tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-66268527418731443012024-03-19T09:58:19.269-07:00Snooping AroundWELCOME TO ALL THE CURIOUS PEOPLE. Here you can find articles, facts and tales from all over the world. ONLY FOR REAL SNOOPERS.Gigi The Snooperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13037102870859309067noreply@blogger.comBlogger80125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6626852741873144301.post-70516379855116699112016-05-06T16:34:00.000-07:002016-05-06T16:34:11.188-07:00Random Facts About... The Eiffel Tower<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDvhopL9V853PiYKQYOJOGdBBxyybj8AKCYToyWeMlIJWIWEdWdY_HJTMdOJufp1DNpLV4eaC2qGNqeeQOmvF8aIjUl0pgtmO3c9gy8UUFLAx8Yeo059NHue16TVi3gujSKgpji6p_UuT2/s1600/parigi-cosa-vedere-Tour-Eiffel.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDvhopL9V853PiYKQYOJOGdBBxyybj8AKCYToyWeMlIJWIWEdWdY_HJTMdOJufp1DNpLV4eaC2qGNqeeQOmvF8aIjUl0pgtmO3c9gy8UUFLAx8Yeo059NHue16TVi3gujSKgpji6p_UuT2/s400/parigi-cosa-vedere-Tour-Eiffel.jpg" width="400" /></a><span lang="EN-US">Whether you're lucky enough to have visited Paris or have only ever
dreamed of going there, there’s no doubt you could all recognize <b>the iconic
Parisian symbol: The Eiffel Tower. </b>These random facts will prove to you <b>this
poor construction has been through all sort of things</b>…and some of them are
quite weird.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYwLH76fdr68A_h4JdiFVIZjqYj9Bqrz47tGvMMmSue46N3_fq6eupm0tly2hPJjm82mw9Bva1eEhNONkGEg9c2R7oUjVOdV7KGuPZ0O_OTgHbg_pfSeVpRPg5IiuS8LD1HhlnaKWYaPIx/s1600/eiffeltower-anselmeduphoto.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="172" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYwLH76fdr68A_h4JdiFVIZjqYj9Bqrz47tGvMMmSue46N3_fq6eupm0tly2hPJjm82mw9Bva1eEhNONkGEg9c2R7oUjVOdV7KGuPZ0O_OTgHbg_pfSeVpRPg5IiuS8LD1HhlnaKWYaPIx/s400/eiffeltower-anselmeduphoto.jpg" width="400" /></a><b>1.</b> The Eiffel Tower was built for the 1889 Paris Exposition and was not intended to be permanent.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>2.</b> The Eiffel Tower was going to be demolished in 1909, but was saved because it was repurposed as a giant radio antenna. And in 1913, the tower transmitted a signal all the way to Washington DC. The Tower is also a huge lightning rod.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqHKzzKoM39YlcIUAQ88iS0s1gMEreRMDrgCpM_pGXDrYvj5qwYmilrY2__DIldyQ60nCM83miW0jjCXv2uFJNux1MLOWuiF3lVwB8vy88rqLL0wBc7hdewXc-GLS4ODpCsS1IOnzRHVAU/s1600/73b112fe80406a022158e12c17ca4f91.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqHKzzKoM39YlcIUAQ88iS0s1gMEreRMDrgCpM_pGXDrYvj5qwYmilrY2__DIldyQ60nCM83miW0jjCXv2uFJNux1MLOWuiF3lVwB8vy88rqLL0wBc7hdewXc-GLS4ODpCsS1IOnzRHVAU/s400/73b112fe80406a022158e12c17ca4f91.jpg" width="227" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>3.</b> Gustave Eiffel used latticed wrought iron to construct the tower to demonstrate that the metal could be as strong as stone while being lighter.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div>
<div>
<b>4.</b> Con artist Victor Lustig "sold" the Eiffel Tower to a scrap metal dealer. Victor was a notorious scammer who “sold” the Tower even twice. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<b>5.</b> The Eiffel Tower was originally intended for Barcelona, Spain, but the project was rejected.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<b>6.</b> Because it’s made of wrought iron, the height of the Eiffel Tower varies by 5.9 inches (15 cm) due to temperature changes.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<b>7.</b> Inventor Franz Reichelt died by jumping from the Eiffel Tower while testing a parachute of his own design.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<b>8. </b>1,665 steps are needed to climb all the way to the top of the Eiffel Tower.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<b>9.</b> A woman named Erika "married" the Eiffel Tower in a commitment ceremony in 2007. Now her name is Erika Eiffel.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmokFOlRXHEwgqge_pqFEm9MXlk7uoYLSSjEUmNMY16YscgZCCQxPNxaMxZFa1CMSpvwjOfMMma9MuGoxcm8iHly-NBrrTetCLcLsdLJFQBDP1_3Ocwb7yLSd7QBRCBNojG4QRepYIyOhE/s1600/vintage-eiffel-tower-tumblr-photography-wallpaper-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="250" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmokFOlRXHEwgqge_pqFEm9MXlk7uoYLSSjEUmNMY16YscgZCCQxPNxaMxZFa1CMSpvwjOfMMma9MuGoxcm8iHly-NBrrTetCLcLsdLJFQBDP1_3Ocwb7yLSd7QBRCBNojG4QRepYIyOhE/s400/vintage-eiffel-tower-tumblr-photography-wallpaper-1.jpg" width="400" /></a><b>10.</b> There is a race called “Vertical” that determines the best climbers of the Eiffel Tower.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<b>11.</b> There are over 30 replicas of the Eiffel Tower around the world. The most known can be found in Las Vegas.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<b>12.</b> The paint on the Eiffel Tower weighs 50/60 tonnes, as much as 10 elephants.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<b>13.</b> Gustave Eiffel had an apartment for himself at the top of the Eiffel Tower.</div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigTqLg-pensMeYvhl4JqIgHBKeoewDeg_qXLyLt6TnC6TWiTBGfkIF74l02Tiz_69PwU3wFV6ACXncekWCPX3UBWQmUFWmeIff7PUYJgd_29kiZacxQpcKBj8a7sAdlAyWFvgChxyj2wjv/s1600/Watkins-Tower.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigTqLg-pensMeYvhl4JqIgHBKeoewDeg_qXLyLt6TnC6TWiTBGfkIF74l02Tiz_69PwU3wFV6ACXncekWCPX3UBWQmUFWmeIff7PUYJgd_29kiZacxQpcKBj8a7sAdlAyWFvgChxyj2wjv/s320/Watkins-Tower.jpg" width="179" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The project of the Watkin's Tower</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<b>14.</b> In 1891, London built a structure designed to surpass the Eiffel Tower in height. It was unsteady, never completed and demolished in 1907. The ambitious structure was built on the site of Watkin’s Tower.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<b>15.</b> Gustave Eiffel, the man who designed the Eiffel Tower, was also behind the design for the Statue of Liberty's internal frame.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<b>16.</b> At the time of its construction, the Eiffel Tower was the tallest building in the world.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<b>17. </b>300 workers, 18,038 pieces of wrought iron and 2.5 million rivets were needed to build the Eiffel Tower.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<b>18.</b> If the Eiffel Tower was built today, it would cost about 31 million US dollars.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<b>19.</b> The Eiffel Tower was almost temporarily relocated to Canada in 1967. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEium9eIGedmtA6fikJEfwLxhTWIa6SVT5cYT_aI9x6KbnEAAMrjH2pupWN8NNFZ1WYN2N_3nx409TazpqIInAYKTERhfakiX3lu24TCxDbb9tfgrHNvv8akzV4bsg0j0XNn3D4hLHcdVySo/s1600/kyo2p.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEium9eIGedmtA6fikJEfwLxhTWIa6SVT5cYT_aI9x6KbnEAAMrjH2pupWN8NNFZ1WYN2N_3nx409TazpqIInAYKTERhfakiX3lu24TCxDbb9tfgrHNvv8akzV4bsg0j0XNn3D4hLHcdVySo/s320/kyo2p.jpg" width="211" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Tower during the Nazi occupation<br />
(1940)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
<b>20.</b> During WWII, when Hitler visited Paris, the French deactivated the lifts on the Eiffel Tower so that Hitler would have to use the stairs if he wanted to reach the top. The lifts were repaired only in 1946. During the Nazi occupation the tower was closed for public.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<b>21.</b> A woman tried to commit suicide from the Eiffel Tower, landed on a car and later married the person who owned the car. Unfortunately such a happy ending is a rare thing, the Eiffel tower has one of the the highest suicide rates , which is 17.5 per 1000 people.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<b>22. </b>A man once tried to blow up the Eiffel Tower because its light was shining into his bedroom, keeping him awake at night. Ivan Chtcheglov was planning to use dynamite stolen from some construction site, luckily he was arrested and committed to a mental hospital by his spouse.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<b>23. </b>The Eiffel Tower in Paris has a light show that runs for 5 minutes every hour, every night, until dawn.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUNb20CLF0lNJ5ThodV502rbTTj3U6jEgj_Vwhzgo0TA5u5ArAnkY-3HF3pgRKFAnnvKUdSEC4ThicxdOPv4ucCoO3VCyFF1q333jYHTi2Kw2rthdDf7h1Y8TqzSiuKA2R6RLUojsJZYaz/s1600/4509732283_81e4a199ee_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUNb20CLF0lNJ5ThodV502rbTTj3U6jEgj_Vwhzgo0TA5u5ArAnkY-3HF3pgRKFAnnvKUdSEC4ThicxdOPv4ucCoO3VCyFF1q333jYHTi2Kw2rthdDf7h1Y8TqzSiuKA2R6RLUojsJZYaz/s400/4509732283_81e4a199ee_b.jpg" width="400" /></a><b>24. </b>The Eiffel Tower was originally painted red. It appeared in red color in the center of Paris in 1889.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<b>25. </b>The tower is painted a lighter shade at the bottom and a darker shade near the top to counteract the effect of atmospheric perspective.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<b>26.</b> Gustave Eiffel engraved on the tower the names of 72 French scientists, physicians, chemists, engineers and mathematicians in recognition of their contributions to science.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Now, if you're planning to go seeing this amazing tower, you'll also see all the bizzarre things that happened during its life. <b>Bonne chance et ne jamais cesser de fouiner.</b></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
</div>
Gigi The Snooperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13037102870859309067noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6626852741873144301.post-52306444705762294842016-03-18T04:28:00.000-07:002016-03-18T04:28:26.064-07:00Urban Legends - Did Unicorns Ever Exist?<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiNnvmzOTfMvi_2AYjZ6R_33p_SMz4pRtos9D5Sjt9n9HlVS-BiU6CKm9APFG2rh6giWjOc0H7rIbhdXB0IHfu64SawzW107jbXGZnoNWbDZb1nG6aVmTAMS5T340ZHr-6C3pCNthNyl3a/s1600/288281.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="250" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiNnvmzOTfMvi_2AYjZ6R_33p_SMz4pRtos9D5Sjt9n9HlVS-BiU6CKm9APFG2rh6giWjOc0H7rIbhdXB0IHfu64SawzW107jbXGZnoNWbDZb1nG6aVmTAMS5T340ZHr-6C3pCNthNyl3a/s400/288281.jpg" width="400" /></a><span lang="EN-US"><b>Unicorns
are such pure, beautiful and mysterious creatures.</b> These mythical horses with a
single spiraling horn protruding from the forehead have continuously populated
legends and magical myths all over the world. Everything has been said about
them. Somebody says there’s a strange healing power enclosed in the horn, others
say they can actually fly without having wings. <b>Everybody says they’re
immortal.</b> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">When the
cultural beliefs about the magical creature were exploding , a “unicorn horn”
was literally <b>worth 10 times its weight in gold.</b> Pharmacies in London sold
powdered unicorn horn as late as 1741.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_w2XZV3QSxkef3kkcCdGY_cPvfs1zHnKjHLr2JLOPW3QuenAeE_4Giw3d2neOkGiw2nkJ9Ydaq_f_DFjMBc88JsFffap9GwLx-Tt28MOa0r8AFHpzE4w0mxHkN3As-leMC5EurS4vDb8R/s1600/lascauxunicornsm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="247" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_w2XZV3QSxkef3kkcCdGY_cPvfs1zHnKjHLr2JLOPW3QuenAeE_4Giw3d2neOkGiw2nkJ9Ydaq_f_DFjMBc88JsFffap9GwLx-Tt28MOa0r8AFHpzE4w0mxHkN3As-leMC5EurS4vDb8R/s320/lascauxunicornsm.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The unicorn of the Lascaux Caves, France</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><b>But despite
being very well known, nobody has actually seen a living one grazing on the neighbors’
lawn.</b> These magical horses have been discussed in religious texts, travel
observations, and even ancient academic papers. But the real question is: <b>Did
unicorns, at one point in time, actually exist? And If they didn’t, where did
the legend come from?</b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">The first
ever known depiction of a unicorn is said to be found in the ancient <b>Lascaux
Caves in France, but this should be classified as a misconception.</b> These
drawings date back to 15,000 BCE. Lots of researchers were surprised to see an
animal with only one horn, claiming the discovery of an ancient “unicorn”. Until
they realized that the so-called unicorn had two horns, drawn confusingly close
together. More likely, the drawing depicts some sort of bull or antelope.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaaUps83SPZgpt6SS9RxuKCAFJPeAkccTFELDXi08tPzFhRaM3bZoa1PIWCj_tnM_EH3k7rbdR1Y88ijKTlstf2jh0b4oIVqeEMiJV3PddqUfvfOr0D_FrH5ucxQs08BNngzSvVwbGR-2H/s1600/8db9f6e5788df9f4ee277d52ba289a59.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaaUps83SPZgpt6SS9RxuKCAFJPeAkccTFELDXi08tPzFhRaM3bZoa1PIWCj_tnM_EH3k7rbdR1Y88ijKTlstf2jh0b4oIVqeEMiJV3PddqUfvfOr0D_FrH5ucxQs08BNngzSvVwbGR-2H/s320/8db9f6e5788df9f4ee277d52ba289a59.jpg" width="232" /></a><span lang="EN-US"><b>The first
written description of a unicorn in Western literature comes from the Greek physician
and historian Ctesias in the 4th century BCE.</b> While he was traveling through
Persia (what is now named Iran), he heard tales of a single-horned “wild ass” wandering
around the eastern part of the world from fellow travelers. In his writings (found
in Odell Shepard’s 1930 research manual called “Lore of the Unicorn”), Ctesias minutely
described these creatures as <b>“large as horses” with white bodies, red heads and
blue eyes.</b> Ctesias depicted the horn as multi-colored (precisely red at the
tip, black in the middle and white at the base) and about a foot and half in
length. They were so fast and powerful, claimed Ctesias, that “no creature,
neither the horse or any other, could overtake it”. According to Time
Magazine’s article “A Brief History of Unicorns,” <b>it was likely Ctesias never actually
saw this creature himself, but rather combined the portrayals that his foreign
friends told him.</b> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix0M5DPfk8SedIgYqGQxdxONW6R2eNrYQsuAnBuFnW85qoP1umdYw1Wn5jxguJNx_50M907onPs6gDXniWHsAYkzHkgZbysxeaffSewPL49kiQnyNaqrf4cI_ds_XUuoDYmC3FiM4EeHF-/s1600/Elasm062.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix0M5DPfk8SedIgYqGQxdxONW6R2eNrYQsuAnBuFnW85qoP1umdYw1Wn5jxguJNx_50M907onPs6gDXniWHsAYkzHkgZbysxeaffSewPL49kiQnyNaqrf4cI_ds_XUuoDYmC3FiM4EeHF-/s400/Elasm062.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Is this what Marco Polo saw ?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><b>Talking
about actual unicorns sightings, there’s a funny story about Marco Polo.</b> In his
travels, he stumbled across unicorns and this is what he said about them:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span lang="EN-US">“…scarcely smaller than elephants. They have
the hair of a buffalo and feet like an elephant’s. They have a single large
black horn in the middle of the forehead… They have a head like a wild boar’s…
They spend their time by preference wallowing in mud and slime. They are very
ugly brutes to look at. They are not at all such as we describe them when we
relate that they let themselves be captured by virgins, but clean contrary to
our notions”.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzkteHSxLr1YetKh_adRhU5socmYycX7aGo00THVbTw5ZtFQ4mvhc8zu04uOA7VF3SMvmh4KNM7MdUgiiB-V23WpQNLNbFfxyALFDxGmZM2ly5JyJuIjeg4sr0MTYrYDifO_5E5o9Ew4rM/s1600/download.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="203" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzkteHSxLr1YetKh_adRhU5socmYycX7aGo00THVbTw5ZtFQ4mvhc8zu04uOA7VF3SMvmh4KNM7MdUgiiB-V23WpQNLNbFfxyALFDxGmZM2ly5JyJuIjeg4sr0MTYrYDifO_5E5o9Ew4rM/s320/download.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nothing is impossible...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span lang="EN-US"></span></i><br />
<i><span lang="EN-US"></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><b>That day he
saw a rhino.</b> In fact, a lot of the sightings of unicorns are relatable with
these “not so beautiful” animals (Even Genghis Khan decided not to conquer
India after meeting a “unicorn”, which bowed down to him). And this funny
mistake has been adopted by modern science, <b>giving rhinos the scientific name
of </b><i><b>Rhinoceros unicornis.</b><o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><i><br /></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">The unicorn
is even mentioned in the King James version of the Bible <b>nine times.</b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<i><span lang="EN-US">“God brought them out
of Egypt; he hath as it were the strength of an unicorn”<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<i><span lang="EN-US">“Save me from the
lion’s mouth; for thou hast heard me from the horns of unicorns”<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<i><span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></i></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMRdKcI3IgMi2wditGdJU6uAl83jj7-99sSFKeWowVf6vj4bRjucQz_Tca-oCGUyQUBYsKb4wQteUwzPMexGL2l3OvNCgka3X7G41IYdSOSLmmeTbYTZ2PwfZ8Mu7Iw9jKqa9EX31NuiQU/s1600/ox-picture.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="108" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMRdKcI3IgMi2wditGdJU6uAl83jj7-99sSFKeWowVf6vj4bRjucQz_Tca-oCGUyQUBYsKb4wQteUwzPMexGL2l3OvNCgka3X7G41IYdSOSLmmeTbYTZ2PwfZ8Mu7Iw9jKqa9EX31NuiQU/s200/ox-picture.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">An ox</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ_kbL7hP9gdc7TwxkwLuBmL-d0uhnlkcPxYJ3tb6yCG2hDn-7Q-c4iSkRcixhDu-M3J8MKoVvLZ9u76YREXRwW4AffAY-oieY9ZNon14toe4kPcGszKQFd0qnU0pol4crX2QQgCylWwxb/s1600/59.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="195" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ_kbL7hP9gdc7TwxkwLuBmL-d0uhnlkcPxYJ3tb6yCG2hDn-7Q-c4iSkRcixhDu-M3J8MKoVvLZ9u76YREXRwW4AffAY-oieY9ZNon14toe4kPcGszKQFd0qnU0pol4crX2QQgCylWwxb/s200/59.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">An Oryx</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">are just two of the unicorn-themed lines in
this version of the Bible. <b>But this is probably due to a simple mistranslation.</b><i> </i>In fact, in the Torah (the Hebrew Bible),
there are references to a creature named “<i>re’em</i>”.
Researchers believe <b>“<i>re’em</i>” were a
now-extinct type of wild ox or, potentially, the now endangered, but still
existing, Arabian Oryx.</b><i> </i>The book
doesn’t specifically talk about one single horn, but translators were more
familiar with Mesopotamian depictions of these animals, drawn as profiles in
which only one horn is visible. So, when the Old Testament was translated to
Greek, these creatures took on the word “<i>monokeros</i>”,
meaning one-horned. Then, in the Latin Bible, this became “<i>unicornos</i>” and then <b>“unicorn” into the modern English translation.</b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEGXM_ie5wSHV77hrRY2sdR0zrJxFpYuuYFU91sK4N_pESWC_jOTNtIC85cq3FjL9KNyzL_7ayqf9PGUjCG6SGZR2FFxzLd1pxbQbAcTEBxZ3YXgRrIfA7G1nHo5K3RWfjPKkcapysIqlb/s1600/MID_232820_Paul_Nicklen_NAtional_GEographic_Stock_WWF_Canada.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEGXM_ie5wSHV77hrRY2sdR0zrJxFpYuuYFU91sK4N_pESWC_jOTNtIC85cq3FjL9KNyzL_7ayqf9PGUjCG6SGZR2FFxzLd1pxbQbAcTEBxZ3YXgRrIfA7G1nHo5K3RWfjPKkcapysIqlb/s400/MID_232820_Paul_Nicklen_NAtional_GEographic_Stock_WWF_Canada.jpg" width="400" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4JmnhyIJzNBAEY2KLAn5wqMZ_w9zio4kuHpJfpdCj7cxKPhmMGSGbBR6vGYCoBfGoO1hNzI_6BaRlFgDnk_7-fY72XB5oteJD0obGecDK60buvK1kSHS96Fur2LiYz7GKJ7lPYI6J9FKr/s1600/narwhal_tooth.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4JmnhyIJzNBAEY2KLAn5wqMZ_w9zio4kuHpJfpdCj7cxKPhmMGSGbBR6vGYCoBfGoO1hNzI_6BaRlFgDnk_7-fY72XB5oteJD0obGecDK60buvK1kSHS96Fur2LiYz7GKJ7lPYI6J9FKr/s400/narwhal_tooth.jpg" width="400" /></a><span lang="EN-US"><b>And no let’s
talk about Narwhals, unicorns’ cousins.</b> Some of the most die-hard unicorn
believers think the <b>narwhal is the missing link that can lead to the ancient existence
of their beloved creatures.</b> But there’s so little in common between unicorns
and narwhals. The narwhal is a member of the whale/porpoise family and owns a
single horn <b>(that is actually a tooth) </b>located in the middle of the forehead.
<b>This tooth is used during mating and to create holes in the ice of the cold
waters of the Canadian Arctic and Greenland they often live in.</b> These unicorn
supporters speculate that unicorns, being threaten on land by hunters and those
wishing to do them harm, took the sea and evolved into the narwhal. However,
without a minimal connection with the horse morphology and DNA, this kind of evolution is extremely improbable.
In fact, <b>narwhals are actually much closer to beluga whales, dolphins, and
porpoises than horses in terms of DNA.</b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkUsHdTLRFxLi225uA1ZyY6FBUnr_dLSO6sh7lqdRUXRBud8GTo3Gvuepvs_600OPBY0-hPIZAEBaVWLT0hABm3heWHaVoq1PNpiV5346tFi07mGNPkJJwqQCxAm9nCRXZG9_B6FRAv4z5/s1600/864d3bd16a6e396c83af93afca77eaf1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="157" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkUsHdTLRFxLi225uA1ZyY6FBUnr_dLSO6sh7lqdRUXRBud8GTo3Gvuepvs_600OPBY0-hPIZAEBaVWLT0hABm3heWHaVoq1PNpiV5346tFi07mGNPkJJwqQCxAm9nCRXZG9_B6FRAv4z5/s400/864d3bd16a6e396c83af93afca77eaf1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">Howwever, the legend
that unicorn horns could counteract poison and purify water destroyed narwhal
populations, as the single tooth of the whale’s was sold as a popular
counterfeit. <b>The Throne Chair of Denmark was also made of narwhal horns.</b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><b>All of this
evidence seems to point to that unicorns, unfortunately for us, never actually
existed.</b> More likely, the unicorn could be seen as a mixture of all the real
animals we’ve seen so far. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkLTWDiiK-hupjvG-F7pBuod9rkqASWiV2_Uo1FNY_7zHKUk-M0_DYPBJaJMGQoJ5V0rBF-6GOM2JZ7eGOIN-NDm3tfJV6xkgtDb6GvVzJc99gZO2D2TSg1WcuEdhpmsIN2OnZxH7b9Vnj/s1600/UQL.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="248" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkLTWDiiK-hupjvG-F7pBuod9rkqASWiV2_Uo1FNY_7zHKUk-M0_DYPBJaJMGQoJ5V0rBF-6GOM2JZ7eGOIN-NDm3tfJV6xkgtDb6GvVzJc99gZO2D2TSg1WcuEdhpmsIN2OnZxH7b9Vnj/s400/UQL.png" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><b>But don’t be
sad, cause I have wonderful news for you.</b> If you still think the unicorn is
real (like I do), there is a place for you: Lake Superior State University in
Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan. In 1971, the college created a group dedicated to
the staking out and hunting of these mythical creatures called “the Unicorn
Hunters”. Though the group disbanded in 1987, <b>you can still have a Unicorn
Questing license on the university’s website.</b> <b>The PDF is downloadable here: <a href="http://www.lssu.edu/banished/uh_license.php">http://www.lssu.edu/banished/uh_license.php</a></b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>I already
have mine and my life is complete. Don’t care what people say. Now I have the License.
And so do you…</b></div>
Gigi The Snooperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13037102870859309067noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6626852741873144301.post-68746901088973073652016-02-17T10:28:00.000-08:002016-02-17T10:28:22.748-08:00Did you know the Origin of the Male and Female Symbols?<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZdDDqM-Ig52mue73zg8G57Hgyeb-uHNIwIwR7PMXip76o2R0KLBgl1A71SOuyWxi13Cy4Lsd0M3un0Qn0OH6zYhriOvql9XvL7A1Ohl96vE3EcWA9QJ0TH_UWeYCgVObdLHGVR_89Emwj/s1600/female-and-male-signs-on-the-ground-with-crayons-wallpaper_3693.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="250" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZdDDqM-Ig52mue73zg8G57Hgyeb-uHNIwIwR7PMXip76o2R0KLBgl1A71SOuyWxi13Cy4Lsd0M3un0Qn0OH6zYhriOvql9XvL7A1Ohl96vE3EcWA9QJ0TH_UWeYCgVObdLHGVR_89Emwj/s400/female-and-male-signs-on-the-ground-with-crayons-wallpaper_3693.jpg" width="400" /></a><b>Males and females are completely different, that’s for sure! </b>But have you ever wondered why the classical symbols the genders are drawn like they are.<br />
<br />
<b>These two little symbols, despite being very simple and recognizable, have a lot of meaning and correlations with planets and metals. </b>Both these associations started at the beginning of civilization. The ancients, after observing how planets and stars, like the Sun, were moving across the universe, they found out <b>there was a causal relationship</b> between those movements and corresponding changes in events on our planet.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvYxmSWA94uyZFl2KGW1P9Z8zz3uQleU1Rc1eN67kiFBseVlXCWI8FKS3QyXcCQrNNGE_D0ONHG2eqX530KDi0ID8r76Cf2QFJhLPZb8pz7ih0wHvb0gJIFCI1Q6J0dWwDizw0WUwRrpat/s1600/88671.adapt.768.1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvYxmSWA94uyZFl2KGW1P9Z8zz3uQleU1Rc1eN67kiFBseVlXCWI8FKS3QyXcCQrNNGE_D0ONHG2eqX530KDi0ID8r76Cf2QFJhLPZb8pz7ih0wHvb0gJIFCI1Q6J0dWwDizw0WUwRrpat/s400/88671.adapt.768.1.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Venus (on the left) and Mars (on the right)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Logically, then, ancient scholars began to study heavenly bodies in order to predict future. <b>They also started to associate different planets with their gods. </b>The most common are Mercury, Venus, Mars, Zeus (Jupiter) and Cronus (Saturn).<br />
<br />
<b>Each planet, along with the respective god, was also associated with a particular metal.</b> For example, the Sun (Helios) was associated with gold. And also the two planets Mars and Venus (Men Are from Mars, Women Are from Venus) had a representative metal. Mars (in Greek, Thouros) was associated with Iron, the hard metal used to make weapons that can turn red in form of rust.On the other hand, Venus (in Greek, Phosphorus) as associated with Copper, a softer metal that can turn green as rust.<br />
<br />
Just like we do today with the periodic table, <b>the Greeks would refer to these metals,</b> using the name of the god they’re associated with,<b> using a combination of letters.</b> After a while, also a little shorthand was made. Talking about Mars (Thouros) and Venus (Phosphorus):<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIMuL_02JncWrpiwav9d-ExuJu6rnKbydvAI78BzmO4gdzIu241QcURjc4HMGQr7Nwr8BNzaYduDCKczUdtLcZB7XtK7oZmoxbk7ZRR6V_zuNmbrQvmcD5M7sz5YonnBxojZIKfxOxKLtS/s1600/symbols1.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIMuL_02JncWrpiwav9d-ExuJu6rnKbydvAI78BzmO4gdzIu241QcURjc4HMGQr7Nwr8BNzaYduDCKczUdtLcZB7XtK7oZmoxbk7ZRR6V_zuNmbrQvmcD5M7sz5YonnBxojZIKfxOxKLtS/s1600/symbols1.png" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
…and, as you can see, <b>the shorthand began to change slightly again and again through the centuries</b>, becoming the symbols we all know today. So, men and women are different but still connected by the stars. <b>Have a good Life and Never Stop Snooping Around :)</b>Gigi The Snooperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13037102870859309067noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6626852741873144301.post-73038218576550620372015-12-31T08:54:00.000-08:002015-12-31T08:54:27.494-08:00Happy New Year - A Christmas Carol TAG<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlFNtbCoL8fVY4HL_IXT0wvwvgOZEIgMipjBaWsHjwC8pEVSap5S0I7Fy3Ie1pqn_qiZmMJRPPOtP_8K3ZQzREVkRm5xzJFlyeecRJINMTE6BWh8mQ_cKH4fcTIXtlZea2XJnuNKKQL_uQ/s1600/XmasCarol2.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlFNtbCoL8fVY4HL_IXT0wvwvgOZEIgMipjBaWsHjwC8pEVSap5S0I7Fy3Ie1pqn_qiZmMJRPPOtP_8K3ZQzREVkRm5xzJFlyeecRJINMTE6BWh8mQ_cKH4fcTIXtlZea2XJnuNKKQL_uQ/s320/XmasCarol2.gif" width="320" /></a><span lang="EN-US"><b>Surely you
all know “A Christmas Carol”, the traditional Charles Dickens tale</b> that tells
the story of an old man named Ebenezer Scrooge, obsessed only with money and
without any sense of holiday, altruism or kindness, and how <b>the visit of three
spirits taught him the true meaning of Christmas.</b> Since it’s one of those “must”
traditions, I was watching one of the movie transpositions of the novel, and I
got an idea. <b>Why not sharing with you some aspects of my past, present and future
life,</b> with maybe getting rid of some of my heavy heart? No one has ever thought
about this before, and so I present it to you for the first time ever. <b>This is “A
Christmas Carol Tag”.</b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"></span><br />
<span lang="EN-US"></span></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghy2nifKD58rpoicx3ukClI7tWtJd0jKXlM6IurfeouJaDaINvX_TQUtE38i-yCT6tQfpjIduh_hGrGrIEmM5zUZVNipU9Y76eB7CEr7wzlmvYdTqyUcYQBsuFG-_aIMPvzVoqKLiZOSsj/s1600/goofy-as-marley.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghy2nifKD58rpoicx3ukClI7tWtJd0jKXlM6IurfeouJaDaINvX_TQUtE38i-yCT6tQfpjIduh_hGrGrIEmM5zUZVNipU9Y76eB7CEr7wzlmvYdTqyUcYQBsuFG-_aIMPvzVoqKLiZOSsj/s400/goofy-as-marley.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">You will be visited by three ghosts</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><b>Jacob
Marley Ghost.</b> The first spirit visiting Scrooge is his old business partner
Jacob Marley, represented as <b>a corpse who is forever cursed to wander the earth
dragging a network of heavy chains,</b> forged during a lifetime of greed and
selfishness. The ghost threatens Scrooge he would suffer the same fate if he
didn’t redeem himself. His representative question could be <b>"Which one of
your sins/bad habits do you repent of ?".</b> For me the answer to this
question is very simple: sometimes I am very envious. I can’t help it, it’s
like my mind is forcing me to excel in everything, otherwise I should be
envious of things other people can do and I can’t. Envy is a waste of emotions,
but lately I have learned to bury this demon deep down and be helpful to those
around me and start thinking of what I can do. And without a doubt this is such
a more rewarding feeling.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoUXU6KUjIummVJ6uqGwK9FXSHxSpk9E_cQw955C0KN9zHDYwH5Pn13KzgT-ir464lNPCh057HOtl6HmhmPjWXZ_bX6qqnP81eFxqO2wUpfuGJAQcKfaf_b5ChWKVSjfxpBpKOw8fSkiTg/s1600/christmas-carol-2009-ghost-of-christmas-past-jim-carrey.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoUXU6KUjIummVJ6uqGwK9FXSHxSpk9E_cQw955C0KN9zHDYwH5Pn13KzgT-ir464lNPCh057HOtl6HmhmPjWXZ_bX6qqnP81eFxqO2wUpfuGJAQcKfaf_b5ChWKVSjfxpBpKOw8fSkiTg/s320/christmas-carol-2009-ghost-of-christmas-past-jim-carrey.jpg" width="312" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"I told you these were shadows of <br />
the things that have been," said the Ghost.<br />
"That they are what they are, do not blame me!"</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><b>Ghost of
Christmas Past.</b> This is a spirit surrounded by a ring of light that comes from
its head, <b>making it look like a candle and holding a hat-shaped extinguisher and
a holly branch.</b> The spirit wakes up Scrooge and brings him back in time to his forgotten
childhood and youth. The question that best fits this ghost could be <b>"Which
one is the memory you cannot live without and Which one would you want to forget?".</b>
Personally, I cannot live without smiles. When I'm feeling down, I always think
of my parents and friends’ smiles, as well as the times we've had together. I don’t
think I would forget anything of my past. Misfortunes, sadness and sorrows have
made me what I am today and without those things I wouldn’t have tempered my
character.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5nZeLp6Ym7MnXx9BHvyQiyKrFfOdnwQk0AMN3iQQKWF1YpdFpV1q3bVdusfVXmqwB2r2TcPI8n18xKxwPE2DHVY4uOpW3aKSoi3GGn7DBzl9N6FBm45IDAplr3D55yCwK5vT0x-rvQfjT/s1600/The+Ghost+of+Christmas+Present+good+approximation+to+post.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="217" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5nZeLp6Ym7MnXx9BHvyQiyKrFfOdnwQk0AMN3iQQKWF1YpdFpV1q3bVdusfVXmqwB2r2TcPI8n18xKxwPE2DHVY4uOpW3aKSoi3GGn7DBzl9N6FBm45IDAplr3D55yCwK5vT0x-rvQfjT/s400/The+Ghost+of+Christmas+Present+good+approximation+to+post.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">“Come in, -- come in! and know me better, man!<br />
I am the Ghost of Christmas Present. Look upon me!<br />
You have never seen the like of me before!”</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><b>Ghost of
Christmas Present. </b>Everyone thinks this ones the merrier ghost. <b>It looks like a
giant, with a green cloak trimmed with white fur, a holly wreath on his head
and a torch-cornucopia in hand, sitting on a throne of Christmas delicacies.</b>
This funny character shows Scrooge how other people spend Christmas, showing
him also the sad story of Tiny Tim, who you all certainly know (and if you
haven’t felt bad at least once about the little boy you don’t have a heart). And
the question is <b>"What would you change in your today life and Who do have
to thank for who you are today?". </b>With all the problems that have overwhelmed
me lately, the only thing I would like would be a slightly less hectic life ...
a little more calm but not boring. For what I am today of course I have to
thank parents, relatives and friends. But above all I thank all of you who
follow me and read my blog, because nothing makes me feel better than writing on
my little page on the Internet and without you my work would be useless.<b> So
thank you from the bottom of my heart.</b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAIw99yjId-C5M0ECfqBrpEjhgYowHGYaEJs-He8q2TQhtc8_Bg1zmrGUf7gWFs33mZnNg8quzA_ihXPXYmJO4W3Yj7Cgwj9Km0QgpVn-6auZtRpByZV4PqZqA2FnhShAJEpSU4WSQMxZc/s1600/The_Ghost_of_Christmas_Future.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="252" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAIw99yjId-C5M0ECfqBrpEjhgYowHGYaEJs-He8q2TQhtc8_Bg1zmrGUf7gWFs33mZnNg8quzA_ihXPXYmJO4W3Yj7Cgwj9Km0QgpVn-6auZtRpByZV4PqZqA2FnhShAJEpSU4WSQMxZc/s400/The_Ghost_of_Christmas_Future.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">“Ghost of the Future!” he exclaimed,<br />
“I fear you more than any spectre I have seen”.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><b>Ghost of
Christmas Future.</b> The most mysterious and ghoulish of all. <b>The spirit closely
resembles the Grim Reaper. A colossal figure, wrapped in black cloak and hood
</b>from which nothing emerges but a black hand protruding from the sleeve. <b>The
ghost is completely silent, but it guide Scrooge only with a finger.</b> While visiting
the Christmas yet to come, Scrooge realizes that if he didn’t change, he would
die in loneliness without any comfort. Obviously the question is <b>"What do
you hope/expect from your future?".</b> Obviously everyone hopes for a luck,
successful and loving future and surely I would hope so. But there’s something
else I really want from the future: <b>I want it to amaze and surprise me.</b>
Remember me that the world is a place where people can still believe in
miracles, going beyond daily life.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaeBM8901ALNbmAoZOYEkt2VtcNBw1JjxzYelb6QcHfFdoOwKe_sYK356qARB0i-7vQ8ErcjAmbNS2vTedkKGrKlx9Xl60IEIld4M80Q9PwFu_teVF3ecuNdQk1jsuXP3PJfQpteL7T8rO/s1600/tumblr_m2r9mmjpAy1qej3lyo1_500.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaeBM8901ALNbmAoZOYEkt2VtcNBw1JjxzYelb6QcHfFdoOwKe_sYK356qARB0i-7vQ8ErcjAmbNS2vTedkKGrKlx9Xl60IEIld4M80Q9PwFu_teVF3ecuNdQk1jsuXP3PJfQpteL7T8rO/s400/tumblr_m2r9mmjpAy1qej3lyo1_500.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><b>And that's
it for this year. But since this is a tag now it's your turn!!!</b> <b>Anyone who’s
reading this post is tagged.</b> Nothing would make me happier. Oh, and you can do
whatever you want: write a post, make a video, write it in the comments ...
