"Go." is the shortest complete sentence in the English language.
June 30, 2015
June 29, 2015
June 28, 2015
Giraffes Can't Yawn
So claimed my trivia calendar the other day. That didn't make sense and didn't give a reason why, so I did a little research and found some trivia sites (here's one) that claimed that neither whales nor giraffes have ever been filmed yawning.
Well, I wasn't convinced; perhaps whales WERE yawning and it was thought they were just opening their huge mouths to suck in some krill. There's a video on YouTube of a young whale calf that sure looks like it's yawning. (about.39 seconds into the vid) OTOH, yawns are a mysterious thing; some scientists claim they are an involuntary action to take in oxygen to cool the brain and others say it's to exercise jaw muscles. (and it's pretty much a consensus that it has nothing to do with boredom) After an image search, I found this photo and others like it:
Now, that might be a yawn...or it might be the face made during a mating call. I went on looking and found these photos on the Sacramento Zoo Blog.
So, I believe I'll go with the folks at a zoo before I will a trivia calendar. (which has been wrong on some and "iffy" on other "facts" - if I have posted a trivia "fact" I've usually checked it, especially if it's one that gives me suspicion)
Well, I wasn't convinced; perhaps whales WERE yawning and it was thought they were just opening their huge mouths to suck in some krill. There's a video on YouTube of a young whale calf that sure looks like it's yawning. (about.39 seconds into the vid) OTOH, yawns are a mysterious thing; some scientists claim they are an involuntary action to take in oxygen to cool the brain and others say it's to exercise jaw muscles. (and it's pretty much a consensus that it has nothing to do with boredom) After an image search, I found this photo and others like it:
Now, that might be a yawn...or it might be the face made during a mating call. I went on looking and found these photos on the Sacramento Zoo Blog.
So, I believe I'll go with the folks at a zoo before I will a trivia calendar. (which has been wrong on some and "iffy" on other "facts" - if I have posted a trivia "fact" I've usually checked it, especially if it's one that gives me suspicion)
June 27, 2015
No Definitive Set Definition
At least not a single one. Of all the words in the English language, the word "set" has the most definitions - over 400.
June 26, 2015
Forbes Haiku
I was looking for some financial-related information and saw a link to Forbes.com and thought I could probably trust the information I would find there since I've read a lot of other articles on the site and it's all been good advice. They have a "splash page" before the link, the content of which I don't see because of my ad blocking add-on on my Firefox browser. I have to wait on a countdown clock for a few seconds before I can proceed to the article, but it's no problem, much less annoying than an advertisement.
Yesterday, though, I got this message on the splash page:
Yesterday, though, I got this message on the splash page:
I'm fairly certain that doesn't fit the definition of a Haiku, but that's not my complaint; rather, it's trying to shame me in such a "cutesy" fashion. Sorry Forbes, I hate to deprive you of ad revenue, but many sites go overboard with their adverts, slowing the page load times even with my fairly fast connection and often having multiple flash ads which sometimes hangs up my browser. I also don't like places like Facebook following me all over the 'net...that's why I use an adblocker.
I wrote a reply, not in a Haiku, but a short verse. I can't post it because I have a few words in it that rhyme with "Haiku". It DOES have a little bit to do with "love", though.
I wrote a reply, not in a Haiku, but a short verse. I can't post it because I have a few words in it that rhyme with "Haiku". It DOES have a little bit to do with "love", though.
Doggy Daycare Cam
(click pic f/ larger view)
Another favorite webcam I often visit. From the website:
Destined to become the most paw-pular webcam views around, visit The Canine Club and Spa in Minnesota and watch live as the dogs romp around the yard. From playing fetch with their two-legged friends to hitting the pool for some doggy paddle practice, viewers will be left panting from the non-stop excitement.
OK, it's not exactly riveting, but I do find it entertaining. It's fun to watch the dogs romp around and play with each other (and I guess they have to be temperament-tested, spayed or neutered before being accepted as "customers") but you can also see the normal doggy behavior that's not so cute, such as sniffing each others butts, peeing on things and other dogs smelling where other dogs have peed and then peeing on the same spot.
