Jun 29, 2013
Not so Sandy Deserts
Believe it or not, most of the Earth’s
deserts are not composed entirely of sand. Much, about 85% of them,
are rocks and gravel. The largest, the Sahara, fills about 1/3 of
Africa and still growing, which would nearly fill the continental
United States.
Happy Friday
"Life is a quarry, out of which we are to mold and chisel and
complete a character."
Each week I strive to mold and chisel a Happy Friday!
Each week I strive to mold and chisel a Happy Friday!
Wordology, Booze
As we approach the July 4 Holiday, I
thought a bit of drinking history might be interesting. The first
references to the word “booze” meaning “alcoholic drink” in English
appeared around the 14th century, though it was originally spelled
'bouse'. The spelling, as it is today, didn't appear until around
the 17th century.
The word 'booze' appears to have Germanic origins, though which specific word it came from is still a little bit of a mystery. The three main words often cited are more or less all cousins of each other and are very similar in meaning and spelling. One of the words came from the Old High German 'bausen', which meant “bulge or billow”. This was a cousin of the Dutch word 'búsen', which meant “to drink excessively” or “to get drunk”. The Old Dutch language also has a similar word 'buise', which translates to “drinking vessel”.
It is thought that the word “bouse” in English, which later became “booze”, has its origins in one or more of those three words, with most scholars leaning towards it coming from the Dutch word 'búsen'.
The origin of the word “booze” does not come from E. C. Booz, a 19th century distiller in the United States.
Archeological evidence suggest that the earliest known purposefully fermented drink, beer, was made around 10,000 BC.
Native American tribes had numerous forms of alcoholic beverages they brewed, long before the “white man” came to the Americas.
The Greek followers of Dionysus believed intoxication brought them closer to their god. Some current imbibers still believe this.
The word 'booze' appears to have Germanic origins, though which specific word it came from is still a little bit of a mystery. The three main words often cited are more or less all cousins of each other and are very similar in meaning and spelling. One of the words came from the Old High German 'bausen', which meant “bulge or billow”. This was a cousin of the Dutch word 'búsen', which meant “to drink excessively” or “to get drunk”. The Old Dutch language also has a similar word 'buise', which translates to “drinking vessel”.
It is thought that the word “bouse” in English, which later became “booze”, has its origins in one or more of those three words, with most scholars leaning towards it coming from the Dutch word 'búsen'.
The origin of the word “booze” does not come from E. C. Booz, a 19th century distiller in the United States.
Archeological evidence suggest that the earliest known purposefully fermented drink, beer, was made around 10,000 BC.
Native American tribes had numerous forms of alcoholic beverages they brewed, long before the “white man” came to the Americas.
The Greek followers of Dionysus believed intoxication brought them closer to their god. Some current imbibers still believe this.
Nothing Festival
The annual Teluride, CO Nothing Festival
is being held in mid-July. Here are the exciting activities for the
locals in addition to eating and drinking too much.
Sunrises and sunsets as normal.
Gravity continues to be in effect.
The earth’s rotation will be increased to add a few thrills.
The laws of physics will be on display.
Duct Tape Seminar: How to defeat weapons of mass destruction for under $10.
How we use old Volkswagens.
Sense of humor search. Am sure a fun time will be had by all.
Sunrises and sunsets as normal.
Gravity continues to be in effect.
The earth’s rotation will be increased to add a few thrills.
The laws of physics will be on display.
Duct Tape Seminar: How to defeat weapons of mass destruction for under $10.
How we use old Volkswagens.
Sense of humor search. Am sure a fun time will be had by all.
Ambient Sound
When thinking of nothing, there is a site
that does no more than provide ambient sound. The idea is that you
can be more productive if there is commotion going on around you. LINK
Choluteca Bridge
The Choluteca Bridge was built by the US
Army Corps of Engineers with such design strength, it could
withstand the worst of hurricanes that affected the area. When
Hurricane Mitch came in 1998, it destroyed 150 Honduran bridges, but
not the Choluteca Bridge.
