Oct 17, 2014

Bacon Brain Building

Bacon is full of an important nutrient called choline, which helps increase intelligence and memory and has been shown in University studies to help fight off the debilitating effects of Alzheimer’s Disease and other chronic mental impairments. Bacon helps me to remember to eat more #bacon.

Free Friday Smile


Oct 10, 2014

Happy Friday

“Life is sweet when you pay attention. When it doesn't seem sweet, put a sticker on your nose and do a funky dance.” Whitney Scott

I have a sticker on my nose and am doing a happy dance on this Happy Friday!

Happy Columbus Day

Monday is Columbus Day for most of the US, but Seattle, WA., will be holding its first Indigenous Peoples' Day. It makes little difference as Columbus Day is not an official holiday in Washington. A councilman said it is,  "About taking a stand against racism." An opposing lawyer said people of Italian descent are "deeply offended." "By this resolution you say to all Italian-Americans that the city of Seattle no longer deems your heritage or your community worthy of recognition." Seems like politics never takes a holiday.

Bacon's Blood Balancing Bounty

Several university and medical center studies have shown that including bacon as a regular, moderate part of one’s diet naturally works to lower the body's blood pressure and blood sugar levels, helping to prevent and / or alleviate the effects of diabetes, as well as heart disease, stroke, and heart attack.

Tips, Tipsy, Tipple, and Wingtips

The etymology of these words is a bit different than the generally accepted (although incorrect) stories that they come from acronyms.

Tip does not come from 'to insure prompt service'. It dates back to the 1600s and meant to give a small present of money. It was also used in thieves jargon about the same time, meaning 'to give, hand, or pass'. The meaning 'give a gratuity to' is first documented in the early 1700s. The incorrect acronym story came from an editorial in "Life" magazine from July 15, 1946, claiming the restaurant server's word tip "probably comes from a London coffeehouse custom of two centuries ago when the words 'To Insure Promptness' were written on notes to the waiter, with coins attached.

Tipsy comes from another definition of tip, from the 1300s meaning 'to knock down, topple, or knock askew'. Possibly from Scandinavian tippa 'to tip, dump'. Tipsy-cake from the 1800s was stale cake saturated with wine or liquor.

Tipple dates back to the 1500s, meaning 'sell alcoholic liquor by retail'. It is possibly from a Scandinavian source tipla 'to drink slowly or in small quantities'. The meaning of 'drink (alcoholic beverage) too much' is found in the 1550s. A tippler is a seller of alcoholic liquors.

Wingtips are totally unrelated to the above discussion, except that many businessmen who wear these shoes with a back-curving toe cap suggestive of a bird's wingtip often tipple after work and are tipsy by the time they go home.

A Few Drinking Terms

Speaking of tipsy, here are a few more booze related terms. Two old words that I miss.

GROG-BLOSSOM, A word from the 18th century for the dilation of blood vessels caused by long-term over consumption of the drink—in an alcoholic's nose.

CRAPULENCE, This word, from the Latin root crapula, arose in the 18th century. It denoted intestinal and cranial distress arising from intemperance and debauchery. Put another way: If you get drunk, expect crapulence.

Electronic Swing

Normally, I extremely dislike commercials and mute them at best or change channels. Have heard a few lately that struck my fancy because of the background music. One in particular had a track I remembered, but could not recall the artist. As usual, I scoured the web to find out more information.

It was Parov Stelar, one of my new besties. His musical style is called Electronic Swing. The first YouTube video I remember from him 'All Night', complete with amazing dancing LINK.

Here is one with vocals from singer Cleo Panther (I think I love her) 'Nobody's Fool'  LINK.

Here is one for the oldies, Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers dancing to Parov's 'Booty Swing', with samples from 'Oriental Swing' LINK and a rousing live version LINK. These will get your toes a tappin.

What's in a Name, Starbucks

Starbucks is named for Captain Ahab’s first mate, Starbuck in the 1851 novel Moby-Dick. The founders had considered naming it Pequod's, after Ahab’s ship.

Coffee related and true - The first webcam watched a coffee pot. It allowed researchers at Cambridge to monitor the coffee pot without leaving their desks. Well, call me Ishmael.