Here is a site that offers a free minimal
hearing test. Came across it while reading about free smartphone
apps that are said to deter mosquitoes by putting out a high pitched
sound from your phone that humans cannot hear. Further reading
debunked those apps as useless.
Turn up your speakers. LINK
Aug 30, 2014
Labor Day
Labor Day is annually held on the first Monday of
September in the US, Canada. The first Labor Day was celebrated in
1882. In many countries, it is celebrated around May 1 and called
May Day. It was originally organized to celebrate various labor
associations' contributions. It is a mostly day of rest in modern
times.
Aug 22, 2014
Happy Friday
What we read with inclination makes a much stronger impression.
What we do with inclination makes for a stronger impression of a Happy Friday!
What we do with inclination makes for a stronger impression of a Happy Friday!
Opt Out
There is a web site that will scare the heck out of you, but
will also help you. The ad industry website for opting out of ads
from multiple companies goes a long way to keep companies from
dropping cookies on your computer, then bombarding you with ads that
have become more and more personalized to you. Increasingly, these
companies also track your location, contacts, calls, texts, etc.,
through your smartphone. Check what an app can look at each time
before you agree to download. (If it wants access to your contact
list, please remove me or change my name to John Doe.) If you like
these ads, skip to the next topic.
If you do not like ads, go to the site using the link below and follow the instructions to opt out. These are only the specific companies that target ads to you, based on your cookies. Other companies that do not directly target can be eliminated through various add-ons to your particular browser. In my case, I had only one company showing, although 117 companies were participating. My browser is so locked down, I usually do not see any ads on most pages, but I am vigilant with my lockdown practices. After opting out, a few of the companies added a preference in my browser to not show me ads. LINK
My mother used to tell me that too many cookies were not good for me. Now I understand she must have meant both physical and electronic.
If you do not like ads, go to the site using the link below and follow the instructions to opt out. These are only the specific companies that target ads to you, based on your cookies. Other companies that do not directly target can be eliminated through various add-ons to your particular browser. In my case, I had only one company showing, although 117 companies were participating. My browser is so locked down, I usually do not see any ads on most pages, but I am vigilant with my lockdown practices. After opting out, a few of the companies added a preference in my browser to not show me ads. LINK
My mother used to tell me that too many cookies were not good for me. Now I understand she must have meant both physical and electronic.
Another Salt Study
Adding to the library of salt studies is
yet a new one which again finds that salt is not that bad and that
too little salt may be as bad for us as too much salt. The same can
be said for calories or carbohydrates.
More than 100,000 people from the general public in 17 countries were observed for nearly four years and sodium levels were determined from urine tests. The researchers found people who consume 3 to 6 grams of sodium a day (salt contains about 39% sodium by weight) had the lowest risk of heart problems or death from any cause. About three-fourths of the world's population is in the ideal range, including the US, which averages 4 grams a day salt consumption.
The new study published this week in the New England Journal of Medicine suggests the US's daily consumption of about 3,400 milligrams is not only perfectly fine, but may be healthier than abstaining. It suggests eaters should shoot for between 3,000 and 6,000 mg of salt each day. Dr. Suzanne Oparil, a cardiologist at the University of Alabama, Birmingham, who wrote an editorial accompanying the publication, added, "Japan, one of the highest salt consumers, has one of the longest lifespans."
Table salt also contains iodine, and desiccants to keep it from clumping. Sodium is essential for human nutrition, but too much sodium or too little sodium raises health risks. Sodium levels generally correlate with the risk of high blood pressure, but correlation (are related) is not causality (one causes the other). Chlorine is also important to overall health. Our bodies, like salt water swimming pools separate sodium from chlorine for use.
Potassium, found in vegetables and fruits appears to lower blood pressure and heart risks, and offsets sodium's effect. Potatoes, bananas, avocados, leafy greens, nuts, apricots, salmon, and mushrooms are high in potassium.
Determining that worldwide deaths are caused by one ingredient, without relation to complete diet, or other factors, is like saying global warming is caused only by CO2, or that drinking only diet soda makes us fat.
As with all studies, results 'should be taken with a grain of salt'. Reducing or increasing one item from the panoply of food we ingest is interesting fodder for highly funded studies, but taking results too seriously can be hazardous to our health.
More than 100,000 people from the general public in 17 countries were observed for nearly four years and sodium levels were determined from urine tests. The researchers found people who consume 3 to 6 grams of sodium a day (salt contains about 39% sodium by weight) had the lowest risk of heart problems or death from any cause. About three-fourths of the world's population is in the ideal range, including the US, which averages 4 grams a day salt consumption.
