Jul 26, 2013
Happy Friday
Any word you have to hunt for in a thesaurus is the wrong word.
You never need to hunt for the meaning of having a Happy Friday!
Free Hug Day
Did you get yours? The first Saturday in July
is free hug day. It started by an Australian who realized the
healing powers of a simple hug. He went to a shopping mall equipped
with a “Free Hugs” sign and soon overcame leery passersby to give
his free hugs exactly as advertised.
In 2006, the Australian band Sick Puppies made a video of his endeavor, and helped spread the movement by way of a 74 million times viewed video on YouTube.
In 2006, the Australian band Sick Puppies made a video of his endeavor, and helped spread the movement by way of a 74 million times viewed video on YouTube.
Eleven Ways to be Happy
Hugs may not be on this list, but
they should be.
Spend money on other people. A study concluded that "the happiest people were the biggest givers, no matter what they earned."
Count your blessings. A University of Pennsylvania professor proved that people who wrote down three good things that happened to them every night were significantly happier than control group who did not.
Try something new. People who try new experiences are generally happier, research has shown.
Delay gratification. Anticipating happiness actually makes you happy. Studies have shown that it's human nature to forestall an enjoyable event.
Expose yourself to more blue. Researchers showed that exposing yourself to the color blue sent "self confidence soaring, cut stress, and boosts happiness."
Set goals for yourself. Psychologist Jonathan Freedman claims that people who set objectives for themselves are happier than those who don't.
Go to church. In a study, people who attended church regularly responded that they were happier and more satisfied with their lives than people who were not religious.
Sleep at least six hours every night. Six hours and 15 minutes a night of un-interrupted sleep makes for the happiest people, a British study found.
Make sure you have at least 10 good friends. Adults who said they had 10 good friends were happier than those who could count five or less close friends.
Fake it 'til you make it. Several studies have shown that just the act of smiling can cause people to experience happy feelings.
Have a romantic relationship. People in relationships were generally found to be happier than other people, and spouses have the highest sense of well-being whether they are happily married or not, according to a study from Cornell University. Of course, listening to "Don't Worry, Be Happy" always makes me smile.
Spend money on other people. A study concluded that "the happiest people were the biggest givers, no matter what they earned."
Count your blessings. A University of Pennsylvania professor proved that people who wrote down three good things that happened to them every night were significantly happier than control group who did not.
Try something new. People who try new experiences are generally happier, research has shown.
Delay gratification. Anticipating happiness actually makes you happy. Studies have shown that it's human nature to forestall an enjoyable event.
Expose yourself to more blue. Researchers showed that exposing yourself to the color blue sent "self confidence soaring, cut stress, and boosts happiness."
Set goals for yourself. Psychologist Jonathan Freedman claims that people who set objectives for themselves are happier than those who don't.
Go to church. In a study, people who attended church regularly responded that they were happier and more satisfied with their lives than people who were not religious.
Sleep at least six hours every night. Six hours and 15 minutes a night of un-interrupted sleep makes for the happiest people, a British study found.
Make sure you have at least 10 good friends. Adults who said they had 10 good friends were happier than those who could count five or less close friends.
Fake it 'til you make it. Several studies have shown that just the act of smiling can cause people to experience happy feelings.
Have a romantic relationship. People in relationships were generally found to be happier than other people, and spouses have the highest sense of well-being whether they are happily married or not, according to a study from Cornell University. Of course, listening to "Don't Worry, Be Happy" always makes me smile.
Worcestershire Sauce
This is difficult to spell and more
difficult to pronounce liquid is made of vinegar and soy sauce,
spices, and liquefied anchovies. The anchovies are soaked in vinegar
until they are totally dissolved, including the bones.
It is named for the town in England where it was originally brewed. (woos teh shur) Here is one Heinz pronunciation LINK
It is named for the town in England where it was originally brewed. (woos teh shur) Here is one Heinz pronunciation LINK
Driest and Wettest
Parts of Antarctica have had no rain for
two million years, so it is considered the driest place on earth.
A desert is technically defined as a place that receives less than 254 mm (10 inches) of rain a year. The Sahara desert gets just 25 mm (1 inch) of rain a year. Antarctica’s average annual rainfall is about the same, but 2 per cent of it, known as the Dry Valleys, is free of ice and snow and it never rains there at all.
