tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-191333422024-03-14T02:15:58.766-04:00Gimme a BreakA blog that examines the foibles of life and the inconsequential events that make it interesting and somewhat puzzling.scriberesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16686564738595964556noreply@blogger.comBlogger490125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19133342.post-24706014266999856462016-11-24T23:18:00.002-05:002017-01-06T16:27:58.453-05:00Pondering the ins and outs of socially acceptable mannersNot five minutes ago while conducting a Facebook check along with other sites, there was the sudden realization that there was food stuck between my teeth. Actually, it wasn't so sudden since this is a frequent occurrence for me and most likely most of the planet. Look - these are important issues that aren't frequently thought about.<br />
<br />
This occurrence wasn't surprising since supper was still being digested accompanied by remnants of the main course, which had lodged themselves between various molars and bicuspids and an occasional incisor. There was no uncertainty of committing a social faux-pas since the meal was 'in house' with only family members around to witness the movement of a finger placed on/between teeth to remove the offensive leftover food particle. Dining out, however, brings up the dilemma of how to disengage an item of food from one's teeth in public.<br />
<br />
A common maneuver is a delicate movement around the teeth involved with use of the tongue. A successful outcome is dependent upon the extent and degree of food residue to be removed and whether the operation can be performed without drawing attention to the process. Unsuccessful attempts can result in a release of saliva and/or noise caused by air escaping between the teeth.<br />
<br />
"Sorry - it's either this or a finger nail," explanation would not/does not suffice.<br />
<br />
Using the contents of a glass of water as a tooth rinse aid is too obvious, especially when or if water is spit back into the glass. Neither is the explanation that one is merely testing the taste of the water. Bringing along an electric toothbrush is crass and too noisy.<br />
<br />
Your common toothpick is specifically designed for this purpose but not visually palatable, especially when extricated food remnants are visible at its tip. <br />
<br />
Thinking further (obviously too much time on my hands) another subject that has crossed my mind and has social ramifications is the issue of how or whether to blow one's nose amid a table of diners, and/or if it's socially acceptable to use a paper dinner napkin when a tissue isn't available. According to Emily Post of the Emily Post Institute, nose blowing at the table should be limited to small puffs. Big, noisy nose-blowing should be conducted away from the table. This leads one (me) to wonder whether it's advisable to sensitize fellow diners to this faux pas.<br />
<br />
"Excuse me," you might say in the way of being helpful, "but you do realize that blowing your nose in public and drawing attention to yourself is boorish and gross."<br />
<br />
Some people think deep thoughts about the future of our planet and its inhabitants and then some of us worry about the important issues in life like teeth cleaning and nose- blowing in public. It's just who I am.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />scriberesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16686564738595964556noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19133342.post-39208292800618310392016-10-11T12:32:00.000-04:002016-10-11T12:47:14.075-04:00Ever wonder about the sex life of rats who wear pants or ..discerning liars...dead flies... .Ig Nobel Awards has the lowdown<span style="font-size: large;">Once again as has been my pattern, the awarding of the <strong><em>Ig Nobel Prize</em></strong> slipped by without my acknowledging the winners contribution to the world. There are the real Nobels where recipients are honored for distinguished achievements, and then there are the Ig Nobels. We're talking here about individuals with a penchant for thinking outside the box so to speak that definitely fall into the different but undeniably interesting category. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Organized by the <em>Annals of Improbable Research Magazine</em>, the Ig Nobel Prizes honor achievements, which make people laugh and think, are intended to celebrate the unusual, honor the imaginative and spur people's interest in science, medicine and technology. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Given that the winners travel to the ceremony at their own expense from around the world to receive their prize from a group of genuine Nobel Laureates, means, at least in my mind that the winners take their accolades seriously. Then again, given the nature of the awards, perhaps (just speculation) they take it with a grain of salt. In any case, judge for yourselves.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Some of the subjects of the awards struck me as requiring personal commentary. Then again, maybe not.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-size: large;"><strong>REPRODUCTION PRIZE (EGYPT):</strong> the late Ahmed Shafik, for studying the effects of wearing polyester, cotton or wool pants on the (wait for it) <em>sex life of rats</em> and for conducting similar tests with human males. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Don't want to cast aspersions on rodents but why would rats wear polyester, cotton or wool pants or any pants for that matter? Would it give them prestige in the sewers? Is there a call for designer outfits for them? Given their propensity for reproduction, rats don't need pants to breed. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-size: large;"><strong>ECONOMICS PRIZE (NEW ZEALAND, UK):</strong> Mark Avis, Sarah Forbes and Shelagh Ferguson for assessing the <em>perceived personalities of rocks</em> from a sales and marketing perspective.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Rocks have personalities? One surmises that perhaps, studying rocks from various visual points for a period of time and squinting one's eyes, a rock might or could resemble a family member or somebody famous. People have been known to see images in toast, spaghetti and other unusual places so rocks could be viewed in a similar category. Then again, why bother? A rock is a rock is...</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-size: large;"><strong>PHYSICS PRIZE (HUNGARY, SPAIN, SWEDEN, SWITZERLAND):</strong> Gabor Horvath, Miklos Blaho, Gyorgy Kriska, Ramon Hegedus, Balazs Gerics, Robert Farkas, Susanne Akesson, Peter Malik and Hansruedi Wildermuth, for discovering why white-haired horses are the most horse-fly-proof horses, and for discovering why dragonflies are attracted to black tombstones.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Perhaps the dragonflies just like the color black being that it's night time. Who knows.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-size: large;"><strong>CHEMISTRY PRIZE (GERMANY): Volkswagen</strong>, for solving the problem of excessive automobile pollution emissions by automatically, electromechanically producing fewer emission whenever the cars are being tested.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">And what about the times when they're <em>not</em> being tested, one wonders...</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-size: large;"><strong>MEDICINE PRIZE (GERMANY):</strong> Christoph Helmchen, Carina Palzer, Thomas Munte, Silke Anders and Andreas Sprenger, for discovering that if you have an itch on the left side of your body, you can relieve it by looking into a mirror and scratching the right side of your body (and vice-versa)</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Upon experiencing an itch, it would be far more simple to just relieve the itch by scratching it immediately and cutting out the necessity to gaze into a mirror. Why look in the mirror for this purpose in the first place? Then again, how would that aid scientific research?</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-size: large;"><strong>PSYCHOLOGY PRIZE (BELGIUM, THE NETHERLANDS, GERMANY, CANADA, USA):</strong> Evelyne Debey, Maarten De Schryver, Gordon Logan, Kristina Suchotzki and Bruno Verschuere, for asking a thousand liars how often they lie and for deciding whether to believe those answers.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-size: large;">Can or should one believe a liar who won't necessarily admit she/he's a liar. There are some means to identify liars a BBC article claims, </span><a href="http://www.bbc.com/future/story/20150906-the-best-and-worst-ways-to-spot-a-liar"><span style="font-size: large;">http://www.bbc.com/future/story/20150906-the-best-and-worst-ways-to-spot-a-liar</span></a></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-size: large;"><strong>PEACE PRIZE (CANADA, USA):</strong> Gordon Pennycook, James Allan Cheyne, Nathanial Barr, Derek Koehler and Jonathan Fugelsang, for their scholarly study called, "On the Reception and Detection of Pseydo-Profound Bullshit."</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>BIOLOGY PRIZE</b> [UK] — Awarded jointly to: Charles Foster, for living in the wild as, at different times, a badger, an otter, a deer, a fox, and a bird; and to Thomas Thwaites, for creating prosthetic extensions of his limbs that allowed him to move in the manner of, and spend time roaming hills in the company of, goats.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Since nobody has found a method to communicate with the animals in question, one (me) wonders how they (the animals) feel about the attempt by humans to bond with them. To diminish the chance of rejection. Thomas Thwaites created limbs that resemble goats, Check out the end result: </span><a href="http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3612748/Why-decided-life-London-goat-Switzerland.html"><span style="font-size: large;">http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3612748/Why-decided-life-London-goat-Switzerland.html</span></a><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"> <b>LITERATURE PRIZE</b> [SWEDEN] — Fredrik Sjöberg, for his three-volume autobiographical work about the pleasures of collecting flies that are dead, and flies that are not yet dead. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Really? Three whole volumes on fly collection? Dead AND alive?</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>PERCEPTION PRIZE</b> [JAPAN] — Atsuki Higashiyama and Kohei Adachi, for investigating whether things look different when you bend over and view them between your legs.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Perhaps a case of too much time on one's hands, or legs?</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">And so, yet another year of - well - interesting awards in recognition of the <strong>Ig Nobels. </strong>Perhaps a special category should be created for those aspiring to enter the political realm. Couldn't hurt.</span>scriberesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16686564738595964556noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19133342.post-34061135551304762742016-02-20T20:06:00.001-05:002016-02-21T19:02:34.330-05:00Recognizing special and somewhat unusual holidays As a writer seeking out potentially interesting subjects to share, there are internet sites that provide background information about diverse holidays, some of which are well known while others are more obscure. It's the lesser-known subject matter that make for interesting reads.<br />
<br />
In case you weren't aware and it was definitely news to me, but today being February 20th, is <em>National Love Your Pet Day</em>. This is a great idea especially since pets play an important role as extended members of the family. It's also interesting that the day of pet recognition falls right after Valentine's Day, a day set aside whereby humans demonstrate affection towards a special person in their life. Pets and humans are a natural go-together. Having shared our household with various pets over the years including a dog for fifteen years and various aquatic species many of which didn't last the night and received a two-flush funeral, their contribution to family life should and is noted. Moving along...<br />
<br />
Chances are few people are probably aware that February 20 is also <em>National Cherry Pie Day </em>in addition to February being <em>National Cherry Month</em>, a good a reason as any to indulge and cut into a slice or more of juicy scrumptiousness. In searching for background information and according to the American Pie Council, the pie itself came to America with the first English settlers. The early colonists baked their pies in long narrow pans calling them “coffyns”. As in the Roman times, the early American pie crusts often were not eaten, but simply designed to hold the filling during baking. It was during the American Revolution that the term 'crust' was used instead of “coffyn”, which is preferable. I mean, eating cherry pie with a coffyn on top just doesn't do it.<br />
<br />
<em>National Hot Tea Month</em>, celebrated for the entire month of January, slipped by without my notice, which is somewhat shameful being a confirmed tea imbiber. The <strong>Tea Association of Canada</strong>, who know lots about things tea-related, the custom of afternoon tea originated in the 19th century with Anna, 7th Duchess of Bedford, who invited guests to join her for a cup of tea and goodies in the afternoon, to fill the long gap between breakfast and late dinners.<br />
<br />
Although purists would probably advocate using loose tea when brewing a pot, tea bags are a personal preference. In spite of using a tea infuser, somehow stray tea leaves seem to work their way through the holes. Spitting the stray tea leaves into a napkin is viewed as a social faux-pas, as is filling up one's mouth with water to cleanse the mouth and returning it into the glass. Somehow, decorum always enters the picture where drinking tea is concerned. Moving right along...<br />
<br />
Seems that February 20th has a lot going including - wait for it - <em>National Handcuff Day.</em> <em>Handcuff Day</em> marks the occasion back in 1912, when a patent was granted to George A. Carney for a revolutionary new style of handcuff. The source for this tidbit of information, <a href="http://www.daysoftheyear.com/">www.daysoftheyear.com</a> offer some suggestions in the way of celebrating with some trivia questions. I mean, who wouldn't know the answers to:<br />
<br />
<li>what kind of handcuff replicas are used in China</li>
<li>which handcuff brand(s) were discontinued and then brought back, and why</li>
<li>who introduced the Gill Flash Action manacle and when that happened</li>
<li>how much standard and other types of handcuffs weigh</li>
<li>which handcuff models are made from stainless steel</li>
<li>what kind of handcuffs people suspected of conspiring against Abraham Lincoln wore</li>
<br />
Lesser known and/or more obscure celebrations, which took place earlier in February include Dump Your Significant Jerk Day on February 1. Thinking further regarding this holiday, one doesn't have to wait until February to accomplish this feat, Wave All Your Fingers At Your Neighbors Day on February 7 and <em>National Lash Day</em> on February 19. According to information gleaned from the internet, "<span style="color: black;">This is a day to promote the love and need for true and false eyelashes. It is a day we all can honor our lashes." This leads one - me - to ponder: is it really necessary to honor our eye lashes? What about eye brows? Don't they deserver some recognition, also? </span><br />
<span style="color: black;"></span><br />
<span style="color: black;"></span><span style="color: black;">According to Wikipedia, who always seem on top of relating the source of unusual items and articles: "Eyelashes protect the eye from debris and perform some of the same function as whiskers do on a cat or a mouse in the sense that they are sensitive to being touched, thus providing a warning that an object (such as an insect or dust mite) is near the eye (which then closes reflexively)." Nothing unusual about the information however setting aside a day to honor eyelashes is somewhat...unusual, to say or write the least.</span><br />
<br />
All of these diverse celebrations got me thinking that perhaps it's time to add yet another observance, <em>National House Plant Day</em>, to the list in recognition the contribution of houseplants in our lives. I mean, what would our world and lives be without these living organisms, which give us so much pleasure and ask nothing in return except routine doses of fertilizer, an occasional leaf cleaning, re-potting and insect control? Perhaps candidates running for political office should or could offer an adopt-a-plant program, promoting the concept of a house plant in every home to clear the air. Given the extent of promises that are made in an election year, it would be a laudable promise to keep. Right?<br />
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"></span><br />
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">