However, the storm rerouted the Choluteca River. So now, the Choluteca Bridge is still standing, but useless. Hmmm
However, the storm rerouted the Choluteca River. So now, the Choluteca Bridge is still standing, but useless. Hmmm
Ten Weird Fast Foods
Here are a few weird fast food menu
items from around the world.
1. Pork and seaweed doughnut (Dunkin' Donuts China)
2. Darth Vader burger (Quick, France) all black bun
3. Kimchi croquettes (Dunkin' Donuts Korea) made with real kimchi
4. Bacon Potato Pie (McDonald’s Japan) mashed potatoes and bacon deep-fried in the familiar apple pie shell Mmmm!
5. Shrimp burger (McDonald’s Japan) fried shrimp patty
6. Chicken Nugget burger (Burger King, Poland) ground chicken with curry sauce
7. Coffee Jelly Frappuccino (Starbucks, Japan) a regular Starbucks Frappuccino (frozen coffee drink) with coffee jelly, made from actual brewed coffee.
8. Cheese and marmite panini (Starbucks UK) Marmite is a brown, sticky spread made from yeast byproduct.
9. Tuna Pie (Jollibee, Phillipines) the tuna, pie comes stuffed with cooked tuna and vegetables
10. Winter double king pizza (Pizza Hut, Japan) a pizza topped with mayonnaise, king crab, shrimp, beef, broccoli, onion, corn, egg, and potato and a removable crust made of fried, mayonnaise-stuffed shrimp that look like little pigs in blankets.
Jollibees is a chicken and burger franchise like McDonalds. It is also in a number of states including California, New York, and Nevada. Mascot is Jolly bee.
1. Pork and seaweed doughnut (Dunkin' Donuts China)
2. Darth Vader burger (Quick, France) all black bun
3. Kimchi croquettes (Dunkin' Donuts Korea) made with real kimchi
4. Bacon Potato Pie (McDonald’s Japan) mashed potatoes and bacon deep-fried in the familiar apple pie shell Mmmm!
5. Shrimp burger (McDonald’s Japan) fried shrimp patty
6. Chicken Nugget burger (Burger King, Poland) ground chicken with curry sauce
7. Coffee Jelly Frappuccino (Starbucks, Japan) a regular Starbucks Frappuccino (frozen coffee drink) with coffee jelly, made from actual brewed coffee.
8. Cheese and marmite panini (Starbucks UK) Marmite is a brown, sticky spread made from yeast byproduct.
9. Tuna Pie (Jollibee, Phillipines) the tuna, pie comes stuffed with cooked tuna and vegetables
10. Winter double king pizza (Pizza Hut, Japan) a pizza topped with mayonnaise, king crab, shrimp, beef, broccoli, onion, corn, egg, and potato and a removable crust made of fried, mayonnaise-stuffed shrimp that look like little pigs in blankets.
Jollibees is a chicken and burger franchise like McDonalds. It is also in a number of states including California, New York, and Nevada. Mascot is Jolly bee.
Oysters Alive
Did you know that most oysters are served
while still living? Oysters are generally served live because they
deteriorate much faster than most other animals when dead. When
their shells are cracked open, they can survive for a significant
amount of time.
It is only when the flesh is actually separated from the shells that they begin to die; this is why oysters are almost always sucked directly out of their shells.
It is only when the flesh is actually separated from the shells that they begin to die; this is why oysters are almost always sucked directly out of their shells.
Bloody Good Story
When James Harrison had chest surgery at
age 13, he resolved to begin donating blood to help others in need.
When he did so, doctors realized that he carries a rare immune
globulin that can prevent unborn babies from suffering attacks by
their mothers’ antibodies, a condition known as Rhesus disease.
In the 59 years since this was discovered, Harrison has given blood more than 1,000 times, an average of once every three weeks for five decades, and his donations have saved an estimated 2.4 million babies. Harrison holds a spot in Guinness World Records. He calls this, “The only record that I hope is broken".
