You've Got Mail

This phrase and other familiar phrases spoken by your computer including 'Welcome', 'File’s done' and 'Goodbye' were voiced by Elwood Edwards. He said his wife worked for a company called Quantum Computer Services that became AOL and she volunteered his voice in 1989 to the then future CEO, Steve Case. He recorded the words on a cassette deck in his living room. The familiar voice made it into a movie of the same name and continues, even though Edwards has been retired for a few years.

Free Friday Smile

Happy Friday

Happiness is like a coin. It's better on the obverse.

I always flip over having a Happy Friday!   

Happy International Day of Happiness

Today is also known as International Happiness Day. It was established by the United Nations General Assembly on 28 June 2012. The General Assembly, says, "Recognizing also the need for a more inclusive, equitable, and balanced approach to economic growth that promotes sustainable development, poverty eradication, happiness, and the well-being of all peoples. Decides to proclaim 20 March the International Day of Happiness, invites all Member States, organizations of the United Nations system and other international and regional organizations, as well as civil society, including non-governmental organizations and individuals, to observe the International Day of Happiness in an appropriate manner, including through education and public awareness-raising activities."

Happiness Activists are getting together to take action in cities across the globe, from Washington DC to London and Milan. Here is a short video of people around the world celebrating Happiness Day. LINK

International Pizza Expo

You might think this type of expo would be held in Italy, but it is held in the Las Vegas, NV Convention Center. The 31st Annual International Pizza Expo is billed at the World's Largest and Oldest Pizza Tradeshow. It is held March 23-26, 2015.

Air Traffic Control Towers

Air traffic control towers always have windows that slope toward the tower at the base. Many people assume they are designed that way to prevent the sun's reflection or glare from blinding incoming pilots.

The benefit is not for those outside the tower, but those inside it. Ordinarily, we see reflections in glass all the time, for example from computer monitors or car windows, but air traffic controllers must not have any distracting reflections as they monitor flights. By tilting the glass away, any light from inside the tower (such as video screens, lights, etc.) are reflected up onto the ceiling, which is painted black. That way, the glow from a wristwatch across the room won't be mistaken for an incoming UFO.

Foiling Garden Pests

Cut up small strips of used aluminum foil and mix in with garden soil to keep away aphids and other garden pests.

Canadian Coins

When Canada introduced its 1-dollar coin in 1987 with the queen on front and a loon on back, it became known as the “loonie” for the loon on its back.

When it introduced the 2-dollar coin in 1996 with a picture of the queen on front and a bear on the back, Canadians tried hard to find a nickname. Toonie or twoonie won. Some of the failed suggestions included “doubloonie,” “doozie,” and, “moonie.” Moonie was suggested, because the coin depicts the queen with a bear behind.

Wordology, Orchid

Take a look at certain orchids’ roots, and you will probably notice that they look like testicles. If not, you have set yourself apart from multiple generations of language-makers that simply could not help but name the whole plant family after this observation.

The contemporary word for the flower, introduced in 1845, comes from the Greek orchis, which literally translates as testicle. Speakers of Middle English in the 1300s came up with a phonologically different word inspired by the same exact dirty thought. They called the flower ballockwort from ballocks, or testicles, which itself evolved from beallucas, the Old English word for balls.