</span>scriberesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16686564738595964556noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19133342.post-61297810124825374702015-12-23T09:46:00.000-05:002015-12-23T13:16:15.095-05:00Hey! It's Festivus for the rest of usThis year, wanted to make sure that the holiday of Festivus is marked on the day the holiday occurs. In previous years, somehow it slipped by without recognition until the day after. Not that it really makes a difference in the scheme of things but holidays should be celebrated on the day they take place.<br />
<br />
For the uninformed, this holiday got its start as a segment on the still-lamented TV comedy series,<strong> "Seinfeld"</strong> with <strong>Frank Constanza</strong>, George's father, who explains the holiday this way.<br />
<br />
"Many Christmases ago, I went to buy a doll for my son. I reached for the last one they had, but so did another man. As I rained blows upon him, I realized there had to be another way." The doll was destroyed but as George elaborated, "out of that a new holiday was born: a Festivus for the rest of us!"<br />
<br />
The holiday is unique in that it includes the <strong><span style="font-size: 130%;">Airing of Grievances</span></strong> and <strong><span style="font-size: 130%;">Feats of Strength</span></strong>. Who among us hasn't or doesn't air our grievances at some point? Speaking for myself because nobody else will, I recently aired a grievance at the supermarket, when returning rotten cheese. <br />
<br />
"I'm now Airing my Grievances," I told the cashier emphatically, hands on hips for emphasis. "This cheese has a good-until date for three months from now and yet here we are, not two weeks later with mold."<br />
<br />
Doubtful that the cashier was aware of the Airing of Grievances occasion in spite of numerous attempts to explain and offers to listen to <em>her</em> grievances, but she still gave me my money back, anyway. Not everyone wants to share.<br />
<br />
In as far as <strong>Feats of Strength</strong> are concerned, just this morning I brought a trash bag filled to capacity to the disposal shoot and tossed it in <em>holding it in one hand</em>. Two days ago I walked along a slush-filled sidewalk, ignoring the option to walk on the dry road. These are praise-worthy feats, friends!<br />
<br />
Last but certainly not least, there's the <strong><span style="font-size: 130%;">Festivus Pole</span></strong>, in which an un-decorated aluminum pole is displayed in place of a Christmas tree. One could, if one felt moved, dance around the pole or perhaps - just a thought - string up some cord and hang laundry. A pole is a pole is...<br />
<br />
So once the binge-watching of TV series has lost its charm and all the gifts are wrapped, and the cat has re-decorated the tree as only cats can do, get the gang together and hold hands singing around the Festivus pole. Why? Why not?<br />
<br />
<h3>
It's Festivus all Across the Land</h3>
<em>(Sung to the tune of "Winter Wonderland") </em><br />
Grievances aired, are you listening, <br />
At the dinner, meatloaf is glistening. <br />
A beautiful sight, we're happy tonight. <br />
It's Festivus all across the land. <br />
Standing there, is an old pole, <br />
Unadorned, it is a strong pole. <br />
It stands straight and tall, <br />
As we go along, <br />
It's Festivus all across the land. <br />
In the Living Room we can wrestle, <br />
And try to pin the head of the house. <br />
He'll say: Are you ready? <br />
We'll say: No, man. <br />
But we will do our best <br />
To pin him down. <br />
Later on, we'll conspire, <br />
As we air grievances by the fire. <br />
To face unafraid, <br />
The gripes we have made, <br />
It's Festivus all across the land.scriberesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16686564738595964556noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19133342.post-9800749805523521782015-12-09T08:32:00.000-05:002015-12-09T09:27:49.660-05:00A Shining Light: all candles can cast a glowAt our Hebrew school, we always celebrated the various holidays, both big and small. Hanukkah was a particular favorite since our class, being the eldest students, entertained the residents of a seniors' home. Each year the teacher would select eight students to sing and perform as Hanukkah candles and competition was fierce for the part of the <em>shamash</em>, or head candle. It was a very desirable position for all the students since the shamash person had a prominent place above all the rest.<br />
<br />
Not blessed with a good singing voice or even mediocre singing ability, my chances were slim at best to play any candle, never mind the head candle. The ultimate rival for anyone aspiring to win the part was Zelig, who had the voice of an opera star. Not only did he have the best singing voice, he was also the top student, scholastically and the teacher's favorite. Whenever holiday games were played including spin the <em>dreidel</em>, Zelig won everything, which didn't exactly ingratiate him with his fellow students.<br />
<br />
Auditions for parts were held a few weeks before the onset of the holiday and the best I could hope for was a minor part and only if the rest of the students had an off day. Each student auditioned and as expected, Zelig once again got the lead, which irritated me and all the students, no end. My resentment was eased somewhat by being assigned the role of a minor candle, probably out of pity more than anything else. Those who weren't chosen became part of a "tra-la-la" chorus doing their thing at the appropriate time.<br />
<br />
There was a definite air of excitement when we arrived at the senior's home, ready to perform in front of a live audience who were, for the most part, walked in with the help of walkers or in wheelchairs into a large auditorium where we were lined up on stage, anxious to perform. Glancing around the room, many of the seniors appeared to be dozing. Undeterred, the first students opened the concert and sang well as did those who followed. It was my turn and my voice for a change, didn't fail me. Always the consummate performer, Zelig opened his mouth and it was if a chorus of angels had entered the room. His voice, strong and melodic, all attention was riveted on the young singer. Here we had put on the performance of our young lives and Zelig received all the acclaim, again. Cheers and clapping followed and he bowed taking it all in like the star he knew he was.<br />
<br />
After performing a variety of Israeli dances and once the recital was over, we mingled with the audience but I was consumed with the memory of Zelig and the sound of the applause he received. My sulking was interrupted by an elderly woman with a trembling body wheeled over to talk to me, smiling, while making an effort to talk. <br />
<br />
"Thank you, she uttered weakly and breathlessly. "You were all wonderful. How special you all are to visit us."<br />
<br />
There was the sudden realization that it wasn't important who was the head candle or who had the best voice. It was significant to our audience that we had taken to time to come at all.<br />
<br />
It wasn't long after our successful performance that Zelig's voice finally broke and he never knew whether he would sing soprano or alto. Tough luck for him. My voice, on the other hand, never changed and could always be depended upon to sing off-key.scriberesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16686564738595964556noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19133342.post-39274704484778199112015-10-08T21:08:00.000-04:002015-10-09T08:28:49.824-04:00The Ig Nobels - recognizing achievement for...stuff There are well-known prestigious awards distributed to those who gain international recognition in various fields of achievement in the sciences, literature and/or are successful in various scopes of performance and related areas. Then there are lesser known distinctions bestowed to people whose contribution to society could be, but not necessarily, considered somewhat questionable or at the very least, <em>head-scratching-inducing</em>.<br />
<br />
Somehow, the <strong>2015 Ig Nobel Prizes</strong> almost slipped by on my part, without any of the usual acknowledgement and commendation to the winners. These are achievements that elicit laughs but are also thought-provoking. This year's winners gathered together on September 17 at a ceremony at <strong>Harvard University's Saunders Theatre</strong>, followed by a lecture at MIT. These people went home with an Ig Prize:<br />
<br />
The prize for <strong>Chemistry</strong> went to Calum Ormonde and Colin Raston (Australia), Tom Yuan, Stephan Kudlacek, Sameeran Kunche, Joshua N. Smith, William A. Brown, Kaitlin Pugliese, Tivoli Olsen, Mariam Iftikhar, Gregory Weiss (USA), <em>for their invention of a chemical recipe to partially un-boil an egg</em>. This is no yolk...eggs-actly.<br />
<br />
The rationale behind the desire to un-boil an egg is curious but then again, one could ask oneself whether an egg is half-boiled or not, would it make a difference to a hen? Just thinking...<br />
<br />
<br />
In the science of <strong>Physics</strong>, Patricia Yang (USA and Taiwan), David Hu (USA and Taiwan), Jonathan Pharm and Jerome Choo (USA), who <em>tested the biological principale that nearly all mammals empty their bladders in approximately 21 seconds (plus or minus 13 seconds)</em>. <br />
<br />
Contemplating further, one (me) wonders whether this would vary following a night of alcoholic indulgence. Just thinking...<br />
<br />
<br />
So Mark Dingemanse (The Netherlands), USA), Francisco Torreira (The Netherlands, Belgium, USA) AND Nick J. Enfield (Australia, The Netherlands), who took home the <strong>Literature Prize</strong>, for their earth-shattering discovery - wait for it - that <em>the word, "huh" (or its equivalent) seemed to exist in every human language - and for not being quite sure why</em>. <br />
<br />
Would depend, IMHO, if one considers "huh" a word uttered on purpose or merely an exhalation of breath on a windy day. What about the Canadian equivalent of "eh:? Where does that fall in the scheme of things? Just wondering...<br />
<br />
<br />
In the area of <strong>Management</strong>, Gennaro Bernile (Italy, Singapore, USA), Vineet Bhagwat (USA, India) and P. Raghavendra Rau (UK, India, France, Luxembourg) in their discovery that many business leaders developed a fondness <em>for risk-taking in childhood when they experienced natural disasters i.e. earthquakes et al that - for them - had no dire personal consequences.</em><br />
<em></em><br />
<br />
Now here is something worthy of recognition. The Bangkok Metropolitan Police were recognized in the <strong>Economics</strong> area (Thailand), <em>for offering to pay policemen extra cash if the policemen refused to take bribes</em>.<br />
<br />
<br />
For the <strong>Medicine</strong> prize, two groups received the honors jointly - perhaps they were testing their experiments: Hajime Kimata (Japan, China), Jaroslava Durdiakova (Slovakia, US, UK), Peter Celec (Slovakia, Germany) Natalia Kamodyova, Tatiana Sedlackova, Gabriela Repiska, Barbara Sviezena and Gabriel Minarik (Slovakia), for <em>their study examining the biomedical benefits or biomedical consequences of intense kissing (and other intimate, inter-personal activities).</em> <br />
<br />
So how this falls into the medical sphere is interesting but even more interesting would be what type of activities did they conduct to arrive at their conclusions. Right? <br />
<br />
<br />
The prize in <strong>Mathematics </strong>was awarded to Elisabeth Oberzaucher (Austria, Germany, UK) and Karl Grammer (Austria, Germany), for <em>trying to use mathematical techniques to determine whether and how Moulay Ismael the Bloodthirsty, the Sharifian Emperor of Morocco, managed during the years from 1697 through 1727, to father 888 children</em>.<br />
<br />
<br />
Yet another <em>chicken</em> aspersion in the <strong>Biology </strong>prize category. Bruno Grossi, Omar Larach, Mauricio Canals, Rodrigo A. Vaszuez (Chile), Jose Iriarte-Diaz (Chile, USA), <em>for observing that when one attaches a weighted stick to the rear end of a chicken, the chicken then walks in a manner similar to that in which dinosaurs are thought to have walked</em>. <br />
<br />
Why do chickens have to suffer indignities like having a weighted stick attached to their rear end? I mean, is there a reason? It's bad enough having to speculate about their motivation for crossing the road/highway/street etc. and now being categorized as walking like a dinosaur? Really and when you think about it (too much time on my hands, obviously), who was around to witness the manner in which dinosaurs walked, anyway? Am I wrong, readers?<br />
<br />
<br />
I dunno. Some people really seem to enjoy pain, Two individuals, one Justin Schmidt (USA, Canada) for painstakingly (in the true sense of the word) <em>creating the Schmidt Sting Pain Index that rates the relative pain people feel when stung by various insects.</em><br />
Really. <br />
<br />
Also, Michael L. Smith (USA, UK, The Netherlands) in the area of <strong>Physiology and Entomology</strong>, <em>for carefully arranging for honey bees to sting him repeatedly on 25 different locations on his body, to learn, which locations are the least painful (the skull middle, toe tip and upper arm) and which are the most painful (the nostril, upper lip and - can't believe I'm writing this - penis shaft).</em><br />
<em></em><br />
It's really difficult to believe that someone, even in the name of science, would allow a/some bees to sting him on the penis shaft. <strong><em>Bee+stinger+penis=extreme pain</em></strong>.<br />
<br />
<br />
And so yet another year of dubious distinctions has come and gone but definitely not without notice or accolades. Next year - who knows. The mind boggles.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />scriberesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16686564738595964556noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19133342.post-38180572261254234772015-07-14T09:58:00.000-04:002015-07-14T14:34:31.157-04:00This'n'that: observations du jour : #2<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong>It's all a numbers game in the end</strong></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times;">Like many people in the cyber space community, I'm a Twitter user, some may call us twits but that's a whole other subject. According to Twitter stats, which keep track of these things, I've been a twitter-er since 2009. Way back then, everyone was joining the group and as a writer it seemed like a good medium in which to let people know about my creative output. The idea is to communicate one's present status in 140 characters and keep people coming back for more entertaining personal revelations that fall into "what's happening" category. My philosophy in as far as sharing Twitter updates is share if it's an interesting and/or entertaining subject that will elicit a response. Therein lays the challenge: getting people to respond. What may strike my fancy doesn't necessarily interest others. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times;">As a playwright or at least a person who writes plays, it's an ideal tool in which to give Twitter followers a taste of my plays. This seems to attract attention and accordingly the stats go up. Lately, though, it appears my numbers have dropped, which leads me to the point of this piece. The other day, there was an e-mail announcement notifying me to avail myself of the <strong>"Twitter Analytics"</strong> service and according to their blurb, "you're putting out there, so it's time you were able to see what's getting the most love." Usually, I'm an adherent of ignorance is bliss but decided to get an appraisal of my virtual worth. According to their statistics and within a 28 day period, I had 22 profile visits, a drop of 15.4%, 3 mentions indicating a 50% hike in numbers, my top tweet earned 26 impressions (whatever that is) with the subject focusing on a robot marriage. In my defence, there have been numerous requests (okay...a lot of requests) by people to be followed that have been refused for one reason or another, so that in itself decreases the number of people who might have been slighted at my refusal, which in turn is reflected in the statistics. In the end, there is the consolation that at least my 643 Twitter followers - an increase of 9 by the way - are tweet on each other.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times;"><strong><span style="font-size: large;"><u>Note</u></span></strong>: discovered what "Impressions" are and according to Twitter: "<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">When we say "impression", we mean that a tweet has been delivered to the Twitter stream of a particular account. Not everyone who receives a tweet will read it , so you should consider this a measure of potential impressions. Both reach and impressions should be treated as directional metrics to give you an idea of the overall exposure the tracked term received. Use these metrics to get a sense of the size of your <em>potential audience</em>, and use engagement metrics like retweets, clicks and replies to gain a more complete understanding of your impact."</span></span><br />
<br />
So...like...maybe it's just me but my impression is that I still don't understand what impressions are. You?<br />
