transpontine

transpontine trans·pon·tine[trans-pon-tin, -tahyn] adjective

1. across or beyond a bridge.
2. on the southern side of the Thames in London.

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I had never seen this word in print nor heard it used, but after seeing it I was reminded of something my sisters and I used to do on trips with our parents; we'd come to a bridge and we'd all hold our breath until we got to the other side.

I remember one particularly long bridge we crossed while on vacation and my oldest sister and I gave up and started breathing again before we passed out but my other sister acted like she was holding her breath all the way. She had her lips pursed tight and face scrunched up like it was painful but it was obvious she was breathing through her nose because her chest was moving. After we got to the other side, she "let out" the air with an explosive gasp and denied that she had cheated. 

Years later she got onto me for telling my nephews how I would do when I had to jump center in basketball against a much taller boy; right before the referee threw the ball up in the air, I'd step on the guy's foot. Sometimes I got away with it, other times I got a foul called against me. It irked me to have my sister criticize me about cheating when she cheated at a childhood game like holding your breath while crossing the bridge. Oh well.

Like most other kids, we did things like that to pass the time. We'd also hold our feet up when crossing railroad tracks and touch the roof of the car when going under an elevated railway crossing when a train was passing overhead.

I still do that last one!

There's Something Fishy

About these quiz results!

Don't get me wrong; I like fish sandwiches.  I've bought fish sticks and put them on a bun (hot dog, preferably), slathered it w/ tartar sauce and chowed down. (Aren't fish sticks the equivalent of a hot dog, anyway?  You really don't know what-all types of fish are in them)

That said, I am definitely not a fish burger.  I thought about getting a hamburger tonight after I went to the grocery store, but I always want fries w/ them and that many carbs are just not good for me.  Still, if I had to choose between a fish burger and a hamburger (cheeseburger!), I'd almost always opt for the hamburger. (with cheese!)  I guess if I had burgers every day for a week, I might want a change-of-pace and pick the fish burger, but straight up I'll choose the hamburger. (with cheese, please!)

You Are a Fish Burger

You tend to be a healthy eater, but not because you try so hard. You simply like a variety of interesting foods. You love flavor, spice, and interesting new creations. You may not consider yourself a foodie, but you are a very adventurous eater. You are an optimistic, good-humored person who loves to step outside your comfort zone. Normal is boring! You are curious about the world and other people. You live an open and expansive life that you're constantly adding to.

What Kind of Burger Are You?
 

Blogthings: 100's of Fun, Free Quizzes and 3 Stupid Ones

Shape Trace

Shape Trace is a maddeningly frustrating game, so much so I can't put the tag "fun" on this post.

You'll be shown a shape and then be asked to use your mouse to trace the outline:

The big trouble with that normally easy task is when you start, the shape disappears and you have to do the trace from memory:

That was my best effort, and it still wasn't good enough to move on to the next level. I'm not sure just what excuse I should offer up, because I'm not drunk nor am I hungover...maybe I should go get tested for Parkinsons? (seriously) It's not that I can't recall where the lip of the bowl was, it's that I cannot get my mouse to cooperate.

I never was much good with an Etch A Sketch®, either.

Play Shape Trace

A "bump" from 2009.

Christmas Presence (Part 2) - Simon's Cat

Cat v. Chicken

Sorry it's so huge of a file, but I thought it really funny.

misoneism

misoneism mis·o·ne·ism [mis-oh-nee-iz-uhm, mahy-soh-] noun

hatred or dislike of what is new or represents change.

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I wasn't familiar with this word, but definitely am familiar with the definition. I'm one of those people who resist change, but it's basically with websites or operating systems or the layouts of my favorite stores (especially when products I often buy are put somewhere else!).  When I get used to something, it's hard for me to change over to the new system...but I eventually do.  What annoys me the most is when I don't see the upside to the change and think that it's just change for changes sake.

I've never seen this term applied to them, but many conservatives get accused of a hatred of change, but in most cases, that's not true or deserved.  I can't speak for other conservatives, but as for me, I don't generally dislike the change after I get used to it, but I don't like things to be changed just to be changed.   If the change is good...and doesn't cost a ton of money...then I'm all for it.

If it ain't broke, don't fix it.   Dallas Cowboys, why in the world did you abandon the run when it was working so well?  The conservative approach was winning the ball game.

creepy

creepy – adjective, creepier, creepiest

1. having or causing a creeping sensation of the skin, as from horror or fear: a creepy ghost story.
2. that creeps: a creepy insect.
3. Slang. of, pertaining to, or characteristic of a person who is a creep; obnoxious; weird.

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This isn't the word of the day from our feed in the right-hand column. No, it's the first word that came to mind when I viewed the following video.

(and I was spot-on with the word I chose, according to the definitions)

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It's Lonely in My Skull

Not much in there besides some shallow thoughts.

