In a semi-automatic firearm, whether
it’s a pistol, rifle, or shotgun, when the round is fired, the
expanding gas from the cartridge launches the projectile and then
opens the chamber, ejecting the spent cartridge and, if available,
using a spring system to slide the next cartridge into place ready
for the next trigger pull.
The gun will not fire the next round and most guns are designed to
prevent this from happening. This means one trigger pull for each
shot.
Feb 26, 2013
Fascinating Aztec Facts
The Westerners who came up with
the name Aztecs likely took it from one of the original places that
the Aztecs lived around the twelve century, called Aztlan, which was
in the Northern part of Mexico. However, the Aztecs themselves
actually referred to themselves as Mexica, which is actually where
the name for the country of Mexico originally came from.
The Aztecs had their own language called N’ahuatl. The alphabet for this language was a form of picture writing. Knowledge about how to write things down was very specialized and was mostly performed by learned scribes and priests who had the needed training.
Records were kept on paper made of bark, or deer skin. The writing was usually performed using charcoal and then colored with vegetables and other substances. They kept tax records, historical records, records of religious sacrifices and other ceremonies and even poetry. Sometimes they put their writings together in a makeshift book that they called a codice.
Aztec men were allowed to have more than one wife, however, there were certain strict rules governing these relationships. The first wife the man took was considered his “principal” wife, and was the only one he went through marriage ceremonies with. The other wives were secondary, but still recognized in the official records. While the first wife was considered the most important, the man was still expected to treat all of his wives with equal respect. The man was the head of the household, but women still had power in the relationship and were well treated in Aztec society. Extra wives contributed to the wealth of the family and were considered a mark of great status and afforded them a high position in the culture. The Aztecs allowed divorce in some situations, but adultery by either party was punishable by death.
While the Aztecs put strong emphasis on parents teaching their children properly, they also had mandatory public schooling for all children. Those of a noble class had different schools to attend and schools were also separated by gender. Boys of nobility would be sent to the Calmecac School where they learned from the priests about history, astronomy, art, and how to govern and lead. Boys of lower caste were sent to the Cuicacalli School, which was much more focused on preparing them for possible service in the military as warriors. Girls were sent to separate schools and much more of their education was focused at home where they were taught domestic duties such as cooking and weaving.
The Aztecs had their own language called N’ahuatl. The alphabet for this language was a form of picture writing. Knowledge about how to write things down was very specialized and was mostly performed by learned scribes and priests who had the needed training.
Records were kept on paper made of bark, or deer skin. The writing was usually performed using charcoal and then colored with vegetables and other substances. They kept tax records, historical records, records of religious sacrifices and other ceremonies and even poetry. Sometimes they put their writings together in a makeshift book that they called a codice.
Aztec men were allowed to have more than one wife, however, there were certain strict rules governing these relationships. The first wife the man took was considered his “principal” wife, and was the only one he went through marriage ceremonies with. The other wives were secondary, but still recognized in the official records. While the first wife was considered the most important, the man was still expected to treat all of his wives with equal respect. The man was the head of the household, but women still had power in the relationship and were well treated in Aztec society. Extra wives contributed to the wealth of the family and were considered a mark of great status and afforded them a high position in the culture. The Aztecs allowed divorce in some situations, but adultery by either party was punishable by death.
While the Aztecs put strong emphasis on parents teaching their children properly, they also had mandatory public schooling for all children. Those of a noble class had different schools to attend and schools were also separated by gender. Boys of nobility would be sent to the Calmecac School where they learned from the priests about history, astronomy, art, and how to govern and lead. Boys of lower caste were sent to the Cuicacalli School, which was much more focused on preparing them for possible service in the military as warriors. Girls were sent to separate schools and much more of their education was focused at home where they were taught domestic duties such as cooking and weaving.
Finicky Finns
Finnish tradition is to assess fines
according to gross income. For years, this was based on the honor
system. Finnish police would ask the person pulled over how much
they made per year, consult a table, and fine them accordingly.
The police hated it, because they were constantly lied to about how much people made. They recently developed new high-tech tools for calculating traffic fines and motorists began protesting and complaining about the prices. They thought it wasn't fair that they were charged on their gross income instead of their net income. So, in 1999 the government made major changes, including basing fines on net income.
The biggest change was that the police can use their cell phones to tap into official public records and find out motorists’ income. The changes have allowed for fines to be more accurate, much to the dismay of the motorists.
The police hated it, because they were constantly lied to about how much people made. They recently developed new high-tech tools for calculating traffic fines and motorists began protesting and complaining about the prices. They thought it wasn't fair that they were charged on their gross income instead of their net income. So, in 1999 the government made major changes, including basing fines on net income.
The biggest change was that the police can use their cell phones to tap into official public records and find out motorists’ income. The changes have allowed for fines to be more accurate, much to the dismay of the motorists.
Free Stuff
We all like something for nothing. Here is a
site that gives you free stuff from dog food to baseball hats and
everything in between. http://www.ilovefreestuff.com/
Feb 22, 2013
Michigan Map Names
University of Michigan alum go to great
lengths to taunt their sports rivals. One particularly astute grad,
state highway commission chairman Peter Fletcher memorialized his on
Michigan’s official state map in 1978.