<span style="font-family: Times;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times;"><strong>The bike-cycle</strong></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times;">As a person who enjoyed cycling through suburban streets as a means of exercise and getting around, I'm aware of the appeal in participating in this great cardio sport, however... Why do many cyclists feel that red lights don't apply to them? They fly through intersections without even bothering to slow down, daring motorists to impede their pace. Given their means of transportation versus a car, their lack of concern for stop signs and/or traffic lights is intimidating, not to mention anxiety inducing.<span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" data-reactid=".x.1:4:1:$comment10153055929495847_10153056903175847:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body"><span class="UFICommentBody" data-reactid=".x.1:4:1:$comment10153055929495847_10153056903175847:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0"><span data-reactid=".x.1:4:1:$comment10153055929495847_10153056903175847:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0.$end:0:$text0:0"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"> On occasion and being who I am, I'll point out the red light/stop sign. Most ignore me but I've received the middle finger on occasion for my effort. Wonder how many tickets have actually been given out to cyclists by police. Traffic rules are for everyone, including cyclists.</span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" data-reactid=".x.1:4:1:$comment10153055929495847_10153056903175847:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body"><span class="UFICommentBody" data-reactid=".x.1:4:1:$comment10153055929495847_10153056903175847:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0"><span data-reactid=".x.1:4:1:$comment10153055929495847_10153056903175847:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0.$end:0:$text0:0"></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" data-reactid=".x.1:4:1:$comment10153055929495847_10153056903175847:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body"><span class="UFICommentBody" data-reactid=".x.1:4:1:$comment10153055929495847_10153056903175847:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0"><span data-reactid=".x.1:4:1:$comment10153055929495847_10153056903175847:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0.$end:0:$text0:0"><strong>Making a splash</strong></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" data-reactid=".x.1:4:1:$comment10153055929495847_10153056903175847:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body"><span class="UFICommentBody" data-reactid=".x.1:4:1:$comment10153055929495847_10153056903175847:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0"><span data-reactid=".x.1:4:1:$comment10153055929495847_10153056903175847:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0.$end:0:$text0:0"></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" data-reactid=".x.1:4:1:$comment10153055929495847_10153056903175847:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body"><span class="UFICommentBody" data-reactid=".x.1:4:1:$comment10153055929495847_10153056903175847:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0"><span data-reactid=".x.1:4:1:$comment10153055929495847_10153056903175847:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0.$end:0:$text0:0">To the best of my knowledge, a swimming pool being filled with water, is designed for people to swim and/or enjoy water-related activities. Sometimes...many times people will splash water on each other by accident causing them to get wet. For whatever reason, some people - females for the most part - make it verbally known that they are against splashing of any type. The most frequent complaint heard (at least in our condo pool) is "don't splash my hair!" Well ladies who fall into this category, a reminder that perhaps the best action to take is to stay out of the pool and thereby avoiding the possibility of being splashed, period. Water is wet! At least that's my solution but if anybody else has a better suggestion...</span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" data-reactid=".x.1:4:1:$comment10153055929495847_10153056903175847:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body"><span class="UFICommentBody" data-reactid=".x.1:4:1:$comment10153055929495847_10153056903175847:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0"><span data-reactid=".x.1:4:1:$comment10153055929495847_10153056903175847:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0.$end:0:$text0:0"></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" data-reactid=".x.1:4:1:$comment10153055929495847_10153056903175847:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body"><span class="UFICommentBody" data-reactid=".x.1:4:1:$comment10153055929495847_10153056903175847:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0"><span data-reactid=".x.1:4:1:$comment10153055929495847_10153056903175847:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0.$end:0:$text0:0"><strong>Question du jour</strong></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" data-reactid=".x.1:4:1:$comment10153055929495847_10153056903175847:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body"><span class="UFICommentBody" data-reactid=".x.1:4:1:$comment10153055929495847_10153056903175847:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0"><span data-reactid=".x.1:4:1:$comment10153055929495847_10153056903175847:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0.$end:0:$text0:0"></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" data-reactid=".x.1:4:1:$comment10153055929495847_10153056903175847:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body"><span class="UFICommentBody" data-reactid=".x.1:4:1:$comment10153055929495847_10153056903175847:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0"><span data-reactid=".x.1:4:1:$comment10153055929495847_10153056903175847:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0.$end:0:$text0:0">Can't help but notice there's an inequality when it comes to serving tea and coffee ("there she goes again - ranting on about tea bags..."). In cafes which serve coffee and tea, where do tea drinkers put their tea bags once the correct strength is achieved and they're no longer needed? Somehow, placing it on a bare table or napkin just seems so...un-couth. Perhaps a small disposable receptacle should be supplied when served tea, in which to place the tea bag. Something like this:</span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" data-reactid=".x.1:4:1:$comment10153055929495847_10153056903175847:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body"><span class="UFICommentBody" data-reactid=".x.1:4:1:$comment10153055929495847_10153056903175847:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0"><span data-reactid=".x.1:4:1:$comment10153055929495847_10153056903175847:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0.$end:0:$text0:0"></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img src="http://www.theteatable.com/mm5/graphics/00000001/7519.jpg" /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">Just saying...</span>scriberesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16686564738595964556noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19133342.post-56333581362226150182015-04-27T10:07:00.000-04:002015-04-27T10:07:42.128-04:00Laugh it up! April is National Humor Month<em><strong>"Humour or humor (see spelling differences) is the tendency of particular cognitive experiences to provoke laughter and provide amusement. The term derives from the humoral medicine of the ancient Greeks, which taught that the balance of fluids in the human body, known as humours (Latin: húmor, "body fluid"), control human health and emotion"</strong>.</em> ~Wikipedia<br /><br /> Once again as it occurs every year since 1976, <strong>National Humor Month</strong> is celebrated around the world by people who have a sense of humor. Perhaps even people who don't have a sense of humor but enjoy the mere act of laughing out loud, or in private, but I digress.<br /><br /> It's interesting to note that a month devoted to humor starts on April 1st being April Fools Day. For the record, Larry Wilde is responsible for the creation of National Humor Month, which devotes the entire month to laughter. His aim was and presumably still is, to heighten public awareness of how the joy and therapeutic value of laughter can improve health, boost morale, increase communication skills and enrich the quality of one's life.<br /><br /> Researcher, Robert R. Provine, a neuro-scientist engaged in studies of the development, evolution and neural mechanisms of behavior, has focused on studying laughter and observed thousands of incidents of laughter spontaneously occurring in everyday life. He shared his findings in Laughter: A Scientific Investigation (Penguin Books, 2001).<br />
<br /> "Laughter is not primarily about humor," wrote Dr. Provine, "but about social relationships."<br /><br /> Among some of his surprising (at least to me) findings:<br /><br /> - Health benefits of laughter are probably coincidental, a consequence of a much more important primary goal, which is bringing people together. Not too sure if he's entire right, at least IMHO. Given the choice, people would prefer to laugh than cry. Right?<br /> - Laughter plays a big role in mating. Men like women who laugh heartily in their presence. Won't touch that one with a ten-foot pole.<br /> - Both sexes laugh a lot but females laugh more - 126% more than their male counterparts. Men are more laugh-getters<br /> - The laughter of the female is the critical index of a healthy relationship. Again, this is a questionable statement. I mean, it would depend on the reason for the female's laughter. Is it at or with the person?<br /> - Laughter in relationships declines dramatically as people age<br /><br /> Interesting statistic that <em>females laugh 126% more than males</em>. Perhaps - pure speculation and some observation - females have a better sense of humor. By laugh-getters I'm assuming that they prefer to get/acquire the laughs, which in turn the females will respond by laughing or in some cases, rolling their eyes.<br /><br /> Another theory of why people laugh professes that people laugh to assert that they are on a level equal to or higher than those around them. Research has shown that bosses tend to crack more jokes than do their employees. I would also imagine that employees laugh at their bosses jokes for obvious reasons, especially if a raise in salary is imminent.<br /><br /> Women laugh much more in the presence of men and men generally tell more jokes in the presence of women. Men have even been shown to laugh much more quietly around women, while laughing louder when in a group of men. Males could consider laughing quietly while in the presence of females to be polite. I mean, a loud, coughing and snorting laugh could be considered brash or socially unacceptable. JMHO of course...<br /><br /> Over the years researchers have explored laughter's effects on the body and produced some interesting information on how it affects us. For example, a study conducted by researchers of the University of Maryland studied the effects on blood vessels when people were shown either comedies or dramas and concluded that blood vessels of the group watching comedies expanded and contracted easily, while the blood vesssels of the people watching dramas tended to tense up restricting blood flow. More proof?<br /><br /> There's scientific evidence that it may offer protection against a heart attack. A study with results presented at the American Heart Association's 73rd Scientific Session showed that people with heart disease were 40% less likely to laugh in a variety of situations compared to people of the same age without heart disease. This all means that it's good for your health to laugh.<br /><br /> In honor of this month of merriment, here are some jokes. Warning: some are groaners.<br />
<br /><br />- Two cannibals were eating a clown. One said to the other: "Does this taste funny to you?"<br /><br /> - Did you hear about the man who spent too much money on Viagra: Now, he's hard up <br /><br /> - Did you hear about the guy that lost his left arm and leg in a car crash? <br /> He's all right now. <br /><br /> - What do you call four bull fighters in quicksand? <br /> Quatro sinko. <br /><br /> Some questions worth thinking about:<br /><br /> - Why are there interstate highways in Hawaii?"~ Steve Wright<br /><br /> - Why is abbreviation such a long word?~ Steve Wright<br /><br /> - Dogs are the leaders of the planet. If you see two life forms, one of them's making a poop, the other one's carrying it for him, who would you assume is in charge. <br /> ~ Jerry Seinfeld<br /><br /> Don't know who wrote this but it best sums up being happy: "Laughter is the shock absorber that eases the blows of life." <br />
<br />
Meanwhile - laugh it up!scriberesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16686564738595964556noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19133342.post-48182268556109362222015-04-17T10:06:00.000-04:002015-04-21T17:33:30.359-04:00As the planet spins - stories that leave you wonderingSometimes, often actually, seeking out the unusual or weird pieces on the cyber highway of life, are what I call, head shakers. These are the stories that make one shake one's head and marvel at the way people live their lives. <br />
<br />
For example, take the story of two neighbors whose feud led to one being detained by authorities for six hours for over trimming a tree that was growing on one of their properties. Logically, they should have been able to discuss it like adults but somehow at some point, the feud must have gotten out of hand in the true sense of the word. Unbelievable. Read about it here: <a href="http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3043498/Mother-two-locked-police-cell-six-hours-bail-seven-months-trial-chopping-neighbour-s-branches-hanging-garden.html">http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3043498/Mother-two-locked-police-cell-six-hours-bail-seven-months-trial-chopping-neighbour-s-branches-hanging-garden.html</a> Personal aside (big on these), one of my favorite and personally written plays, <strong>"Shrubs"</strong> follows this exact story line in part. I shall take this as a positive omen.<br />
<br />
Then there's the story of Aiko Chihira, a greeter who works for the Mitsukoshi department store in Tokyo, Japan. What makes her job different from everyone else's is that Aiko is a humanoid robot developed by Toshiba. Somehow, at least in my eyes, she reminds me of one of the Stepford wives of the movie fame, always with a pleasant smile on her face and dark unemotional eyes. Read more about what else she can do here: <a href="http://www.cbc.ca/news/technology/robot-starts-work-as-greeter-at-japanese-department-store-1.3040753">http://www.cbc.ca/news/technology/robot-starts-work-as-greeter-at-japanese-department-store-1.3040753</a> Unnerving in her perfection and very creepy.<br />
<br />
<br />
Moving on...<br />
<br />
<strong><span style="font-size: large;">What's slimy and not found on ski slopes</span></strong><br />
<br />
There are common and recognizable things that fall from the sky, many of which are related to weather conditions including rain or snowfall to name a few. Then there are the unexpected objects that descend to earth unexpectedly causing one to ponder if the universe is trying to send us a message.<br />
<br />
Case in point is a biologist who was skiing in the mountains outside the city of Bergen, Norway, when he came across not a dozen or a hundred but thousands of earthworms laying on top of snow in a pile at least three feet deep.. This is not the type of creepy-crawly normally seen or found in snowy conditions however when examined closely, they started to move indicating they were alive. <br />
<br />
It appears the biologist wasn't the only person to encounter a <em>wormado</em> since there were many similar sightings from across southern Norway with reports of worm piles seen in the vicinity and as far away as the Swedish border. The explanation or theory provided by the scientific community is that a warm, high-velocity pocket of air swept up the worms as they emerged from their winter hibernation and carried them up into the mountains. <br />
<br />
I'm thinking here...imagine whooshing down a ski hill and suddenly feeling objects descending on your body and discovering upon looking skywards, worms falling from the heavens. Perhaps skiers should consider adding umbrellas when packing their ski gear, or consider keeping them as fish bait.<br />
<br />
<br />
<strong><span style="font-size: large;">A fishy service</span></strong><br />
<strong></strong><br />
Under normal circumstances, a pedicure would include a foot soaking and foot scrubbing, nail filing and other conventional treatments. There is also lesser known but reportedly effective alternate pedicure available in some locations featuring small fish nibbling on toes to remove dead skin. The specie of fish used for this service are called Garra rufa or doctor fish that work by sucking dead tissue off the feet.<br />
<br />
Not everyone is enamored with this service to the point where the U.S. Supreme Court rejected an appeal by an owner of a Phoenix-area spa, barring her from giving her customers fish pedicures. Seems that they are banned in some U.S. states for health and safety reasons.<br />
<br />
