HARRY WORLD BRAILLE DAY!
January, 4, 2011 Is World Braille Day!
So-called “War of the Dots”, and a wonderful interlude on the use of raised text in the Halifax School for the Blind.
There had been a raised-dot writing process before Braille invented his own, but it took up more space. Braille simplified it, and quickly taught his friends and fellow classmates at the Paris school for the blind how to use it. Previous to that, blind people had been taught to read using embossed letters. Letters would be embossed by getting paper wet and then putting it down on carved (wooden? Metal? I can’t remember) 3-d letters. This strikes me as in credibly cumbersome.
At first, Braille’s new method was embraced by the school. However, when the former headmaster retired, a new headmaster came in and was determined to get rid of everything that had been done by the former one. I wrote some notes about this:
“To dramatize and enforce the new system [of embossed writing for the blind], Dufau made a bonfire in the school’ rear courtyard and burned not only the embossed books created by Huay’s [First principal of the first school for the blind in Europe] original process but also every book printed or hand-transcribed in Louis’ [Braille{ new code. This comprised the school’s entire library, the the product of nearly 50 years’ work. To make sure no Braille would ever again be used at the school, he also burned and confiscated the slates, styli, and other Braille writing equipment.”
“Dafau’s students rebelled and Braille survived. The older students taught the younger students despite the punishment of slaps across the hands and going to bed without dinner.”
Braille made its way from France across England and then across to North America.
One thing I like about Braille is that it was invented and refined by blind people. Despite attempts to wipe it out, blind students refused to give it up—much like Sign Language, in fact.
Thursday, December 30, 2010
George (Sparky) Anderson
GEORGE (SPARKY) ANDERSON
George Lee (Sparky) Anderson was both the National and American League managers. He managed the both the Cincinnati Reds and The Detroit Tigers to their championships. Cincinnati in 1975 and 1976 and the Tigers in 1984.
He lived in California. By the baseball teams he was known as (SPARKY) and to his friends he was known as George. He had died of complications due to dementia.
He was born in Bridgewater, South Dakota. On February 22nd 1934. Upon graduating from high school, he signed with The Brooklyn Dodger as an amateur in 1953.
In 1955 he had moved up to the minor leagues. He played for the
A. DOUBLE-A FORTWORTH CATS IN TEXAS
B. IN 1956 HE MOVED TO THE TRIPLE A-MONTREAL ROYALS(OF THE INTERNATIONAL LEAGUE
C. IN 1957 HE WENT TO THE LOS ANGELES ANGELS OF THE PACIFIC COAST LEAGUE\
The following year season he had returned to Montreal.
Sparky had played 5 minor league seasons without putting on an a Dodger uniform. In the major league level he was traded to the Philadelphia Phillies in December of 1958. In trading 3 baseball players. He had started his first full season in 1959. He only batted a .218 in 152 games without any home runs, and with only 34 runs batted in. He then returned to the minor leagues for the rest of his playing career.
He played four seasons in the International League which were The Toronto Maple Leafs..When the league owner (JACK KENT CLARK) had noticed Sparky’s talent for leadership. He had the suggested that Sparky to pursue a career in management.
By the time Sparky was 30 he had taken up the offer that (COOKE) had said. He started managing the Toronto Maple Leafs. He managed the minor leagues at the minor league levels. The class A and the double A- divisions. He had managed the Reds at the minor league level in 1968.
During his managing career, he had 4 consecutive winning seasons with:
A. ROCK HILL CARDINALS`OF THE WESTERN LEAGUE IN 1965
B. 1966 WITH THE ST. PETERSBURG CARDINALS OF FLORIDA STATE
C. 1967 WITH THE MODESTO REDS OF THE CALIFORNIA LEAGUE
D. AND IN 1968 WITH THE ASHEVILLE TOURISTS OF THE SOUTHERN LEAGUE
It was in the season of 1966 he lost to MIAMI 4-3 in a 29 inning without interruption.
He got back to the major league system in 1969 as a coach for the SAN DIEGO PADRES. He was a short time manager 1969-1970 for the CALIFORNIA ANGELS. But, within a couple of days he was offered a job in Anaheim. He had replaced Dave Bristol of the Reds. This reunited Sparky with Reds manager Bob Howsam, who had hired as the minor league manager for the ST LOUIS CARDINALS and the Cincinnati organizations.
In 1969 Sparky became the Reds manager by Bob Howsam. He replaced Dave Bristol. Sparky then lead the Cincinnati Reds to 102 wins along with the National League Pennant in 1970. Although they had lost the World Series to the Baltimore Orioles. It was during this season the Cincinnati Reds became known as the BIG RED MACHINE.
There was an injury that had plagued the 1971 season. This is when the Reds had finished in 5th place. Although, the Reds came back to win another pennant in 1972. Beating the Pittsburg Pirates in the National League Championship Series (NCLS). But, had lost to the Oakland Athletics in the World Series. They took the (NLCS) again in 1973. But, had lost to the Mets in the National League Championship Series.
After they had finished in second place to the Los Angeles Dodgers in 1974 and 1975. The Reds had blown the division wide open by winning 108 games. They took the (NLCS) and the World Series in 7 games against Boston. They had repeated this again in 1976 against the Yankees. Anderson then had an astounding 14-3 postseason play against the:
A. PIRATES
B. PHILLIES
C. RED SOX
D. AND THE YANKEES
They had won against the Red Sox in a triumphed 7 game series in 1975 and then taking a 7 straight games again in the postgame season.
When the Reds had finished second to the Dodgers in the next two seasons. Anderson was then fired in November of 1978. By Dick Wagner who was the general manager that had taken over for Howsam a year earlier. General manager Wagner wanted to shake up Reds coaching staff. Anderson objected and was dismissed as well.
Under the new manager(JOHN MCNAMARA) the Reds had taken the title again in 1979. But, lost 3 straight to the Pirates in the league championship series. They would not make the playoffs again until 1990. When they swept the series against the Oakland Athletics.
Anderson hade then moved on to the Detroit Tigers. The Tigers were a young team. After Sparky’s hiring the Tigers became a winning team almost automatically. They were finishing .500 in each of Sparky’s 3 seasons. Although, they did not get into an opinion of discussion until 1983. They had finished second to the Baltimore Orioles in the (ALE) American League East.
In 1984 the Tigers opened their season with an 35-5. This was a major league record. And, breezed through a 104-58 win. This was a franchise record for wins. Then they had took the Kansas City Royals in the (ACLS) American League Championship Series. They had Beaten the San Diego Padres in a five game World Series. This was Anderson’s third world title. When the season was finished, Anderson had won 2 manager of the year awards with the Tigers.
The Tigers had finished in 3rd place in 1985 and 1986 under Sparky’s supervision. They had taken a 9 to 5 win over the Milwaukee Brewers in July of 1986. Anderson had become the first manager to achieve a 600 career in both the National League and American Leagues.
Sparky had then lead the Tigers into their best season yet in 1987. They had finished in second place against Boston by one game in the (ALE) American League East. The next year the team had fallen apart losing 103 games. In 1989 Anderson took a month long vacation due to stress. Dick Tracewski had then took over the managing while Sparky was away.
In 1991 the Tigers had finished:
A. LAST IN BATTING AVERAGES
B. FIRST IN BATTING STRIKE OUTS
C. AND CLOSE TO THE BOTTOMIN THE PITCHING CATAGORIES
But, still lead them to a second place behind the Toronto. The team had a power packed line-up:
A. CECIL FIELDER
B. MICKEY TETTLETON
C. ROB DEER
This lead the league to many home runs and walks that season.
During Sparky’s career as manager he would always praise his players whenever he had talked to the press. He had later acknowledged that he may have put to much pressure on the players.
Sparky retired from managing after the 1995 season. Because he was disenchanted with the league following the 1994 strike. That had put the baseball season of 1995 behind. It was widely rumored that Sparky was forced into a early retirement by the Tigers as they were unhappy that he would not manage the non-union players. During the training season.
Sparky finished with a lifetime record of 2,194 wins with a 1,834 losses. With a .545 percentage. Sparky finished with his career with a much longer time with the Tigers than with the Reds. He had won two World Series games in career. One with the Cincinnati Reds and the other with the Detroit Tigers.
During his time with the Tigers and later Sparky did some television work. He was a Television commentator. He paired up with Jack Buck on CBS Radio covering postgame game play. This was during the 1980’s and the 1990’s. From 1996 to 1998 he was the color analyst for the Anaheim Angels, on the cable television broadcasts.
While Sparky was still in Detroit. He had founded a charitable organization called (CATCH)which stands for CARING ATHELETES TEAMED FOR CHILDREN’S HENRY FORD HOSPITABLE’S. This took place in 1987. He was active in this charity well into his retirement.
Sparky was voted into The Baseball Home of Fame in 2000 for being a manager for the Cincinnati Reds and the Detroit Tigers. When he was elected for the Cincinnati Reds he had chosen to wear the Reds cap in honor for General Manager Bob Howsam. Who had given Sparky his first chance at managing the Major-League baseball teams.
He was also elected into Cincinnati’s hall of fame the same year. In May of2005 his Red’s Jersey was retired at a pre-game ceremony which was number 10. There was a similar ceremony held in Detroit’s Comerica Park honoring him and retiring his jersey which was number 11.
In 2007, Sparky was elected into the Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame.
Sparky was the very first manager to win the World Series in Both the National League and American Leagues.
Sparky’s accomplishment was equaled in the 2006 World Series when Tony La Russa won the World Series. He had considered Sparky Anderson his mentor.
In 2006 a complex was built and completed at California’s Lutheran University.
Sparky had died at the age of 76.
Farwell to George (SPARKY) Anderson.
George Lee (Sparky) Anderson was both the National and American League managers. He managed the both the Cincinnati Reds and The Detroit Tigers to their championships. Cincinnati in 1975 and 1976 and the Tigers in 1984.
He lived in California. By the baseball teams he was known as (SPARKY) and to his friends he was known as George. He had died of complications due to dementia.
He was born in Bridgewater, South Dakota. On February 22nd 1934. Upon graduating from high school, he signed with The Brooklyn Dodger as an amateur in 1953.
In 1955 he had moved up to the minor leagues. He played for the
A. DOUBLE-A FORTWORTH CATS IN TEXAS
B. IN 1956 HE MOVED TO THE TRIPLE A-MONTREAL ROYALS(OF THE INTERNATIONAL LEAGUE
C. IN 1957 HE WENT TO THE LOS ANGELES ANGELS OF THE PACIFIC COAST LEAGUE\
The following year season he had returned to Montreal.
Sparky had played 5 minor league seasons without putting on an a Dodger uniform. In the major league level he was traded to the Philadelphia Phillies in December of 1958. In trading 3 baseball players. He had started his first full season in 1959. He only batted a .218 in 152 games without any home runs, and with only 34 runs batted in. He then returned to the minor leagues for the rest of his playing career.
He played four seasons in the International League which were The Toronto Maple Leafs..When the league owner (JACK KENT CLARK) had noticed Sparky’s talent for leadership. He had the suggested that Sparky to pursue a career in management.
By the time Sparky was 30 he had taken up the offer that (COOKE) had said. He started managing the Toronto Maple Leafs. He managed the minor leagues at the minor league levels. The class A and the double A- divisions. He had managed the Reds at the minor league level in 1968.
During his managing career, he had 4 consecutive winning seasons with:
A. ROCK HILL CARDINALS`OF THE WESTERN LEAGUE IN 1965
B. 1966 WITH THE ST. PETERSBURG CARDINALS OF FLORIDA STATE
C. 1967 WITH THE MODESTO REDS OF THE CALIFORNIA LEAGUE
D. AND IN 1968 WITH THE ASHEVILLE TOURISTS OF THE SOUTHERN LEAGUE
It was in the season of 1966 he lost to MIAMI 4-3 in a 29 inning without interruption.
He got back to the major league system in 1969 as a coach for the SAN DIEGO PADRES. He was a short time manager 1969-1970 for the CALIFORNIA ANGELS. But, within a couple of days he was offered a job in Anaheim. He had replaced Dave Bristol of the Reds. This reunited Sparky with Reds manager Bob Howsam, who had hired as the minor league manager for the ST LOUIS CARDINALS and the Cincinnati organizations.
In 1969 Sparky became the Reds manager by Bob Howsam. He replaced Dave Bristol. Sparky then lead the Cincinnati Reds to 102 wins along with the National League Pennant in 1970. Although they had lost the World Series to the Baltimore Orioles. It was during this season the Cincinnati Reds became known as the BIG RED MACHINE.
There was an injury that had plagued the 1971 season. This is when the Reds had finished in 5th place. Although, the Reds came back to win another pennant in 1972. Beating the Pittsburg Pirates in the National League Championship Series (NCLS). But, had lost to the Oakland Athletics in the World Series. They took the (NLCS) again in 1973. But, had lost to the Mets in the National League Championship Series.
After they had finished in second place to the Los Angeles Dodgers in 1974 and 1975. The Reds had blown the division wide open by winning 108 games. They took the (NLCS) and the World Series in 7 games against Boston. They had repeated this again in 1976 against the Yankees. Anderson then had an astounding 14-3 postseason play against the:
A. PIRATES
B. PHILLIES
C. RED SOX
D. AND THE YANKEES
They had won against the Red Sox in a triumphed 7 game series in 1975 and then taking a 7 straight games again in the postgame season.