He asked a cartographer to add two towns to nearby Ohio. Thus the fictitious towns of Goblu and Beatosu were created. The map can be seen on the official michigan.gov web site. It noted that after the hoax was discovered, new maps were issued, minus the bogus towns. A few collector item maps remain in the public and copies are also available in the official Michigan archives.
Fletcher noted in a 2008 interview that he placed the fake towns in Ohio, safely outside Michigan state lines. “We have no legal liability for anything taking place in that intellectual swamp south of Monroe,” he said. He added that he had never forgiven Ohio for the Toledo War of 1835.
He asked a cartographer to add two towns to nearby Ohio. Thus the fictitious towns of Goblu and Beatosu were created. The map can be seen on the official michigan.gov web site. It noted that after the hoax was discovered, new maps were issued, minus the bogus towns. A few collector item maps remain in the public and copies are also available in the official Michigan archives.
Fletcher noted in a 2008 interview that he placed the fake towns in Ohio, safely outside Michigan state lines. “We have no legal liability for anything taking place in that intellectual swamp south of Monroe,” he said. He added that he had never forgiven Ohio for the Toledo War of 1835.
Nobel and Noble Dates
Next week Thursday marks an
interesting date. It is the birthday of Mario Andretti, Bernadette
Peters, Zero Mostel, Bubba Smith, Charles Durning, Tommy Tune, and
Earl Scheib (I'll paint any car any color, etc.) among others.
The two most common birth dates among the 555 Nobel laureates are May 21 and February 28 (seven apiece).
The two most common birth dates among the 555 Nobel laureates are May 21 and February 28 (seven apiece).
Top Ten Benefits of Cinnamon
Did you know cinnamon:
- Can Lower Cholesterol - Studies have shown that 1/2 teaspoon per day can lower LDL cholesterol.
- Helps Regulate Blood Sugar - Several studies suggest that it may have a regulatory effect on blood sugar, beneficial for people with Type 2 diabetes.
- Helps with Yeast Infection - In some studies, it has shown an amazing ability to stop medication-resistant yeast infections.
- Helps with Cancer Prevention - The U.S. Department of Agriculture in Maryland showed cinnamon reduced the proliferation of leukemia and lymphoma cancer cells.
- Aids Anti-Clotting - It has an anti-clotting effect on the blood.
- Provides Arthritis Relief - In a study at Copenhagen University, showed half a teaspoon of cinnamon powder combined with one tablespoon of honey every morning before breakfast had significant relief in arthritis pain after one week.
- Is Anti-Bacterial - When added to food, it inhibits bacterial growth and food spoilage.
- Aids Brain Health - One study found that smelling cinnamon boosts cognitive function and memory.
- Fights E. Coli - Researchers found that cinnamon fights the E. coli bacteria in unpasteurized juices.
- Is High in Nutrients - It is a great source of manganese, fiber, iron, and calcium.
Google Mirror
Try typing the website elgoog.im into
Internet Explorer or whatever browser you use. You can then choose
from a number of other interesting options, such as underwater,
gravity, pacman, etc.
For another game, type "zerg rush" (with the quotes) into the Google search bar and watch. Both are a fun and interesting waste of time.
For another game, type "zerg rush" (with the quotes) into the Google search bar and watch. Both are a fun and interesting waste of time.
Prescription Cigarettes
Just when some states have
begun to legalize marijuana, one state wants to un-legalize
cigarettes.
SALEM, OR (KPTV) - There is a new bill in the Oregon Legislature. Rep. Mitch Greenlick, from Portland, is sponsoring a bill that makes cigarettes a Schedule III controlled substance, meaning it would be illegal to possess or distribute cigarettes without a doctor's prescription.
Under the proposal, offenders would face maximum punishments of one year in prison, a $6,250 fine or both. This should be fun to watch.
SALEM, OR (KPTV) - There is a new bill in the Oregon Legislature. Rep. Mitch Greenlick, from Portland, is sponsoring a bill that makes cigarettes a Schedule III controlled substance, meaning it would be illegal to possess or distribute cigarettes without a doctor's prescription.
Under the proposal, offenders would face maximum punishments of one year in prison, a $6,250 fine or both. This should be fun to watch.
Internet and Devices
This year there will be more mobile
devices in the world than people, according to Cisco's annual
report. At the same time, many of the world's population do not yet
have Internet access.
This year more people in the world will be getting Internet access for the first time.
Today's Internet is out of space as it only planned for a maximum of 4 billion addresses. A brand new Internet opened in June 2012 after a decade of work. It is called Internet Protocol version 6 (IPv6). Eventually, all the new devices and websites will only work on IPv6 and all the old ones will need to convert. IPV6 is able to handle in excess of 340 trillion addresses.
Below is where you can test to see if your computer can connect. It takes a few seconds. Do not worry if you cannot connect, it will be at least more than five years before your equipment will be required to change. When you upgrade your equipment, it will be compatible. (you can test it here).