At present, the U.S. Supreme Court refused to disturb state court rulings upholding the right of the Arizona Board of Cosmetology to prevent the owner of the salon from operating a pedicure service featuring the doctor fish. Here is a photo of the <em>pedi-curic</em> doctor fish: <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Doctor_fish">http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Doctor_fish</a><br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">British school student banned due to hair color</span><br />
<br />
Makes you wonder... A 17-year old student who decided to dye her hair red, has been banned from a British school until she changes it to what they believe to be a more natural color. What this has to do with obtaining an education is somewhat puzzling, since this is a personal option and decision.<br />
<br />
The student whose natural hair color is naturally auburn, dyed it a more intense or ginger shade. It appears the hair shade selected does not conform with the school uniform policy, which includes no unnatural or presumably gaudy hair colors. In my mind, ginger does not fall into the unnatural category.<br />
Here is a photo featuring the hair in question: <a href="http://www.express.co.uk/news/uk/570711/Emily-Reay-A-level-girl-banned-school-ginger">http://www.express.co.uk/news/uk/570711/Emily-Reay-A-level-girl-banned-school-ginger</a> Really can't see what the fuss is about.<br />
<br />
In the end, we're not talking about purple, or green and other shades, which could be viewed as 'alternative' colors, but it still boggles the mind as to what hair color has to do with being educated. What do <strong>you</strong> think?<br />
<br />
<strong><span style="font-size: large;">Lawnmower power</span></strong><br />
<br />
People who dislike the task of cutting the grass (that would include a large majority of people with lawns most likely) will be pleased or interested to learn that home robot manufacturer iRobot applied for a waiver request from the FCC, to use a portion of the radio spectrum for a line of robotic lawnmowers. The lawnmower would use radio beacons on stakes positioned around the lawn in order to remain within boundaries set out by home owners. Don't get too excited since there has been resistance by the National Radio Astronomy Observatory, who feel the robo-mowers (I like that word) pose a threat or at least hindrance to astronomers using radio telescopes to target a specific frequency band. It's not enough that we have to worry about human-like robots taking over. Now we have to concern ourselves with lawnmower robots that could at some point pose a threat to humanoids, who believed they were the only members of planet earth capable of cutting grass?<br />
<br />
And how was your week?<br />
<span id="articleText"><br /></span><br />
<br />scriberesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16686564738595964556noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19133342.post-39556827541614055102015-04-07T20:46:00.001-04:002015-04-08T13:05:24.293-04:00It takes all kinds - this...that...and all the othersLife with all its complexities and challenges, is full of interesting stories focusing on people living out their lives doing interesting if somewhat perplexing things at times. No need to travel far to come across these real-life stories that can be found with a quick click of the mouse, the electronic kind.<br />
<br />
<strong>Getting to the source of dog poop</strong><br />
<br />
As a former dog owner for fifteen years, one of the more distasteful tasks connected with pet care is having to pick up dog excrement, especially in Spring. Legally and morally, dog owners are responsible for cleaning after their pooch has finished by bringing along disposal bags, but many people adopt the 'hit-and-run' method - fleeing the scene once the job (in the true sense of the word) is over.<br />
<br />
Seems that people living in apartment complexes in the Seattle area that have had their fill of dog poop are seeking the identity of canine culprits using - wait for it - DNA testing. To this end (again in the true sense of the word), owners are being provided with a test kit called PooPrints provided by one BioPet Vet Lab from Knoxville, TENN. that will help seek out guilty poop-ers. Some apartment and condo tenants are even being charged a one-time fee of $29.95 for this testing service most likely if they own dogs.<br />
<br />
So I'm thinking here... <br />
<br />
What if a dog owner refuses to allow her/his pooch to participate? I mean, dogs do have some rights, right? After all, it is their feces, right? <br />
<br />
According to the Poo-Prints site, dogs are registered on line (presumably) after which a poop sample is collected to be registered with the patented DNA World Pet Registry for managing community dogs. Matching the poop samples with the dog(s) in question is a means used ascertain who did what where. Very high tech in as far as dog poop is concerned. However, one wonders what would happen in the case of poop mis-identification.<br />
<br />
"Did you receive the DNA I sent you last night?" an apartment manager might call in the way of a follow-up. <br />
<br />
"We did but somehow it doesn't seem to match any DNA records of local neighborhood dogs," the DNA collector could/might/possibly answer.<br />
<br />
"Whad'ya mean?" the apartment manager most likely would respond, irately. "I supplied you with all the DNA of all the dogs in this complex and now you're telling me you can't find the pooper?"<br />
<br />
"Could be an out-of-town visitor or maybe a dog from another 'burb. You know, a dog out with its owner taking an evening stroll," the DNA collector would attempt to explain.<br />
<br />
"What am I supposed to do now?" the apartment manager would ask.<br />
<br />
"In cases like that, we advise the person in charge to take things into their own hands, if you get my drift."<br />
<br />
In the end, a dog's gotta do what a dog's gotta do in spite of high tech poop testing.<br />
<br />
<br />
<strong>A wedding of a different breed </strong><br />
<br />
People on occasion, may question the choice of mate when it comes to the band of matrimony but this is a bit much. An obviously love-stricken man for whatever reason (to each their own) decided to marry a specie of a different sort after being convinced that he was fated to share his life with a cobra. A cobra as in dangerous snake that has other things on its mind than marriage.<br />
<br />
The groom was positive that the bride-to-be/cobra was once a beautiful female in a previous life who was now in love with him. Furthermore and to complete the mating, he claimed that he could turn into a snake at night by entering a deep trance. Seems that the bride/cobra had promised to marry him on Easter Sunday.<br />
<br />
Obviously, many people believed him since between 12,000 and 15,000 turned up to watch the ceremony. Thinking further, wonder if the bride wore white. But I digress<br />
<br />
According to the priest that was to do the nuptials, the groom had exhibited traits of a snake since childhood. I'm sure many people can say that about human they've encountered in their lifetime but I digress. Again.<br />
<br />
However, the marriage was not to be when the police put in an appearance after being tipped off about the nuptials. So I'm thinking here, wonder what their wedding night would have been like had the marriage gone ahead. In the end, can you really trust a snake given their reputation for lying?<br />
<br />
<br />
<strong>Speaking of snakes...</strong><br />
<div class="content__article-body from-content-api js-article__body" data-test-id="article-review-body" itemprop="articleBody">
<div class="body " itemprop="articleBody">
<strong></strong><br />
What is it with all this snake abuse? Arrest warrents were issued for two males accused of throwing a snake behind the counter of donut chain, Tim Hortons in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, as a result of a sandwich dispute. Some people obviously take their sandwiches very seriously. Anywaaay...<br />
<br />
The pair are charged with mischief and causing a disturbance. Most likely throwing a snake behind a counter would definitely cause a disturbance. The cause of the disturbance was that they wanted the onions on their sandwiches, diced. Really, the snake should not have to suffer the consequences of an onion dispute. No word on the snake's condition but a temporary home was found for the serpent.<br />
<br />
<br />
<strong>Last but not least - looking for a job with a difference?</strong><br />
<strong></strong><br />
The Isles of Scilly, a group of rocky islands off the southwestern tip of Britain, is currently seeking a new constable that can handle a lot of jobs. For example, dealing with wandering seal pups, stopping speeding golf carts and saving abandoned goldfish (some people would say that the sewer pipes are home to many of their kind). <br />
<br />
The island is home to approximately 2,200 people. For information, check the Scilly page on Facebook <a href="https://www.facebook.com/IslesofScillyPolice">https://www.facebook.com/IslesofScillyPolice</a><br />
<br />
And how was your week?<br />
</div>
</div>
scriberesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16686564738595964556noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19133342.post-29048664715781894752015-03-11T20:01:00.000-04:002015-03-12T16:30:48.121-04:00What happened to movie theatre decorum? Maybe it's just the playwright in me over-observing but it strikes me that people have forgotten how to conduct themselves in a movie theatre. This is the conclusion reached after experiencing two agonizing hours of movie goers acting as if they are the only people in the theatre.<br />
<br />
First let me qualify this rant by admitting that I'm not a regular movie attendee but expect at the very least that people sitting around me are aware of how to behave in public. Some people seem to think that the price of a movie ticket entitles them to act as if they are in their own home.<br />
<br />
Case in point was the woman sitting in the seat directly behind us who felt the necessity to express her innermost feelings throughout the film. We're talking here about a continuous stream of verbal commentary uttered out loud accompanying actors dialogue including statements similar to "oh no - I don't believe it!" and/or asides to the person sitting next to her exclaiming so anyone within hearing range could easily hear. <br />
<br />Really - nobody cares, lady! <br />
<br />
This was also accompanied sporadically by profuse clapping during certain scenes when the action took a romantic or dramatic turn. The ongoing dialogue and accompanying action continued for the entire two hours of the movie in spite of turning around and throwing visual daggers in her direction. At one point it was tempting to verbally remind her that there were people seated around her who weren't interested in her opinions but instead decided suffer in silence rather than draw attention to myself. In the end, my focus was more on her <em>bon mots </em>and<em> </em>wondering when the next clapping outbreak would occur than concentrating on the movie dialogue and the film itself. <em>That</em> annoying.<br />
<br />
Actually, her egotistical behavior is one of the reasons I hesitate to go to movies these days and prefer to catch them later on when they eventually appear on TV. Although movie theatre popcorn is a better option than the home popped variety, it will suffice given the comportment of some movie goers. <br />
<br />
Last but not least and I've written about this in other blogs, but it's puzzling as to the reason why some cell phone users feel the necessity to check their email and perform other cell phone functions throughout the movie, in spite of being advised to turn off all cell phones. Really people - whatever you have to text can wait, not to mention the light of the phones is irritating and distracting.<br />
<br />
Perhaps the talkative movie-goer should have been verbally reminded that she was in a public place and not at home where nobody cared what she said or who she disturbed. Then again, maybe I should have done the same thing.<br />
<br />scriberesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16686564738595964556noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19133342.post-53215941014577902462015-02-19T11:13:00.001-05:002015-02-19T11:17:39.726-05:00Getting to the heart of the sucker and other obscure but somewhat interesting stuffOver the years but particularly as a youngster, lollipops were a licking good treat offering long term flavor at a reasonable cost. For the record, lemon was a personal favorite with grape coming in a close second. It was also a versatile offering in that it could be picked up and put down numerous times until it slowly disappeared altogether.<br />
<br />
Haven't actually given it deep thought or even superficial reflection but obviously a branch of science has pondered the dilemma of the amount of licks it takes to get to the center of a lollipop. This begs (at least in my mind ) the question as to why bother. When a lollipop is gone - it's gone. Right? What's important is the enjoyment is gave the lick-er and the taste thereof. People in the scientific community, however, who enjoy delving into numbers, have studied this mind-boggling enigma.<br />
<br />
Researchers at New York University conducted experiments to analyze and test how lollipop solid dissolves. The conclusion reached based on mathematical principals was that it takes approximately <em>1000 licks</em> to get to the center of a Tootsie Roll Pop. Why Tootsie Roll Pop? Who knows. The real question is do sucker-lovers care? <br />
<br />
But I digress.<br />
<br />
The scientific study involved the creation of custom-making candy spheres and cylinders to test how materials dissolve in a flow. I'm no scientist but let me state for the record that <em>lollipop+tongue+saliva</em> and a warm mouth causes the solid lollipop to slowly dissolve into nothingness. Anyway... Study leader and physicist, Leif Ristroph, found that the presence of the solid interrupts the flow, forces it to bend and change directions. Wow! Never would have thought it..in the true sense of the word.<br />
<br />
Furthermore (how much more excitement can we take, one wonders), tests of both spherical lollipop-candies and Jolly Rancher style cylinders resulted in the same half-sphere shape after a little time in the fluid flow. I mean, go figure and be still my beating heart! But wait - there's more! The researchers deduced from the experiments that a lollipop with a radius of 0.4 inches (1 cm) licked at the equivalent to a flow rate of 1 cm per second would reveal its center in about 1,000 licks. So this makes one wonder what would be the end result of say...a person licked faster or slower? Does speed enter into this mind boggler?<br />
<br />
When it all said and done or written, still have to wonder the rationale behind conducting this type of research. All good things come to an end, even lollipops and I'm no sucker.<br />
<br />
<br />
<strong>Crawling on...</strong><br />
<br />
<strong>Cockroaches Have Personality but do we care?</strong><br />
<strong></strong><br />
A small but generally unknown fact that people reading this might not have been aware of or even made a point of investigating, but it appears - wait for it - researchers have made the amazing (at least in my eyes) finding that your ordinary cockroaches have personality! I mean, who would'a thought it! <br />
<br />
Once again, one ponders and/or wonders the motivation behind taking time to study the social aspects of cockroach life. For most people.. Okay. For <em>many</em> people, the mere sight of a cockroach is enough to elicit a high pitch noise from the throat followed by the appearance of a means in which to eradicate the source. But I digress.<br />
<br />
The findings were part of a study published in the Proceedings of the Royal Society B, who ascertained that when cockroaches spend enough time with each other, they tend to flock together. Thinking further (too much time on my hands), one ponders if it's for social reasons or perhaps and more likely, the sharing of information as to the best food offerings. Whatever... it was all part of an experiment in which cockroaches were placed together in an illuminated arena along with a couple of dark shelters constructed from plastic discs. Researchers studied how the various roaches responded to the sudden glare of light, given that they are night freeloaders. Some sought shelter quickly while others stayed out longer. However - now this is telling - when 16 roaches were thrown in the arena together, they came to a consensus as to when and where to seek shelter. Group bug telepathy, perhaps? But I digress...again. <br />
<br />
What does this all mean in the big picture? One could deduce that some cockroaches are night crawlers preferring to seek food and goodies in the cover of darkness, while others aren't so fussy and will tolerate light depending on what's accessible. On a personal note, surely there are scientific studies that could help man/.woman-kind than studying cockroaches. Next thing we'll hear about is the creation of sunglasses for cockroaches and other night foragers. For most of us, the only good cockroach are those that can no longer see the light of day if you get my drift.<br />
<br />
<strong>Sometimes you can't win for losing</strong><br />
<strong></strong><br />
