Four new events were added to this
Olympics: Men’s and Women’s Snowboard Big Air, which sees
competitors performing their best spins and tricks after launching
off a large (about 160 feet) ramp.
For the first time, the Alpine skiing Nations Team Event will make
its debut; the event features mixed teams of two men and two women
going head-to-head in a series of downhill slalom races in a
best-of-four competition.
Men’s and Women’s Speed Skating Mass Start features a maximum of
28 athletes in a 16-lap race, where all participants start at the
same time with winner-takes-all stakes.
Curling Mixed Doubles. The new event consists of teams of two, a
man and a woman, competing in a curling match
For the 2020 Summer Olympics five new events will be added: baseball/softball,
karate, sport climbing, surfing, and skateboarding.
Feb 16, 2018
Olympic Tech
A test of a next-generation 5G network
and a series of multiple camera 'pods' shooting more than a
terabyte an hour of footage all have to work without a hitch (one
terabyte holds the equivalent of 250 full-length movies). All that
footage goes by fiber-optic cables to a technical operations
center, where it is processed into the 360-degree and 3D
stereoscopic footage that some can watch at home.
Fourth Type of Olympic Medal
In addition to the gold,
silver, and bronze there is another Olympic award that is even
harder to obtain. The Pierre de Coubertin medal, inaugurated in
1964 and named in honor of Pierre de Coubertin, founder of the
International Olympic Committee, is given to athletes, former
athletes, sports promoters, sporting officials and others who
exemplify the spirit of sportsmanship in Olympic events or through
exceptional service to the Olympic movement.
Unlike the sporting medals, the de Coubertin medal is not awarded at every cycle of the Games. It is only handed out when the International Olympic Committee determines someone has truly earned it.
In January, just ahead of the 2018 Winter Olympic Games in Pyeongchang, South Korea IOC president Thomas Bach bestowed the award upon Chinese artist Lv Junjie, a master of Zisha (means "purple clay,"), an ancient type of clay that is used to create teaware and other small objects. Bach commended Junjie, because of his work using Zisha, or Yixing clay to spread the Olympic spirit. Many of his creations contain Olympic art.
Unlike the sporting medals, the de Coubertin medal is not awarded at every cycle of the Games. It is only handed out when the International Olympic Committee determines someone has truly earned it.
In January, just ahead of the 2018 Winter Olympic Games in Pyeongchang, South Korea IOC president Thomas Bach bestowed the award upon Chinese artist Lv Junjie, a master of Zisha (means "purple clay,"), an ancient type of clay that is used to create teaware and other small objects. Bach commended Junjie, because of his work using Zisha, or Yixing clay to spread the Olympic spirit. Many of his creations contain Olympic art.
Lash Tabs and Pig Snouts
Have you noticed that many
backpacks have a little leather square sewn on the front?
The little diamonds, called lash tabs or pig snouts have two parallel slits cut out of the center. This lets you weave a cord or string through and tie various items, such as shoes, a water bottle, etc., to your bag. The strong little square is built to hold your larger items while hiking or traveling, but it can also be used for smaller objects like earbuds or anything you want to get at quickly.
The little diamonds, called lash tabs or pig snouts have two parallel slits cut out of the center. This lets you weave a cord or string through and tie various items, such as shoes, a water bottle, etc., to your bag. The strong little square is built to hold your larger items while hiking or traveling, but it can also be used for smaller objects like earbuds or anything you want to get at quickly.
Why Not Reuse Water Bottles
There are many types of
water bottles and it pays to know which ones can be reused. A
bottle labeled 1 is only safe for a single use. When exposed to
oxygen or high temperatures, including sun heat, such a bottle
will discharge toxic substances that get into the water. Also
avoid bottles labeled 3, 6, or 7 as they exude toxic chemicals
able to penetrate drinks, and lengthy exposure can result in
severe health problems.
Bottles made of polyethylene (2 and 4) and polypropylene (5) are suitable for multiple uses. They are relatively safe if you only store cold water in them and regularly disinfect them.