This year more people in the world will be getting Internet access for the first time.
Today's Internet is out of space as it only planned for a maximum of 4 billion addresses. A brand new Internet opened in June 2012 after a decade of work. It is called Internet Protocol version 6 (IPv6). Eventually, all the new devices and websites will only work on IPv6 and all the old ones will need to convert. IPV6 is able to handle in excess of 340 trillion addresses.
Below is where you can test to see if your computer can connect. It takes a few seconds. Do not worry if you cannot connect, it will be at least more than five years before your equipment will be required to change. When you upgrade your equipment, it will be compatible. (you can test it here).
Mice and Cheese Myth Debunked
Mice do not really like cheese and
they will even actively shy away from certain types of cheese.
According to Dr. David Holmes of Manchester Metropolitan University who recently did a study on whether mice liked cheese or not, while hungry mice will pretty much eat anything (even cardboard), most types of mice strongly prefer grains, fruits, and sweet things. Certain types of mice will also eat insects and other small animals.
Basically, they like to eat what they have been accustomed to eating since before humans started making cheese around 10,000 years ago.
Many mice also like peanut butter and sweet chocolate. Interesting to know that mouse urine glows under florescent light.
According to Dr. David Holmes of Manchester Metropolitan University who recently did a study on whether mice liked cheese or not, while hungry mice will pretty much eat anything (even cardboard), most types of mice strongly prefer grains, fruits, and sweet things. Certain types of mice will also eat insects and other small animals.
Basically, they like to eat what they have been accustomed to eating since before humans started making cheese around 10,000 years ago.
Many mice also like peanut butter and sweet chocolate. Interesting to know that mouse urine glows under florescent light.
Feb 19, 2013
Four Common Masculine and Feminine Words
Fiancé vs.
fiancée. The former is a male engaged to be married; the latter is a
woman engaged to be married.
Blonde refers to a woman with yellow hair and blond refers to a male with yellow hair.
Brunet refers to a man’s hair color and brunette refers to a woman’s hair color.
In education, female is professor emerita and male is professor emeritus.
Blonde refers to a woman with yellow hair and blond refers to a male with yellow hair.
Brunet refers to a man’s hair color and brunette refers to a woman’s hair color.
In education, female is professor emerita and male is professor emeritus.
Feb 15, 2013
Fingernail and Toenail Facts
Fingernails grow about 3.5 mm
per month and toenails grow about 1.6 mm per month on average. The
exact rate at which your nails grow depends on several factors, such
as age, sex, diet, exercise, etc. Nails also grow faster in summer
when it is warmer. Fingernails can be seen on babies after the tenth
week of pregnancy.
Nails consist of many different parts. The visible part is known as the nail plate and below that is the nail bed. The white, half-moon shaped part at the base is called the lunula or distal matrix. The tissue over the top of the matrix is called the cuticle, and the soft tissue directly over the cuticle, is called the eponychium.
Ninety percent of nail growth comes from the matrix. Pressure within the matrix forces dead karatinized cells out. Speed of growth is caused be blood supply and it seems the increased activity of our fingers vs. our toes causes more blood supply to our fingers which leads to faster growth.
The longest fingernails ever recorded on a women belonged to Lee Redmond of Las Vegas. After growing for 30 years, they measured a combined length of 28 feet 4.5 inches. Unfortunately, she lost her fingernails in a car accident in February 2009.
Clean trimmed nails are more noticeable to the beholder than the owner.
Nails consist of many different parts. The visible part is known as the nail plate and below that is the nail bed. The white, half-moon shaped part at the base is called the lunula or distal matrix. The tissue over the top of the matrix is called the cuticle, and the soft tissue directly over the cuticle, is called the eponychium.
Ninety percent of nail growth comes from the matrix. Pressure within the matrix forces dead karatinized cells out. Speed of growth is caused be blood supply and it seems the increased activity of our fingers vs. our toes causes more blood supply to our fingers which leads to faster growth.
The longest fingernails ever recorded on a women belonged to Lee Redmond of Las Vegas. After growing for 30 years, they measured a combined length of 28 feet 4.5 inches. Unfortunately, she lost her fingernails in a car accident in February 2009.
Clean trimmed nails are more noticeable to the beholder than the owner.
Texas Sized Hoax
During the oil boom of 1919, Wichita
Falls, Texas, was desperate for office space. Developer J.D. McMahon
offered to build a 480″ highrise downtown.
Investors loved his offer and poured in the money. The building turned out to be four stories tall. The disgruntled investors double-checked the blueprints and discovered the problem. McMahon had promised a building 480 inches (40 feet) tall, not 480 feet. He delivered on his promise and by the time of their discovery, he was long gone with the rest of the money.
Investors loved his offer and poured in the money. The building turned out to be four stories tall. The disgruntled investors double-checked the blueprints and discovered the problem. McMahon had promised a building 480 inches (40 feet) tall, not 480 feet. He delivered on his promise and by the time of their discovery, he was long gone with the rest of the money.