whatever you want. <b>I wish ou all a magical new year</b> <b>and all the
best in the world. Happy Holidays ... and never stop Snooping Around.</b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
Gigi The Snooperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13037102870859309067noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6626852741873144301.post-83005427116898598202015-12-23T08:44:00.000-08:002015-12-23T08:44:27.552-08:00Santa’s Hallucinating Mushrooms<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNAQbdjwC-bjJISU7JJOf-V9CfQT8rhIAtro9A_QnnrzL9ZMfqRAe_aXtO4BmosVIrpdufks2sCtqkDG2pUylujmQrssvuxqHBv9jcN44hlDm1ss1qD_of7PVIfTadZdLWzTD45UkHK8Xo/s1600/fly_agaric_childrens_holiday_card.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="251" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNAQbdjwC-bjJISU7JJOf-V9CfQT8rhIAtro9A_QnnrzL9ZMfqRAe_aXtO4BmosVIrpdufks2sCtqkDG2pUylujmQrssvuxqHBv9jcN44hlDm1ss1qD_of7PVIfTadZdLWzTD45UkHK8Xo/s400/fly_agaric_childrens_holiday_card.jpg" width="400" /></a><span lang="EN-US"><b>There’s no
way of thinking about Santa Claus without involving magic.</b> A sparkling sleigh
towed by flying reindeers in the middle of the night with million</span><span lang="EN-US">s of presents
for the good boys and girls of the world. Normal people should be completely
drunk or worse to actually see something like that. Well, according to a
<b>strange theory</b>, this possibility is not far awa</span>y from the truth. <b>What if I tell
you the unlikely source of the story of Santa and his helpers could be
hallucinogenic mushrooms.</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpLLf451VnlJJYyeKbPlJ3TMg5I6vkS0kn0g76YPKREZzqP0w9b-YKJO7nj7dhHf0KvAYfkWOiOEunp7UmVu_qcX9dABiJNOB_X-8jg6Dx9gRtC-bQTyK4k8EnXN2BmgV2aUE0Am28UrJ3/s1600/Siberian-Mushroom-Shamans-Santa-Claus_Magazine.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpLLf451VnlJJYyeKbPlJ3TMg5I6vkS0kn0g76YPKREZzqP0w9b-YKJO7nj7dhHf0KvAYfkWOiOEunp7UmVu_qcX9dABiJNOB_X-8jg6Dx9gRtC-bQTyK4k8EnXN2BmgV2aUE0Am28UrJ3/s400/Siberian-Mushroom-Shamans-Santa-Claus_Magazine.jpg" width="270" /></a><span lang="EN-US"><b>Of course
you are now probably wondering how could some perception altering mushrooms be
connected with the good old symbol of Christmas? </b>John Rush, an anthropologist
and instructor at Sierra College in Rocklin (CA) said:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span lang="EN-US">"Santa is a modern counterpart of a
shaman, who consumed mind-altering plants and fungi to commune with the spirit
world"<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><b>Therefore
the legend of Santa would derive from shamans in the Siberian and Arctic
regions who dropped a bag full of hallucinogenic mushrooms into locals' tents as
presents in late December.</b> This custom became a tradition during the winter
solstice, when shamans used to collect some Amanita Muscaria (considered Holy
Mushrooms even if it can be poisonous sometimes), dry them and then give them
as gifts, using an opening in the roof of the tent through which people entered
and exited, made because in that period snow is usually blocking doors. <b>So this
could be also an explanation of the reason why a big man like Santa should
always pass through a tiny hole on the roof. </b>Of course, a lot of scientists don’t
believe in this strange connection, but there are more other coincidences that
should be considered. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSn1Ua_0wFpi2ajHAVZc3pBhwuoVJBleuwySw2JV0baIcZWjl-N6z2mdE6RzDyGw-VXHIFo9ku9R2yivGiJPi5IHVAbpZyUx26oEMSVo5a41z00Es7ZU7LkqPDL0CqqP27M1Nu4iDbzKaZ/s1600/ca0da4b87ec0781ad69854e14f1e04d9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="257" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSn1Ua_0wFpi2ajHAVZc3pBhwuoVJBleuwySw2JV0baIcZWjl-N6z2mdE6RzDyGw-VXHIFo9ku9R2yivGiJPi5IHVAbpZyUx26oEMSVo5a41z00Es7ZU7LkqPDL0CqqP27M1Nu4iDbzKaZ/s400/ca0da4b87ec0781ad69854e14f1e04d9.jpg" width="400" /></a><span lang="EN-US"><b>Mushrooms,
like gifts, are found beneath pine trees.</b> Even if this particular example could
be seen as a pure coincidence, late author James Arthur, in his book “Mushrooms
and Mankind”, points out that Amanita Muscaria lives throughout the Northern
Hemisphere beneath conifers and birch trees. There’s a symbiotic relationship
between the tree and the mushrooms, which are deep red with white flecks. <b>This practice
of the Christmas tree and the placement of bright red-and-white presents
underneath could be partially explained.</b> In his book, James Arthur wrote:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigUoBGDlzWqhQI3y43ozyx1g4-fH6OagY02WeiN4gdg8bAmUDtislDnUeE3EfOFWUUuD0aEsGNhXnFeZtci6OWRoKFmOk7ViuHdhbKdyiUGJCwvdGBOJUqwLFRo_HLq1nXojC4_HaxqYY2/s1600/amanita-muscaria-mushrooms.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigUoBGDlzWqhQI3y43ozyx1g4-fH6OagY02WeiN4gdg8bAmUDtislDnUeE3EfOFWUUuD0aEsGNhXnFeZtci6OWRoKFmOk7ViuHdhbKdyiUGJCwvdGBOJUqwLFRo_HLq1nXojC4_HaxqYY2/s400/amanita-muscaria-mushrooms.jpg" width="400" /></a><span lang="EN-US"><i>"Why
do people bring pine trees into their houses at the Winter Solstice, placing brightly
colored packages under their boughs, as gifts to show their love for each other
… ? It is because, underneath the pine bough is the exact location where one
would find this 'Most Sacred' substance, the Amanita Muscaria, in the wild".</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><b>Then, what
about “flying” reindeers?</b> Reindeer are common in Siberia and northern Europe,
and seek out these hallucinogenic mushrooms, just like the area's human
inhabitants have also been known to do. <b>In Siberian legends the reindeer took flight each winter after ingesting the Amanita Muscaria. </b>Shamans would join them on a vision quest, by taking the mushrooms themselves and then, climbing the tree of life, they would take flight like a bird into other realms. Donald Pfister, a Harvard University
biologist who studies fungi, suggests that <b>Siberian tribesmen who ingested the
Amanita Muscaria may have hallucinated that the grazing reindeer were flying.</b> Also
Carl Ruck, a professor of classics at Boston University, said:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYRoYqe5_SCbna3BKmEOhbpEEFRdL184Rf5rQ7Gw9dvK-czw8RaZMV5WdCzEtim9MavUbwK6-2Ct4P-xJqLLdffSU4u9SlhCzYPbKFPRu0sV1ZZopZu5c2SdVQ1lB0CBdU7SBjM6ScAewp/s1600/4-deer6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYRoYqe5_SCbna3BKmEOhbpEEFRdL184Rf5rQ7Gw9dvK-czw8RaZMV5WdCzEtim9MavUbwK6-2Ct4P-xJqLLdffSU4u9SlhCzYPbKFPRu0sV1ZZopZu5c2SdVQ1lB0CBdU7SBjM6ScAewp/s400/4-deer6.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span lang="EN-US">"At first glance, one thinks it's
ridiculous, but it's not. Whoever heard of reindeer flying? I think it's
becoming general knowledge that Santa is taking a 'trip' with his reindeer. […]Amongst
the Siberian shamans, you have an animal spirit you can journey with in your
vision quest, and reindeer are common and familiar to people in eastern
Siberia. They also have a tradition of dressing up like the mushroom … they
dress up in red suits with white spots".<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1jQ-ohZIG0lLsGaAKLxRtgs5YXuH1fWXOx7kuunKBxEpSLO6FwWZGE6azMB4jM-S5pqKILJ8vKdsby3ARD-mvhD-P0weZIx6UC3khXNGB_XmkftBAP7PZnLJXYSXKKiBMBhg7hX9b9Ssf/s1600/original_glass-mushroom-christmas-decorations.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="302" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1jQ-ohZIG0lLsGaAKLxRtgs5YXuH1fWXOx7kuunKBxEpSLO6FwWZGE6azMB4jM-S5pqKILJ8vKdsby3ARD-mvhD-P0weZIx6UC3khXNGB_XmkftBAP7PZnLJXYSXKKiBMBhg7hX9b9Ssf/s400/original_glass-mushroom-christmas-decorations.jpg" width="400" /></a><span lang="EN-US">Another
strange connection that Pfister pointed out is the fact that <b>tree ornaments
shaped like Amanita mushrooms and other depictions of the fungi are also
prevalent in Christmas decorations throughout the world, </b>particularly in
Scandinavia and northern Europe. If sneak a closer peak you’ll find mushrooms
everywhere. That said, Pfister made it clear that modern-day Christmas and the
ancestral practice of eating mushrooms are no longer strictly connected as they
once were.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp2POeIU4g4IjnjbEb1YftUbMyEQUYAzKmA8EClM80qquhp_Mep-XY1sEpK0sZ_deWPzh8adeXP-FzRXwP1piGOjP4kNI4k1dy5UiNw7WI2Pe8i133AWuQWtqIexV0eHmVbA8yF6vafhHB/s1600/illo_png9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="261" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp2POeIU4g4IjnjbEb1YftUbMyEQUYAzKmA8EClM80qquhp_Mep-XY1sEpK0sZ_deWPzh8adeXP-FzRXwP1piGOjP4kNI4k1dy5UiNw7WI2Pe8i133AWuQWtqIexV0eHmVbA8yF6vafhHB/s400/illo_png9.jpg" width="400" /></a><span lang="EN-US"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Talking
about modern Christmas, this theory suggest that <b>even the 1823 poem "A
Visit from St. Nicholas" by Clement Clarke Moore, is connected with the
little mushrooms.</b> The origins of Moore's vision are unclear, although Arthur,
Rush and Ruck all think the poet probably used northern European motifs that
derive from Siberian or Arctic shamanic traditions. Arthur wrote:</div>
<o:p></o:p><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><span lang="EN-US"><i><span lang="EN-US">"At the very least, Santa's sleigh and reindeer are probably references to various related northern European </span></i></span><i><span lang="EN-US">mythology. For example, the Norse god Thor flew in a chariot drawn by two goats, which have been replaced in the modern retelling by Santa's reindeer”.</span></i></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3uzWmDnD1_73ymTCrNZYbOCcs9ngeW02bWzswv2_p8Y8IiOhkaB89-wF53Pc9qUhwdPgVUiwWCNjYEmFltoCgyk4P4t7prh6LVNrwaMlO71W2eauDxd7QH2iiJF1BC1JUQvqkbFicAUdf/s1600/rudolph-red-nosed-reindeer6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3uzWmDnD1_73ymTCrNZYbOCcs9ngeW02bWzswv2_p8Y8IiOhkaB89-wF53Pc9qUhwdPgVUiwWCNjYEmFltoCgyk4P4t7prh6LVNrwaMlO71W2eauDxd7QH2iiJF1BC1JUQvqkbFicAUdf/s320/rudolph-red-nosed-reindeer6.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><b>Last but
not least, let’s talk about where Santa lives. </b>Ruck said:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span lang="EN-US">"Is there any other reason that Santa
lives in the North Pole? It is a tradition that can be traced back to
Siberia".<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
What do you
think about this theory? Do you think it could be a funny interpretation of
Santa’s origins? <b>Maybe Rudolph has his little bright red nose for a reason…</b></div>
Gigi The Snooperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13037102870859309067noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6626852741873144301.post-14369191962236375562015-12-08T16:25:00.000-08:002015-12-08T16:25:59.664-08:00Urban Legends - Krampus, The Christmas Shadow<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqGKbm7odRihAs4rdMNOkpGVO3bbbX-3xHfQyft7N0D_bkSprHnfQu351IpCD__Wl84LSpAdTFEwXIDO5t9iBRpxQk57YbkYYP-fwM80Gc14lZsBz6iqTxwy58an81tSNO8BlNUskgRP0t/s1600/Krampus-graphic-novel.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqGKbm7odRihAs4rdMNOkpGVO3bbbX-3xHfQyft7N0D_bkSprHnfQu351IpCD__Wl84LSpAdTFEwXIDO5t9iBRpxQk57YbkYYP-fwM80Gc14lZsBz6iqTxwy58an81tSNO8BlNUskgRP0t/s400/Krampus-graphic-novel.jpg" width="400" /></a><span lang="EN-US"><b>Surely
Christmas is the most wonderful time of the year.</b> Life looks a little bit
better with snow, lights and songs all over the decorated streets. And of course
there’s Santa Claus (also known as Saint Nicholas) bringing joy and presents to
all the good girls and boys. But there’s some parts of Europe, like Germany,
Austria, and other parts of the Alps region, where naughty children needs to be
very careful during the holidays because of a <b>dark, mischievous and grumpy figure
hidden in the shadows. This evil spirit is the Krampus, Saint Nicholas
counterpart.</b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4sI1ow4Y5TuaYE_i0Rd_zrKTlX0kNsQr-O7XWOAUF54VFPwveocoIyJo-XKjykrRirfhtRwBJXS4osJnVqBp3onMdkRGFGCtE_REFoVHVXqGLZijVIzQYpQ_s7P1bBDI5BdudV1rvvk54/s1600/Krampus-image-0128.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4sI1ow4Y5TuaYE_i0Rd_zrKTlX0kNsQr-O7XWOAUF54VFPwveocoIyJo-XKjykrRirfhtRwBJXS4osJnVqBp3onMdkRGFGCtE_REFoVHVXqGLZijVIzQYpQ_s7P1bBDI5BdudV1rvvk54/s400/Krampus-image-0128.jpg" width="257" /></a><span lang="EN-US"><b>This creature is an anthropomorphic beast with fangs, fur, and
horns.</b> Dark and ancient spirit, Krampus announces his presence with loud bells
and terrorizes the kids who have misbehaved during the year. In contrast with
Santa giving the good ones gifts and joy, <b>Krampus gives the bad ones whip beatings
and nightmares.</b> And if you have been particularly naughty, Krampus will drop you
in a sack and whisk you away to his lair in the underworld and you’ll never be
seen again. <b>A fairy tale gone horribly wrong…</b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><b>How did this
creature come to be a part of the Christmas tradition? </b>Scholars estimate that
Krampus started appearing between the 11th century and the 13th century. The legend
has probably started High up in the Alp countries, connecting this monster with
witches and demons. The word “Krampus” is derived from the <b>Old High German word
<i>krampen</i>, meaning “claw”.</b> According to
Norse mythology, Krampus is the son of Hel, the goddess ruler of the
underworld. There are also a few physical similarities between Krampus and
Greek mythical creatures – like the horns and hoofs of satyrs and fauns. So it
looks like <b>Krampus has something to do with ancient myths and legends from all
over the world.</b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOYwd8MPToQ4O4rxgQ0Fpoq_VR2sogT94Gw2G_o7OrzQCLaforFNr8UWvP9VJfn5zPDVA0cPCIck1zKwsEoWjyM0qDUOWCr-OV0EPS1sVhIA8nHapdfjHXVqcgZcyU8UJW3aRfKvYO0979/s1600/krampus_mask_by_sackofwetrabbits-d82soz6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOYwd8MPToQ4O4rxgQ0Fpoq_VR2sogT94Gw2G_o7OrzQCLaforFNr8UWvP9VJfn5zPDVA0cPCIck1zKwsEoWjyM0qDUOWCr-OV0EPS1sVhIA8nHapdfjHXVqcgZcyU8UJW3aRfKvYO0979/s400/krampus_mask_by_sackofwetrabbits-d82soz6.jpg" width="318" /></a><span lang="EN-US"><b>The
creature spread to other European countries such as Switzerland, Czech Republic
and Hungary, with slightly variations in looks, names and practiced customs.</b> In
Tyrol (a state in western Austria), Krampus tends to look like a giant and
sadistic, teddy bear. In western Germany, he actually arrives with Santa,
sitting shotgun in his sleigh. In Styria (southeast Austria), the birch sticks
used for his whip are painted gold and displayed year around, to remind kids of
Krampus’s impending arrival. <b>After entering in the Christmas tradition, Krampus
was given chains showing him as an embodiment of the devil being bound by the
Church.</b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">Then, after
being connected and altered in order to give him a more religious meaning, Krampus
was attached to St. Nick, a Christian saint and the owner of his very own feast
day on December 6th. St. Nick, himself, wouldn’t be closely associated with
Christmas until early 19th century with the name Santa Claus deriving from the Dutch
language. In many parts of Germany and Austria, St. Nick is still separate from
Christmas and celebrated on December 6th.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH9bVtoNRNyr_oX6kBvZj3Z3ywDgo1HY6Hsdrp0BBICUr2fQ1CTD9LstF3wv5enMbpcUwDBjsdHw_38UUivkP9E6an46C892-2hhYlfgFjnLDRMnuG-bEw7w52ZDu6qxJpYv5VAaai5T5i/s1600/krampus-christmas-cards-z2itt04r.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH9bVtoNRNyr_oX6kBvZj3Z3ywDgo1HY6Hsdrp0BBICUr2fQ1CTD9LstF3wv5enMbpcUwDBjsdHw_38UUivkP9E6an46C892-2hhYlfgFjnLDRMnuG-bEw7w52ZDu6qxJpYv5VAaai5T5i/s400/krampus-christmas-cards-z2itt04r.jpg" width="255" /></a><span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><b>The connection
has its logic because Krampus was awarded his own night called Krampusnacht
(Krampus Night) on December 5th, the day before St. Nick’s feast.</b> During this night,
Krampus wanders around making loud noises and scaring bad kids while good kids put
a boot outside, hoping St. Nick to drop fruit and nuts into it). This night is
still celebrated in the Alps region with run of celebrants dressed as the
wicked beast and <b>it is customary to offer Krampus a drink of warm schnapps, a
"strong alcoholic drink resembling gin and often flavored with
fruit".</b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">Despite
these connections to Christianity, <b>Krampus is still a pagan origin and some
traditions have survived and are still part of today’s creature.</b> He continues
to carry bells, which were customarily used to ward off spirits. As mentioned,
the animal-like appearance of most Krampus’ also date to pagan times and hasn’t
been changed at all.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9Fo-9xkbNkxPBJdjSb50EoD__Pi5UFsyBELX7D8HciI0rclSv7Wd3mxBmCBXTZgIyEZiv8vNCt3wreKDEyMmxiovlfdw4X9ejGOORq9q-DZrjOhMdr6evLE7XaFn0ah_f09hLTRR9s3m8/s1600/2010_krampus_card_by_misuka-d2zeahb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9Fo-9xkbNkxPBJdjSb50EoD__Pi5UFsyBELX7D8HciI0rclSv7Wd3mxBmCBXTZgIyEZiv8vNCt3wreKDEyMmxiovlfdw4X9ejGOORq9q-DZrjOhMdr6evLE7XaFn0ah_f09hLTRR9s3m8/s400/2010_krampus_card_by_misuka-d2zeahb.jpg" width="303" /></a><span lang="EN-US"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
As for Santa
Claus, Krampus, along with other German pagan legends, started to regain
acceptance and a following in the 19th century. <b>This was partially due to the
ancient German folk tales that the Brothers Grimm popularized in the early
1800s.</b> In fact, Krampus gets a quick reference in Jacob Grimm’s 1835 book
Deutsche Mythologie (translated to “Teutonic Mythology”). Art and postcards
were also created that showed off Krampus and people began to exchange Krampus
cards (with some saying “Greetings from the Krampus”) in Europe during the late
19th century as a <b>rather peculiar way of wishing happy holidays. </b><o:p></o:p><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><b>Krampus
hasn’t been an accepted European tradition during the war neither. </b>In 1934,
four years before the Third Reich overran Germany and Austria, The New York
Times published an article called: “Krampus Disliked in Fascist Austria,
declaring the Krampus strictly forbidden. Same old political issues.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
More
recently, Krampus has become very popular all over the world. And if have never
heard of him before...well, now you know. <b>So Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays and
Beware the Krampus…</b></div>
Gigi The Snooperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13037102870859309067noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6626852741873144301.post-78448411869017937942015-10-30T16:44:00.000-07:002015-10-30T16:44:41.887-07:00Halloween Special – El Día de los Muertos <table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIr313v5IRjpPSmni1fwiT3Tgm5Tv2Nv6C20lZMaJgC4XEaDcyeA8sZIlIMZIAPmdd2PccWU9vnkrxOlt_DeswBzEHw9kNvrI5nvnypD8M_cvVdi0UERMt6-akIYDmsSamC59qzu0zjVjR/s1600/800px-Catrinas_2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIr313v5IRjpPSmni1fwiT3Tgm5Tv2Nv6C20lZMaJgC4XEaDcyeA8sZIlIMZIAPmdd2PccWU9vnkrxOlt_DeswBzEHw9kNvrI5nvnypD8M_cvVdi0UERMt6-akIYDmsSamC59qzu0zjVjR/s400/800px-Catrinas_2.jpg" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">La Calavera Catrina</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">We all know
All Hallows’ Eve is a celebration that has all to do with death and honoring
deceased relatives and, in this particular night, everyone has the opportunity
to dress up as monsters, ghosts and skeletons asking for sweets. This is sure a
funny way to exorcise the fact that we should never underestimate or forget the
Grim Reaper is always chasing us. But what if I tell you there’s another
celebration that is similar to Halloween but, at the same time, has nothing to
do with it. In fact, <b>El Día de los Muertos is a Mexican holiday, now also
spread all over the world, that can be called “The Hymn to Life”. You celebrate
death learning about the importance of life.</b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>El Día de
los Muertos, celebrated on November 2<sup>nd</sup>, is an opportunity for
Mexican children to learn that life is brief and there’s a life circle everyone
must face sooner or later.</b> The important meaning of this day is “Don’t fear
Death, appreciate every moment you have and live life to the fullest”. Just
with these deeper life lessons, there’s no denying El Día de los Muertos cannot
be compared with Halloween. Nowadays the latter is more of a commercial holiday
for children than a celebration.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_SpC8R9GxF06UIhKq_sYKKFmjO5qBGWz_07ZyhXr9NrGRpz2J_ZNiz8Uf1jtmoAzrR6cUqe9J0BV89U5QsHPjI7MXKvobNxdABIUvzSgxdhrpMkvmKitQRa3M-sXUUUDEZd0EF5XskvqB/s1600/800px-Coyoacan_muertos_01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_SpC8R9GxF06UIhKq_sYKKFmjO5qBGWz_07ZyhXr9NrGRpz2J_ZNiz8Uf1jtmoAzrR6cUqe9J0BV89U5QsHPjI7MXKvobNxdABIUvzSgxdhrpMkvmKitQRa3M-sXUUUDEZd0EF5XskvqB/s400/800px-Coyoacan_muertos_01.jpg" width="400" /></a><span lang="EN-US">Instead El
Día de los Muertos has ancient origins and is </span>traditionally celebrated by
everyone. <b>The first example of this celebration can be found in pre- Colombian cultures.
Rituals celebrating passed away ancestors are dated back 2,500–3,000 years.</b> The
festival that was the ancient version of El Día de los Muertos fell in the ninth month of the Aztec calendar,
about the beginning of August, and was celebrated for the entire month. <b>The
festivities were dedicated to the "Lady of the Dead".</b> The
representation of the goddess was recently replaced with La Calavera Catrina ("The
Elegant Skull"), a famous print created by José Guadalupe Posada as a
parody of a Mexican upper-class female. The shocking image of a costumed female
with a skeleton face is now one of the most popular figures of the celebration.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5Nml2wjqvTOJUVxc8ZFiNuUrmgDQk-UeLjKyD0K-f1l9n-_P2TmemiHW2rmkjeVGAhHAyEC_ed8-ygUx9OYXZbJdQw5AQNdPqs82eyQ6AoK03V2UehOmJSmYAWpfKm4fwBhc8GhBQU0qb/s1600/dia-de-los-muertos.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5Nml2wjqvTOJUVxc8ZFiNuUrmgDQk-UeLjKyD0K-f1l9n-_P2TmemiHW2rmkjeVGAhHAyEC_ed8-ygUx9OYXZbJdQw5AQNdPqs82eyQ6AoK03V2UehOmJSmYAWpfKm4fwBhc8GhBQU0qb/s400/dia-de-los-muertos.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><b>El Día de
los Muertos allows the dead to live again.</b> During this time it is believed that
the deceased return to their earthly homes to visit and rejoice with their
loved ones. Author Frances Ann Day in his book “Latina and Latino Voices in
Literature: Lives and Works” summarizes all the Mexican celebrations, saying:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><i>“On October
31, All Hallows Eve, the children make a children's altar to invite the
angelitos (spirits of dead children) to come back for a visit. November 1 is
All Saints Day, and the adult spirits will come to visit. November 2 is All
Souls Day, when families go to the cemetery to decorate the graves and tombs of
their relatives. The three-day fiesta filled with marigolds, the flowers of the
dead; muertos (the bread of the dead); sugar skulls; cardboard skeletons;
tissue paper decorations; fruit and nuts; incense, and other traditional foods
and decorations.”</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFOROi1j7pZu19EZ6rD1XVH14rk9FbmsqxyPWXiiCsgFTwsEx7y8nf9QF1whKZjj9Gw2V9zW98qKA2JZFo37WSa89k-C9ji9N6wsMtValy2w5WpVSfGoIdW9UHEU9c_ZeEhWc7sOaCwpas/s1600/altar-web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFOROi1j7pZu19EZ6rD1XVH14rk9FbmsqxyPWXiiCsgFTwsEx7y8nf9QF1whKZjj9Gw2V9zW98qKA2JZFo37WSa89k-C9ji9N6wsMtValy2w5WpVSfGoIdW9UHEU9c_ZeEhWc7sOaCwpas/s400/altar-web.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">This is exactly
what happens during these days. <b>Setting up altars with offerings, cleaning and
decorating graves, holding all-night graveside vigils and telling funny and
touching stories about the deceased</b> is the perfect way to remember the loved
ones who unfortunately but inevitably left this world.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzBMXm5saIleATJvSjdGFuzMeSTETAxiyZTHy-jwn6bAHBnEvMjcsiHT_RHNa-BGKxxV_flho6BcamARk_SD__lQnjIBSGccKuJl6lp6oQrgA1iFsHarhwcvdEOZT6FMMjVhRlepRIq2g6/s1600/calaveras1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzBMXm5saIleATJvSjdGFuzMeSTETAxiyZTHy-jwn6bAHBnEvMjcsiHT_RHNa-BGKxxV_flho6BcamARk_SD__lQnjIBSGccKuJl6lp6oQrgA1iFsHarhwcvdEOZT6FMMjVhRlepRIq2g6/s400/calaveras1.jpg" width="400" /></a><span lang="EN-US"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<b>And If you
like Halloween only for sweets, don’t worry. You’ll not be disappointed.</b> You’ll
never see a traditional celebration of El Día de los Muertos without <b>Calaveras,
sugar or chocolate skulls with complex and fantastic decorations.</b> A perfect
gift for both the living and the dead, this sweet skulls are now the “must
have” food on the holiday table. Another holiday food include “el pan de muerto”,
a sweet egg bread made in various shapes from plain rounds to skulls and
rabbits, often decorated with white frosting to look like twisted bones. You’ll
surely recognize it.<o:p></o:p><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-_GYS2W-uAVrY10uPNXB9loa3JIhXug0abymqWyS9O7UqqgtDxoT_uBreLiCqXOigiY6xFD9v00pLgPTdF5eX9usVqF8XFy0Sgb1Rk1XYYepYvh7Vyqq1kGYBRXCfhS5-u93Mc7IV2Ddh/s1600/131949097_11n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-_GYS2W-uAVrY10uPNXB9loa3JIhXug0abymqWyS9O7UqqgtDxoT_uBreLiCqXOigiY6xFD9v00pLgPTdF5eX9usVqF8XFy0Sgb1Rk1XYYepYvh7Vyqq1kGYBRXCfhS5-u93Mc7IV2Ddh/s400/131949097_11n.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">During El Día de los Muertos, the lights of graves brighten the night sky </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><b>This
colorful holiday should be celebrated everywhere to make people understand that
death is not the end, it’s simply a new start. </b>And now I would like to cite a quote
of Albus Dumbledore that fits perfectly:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-US"><i>Do not pity the dead, pity the living. Above
all, pity those who live without love.<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">Personally
the main reason I love this period is because November 1<sup>st</sup> is my
birthday. So, between pumpkins and skeletons, I’ll blow out some candles. <b>Have
a good life :)</b></span></div>
Gigi The Snooperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13037102870859309067noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6626852741873144301.post-81182005528204611522015-10-19T08:10:00.000-07:002015-10-19T09:00:13.479-07:00Urban Legends – The Suicidal Dogs of Overtoun Bridge<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjel1PuDDVEmyFCBqC-6QN_iqddIy4c9cLg1t59KEpk3Z7QfuMSqmZ3637WFFL53jOdZDrDmTGzrgRRPrWAh4GeDdpWh3nuzDsUuE-2EQvkyGnk7DGXCVrpc8pCNzBjgoMhftNhjufwDkyy/s1600/Overtound_bridge.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjel1PuDDVEmyFCBqC-6QN_iqddIy4c9cLg1t59KEpk3Z7QfuMSqmZ3637WFFL53jOdZDrDmTGzrgRRPrWAh4GeDdpWh3nuzDsUuE-2EQvkyGnk7DGXCVrpc8pCNzBjgoMhftNhjufwDkyy/s400/Overtound_bridge.jpg" width="400" /></a><span lang="EN-US"><b>There’s a
lone bridge in Minton, near Dumbarton (Scotland), where something mysterious
and heartbreaking happened.</b> Without any explanation, in the past 50 years,
about 600 dogs have jumped off of this secular structure, and <b>almost 50 of them
unfortunately died.</b> But the most puzzling thing is that these poor animals <b>have
all taken the fatal jump from the exact same spot,</b> located between the last two
parapets on the right-hand side of the bridge. <b>But why this mass suicide took
place?</b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">“This is an
heartbreaking mystery. There are lots of owners whose dogs have died and who
are trying to find out why they jumped.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGObs19CpVwgbn2F4ozWPQl71Hoh24ioTrmWFKZb_zDIYGuuDdqN0tP4MGe9vpkYV5X3i99YTGerHhegKOi-8uFw4zHR47lNfc75fmucpa6SpR-WbpPt6nKI-HacMFwmMVF-LfZB4KXxgj/s1600/geograph4184046bylairichrig.jpg.CROP.promovar-mediumlarge.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGObs19CpVwgbn2F4ozWPQl71Hoh24ioTrmWFKZb_zDIYGuuDdqN0tP4MGe9vpkYV5X3i99YTGerHhegKOi-8uFw4zHR47lNfc75fmucpa6SpR-WbpPt6nKI-HacMFwmMVF-LfZB4KXxgj/s400/geograph4184046bylairichrig.jpg.CROP.promovar-mediumlarge.jpg" width="300" /></a><span lang="EN-US">This is
what the Scottish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals said about
this tragedy, and if you have a look on the internet you’ll find lots of sadly
detailed witnesses of poor dogs who slipped away from the hands of shocked
owners. But another strangeness was common to all of this dogs: <b>almost all the
incidents have taken place on clear sunny days and all the dogs were long-nosed
breeds, like Collies, Retrievers and Labradors.</b> So maybe the high sense of
smell was responsible for the tragedy.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><b>Several
theories have been advanced to explain the bizarre effect the bridge has on
dogs.</b> Of course the first one who came out was: <b>“Isn’t that obvious? The place
is haunted”.</b> </span>If you’re a
fan of paranormal places, the Overtoun Bridge is surely the place for you. <b>The
Victorian structure, 50 ft. (15 mt) in height, was built in 1895 by Calvinist
Lord Overtoun.</b> The whole structure runs over the Overtoun Burn stream below. Some
creepy rumors said that in 1994 a local called Kevin Moy threw his baby boy
from the bridge, calling him the Son of the Devil. Then he tried to commit
suicide at the same spot. After his unsuccessful attempt, He yelled the bridge was haunted.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2mFyu6gLP3FqnAgpimGB77CS5GfwK84IV0n3ylqYsqx9FCXXCATwjAOJ4vOUNvTpeNShIeKTz7ZDrAp3yiVipBjRKni9RUchDDt2wlx2Zn0bSFPH9YEx5mREDNzsVPkERtbS8fr5WB97I/s1600/ghost-girl-dog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="382" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2mFyu6gLP3FqnAgpimGB77CS5GfwK84IV0n3ylqYsqx9FCXXCATwjAOJ4vOUNvTpeNShIeKTz7ZDrAp3yiVipBjRKni9RUchDDt2wlx2Zn0bSFPH9YEx5mREDNzsVPkERtbS8fr5WB97I/s400/ghost-girl-dog.jpg" width="400" /></a><span lang="EN-US"><b>Now a
lighter explanation that could help supporting the theory of the haunted bridge.</b>
<b>This has to deal with Celtic mythology.</b> In fact, Celts believed that The
Overtoun Bridge was a spot called <b>“a thin place”, which is an area where heaven
and Earth are at their closest. </b>According to the commonly known fact that dogs
are way more sensitive than humans, maybe they have seen or heard something
strange caused by non-corporeal entities. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><b>Strangely,
this theory was completely discarded by Psychic Mary Armour</b>, who decided to
took her own Labrador for a walk on the bridge to test the ”haunting” theory. Nothing unusual happened in her case. After
the walk she said: <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-US">“Animals are hyper-sensitive to the
spirit-world, but I didn’t feel any adverse energy.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRIF1KDeXNmiM3WvMaCtsUMzhzOddnsjomtk0aKOitXAErqVjaZbIAQ5zfws-0puPxyJDslgf8h7HQuTj2Xrutmc4mQnznCU6QwBAViVlVFIJnNpUnUJZQ0tYCux-RnM2RPx1IYELjl_YN/s1600/Hachiko-Waits.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRIF1KDeXNmiM3WvMaCtsUMzhzOddnsjomtk0aKOitXAErqVjaZbIAQ5zfws-0puPxyJDslgf8h7HQuTj2Xrutmc4mQnznCU6QwBAViVlVFIJnNpUnUJZQ0tYCux-RnM2RPx1IYELjl_YN/s400/Hachiko-Waits.jpeg" width="400" /></a><span lang="EN-US">She felt
“pure calmness and serenity”, <b>but she did admit her dog pulled a little towards
the incriminated spot.</b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><b>Let’s now analyze the psychological theory.</b> The question we need to answer is <b>“If there
is nothing supernatural propelling animals to their deaths, could they be
picking up on suicidal or depressed feelings of their owners?" </b>Of course, dogs
are called man’s best friend for a reason. They sure have superpowers, and <b>one
of the most common is the great empathy with the owner. </b> And the Austrian Dr. Rupert Sheldrake’s experiments
are quite useful explaining this behavior. His studies have proved that <b>dogs do
pick up on their owner’s thoughts and intentions, even from a great distance.</b> So
they could have picked up on their owners’ suicidal thoughts and then jumped to
their death. But the detail that ruled out the theory is that none of the owners
whose dogs jumped from Overtoun Bridge had any suicidal feelings. After knowing
that Dr. Sheldrake concluded:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6KhABNrTPzjGeEKXEeG2m9TzoTUnhVUqfo7cM67r7erWcyiQTKmk18LRoF0KTv6-r_Vfvdpl9A5kSG04-HRFomcRLc6clUp6I2GWraTvw3mhdpE-875tp1p6OvQ7tkFp4hxVCTlJx1W_B/s1600/Overtoun-Bridge21-550x367.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6KhABNrTPzjGeEKXEeG2m9TzoTUnhVUqfo7cM67r7erWcyiQTKmk18LRoF0KTv6-r_Vfvdpl9A5kSG04-HRFomcRLc6clUp6I2GWraTvw3mhdpE-875tp1p6OvQ7tkFp4hxVCTlJx1W_B/s400/Overtoun-Bridge21-550x367.jpg" width="400" /></a><span lang="EN-US">“Human suicide is usually precipitated by a
feeling that tomorrow will not be any better than today. But there is no
evidence to suggest dogs have a sense of now and tomorrow.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><b>Finally the
scientific theory.</b> A canine psychologist, Dr. David Sands, was sent to
Dumbarton to unsolved the mystery . He conducted a series of experiments, <b>the
first of which was to cross the bridge with the only canine known to have
survived the fall,</b> a 19 years old female dog called Hendrix. Once the deadly
spot was reached, the dog began to tense. <b>Something clearly caught her
attention, but because of her advanced age she didn’t attempt to jump.</b> After
the experiment, Dr. Sands concluded that one of her senses – sight, sound, or
smell – must have been stimulated. Sight was eliminated since the only thing
visible from dog’s eye view at that point is the parapet. So it had to be
either sound or smell, and to determine which one was guilty, a team of experts
from a Glasgow acoustics company and an animal expert, David Sexton, were called
for researches. <b>After careful investigations, the acoustic experts found
nothing unusual at all.</b></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<o:p></o:p><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8EtRu6o46PBy9ofFDPrEh70HyCiYzw36rRu5Oug8l3wVVjRbdJCWgTRt8IR7GSzmsUzd600Qjb5VyiYI3eCvjyooMJlWQAdPeJJe5n5x75dQWrdLgori19rr_IXP6ZEAa1mPZRqxrGzng/s1600/American-Mink.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8EtRu6o46PBy9ofFDPrEh70HyCiYzw36rRu5Oug8l3wVVjRbdJCWgTRt8IR7GSzmsUzd600Qjb5VyiYI3eCvjyooMJlWQAdPeJJe5n5x75dQWrdLgori19rr_IXP6ZEAa1mPZRqxrGzng/s400/American-Mink.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>But Dr. Sands
found something quite interesting. Hiding in the vegetation beneath the bridge
he found mice, mink and squirrels.</b> So the smell emitted by any one of them
could have been the cause. <b>To determine which one, he conducted another
experiment. </b>He tested the three scents on 10 different dogs and 70% made
straight for the mink scent. And so far this has been the most plausible explanation.