The arrival of Groundhog Day in February, is an opportunity for a few lucky and pampered rodents, the most well-known among them being Punxsutawney Phil, to leave their den in the name of science and predict the early or late arrival of Spring. However, given the various geographical locations and weather variations, regional groundhogs located across the country are consulted as local harbingers of Spring. <br />
<br />
For whatever reason, some groundhogs don't enjoy the limelight and one <strong>Jimmy the Groundhog</strong> who has a burrow in <strong>Sun Prairie, Wisconsin</strong>, showed his displeasure by taking a nip out of the ear of then Mayor Jon Freund. Nip or not, Freund proclaimed that an early Spring was on its way. Too bad that Jimmy wasn't politically inclined or he could also have predicted that Freund, who was appointed mayor of Sun Prairie in 2014, would place third in the primary election knocking him out of Sun Prairie's Mayor's race. Seems that sympathy goes only so far among voters.<br />
<br />
How was your week?<br />
<br />scriberesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16686564738595964556noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19133342.post-13558995961884095812015-02-08T15:33:00.001-05:002015-02-10T09:09:37.436-05:00This'n'that and the other - random thoughts about saucers Don't ask me why but saucers have been on my mind, lately. Perhaps it's the result of a decreasing availability that's bothersome and somewhat perplexing. Just to clarify for people reading this and wondering if there have been visitations by unworldly beings, the saucers in question are the one's that go with teacups and act as receptacles for teabags.<br />
<br />
Could be my early British origins in that there are conventions which have remained part of my essential nature. The afternoon tea ritual is part of a daily routine whereby life stops for a half hour or so to sit down for a "cuppa", however, therein lies the problem. Over time it seems to me that saucers have all but disappeared. In conducting some personal research, it appears that your matching tea cup and saucer have been slowly replaced by your pedestrian mugs. Not that there's anything wrong with mugs per se, the choice of coffee drinkers, but tea drinkers need somewhere to place their used teabags and saucers fulfill that need. We tea drinkers have needs or requirements that coffee drinkers don't need to worry about.<br />
<br />
For whatever reason, tableware manufacturers appear to have made the decision to eliminate or phase out the need for saucers. Perhaps there was a move to acquiesce to the world of coffee drinkers who are content to consume their beverage of choice out of paper cups. Consuming tea out of a paper cup is sacrilege for tea drinkers - okay - it is for me, anyway. In my view, paper interferes with the flavor and once again, what does one do with the used teabag, which leads me back to my original point.<br />
<br />
"Spread the word," a dishware manufacturer might have told his workers, "we're cutting back on the production of saucers. If it's good enough for coffee drinkers - it's good enough for them teabag soakers."<br />
<br />
"But what are they supposed to do with their used teabags?" a worker and tea drinker might have asked.<br />
<br />
"Let 'em drink iced tea," the dishware manufacturer could have responded off-handedly and hence that could have been the creation and impetus for a new beverage. But I digress. <br />
<br />
Thinking back, my grandfather who hailed from Russia, loved his afternoon glass of tea. The act <br />
of sipping the hot liquid slowly until it cooled, was part of a ritual consisting of blowing on the surface for a short time followed by pouring the tea into a saucer and sipping it slowly for the finishing touch. What would he have used had a saucer not been available? A soup bowl? One can only speculate but somehow and knowing grandfather, it wouldn't have sufficed.<br />
<br />
When it comes to the subject of tea time and societal correctness, <strong>Debretts </strong>is one of the best sources, at least in my eyes. Although no mention is made directly regarding the tea saucers and their disappearing act, the source does provide some interesting advice on how to drink tea and the important role of the saucer. According to Debretts, a spoon should be used to stir the tea - this is important - <em>without clinking it against the side of the cup</em> and - still more very important and telling information regarding the saucer - should be placed <em>back in the saucer</em>. Note the usage of the saucer here. Once more saucers are the focus with advice that includes <em>saucers remain on the table</em> and never raised when the cup is lifted up to the lips. Perhaps - pure speculation - keeping the saucer on the table would prevent the breakage of the saucer in case some tableware manufacturers decide in the future to phase out the saucers. But I digress.<br />
<br />
I'm wondering why the emphasis on not clinking the spoon against the cup. Is it the noise factor one wonders. Can't speak for others (why would I want to, anyway) and keep this to yourself but I'm guilty of hitting the side of the cup when stirring my tea. Actually I never gave stirring a second thought to be honest and nobody has drawn this faux pas to my attention, or perhaps they were too polite to mention it.<br />
<br />
"Excuse me, Eleanor, but you appear to hit the side of the cup with your spoon when stirring your tea," somebody might have but hasn't as yet, asked. To which my response would be, "oh really? Yeah - and?"<br />
<br />
<em>"Where there's tea, there's hope." - Arthur Wing Pinero. </em>Along with the return of the saucer.<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia;"></span><br />
<br />scriberesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16686564738595964556noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19133342.post-76410964162947686612015-01-20T11:49:00.000-05:002015-01-20T19:06:32.709-05:005 year old boy billed for missing birthday party...say what?<div class="cm-primary-item">
<!--MAIN ITEM-->At some point in a life, people miss attending a celebration that could be attributed to unforeseen circumstances including a sudden illness, wrong date, traffic jam - your normal, every day reasons. However - it's always the howevers in life that get you in the end - a missed birthday party is being considered as a reason for legal action. Really.<br />
<br />
<br />
Our story begins innocently enough as many stories do, when five year old Alex Nash of Cornwall, England, was invited to a birthday party by someone in his class. Having given permission for Alex to attend the party that took place before Christmas at a ski centre, his father forgot that he had made prior arrangements to visit his grandparents. Upon his return to school, a bill for £15.95 or $24 was slipped into his school bag as a birthday party <em>no-show</em>. Again, really. <br />
<br />
<br />
Anyway...assuming the bill was a joke, Alex's father met with the mother of the birthday boy and was informed that the bill stood and that he (Alex) would have to pay up for none-attendance. According to information gleaned from news articles, the mother of the birthday boy claims complete details of the party were on the invitation including a contact phone number.<br />
<br />
<br />
What started out as an innocent invitation between class friends has turned into a cause celebre, replete with a detailed invoice and threats of court proceedings. The story is also generating interest outside of the country focusing on the validity of billing a parent for what basically was a kid's missed birthday party. Makes one wonder if there still would have been a charge administered if a child was, say, ill or for whatever reason couldn't make the party. The issue seems to be that no notification was made to inform the birthday boy's parents that Alex would not be attending plus the <em>no-show</em> charge.<br />
<br />
For their part, the ski center's manager is attributing the incident as a dispute between parents since they had no part in the billing procedure. Their policy is a small deposit to hold the booking and to confirm the attendees forty-eight hours before the party. The centre doesn't have a no-show fee.<br />
<br />
<br />
Believe it or not - again we're talking about young children who most likely would not have thought twice about Alex missing the event - the parents of the birthday boy are contemplating taking the matter to small claims court. Really.<br />
<br />
It will be interesting to see the legal aspect of this case should legal proceedings be pursued. Hopefully not. What do <strong>YOU</strong> think?<br />
<br />
<span class="cm-story-dateline" data-twttr-id="twttr-sandbox-0"><br />
</span></div>
scriberesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16686564738595964556noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19133342.post-64219166996306405952015-01-04T19:44:00.002-05:002015-01-04T19:44:54.395-05:00Something definitely fishy here<div class="introduction" id="story_continues_1">
Chances are that at some point in our lives, many of us have been caregivers to a few goldfish swimming around in a bowl. They do offer some visual entertainment, although limited, floating around in circles or going through decorative fish accessories, spitting out stones and related activities. As is the case with all living creatures, the specie can acquire ailments that affect their survival. - not that they live long in a bowl anyway... But I digress.<br />
<br />
A goldfish aficionado living in Norfolk, England, who was obviously very attached to his pet - pet name not supplied - noticed that his fish was ailing. Tropical fish can acquire a large variety of illnesses including the very common ich, fungal ailments and a whole host of other syndromes. Some are treatable while others fatal, resulting in the commonly held one-flush-toilet funeral. Cheap but effective. But I digress - again.<br />
<br />
Rather than send the fish for that final big trip through the sewer pipes, the owner took his fish to a veterinarian for an assessment and cure. The diagnosis was - wait for it - the fish was constipated. Thinking further, one wonders how the veterinarian came to this conclusion since a physical examination wasn't possible. I mean, one can't palpate a fish to reach a prognosis. Maybe through an X-ray...Go know. Moving right along...<br />
<br />
In any case, the conclusion reached was that there was a lump in the fish's anus requiring intervention that included anaesthetised water (am I really writing this?) to remove the blockage. The bill in the end in the true sense of the word, was £300. All's well that ends well but upon evaluation, £300 would buy a lot of goldfish if you get my drift.<br />
<br />
Here is a photo of the now un-constipated fish: <a href="http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-norfolk-30655444">http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-norfolk-30655444</a></div>
<br />
<strong>Talk about fish brain...</strong><br />
<strong></strong><br />
Yet another fish story with a happy ending. Seems that George, a goldfish living in Australia, has recovered swimmingly (couldn't resist using that word) from an operation to remove a life-threatening brain tumor on top of his head. It was reported to be a high risk operation and given that George was ten years old, one has to wonder the practicality of surgery for the senior fish, especially since the operation cost $125. So let's see now...goldfish cost $5 each divided into $125... The owner was given the choice of operating or putting the fish to sleep. The fish is expected to live another 10 years.<br />
<br />
Here is a photo of George: <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/afp-george-the-goldfish-has-high-risk-brain-surgery-2014-9">http://www.businessinsider.com/afp-george-the-goldfish-has-high-risk-brain-surgery-2014-9</a> My philosophy in as far as distinguishing goldfish is once you've seen one, you've seen them all.<br />
<br />
<strong>Fishy go walkies?</strong><br />
<br />
I dunno. There are inventions that really help mankind and then there those that make one utter, "huh?" or "say what?"<br />
<br />
A design firm in the Netherlands has created, would you believe, a prototype smart fish tank that travels on wheels, enabling a fish to take a walk...or swim a walk. So this leads one - me - to wonder the rationale behind taking a pet fish for a walk, anyway. Given the danger of encountering fish lovers like cats for example whose relationship with fish is limited to that of a food snack, perhaps the fish walker idea should be confined to indoor trips. Further thought (too much time on my hands) - did anybody think as to whether fish want to be taken for walks? Maybe they would prefer to stay in one place and watch the world go by.<br />
<br />
Here is a clip for people who might be interested in finding out more about the fish walker:<br />
<a href="http://www.bbc.com/news/technology-27241688">http://www.bbc.com/news/technology-27241688</a><br />
<br />
<strong>Last but not least - a shrimp work out</strong><br />
<br />
There are always scientific studies being conducted with the focus being to learn or improve the human condition. Many are funded by grants as is this one focusing on studying the<em> effect of shrimp and crabs on treadmills</em>. I mean, go figure that shrimp required exercise and even more surprising, on a treadmill no less. One would surmise that walking on the ocean bottom would offer some type of workout. Anywaaaay.... according to the researchers behind the study, there's more to it than a mere treadmill workout.<br />
<br />
The shrimp treadmill was created out of spare parts with the idea behind it being to study how recent changes in the oceans could potentially affect the ability of marine organisms to fight infections. Given that the shrimp catching is a multi-million dollar industry, this could be a reason for conducting the study. Then again, really can't see how watching shrimp do their thing on a treadmill can help the experiment. Just thinking...I wonder if the workout develops shrimps swimmerets, which they use to get around.<br />
<br />
For those interested, here is a video of shrimp on a treadmill accompanied by an explanation following the video as to the reason and rationale for the research. Whatever... <br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E3QoEBSqfok">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E3QoEBSqfok</a><br />
<br />
To quote Herbert Hoover: <span class="bqQuoteLink">All men are equal before fish. </span><br />
<div class="copy-paste-block">
<div class="bq-aut">
</div>
</div>
<br />
<br />
<h1 class="title">
</h1>
<div class="bucketwrap pullquote" id="res139853590">
<aside><div class="bucket">
</div>
</aside><br />
</div>
<br />scriberesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16686564738595964556noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19133342.post-61898309516593837672014-12-29T10:41:00.000-05:002014-12-30T09:53:57.889-05:00Random thoughtsWe all have them, thoughts that come and go and leave us pondering the meaning of life. Important thoughts and speculation which leave us pondering as to, for example, who was that missed phone or cell call that didn't register on the callers list. <br />
<br />
Chances are nearly everyone reading this owns a cell phone. For the longest time, it was the be-all-and-end-all of my life's desires or at least close to that to own a cell phone. Why you may well be asking and the answer is quite simple: everyone else owns one. <br />
<br />
The first challenge was to memorize the cell phone number. Life these days is so filled with numbers and codes to remember including passwords, and asking the brain to set aside still another set of numbers is asking a lot. The first challenge is to remember to put it on. The second challenge is to remember to take it with me and choosing which zippered purse compartment to store it.<br />
Couldn't figure out why phone calls were few and far between for the longest time until it was pointed out that storing the phone in a purse muffles the sound of the ring. This became apparent upon checking the callers list with a long line up of messages. It now travels in a coat pocket within hearing range and where it can be accessed when necessary. <br />
<br />
The proliferation of phones and other communication devices owned by everyone makes it difficult to distinguish which phone is ringing, generating everyone within hearing range to check their phones for visual and aural verification. Walking now is relegated to staring down at one's hand holding a communication device to ensure that every sent message is acknowledged and returned.<br />
<br />
According to information gleaned from the Pew Research Internet Project focusing on Teens and Technology 2013 <a href="http://www.pewinternet.org/2013/03/13/teens-and-technology-2013/">http://www.pewinternet.org/2013/03/13/teens-and-technology-2013/</a> 78% of teens own cell phones, and 90% of adults own a cell phone. That's a lot of talking on the go.<br />
<br />
Furthermore: <br />
<br />
- 67% of cell owners find themselves checking their phone for messages, alerts, or calls — even when they don’t notice their phone ringing or vibrating.<br />
- 44% of cell owners have slept with their phone next to their bed because they wanted to make sure they didn’t miss any calls, text messages, or other updates during the night. (<a href="http://www.pewinternet.org/fact-sheets/mobile-technology-fact-sheet/">http://www.pewinternet.org/fact-sheets/mobile-technology-fact-sheet/</a>)<br />