Antarctica can also claim to be the wettest, since seventy per cent of the world’s fresh water is found there in the form of ice.
The next-driest place in the world is the Atacama Desert in Chile. In some areas, no rain has fallen there for 400 years and its average annual rainfall is 0.1 mm (0.004 inches).
A desert is technically defined as a place that receives less than 254 mm (10 inches) of rain a year. The Sahara desert gets just 25 mm (1 inch) of rain a year. Antarctica’s average annual rainfall is about the same, but 2 per cent of it, known as the Dry Valleys, is free of ice and snow and it never rains there at all.
Antarctica can also claim to be the wettest, since seventy per cent of the world’s fresh water is found there in the form of ice.
The next-driest place in the world is the Atacama Desert in Chile. In some areas, no rain has fallen there for 400 years and its average annual rainfall is 0.1 mm (0.004 inches).
Hot Day Car Tip
To keep from burning your hand on your gear
shift lever, put an upside down beer cozy over it. Instant cool.
Homo Sapiens
Homo sapiens is Latin for 'wise man'. It is
the scientific name for the human species. Homo is the human genus,
which also includes Neanderthals and many other extinct species of
hominid. H. sapiens is the only surviving species of the genus Homo.
Modern humans are the subspecies Homo sapiens sapiens.
German anthropologist Friedrich Blumenbach divided Homo sapiens into five distinct races based on their physical characteristics. There was the Mongolian, or yellow race, the red American race, the brown Malayan race, the black Ethiopian race, and the white Caucasian race.
He looked at many physical traits to carve out his categories and thought characteristics of the skull, the size and angle of the forehead, jawbone, teeth, eye sockets, etc. were especially important.
He thought that the skulls of Georgians were exemplary of the characteristics of his white race and named the group (Caucasian) after the Caucasus Mountain Range that runs along Georgia’s northern border.
German anthropologist Friedrich Blumenbach divided Homo sapiens into five distinct races based on their physical characteristics. There was the Mongolian, or yellow race, the red American race, the brown Malayan race, the black Ethiopian race, and the white Caucasian race.
He looked at many physical traits to carve out his categories and thought characteristics of the skull, the size and angle of the forehead, jawbone, teeth, eye sockets, etc. were especially important.
He thought that the skulls of Georgians were exemplary of the characteristics of his white race and named the group (Caucasian) after the Caucasus Mountain Range that runs along Georgia’s northern border.
Wordology, Bridegroom
This word comes from the Old English
“bridgome.” Gome was then a word for 'man'.
Spelling Bee
The “bee” in spelling bee means a gathering
or get together. The earliest documented case of this word appearing
with this meaning was in 1769, referring to a spinning bee, where
people would gather to protest purchasing goods from Britain due to
the high taxes on those items.
Any sort of major competition or work gathering, with a specific task in mind, was a 'bee'. Gatherings that were commonly labeled with 'bee' were: apple bee, logging bee, quilting bee, barn bee, hanging bee, sewing bee, field bee, and corn husking bee, among others.
The popular theory among etymologists today is that it is likely that the actual origin of bee, in the sense of gathering, derives from the Old English bēn (prayer / favor), or the Middle English 'bene'. Finally, this resulted in “bean” meaning “help given by neighbors”.
The first US National Spelling Bee was in 1925, sponsored by the Louisville Courier-Journal. Nine finalists competed in the first spelling bee in Washington D.C. The winning word that year was “gladiolus”, spelled by Frank Neuhauser.
In 1941, E.W. Scripps Company began sponsoring the National Spelling Bee and changed the name to Scripps National Spelling Bee.
It offers a study booklet to prospective contestants that contains between 1,000 and 4,000 words. It also currently offers a list of over 24,000 words that include all words used in the National Spelling Bee since 1950, sorted by frequency of use in the contest. The word that has been used the most in the National Spelling Bee is connoisseur.
The winner of the National Spelling Bee receives several prizes including: $30,000 cash prize from the National Spelling Bee; $5,000 cash prize from Sigma Phi Epsilon Educational Foundation; $2,500 savings bond; a complete reference library from Merriam-Webster; a lifetime membership to Britannica Online Premium Encyclopedia; $2,600 worth of reference works; and a trophy. The second place contestant receives $12,500.