Good Penmanship Saves Lives
Poor penmanship is
responsible for up to 61 percent of medication errors and more than
1.5 million patient injuries per year, according to a recent report
from the National Academies of Sciences' Institute of Medicine.
Electronic scripts go a long way in reducing these errors. Until all orders are electronic you might want to ask the doc to tell you the name and print it so you do not become a bad statistic.
Electronic scripts go a long way in reducing these errors. Until all orders are electronic you might want to ask the doc to tell you the name and print it so you do not become a bad statistic.
Laughter is Natural
Laughing is extremely difficult to
control consciously. Most people cannot laugh on command.
Laughter almost always occurs during pauses at the end of phrases. It requires the coordination of many muscles throughout the body. A good hardy laugh is like a full body workout. It gives your diaphragm, abdominal, respiratory, facial, leg, and back muscles a workout.
If you want an easy way to trim a few pounds, watch a funny movie or share a good joke with friends. If you need some new material, try some of my humor books.
Here is another good way to burn calories. When you kiss someone for a minute, you both burn about 2.6 calories. According to that math, that is about 156 calories an hour. I am available for testing the theory.
Laughter almost always occurs during pauses at the end of phrases. It requires the coordination of many muscles throughout the body. A good hardy laugh is like a full body workout. It gives your diaphragm, abdominal, respiratory, facial, leg, and back muscles a workout.
If you want an easy way to trim a few pounds, watch a funny movie or share a good joke with friends. If you need some new material, try some of my humor books.
Here is another good way to burn calories. When you kiss someone for a minute, you both burn about 2.6 calories. According to that math, that is about 156 calories an hour. I am available for testing the theory.
Redhead Facts
Redheads, when compared to blondes or
brunettes are more than twice as likely to avoid going to the
dentist. The same genetic variant that explains their hair also
makes them more resistant to local anesthesia, such as Novocaine and
they might need as much as twenty percent more as reported in
Journal of the American Dental Association.
Researchers report that, on average redheads are also more sensitive to heat and cold and three times more susceptible to skin cancer than the rest of us.
Other disorders, all backed by studies, that disproportionately affect redheads include: Parkinson’s disease, Endometriosis, and Tourette’s syndrome.
At a recent seminar on hair color and health, Scottish researcher Jonathan Rees reported that throughout history the “ginger gene” may have “played a big role” in protecting many redheads from rickets (soft, weak bones triggered by vitamin D deficiency).
Unlike blondes and brunettes, their natural red hair retains its original color longer than any other hair color, although eventually it tends to turn blond, and ultimately white. On average, redheads have thicker hair, but fewer strands (about 90,000), compared to blondes (110,000) or brunettes (140,000).
The world’s highest rate of redheads is found in Scotland, where an estimated 13 percent of Scots, about 650,000 people have red hair compared to 4 percent of Europeans and less than 2 percent of the global population, according to STV News. In the US, there are an estimated 6 million redheads. Unrelated hairy fact - The leaders of Russia have been alternately bald then hairy since 1881 through the first Putin leadership.
Researchers report that, on average redheads are also more sensitive to heat and cold and three times more susceptible to skin cancer than the rest of us.
Other disorders, all backed by studies, that disproportionately affect redheads include: Parkinson’s disease, Endometriosis, and Tourette’s syndrome.
At a recent seminar on hair color and health, Scottish researcher Jonathan Rees reported that throughout history the “ginger gene” may have “played a big role” in protecting many redheads from rickets (soft, weak bones triggered by vitamin D deficiency).
Unlike blondes and brunettes, their natural red hair retains its original color longer than any other hair color, although eventually it tends to turn blond, and ultimately white. On average, redheads have thicker hair, but fewer strands (about 90,000), compared to blondes (110,000) or brunettes (140,000).
The world’s highest rate of redheads is found in Scotland, where an estimated 13 percent of Scots, about 650,000 people have red hair compared to 4 percent of Europeans and less than 2 percent of the global population, according to STV News. In the US, there are an estimated 6 million redheads. Unrelated hairy fact - The leaders of Russia have been alternately bald then hairy since 1881 through the first Putin leadership.
Feb 12, 2013
Blood Type Defined
Blood consists of red and white blood
cells, platelets, and plasma (the goop in which everything sits).
Antigens and various proteins float in the plasma and on red blood
cells. An antigen is any substance that causes the immune system to
produce antibodies to fight intruders.
The ABO grouping system refers to genetically-determined individual differences in the presence of two antigens (A and B), which stimulate the production of different antibodies. Type-O blood has both the antibodies produced in type-A and type-B, whereas type-AB has neither.
In 2004 researchers from University College London proposed that the presence of certain bacteria and intracellular viruses may have put evolutionary pressure on certain antigen-producing genetic mutations. In populations where viruses prevailed, gene O dominated. Those with bacteria-heavy environments found themselves more likely to have A or B type.
The major blood groups were not known until the early 1900s. Before then blood transfusions sometimes were fatal, because the different blood groups are incompatible. In 1940, experiments on Rhesus monkeys revealed additional antigen factors now known as positive or negative "Rh factors." This led to the types "O positive" or "AB negative." Since then, hundreds of other less-significant antigen differences have been identified, most of which do not lead to transfusion problems.