<br />
At one time and it wasn't "that" long ago but seems like ancient history, people connected with each other via a plastic phones attached to a cord eventually evolving into cordless phones for usage in the house. The phone rang, someone answered - or not - or an answering device took a message. In spite of installing all the call answering options including call display, the answering machine still has a function in our household. <br />
<br />
Somehow, we're at a place in society where we feel compelled to be in constant communication with someone, twenty four hours a day. The business community as a money saving move, presumably, seldom supplies a real human to provide information and instead offers callers a list of categories from which to choose, accompanied by numbers to press. While waiting to be served, we are supplied with vague electronic music or singers performing oldies with brief interruptions of: "please stay on the line to retain your calling priority." By the time a call is answered, one has forgotten the reason for the call.<br />
<br />
Texting has eliminated the actual need to hear a human voice and thumbs have become a vital component or communication tool. Holding an electronic device and texting has turned into a fashion statement. Physicians could be treating carpal tunnel syndrome of the thumb at some point. But I digress.<br />
<br />
We've come a long way from the first telephone call made by Alexander Graham Bell in 1876, spoken to his assistant, Thomas Watson, in which he said: "Mr. Watson--come here--I want to see you." <br />
<br />
Indeed.<br />
<br />scriberesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16686564738595964556noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19133342.post-57312152945090089922014-12-08T17:30:00.002-05:002014-12-09T08:42:29.485-05:00THE DREIDL KING - A MIRACLE OF A DIFFERENT KIND<em></em><br />
<div class="content">
<a href="http://www.merriam-webster.com/art/dict/dreidl.htm"><img alt="" src="http://www.merriam-webster.com/art/dict/thumb/dreidl.gif" /></a></div>
<div class="etymology">
<h2>
Origin of <em>DREIDEL</em></h2>
<div class="content">
<strong>Yiddish <em>dreydl,</em> from <em>dreyen</em> to turn, from Middle High German <em>dræ<span class="unicode">̄</span>jen,</em> from Old High German <em>drāen</em> — more at </strong><a href="http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/throw"><strong>throw</strong></a><br />
<div style="margin-top: 5px;">
<strong>First Known Use: 1916</strong></div>
<div style="margin-top: 5px;">
<strong></strong> </div>
<div style="margin-top: 5px;">
<br />
<div class="scnt">
<span class="ssens"><em><strong>: a 4-sided toy marked with Hebrew letters and spun like a top in a game of chance </strong></em></span></div>
<div class="sblk">
<div class="snum">
<em><strong> </strong></em></div>
<div class="scnt">
<span class="ssens"><em><strong>: a children's game of chance played especially at Hanukkah with a dreidel</strong></em> </span></div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<br />
<br />
It's time for the annual posting and sharing of my Chanukah short story first written some years back. Tweaked and edited over the years, reading it always makes me smile - and brings back memories of Zelig. Hopefully, it will do the same for anyone reading this. Even small miracles come in different and unexpected ways. This year, the holiday of Chanukah begins on <strong>December 16</strong> and lasts for eight days.<br />
<br />
<br />
There was the usual sense of excitement among students attending the Chavarim Afternoon Hebrew School a couple weeks before the onset of Chanukah. Throughout the school spinning dreidels whirled around the floor surface in anticipation of the annual competition held on the first night of Chanukah. Even then practice was no guarantee of a successful outcome of deposing "the dreidel king" who was defending his title for the fourth year in a row.<br />
<br />
If there was anyone who personified the ideal qualities in a student it was Zelig Bornstein. At ten years of age he could do no wrong. A brilliant student academically, he was also blessed with the voice of an angel and it was a given that he would sing the part of lead candle in the annual Chanukah concert. As if that wasn't enough to cause jealousy and rivalry among classmates, he always won the much anticipated annual dreidel competition.<br />
<br />
Among the students of Mr. Meldrum's class, there was the general belief that his cobalt blue dreidel with gold lettering on the sides possessed magical properties. There could be no other explanation to account for his perpetual dominance other than a mysterious and powerful outside source was at work, unavailable to his classmates. A few brave participants had come close to deposing him but somehow Zelig always managed to win out in the end. To further undermine his competitors confidence "The Dreidel King" did nothing to dispel the air of mystery surrounding his acumen.<br />
<br />
"It's all right here," he would boast when asked the secret of his success, pointing to his wrist and flicking his fingers one-by-one to demonstrate his unbeatable technique, "and my magical dreidel of course.”<br />
<br />
He never divulged any background information on how it was acquired and neither would he allow anyone to touch it much less give it a spin, further adding to the mystique.<br />
<br />
"<em>He</em>" doesn't like leaving my hands," he would proffer in the way of an excuse, speaking of his <br />
top as if it was a living thing or a pet.<br />
<br />
Externally, I professed animosity towards him as did the others, but internally I adored him from afar. However, this did not diminish my desire to win and I practiced fervently in the hope of improving my spin. I longed to emerge victorious if for no other reason than to make Zelig aware that I was alive or at least be aware of my presence. At our age, it wasn't considered socially unacceptable to acknowledge the existence of the opposite sex, and even if he did harbor some stirrings of romantic feelings, he hid them well from me. <br />
<br />
It would be fair to say that nearly every student in Mr. Meldrum's class dreamed of wresting the title away from him. We discussed the situation amongst ourselves, plotting a course of action that could de-throne him. Dreidel tossing techniques were assessed including "<em>spit-shots</em>" in which the "toss-ee" would spit or lick fingers to acquire more control of the toss, disallowed by Mr. Meldrum for hygienic reasons. Finger exercises were evaluated in addition to the benefits of knuckle cracking workouts before the competition, all of which were eventually discarded as ineffectual. Deep down inside we knew that the end result was out of our hands in the true sense of the word and in those of the fates. There was always the glimmer of hope that perhaps the fates would smile on one of us. Any one of us - except Zelig. <br />
<br />
On the day of the competition, like a conquering hero, "King" Zelig took center-stage tossing his dreidel from hand-to-hand as he walked, attempting to psyche out the participants. It was a piece of pure theatre as he produced a blue satin drawstring bag and reaching in, retrieved the cobalt blue dreidel smiling all the while. We took our places around the table, our hands clasped around the dreidels, waiting for our turn. As the reigning champion he spun first, achieving the <em>"gimel"</em> and winning the first round. It was the expected results. Dreidel competitors fell like dominos.<br />
<br />
One by one Zelig knocked them out of the game until finally it was my turn. All eyes were upon me as I opened up my hand, gently allowing a cobalt blue object with gold lettering on the sides to drop on the surface of the table. There was an audible gasp from fellow students accompanied shortly thereafter by excited whipers.<br />
<br />
"D'ya see her dreidel?" the word went out. "It's the same one as Zelig?s!"<br />
<br />
At tournament time a large table was set up in the middle of the classroom and dreidels distributed to students. King Zelig tossed his dreidel from hand-to-hand, smiling smugly and acting self-assured. As the reigning champion Zelig spun first, achieving the letter "g" or <em>"gimel</em>", which meant that he won the first round. One by one we took turns and I landed on <em>"hay",</em> acquiring half of the pot composed of chocolate coins and other goodies, which pleased me no end. For the next few turns the dreaded <em>"shin"</em> turned up denoting a loss, accompanied by groans of disappointment from fellow students. Like many of the stories we were told focusing on unsurpassable victories over adversity, things turned in my favor. The king was dethroned and long live the new champion. Me. <br />
<br />
Jubilant cheers broke out among fellow students as they savored the moment for which they had all waited. My adversary, meanwhile, appeared stunned and in shock. Consumed with laughter and staring triumphantly into his eyes, I couldn't help but notice his were brimming with tears. It was bad enough being dethroned but having it done by a girl, was more than his young ego could handle in one day. <br />
<br />
I could have chosen to ignore him and savor the moment of victory, since it was a long time coming and it probably wouldn't happen again. Instead, upon realizing that he had been humiliated in front of his male friends, a showdown was suggested to determine the final victor. Needless to say, he amazingly emerged victorious. <br />
<br />
He never did acknowledge my presence or reach out to thank me for my selfless gesture, in all the years of our attending Hebrew school together. He did allow me to spin first in a subsequent re-match the following year, presumably as a good will gesture on his part. In my mind I would always be queen to his king, be it only for one occasion and that was better than nothing. C'est la vie. Sometimes you win and sometimes you gotta lose.scriberesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16686564738595964556noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19133342.post-49380308022230481812014-11-30T20:39:00.001-05:002014-12-02T16:36:17.927-05:00Fishing around The festive period is fast approaching, along with all the entertaining duties that accompany visiting family members and friends. As mentioned on numerous occasions here and no disrespect intended to other social gurus like Martha Stewart et al, when it comes to wining and dining savoir faire, Debretts is a good source to consult. <br />
<br />
Last time, the focus was on the selection and imbibing of champagne including the proper way to open the bottle. Among the advice offered by Debretts was that the choice of drinking receptacle is an important factor to enhance the experience and taste and that a tulip-shaped flute glass be used to preserve the bubbles. I mean, what's champagne without bubbles? Like wine without a vintage. Right? It's not called bubbly for nothing. The glass flute (somehow "flute" reminds me of the musical instrument even though there is no way it could be used for drinking purposes...just a thought, such as it is...but I digress) should or even must be held by the stem to keep the liquid cold. Getting back to the bubble aspect...<br />
<br />
As an aside (big on these) a study conducted by the <strong>University of Reims Champagne-Ardenne, in France</strong>, suggests that there are <em>15 million bubbles</em> fizzing in a single glass of champagne. A researcher studied the role of the carbon dioxide (CO<sub><span style="font-size: x-small;">2</span></sub>) throughout its journey from the bottle to the glass, focusing on the second fermentation stage, resulting in the CO<sub><span style="font-size: x-small;">2</span></sub> dissolution into the wine -- aided by the addition of yeast and sugar before sealing each champagne bottle -- to the stage where the gas escapes through tiny bubbles popping on the surface of the wine in the glass.<br />
(<a href="http://sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/02/120214100930.htm">http://sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/02/120214100930.htm</a>) Go figure! Somebody actually studied champagne bubbles. Just thinking...wonder if any tasting was involved... Just a thought.<br />
<br />
By the way if anyone reading this is interested in studying champagne other than by a taste test and happens to be in the Reims, France, vicinity, the <strong>Institut des Hautes Etudes du Goût, de la Gastronomie et des des Arts de la Table</strong> is offering a course, entitled, <strong>"The Physics of Champagne Bubbles."</strong> No mention whether a degree is offered for those who pass or complete the course. What would it be called? A BA in Bubble Study?<br />
<br />
A good match for champagne is <strong>caviar</strong>, or the roe of the sturgeon fish. As mentioned previously, it's not a personal favorite but it certainly has its adherents. The average portion of caviar is 30 grams. According to advice offered by <a href="http://www.thevivant.com/complete-guide-on-how-to-buy-and-eat-caviar/#ixzz3KbXMsixS">www.thevivant.com/complete-guide-on-how-to-buy-and-eat-caviar/#ixzz3KbXMsixS</a> a special spoon made of bone, crystal or mother of pearl should be used in order to preserve the taste and eaten in amounts smaller than a tablespoon. This sounds like logical advice given the high end price of what in the end, is fish eggs. Furthermore, it's good etiquette to consume caviar in small bites. One would never deign to stuff one's mouth with caviar and if one does, one should immediately take a large gulp of champagne to wash it down (my personal advice, not experience). Champagne always seems to make things right. In my mind - such as it is - there is a somewhat snobbish appeal to being served caviar at a party: <br />
<br />
"Yes Felicia - they served the <em>golden </em>caviar with crackers. Only the best and found in only one in 1000 osetra sturgeon. I must remember to pick up a can at the supermarket tomorrow for the bridge club ladies."<br />
<br />
Debretts also offers advice on eating lobster although it's a specie that is morally difficult to eat - at least for me. Somehow, it's hard to reconcile seeing a future meal positioned in a tank of water along with others of its kind, waiting to be selected as a main course. Moreover, when served whole, it's also problematic to eat a food that stares back at you with accusatory eyes that seem to say, "killer!" Then again, perhaps it's just me. The actual eating of the lobster requires the wearing of a bib while grasping the shell in one hand, while the other hand slowly and methodically uses a lobster cracker to reveal the flesh, after which it's pulled out with a lobster pick. Oh the angst of being a tasty crustacean favored by many!<br />
<br />
Last but not least, snails is another shell type food, which has its devotees. Having never consumed one but spotted a number in the garden, can't comment on their flavor value. Judging by their size, not much to eat and once again work is required to remove them from their shell. Debretts advice includes the use of snail tongs to remove the meat, yet another meal requiring work. <br />
<br />
Speaking (or writing about) snails, while researching this piece, came across the <strong>Mother Earth News</strong> ( <a href="http://www.motherearthnews.com/real-food/escargot-zmaz93jjztak.aspx#axzz3KgXXPBpg">http://www.motherearthnews.com/real-food/escargot-zmaz93jjztak.aspx#axzz3KgXXPBpg</a>) site, which advocates using your very own snails found in the garden. FYI, the site provides among other interesting facts, this background info.: "The common garden snail, <em>Helix aspersa, is</em> a close relative of France's commercially harvested <em>Helix pomatia.</em> Both can be found on French dinner plates, where the former goes by the affectionate "petit gris" (little gray) to distinguish it from its cousin <em>gros blanc</em> (large white)." A snail, is a snail is...<br />
<br />Perhaps <strong>Jean-Paul Sartre</strong> sums it all up: "<em>“It is not a matter of indifference whether we like oysters or clams, snails or shrimp, if only we know how to unravel the existential significance of these foods.”</em><br />
<br />
Whatever you say, Jean-Paul.<br />
<em><br />
</em>scriberesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16686564738595964556noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19133342.post-81316750738157103762014-11-14T17:40:00.004-05:002014-11-15T09:43:22.077-05:00Debretts guides us the right way during the social season<div align="center">
</div>
"<strong><em><span style="color: #330000;">Too much of anything is bad, but too much Champagne is just right."</span></em></strong><br />
<strong>Mark Twain</strong><br />
<br />
<br />
In a little over a month, people will be in a celebratory state of being as the month of December ushers in Christmas and the holiday period in general. It's also the time when friends and family members gather together for a memorable festive meal. When it comes to the "how-to's" of conducting oneself in public and social deportment in general, <strong>Debrett's</strong> is the guide to consult with when it comes to acting correctly in public. It's a good source for ensuring that one does the socially correct thing as to not embarrass oneself. For example, there is more to merely sipping champagne and wine. <br />
<br />