When the Reds had finished second to the Dodgers in the next two seasons. Anderson was then fired in November of 1978. By Dick Wagner who was the general manager that had taken over for Howsam a year earlier. General manager Wagner wanted to shake up Reds coaching staff. Anderson objected and was dismissed as well.
Under the new manager(JOHN MCNAMARA) the Reds had taken the title again in 1979. But, lost 3 straight to the Pirates in the league championship series. They would not make the playoffs again until 1990. When they swept the series against the Oakland Athletics.
Anderson hade then moved on to the Detroit Tigers. The Tigers were a young team. After Sparky’s hiring the Tigers became a winning team almost automatically. They were finishing .500 in each of Sparky’s 3 seasons. Although, they did not get into an opinion of discussion until 1983. They had finished second to the Baltimore Orioles in the (ALE) American League East.
In 1984 the Tigers opened their season with an 35-5. This was a major league record. And, breezed through a 104-58 win. This was a franchise record for wins. Then they had took the Kansas City Royals in the (ACLS) American League Championship Series. They had Beaten the San Diego Padres in a five game World Series. This was Anderson’s third world title. When the season was finished, Anderson had won 2 manager of the year awards with the Tigers.
The Tigers had finished in 3rd place in 1985 and 1986 under Sparky’s supervision. They had taken a 9 to 5 win over the Milwaukee Brewers in July of 1986. Anderson had become the first manager to achieve a 600 career in both the National League and American Leagues.
Sparky had then lead the Tigers into their best season yet in 1987. They had finished in second place against Boston by one game in the (ALE) American League East. The next year the team had fallen apart losing 103 games. In 1989 Anderson took a month long vacation due to stress. Dick Tracewski had then took over the managing while Sparky was away.
In 1991 the Tigers had finished:
A. LAST IN BATTING AVERAGES
B. FIRST IN BATTING STRIKE OUTS
C. AND CLOSE TO THE BOTTOMIN THE PITCHING CATAGORIES
But, still lead them to a second place behind the Toronto. The team had a power packed line-up:
A. CECIL FIELDER
B. MICKEY TETTLETON
C. ROB DEER
This lead the league to many home runs and walks that season.
During Sparky’s career as manager he would always praise his players whenever he had talked to the press. He had later acknowledged that he may have put to much pressure on the players.
Sparky retired from managing after the 1995 season. Because he was disenchanted with the league following the 1994 strike. That had put the baseball season of 1995 behind. It was widely rumored that Sparky was forced into a early retirement by the Tigers as they were unhappy that he would not manage the non-union players. During the training season.
Sparky finished with a lifetime record of 2,194 wins with a 1,834 losses. With a .545 percentage. Sparky finished with his career with a much longer time with the Tigers than with the Reds. He had won two World Series games in career. One with the Cincinnati Reds and the other with the Detroit Tigers.
During his time with the Tigers and later Sparky did some television work. He was a Television commentator. He paired up with Jack Buck on CBS Radio covering postgame game play. This was during the 1980’s and the 1990’s. From 1996 to 1998 he was the color analyst for the Anaheim Angels, on the cable television broadcasts.
While Sparky was still in Detroit. He had founded a charitable organization called (CATCH)which stands for CARING ATHELETES TEAMED FOR CHILDREN’S HENRY FORD HOSPITABLE’S. This took place in 1987. He was active in this charity well into his retirement.
Sparky was voted into The Baseball Home of Fame in 2000 for being a manager for the Cincinnati Reds and the Detroit Tigers. When he was elected for the Cincinnati Reds he had chosen to wear the Reds cap in honor for General Manager Bob Howsam. Who had given Sparky his first chance at managing the Major-League baseball teams.
He was also elected into Cincinnati’s hall of fame the same year. In May of2005 his Red’s Jersey was retired at a pre-game ceremony which was number 10. There was a similar ceremony held in Detroit’s Comerica Park honoring him and retiring his jersey which was number 11.
In 2007, Sparky was elected into the Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame.
Sparky was the very first manager to win the World Series in Both the National League and American Leagues.
Sparky’s accomplishment was equaled in the 2006 World Series when Tony La Russa won the World Series. He had considered Sparky Anderson his mentor.
In 2006 a complex was built and completed at California’s Lutheran University.
Sparky had died at the age of 76.
Farwell to George (SPARKY) Anderson.
Tuesday, December 28, 2010
Stick To Your New Year's Resolutions
STICK TO YOUR NEW YEAR’S RESOLUTION
By Liz Davis
As the holidays draw to a close every year, most people begin to contemplate, “What’s my New Year’s resolution going to be this year? While you inevitably grow and make changes throughout the year, there’s something refreshing and definitive about resolving to make changes at the beginning of a brand-new year. Many people even have a standing New Year’s resolution that they commit to anew every January; only to lose momentum somewhere along the way. Diminished resolve and motivation are common for everyone. Let’s take a look at the top 10 New Year’s resolutions people make every year, as well as some tips for making this the year you actually follow through.
Go back to school. There are few resolutions that involve more iniative and willingness than deciding to continue one’s education, whether that means picking up where you left off after high school or college, or taking your lifetime learning plans in a whole new direction. In certain career areas, additional training or certifications can mean increased earning potential. Learning a new language, for example, can make you more desirable to many employers.
There are also plenty of educational options for simply enriching your life and taking new chances. Is there something you’ve always wanted to do but never knew how to, or never felt qualified to undertake? Do you have pages of notes for short stories, or even a novel, but no idea what to do with them? Why not take an introductory writing class once a week at a local community college? The same goes for any skill or art form that you’ve always been interested in. Now is the time to look into educational opportunities in your area, so set aside the time and live out that dream!
Get a better job. Feeling dissatisfied at work is a common complaint. Perhaps you’re living paycheck to paycheck, or you may feel as though another position or employer would provide a more satisfying job situation. Career improvements can take many different forms, so educate yourself about the current climate in your field. Seek out professional role models and ask them how they got where they are.
You may feel professionally stymied, as though you can’t get a foot in the door in terms of moving up you company’s ladder. This is a common source of career frustration. A lateral move within your department might be advisable to begin with, giving you a chance to build a bigger skill set and therefore more bargaining power when you want to advance.
Another helpful option is to join a professional networking site. Spend a little of your spare time scouring online job ads (but not while you’re at work!), and set aside an afternoon or evening to update and polish your resume. If you’re not doing what you feel you were born to do, what’s stopping you from moving in that direction? What skills do you already have that you can leverage in pursuit of a new or better career?
Get in shape. This is likely the most common New Year’s resolution people make. The passing of another year is a reminder that no one is getting any younger.
In fact, most people are accelerating their own decline into premature old age, owing to poor diet and lack of physical activity. Along with quitting smoking and drinking, this New Year’s resolution sees the highest rates of failure. The reason for that? Perfectionism and unrealistic expectations.
Talk to your doctor before planning a complete overhaul of your diet and exercise habits, especially if you have a medical condition that requires special care. Whether you want to lose 100 pounds or you’d simply like to drop that last five and tighten up all over, the only way to achieve lasting results is through small, manageable changes over time. For example, weight loss greater than one to three pounds a week rarely lasts. So take it slow, be kind to yourself and keep trying. Resist the urge to throw your hands up if you miss a day of exercise or eat something you’re “not supposed to.” The focus of any successful wellness plan is overall health and balance, not physical and mental perfection.
An accountability partner is an excellent way to stay motivated. You can remind each other of your reasons for wanting to exercise and eat healthfully. The encouragement and camaraderie of another person who’s struggling with the same challenges are invaluable when striving to make big life changes. The best part is that you’ll be able to congratulate each other on your continuing progress; there’s no better feeling than being thrilled for yourself and someone else!
Make a difference. Making a conscious choice to give of oneself for the benefit of others is a vastly satisfying and potentially life-changing New Year’s resolution. Volunteering is one of the most effective ways to feel useful and connected to others. The key to sticking with a volunteer gig is finding something that fills you up spiritually and emotionally. What do you love to do? What are you good at? Volunteermatch.com is an excellent resource for finding a volunteer opportunity that suits you to a tee.
Go somewhere. Travel is high on many people’s New Year’s to-do lists. Some want to set aside more time for recreation and relaxation with family and friends. Others want to see more of the world and the myriad experience that traveling offers. Where do you want to go? Start by visualizing and researching the destinations you most want to visit. Dream big, be specific and make plans. You may want to open a savings account to help you set aside the funds necessary for your dream trip.
Quit smoking. Lots of folks decide to quit smoking at the first of the year, often beginning with boatloads of momentum and optimism. The key to quitting is preparation and practice. Prepare and educate yourself for quitting. Don’t feel pressured to quit on the first of January unless you’ve developed a realistic quit plan ahead of time. If you cave in and smoke, don’t beat yourself up. Every time you quit is practice for staying stopped; the more you try, the more likely you are to quit for good.
Reduce debt and save money. Money is a common source of major stress. Although any New Year’s resolution is more achievable when you get the facts, figures, pros and cons down on paper, this one in particular works best if you have a specific sense of what you’re dealing with. So break out that calculator, pencil, paper and all those bills and statements. Keep track of all your expenditures for a set period of time. Add up your debts and expenses, and compare them to your income.
It’s easy to panic at what feels like an insurmountable, out-of-control money situation. “I’ll deal with that later” is a common refrain. Take one small, manageable action at a time toward eliminating your debt. Stop using your credit cards—many people report that cutting up cards, though scary at first, is one of the most freeing steps they took toward getting a handle on financial setbacks. Contacting a debt relief agency may be helpful. Simply making an appointment to talk to an experienced financial planner can alleviate a great deal of anxiety about money.
Get organized. Is material chaos making you crazy and keeping you from achieving what you most want and need to achieve? Do you lose time looking for documents and other necessities? Making a New Year’s resolution to simplify, organize and streamline your time and your physical space. Start by asking yourself, “What do I need to accomplish my daily tasks? Be ruthless about eliminating clutter and confusion—you’ll be amazed at the mental space and energy that is freed up when you clear out physical space. Like other major life changes, the way to make the organization habit is to stick to tackle it in bite-sized increments. Organize one drawer today—that’s it. Tomorrow, practice throwing out any paper you come across that serves no purpose. Before you know it, you’ll have a handful of effective organizational habits that you practice with regularity.
Find someone special. With the proliferation of online dating sites and other matchmaking services in recent years, it’s become common for many people to go about finding a suitable partner as they would any other life goal. This approach may or may not be for you, but regardless, the best place to start is with yourself. Overall, are you the person you want to be, and are you happy with what you can bring to the table in a relationship? Before you sign up for that dating service, it’s a good idea to get clear about you wants and expectations when it comes to romance. What are your deal-breakers, and how much are you willing to compromise? Resolve not to settle simply because you want someone in your life. The more honest you are, the more likely you’ll be to find someone you have a real and joyful future with.
Focus on more important relationships. Does New Year’s always remind you that your children (or parents, spouse, or friends) are getting older, and that you really should spend more quality time together? You can’t go wrong making a commitment like this. Like resolving to volunteer or to get healthy, making a decision to focus on the important people in your life is a resolution to be more authentic and involved in your life. After all, this is the only life you have, and the loved ones around you are the greatest gifts of the journey.
It’s never too early in the year (or too late, for that matter) to contemplate, plan and initiate positive change. And while an official New Year’s resolution brings with it a clear opportunity to look to your life from a broader prospective, the reality is that these opportunities are available at all times. So what are you waiting for? As the clock strikes midnight this time around, what new life-changing journey will you begin?
By Liz Davis
As the holidays draw to a close every year, most people begin to contemplate, “What’s my New Year’s resolution going to be this year? While you inevitably grow and make changes throughout the year, there’s something refreshing and definitive about resolving to make changes at the beginning of a brand-new year. Many people even have a standing New Year’s resolution that they commit to anew every January; only to lose momentum somewhere along the way. Diminished resolve and motivation are common for everyone. Let’s take a look at the top 10 New Year’s resolutions people make every year, as well as some tips for making this the year you actually follow through.
Go back to school. There are few resolutions that involve more iniative and willingness than deciding to continue one’s education, whether that means picking up where you left off after high school or college, or taking your lifetime learning plans in a whole new direction. In certain career areas, additional training or certifications can mean increased earning potential. Learning a new language, for example, can make you more desirable to many employers.
There are also plenty of educational options for simply enriching your life and taking new chances. Is there something you’ve always wanted to do but never knew how to, or never felt qualified to undertake? Do you have pages of notes for short stories, or even a novel, but no idea what to do with them? Why not take an introductory writing class once a week at a local community college? The same goes for any skill or art form that you’ve always been interested in. Now is the time to look into educational opportunities in your area, so set aside the time and live out that dream!
Get a better job. Feeling dissatisfied at work is a common complaint. Perhaps you’re living paycheck to paycheck, or you may feel as though another position or employer would provide a more satisfying job situation. Career improvements can take many different forms, so educate yourself about the current climate in your field. Seek out professional role models and ask them how they got where they are.