<b>The strong musty smell emitted by minks, exaggerated on dry and sunny days,
must have proved irresistible to dogs.</b> Actually, minks are very common in
Scotland (almost 26,000 in total). So there are other safer places to look for
them. <b>Why attacking them under this particular bridge?</b> Dr. Sands said:</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-US">“Simple, when you get down to a dog’s level,
the solid granite of the bridge’s 18-inch-thick walls obscures their vision and
blocks out all sound. As a result, the one sense not obscured, that of smell,
goes into overdrive.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYnsjERb7XzH8vtTI5Xi_CVDAv4B8Dutg4e4AA0RCqJA8gjJhOpiNKAhfifHkHNkur91QSLGdBCu6PbOg2z5aBMeAGcPaKVosSIV_pAZ0bTtucxaSq2IfzUYgrqduQk77Vj6G2HyyNY0-8/s1600/Screen-Shot-2015-06-24-at-133528.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYnsjERb7XzH8vtTI5Xi_CVDAv4B8Dutg4e4AA0RCqJA8gjJhOpiNKAhfifHkHNkur91QSLGdBCu6PbOg2z5aBMeAGcPaKVosSIV_pAZ0bTtucxaSq2IfzUYgrqduQk77Vj6G2HyyNY0-8/s400/Screen-Shot-2015-06-24-at-133528.jpg" width="400" /></a><span lang="EN-US">Sadly this sense
overdrive caused lots of pain and suffering because losing a dog is losing a
part of your family. And now if you go for a walk with your loyal friend on the
Overtoun Bridge, <b>you’ll find a sign left by one of the unfortunate owners who
lost their dogs. On the sign is written:</b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-US">Dangerous Bridge – Please keep your dog on a
lead.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
I don’t
know which one of these theories is the most accurate, but one thing I know for
sure is that <b>these dogs will have a special place in my heart.</b></div>
Gigi The Snooperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13037102870859309067noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6626852741873144301.post-12219084321093146422015-10-12T05:55:00.000-07:002015-10-12T05:55:51.365-07:00Discovery Central & ChEmIcAmAzInG - The Freezing Taste of Menthol<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"></span></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxvS1_D8yQl4ke5cQt1-g2FL_Sqddl1on0VUgBVLxV4eXop0UIyYLKwI7ODGcABUql16q00G3TUfOVrrXCwHlRcnscWIH3wIkUPt4XiScafSZbe8Qniie9lWlHrm2le4JKvoNm53ObSpUS/s1600/347px-Menthol_skeletal.svg.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxvS1_D8yQl4ke5cQt1-g2FL_Sqddl1on0VUgBVLxV4eXop0UIyYLKwI7ODGcABUql16q00G3TUfOVrrXCwHlRcnscWIH3wIkUPt4XiScafSZbe8Qniie9lWlHrm2le4JKvoNm53ObSpUS/s200/347px-Menthol_skeletal.svg.png" width="158" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Menthol formula</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Eating a
peppermint or a slice of mint cake, especially during a hot day, is such a pleasurable experience.</b> Feeling that
fantastic sense of cold is one of the reasons we love these sweets so much. And
obviously the characteristic flavor is loved everywhere. <b>But why mint tastes
cold?</b> is temperature really involved in this process or maybe is just a trick
of our body? Let’s find out…</div>
<o:p></o:p><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7bg7D7LuKtCUY8jCpeW2pbmx5oyzTZRDM5b-1WDuMQ_xENp-kaJcCaame7NJCa1x7xwQSvRDKM1chLjsnwisWrpZprrwWJLCP_ggPdmnKj4vzo8FLVnQMq1_koIzYhXM4byq7wY_RVxQx/s1600/crystals.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="132" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7bg7D7LuKtCUY8jCpeW2pbmx5oyzTZRDM5b-1WDuMQ_xENp-kaJcCaame7NJCa1x7xwQSvRDKM1chLjsnwisWrpZprrwWJLCP_ggPdmnKj4vzo8FLVnQMq1_koIzYhXM4byq7wY_RVxQx/s200/crystals.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Menthol Crystals</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Most of you
knows that the responsible is Menthol,</b> an organic compound normally obtained
from all mint plants. Of course nowadays, with the extreme high demand and the
huge amount of products is used in, menthol is synthetically produced in form of a waxy,
crystalline substance that can be both clear or white. At room temperature is
solid, but few degrees are enough to make it melt.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsJl5IMIu4zXMmRgxGBTZ0oeRWZu7fYiB-h2gGCTSNKA43_OdMltW-Vl668J9adMNezkoo-apniqh4iyeqPV8zzeiRKZo6l3S3EqLzt47_AXjC1reeSQI2c65B_nDmckI7HNVE4EzL91lB/s1600/Mint-Ice-Cubes_PS_2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="257" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsJl5IMIu4zXMmRgxGBTZ0oeRWZu7fYiB-h2gGCTSNKA43_OdMltW-Vl668J9adMNezkoo-apniqh4iyeqPV8zzeiRKZo6l3S3EqLzt47_AXjC1reeSQI2c65B_nDmckI7HNVE4EzL91lB/s400/Mint-Ice-Cubes_PS_2.jpg" width="400" /></a><b>What
happens when we eat a product that contains menthol? </b>Well, our mouth contains
some specific receptors that responds to this chemical compound. The receptor
we’re talking about, which in this case is a protein called TRPM8 (the actual
name is Transient Receptor Potential Cation Channel, Subfamily M, Member 8) <b>tricks
the brain into thinking that the area the menthol is applied to is cold.</b> The
truth is that there’s no actual change in temperature.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUhHspcPo9mdscyMBePKcV0piKDB0_snTjxD9HMKNuIeHJUpqli4Os5Sa4um0qNX_LBIUK1rzq65GYlc0GvxMVJGyZoQvlZRCfm_QFiEjSD1QiWcXiR8pNo6ILFCDsCldFIH_pizZvlOAx/s1600/Frost-green-mint-leaves_1080.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUhHspcPo9mdscyMBePKcV0piKDB0_snTjxD9HMKNuIeHJUpqli4Os5Sa4um0qNX_LBIUK1rzq65GYlc0GvxMVJGyZoQvlZRCfm_QFiEjSD1QiWcXiR8pNo6ILFCDsCldFIH_pizZvlOAx/s400/Frost-green-mint-leaves_1080.jpg" width="400" /></a><span lang="EN-US"><b>But if
there’s no changing in temperature, why do we sense cold?</b> The scientific
explanation of the process is the
perfect answer. The protein TRPM8 is a “ion channel”, so you can easily imagine
it as a sort of bridge for ions. When this bridge is open, it allows sodium and
calcium ions to enter, causing an electrical signal down a neuron called Action Potential. This is what happens when
menthol is detected by the receptor.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRVck8A-CMS0XsRSKOGIc2L42ECo37y_HdM2KiAiLM0H2GlefRS57soLjsR6d0eAI-eosyk1o9e4JnKXJXdsiaQlc-pg7NsG9usvRZ_KlY-etQ-_UwYXfeUcGvVXaHrwtYfJQQ6WGSLld6/s1600/green-peppermint-candy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="295" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRVck8A-CMS0XsRSKOGIc2L42ECo37y_HdM2KiAiLM0H2GlefRS57soLjsR6d0eAI-eosyk1o9e4JnKXJXdsiaQlc-pg7NsG9usvRZ_KlY-etQ-_UwYXfeUcGvVXaHrwtYfJQQ6WGSLld6/s320/green-peppermint-candy.jpg" style="cursor: move;" width="320" /></a><b>Here comes
the trick. In fact TRPM8 is also a temperature receptor that opens in response
to low temperatures.</b> When menthol’s around (to be specific a mix of Menthol and Menthone, another molecule strictly similar to menthol and vastly used in cosmetics), the TRPM8 channel opens, but this
signal “hey, there’s menthol” is indistinguishable from the signal “I’m
freezing in here”. <b>The result is a mixed signal that triggers the brain and so,
when it detects menthol, the receptor also signals cold, making mint feel cold even
though temperature never changed.</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAB7bKDRK_KaoPDL1Nhda2737NqykOioCpKJnUAjcQ7a2LGY4ico080FsEEDEftdgTckML8A6VEc1b5RqvcOQvzPXkr1IltLLKptHNns0vLZKfyjapKLtb6UQUrBNYiRDwXs6YQ_e7HsNX/s1600/6534998945_8b0838ac6f.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAB7bKDRK_KaoPDL1Nhda2737NqykOioCpKJnUAjcQ7a2LGY4ico080FsEEDEftdgTckML8A6VEc1b5RqvcOQvzPXkr1IltLLKptHNns0vLZKfyjapKLtb6UQUrBNYiRDwXs6YQ_e7HsNX/s320/6534998945_8b0838ac6f.jpg" width="320" /></a><span lang="EN-US">So Menthol
makes TRPM8 much more sensitive than
normal and <b>this is verified every time you breathe in deeply through your mouth
after eating a peppermint.</b> By introducing air inside, your cold receptors are
reacting much more strongly than they normally would to the air. What you can
physically feel is an extra freezing sensation. But the air is not cold at all.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><b>But
Confectionery Industry is just one of the lots of uses Menthol has.</b> Mint leaves
or mint oil containing high levels of menthol help repel and kill mosquitoes. Menthol
is also very effective against muscle aches and pains and throat irritations
(and this is why sometimes menthol is added in cigarettes), and the cooling
sensation it provides is helpful to treat sunburns. And last but not least, menthol crystals can be used as an ice substitute for drinks.</span></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvKvhY2y7QIoEbjNrJDe1qtEJ7Fh7V9-adMMZBmypqe4s4YaPH8Td6PcszFNOME6cz65pWhaJnQOWkdi2vr3bx8V4kROIr1oZeHRuRtkCTwLfMPCADoqVfRurKFHIoP78Dd69iRWHh_1OI/s1600/sticker%252C375x360.u4.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="191" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvKvhY2y7QIoEbjNrJDe1qtEJ7Fh7V9-adMMZBmypqe4s4YaPH8Td6PcszFNOME6cz65pWhaJnQOWkdi2vr3bx8V4kROIr1oZeHRuRtkCTwLfMPCADoqVfRurKFHIoP78Dd69iRWHh_1OI/s200/sticker%252C375x360.u4.png" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A little encourage mint for you <3</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"></span><br />
<span lang="EN-US"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><b>You didn’t
expect this pleasurable sensation was caused by menthol cheating on your brain,
did you?</b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><b>And now a
little experiment for “The Fair of Molecular Cheaters”</b> with Menthol and
Capsaicin (if you haven’t read the article <a href="http://curiositiesfromtheworld.blogspot.com/2015/09/discovery-central-chemicamazing-burning.html" target="_blank">The Burning Taste of Capsaicin</a> go
check it out): Take a pepper, a peppermint and eat them at the same time.
Capsaicin and Menthol have the same effects on the receptors (more or less),
but who tried it felt a particular, unique sensation. <b>Come on, try it for
science. And Never Stop Snooping Around. </b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
Gigi The Snooperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13037102870859309067noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6626852741873144301.post-58278421432516857192015-09-27T12:29:00.000-07:002015-09-27T12:29:08.153-07:00Discovery Central & ChEmIcAmAzInG - The Burning Taste of Capsaicin <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRzCpkXc68XkfNe1WnB5pU3DPX3N5mB37zdOko6M_yqs88RCCiSIG44Y_D4JD7weuJq3RR4-lpvr2F0-mvfK4ykkkdhUMS6ey7nd51rrIKjIB9kQ-M_puCAso_tFXRH9YcmK2bg3Rz0YJY/s1600/peppers-at-market.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRzCpkXc68XkfNe1WnB5pU3DPX3N5mB37zdOko6M_yqs88RCCiSIG44Y_D4JD7weuJq3RR4-lpvr2F0-mvfK4ykkkdhUMS6ey7nd51rrIKjIB9kQ-M_puCAso_tFXRH9YcmK2bg3Rz0YJY/s400/peppers-at-market.jpg" width="400" /></a>Sometimes our brain is not completely perfect. <b>All over the world there are tons of molecules that have the power of fooling our natural complexity.</b> For example, using a part of us that never sleeps…our constant search for food. All you have to do is look up at the spices you have at home and, if you have a little bottle with the words “Spicy Pepper” written on it, you’ve been fooled more than you could imagine. This because we’re going to discover the secret of <b>Capsaicin, the Spicy Cheater.</b><br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy1MGmzWSNM4Qtkcj_kuebBC8cjUGMaLO5d2D5bCb9k_toJL_4DoFHjsEzAoqO6lmTBi5iGobLjt-m8c-3T1vrv1Wr-OhkBCxDDsyR9csqx3pt8uYz2yLpmzbKGcZ-mTiJcfUO_8f1pSrB/s1600/665px-Kapsaicyna.svg.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="86" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy1MGmzWSNM4Qtkcj_kuebBC8cjUGMaLO5d2D5bCb9k_toJL_4DoFHjsEzAoqO6lmTBi5iGobLjt-m8c-3T1vrv1Wr-OhkBCxDDsyR9csqx3pt8uYz2yLpmzbKGcZ-mTiJcfUO_8f1pSrB/s320/665px-Kapsaicyna.svg.png" width="320" /></a>As some of you might have deduced, this molecule can be found in almost all kinds of peppers. <b>Most of the capsaicin in peppers (which is a fruit, not a vegetable) is mostly focused around the seeds.</b> The plant uses it as a defense mechanism against potential eaters and threats, and this clever method is actually more than useful. Except for specific animals, like birds, that eat seeds without destroying them, so they can spread them all around with feces. This means new plants and great advantage to the species. Interestingly, we should be repelled by Capsaicin. Instead, most of the people are attracted by the strong unique taste.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz3_3tlIBh279cpeq1w0BU43YTiL6s8587CYYsVza1EzOsnr2gAC4ULB3Gn2_Wiewrd4UiHhZxkIdeZwv2v9LbYq_Ztctfe8vVwqfHuKdi_wl0-bXxJ2eFO0GK65i-eRyM4ctkWzGeNfZ_/s1600/o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz3_3tlIBh279cpeq1w0BU43YTiL6s8587CYYsVza1EzOsnr2gAC4ULB3Gn2_Wiewrd4UiHhZxkIdeZwv2v9LbYq_Ztctfe8vVwqfHuKdi_wl0-bXxJ2eFO0GK65i-eRyM4ctkWzGeNfZ_/s400/o.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<b>Capsaicin is able to bond with specific neuro-receptors in the mouth,</b> affecting your senses and making you think you’re burning, even though there’s no changing in temperature.<br />
<br />
<b>Let’s be a little bit more specific, shall we?</b> What is going on in your mouth is the bond between the molecule and the <b>Vanilloid Receptor (TRPV1),</b> which is a ion channel receptor (a protein, to be clear). That’s why the magic happens. <b>TRPV1 is also a temperature regulator</b> so, by binding to the capsaicin molecule, the resulting signal to the brain is the heat perception we all know. This is why eating peppers makes your mouth feel really hot, even though it’s just a trick. <b>The same process can be seen with another molecule called allyl isothiocyanate, the pungent compound found in mustard and wasabi.</b> The fantastic taste of spicy pepper is one of the most used flavor in the world, especially in the Indian and Oriental cuisine.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzrRXVeJUQNn4T31rA7Lpm02DWRvJt-sjMmkbf-wgZK71Q3imwrM3uhJw6qyGHF91G3xDjawYU2kdUndk0_B163XsML06BVtqD_bVfOclmOx7fGdV8S0M2jg8gch4Vy4LnvgWyBaJwGT7U/s1600/caramel_bhut_jolokia.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzrRXVeJUQNn4T31rA7Lpm02DWRvJt-sjMmkbf-wgZK71Q3imwrM3uhJw6qyGHF91G3xDjawYU2kdUndk0_B163XsML06BVtqD_bVfOclmOx7fGdV8S0M2jg8gch4Vy4LnvgWyBaJwGT7U/s320/caramel_bhut_jolokia.jpg" width="218" /></a><b>Even there’s no changing in temperature, this doesn’t mean the heat is not measurable.</b> There is actually a scale for measuring hotness called the “Scoville Organoleptic Test”. This scale was developed by chemist Wilbur Scoville. The higher the number, the more water you’ll need to stop sensing the effects. But believe me when I say that water is completely useless. <b>Try with some milk.</b> Casein, a protein found in that product, has the ability to surround capsaicin molecules, hindering the burning taste. <b>Maybe with the Ghost Pepper (Bhut Jolokia), the hottest pepper ever (here on the left), you'll need more than that...</b><br />
<br />
But capsaicin is not just a substance that makes your food extra tasty. it is also used in the widely discussed <b>Pepper Spray</b>, one of the most effective defense against thieves or rapists. The contact with skin and eyes or if breathed into lungs, it will cause the same burning sensation.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin5SXs_yqsQz196I30W0thmEsZahGW5E56njoqdGXLGSuL9Rf8T7n-F-ocX-dBz6BHDhvwabMM2D2QVakz9m51xedUPTmuniO5qLRC0FbPwaqQbyoAF3Fq-bg9YvKw5ZcOk7eFmutOk_Gh/s1600/TarantulaChiliPeppers.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="252" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin5SXs_yqsQz196I30W0thmEsZahGW5E56njoqdGXLGSuL9Rf8T7n-F-ocX-dBz6BHDhvwabMM2D2QVakz9m51xedUPTmuniO5qLRC0FbPwaqQbyoAF3Fq-bg9YvKw5ZcOk7eFmutOk_Gh/s320/TarantulaChiliPeppers.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
<br />
Oh…before you go, a little fact. Did you know that <b>Tarantula Venom</b> activates the same neural pathways as Capsaicin? So getting bitten by a tarantula will feel the same as being exposed to a high level of capsaicin.<br />
<br />
Well, now you know that eating something spicy is a complex mechanism of molecular cheating. <b>But this doesn’t mean spicy food is not an extremely enjoyable experience.</b><br />
<br />
<br />Gigi The Snooperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13037102870859309067noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6626852741873144301.post-35575090932055528282015-08-20T11:01:00.000-07:002015-08-20T11:01:31.397-07:00Urban Legends - The Immortal Jellyfish<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDPtENOxfsxkk7z_kvWstC47wB5q0LY9KmY47Du61k8aEjKsTaDwOchNjRKzz0YyhHqtPdUrOWQ5jFlFHDjLVaeUV-ftxhm10FWaFVslq2G5lNI20H1wPBrOxUNPZwioz_0e6OXwU97Rb6/s1600/medusa-inmortal.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDPtENOxfsxkk7z_kvWstC47wB5q0LY9KmY47Du61k8aEjKsTaDwOchNjRKzz0YyhHqtPdUrOWQ5jFlFHDjLVaeUV-ftxhm10FWaFVslq2G5lNI20H1wPBrOxUNPZwioz_0e6OXwU97Rb6/s400/medusa-inmortal.jpg" width="326" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: start;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Turritopsis Nutricula, the Immortal Jellyfish</span></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><b>What if I
tell you there is a species of animal that can age both forwards and backwards,
making it an immortal living organism.</b> And what if I tell you that the powerful
creature with this incredible characteristic is one of the tiniest jellyfish
ever seen. Well, in this case is completely fair saying that size doesn’t
matter. After the <b><a href="http://curiositiesfromtheworld.blogspot.com/2014/05/random-facts-aboutjellyfish.html" target="_blank">Random Facts about Jellyfish</a></b> and <b><a href="http://curiositiesfromtheworld.blogspot.com/2015/05/nature-most-wanted-blue-dragon.html" target="_blank">The history of the BlueDragon </a></b>(click the links for more), here the immortality life circle of <b>Turritopsis
Nutricula, the Immortal Jellyfish.</b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">Most
jellyfish have a lifetime of between a few hours to a few months. Few species
can also live for several years. <b>But only the Turritopsis Nutricula have the unique
ability to live forever. </b>They can grow old like every other living thing, but
then can reverse this process and turn young again. Unfortunately, this kind of jellyfish can
only grow to a maximum of around 1/5 of an inch in diameter, so they are an
extremely easy food for lots and lots of predators. <b>But, without this jinx of
being an easy prey, this jellyfish has been able to achieve immortality.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"></span><br />
<span lang="EN-US"></span></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAWMs_pU1BYdsqpboylKyUmJwZmIVfoZzHhkEsNguQXrTULA1r1i8c8bQpL-exiPS5hcHV-mOXulRDrq_3P53qW47zSrgWJEorgHX0QQAFc6vEs0JhgCcpTMjAOqhOBC8AvjPNRPEhpDxW/s1600/turritopsis-polyp.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="285" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAWMs_pU1BYdsqpboylKyUmJwZmIVfoZzHhkEsNguQXrTULA1r1i8c8bQpL-exiPS5hcHV-mOXulRDrq_3P53qW47zSrgWJEorgHX0QQAFc6vEs0JhgCcpTMjAOqhOBC8AvjPNRPEhpDxW/s320/turritopsis-polyp.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small; text-align: start;">Turritopsis Nutricula polyp stadium</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><b>The life
circle of this creature is pretty simple.
</b>The male jellyfish releases sperm into the water and it may unite with
the egg of a female. Eventually this
will produce a free swimming larva, called planulae, that abandons the body of
the female and float around until finally settling on the sea floor and
attaching to something strong and sturdy like a rock. The next form of this
creature is a polyp that look like a plant. This plant like animal feeds on
various things like plankton and, over a certain amount of time, a colony of
polyps will form from the single polyp, all connected with feeding tubes. <b>Some years later, the colony of polyps will
begin producing free swimming jellyfish, the immortal ones.</b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"></span><br />
<span lang="EN-US"></span></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0D0jOtFXoGy0Jns7KG1bfdq9xZuBu-qNaOEP_aZhbkDBETOWo8XXQFY4NYCrz_pUBhX0hooBqvM8ZfkW3Ev0rinM9FmxV3XrJpyoadaxZCetp3w-0R3V8nb8mXXQJNDwb6L6_5qWpfm38/s1600/6a00e54f1141728834012877907e47970c-800wi.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="277" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0D0jOtFXoGy0Jns7KG1bfdq9xZuBu-qNaOEP_aZhbkDBETOWo8XXQFY4NYCrz_pUBhX0hooBqvM8ZfkW3Ev0rinM9FmxV3XrJpyoadaxZCetp3w-0R3V8nb8mXXQJNDwb6L6_5qWpfm38/s400/6a00e54f1141728834012877907e47970c-800wi.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The life circle of the jelly</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><b>The Turritopsis
Nutricula float away with the currents, gathering food as they encounter
it.</b> The real miracle happens when food
is scarce or they are injured or various other environmental issues occur. <b>These events trigger a unique mechanism
within the animal that causes it to begin to grow younger. </b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><b>In this
process, called transdifferentiation, cells are able to change themselves into other
cell.</b> In this case (for the record, the Turritopsis Nutricula is the only
creature in the world that can use this process to rejuvenate at any point of
the jelly maturation) the jellyfish cells transform into the previous stadium
of polyp cells. <b>All the cells of the organism grow young all the way to the point where they
once again become a single polyp, starting the process all over again. </b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUdKDa9VOublrDmnw7B5IHY8Yd87duBBiog13PJNlX3ZoqujOIgvZQVDvLVwPShq3yCD0kAM56liNLSR6Itq8D2ztP72wwYPoU88PDgVuXBaoPjRhiR_72N6NVSNO02ZAtp0DQwFNdk7r8/s1600/21jn2u9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="203" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUdKDa9VOublrDmnw7B5IHY8Yd87duBBiog13PJNlX3ZoqujOIgvZQVDvLVwPShq3yCD0kAM56liNLSR6Itq8D2ztP72wwYPoU88PDgVuXBaoPjRhiR_72N6NVSNO02ZAtp0DQwFNdk7r8/s400/21jn2u9.jpg" width="400" /></a><span lang="EN-US">After some
time, the polyp will be able to grow a new colony. Once again, other jellyfish are released from
the polyp colony, <b>each with the same genetic code as the original jellyfish
that formed the polyp.</b> It is thought
that this process can go on forever, assuming the animals don’t die of some
disease or aren’t killed by predator. <b>This effectively makes them biologically immortal.</b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
This is not
what normal people think when talking about immortality. But this can be
considered as the nearest thing to never-ending life. So think about it. <b>A
jellyfish can last longer than humanity. Sometimes nature is wonderful, don’t
you think? </b></div>
Gigi The Snooperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13037102870859309067noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6626852741873144301.post-33570227351635720772015-07-29T15:23:00.000-07:002015-07-29T15:23:31.960-07:00Did you know? - Plants can actually feel pain <div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnxSJl37XPG5jJmG6bEfYDkm4KNgP3FBNe6FJVDpMlsA7n53KlN64z0wOaE-hmDwpYjniTh-6NeyFrYGT2cK7TQc-aDFCAP6LC7wT_1ABMWOZYYHNtTA85QXkZZcXeHGnGnQNj-7ZPAimN/s1600/thick-forest-wood-trees-wide.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="250" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnxSJl37XPG5jJmG6bEfYDkm4KNgP3FBNe6FJVDpMlsA7n53KlN64z0wOaE-hmDwpYjniTh-6NeyFrYGT2cK7TQc-aDFCAP6LC7wT_1ABMWOZYYHNtTA85QXkZZcXeHGnGnQNj-7ZPAimN/s400/thick-forest-wood-trees-wide.jpg" width="400" /></a><span lang="EN-US"><b>Ouch…It
hurts! Very common exclamation for most of us. But what if you could hear a
plant saying this?</b> Well, you won’t believe that but plants suffer
everyday. Simply we are not able to hear
them. Yesterday I was minding my own business when, all of a sudden, I started
hearing a noise out of the window. There were two gardeners cutting the grass.
In my opinion there’s nothing better than catching a whiff of freshly cut
grass. <b>For us it could be quite pleasant. But for the grass that smell is pure
horror.</b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwbAO-pmRgKBF0ko8GVPYJOuNQ1JhimDMCt2MhE8JA1nGrVDk_7h6mP0Ui9Zb3l9kwbJgqBw8s4zQ8n_rEVpJ1KpDBD4vhvAiUkzRsTqyOZ12RWG8U3UFUMT9DvM7381XvLLcvpoqQj3ix/s1600/KW5_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwbAO-pmRgKBF0ko8GVPYJOuNQ1JhimDMCt2MhE8JA1nGrVDk_7h6mP0Ui9Zb3l9kwbJgqBw8s4zQ8n_rEVpJ1KpDBD4vhvAiUkzRsTqyOZ12RWG8U3UFUMT9DvM7381XvLLcvpoqQj3ix/s400/KW5_1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><b>The smell
we associate with freshly cut grass is actually a chemical distress call </b>used
by plants to beg nearby critters to save them from attack. If you could be able
to hear these call, it would be a horrifying scream. After all, when there’s a threat, whether it's
a lawnmower or a hungry caterpillar, <b>plants can't run away.</b> They must fight
where they stand. And that is exactly what they do.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnZFIS3QQ7Fxd0-qdKVXW6Sr1k1pV2pIJegvrl6vKgRd6S3Az6R-DskS-nRXv_OVptatfBdhuchlWzHI_NcWDyDh7xEGrBF8UIVVqrO4mrZXBLGHikr1duCTZhD5fL6JFtxyMAiEUTPnT_/s1600/green-leaves-park-tree.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="250" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnZFIS3QQ7Fxd0-qdKVXW6Sr1k1pV2pIJegvrl6vKgRd6S3Az6R-DskS-nRXv_OVptatfBdhuchlWzHI_NcWDyDh7xEGrBF8UIVVqrO4mrZXBLGHikr1duCTZhD5fL6JFtxyMAiEUTPnT_/s400/green-leaves-park-tree.jpg" width="400" /></a><span lang="EN-US"><b></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span lang="EN-US"><b><br /></b></span></b></div>
<b>In order to protect themselves, plants employ a gust
of molecular responses.</b> These chemical communications can be used to poison an
enemy, alert plants all around of potential dangers or attract helpful insects. <b>Sometimes, a plant's molecular defense has multiple purposes.</b> For instance,
plants that produce caffeine use the chemical as self-defense, but it’s also useful
for bees’ pollination. The scent of caffeine constricts bees to carve for more. The result is a swarm of bees surrounding the plant, letting the plant leave the pollen and
ensuring the continuity of species.<o:p></o:p><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkb2xCZ5wi4m3LcuhxdW9YQ3f4ENEVlEXV5ctc4Vyupx_3SIl5zzj8BMlXHSc27Bqbbf0DXLjN-wKW3QJWfP91gRDqUtSWIaFXPFJbmxhmvSZXkvWkJIAn3AXx3fcgnSwXOesAiCyQ0CEx/s1600/mandragora_radix_by_cha0sgirl-d6662d2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkb2xCZ5wi4m3LcuhxdW9YQ3f4ENEVlEXV5ctc4Vyupx_3SIl5zzj8BMlXHSc27Bqbbf0DXLjN-wKW3QJWfP91gRDqUtSWIaFXPFJbmxhmvSZXkvWkJIAn3AXx3fcgnSwXOesAiCyQ0CEx/s400/mandragora_radix_by_cha0sgirl-d6662d2.jpg" width="280" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">But this
can be just seen as a way of communicate . <b>But does that mean they can feel
pain?</b> I’m sorry for vegetarians and vegans, but the answer won't be very
pleasant.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">According
to researchers at the Institute for Applied Physics at the University of Bonn
in Germany, after cutting or injuring a plant, some gases are released. <b>These molecules are the equivalent of tears in
human beings, so releasing these gases would mean crying out in pain for the
plant.</b> And using a laser-powered microphone, just to make things even worse,
researchers have picked up specific sound waves produced by plants while releasing
that gases. Although not perceptible by humans, the secret voices of plants
have revealed that <b>cucumbers scream when they are sick, and flowers whine when
their leaves are cut. </b>Speaking of crying plants, the Mandragora's cry (on the left you have some examples of this strange animal-plant hybrid) was believed to be extremely lethal for humans, but this sure is another story...<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLOjTLWeWNAVFEEKKZxTL7f6svdPHzsgUhwGRFSbnz8NdsCvGBDw2Vv4x5ZFP-qJAWn2k3S0mDa32U_yxk1EmjhMGVbyslen-JOA8SEHa19mKWjKQ9LpJxI3iMVjrOM7AlXinCCHmBwzQr/s1600/shutterstock-plant-roots-537x331.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="246" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLOjTLWeWNAVFEEKKZxTL7f6svdPHzsgUhwGRFSbnz8NdsCvGBDw2Vv4x5ZFP-qJAWn2k3S0mDa32U_yxk1EmjhMGVbyslen-JOA8SEHa19mKWjKQ9LpJxI3iMVjrOM7AlXinCCHmBwzQr/s400/shutterstock-plant-roots-537x331.jpg" width="400" /></a><span lang="EN-US"><b></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Today is
the remorse fair. There's also evidence that plants can hear themselves being
eaten.</b> Researchers at the University of Missouri-Columbia found out that plants
understand and respond to chewing sounds made by caterpillars or humans that
are dining on them. <b>As soon as the plants hear the noises, they respond with plenty
of defense mechanisms.</b></div>
<o:p></o:p><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXF05AH03IZgOYup_pdtjFPyU9cM1yUTADzWnq3Aa4tdIBGRCrhrvgaP9VMvIpJ1Q-rQxGa5ZQszxIhgl68VXRoswTjozFnBVgmxBp6ZSwUxWTMEH_A41yjaMXq-eFEmSG6Bv0VgBSj9Ij/s1600/day_181__piranha_plant__25_minutes__by_cryptid_creations-d65vyx9.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXF05AH03IZgOYup_pdtjFPyU9cM1yUTADzWnq3Aa4tdIBGRCrhrvgaP9VMvIpJ1Q-rQxGa5ZQszxIhgl68VXRoswTjozFnBVgmxBp6ZSwUxWTMEH_A41yjaMXq-eFEmSG6Bv0VgBSj9Ij/s320/day_181__piranha_plant__25_minutes__by_cryptid_creations-d65vyx9.png" width="320" /></a><span lang="EN-US"><b>To sum up,
the combination of distress calls, releasing gases and emitting sounds….is
actually pain!! </b>Some researchers and botanists argue that pain is strictly
connected with the brain. Without one, pain cannot be registered. But plants
can actually demonstrate to be extremely intelligent without having a brain or
conscious awareness. The actual feeling of pain would not be so far from truth. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><b>After all,
plants are able to communicate, and there’s no denying.</b> Trees in a forest can
warn their relatives of insect attacks. And, if they’re near enough to one
another, there can be also a nutrients exchange. This biological network helps
plants propagate, grow and survive. <b>All these processes can be verified using
injections of radioactive carbon isotopes.</b> Within a few days, carbon is sent
from tree to tree to all the nearby plants in the area. This complex network of
roots, leaves and stems is also used by older trees to help the younger ones to
collect the light until they’re strong enough to be completely independent.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRFwD8VdgaSghla3l2IBo7UohegEB1m7qrQ_dpP_C9NC91TmdVganXkyzY32ENCvYO_DPVNozglUpGIOCOFz9T3iRN4Dx73qk3dyb4wlnv2PAbVQ1lW5w3MHNbj_IW-8T251IOLudEmeJa/s1600/Keep-off-the-grass.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRFwD8VdgaSghla3l2IBo7UohegEB1m7qrQ_dpP_C9NC91TmdVganXkyzY32ENCvYO_DPVNozglUpGIOCOFz9T3iRN4Dx73qk3dyb4wlnv2PAbVQ1lW5w3MHNbj_IW-8T251IOLudEmeJa/s320/Keep-off-the-grass.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Plants have
a great sense of community…even more than humans. </b>What do you think?
Do you think plants sense pain? Have these scientific researches convinced you?
After reading this, you might have changed your mind. <b>When you’ll read “Please
keep off the grass”, maybe you should follow the advice.</b> Have a great life and
Never Stop Snooping Around. </div>
Gigi The Snooperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13037102870859309067noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6626852741873144301.post-41332818820345826522015-07-14T06:15:00.000-07:002015-07-14T06:15:07.444-07:00Bad Luck Files - Breaking a Mirror<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic4c2kTm3LsSGxS8oQjjikTc-9JDlV_1Fi4BeIHTg6tusDSx7VLLs7n0Ela6hEs0VkfJwS_HsMLjLjk4ImkVTV2bMSDFTna-kdwdzFkLbqRq-mc0It071PmsCdgULylXrdEkbVnBpt0sDN/s1600/Mirror-Art-Shattered-Sunsets-2-468x608.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic4c2kTm3LsSGxS8oQjjikTc-9JDlV_1Fi4BeIHTg6tusDSx7VLLs7n0Ela6hEs0VkfJwS_HsMLjLjk4ImkVTV2bMSDFTna-kdwdzFkLbqRq-mc0It071PmsCdgULylXrdEkbVnBpt0sDN/s400/Mirror-Art-Shattered-Sunsets-2-468x608.jpg" width="307" /></a><span lang="EN-US"><b>Mirror
mirror on the wall…a disaster if you fall. </b>I’ll never believe you if you say
you’ve never thought about the years of misfortune after breaking a shining
mirror. 7 years of misfortune to be precise. <b>But have you ever wondered how
this superstition has spread in our modern world?</b> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><b>Answering this
question is not a big deal. </b>At the beginning of time, even if mirrors didn’t exist,
the superstition probably evolved from the fact that first humans saw their
reflections in the water, believed that the image they were seeing was a
stranger ,and probably an enemy. <b>When people acquired a little bit of consciousness,
the representation changed. </b>They started believing the reflection was their
actual soul and ruffling the surface would mean injuries and danger to both
body and soul. Also a lot of ancient myths told mirrors had magical powers,
including the power to foreseen the future and were thought to be devices of
the Gods. Breaking the mirror meant ending the powers of the object. <b>Mirrors
were worshiped as divine object. </b>This power was given to mirrors from ancient
Greeks, Egyptians, Chinese and Indians. But then breaking a mirror was very improbable because
these populations produced mirrors made
out of silver, gold, brass or bronze. <b>The results were (almost) unbreakable
mirrors.</b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil8hkW33Koaf2UE2z4qj7q9XuXaegjbHdpI3IKgXcT9Cos3POLI24Dl8P6kRgf7B3cMknOv3_9OBGRQCje8x4IQqZk5yZ9O3HKX6VtfxG4I7m7WJmVEgUC_DS452WejAE6QYhcW9sGt4mR/s1600/BreakeaMirror.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil8hkW33Koaf2UE2z4qj7q9XuXaegjbHdpI3IKgXcT9Cos3POLI24Dl8P6kRgf7B3cMknOv3_9OBGRQCje8x4IQqZk5yZ9O3HKX6VtfxG4I7m7WJmVEgUC_DS452WejAE6QYhcW9sGt4mR/s400/BreakeaMirror.jpg" width="313" /></a><span lang="EN-US"><b>But the
actual origin of the superstition has to be blame to the Ancient Romans.</b> They believed
that a mirror had the power to steal parts of the soul of the reflected person.
