That is the official name for fear of Friday the 13th. Therapist Dr. Donald Dossey, whose specialty is treating people with irrational fears, coined the term paraskevidekatriaphobia. Another is known as friggatriskaidekaphobia. The fear of the day is likely rooted in Christianity. Jesus was crucified on a Friday and ever since the day has been associated with general ill omen according to Michael Bailey, a history professor at Iowa State University who specializes in the origins of superstitions. See also LINK
Weddings in the Middle Ages were not held on Fridays and it was not a day someone would start a journey. Thirteen guests are believed to have attended the Last Supper, the night before Jesus was killed, according to Stuart Vyse, a psychology professor at Connecticut College. Judas Iscariot, the disciple who betrayed Jesus, is considered to have been the 13th guest, Vyse said.
It is unclear when Friday and number 13 became linked in the way we think of them today, according to Vyse and Bailey. There are no mentions of Friday the 13th before the 19th century.
Taylor Swift says her lucky number is 13. "I was born on the 13th. I turned 13 on Friday the 13th. My first album went gold in 13 weeks. My first #1 song had a 13-second intro." The performer was sued in 2014 by the clothing brand Lucky 13 for selling T-shirts on her online store with the phrase "Lucky 13" on them.
Jan 13, 2017
Cold Weather Hack
We have not had much cold weather here lately, but I know some
of you are dealing with it. When you are outside in cold
weather, one of the first things to get cold is your feet. The
reason is the body is protecting itself from the cold and trying
to keep the core of your body, where all your internal organs
are located, warm. That means blood flow to your hands and feet
become limited, making them colder.
This is why it is important to have warm footwear when venturing outside in cold weather. A way to improve the warmth of even the cheapest boots is to go to a dollar store and buy a sun sheet, like the one you put in a car window to keep the sun out during summer. Remove shoe or boot insoles, place them face down on the sheet, trace the outside of them, and cut the sun sheet. Put the cut sun sheet in your boot and put your insole in over top of it. This will add insulation between you and the cold ground and it will also reflect your body heat back up into you.
This is why it is important to have warm footwear when venturing outside in cold weather. A way to improve the warmth of even the cheapest boots is to go to a dollar store and buy a sun sheet, like the one you put in a car window to keep the sun out during summer. Remove shoe or boot insoles, place them face down on the sheet, trace the outside of them, and cut the sun sheet. Put the cut sun sheet in your boot and put your insole in over top of it. This will add insulation between you and the cold ground and it will also reflect your body heat back up into you.
Wordology, Just Deserts
The 'desert' from the phrase 'just
deserts' is not the hot, dry, and sandy kind, nor the after
dinner kind. It comes from an Old French word for 'deserve', and
it was used in English from the 13th century to mean "that which
is deserved." When you get your just deserts, you get what you
deserve.
Things and Stuff
George Carlin had a great bit about Stuff. He talked about his
stuff, your stuff and everybody's stuff LINK.
He talked about stuff, but he neglected to mention things.
We distinguish between these two classes of existence. We can count things, but stuff forms a sort of cumulative mass. Things are made of stuff (cars are made of steel), but stuff is made of things (gold is made of molecules).
Chairs, dogs, balloons, and flowers are things. If I have one dog and add another, I have two dogs. My chair did not exist until it was assembled into that form. If a balloon pops, it is no longer a balloon.
Helium, gravy, wood, and music are stuff. If some helium escapes my balloon, it seems wrong to say that I lost a thing. If I divide my gravy into two portions, it is still gravy. If I chop my cabin into firewood, the amount of wood in the world has not changed.
Linguistically, we distinguish between thing terms and stuff terms, where a thing is a count noun, and stuff is a mass noun. Syntactically, thing functions as a term that refers to a single "entity" and hence takes "a" and "every" and is subject to pluralization, while stuff functions refers to a plurality of "entities" and hence takes some and is not subject to pluralization. Bottom line, we have some things and some stuff.
