google Translate didn’t exist. Conversely, many would not spend time on an English website without an online translator.
Many would not spend time on a Japanese website without understanding Japanese if Google Translate didn’t exist. Conversely, many would not spend time on an English website without an online translator.
Happy Friday
If you seek happiness for yourself you will never find it. Only when
you seek happiness for others will it come to you.
If you are happy after reading this, we will both have a Happy Friday!
If you are happy after reading this, we will both have a Happy Friday!
Top Ten Movie Lines
According to the American Film
Institute, here they are:
1- Frankly, my dear, I don’t give a damn. (GONE WITH THE WIND)
2 - I’m going to make him an offer he can’t refuse. (THE GODFATHER)
3 - You don’t understand! I coulda had class. I coulda been a contender. I could’ve been somebody, instead of a bum, which is what I am. (ON THE WATERFRONT)
4 - Toto, I’ve got a feeling we’re not in Kansas anymore. (THE WIZARD OF OZ)
5 - Here’s looking at you, kid. (CASABLANCA)
6 - Go ahead, make my day. (SUDDEN IMPACT)
7 - All right, Mr. DeMille, I’m ready for my close-up. (SUNSET BLVD.)
8 - May the Force be with you. (STAR WARS)
9 - Fasten your seatbelts. It’s going to be a bumpy night. (ALL ABOUT EVE)
10 - You talking to me? (TAXI DRIVER)
Laurel and Hardy came in 60th with the famous line delivered by Ollie in many of their movies, "Well, here's another nice mess you've gotten me into!" You can find more of the top 100 here. LINK
--------------------
1- Frankly, my dear, I don’t give a damn. (GONE WITH THE WIND)
2 - I’m going to make him an offer he can’t refuse. (THE GODFATHER)
3 - You don’t understand! I coulda had class. I coulda been a contender. I could’ve been somebody, instead of a bum, which is what I am. (ON THE WATERFRONT)
4 - Toto, I’ve got a feeling we’re not in Kansas anymore. (THE WIZARD OF OZ)
5 - Here’s looking at you, kid. (CASABLANCA)
6 - Go ahead, make my day. (SUDDEN IMPACT)
7 - All right, Mr. DeMille, I’m ready for my close-up. (SUNSET BLVD.)
8 - May the Force be with you. (STAR WARS)
9 - Fasten your seatbelts. It’s going to be a bumpy night. (ALL ABOUT EVE)
10 - You talking to me? (TAXI DRIVER)
Laurel and Hardy came in 60th with the famous line delivered by Ollie in many of their movies, "Well, here's another nice mess you've gotten me into!" You can find more of the top 100 here. LINK
--------------------
Video Gravestones
Your loved one’s memory can be
eternalized with a little digital help. After purchasing a QR code
(those little squares with squiggly blobs) from Katzman Monument
Company, you go to memorylinks.com where you can upload information,
pictures, even video. Then you attach the QR code to the headstone.
After it’s read with a free app on a digital phone, pictures and/or
video are available on the phone. Truly a living memory. The
deceased can post a video before the event to be seen by loved ones
in the future. It costs about $150.
Nuts to You
Nuts can reduce the risk of diabetes and bring
down cholesterol and you only need just a handful of nuts a day, raw
if possible.
Tree nuts are increasingly regarded as wonder foods that lower the risk of heart disease, some forms of cancer and type 2 diabetes while providing essential vitamins and minerals including niacin, zinc, folic acid, selenium and magnesium.
They contain more unsaturated fats than animal proteins and can cut levels of LDL or "bad" cholesterol, according to numerous studies. Their mix of omega-3 fatty acids, protein and fiber will help you feel full and suppress your appetite. The fat content helps release satiety hormones in the digestive system, which also helps to curb hunger, and lessen your desire to overeat later in the day.
Almonds are rich in vitamin E.
Brazil nuts are rich in selenium, a vital mineral and antioxidant. Just two Brazil nuts a day may prevent heart disease and prostate cancer and can also enhance mood.
