Links
Forbidden behavior with
chopsticks.
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List of the highest-paying occupations that require only on-the-job training and no degree.
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Logophilia, home of the Word Spy. This Web site and its associated mailing list are devoted to recently coined words, existing words that have enjoyed a recent renaissance, and older words that are being used in new ways.
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Things people said: Warning labels (thanks Brandon B.)
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Superstitions for days of the week.
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Make your very own online Spirograph.
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An illustrated guide to the art of manualism (otherwise known as "hand-farting")
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The 10,000 Year calendar.
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The 10
Most Stolen Cars
The Highway Loss Data Institute recently published its annual
most frequent theft claims among 1999 – 2001 models. The Acura Integra,
both in two-door and four-door style, topped the national list by recording
21.7 theft claims per 1,000 insured vehicles.
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The Origins and Evolution of Mountain Dew.
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The
Chickenhawk Database
A chickenhawk is a term often applied to public persons - generally
male - who (1) tend to advocate, or are fervent supporters of those
who advocate, military solutions to political problems, and who have
personally (2) declined to take advantage of a significant opportunity
to serve in uniform during wartime. You will be surprised who is on
this list
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Get a free copy of the U.S. Constitution.
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Autograh Signers: The 10 worst and best.
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What would happen if the Moon crashed into
the Earth?
Just the Facts Researchers have found there are 270 million people in China sharing just three surnames. The Li surname makes up 7.9% of the 1.3 billion population, while Wang accounts for 7.4% and Zhang 7.1%. A total of 87% of the country's population share only 100 surnames. The other popular names are Liu, Chen, Yang, Zhao, Huang, Zhou, Wu, Xu, Sun, Hu, Zhu, Gao, Lin, He, Guo and Ma. (Click here for more wisdom.)
July 17, 2002
Since 1982 the English Department at San Jose State University has sponsored the Bulwer-Lytton Fiction Contest, a whimsical literary competition that challenges entrants to compose the opening sentence to the worst of all possible novels. This year's winner:
On reflection, Angela perceived that her relationship with Tom had always been rocky, not quite a roller-coaster ride but more like when the toilet-paper roll gets a little squashed so it hangs crooked and every time you pull some off you can hear the rest going bumpity-bumpity in its holder until you go nuts and push it back into shape, a degree of annoyance that Angela had now almost attained.
Rephah Berg, Oakland, CA
July 15, 2002
There is a hit counter on my site which lets me know a litle bit about the origin of visitors like the country of origin and time zone. I got a hit from the Czech Republic today. Neat.
July 8, 2002
It's a small thing, but in Michigan, where I'm from, we call it "pop." Where I live now, Maryland, they call it "soda." To my ears, soda comes off as affected, where pop is much more friendly. Like asking a guest: "May I offer you a soda?" instead of: "Getcha pop?"
Although it really is a small thing, there is a national controversy brewing over the subject. In fact, there is even a website with a U.S. map detailing the locations where people call it soda or pop.
The great Pop vs. Soda Controversy
Appropos of nothing . . . (thanks Glenn L)
July 2, 2002
I like to eat my lunch in the park while I sit in my truck and read the paper. When I'm through, I wad the papers up, put them in the bag and find the trash bin. Rather than get out of the truck and deposit the trash into the bin ( which sets several feet back from the roadway) I toss the trash into the bin. Actually, it's kind of a sitting basketball shot. And it's left-handed.
All of which is fine unless I miss. Then, I have to put the truck in park, unbuckle the seatbelt, open the door, get out and deal with the trash. All in all it's better not to miss.
Plus, there is one more rule. I can't just drop the trash into the bin. No. I have to do an even harder shot to make up for the missed one. Like, maybe an around the back shot
Today was one of those days I missed. Maybe it was the heat (95 and real humid). Who knows? So, I got out, picked up the trash and did an around-the-back shot, with a generous amount of arc. Went right in.; dead-solid perfect.
Best of all, there was a guy sitting in his car behind me. He saw the whole thing. he had a big smile on his face and have me "two-stuff" sign which you get when you make a really good basket.
Sometimes, life's triumphs are small, but still infinitely satisfying.
The man who co-founded the company that introduced the world to the Frisbee, Hula Hoop and other pop icons, has died at the age of 77. Arthur "Spud" Melin started toy giant Wham-O with his childhood friend in 1948.
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