Bottles made of polyethylene (2 and 4) and polypropylene (5) are suitable for multiple uses. They are relatively safe if you only store cold water in them and regularly disinfect them.
Feb 9, 2018
Happy Friday
My mother never taught me to be happy. She showed me.
Strive to be a happy role model, especially on a Happy Friday!
Strive to be a happy role model, especially on a Happy Friday!
Sunday Car Buying
In fourteen US states, car dealers are not legally allowed to be
open on Sunday and many cities have similar laws. Even in states
and cities where dealerships can be open on Sunday, there are
sometimes restrictions on what time they can be open or that
require a dealer to choose to be closed on either Saturday or
Sunday. The reason is called a blue law and blue laws were enacted
for religious reasons to allow people to practice their faith on
Sunday, instead of buying liquor or automobiles.
Mardi Gras
Can you believe it, Next week is Mardi Gras
and the beginning of Lent for this year. That means Easter will be
on April Fool's Day, April 1.
4K TV Antenna Debunked
It is happening again.
When broadcast TV made the switch from analog to digital signals
about 10 years ago it was said by many, you need an HDTV antenna.
There is no such thing as an HDTV antenna.
Now 4k broadcasting over the air is coming. It is tentatively scheduled to begin this spring in Phoenix, Arizona, USA. A new 4k TV antenna will not be needed, because there is no such thing. Any TV antenna claim to perform better because it is a 4K TV antenna is a scam.
Just like with 4K HDMI cables - There is no such thing.
Caveat Emptor!
Now 4k broadcasting over the air is coming. It is tentatively scheduled to begin this spring in Phoenix, Arizona, USA. A new 4k TV antenna will not be needed, because there is no such thing. Any TV antenna claim to perform better because it is a 4K TV antenna is a scam.
Just like with 4K HDMI cables - There is no such thing.
Caveat Emptor!
More 4K
Technically the new standard for over the air 4K
is ATSC 3.0. This new broadcast standard is generally called
"Next-Gen Broadcast TV" for simplicity sake.
There are some differences between the current (ATSC 1.0) antenna TV and the new Next-Gen TV. The new standard is internet protocol-based, which means it can carry internet content along with traditional TV broadcasts. The broadcast can also include 4K video and high dynamic range (HDR) content. It also has higher-quality 3D multi-channel sound from content that supports it. All of which are more and better than what is available on normal (expensive) cable TV.
In addition to all those goodies, these new signals will be available on mobile devices as well as TVs.
Next-gen TV will enable enhanced emergency alerts, so consumers will receive more precise, localized warnings during natural disasters or fast-moving weather events.
The move to ATSC 3.0 is voluntary for broadcasters, unlike the Digital TV transition, when they were given a firm deadline for stopping analog broadcasts. Now each company gets to decide when to make the move, or not.
Traditional signals will still be free by law as now, but some additional services could be charged for as the new standard has two way communication built in. This presumes the FCC holds broadcasters to the same public interest obligations with the new broadcasts as they have with the current ones.
Of course, if all this seems to be too good to be true, it likely is. The new standard is not compatible with the current standard. Because all current TVs have ATSC 1.0 tuners, they will not be able to receive the new signals.
TV manufacturers will soon add both old (ATSC1) and new (ATSC3) into new sets. This will likely begin in late 2018 and 2019. LG is now shipping TVs in South Korea with both technologies built in. Someone will pay for this. . .
Also, another round of sticks and boxes for converting will come along, such new versions of Roku, FireTV, AppleTV etc., sticks and boxes.
So, the bottom line is that it will be immensely better to receive everything over the air, but it will likely not be free, and maybe not even cheap. This will be a major disruption for cable companies and change the whole digital landscape and players again.
The good news is that, since it is voluntary and costly to set up, it will be slow. We can enjoy what we have and do not need to dream of sugar plums for a few years. That is except for some techno geeks who just cannot wait to suffer more early adapter slings and arrows from new whiz-bang technology stuff. Oh, is my anticipation showing?