You may feel professionally stymied, as though you can’t get a foot in the door in terms of moving up you company’s ladder. This is a common source of career frustration. A lateral move within your department might be advisable to begin with, giving you a chance to build a bigger skill set and therefore more bargaining power when you want to advance.
Another helpful option is to join a professional networking site. Spend a little of your spare time scouring online job ads (but not while you’re at work!), and set aside an afternoon or evening to update and polish your resume. If you’re not doing what you feel you were born to do, what’s stopping you from moving in that direction? What skills do you already have that you can leverage in pursuit of a new or better career?
Get in shape. This is likely the most common New Year’s resolution people make. The passing of another year is a reminder that no one is getting any younger.
In fact, most people are accelerating their own decline into premature old age, owing to poor diet and lack of physical activity. Along with quitting smoking and drinking, this New Year’s resolution sees the highest rates of failure. The reason for that? Perfectionism and unrealistic expectations.
Talk to your doctor before planning a complete overhaul of your diet and exercise habits, especially if you have a medical condition that requires special care. Whether you want to lose 100 pounds or you’d simply like to drop that last five and tighten up all over, the only way to achieve lasting results is through small, manageable changes over time. For example, weight loss greater than one to three pounds a week rarely lasts. So take it slow, be kind to yourself and keep trying. Resist the urge to throw your hands up if you miss a day of exercise or eat something you’re “not supposed to.” The focus of any successful wellness plan is overall health and balance, not physical and mental perfection.
An accountability partner is an excellent way to stay motivated. You can remind each other of your reasons for wanting to exercise and eat healthfully. The encouragement and camaraderie of another person who’s struggling with the same challenges are invaluable when striving to make big life changes. The best part is that you’ll be able to congratulate each other on your continuing progress; there’s no better feeling than being thrilled for yourself and someone else!
Make a difference. Making a conscious choice to give of oneself for the benefit of others is a vastly satisfying and potentially life-changing New Year’s resolution. Volunteering is one of the most effective ways to feel useful and connected to others. The key to sticking with a volunteer gig is finding something that fills you up spiritually and emotionally. What do you love to do? What are you good at? Volunteermatch.com is an excellent resource for finding a volunteer opportunity that suits you to a tee.
Go somewhere. Travel is high on many people’s New Year’s to-do lists. Some want to set aside more time for recreation and relaxation with family and friends. Others want to see more of the world and the myriad experience that traveling offers. Where do you want to go? Start by visualizing and researching the destinations you most want to visit. Dream big, be specific and make plans. You may want to open a savings account to help you set aside the funds necessary for your dream trip.
Quit smoking. Lots of folks decide to quit smoking at the first of the year, often beginning with boatloads of momentum and optimism. The key to quitting is preparation and practice. Prepare and educate yourself for quitting. Don’t feel pressured to quit on the first of January unless you’ve developed a realistic quit plan ahead of time. If you cave in and smoke, don’t beat yourself up. Every time you quit is practice for staying stopped; the more you try, the more likely you are to quit for good.
Reduce debt and save money. Money is a common source of major stress. Although any New Year’s resolution is more achievable when you get the facts, figures, pros and cons down on paper, this one in particular works best if you have a specific sense of what you’re dealing with. So break out that calculator, pencil, paper and all those bills and statements. Keep track of all your expenditures for a set period of time. Add up your debts and expenses, and compare them to your income.
It’s easy to panic at what feels like an insurmountable, out-of-control money situation. “I’ll deal with that later” is a common refrain. Take one small, manageable action at a time toward eliminating your debt. Stop using your credit cards—many people report that cutting up cards, though scary at first, is one of the most freeing steps they took toward getting a handle on financial setbacks. Contacting a debt relief agency may be helpful. Simply making an appointment to talk to an experienced financial planner can alleviate a great deal of anxiety about money.
Get organized. Is material chaos making you crazy and keeping you from achieving what you most want and need to achieve? Do you lose time looking for documents and other necessities? Making a New Year’s resolution to simplify, organize and streamline your time and your physical space. Start by asking yourself, “What do I need to accomplish my daily tasks? Be ruthless about eliminating clutter and confusion—you’ll be amazed at the mental space and energy that is freed up when you clear out physical space. Like other major life changes, the way to make the organization habit is to stick to tackle it in bite-sized increments. Organize one drawer today—that’s it. Tomorrow, practice throwing out any paper you come across that serves no purpose. Before you know it, you’ll have a handful of effective organizational habits that you practice with regularity.
Find someone special. With the proliferation of online dating sites and other matchmaking services in recent years, it’s become common for many people to go about finding a suitable partner as they would any other life goal. This approach may or may not be for you, but regardless, the best place to start is with yourself. Overall, are you the person you want to be, and are you happy with what you can bring to the table in a relationship? Before you sign up for that dating service, it’s a good idea to get clear about you wants and expectations when it comes to romance. What are your deal-breakers, and how much are you willing to compromise? Resolve not to settle simply because you want someone in your life. The more honest you are, the more likely you’ll be to find someone you have a real and joyful future with.
Focus on more important relationships. Does New Year’s always remind you that your children (or parents, spouse, or friends) are getting older, and that you really should spend more quality time together? You can’t go wrong making a commitment like this. Like resolving to volunteer or to get healthy, making a decision to focus on the important people in your life is a resolution to be more authentic and involved in your life. After all, this is the only life you have, and the loved ones around you are the greatest gifts of the journey.
It’s never too early in the year (or too late, for that matter) to contemplate, plan and initiate positive change. And while an official New Year’s resolution brings with it a clear opportunity to look to your life from a broader prospective, the reality is that these opportunities are available at all times. So what are you waiting for? As the clock strikes midnight this time around, what new life-changing journey will you begin?
Thursday, December 16, 2010
The Ghosts in the House
THE GHOSTS IN THE HOUSE
This girl was in her room, working on a story of hers, because she needed to come up with a story for school. And she was, there, alone trying to get her homework done. But she needed some ideas to get her story going, so, she got up to look around in her bedroom for a book in her library. But, suddenly, she heard some eerie noises, coming from another room. She walked in that other room, and saw a ghost of her aunt, hanging from the ceiling. She, suddenly, realized that the old house, she lived in was haunted. And she let out an eerie scream, and ran back into her bedroom. But she didn’t know that the ghost of her aunt was, actually, a ghost. She thought she was seeing a vision of her aunt.
She hurried and got a book out of her library, and then, went back to her room, where she sat down at her laptop, and tried writing her story, which she ended up, anyways, writing about her aunt, because thoughts of her aunt didn’t seem to want to leave her mind. What then, came into her mind, was going into her story, which came out on her laptop as instead, a story about when her brother has served in Vietnam, and when he had come back from Vietnam, her older brother, Tom, had come back with agent orange. And in no time at all, he had died from Agent Orange. But jus before he had died from Agent Orange, he had gone crazy, and she had to use self-defense against him, many times. And he had ended up going into a mental institution, and now, she regretted losing contact with him. Because it seemed that she had lost all brotherly love for him. And she at that time, he had beren alive, hadn’t had any transportation over to the mental institution to keep in touch with him. And her mom and dad hadn’t allowed her to call him, because they had been afraid, that what he was suffering from at the time, his mental illness, would wear off on her. So, now, she, really, regretted not having been in touch with him all that time, he had lived in the mental institution.
Jus as she was working on her story, about her brother, serving in Vietnam, she seemed to go back in time in her mind, again, and this time, she found herself, screaming, because, suddenly, she found herself being pulled into some water, where there were a lot of brush around her. She figured she was experiencing some situation, which her brother had gotten himself in the middle of in Vietnam, when he had been serving his time in the war. She was struggling to get out of the water, and was having a hard time, swimming in the water, although, she was, originally, a good swimmer.
But, finally, after a big struggle in the water, she was able to get herself over to land, where she felt she was lost, and didn’t know where to head to find herself, a ride in a jeep to get herself back home, again. But not much time later, upon walking through the brush, dressed in army clothes, she was able to hail down a jeep. And some fellow, also, dressed in army fatigues, offered her a ride back home, which didn’t seem to be far away from where she lived in the family house, all by herself.
` Once, the guy, who seemed to know his way back to her family house, which house she lived in all by herself, she, upon arriving at the family house, not far from the water, where she struggled for survival, he dropped her off, there, at the house. And upon her, entering the house, she ran into her brother, who, originally, was thought to be dead. And the good thing about this situation, was that he has jus left the mental institution, and one of the doctors had given him, a ride back home. And she was so glad to see that he was alive, so, she game him, a big hug, and then, having lost track of time, she, again, went to work on her story about Vietnam. And her brother say beside her in a chair, a lazy boy chair, and talked to her while she was writing her story.
Suddenly, she went ahead in time, and back to the time, when she has to get her story done for school, tomorrow. When she had her story, finished, finally, she decided she would, being close to nighttime, go back to the library in the other room. And read some relaxing story before she went to bed, while her brother, himself, seemed to disappear from her room from the lazy boy chair..
When she walked back into her room, she called out her brother Tom’s name, and he didn’t seem to be where he, originally, was near her desk in the lazy boy chair. And in calling out his name, she was wondering, where he could be at. But she, in walking around the house, couldn’t seem to find him, anywhere. But then, she walked outside, and upon doing so, heard a scream, coming from the lake jus behind the house. And she figured the scream was coming from the wwater, so, she, immediately, in her jeans, donned a scub diving suit, which she found outside near the house near the back porch. She donned this scuba diving suit, and quickly, swam out into the water, and struggled to rescue him from the water, because she couldn’t seem to swim and was drowning in the water. So, she grabbed a hold onto him, upon coming across him in the water, because she happened to see hid head, bobbing above the water.
` Once, she brought him back to land, she, immediately, took off part of his scuba diving suit, and gave him mouth to mouth resuscitation. And he spit up some water and seemed to be alright. So, she carried back into the house, and put some warm blankets around him. And she made him, change his clothes, so that he wouldn’t freeze from being out in the cool water, although, it was in the middle of the summer and the water wasn’t, really, that cool to begin with.
`` He, finally, was alright, so, she told him to get a lot of rest, and she went back to her room, where she was going to get ready for bed. But upon entering the room, she heard some weird noises. And she couldn’t figure out where these noises were coming from. So, she, again, figured the house was haunted by her aunt, having died years ago from a severe illness.
` Upon her, reaching the closet, what should come out of the closet, was this green monster, and she was trying to fight this monster back with a broom. But this green monster kept howling at her. So, she finally breathed some fire back at this seething monster, and he melted into nothing.
So, what she did was wake up her brother in another room, and he was fine by now. So, she had him join her, and by some ghostly powers, he inherited from his aunt, he was able to disintegrate this monster, and this green monster melted down to nothing. And both her brother and her were now safe, but they didn’t want to keep living in a haunted house..
` So, that night the two of them left the house in a hurry, taking with them all they could of their belongings, and walked for miles until they found some apartments. There, at the apartments, because they didn’t have much money between both of them to pay for rent, the landlord was kind enough to allow them to live, thee, at one of the apartments with no rent payments. But in both of them, getting jobs over at the apartments, they both cleaned for old people, and off of that money, paid their rent to live in an apartment, together. And there at the apartment, her brother was older than her, so, he took on the job of caring for her, although, she has lived over at the family hoiuse for a little while, living, there, by herself.
` Never again, were either her brother or her ever haunted, again, by any ghosts, because the ghosts had been left over at the family house. And none of the apartments in the area, where they are living, were ever haunted in any way.
This girl was in her room, working on a story of hers, because she needed to come up with a story for school. And she was, there, alone trying to get her homework done. But she needed some ideas to get her story going, so, she got up to look around in her bedroom for a book in her library. But, suddenly, she heard some eerie noises, coming from another room. She walked in that other room, and saw a ghost of her aunt, hanging from the ceiling. She, suddenly, realized that the old house, she lived in was haunted. And she let out an eerie scream, and ran back into her bedroom. But she didn’t know that the ghost of her aunt was, actually, a ghost. She thought she was seeing a vision of her aunt.
She hurried and got a book out of her library, and then, went back to her room, where she sat down at her laptop, and tried writing her story, which she ended up, anyways, writing about her aunt, because thoughts of her aunt didn’t seem to want to leave her mind. What then, came into her mind, was going into her story, which came out on her laptop as instead, a story about when her brother has served in Vietnam, and when he had come back from Vietnam, her older brother, Tom, had come back with agent orange. And in no time at all, he had died from Agent Orange. But jus before he had died from Agent Orange, he had gone crazy, and she had to use self-defense against him, many times. And he had ended up going into a mental institution, and now, she regretted losing contact with him. Because it seemed that she had lost all brotherly love for him. And she at that time, he had beren alive, hadn’t had any transportation over to the mental institution to keep in touch with him. And her mom and dad hadn’t allowed her to call him, because they had been afraid, that what he was suffering from at the time, his mental illness, would wear off on her. So, now, she, really, regretted not having been in touch with him all that time, he had lived in the mental institution.