In the 59 years since this was discovered, Harrison has given blood more than 1,000 times, an average of once every three weeks for five decades, and his donations have saved an estimated 2.4 million babies. Harrison holds a spot in Guinness World Records. He calls this, “The only record that I hope is broken".
Canada Facts
Canada is the world's second-largest
country by total area, and its common border with the United States
is the world's longest land border. It has ten provinces and three
territories located in the northern part of North America. It
extends from the Atlantic to the Pacific, northward into the Arctic
Ocean (just south of Greenland), and borders on the south with The
US. Its capital is Ottawa and its population of about 35 million is
about one tenth the size of the US population. The top five
largest countries in order are: Russia, Canada, China, United
States, Brazil.
The current Canadian flag is less than fifty years old. On December 15, 1964 the Canadian Parliament voted to accept the current maple leaf design. The official flag was hoisted for the first time February 15, 1965. Two years later, Canada celebrated its 100th anniversary and used the occasion to promote the new flag.
The maple leaf design by George Stanley and John Matheson is based on the flag of the Royal Military College of Canada. February 15 is now celebrated annually as National Flag of Canada Day.
Canada is a federal state governed as a parliamentary democracy and a constitutional monarchy, with Queen Elizabeth II as its head of state. However, Canada has complete sovereignty as an independent country and the Queen's role as monarch of Canada is separate from her role as the British monarch or the monarch of any of the other Commonwealth realms.
The Canada Act of 1982, among other provisions formally ended the British parliament having power to pass laws extending to Canada at its own request.
In 1958, a US high school student, Bob Heft designed the current US flag for a class project and received a B- grade. He also designed a flag with 51 stars, just in case. The current US flag has been used since July 4, 1960.
The current Canadian flag is less than fifty years old. On December 15, 1964 the Canadian Parliament voted to accept the current maple leaf design. The official flag was hoisted for the first time February 15, 1965. Two years later, Canada celebrated its 100th anniversary and used the occasion to promote the new flag.
The maple leaf design by George Stanley and John Matheson is based on the flag of the Royal Military College of Canada. February 15 is now celebrated annually as National Flag of Canada Day.
Canada is a federal state governed as a parliamentary democracy and a constitutional monarchy, with Queen Elizabeth II as its head of state. However, Canada has complete sovereignty as an independent country and the Queen's role as monarch of Canada is separate from her role as the British monarch or the monarch of any of the other Commonwealth realms.
The Canada Act of 1982, among other provisions formally ended the British parliament having power to pass laws extending to Canada at its own request.
In 1958, a US high school student, Bob Heft designed the current US flag for a class project and received a B- grade. He also designed a flag with 51 stars, just in case. The current US flag has been used since July 4, 1960.
Air Force One
Air Force One is not a single plane. There
are a number of planes that are outfitted the same way and they are
housed at Andrews Air Force Base, Maryland. The second official
presidential plane used, in 1945 was named the 'Sacred Cow',
although presidents had used other special planes since 1933.
In March 2012, President Obama took the British Prime Minister David Cameron to a basketball game in Ohio aboard Air Force One.
The planes are only designated as Air Force One when the president is on board.
A VC-9C that was once used as Air Force One and Air Force Two (vice president) went on auction sale in June with an opening bid of $50,000.
In March 2012, President Obama took the British Prime Minister David Cameron to a basketball game in Ohio aboard Air Force One.
The planes are only designated as Air Force One when the president is on board.
A VC-9C that was once used as Air Force One and Air Force Two (vice president) went on auction sale in June with an opening bid of $50,000.
Jun 21, 2013
Happy Friday
The clever understand your words. The wise understand your
silence.
It is both clever and wise to have a Happy Friday. . . and scripturient to write about it!
It is both clever and wise to have a Happy Friday. . . and scripturient to write about it!
Quantum Computing Explained
Today's computers rely on
electrons to deliver information in binary bits, or yes/no, 1/0,
on/off.
