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.
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