Cashews are high in magnesium and are good sources of phytochemicals and antioxidants.
Hazelnuts, the most fiber-rich of all the nuts, contain significant levels of B-group vitamins including folate and vitamin B6.
Macadamia nuts are high in healthy mono-unsaturated fats, contain all the essential amino acids and have been shown to lower blood cholesterol.
Pecans reduce cholesterol and may delay age-related muscle nerve degeneration.
Pine nuts - the edible seeds of pine trees, removed from pine cones - contain zinc, niacin and manganese and are rich in mono-unsaturated acids.
Pistachios are packed with protein, vitamin E and are an excellent source of copper and manganese.
Walnuts are loaded with natural plant omega-3s called alphalinoleic acid or ALA.
Peanuts, technically legumes but commonly referred to as nuts, are high in vitamin E, folate (for brain development) and may reduce cognitive decline. Be healthy, go nuts.
Tree nuts are increasingly regarded as wonder foods that lower the risk of heart disease, some forms of cancer and type 2 diabetes while providing essential vitamins and minerals including niacin, zinc, folic acid, selenium and magnesium.
They contain more unsaturated fats than animal proteins and can cut levels of LDL or "bad" cholesterol, according to numerous studies. Their mix of omega-3 fatty acids, protein and fiber will help you feel full and suppress your appetite. The fat content helps release satiety hormones in the digestive system, which also helps to curb hunger, and lessen your desire to overeat later in the day.
Almonds are rich in vitamin E.
Brazil nuts are rich in selenium, a vital mineral and antioxidant. Just two Brazil nuts a day may prevent heart disease and prostate cancer and can also enhance mood.
Cashews are high in magnesium and are good sources of phytochemicals and antioxidants.
Hazelnuts, the most fiber-rich of all the nuts, contain significant levels of B-group vitamins including folate and vitamin B6.
Macadamia nuts are high in healthy mono-unsaturated fats, contain all the essential amino acids and have been shown to lower blood cholesterol.
Pecans reduce cholesterol and may delay age-related muscle nerve degeneration.
Pine nuts - the edible seeds of pine trees, removed from pine cones - contain zinc, niacin and manganese and are rich in mono-unsaturated acids.
Pistachios are packed with protein, vitamin E and are an excellent source of copper and manganese.
Walnuts are loaded with natural plant omega-3s called alphalinoleic acid or ALA.
Peanuts, technically legumes but commonly referred to as nuts, are high in vitamin E, folate (for brain development) and may reduce cognitive decline. Be healthy, go nuts.
Wordology, Moot
This definition from the Oxford Dictionary
may surprise you. Definition of moot: adjective
1 subject to debate, dispute, or uncertainty: whether the temperature rise was mainly due to the greenhouse effect was a moot point
2 North American having little or no practical relevance: the whole matter is becoming increasingly moot
- verb raise (a question or topic) for discussion; suggest (an idea or possibility): the scheme was first mooted last October. This whole thing is becoming moot.
1 subject to debate, dispute, or uncertainty: whether the temperature rise was mainly due to the greenhouse effect was a moot point
2 North American having little or no practical relevance: the whole matter is becoming increasingly moot
- verb raise (a question or topic) for discussion; suggest (an idea or possibility): the scheme was first mooted last October. This whole thing is becoming moot.
Aug 8, 2012
Third Degree
To get the third degree means to be thoroughly
questioned. The third degree of something has been regarded as the
upper limit, or extreme since before the the time of Shakespeare
when he wrote, “For he’s in the thirde degree of drinke, he’s
drown’d.” He was referring to a very drunk man. It is a natural
progression when referring to the most extreme type of questioning,
it would be referred to as the third degree. It has come to also
mean inflicting of pain, physical or mental, to extract confessions
or statements.
In Masonic Lodges there is also the rituals involved before reaching the third, or highest level, which includes intense questioning.
In Masonic Lodges there is also the rituals involved before reaching the third, or highest level, which includes intense questioning.