Any distortion of the reflection meant a corruption of the soul. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><b>And things
get worse and worse. </b>A break was an evil sentence. In fact the soul was trapped
in the world inside the mirror. Essentially, a broken mirror created a broken
soul, which led to an unhealthy and unfortunate future. <b>The length of the
prescribed misfortune came from the ancient Roman belief that seven years were
needed for life to renew itself.</b> If the person looking into the mirror was not
of good health, the image would have broken the mirror. After seven years of
misfortune, the life would have been renewed, the body physically rejuvenated,
and the curse would have been over.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><b>But Romans
were very greedy.</b> In old times, mirrors were very expensive, despite low
quality and defections. In order to save some money it was told that breaking a
mirror would have brought seven years of bad luck. So maybe was simple greed tactics…
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCCl5T2EBFQrfv9HFTmOqweW_uRUdSDH0uXK9KMyTFkZQ_zaJ21taUEzSlu7HLqrbBzUR1OTCvqhKxqsJVNw466qzla6Su3CVJQAmUBAifIj_nf8YXXC9KwCqj2oImN1UTZ8s-1jYMSwFb/s1600/mirror-14.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCCl5T2EBFQrfv9HFTmOqweW_uRUdSDH0uXK9KMyTFkZQ_zaJ21taUEzSlu7HLqrbBzUR1OTCvqhKxqsJVNw466qzla6Su3CVJQAmUBAifIj_nf8YXXC9KwCqj2oImN1UTZ8s-1jYMSwFb/s400/mirror-14.jpg" width="400" /></a><span lang="EN-US"><b>Romans
created the curse…and then they created lots of remedies. </b>Accidentally breaking
a mirror was very common and if the poor soul didn’t wish seven years of disasters,
there were many possibilities. <b>Here for you the best ones:</b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="text-indent: -18pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="text-indent: -18pt;">-Taking
all pieces of the mirror and burying them in the moonlight.</span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="text-indent: -18pt;">
<span style="text-indent: -18pt;"> -Taking all pieces and throw them into running water.</span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="text-indent: -18pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Symbol; text-indent: -18pt;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;"> - </span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="text-indent: -18pt;">Pounding the broken mirror into tiny pieces so that no one could reflect anything ever again.</span><br />
<span style="text-indent: -18pt;">- Leaving the broken mirror for seven hours and then picking it up immediately after the hours were up.</span><br />
<span lang="EN-US" style="text-indent: -18pt;">- Burning the mirror, or at least blackening the pieces in the flames of a fire. The fragments should have been buried after a year.</span></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGAt15Z0MeR8dc7WdWbEMle3K47rMYw-pj7Exl9YGznaCJaHOI42jR1P6pCRyYkk0aVPCqiyNS-y0YGRkYPob6VmiXbCf-VCiYhjZaDgRWCCY75OZjgWeA1AYDwN5NlQmKwe1RTNk2TWgg/s1600/tumblr_mrqzbuOwmq1sog0eso1_1280.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGAt15Z0MeR8dc7WdWbEMle3K47rMYw-pj7Exl9YGznaCJaHOI42jR1P6pCRyYkk0aVPCqiyNS-y0YGRkYPob6VmiXbCf-VCiYhjZaDgRWCCY75OZjgWeA1AYDwN5NlQmKwe1RTNk2TWgg/s320/tumblr_mrqzbuOwmq1sog0eso1_1280.jpg" width="313" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A demon showing his....butt in a mirror</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><b>Some other modern
measures</b> include lighting seven white candles on the first night after breaking
the mirror and blowing them out at midnight in one breath, while another is
touching a tombstone with a piece of the mirror. Another counter-remedy, maybe
the easiest, is to take a five-dollar bill and make the sign of the cross, even
if it’s not clear about what to do with the five-dollar bill.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><b>Nowadays superstitions
around mirrors are connected with evil powers and death.</b> Someone even say that
the Devil invented it to keep people away from Heaven. <b>Maybe a symbol of vanity….or
maybe just an useful object to always look impeccable.</b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
Gigi The Snooperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13037102870859309067noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6626852741873144301.post-42896306912727979652015-07-04T01:51:00.001-07:002015-07-04T01:51:21.868-07:00ChEmIcAmAzInG - Glowing in the dark<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdGdhcLzT1pqJYMTNEzxTeT1fy4TZuPcmM8ur9LB3ECurXzfjDWarxyq-NgccNVllGIoB0kai9EMdn3XPGL58HWke4d7nYQKDEn-JJ1gE8eHypaJ_7GA8y0Ojw0pl3AMQlUiDzqCx-Y-BK/s1600/O9KUo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdGdhcLzT1pqJYMTNEzxTeT1fy4TZuPcmM8ur9LB3ECurXzfjDWarxyq-NgccNVllGIoB0kai9EMdn3XPGL58HWke4d7nYQKDEn-JJ1gE8eHypaJ_7GA8y0Ojw0pl3AMQlUiDzqCx-Y-BK/s400/O9KUo.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It's so magical...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><b>A night at
the disco.</b> Flashing colors all around. A little glowing bracelet around your
wrist. The music is so loud you don’t care about everything. But maybe a little
question makes its way into your mind…<b>How does this stuff glow? Well, here I am
to tell you why.</b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><b>All the
glowing in the dark products contain a chemical structures called phosphors.</b>
This name is given to any substance that emits light after being energized in
some way. Thousands of chemicals can be classified as phosphors. The great
variety of chemicals with this property permits lots of degrees of brightness,
color, and length of time they glow after being energized.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz4ANh7zVtTqyzDGiaE-YtxsACcHAtnG9kruAKe1EZVbdx5C-hV2MwUtlz1wdXQkXeg09tQ_EMsi4qzPhUXf7Ynwof3sKlQRXKYtTqkdIfHZGha4w1V8HSxmJwvTjAagSFI1SCji3GbpgY/s1600/Phosphorescence.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz4ANh7zVtTqyzDGiaE-YtxsACcHAtnG9kruAKe1EZVbdx5C-hV2MwUtlz1wdXQkXeg09tQ_EMsi4qzPhUXf7Ynwof3sKlQRXKYtTqkdIfHZGha4w1V8HSxmJwvTjAagSFI1SCji3GbpgY/s400/Phosphorescence.jpg" width="360" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A phosphorescent eagle</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">There are
<b>three main types</b> of ways these phosphors can absorb energy and then releasing
it: <b>Phosphorescence, Chemiluminescence and Radioluminescence.</b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><b>Phosphorescent
structures</b>, most common for glow in the dark items, are things like the glow in
the dark stars many people put on their ceilings, giving a room a magical
atmosphere. These items absorb light
radiation and then re-emit the stored light energy over some period of time, at
some level of brightness. <b>So the best
phosphorescent glow in the dark items are able to store a bit of this light,
not all of it, and emit it back out relatively slowly</b>, so it glows longer, because
glowing for two microseconds is not so impressing.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><b>To be a
little be more specific, this process mostly happens extremely quickly</b> (10
nanoseconds to absorb and emit). In this
special case of phosphorescence, the absorbed light energy transitions to a
higher energy state, where it’s trapped. Returning to a lower energy state
takes time, and in certain phosphorescent compounds the higher energy state can
last minutes or even hours, allowing these compounds to effectively store light
energy for a long time. <b>The longer the higher state lifetime, the longer it glows.</b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcOZd5U1UrB4b_8UDm6KEIrPM5Hb-vNpf5nPT_PIS9YIaamrsdZReADtpOYDOhSBE57NprFy95Ak8pB18npF5Kud92zFBRG6N-6Zz1M7Ed9S_IDPyZGbDrjbjvCEuHBChhLx-2to0_P_Un/s1600/color.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="221" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcOZd5U1UrB4b_8UDm6KEIrPM5Hb-vNpf5nPT_PIS9YIaamrsdZReADtpOYDOhSBE57NprFy95Ak8pB18npF5Kud92zFBRG6N-6Zz1M7Ed9S_IDPyZGbDrjbjvCEuHBChhLx-2to0_P_Un/s400/color.png" width="400" /></a><span lang="EN-US"><b>Another
class of glow in the dark objects is the chemiluminescent variety.</b> These items glow because of an actual
chemical reaction. In this reaction, the interaction between the reagents produces
and releases energy. Sometimes this reactions have a fluorescent dye that will
convert this energy, usually releasing the light in the UV spectrum, into
another form of light that is visible to humans (the visible spectrum). <b>The
result is items glowing in different colors.</b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxZADFukxWILySCRPYOAwcnWSrZiLfrvIHJBL_HpAiCerh7Iv8SOWTiq-R_php1L6xy4ls3HjbYe0rB731y02Bt2XvqXyplwRJcZvZO73MYZgGoOvTCZtxYP_kiYISmLdAVV2Jg0-l-vbj/s1600/glowsticks.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxZADFukxWILySCRPYOAwcnWSrZiLfrvIHJBL_HpAiCerh7Iv8SOWTiq-R_php1L6xy4ls3HjbYe0rB731y02Bt2XvqXyplwRJcZvZO73MYZgGoOvTCZtxYP_kiYISmLdAVV2Jg0-l-vbj/s400/glowsticks.jpg" width="400" /></a><span lang="EN-US"><b>Have you
ever heard of the glow stick?</b> Of course you have. Well, this is the perfect
example of a chemiluminescent glowing object. Inside a glow stick there is a sealed
glass vial containing some chemical.
This is enclosed inside the plastic glow stick container that contains a
different chemical and a fluorescent dye. In order to get it to glow, you have
to crack the vial, which releases the chemical it contains. The mixture of the
chemicals then reaches the plastic container.
When the chemical reaction starts, it produces energy, then converted by
the dye to visible light that is re-emitted<b>….and there you have it!</b> A glow
stick in all the colors you want…of course you have to choose the right dye.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT3W-2bgU9NlUx6bUAyz1w3siQHg0snsBrwaG5YD06gvum5EhOGkF0zO4hLJt6Iq0kvbgRnpqAjj-H1cB6_uzia3VPV-ZzpUr6-EkWs66PGz2c_x9Wfsdz6hA-lLOroIxJe2GCyySFSRYw/s1600/tsuneakihiramatsu_fireflies.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT3W-2bgU9NlUx6bUAyz1w3siQHg0snsBrwaG5YD06gvum5EhOGkF0zO4hLJt6Iq0kvbgRnpqAjj-H1cB6_uzia3VPV-ZzpUr6-EkWs66PGz2c_x9Wfsdz6hA-lLOroIxJe2GCyySFSRYw/s400/tsuneakihiramatsu_fireflies.jpg" width="400" /></a><span lang="EN-US"><b>So light is
not caused by heat in chemiluminescence. But heat does effect it.</b> You can try
an experiment to verify this. If you put the glow stick in the freezer, the
chemical reaction goes slower and slower and the low temperature produces a dimmer
glow that lasts longer. On the other
hand, you can put a glow stick in boiling water and you will see it gets
brighter and brighter as the chemical reactions happen faster, but won’t glow for
a long time. <b>This phenomenon is common in living creatures and is called
Bioluminescence</b> (if you want to learn something about it, <b><a href="http://curiositiesfromtheworld.blogspot.com/2014/05/did-you-knowhow-do-fireflies-glow.html" target="_blank">go check out this process in Fireflies.</a></b>)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNPNAnegX4UReEBjgElJHbtdOGJHWrS0QzcnMtPhmerxAw1iEOGlL6ULb59AtBK6X8mxjs8-dmP8eZo8IOSxPqsdWwPoXYwBwZIqWvHgt7Y4Cv-mDwR2d1vkEBO1lOxrhGVotS9TrDktx7/s1600/2901855040_93daefd284_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNPNAnegX4UReEBjgElJHbtdOGJHWrS0QzcnMtPhmerxAw1iEOGlL6ULb59AtBK6X8mxjs8-dmP8eZo8IOSxPqsdWwPoXYwBwZIqWvHgt7Y4Cv-mDwR2d1vkEBO1lOxrhGVotS9TrDktx7/s400/2901855040_93daefd284_b.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A tritium energized stick</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><b>The
radioluminescent objects are the least used of the group.</b> This because the
reaction is not very common. In fact, these glowing items work with a mixture
of phosphors and a radioactive element. Some radioactive emissions come out of
the element and energize the phosphor continuously during the entire life of
the element. Some watches glow using
this method. <b>The three most common radioactive materials used here are Radium</b>,
which has a half-life of 1600 years.<b> Tritium</b>, which has a half-life of 12
years. <b>Promethium</b>, an artificial element which has a half-life of about 3
years. So the glowing lasts for a long time…a very long time.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">Very
interesting reactions, don’t you think? I hope you liked it and remember….<b>Never
Stop Snooping Around <3</b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
Gigi The Snooperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13037102870859309067noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6626852741873144301.post-78942753128548273032015-06-16T07:17:00.000-07:002015-06-19T05:51:15.938-07:00Wonderfully Lethal - The Corpse Flower<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRX6jOCQnD-ZixuV2SKXaialtxueyd1MFfNzbt4rycTx7-EPmetGhhk3WoZ0LmpZdoX9G9xu7lOKnRKZeuErKKrRoTS9AMO76YBlcmbXGyXYOuQ-fQDVuYHSM-vc_wORhO7l0fGhYLLFNf/s1600/391px-Titan-arum1web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRX6jOCQnD-ZixuV2SKXaialtxueyd1MFfNzbt4rycTx7-EPmetGhhk3WoZ0LmpZdoX9G9xu7lOKnRKZeuErKKrRoTS9AMO76YBlcmbXGyXYOuQ-fQDVuYHSM-vc_wORhO7l0fGhYLLFNf/s400/391px-Titan-arum1web.jpg" width="260" /></a><span lang="EN-US"><b>Hidden in
the depths of Indonesian rainforest of Sumatra blooms a very attractive flower,
the rare Titan Arum.</b> This flower is described as the world’s largest flower.
But being huge isn’t the characteristic it’s mostly known for. In fact, the
very realistic nickname of “Corpse Flower” would let you avoid to smell this
great flower. <b>Letting your nose have a contact with its smell is the worst idea
ever.</b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><b>It’s been
said that the smell of the Corpse Flower resembles a mixture of rotten flesh
and decomposing garbage.</b> So it’s not a pleasurable aroma. But, of course,
nature never fails, so there’s a reason for this awful scent. <b>The purpose of
this smell is to attract pollinators,</b> more specifically sweat bees, flies, and
dung beetles. These insects are attracted to the smell because, thinking it’s
rotting flesh, seems to be the perfect place to lay their eggs. This flower don’t
like to play fair, but this trick ensures its survival. When the insects lands
on the flower, they become covered in pollen. After laying their eggs, they fly
off to spread the pollen across the forest.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheJtXdjVtyh580kMQoTQlwfLQAnHXE-C1nH5YxGjo_Dk1Mi8U8FFFEERqpclAyj-8nqWDcaMfLbzKjL7UJ8yLK9KDuMfKcwImysWzjJ73JHL73WUAsCKwg2oVpihr3fxN54r65eKAm3Eor/s1600/6a01156e4c2c3d970c019b02306d1f970b.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheJtXdjVtyh580kMQoTQlwfLQAnHXE-C1nH5YxGjo_Dk1Mi8U8FFFEERqpclAyj-8nqWDcaMfLbzKjL7UJ8yLK9KDuMfKcwImysWzjJ73JHL73WUAsCKwg2oVpihr3fxN54r65eKAm3Eor/s400/6a01156e4c2c3d970c019b02306d1f970b.png" width="285" /></a><span lang="EN-US"><b>The Italian
botanist and explorer Odoardo Beccari had the unpleasant experience to smell
the corpse aroma</b> and wrote about the flower in 1878, saying this flower is a carnivorous
man-eater. He didn’t know it was just trying to make a pollinator feel right at
home. Scientists and Botanists are still trying to figure out what exactly
inside of the plant produces the smell. A sulfur-infused chemical is almost
definitely present, giving it the tinge of rotten egg. Additionally, it’s been
said that putrescine and cadaverine, compounds found in decomposing flesh, could
also be involved. These sweet compounds are also found in other plants in the
Aroid family, a group of plants friendly known as “Skunk Cabbage”. It is also
believed that the plant produces heat, allowing the aroma to spread further out
into the forest.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><b>To be more
specific, the Corpse Flower shouldn’t be considered as a single flower but a
cluster of flowers,</b> called an inflorescence, which has hundreds of male and
female flowers buried at the base of stem, which botanists believe are the
actual part of the plant that produces the stink.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCpcFn7FSLuVgZ_a8lN_wVoiTTtLXpIUipeAMVFkx1HNruqp9ERscmV347sG3uC8L3veeIMCrbcqzDE4IfE5d0AmgdOVrzY54_QK5xtf7J-FMYmKIdpsLH_Qs5dZEtpTblOVcPBLw61_WF/s1600/Amorphophallus_titanum_bud.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCpcFn7FSLuVgZ_a8lN_wVoiTTtLXpIUipeAMVFkx1HNruqp9ERscmV347sG3uC8L3veeIMCrbcqzDE4IfE5d0AmgdOVrzY54_QK5xtf7J-FMYmKIdpsLH_Qs5dZEtpTblOVcPBLw61_WF/s400/Amorphophallus_titanum_bud.jpg" width="300" /></a><span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><b>There are
two visible parts of the Corpse Flower…Plant…whatever it is:</b> a petal-like outer
covering (called the spathe) and the part inside of the spathe, which is only
visible when the plant is in bloom. This part of the plant (called spadix) is a
dark velvety purple color that spreads the rotted flesh smell. When the plant
is getting ready to bloom, the spadix can reach heights upwards of seven to
eight feet tall.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><b>What makes
it even more unique is that watching the flower blooming is a very rare
privilege because it can take years for the Corpse Flower to reach the blooming
stage.</b> Furthermore, botanists still haven’t established any sort of timetable
to mark when the Corpse Flower will bloom. When it is not blooming, it still
produces leaflets attached together, forming a cocoon. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><b>Blooming is
not so simple.</b> The process of storing energy<b> can take between a year and 40
years,</b> but when it does, grows at a rapid rate, up to six inches a day, so fast
you literally can see the change with the naked eye if you watch patiently.
When the plant finally blooms, after potentially many years of waiting, the
entire blooming cycle takes 24 to 30 hours. <b>A wonderful process to see, maybe
not so wonderful to smell…</b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhJPXbLTByx7CDjsm3Uu79YyNpM2gcIrBLC_JUZKap8ejk4X72uzWyMUzrHeRi0yoSbNb70XyZ2OBCJtkF6dkEFII9EHYCbHjNGjKm0RQlU8z4kZtZiR3j9y5twbwq3sUxg9Y4zE2v8iGr/s1600/tumblr_njdlyyxCoZ1s8wi38o1_500.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhJPXbLTByx7CDjsm3Uu79YyNpM2gcIrBLC_JUZKap8ejk4X72uzWyMUzrHeRi0yoSbNb70XyZ2OBCJtkF6dkEFII9EHYCbHjNGjKm0RQlU8z4kZtZiR3j9y5twbwq3sUxg9Y4zE2v8iGr/s400/tumblr_njdlyyxCoZ1s8wi38o1_500.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The fruits of the Corpse Flower</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><b>The
scientific name given by Odoardo Beccari and his men Amorphophallus Titanum
isn’t very dignified,</b> as it is loosely translates to “misshapen gigantic penis”,
a reference to the large spadix. I’d rather call it with the name given by the
Indonesian natives, “Bunga Bangkai”, meaning “dead man flower”. At the time,
the flowers dotted the forests. Today, Indonesian officials believe it to be
endangered due to the <b>destruction of its habitat, the Sumatran rainforest.</b> But
unfortunately, this is the same old story…<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjabJDdtYzFR0W8ObWfWt8eXoGtiKldYJfLGLM1VMl9YzTAUQNLPGXh4zN4fJ3cqFlX8lKMGZlPu3iHQ6D4UTUArA1AW8FcNc7sv-QWMIVE68yM-roCJrkRXevCZHLuC1dif6QDl0a5f8ib/s1600/8jnRR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjabJDdtYzFR0W8ObWfWt8eXoGtiKldYJfLGLM1VMl9YzTAUQNLPGXh4zN4fJ3cqFlX8lKMGZlPu3iHQ6D4UTUArA1AW8FcNc7sv-QWMIVE68yM-roCJrkRXevCZHLuC1dif6QDl0a5f8ib/s400/8jnRR.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The seed of the Corpse Flower</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><b>Returning
to Beccari and his explorers…</b>When they first saw the flower, they concluded
that the only thing that could have pollinated it was an elephant. To study the
plant further, Beccari had his men dig up the 130 pound specimen and drag it
back to Italy with them. As Beccari wrote in his journal called <b>“Two men could
scarcely carry it!”</b>, Beccari also brought seeds with him and dispersed them
among institutions. <b>The first bloom in European captivity was at England’s
Royal Botanical Garden in Kew, near London, in 1889.</b> The Corpse Flower was a
sensation and attracted such a crowd that the police were called in for crowd
control.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi33pgNpdMRLxeN-gKcaJ2_wD9oukRanUbRVd4a78KaPQ5jxtGK3mJywL8nhtiUDAwZLJfyi0a6w2x0H1rlcY3rVG6_p6PZD1twf5PRMY2Ui8QlAYN6eYozRfU2G5d3imsWTEHzl7PZKIyK/s1600/Corpse-flower-Huntington-gardens.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi33pgNpdMRLxeN-gKcaJ2_wD9oukRanUbRVd4a78KaPQ5jxtGK3mJywL8nhtiUDAwZLJfyi0a6w2x0H1rlcY3rVG6_p6PZD1twf5PRMY2Ui8QlAYN6eYozRfU2G5d3imsWTEHzl7PZKIyK/s400/Corpse-flower-Huntington-gardens.jpg" width="298" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">Another of
the plant grown outside of its natural habitat didn’t bloom again until the mid
1920s. This first blooming of the Corpse Flower in the United States was at the
New York Botanical Gardens in 1937, using seeds from the University of Bonn’s
flower (in Germany). It was such a hit with the public, the plant was
designated <b>“the official flower of the Bronx”</b>, which it remained until 2000
when the Daylily replaced it.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">The most
recent blooming happened at the Huntington Botanical Gardens in San Marino,
California (right outside of Pasadena) during the weekend of August 23, 2014. A
writer had the privilege of being there as the Corpse Flower blossomed and got
a really good whiff of it. He wrote in his article: “it didn’t smell very good”. No?! Really?!
What did you expect!?!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><b>Today, the
Corpse Flower is much more common across the globe. Maybe for its hugeness,
maybe for its pleasant dump-aroma.</b> There are over 80 Corpse Flowers in the
United States right now, continuously studied and preserved by botanists and
gardeners. <b>If you like enormous plants and severe asphyxiation, The Corpse
Flower needs your nose. </b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
Gigi The Snooperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13037102870859309067noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6626852741873144301.post-41213274692744677402015-05-26T18:27:00.000-07:002015-05-26T18:27:00.928-07:00Nature Most Wanted - The Blue Dragon<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ7IxqVVHKgPs8QAr6G_FQyJyPAvh2wYNNzW7oKgAsEkmT69qB3gy-zhXeidch-054swXK7P_FOyYKiLL1WqHxlDyphH4q3G7z8poXRlcK_p0bQkkmIREhOu6mTF7Tv_Hmq90fXFiUXwl9/s1600/8599051974_48ae17d598_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ7IxqVVHKgPs8QAr6G_FQyJyPAvh2wYNNzW7oKgAsEkmT69qB3gy-zhXeidch-054swXK7P_FOyYKiLL1WqHxlDyphH4q3G7z8poXRlcK_p0bQkkmIREhOu6mTF7Tv_Hmq90fXFiUXwl9/s400/8599051974_48ae17d598_b.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><b>In the
world there are plenty of animal species.</b> So many to embarrass the human race,
at least when it comes to quantity and variety. <b>But what about some of the most
mysterious species around.</b> Are you sure to know what kind of strange and wonderful
creatures live in the deepest oceans and in the highest skies? This new section
of Snooping Around is here to take you to an extraordinary journey to discover
some of the most unknown animals nature has ever created. <b>Snoopers, welcome to “Nature
Most Wanted”.</b> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijiFjOnC20anAIhv4XdsojTY-JZdOIUPhHgl___msO9TVmZ28sQGMVjWlKqo4IuoROK7ns81LeDpdAUEt5032zriW0zU8r9eTmz7Zj98EOdQitydTba3qhOjpJpg-UkhONc6j91WWbtvfp/s1600/glaucus3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijiFjOnC20anAIhv4XdsojTY-JZdOIUPhHgl___msO9TVmZ28sQGMVjWlKqo4IuoROK7ns81LeDpdAUEt5032zriW0zU8r9eTmz7Zj98EOdQitydTba3qhOjpJpg-UkhONc6j91WWbtvfp/s320/glaucus3.jpg" width="320" /></a><span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><b>Let’s start
with the bluest waters.</b> Hidden underneath the world there is a little sea slug,
floating upside down on the surface tension of the water. Carried along by
winds and ocean currents. <b>It’s the Glaucus Atlanticus, also known as Blue
Dragon. </b>This tiny creature is known by lots of names like sea swallow, blue
angel, blue glaucus and blue ocean slug . The scientific name, Glaucus Atlanticus,
has been given after the Greek god of the
sea, Glaucus. This sea god was forced to live in the sea for eternity. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY3aLLNBxe2DVXTWalBfNsZU81qT6hDnM3C1JVT8qXD9zteRW60JDGN8RrHD_uWb0r4OFp_zxRUun7eWGcj0EeG2TmT1X_44QmIlmXn5Hk53PMPL4BKPKKQ43RSB60Iup1h7K_SCmnBnAH/s1600/man-of-war.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="305" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY3aLLNBxe2DVXTWalBfNsZU81qT6hDnM3C1JVT8qXD9zteRW60JDGN8RrHD_uWb0r4OFp_zxRUun7eWGcj0EeG2TmT1X_44QmIlmXn5Hk53PMPL4BKPKKQ43RSB60Iup1h7K_SCmnBnAH/s400/man-of-war.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Portoguese Man-O'-War, the Blue Dragon's favorite meal</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><b>The creature
was first studied by Forster in the 17th Century.</b> Blue dragon was once thought
to be a marine insect and was later classified as marine gastropod in 19th
Century. This little shell-less mollusk lives in the waters of the Atlantic,
Indian and Pacific Ocean. <b>What keeps it floating on the surface of the water is
the air bubble that it fills in its belly.</b> Anyway the wind blows, it takes this
little creature along with it. So you might think all it does is relaxing. <b>Well, this is what it actually does, but this little boy
should not be underestimated. </b>In fact, beside its carefree behavior, this creature is not that harmless. <b>This 3 cm
long invertebrate is known for its appetite for hydrozoans </b>(the same group of
jellyfish. Discover some <a href="http://curiositiesfromtheworld.blogspot.com/2014/05/random-facts-aboutjellyfish.html" target="_blank"><b>Random Facts about Jellyfish here</b></a>) and its most favorite ones are the most poisonous, Portuguese
Man-O’-War (maybe it’s just me, but to me this poisonous jellyfish looks like
little a plastic bag).<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilseZSP5CNXT4mCfBlf5Jh2FqXp3fZrCCH5slRL-FhsT6f6odK5QrlANBuNkk8XUTtaQVPeGM-ZZOMfZIvyFH8V5LWsqz0Pll7qrhYQtId-eckRzRiAjc7vi6JV8JU_BLf9PQEa5fYKehP/s1600/hpop1788.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilseZSP5CNXT4mCfBlf5Jh2FqXp3fZrCCH5slRL-FhsT6f6odK5QrlANBuNkk8XUTtaQVPeGM-ZZOMfZIvyFH8V5LWsqz0Pll7qrhYQtId-eckRzRiAjc7vi6JV8JU_BLf9PQEa5fYKehP/s400/hpop1788.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Two Blue Dragons attacking a Man-O'-War</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><b>The Portuguese
Man-O’-War are known to be fatal for human and its sting is extremely painful,</b>
but the little Blue Dragon can swallow it without getting hurt. How can it do
that? Well, inside its skin are hard disks that acts like a barrier and it also
releases mucus that forms a protective layer against stings.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdmcTjYBD9DlLCtoZJ-pyRNwx1a3A-mdS7KbM69wCKOWq2FExuvlU0Su147bsZjsZhkMrmGnzT5Gyw3R_F84j2xZWotJP0wgyeKlYrFL4MGyCSrBi3GgBmjw2-lDcIkIlzzpIRLhyphenhyphenk2JHx/s1600/Glaucus-Atlanticus-melcul-de-mare-albastru.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="276" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdmcTjYBD9DlLCtoZJ-pyRNwx1a3A-mdS7KbM69wCKOWq2FExuvlU0Su147bsZjsZhkMrmGnzT5Gyw3R_F84j2xZWotJP0wgyeKlYrFL4MGyCSrBi3GgBmjw2-lDcIkIlzzpIRLhyphenhyphenk2JHx/s400/Glaucus-Atlanticus-melcul-de-mare-albastru.jpg" width="400" /></a><span lang="EN-US"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<b>But its skills
are not so briefly limited. Another fantastic trick this creature can perform
is storing the poison of its enemies for future uses. </b>The poison is sucked in
by cerata, which are finger like structures sticking out from its body. <b>Inside
this structures there are sacs called cnidosacs,</b> where the poison is kept and
then used against other predators. This is one of the cleverest and most
vengeful strategies I’ve ever heard of ! Scientists say that the Glaucus can
have more deadly sting than the Man-O’-War depending on the amount of venom it
has collected in its body. So it can be quite a bad neighbor. This can be a
good method for feeding, but sure the <b>Blue Dragon has no mercy for its friends.
</b>It has been known to cannibalize as well in situations where there not enough
prey available to feed on. <o:p></o:p><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrQsySo9oVGOHiSN9vLsprFaD_iG73k-lX1bObHncybse_QJEJhuEyPcNL8uLlc80zvfjUd97oQ49gTQmy0p_CskEIiXh7GwMesrVWYtENqtPK8Aow8A71NyB6HLcBR7kptkvC9RjqcXHu/s1600/c7200a89c5da.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="337" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrQsySo9oVGOHiSN9vLsprFaD_iG73k-lX1bObHncybse_QJEJhuEyPcNL8uLlc80zvfjUd97oQ49gTQmy0p_CskEIiXh7GwMesrVWYtENqtPK8Aow8A71NyB6HLcBR7kptkvC9RjqcXHu/s400/c7200a89c5da.jpg" width="400" /></a><span lang="EN-US"><b>Wait...this
cute (I use that term loosely) animal has got so many other skills.</b> It’s also feared because of its capability
of fooling predators by camouflaging. <b>The exact name of its technique is countershading.</b>
As mentioned before, this creature floats upside down meaning ventral side up
and dorsal side down wards. This sounds a little bit weird. <b>Why living your
life upside down? How does it help? The color is the answer.</b> As you can see in
the pictures, this animal is astonishing. Bright skin and a wonderful shape,
just like a magical creature. The ventral side is bright blue which helps it
blend into the ocean’s surface while the grayish dorsal side merges with the
inner surface of the water. This trick is used for both swimming and flying
predators. <b>Maybe you were nearby one of these Dragons but you didn't notice
him. He is very good at hide ‘n’ seek!</b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLYkNcdcY6cT6qRF9nyJhz37esuB9a4DP7eUwiZmcn6EiOMLQYpHGoSt_2KIiJH4shOHMbWrqVO808RtmSD-pMchC6q7JlXxdvVJessrbztZanQ4hf-hYtCHKV4Z3Mm4V118uVIiBJF8gs/s1600/porpita2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLYkNcdcY6cT6qRF9nyJhz37esuB9a4DP7eUwiZmcn6EiOMLQYpHGoSt_2KIiJH4shOHMbWrqVO808RtmSD-pMchC6q7JlXxdvVJessrbztZanQ4hf-hYtCHKV4Z3Mm4V118uVIiBJF8gs/s400/porpita2.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A Blue Dragon attacking a Porpita, another kind of jellifish.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><b>Now for the
brutal part.</b> These sea slugs are also known to be Hermaphrodites. When two sea
slugs mate, they both produce egg strings. <b>They lay their eggs on driftwood and
most of the times on the skeletons of their prey. </b>And before the air sac is
fully developed, the young Blue Dragons cannot live on the surface of the
water. Once they have learnt to float on the surface, they instinctively learn
their colors and they decide the right way to flip sides. This creature can barely
live on land. In fact when out of water these creatures tend to roll themselves
turning into a spiny ball. As soon as they get back into the water they open up
again.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwUzHlZcJGirJ6h9igMjXi8r_u8REabmiDr0dhimjgd8oroQzn3PWd3mnm_cSe8so6ICmGmaXdvkXrO8EO8XX81-besmEJphyphenhyphenUcBkbCUL4iGvwyNOi1jxlyjTdSEI8Tvu6QT07MJxdlvVs/s1600/Glaucus+atlanticus4.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwUzHlZcJGirJ6h9igMjXi8r_u8REabmiDr0dhimjgd8oroQzn3PWd3mnm_cSe8so6ICmGmaXdvkXrO8EO8XX81-besmEJphyphenhyphenUcBkbCUL4iGvwyNOi1jxlyjTdSEI8Tvu6QT07MJxdlvVs/s200/Glaucus+atlanticus4.png" width="200" /></a><span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">This is a
very rare animal, so keep your eyes open and be careful if you find one of
these magically dangerous creatures.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><b>Only because it's very small, it doesn't mean it cannot hurt you. It's completely the opposite. Smaller means Deadliest. Remember it O.O</b></span></div>
Gigi The Snooperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13037102870859309067noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6626852741873144301.post-8383303815264473022015-05-05T15:01:00.000-07:002015-05-05T15:01:58.715-07:00Urban Legends - The Fascinating Tale of the Exploding Toads and The Clever Crows<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJaqznMwVg7QStKCyNOWGNMuikKI-pFyDRB__2alNAQkI5ePGj-wSmcvz1MGktlA7GRsMGXo106zyKoU8uJDKyfAPiAgLUgRGtqxDR7cITBLNsq5SetinG76cr0jjgS1zH93E2M7ViFQI2/s1600/77fd9dbb61e2642638258384b61aecf1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJaqznMwVg7QStKCyNOWGNMuikKI-pFyDRB__2alNAQkI5ePGj-wSmcvz1MGktlA7GRsMGXo106zyKoU8uJDKyfAPiAgLUgRGtqxDR7cITBLNsq5SetinG76cr0jjgS1zH93E2M7ViFQI2/s1600/77fd9dbb61e2642638258384b61aecf1.jpg" height="298" width="400" /></a><span lang="EN-US"><b>Nature can
be very mysterious and The Fascinating Story of the Exploding Toads and The
Clever Crows is the perfect example.</b> Maybe, if this is the first time you've
ever heard of this, you’d probably think I’m going to talk about a fairy tale. Interesting,
but simply a funny story. And maybe with some kind of moral in the end. Believe
me, this actually happened. When I first heard of it, I was extremely
surprised. Now let’s go back in the spring of 2005, shall we?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">In Hamburg
(Germany) a documented film about the phenomenon reported this:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlyg6SgD9vDr62kioWKFeqW8BEXn3hvG3ie0daox7yencNFqX8UiYiEzBxF00wkwO3T47od5a0zb7yZc1sZR-WEPptLmHaXJg9QgG0AnnbGC6WNfkYX2yhH6uUNRbJULfU5PWX24VS7tce/s1600/wild-x-files-exploding-toads-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlyg6SgD9vDr62kioWKFeqW8BEXn3hvG3ie0daox7yencNFqX8UiYiEzBxF00wkwO3T47od5a0zb7yZc1sZR-WEPptLmHaXJg9QgG0AnnbGC6WNfkYX2yhH6uUNRbJULfU5PWX24VS7tce/s1600/wild-x-files-exploding-toads-2.jpg" height="277" width="400" /></a></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<i><span lang="EN-US">About 1.000 dead toads
were discovered lying around the edges. Their bodies appeared to have exploded.
Eye-witnesses said they swelled up to about three-and-a-half times their normal
size and then simply burst. And they burst with such an explosive force that
their entrails were blown over several square meters.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<i><span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><b>As you just
read, toads randomly began exploding.</b> Spewing guts, blood and skin for nearly a
yard in every direction. For several weeks, the European toads received an
international attention. Scientists were totally confused. <b>Nobody was able to
provide a scientific explanation for the unnatural deaths. </b>Some of the little animals were observed near
two ponds during that spring, one in the Altona district of Hamburg and the
other near Laasby in Jutland, Denmark, and some of the explosions were actually
witnessed by environmentalists and scientists. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwo-9AQx03BwXhaBSeAeFQfihnBn0GkSWOkK30su9su73PnsqAlwfGp_SQPI3Bdd2HjPcvESeiz6wYqpQCqIcizi-kdC5yK3kn0jZXnc2I2aWZ6K8MGbznGlQUBZGnYdsPIqjvITYQ0weO/s1600/tumblr_nd8oy6Nl3b1tqfyozo1_500.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwo-9AQx03BwXhaBSeAeFQfihnBn0GkSWOkK30su9su73PnsqAlwfGp_SQPI3Bdd2HjPcvESeiz6wYqpQCqIcizi-kdC5yK3kn0jZXnc2I2aWZ6K8MGbznGlQUBZGnYdsPIqjvITYQ0weO/s1600/tumblr_nd8oy6Nl3b1tqfyozo1_500.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a><span lang="EN-US"><b>First, they
began with several minutes of agonized twitching, followed by the toads blowing
up like joyful balloons and then exploding.</b>
And just to make the thing a little bit more disturbing, when the toads burst,
the entrails slid out. But the animals weren't immediately dead, they keep struggling
for long amounts of time.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">Health
officials panicked . They thought a strange virus was spreading by South
American race horses from a nearby track. The press had a field day with the
area, affectionately calling it <b>“The Pond of Death”</b>. Things got worse when the
epidemic spread across the border to a nearby Danish lake.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTNg05OqLi3xmZcXSM5aUmI02qNqNH7e052lZ8Z9_Nml2qbMyvS510vAG0GTAbth-sWYX9zrKRSri-4ZceyhqV2ZJDjoC9sgDfUr-1zS5_IWWGXwBErnWY6kvcBBW6eDvbr9s5GKE8vk12/s1600/ornate_horned_frog_lg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTNg05OqLi3xmZcXSM5aUmI02qNqNH7e052lZ8Z9_Nml2qbMyvS510vAG0GTAbth-sWYX9zrKRSri-4ZceyhqV2ZJDjoC9sgDfUr-1zS5_IWWGXwBErnWY6kvcBBW6eDvbr9s5GKE8vk12/s1600/ornate_horned_frog_lg.jpg" height="260" width="400" /></a><span lang="EN-US">Still with
no explanation at hand, scientists collaborated with Hamburg’s Institute for Hygiene and the
Environment. They started testing the pond’s water, searching for this elusive
fungus or virus. It was even considered the exceedingly fantastical notion that
the toads were killing themselves to prevent overpopulation. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><b>Mass Suicide…..Something
is not working here.</b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFlmKp_0xa_FsJ8KywVJLaGXinu1hae1Y5KwIxIehvdBXdYOgGhmo7uMNTVDASJ0w3x7nOtmhVgXY2ViMpuKO30vZCYNSO7c-ydJ6mf9mQIviBrAVBxwDF7JtEZB5TfZG0pThzcCzZFkMa/s1600/Torresian+Crow+or+Australian+Crow+(Corvus%2Borru)%2B4430.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFlmKp_0xa_FsJ8KywVJLaGXinu1hae1Y5KwIxIehvdBXdYOgGhmo7uMNTVDASJ0w3x7nOtmhVgXY2ViMpuKO30vZCYNSO7c-ydJ6mf9mQIviBrAVBxwDF7JtEZB5TfZG0pThzcCzZFkMa/s1600/Torresian+Crow+or+Australian+Crow+(Corvus%2Borru)%2B4430.jpg" height="291" width="400" /></a><span lang="EN-US">Each of
these theories were completely rejected and authorities were forced to warn
residents away from the pools. Until finally an answer was found. An eminent
amphibian expert from Berlin, Dr. Frank Mutschmann, carefully examined live and
dead specimens and cracked the case. <b>The explanation was unbelievable.</b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><b>The massacre
was, apparently, the work of a highly intelligent species of crows </b>(if you wanna discover something more about this fantastic bird click <a href="http://curiositiesfromtheworld.blogspot.com/2014/12/bad-luck-files-crows-and-ravens.html" target="_blank"><b>here</b></a>). Dr. Mutschmann
found out something very strange. Looking at the anatomy of the poor animals,
there were identical circular incisions on their backs, just the size of a
bird’s beak. <b>He also figured out that all the amphibians had their livers
missing.</b> Knowing how clever crows are, Dr. Mutschmann theorized the birds were
aware that the toad’s skin was poisonous, but that the nutritious liver could
easily be popped out with a little toxic exposure. In fact, he actually said:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLzVxDHI1HjT6XL_hd-EXINwqxIYgTIILEled0qqp6mHScK2_Vac2MVUN6aVl1ir1boFpl4ek_FuyXrzoR1ierJMOcbTriZM8yKsH_MWPFMTwxiZKZe_c98rtMI1PBxWKDdzjydCfw5su0/s1600/sheryl-crow-in-sunglasses.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLzVxDHI1HjT6XL_hd-EXINwqxIYgTIILEled0qqp6mHScK2_Vac2MVUN6aVl1ir1boFpl4ek_FuyXrzoR1ierJMOcbTriZM8yKsH_MWPFMTwxiZKZe_c98rtMI1PBxWKDdzjydCfw5su0/s1600/sheryl-crow-in-sunglasses.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<i><span lang="EN-US">There were no bite or
scratch marks, so we knew the toads weren't being attacked by a raccoon or a
rat, which would have also eaten the entire toad. It was clearly the work of
crows, which are clever enough to know the toad’s skin is toxic and realize the
liver is the only part worth eating. Only once the liver is gone does the toad
realize it’s been attacked. It puffs itself up as a natural defense mechanism.
