Juggle Fight

bletting

bletting [blet-ing] noun

1. the ripening of fruit, especially of fruit stored until the desired degree of softness is attained.

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Banana bletting is bad, unless you're letting them get brown for banana bread.

(That was nearly an alliteration, huh?)

I never have any luck trying to get fruit to soften;  by the time something like an unripe peach gets soft enough to eat, it's grown gray fuzz.  

I always buy bananas as green as I can find because I dislike them soft and mushy and they're too sweet when they're ripe.  I was sorting through bananas a while back and an older woman was on the other side of the display, sorting through bananas too.  "Hard to find green ones." I said to her.

"I suppose so," she replied, "But at my age I don't buy them TOO green."

10 Common Myths about Fast Food

Starship Troopers Parody

Fake toy advert about one of my most eagerly anticipated and nearly most disappointing movies I've ever seen.  It was "good" but it could have been great.

She Should Be Glad

Elephants don't fly.

Eye vs Brain

An ostrich's eye is bigger than its brain.

And I often find that when going through the buffet line, my eyes are bigger than my stomach.

No Posts Today

Not that many people read this pathetic excuse for a blog, but I won't be posting anything today or maybe tomorrow, either.  I'm more than a little sad because the Beej is gone.  He'd been poorly for quite some time, but up until the last few weeks, he still had a good appetite and got around fairly well, considering he was 16+ yrs. old.  It was about a week or so ago he started going downhill really fast and was nothing but skin and bones.

I don't know where he is, but I haven't seen him for a few days and I am positive he crawled off somewhere and died. I feel really guilty that I didn't do more for him as he got old and ill.

Amazing Audio Illusion

From the "About" section under the video:

Just like there are optical illusions, there is also “audio illusion” or "acoustical illusion". This one is called Shepard tone. When a number of octave notes are played at the same time, the average human ear will simply hear the one note, closest to the last pitched sound it heard, as opposed to differentiating and splitting that sound into its singular octave parts. The volume of the higher pitched tone slightly decreases and the lower pitched one increases over the scale, which is what makes the effect seem so seamless.

Listen to this video until the end, and when it stops, play it again to hear the difference, tune continue to "creep - up"... It will blow your mind!

crinose

crinose \ KRAHY-nohs, KRIN-ohs \ adjective

1. hairy

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I wasn't familiar with this word and don't think it will ever be in my vocabulary. If I didn't just simply say "hairy", I'd use hirsute.

I oughta start a website devoted to fat, hairy women and call it "Heavy Hirsute Honeys" - that way I could appeal to a specialized fetish.  Maybe I could expand it while narrowing the niche and add feet, pantyhose and dwarfs.

You Used To Be Cute

Check out the guy's notepad near the end of the clip. Good grief.

raze

raze\ reyz \ verb

1. to tear down; demolish; level to the ground: to raze a row of old buildings.
2. to shave or scrape off.

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When "raze" means to tear down and "raise" means to move up, it's no wonder English is considered one of the hardest languages to speak.

The Big Gulp

I've already forgotten what I was looking for (I've slept since then), but one of the results was Yahoo Answers and I clicked on the link to see if it really did provide an answer. Whatever it was, one of the answers was so incredibly stupid I clicked on the profile to see other answers by the person and got this:

I know they were trying for cute by saying "** gulp" (although they should have written it as *gulp*) but it was a big-time FAIL.  Whatever else the person had posted must've been really bad because Yahoo normally doesn't delete stupid comments or else they'd lose half or more of them. 

Yahoo isn't the worst about people making stupid comments, though;  YouTube wins hands down, followed closely by Facebook and IMDb.

cherry-pick

cherry-pick \ CHER-ee-pik \ verb

1. Informal: to select with great care: You can cherry-pick your own stereo components.
2. Informal: (in retail use) to buy only the sale items and ignore the other merchandise.

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I see people do this all the time with facts...and not just people, but websites, too.