Jus as she was working on her story, about her brother, serving in Vietnam, she seemed to go back in time in her mind, again, and this time, she found herself, screaming, because, suddenly, she found herself being pulled into some water, where there were a lot of brush around her. She figured she was experiencing some situation, which her brother had gotten himself in the middle of in Vietnam, when he had been serving his time in the war. She was struggling to get out of the water, and was having a hard time, swimming in the water, although, she was, originally, a good swimmer.
But, finally, after a big struggle in the water, she was able to get herself over to land, where she felt she was lost, and didn’t know where to head to find herself, a ride in a jeep to get herself back home, again. But not much time later, upon walking through the brush, dressed in army clothes, she was able to hail down a jeep. And some fellow, also, dressed in army fatigues, offered her a ride back home, which didn’t seem to be far away from where she lived in the family house, all by herself.
` Once, the guy, who seemed to know his way back to her family house, which house she lived in all by herself, she, upon arriving at the family house, not far from the water, where she struggled for survival, he dropped her off, there, at the house. And upon her, entering the house, she ran into her brother, who, originally, was thought to be dead. And the good thing about this situation, was that he has jus left the mental institution, and one of the doctors had given him, a ride back home. And she was so glad to see that he was alive, so, she game him, a big hug, and then, having lost track of time, she, again, went to work on her story about Vietnam. And her brother say beside her in a chair, a lazy boy chair, and talked to her while she was writing her story.
Suddenly, she went ahead in time, and back to the time, when she has to get her story done for school, tomorrow. When she had her story, finished, finally, she decided she would, being close to nighttime, go back to the library in the other room. And read some relaxing story before she went to bed, while her brother, himself, seemed to disappear from her room from the lazy boy chair..
When she walked back into her room, she called out her brother Tom’s name, and he didn’t seem to be where he, originally, was near her desk in the lazy boy chair. And in calling out his name, she was wondering, where he could be at. But she, in walking around the house, couldn’t seem to find him, anywhere. But then, she walked outside, and upon doing so, heard a scream, coming from the lake jus behind the house. And she figured the scream was coming from the wwater, so, she, immediately, in her jeans, donned a scub diving suit, which she found outside near the house near the back porch. She donned this scuba diving suit, and quickly, swam out into the water, and struggled to rescue him from the water, because she couldn’t seem to swim and was drowning in the water. So, she grabbed a hold onto him, upon coming across him in the water, because she happened to see hid head, bobbing above the water.
` Once, she brought him back to land, she, immediately, took off part of his scuba diving suit, and gave him mouth to mouth resuscitation. And he spit up some water and seemed to be alright. So, she carried back into the house, and put some warm blankets around him. And she made him, change his clothes, so that he wouldn’t freeze from being out in the cool water, although, it was in the middle of the summer and the water wasn’t, really, that cool to begin with.
`` He, finally, was alright, so, she told him to get a lot of rest, and she went back to her room, where she was going to get ready for bed. But upon entering the room, she heard some weird noises. And she couldn’t figure out where these noises were coming from. So, she, again, figured the house was haunted by her aunt, having died years ago from a severe illness.
` Upon her, reaching the closet, what should come out of the closet, was this green monster, and she was trying to fight this monster back with a broom. But this green monster kept howling at her. So, she finally breathed some fire back at this seething monster, and he melted into nothing.
So, what she did was wake up her brother in another room, and he was fine by now. So, she had him join her, and by some ghostly powers, he inherited from his aunt, he was able to disintegrate this monster, and this green monster melted down to nothing. And both her brother and her were now safe, but they didn’t want to keep living in a haunted house..
` So, that night the two of them left the house in a hurry, taking with them all they could of their belongings, and walked for miles until they found some apartments. There, at the apartments, because they didn’t have much money between both of them to pay for rent, the landlord was kind enough to allow them to live, thee, at one of the apartments with no rent payments. But in both of them, getting jobs over at the apartments, they both cleaned for old people, and off of that money, paid their rent to live in an apartment, together. And there at the apartment, her brother was older than her, so, he took on the job of caring for her, although, she has lived over at the family hoiuse for a little while, living, there, by herself.
` Never again, were either her brother or her ever haunted, again, by any ghosts, because the ghosts had been left over at the family house. And none of the apartments in the area, where they are living, were ever haunted in any way.
Shar-Pei Temperament
SHARPEI TEMPERAMENT
Chinese Shar-Pei are very protective of their home and family and are very possessive and territorial. Since they were bred as guard dogs in ancient history, these traits have carried on throughout the years, making the excellent protection, especially around strangers. While it is pleasing to have a guard dog to protect the home, it can also be dangerous if overprotective. Here are some suggestions to keep your Chinese, Shar-Pei from becoming too protective:
. It’s a good idea when having company over to the house to have the dog in a crate. This avoids any confrontations with strangers entering into his domain. Have your guests ignore the dog for the first five or ten minutes until the dog gets comfortable with having strangers in his domain. Having your guests offer the dog treats under your supervision and control is also a good idea to introduce the idea of having guests in your home.
2. Often times, Shar Pei will stand guard at the door to protect their domain, family, and home. Try using baby gates to restrict them from blocking entryways.
3. Since most Shar-Peis dislike water, keep a spray bottle containing water on hand. This may be useful in some situations.
4. Have your guests call before coming over. This allows you a chance to prepare for the interactions of guests and your dog ahead of time.
5. Keep a supply of treats on hand to reward good behavior.
6. Don’t let your dog be a nuisance to your house guests and use common sense. Not all people like dogs or know how to act around dogs, especially children. Be careful and aware of all situations when children are visiting.
Breed-Specific Behaviors:
1. Sharkling ia described as a circling and staring motion, characteristic of fighting dogs used to imtimidate their opponents. Shar-Pei were raised as fighting dogs in ancient history and they usually present this behavior when nervous or unsure of something around them.
2. 2. When confined in a small space such as a crate or a cage, Shar-Pei tend to bury their food and/or water.
3. This particular breed does not like to go outside in the rain. Shar-Pei are known to dislike water and will sometimes refuse to go outside if raining.
4. Because they have poor peripheral vision from the excessive skin folds around the eyes, Shar-Peis tend to dislike being pet on top of the head.
Shar-Pei and Other Dogs:
1. The Chinese Shar-Pei is a very intelligent and highly responsive dog breed. Their aggression threshold to other dogs and tolerance around other dogs is lower than that of other breeds. By following the recommendations suggested below, aggression towards other dogs can be reduced drastically.
2. Maintaining control of your Shar-Pei is essential when in the presence of other dogs. Other dog owners may not control their dogs so be prepared for the unexpected.
3. Treats, toys, and other positive reinforcement tools should be used to reward good behavior. Rewarding your Shar-Pei when paying attention in the presence of other dogs is necessary to maintain control. When around other dogs,
Chinese Shar-Pei are very protective of their home and family and are very possessive and territorial. Since they were bred as guard dogs in ancient history, these traits have carried on throughout the years, making the excellent protection, especially around strangers. While it is pleasing to have a guard dog to protect the home, it can also be dangerous if overprotective. Here are some suggestions to keep your Chinese, Shar-Pei from becoming too protective:
. It’s a good idea when having company over to the house to have the dog in a crate. This avoids any confrontations with strangers entering into his domain. Have your guests ignore the dog for the first five or ten minutes until the dog gets comfortable with having strangers in his domain. Having your guests offer the dog treats under your supervision and control is also a good idea to introduce the idea of having guests in your home.
2. Often times, Shar Pei will stand guard at the door to protect their domain, family, and home. Try using baby gates to restrict them from blocking entryways.
3. Since most Shar-Peis dislike water, keep a spray bottle containing water on hand. This may be useful in some situations.
4. Have your guests call before coming over. This allows you a chance to prepare for the interactions of guests and your dog ahead of time.
5. Keep a supply of treats on hand to reward good behavior.
6. Don’t let your dog be a nuisance to your house guests and use common sense. Not all people like dogs or know how to act around dogs, especially children. Be careful and aware of all situations when children are visiting.
Breed-Specific Behaviors:
1. Sharkling ia described as a circling and staring motion, characteristic of fighting dogs used to imtimidate their opponents. Shar-Pei were raised as fighting dogs in ancient history and they usually present this behavior when nervous or unsure of something around them.
2. 2. When confined in a small space such as a crate or a cage, Shar-Pei tend to bury their food and/or water.
3. This particular breed does not like to go outside in the rain. Shar-Pei are known to dislike water and will sometimes refuse to go outside if raining.
4. Because they have poor peripheral vision from the excessive skin folds around the eyes, Shar-Peis tend to dislike being pet on top of the head.
Shar-Pei and Other Dogs:
1. The Chinese Shar-Pei is a very intelligent and highly responsive dog breed. Their aggression threshold to other dogs and tolerance around other dogs is lower than that of other breeds. By following the recommendations suggested below, aggression towards other dogs can be reduced drastically.
2. Maintaining control of your Shar-Pei is essential when in the presence of other dogs. Other dog owners may not control their dogs so be prepared for the unexpected.
3. Treats, toys, and other positive reinforcement tools should be used to reward good behavior. Rewarding your Shar-Pei when paying attention in the presence of other dogs is necessary to maintain control. When around other dogs,
Wednesday, December 15, 2010
Koala Bear
KOALA BEAR
Being a herbivore, the Koala bear lives almost entire on eucalypt leaves. The eucalypt leaves are known to be low in protein, high in digestible substances and a very small amount of toxins. The Koala bear has a very slow metabolic rate, one of the slowest in the world. Due to the metabolic rate, the Koala bear can remain and rest motionless for about 16 to 18 hours a day, sleeping for the majority of the time. Koalas are known to spend about 3 of their 5 active hours eating, usually at night. The Koala bear can eat an average of 500 g (or 18 oz) of eucalypt leaves per day, chewing them to a very fine paste until swallowing. The Koala bear can eat leaves of wide variety of eucalypts, and some non-eucalpyt species as well.
The Koala bear can be aggressive, but it is a behavior only shown to other Koala bears. Koala bears can throw a foreleg around their opponent and also bit if needed. These aggressive behaviors is shown mainly during little squabbles.
Being a herbivore, the Koala bear lives almost entire on eucalypt leaves. The eucalypt leaves are known to be low in protein, high in digestible substances and a very small amount of toxins. The Koala bear has a very slow metabolic rate, one of the slowest in the world. Due to the metabolic rate, the Koala bear can remain and rest motionless for about 16 to 18 hours a day, sleeping for the majority of the time. Koalas are known to spend about 3 of their 5 active hours eating, usually at night. The Koala bear can eat an average of 500 g (or 18 oz) of eucalypt leaves per day, chewing them to a very fine paste until swallowing. The Koala bear can eat leaves of wide variety of eucalypts, and some non-eucalpyt species as well.
The Koala bear can be aggressive, but it is a behavior only shown to other Koala bears. Koala bears can throw a foreleg around their opponent and also bit if needed. These aggressive behaviors is shown mainly during little squabbles.
Monday, December 6, 2010
FACTS ABOUT JANUARY
FACTS ABOUT JANUARY
Did you know…?
1. The name January comes from Janus or Ianuarius, the god of the doorway. So, January opens the door to a New Year.
2. January begins on the same day of the week as October, unless it is Leap Year. In Leap Year, January begins on the same day as April & July.
3. The original Roman calendar had only ten months. The period of winter (about 51 days) was month-less.
4. Supposedly, January and February were added to make a 9 standard lunar year of 12 months of 28 days which equals 355 days.
5. The month of January has different names in Russia and Iceland. The names mean things like the Ice month and the core of winter.
6. Winter was probably a tough time for the peoples of these regions. So, it is easy to understand why these cold – sounding names existed.
7. Of course in the Southern Hemisphere, January means the middle of Summer as July in the Northern Hemisphere.
Did you know…?
1. The name January comes from Janus or Ianuarius, the god of the doorway. So, January opens the door to a New Year.
2. January begins on the same day of the week as October, unless it is Leap Year. In Leap Year, January begins on the same day as April & July.
3. The original Roman calendar had only ten months. The period of winter (about 51 days) was month-less.
4. Supposedly, January and February were added to make a 9 standard lunar year of 12 months of 28 days which equals 355 days.
5. The month of January has different names in Russia and Iceland. The names mean things like the Ice month and the core of winter.
6. Winter was probably a tough time for the peoples of these regions. So, it is easy to understand why these cold – sounding names existed.
7. Of course in the Southern Hemisphere, January means the middle of Summer as July in the Northern Hemisphere.
Friday, December 3, 2010
Coyote
COYOTE
Description. A medium-sized, slender, doglike carnivore, similar in appearance to the red wolf but usually smaller, more slender, with smaller feet, narrower muzzle, and relatively longer tail; colors usually paler, less rufous, rarely blackish; differs from gray wolves in much smaller size, smaller feet and skull; upperparts grizzled buffy and grayish overlaid with black; muzzle, ears, and outsides of legs yellowish buff; tail with black tip, and with upperpart colored like back. Dental formula: I 3/3, C 1/1, Pm 4/4, M usually 2/2, occasionally 3/3, 3/2 or 2/3 X 2 = 40.42, 04 44. External measurements average: total length, 1,219 mm; tail, 394mm; hind foot , 179 mm. Weight, 14.20 kg.
Distribution in Texas. Statewide.