You Live a Solitary Life

You love to be alone in quiet contemplation. If you are forced to socialize, you tend to be a wallflower. You like to focus more on fantasy than reality. You are concerned with what is possible not what is actual. You'd like to be remembered more for your work than who you are as a person. You want to make important contributions. In fact, you're the type of person who others may not understand until they have seen what you have created.

The Sugar Skull Test

Solitary Man - Neil Diamond

umbriferous

umbriferous um·brif·er·ous [uhm-brif-er-uhs] [uhm-brif-er-uhs] adjective

casting or making shade

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I've slimmed down quite a bit, but at one time I was umbriferous.

The Death Report

118,724 People

The Death Report

Let Her Go - Passenger

Grant's Gold Watch

In 1857, years before he was a general in the Civil War and long before becoming President, Ulysses S. Grant pawned his gold watch for $22 to buy Christmas gifts for his pregnant wife and their three children.

Read more about this and see a photocopy of the pawn ticket here.

I'm Ashamed To Be a Fan

I saw that posted on the Facebook and other Dallas Cowboy fan sites today after the blowout loss by the 'Boys Monday night against "da Bears".  I also saw "I'm embarrassed by them!"

I was disappointed, sure; a win would have kept them tied with the Eagles at the top of the division, but embarrassed?  Ashamed?  No, of course not.  I slept like a baby last night and only got annoyed today when turning to a sports show on TV or on the radio where I had to watch/listen to so-called experts who list all the things wrong with the team or what they would have done differently. 

Sure, it's easy to look back with 20-20 hindsight and say what should have been done, but if they're so smart, then why are they not coaching an NFL team instead of calling in to a radio or TV show (or hosting one) and griping? It's one thing to have a former player or coach critique the team's play, but for some schmuck on the couch to pretend to be an expert...well, that's too much.  Those armchair quarterbacks upset me more than how the Cowboys play.

Look, if you're ashamed of your team, then maybe it's time to root for another one;  I know I would.  Then again, I know I have absolutely nothing to do with the Cowboy's success OR failure.  Wearing a Dallas jersey and screaming at the TV doesn't help, no matter how loud you yell.

Embarrassed by the team?  Not me;  I get embarrassed when I accidentally pull out in front of someone while driving, or look down after I've been into a half dozen public places and see that my fly is unzipped.  (so THAT'S why people were giggling!) If you're embarrassed by one or more of your friends - who root for other teams - making fun of your team...well then, you really need new friends.  Both your and their priorities are in the wrong place.

I used to get upset when I was a kid and Dallas would lose...then again, I was 12 yrs. old and they were an important part of my life - along with many other things I now wonder why I set so much store in when I was that age.  I was immature, and I think that's the problem with a lot of these "ashamed" and "embarrassed" fans. 

Grow up.  It's just a game.  At the end of the season, only one team's fans will be happy, that's the way it works.   If you really want to be upset by games, then watch C-Span and the games our politicians play.  Now THAT'S something that should make you embarrassed and ashamed.

Christmas Presence - Simon's Cat

Breaking Bad Caricatures

I wish I could post one of these hilarious caricatures as an example, but I don't have permission, so just go to the site to view.


Breaking Bad characters as you’ve never seem them before

ochlophobia

ochlophobia och·lo·pho·bi·a[ok-luh-foh-bee-uh]
noun Psychiatry
an abnormal fear of crowds

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I don't know if it's to the point of "abnormal", but I definitely don't like crowds. Most of my fear stems from seeing both movies and real life video of crowds panicking and storming the exits, trampling over anyone who has the misfortune of falling down in front of the mass of people. Crowds also stink: body odor, flatulance, bad breath, too much hairspray or perfume...just thinking about it makes me gag.

Crowds are also the reason I haven't been to a pro ball game in years or a concert. Nah, just let me watch on TV.

I Want to Punch This Quiz

I take these quizzes and save them to a Notepad document to post later because I don't like to publish too many of them in a short space of time on the blog; I must have taken this one after participating in a political forum and been really annoyed. I generally only get aggressive when someone is aggressive to me first.

If I'm aggressive, it has to be George Bush's fault.

You Are Aggressive

Your anger and cynicism have morphed into something more extreme: aggression. You find it easy to be annoyed, and it's almost as easy for you to lose your temper. While it does feel good to get out a little low level anger now and then, aggression can be dangerous. If you can't control your temper, you could end up hurting yourself or someone else. Be careful!

Are You Cynical, Angry, or Aggressive?

Color Change

Did you know the ruby slippers worn by Dorothy in the 1939 movie The Wizard of Oz were originally silver in the book?

The Wikidrummer

Exploring the effects of reverberation

Ho Hey - The Lumineers

slumgullion

slumgullion slum·gul·lion [sluhm-guhl-yuhn, sluhm-guhl-] noun

1. a stew of meat, vegetables, potatoes, etc.
2. a beverage made weak or thin, as watery tea, coffee, or the like.
3. the refuse from processing whale carcasses.
4. a reddish, muddy deposit in mining sluices.