For example, Yahoo had an article about President Obama's latest vacation and cherry-picked facts about the numbers of vacation days he had taken since being in office and comparing them to the total vacation days of other presidents. Even though the candidate Obama promised to devote every waking minute to the job, it's unrealistic to expect someone to never take a break, to not have any down time.

The way I feel about it, it's not the number of vacation days a president takes, but rather WHEN he takes them.  Making a short statement, then going on a golfing vacation after radical Islamists beheaded an American citizen and made threats towards the U.S. is not a good time to go on vacation, Mr. President. 

Midnight Snack Personality

Actually, here lately it's been a handful of cookies and a diet soda.

You Are Ice Cream

You are a comfort seeker and a comfort giver. You like to make sure everyone around you feels good, starting with yourself. You love to be pampered, and you don't turn down the opportunity to spoil yourself a little. You deserve it. You enjoy the good things in life, to the point of being a hedonist. You're the type to never refuse an extra scoop. You really savor more than most people. You enjoy every sound, smell, and taste just a little bit extra.

What's Your Midnight Snack Personality?

flibbertigibbet

flibbertigibbet \ FLIB-er-tee-jib-it \ noun

1. Archaic . a gossip.
2. a chattering or flighty, light-headed person.

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Believe it or not, this word sounded familar, then I remembered hearing it in one of the Harry Potter movies - or maybe I read it in one of the books - but I didn't remember in which book or movie or in what context. Thanks to the World Wide Interwebs, I was reminded it was used as a password to get into the Gryfindor dormitory. I also discovered it was used in the song "Maria" in the 1959 musical The Sound of Music as well as in the Tom Hanks movie Joe Versus the Volcano.

I'm betting that I'll never read the word ever again in my life and I'm absolutely certain I'll never use it in conversation, even though I know a few flibbertigibbets.

Release Me - Engelbert Humperdink

My mom used to love the Ray Price version, but this was a new upload by one of my YT subscriptions so I figured I'd post it.

Besides that, I'm pretty sure I haven't posted any other Engelbert Humperdink songs.

Where Dwell the Brave at Heart

You Belong in Gryffindor

You are brave and honorable. You are willing to take a risk if there is a bit of glory in it. You love a good adventure, and you are drawn to action. You get right in the mix, sometimes before thinking. You are a big believer in justice, and you are willing to fight for what's right. You stand up for what you believe in. You hate being bored, and you are always looking for a new challenge. You like to prove yourself to the world.

What Hogwarts House Do You Belong In?

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I've taken other similar quizzes and I've always been placed in Gryffindor in those as well. That said, this quiz is pretty transparent and it's easy to manipulate the answers to get the results you want.

I honestly think that, if I was a young wizard in Great Britain, I would be placed in Gryffindor if for no other reason than the sorting hat would have no other options.  I'm not nearly brainy enough to be in Ravenclaw, not evil or conniving enough to be in Slytherin and I'm basically too damn lazy to be in Hufflepuff.

I'd love to read a book or books about an American school of wizardry - the Texas students would probably have their own Quidditch team.  Not that I've dwelt on it a lot, but I've wondered what position I'd play on the team - I'm too nearsighted to be a seeker and I don't think I'd like keeper - I'd probably be a beater or chaser.

And yes, i love the books and movies and just re-read the series, can't you tell?

What's Wrong With This Picture?

Actually, nothing.  It's the description at the top of the post that's oh-so-wrong.

This is the latest post on the Relish Magazine Facebook page.   I don't have the heart to tell them the vulgar definition of "corn hole". 

I guess they never watched Beavis and Butthead.

(Please note:  if that video doesn't explain the term to you, just do a Google search, but don't say you weren't warned!)

Ameslan

Ameslan \ AM-uh-slan, AM-slan \ noun

1. American Sign Language.

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HANDSPEAK.COM says the word is an old one and obsolete since the 1960's. I've been around since before the 60's but wasn't familiar with it.