Habits. Although often called “prairie wolf,” the extensive range of the coyote includes from sea level to well over 3,000 m and habitats ranging from desert scrub through grassland into the timbered sections of the West. Around the turn of the century, wolves were not known in eastern Texas, where red wolves were common. Land use in this area, including extensive lumbering and agriculture, as well as intensive predator control, eradicated the wolves and now coyotes have expanded their range to also include that part of the state.
The basic social unit is the family group, comprised of a mated pair and their offspring. Nonfamily coyotes include bachelor males, nonreproductive females, and near-mature young. They may alone or form loose associations of two to six animals. One animal in such “packs” usually is dominant, but the interaction among pack members is only temporary.
Coyotes may be active throughout the day, but they tend to be more active during the early morning and around sunset. Their movements include travel within a territory or home range, dispersal from the den, and long migrations. The home range size of coyotes varies geographically, seasonally, and individually within populations.
The food habits of coyotes are varied. They are opportunists and make use of anything that can be eaten – garbage, carrion, fresh meat in the form of both wild and domestic animals, insects, frogs, snakes, fruits, melons, and so forth. Although coyotes prey on poultry and the smaller livestock, their natural foods consist largely of rabbits, rodents, and carrion. Charles Sperry analyzed 8,339 stomachs of coyotes from the western United States with the following results (expressed in percentages); rabbits, 33; carrion, 25; rodents, 18; domestic livestock (chiefly sheep and goats), 13.5 deer, 3.5 birds, 3; insects 1; other animal matter (skunks, weasels, shrews, moles, snakes, and lizards), 1; vegetable matter, 2.
Nursery dens are usually located in brush covered slopes, steep banks, thickets, hollow logs, or rock ledges. One den was in a hollow cottonwood tree with the entrance 5 m above ground. Access to this unusual den was gained by means of a large limb that sloped to the ground. They are also known to den in crevices and shallow caves in rocky bluffs. Rarely is no den provided for the young.
The breeding season begins in January, reaches its peak in late February or early March, and terminates by the middle of May. Coyote mates maintain a close social bond throughout the year, although when the female is in late pregnancy the male often hunts alone and brings food to his mate. One litter a year is the rule. Normal litter size is two to 12, averaging about six. The gestation period is approximately 63 days. At birth, the young are blind and helpless. The eyes open in about 9 days of age and by October or November the young are difficult to distinguish from their parents.
Few coyotes live more than 6-8 years in the wild. Losses are due mainly to predation, parasites and disease, and man. Mortality in particularly high for pups, who are vulnerable to hawks, owls, eagles, mountains lions, and even other coyotes. Hunting and trapping account for many adult deaths. In terms of economic importance, the coyote is the second most important furbearing animal in the state, exceeded only by the raccoon.
Description. A medium-sized, slender, doglike carnivore, similar in appearance to the red wolf but usually smaller, more slender, with smaller feet, narrower muzzle, and relatively longer tail; colors usually paler, less rufous, rarely blackish; differs from gray wolves in much smaller size, smaller feet and skull; upperparts grizzled buffy and grayish overlaid with black; muzzle, ears, and outsides of legs yellowish buff; tail with black tip, and with upperpart colored like back. Dental formula: I 3/3, C 1/1, Pm 4/4, M usually 2/2, occasionally 3/3, 3/2 or 2/3 X 2 = 40.42, 04 44. External measurements average: total length, 1,219 mm; tail, 394mm; hind foot , 179 mm. Weight, 14.20 kg.
Distribution in Texas. Statewide.
Habits. Although often called “prairie wolf,” the extensive range of the coyote includes from sea level to well over 3,000 m and habitats ranging from desert scrub through grassland into the timbered sections of the West. Around the turn of the century, wolves were not known in eastern Texas, where red wolves were common. Land use in this area, including extensive lumbering and agriculture, as well as intensive predator control, eradicated the wolves and now coyotes have expanded their range to also include that part of the state.
The basic social unit is the family group, comprised of a mated pair and their offspring. Nonfamily coyotes include bachelor males, nonreproductive females, and near-mature young. They may alone or form loose associations of two to six animals. One animal in such “packs” usually is dominant, but the interaction among pack members is only temporary.
Coyotes may be active throughout the day, but they tend to be more active during the early morning and around sunset. Their movements include travel within a territory or home range, dispersal from the den, and long migrations. The home range size of coyotes varies geographically, seasonally, and individually within populations.
The food habits of coyotes are varied. They are opportunists and make use of anything that can be eaten – garbage, carrion, fresh meat in the form of both wild and domestic animals, insects, frogs, snakes, fruits, melons, and so forth. Although coyotes prey on poultry and the smaller livestock, their natural foods consist largely of rabbits, rodents, and carrion. Charles Sperry analyzed 8,339 stomachs of coyotes from the western United States with the following results (expressed in percentages); rabbits, 33; carrion, 25; rodents, 18; domestic livestock (chiefly sheep and goats), 13.5 deer, 3.5 birds, 3; insects 1; other animal matter (skunks, weasels, shrews, moles, snakes, and lizards), 1; vegetable matter, 2.
Nursery dens are usually located in brush covered slopes, steep banks, thickets, hollow logs, or rock ledges. One den was in a hollow cottonwood tree with the entrance 5 m above ground. Access to this unusual den was gained by means of a large limb that sloped to the ground. They are also known to den in crevices and shallow caves in rocky bluffs. Rarely is no den provided for the young.
The breeding season begins in January, reaches its peak in late February or early March, and terminates by the middle of May. Coyote mates maintain a close social bond throughout the year, although when the female is in late pregnancy the male often hunts alone and brings food to his mate. One litter a year is the rule. Normal litter size is two to 12, averaging about six. The gestation period is approximately 63 days. At birth, the young are blind and helpless. The eyes open in about 9 days of age and by October or November the young are difficult to distinguish from their parents.
Few coyotes live more than 6-8 years in the wild. Losses are due mainly to predation, parasites and disease, and man. Mortality in particularly high for pups, who are vulnerable to hawks, owls, eagles, mountains lions, and even other coyotes. Hunting and trapping account for many adult deaths. In terms of economic importance, the coyote is the second most important furbearing animal in the state, exceeded only by the raccoon.
Monday, November 29, 2010
NEW YEAR'S EVE BALL
Each year, millions of eyes from all over the world are focused on the sparkling Waterford Crystal Times Square New Year's Eve Ball. At 11:59 p.m., the Ball begins its descent as millions of voices unite to count down the final seconds of the year, and celebrate the beginning of a new year full of hopes, challenges, changes and dreams.
New Video: Making the New Year's Eve Ball
For 2010 Waterford Crystal has designed a new sparkling "Let There Be Courage" triangle. The crystals feature a unique interlocking ribbon pattern woven into the Celtic knot. The triangles, each about 3/8" thick and 6.8 ounces in weight are custom made and built to exacting standards to withstand the stresses of high winds, precipitation and temperature fluctuation that exist over 400 feet above Times Square. 288 are being installed alongside crystal installed in previous years. Waterford has also released a New Year's Eve iPhone app called "Clink-Clink"! More >>
The "New" New Year's Eve Ball On November 11th, 2008, The co-organizers of New Year’s Eve in Times Square (Times Square Alliance, Countdown Entertainment) unveiled a new Times Square New Year’s Eve Ball at a press conference at Hudson Scenic Studio in Yonkers, New York.
The new Times Square New Year’s Eve Ball is a 12 foot geodesic sphere, double the size of previous Balls, and weighs 11,875 pounds. Covered in 2,668 Waterford Crystals and powered by 32,256 Philips Luxeon Rebel LEDS, the new Ball is capable of creating a palette of more than 16 million vibrant colors and billions of patterns producing a spectacular kaleidoscope effect atop One Times Square.
The organizers also announced that the new Ball will become a year-round attraction above Times Square in full public view January through December.
“For one hundred years, the Times Square New Year’s Eve Ball has attracted millions of revelers to Times Square on December 31st to celebrate the beginning of the New Year” said Jeff Straus, president of Countdown Entertainment and co-organizer of Times Square New Year’s Eve. “The new Times Square New Year’s Eve Ball will be a bright sparkling jewel atop One Times Square entertaining New Yorkers and tourists from around the world not only on December 31, but throughout the year.”
“The New Year’s Eve ball is bigger, better and brighter than ever, just like Times Square itself,” said Times Square Alliance President Tim Tompkins. “And like Times Square, it’s not afraid to show off. That’s why we’re proudly putting it on display year-round so visitors to the neighborhood can enjoy a true Crossroads of the World icon.”
WATERFORD CRYSTAL created an exclusive “Let There Be Joy” design for the crystal triangles on the new Ball. Designed and crafted by Waterford artisans in Ireland, “Let There Be Joy” features the design of an angel with arms uplifted welcoming the New Year on each of the 1,728 new crystals. The remaining 960 triangles are last year’s “Let There Be Light” design of a stylized radiating starburst.
"The new 2009 Times Square New Year's Ball represents the perfect blend of time-honored craftsmanship and state of the art technology," says Pete Cheyney, Director of Corporate Communications for Waterford Crystal. "The theme for the Waterford crystals on this year's Ball, "Let There be Joy" reflects our belief that New Year's Eve is a time when happiness and optimism for the future should be at the forefront of everyone's thoughts. We at Waterford consider the Ball to be of our Company's greatest achievements."
PHILIPS LIGHTING provided the new solid state lighting technology for the Ball, resulting in an astounding increase in impact, energy efficiency, and color capabilities. Capable of creating a palette of more than 16 million colors and billions of possible patterns, the 32,256 Philips Luxeon LEDs in this year's Ball represent more than three times the number of LEDS used last year, to deliver a brighter and more beautiful New Year's experience than ever before. And this year’s Ball is 10-20% more energy efficient than last year’s already energy-efficient Ball, consuming only the same amount of energy per hour as it would take to operate two traditional home ovens.
"At Philips Lighting, we are proud to be driving innovative and energy-efficient solutions for the world's broad range of lighting applications - from celebrated landmarks to consumers' homes -- and we're especially delighted to be the official Lighting Partner to the iconic New Year's Eve Ball in Times Square," said Philips Lighting Company Director of Corporate Communications Susan Bloom. "Now bigger in size and incorporating even more powerful and energy-efficient Philips Luxeon LEDs than last year, this year's Ball will deliver a New Year's Eve experience that will be brighter, more beautiful, and more sustainable than ever before."
FOCUS LIGHTING created a spectacular and unique lighting design that utilizes over 3,500 lighting cues to orchestrate the colorful moving patterns of light radiating from the Ball. Theatrical techniques were used to show the beauty of each facet of each individual crystal, making the sparkle visible whether viewed from 5’ away (as members of the press have seen it) or from 500’ when viewed from the streets of Times Square. It is like accenting a performer on a stage.
“We tried to create a beacon of light in the sky over Times Square,” says Paul Gregory, Principal Lighting Designer for Focus Lighting.
The companies listed below also provided essential contributions to the development of the new Times Square New Year’s Eve Ball:
E:Cue Lighting Control provided lighting control system
Hudson Scenic Studio provided structural engineering design and development
Landmark Signs assembles and operates the Ball
Lapp Group provided power and control cabling
Lighting Science Group provided the 672 LED modules and technology integration
History of the Times Square New Year's Eve Ball
Revelers began celebrating New Year's Eve in Times Square as early as 1904, but it was in 1907 that the New Year's Eve Ball made its maiden descent from the flagpole atop One Times Square.
The first New Year's Eve Ball, made of iron and wood and adorned with one hundred 25-watt light bulbs, was 5 feet in diameter and weighed 700 pounds. It was built by a young immigrant metalworker named Jacob Starr, and for most of the twentieth century the company he founded, sign maker Artkraft Strauss, was responsible for lowering the ball.
As part of the 1907-1908 festivities, waiters in the fabled "lobster palaces" and other deluxe eateries in hotels surrounding Times Square were supplied with battery-powered top hats emblazoned with the numbers "1908" fashioned of tiny light bulbs. At the stroke of midnight, they all "flipped their lids" and the year on their foreheads lit up in conjunction with the numbers "1908" on the parapet of the Times Tower lighting up to signal the arrival of the new year.
The Ball has been lowered every year since 1907, with the exceptions of 1942 and 1943, when the ceremony was suspended due to the wartime "dimout" of lights in New York City. Nevertheless, the crowds still gathered in Times Square in those years and greeted the New Year with a minute of silence followed by the ringing of chimes from sound trucks parked at the base of the tower - a harkening-back to the earlier celebrations at Trinity Church, where crowds would gather to "ring out the old, ring in the new."
(Above) New Year's Eve Ball, 1978. Photo credit: The New York Times.
In 1920, a 400 pound ball made entirely of wrought iron replaced the original. In 1955, the iron ball was replaced with an aluminum ball weighing a mere 200 pounds. This aluminum Ball remained unchanged until the 1980s, when red light bulbs and the addition of a green stem converted the Ball into an apple for the "I Love New York" marketing campaign from 1981 until 1988. After seven years, the traditional glowing white Ball with white light bulbs and without the green stem returned to brightly light the sky above Times Square. In 1995, the Ball was upgraded with aluminum skin, rhinestones, strobes, and computer controls, but the aluminum ball was lowered for the last time in 1998.