The ABO grouping system refers to genetically-determined individual differences in the presence of two antigens (A and B), which stimulate the production of different antibodies. Type-O blood has both the antibodies produced in type-A and type-B, whereas type-AB has neither.
In 2004 researchers from University College London proposed that the presence of certain bacteria and intracellular viruses may have put evolutionary pressure on certain antigen-producing genetic mutations. In populations where viruses prevailed, gene O dominated. Those with bacteria-heavy environments found themselves more likely to have A or B type.
The major blood groups were not known until the early 1900s. Before then blood transfusions sometimes were fatal, because the different blood groups are incompatible. In 1940, experiments on Rhesus monkeys revealed additional antigen factors now known as positive or negative "Rh factors." This led to the types "O positive" or "AB negative." Since then, hundreds of other less-significant antigen differences have been identified, most of which do not lead to transfusion problems.
Wordology, Breaking the Ice
Originally this phrase
literally meant to break ice, like ice breaker ships that would make
a path for other ships to follow.
During the late 17th century, the phrase took on the current meaning of forging a path through an awkward silence or awkward social situation.
About this time, ice-breaker also became common. It is a mechanism, such as a party game to break up socially awkward situations and to get people talking.
During the late 17th century, the phrase took on the current meaning of forging a path through an awkward silence or awkward social situation.
About this time, ice-breaker also became common. It is a mechanism, such as a party game to break up socially awkward situations and to get people talking.
Sperm Study
Here is another of those studies that makes us
wonder who thinks up this stuff. The British Journal of Sports
Medicine, looked at the lifestyles of 189 healthy men between the
ages of 18 and 22, during a three-month period to establish a link
between environmental factors and semen quality. Its finding - men
who watch more than 20 hours of television a week risk halving their
sperm count.
It said, while regular, vigorous exercise was shown to boost sperm count, excessive television-watching can counteract the positive effects of physical activity and can have a major impact on a man’s ability to reproduce.
Another study by researchers at the University of Sheffield and Manchester compared the lifestyles of 939 men with poor sperm quality with 1,310 men with normal sperm quality. It found “little evidence” that a high BMI, excessive alcohol consumption or recreational drugs were contributing factors to sperm quality. It also found that wearing boxer shorts rather than tighter underwear was linked to higher sperm levels. There was even evidence that high levels of physical activity might have a detrimental effect on quality and quantity.
Dr George Chavarro from the Department of Nutrition at Harvard School at Public Health, senior author of the recent study said, “In general, very little is known about what influences sperm count.” Too bad for us their fathers didn't watch more TV.
It said, while regular, vigorous exercise was shown to boost sperm count, excessive television-watching can counteract the positive effects of physical activity and can have a major impact on a man’s ability to reproduce.
Another study by researchers at the University of Sheffield and Manchester compared the lifestyles of 939 men with poor sperm quality with 1,310 men with normal sperm quality. It found “little evidence” that a high BMI, excessive alcohol consumption or recreational drugs were contributing factors to sperm quality. It also found that wearing boxer shorts rather than tighter underwear was linked to higher sperm levels. There was even evidence that high levels of physical activity might have a detrimental effect on quality and quantity.
Dr George Chavarro from the Department of Nutrition at Harvard School at Public Health, senior author of the recent study said, “In general, very little is known about what influences sperm count.” Too bad for us their fathers didn't watch more TV.
Describing Brains
This five minute video is a humorous
look at the differences between male and female brains. A fun
diversion. LINK
Feb 8, 2013
Happy Friday
Learn from yesterday, live for today, hope for tomorrow.
I have learned to live for a Happy Friday and hope for another next week.
I have learned to live for a Happy Friday and hope for another next week.
Super Camera
DARPA has released more details on the
ARGUS-IS, a 1.8-gigapixel camera that will be attached to unmanned
drones to spot targets as small as six inches at an altitude of
20,000 feet. The camera – which is one of the highest resolution
systems in the world – can view ten square miles of terrain at a
time and zoom in on targets with surprising clarity.
The camera uses 368 five-megapixel camera sensors aimed through a telescopic array to pick out birds in flight and humans on the move on the Earth’s surface. ARGUS stands for Autonomous Real-Time Ground Ubiquitous Surveillance Imaging System.
The camera uses 368 five-megapixel camera sensors aimed through a telescopic array to pick out birds in flight and humans on the move on the Earth’s surface. ARGUS stands for Autonomous Real-Time Ground Ubiquitous Surveillance Imaging System.
Wordology, Wenis
It is pronounced wee nis. The skin on
the end of your elbow. It is also the name of an Egyptian pharaoh of
the fifth dynasty.
Bubble Wrap
It was invented by two engineers Al Fielding
and Swiss inventor Marc Chavannes in 1957. They were trying to
create a textured wallpaper. They started out by sealing two shower
curtains together in such a way that it would capture air bubbles
which would make the textured appearance for their wallpaper. The
wallpaper idea didn't sell. They tried to find another use for their
product and tried to use it as greenhouse insulation. This idea
wasn't popular either.