I've been acquainted with a lot of people who are hard of hearing and my own hearing isn't all that good, but my experiences with deaf folks are few.  I grew up with a nearly deaf girl whose mom was a teacher in elementary school and sometimes when Mary was acting up, her mother would scold her with sign language.   The thing I remember most about Mary was when her hearing aid would malfunction or the battery would be nearly drained, it made a horrible, high-pitched sound and I was always amazed that she couldn't hear it. 

My nieces learned a little bit to sign some Christmas carols for their church, but I don't know if they learned enough to communicate with deaf folks.  (I guess wishing them a Merry Christmas wouldn't really count as truly communicating)

I do have a dear online friend who is deaf but other than in chat rooms and email, I've never been around her.  She says she used to use ASL when she was younger, but doesn't know it now as she did then and generally just reads lips to understand what people are saying.  She watches a lot of TV and uses closed captioning - so do I, but it's not because I can't hear them, I simply can't understand what they're saying.  Just last night I was watching True Detective and went online to read a transcript of the show to find out what some bits of dialogue were.  

A long time ago, a friend and I were doing the "either/or" conversational game. (The choices offered are a dilemma, with neither option being desirable,  such as "Would you rather be executed by the electric chair or hanging?") The question was posed "Would you rather be blind or deaf?" I said deaf, because I think the world would be a hard place in which to exist if one couldn't see, but my friend said he'd rather be blind,  because he could learn to read Braille, but he didn't think he could live without music.  I still would choose deaf, but I still wouldn't argue with my friend's choice.

Let There Be Light

Thomas Edison, inventor of the light bulb*, was afraid of the dark.

*It should be noted that historians list 22 inventors before Edison, but his version of the incandescent light bulb is considered to be the true forerunner to today's bulb.

cacography

cacography\ kuh-KOG-ruh-fee \  noun

1. poor penmanship; bad handwriting.
2. incorrect spelling.

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I don't recall writing a letter since I've owned a computer and since I've had a debit card, I don't think I've written more than a dozen checks.  Here lately, due to security concerns, I've been using credit cards instead of debit.  Depending upon the card, unless the amount is over a certain number, I don't even have to sign, but now and then I have to sign the touch pad machine and my signature is usually illegible. (but the machine takes it anyway)  I always imagine my sixth grade teacher- who tried his best to teach me penmanship -  as rolling over in his grave.

I seldom misspell words these days, either, thanks to spell check. 

In fact, it told me I needed to correct "misspell" and "illegible".

Like a Stolling Rone

Maybe it's just me, but this Rolling Stone 404 page message sure sounds strange.

Possible Purple Pride

You Are Bright Purple

Your brightness is sensitive and emotional. You feel very deeply, and you are connected to the world. You find perspective and wisdom in the world. You don't react quickly, and you absorb everything going on around you. You remain hopeful about all aspects of life. You are especially concerned with justice and quality of life for everyone. You are real with everyone you meet, and you allow yourself to be vulnerable. You would put yourself out there, flaws and all.

What Bright Color Are You?

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Not so sure this really represents me;  I don't feel all that deeply and most of the time I feel disconnected to the world and seldom find perspective and wisdom in the world...at least on the 'net.

I'm also not that hopeful;  in fact, I'm fairly pessimistic about most everything except the Cowboy's chances of making the playoffs - and I'm sure I'll be disappointed once again, so maybe I'm not so optimistic after all. 

I like to think I'm "real with everyone I meet", but I really don't allow myself to be vulnerable.  I do "put myself out there, flaws and all" because I am what I am and if someone doesn't like me for who I am, well then...that's their problem as far as I'm concerned.