For Times Square 2000, the millennium celebration at the Crossroads of the World, the New Year's Eve Ball was completely redesigned by Waterford Crystal. The new crystal Ball combined the latest in technology with the most traditional of materials, reminding us of our past as we gazed into the future and the beginning of a new millenium.
About "Time-Balls"
The actual notion of a ball "dropping" to signal the passage of time dates back long before New Year's Eve was ever celebrated in Times Square. The first "time-ball" was installed atop England's Royal Observatory at Greenwich in 1833. This ball would drop at one o'clock every afternoon, allowing the captains of nearby ships to precisely set their chronometers (a vital navigational instrument).
Around 150 public time-balls are believed to have been installed around the world after the success at Greenwich, though few survive and still work. The tradition is carried on today in places like the United States Naval Observatory in Washington, DC, where a time-ball descends from a flagpole at noon each day - and of course, once a year in Times Square, where it marks the stroke of midnight not for a few ships' captains, but for over one billion people watching worldwide.
The Times Square New Year's Eve Ball 2000-2007
The 2000-2007 version of the Times Square New Year's Eve Ball, designed by Waterford Crystal, made its first descent during the last minute of the 20th century, at the Times Square 2000 Celebration.
The Ball was a geodesic sphere, six feet in diameter, and weighed approximately 1,070 pounds. It was covered with a total of 504 Waterford crystal triangles that varied in size and ranged in length from 4.75 inches to 5.75 inches per side.
For the 2007 New Year's Eve celebration, 72 of the crystal triangles featured the new "Hope for Peace" design, consisting of three dove-like patterns symbolizing messengers of peace. The remaining 432 triangles featured Waterford designs from previous years, including the Hope for Fellowship, Hope for Wisdom, Hope for Unity, Hope for Courage, Hope for Healing, Hope for Abundance, and Star of Hope triangles. These crystal triangles were bolted to 168 translucent triangular lexan panels which were attached to the aluminum frame of the Ball. The exterior of the Ball was illuminated by 168 Philips Halogená Brilliant Crystal light bulbs, exclusively engineered for the New Year's Eve Ball to enhance the Waterford crystal. The interior of the Ball was illuminated by 432 Philips Light Bulbs (208 clear, 56 red, 56 blue, 56 green, and 56 yellow), and 96 high-intensity strobe lights, which together create bright bubbling bursts of color. The exterior of the Ball featured 90 rotating pyramid mirrors that reflect light back into the audience at Times Square.
All 696 lights and 90 rotating pyramid mirrors were computer controlled, enabling the Ball to produce a state-of-the-art light show of eye-dazzling color patterns and a spectacular kaleidoscope effect atop One Times Square. The now-retired 2000-2007 New Year's Eve Ball is the property of the building owners of One Times Square
New Video: Making the New Year's Eve Ball
For 2010 Waterford Crystal has designed a new sparkling "Let There Be Courage" triangle. The crystals feature a unique interlocking ribbon pattern woven into the Celtic knot. The triangles, each about 3/8" thick and 6.8 ounces in weight are custom made and built to exacting standards to withstand the stresses of high winds, precipitation and temperature fluctuation that exist over 400 feet above Times Square. 288 are being installed alongside crystal installed in previous years. Waterford has also released a New Year's Eve iPhone app called "Clink-Clink"! More >>
The "New" New Year's Eve Ball On November 11th, 2008, The co-organizers of New Year’s Eve in Times Square (Times Square Alliance, Countdown Entertainment) unveiled a new Times Square New Year’s Eve Ball at a press conference at Hudson Scenic Studio in Yonkers, New York.
The new Times Square New Year’s Eve Ball is a 12 foot geodesic sphere, double the size of previous Balls, and weighs 11,875 pounds. Covered in 2,668 Waterford Crystals and powered by 32,256 Philips Luxeon Rebel LEDS, the new Ball is capable of creating a palette of more than 16 million vibrant colors and billions of patterns producing a spectacular kaleidoscope effect atop One Times Square.
The organizers also announced that the new Ball will become a year-round attraction above Times Square in full public view January through December.
“For one hundred years, the Times Square New Year’s Eve Ball has attracted millions of revelers to Times Square on December 31st to celebrate the beginning of the New Year” said Jeff Straus, president of Countdown Entertainment and co-organizer of Times Square New Year’s Eve. “The new Times Square New Year’s Eve Ball will be a bright sparkling jewel atop One Times Square entertaining New Yorkers and tourists from around the world not only on December 31, but throughout the year.”
“The New Year’s Eve ball is bigger, better and brighter than ever, just like Times Square itself,” said Times Square Alliance President Tim Tompkins. “And like Times Square, it’s not afraid to show off. That’s why we’re proudly putting it on display year-round so visitors to the neighborhood can enjoy a true Crossroads of the World icon.”
WATERFORD CRYSTAL created an exclusive “Let There Be Joy” design for the crystal triangles on the new Ball. Designed and crafted by Waterford artisans in Ireland, “Let There Be Joy” features the design of an angel with arms uplifted welcoming the New Year on each of the 1,728 new crystals. The remaining 960 triangles are last year’s “Let There Be Light” design of a stylized radiating starburst.
"The new 2009 Times Square New Year's Ball represents the perfect blend of time-honored craftsmanship and state of the art technology," says Pete Cheyney, Director of Corporate Communications for Waterford Crystal. "The theme for the Waterford crystals on this year's Ball, "Let There be Joy" reflects our belief that New Year's Eve is a time when happiness and optimism for the future should be at the forefront of everyone's thoughts. We at Waterford consider the Ball to be of our Company's greatest achievements."
PHILIPS LIGHTING provided the new solid state lighting technology for the Ball, resulting in an astounding increase in impact, energy efficiency, and color capabilities. Capable of creating a palette of more than 16 million colors and billions of possible patterns, the 32,256 Philips Luxeon LEDs in this year's Ball represent more than three times the number of LEDS used last year, to deliver a brighter and more beautiful New Year's experience than ever before. And this year’s Ball is 10-20% more energy efficient than last year’s already energy-efficient Ball, consuming only the same amount of energy per hour as it would take to operate two traditional home ovens.
"At Philips Lighting, we are proud to be driving innovative and energy-efficient solutions for the world's broad range of lighting applications - from celebrated landmarks to consumers' homes -- and we're especially delighted to be the official Lighting Partner to the iconic New Year's Eve Ball in Times Square," said Philips Lighting Company Director of Corporate Communications Susan Bloom. "Now bigger in size and incorporating even more powerful and energy-efficient Philips Luxeon LEDs than last year, this year's Ball will deliver a New Year's Eve experience that will be brighter, more beautiful, and more sustainable than ever before."
FOCUS LIGHTING created a spectacular and unique lighting design that utilizes over 3,500 lighting cues to orchestrate the colorful moving patterns of light radiating from the Ball. Theatrical techniques were used to show the beauty of each facet of each individual crystal, making the sparkle visible whether viewed from 5’ away (as members of the press have seen it) or from 500’ when viewed from the streets of Times Square. It is like accenting a performer on a stage.
“We tried to create a beacon of light in the sky over Times Square,” says Paul Gregory, Principal Lighting Designer for Focus Lighting.
The companies listed below also provided essential contributions to the development of the new Times Square New Year’s Eve Ball:
E:Cue Lighting Control provided lighting control system
Hudson Scenic Studio provided structural engineering design and development
Landmark Signs assembles and operates the Ball
Lapp Group provided power and control cabling
Lighting Science Group provided the 672 LED modules and technology integration
History of the Times Square New Year's Eve Ball
Revelers began celebrating New Year's Eve in Times Square as early as 1904, but it was in 1907 that the New Year's Eve Ball made its maiden descent from the flagpole atop One Times Square.
The first New Year's Eve Ball, made of iron and wood and adorned with one hundred 25-watt light bulbs, was 5 feet in diameter and weighed 700 pounds. It was built by a young immigrant metalworker named Jacob Starr, and for most of the twentieth century the company he founded, sign maker Artkraft Strauss, was responsible for lowering the ball.
As part of the 1907-1908 festivities, waiters in the fabled "lobster palaces" and other deluxe eateries in hotels surrounding Times Square were supplied with battery-powered top hats emblazoned with the numbers "1908" fashioned of tiny light bulbs. At the stroke of midnight, they all "flipped their lids" and the year on their foreheads lit up in conjunction with the numbers "1908" on the parapet of the Times Tower lighting up to signal the arrival of the new year.
The Ball has been lowered every year since 1907, with the exceptions of 1942 and 1943, when the ceremony was suspended due to the wartime "dimout" of lights in New York City. Nevertheless, the crowds still gathered in Times Square in those years and greeted the New Year with a minute of silence followed by the ringing of chimes from sound trucks parked at the base of the tower - a harkening-back to the earlier celebrations at Trinity Church, where crowds would gather to "ring out the old, ring in the new."
(Above) New Year's Eve Ball, 1978. Photo credit: The New York Times.
In 1920, a 400 pound ball made entirely of wrought iron replaced the original. In 1955, the iron ball was replaced with an aluminum ball weighing a mere 200 pounds. This aluminum Ball remained unchanged until the 1980s, when red light bulbs and the addition of a green stem converted the Ball into an apple for the "I Love New York" marketing campaign from 1981 until 1988. After seven years, the traditional glowing white Ball with white light bulbs and without the green stem returned to brightly light the sky above Times Square. In 1995, the Ball was upgraded with aluminum skin, rhinestones, strobes, and computer controls, but the aluminum ball was lowered for the last time in 1998.
For Times Square 2000, the millennium celebration at the Crossroads of the World, the New Year's Eve Ball was completely redesigned by Waterford Crystal. The new crystal Ball combined the latest in technology with the most traditional of materials, reminding us of our past as we gazed into the future and the beginning of a new millenium.
About "Time-Balls"
The actual notion of a ball "dropping" to signal the passage of time dates back long before New Year's Eve was ever celebrated in Times Square. The first "time-ball" was installed atop England's Royal Observatory at Greenwich in 1833. This ball would drop at one o'clock every afternoon, allowing the captains of nearby ships to precisely set their chronometers (a vital navigational instrument).
Around 150 public time-balls are believed to have been installed around the world after the success at Greenwich, though few survive and still work. The tradition is carried on today in places like the United States Naval Observatory in Washington, DC, where a time-ball descends from a flagpole at noon each day - and of course, once a year in Times Square, where it marks the stroke of midnight not for a few ships' captains, but for over one billion people watching worldwide.
The Times Square New Year's Eve Ball 2000-2007
The 2000-2007 version of the Times Square New Year's Eve Ball, designed by Waterford Crystal, made its first descent during the last minute of the 20th century, at the Times Square 2000 Celebration.
The Ball was a geodesic sphere, six feet in diameter, and weighed approximately 1,070 pounds. It was covered with a total of 504 Waterford crystal triangles that varied in size and ranged in length from 4.75 inches to 5.75 inches per side.
For the 2007 New Year's Eve celebration, 72 of the crystal triangles featured the new "Hope for Peace" design, consisting of three dove-like patterns symbolizing messengers of peace. The remaining 432 triangles featured Waterford designs from previous years, including the Hope for Fellowship, Hope for Wisdom, Hope for Unity, Hope for Courage, Hope for Healing, Hope for Abundance, and Star of Hope triangles. These crystal triangles were bolted to 168 translucent triangular lexan panels which were attached to the aluminum frame of the Ball. The exterior of the Ball was illuminated by 168 Philips Halogená Brilliant Crystal light bulbs, exclusively engineered for the New Year's Eve Ball to enhance the Waterford crystal. The interior of the Ball was illuminated by 432 Philips Light Bulbs (208 clear, 56 red, 56 blue, 56 green, and 56 yellow), and 96 high-intensity strobe lights, which together create bright bubbling bursts of color. The exterior of the Ball featured 90 rotating pyramid mirrors that reflect light back into the audience at Times Square.
All 696 lights and 90 rotating pyramid mirrors were computer controlled, enabling the Ball to produce a state-of-the-art light show of eye-dazzling color patterns and a spectacular kaleidoscope effect atop One Times Square. The now-retired 2000-2007 New Year's Eve Ball is the property of the building owners of One Times Square
Tuesday, July 27, 2010
RUBELLA
RUBELLA
Rubella is also known as GERMAN MEASLES. It is called this because GERMAN PHYSICIANS first discovered this in the 18th century. This usually goes unnoticed and is usually mild. Both children and adults can get this disease. Although, children recover from this much faster than adults. The GERMAN MEASLES lasts from 1-3 days. If pregnant women get in contact with this disease it can be fatal for the fetus. As the child can be born with this. It could cause spontaneous abortions.
RUBELLA is an airborne disease. And has an incubation period of 2-4 weeks.
RUBELLA is sometimes confused with rebeolla. That is a totally different disease. However in some countries GERMAN MEASLES is known as RUBEOLLA.