But since it doesn't have a diaphragm or ribs, without the liver there is
nothing to hold the rest of its organs in. The lungs stretch out of all
proportion and rip; the rest of the organs simply expel themselves.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<i><span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin-MZr-540HgILbBdTVdwn_bKxZKympyLYg3WHXKHmj11p3q7jLrqrA31uMPesPSGQBXHLNz8JCOMEWTzqeGahHh2zWUsJ7rrjHZg_SPUTzu-0Q37rh8OHunTy44lWGmzN_0pGKpHNTyS3/s1600/shot.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin-MZr-540HgILbBdTVdwn_bKxZKympyLYg3WHXKHmj11p3q7jLrqrA31uMPesPSGQBXHLNz8JCOMEWTzqeGahHh2zWUsJ7rrjHZg_SPUTzu-0Q37rh8OHunTy44lWGmzN_0pGKpHNTyS3/s1600/shot.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a><span lang="EN-US"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
His theory
also explained how the toads’ exploding reaction appeared to come well after
they lost their livers. Since it was mating season, the toads were very
attracted to one another. <b>So they would have been so distracted by their
biological imperative that they wouldn't have paid heed to a few quick pecks.</b>
In fact, Dr. Mutschmann also said:<o:p></o:p><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<i><span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<i><span lang="EN-US">They would have
noticed something as the crow pecked at them, but it wouldn't have been
particularly painful</span></i></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<i><span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv07rQ5DwHdmIL1n6b3CO1wkwh9RHH-UFH8ovCESP9Tz7URxnWjrd-pL3hG3IQleMI3hbV0e8wLC1N8lnUzi4kgMqYCPMBAUixaAgXCDA5Afc-nj-4STLuusQMUJE5d4d2maTe2JqDaljM/s1600/434022_toad-guts-everywhere49_3helvsuegikueqieijvysdazhtncurxrbvj6lwuht2ya6mzmafma_610x343.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv07rQ5DwHdmIL1n6b3CO1wkwh9RHH-UFH8ovCESP9Tz7URxnWjrd-pL3hG3IQleMI3hbV0e8wLC1N8lnUzi4kgMqYCPMBAUixaAgXCDA5Afc-nj-4STLuusQMUJE5d4d2maTe2JqDaljM/s1600/434022_toad-guts-everywhere49_3helvsuegikueqieijvysdazhtncurxrbvj6lwuht2ya6mzmafma_610x343.jpg" height="223" width="400" /></a><span lang="EN-US">The
documentary about the phenomenon claimed:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<i><span lang="EN-US">No one knows how they
(the crows) learned where the liver was located. But we do know that toad’s
skin is so poisonous that many animals can have a fatal reaction to it. But the
liver is so nutritious it’s worth working out how to extract it safely.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<i><span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><b>And this is
what actually happened. </b>The crows were so clever that were able to extract the
liver from the toads, without letting them know what a disaster they were
causing.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYDOJiAlcFqfkweIY8agKmk9QRdqXA-p7ctw4_tmMmlanVBgziX2seyhDQv2tZLezNXXXgja-e-e-wq8ivMmeSlwsh_7ozgDXNJedNHkET8t7hzLaB7fVVJ18BkHJiJfDjOJOwTXgzfSr0/s1600/american-toad-croaking-bruce-j-robinson.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYDOJiAlcFqfkweIY8agKmk9QRdqXA-p7ctw4_tmMmlanVBgziX2seyhDQv2tZLezNXXXgja-e-e-wq8ivMmeSlwsh_7ozgDXNJedNHkET8t7hzLaB7fVVJ18BkHJiJfDjOJOwTXgzfSr0/s1600/american-toad-croaking-bruce-j-robinson.jpg" height="281" width="400" /></a><span lang="EN-US">One of the
world’s earliest cases of exploding toads was recorded in Germany in 1968.
Similar cases have been observed in Belgium, Denmark and the US. But no other
case was as gruesome as the Hamburg incident. <b>This because toads are very much
loved by the Germans.</b> In fact, they are a protected species over there. <b>Some citizens
were so concerned about the massacre they started e-mailing Dr. Mutschmann.</b> But
he engagingly replied:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<i><span lang="EN-US">There’s no reason to
worry. It’s just a part of nature<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<i><span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></i></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">What do you
think about this story? I personally believe that has all that is needed to
become a popular fairy tale. This is one of the mysteries of nature. It can blow
up your mind. <b>If we were toads, it would literally do.</b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
Gigi The Snooperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13037102870859309067noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6626852741873144301.post-46647081796224260652015-04-24T15:07:00.000-07:002015-05-04T15:10:22.442-07:00ChEmIcAmAzInG - The Yellow Pages of Old Books and Newspapers<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtkqm51CR069oOtnzmLrG9G4cVvcZrNFMaVcdS2ZofORoUV1r6exfvRulg7zDOAMPHUuoEPDj9PFogPvQspYAqueunW7usCRqmSGzk2EHBUp3Ok58W-FO6OqJJqrBUjHgUtfoIdXD_RjSy/s1600/newspaper-stack.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtkqm51CR069oOtnzmLrG9G4cVvcZrNFMaVcdS2ZofORoUV1r6exfvRulg7zDOAMPHUuoEPDj9PFogPvQspYAqueunW7usCRqmSGzk2EHBUp3Ok58W-FO6OqJJqrBUjHgUtfoIdXD_RjSy/s1600/newspaper-stack.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><b>When we
were kids, there was that day when our parents let us have a look at a dusty
collection of historic old, yellowed newspapers.</b> The Moon landing, political
victories that started the great history of our own country and many more pillars
of history, now sitting on bookshelves or hidden in trunks. These newspapers
are fascinating artifacts documenting history, from remarkable moments to daily
news. Unfortunately, these ancient relics are so hard to read due to the
yellowed, brown color and fading print. So one day I asked myself: <b>why does this
happen? Is there any way to prevent this from happening?</b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfYaspgfyyDuYoBb_h5fwWbjj1Vlxy3WIXnF7-WUUKz0GaUOiEsAEBVzfW2ua6q3B6xNtuye4aV3G3hzS3AkSNbWE__Jpo_1tQDu-nOL4unirYM4BdSKCr6SIvglBCc49YWZnJXgcXXEQd/s1600/Main15.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfYaspgfyyDuYoBb_h5fwWbjj1Vlxy3WIXnF7-WUUKz0GaUOiEsAEBVzfW2ua6q3B6xNtuye4aV3G3hzS3AkSNbWE__Jpo_1tQDu-nOL4unirYM4BdSKCr6SIvglBCc49YWZnJXgcXXEQd/s1600/Main15.jpg" width="279" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><b>Let’s start
with the invention of paper.</b> It’s thought that paper was invented around 100 BC
in China. Originally made from wet hemp that was, then, replaced with pulp,
tree bark, bamboo and other plant fibers. Paper soon spread across Asia, first
only being used for official and important documents, but as the process became
more efficient and cheaper, it became far more common.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><b>Paper arrived
in Europe around the 11th century. </b>Historians believe the oldest known paper
document from the European country is the “Missal of Silos” from Spain. The
paper of this document was made out of a form of linen, the rest completely out
of parchment. While paper, books, and printing would evolve throughout the next
eight hundred years, with the Gutenberg printing press coming in the mid-15th
century, paper was normally made out of linen, ragweed, cotton or other plant
fibers. <b>This until the mid-19th century when paper was made out of
wood fiber.</b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPKqWT9n6ABTXKgHbD9cIkJGuD1LEm28_Zww3-mcpdl5dknTOo3UIwbbq-RxSMZiSVjrT7J7McGbBPmLBNDwwY8ku9DDPgTnvMdo1O5hhLqr4Q_cvw6nVuMk3Axcr3DbsYVthoro_XZC-I/s1600/fenertyletter.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPKqWT9n6ABTXKgHbD9cIkJGuD1LEm28_Zww3-mcpdl5dknTOo3UIwbbq-RxSMZiSVjrT7J7McGbBPmLBNDwwY8ku9DDPgTnvMdo1O5hhLqr4Q_cvw6nVuMk3Axcr3DbsYVthoro_XZC-I/s1600/fenertyletter.jpg" width="325" /></a><span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><b>So what
changed during time? In 1844, two
individuals invented the wood paper-making process.</b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><b>On one end
of the Atlantic Ocean was Canadian inventor Charles Fenerty. </b>Growing up, his
family owned a series of lumber mills in Nova Scotia. Knowing the durability,
cheapness, and availability of wood, he realized it could be a good substitute
for the much more expensive cotton paper, widely used all over his town . He
experimented with wood pulp and, on October 26, 1844, he sent his wood pulp
paper to Halifax’s top newspaper, The Acadian Recorder, with a note claiming
the durability and cost-effective spruce wood paper. Since then, the Recorder
used Fenerty’s wood pulp paper.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>At the same
time, German binder and weaver Friedrich Gottlob Keller</b> was working on a
wood-cutting machine when he discovered the same thing as Fenerty – that wood
pulp could act as a cheaper paper than cotton. He produced a sample and, in
1845, received a German patent for it. In fact, some historians credit Keller
for the invention more than Fenerty simply due to the fact that he received a
patent and the Canadian didn't.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1eAYLUgJalGaC3uLOL4hPZkwLcKTKLo29w6V6b9wo4CRRZ0so_2DMbFOrheHAB3VnN6v9xg7uiNVChwmSAXThG8dyPjxj8pUN4n27YfNZpQcJSnTg56SfCBU9C6nNW3OsXQv0uy2Vnf4n/s1600/Old-books-on-shelf.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1eAYLUgJalGaC3uLOL4hPZkwLcKTKLo29w6V6b9wo4CRRZ0so_2DMbFOrheHAB3VnN6v9xg7uiNVChwmSAXThG8dyPjxj8pUN4n27YfNZpQcJSnTg56SfCBU9C6nNW3OsXQv0uy2Vnf4n/s1600/Old-books-on-shelf.jpg" width="400" /></a><span lang="EN-US"><b>Within
thirty years, wood pulp paper was used all over the world,</b> but a little issue
was very annoying. While wood pulp paper was cheaper and just as durable as
cotton or other linen papers, there were drawbacks. Mainly, wood pulp paper is
much more prone to being effected by oxygen and sunlight.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><b>Wood is
primarily made up of two polymer substances – cellulose and lignin. </b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEAKDWBbz-Cdl278d2S3pnpg9F-nHBV8kv0F-iKYWcRox0-IFUjU8uZR_2x_mTGbFkIlY7GzfOtmONQS-FPLJ7hnfzwx04Q5-HQmlAb8neF8ABGkNjzykZQsh5QnhRgTCgRdSH9sWKAs3w/s1600/background_logs.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEAKDWBbz-Cdl278d2S3pnpg9F-nHBV8kv0F-iKYWcRox0-IFUjU8uZR_2x_mTGbFkIlY7GzfOtmONQS-FPLJ7hnfzwx04Q5-HQmlAb8neF8ABGkNjzykZQsh5QnhRgTCgRdSH9sWKAs3w/s1600/background_logs.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><b>Cellulose
is a complex carbohydrate and one of the most abundant organic materials in
nature.</b> It is also technically colorless and reflects light extremely well
rather than absorbing it, which would make it opaque. Therefore humans see
cellulose as white. However, cellulose is also somewhat susceptible to
oxidation, although not nearly as much as lignin. <b>Oxidation causes a loss of
electrons and weakens the material.</b> In the case of cellulose, this can result
in some light being absorbed, making the wood pulp of which paper is made
appear duller and less white. But this isn't the cause of the yellowing in aged
paper.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOIYP0e82jW2i5k8bSQpMMbFH1abhQ1dRKVXfur6mhpSRKuDFTAeL62Q87naA0IcWHJwSHKWY6bVdQt6pqckeELsbfoXBn75exKccJ0-ZOQ4ColT5WaKa5lwLH7R8C2J073cRSR54YQ2QQ/s1600/funny-pictures-auto-wood-glasses-358363.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOIYP0e82jW2i5k8bSQpMMbFH1abhQ1dRKVXfur6mhpSRKuDFTAeL62Q87naA0IcWHJwSHKWY6bVdQt6pqckeELsbfoXBn75exKccJ0-ZOQ4ColT5WaKa5lwLH7R8C2J073cRSR54YQ2QQ/s1600/funny-pictures-auto-wood-glasses-358363.jpeg" width="400" /></a><span lang="EN-US"><o:p> </o:p></span>Lignin is
the other prominent substance found in paper- in newspapers in particular.<b>
Lignin is a compound found in wood that actually strengthen the wood, making it
harder.</b> In fact, according to Dr. Hou-Min Chang of North Carolina State
University in Raleigh:</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<i><span lang="EN-US">Without lignin, a tree
could only grow to about 6 ft. tall<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<i><span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">Essentially,
lignin functions as a sort of glue that binds the cellulose fibers, helping
make the tree much stiffer and able to stand taller than it otherwise would, as
well able to resist external pressures like wind.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGP5mf-v9ZTN8bLyOp9Hmmlv7uJrCUP2CAV8xaB4N2uPTst9RfF_g7RE1PNOpxO_lMC0HPhktF6dhu2PihX2ncf271RFCbwYCoFlaPLcRzpMX9-hXJm06hWnCDv9eA2VjtX4LWGAq1zBSD/s1600/old-tree.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="255" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGP5mf-v9ZTN8bLyOp9Hmmlv7uJrCUP2CAV8xaB4N2uPTst9RfF_g7RE1PNOpxO_lMC0HPhktF6dhu2PihX2ncf271RFCbwYCoFlaPLcRzpMX9-hXJm06hWnCDv9eA2VjtX4LWGAq1zBSD/s1600/old-tree.jpg" width="400" /></a><span lang="EN-US"><b>Lignin is a
dark color naturally and so it is highly susceptible to oxidation.</b> Exposure to
oxygen - especially when combined with sunlight - alters the molecular
structure of lignin, causing a change in how the compound absorbs and reflects
light. <b>The result in the paper containing oxidized lignin is a yellow-brown
color in the human visual spectrum.</b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu4Wy9d_QP4uVR_PYgQf1fvlup75g1wHxuY9NdQJ4SiMzp7JqTvNRHW1eVlxpq-X9qPMjrlRTDGWhaf_6d_HmXpRzDCuNqz9ntn55oK2G_S6yh-fhetUt0Ohs3JyC8xRwjNRHdZSGVLXqa/s1600/primary-source-images-017.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu4Wy9d_QP4uVR_PYgQf1fvlup75g1wHxuY9NdQJ4SiMzp7JqTvNRHW1eVlxpq-X9qPMjrlRTDGWhaf_6d_HmXpRzDCuNqz9ntn55oK2G_S6yh-fhetUt0Ohs3JyC8xRwjNRHdZSGVLXqa/s1600/primary-source-images-017.jpg" width="358" /></a><span lang="EN-US">Since the
newspapers are made with a less intensive and cheaper process – in fact a lot
of the wood pulp paper is needed – the paper used for it has significantly more
lignin than the one for books, where a bleaching process is used to remove much
of the lignin. <b>So, as newspapers get older and are exposed to more oxygen, they
turn a yellowish-brown color relatively quickly.</b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><b>Thanks to
the bleaching process, the paper used in the production of books tends to be of
a higher grade and the oxidation doesn't happen so quickly. </b>However, the
chemicals used in the bleaching process to make white paper modifies the
cellulose formula, making it more
susceptible to oxidation than it would otherwise be. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><b>Paradoxically, the process
of paper whitening slightly contributes to
the yellowing of the pages during time.</b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlofg8_y-AtIqyn3h9rlvWQ3zr5DfTCo7lUEUz7VxMzC4PwGESVFYKWN_cNFrhrugyWWqIfjZNQLCEWKJRe294UKxl2IKFFloSWjiLMu0xWRS_pKTt1aUFtyBG1zc0cs0NNVErK3iJ3mIm/s1600/pile-of-old-books.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlofg8_y-AtIqyn3h9rlvWQ3zr5DfTCo7lUEUz7VxMzC4PwGESVFYKWN_cNFrhrugyWWqIfjZNQLCEWKJRe294UKxl2IKFFloSWjiLMu0xWRS_pKTt1aUFtyBG1zc0cs0NNVErK3iJ3mIm/s1600/pile-of-old-books.jpg" width="400" /></a><span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">Nowadays, against
this, many important documents are now written on acid-free paper with a
limited amount of lignin, to prevent it from deteriorating over a long period
of time.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu3ayzsy_QydqzHEOL9vjPh_CShizxI69_Nk2P1FmfDB_mJaURODXuE1u1XzZN93lZ5XkEiip5ZG5NXLdW1CQT4iZJTsUGlEViTG73mDJwjteygXX34VEw5reU7Zn32t25LVoSzZI0qFLS/s1600/41a1ec695df3e5bf1e909270bf38b92f.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu3ayzsy_QydqzHEOL9vjPh_CShizxI69_Nk2P1FmfDB_mJaURODXuE1u1XzZN93lZ5XkEiip5ZG5NXLdW1CQT4iZJTsUGlEViTG73mDJwjteygXX34VEw5reU7Zn32t25LVoSzZI0qFLS/s1600/41a1ec695df3e5bf1e909270bf38b92f.jpg" width="213" /></a><span lang="EN-US">As for old
historic documents – the one already destroyed by time – there may not be a way
to reverse the damage already done. <b>But few simple rules can prevent further damage. </b></span>As the historians
taught us, it is essential to store the documents in a cool, dry, dark place,
just like how museums store historic documents in a temperature-controlled room
with low-lighting. Also, you shouldn't store them in an attic or basement
because those places can get humid and have temperature swings. Most
importantly, limit the handling of these documents. N<b>othing destroys a
valuable piece of paper like frequent handling.</b> Also an UV protected glass could be an idea, but maybe this solution is not very cheap.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">There’s no
denying the yellowing of pages is connected with the unceasing flow of time.
Watching such objects becoming old is such a fantastic process. <b>Time exists and
this is the proof.</b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
Gigi The Snooperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13037102870859309067noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6626852741873144301.post-68241000270298060922015-04-10T10:09:00.000-07:002015-04-10T10:09:21.027-07:00Random Room #1<div style="text-align: left;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidlFY_Sz_NsrJ3YEoT4iwS6lvFw28v_hCcnP8h1cCbxIsUTQKMDAfTI4dHYhvFo2yr4ccPIpVtCg0tyZubftWw58mhuhdlo8cMszuqIP0Ew0PLAlyLN4RPWLpKb_ik7nHz_IqSR8tk1OIR/s1600/b679ebefe08d6109714907b1b3d9fc4c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidlFY_Sz_NsrJ3YEoT4iwS6lvFw28v_hCcnP8h1cCbxIsUTQKMDAfTI4dHYhvFo2yr4ccPIpVtCg0tyZubftWw58mhuhdlo8cMszuqIP0Ew0PLAlyLN4RPWLpKb_ik7nHz_IqSR8tk1OIR/s1600/b679ebefe08d6109714907b1b3d9fc4c.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></div>
<b>Welcome to the Random Room.</b> This time I felt like doing some kind of Random facts about ... Everything. In fact, here you will find fun and <b>interesting facts, but without a specific topic.</b> The Random Room could talk about everything. Maybe, while reading one of these curious facts, you'll find a detail that will surprise you, will make you laugh or say "I didn't know this". I hope my idea will let you discover even more the strange wonders of the world. <b>The password to this new section is simple: Learn Interesting Facts Everyday </b>(aka L.I.F.E. - yes, I did this on purpose).<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9iFaU9RyrgRAwedZnL3xtFiUwNtNQ357vCbJblmzIv_hFg_S3X6OzV4A31uJ2QdXl30FqaiHsKtd2KHRLXtV7eJIEad3u1GyoSrdJGq4q_Vj-Hklh9HhgvaOtU5DSZ7ehn_spuCHQJqJ8/s1600/Apple-Explosion.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9iFaU9RyrgRAwedZnL3xtFiUwNtNQ357vCbJblmzIv_hFg_S3X6OzV4A31uJ2QdXl30FqaiHsKtd2KHRLXtV7eJIEad3u1GyoSrdJGq4q_Vj-Hklh9HhgvaOtU5DSZ7ehn_spuCHQJqJ8/s1600/Apple-Explosion.jpg" height="240" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">To seed or not to seed....</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<b>1. </b>When Helium is cooled to almost absolute zero (-273°C), the lowest temperature possible, it becomes a liquid with surprising properties: it flows against gravity and will start running up and over the lip of a glass container.<br />
<br />
<b><br /></b>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<b>2.</b> If you plant an apple seed, it is almost guaranteed to grow a tree of a different type of apple.<br />
<br />
<b>3.</b> The average person walks the equivalent of five times around the world in a lifetime.<br />
<br />
<b>4.</b> Otters sleep holding hands. Such cute animals, don't you think?<br />
<br />
<b>5.</b> The katzenklavier (“cat piano”) was a musical instrument made out of cats. Designed by 17th-century German scholar Athanasius Kircher, it consisted of a row of caged cats with different voice pitches, who could be “played” by a keyboardist driving nails into their tails.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidyk-3zJJ9VYI-9nKTGke1sKLOLnAgIgmm2nx-SIFD0WvUBs4oDhUbyx98eUNaMRm_JVYJex3mjb5KZ8J-eIvELDzX0f90wpSM_sInn6PNGqlpavk0ceIErGL-9glHoLtHYcBm27kbFiIl/s1600/cat-organ-la-nature-1883-poyet.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidyk-3zJJ9VYI-9nKTGke1sKLOLnAgIgmm2nx-SIFD0WvUBs4oDhUbyx98eUNaMRm_JVYJex3mjb5KZ8J-eIvELDzX0f90wpSM_sInn6PNGqlpavk0ceIErGL-9glHoLtHYcBm27kbFiIl/s1600/cat-organ-la-nature-1883-poyet.jpg" height="233" width="400" /></a><br />
<b>6.</b> People say “Bless you” when you sneeze because your heart stops for a millisecond.<br />
<br />
<b>7.</b> Every second around 100 lightning bolts strike the Earth and every year lightning kills 1000 people.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC6bBSCE5k9Nck7JlTLqtT1KdbjafaijoTDb-WyPWc-RgcshfzV9njWL2ezu3ZlZsUcDZBrSOxCA27HoNwhO_HYeS70cBuWeNsETBKsnOhu0rJfE1lajmk759rCl-l_b_hIWrdbQIzJBdB/s1600/butterfly_8-jpg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC6bBSCE5k9Nck7JlTLqtT1KdbjafaijoTDb-WyPWc-RgcshfzV9njWL2ezu3ZlZsUcDZBrSOxCA27HoNwhO_HYeS70cBuWeNsETBKsnOhu0rJfE1lajmk759rCl-l_b_hIWrdbQIzJBdB/s1600/butterfly_8-jpg.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEBjp-NwUwMMhafwi7mOPXYED9-gkOQ5A_sFherlaH78WGqj4opLMhsiRQhFjpXgCclyfJXjSIUFn-kV_yqzBukR4P0VML5CZZvSsiSfni8MplVgyb82PLAHfR620WCbBWwrkLbS6Q3uPp/s1600/The-earthworm-way---blind-014.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEBjp-NwUwMMhafwi7mOPXYED9-gkOQ5A_sFherlaH78WGqj4opLMhsiRQhFjpXgCclyfJXjSIUFn-kV_yqzBukR4P0VML5CZZvSsiSfni8MplVgyb82PLAHfR620WCbBWwrkLbS6Q3uPp/s1600/The-earthworm-way---blind-014.jpg" height="240" width="400" /></a><br />
<b>8.</b> There are about 24,000 species of butterflies. The moths are even more numerous: about 140,000 species of them were counted all over the world.<br />
<br />
<b>9.</b> Beetles taste like apples, wasps like pine nuts, and worms like fried bacon.<br />
<b>10.</b> Camels have three eyelids to protect themselves from blowing sand.<br />
<br />
<b>11.</b> Some worms, like the ribbon worm, will eat themselves if they can't find any food.<br />
<br />
<b>12.</b> In 2008 scientists discovered a new species of bacteria that lives in hairspray.<br />
<b></b><br />
<b></b>
<b>13.</b> Pepsi originally contained pepsin, an enzyme also present in our digestive system, thus the name.<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSISvMrT0rl8_Ucz8Jk5Qje-ZgVJaR78zZE7LzWrGh_L0ClscZZdJldlntNXqZZvR-dZ9-uMgz1h9QEmlh6-ljbPv3xNZzlJqHF85rvEB6NyA8TJf6IAFsDSZrEZ_MF56Q5BJosR0ClCz9/s1600/Hummingbird-at-Columbine.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSISvMrT0rl8_Ucz8Jk5Qje-ZgVJaR78zZE7LzWrGh_L0ClscZZdJldlntNXqZZvR-dZ9-uMgz1h9QEmlh6-ljbPv3xNZzlJqHF85rvEB6NyA8TJf6IAFsDSZrEZ_MF56Q5BJosR0ClCz9/s1600/Hummingbird-at-Columbine.jpg" height="263" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A hummingbird eating from a flower</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<b>14.</b> Hummingbirds are the only animals that can fly backwards.<br />
<br />
<b>15.</b> There are around 60,000 miles of blood vessels in the human body. If you took them all out and laid them end to end, they’d stretch around the world more than twice.<br />
<br />
<b>16. </b>The flea can jump 350 times its body length. It's like a human jumping the length of a football field.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidCKuLNPfHeg5Ruo6_N5vh9E_UdbHY9Rw9YH1M6_kfFraRKyk1q4NZtkw27ZsSs64cJKbH4I6bVnHJTMpVWBAx2a8n0CohuaqgXq2CXVeA1-EFTX_KU9G6WIZWCGRSrIPaKFBMfgp0m6Mg/s1600/Blood-Falls.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidCKuLNPfHeg5Ruo6_N5vh9E_UdbHY9Rw9YH1M6_kfFraRKyk1q4NZtkw27ZsSs64cJKbH4I6bVnHJTMpVWBAx2a8n0CohuaqgXq2CXVeA1-EFTX_KU9G6WIZWCGRSrIPaKFBMfgp0m6Mg/s1600/Blood-Falls.jpg" height="221" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Blood Falls in Antarctica</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<b>17.</b> There is a glacier called “Blood Falls” in Antarctica that regularly pours out red liquid, making it look like the ice is bleeding. It’s actually oxidized salty water.<br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>18.</b> Your stomach has to produce a new layer of mucus every two weeks or it will digest itself.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh79ABJpuJsQzE8rwTjkqNdoUdkRwVI342R7yysoD2beF9woaxjkOMA7Ip13k19FOtZuPt4OCcET6ivo0wPFxvsIGyQSFdSW763EWg2TAKax4js7_Cke07oQAwHShrAVaQpHvv7aCaOoejz/s1600/Hurricane-on-Land.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh79ABJpuJsQzE8rwTjkqNdoUdkRwVI342R7yysoD2beF9woaxjkOMA7Ip13k19FOtZuPt4OCcET6ivo0wPFxvsIGyQSFdSW763EWg2TAKax4js7_Cke07oQAwHShrAVaQpHvv7aCaOoejz/s1600/Hurricane-on-Land.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a><br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>19.</b> When Twister was introduced in 1966, it was denounced by critics as “sex in a box”.<br />
<br />
<b>20.</b> There are more lifeforms living on your skin than people on the entire planet.<br />
<br />
<b>21. </b>Every year over one million earthquakes shake the Earth.<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmRUbnHDDdFi610_NjA4uq9x8l6MK3FCTZXUu5P_7tUuJrpJggqc_6HKldsex9LEVrgum99vXB_Yv9JQrH5bsNRPdFUz4S0eq7JUXdlOZuhFBaPljX-Pp7QVmgc3WhXWPlqZCLb5jbDnmd/s1600/800px-Black_Swallowtail_Papilio_polyxenes_Caterpillar_End_2390px.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmRUbnHDDdFi610_NjA4uq9x8l6MK3FCTZXUu5P_7tUuJrpJggqc_6HKldsex9LEVrgum99vXB_Yv9JQrH5bsNRPdFUz4S0eq7JUXdlOZuhFBaPljX-Pp7QVmgc3WhXWPlqZCLb5jbDnmd/s1600/800px-Black_Swallowtail_Papilio_polyxenes_Caterpillar_End_2390px.jpg" height="267" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ok...now what do I do?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<b><br /></b>
<b><br /></b>
<b>22.</b> In 10 minutes, a hurricane releases more energy than all the world’s nuclear weapons combined.<br />
<br />
<b>23.</b> If you could remove all of the empty space between atoms that make up every human being, the entire world population could fit into an apple.<br />
<b>24.</b> Caterpillars almost completely liquefy as they transform into butterflies.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIDLMaz8s00sOzthmQg-VlJ8Jgf1TZKW5BCP9GmOvPvoIM2W1q7PK3SWDNTdGy-0JgXJVyP_Go4vf7tgWgPG8vIUmiBAXutelt3ZywabW6sHjLHbMIqsl9ugOnX-2WzCjrBkV5kKuGsfu2/s1600/fullmoon.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIDLMaz8s00sOzthmQg-VlJ8Jgf1TZKW5BCP9GmOvPvoIM2W1q7PK3SWDNTdGy-0JgXJVyP_Go4vf7tgWgPG8vIUmiBAXutelt3ZywabW6sHjLHbMIqsl9ugOnX-2WzCjrBkV5kKuGsfu2/s1600/fullmoon.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a><br />
<b>25.</b> It is impossible to drown and not die. Technically the term ‘drowning’ refers to the process of taking water into the lungs, not to death caused by that process.<br />
<br />
<b>26.</b> A full moon is nine times brighter than a half moon.<br />
<br />
<b>27.</b> In October 1999 an Iceberg the size of London broke free from the Antarctic ice shelf.<br />
<br />
<b>28.</b> Bulls are colorblind, so it's the taunting motion that makes them charge at the flag and go crazy.<br />
<br />
<b>29.</b> Frogs can't vomit normally, so they turn their stomach inside out.<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb3Ko2fyD0lq44zUroSB9sErWtXrsOiALYcdGkFBfnTAmMISaxmCTky9EeN7kl-6b9Y-xgYJskzav6CWMYwjyu0zMGj4UruOzM9I5cOBZCFvZw8I7bY2ZVVqX_zQRj_fBHBrSNj04tP3yH/s1600/Mt-Krakatoa-Indonesia.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb3Ko2fyD0lq44zUroSB9sErWtXrsOiALYcdGkFBfnTAmMISaxmCTky9EeN7kl-6b9Y-xgYJskzav6CWMYwjyu0zMGj4UruOzM9I5cOBZCFvZw8I7bY2ZVVqX_zQRj_fBHBrSNj04tP3yH/s1600/Mt-Krakatoa-Indonesia.jpeg" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Mount Krakatoa</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<b>30.</b> Cleopatra lived closer in time to the Moon landing than to the construction of the Great Pyramid of Giza.<br />
<br />
<b>31. </b>When Krakatoa erupted in 1883, its force was so great it could be heard 4,800 kilometers away in Australia.<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzDS-6iADbuPVV09BVMIUXWhI-6XvNC2mO7vvZcO_af-xn2REEKt8sfQlOU-rOQpGZE1y8CXWwBlnFqrMHCH41OxzGzn4W3JQTXsXo3ZkC6nOH4t3XCTkhe8bUBDNI3RTVQl6Fx-XV9LCz/s1600/halo-solar-5-14-2013-Port-Monmouth-NJ-Stacey-Baker-Bruno-e1368590480927.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzDS-6iADbuPVV09BVMIUXWhI-6XvNC2mO7vvZcO_af-xn2REEKt8sfQlOU-rOQpGZE1y8CXWwBlnFqrMHCH41OxzGzn4W3JQTXsXo3ZkC6nOH4t3XCTkhe8bUBDNI3RTVQl6Fx-XV9LCz/s1600/halo-solar-5-14-2013-Port-Monmouth-NJ-Stacey-Baker-Bruno-e1368590480927.jpg" height="265" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A rounded rainbow...? Are you kidding me?!?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<b>32.</b> There is enough DNA in an average person’s body to stretch from the sun to Pluto. And back. 17 times.<br />
<br />
<b>33.</b> A rainbow can be seen only in the morning or late afternoon. It can occur only when the sun is 40 degrees or less above the horizon. If a rainbow is seen from a plane, amazingly it is possible to see the rainbow as an entire circle and not just an arc.<br />
<br />
<b>34.</b> The invention of tea bags was an accident. Tea was meant to be removed from the bags before being used, but no one made that clear.<br />
<b>35.</b> At over 2000 kilometers long, The Great Barrier Reef is the largest living structure on Earth.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-cdtItf6lDzfZrakNMP6tFOhLFyf87EnZrgPol2vsWPibFl-98d8zqmwaQ8ckPuzQKBAjGJMut6PZyfJsk1hoJd8Do7JAyUzsIQEsfQRULLEwqJJw9twS7Dw-4TP3H9oJjSoPbHg_uCA6/s1600/barrierreefmikebaird.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-cdtItf6lDzfZrakNMP6tFOhLFyf87EnZrgPol2vsWPibFl-98d8zqmwaQ8ckPuzQKBAjGJMut6PZyfJsk1hoJd8Do7JAyUzsIQEsfQRULLEwqJJw9twS7Dw-4TP3H9oJjSoPbHg_uCA6/s1600/barrierreefmikebaird.jpg" height="267" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Great Barrier Reef...and a turtle.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<b>36.</b> Only female mosquitoes will bite you.<br />
<br />
<b>37.</b> The earth’s magnetic field pulls the electron beams hitting the cathode ray tube in computer monitors. Every computer monitor has to be calibrated relative to its position in the earth’s magnetic field. Adjust a monitor in the northern hemisphere and its colors will be wrong if you plug it into a computer in the southern hemisphere.<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib3pJjuQZxyBnHcATYaY1H4Oeua4DVQuxpwhujur42RIU5CbWzEpQtTytk0gzvcSaIPs2Y-d9FWRos-hV0m6rKRMM-VMAf_asSuYIRxMqSqZgvUfLG5nF1bQBwY-PLlg76rZprTFZ_r6DL/s1600/nn20130727f2a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib3pJjuQZxyBnHcATYaY1H4Oeua4DVQuxpwhujur42RIU5CbWzEpQtTytk0gzvcSaIPs2Y-d9FWRos-hV0m6rKRMM-VMAf_asSuYIRxMqSqZgvUfLG5nF1bQBwY-PLlg76rZprTFZ_r6DL/s1600/nn20130727f2a.jpg" height="320" width="233" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Susami Bay Post Box</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<b>38.</b> The world’s deepest postbox is in Susami Bay in Japan. It’s 10 metres underwater.<br />
<br />
<b>39.</b> The oldest condoms ever found date back to the 1640s (they were found in a cesspit at Dudley Castle), and were made from animal and fish intestines.<br />
<br />
<b>40.</b> If you could drive your car straight up, you would arrive in space in just over an hour.<br />
<br />
<b>41.</b> Honey does not spoil. You could feasibly eat 3000 year old honey.<br />
<b>42.</b> There are 8 times as many atoms in a teaspoonful of water as there are teaspoon full of water in the Atlantic ocean. I know, this is a little tricky…<br />
<br />
<b>43.</b> The risk of being struck by a falling meteorite for a human is one occurrence every 9,300 years.<br />
<br />
<b>44.</b> The loneliest creature on Earth is a whale who has been calling out for a mate for over two decades, but whose high-pitched voice is so different to other whales that they never respond.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjARnSn4Th9zD_x_-7Vs93XVnw-hILU5cuXFtBmZ78HXJbMue-Dh4dMFTbSEcxEyeVyKbbdwM3VqHHYEtPv25ICPz6xEt6eiQsH-BrzcKpKV8DsasMmVLNQ3adJKSQyFKazw32h-uPkOcoo/s1600/818006350212960066.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjARnSn4Th9zD_x_-7Vs93XVnw-hILU5cuXFtBmZ78HXJbMue-Dh4dMFTbSEcxEyeVyKbbdwM3VqHHYEtPv25ICPz6xEt6eiQsH-BrzcKpKV8DsasMmVLNQ3adJKSQyFKazw32h-uPkOcoo/s1600/818006350212960066.jpg" height="263" width="400" /></a><br />
<b>45.</b> An individual blood cell takes about 60 seconds to make a complete circuit of the body.<br />
<br />
<b>46.</b> The known universe is made up of 500 billion galaxies. There are between 500,000 million stars in a normal galaxy. In the Milky Way alone there might be 200 to 400 billion between stars and planets. The best estimates suggest that there are at least 70 sextillion stars in the Universe Now imagine me how great this is…<br />
<br />
<b>47.</b> Some fruit flies are genetically resistant to getting drunk, but only if they have an inactive version of a gene scientists have named “happyhour”.<br />
<br />
<b>48.</b> The Dutch village of Giethoorn has no roads; its buildings are connected entirely by canals and footbridges.<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfA_WQ54wnjnmyC_JoicaETdVietK8d2BEotBDn-zpL8BQMJTf0DdUaC3lX6Cv44TDo-Vt-2MguEleYLT8IIyLSWyvDeQZy9xjyVIgc4YQZrmGItsPFB5BbxPsU_4syW7gpBJVND885-qc/s1600/Binnenpad_143_Giethoorn.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfA_WQ54wnjnmyC_JoicaETdVietK8d2BEotBDn-zpL8BQMJTf0DdUaC3lX6Cv44TDo-Vt-2MguEleYLT8IIyLSWyvDeQZy9xjyVIgc4YQZrmGItsPFB5BbxPsU_4syW7gpBJVND885-qc/s1600/Binnenpad_143_Giethoorn.jpg" height="300" style="cursor: move;" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Giethoorn Village</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS7Vk0orGfBfF0sZ3OqBEFYSGsKzBUEM8B511P8aW-tJ7tcLK3MrTXHw96WiK8IqOBvfD-_bXRNdQV8LvGwLHkge3msroNrjyTbYa0H3LbU_lTzN2O16yGPA-HumV5CNfIabSU7XLI4-0W/s1600/100510071458KA.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS7Vk0orGfBfF0sZ3OqBEFYSGsKzBUEM8B511P8aW-tJ7tcLK3MrTXHw96WiK8IqOBvfD-_bXRNdQV8LvGwLHkge3msroNrjyTbYa0H3LbU_lTzN2O16yGPA-HumV5CNfIabSU7XLI4-0W/s1600/100510071458KA.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a><br />
<b>49.</b> It takes 8 minutes 17 seconds for light to travel from the Sun’s surface to the Earth.<br />
<br />
<b>50.</b> The deepest part of any ocean in the world is the Mariana trench in the Pacific with a depth of 35,797 feet.<br />
<br />
<b>51.</b> A family of people with blue skin lived in Kentucky for many generations. The Fulgates of Troublesome Creek are thought to have gained their blue skin through combination of inbreeding and a rare genetic condition known as methemoglobinemia.<br />
<br />
<b>52.</b> Powerful earthquakes can permanently shorten the length of Earth’s day, by moving the spin of the Earth’s axis. The 2011 Japan earthquake knocked 1.8 microseconds off our days. The 2004 Sumatra quake cost us around 6.8 microseconds.<br />
<br />
<b>53.</b> Melting glaciers and icebergs make a distinctive fizzing noise known as “bergy seltzer”.<br />
<br />
<b>54.</b> Our oldest radio broadcasts of the 1930s have already traveled past 100,000 stars.<br />
<br />
<b>55.</b> 10 percent of all human beings ever born are alive at this very moment.<br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>56.</b> If you somehow found a way to extract all of the gold from the bubbling core of our planet, you would be able to cover all of the land in a layer of gold up to your knees.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikczRBaOmoZqhbcM3IWvJ9j-m0-EGAcXA744wn_ccJuz0Fq0E16LgariS5cKItQtq-LnCL3AwXgYX-PuHLdwAe87wyhCyfaRN3NBthAPi1N85mducl_rvLhYWyHH2ObwvPz7fqhUkkltzw/s1600/1003261450401giraffes_mating_-_kirawira_-_j.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikczRBaOmoZqhbcM3IWvJ9j-m0-EGAcXA744wn_ccJuz0Fq0E16LgariS5cKItQtq-LnCL3AwXgYX-PuHLdwAe87wyhCyfaRN3NBthAPi1N85mducl_rvLhYWyHH2ObwvPz7fqhUkkltzw/s1600/1003261450401giraffes_mating_-_kirawira_-_j.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<b>57. </b>To know when to mate, a male giraffe will continuously kick with the head the female in the bladder until she urinates. The male then tastes the pee and that helps it determine whether the female is ovulating.<br />