To date, 45 girls have won the spelling bee vs. 41 boys. That is sure to create a buzz.
Any sort of major competition or work gathering, with a specific task in mind, was a 'bee'. Gatherings that were commonly labeled with 'bee' were: apple bee, logging bee, quilting bee, barn bee, hanging bee, sewing bee, field bee, and corn husking bee, among others.
The popular theory among etymologists today is that it is likely that the actual origin of bee, in the sense of gathering, derives from the Old English bēn (prayer / favor), or the Middle English 'bene'. Finally, this resulted in “bean” meaning “help given by neighbors”.
The first US National Spelling Bee was in 1925, sponsored by the Louisville Courier-Journal. Nine finalists competed in the first spelling bee in Washington D.C. The winning word that year was “gladiolus”, spelled by Frank Neuhauser.
In 1941, E.W. Scripps Company began sponsoring the National Spelling Bee and changed the name to Scripps National Spelling Bee.
It offers a study booklet to prospective contestants that contains between 1,000 and 4,000 words. It also currently offers a list of over 24,000 words that include all words used in the National Spelling Bee since 1950, sorted by frequency of use in the contest. The word that has been used the most in the National Spelling Bee is connoisseur.
The winner of the National Spelling Bee receives several prizes including: $30,000 cash prize from the National Spelling Bee; $5,000 cash prize from Sigma Phi Epsilon Educational Foundation; $2,500 savings bond; a complete reference library from Merriam-Webster; a lifetime membership to Britannica Online Premium Encyclopedia; $2,600 worth of reference works; and a trophy. The second place contestant receives $12,500.
To date, 45 girls have won the spelling bee vs. 41 boys. That is sure to create a buzz.
Jul 19, 2013
Happy Friday
When I wake up, my premature optimism is always rewarded,
especially when I have a Happy Friday!
Top Twelve Ice Cream Facts
Since July is National Ice Cream
Month (created by Ronald Reagan in 1984) and (third Sunday in July
(July 21) is National Ice Cream Day), thought I would dish up a few
frozen goodie facts.
Ice cream has the following composition by weight: greater than 10% milkfat by legal definition, 9 to 12% milk solids-not-fat, 12 to 16% sweeteners, 0.2 to 0.5% stabilizers and emulsifiers, 55% to 64% water which comes from the milk or other ingredients.
The history of ice cream dates back to the second century B.C.
The ice cream cone was invented in 1896 with a patent being issued in 1903 to Italo Marchiony.
The United States is the top ice cream consuming country in the world.
It takes 12 lbs. of milk to make a gallon of ice cream.
Vanilla is the number one selling flavor at 27.8%, followed by chocolate 14.3%, strawberry 3.3% (hot dog flavored ice-cream is made by Udder Delights in Arizona).
Chocolate syrup is the favorite topping to put on ice cream.
The major ingredient in ice cream is air.
Depending on conditions of storage, ice cream might last one year, or it might be two weeks or less.
PETA urged Ben & Jerry's to replace cow's milk in its ice cream with human breast milk.
In the late 19th century, America's soda shops bowed to pressure from local churches to not serve ice cream sodas on Sundays. They removed the soda from the recipe and invented the ice cream sundae.
Ice cream is made from milk fat and milk solids. Sorbet is non-dairy and usually high in sugar. Yogurt is usually tart with low or no fat milk substitute. Custard is rich and smooth with lots of egg in it.
An average dairy cow can produce enough milk in her lifetime to make a little over 9,000 gallons of ice cream.
July is also National Grilling Month.
Ice cream has the following composition by weight: greater than 10% milkfat by legal definition, 9 to 12% milk solids-not-fat, 12 to 16% sweeteners, 0.2 to 0.5% stabilizers and emulsifiers, 55% to 64% water which comes from the milk or other ingredients.
The history of ice cream dates back to the second century B.C.
The ice cream cone was invented in 1896 with a patent being issued in 1903 to Italo Marchiony.
The United States is the top ice cream consuming country in the world.
It takes 12 lbs. of milk to make a gallon of ice cream.
Vanilla is the number one selling flavor at 27.8%, followed by chocolate 14.3%, strawberry 3.3% (hot dog flavored ice-cream is made by Udder Delights in Arizona).