Three years later Frederick W. Bowers, a marketer at Sealed Air, which makes Bubble Wrap, came up with the perfect use for the product. IBM announced their new 1401 computer and Bowers got the idea that Bubble Wrap could be used as a packaging material to protect the computer while it was being shipped. He then pitched the idea to IBM and it began purchasing Bubble Wrap to protect their 1401 and other fragile products.
About $400 million worth of Bubble Wrap is sold annually. Bubble Wrap can be used as a cheap burglar alarm by placing it on the floor in front of a door.
Three years later Frederick W. Bowers, a marketer at Sealed Air, which makes Bubble Wrap, came up with the perfect use for the product. IBM announced their new 1401 computer and Bowers got the idea that Bubble Wrap could be used as a packaging material to protect the computer while it was being shipped. He then pitched the idea to IBM and it began purchasing Bubble Wrap to protect their 1401 and other fragile products.
About $400 million worth of Bubble Wrap is sold annually. Bubble Wrap can be used as a cheap burglar alarm by placing it on the floor in front of a door.
Down Under Trivia
The official Royal New Zealand Air Force
logo is the kiwi, a flightless bird.
Australia’s tallest mountain and most populous city were named for people who never visited the country. Mount Kosciuszko was named after Polish military hero Tadeusz Kosciuszko, because of its resemblance to a prehistoric mound in Kraków, and Sydney was named for British politician Thomas Townshend, Lord Sydney.
Australia’s tallest mountain and most populous city were named for people who never visited the country. Mount Kosciuszko was named after Polish military hero Tadeusz Kosciuszko, because of its resemblance to a prehistoric mound in Kraków, and Sydney was named for British politician Thomas Townshend, Lord Sydney.
Greatest Quotes of the Century
“I gave at the office,”
“The check is in the mail,” “This is a risk-free investment,” “They
are too big to fail,” “I do” (when uttered by Kim Kardashian), "I
did not have sexual relations. . .", "Trust me" (when spoken by any
politician), "The facts prove" (When proffered by the media).
Feb 5, 2013
SpongeBob Facts
1. Greed (Mr. Krabs) - Eugene Krabs is constantly thinking of ways to turn a profit, even if it involves taking advantage of his friends or putting them in harmful situations.
2. Envy (Plankton) - Sheldon Plankton owns a struggling restaurant called “The Chum Bucket” and is consumed with the desire to achieve the success of his adversary and steal the Krabby Patty formula.
3. Sloth (Patrick) - In one episode Patrick is given an award for ‘doing absolutely nothing longer than anyone else’. He then proceeds go back under his rock to protect his title.
4. Pride (Sandy) - The fact that Sandy Cheeks is from Texas alone should almost suffice for this one. She is a squirrel that is very proud of her heritage. Sandy also takes a great deal of satisfaction in being the only land critter living down in Bikini Bottom among all the fish. Sandy is quick to spout off about the greatness of the Lone Star state or to show off her athleticism in a karate match or a weightlifting contest.
5. Wrath (Squidward) - Squidward Tentacles has no qualms about expressing his negative outlook on life by describing how much he hates his job at the Krusty Krab or through outward disdain for his two obnoxious neighbors. He is portrayed as a general failure who refuses to acknowledge his own personal flaws. He has a sarcastic sense of humor and resentment toward the society that doesn't appreciate his creativity and clarinet skills.
6. Gluttony (Gary) - Gary doesn't do much other than eating and meowing, and the meowing is often due to the fact that he is hungry. Gary was shown eating parts of their couch. In another episode, Gary ran away from home because SpongeBob forgot to feed him for a while. Another time Gary ate a year’s supply of snail food and became morbidly obese.
7. Lust (SpongeBob) - The alternative definition for lust is simply “a passionate desire for something”. In this sense, it cannot be denied that he is an extremely lustful creature. SpongeBob has a lust for life that is incomparable to most other cartoon characters. He yearns for the affections of both friend and foe alike, is eager to please, and will often stop at nothing to complete a task.
High-Fructose Corn Syrup (HFCS) and Obesity
HFCS entered
the American food supply in the 1970s and the rates of obesity began
to rise about the same time. Consequently, many blame HFCS.
However, the calories in HFCS are no different from those in refined white sugar. The makeup of HFCS (55 percent fructose and 45 percent glucose) is close to that of white sugar (50 percent fructose and 50 percent glucose) and our bodies digest HFCS and sugar in very similar ways. Nutritionally speaking, the two are virtually identical.
Interesting Fact: Coca Cola produced in Mexico is still made with sugar (as opposed to corn syrup in the US), and many people claim to be able to taste the difference, but after numerous tests, results vary widely in their conclusions.
However, the calories in HFCS are no different from those in refined white sugar. The makeup of HFCS (55 percent fructose and 45 percent glucose) is close to that of white sugar (50 percent fructose and 50 percent glucose) and our bodies digest HFCS and sugar in very similar ways. Nutritionally speaking, the two are virtually identical.