The new study published this week in the New England Journal of Medicine suggests the US's daily consumption of about 3,400 milligrams is not only perfectly fine, but may be healthier than abstaining. It suggests eaters should shoot for between 3,000 and 6,000 mg of salt each day. Dr. Suzanne Oparil, a cardiologist at the University of Alabama, Birmingham, who wrote an editorial accompanying the publication, added, "Japan, one of the highest salt consumers, has one of the longest lifespans."
Table salt also contains iodine, and desiccants to keep it from clumping. Sodium is essential for human nutrition, but too much sodium or too little sodium raises health risks. Sodium levels generally correlate with the risk of high blood pressure, but correlation (are related) is not causality (one causes the other). Chlorine is also important to overall health. Our bodies, like salt water swimming pools separate sodium from chlorine for use.
Potassium, found in vegetables and fruits appears to lower blood pressure and heart risks, and offsets sodium's effect. Potatoes, bananas, avocados, leafy greens, nuts, apricots, salmon, and mushrooms are high in potassium.
Determining that worldwide deaths are caused by one ingredient, without relation to complete diet, or other factors, is like saying global warming is caused only by CO2, or that drinking only diet soda makes us fat.
As with all studies, results 'should be taken with a grain of salt'. Reducing or increasing one item from the panoply of food we ingest is interesting fodder for highly funded studies, but taking results too seriously can be hazardous to our health.
Three Quick Hacks
Put a few of those small ketchup packs in
the freezer. They stay soft and can be used for small bruises or
bumps.
Use the microwave to soften some chocolate in an ice cube tray, then add strawberries for an easy and clean way to make chocolate covered strawberries with no mess (not as pretty, but taste just as good).
If you mix a tablespoon of vanilla extract to a gallon of paint, the smell will be much more pleasant and it will not change the color of the paint.
Use the microwave to soften some chocolate in an ice cube tray, then add strawberries for an easy and clean way to make chocolate covered strawberries with no mess (not as pretty, but taste just as good).
If you mix a tablespoon of vanilla extract to a gallon of paint, the smell will be much more pleasant and it will not change the color of the paint.
Internet Radio
Many of us think the radio is for the car,
or background music while at home, but do not think of listening to
the radio on the Internet. Some internet radio stations require free
signup, some require nothing but your ears. Since these are Internet
based, they are available on your PC, tablet, smartphone, etc. A few
require an app for your phone, but most are just available as a web
site.
Below are a few free (most accept donations) stations you can tune into while derping around the net. You can find many more by Googling "Internet Radio Stations."
Many genres available, but some have commercials embedded - http://www.internet-radio.com/
Large collection of stations - http://www.sky.fm/
Smartphone favorite - http://www.pandora.com/
Very cool option to check real radio stations that also broadcast live. Check by hometown, country, or genre. http://radio-locator.com/
Was going to add links to specific stations, but thought why limit you to my musical proclivities. Enjoy!
Below are a few free (most accept donations) stations you can tune into while derping around the net. You can find many more by Googling "Internet Radio Stations."
Many genres available, but some have commercials embedded - http://www.internet-radio.com/
Large collection of stations - http://www.sky.fm/
Smartphone favorite - http://www.pandora.com/
Very cool option to check real radio stations that also broadcast live. Check by hometown, country, or genre. http://radio-locator.com/
Was going to add links to specific stations, but thought why limit you to my musical proclivities. Enjoy!
Wordology, Cappuccino
Espresso, hot milk, and steamed milk
foam are ingredients for making a cappuccino. Cappuccino comes from
German/Austrian 'kapuziner', and is the diminutive form of cappuccio
in Italian, meaning 'hood' or something that covers the head, thus
'cappuccino' reads 'small capuchin'. The Capuchin monks of the 16th
century, an offshoot of the Franciscan Catholic order wear long and
pointy hoods, known as capuche. The monks subsequently received a
formal nickname, Capuchin, for their hoods. The color of cappuccino
resembles the brown shade of the hoods and thus the naming of the
coffee drink.
Cappuccino differs from latte in size. Cappuccino is traditionally small while latte traditionally is large. Latte is often served in a large glass and cappuccino mostly in a cup with a handle. Here is some Java Jive music to listen to while sipping your cappuccino.
Cappuccino differs from latte in size. Cappuccino is traditionally small while latte traditionally is large. Latte is often served in a large glass and cappuccino mostly in a cup with a handle. Here is some Java Jive music to listen to while sipping your cappuccino.
Voicemail Tips
In each of the following, ignore the quote
marks as they are used as a separator. You can halt an incoming
message by pressing "33". You can still press "4" to replay the
message. You can also use "#" so message will be ready to listen to
again as a "skipped message" after you heard the rest of your
messages. Some carriers allow you to press "7" mid message to
eliminate, if not, press "77" to immediately erase.