Laws of quantum physics allow bits to be in multiple states simultaneously so it has the potential to be millions of times more powerful than today's most powerful supercomputers.
Quantum bits, or Qubits are more versatile than standard bits because they can exist in three states instead of two. Current computers represent things as a one or zero, but a quantum computer can render a qubit as representing a one, a zero, or every fraction between one and zero at the same time.
An interesting thing about qubits is that by just looking at one, it changes its state, so scientists had to devise a way to look without the qubit knowing it was being looked at. (Long story, but fascinating)
A 30-qubit quantum computer is approximately as powerful as a 10 teraflop computer. It can solve 10 trillion floating point operations every second vs. an average computer, which performs about seven gigaflops (seven billion) per second. Quantum computers process multiple calculations at once vs. current computers, which process one at a time.
Google and NASA have a 512-qubit quantum computer housed in a 10 foot black cabinet, but do not expect to buy one for your home in the near future. The NASA Ames machine may be upgraded to a 2,048 qubit chip in the next year or two. There are 25.4 million nanometers in one inch and fingernails grow one nanometer every second.
Laws of quantum physics allow bits to be in multiple states simultaneously so it has the potential to be millions of times more powerful than today's most powerful supercomputers.
Quantum bits, or Qubits are more versatile than standard bits because they can exist in three states instead of two. Current computers represent things as a one or zero, but a quantum computer can render a qubit as representing a one, a zero, or every fraction between one and zero at the same time.
An interesting thing about qubits is that by just looking at one, it changes its state, so scientists had to devise a way to look without the qubit knowing it was being looked at. (Long story, but fascinating)
A 30-qubit quantum computer is approximately as powerful as a 10 teraflop computer. It can solve 10 trillion floating point operations every second vs. an average computer, which performs about seven gigaflops (seven billion) per second. Quantum computers process multiple calculations at once vs. current computers, which process one at a time.
Google and NASA have a 512-qubit quantum computer housed in a 10 foot black cabinet, but do not expect to buy one for your home in the near future. The NASA Ames machine may be upgraded to a 2,048 qubit chip in the next year or two. There are 25.4 million nanometers in one inch and fingernails grow one nanometer every second.
Gorilla Glass
Most of us know that Gorilla Glass is
used as part of a touch-screen for hand-held phones and tablet
computers. It was chosen because it is lightweight, durable,
resistant to scratches, and tends to crack, rather than shatter
when stressed, as Annie, a friend of mine recently found out.
Gorilla Glass, which is made by Corning is currently estimated to be in use by over a billion and a half devices and still growing. Corning makes the glass using a propriety chemical process that causes more than the normal number of ions to be introduced into the glass.
Now Corning has a deal with at least one car manufacturer to begin using the glass for windshields, likely as early as next year. The beauty of this glass is that it would cut down on the weight of the vehicle. It would also promote better gas mileage and better noise suppression.
Corning is working on another glass with unique properties, microbiological glass, which can kill bacteria on contact. Another exciting glass it is also working on is called Willow Glass, which is a bendable type of glass that is about as thin as a dollar bill. Bendable screens have been touted for use in foldable tablets for the past few years. Samsung has one in the lab now, but I do not know if the screen is glass or plastic.
Gorilla Glass, which is made by Corning is currently estimated to be in use by over a billion and a half devices and still growing. Corning makes the glass using a propriety chemical process that causes more than the normal number of ions to be introduced into the glass.
Now Corning has a deal with at least one car manufacturer to begin using the glass for windshields, likely as early as next year. The beauty of this glass is that it would cut down on the weight of the vehicle. It would also promote better gas mileage and better noise suppression.
Corning is working on another glass with unique properties, microbiological glass, which can kill bacteria on contact. Another exciting glass it is also working on is called Willow Glass, which is a bendable type of glass that is about as thin as a dollar bill. Bendable screens have been touted for use in foldable tablets for the past few years. Samsung has one in the lab now, but I do not know if the screen is glass or plastic.
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