Interesting Fact: Coca Cola produced in Mexico is still made with sugar (as opposed to corn syrup in the US), and many people claim to be able to taste the difference, but after numerous tests, results vary widely in their conclusions.
Vowel-less Words
English is a funny language with many
interesting words.
BRR – The way you tell people that it is very chilly.
HMM – Accepted (in addition to “hm”) as a sound of contemplation. When you are thinking more, it is “hmm” instead of “hm.”
NTH – Having the quality of being the last in a series of infinitely increasing or decreasing values. (As in, “the nth degree.”)
PHT – An interjection used to signify mild annoyance or disagreement.
SHH – A way to urge someone to be quiet.
TSK – An interjection often used in quick repetition like “tsktsk” to express contempt or disdain.
PFFT – A way to express that something is dying or fizzling out.
PSST – Used to attract someone’s attention.
BRR – The way you tell people that it is very chilly.
HMM – Accepted (in addition to “hm”) as a sound of contemplation. When you are thinking more, it is “hmm” instead of “hm.”
NTH – Having the quality of being the last in a series of infinitely increasing or decreasing values. (As in, “the nth degree.”)
PHT – An interjection used to signify mild annoyance or disagreement.
SHH – A way to urge someone to be quiet.
TSK – An interjection often used in quick repetition like “tsktsk” to express contempt or disdain.
PFFT – A way to express that something is dying or fizzling out.
PSST – Used to attract someone’s attention.
The Real Batmania
In 1835, John Batman settled in what was
to eventually become Melbourne, Australia. He named it “Batmania”.
Two years later it was renamed Melbourne in honor of the Prime
Minister, Lord Melbourne.
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Feb 1, 2013
Happy Friday
A mediocre person tells. A good person explains. A superior person
demonstrates. A great person inspires others to see for themselves.
I may not always tell, or explain, or inspire, but I do always demonstrate having a Happy Friday!
I may not always tell, or explain, or inspire, but I do always demonstrate having a Happy Friday!
February
February came into English from French.
The French feverier became English feverere, or feverell. During the
16th and 17th centuries writers began re-Latinizing their spelling
to make words look more like original ancient language sources. It
was a way to make documents look more intelligent, so along with
many other words, they made February look more like Februarius.
Happy Birthday Puck
The word “puck” was first recorded in
the February 7, 1876 edition of the Montreal Gazette. The NHL
regards this date as the hockey puck’s birthday, even though they
were in use for decades before.
Early pucks were made from frozen cow dung. The first rubber pucks were made from lacrosse balls, which were sliced in thirds and only the middle third was used. Now they are constructed of vulcanized rubber.
Players are required to use frozen pucks to reduce bouncing and make them easier to control. These tend to thaw quickly and are replaced by officials on average of 12 per game. Don Rickles might have called people who started the NHL strike 'hockey pucks'.
Early pucks were made from frozen cow dung. The first rubber pucks were made from lacrosse balls, which were sliced in thirds and only the middle third was used. Now they are constructed of vulcanized rubber.
Players are required to use frozen pucks to reduce bouncing and make them easier to control. These tend to thaw quickly and are replaced by officials on average of 12 per game. Don Rickles might have called people who started the NHL strike 'hockey pucks'.
First Down Line
The big game will be played this weekend so
I thought it might be interesting to review the technology behind
the lines that TV adds to the field for down markers. Before the
game begins, technicians make a digital 3-D model of the field,
which is not flat. It is subtly curved with a crown in the middle to
help water flow away. Each field is unique.
Technicians also put together two separate color palettes before each game. One palette contains the colors for the field’s turf to automatically be converted into yellow (or whatever color is used) when the line is drawn onto the field. All other colors, such as player and official uniforms, shoes, the ball, etc., go into the other palette. Colors that appear on this second palette are never converted. If a player’s foot is situated on the line, everything around it will turn yellow, but not his foot.
Each camera used for the game contains sensors that record its location, tilt, pan, zoom and transmit this data to the graphics computers. These sensors allow the computers to process exactly where each camera is within the 3-D model, along with the perspective of each camera so the lines can be added to the picture.
One version requires a four-man crew and costs about $25,000 per game to project the lines onto the field.
Technicians also put together two separate color palettes before each game. One palette contains the colors for the field’s turf to automatically be converted into yellow (or whatever color is used) when the line is drawn onto the field. All other colors, such as player and official uniforms, shoes, the ball, etc., go into the other palette. Colors that appear on this second palette are never converted. If a player’s foot is situated on the line, everything around it will turn yellow, but not his foot.
Each camera used for the game contains sensors that record its location, tilt, pan, zoom and transmit this data to the graphics computers. These sensors allow the computers to process exactly where each camera is within the 3-D model, along with the perspective of each camera so the lines can be added to the picture.
One version requires a four-man crew and costs about $25,000 per game to project the lines onto the field.
Beer Myths Debunked
More game day stuff. The myth says if
cold beer gets warm, cooling it again will make it stale. This is a
myth was started by marketing people. Beer experiences substantial
fluctuations in temperature during shipping, although excessive heat
will ruin beer. The notion that beer can only be refrigerated once
is a total myth.