Aluminum Foil Tip
Check each end of the foil or plastic wrap box and you
will find tabs. Press in the tabs and they hold the roll in place
while you pull out the foil.
Smiling Reduces Stress
Results of an interesting study to
find out if smiling, even forced smiling can reduce stress. The
Study is published in the journal Psychological Science.
Researchers used chopsticks to manipulate the facial muscles of their 169 participants into a neutral expression, a standard smile, or a Duchenne smile. A Duchenne smile engages the muscles around the mouth, raises the cheeks, and includes eyes.
In addition to the chopstick placement, some were explicitly instructed to smile. Then, they were subjected to a series of stress-inducing, multitasking activities, which they struggled to perform while continuing to hold the chopsticks in their mouths. The subjects' heart rates and self-reported stress levels were monitored throughout.
The participants who were instructed to smile recovered from the stressful activities with lower heart rates than participants who held neutral expressions. Those with Duchenne smiles were the most relaxed of all, with the most positive affect. Those with forced smiles held only by the chopsticks also reported more positive feelings than those who didn't smile.
When a situation has you feeling stressed or flustered, even the most forced smiles can genuinely decrease your stress and make you happier.
Researchers used chopsticks to manipulate the facial muscles of their 169 participants into a neutral expression, a standard smile, or a Duchenne smile. A Duchenne smile engages the muscles around the mouth, raises the cheeks, and includes eyes.
In addition to the chopstick placement, some were explicitly instructed to smile. Then, they were subjected to a series of stress-inducing, multitasking activities, which they struggled to perform while continuing to hold the chopsticks in their mouths. The subjects' heart rates and self-reported stress levels were monitored throughout.
The participants who were instructed to smile recovered from the stressful activities with lower heart rates than participants who held neutral expressions. Those with Duchenne smiles were the most relaxed of all, with the most positive affect. Those with forced smiles held only by the chopsticks also reported more positive feelings than those who didn't smile.
When a situation has you feeling stressed or flustered, even the most forced smiles can genuinely decrease your stress and make you happier.
Olympic Award Facts
For this year’s London Games, the gold
medals are roughly 93% silver, 6% copper and 1% gold.
The silver medals are 92% silver and 8% copper. The bronze medals
are 97% copper, 2.5% zinc and 0.5% tin.
Gold medals made from solid gold were introduced at the 1904 St. Louis Games, and four years later in London, the medals began to be awarded to the top three placing athletes in the gold-silver-bronze order we’re familiar with today. The 1912 Stockholm Games were the last time solid gold medals were awarded.
These days, the IOC charter only requires that the first place medals be silver gilt, containing “silver of at least 925-1000 grade and gilded with at least 6g of pure gold.” The second place silver medals must contain silver of a similar grade. Beyond that, the specific composition of the medals, and their design, is largely left to the host city’s organizing committee.
When the first modern Olympic games organized by the International Olympic Committee were held in 1896 in Athens, winners got a silver medal and an olive branch, and runners-up received a bronze medal and a laurel branch.
Ancient Greek competitors were given an olive branch from a wild olive tree that grew at Olympia along with some money upon returning home.
Gold medals made from solid gold were introduced at the 1904 St. Louis Games, and four years later in London, the medals began to be awarded to the top three placing athletes in the gold-silver-bronze order we’re familiar with today. The 1912 Stockholm Games were the last time solid gold medals were awarded.
These days, the IOC charter only requires that the first place medals be silver gilt, containing “silver of at least 925-1000 grade and gilded with at least 6g of pure gold.” The second place silver medals must contain silver of a similar grade. Beyond that, the specific composition of the medals, and their design, is largely left to the host city’s organizing committee.
When the first modern Olympic games organized by the International Olympic Committee were held in 1896 in Athens, winners got a silver medal and an olive branch, and runners-up received a bronze medal and a laurel branch.
Ancient Greek competitors were given an olive branch from a wild olive tree that grew at Olympia along with some money upon returning home.