Some carriers allow you to press "*" to interrupt the recipient's greeting and go right into leaving your voicemail.
Some carriers allow you to press "*" to interrupt the recipient's greeting and go right into leaving your voicemail.
Text-to-911
By the end of 2014, US carriers will be
required to route all of our emergency texts to 911. The Federal
Communications Commission voted 3-2 to require all mobile carriers
to route text messages sent to 911, to local emergency response
centers, just like phone calls.
The problem is most emergency services agencies are not yet equipped to receive them.
The big four operators have already implemented text-to-911 voluntarily, but many smaller operators have not. In fact, only about 2 percent of 911 response centers are capable of receiving SMS, so most emergency messages just get sent into the cloud.
The FCC also now requires messaging apps linked to phone numbers must all support 911. That means an app that works within the phone’s SMS client must be able to send 911 texts, but a social messaging app like Facebook Messenger or WhatsApp does not. Am having difficulty understanding how someone with a phone finds it easier to text than to call, especially when 911 usually requires a series of questions and answers. Thumbs may not be faster than lips, but apps like EVA, SIRI, Skyvi, and Jeannie, etc. might be more linguistically understandable.
The problem is most emergency services agencies are not yet equipped to receive them.
The big four operators have already implemented text-to-911 voluntarily, but many smaller operators have not. In fact, only about 2 percent of 911 response centers are capable of receiving SMS, so most emergency messages just get sent into the cloud.
The FCC also now requires messaging apps linked to phone numbers must all support 911. That means an app that works within the phone’s SMS client must be able to send 911 texts, but a social messaging app like Facebook Messenger or WhatsApp does not. Am having difficulty understanding how someone with a phone finds it easier to text than to call, especially when 911 usually requires a series of questions and answers. Thumbs may not be faster than lips, but apps like EVA, SIRI, Skyvi, and Jeannie, etc. might be more linguistically understandable.
Sunburn and SPF
SPF is an acronym for Sun Protection
Factor. SPF is actually a measure of protection from amount of UV-B
exposure and it is not meant to help you determine duration of
exposure. Sunbathers often assume that they get twice as much
protection from SPF 100 sunscreen as from SPF 50. In reality, the
extra protection is negligible. Properly applied SPF 15 blocks 93%
of UV-B rays; SPF 50 sunscreen blocks 98 percent of sunburn rays.
Dermatologists recommend using a SPF15 or SPF30 sunscreen. Higher
SPFs do not actually give much more protection.
Sunblock and sunscreen block the rays from the sun being absorbed by our skin. Ninety five percent of the UV (Ultra violet) energy hitting the earth’s surface is UV-A. The other 5% is UV-B. Most of UV-B radiation is absorbed by our atmosphere. UV-A penetrates the skin more deeply than UV-B. However, UV-B causes more problems generally associated with exposure to the sun’s rays, like skin cancer, aging, and DNA damage. UV-B waves are primarily responsible for sunburned skin. Scientists know less about the dangers of UV-A radiation, but the general consensus is that it is less obvious than UV-B damage, but possibly more serious.
Sunscreens generally only block UV-B rays, and not UV-A. To get broad spectrum protection, sunscreen must contain both the organic compounds associated with UV-B absorption and an inorganic associated with UV-A reflection.
Sunburn reactions usually begin about 4 hours after exposure and peak between 8-24 hours, so what we feel while being exposed is just the beginning.
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Sunblock and sunscreen block the rays from the sun being absorbed by our skin. Ninety five percent of the UV (Ultra violet) energy hitting the earth’s surface is UV-A. The other 5% is UV-B. Most of UV-B radiation is absorbed by our atmosphere. UV-A penetrates the skin more deeply than UV-B. However, UV-B causes more problems generally associated with exposure to the sun’s rays, like skin cancer, aging, and DNA damage. UV-B waves are primarily responsible for sunburned skin. Scientists know less about the dangers of UV-A radiation, but the general consensus is that it is less obvious than UV-B damage, but possibly more serious.
Sunscreens generally only block UV-B rays, and not UV-A. To get broad spectrum protection, sunscreen must contain both the organic compounds associated with UV-B absorption and an inorganic associated with UV-A reflection.
Sunburn reactions usually begin about 4 hours after exposure and peak between 8-24 hours, so what we feel while being exposed is just the beginning.
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Aug 15, 2014
Happy Friday
Only the pessimist thinks good morning is an oxymoron.
No one could possibly think that, when waking up to a Happy Friday!
No one could possibly think that, when waking up to a Happy Friday!
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