There are some differences between the current (ATSC 1.0) antenna TV and the new Next-Gen TV. The new standard is internet protocol-based, which means it can carry internet content along with traditional TV broadcasts. The broadcast can also include 4K video and high dynamic range (HDR) content. It also has higher-quality 3D multi-channel sound from content that supports it. All of which are more and better than what is available on normal (expensive) cable TV.
In addition to all those goodies, these new signals will be available on mobile devices as well as TVs.
Next-gen TV will enable enhanced emergency alerts, so consumers will receive more precise, localized warnings during natural disasters or fast-moving weather events.
The move to ATSC 3.0 is voluntary for broadcasters, unlike the Digital TV transition, when they were given a firm deadline for stopping analog broadcasts. Now each company gets to decide when to make the move, or not.
Traditional signals will still be free by law as now, but some additional services could be charged for as the new standard has two way communication built in. This presumes the FCC holds broadcasters to the same public interest obligations with the new broadcasts as they have with the current ones.
Of course, if all this seems to be too good to be true, it likely is. The new standard is not compatible with the current standard. Because all current TVs have ATSC 1.0 tuners, they will not be able to receive the new signals.
TV manufacturers will soon add both old (ATSC1) and new (ATSC3) into new sets. This will likely begin in late 2018 and 2019. LG is now shipping TVs in South Korea with both technologies built in. Someone will pay for this. . .
Also, another round of sticks and boxes for converting will come along, such new versions of Roku, FireTV, AppleTV etc., sticks and boxes.
So, the bottom line is that it will be immensely better to receive everything over the air, but it will likely not be free, and maybe not even cheap. This will be a major disruption for cable companies and change the whole digital landscape and players again.
The good news is that, since it is voluntary and costly to set up, it will be slow. We can enjoy what we have and do not need to dream of sugar plums for a few years. That is except for some techno geeks who just cannot wait to suffer more early adapter slings and arrows from new whiz-bang technology stuff. Oh, is my anticipation showing?
Super Bowl Rings
The winner has emerged and the
winning team will be wearing new rings to celebrate the occasion.
Generally, every player on the 53-man roster, the entire coaching
staff, and the front office earn rings.
The NFL pays for the cost of 150 rings for the winning team, with a max cost of about $7,000 per unit, depending on the cost of gold and diamonds at the time. That usually covers the bulk of people the team wants to gives the rings to, but it can go above that number if the team buys extra rings.
Other players who can receive rings include practice squad players, players on injured reserve, and players who were on the roster at some point during the season. Teams will often consider everybody who contributed at any point in the season worthy of a ring.
Teams can really give them out to anyone. There have been fan raffles for rings and teams are not stingy with them when it comes to front office staff, players, and coaches. That does not mean that they always end up with the same rings, however. There have been examples of teams giving "lesser" rings to front office staff or other non-coach, non-player personnel.
The main Super Bowl rings are massive and can weigh 100 grams or more and include more than 100 diamonds. The Green Bay Packers Super Bowl XLV ring had more than 100 diamonds, and was made out of platinum, which is more expensive than gold.
The losing team actually gets a ring as well. It is sometimes referred to as the AFC or NFC Championship ring. It typically is less gaudy, and there is also less information about them. It is difficult to imagine that a league championship ring is considered a loser's ring.
Incidentally, the refs also get Super Bowl Rings.
The NFL pays for the cost of 150 rings for the winning team, with a max cost of about $7,000 per unit, depending on the cost of gold and diamonds at the time. That usually covers the bulk of people the team wants to gives the rings to, but it can go above that number if the team buys extra rings.
Other players who can receive rings include practice squad players, players on injured reserve, and players who were on the roster at some point during the season. Teams will often consider everybody who contributed at any point in the season worthy of a ring.
Teams can really give them out to anyone. There have been fan raffles for rings and teams are not stingy with them when it comes to front office staff, players, and coaches. That does not mean that they always end up with the same rings, however. There have been examples of teams giving "lesser" rings to front office staff or other non-coach, non-player personnel.