June 25, 2015
I Don't Think Nuts
Are well-adjusted. Otherwise, we wouldn't be nuts, huh?
| You Are Well-Adjusted |
 You are easygoing and take this world in stride. You can ride the ups and downs with ease. You are calm and level-headed. You are the one that people turn to in a crisis, and you're a good person to have on any team. You rarely have to deliberate when a decision needs to be made. You are very intuitive and know just what to do. You are naturally family oriented, and you do your best to make your loved ones happy and comfortable. Giving comes naturally to you. |
What Does Your Favorite Nut Say About You?
Those are cashew nuts, btw, just in case you didn't know. Not sure why the quiz results didn't mention what kind they were. The quiz consists of a single question, namely what nuts are your favorite.
Cashews really ARE my favorite nut, although I do like most others, too.
"What kind of nut is your favorite, Mike?"
"Cashew."
"Gesundheit!"
Cashews really ARE my favorite nut, although I do like most others, too.
"What kind of nut is your favorite, Mike?"
"Cashew."
"Gesundheit!"
June 24, 2015
It Would Take a Big Bathtub, Though
Because it's primarily composed of gas, if you were able to put Saturn in water it would float.
Lightning Safety Game
An entertaining and educational quiz, Leon the Lion's Lightning Safety Game from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).
Guide Leon through the activities by alerting him whether is is SAFE or NOT SAFE during lightning.
IOW, you want Leon the Lion to look like this after each question:
And not this:
Guide Leon through the activities by alerting him whether is is SAFE or NOT SAFE during lightning.
IOW, you want Leon the Lion to look like this after each question:
June 23, 2015
June 22, 2015
Roast Mine Lightly, Please
Dark-roasted coffee has less caffeine than medium roast. Roasting coffee beans burns off caffeine.
June 21, 2015
The Story in Your Eyes - Justin Hayward
Not only is this one of my favorite MB tunes, it's one of my all-time favorite songs.
June 20, 2015
Tough Teddy
On October 14, 1912,
Theodore Roosevelt was shot, and then went on to give a 90 minute speech while covered in blood, the bullet still lodged in him.
June 19, 2015
Gettin' My Geek On
| You Are a Geek |
 You are a geek, but that doesn't mean anyone should stereotype you. All geeks are different. You have your own specific interests, lifestyle, and area of expertise. Other geeks may or may not share them. What makes you a geek is not what you're interested in, but that you have a genuine interest in it. It's likely you've been developing certain obsessions since childhood. And they haven't quelled now that you're an adult. You can be a geek about anything, but it's likely that you're at least a little into science fiction, technology, or gadgets. You know what you know and like, and you don't try to fake what you don't. If someone asks you a question about something you're interested in, you have a detailed response ready. |
Are You a Geek or a Hipster?
We had a similar quiz in here a while back, but with different options. I scored a little different on that one.
June 18, 2015
A # By Any Other Name
The pound symbol (#) is also called an octothorpe.
Over the last few years, however, it's been commonly referred to as a hashtag, a type of label or metadata tag used on social network and microblogging services which makes it easier for users to find messages with a specific theme or content. Users create and use hashtags by placing the hash character (or number sign) # in front of a word or unspaced phrase, either in the main text of a message or at the end. Searching for that hashtag will then present each message that has been tagged with it.
Due to its widespread use, 'hashtag' was added to the Oxford English Dictionary in June 2014. The term hashtag can also refer to the hash symbol itself when used in the context of a hashtag.
Over the last few years, however, it's been commonly referred to as a hashtag, a type of label or metadata tag used on social network and microblogging services which makes it easier for users to find messages with a specific theme or content. Users create and use hashtags by placing the hash character (or number sign) # in front of a word or unspaced phrase, either in the main text of a message or at the end. Searching for that hashtag will then present each message that has been tagged with it.