Aug 3, 2012
Happy Friday
Reading is the best medicine for a sick man, the best music for a
sad man, the best counsel for a desperate man, the best comfort for
one afflicted.
I am not sick, sad, desperate, or afflicted, because I am having a Happy Friday!
I am not sick, sad, desperate, or afflicted, because I am having a Happy Friday!
Free Museum Maps
Visitors at the Smithsonian Institution
can use a smartphone to find their way through 17 museums, the
National Zoo in Washington and locations in northern Virginia and
New York City.
The interior maps totaling 2.7 million square feet can be accessed by visitors with Google Maps for Android. They include maps of the National Air and Space Museum, National Museum of American History and National Museum of Natural History, which draw millions of visitors.
Maps also have been completed for the National Portrait Gallery and six other art museums.
The interior maps totaling 2.7 million square feet can be accessed by visitors with Google Maps for Android. They include maps of the National Air and Space Museum, National Museum of American History and National Museum of Natural History, which draw millions of visitors.
Maps also have been completed for the National Portrait Gallery and six other art museums.
What's in a Name, Nanker Phledge
Mick Jagger and the
Rollin' Stones were paid 30 guineas (about 30 Pounds or about $50)
and played to a crowd of a bit more than 100 people. The pseudonym
Nanker Phelge was used between 1963 and 1965 for several Rolling
Stones group compositions.
Multicolor Penlight
In November 2012, Tomy will release a
multicolored penlight that can be used for long exposure light
painting on an iPhone or iPad.
Here is a LINK to see it in action. The subtitles are included below.
"Nowadays, penlight art is often used at wedding ceremonies and school festivals, but it requires an SLR and photography skills. We wanted to make penlight art easier, so people of all ages can enjoy it. What we've done is, we've created a simplified version of penlight art as an iPhone app."
"This penlight offers up to 27 colors at the touch of a button. It also provides straight lines, dotted lines, and gradation, so you can do a lot of things with it. This application really makes you want to get creative."
"You can also turn a series of photos into a video, like a flip book, and you can upload to Twitter and Facebook directly from the Album mode. So, you can share your photographic creations with everyone."
The multicolored penlight will be available for approximately $30 and the iPhone app can be downloaded for free. Beware, the site can be addicting because it has so much advanced, cool, fun, and useless technology.
-----------------------
Here is a LINK to see it in action. The subtitles are included below.
"Nowadays, penlight art is often used at wedding ceremonies and school festivals, but it requires an SLR and photography skills. We wanted to make penlight art easier, so people of all ages can enjoy it. What we've done is, we've created a simplified version of penlight art as an iPhone app."
"This penlight offers up to 27 colors at the touch of a button. It also provides straight lines, dotted lines, and gradation, so you can do a lot of things with it. This application really makes you want to get creative."
"You can also turn a series of photos into a video, like a flip book, and you can upload to Twitter and Facebook directly from the Album mode. So, you can share your photographic creations with everyone."
The multicolored penlight will be available for approximately $30 and the iPhone app can be downloaded for free. Beware, the site can be addicting because it has so much advanced, cool, fun, and useless technology.
-----------------------
Double Bacon Corn Dog
This year the Iowa State Fair has a
new treat. The Campbell’s Concessions’ Double Bacon Corn Dog makes
its debut.
The recipe - Wrap a hot dog in bacon, deep-fry it, dip it in 'bacon-bit-enriched' batter and deep fry it again. Mmmm!
The recipe - Wrap a hot dog in bacon, deep-fry it, dip it in 'bacon-bit-enriched' batter and deep fry it again. Mmmm!
Five Almost Famous Characters
Arthur Conan Doyle made notes
that indicated he considered the name “Sherringford” for Detective
Holmes.
Holmes’ assistant was originally going to be called “Ormond Sacker.” Arthur Conan Doyle decided the name was a bit too bizarre and changed it to John H. Watson.
Before “Nancy Drew” was decided upon, names kicked around included Stella Strong, Diana Drew, Diana Dare, Nan Nelson, Helen Hale, and Nan Drew.