I do like purple though, the color of royalty and along with gold, my h.s. team colors.  Purple pride!

fink

fink \ fingk \

verb:

1. Slang . to inform to the police; squeal.
2. Slang . to act as a strikebreaker; scab.

noun:

1. Slang . a strikebreaker.
2. Slang . a labor spy.
3. Slang . an informer; stool pigeon.
4. Slang . a contemptible or thoroughly unattractive person.

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While not a word I've seen or read lately, I certainly knew it...most likely from reading a bunch of Mickey Spillane books when I was a kid, where it was used as a noun and preceded by "rat", as in "Ya dirty rat fink!" BANG! (where the rat fink was promptly shot dead...with a "gat" or "rod" or "piece" or "heater".)

Every Alfred Hitchcock Cameo

A couple of years ago, I posted a video of some Hitchcock cameos, but it wasn't a complete list.  While I haven't cross-referenced and checked these, this is supposed to be all of them. 

Name Change

was once called

Friday On My Mind - The Easybeats

philology

philology \ fi-LOL-uh-jee \ noun

1. Obsolete  the love of learning and literature.
2. the study of literary texts and of written records, the establishment of their authenticity and their original form, and the determination of their meaning.
3. (especially in older use) linguistics, especially historical and comparative linguistics.

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It might be an obsolete term, but I don't think a love of learning and literature will ever become obsolete and will disappear from my own life only after the day I die. The Internet is a weird thing, but it's also a wonderful tool for learning.

How The Sun Sees You

Interesting - and chilling - video about the importance of wearing sunscreen.

desiderium

desiderium noun, plural desideria [des-i-deer-ee-uh]

1. an ardent longing, as for something lost.

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I often long for things I've lost - money I've blown, old friends who have moved away or died, the trust of people I care about, but the thing I miss the most is my youth.

Oh, not ALL of it, just the best parts, like playing ball and feeling full of energy and the thrill of being totally in love. I don't miss waking up and having a zit on the end of my nose or worrying about grades or if my girlfriend was starting to like someone better than she did me.

So...I miss the sports and enthusiasm but not the rest of the teen angst. I'm pretty sure that wasn't "love" I was feeling at the time, either, but simply a product of raging hormones.

Mine aren't raging these days, but they're still there.  I'm missing someone to prove it to, though.

Music Makes Me Young(er)

You are in Your Musical 50s

The music you love never goes out of style - it's classic. You tend to only listen to the very best. Your taste in music may be mainstream at this point in your life, but that's a good thing. You can make a playlist that everyone loves. You tend to stick with artists you know these days, but if you find a new artist that you do like, you know it right away. Your favorite music is creative, moody, and subtle. You don't need a song to overwhelm you in order to appreciate it.

How Old Is Your Taste in Music?

Pro But Not Con

You can't name a folder "con" in Microsoft Windows.

Special Deliveries

After seeing all the complaining on Amazon about shipments arriving damaged, I now understand why. This only affirms my decision to NOT get Amazon Prime;  my stuff is shipped via the good ol' USPS and it might get to me later, but it's always in one piece.  

At least it's not drop kicked to the top of my house.

My Paperback Sharona

Brilliantly done mash-up of The Beatles' "Paperback Writer" and The Knack's "My Sharona".

On Second Thought....

From the Quote of the Day module in the right-hand column:

I often regret that I have spoken; never that I have been silent.
 - Publilius Syrus

When I first read this, I thought it would make a great post for my Facebook wall, but just after I posted it, I thought about it some more and deleted it. Why?

Well, there ARE times I wish I had said something but didn't.  I should have stood up for guys back in school who were getting bullied by older kids, should have said something when I have been insulted or received poor service from clerks and waitresses,  should have said something when someone was spreading lies or malicious gossip...but I didn't, and in most of those cases I regret that more than the times I said something I shouldn't have.

brusque

brusque [bruhsk; especially British broosk] adjective

abrupt in manner; blunt; rough

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I like this word, although I sometimes don't like brusque people; they are often brusque to the point of being rude and callous.