A bottle of chilled champagne is always a good start to a holiday meal and accordingly, there are rules and regulations as to how it should be served. Maybe not rules and regulations as such but suggestions to get the most out of champagne. Have to confess or at least own up to the fact that perhaps I've imbibed in high end champagne less than a half-dozen times in my entire life. You know - special occasions - and found the taste somewhat dry and lip-pucker-inducing. Then again, I'm not big on caviar, either. A little bit too fishy and slimy going down for my taste. But I digress. So now about champagne.<br />
<br />
<strong>Rule number 1</strong>: do not shake the bottle of champagne prior to opening it. Don't quite know why somebody would do that other than for personal amusement to see the end result but obviously if this is a precaution, than obviously one should keep it away from potential champagne shakers. You know who you are! Unlike in the movies, it's wasteful, not to mention messy, to have a large stream of champagne dripping down from the ceiling. Then there's the ensuing issue of who should clean up the mess including what to do with inebriated pets. Moving on...<br />
<br />
<strong>Rule number 2</strong>: the champagne bottle should be opened by peeling off the foil over the cork. My solution for difficult tasks such as tricky foil removal especially if there's a threat of broken finger nails that have been newly manicured, or the retrieval of broken corks stuck inside bottles, is made easier with the help of fork tines or the tip of steak knives. I mean, these things happen even with champagne bottles.<br />
<br />
<strong>Rule number 3</strong>: Most important in order to avoid an incident as in the case of rule number one, bottle should be pointed away from the person opening the bottle. It should also not be pointed in the direction of family members and/or friends sitting around the table. In my mind, the bottle should be pointed at a 45 degree angle....<br />
<br />
<strong>Rule number 4</strong>: Remove metal cage over the cork. Just wondering the rationale behind placing a "metal cage" over the bottle head and cork. According to <strong>Wikipedia</strong> - Wiki is as knowledgeable as Debretts in many subjects and areas: <br />
"A <em>muselet</em> is a ware cage that fits over the cork of a bottle of champagne, sparkling wine or beer to prevent the cork from emerging under the pressure of the carbonated contents. It derives its name from the French, <em>museler</em>, to muzzle. The <em>muselet</em> often has a metal cap incorporated in the design which may show the drink maker's emblem. They are normally covered by a metal foil envelope. <em>Muselets</em> are also known as wire hoods or Champagne wires." <br />
<br />
Somehow, the term "wire hoods" reminds one (me) of a gang of champagne thieves, as in: "Today, le gang de muselet conducted a daring robbery and emptied out the <em>Café des Artistes Qui Boivent du Champagne Directement de la Bouteille (English translation: the café of artists who drink champagne directly from the bottle) </em>located in downtown Montmartre." But I digress - again.<br />
<sup></sup><br />
<strong>Rule number 5 and 6</strong>: Hold the cork in one hand and the bottle in the other. This is what could be classified as the "duh" moment. Cork one hand...bottle in other. I mean, how else would one open a bottle? At this point, the <em>open-ee</em> should prepare for the next step being the removal of the cork. This is the point where it all comes together and the big reveal.<br />
<br />
<strong>Rule number 7</strong>: Gently and slowly and ever-so-carefully, twist (not wrench) the bottle - not the cork.<br />
<br />
<strong>Rule number 8</strong>: Debretts advises when removing the cork to "aim for a sigh - not a pop." So I'm thinking here, I mean, what's the difference if a person sighs or yells or even swears out loud when opening the bottle? Is there some type of unwritten rule somewhere where champagne has to be opened with a sigh? Anybody know? But I digress. Once more.<br />
<br />
Anyway...moving right along...champagne should be served in tulip shaped fluted glasses, since the shape of the glass preserves the bubbles. The glasses must be <em>absolutely</em> clean and even remnants of dishwashing liquid can cause the champagne to lose its fizz. We all know that nothing tastes as bad as champagne that has lost its fizzle like many other things in life. Right?<br />
<br />
<br />
Moving on and related to the issue of spirits, ordering <em>wine</em> in a restaurant can be challenging for many people who are not knowledgeable about vintage, or a growing region, the grape question or aging. For many of us, wine is relegated to red or white, period. This could present a problem when dining in a good restaurant especially when one is required to taste said wine. <br />
<br />
1. According to Debretts, "the waiter will show you the bottle and the cork so that you can verify your wine's identity." Really - as a person who drinks wine on an occasional basis, identification of the wine really doesn't have an impact on whether or not I like it. I taste it - if it pleases my taste buds - it's okay.<br />
<br />
2. One should never smell the cork. Again, it never occurred to me to smell the cork. I mean, why would I want to? Seems that the cork is to be used a means in which to strictly provide information. When was the last time you read a cork? Can't say that I ever have. <br />
<br />
3. One should swirl a small amount of wine in the glass when it is served by a waiter, followed by a sniff. People unsure of the scent may take a small sip to ascertain it's taste and quality. My philosophy as far as this is concerned is if a sniff doesn't mean anything, chances are neither would a sip. In any case, once this is all completed, the wine is ready to drink. At last.<br />
<br />
Now that the delicate issue of opening champagne and the selection of wine has been completed. it's time to actually sit back and enjoy the fruits of one's labors, in the true sense of the word. Only one thing to add to that: Cheers.<br />
<br />
Next time we'll examine the various foods and their serving for the holiday period and their consumption.<br />
<br />
<br />scriberesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16686564738595964556noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19133342.post-40677503195163776202014-10-15T21:16:00.000-04:002014-10-15T21:19:04.097-04:00A-choo! Counting the sneezes in life<h1>
<span style="color: #804000; font-family: Arial;">
<dt><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: small;">"If you want to make a person feel better after they sneeze, you shouldn't say 'God bless you.' You should say 'You're so good looking!'" </span></dt>
<dd><span style="color: #804000; font-family: Arial; font-size: small;"><em>- Jerry Seinfeld, in "The Good Samaritan" </em></span></dd></span>
<dt> </dt>
</h1>
A flurry of successive sneezes for a day or more can be a sign that a cold is imminent. However, sneezing has taken on a whole new meaning for one person.<br />
<br />
For whatever reason - maybe boredom or just something that struck his fancy - go know - <strong>David Fletcher</strong> who calls Birmingham, UK home, has been counting wait for it - his sneezes since 2007. That's nothing to sneeze at. Couldn't resist writing that but I digress. Anyway...<br />
<br />
There was no real reason or motivation that compelled him to start counting sneezes.<br />
<br />
"What started out as a little conceptual art joke, a playful satire of the “blogosphere”, and a mock scream against the futility and emptiness of modern life, turned into something more intriguing", Fletcher explained in his blog, Sneezecount, <a href="http://sneezecount.joyfeed.com/about/">http://sneezecount.joyfeed.com/about/</a><br />
<br />
In his blog, Fletcher keeps a daily count of the number of times he sneezes in one day including the time, date, his location at the time and a brief description of his activity at that time. He also offers a description and guide of the strength of the sneeze i.e. mild, moderate to very strong, which he records in a notebook and transfers to his blog. <br />
<br />
In his "<strong>Reflections on the Counting of Sneezes", </strong>the sneezer shares some of his findings since beginning his undertaking. In addition to noting the number of times he sneezes, he also documents his activity at the time. For example:<br />
<br />
July 2007 - accumulation of 36 sneezes<br />
Place: Bedroom<br />
Strength of sneeze: Mild<br />
Activity: Just finished cup of tea<br />
<br />
He is still counting and is now up to 4,059 accumulative sneezes since he started. <br />
<br />
This got me thinking. We could, if we really had a lot of time on our hands and wanted something to do, keep a blog of similar activities, like coughing for example.<br />
<br />
Thursday, October 16 - 3 coughs<br />
Place: kitchen, den, bathroom<br />
Strength of cough: 2 regular, 1 choking on water that went down the wrong way<br />
Activity: washing dishes, watching TV, drinking liquid with supper<br />
<br />
Friday, October 17 - 12 burps<br />
Place: kitchen, den<br />
Strength of burps: 2 mild, 3 medium, 2 medium-strong, 5 strong<br />
Activity: eating chili, watching football on TV (beer involved)<br />
<br />
The possibilities are endless like keeping track of the number of times one blinks, uses a tissue to wipe the nose, yawning, scratching one's nose... Meanwhile, my philosophy in as far as sneezing is concerned is a sneeze is a nose tickle looking for a way to get out. Or something.scriberesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16686564738595964556noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19133342.post-62308592398312402752014-09-24T13:56:00.000-04:002014-09-24T13:56:23.010-04:00Celebrating the quirkiness in all of us - 2014 Ig Nobel Prize winners announcedSome people are recognized for achievements in academics, or in the sports arena or in the entertainment business... your "normal" type of accomplishments. Then there are others who strive to be remembered for their unconventional undertakings and leave their mark on the world, be it a quirky train of thought.<br />
<br />
Once again as in past years, the <strong>Ig Nobel Prizes</strong> were handed out with the 2014 ceremony held on September 18. For the uninitiated and those wondering if there's any relationship to the famous Nobel Prizes, these awards, according to the <strong>Annals of Improbable Research</strong> magazine with the ceremony co-sponsored by the <strong>Harvard-Radcliffe Society of Physics Students</strong> and the <strong>Harvard-Radcliffe</strong> <strong>Science Fiction Association</strong>, are to "celebrate the unusual, honor the imaginative — and spur people's interest in science, medicine, and technology." Judge for yourselves.<br />
<br />
<strong>Physics Prize (Japan),</strong> specifically Kiyoshi Mabuchi, Kensei Tanaka, Daichi Uchijima and Rina Sakai, <em>for measuring the amount of friction between a shoe and a banana skin, and between a banana skin and the floor, when a person steps on a banana skin that's on the floor</em>. <br />
I mean, do we really need to know the amount of friction when one steps on a banana skin when and/or if one's rear end meets the ground? Perhaps the speed of falling...<br />
<br />
<strong>Neuroscience Prize (China/Canada),</strong> specifically Jiangang Liu, Jun Li, Lu Feng, Ling Li, Jie Tian, and Kang Lee, for<em> trying to understand what happens in the brains of people who see the face of Jesus in a piece of toast</em>. <br />
Most of us see your usual, mundane jam, peanut butter and the like, while others see unusual images...<br />
<br />
<strong>Psychology Prize (Australia, U.S.A. UK)</strong> specifically Peter K. Jonason, Amy Jones, and Minna Lyons, for <em>amassing evidence that people who habitually stay up late are, on average, more self-admiring, more manipulative, and more psychopathic than people who habitually arise early in the morning</em>. <br />
<br />
<strong>Public Health Prize (Czech Republic, Japan, USA, India),</strong> specifically Jaroslav Flegr, Jan Havlíček Jitka Hanušova-Lindova, David Hanauer, Naren Ramakrishnan, Lisa Seyfried, <em>for investigating whether it is mentally hazardous for a human being to own a cat.</em> <br />
Perhaps somewhat alienating given the affectionate nature of cats but nothing compared to owning fish and the affection they offer to their care givers, which is relegated to rising to the top of the tank for food but otherwise zilch, nada... But I digress.<br />
<br />
<strong>Biology Prize (Czech Republic, </strong>Germany, Zambia) specifically Vlastimil Hart, Petra Nováková, Erich Pascal Malkemper, Sabine Begall, Vladimír Hanzal, Miloš Ježek, Tomáš Kušta, Veronika Němcová, Jana Adámková, Kateřina Benediktová, Jaroslav Červený and Hynek Burda, <em>for carefully documenting that when dogs defecate and urinate, they prefer to align their body axis with Earth's north-south geomagnetic field lines</em>. <br />
Most likely few and far between dog owners note or even want to or have thought about which direction their dogs defecate and urinate, being concerned with having to pick up the end result. Right dog owners?<br />
<br />
<strong>Art Prize (Italy),</strong> specifically Marina de Tommaso, Michele Sardaro, and Paolo Livrea, <em>for measuring the relative pain people suffer while looking at an ugly painting, rather than a pretty painting, while being shot [in the hand] by a powerful laser beam. </em><br />
Art being subjective, is in the eye of the beholder and what one believes is an ugly painting could be viewed as beautiful by another. Being shot with a laser beam, however, can definitely alter one's view with that of experiencing pain, period.<br />
<br />
<strong>Economics Prize (Italy: ISTAT) the Italian government's National Institute of Statistics</strong>, <em>for proudly taking the lead in fulfilling the European Union mandate for each country to increase the official size of its national economy by including revenues from prostitution, illegal drug sales, smuggling, and all other unlawful financial transactions between willing participants. </em><br />
<em></em><br />
<strong>Medicine Prize (USA, India) </strong>specifically Ian Humphreys, Sonal Saraiya, Walter Belenky and James Dworkin, for treating <em>"uncontrollable" nosebleeds, using the method of nasal-packing-with-strips-of-cured-pork.</em> <br />
Just wondering whether cured pork would have more of an impact or effect on nose bleeds than un-cured pork, if for whatever reason, one opted to use it. <br />
<br />
<strong>Arctic Science Prize (Norway, Germany, USA, Canada)</strong>, specifically Eigil Reimers and Sindre Eftestøl,<em> for testing how reindeer react to seeing humans who are disguised as polar bears. </em><br />
Thinking further, it's possible that reindeer, many of whom hope to accompany Santa Claus on his Christmas voyage, would or could recognize humans in disguise and laugh themselves sick. Pure speculation of course...nudge-nudge...wink-wink...<br />
<br />
<strong>Nutrition Prize (Spain), </strong>specifically Raquel Rubio, Anna Jofré, Belén Martín, Teresa Aymerich, and Margarita Garriga, for their study titled <em>"Characterization of Lactic Acid Bacteria Isolated from Infant Faeces as Potential Probiotic Starter Cultures for Fermented Sausages." </em>Sure - why not.<br />
<br />
There you have the 2014 list of noble and somewhat unconventional thinkers that say, "we're different!" And then some.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />scriberesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16686564738595964556noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19133342.post-75772533525945371332014-09-21T15:24:00.000-04:002014-09-22T09:27:35.515-04:00September is a fowl month Sometimes special occurrences have a way of sneaking up without us being cognizant of their arrival, especially those that are for the birds. This is not meant as a derogatory remark since <strong>September</strong> being <strong>National Chicken Month </strong>is once more upon us. Couldn't find a <em>scratch </em>of background information in spite of <em>pecking around</em> as to the reason for devoting an entire month to chickens. Perhaps chicken farmers and people in the agricultural community felt that chickens needed a higher profile. Go know.<br />
<br />
For people reading this wondering, "what type of background data have you gleaned about chickens , Eleanor?" - your wait is over. According to the <a href="http://www.smithsonianmag.com/science-nature/14-fun-facts-about-chickens">www.smithsonianmag.com/science-nature/14-fun-facts-about-chickens</a>, here are a few highlights:<br />
<br />
- <em>the chicken, Gallus gallus domesticus, is a domestic subspecies of the red jungle fowl, a member of the pheasant family that is native to Asia. </em><br />
<div class="copy-paste-block">
<em>- the bird was probably first domesticated for the purpose of cockfights, not as food.</em><br />
<em>- chickens aren’t completely flightless—they can get airborne enough to make it over a fence or into a tree.</em><br />
Now the latter fact comes as a surprise, at least to me. I've always been under the impression that chickens and their ilk were earthbound, fated to scratch and peck the earth. Can't speak for others but I've never actually seen a chicken in flight or stuck up in a tree. Mind you, I've seen photos of roosters sitting on a fence or on top of chicken coops waiting for the sun to put in an appearance on the horizon, in preparation to declare that the day has officially started. Flying chickens, though, are one would imagine, somewhat of a rare sighting in most circles. <br />