Small Sam, Little Larry, and Puny Pete were all in the running before Charles Dickens settled on “Tiny Tim” for the sickly lad in A Christmas Carol.
Little Orphan Annie was Little Orphan Otto, until Harold Gray’s publisher at the newspaper syndicate suggested his character looked more female than male and told him to make it so.
Holmes’ assistant was originally going to be called “Ormond Sacker.” Arthur Conan Doyle decided the name was a bit too bizarre and changed it to John H. Watson.
Before “Nancy Drew” was decided upon, names kicked around included Stella Strong, Diana Drew, Diana Dare, Nan Nelson, Helen Hale, and Nan Drew.
Small Sam, Little Larry, and Puny Pete were all in the running before Charles Dickens settled on “Tiny Tim” for the sickly lad in A Christmas Carol.
Little Orphan Annie was Little Orphan Otto, until Harold Gray’s publisher at the newspaper syndicate suggested his character looked more female than male and told him to make it so.
Aug 1, 2012
Equiso
This is one of the newest devices for your TV and is
awesome. Details can be found on kickstarter.
The Smart TV is an HDMI dongle (left bottom of pic) that plugs into your television and essentially turns it into an Android tablet. You have access to apps, the web, and any video content you can stream and store on the device. it lets you play free YouTube movies and any other movies from the web. You can check your email, including replying, etc.
It includes a portable keyboard and the remote shoots a beam that makes it act like you are scrolling with your fingers. It is coming out soon and the price is slated to be only $69. I love technology and this is soon to be in my living room.
The Smart TV is an HDMI dongle (left bottom of pic) that plugs into your television and essentially turns it into an Android tablet. You have access to apps, the web, and any video content you can stream and store on the device. it lets you play free YouTube movies and any other movies from the web. You can check your email, including replying, etc.
It includes a portable keyboard and the remote shoots a beam that makes it act like you are scrolling with your fingers. It is coming out soon and the price is slated to be only $69. I love technology and this is soon to be in my living room.
Cheesburger in a Can
Swiss people have come up with the
product of the year. It's an import that is giving restaurants a run
for their money. They are actually made in Germany and available on
eBay.
The ad says Cheeseburger In A Can is a tasty treat when you are on the run. The can has an expiration date of one year. This does not beat the Japanese, who have come out with a powdered mini cheeseburger in a bag. Neither will be on my menu anytime soon.
The ad says Cheeseburger In A Can is a tasty treat when you are on the run. The can has an expiration date of one year. This does not beat the Japanese, who have come out with a powdered mini cheeseburger in a bag. Neither will be on my menu anytime soon.
Scratch Remedies
Most folks under 30 have never heard of
using the relatively painless Mercurochrome in lieu of that nasty
stinging Iodine. It stained your flesh pinkish-red. The FDA put
limitations on the sale of Mercurochrome in 1998 and stated that it
was no longer considered 'Generally Recognized As Safe'
over-the-counter product. The main active ingredient in
Mercurochrome is mercury.
Speaking of Iodine, it burned like fire when applied to an open wound, because it had an alcohol base. Many doctors today use a water-based iodine as an antiseptic, as it has one of the broadest germ-killing spectrums. This old school remedy is rarely found in home first aid kits anymore. Alas, change comes too late for some of us.
Speaking of Iodine, it burned like fire when applied to an open wound, because it had an alcohol base. Many doctors today use a water-based iodine as an antiseptic, as it has one of the broadest germ-killing spectrums. This old school remedy is rarely found in home first aid kits anymore. Alas, change comes too late for some of us.
List of Lists
It is finally here, more information that you
never knew or cared about. However, every now and then you need a
list to prove a point. Here it is from Wikipedia LINK.
Or you can wait a few weeks and get more interesting information from my upcoming 49th book 'Amazing Facts and Bite Sized Brain Food'.
Or you can wait a few weeks and get more interesting information from my upcoming 49th book 'Amazing Facts and Bite Sized Brain Food'.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)