Love Is Like Oxygen - Sweet

What the Flock?

A group of flamingos is called a flamboyance.

klatsch

klatsch [klahch, klach] noun

a casual gathering of people, especially for refreshments and informal conversation: a sewing klatsch.

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This is a word I knew; the times I've seen it, it's almost always been used referring to neighborhood housewives gathering together in the mornings after their husbands have gone to work and their children are off at school, a "coffee klatsch" . It also comes to mind when I see groups of older men who congregate in various restaurants around town.

I reckon there's more gossip going on in the latter.

AKA Phalanges

You have no muscles in your fingers.(or thumbs)

taradiddle

taradiddle tar·a·did·dle [tar-uh-did-l] noun Informal

1. a small lie; fib.
2. pretentious nonsense.

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I've never seen nor heard this word used.

And that's no taradiddle.

It's My Party - Lesley Gore

---

Several years ago, a young couple with two small girls moved in a few doors down. I became good friends with them and I absolutely adored their girls, Dusty and Wendy. (my mom said their names sounded like a weather report.)

The guy told me when his oldest girl was being potty trained, she'd cry for no good reason.  "Why are you crying?" he'd ask her in frustration.

"It's my potty and I'll cry if I want to." he said she said.

Yep, that's a groaner.

Going Down Under

You Should Travel to Oceania

You're looking for a good time without too much fuss. The beautiful scenery of Australia and New Zealand are calling you. You'll love skiing, surfing, snowboarding, and swimming while you're down under.  You'll probably make some great friends along the way too! You aren't the type who has to see it all on a vacation. In fact, if you find the perfect spot, you're likely to stop for a while. For you, it is all about the journey and never about the destination. Your best trips never end!

Where Should You Travel To?

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When I think of places in the world I'd love to visit, Australia and New Zealand are at the top of the list. I don't think I'd want to ski, surf, snowboard while there and I damn sure ain't going swimming...not with the huge great white sharks in the area.  (shudder) I'd also watch my step while in Australia - there are snakes there that make Texas rattlers look like garden snakes.

That said, there's not a lot of places I'd want to go in Australia - I'd want to see the Great Barrier Reef - by boat - the Sydney Opera House and the massive geological formation Uluru (aka Ayers Rock).  I wouldn't want to climb that last, not only because it's sacred to the aboriginal people, but also because I'm getting too old.  It also might sound crazy to some, but I've also wanted to go to Coober Pedy, a small opal mining town where most of the homes are underground. (I dunno why, just sounds neat.)I'd also love to see an Australian rules football match.

I'd really look forward to seeing New Zealand - I have a great online friend who lives there and the travel/nature shows I've seen of the country prove that it's a land of great beauty and lovely people.  Offhand, I couldn't tell you any great monument or awesome natural wonder there, but I think I'd enjoy just traveling around to smaller towns, enjoying the countryside and meeting the "real" people.

Oh, Rats!

Rats eat or otherwise spoil 20% of the world's food supply every year.

I'm Not Happy

I used to love this song...

...the first thousand times I heard it.

Live Wire - AC/DC

Baby Boom

More people are born in August than any other month.

My Yin & Yang

You Are Contemplative

You have yellow yin. You are a very clear and methodical thinker, especially when others are pessimistic. You aren't necessarily an optimist, but more than anyone else, you can envision how things may go right. You have green yang. You have a youthful, playful bent to the way you live your life. You are always open to growth and opportunity. You seek out balance and harmony in your life. You try to avoid getting too much of any one thing... even a good thing.

The Yin Yang Test

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Yellow yin and green yang? I hope penicillin will clear that up.

Along Came a Spider

From Lockerdome.com

Nothing here?

Sorry, but a spider and its web ain't exactly "nothing".   I shuddered so much when I opened the 404 page the govt. seismograph registered an earthquake here in town. 

I know it's called the "world wide web" but I didn't think it would be one literally.