The signs and symptoms of RUBELLA are somewhat similar to the flu. Along with a rash on the:
A. FACE
B. TRUNK (THE BODY)
C. LIMBS (LEGS AND ARMS)
And takes about 3 days to start to fade away. This is why they call it the three day measles. After the face clears up it starts to spread to other parts of the body. Other signs include a low grade fever and swollen glands with:
A. JOINT PAINS
B. HEADACHE
C. CONJUNCTIVITIS
The swollen glands persist up to a week. The fever however very rarely rises above l00.4. The rash has either a light red color or a pink color to it. The rash causes itching. As the rash starts to clear up you may notice the skin shedding in small flakes. This occurs wherever the rash was.
Rubella can affect anyone of any age. It is rare in infants and people over 40. The older a person gets the more severe the symptoms can be. Although, the incubation period takes 2- to 3 weeks. The person is more contagious 1 week before and 1 week after. Rubella in an infant can cause:
A CARDIAC ARREST
B. CEREBRAL PALSY
C. SIGHT DEFECTS (CATARACTS)
D. HEARING LOSS
It can also cause:
A. LOW BIRTH WEIGHT
B. PREMATURE BIRTHS
C. ANEMIA
D. HEPATITIS
If a pregnant woman contacts the disease while she is carrying a child. This may lead to:
A. MISCARRIAGE
B. STILLBORN BABIES
If the baby survives this can lead to severe heart disorders.
The Rubella virus can persist for over a year.
The Rubella infection can be prevented by using a live vaccine virus in adults. The Rubella virus was reduced in children by immunization.
The vaccine is now given by a shot called MMR (MEASLES MUMPS & RUBELLA). This vaccine comes in two doses. One when the baby is 18 months old and the other when the baby is 36 months old. Pregnant are tested for this disease early in their pregnancy. Women who are susceptible to Rubella virus are not vaccinated until the baby is born as the vaccine is a live virus.
The immunization program for Rubella has been quite successful. CUBA has not had an outbreak of the disease since the 1990’s. While, the CDC (CENTER FOR DISEASE CONTROL) hasn’t had an outbreak since 2004.
Although, there is not a specific treatment for this. There is a lotion and liquid that will help with the itching:
A. CALAMINE LOTION
B. BENEDRYL TABLET AND LIQUID
Newborns that are infected with this can have:
A. CONGENITAL HEART DISEASE
B. CATARACTS (WHICH CAN BE CORRECTED BY SURGERY)
C. MASCULAR DEGENERATION
Rubella occurs world wide. This disease has no nationality. It usually tends to come more in the spring months. The CDC came out with the vaccine in 1969. Before the vaccine came out there were outbreaks occurring every 6-9 years in the UNITED STATES and every 3-5 years in EUROPE. Affecting children between 5-9 years of age.
In the UNITED KINGDOM there’s a large population of men whom are not vaccinated for Rubella. There have been a lot of outbreaks during 1993 and 1996. This was also passed onto pregnant women, many of them were from different countries. They are still having with Rubella. This is because they do not have the vaccine in all of the countries.
The first clinical description of the disease was confirmed in 1752. It was confirmed by FRIEDRICH HOFFMAN. And this was confirmed by two other doctors as well:
A. DE BERGEN
B. ORLOW
Both in 1758.
In 1814 GEORGE DE MATON said that this disease different than the regular measles and scarlet fever. All of the physicians were of GERMAN DESCENT. This disease is also called (ROTELIN) which is the name for GERMAN MEASLES in German. An ENGLISH ARTILLERY SURGEON had described this in INDIA. He had given it the name of RUBELLA which is the LATIN meaning little red in 1866.
RUBELLA was finally recognized and its own disease in 1881 by the INTERNATIONAL CONGRESS OF MEDICINE. In 1914 it was theorized by ALFRED FABION HESS it was later confirmed by HIIRO & TOSAKA as its own disease in 1938.
In 1940 AUSTRALIA had a wide spread epidemic. NORMAN MC ALLISTER GREGG had found 78 cases of congenital cataracts in infants. 68 of them were from pregnant women who had contacted this disease while pregnant. CONGENITAL RUBELLA SYNDROME is also known as (CRS). If a woman is affected early in her pregnancy the more the damage there is to the fetus.
The epidemic that hit the UNITED STATES was during the years of 1964-1965. There was an estimate of 12.5 million cases reported. The epidemic in the UNITED KINGDOM had reported:
A. 1,000 MISCARRIAGES
B. 20,000 CONGENITAL RUBELLA SYNDROME
C. 2,100 DIED IN THE NEONATALUNIT
D. 12,000 WERE BORN DEAF
E. 3,580 WERE BLIND
F. 1,800 WERE BORN RETARDED
In NEW YORK alone CRS had affected 1% of all births.
In 1969 a vaccine was released. In the 1970’s a triple vaccine was introduced. This vaccine was MEASLES, MUMPS, & RUBELLA also known as (MMR).
Rubella is also known as GERMAN MEASLES. It is called this because GERMAN PHYSICIANS first discovered this in the 18th century. This usually goes unnoticed and is usually mild. Both children and adults can get this disease. Although, children recover from this much faster than adults. The GERMAN MEASLES lasts from 1-3 days. If pregnant women get in contact with this disease it can be fatal for the fetus. As the child can be born with this. It could cause spontaneous abortions.
RUBELLA is an airborne disease. And has an incubation period of 2-4 weeks.
RUBELLA is sometimes confused with rebeolla. That is a totally different disease. However in some countries GERMAN MEASLES is known as RUBEOLLA.
The signs and symptoms of RUBELLA are somewhat similar to the flu. Along with a rash on the:
A. FACE
B. TRUNK (THE BODY)
C. LIMBS (LEGS AND ARMS)
And takes about 3 days to start to fade away. This is why they call it the three day measles. After the face clears up it starts to spread to other parts of the body. Other signs include a low grade fever and swollen glands with:
A. JOINT PAINS
B. HEADACHE
C. CONJUNCTIVITIS
The swollen glands persist up to a week. The fever however very rarely rises above l00.4. The rash has either a light red color or a pink color to it. The rash causes itching. As the rash starts to clear up you may notice the skin shedding in small flakes. This occurs wherever the rash was.
Rubella can affect anyone of any age. It is rare in infants and people over 40. The older a person gets the more severe the symptoms can be. Although, the incubation period takes 2- to 3 weeks. The person is more contagious 1 week before and 1 week after. Rubella in an infant can cause:
A CARDIAC ARREST
B. CEREBRAL PALSY
C. SIGHT DEFECTS (CATARACTS)
D. HEARING LOSS
It can also cause:
A. LOW BIRTH WEIGHT
B. PREMATURE BIRTHS
C. ANEMIA
D. HEPATITIS
If a pregnant woman contacts the disease while she is carrying a child. This may lead to:
A. MISCARRIAGE
B. STILLBORN BABIES
If the baby survives this can lead to severe heart disorders.
The Rubella virus can persist for over a year.
The Rubella infection can be prevented by using a live vaccine virus in adults. The Rubella virus was reduced in children by immunization.
The vaccine is now given by a shot called MMR (MEASLES MUMPS & RUBELLA). This vaccine comes in two doses. One when the baby is 18 months old and the other when the baby is 36 months old. Pregnant are tested for this disease early in their pregnancy. Women who are susceptible to Rubella virus are not vaccinated until the baby is born as the vaccine is a live virus.
The immunization program for Rubella has been quite successful. CUBA has not had an outbreak of the disease since the 1990’s. While, the CDC (CENTER FOR DISEASE CONTROL) hasn’t had an outbreak since 2004.
Although, there is not a specific treatment for this. There is a lotion and liquid that will help with the itching:
A. CALAMINE LOTION
B. BENEDRYL TABLET AND LIQUID
Newborns that are infected with this can have:
A. CONGENITAL HEART DISEASE
B. CATARACTS (WHICH CAN BE CORRECTED BY SURGERY)
C. MASCULAR DEGENERATION
Rubella occurs world wide. This disease has no nationality. It usually tends to come more in the spring months. The CDC came out with the vaccine in 1969. Before the vaccine came out there were outbreaks occurring every 6-9 years in the UNITED STATES and every 3-5 years in EUROPE. Affecting children between 5-9 years of age.
In the UNITED KINGDOM there’s a large population of men whom are not vaccinated for Rubella. There have been a lot of outbreaks during 1993 and 1996. This was also passed onto pregnant women, many of them were from different countries. They are still having with Rubella. This is because they do not have the vaccine in all of the countries.
The first clinical description of the disease was confirmed in 1752. It was confirmed by FRIEDRICH HOFFMAN. And this was confirmed by two other doctors as well:
A. DE BERGEN
B. ORLOW
Both in 1758.
In 1814 GEORGE DE MATON said that this disease different than the regular measles and scarlet fever. All of the physicians were of GERMAN DESCENT. This disease is also called (ROTELIN) which is the name for GERMAN MEASLES in German. An ENGLISH ARTILLERY SURGEON had described this in INDIA. He had given it the name of RUBELLA which is the LATIN meaning little red in 1866.
RUBELLA was finally recognized and its own disease in 1881 by the INTERNATIONAL CONGRESS OF MEDICINE. In 1914 it was theorized by ALFRED FABION HESS it was later confirmed by HIIRO & TOSAKA as its own disease in 1938.
In 1940 AUSTRALIA had a wide spread epidemic. NORMAN MC ALLISTER GREGG had found 78 cases of congenital cataracts in infants. 68 of them were from pregnant women who had contacted this disease while pregnant. CONGENITAL RUBELLA SYNDROME is also known as (CRS). If a woman is affected early in her pregnancy the more the damage there is to the fetus.
The epidemic that hit the UNITED STATES was during the years of 1964-1965. There was an estimate of 12.5 million cases reported. The epidemic in the UNITED KINGDOM had reported:
A. 1,000 MISCARRIAGES
B. 20,000 CONGENITAL RUBELLA SYNDROME
C. 2,100 DIED IN THE NEONATALUNIT
D. 12,000 WERE BORN DEAF
E. 3,580 WERE BLIND
F. 1,800 WERE BORN RETARDED
In NEW YORK alone CRS had affected 1% of all births.
In 1969 a vaccine was released. In the 1970’s a triple vaccine was introduced. This vaccine was MEASLES, MUMPS, & RUBELLA also known as (MMR).
Wednesday, July 21, 2010
BELLE ISLE
BELLE ISLE PARK
Bell Isle is 942 acres. It is connected to the city of Detroit by the MacArthur Bridge. There are two other parks that are larger then Belle Isle they are:
A. GROSSE ISLE
B. FIGHTING ISLAND
These are all inland parks.
Belle Isle is the home to:
A. ANNA SCRIPPS WHITCOMB CONSERVATORY
B. THE DETROIT YACHT
C. UNITED STATES COAST GUARD
D. DETROIT BOAT CLUB
E. DOSSIN GREAT LAKES MUSEUM
F. THE CASINO
G. THE DETROIT MOUNTED POLICE
They have a nature center there for hikers and nature lovers.
They also have a beach on the island.
The Highlights on Belle Isle are:
A, THE BOTANICAL GARDENS
B.ANNA SCRIPPS WHITCOMB CONSERVATORY
The casino on the island is not used for gambling. It is a place that is used for public events.
During World War II was used for a practice area for the military.
An architect named Cass Gilbert had designed:
A. JAMES SCOTT MEMORIAL FOUNTAIN
B. THE UNITED STATES COURT BUILDING IN WASHINGTON D.C.
C. THE WILLIAM LIVINGSTON LIGHTHOUSE WHICH IS MADE OF ALL MARBLE
At one time Belle Isle used to be a place for:
A. FALLOW DEER
B. THE CHILDREN’S ZOO
C. AND THE AQUARIAM
But due to budget costs and insufficient funds they had to be closed down. The 300 remaining animals were sent to the zoo, along with the nature center properties.
There is also auto racing on the island. This closed down for awhile. Then it resumed in 2007.
The Anna Scripps Whitcomb Conservatory holds rare flowers. This had happened in World War II. The place that holds these flowers is the conservatory. It holds:
A. RARE ORCHIDS
B. ANNUAL FLOWER BEDS
C. ROSE GARDEN
D. LILY POND GARDENS
The south wing of this building holds:
A. TROPICAL PLANTS
B. BANANAS
C. ORANGES
D. COFFEE
E. SUGAR CANE
F. ORCHIDS
The north wing houses:
A. FERNS
B. CACTUS AND SUCCULENTS
C. BLOOMING PLANTS
The Great Lakes Dossin Museum on the island is a maritime museum and it is all about shipwrecks and has a variety of model ships. One of the ships they talk about is the SS Edmund Fitzgerald.
Bell Isle is 942 acres. It is connected to the city of Detroit by the MacArthur Bridge. There are two other parks that are larger then Belle Isle they are:
A. GROSSE ISLE
B. FIGHTING ISLAND
These are all inland parks.
Belle Isle is the home to:
A. ANNA SCRIPPS WHITCOMB CONSERVATORY
B. THE DETROIT YACHT
C. UNITED STATES COAST GUARD
D. DETROIT BOAT CLUB
E. DOSSIN GREAT LAKES MUSEUM
F. THE CASINO
G. THE DETROIT MOUNTED POLICE
They have a nature center there for hikers and nature lovers.
They also have a beach on the island.
The Highlights on Belle Isle are:
A, THE BOTANICAL GARDENS
B.ANNA SCRIPPS WHITCOMB CONSERVATORY
The casino on the island is not used for gambling. It is a place that is used for public events.
