November 2010
44 posts
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“Attitude is a little thing that makes a big difference.”
– Sir Winston Churchill
Born today in 1874. Died April 9, 1963 aka Churchill Day
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WatchThe humble beginnings of Microsoft
By today in 1975, the program language BASIC for the Altair DIY computer kit had poised Bill Gates and his buddy Paul Allen to launch a software company. Microsoft was coined and attached to the company we know and love* today. “Software” being a relative term since programs were stored on strips of paper and produced output on, well, strips of...
tumblrbot asked: WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE INANIMATE OBJECT?
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WatchSaturday Night Fever even affects robots.
Check your temperature. If it is 38 degrees Celsius or higher today which is Saturday. And if you feel the need to boogie, then I’m afraid you have “Saturday Night Fever”. Many who had been exposed to the BeeGees were showing symptoms such as bell bottoms, wide collars, and the excessive need to do the hustle. John Travolta owned the...
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It's getting hot in here
The US may not put much emphasis on Anders Celsius birthday, but in 18th century Sweden, scientists were pretty important. The Celsius family was a lineup of astronomers, mathematicians, and professors. (a.k.a. nerds)
Andy developed reliable results measuring water’s consistent freezing and boiling point on a thermometer. The Celsius temperature scale, when he first developed it, had...
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All hatters went mad XD
Many hats were made of felt which was treated with mercury (Hg), a known nuerotoxin. The local haberdasher was unfortunately exposed to this day in and day out eventually damaging his brain.
In March, animals (especially bunnies) are unusually amorous. So, their mad-like behavior is for a purpose. But, this is a family friendly blog, so if you don’t understand this part, ask your parents.
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Curiouser and Curiouser
Charles Dodgson was his name, mathematics was his game. But all you know him for is penning a book under the name Lewis Carroll. He was not married but had a longstanding friendshhip with his colleague Henry Liddell and his family. Henry had three daughters and the youngest of which was named Alice.
Alice and her active imagination inspired Charles to combine a set of stories and ideas into a...
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WatchHistory lesson for today? I couldn’t have said it better myself.
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You need more irony
The NRA was founded today in 1871. Charlton Heston was still quite young at the time. They are known for their defense of the 2nd Amendment and being proponents of the safe use of guns. It was established in New York but the current headquarters are in Virginia.
Flash forward to today in 1963. Jack Ruby, a known affiliate of organized crime, happened to be wandering around Dallas’s...
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“A little nonsense now and then is relished by the wisest men.”
– Roald Dahl, Sept 13, 1916 - Today, 1990. Author of Charlie & the Chocolate Factory, The Fantastic Mr. Fox, The Golden Ticket, James and the Giant Peach, The BFG…
My hat is reverently removed. True creativity is sorely missed.
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The good, the bad, & the irony
The bad news: the arctic/antarctic cruise ship, M.S. Explorer*, struck an iceburg today in 2007. It sank within hours having sustained a significant gash in the hull. It cost the Toronto based company that owned it a big stack of toonies, eh.
The good news: 91 passengers and 63 crew made it onto life boats and were promptly and safely rescued. The ship had known many extreme voyages since...
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To infinity (sized paychecks) and beyond
Pixar has become a staple, family household name. Prior to 1995 though, most had never heard of it. Their first film, released exactly 15 years ago, was a huge success. Thanks, in part, to the Disney marketing and merchandizing machine. Not to belittle the excellent production, story, and innovation of the computer graphics that created “Toy Story”.
Here’s something you...
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By the way, that's not only a full moon you're... →
Legend 2 of 2
On a lighter note, America was treated to the best thing to come out of Australia since, um, things started coming out of Australia. The #1 chart topper for 6 weeks starting today in 1981 came from down under. Thanks to MTV, the “Let’s Get Physical” video for Olivia Newton John’s was a sight to behold for men and women alike. (That’s a nice way to say it made a lot...
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Legend 1 of 2
Depending on your age, you’ll remember Bill Bixby as Tim O’hara in “My Favorite Martian” or as Eddie’s father Tom in “The Courtship of Eddie’s Father”. Or if you are my age, you remember him as Dr. Bruce Banner, who made the show much more interesting when you got him mad. Finally he became a spokesperson for prostate cancer awareness in the early...
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Hubble: the Machine
Naturally, Edwin Hubble’s legacy influenced NASA’s decision to name the biggest, deepest field space based telescope in his honor. The Hubble Space Telescope (or HST for those of us in elite academic circles) launched in April 1990 aboard the STS-31, Discovery shuttle mission. And subsequently repaired a few times because of technical difficulties. $36 Million dollars doesn’t...
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Hubble: The Man
Today would be Mr. Edwin Hubble’s 121st birthday. Despite the fact that he died in 1953 at the age of 63. If you can’t quite recall why he is important, he is the guy who discovered the Doppler-like “Red shift” in galaxies. When observing extra-terrestrial phenomena, he observed that things shifted toward the red light spectrum. (That means they are moving away.) The...