<br />
<b>58.</b> The average human body carries ten times more bacterial cells than human cells. But bacteria inside us produce chemicals that help us harness energy and nutrients from our food. So we probably have to thank those little creatures to be part of us.<br />
<br />
<b>59.</b> Snails can sleep for 3 years without eating.<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxD3YZhgcG4rXfsKOp0itKValMV3usWQIdjtR0QaLBToWSNsE93PEWQhdBvohv5mT2VYo5JHufiFa8Sgh0eGe8DlvEwCp0Te481ATJGX4W5ME7vn6lWOpRDKljI80BR5L7pY1n8DYs5c8R/s1600/download.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxD3YZhgcG4rXfsKOp0itKValMV3usWQIdjtR0QaLBToWSNsE93PEWQhdBvohv5mT2VYo5JHufiFa8Sgh0eGe8DlvEwCp0Te481ATJGX4W5ME7vn6lWOpRDKljI80BR5L7pY1n8DYs5c8R/s1600/download.jpg" height="244" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A Supernova</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<b>60. </b>If Betelgeuse, one of the brightest stars in our sky, exploded from red super giant stage to supernova, then our sky would light continuously for two months. It can happen anytime, within a month, tomorrow or even now. <b>So look up and get ready for the magic to begin…</b><br />
<br />
I hope to have let your curiosity go crazy with these Random Facts. Never Stop Snooping Around, my dear Snoopers. As you saw, the world is beautiful and strange. <b>The chance is ours to take.</b> To discover how many fantastic things await us. <b>The future belongs to the curious. Remember it.</b>Gigi The Snooperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13037102870859309067noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6626852741873144301.post-50464871426286149472015-03-25T15:21:00.000-07:002015-03-25T15:21:01.383-07:00Relics 'n' Cultures - The Totem<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq0zD8C7jcqi2ubC3I0G_rk8bCLy-cLG_8b-1AQf5LMOdqjuKBX44gH0wTtis6TmAphyphenhyphent0BXL8y4bHVxLrTunuvWydEVqD-zfwCTdb03l4DG4HXSfJHChCRZbcFBIEeRNwTx3E3sA1sd_L/s1600/11-7-totem-poll.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq0zD8C7jcqi2ubC3I0G_rk8bCLy-cLG_8b-1AQf5LMOdqjuKBX44gH0wTtis6TmAphyphenhyphent0BXL8y4bHVxLrTunuvWydEVqD-zfwCTdb03l4DG4HXSfJHChCRZbcFBIEeRNwTx3E3sA1sd_L/s1600/11-7-totem-poll.jpg" height="400" width="275" /></a><span lang="EN-US"><b>Here we go
again with Relics ‘n’ Cultures, Discovering something about mystical object
from all over the world. </b>Today’s object is very well known around the globe and
has a lot of meanings, some more special than others. And personally, I think these particular
symbols have a very intriguing design. <b>Be ready to discover the many faces of
the Totem.</b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><b>First of
all, what actually is a Totem?</b> A totem is a spirit being, sacred object, or
symbol that used to represent a family, a clan, a lineage, or, most commonly, a
tribe. <b>This mystical symbol was used as a reminder of the ancestry or past
histories of the clan. </b>While the term "totem" is Ojibwe in origin,
belief in guide spirits and objectified gods is not limited to indigenous
peoples of the North Americas, but
common to a huge variety of cultures worldwide. Totems can be found in regions
of Africa, Arabia, Asia, Australia, Europe, and even the Arctic. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj295BoW06e5e1Aq_JAYBbfIIrpJcNEk2zWnteQ4nnF6WaWzKR9YYo8LF6BETT7QCP8Zj8nxt6w3MeU5ky-clko-ABldnfbvF3evHmNkaA9at9UspA4H8b40zSidV6rvN5-xR_GDx7Jdip_/s1600/totempoles.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj295BoW06e5e1Aq_JAYBbfIIrpJcNEk2zWnteQ4nnF6WaWzKR9YYo8LF6BETT7QCP8Zj8nxt6w3MeU5ky-clko-ABldnfbvF3evHmNkaA9at9UspA4H8b40zSidV6rvN5-xR_GDx7Jdip_/s1600/totempoles.jpg" height="321" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><b>Let’s start
from the Native North Americans.</b> As we just said, the word totem comes from the
Ojibwe word “<i>dodaem</i>” and means
"brother/sister kin". It is the archetypal symbol, animal or plant of
hereditary clan affiliations. People from the same clan have the same clan
totem and are considered part of the same family. The Ojibwe expert Basil H. Johnston defines dodaem as:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span lang="EN-US">The bonds that united the Ojibwe-speaking
people. The feeling of oneness among people that occupy a vast territory is
based not on political, economic, or religious considerations but on totemic
symbols that made those born under the signs one in function, birth, and
purpose. This means that men and women belonging to the same totem regarded one
another as brothers and sisters having kinship obligations to each other.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhDM2OaaOPKaduBRCxuNAZD3HTwa1OWqZ6IubuH5cCHADbJNERjUDFHLUx25TPE_bqSVWUJCixetPQ7DwAlq76dke0Yg48lUu6-XqLR8EkeFuzr4ya0B9Zgtwg3xJ36NG2h1_CsoXPyb_m/s1600/tumblr_mtfek68PoS1qcjbroo1_1280.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhDM2OaaOPKaduBRCxuNAZD3HTwa1OWqZ6IubuH5cCHADbJNERjUDFHLUx25TPE_bqSVWUJCixetPQ7DwAlq76dke0Yg48lUu6-XqLR8EkeFuzr4ya0B9Zgtwg3xJ36NG2h1_CsoXPyb_m/s1600/tumblr_mtfek68PoS1qcjbroo1_1280.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><b>The
extraordinary thing is precisely the profound significance of this object . </b>The
mere fact of being born under a totem made other people with the same one to
treat you like a real blood relative. This is an ancient prelude to what we nowadays
call the “community”. Like brothers of different mothers.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><b>So, in
North America, there is a deep relationship between a kin group and its totem.</b>
There are severe rules against killing the totem animals, as humans are related
with the animals represented on the pole. In some cases, totem spirits
(generally the animals but also human forms) are the clan protectors, crests or
chiefs and the center of religious worshiping. All the different designs
(bears, birds, frogs, people, and various supernatural beings and aquatic
creatures) recount old stories owned by those families, and commemorated in
special occasions. <b>Carvings an eagle, for example, should mean pride in the tribe.</b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPf2dhFQoLhJu1cnMY1BjNPUcYmaAKT_UMDgQqaBPE9Sax4WnqdontfM60dABLQP78C5HXI4TDH0YIyHM4jlDNS2fgdlr3lTwIkzgXp1Sx7v_god8aaeHoQS98U4wq-bsVGndBHCbHrelI/s1600/native-american-totem-poles-eagle.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPf2dhFQoLhJu1cnMY1BjNPUcYmaAKT_UMDgQqaBPE9Sax4WnqdontfM60dABLQP78C5HXI4TDH0YIyHM4jlDNS2fgdlr3lTwIkzgXp1Sx7v_god8aaeHoQS98U4wq-bsVGndBHCbHrelI/s1600/native-american-totem-poles-eagle.jpg" height="265" width="400" /></a><span lang="EN-US"><b>Carving
artworks into totem poles was a very expressive work for many Native American
Indians. </b>But you would say that all Indian tribes carved totem poles, but this
is not completely true. In fact, Indians
living in the Southwest, the plains and Inuit Indians didn’t have any mighty
trees to carve. Long ago totem poles were found to stand 40 feet tall. Today
Indian artists continue to carve trees but some are short and used in homes,
and many people think these are a very fantastic decorations . <b>An actual Indian
carved totem pole take quite a bit of work, craftsmanship and time to be
produced. So it comes to no surprise that a well-made one is quite expensive. </b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimeHLEpnnB6rD8vq3eB00_CxXjcgDqQ2t1TAiVCZcPsu-OdaEqwfkDQRaicdBzpt8lOvjoPhq3IPp5wIltCTJ432K0hHkMNxTTuhQiy_ypVC3iP4Md9fWdPtwX61yk2AK9ArDMw1ZIDSc5/s1600/haida-totem-pole-600x400.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimeHLEpnnB6rD8vq3eB00_CxXjcgDqQ2t1TAiVCZcPsu-OdaEqwfkDQRaicdBzpt8lOvjoPhq3IPp5wIltCTJ432K0hHkMNxTTuhQiy_ypVC3iP4Md9fWdPtwX61yk2AK9ArDMw1ZIDSc5/s1600/haida-totem-pole-600x400.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a><span lang="EN-US"><b>And be
careful if you had one. Totem poles may held hidden messages by those that
carved them. </b>Carvings were symbols that may tell a story of the carver. Many
totem poles no longer exist because of decay and rot. Today these poles are
still being carved and enjoyed by collectors. Among the Indian tribe, even
raising a totem pole is a big and amazing celebration. First, a hole is dug to
stand the pole in. The pole is carried to the site in a ceremony, attended by hundreds of people. A series
of ropes are used to raise the pole in
place. Singing and dancing to drums accompanies the ceremony. <b>And then the
carving begins.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpwzgRcB8e-dQarN6aEsHRojeVmJA5KmSr3MrTDYNPWnLa6jMr0IAAFAZ0DjwfosYMqmGW-V1-LTgo-Lkad2P-UcXAIQsCEJnVowRm8w2Do32rToqa886Cn7CiijCrG_h_ZvMBtuRsF1Ps/s1600/06-2-stan-bevan-b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpwzgRcB8e-dQarN6aEsHRojeVmJA5KmSr3MrTDYNPWnLa6jMr0IAAFAZ0DjwfosYMqmGW-V1-LTgo-Lkad2P-UcXAIQsCEJnVowRm8w2Do32rToqa886Cn7CiijCrG_h_ZvMBtuRsF1Ps/s1600/06-2-stan-bevan-b.jpg" height="321" width="400" /></a><b>But the totems real main characters are certainly animals. </b>There are hidden qualities and natural forces around us. The animals are the perfect example of expressing the spirit nature of every species and qualities we can learn from. They are psychological and spiritual symbols that convey to us qualities we are needing or lacking in our lives. <b>They are a mirror of us reflecting our own innate qualities to help ourselves better understand our connection to all things.</b> Animal wisdom helps connect to our innate being. In the distant past there was no separation between man and animal. This view is reemerging as we awaken to the knowledge of the animals. We were and are inextricably linked as one. Animals, regardless of culture and location, teach us everything. <b>And this is why they’re so important to the ancient cultures creators of the Totems. </b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY7utUpAWzrMdhrrSTKo4fQCyt8pRC1rr1W5X-Ko7Ez2ihrFtcCkgoSv8wNAWWn1s_E4HQX8rPbXCtsWg80wswNt_UDI-sfpiLr92WwUkGQh7dHq1d_QJYTR4h2K7s7wOqEV0dSLymGDwp/s1600/b6514a1e85dd08a3ab7da8503bae5192.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY7utUpAWzrMdhrrSTKo4fQCyt8pRC1rr1W5X-Ko7Ez2ihrFtcCkgoSv8wNAWWn1s_E4HQX8rPbXCtsWg80wswNt_UDI-sfpiLr92WwUkGQh7dHq1d_QJYTR4h2K7s7wOqEV0dSLymGDwp/s1600/b6514a1e85dd08a3ab7da8503bae5192.jpg" height="267" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Totem animals can be seen as different frequencies with many levels of understanding. Animal teachers will become noticeable when it is time. </b>According to the ancient beliefs, animals speak to us in many ways; by their numbers, how they act along with the natural actions and reactions to their surroundings. The keys to understanding this language is learning about the animal and discovering those qualities you need to pay attention to. One needs to be perceptive and aware when you see animals that catch your attention and stand out above the perceived norm. So, this process of understanding is very difficult. <b>And since there are plenty of species of animals, the amount of possible totems is incredible:</b> Earth Animals, Water Animals, Air Animals, Reptiles, Amphibians, Insects and even fantastical or legendary creatures.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrSrSsS7D6Be-HflLWf3QwmEURkH3K-BWwku7HPw-OdVdFcHfR0a-1oLJnJqyYnQOiIY_GCgrDFuYMDxGJbwE-iSvxao8w2h9kR5AnLJ3KSDBFRMwc7KyLMtYy7qAqaOeO4T1isaZemS-2/s1600/2009364178.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrSrSsS7D6Be-HflLWf3QwmEURkH3K-BWwku7HPw-OdVdFcHfR0a-1oLJnJqyYnQOiIY_GCgrDFuYMDxGJbwE-iSvxao8w2h9kR5AnLJ3KSDBFRMwc7KyLMtYy7qAqaOeO4T1isaZemS-2/s1600/2009364178.jpg" height="320" width="313" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">tuteng</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>But there are not just these kind of totems. </b>There are many others, coming from some of the most unthinkable places on Earth:</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>The Sanxingdui Culture in southern China</b>, dating back more than 5000 years, probably placed bronze and gold heads on totems. Chinese transliterates totem as <b>tuteng </b>(圖騰). Sanxingdui bronze masks and heads appear to have been mounted on wooden poles. Some experts have suggested that totemic culture spread from ancient Asian populations to the rest of the world. Others conclude that totemism arose separately in numerous cultures; <b>but, according to historical studies, totemic cultures in North America are estimated to have been more than 10,000 years old.</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1g_nadgWLZ-11uZpQpO9-iu2h_9EpoJJAEF8M7_6Yz25Fveug36ZfVyat-MUVVMhowHW3dld4p1_DeEBYKvNlTK7M4tQZb8BeFDKBUTQz7p1-3RteMPEGxOn0GRhlWVGCaLrgRh9gzT4G/s1600/img_9842.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1g_nadgWLZ-11uZpQpO9-iu2h_9EpoJJAEF8M7_6Yz25Fveug36ZfVyat-MUVVMhowHW3dld4p1_DeEBYKvNlTK7M4tQZb8BeFDKBUTQz7p1-3RteMPEGxOn0GRhlWVGCaLrgRh9gzT4G/s1600/img_9842.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jangseungs</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Another kind of totem-like object is the Jangseung or village guardian.</b> This is a Korean carving, usually made of wood and bearing a resemblance to the totem poles of North America. Jangseungs were traditionally placed at the edges of villages to mark village boundaries and frighten away demons or welcome people in. They were also worshipped as village protector gods. Jangseungs were usually carved in the images of janguns (equivalent to admirals or generals) and their wives. <b>Many Jangseungs were also carved laughing, but in a frightening way.</b> Many of the villages felt that the frightening laughter of the Jangseungs would frighten away the demons because the <b>Jangseungs have no fear.</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggvJ5PzGeg1az0qGy3gKO8GSX5HvPW8bdCkKfUq40nNimneBzZRcskyZaw2UMQSSSDc51vcYbc6uWGfuBk__-FX6UDwgN5CJht6Kpy8IKdTUhT0hC7vSv4hETfgpWQLhUpu3ftSMwYykOJ/s1600/dzi-beads.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggvJ5PzGeg1az0qGy3gKO8GSX5HvPW8bdCkKfUq40nNimneBzZRcskyZaw2UMQSSSDc51vcYbc6uWGfuBk__-FX6UDwgN5CJht6Kpy8IKdTUhT0hC7vSv4hETfgpWQLhUpu3ftSMwYykOJ/s1600/dzi-beads.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">dzi beads</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>In the Himalayan region, </b>as well as on the whole Tibetan plateau area and adjacent areas, <b>certain jewelry is believed to have totemistic capabilities. </b>Tibetans in particular give much importance to heirloom beads such as <b>dzi beads.</b> Though dzi beads were not produced in ancient Tibet, but by an unknown culture, most ancient dzi beads are owned by Tibetans. <b>Different protective qualities depend on design, number of eyes, damage, color, shine and other characteristics.</b> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>The Polish rodnidze known among the pre-Christian ancestors of the Poles is considered to have been roughly similar to the totem as mentioned above.</b> In historical times, researchers considered that the animals and birds represented on the coats-of-arms of various Polish aristocratic clans may have been remnants of such totems (examples can be seen in <b>Ślepowron coat of arms and Korwin coat of arms</b>, possible remnants of a raven-rodnidze).</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKAFQsIIlurfBkFdDNxsqht4GBDPrOaXqQ0n-i1IZKUc5-zaIiNCTNwNNOc8oO2n7fkZJKEul3AsNA_jEiJhkMX3KV9A6LqVu2_3nucuxoqli8_IF9F56h3ZLvuNsfBeBwdf6bsACbZjkA/s1600/speedpaint___sigilyph_by_silverbirch-d4jqxn7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKAFQsIIlurfBkFdDNxsqht4GBDPrOaXqQ0n-i1IZKUc5-zaIiNCTNwNNOc8oO2n7fkZJKEul3AsNA_jEiJhkMX3KV9A6LqVu2_3nucuxoqli8_IF9F56h3ZLvuNsfBeBwdf6bsACbZjkA/s1600/speedpaint___sigilyph_by_silverbirch-d4jqxn7.jpg" height="400" width="376" /></a><b>But now let’s talk about the deep meanings of these objects in religions. </b>The actual <b>“ Totemism”</b> is a religious belief that is frequently associated with animistic religions, and it was a key element of study in the development of 19th and early 20th century theories of Indigenous religion, especially for thinkers such as Émile Durkheim, who concentrated their study on such societies. Durkheim said, while he was studying the correlation between social groups and spiritual totems in Australian aboriginal tribes:</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i>All human religious expression was intrinsically founded in the relationship to a group.</i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzedqUPBtp8ui5Nry598qIcHKEtOnprB1pJvhXfnh1-tIWAJCZ2nmFkwjakItfz4Zz90GNIMgQViSs95ifOuIBY8pYqLfF8ISXy2iMYVpBf_mykDwmr52L6yBEvEn3E8GSNO4Syfp4PGq7/s1600/Totem-Pole-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzedqUPBtp8ui5Nry598qIcHKEtOnprB1pJvhXfnh1-tIWAJCZ2nmFkwjakItfz4Zz90GNIMgQViSs95ifOuIBY8pYqLfF8ISXy2iMYVpBf_mykDwmr52L6yBEvEn3E8GSNO4Syfp4PGq7/s1600/Totem-Pole-2.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a><b>The anthropologist Claude Lévi-Strauss, in his essay "Le Totémisme aujourd’hui" </b>(Totemism Today), argued that human cognition, which is based on analogical thought (the thought of correlation based on analogies), is independent of social context. And totemism, between times in which the religious and universal value was both recognized and denied, is a perfect example of this thought. At times it was considered typical of a phase of cultural progress, other times it was lacking the most primitive populations. The critical analysis which Claude Lévi-Strauss gives in his essay portraits the phenomenon with a new light, saying that :</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i>Totemism participates in knowledge. The needs it aswers to, the ways it tries to satisfy them , are primarily intellectual . In this sense, it has nothing archaic or far away from modern cultures </i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOnem4_qc9ti_UzSuwrZ0yFrzSMY2zA8ESs0UnPWQg0mG7Mi803di-uB0tsj84fL1rZTAV53LSf6tPLHeCDEzf05QF2lgLwjDakqkgRwRUqVQn3v8eILRpFxc8P1cwV0JqTCPWRxOjC7PP/s1600/blog-totem.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOnem4_qc9ti_UzSuwrZ0yFrzSMY2zA8ESs0UnPWQg0mG7Mi803di-uB0tsj84fL1rZTAV53LSf6tPLHeCDEzf05QF2lgLwjDakqkgRwRUqVQn3v8eILRpFxc8P1cwV0JqTCPWRxOjC7PP/s1600/blog-totem.jpg" height="400" width="265" /></a><b><br /></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Even the father of psychoanalysis Sigmund Freud,</b> in his book, called <b>Totem and Taboo: Resemblances Between the Mental Lives of Savages and Neurotics</b>, wrote about employing the application of psychoanalysis to the fields of archaeology, anthropology, and the study of religion. He developed it in four different chapters :</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
<ul>
<li>"The Horror of Incest"</li>
<li>"Taboo and Emotional Ambivalence"</li>
<li>"Animism, Magic and the Omnipotence of Thoughts"</li>
<li>"The Return of Totemism in Childhood"</li>
</ul>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Each one is linked with details of totemism which were particularly concerning him. It is now considered one of the great landmarks in the history of anthropology. <b>So, these wooden poles have something to do with psychoanalysis studies. </b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglu0_PvzzGhVJJoTrjfbKiGhn-9PELiaCh5jkU6zVtlNlWKCnHdCm8ax19TSWNnn_Xx3YHkRUQPRqm-o0OmbdxnODWAm4CT_v59mgAi1RJofsdztHy6YtQgWl_ZUmTVJ4RUmQ29qoaOH5V/s1600/12974123-The-Colorful-of-totem-pole-Stock-Photo-totem.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglu0_PvzzGhVJJoTrjfbKiGhn-9PELiaCh5jkU6zVtlNlWKCnHdCm8ax19TSWNnn_Xx3YHkRUQPRqm-o0OmbdxnODWAm4CT_v59mgAi1RJofsdztHy6YtQgWl_ZUmTVJ4RUmQ29qoaOH5V/s1600/12974123-The-Colorful-of-totem-pole-Stock-Photo-totem.jpg" height="400" width="217" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Last but not least, also the founder of analytical psychology, <b>the Swiss psychiatrist and psychotherapist Carl Gustav Jung, </b>in a particular chapter of his last work Man and His Symbols (The Importance of Dreams), Jung wrote of the “resistance to the idea of an unknown part of the human psyche", saying:</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i>the individual's psyche is far from being safely synthesized; on the contrary, it threatens to fragment too easily under the onslaught of unchecked emotions.... We too can become dissociated and lose our identity.</i> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Jung also describes cultures who hold totemic beliefs (as he sees them) as primitive.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>So, some of the greatest geniuses of history tried to explain their ideas about this beliefs, each one different from the others.</b> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>You’ve always thought totems where just amazing decorations and nothing more. You were absolutely wrong.</b> Totems are much more than that. Maybe now you’re interested to know how your personal totem would be like. <b>Let me know how would it be like… and Never Stop Snooping Around.</b></div>
Gigi The Snooperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13037102870859309067noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6626852741873144301.post-87337993475437063832015-03-13T05:41:00.000-07:002015-03-13T05:41:50.082-07:00Bad Luck Files - Friday The 13th<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4uZ27rQ8dtPGrhSDY9PAVHhwkTxT-QVhavSAhawIuxypFYdWsMw_Cb0RJiE3z9x3O09N9-9Od5edSX4SXbAaiTPih12PWSZMjokhFVBCdn9874dzI3N5847oQ9FqzUglTiylGOUl9zSrt/s1600/2943766912.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4uZ27rQ8dtPGrhSDY9PAVHhwkTxT-QVhavSAhawIuxypFYdWsMw_Cb0RJiE3z9x3O09N9-9Od5edSX4SXbAaiTPih12PWSZMjokhFVBCdn9874dzI3N5847oQ9FqzUglTiylGOUl9zSrt/s1600/2943766912.jpg" height="267" width="400" /></a><span lang="EN-US"><b>Beware
Friday The 13<sup>th</sup> … If you’re tempted to do dangerous things, avoid
doing that on this dark day. </b>Because all the bad luck of the universe will
hopelessly pour over your poor head. Better stand still all day long without moving.
This is the thought of the most superstitious people. Personally I have never
risked my life due to supernatural activities…well, not more than I usually do
everyday. But of course the black shadow of this day is always upon us,
threatening and fascinating. There are lots of theories behind the questions <b>“Why
is Friday the 13<sup>th</sup> considered
unlucky? Why this evil reputation?”.</b> Or probably I should ask you “Have you
ever asked yourselves those question?”. Maybe not, but one of my personal goals
is to give answers about questions you've never asked. <b>So, here for you some of
the theories about the bad luck around Friday The 13<sup>th</sup>.</b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-XzdqmUr8_ioHNV1qj1C6EWbQXFD0ka0k7ZMVQDrCQDYV7MK01dl9X0jiKKW1JT8NEaVc9ebb36jP3f8uZHxU4aqzKKWmWPcnXeUSi8qlAUzvRA9q6TpduZcvAIEch8ejTojZqehl5Ifm/s1600/00-marc-chagall-adam-and-eve-and-the-forbidden-fruit-1960.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-XzdqmUr8_ioHNV1qj1C6EWbQXFD0ka0k7ZMVQDrCQDYV7MK01dl9X0jiKKW1JT8NEaVc9ebb36jP3f8uZHxU4aqzKKWmWPcnXeUSi8qlAUzvRA9q6TpduZcvAIEch8ejTojZqehl5Ifm/s1600/00-marc-chagall-adam-and-eve-and-the-forbidden-fruit-1960.jpg" height="400" width="296" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Adam and Eve portrayed by Mark Chagall </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span lang="EN-US"><b>Since
unmindful time, everybody has separately considered both Friday and the number
13 such </b></span><span lang="EN-US"><b>unlucky omens</b> and it was around the late 19</span><sup style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;">th</sup> century that the first
documented instances started talking about people putting the two together, <b>forming
a double-value unfortunate symbol.</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><b>But before
focusing on those theories, let’s start from the most popular theory as to why
Friday is considered an evil day.</b> Some of
the more ancient clues are found in Christianity. By tradition, Friday is
considered the day that Eve gave Adam the “forbidden fruit” and they were
kicked out of the Garden of Eden. It’s
also said that Adam and Eve died on Friday, even if this is just very
improbable because, back then, maybe a definition of “week” was not very
simple.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><b>According
to Christianity, some of the most devastating
events of the Holy Writings happened of Friday. </b> The Temple of Solomon was said to have been
destroyed on Friday. And Jesus was traditionally considered to have been
crucified on a Friday, the day everyone known as Good Friday. Paradoxically, several references in recent
history consider Good Friday the only exception to “The Black List of Fridays”.
In fact, a reference from 1857 said:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span lang="EN-US">“Notwithstanding the prejudice against sailing
on a Friday… most of the pleasure-boats… make their first voyage for the season
on Good Friday”.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></i></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh82uXxH3OwAcg4aWzSbQBhzNJpPaqL0vrd2MUnBLHBDJMBm_ZNTG1h7mnVGlTNuZO21wLLweliNoZiCsXYWtIWBASzLhyphenhyphenooFyTBTvcrVIubLM8g_137BnvIR3Yk9VtL0Q7jtGNh4uIkP_y/s1600/Freya-norse-mythology-21934274-300-427.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh82uXxH3OwAcg4aWzSbQBhzNJpPaqL0vrd2MUnBLHBDJMBm_ZNTG1h7mnVGlTNuZO21wLLweliNoZiCsXYWtIWBASzLhyphenhyphenooFyTBTvcrVIubLM8g_137BnvIR3Yk9VtL0Q7jtGNh4uIkP_y/s1600/Freya-norse-mythology-21934274-300-427.jpg" height="400" width="280" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Freyja, the goddess of love, <br />
beauty, magic, wisdom, death, and war.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><b>Others
theorize that Friday was considered unlucky before Christianity.</b> According to the Norse legends, The name
“Friday” was chosen in honor of the <b>Norse goddess Freyja, who was the
multitalented goddess of love, beauty, magic, wisdom, death, and war.</b> Teutonic people considered the day extremely
unlucky, especially for weddings, partially due to the lovely goddess the day
was named for. Later, the Christian church tried to demonize this goddess,
factor that maybe contributed to Friday’s reputation.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><b>But these
are just old theories. </b>We have to wait until around the mid-17<sup>th</sup> century to put our hands upon well documented
instances of the notion that Friday was popularly considered unlucky among people.
The idea continued to spread for over two centuries and by the 19<sup>th</sup>
century was nearly common in almost every cultures.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><b>And now
let’s talk about the number 13. As for Friday, there are multiple possibilities
for the origin, and the most popular comes again from Christianity.</b> It’s
considered incredibly bad luck to have 13 people sitting at the dinner table,
which is due to the fact that Judas was by tradition the 13<sup>th</sup> person
to be seated to dine at the Last Supper. This can be connected with an Hindu
tradition, according to which it was bad luck for 13 people to gather together
for any purpose at the same time.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge-Rvehxe37Y3cRJzNS93KyVulqMU0_SI6-oBPTqIzSylvMV1PsXyZJBGjyXS7lJ0EQk4rL6YwtVkCvVuPy8egXpihO6DA-u49yLOjtEziNCZ7G7RE5GH5qmhZN56av6Qa3kI_BjN6ONyE/s1600/Loki-norse-mythology-loki-30846937-600-800.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge-Rvehxe37Y3cRJzNS93KyVulqMU0_SI6-oBPTqIzSylvMV1PsXyZJBGjyXS7lJ0EQk4rL6YwtVkCvVuPy8egXpihO6DA-u49yLOjtEziNCZ7G7RE5GH5qmhZN56av6Qa3kI_BjN6ONyE/s1600/Loki-norse-mythology-loki-30846937-600-800.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Loki, the Norse God of Mischief</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span lang="EN-US"><b>Also the
Vikings of ancient times believed a very similar story. </b> According to the old Norse myth, 12 gods were
feasting at the banquet hall at Valhalla, when <b>Loki, the god of Mischief,
showed up uninvited.</b> This, of course, brought the count of gods up to of 13,
guilty as charged. Loki then encouraged
Hod, the blind god of winter and darkness, to murder Balder the Good with a
spear of mistletoe, throwing all of Valhalla into grief. <b>Another example that
having 13 friends for dinner is not a good idea.</b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><b>As you can
see, all these religions are very different between one another, but each one
has a black link with this number. So why this demonizing tradition? </b>Someone
theorizes the number 13 may have been purposely criticized by the patriarchal
religions founders to <b>eradicate the influence of the Mother Goddess.</b> In goddess
worshiping cultures, the number 13 was often revered, as it represented the
number of lunar and menstrual cycles that occur annually. The believers of this
theory think that as the 12-month solar calendar came into use over the
13-month lunar calendar,<b> the number 13 itself became suspect.</b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ6CKR4P7urmxqsc4dk9jMhTK43XOvCESLTD5IRiKxVQLgA1KraNVu7r0X4-tIAyEGhrvdVua6C2kCklbOCB7pfyBI6EbawjbokkmJYm0iCVhmg4DBOLB-NnO8cbmFnet-AmhjmUf_4Ev-/s1600/Anubis_attending_the_mummy_of_Sennedjem.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ6CKR4P7urmxqsc4dk9jMhTK43XOvCESLTD5IRiKxVQLgA1KraNVu7r0X4-tIAyEGhrvdVua6C2kCklbOCB7pfyBI6EbawjbokkmJYm0iCVhmg4DBOLB-NnO8cbmFnet-AmhjmUf_4Ev-/s1600/Anubis_attending_the_mummy_of_Sennedjem.jpg" height="297" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Anubis, the Egyptian God of the Afterlife </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><b>What is
noteworthy is that other cultures in the
ancient world linked the number 13 with magic and divine.</b> The Ancient Egyptians,
just to mention the most “modern” ancient culture of history, believed life was
a spiritual journey that was made in different stages. 12 of those stages
occurred in this life, but the last one, the 13th, was a joyous upward
metamorphosis to an eternal afterlife. <b>So,
to the Egyptians, the number 13 represented death,</b> but not in a bad way like we
normally do, but as acknowledgement, glory and eternal life. Of course, it’s always possible the
association with death from Egyptian tradition later morphed into death in a
fearful sense by cultures influenced by Egypt.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">And just
like “Friday”, All the legends spread until the 19th century, when the dark
connotation was too much eradicated to be controlled. </span><b>So when did
Friday and the number 13 join together for the first time ever, creating the
nowadays well known “League of Misfortune”? </b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNEiZp3PSIV0nEiTY7QgpxXncFkcXouov_1c-tC5uxwAQu_HQE2gMdu528kPGonjZa07kuGVTffz8bBZj2QZIdGJLKrQ01apsRoH1toEhdrfDqTsDe0fzR_czHp8ZprU6s8PtEH6Mc5aYy/s1600/clovellhastingsstitched.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNEiZp3PSIV0nEiTY7QgpxXncFkcXouov_1c-tC5uxwAQu_HQE2gMdu528kPGonjZa07kuGVTffz8bBZj2QZIdGJLKrQ01apsRoH1toEhdrfDqTsDe0fzR_czHp8ZprU6s8PtEH6Mc5aYy/s1600/clovellhastingsstitched.jpg" height="223" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A portrait of The Battle of Hastings</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span lang="EN-US">You've
probably heard that the Knights Templar were arrested on Friday ( precisely on
October 13, 1307). This could be a
fantastic story, but unfortunately it has no historical documentation. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><b></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Another explanation everyone believe is connected with King Harold II’s kingdom.</b> In fact, the last day of his domain happened to be on Friday (October 13, 1066). An attempting to King Harold ruling was made by William of Normandy, who gave him the opportunity to renounce his crown. But, like a good king, he refuses the offer. <b>The next day William took it by force during the Battle of Hastings </b>(the battle between these two kings and they’re armies), causing Harold’s brutal death. <b>We need to say in King Harold’s defense that he never surrendered to the invader.</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<o:p></o:p><br />
<div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZlYky7ah_6aadGjvGMU8KzaeXyEbREXe2y_g82sDGz8kRFVO6Qe-sFyYUJVo8VscDSmjq4US2bPtUaH1v-XwxbsQTqUj1hEFm53PpS0yi8DfGHg6klxdJU8ow9veIcaxrKNvhP8n0DQqG/s1600/Thirteen.Club_.report.135.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZlYky7ah_6aadGjvGMU8KzaeXyEbREXe2y_g82sDGz8kRFVO6Qe-sFyYUJVo8VscDSmjq4US2bPtUaH1v-XwxbsQTqUj1hEFm53PpS0yi8DfGHg6klxdJU8ow9veIcaxrKNvhP8n0DQqG/s1600/Thirteen.Club_.report.135.jpg" height="400" width="277" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of the reports of "The Thirteen Club"</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><b>But one of
the earliest actual references about the unlucky mixture comes from a club
formed by William Fowler.</b> Fowler was a
very skeptical person, and so he decided to prove that these superstitions are
baseless. With his brave idea of laughing in the face of death, <b>he formed a club known as “The Thirteen Club”</b>
in which club members would meet in groups of 13 to dine, with their first ever
meeting, of course, on Friday the 13th in January of 1881.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><b>Just to
make things even worse,</b> club members had to walk under a ladder before sitting
down to a table in room 13 of the building they were in. They also made sure there was plenty of
spilled salt on the table before they dined. <b>Welcome to the Bad Luck
Compilation.</b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><b>A slightly
earlier documented reference comes from 1869, in the biography of the Italian
composer Gioachino Rossini</b> where the author, Henry Sutherland Edwards notes:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span lang="EN-US">"Rossini was surrounded to the last by admiring
friends; and if it be true that, like so many Italians, he regarded Fridays as
an unlucky day and thirteen as an unlucky number, it is remarkable that one
Friday 13th of November he died".<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhunsO2aWJumUjG7TphohFLwhmADO04XH2Yr_B7SPewU-6vD_WjNB3cuKGI9UfZsomM_zX5fMEkdOvb9TQnE3wg_5VSqKkri6NQv3fpD7xJCXiEXgxNgw_pbAB1UTbeWFVhsXddHBZ3N0jk/s1600/38408-004-1EEFF705.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhunsO2aWJumUjG7TphohFLwhmADO04XH2Yr_B7SPewU-6vD_WjNB3cuKGI9UfZsomM_zX5fMEkdOvb9TQnE3wg_5VSqKkri6NQv3fpD7xJCXiEXgxNgw_pbAB1UTbeWFVhsXddHBZ3N0jk/s1600/38408-004-1EEFF705.jpg" height="200" width="156" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gioachino Rossini</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span lang="EN-US"><b>But let me
tell you something: here in Italy, the number 13 strangely isn’t considered
unlucky.</b> Nowadays, the unlucky number is
17 (the main reason is because 17 in Roman numbers is XVII, which can be rearranged to form the word VIXI, I'm no longer with the living) , so for us Friday the 17th became our version of Friday the 13th.