The main Super Bowl rings are massive and can weigh 100 grams or more and include more than 100 diamonds. The Green Bay Packers Super Bowl XLV ring had more than 100 diamonds, and was made out of platinum, which is more expensive than gold.
The losing team actually gets a ring as well. It is sometimes referred to as the AFC or NFC Championship ring. It typically is less gaudy, and there is also less information about them. It is difficult to imagine that a league championship ring is considered a loser's ring.
Incidentally, the refs also get Super Bowl Rings.
Animal Pain
Animals with simple nervous systems, like
lobsters, snails and worms, do not have the ability to process
emotional information and therefore do not experience suffering,
say most researchers.
Vertebrates with spines have much more advanced nervous systems and can feel real pain and suffering.
The research regarding whether or not lobsters feel pain is still inconclusive. The hiss that sounds when crustaceans hit the boiling water is not a scream. They do not have vocal cords.
Vertebrates with spines have much more advanced nervous systems and can feel real pain and suffering.
The research regarding whether or not lobsters feel pain is still inconclusive. The hiss that sounds when crustaceans hit the boiling water is not a scream. They do not have vocal cords.
Kirkland vs. Grey Goose
Grey Goose is made from the same water source
as Costco's Kirkland Signature Vodka from the Gensac Springs in
France's Cognac region.
Grey Goose has received lower ratings than the Costco house brand on many blind taste tests. Competitions where spirits are graded by blind taste testing, Kirkland scores an 88 and Grey Goose scores 82.
Incidentally, Grey Goose costs more than twice as much.
Grey Goose has received lower ratings than the Costco house brand on many blind taste tests. Competitions where spirits are graded by blind taste testing, Kirkland scores an 88 and Grey Goose scores 82.
Incidentally, Grey Goose costs more than twice as much.
Wool Dryer Balls
I read about these alternatives to static
cling sheets and other items you can put into the dryer to help
eliminate static cling, so I went to Amazon and purchased set of
six. Hardly necessary as they seem to almost last forever. In fact
some estimates are that they will last a few years depending on
how many loads you do, and they are rated for up to a thousand
loads (more than I will do in the next 15 years). As a bonus, the
description says you can add essential oils to the ball for making
clothes smell a bit better.
In order to boost the overall effectiveness of dryers, wool dryer balls reduce drying time, fluff and soften fabrics, reduce wrinkles, reduce static cling, are better for your skin, and the environment. A set of 3 is a good start and they will save you between 40% in a small load to 25% in a large load. It increases with the more dryer balls you use. They get in-between the towels and clothing to keep items from sticking together while damp. Some people use tennis balls for the same effect, but they do not last as long.
Consumer reports says that liquids in the wash cycle do better at reducing cling than fabric softener sheets in the dryer. It also debunked the idea that fabric softeners, especially liquids, leave towels far less absorbent.
Incidentally, I tried the plastic dryer balls, but they snagged a few items, so I promptly ditched them. Also, plastic dryer balls will eventually soften and lose their ability to soften and dry clothes. Aluminum balls also reduce static, but are bit rougher on delicate clothes.
In order to boost the overall effectiveness of dryers, wool dryer balls reduce drying time, fluff and soften fabrics, reduce wrinkles, reduce static cling, are better for your skin, and the environment. A set of 3 is a good start and they will save you between 40% in a small load to 25% in a large load. It increases with the more dryer balls you use. They get in-between the towels and clothing to keep items from sticking together while damp. Some people use tennis balls for the same effect, but they do not last as long.
Consumer reports says that liquids in the wash cycle do better at reducing cling than fabric softener sheets in the dryer. It also debunked the idea that fabric softeners, especially liquids, leave towels far less absorbent.
Incidentally, I tried the plastic dryer balls, but they snagged a few items, so I promptly ditched them. Also, plastic dryer balls will eventually soften and lose their ability to soften and dry clothes. Aluminum balls also reduce static, but are bit rougher on delicate clothes.
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