<em>- these birds are omnivores. They’ll eat seeds and insects but also larger prey like small mice and lizards.</em><br />
Yet another I-didn't-know-that fact. Remember this the next time you sit down to a chicken dinner<br />
<br />
<em>- with <strong>25 billion chickens</strong> in the world, there are more of them than any other bird species.</em><br />
<em>- female chickens are <strong>pullets</strong> until they’re old enough to lay eggs and become hens. Male chickens are called roosters, cocks or cockerels, depending on the country one lives in</em>.<br />
Another interesting puzzler in the chicken world. Chickens start out being <em>pullets</em> until they're a year old after which they lay eggs and are suddenly known as chickens. Why? I mean, wouldn't it be easier for everyone concerned for them to be known as pullets all their lives? Is there something wrong with being a pullet? To confuse the issue (for me at least) a hen is also known as a female chicken. But I digress.<br />
<br />
- in the romance area, a rooster announces that he's found food by emitting a "took-took-took" sound but hens ignore them if they're aware that food is available. Why would a hen want to wait and get it second-hand if it's available free, right? Food first, obviously, before romance. In order to get their attention and in an attempt to impress the hens, roosters perform a dance called, 'tid-bitt-ing' where they make sounds moving their heads up-and-down, picking up and dropping food.<br />
<br />
- researchers have discovered that the female of the species prefer roosters that frequently 'tid-bit' along with larger, brighter combs on their heads. One could deduce from this information that hens are somewhat shallow and will opt for looks rather than personality. But again I digress.<br />
<br />
Amazing how chickens have had an influence on our lives and are mentioned in many everyday expressions. Came across a listing of fowl terms on the <a href="http://www.backyardchickens.com/">www.backyardchickens.com</a> site:<br />
<br />
- flew the coop - gone<br />
- up with the chickens - waking early with the sunrise.<br />
- going to bed with the chickens <br />
- like a chicken with it's head cut off (there have been instances where a/chickens have been reputed to live without a head like Mike the Headless Chicken, who was reputed to have survived 18 mos. minus a head <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mike_the_Headless_Chicken">http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mike_the_Headless_Chicken</a>)<br />
- shake a tail feather - get moving<br />
- being chicken - being afraid <br />
- sunny side up - cheerful attitude<br />
- chicken out - not follow through<br />
- ruffle one's feathers - something annoys you<br />
- chicken hearted - not brave<br />
- chickens have come home to roost - the past is catching up (this infers that chickens leave home for a while and if so, one wonders where they go and what they do while gone. Anybody?)<br />
- rule the roost - to be the boss<br />
- pecking order - finding your place<br />
- cock of the walk - to be the boss<br />
- do chickens have lips? - dumb questions gets dumb answer (love this expression)<br />
- play chicken - a stand off<br />
- something to crow about - exciting news to tell<br />
- chicken scratch - poor handwriting (frequently attributed to those in the medical profession)<br />
<br />
All of this is leading up to that age old question or issue that has stumped human-kind for time immemorial: <strong><em>just why did the chicken cross the road?</em></strong><br />
<br />
Thinking further (too much time on my hands, obviously), there is really <em>no reason</em> for any chicken<em> not</em> to cross the road if said chicken wanted to. The big question is what would induce a chicken to cross the road in the first place<br />
<em>Maybe</em> a chicken would want to cross a road simply because the road is there to cross - or not<br />
<em>Perhaps</em> chickens - some but not necessarily all - can't recognize the existence of a road that's set out in front of them<br />
<em>There</em> could be a possibility that to a chicken, a road is a means of seeking an escape from the tedium and ennui of being relegated to living out its life in a coop (hence the expression: cooped up) <br />
<em>Then again</em>, perhaps the chicken had already crossed the road, had a taste of what was on the other side and wanted to return to see if what she experienced was real<br />
<em>In conclusion</em>, maybe the chicken crossed the road because she had an urge to cross it, which overcame her better judgement, and she was wiser having arrived at the other side knowing that her life would be the same no matter which side of the road she was on.<br />
Oh the angst of chicken indecision!<br />
<br />
Since it's impossible to communicate with chickens in a language that would be compatible to both humans and fowl, it's all pure speculation at best. Merely a peck in the dark.<br />
<br />
</div>
scriberesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16686564738595964556noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19133342.post-47948988539061214112014-09-13T11:17:00.001-04:002014-09-13T11:29:23.683-04:00Life's leftover itemsAs is the case with many of us, over the years I've accumulated a considerable amount of items through various means. Some even date back as wedding gifts, still others make an appearance as birthday presents brought out on occasion over the years, but a larger portion end up stored away in cupboards rarely to see the light of day.<br />
<br />
At some point during a lifetime, somebody - usually offspring or close relatives - will be left with the responsibility of making a decision on their eventual fate. Some items most likely will be kept due to sentimental value while others may end up in garage sales or as some people like to call them, estate sales. Call them what you want but in the end someone's left over's are another person's bargains, which will inevitably end up stored away in a basement or cupboard and re-sold at another garage sale. Such is the circle of life.<br />
<br />
On a personal note, it's always somewhat surprising to look over people's accumulative treasures. It's like seeing lives in review along with price tags to make it all more meaningful. I mean, how does one part with items or <em>tchotchkes</em> that have graced side tables. or sets of dishes part of holiday celebrations. More to the point, how can a value be placed on them?<br />
<br />
My main concern as an artist, is a collection of paintings that have been amassed over the years. Obviously, some are better than others but in my mind and eyes, they are all valuable. Many are gracing the walls of our abode and still others, without a place on the wall to call home, are displayed on easels. Each one has a story to tell focusing on paint-overs, color mis-matches and other assorted trial-and-error processes, which made the end result more meaningful. One wonders, though, as to their eventual fate.<br />
<br />
I'd like to think that the painting output will be handed over in care of Christies or other equally famous auction houses, where they will be auctioned off for millions of dollars or at least in the hundred-thousands for sure.<br />
<br />
"Item number 1234-29 in your catalogue, people," the auctioneer will direct bidders. "A painting by well-known artist, Eleanor Tylbor, who expresses her talent in the Nouveau Transitional-Tylbor style. You will notice her strong use of yellow, one of her favorite colors, accompanied by mixed hues of green and beige to capture nature's harvest. How much am I bid for this masterpiece of nouveau expressionism?"<br />
<br />
Actually, the reality is that once a painting is finished if it is ever finished, since it can be "fixed" even a year or two later, it rarely leaves home. The emotional attachment is overwhelming and hence the reason for them remaining part of my collection but accommodations can be made, though. It could be difficult to bid it adieu but its departure would be acceptable, knowing it would have a good home<br />
<br />
Then there is the collection of my plays written over the years. They are mere words to many people but when put together, they can tell stories of people put in situations that shape our lives. Plays are witness to society's changing mores and reflect the times we've lived in.<br />
<br />
Ancient civilizations have come and gone and remnants of former lives emerge. In the end, though, tchotchkes live on.<br />
<br />
<br />
<span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" data-reactid=".2.1:3:1:$comment697593396988061_697616346985766:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1:$comment-body"><span class="UFICommentBody" data-reactid=".2.1:3:1:$comment697593396988061_697616346985766:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1:$comment-body.0"><span data-reactid=".2.1:3:1:$comment697593396988061_697616346985766:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1:$comment-body.0.$end:0:$0:0"></span></span></span><br />scriberesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16686564738595964556noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19133342.post-24552067141434387622014-08-31T09:10:00.001-04:002014-08-31T14:22:20.850-04:00Some of life's ponderings that really have no answers and evoke the word, "why?"There are inconsequential encounters during our everyday lives that are 'head-shakers'. <br />
<br />
"So what are you complaining about now, Eleanor?"<br />
<br />
You know - the type of insignificant experiences that one must accept but are a source of annoyance. <br />
<br />
- why is it that when choosing a cash to pay for supermarket items, it's always seems to be the one where there's a cash count? <br />
<br />
- why is it that customers choose the 8 (or 12) item limit line to pay for a full shopping cart of groceries? More to the point, why do the check-out cashiers allow it?<br />
<br />
- why do supermarkets set their produce water sprays on "high" especially when I'm bending over to choose an item? <br />
<br />
- why can't manufacturers come up with a means in which shoppers can separate plastic bags without having to lick their fingers? Try as I may and I do, there is no way to separate plastic bags from a roll by blowing on the serrated opening. Actually, thinking again, perhaps a solution could be to wet one's fingers using the excess water from the produce spray ("good innovative thinking, Eleanor!"). At least the spray could be used for something useful.<br />
<br />
Moving on...<br />
<br />
- why do packages of cheese products with 'good until' dates listed way in the future, inevitably turn moldy without a few weeks after opening?<br />
<br />
There is nothing more irritating (at least for me) than buying a large wedge of cheese and two weeks later seeing white/grey forming on the edge, indicating mold. Numerous attempts at using various wrappings including wax paper haven't worked. Any manufacturers reading this want to supply an answer?<br />
<br />
- why is it that the purchase of the perfect lipstick shade is different when brought home, only to be added to the ever-growing collection of abandoned tubes that looked good but ended up in the <em>blechy </em>bag? Related and shared in other blogs but still a source of irritation, why do lipstick manufacturers discontinue lipstick shades after a short period of placing them on the market place? It would be great to be able to purchase the same lipstick shade within a six month period.<br />
<br />
Feel free to add to the list and share. We all need a vent or two to start the day, right? What's yours?<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />scriberesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16686564738595964556noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19133342.post-56073615785118940642014-08-26T20:51:00.001-04:002014-08-28T12:01:21.570-04:00Some thoughts<strong>Shock! Gasp! Confession time!</strong><br />
<br />
Okay. I admit it. I didn't watch the <strong>Emmy Awards</strong> last night. Right now you're probably gasping in shock thinking, "Eleanor - how could you, being a freelance writer/playwright, skip the Emmys?" To be candid, I passed because I've watched the nominated series on occasion and only once-in-a-while occasions. One should at least relate to the series actors and watch frequently enough to be able to form an opinion, right? <br />
<br />
As a rule and when I do watch the awards show, I tune in to see what everyone is wearing. It's always fun to see the latest designer outfits and what the "in" color is this season. Not that it makes a difference in my world but still, one should keep up with fashion trends, just in case. This morning the Web was filled with reports on the nominees and the eventual winners, what they wore and their acceptance speeches. Loved <strong>Billy Crystal's</strong> tribute to <strong>Robin Williams</strong>. Simple, to the point and well put. Being a big fan of <strong>Ricky Gervais</strong>, also adored his acceptance speech at not winning. What can one say: I like people who <em>kvetch</em>.<br />
<br />
In as far as fashion looks are concerned, I liked <strong>Halle Berry's</strong> mauve dress, <strong>Kate Walsh's</strong> yellow dress although how she walked is a mystery with that draping of material, also loved <strong>Taryn Manning's</strong> gown...on and on.<br />
<br />
For the record, my favorite programs are related to sci-fi and related topics. I'll tune in to TV series featured on networks and shows that have an alien presence(s) (thinking further, this could apply to many celebrities but I digress). As usual, none of my favorites were nominated. Oh well - there's always next year.<br />
<br />
<br />
<strong>Brangelina are now one</strong><br />
<strong></strong><br />
Added this item on <strong>Thurs. August 28</strong>, because this is news we've all been waiting for. After living together for nine years and following an engagement of one year, <strong>Angelina Jolie</strong> and <strong>Brad Pitt</strong> made it legal. Without any fan-fare or press releases to announce the up-coming nuptials, the couple were married at a French as in France, chateau. Their children were present and took part in the walk down the aisle. How very romantic getting married in France. Wonder what they ate in the way of celebrating their joining together. Pure speculation but more than likely, wine was involved or maybe champagne...French baguette with <em>pate de compagne</em> perhaps...<em>une patisserie</em> for dessert. In any case, you might want to wish them <em>bonne chance</em> if passing them on the <em>rue</em>.<br />
<strong></strong><br />
<br />
<br />
<strong>Arf...bow-wow. A day for the dogs</strong><br />
<strong></strong><br />
Today is <strong>National Dog Day</strong>. This is the first time I became aware that a day has been set aside to honor the special pooches in our lives and their contribution to our well being. As the former slave...that is to say, friend to a Heinz 57 mutt that shared our lives for 15 years, it's only right that we honor our furry canine buddies and bud-ettes. Although we were assured at the time of adoption that Daisy would reach a medium-sized dog status, she ended up being a cross between a beagle, cocker spaniel and physical characteristics of a Labrador retriever. In other words, pure mutt adopted at a shelter. In retrospect, she really wasn't the friendliest dog and showed her teeth frequently, snarling menacingly at all who approached when food was poured in her bowl. She also wasn't above taking a nibble at toes while seated under the table at meal times, when spare food didn't fall in her direction. Protecting the house, however, was relegated to snoring on the job. It took me a long time to get over her passing but the memories she gave us will remain forever. <strong>Happy National Dog Day</strong> to pooches everywhere - it's your day!<br />
<br />
<br />
<strong><u>Addendum</u>: a tragedy waiting to happen</strong><br />
<strong></strong><br />
Parents (or caregivers to children) make a concerted effort to go out of their way as a means to protect their offspring from imminent danger. It is puzzling therefore, at least to me, when children are knowingly exposed to questionable situations by presumably, functioning adults. Then again, perhaps in their opinion and mind, they believe that the danger is minimal. <br />
<br />
For whatever reason, parents of a 9-year old girl decided to take their daughter to a shooting range. In my mind, anyway, this act in itself is questionable but to each her/his own. Again, one ponders as to why a young person in this age range would be given a Uzi-sub-machine gun no less as was the case to learn how to shoot, is another good question. In any case, the shooting range instructor standing next to the girl was demonstrating how to fire the weapon and when she pulled the trigger, the recoil caused her to aim over her head killing the shooting instructor.<br />
<br />
It just boggles my mind that parents would even think taking their offspring to a shooting range, period, would be a fun activity. Duh...<br />
<strong></strong><br />
<br />
<br />scriberesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16686564738595964556noreply@blogger.com0