We distinguish between these two classes of existence. We can count things, but stuff forms a sort of cumulative mass. Things are made of stuff (cars are made of steel), but stuff is made of things (gold is made of molecules).
Chairs, dogs, balloons, and flowers are things. If I have one dog and add another, I have two dogs. My chair did not exist until it was assembled into that form. If a balloon pops, it is no longer a balloon.
Helium, gravy, wood, and music are stuff. If some helium escapes my balloon, it seems wrong to say that I lost a thing. If I divide my gravy into two portions, it is still gravy. If I chop my cabin into firewood, the amount of wood in the world has not changed.
Linguistically, we distinguish between thing terms and stuff terms, where a thing is a count noun, and stuff is a mass noun. Syntactically, thing functions as a term that refers to a single "entity" and hence takes "a" and "every" and is subject to pluralization, while stuff functions refers to a plurality of "entities" and hence takes some and is not subject to pluralization. Bottom line, we have some things and some stuff.
Cosmetic Codes
There is a code on the back of a makeup container with a 6, 12,
etc. Shelf life of cosmetics depends on the period after opening
and production date. Some cosmetics should be used within a
specified period of time after opening due to oxidation and
microbiological factors. The packaging has a drawing of an open
jar, inside it there is a number representing the number of
months. In this example it is 6 months of use after opening.
Unused cosmetics also lose their freshness and become dry. According to EU law, the manufacturer must put the expiration date only on cosmetics whose shelf life is less than 30 months. The most common periods of suitability for use from date of manufacture:
Perfumes with alcohol - about 5 years,
Skin care - 3 years,
Makeup - 3 years (mascara) to more than 5 years (powders).
Expiration dates also may vary depending on the manufacturer.
Unused cosmetics also lose their freshness and become dry. According to EU law, the manufacturer must put the expiration date only on cosmetics whose shelf life is less than 30 months. The most common periods of suitability for use from date of manufacture:
Perfumes with alcohol - about 5 years,
Skin care - 3 years,
Makeup - 3 years (mascara) to more than 5 years (powders).
Expiration dates also may vary depending on the manufacturer.
Quote
I
believe that laughing is the best calorie burner. I believe that
happy girls are the prettiest girls. ~Audrey Hepburn
Dark Web vs. Deep Web
Many people use the terms
Dark Web and Deep Web interchangeably, but they are two very
different things. Dark Web is basically just a part of
the internet that is not completely public and you need special
software to access. The Deep Web is designed for extra security
and privacy that the regular Internet does not have. The Deep
Web cannot be accessed by a search engine, and consists mostly
of data stored on private networks of corporations.
The Dark Web is an encrypted network of darknets that makes up a portion of the Deep Web. Accessing this hidden section of the web requires a special encryption software called Tor. There is nothing wrong with the Dark Web, nor is it actually Dark. Originally it was designed with privacy, security, and anonymity in mind. It is not illegal, in fact, legitimate sites such as Facebook have sites on the Dark Web. Many people use it to browse the web without being tracked by an internet service provider or the government. There is a dark side to the Dark Web, including graphic content, evidence of kidnappings, hit-men for hire, prostitution, child pornography, drugs, guns, and more. Due to the anonymity the Dark Web provides, it is more difficult for law enforcement officials to track down and stop illegal activities.
The regular web, or Internet you use every day to search for your daily news, shop, Tweet, and watch viral animal videos can be just as bad. Many criminals and other predators hide in plain sight. Almost everything you can find on the Dark Web can also be found on the regular Internet. This includes drugs, solicitation, stolen data, terrorism groups, and various types of pornographic material.
The Deep Web is estimated to be around 500 times larger than the regular Internet and the Dark Web is estimated at 7,000 to 30,000 sites hidden from everyday access. Bottom line, the Dark Web is not so dark, the Internet is not so innocent, and the Deep Web is owned by corporations and governments.