Today is World (I'm not making this up!) Toilet...
“Truth is stranger than fiction, but it is because fiction is obliged to stick to possibilities; Truth isn’t.” - Mark Twain.
I’m not creative enough to come up with World Toilet Day so you know it has to be true (click for proof). The World Toilet Organization, the WTO, (also true, I promise) spans 58 countries spreading a message of cleaner facilities for all. Think...
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Grab your mask so we can play Calvinball
In honor of the anniversary of the release of Calvin & Hobbes in 1985, I’m going to declare some new rules. Stop what you are doing and make a sandwich. That’s how we’ll keep score today in Calvinball. No nets today, just bases. Sorry I’m having so much fun with this. I’m sad that Bill Watterson ended the strip in 1995.
Everyone knows the name John...
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Scared of heights? Don't swim here.
Another cool aspect of Victoria Falls: the Devil’s Pool. 8ft deep, hundreds of feet to the bottom. As a natural waterfall, it’s breathtaking. But as a swimming hole, it will really test your moxie. If you are really scared of heights, you might not want to even click play.
Swimming at Devils Pool in Victoria Falls from Dion Terry on Vimeo.
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'Found': 1 of the 7 natural wonders
Scottish missionary and doctor David Livingstone stumbled upon one of the wonders of the natural world today in 1855. If you can call a 4 year manned expedition ‘stumbling’. The natives called it the ‘smoke that thunders’. Livingstone quickly christened it ‘Victoria Falls’ in honor of the reigning queen.
By the numbers, this liquid landmark is well over a...
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Harry Potter and the Producer's Paycheck
Nine years ago today, an emerging legend took flight. The story of a boy prodigy crossed over from the literary world to the big screen in the first installment of “Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone”. We meet Harry as the character crosses over from the muggle world that we know, to a realm of magic and centuries old mystery.
Since the book swept shelves across the...
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Where's the beef?
The reason you have time to read this on your lunch break is because you ordered a #4 combo with, ironically, a diet soft drink. Thanks, Dave Thomas (rip 2002) for the drive-thru concept we know and need every day. Wendy’s may not be the biggest fast food chain (it’s #3), but it certainly has signature items you can’t get anywhere else. (Anyone else remember the salad bar?)
The...
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Doesn't matter if you're nerdy or not
I want to make this post about computer graphics. I want to talk about the emergence of the Photoshop, Adobe After Effects, and digital pictures and video. But nerdy ranting doesn’t interest most folks. But the ‘king of pop’ and one of the most innovative music videos ever produced, does.
Michael Jackson’s “Black or White” was simultaneously broadcast tonight...
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I have this tunnel for sale...
November 13
I wont belabor the London Bridge being in Arizona, just transfer the irony of the Holland Tunnel being in New York City. Technically it only starts in New York, goes under the Hudson River, and emerges in Jersey City. That’s where the running gag dies. Jersey City should be in Idaho for comedic effect, but it is, much to the dismay of its residents, in New Jersey.
Clifford...
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Happy Birthday Rolling Stone
November 9th
There are some magazines in which the articles aren’t really that important to the audience. But “Rolling Stone” is not one of them. As of today, after 43 years it has proven its appeal and staying power. Now it is unsurpassed advertising and insight for aspiring musicians or established legends with new work to display. The first cover showed John Lennon...
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A whole bunch of nothing
November 7th in
1972 - Nixon/Agnew defeated McGovern/Eagleton in the presidential election. But maybe that wasn’t such a good idea.
1805 - Lewis & Clark finally reach the Pacific Ocean. Only to find miles of backed-up traffic on I-5.
1932 - “Buck Rogers in the 25th Century” debuted on CBS radio and it lasted for 15 years. Fortunately, the TV show of the same name only...
When we found Neverland
November 6th
James Barrie was of modest Scottish stock and would have been a barely successful playwrite. You may never have known him had he not took a mentoring role to some fatherless boys in London at the turn of the 20th century. An active imagination, coupled with ongoing playtime sessions with young children lead to a unique and unusual bed time story. Tonight in 1905, “Peter...
Read this post AFTER lunch
November 3rd
‘Twas British royalty that brought you the PB&J you’re munching over your keyboard and mouse. Crunchy Jiff nd Smucker’s strawberry preserves for me. No substitutes!! Hot pastrami on marble rye, was it? (please not Oscar Mayer on wonder bread) John Montagu, specifically the 4th Earl of Sandwich, is rumored to be the inventor of this life altering creation.
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Felices Dia de los Muertos
November 2nd
This Latin American tradition ties it’s roots to indigenous Mexican populations in the late fall. It resembles the concept of Catholicism’s All Saints Day (yesterday) which spawned the pagan (et al.) tradition of All Hallowed Evening (the day before). Which is how it came to be today. Saints are reverently honored first. Those who ride coach are fondly remembered...
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