Due to its widespread use, 'hashtag' was added to the Oxford English Dictionary in June 2014. The term hashtag can also refer to the hash symbol itself when used in the context of a hashtag.
June 17, 2015
June 16, 2015
The Earth is Getting Heavier
Every year the Earth becomes about 12 tons (24,000 lbs.) heavier because of meteorites landing.
June 15, 2015
June 14, 2015
Herd of Goats
Well, I'm sure you've herd of goats, but if you haven't, you've at least seen them now...a LOT of them.
These are the "rent-a-goats" Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory uses to keep weeds and underbrush clear.
These are the "rent-a-goats" Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory uses to keep weeds and underbrush clear.
June 12, 2015
No Phone Home
Alexander Graham Bell, the inventor of the telephone, never phoned his wife or his mother. Why?
Answer between ( ) below.
( They were both deaf )
Answer between ( ) below.
( They were both deaf )
June 11, 2015
What Australian Animal Are You?
| You Are a Crocodile |
 You are fierce and strong. You go after any prey that is in your sights. You have a take charge personality, and you are quite dominant. You are not easily intimidated. It's likely that you've had to struggle for survival in your life. You've had to develop a very thick skin. You can be brutal, but you can also be tender. You tend to have two sides to your personality. |
If I had been a kangaroo, I'd have posted this video, but this one works just fine for these results:
June 10, 2015
A Person Loan
From the spam folder earlier today:
I'm going to apply, but I'm torn between borrowing a person to clean my house or one to mow my lawn. If my credit is good enough, I'll get both...just hope the payments aren't a killer. (or the person I borrow, come to think of it)
June 9, 2015
June 8, 2015
Word Hippo
From the website:
Find Similar or Opposite words at WordHippo!
Oh ... There's a bunch of other stuff you can do too.
Oh ... There's a bunch of other stuff you can do too.
June 7, 2015
June 6, 2015
D-Day, the 6th of June
Note: A "bump" from 2008.
All day today the History Channel had several programs (three, I think, repeated) on D-Day. It's one of the most important days of the 20th century and arguably the most important of the war. It's a wonder the death toll wasn't much higher, almost a "perfect storm" towards success.
Churchill had all hospitals emptied because he feared the worst and according to one program, told his wife before she went to bed that night that "when you wake up, 20,000 men may have died while you slept."
There was Ike's decision to postpone the invasion for one day and immediately after the landings, the weather turned impossible again, absolutely no chance of postponing it again.
There was something like 5000 bombers that dropped their bombs well inland, killing nothing but cows and scaring only French farmers out of their warm beds.
There was Rommel, taking off for his wife's birthday because he thought there was no way the allies would attack in such weather and low tides.
Hitler was asleep and no one else could give the order to move the Panzers forward.
The paratroopers were dropped all over the place, far from the intended drop zones....so many things that could've led to defeat.
The only thing I can attribute the ultimate victory to is the Hand of God.
I have a cartoon strip saved, but cannot find it to scan and post. I don't even remember what the normally funny and light-hearted strip was, but it was in '94, the 50th anniversary. A boy was asking his mother why the butcher looked so sad today and she told him he remembered his buddies who died that day 50 years ago and how he had to wade through their blood to get to the beach. To be honest, it made me tear up then and still does at this moment, thinking about all of those brave young men.
Do you remember then-President Clinton on Omaha Beach during the ceremony that year? That was when he was walking along the beach and when he saw the cameras on him, he quickly kneeled down in the sand and made a cross with some rocks. Whatever little respect I had left for him disappeared in that moment because I knew why he was doing it, not out of respect for the fallen, but merely for a photo-op.
I feel guilty bringing him up in a thread devoted to REAL heroes, God Bless them all.
God Bless US all.
All day today the History Channel had several programs (three, I think, repeated) on D-Day. It's one of the most important days of the 20th century and arguably the most important of the war. It's a wonder the death toll wasn't much higher, almost a "perfect storm" towards success.