Nevertheless, Henry Sutherland Edwards was British so, though he was writing
about an Italian composer, applied his own viral superstition to Gioachino
Rossini. </span><br />
<br />
<b>And this is not the only case of a slight difference :</b> in many nations
where Spanish influence is prevalent, rather than Friday the 13th being
unlucky, it is Tuesday the 13th that holds that honor.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD1YjIff7oHu44jwi_bd6ZCeyYqPFVTTrWWxa2RYS76L3oO6PE1owl7R7sK8jOn1VUYU4-6qZt3P6_Sez2dS7-ztRJoI_JqBuB1_wmuIUSvNWNGZq0ewydP5OJUBfByU5W5Zcn3a0T5tGf/s1600/5615748-M.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD1YjIff7oHu44jwi_bd6ZCeyYqPFVTTrWWxa2RYS76L3oO6PE1owl7R7sK8jOn1VUYU4-6qZt3P6_Sez2dS7-ztRJoI_JqBuB1_wmuIUSvNWNGZq0ewydP5OJUBfByU5W5Zcn3a0T5tGf/s1600/5615748-M.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Original first edition of "Friday<br />
The Thirteen" by T. Lawson</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<b>Another one
of the documented instances of people referencing it in this way, </b>such as the
1907 novel by stockbroker and author Thomas W. Lawson called "Friday the
Thirteenth", which told of a stockbroker’s efforts to destroy the market
on that particular date.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><b>What makes
the Friday the 13th superstition stick so stubbornly in our collective
consciousness? Well, the psychological reason is simple.</b> If anything negative
happens to us on that specific date, we obviously make a permanent association
between the event and the date in their minds, with the final result of
demonizing them in our memories.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><b>The point
is that human being tend to somatize bad influences, such as the fear of being
surrounded by evil energy.</b> For example, the Dutch Centre for Insurance
Statistics in 2008 attempted to prove that Friday the 13<sup>th</sup> was no
different than any other day. They ended up demonstrating the opposite. From
their results, they found Friday the 13th is actually a slightly safer day to
drive than other days, at least using two years’ worth of data from 2006-2008
in the Netherlands. In that period,
there were an average of 7,500 traffic accidents on days that were both Friday
and the 13th of the month. On Fridays
that didn’t line up with the 13th, there were an average of 7,800 accidents
each day. <b>Their theory is simply that,
due to the phobia, less people drive on Friday the 13th and people are more
careful when they have to.</b> They also
found similar results with reported fires and crimes, with less happening on
Fridays that coincide with the 13th day of the month.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqsOzqEo_E_UQl2aGjA6NfCic6WlfKE7gyTu8IS8KRcx3FZP9QExa-5fCAwp8YzIoUjXsu4vN2JlS373YWQ5TCj51h78Fjhh4m_iIbdPjxCbUZzNs7HzKBAtSU1y3uZodDCCoaLfu1Eged/s1600/n-ANTI-SUPERSTITION-large570.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqsOzqEo_E_UQl2aGjA6NfCic6WlfKE7gyTu8IS8KRcx3FZP9QExa-5fCAwp8YzIoUjXsu4vN2JlS373YWQ5TCj51h78Fjhh4m_iIbdPjxCbUZzNs7HzKBAtSU1y3uZodDCCoaLfu1Eged/s1600/n-ANTI-SUPERSTITION-large570.jpg" /></a></div>
</div>
As you can
see, there are many reasons Friday the 13th can be seen as a Diabolical Day.
But it’s funny to think that these documentations are a little piece of world’s
history. It’s not important if you believe it or not. They could just be
coincidences…..or maybe not.<br />
<b>HAPPY FRIDAY 13th, Snoopers. Be sure to say away from troubles...</b>Gigi The Snooperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13037102870859309067noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6626852741873144301.post-57628620695191953952015-03-03T09:47:00.000-08:002015-03-03T09:47:27.590-08:00Urban Legends - The Bermuda Triangle<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaaapYG4sCoZuY8S1s3jImpCCuCvgmJhAoiu0CpCFCo4epEkp1ego6eT7TSHGXIPrjLc6NouNu1Zt2lQWkvfOQogEd2jr4szxZaFpk1PEezjVq3MjBgu91RQMhy3ENQHyNAiPQxIOCTeu2/s1600/BXlssKBz0h0bD9PzQLxFWnjXOvo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaaapYG4sCoZuY8S1s3jImpCCuCvgmJhAoiu0CpCFCo4epEkp1ego6eT7TSHGXIPrjLc6NouNu1Zt2lQWkvfOQogEd2jr4szxZaFpk1PEezjVq3MjBgu91RQMhy3ENQHyNAiPQxIOCTeu2/s1600/BXlssKBz0h0bD9PzQLxFWnjXOvo.jpg" height="288" width="400" /></a><span lang="EN-US"><b>Here we are
at last. The mystery of all mysteries. If you have never heard of it, you
probably live on another planet.</b> Where a
huge number of aircraft and ships are said to have disappeared under paranormal
circumstances. <b>This is the Bermuda Triangle. The most dangerous, the oddest,
the creepiest, the….. but wait a moment.</b> Documented evidence says most of the
incidents were spurious, inaccurately reported , or even embroidered by later imaginative authors . Also the WWF didn't include it in a 2013 study about the 10 most dangerous
waters for shipping. <b>Can it be the first worldwide example of “All Talk and No
Action”. Let’s find out…</b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhVr_vhYqU6KtlvLJReg63pexG5UdIILhgeZlryc4jQfxssxEIA96QxB5QwvqapDUkEffd2OLmsS3-dwxKVoYfuVJxWsfifb1aot4YLmJjnK3mgaTfDYnb304ZQlhKyGdN73Zvq_vrVl5-/s1600/bermuda_triangle_usa.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhVr_vhYqU6KtlvLJReg63pexG5UdIILhgeZlryc4jQfxssxEIA96QxB5QwvqapDUkEffd2OLmsS3-dwxKVoYfuVJxWsfifb1aot4YLmJjnK3mgaTfDYnb304ZQlhKyGdN73Zvq_vrVl5-/s1600/bermuda_triangle_usa.gif" height="280" width="400" /></a></div>
<b>The Bermuda
Triangle is a wide area of ocean between Florida, Puerto Rico, and Bermuda.</b> Over
the last few centuries, it’s thought that dozens of people have disappeared without
a trace in the area. Because of its weird influence, this place earned the
nickname “The Devil’s Triangle”. Thousands of people are completely sure that
it’s an area of extra-terrestrial activity or that there is some bizarre
natural scientific cause for the region to be hazardous; Without a doubt it’s an
area in which people have experienced a great amount of bad luck. Not a Strange Doom
Game. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBLii-hYitNE5a9h2zf8HVl2nZaVaJHvT83UrCRfk8AnkhZgdunWGP4YzUVsMtBKIfKIaVaJnTCNlfqHC0BDoGPPXToKzch7u2C-CkI3g8NiP_oUCPE6ZxXUPmdk8M_7wuvX9JUjQ1MGBj/s1600/cartography.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBLii-hYitNE5a9h2zf8HVl2nZaVaJHvT83UrCRfk8AnkhZgdunWGP4YzUVsMtBKIfKIaVaJnTCNlfqHC0BDoGPPXToKzch7u2C-CkI3g8NiP_oUCPE6ZxXUPmdk8M_7wuvX9JUjQ1MGBj/s1600/cartography.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><b>How does
this bad reputation started? </b>Christopher Columbus is the one to blame.
According to his ship’s log, on October 8, 1492, Columbus looked down at his
compass and noticed that it was giving weird readings, without alerting his
crew. Of course having a compass that didn't point to magnetic north may have
sent crew into a panic. And they were already a little bit angrily after lots
of days wandering through the ocean.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">This and other reported apparently malfunctioning compass in the region gave rise to the theory that compasses don’t work in the Triangle, which isn't exactly right. This was just an exaggeration of what actually happened. Despite this, in 1970 the U.S. Coast Guard, attempting to explain the reasons for disappearances in the Triangle, claimed this:</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><i><b><span style="color: #0b5394;">First, the “Devil’s Triangle” is one of the two places on earth that a magnetic compass does point towards true north. Normally it points toward magnetic north. The difference between the two is known as compass variation. The amount of variation changes by as much as 20 degrees as one circumnavigates the earth. If this compass variation or error is not compensated for, a navigator could find himself far off course and in deep trouble.</span></b></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><i><br /></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYP70m5GU-3hO16OhBUcJGSP0HTOgxFU5nI87zv1ZXDl-DcrtKLfXsF2LPRRlTMh5674rgOgH473-IFkfILGkl-mvUblL99HYrfxuiJ3t1UsFmHihaEucGYmulOBB_xaC1QPn-k2Pb145U/s1600/bermuda-triangle-funny-illustration.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYP70m5GU-3hO16OhBUcJGSP0HTOgxFU5nI87zv1ZXDl-DcrtKLfXsF2LPRRlTMh5674rgOgH473-IFkfILGkl-mvUblL99HYrfxuiJ3t1UsFmHihaEucGYmulOBB_xaC1QPn-k2Pb145U/s1600/bermuda-triangle-funny-illustration.jpg" height="312" width="400" /></a><span lang="EN-US">Nowadays, this was continuously repeated as an explanation for disappearances in the Triangle on numerous documentaries and articles. <b>But then it turns out to be an illogical explanation.</b> In fact magnetic variation is something good ship captains (and other explorers) have known about and had to deal with pretty much as long as there have been ships and compasses. Knowing what to do in case of this possibility is the basic knowledge of shipping. So, nothing to be concerned about, nor anything that would seriously throw off any experienced navigator.</span>In 2005,
the Coast Guard revisited the issue after a TV producer in London inquired
about it for a program he was working on.
In this case, they slightly changed their opinions about the magnetic
field.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi_MuQ9S3u_R3XIPbHihFgMA7AHjwOCErwPmIbc8wnI4B8eTLc4uSAJUmccFZrbruwvF3Atj5vOVfLEjC2Z76Qrjn_2-ln_YYhDXt8TnplDAtw_8XK3LIOtFL3Yr_OEWbPqVD3bAY8u1-g/s1600/bermuda-triangle.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi_MuQ9S3u_R3XIPbHihFgMA7AHjwOCErwPmIbc8wnI4B8eTLc4uSAJUmccFZrbruwvF3Atj5vOVfLEjC2Z76Qrjn_2-ln_YYhDXt8TnplDAtw_8XK3LIOtFL3Yr_OEWbPqVD3bAY8u1-g/s1600/bermuda-triangle.jpg" height="400" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span lang="EN-US"><b><span style="color: #0b5394;">Many explanations have cited unusual magnetic
properties within the boundaries of the Triangle. Although the world’s magnetic
fields are in constant flux, the “Bermuda Triangle” has remained relatively
undisturbed. It is true that some
exceptional magnetic values have been reported within the Triangle, but none to
make the Triangle more unusual than any other place on Earth.<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><i><br /></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><b>The modern
Bermuda Triangle myth didn't become well known until 1950 </b>when Edward Van
Winkle Jones wrote an article, published by the Associated Press. Jones
reported several accidents of disappearing ships and planes in the Triangle,
including five US Navy torpedo bombers that vanished on December 5, 1945, and
the commercial airliners “Star Tiger” and “Star Ariel” which disappeared respectively
on January 30, 1948 and January 17, 1949. Furthermore, about 135 individuals
were unaccounted for, and they all went missing around the cursed area. As
Jones wrote: <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">
</span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<i><span lang="EN-US"><b><span style="color: #0b5394;">“They were swallowed
without a trace"</span></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><i><br /></i></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyW2zY-MTJ4jhBcq_Wn6N6R524kF1VXSH3qxnnpwn-UiHpi4dJXlUAF2uOPD6HMSkII6PUQ-mQlW1X3SQR7gyKLMrvogSTmQ4aPxs05n3J35PnCt03i4ftyO7myjyH1M9gRS9OuPTkmDSj/s1600/Sky+View+Pictures+-+Bermuda+Triangle+Weather.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyW2zY-MTJ4jhBcq_Wn6N6R524kF1VXSH3qxnnpwn-UiHpi4dJXlUAF2uOPD6HMSkII6PUQ-mQlW1X3SQR7gyKLMrvogSTmQ4aPxs05n3J35PnCt03i4ftyO7myjyH1M9gRS9OuPTkmDSj/s1600/Sky+View+Pictures+-+Bermuda+Triangle+Weather.jpg" height="265" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>And then the alien life forms came in the story,</b> thanks to M. K. Jessup, writer of the 1955 book “The Case for the UFO”. But unfortunately, no bodies or wreckage had yet been discovered. By 1964, Vincent H. Gaddis wrote an article saying over 1000 lives had been claimed by the area. He also coined the term “Bermuda Triangle” <b>(According to the US Navy, this is just a name without a meaning, because the name is not recognized by the US Board on Geographic Names)</b>, agreeing that it was a “series of strange events.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0Ag5dAmAH3mTU0_NKWzw2jS5ARyFfcOgLBMaQYx0-b02Ee1gN1nFmexfDa_G9FYWTc9zHZtsLqrOX_tVYjGD-g128HM8iQtp6br7j8FgPOEebyp0kT7gIATVvSs01QvQrRMvDBtFOduUa/s1600/51Ea9aOdSzL._SY344_BO1,204,203,200_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0Ag5dAmAH3mTU0_NKWzw2jS5ARyFfcOgLBMaQYx0-b02Ee1gN1nFmexfDa_G9FYWTc9zHZtsLqrOX_tVYjGD-g128HM8iQtp6br7j8FgPOEebyp0kT7gIATVvSs01QvQrRMvDBtFOduUa/s1600/51Ea9aOdSzL._SY344_BO1,204,203,200_.jpg" height="400" width="266" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>The dark obsession hit its major peak in the 1970s, with some of the most specific publication about the controversial topic,</b> including the bestseller by Charles Berlitz, called “The Bermuda Triangle”. And then the fakes were discovered. In fact, <b>critic Larry Kusche, who published “The Bermuda Triangle Mystery: Solved in 1975”,</b> argued that other authors had exaggerated their numbers and hadn't done any proper research. They presented some disappearance cases as “mysteries” when they weren't mysteries at all, and some reported cases hadn't even happened within the Bermuda Triangle. Very imaginative.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
After extensively researching the problem, <b>Kusche concluded that the number of disappearances that occurred within the Bermuda Triangle wasn't actually greater than in any other similarly trafficked area of the ocean, and that is the point.</b> Actually, other writers presented misinformation, such as not reporting storms that occurred on the same day as disappearances, and sometimes even making it seem as though the conditions had been calm during the mysterious events, for the purposes of creating a sensational story. In short: previous Bermuda Triangle authors didn't do their research and either knowingly or unintentionally “made it up”. So the most reliable thought is described in Kusche's book.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><br /></b>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh73tTojeSR5mI-vi3aiKC050U2sMXH9ES7FhLH7XgaoAg4z37hyYUpQJCTBSO538spdMF2hlQ59gd6H87TWDtkUSeFaAaXbVRn87mZumqouIYs-6GpSQhPzbWDNlBg_yyfzCKHydq2afrr/s1600/bermuda_triangle_2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh73tTojeSR5mI-vi3aiKC050U2sMXH9ES7FhLH7XgaoAg4z37hyYUpQJCTBSO538spdMF2hlQ59gd6H87TWDtkUSeFaAaXbVRn87mZumqouIYs-6GpSQhPzbWDNlBg_yyfzCKHydq2afrr/s1600/bermuda_triangle_2.jpg" height="300" style="cursor: move;" width="400" /></a><b>The book did a fantastic job, convincing everyone that the triangle curse was not something to be afraid of.</b> When authors like Berlitz and others were unable to refute Kusche’s findings, even obstinate believers had difficulty remaining confident in the paranormal Bermuda Triangle narrative. In spite of that, many magazine articles, TV shows, and movies have continued to feature the Bermuda Triangle as a place surrounded by mystery.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Because the number of disappearances in the Bermuda Triangle is no greater than any other similarly trafficked area of the world’s oceans, they don’t really need an explanation.</b> But if you want one, here it is the Coast Guard modern explanation, based on scientific observations and theories:</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8ibQLwvXtR4JlkqHF4pcbJ8x-KePd9HsrnbPJcKiSUy5UVZnCpFqS1zp0bEUbCGwJNAGAnFO0pw_t3LB2RiZvX1jfhYV-NnLtEHEI2SRd4VDRbCl_weMZ1lyw1YAfwWfLiqfjS3RZtYZG/s1600/Golfstream.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8ibQLwvXtR4JlkqHF4pcbJ8x-KePd9HsrnbPJcKiSUy5UVZnCpFqS1zp0bEUbCGwJNAGAnFO0pw_t3LB2RiZvX1jfhYV-NnLtEHEI2SRd4VDRbCl_weMZ1lyw1YAfwWfLiqfjS3RZtYZG/s1600/Golfstream.jpg" height="290" width="400" /></a><i><b><span style="color: #0b5394;">The majority of disappearances can be attributed to the area’s unique features. The Gulf Stream, a warm ocean current flowing from the Gulf of Mexico around the Florida Straits northeastward toward Europe, is extremely swift and turbulent. It can quickly erase any evidence of a disaster.</span></b></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><b><span style="color: #0b5394;"><br /></span></b></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><b><span style="color: #0b5394;">The unpredictable Caribbean-Atlantic storms that give birth to waves of great size as well as waterspouts often spell disaster for pilots and mariners. (Not to mention that the area is in “hurricane alley.”) The topography of the ocean floor varies from extensive shoals to some of the deepest marine trenches in the world. With the interaction of strong currents over reefs, the topography is in a constant state of flux and breeds development of new navigational hazards.</span></b></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><b><span style="color: #0b5394;"><br /></span></b></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><b><span style="color: #0b5394;">Not to be underestimated is the human factor. A large number of pleasure boats travel the water between Florida’s Gold Coast (the most densely populated area in the world) and the Bahamas. All to often, crossings are attempted with too small a boat, insufficient knowledge of the area’s hazards and lack of good seamanship.</span></b></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO-2XpGJIpItmQtlG6LWyv7EEXmUI-gb0dpcu-MdY3CYPYT3I2qkt-FywD1lLf6h1pcrMk-q0Qc8eFLzzrb4i50d7ExPtKY2xOUmlpd3plGGZz1p8oNIaCYMqnsV2HpM6J1LPX-t5nAKU2/s1600/Bermuda+Triangle+Underwater+Pyramids.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO-2XpGJIpItmQtlG6LWyv7EEXmUI-gb0dpcu-MdY3CYPYT3I2qkt-FywD1lLf6h1pcrMk-q0Qc8eFLzzrb4i50d7ExPtKY2xOUmlpd3plGGZz1p8oNIaCYMqnsV2HpM6J1LPX-t5nAKU2/s1600/Bermuda+Triangle+Underwater+Pyramids.PNG" height="179" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>But mystery's still languishing underwater. Recent studies have discovered a gigantic structure, </b>perhaps larger than the Great Pyramid of Cheope in Egypt, and initially identified by a doctor in naturopathy in 1968, Ray Brown of Mesa, Arizona.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Brown was in the Caribbean on vacation and making dives with friends in a region of the Bahamas known as "the Tongue of the Ocean." The area acquired that name because a tongue-shaped portion of the seabed extends out from the island before sharply dropping off into much greater depths.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1JXsq0X5HpY_z34eLQBG38kugYbeUqb8ti6M067Rpb4ehSNLEeOTK0KRxrCW-womO-wVs5ySF1s08rD1SOSQ1fMfLwsss9Ro-_ivk2R8flTqEdP49NXDqnCNnj5rIWWtTt6EhbZFHclL2/s1600/crystal-sphere-brown.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1JXsq0X5HpY_z34eLQBG38kugYbeUqb8ti6M067Rpb4ehSNLEeOTK0KRxrCW-womO-wVs5ySF1s08rD1SOSQ1fMfLwsss9Ro-_ivk2R8flTqEdP49NXDqnCNnj5rIWWtTt6EhbZFHclL2/s1600/crystal-sphere-brown.jpeg" height="200" width="150" /></a>When relating his discovery, the doctor explained he became separated from his diving friends underwater. <b>While attempting to rejoin them he came upon a massive structure rising from the ocean floor: a black, hulking object silhouetted against the lighter sun-filtered water. </b>The object was shaped like a pyramid. Because he was low on air, he didn't spend much time investigating the pyramid, but did find a strange crystal sphere. <b>He brought it to the surface with him and later when the ancient crystal was studied researchers were astonished by its properties.</b>Some scientists believe that the weird power affecting ships and planes in the triangle is some kind of energy source that comes from the depths of the ocean. <b>And this supports the claim that the ancient city-state of Atlantis did exist and it's now underneath the Triangle waters. But this is another story, </b>an we will talk about it soon.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Despite what the scientific truth is, I think this place will always be surrounded by mystery, giving an undeniable charm to the nearby islands.</b> </div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4UDJ4hptYnKLNlQR2PNm5nRyvxo0GRbu84VZ49JHWdatrvzWlt2nN3rpbkeYALRguyHGUg3XRDRTSnlF6OhDiyghFx1Ck0GmSluHyV-R8Fm5rOtwyb4ZHD86abojwptGQZmcqLzNnHer1/s1600/Lakemichigan_triangle-1-.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4UDJ4hptYnKLNlQR2PNm5nRyvxo0GRbu84VZ49JHWdatrvzWlt2nN3rpbkeYALRguyHGUg3XRDRTSnlF6OhDiyghFx1Ck0GmSluHyV-R8Fm5rOtwyb4ZHD86abojwptGQZmcqLzNnHer1/s1600/Lakemichigan_triangle-1-.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
And talking about deadly triangles, I present to you another mysterious one, called the <b>Michigan Triangle, an area between Michigan and Wisconsin over the center of Lake Michigan where some strange disappearances have occurred.</b> One mystery was about Captain George R. Donner who vanished from his cabin on the O.S. McFarland as it carted coal to Wisconsin. On April 28, 1937, his second mate went to tell him they were approaching port, but no one could find him anywhere aboard the ship. In another example, a plane was flying above the triangle and apparently just disappeared. Small amounts of debris were found floating in the water, but the rest of the wreckage and bodies of passengers weren't found. Maybe the problem is the geometrical form....What do you think about it ? <b>Maybe a journey in those places would be great, but unfortunately insurance companies don’t actually charge higher premiums for deadly shipping.</b><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
</div>
Gigi The Snooperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13037102870859309067noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6626852741873144301.post-85979837080535584292015-02-14T04:09:00.000-08:002015-02-14T04:09:25.398-08:00Discovery Central - Valentine's Day Special - Oxytocin, The Love Hormone<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEs9LwD7ywu9dnvpMBFg-1lAC_SyNx6Oa3BkYfb5h_JmugjpiTGc3dc7qYWShAg7ucpFVV9T78-7s-NY8l0hBcg2-IEHKetjqlxcl2P6OdmovXfUgEiRwylBTPOFWUzsf38B-eJL8PYA_i/s1600/fashionandyou-doze-of-love.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEs9LwD7ywu9dnvpMBFg-1lAC_SyNx6Oa3BkYfb5h_JmugjpiTGc3dc7qYWShAg7ucpFVV9T78-7s-NY8l0hBcg2-IEHKetjqlxcl2P6OdmovXfUgEiRwylBTPOFWUzsf38B-eJL8PYA_i/s1600/fashionandyou-doze-of-love.jpg" height="250" width="400" /></a></div>
<b>If I ask you a definition of love, what would you say?</b> Well, this is an unanswerable question without a doubt. We can give plenty of descriptions about this, and one I personally like is the quote/struck phrase:<br />
<br />
<i><b><span style="color: red;">Love is like a butterfly, the more you chase it, the more it will elude you. But if you turn your attention towards other things it will come and softly sit on your shoulder. And be careful when you get it: hold it too much and you’ll squeeze it, don’t hold it enough and it’ll fly away.</span></b></i><br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEaXTpkCeOh6n_anWZ5Lk0ZLEqezlUu2bl6hS3ywz8KdeH7-PeRrSovZoa5EiOs6yetw8GAEZ7sC02ud7e7Ape3Za9lV5u1xQwGFElu6L3AHwgqzt3B3gNCjFcJpNeu31ocTvF9VXz0DVL/s1600/love-songs-word-cloud-tall-650-430.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEaXTpkCeOh6n_anWZ5Lk0ZLEqezlUu2bl6hS3ywz8KdeH7-PeRrSovZoa5EiOs6yetw8GAEZ7sC02ud7e7Ape3Za9lV5u1xQwGFElu6L3AHwgqzt3B3gNCjFcJpNeu31ocTvF9VXz0DVL/s1600/love-songs-word-cloud-tall-650-430.jpg" height="263" width="400" /></a>Pretty mawkish, isn't it? We can say that love is just a way to complicate our lives. But we can also talk about love like a philosopher would do, just like the <b>German sociologist Niklas Luhmann, </b>who said this about love:<br />
<br />
<i><b><span style="color: red;">Love is a social code in which two people exchange expectations for the future. In a relationship you need to show your unique and irreplaceable self to the other. And If the other loves you, he recognize this self in your eyes.</span></b></i><br />
<br />
Just like a mirror. <b>And the meaning of your life is the life of your loved one. If she lost a tooth, you only see her smile. If he’s bald, you only see his eyes.</b> But what’s the real problem? Love is extremely fragile and just a little crack is enough to let it end. In fact Niklas Luhmann also said:<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIWujs6Ok9LIttm_M9QS4Wn_2xsntKuIIcsC5NIdzNYwbJQi2dcfNs4ZAvAuJfWXuwkYuU2xr6MIY3l9rwv_VTT-GQp_u8dN3vuRenHFd1YCRASJ1C7ZdwOEZ4yDhXUkFHlIf7mS7vEM34/s1600/cuore-spezzato.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIWujs6Ok9LIttm_M9QS4Wn_2xsntKuIIcsC5NIdzNYwbJQi2dcfNs4ZAvAuJfWXuwkYuU2xr6MIY3l9rwv_VTT-GQp_u8dN3vuRenHFd1YCRASJ1C7ZdwOEZ4yDhXUkFHlIf7mS7vEM34/s1600/cuore-spezzato.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a><i><b><span style="color: red;">Love inevitably ends, quicker that beauty , therefore faster than nature. And the end is conditioned by itself . Love lasts only for a short time and its end compensates for the lack of any other limit . The very essence of love, excess, is the foundation of its end.</span></b></i><br />
<br />
If you have ever fallen in love you know what this is. Clearly, if a relationship lasts for many years without novelty, <b>love is replaced with boredom.</b> On the other hand, when a love story is not going very well, <b>disappointment will inevitably come.</b> Briefly, Love inevitably ends, always (today I’m giving a hopeful message). But this is just the psychological aspect. <b>And Discovery Central is all about biological functions.</b><br />
<br />
In our brain there’s a portion, called <b>hypothalamus, which controls everything, without having any fun.</b> However, the hypothalamus has more control over sexual desires than feelings. And this is why love and sex are not the same thing, otherwise all the porn sites would be full of people in love.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh34J72w4B73DIyynsu7Ge4vLkkbjj3T_q9pkcgdGy9oXvp5YwVwX1KN78_FSZJlzyUb1qy9-Ev-8YBcZNEYNpCI-2owqtqeTNDam-IEgaNSNeE1n5tb9uzyQ2Ft2pG5zWckh2lPWJB9oyB/s1600/tumblr_mi80vnmRXh1rfuijjo1_500.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh34J72w4B73DIyynsu7Ge4vLkkbjj3T_q9pkcgdGy9oXvp5YwVwX1KN78_FSZJlzyUb1qy9-Ev-8YBcZNEYNpCI-2owqtqeTNDam-IEgaNSNeE1n5tb9uzyQ2Ft2pG5zWckh2lPWJB9oyB/s1600/tumblr_mi80vnmRXh1rfuijjo1_500.png" height="400" width="282" /></a><b>Talking about feeling the real main molecule is an hormone called Oxytocin. This is just like a powerful love potion with amazing functions.</b> This is increasingly being seen as a brain chemical that does a lot more than just bring couples closer together. New research suggested that oxytocin plays a crucial part in let us forge and strengthen our social relations, but also in helping us to avoid or solve a number of psychological and physiological problems as well. And these are just few of the love-friendly function it has. <b>And believe it or not, today you will discover this molecule has a dark side. But let’s start from the beginning.</b><br />
<br />
<b><span style="color: red;">First of all, it's extremely easy to get.</span> </b>One of the great things about oxytocin is that your body can release it anywhere and at any time. <b>All you need to do is simply hug someone or shake their hands. </b>The simple contact will cause your brain to release low levels of oxytocin. It's a near-instantaneous way to establish trust. And the good news is that the effect has a very light limit. There's even evidence that simply gazing at someone will do the trick — or even just thinking about someone. Of course this is valuable for humans and for animals, so hugging your pet is a fantastic idea.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_NhStZ2u30Yrao5wu8GGyaT0ISx4huPC4fqHX1z7XDj4JbNyQip_RcY8-ZtdZ7H8nfdwvySE6SGxPWhIYMA72I2vFIssQ4y0KyiLWx3hKPXbJd3ITihlHmaBymoIh4YkAbJNjzFr45Gq2/s1600/795592_1329656931791_377_300.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_NhStZ2u30Yrao5wu8GGyaT0ISx4huPC4fqHX1z7XDj4JbNyQip_RcY8-ZtdZ7H8nfdwvySE6SGxPWhIYMA72I2vFIssQ4y0KyiLWx3hKPXbJd3ITihlHmaBymoIh4YkAbJNjzFr45Gq2/s1600/795592_1329656931791_377_300.jpg" height="316" width="400" /></a><b>Often referred to as the "love molecule", oxytocin is typically associated with helping couples establish a bigger sense of intimacy and attachment. </b>Oxytocin, along with dopamine and norepinephrine, are believed to be highly critical in human pair-bonding. It also increases the desire for couples to gaze at one another, it creates sexual arousal, and it helps males maintain their erections. When you're sexually aroused or excited, oxytocin levels increase in your brain significantly. And during the orgasm itself, the brain is flooded with oxytocin. <span style="color: red;"><b>And it can be called a love potion that's built right inside us</b>,</span> and maybe this molecule is a logic explanation for why some couples like to cuddle after making love.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiayWeVvzS2f5CrKN9uCcGvzF_ow2eOMAxULQjzSmz2TUkgRKou2QY8mAU4x8tPRA1JL8EUUh0vImC7e7Qrs_j6GVaYLJivQfCUykJIw_oHYkMklyrRM8LCSlrpN8cZ_xQLGkYiOnyROrr9/s1600/Valentines-Day-2015-HD-Wallpapers-11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiayWeVvzS2f5CrKN9uCcGvzF_ow2eOMAxULQjzSmz2TUkgRKou2QY8mAU4x8tPRA1JL8EUUh0vImC7e7Qrs_j6GVaYLJivQfCUykJIw_oHYkMklyrRM8LCSlrpN8cZ_xQLGkYiOnyROrr9/s1600/Valentines-Day-2015-HD-Wallpapers-11.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a><b><span style="color: red;">Oxytocin also helps you to be a good mother.</span></b> So it isn’t limited to couples. Oxytocin is an indispensable part of childbirth and mother-child mutual feelings. <b>It helps women get through labor by stimulating uterine contractions, which is why it's sometimes administered during labor.</b> It's been known to promote delivery and speed up contractions. After birth, mothers can establish intimacy and trust with their baby through gentle touches and even a loving gaze. In addition, mothers can pass on oxytocin to their babies through breast milk. <b>And it's interesting to notice that even fathers can benefits from oxytocin as well;</b> new dads who are given a whiff of oxytocin nasal spray are more likely to encourage their children to explore during playtime and are less likely to be rough.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRwTcEzV5ULCeyvq8EUU8XamiOL-o7lNFeSEWZW8WrYXzW8IG5aj60Z_hgl-4nCz5sLZpy71Wuz-i7Mhz0EvkX8Gsm881jw-ShMmM3K7-92F1y0pe_jyvjR2VqCjJOtQwhJBriXxXv-HB3/s1600/fear02.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRwTcEzV5ULCeyvq8EUU8XamiOL-o7lNFeSEWZW8WrYXzW8IG5aj60Z_hgl-4nCz5sLZpy71Wuz-i7Mhz0EvkX8Gsm881jw-ShMmM3K7-92F1y0pe_jyvjR2VqCjJOtQwhJBriXxXv-HB3/s1600/fear02.gif" height="320" width="320" /></a><span style="color: red;"><b>Oxytocin reduces social fears.</b> </span>Given its ability to break-down social barriers, induce feelings of optimism, increase self-esteem, and build trust, oxytocin can help people overcome their social inhibitions and fears. Studies are showing that it may be effective against debilitating shyness, or to help people with social anxieties and mood disorders.<b> It can be also helpful for people suffering from post traumatic stress disorder.</b><br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2u1LOn6eEtZ24nSzQLbhpuUrUOusppK3-mO7UpicQKEKDTzGDxSJByCn7IY6-OTWb-vtv-PMrQ7AXWsLbtKL_cCDRZ9igQo5Y89Oz9htHfZ4E3qurVe5XmXWiTBEJTtwvDrBQWqKGJDf3/s1600/arbol.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2u1LOn6eEtZ24nSzQLbhpuUrUOusppK3-mO7UpicQKEKDTzGDxSJByCn7IY6-OTWb-vtv-PMrQ7AXWsLbtKL_cCDRZ9igQo5Y89Oz9htHfZ4E3qurVe5XmXWiTBEJTtwvDrBQWqKGJDf3/s1600/arbol.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a><b><span style="color: red;">Stress and Pain Relief.</span><span style="color: magenta;"> </span></b> Amazingly, a rise in oxytocin levels can relieve pain — everything from headaches, cramps and overall body aches. Now, that being said, the trick is to get some oxytocin action while you're in pain — which is not so easy. This is where synthetics can certainly help. <b>Alternately, if you find yourself in physical discomfort, you could always ask your friends for a hug. </b>And not surprisingly, given its ability to alleviate social anxiety and produce feelings of trust, oxytocin has the ability to reduce stress — which is no small thing when you consider all the problems we have in our life everyday. Oxytocin has been observed to reduce cortisol in the body and lower blood pressure.<b> It's also been known to improve digestion</b>, which is often disturbed by high stress levels. Interestingly, oxytocin and the oxytocin receptors have been found in the intestinal tract; it improves gut motility and decreases intestinal inflammation. We can suppose it makes you wanna have a great meal.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioomBYMCgCkOdd9xQB10qHOJLLZQCO50A4LeJObjDHxc5NYN17QaKGPW6ELULjtMV64hm5ETpHJZj5aoa5e3SJlKx7eYc2VCnnk_hy-nTpdfpdOKpD4VPWSescnLCnFDAMZeL-5mW759Ov/s1600/depression_of_love_blue-jay-alders.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioomBYMCgCkOdd9xQB10qHOJLLZQCO50A4LeJObjDHxc5NYN17QaKGPW6ELULjtMV64hm5ETpHJZj5aoa5e3SJlKx7eYc2VCnnk_hy-nTpdfpdOKpD4VPWSescnLCnFDAMZeL-5mW759Ov/s1600/depression_of_love_blue-jay-alders.jpg" height="400" width="317" /></a><b><span style="color: red;">The disease of the new century. Of course we are talking about Depression</span></b> and, believe it or not, Oxytocin can also be involved in this. In fact, this molecule was first observed to have a connection to depression through its effects on mothers suffering from postpartum syndrome. Researchers found that low levels of oxytocin were increasing their depression. And then they were able to predict some cases of postpartum depression before the birth of the child. <b>Recent studies of blood levels and genetic factors in depressed patients have revealed that oxytocin has a fantastic potential against clinical depression and anxiety disorders.</b><br />
<br />
<b>The next function can be seen both as a good or a bad thing.</b> In fact, <b><span style="color: red;">oxytocin has been observed to increase generosity in humans. </span></b>Evolutionary biologists, particularly those who subscribe to the selfish gene theory, have long struggled to understand why people sometimes decided to be generous. But several lines of research have connected oxytocin and empathy.<b> In a study in which people had to share money with a stranger, injections of oxytocin made some subjects 80% more generous than those without it.</b><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwVLbZbKCTpN0sbFwYRXLfPai3BFle_TrHVFk5a5SA9Z59nPmSV_1U9eWahXb562iTJ_C0R6QyhiXsltZgkvjz5kHsaXNmUDp1zD3Vd_zamcDyOm1tl7n-ub2ovnHzEbvnUPGN71dbMlkO/s1600/Oxytocin+tagxedo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwVLbZbKCTpN0sbFwYRXLfPai3BFle_TrHVFk5a5SA9Z59nPmSV_1U9eWahXb562iTJ_C0R6QyhiXsltZgkvjz5kHsaXNmUDp1zD3Vd_zamcDyOm1tl7n-ub2ovnHzEbvnUPGN71dbMlkO/s1600/Oxytocin+tagxedo.jpg" height="400" width="378" /></a><br />
<b><span style="color: red;">And if all of this was not enough, oxytocin can surprisingly be used to prevent obesity in some instances.</span></b> Researchers have observed that mice with normal food intake, but with a little amount of oxytocin and oxytocin receptors, become obese later in life. Scientists believe that it might be responsible for a series of beneficial metabolic effects, both in mice and humans. Moreover, by giving obese mice oxytocin injections, their weight returned back to normal levels. The mice also showed a reduced glucose intolerance and insulin resistance. <b>This can be a quite good way to maintain the right weight without particular issues.</b><br />
<br />
<b>Mixing all the functions above, we can correct the definition of “Love Hormone” with “Soul Hormone”. </b>In fact, all of the good emotions we have are connected with this molecule. So it’s clear that we really wouldn't be human without it. But I’m afraid this is not so perfect. <b><span style="color: purple;">Scientists believe Oxytocin may have a Dark Side. And some experiments ensure this theory.</span></b><br />
<br />