Are Bottles Better Than Cans - Canned beer is often associated with mass-market, “cheap” beer. However, craft brewers are beginning to can their beer. In fact, at least 212 breweries, according to CraftCans.com now sell canned beer.
The Huffington Post conducted a blind taste test and found participants preferred the taste of canned beer to bottled three times out of four. During the game you can pop or twist or flip a top and know the beer is all the same.
Are Bottles Better Than Cans - Canned beer is often associated with mass-market, “cheap” beer. However, craft brewers are beginning to can their beer. In fact, at least 212 breweries, according to CraftCans.com now sell canned beer.
The Huffington Post conducted a blind taste test and found participants preferred the taste of canned beer to bottled three times out of four. During the game you can pop or twist or flip a top and know the beer is all the same.
Table Salt vs. Kosher Salt
Salt is another game day treat
that goes on almost everything. The primary ingredient in each type
is sodium chloride. US requires food-grade salt be a minimum of
97.5% pure.
Table salt usually contains an anti-clumping agent, like calcium silicate, and also iodine. Kosher salt usually does not contain either. In the old days, people used to put a few grains of rice in their salt shaker to keep the salt from clumping.
The main difference between Kosher salt and regular salt is the grain size, with table salt being much smaller, because Kosher salt is less processed.
Kosher salt is not called “Kosher” because the salt is certified as kosher, but because this type of salt was used in the process of koshering meat to remove surface blood from meat without making the meat too salty.
Incidentally, iodine was first added to salt commercially in the United States in 1924 by the Morton Salt Company at the request of the government, because people weren't getting enough iodine in their diets. This caused many people to develop goiters or swelling of the thyroid gland. The practice was taken from the Swiss, who began adding iodine to salt many years earlier. Today most people get enough iodine in their diets, but many government health agencies around the world still recommend adding it to salt.
Table salt usually contains an anti-clumping agent, like calcium silicate, and also iodine. Kosher salt usually does not contain either. In the old days, people used to put a few grains of rice in their salt shaker to keep the salt from clumping.
The main difference between Kosher salt and regular salt is the grain size, with table salt being much smaller, because Kosher salt is less processed.
Kosher salt is not called “Kosher” because the salt is certified as kosher, but because this type of salt was used in the process of koshering meat to remove surface blood from meat without making the meat too salty.
Incidentally, iodine was first added to salt commercially in the United States in 1924 by the Morton Salt Company at the request of the government, because people weren't getting enough iodine in their diets. This caused many people to develop goiters or swelling of the thyroid gland. The practice was taken from the Swiss, who began adding iodine to salt many years earlier. Today most people get enough iodine in their diets, but many government health agencies around the world still recommend adding it to salt.
Africa Size Comparison
This interesting picture shows
the size of Africa compared to other continents and countries.
Wordology, Meme
The vast expanse of the internet makes
communication around the world immediate, and with it copying and
sharing of interesting (and not so interesting) information. The
neologism (a new word or phrase) 'meme' (rhymes with team) has
reached widespread use to describe the viral spread of jokes, ideas,
and more via the internet.
“Meme” was coined by evolutionary biologist Richard Dawkins before the web was in use, in his 1976 book, The Selfish Gene. He stated, "We need a name for the new replicator, a noun that conveys the idea of a unit of cultural transmission, or a unit of imitation. ‘Mimeme’ comes from a suitable Greek root, but I want a monosyllable that sounds a bit like ‘gene’. I hope my classicist friends will forgive me if I abbreviate mimeme to meme. If it is any consolation, it could alternatively be thought of as being related to ‘memory’, or to the French word même."
The French word même means “same” or “alike.” The Greek word “mimeme” he takes “meme” from comes from the Ancient Greek meaning “that which is imitated” / “something imitated” / “something copied”.
Dawkins was hoping that the word would be used as a unit of human cultural transmission, such as a melody, fashion, or catch-phrase. People refine memes as they sometimes alter the information when they transmit it to another human. Bacon, while being still being delicious has also become a meme.
“Meme” was coined by evolutionary biologist Richard Dawkins before the web was in use, in his 1976 book, The Selfish Gene. He stated, "We need a name for the new replicator, a noun that conveys the idea of a unit of cultural transmission, or a unit of imitation. ‘Mimeme’ comes from a suitable Greek root, but I want a monosyllable that sounds a bit like ‘gene’. I hope my classicist friends will forgive me if I abbreviate mimeme to meme. If it is any consolation, it could alternatively be thought of as being related to ‘memory’, or to the French word même."
The French word même means “same” or “alike.” The Greek word “mimeme” he takes “meme” from comes from the Ancient Greek meaning “that which is imitated” / “something imitated” / “something copied”.
Dawkins was hoping that the word would be used as a unit of human cultural transmission, such as a melody, fashion, or catch-phrase. People refine memes as they sometimes alter the information when they transmit it to another human. Bacon, while being still being delicious has also become a meme.
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