Churchill had all hospitals emptied because he feared the worst and according to one program, told his wife before she went to bed that night that "when you wake up, 20,000 men may have died while you slept."
There was Ike's decision to postpone the invasion for one day and immediately after the landings, the weather turned impossible again, absolutely no chance of postponing it again.
There was something like 5000 bombers that dropped their bombs well inland, killing nothing but cows and scaring only French farmers out of their warm beds.
There was Rommel, taking off for his wife's birthday because he thought there was no way the allies would attack in such weather and low tides.
Hitler was asleep and no one else could give the order to move the Panzers forward.
The paratroopers were dropped all over the place, far from the intended drop zones....so many things that could've led to defeat.
The only thing I can attribute the ultimate victory to is the Hand of God.
I have a cartoon strip saved, but cannot find it to scan and post. I don't even remember what the normally funny and light-hearted strip was, but it was in '94, the 50th anniversary. A boy was asking his mother why the butcher looked so sad today and she told him he remembered his buddies who died that day 50 years ago and how he had to wade through their blood to get to the beach. To be honest, it made me tear up then and still does at this moment, thinking about all of those brave young men.
Do you remember then-President Clinton on Omaha Beach during the ceremony that year? That was when he was walking along the beach and when he saw the cameras on him, he quickly kneeled down in the sand and made a cross with some rocks. Whatever little respect I had left for him disappeared in that moment because I knew why he was doing it, not out of respect for the fallen, but merely for a photo-op.
I feel guilty bringing him up in a thread devoted to REAL heroes, God Bless them all.
God Bless US all.
June 5, 2015
What Color Grape Are You?
| You Are a Purple Grape |
 You are very independent minded and end up doing things that are quite original. You just think differently. You are definitely eccentric, but your strange ways haven't held you back in life. If anything, you are more competent than most people. You simply like to explore all options in life. Being open to the world makes you a very happy, healthy, and successful person. |
June 4, 2015
floccinaucinihilipilification
floccinaucinihilipilification noun [ flok-suh-hany-hil-uh-pil-uh-fi-key-shuhn]
Rare. the estimation of something as valueless (encountered mainly as an example of one of the longest words in the English language).
It's a good thing this word is rare, otherwise it would cost a fortune in printer's ink if it was used more often...which would make it worth a lot more.
June 3, 2015
Toughest Tongue Twister
According to the Guinness Book of World Records, "sixth sick sheik's sixth sheep's sick" is the toughest tongue twister in the English language.
Yes, it's certainly hard to say and is nonsensical to boot, but ya gotta admire the alliteration, huh? (the title of this post, too!)
Yes, it's certainly hard to say and is nonsensical to boot, but ya gotta admire the alliteration, huh? (the title of this post, too!)
A Strange Quiz
archives:
Schwartzenegger has a big one
Michael J. Fox has a small one
Madonna doesn't have one
The Pope has one but doesn't use his
Clinton uses his all the time
Lady GaGa's is Both
Mickey Mouse has an unusual one
George Burns' was hot
Liberace never used his on women
Jerry Seinfeld is very, very proud of his
We never saw Lucy use Desi's
What is it?
Hold down cursor and drag between ( ) for answer:
("A Last Name." )
Michael J. Fox has a small one
Madonna doesn't have one
The Pope has one but doesn't use his
Clinton uses his all the time
Lady GaGa's is Both
Mickey Mouse has an unusual one
George Burns' was hot
Liberace never used his on women
Jerry Seinfeld is very, very proud of his
We never saw Lucy use Desi's
What is it?
Hold down cursor and drag between ( ) for answer:
("A Last Name." )
June 2, 2015
June 1, 2015
What Major Human Emotion Are You?
| You Are Love |
 You truly love your friends, and you even have a special love for all of humanity. Other people mean a lot to you. You find it easy to express your feelings and get close to people. And while no friendship is perfect, you've mastered the art of forgiveness. You are affectionate and caring. Your love can be anywhere from platonic to passionate, but it's always strong. |
Which begs the question...
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