The Dark Web is an encrypted network of darknets that makes up a portion of the Deep Web. Accessing this hidden section of the web requires a special encryption software called Tor. There is nothing wrong with the Dark Web, nor is it actually Dark. Originally it was designed with privacy, security, and anonymity in mind. It is not illegal, in fact, legitimate sites such as Facebook have sites on the Dark Web. Many people use it to browse the web without being tracked by an internet service provider or the government. There is a dark side to the Dark Web, including graphic content, evidence of kidnappings, hit-men for hire, prostitution, child pornography, drugs, guns, and more. Due to the anonymity the Dark Web provides, it is more difficult for law enforcement officials to track down and stop illegal activities.
The regular web, or Internet you use every day to search for your daily news, shop, Tweet, and watch viral animal videos can be just as bad. Many criminals and other predators hide in plain sight. Almost everything you can find on the Dark Web can also be found on the regular Internet. This includes drugs, solicitation, stolen data, terrorism groups, and various types of pornographic material.
The Deep Web is estimated to be around 500 times larger than the regular Internet and the Dark Web is estimated at 7,000 to 30,000 sites hidden from everyday access. Bottom line, the Dark Web is not so dark, the Internet is not so innocent, and the Deep Web is owned by corporations and governments.
Preauricular Sinus
I have
a Preauricular sinus and never knew it. These are common
congenital malformations first described by Heusinger in 1864.
Both sexes can have one. In females, it is commonly found
outside the right ear.
Theories of origin of preauricular sinus (also known as a congenital auricular fistula) includes: defective or incomplete fusion of the beginnings of the external ears at the embryonic stage. Just one third of folks even know they have one.
The sinus may be bilateral (both ears) in 25-50% of cases, and bilateral sinuses are more likely to be hereditary. In unilateral cases, the left side is more commonly affected. They are usually benign and do not change through life.
On Facebook, people with a preauricular sinus believe they are special. Neil Shubin, an evolutionary biologist, has a highly speculative theory that the holes could be an "evolutionary remnant of fish gills."
In Taiwan, the incidence of preauricular sinuses is estimated to be 1.6-2.5%; in Scotland, 0.06%; and in Hungary, 0.47%. In some parts of Asia and Africa, the incidence is estimated to be 4-10%. Just 0.1 percent of the population have it in the US, and 0.9 percent in the UK. Bottom line, I always knew I was special, now I can prove it. Ha
Theories of origin of preauricular sinus (also known as a congenital auricular fistula) includes: defective or incomplete fusion of the beginnings of the external ears at the embryonic stage. Just one third of folks even know they have one.
The sinus may be bilateral (both ears) in 25-50% of cases, and bilateral sinuses are more likely to be hereditary. In unilateral cases, the left side is more commonly affected. They are usually benign and do not change through life.
On Facebook, people with a preauricular sinus believe they are special. Neil Shubin, an evolutionary biologist, has a highly speculative theory that the holes could be an "evolutionary remnant of fish gills."
In Taiwan, the incidence of preauricular sinuses is estimated to be 1.6-2.5%; in Scotland, 0.06%; and in Hungary, 0.47%. In some parts of Asia and Africa, the incidence is estimated to be 4-10%. Just 0.1 percent of the population have it in the US, and 0.9 percent in the UK. Bottom line, I always knew I was special, now I can prove it. Ha
Idle Thought
Politicians have the unique ability to believe they are the one
in seven billion people, rather than just one of
seven billion people.
Jan 6, 2017
Happy Friday
Happy roads are created
by happy feet.
Wake up and be happy, especially on a Happy Friday!
Wake up and be happy, especially on a Happy Friday!
Wordology, Old Chestnut
An 'old chestnut' is another way of saying a
joke is old or stale. The origin appears to be eating roasted
chestnuts at the fireside while listening to old stories.
The Broken Sword, was a melodrama by William Dimond (1816) in which one of the characters, Captain Xavier, is forever telling the same jokes, over and over, with slight variations. As he repeats a certain joke involving a cork tree, he is corrected. The man says, "A chestnut. I have heard you tell the joke twenty-seven times, and I am sure it was a chestnut."