<b>Researchers have discovered it also can promote ethnocentrism, xenophobia, prejudice and violence.</b><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSIFR1E5XsxxnZl8nWFiiEkI9nAKJTIb8tDF56Wo5NAw79Pn3NEKzANAKIFLDqpsEBHzEPJhBm7pKkP_G1-JmDAVVptB5zAkK8TQMkfYUiYyUb8ryvJxTnDya3GjsyRCTfakH3agMbCclU/s1600/racist-eggs.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSIFR1E5XsxxnZl8nWFiiEkI9nAKJTIb8tDF56Wo5NAw79Pn3NEKzANAKIFLDqpsEBHzEPJhBm7pKkP_G1-JmDAVVptB5zAkK8TQMkfYUiYyUb8ryvJxTnDya3GjsyRCTfakH3agMbCclU/s1600/racist-eggs.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a><br />
<b><span style="color: purple;">In five experiments 280 male Dutch volunteers first inhaled a spray containing either oxytocin or a placebo (a chemical with no particular functions).</span></b> In the first two experiments participants hit one button if they saw a positive word such as "wonderful" or the name of a fellow Dutchman on the computer, such as Maarten; they pushed another key if they saw a negative word such as "awful" or a foreign name. These groupings were then reversed—the volunteers pushed one button if they saw a positive word or a foreign name, and the other if they saw a negative word or a Dutch name. Arab names such as Ahmed were used in the first experiment and German ones such as Helmut in the second. <b>The researchers found that in both cases, volunteers given oxytocin were faster at linking fellow Dutchmen with positive words. There was also significant evidence that foreign names were more often linked with negative words.</b><br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggyGXnGVf3Emy3cT1_MAJ_st0ICvlrhGDhWy5Ebdc_ThcB5j1xbIcrgx4kKCluBGlnSLgHiX2T7zrrwZEMRLwzYgIwzRnjQutv16nkirpTyp4XyXJaptybcfkG1scAjEf6vwBAWpiaHr_c/s1600/images.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggyGXnGVf3Emy3cT1_MAJ_st0ICvlrhGDhWy5Ebdc_ThcB5j1xbIcrgx4kKCluBGlnSLgHiX2T7zrrwZEMRLwzYgIwzRnjQutv16nkirpTyp4XyXJaptybcfkG1scAjEf6vwBAWpiaHr_c/s1600/images.jpg" height="262" width="400" /></a><b><span style="color: purple;">In a third experiment the scientists investigated the extent to which volunteers ascribed only "noble" human emotions</span></b> such as admiration or contempt to fellow countrymen or foreigners as opposed to more basic ones such as exhaustion and pleasure. <b>Participants given oxytocin were significantly more likely to associate more noble human emotions with Netherlanders than with foreigners,</b> although they were equally likely to associate positive and negative emotions to either group.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhArYRdLHa5njP7AdfjxLSUiEJ0BoBBqGh9561UXa8HMjjfiIKoGtUyexBiErIkQLBvFqAJXFkUFDFszoMuJzdT4gyvgU2pSdMbPQTQTBrOGHktGA7OM9fyIwr6JPQjHVOpFBelz6S6xwn0/s1600/social-media-discrimination.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhArYRdLHa5njP7AdfjxLSUiEJ0BoBBqGh9561UXa8HMjjfiIKoGtUyexBiErIkQLBvFqAJXFkUFDFszoMuJzdT4gyvgU2pSdMbPQTQTBrOGHktGA7OM9fyIwr6JPQjHVOpFBelz6S6xwn0/s1600/social-media-discrimination.jpg" height="265" width="320" /></a><b><span style="color: purple;">In the last experiments volunteers were given the option to save the lives of five nameless people by sacrificing one other person.</span></b> These lone individuals either had typical Dutch male names, or foreign ones—Arab names in the fourth experiment and German ones in the fifth. Participants given oxytocin sacrificed foreigners more often than fellow Dutchmen. This isn't because they mercilessly sacrificed more outsiders than volunteers given placebo did—rather, they protectively sacrificed fewer fellow Dutchmen.<br />
<br />
<b><span style="color: purple;">The result is that oxytocin makes people prefer their own group over other groups, setting the stage for prejudice and social discrimination. </span></b>Scientists decided that oxytocin should not be used for recreational purposes. And while oxytocin may help in therapeutic settings, much more controlled research is needed, because there is a lot we do not yet know about oxytocin.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsVoYYn8nxBHSs5I9AgDQSh_JCdBEPA8GIIh0iSijyv-IHOO_mvgclSzcZedAQ9f_-DcoALJndODXuQS_exbRZNN5UO3tBHLamPh66mhJ1MIcD6upQtCYlqQCgF3yXlL8_D77lGLF4pozO/s1600/2621-580x430.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsVoYYn8nxBHSs5I9AgDQSh_JCdBEPA8GIIh0iSijyv-IHOO_mvgclSzcZedAQ9f_-DcoALJndODXuQS_exbRZNN5UO3tBHLamPh66mhJ1MIcD6upQtCYlqQCgF3yXlL8_D77lGLF4pozO/s1600/2621-580x430.jpg" height="296" width="400" /></a><b><span style="color: magenta;">And unfortunately, the love effects of the oxytocin lasts only for three years, and this is the highest amount of time.</span></b> So, biologically, love doesn't last forever. It can be released again, but not for the same person. <b>And then if she lost a tooth, you only see the hole. If he’s bald, you only see the reflection.</b> So, at the end, we can describe love like this:<br />
<i><span style="color: magenta;"><b>Love is a social code in which a person finds the meaning of the life in the life of the loved one. This since there is Oxytocin.</b></span> </i><br />
I’m sure everybody will understand…..<b>WELL, UNTIL THEY FALL IN LOVE.</b>Gigi The Snooperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13037102870859309067noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6626852741873144301.post-89938327732318096772015-02-01T10:49:00.000-08:002015-02-01T10:49:07.132-08:00Random Facts About.... Winter<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpyy6RR8aUXkYxQaXO5K8scOTd5bsjRrTgq7EaVhtHItteNHDGy1PHUOtj_Ui1qgJJcMPk20fHB1O2LvRbVCfZhFfefmh1TwlJ8K7OTI8AAiF9-e6yJAdo3bNXyS64z3ut9pv2seOQ0gsw/s1600/winter-landscape-1352711725z63.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpyy6RR8aUXkYxQaXO5K8scOTd5bsjRrTgq7EaVhtHItteNHDGy1PHUOtj_Ui1qgJJcMPk20fHB1O2LvRbVCfZhFfefmh1TwlJ8K7OTI8AAiF9-e6yJAdo3bNXyS64z3ut9pv2seOQ0gsw/s1600/winter-landscape-1352711725z63.jpg" height="260" width="400" /></a></div>
<b>The cold season.</b> The season when everything sleeps, except for us. There are always lots of conflicting opinions when we talk about winter. Someone loves it, others hates it, most are in between. <b>But you can't deny it has something magical</b>. The bare trees, the snow lightly falling from grey clouds, covering the grass, the freezing cold all around and the grayish sky give an undeniable charm to the environment. Maybe going outside without a heavy coat isn't a smart idea, but looking at the world falling asleep from your window, with a hot cup of tea in your hands and a warm quilt around you, surely is. Unfortunately most of us hates to get up at 6 am and feel the freeze while going to work/school/whatever. But it could be a great idea snooping around some of the unusual and funny facts about this frosty season. <b>So get ready to be curiously frozen with these Random Facts About Winter.</b><br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6n9UTaYStGDjKiWwqZ6OGjYaCZ_I2VX-LrsORljv8ejsdCHEvF7mn0vWAb19tOWxVdsa_Ffxoc9cLdj926vr91XQx2TltZwErEfO9UvgTSckQFVMynBsjaXLYayJRrwVc4EFgQ4fyepT5/s1600/Unique,_snow_flake.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6n9UTaYStGDjKiWwqZ6OGjYaCZ_I2VX-LrsORljv8ejsdCHEvF7mn0vWAb19tOWxVdsa_Ffxoc9cLdj926vr91XQx2TltZwErEfO9UvgTSckQFVMynBsjaXLYayJRrwVc4EFgQ4fyepT5/s1600/Unique,_snow_flake.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a><b><span style="color: blue;">1.</span></b> <b>Snowflakes start as ice crystals that freeze around small pieces of dust in the air.</b> As they fall to the earth, the ice crystals join together to form snow flakes. The shape of each snowflake is determined by temperature, wind, the amount of time it takes to fall to the ground, and the amount of water vapor in the air. There are billions of different they can join together. So it's completely impossible to find two identical snowflakes.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqxTSvkVh9dZR4E30T39K_XC1c0g4boZpvDRQmUGdy7j_XntMqHIOlGAfw6Kkr13Gm8dcoudqMmQfYYNhu3zhYgE3d_eXK9Ne-G8C9RIFXJxY3C6l9_tK8roBnfaXLupN8Vjz9cESHGhjz/s1600/Skiing_Christmas_'05_034.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqxTSvkVh9dZR4E30T39K_XC1c0g4boZpvDRQmUGdy7j_XntMqHIOlGAfw6Kkr13Gm8dcoudqMmQfYYNhu3zhYgE3d_eXK9Ne-G8C9RIFXJxY3C6l9_tK8roBnfaXLupN8Vjz9cESHGhjz/s1600/Skiing_Christmas_'05_034.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a><span style="color: blue;"><b>2.</b></span> <b>The world’s largest snowflake </b>was reported to be 15 inches across and 8 inches thick. The Guinness Book of World Records states that this giant snowflake was found in Fort Keogh, Montana on January 28, 1887. But this is just a rumor, there's nothing sure. By the time it was noticed, it probably got lost.<br />
<b><span style="color: blue;">3.</span></b> <b>Are you feeling blue these days?</b> Well, in this case you've a SAD problem. And I'm not being obvious. In fact, the “winter blues” were first diagnosed in 1984. And have recently been named Seasonal Affective Disorder (S.A.D.). According to the Mayo Clinic, S.A.D. is a type of depression that occurs at the same time every year. If you’re like most people with seasonal affective disorder, your symptoms start in the fall and may continue in winter months, sapping your energy and making you feel moody.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRrBtvxwHF1iyIPw90E3vc2HaKTG0dFnYbr9vHzzmYvK9k6qcLDPI5aArQOcSW2giVD-EdU41aj7fceEBcOyxh4YXk2qC1qI5iOKBc3OuKl5D5N8SBiihs4lciv2pS7rNkl5rtV8yciHLD/s1600/snow3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRrBtvxwHF1iyIPw90E3vc2HaKTG0dFnYbr9vHzzmYvK9k6qcLDPI5aArQOcSW2giVD-EdU41aj7fceEBcOyxh4YXk2qC1qI5iOKBc3OuKl5D5N8SBiihs4lciv2pS7rNkl5rtV8yciHLD/s1600/snow3.jpg" height="320" width="290" /></a><b><span style="color: blue;">4. </span></b> <b>Snow is not white.</b> Snow is actually clear and colorless. According to the Snow and Ice National Data Center: “The complex structure of snow crystals results in countless tiny surfaces from which visible light is efficiently reflected. What little sunlight is absorbed by snow is absorbed uniformly over the wavelengths of visible light thus giving snow its white appearance”. So, the reflection of all the colors gives a white color as a result, but technically snow is translucent.<br />
<b><span style="color: blue;">5.</span></b> <b>All snowflakes have 6 sides</b>, And there's a chemical reason behind it, but is going to be a little techy: the oxygen atom has a particularly strong attraction to the electron clouds of the two hydrogen atoms and pulls them closer. This leaves the two hydrogen ends more positively charged, and the center of the “V” more negatively charged. When other water molecules “brush up” against this growing snowflake, strong forces between the negatively charged and positively charged parts of different particles cause them to join together in a very specific three-dimensional pattern with a six-sided symmetry. Each water molecule that joins the snowflake reflects this pattern until eventually we can see its macroscopic six-sided shape.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU6DuL6CvBDPOyd9exSWanUxBvquiBOCKh7PvroPuqKyq_PGBT4j_YTtri9h2p-HXzIeRAkoiloWARR1EALtu2vQEMxKal7zLQI-1DKIyF8kzezQBrUdqbgMbSWEThZtXyXdTxZwbI5Ec-/s1600/snowstorm-central-park-new-york.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU6DuL6CvBDPOyd9exSWanUxBvquiBOCKh7PvroPuqKyq_PGBT4j_YTtri9h2p-HXzIeRAkoiloWARR1EALtu2vQEMxKal7zLQI-1DKIyF8kzezQBrUdqbgMbSWEThZtXyXdTxZwbI5Ec-/s1600/snowstorm-central-park-new-york.jpg" height="275" width="400" /></a><b><span style="color: blue;">6.</span></b> <b>Winter cold</b> kills more than twice as many Americans as summer heat does.<br />
<b><span style="color: blue;">7.</span></b> <b>Every winter, at least one septillion</b> (that’s 1 followed by 24 zeros, just saying) snow crystals fall from the sky.<br />
<b><span style="color: blue;">8.</span> A New Zealand group of insects called Weta,</b> considered as some of the biggest in the world, freezes completely solid when temperatures drop during the winter. However, when temperatures warm back up, the insect unfreezes, thaws, and resumes its activities.<br />
<span style="color: blue;"><b>9.</b></span> <b>Other insects, however, don't have the cryogenic skill, and so they have to prepare for winter by creating their own “antifreeze”</b><b>.</b>During the fall, insects produce more glycerol, which gives their body a “super-cooling ability” by allowing bodily fluids to drop below freezing without causing ice damage. Glycerol also lowers the freezing point, which makes insects more cold tolerant and protects their tissue and cells from ice damage. Their glycerol levels drop again during the spring.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMG3u2iIbqqfHpzbHj8od6f2Gow78rduuN8wY86wvjVj-RTVUx_5yP2VC0Yx1Z1RNUEdFVMDhcMmm3MSxgQJVNbMU3yQzdJm6kA0F8MDeBbNiuLsP0ehWAs-X_HWVzqaie1uShyphenhyphen0S4CBtC/s1600/plum-flower-deer.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMG3u2iIbqqfHpzbHj8od6f2Gow78rduuN8wY86wvjVj-RTVUx_5yP2VC0Yx1Z1RNUEdFVMDhcMmm3MSxgQJVNbMU3yQzdJm6kA0F8MDeBbNiuLsP0ehWAs-X_HWVzqaie1uShyphenhyphen0S4CBtC/s1600/plum-flower-deer.jpg" height="225" width="400" /></a><b><span style="color: blue;">10. </span>The Chinese plum is one of the very few plants that bloom in the winter.</b> It is one of the most beloved blossoms in Chinese art and poetry. Because its fragrance can be noticed even in the winter, it came to symbolize hope, perseverance, beauty, and purity as well as the transition of life.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIYuryWyCxBRxCo-aoXV-idMDLLByAZbTpM71pZqe-0YW2fWY8z8K7EAJoN98Xx0tQ8DColt_cqkApliaxH1J2ZLOJbVaNr1PENPo78hyphenhyphenlLHQ0DoKx6Ucd63p5dJ2C7Qs4JOy3uIXmXAdD/s1600/DSC00048-copy_edited.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIYuryWyCxBRxCo-aoXV-idMDLLByAZbTpM71pZqe-0YW2fWY8z8K7EAJoN98Xx0tQ8DColt_cqkApliaxH1J2ZLOJbVaNr1PENPo78hyphenhyphenlLHQ0DoKx6Ucd63p5dJ2C7Qs4JOy3uIXmXAdD/s1600/DSC00048-copy_edited.jpg" height="321" width="400" /></a><b><span style="color: blue;"></span></b><br />
<b><span style="color: blue;"><b><span style="color: blue;"><br /></span></b></span></b>
<b><span style="color: blue;">11.</span></b> <b>The world's tallest snowman</b> was built to bring attention to the Bethel (Maine) area and allow the total community to come together for a project. The people of Bethel and the surrounding area worked 5 months to plan and build the <b>113 foot 7 inches tall snowman</b> which broke the former record held by Yamagata, Japan of 96 feet 7 inches. On Wednesday, February 17, 1999 (precisely at 9:30 a.m.) the record was officially broken. Two town officials, a regional photographer, a videographer, a licensed professional surveyor and the president of the Bethel Area Chamber of Commerce were on hand to verify the actual size and height for the Guinness Book of World Records. My record is actually 30 inches.......<b>but at least I've tried.</b><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiuyJzz_QouA60HJwTxVzuB_wJGukgtxMs8rCyP6OMgW0gGqt-LL3gUrU36khSZqII1-4OToKa5tGXMdwiV57ZUGABRDjHedses04W2Utnvu84r5ctnExrYjJBYN25EtpfYIuxGX4QKlhu/s1600/WTF-10-Scary-Snowman-Holiday-Cards-You-Wouldnt-Want-3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiuyJzz_QouA60HJwTxVzuB_wJGukgtxMs8rCyP6OMgW0gGqt-LL3gUrU36khSZqII1-4OToKa5tGXMdwiV57ZUGABRDjHedses04W2Utnvu84r5ctnExrYjJBYN25EtpfYIuxGX4QKlhu/s1600/WTF-10-Scary-Snowman-Holiday-Cards-You-Wouldnt-Want-3.jpg" height="265" width="400" /></a><b><span style="color: blue;">12. </span>Chionophobia is fear of snow.</b> The term is derived from the Greek words <i>chion</i> (snow) and <i>phobos</i> (fear). One of the largest components to this fear is the idea of becoming snowbound. A forecast calling for a snowstorm can bring on cold sweats, panic attacks, and even an unrealistic feeling of doom and dread. So they will rarely venture out into the snow for fear of being trapped in.<br />
<b><span style="color: blue;">13.</span></b> <b>The Southern Hemisphere</b> typically has milder winters than the Northern Hemisphere. This is because the Southern Hemisphere has less land and a more maritime climate.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGZhqkHYTmWkqpDX0ECdblYjbQ1dJjiBdaBtLa3wkC9V9odiRZQ5xNhY77kCveyR4K3fi-GqLC3CdgMRzu1Ox9l-magAUham8SeC9w3joIVOrZefQrYbJX87xyEz_GU9cfRk8Tim3CrXgg/s1600/Mexmonarchs.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGZhqkHYTmWkqpDX0ECdblYjbQ1dJjiBdaBtLa3wkC9V9odiRZQ5xNhY77kCveyR4K3fi-GqLC3CdgMRzu1Ox9l-magAUham8SeC9w3joIVOrZefQrYbJX87xyEz_GU9cfRk8Tim3CrXgg/s1600/Mexmonarchs.jpg" height="267" width="400" /></a><b><span style="color: blue;">14.</span></b> <b>One inch of snow will produce just less than 1/10 of an inch of water when melted.</b> Ten inches of snow will melt down to only 1 inch of water.<br />
<b><span style="color: blue;">15. </span>Even nowadays, the Kwakiutl Indians of British Columbia change their names</b> and take on the names of their ancestors at the beginning of winter. They believe this will protect them from the spirits of the dead who return at this time of year.<br />
<b><span style="color: blue;">16. </span>Millions of Monarch Butterflies fly to Mexico for winter. </b>They are the only insect that migrates to a warmer climate that is 2,500 miles away each year. When winter inevitably comes, they like to hibernate in the same trees every year.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEPO02-EJzLNuSO2RyvS9Xu5kaBBhMVWOTB5ZeCY4lrDzqzF07pfmtKieQpL7JrWwdK9J368sHYfh8Q28Oax4o7gG_8EzmdgWaodwW8l7BvYwoDvnAO_zgez_EQZuFEFhB6ERGKQYlJ7D_/s1600/winter-berry-3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEPO02-EJzLNuSO2RyvS9Xu5kaBBhMVWOTB5ZeCY4lrDzqzF07pfmtKieQpL7JrWwdK9J368sHYfh8Q28Oax4o7gG_8EzmdgWaodwW8l7BvYwoDvnAO_zgez_EQZuFEFhB6ERGKQYlJ7D_/s1600/winter-berry-3.jpg" height="255" width="400" /></a><b><span style="color: blue;">17.</span></b> <b>Winter in the Northern and Southern Hemispheres</b> is caused by Earth’s axis in that hemisphere being tilted away from the sun. Meteorologists often define winter as the three calendar months with the lowest average temperatures. For the Northern Hemisphere, this is December, January, and February. But if you live in the Southern Hemisphere, you won't agree with this. In fact, due to the tilt of Earth's rotation relative to the Sun and the ecliptic plane, summer is from December to March and winter is from June to September. September 22nd or 23rd is the vernal equinox and March 20th or 21st is the autumnal equinox.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcvqRPfGxj0yHCKGsCr7NQ8JANNQK_C8x_PJUyWtxy7rUH510CwFna3MUj61Fec8kRpiOAoxoc0oc-4dvpCWpp4LFDFqmbzNw-cPTDSPphQPyO51qGBd4vV1Qs5getfFhn48JHeGNbR0HG/s1600/inverno-silverio-santos.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcvqRPfGxj0yHCKGsCr7NQ8JANNQK_C8x_PJUyWtxy7rUH510CwFna3MUj61Fec8kRpiOAoxoc0oc-4dvpCWpp4LFDFqmbzNw-cPTDSPphQPyO51qGBd4vV1Qs5getfFhn48JHeGNbR0HG/s1600/inverno-silverio-santos.jpg" height="267" width="400" /></a><b><span style="color: blue;">18.</span></b> <b>Industry experts have noticed that a colder-than-usual winter probably would not reduce the number of insects for the following spring and summer.</b> What would have more of an impact on their numbers would be an out-of-season cold snap because insects have not yet adapted to environmental change.<br />
<b><span style="color: blue;">19.</span> Some plants, both annual and perennials, require “vernalization” </b>(from Latin vernus, meaning “of the spring”) <b>to flower.</b> This means that a plant needs to experience a period of low winter temperature to initiate or increase the flowering process. Researchers believe this ensures that seed production begins in spring and summer rather than in the fall. After vernalization, plants have acquired the ability to flower.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJoxQy5uEHDqqhtCPglztTQvM5oh7KU4CW-qcXH4WyckKc2IvDIw_B-gNQvaX__pMFxuiGWkp4wUQQ2rNVTlwOX_5hyphenhyphenY7Bou0MvrO88NvhPpvM-9F11ffOQWAqfpSgYe2CiLFy3goMxlLl/s1600/19b762b71298b88bf6f67d9e8aabb889.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJoxQy5uEHDqqhtCPglztTQvM5oh7KU4CW-qcXH4WyckKc2IvDIw_B-gNQvaX__pMFxuiGWkp4wUQQ2rNVTlwOX_5hyphenhyphenY7Bou0MvrO88NvhPpvM-9F11ffOQWAqfpSgYe2CiLFy3goMxlLl/s1600/19b762b71298b88bf6f67d9e8aabb889.jpg" height="268" width="400" /></a><b><span style="color: blue;">20.</span></b> <b>To survive winters, many animals have developed various survival techniques,</b> such as migrating, hibernating, storing food, changing colors, or growing thicker fur. But now imagine for a moment a Siberian Tiger or a European Hare stuck in the snow. Their natural colors, which are perfect for their actual (or summer) habitat would start working against them. In the first case these animals wouldn't be able to sneak up on preys and pounce, and in the latter case they would be a prime target for predators. Luckily for many Arctic animals, this need for camouflage is met by an uncanny ability to <b>change their color to white during winter</b>: the arctic fox, arctic hare, ptarmigan, barren-ground caribou, and ermine all change colors.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGuoMZP3r7rvtqQ9kCoA8C4clCzOHApFa6JOTeWvnLdkv_-iv0kCwmhKrhNxJjidDKJ4FwpNxM5rX5mpulRiD8xswXRy64YBV36oLkdg9sEyVIh0rBhappHj9o_hdbvCfqHeOr1jhdZQl5/s1600/antarctica_2642820b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGuoMZP3r7rvtqQ9kCoA8C4clCzOHApFa6JOTeWvnLdkv_-iv0kCwmhKrhNxJjidDKJ4FwpNxM5rX5mpulRiD8xswXRy64YBV36oLkdg9sEyVIh0rBhappHj9o_hdbvCfqHeOr1jhdZQl5/s1600/antarctica_2642820b.jpg" height="248" width="400" /></a><b><span style="color: blue;">21.</span></b> <b>Bismarck (North Dakota) holds the record for the most snow angels at one time.</b> On February 17, 2007, several schools joined forced to create 8,962 snow angels.<br />
<b><span style="color: blue;">22.</span></b> <b>The coldest winter on Earth occurs at the Polar Plateau in Antarctica.</b> The high elevations of the Antarctic Plateau, combined with its high latitudes, and its extremely long sunless winters, mean that the temperatures here are the lowest in the world in most years, comparable only with central Siberia in the Northern Hemisphere). The average mean annual temperature is -72.9° Fahrenheit (-58°C). But in 1974, Russia hit -96° Fahrenheit in Siberia during winter, <b>making Russia the coldest inhabited country in the world. </b><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYnLFG_UdwFw3z93bU5tTHQK50V4R2aK5fADFMm62AN2JzDO8hkHCtYAUOYhsiF74s4yYEPXbZ89tKMGmGHDZbPkcgL8uIw84sOKRAFr5_XEZfo07K066O-EeF7W4wj4Ds4irw_aSN_H5R/s1600/71221023010464.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYnLFG_UdwFw3z93bU5tTHQK50V4R2aK5fADFMm62AN2JzDO8hkHCtYAUOYhsiF74s4yYEPXbZ89tKMGmGHDZbPkcgL8uIw84sOKRAFr5_XEZfo07K066O-EeF7W4wj4Ds4irw_aSN_H5R/s1600/71221023010464.jpg" /></a><b><span style="color: blue;">23.</span></b> Did you know that a single snowstorm can drop more than 39 million tons of snow, carrying the energy equivalent to <b>120 atomic bombs?</b><br />
<b><span style="color: blue;">24.</span> A team of 600 amazing sculptors</b> unveiled at the Harbin International Ice and Snow Sculpture Festival held on December 20, 2007 – ‘Romantic Feelings’ – the world’s largest snow sculpture. The Olympic Games were the source of inspiration for the staggering 656 ft long and 115 ft tall sculpture. This magnificent ‘landscape’ was the centerpiece of the festival opened in the Heilongjiang Province, one of China’s coldest places.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioTQ33p1b_qvPYdVT7nrEwe-6ZD0fIR0MsoU4loW2HdHiOH9zJOoz7Fir6RwzalHet-whLpRKWxn0mcZra4c_SthwI8uAQrsxqZ6FDXLZ7MTPu-AwIbjZcfFx1GW8c7eOXD43XgQeLbkCo/s1600/bentley_snowflakes_2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioTQ33p1b_qvPYdVT7nrEwe-6ZD0fIR0MsoU4loW2HdHiOH9zJOoz7Fir6RwzalHet-whLpRKWxn0mcZra4c_SthwI8uAQrsxqZ6FDXLZ7MTPu-AwIbjZcfFx1GW8c7eOXD43XgQeLbkCo/s1600/bentley_snowflakes_2.jpg" height="265" width="400" /></a></div>
<b><span style="color: blue;">25.</span></b> <b>Many mosquito species live through the winter as adults.</b> In the fall, mosquitos mate, but only the male dies. The females spend the cold months hidden in a protected place, such as an animal borrow or hollow log.<br />
<b><span style="color: blue;">26.</span></b> <b style="text-align: center;">Throughout time, snowflakes have fascinated many eminent scientists and philosophers,</b><span style="text-align: center;"> </span><span style="text-align: center;">but the man who literally devoted his entire life to showing us the diversity and beauty of snowflakes is American Wilson A. Bentley (February 9, 1865 – December 23, 1931), the first man to capture snow crystals on film. Known as “The Snowflake Man”, Bentley captured more than 5000 photographs of snowflakes. <b>He received international acclaim in the 19th century for his pioneering work in the fields of photomicrography,</b> because he perfected a process of photographing snowflakes before they either melted or sublimed. Bentley’s legacy is an extraordinarily rich one: a vast library of detailed journals, books, published articles and</span><span style="text-align: center;"> </span><b style="text-align: center;">over 5000 photographs of perfect icy miracles.</b><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEXR-_TA-0XG1D2xQdRI1Gsp8gYSs590jp3TMWHrPAiXzIqweVASXWmI8d49MdKR0-TKnvosypPS1GnhNPo8XQcdtllmQggpVi8LWdl3PIwmbrLmiYL1RQHcA1ubGNrDu5dXOIdLTlX-Gy/s1600/endofwintezr1416821194.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEXR-_TA-0XG1D2xQdRI1Gsp8gYSs590jp3TMWHrPAiXzIqweVASXWmI8d49MdKR0-TKnvosypPS1GnhNPo8XQcdtllmQggpVi8LWdl3PIwmbrLmiYL1RQHcA1ubGNrDu5dXOIdLTlX-Gy/s1600/endofwintezr1416821194.jpg" height="211" width="320" /></a><b style="text-align: center;"><br /></b><br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
And that's it... I hope you enjoyed this Seasonal Article. <b>Now it's time for us to hibernate until Spring. </b>Wouldn't be great to sleep for an entire season. Maybe a little boring, but it could be a funny experience. Never Stop Snooping Around, and <b><span style="background-color: white; color: blue;">HAVE A FROZEN WINTER, but keep yourselves warm. </span></b></div>
Gigi The Snooperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13037102870859309067noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6626852741873144301.post-79725776829849126472015-01-10T06:00:00.000-08:002015-01-10T07:04:50.223-08:00ChEmIcAmAzInG - The Mentos Diet Coke Geyser<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitAs539G0tFcNLpBBxIMxpbBPHAdCuWWXOyv_G6UIFlq1u244Kdy6_SwTjudMid-DHf6vhNurh6RjYe0qvZn4AjOdYFZBwQ3osHKcgmyKnGkcedjV2OM6gMPQ6-wWOuXgzeL7IQJ6MHC7K/s1600/science_experiments2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitAs539G0tFcNLpBBxIMxpbBPHAdCuWWXOyv_G6UIFlq1u244Kdy6_SwTjudMid-DHf6vhNurh6RjYe0qvZn4AjOdYFZBwQ3osHKcgmyKnGkcedjV2OM6gMPQ6-wWOuXgzeL7IQJ6MHC7K/s1600/science_experiments2.jpg" height="242" width="400" /></a><b>Welcome everybody to a new Snooping Session.</b> Let's start with a question: Have you ever seen amazing chemical reactions? I'm sure you have, at least once. Thanks to the Internet, plenty of videos are made every day showing these wonderful processes. But most of the time you just see a video, without explaining why what you are witnessing is happening. <b>Well, my Snoopers, ChEmIcAmAzInG will do the job. </b>Here to simply describe the reality behind the wonder....<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPlQ1tIvew3RAAZ9fJj6437WYw1lO6MJNmdkx1DFeySTIhqhnABMEpBshYDSFTETn1jD5tjGFTSt9IrhdyW4TuLG1zrHHo4FulmfusIl67TCZizqLt7R51QmYGFzw5yunKX8GmEsqnAcG7/s1600/Diet_Coke_Mentos.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPlQ1tIvew3RAAZ9fJj6437WYw1lO6MJNmdkx1DFeySTIhqhnABMEpBshYDSFTETn1jD5tjGFTSt9IrhdyW4TuLG1zrHHo4FulmfusIl67TCZizqLt7R51QmYGFzw5yunKX8GmEsqnAcG7/s1600/Diet_Coke_Mentos.jpg" height="400" width="266" /></a>Let's start with one of the most common reactions. Maybe some of you have tried this before. I personally have, and by the time <b>I did it it gets very, very, very messy. This is the Mentos Diet Coke Geyser.</b><br />
<br />
Everybody that has a computer and a social media should know this trick, and if you have ever wondered <b>WHY</b> the reaction between Diet Coke and Mentos is so strong.... Keep reading for the answer.<br />
<br />
<b>First of all, it should be noticed this is not a “strict ingredients reaction”</b>; lots of other carbonated beverages will also readily react adding Mentos, and <b>even some multivitamin pills</b> have the same characteristics needed to perfectly react with Soda drinks. And did you know that, while in the beginning carbonation was added because it was thought it was beneficial to the human body, <b>today carbonation is added for very different reasons, including taste and shelf life.</b> Introducing CO<span style="font-size: xx-small;">2</span> into the drink mix under pressure, makes the drink slightly more acidic (carbonic acid), which has the purpose to sharpen the flavor, producing that slight burning sensation soft-drinkers love. <b>It also provides the drinks with preservative properties, which increase the shelf life of the beverage.</b><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1t9zkvHZSJd91zaUx8HotZ3ZHdWAwBsaPfKUWE6Ifnj5uWESfkMTp2JRNHM-h4mCea7BX_w3QDhGuHVtniK5ms7Cu1Cl_F0DW4JjxxrWYrNWV2ntqdvWC-QhtOtkD6V4ccD5ZJ4SpDd4Y/s1600/explosive-zoom.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1t9zkvHZSJd91zaUx8HotZ3ZHdWAwBsaPfKUWE6Ifnj5uWESfkMTp2JRNHM-h4mCea7BX_w3QDhGuHVtniK5ms7Cu1Cl_F0DW4JjxxrWYrNWV2ntqdvWC-QhtOtkD6V4ccD5ZJ4SpDd4Y/s1600/explosive-zoom.gif" height="356" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
What happens is that Mentos is a mint with thousands of small pores on its surface, <b>breaking the polar attractions between the water molecule.</b> This disruption creates thousands of ideal aggregation sites for the gas molecule, <b>just like a proton pack for the gargantuan amount of little carbon dioxide bubbles in the drink.</b> But this would happen only If the mint has a porous surface. Unfortunately, If you wanna try right now using a smooth surfaced mint, I’m afraid you have to go to the shop because you won’t get an epic reaction.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFk9UbyWoiLJPGNX3K9bw_XpXb2HsyNgJTnU7itP3z72zZ2PxQDZhICX23XK1HjJ2UeiUf0odZFuiscNLjIdj99y_pPAftxn5BXeeW86lv43DL4XiN3jKFGey0BxSiIzxuoaC5Sq4MaYUR/s1600/18mgjkdfyevvpjpg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFk9UbyWoiLJPGNX3K9bw_XpXb2HsyNgJTnU7itP3z72zZ2PxQDZhICX23XK1HjJ2UeiUf0odZFuiscNLjIdj99y_pPAftxn5BXeeW86lv43DL4XiN3jKFGey0BxSiIzxuoaC5Sq4MaYUR/s1600/18mgjkdfyevvpjpg.jpg" height="307" width="400" /></a>The aggregation of bubbles and their growth in size will quickly cause the bubbles to leave the site and rise to the surface of the cola. <b>Bubbles will continue to form on the porous surface and the process will repeat, creating a fantastic foamy effect.</b><br />
<br />
<b>But the “bubble explosion” is not the only responsible.</b> In addition to that, the arabic gum mixed with the gelatin ingredients of the Mentos, combined with the potassium benzoate, sugar or aspartame, in Diet cokes, also help in this process. In these cases, the gum, which is part of compounds called <b>surfactants</b>, end up lowering the surface tension of the liquid, allowing for even more rapid bubble growth on the surface of the Mentos. This helps because without surfactants, bubbles would form more difficultly.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGSluw-UtaiuCqc2lxId9zqy5vjOdk9qjPsLEb0FA-kueis8NgUH8PxdLDRgf2cSL7qhg6kJzLfLzCtVtnEJUFUvIacMvBXg8-FCm1-jkFkSqKg1DY1i6m3wywAT4AAKeMmHM24ociFqI-/s1600/mentos-and-coke-rocket.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGSluw-UtaiuCqc2lxId9zqy5vjOdk9qjPsLEb0FA-kueis8NgUH8PxdLDRgf2cSL7qhg6kJzLfLzCtVtnEJUFUvIacMvBXg8-FCm1-jkFkSqKg1DY1i6m3wywAT4AAKeMmHM24ociFqI-/s1600/mentos-and-coke-rocket.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a><br />
<b>And this would give you a good reaction. </b>But another very important ingredient that explains why Diet Coke (and mainly all the soda drinks) produce such a bigger reaction, it’s because aspartame lowers the surface tension of the liquid too. And this contributes very much, much more than sugar or corn syrup will. So a good way to increase the result is adding more surfactants to the soda before you add the Mentos, like adding a mixture of dishwasher soap and water.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9mhQm94V3xlEfkV2Vh9p4BtkcVLDqoGmfIwWkwfzPlV80E2onyZuMmHUPr_GfPNYcJxefTh6tTGsqlQHbbAyRdjB4emNJ-8ks1bbfWm8M0r74heBbxmOtaXkwyFpn3O3SASlxTOyNs5Vg/s1600/Desperate-Coca-Cola.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9mhQm94V3xlEfkV2Vh9p4BtkcVLDqoGmfIwWkwfzPlV80E2onyZuMmHUPr_GfPNYcJxefTh6tTGsqlQHbbAyRdjB4emNJ-8ks1bbfWm8M0r74heBbxmOtaXkwyFpn3O3SASlxTOyNs5Vg/s1600/Desperate-Coca-Cola.jpg" height="400" width="340" /></a><b>Another factor contributing to the size of the geyser is how rapidly the mint sinks in the soda.</b> The faster it sinks, the faster the reaction can happen, giving you a bigger geyser; a slower reaction may release the same amount of foam overall, <b>but without the explosion you miss half of the fun, right? </b>This is the reason why Mentos works so much better than other similar brands. Mentos are quite dense objects and so tend to sink rapidly in the cola. If you crush the Mentos, it won’t sink much at all. And you won’t get the explosive-like reaction.<br />
<br />
<b>But it's not over. Yet another factor that can affect the “greatness” of the reaction is temperature. </b>The higher the temperature, the bigger the geyser. This is because gases are less soluble in liquids with a higher temperature. So, basically, they are more “ready” to escape the liquid, giving you a faster reaction.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2LPXvq6iL1THy7BF0EhmnMrR8CXXKqkZF8FFJw6B_cESwed1fUDlzFYuBJhRfasbQADZAMGttIFsYxj19gr0x_0hL11OMzjMi8nEnye2O7Kf-NFszxa8JjV_mrerVy-A0Of2-x6-lxeMh/s1600/coca-cola-mentos-funny-WUMO-1080850.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2LPXvq6iL1THy7BF0EhmnMrR8CXXKqkZF8FFJw6B_cESwed1fUDlzFYuBJhRfasbQADZAMGttIFsYxj19gr0x_0hL11OMzjMi8nEnye2O7Kf-NFszxa8JjV_mrerVy-A0Of2-x6-lxeMh/s1600/coca-cola-mentos-funny-WUMO-1080850.jpeg" height="188" width="400" /></a><b>But of course Caffeine,</b> molecule of which I have spoken a lot in my <b><u><a href="http://curiositiesfromtheworld.blogspot.com/2014/11/discovery-central-caffeine-mettere-i.html" target="_blank">Discovery Central</a></u></b>, inside the Coke should increase it…… <b>No, I’m afraid this is not the case.</b> Of course it will help, but just because of the relatively small amount of it found in a typical bottle of soda generally used for these sorts of tricks. If you add enough caffeine, you will see a difference, but if you really wanna see a radical difference, you will need an amount of Caffeine that would kill you. Well, kill you if you actually dare to consume the whole beverage. <b>Which would mean you are very clever ;P</b><br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWxEasGhOqmIWW5KL96Flr66JWqvtGbO_DMALOFHN-9RSVogtl3GLclDJb_n2_i-vh0Kf1wJE83mglDllbAjFr9R74hBBQcAFQF2LSlwynMpUGa2obZR7OfnbDKtj4kPStUZWOXSq0qE1A/s1600/725.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWxEasGhOqmIWW5KL96Flr66JWqvtGbO_DMALOFHN-9RSVogtl3GLclDJb_n2_i-vh0Kf1wJE83mglDllbAjFr9R74hBBQcAFQF2LSlwynMpUGa2obZR7OfnbDKtj4kPStUZWOXSq0qE1A/s1600/725.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a><b>Rumor has it that also the acidity of the soda is a major factor in the resulting process. This is not the case either. </b> In fact, the level of acidity in the Coke before and after the Mentos geyser doesn’t change, denying the possibility of an acid-based reaction. If you want such a reaction, you should try with baking soda.<br />
<br />
This is a funny thing to do with friends, and <b>now you know the chemical reason why you'll have to clean up a sticky disaster</b> (unless you do it outdoor, just saying). This is not an harmful trick, and if you've heard that people have died from drinking Diet Coke and Mentos, this is just an urban legend. First because drinking soda releases some of the carbonation in it, avoiding the possible effect. Secondly, even if one did get a strong reaction, the foam will completely drop out of your mouth, which there have been numerous recorded instances of. <b>The current world record</b> <b>for the most geysers to be set off simultaneously </b>happened on October 17, 2010 and included<b> 2,865 such geysers.</b> So, now it's up to you. <b>Try it, If you dare....</b>Gigi The Snooperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13037102870859309067noreply@blogger.com4