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I haven't heard this words in years and years; my pop used it every now 'n then when referring to my mom's goulash - which really wasn't a true goulash, more like beefaroni. (but much, much better) I don't remember if momma was offended by it, but pop was probably close in the choice of words. Slumgullion is what I call my own "throw everything left in the fridge into the crockpot" dishes, but I always meant it to be derogatory towards my own cooking.

Greenland, USA

Did you know the United States once tried to buy Greenland? From Wiki

Following World War II, the United States developed a geopolitical interest in Greenland, and in 1946 the United States offered to buy Greenland from Denmark for $100,000,000, but Denmark refused to sell. However, in 1950, Denmark did agree to allow the United States to reestablish Thule Air Base, which was greatly expanded between 1951 and 1953 as part of a unified NATO Cold War defense strategy.

It's Clear in the Mirror

Your Aura is Red

You have a high level of emotion. This can mean passion, but it can also mean rage. Usually, you don't take these emotions out on others. You just use them as motivation - and it works! The purpose of your life: embracing all the wonders of the life, lots of travels, and tons of adventures Famous reds include: Madonna, Marilyn Monroe, Jennifer Lopez Careers for you to try: Dancer, Boxer, Surgeon

What Color Is Your Aura?

 

Blogthings: 100's of Fun, Free Quizzes and 3 Stupid Ones

In case you aren't familiar with Auras, from Wiki: In parapsychology and many forms of spiritual practice, an aura is a field of subtle, luminous radiation surrounding a person or object (like the halo or aureola in religious art). The depiction of such an aura often connotes a person of particular power or holiness. Sometimes, however, it is said that all living things (including humans) and all objects manifest such an aura. Often it is held to be perceptible, whether spontaneously or with practice: such perception is at times linked with the third eye of Indian spirituality. Various writers associate various personality traits with the colors of different layers of the aura. It has also been described as a map of the thoughts and feelings surrounding a person.

Personally, I'm not much of a believer in this sort of thing. I was with a woman I was dating several years ago and just outside a video store we bumped into a former classmate of my big sister. Now, this woman was - to put it as politely as I can - pretty much a "space cadet". She claimed she had been contacted by aliens and was into all the New Age spirituality long before most of the rest of us in our small town had ever even heard of it.

I introduced my friend to this woman and immediately after the introduction, she told my date "Your aura is lovely." My friend took it in stride, thanked her and excused herself to go on into the store. I talked with the woman a while longer, catching up on what each other had been doing, discussed our families, then I asked her "What color is MY aura?"

"Oh, it's very dark, dark indeed, nearly black."

Hell, I couldn't see it but could've guessed that. I'm sure it always gets darker when I'm around crazy people.

Just In Case

You haven't had your daily dose of "cute".

I visit the Murray McMurray Hatchery website fairly often, subscribe to both their catalog mailings and their email newsletters and subscribe to their YouTube channel. 

I couldn't decide which video to use f/ this post, so I picked one w/ the most "unusual" looking chicks.  Hey, it was either chicks or their latest video, the EZ Plucker.

Smugopedia

From the website:

Smugopedia is a collection of slightly controversial opinions about a variety of subjects.

We offer you the chance to buy a fleeting sense of self-satisfaction at the small cost of alienating your friends and loved ones.

Smugopedia

Number Gossip

Enter a number and it will tell you everything you wanted to know about the number but were afraid to ask.

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I first used my old h.s. football number:

* The 61st Fibonacci number (2504730781961) is the smallest Fibonacci number which contains all the digits from 0 to 9
* 61 is the smallest multidigit prime p such that the sum of digits of pp is a square
* 61 is the smallest prime whose reversal is a square

I like the number 23:

# 23 is the smallest group of people where there is more than a 50% chance that 2 people will share the same birthday (day and month, not year)
# 23 is the smallest isolated prime, i.e., not an element of a set of twin primes
# 23 is the smallest prime whose reversal is a power: 32 = 25
# 23 is the only prime p such that p! is p digits long
# 23 is the least pandigital factorial, that is it contains all the digits 0 through 9 at least once
# 23 is the smallest prime p such that the ring of integers in the cyclotomic field of pth roots of unity does not have unique factorization

Believe it or not, but I knew that first bit of information (about the birthdays), having read it in an old "bar tricks" book I used to have. The rest of it, though....

Number Gossip

twain

twain [tweyn] adjective, noun
two

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Being a Kipling fan, I was familiar with the word because of his poem The Ballad of East and West with the oft-quoted first line:

Oh, East is East and West is West, and never the twain shall meet,
Till Earth and Sky stand presently at God's great Judgment Seat;
But there is neither East nor West, Border, nor Breed, nor Birth,
When two strong men stand face to face, though they come from the ends of the earth!

Other than that, I'm not sure it's a word used much these days, other than referring to "two" other Twains -  Mark and Shania.

We Found Love - Lindsey Stirling

First is Third

In the United States, First Street is the third most common street name, right after Second and Third Streets.  The next most common street names are Fourth, Park, Fifth, Main, Sixth, Oak and Seventh.