The Broken Sword, was a melodrama by William Dimond (1816) in which one of the characters, Captain Xavier, is forever telling the same jokes, over and over, with slight variations. As he repeats a certain joke involving a cork tree, he is corrected. The man says, "A chestnut. I have heard you tell the joke twenty-seven times, and I am sure it was a chestnut."
Clear Cookies, Cache
Hey, it is a new year, why not get a head start on some Spring
cleaning. Does your web surfing seem to slow down? Are the pages
loading a bit slower lately? Maybe it is time to clear the
clutter. Every so often we need to remove the crap that browsers
and web sites deposit onto our computers. There are programs,
like 'CCleaner' to do this for your entire computer, but below
is an easy and quick way to clean up just your browser.
Cookies and cache are supposed to help make web surfing and streaming experience better, but as they accumulate, they also bog things down. A quick way to freshen up your browser is by clearing the browsing data, such as cookies, cache, history, etc. If you save passwords, be careful to uncheck that box, or you will be doing a bunch of typing as you get back into those sites.
Here is how to clean up:
Launch your Web browser (Firefox, Chrome, Edge, Internet Explorer, etc),
Press Ctrl+Shift+Delete at the same time,
Select the items you would like to clear, at least cache and cookies,
Select the Delete or Clear button, depending on your browser type,
Close and re-start your browser and try streaming again.
Things should be much quicker for a while.
Cookies and cache are supposed to help make web surfing and streaming experience better, but as they accumulate, they also bog things down. A quick way to freshen up your browser is by clearing the browsing data, such as cookies, cache, history, etc. If you save passwords, be careful to uncheck that box, or you will be doing a bunch of typing as you get back into those sites.
Here is how to clean up:
Launch your Web browser (Firefox, Chrome, Edge, Internet Explorer, etc),
Press Ctrl+Shift+Delete at the same time,
Select the items you would like to clear, at least cache and cookies,
Select the Delete or Clear button, depending on your browser type,
Close and re-start your browser and try streaming again.
Things should be much quicker for a while.
What's in a Name, Pineapple
Pine cones used to be called pineapples and
pineapples got the name because they resembled pine cones.
Originally, the word pineapple in English was first recorded in 1398, when it was used to describe the reproductive organs of conifer trees (now called pine cones).
When European explorers discovered the tropical fruit in the Americas, they called them pineapples, because they resembled pine cones (with the original name). Most European countries eventually adapted, and still use the name ananas, which came from the Tupi word nanas (also meaning pineapple).
Incidentally, The pineapple “fruit” is not really a fruit, but is a mass of individual berries fused to the central stalk. This is why the “fruit” has leaves on top. They are actually the continued growth of the stalk beyond where the berries are attached. Pineapples are not grown from seed.
Originally, the word pineapple in English was first recorded in 1398, when it was used to describe the reproductive organs of conifer trees (now called pine cones).
When European explorers discovered the tropical fruit in the Americas, they called them pineapples, because they resembled pine cones (with the original name). Most European countries eventually adapted, and still use the name ananas, which came from the Tupi word nanas (also meaning pineapple).
Incidentally, The pineapple “fruit” is not really a fruit, but is a mass of individual berries fused to the central stalk. This is why the “fruit” has leaves on top. They are actually the continued growth of the stalk beyond where the berries are attached. Pineapples are not grown from seed.
Utility Blades
Many of us have those little utility knives with multiple snap
off blade pieces, so we can break them when the blade gets dull.
The problem is trying to snap a bit of blade with pliers,
tapping with a hammer, using a rag or other protective material.
If you look close, a good number of those products have a removable tip at the other end that is to be used to snap off the blade. Pop off the tip, insert the blade into it and snap. Wow, easy.
If you look close, a good number of those products have a removable tip at the other end that is to be used to snap off the blade. Pop off the tip, insert the blade into it and snap. Wow, easy.
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