Chocolate syrup is the favorite topping to put on ice cream.
The major ingredient in ice cream is air.
Depending on conditions of storage, ice cream might last one year, or it might be two weeks or less.
PETA urged Ben & Jerry's to replace cow's milk in its ice cream with human breast milk.
In the late 19th century, America's soda shops bowed to pressure from local churches to not serve ice cream sodas on Sundays. They removed the soda from the recipe and invented the ice cream sundae.
Ice cream is made from milk fat and milk solids. Sorbet is non-dairy and usually high in sugar. Yogurt is usually tart with low or no fat milk substitute. Custard is rich and smooth with lots of egg in it.
An average dairy cow can produce enough milk in her lifetime to make a little over 9,000 gallons of ice cream.
July is also National Grilling Month.
Biggest and Smallest Eggs
The Ostrich lays the smallest egg
for its size. Although the Ostrich egg is the largest single cell in
nature, it is less than one and a half per cent of the weight of the
mother. A wren’s egg, by comparison, is 13 per cent of its weight.
The largest egg in comparison with the size of the bird is that of the Little Spotted Kiwi. Its egg accounts for 26 per cent of its own weight. That would be the equivalent of a woman giving birth to a six-year-old child.
An ostrich egg weighs as much as twenty-four hen’s eggs. Can you imagine how much bacon it would take to go with an Ostrich egg omelet?
The largest egg in comparison with the size of the bird is that of the Little Spotted Kiwi. Its egg accounts for 26 per cent of its own weight. That would be the equivalent of a woman giving birth to a six-year-old child.
An ostrich egg weighs as much as twenty-four hen’s eggs. Can you imagine how much bacon it would take to go with an Ostrich egg omelet?
World Record for World Records
Keith (Ashrita Furman)
Record-Winning Age: 51 Award Date: June 6, 2006 Fastest Time for a
Male to Hoola Hoop 10km.
Furman also holds the record for “most records held at one time by an individual” 160 as of 2012.
He has set records on seven continents and in more than 30 different countries
Since 1979, Furman has set 450 official Guinness Records, including juggling on a pogo stick the furthest distance (4 miles 30 feet) and quickest time for a mile-long piggy back (12 minutes, 47 seconds). He converted an indoor rower with wheels and brakes and rowed 1,500 miles (2,400 km) in 16 days in Bali in 1991. When not breaking records, he manages a health food store in Queens, New York.
Runner up is Suresh Joachim Arulanantham, a Canadian film actor and multiple-Guinness World Record holder who has broken 60 world records set in several countries in attempts to benefit underprivileged children around the world.
Furman also holds the record for “most records held at one time by an individual” 160 as of 2012.
He has set records on seven continents and in more than 30 different countries
Since 1979, Furman has set 450 official Guinness Records, including juggling on a pogo stick the furthest distance (4 miles 30 feet) and quickest time for a mile-long piggy back (12 minutes, 47 seconds). He converted an indoor rower with wheels and brakes and rowed 1,500 miles (2,400 km) in 16 days in Bali in 1991. When not breaking records, he manages a health food store in Queens, New York.
Runner up is Suresh Joachim Arulanantham, a Canadian film actor and multiple-Guinness World Record holder who has broken 60 world records set in several countries in attempts to benefit underprivileged children around the world.
Same and Opposite
Clip can mean "to bind together" or "to
separate." You clip sheets of paper to together or separate part of
a page by clipping something out.
Continue usually means to persist in doing something, but as a legal term it means stop a proceeding temporarily.
Fight with can be interpreted three ways. “He fought with his mother-in-law” could mean "They argued," "They served together in the war," or "He used her as a weapon."
Hold up can mean "to support" or "to hinder."
Out can mean "visible" or "invisible." For example, “It’s a good thing the full moon was out when the lights went out.”
Continue usually means to persist in doing something, but as a legal term it means stop a proceeding temporarily.
Fight with can be interpreted three ways. “He fought with his mother-in-law” could mean "They argued," "They served together in the war," or "He used her as a weapon."
Hold up can mean "to support" or "to hinder."
Out can mean "visible" or "invisible." For example, “It’s a good thing the full moon was out when the lights went out.”
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