During World War II was used for a practice area for the military.
An architect named Cass Gilbert had designed:
A. JAMES SCOTT MEMORIAL FOUNTAIN
B. THE UNITED STATES COURT BUILDING IN WASHINGTON D.C.
C. THE WILLIAM LIVINGSTON LIGHTHOUSE WHICH IS MADE OF ALL MARBLE
At one time Belle Isle used to be a place for:
A. FALLOW DEER
B. THE CHILDREN’S ZOO
C. AND THE AQUARIAM
But due to budget costs and insufficient funds they had to be closed down. The 300 remaining animals were sent to the zoo, along with the nature center properties.
There is also auto racing on the island. This closed down for awhile. Then it resumed in 2007.
The Anna Scripps Whitcomb Conservatory holds rare flowers. This had happened in World War II. The place that holds these flowers is the conservatory. It holds:
A. RARE ORCHIDS
B. ANNUAL FLOWER BEDS
C. ROSE GARDEN
D. LILY POND GARDENS
The south wing of this building holds:
A. TROPICAL PLANTS
B. BANANAS
C. ORANGES
D. COFFEE
E. SUGAR CANE
F. ORCHIDS
The north wing houses:
A. FERNS
B. CACTUS AND SUCCULENTS
C. BLOOMING PLANTS
The Great Lakes Dossin Museum on the island is a maritime museum and it is all about shipwrecks and has a variety of model ships. One of the ships they talk about is the SS Edmund Fitzgerald.
HMHS BRITANNIC
HMHS BRITANNIC
A. RMS OLYMPIC
B. RMS TITANIC
This ship was supposed to be a transatlantic ocean liner for passengers. However, when WORLD WAR I broke out this became a hospital ship. The ship sunk on the south side of Greece in 1916. With the loss of 30 lives. The ship hit a mine and sank.
Because of the TITANIC’S sinking they had made changes to the HMS BRITANNIC. And, these changes all happened before the launching. The changes that were made are:
A. DOUBLE HULL
B. ENGINE AND BOILER ROOMS
C. RAISING OF THE 6OUT OF THE 15 WATER TIGHT BULKHEADS UP TO THE B DECK
They changed the fittings of the boats. They are now on a swing arm to get to them faster. They also have additional space by the deck house. On the other side of the ship they have emergency life boats. The purpose of this was to get to the boats as quickly as they can.
After the loss of the TITANIC and the OLYMPIC they had made this ship 2 feet wider.
The boat was launched on Feb. 26, 1914. From Harland Wolff shipyard in Belfast. Before the BRITTANIC could make contact with NEW YORK. WORLD WAR I had broke out. With this the personal use of these ocean liners were put to a stop. Now these ocean liners were used for the military. In fact THE WHITE STAR LINE had put their passenger boats on hold until the war had stopped.
All of this had changed in May of 1915. The BRITANNIC was sent out after a 4 week notice. The same month The CYNARD LINER lost its ship to a torpedo.
The next month apart of the BRITISH NAVAL ADMINISTRATION had changed their minds in using ocean liners. They had started to use their passenger lines for the military. The first ships to go were the:
A. RMS MAURETANIA
B. RMS AQUITANIA
The AQUITANIA ship was now being transferred to a hospital ship. She would transfer the injured to a larger ship called the OLYMPIC. In September and in November of the same year, the BRITANNIC colors were changed. They changed them to RED and WHITE, with big red crosses on it. And, at this point they had changed the name to (HIS MAJESTY’S HOSPITAL SHIP) and placed under command of Captain Charles A. Barttlett. From the time of 1868-1945.
After he had completed 5 successful trips to the middle eastern there and back with the sick and wounded to the UNITED KINGDOM.
A storm had broken out on November 19 that kept the ship in dock until the next day which was which was Sunday afternoon. There was a break in the storm. So, the ship had headed out. When the ship left dock the sea had rose up again. The next day the storm had subsided.
On November 21, 19l6 there was a loud explosion. They had no idea what had hit ship. Not all the people had reacted the same way. Some of them left for their stations immediately. The others felt the hit a smaller vessel. While Captain Bartlett and Chief Officer Hume were on the bridge, they had saw what the explosion had done. This explosion had happened on the starboard side filling up the water tight bulkheads with water fastly to make this even worse then the fireman’s quarters were filling up with water.
The compartments with the sick and wounded were starting to fill up with water also, as they had the windows open to get fresh air. The Britannic could not stay afloat now.
And the swing arms that held the life boats were still in operation.
There was an unknown officer on board with six of his sailors. They were told to throw collapsible rafts and deck chairs overboard to make a make shift lift raft. They were told to save themselves.
A 6th of Officer Welch and other sailors were spotted on board. As this sixth sailor did not have enough sailors to lift the lifeboats. The Uknown sailor had ordered his men to help out the other sailors.
Bartlett sounded 1 final blast of the horn then walked out into the water as now the water was up to the bridge. He had swim up to the collapsible boat and started to help with rescue operations.
There was a nurse on board named (VIOLET JESSOP) who had survived the sinking of the (TITANIC) along with the ship (OLYMPIC). She had told her story of the events of what had happened. It was 9:07 P.M. when the Britannic finally went down.
The Britannic was the largest ship to have gone down in WORLD WAR I.
The first vessels to arrive on the scene was a Greek fisherman boat they picked up as many survivors as they could. The next boat to arrive on the scene was the HMS SCOURGE they had spotted the survivors and had picked up 339 of them.
The people of (KORISSIA) were in awe to see all the wounded. They had offered their assistance. They had put them in their houses, while waiting for rescue ships to take them to the hospital.
Another ship called the (HEROIC) had carried the sick and wounded also. These two ships the SCOURGE and the HEROIC had run out of room to take the survivors. Another ship was called in. This was the HMS FORSIGHT this was called in to collect the dead.
1,036 people were saved. But, only, five of them were buried. The others were left in the sea. And, are honored in THESSALONIA AND LONDON.
The Britannic lays in about 400 feet of water. This was the first discovered by (JACQUES COUSTEAU) in 1975. The ship is laying on the right side, hiding the hole where the damage occurred. The front of the boat is deformed as it hit bottom before the rest of the ship. The boat can be seen by trained scuba divers to go down that deep.
This is a BRITISH WAR GRAVE and must be approved by the British for any journey to go down to see this ship.
In 1995 during a filmage of the wreckage by NOVA. Dr. Robert Ballard went down to the wreck with sonar equipment. They were surprised to the boats’ funnels were still in good condition. But, the boat was not touched at all.
A historian named (SIMON MILLS) bought the HMHS BRITANNIC from the British and when they had asked him what he was going to do with it he replied, “I am just going to leave it there.”
In 1999 experienced cave divers went down to see the wreckage. They had made a video tape of what they saw. And, this was broadcasted on several different channels:
A. NATIONAL GEOGRAPIC CHANNEL
B. THE BBC (BRITISH BROADCASTING CHANNEL)
C. THE HISTORY CHANNEL
D. AND THE DISCOVERY CHANNEL
A. RMS OLYMPIC
B. RMS TITANIC
This ship was supposed to be a transatlantic ocean liner for passengers. However, when WORLD WAR I broke out this became a hospital ship. The ship sunk on the south side of Greece in 1916. With the loss of 30 lives. The ship hit a mine and sank.
Because of the TITANIC’S sinking they had made changes to the HMS BRITANNIC. And, these changes all happened before the launching. The changes that were made are:
A. DOUBLE HULL
B. ENGINE AND BOILER ROOMS
C. RAISING OF THE 6OUT OF THE 15 WATER TIGHT BULKHEADS UP TO THE B DECK
They changed the fittings of the boats. They are now on a swing arm to get to them faster. They also have additional space by the deck house. On the other side of the ship they have emergency life boats. The purpose of this was to get to the boats as quickly as they can.
After the loss of the TITANIC and the OLYMPIC they had made this ship 2 feet wider.
The boat was launched on Feb. 26, 1914. From Harland Wolff shipyard in Belfast. Before the BRITTANIC could make contact with NEW YORK. WORLD WAR I had broke out. With this the personal use of these ocean liners were put to a stop. Now these ocean liners were used for the military. In fact THE WHITE STAR LINE had put their passenger boats on hold until the war had stopped.
All of this had changed in May of 1915. The BRITANNIC was sent out after a 4 week notice. The same month The CYNARD LINER lost its ship to a torpedo.
The next month apart of the BRITISH NAVAL ADMINISTRATION had changed their minds in using ocean liners. They had started to use their passenger lines for the military. The first ships to go were the:
A. RMS MAURETANIA
B. RMS AQUITANIA
The AQUITANIA ship was now being transferred to a hospital ship. She would transfer the injured to a larger ship called the OLYMPIC. In September and in November of the same year, the BRITANNIC colors were changed. They changed them to RED and WHITE, with big red crosses on it. And, at this point they had changed the name to (HIS MAJESTY’S HOSPITAL SHIP) and placed under command of Captain Charles A. Barttlett. From the time of 1868-1945.
After he had completed 5 successful trips to the middle eastern there and back with the sick and wounded to the UNITED KINGDOM.
A storm had broken out on November 19 that kept the ship in dock until the next day which was which was Sunday afternoon. There was a break in the storm. So, the ship had headed out. When the ship left dock the sea had rose up again. The next day the storm had subsided.
On November 21, 19l6 there was a loud explosion. They had no idea what had hit ship. Not all the people had reacted the same way. Some of them left for their stations immediately. The others felt the hit a smaller vessel. While Captain Bartlett and Chief Officer Hume were on the bridge, they had saw what the explosion had done. This explosion had happened on the starboard side filling up the water tight bulkheads with water fastly to make this even worse then the fireman’s quarters were filling up with water.
The compartments with the sick and wounded were starting to fill up with water also, as they had the windows open to get fresh air. The Britannic could not stay afloat now.
And the swing arms that held the life boats were still in operation.
There was an unknown officer on board with six of his sailors. They were told to throw collapsible rafts and deck chairs overboard to make a make shift lift raft. They were told to save themselves.
A 6th of Officer Welch and other sailors were spotted on board. As this sixth sailor did not have enough sailors to lift the lifeboats. The Uknown sailor had ordered his men to help out the other sailors.
Bartlett sounded 1 final blast of the horn then walked out into the water as now the water was up to the bridge. He had swim up to the collapsible boat and started to help with rescue operations.
There was a nurse on board named (VIOLET JESSOP) who had survived the sinking of the (TITANIC) along with the ship (OLYMPIC). She had told her story of the events of what had happened. It was 9:07 P.M. when the Britannic finally went down.
The Britannic was the largest ship to have gone down in WORLD WAR I.
The first vessels to arrive on the scene was a Greek fisherman boat they picked up as many survivors as they could. The next boat to arrive on the scene was the HMS SCOURGE they had spotted the survivors and had picked up 339 of them.
The people of (KORISSIA) were in awe to see all the wounded. They had offered their assistance. They had put them in their houses, while waiting for rescue ships to take them to the hospital.
Another ship called the (HEROIC) had carried the sick and wounded also. These two ships the SCOURGE and the HEROIC had run out of room to take the survivors. Another ship was called in. This was the HMS FORSIGHT this was called in to collect the dead.
1,036 people were saved. But, only, five of them were buried. The others were left in the sea. And, are honored in THESSALONIA AND LONDON.
The Britannic lays in about 400 feet of water. This was the first discovered by (JACQUES COUSTEAU) in 1975. The ship is laying on the right side, hiding the hole where the damage occurred. The front of the boat is deformed as it hit bottom before the rest of the ship. The boat can be seen by trained scuba divers to go down that deep.
This is a BRITISH WAR GRAVE and must be approved by the British for any journey to go down to see this ship.
In 1995 during a filmage of the wreckage by NOVA. Dr. Robert Ballard went down to the wreck with sonar equipment. They were surprised to the boats’ funnels were still in good condition. But, the boat was not touched at all.
A historian named (SIMON MILLS) bought the HMHS BRITANNIC from the British and when they had asked him what he was going to do with it he replied, “I am just going to leave it there.”
In 1999 experienced cave divers went down to see the wreckage. They had made a video tape of what they saw. And, this was broadcasted on several different channels:
A. NATIONAL GEOGRAPIC CHANNEL
B. THE BBC (BRITISH BROADCASTING CHANNEL)
C. THE HISTORY CHANNEL
D. AND THE DISCOVERY CHANNEL
Wednesday, July 7, 2010
Wednesday, June 16, 2010
RED-EYED TREE FROG
RED-EYED TREE FROG
The red-eyed tree frog flashes its brightly colored body parts when startled. It sleeps by day with its eyes closed and body markings covered, stuck to leaf-bottoms.
Comments by Cheryl V.-I never knew what a tree frog looked like until I saw it on the internet in this article. I’m surprised that the frog has such bright red eyes, and it makes me feel creepy inside just looking at it, because it seems like in this picture, like it’s looking right through me.
Many scientists believe the red-eyed tree frog developed its vivid scarlet peepers to shock predators into at least briefly questioning their meal choice.
These iconic-forest amphibians sleep by day stuck to leaf-bottoms with their eyes closed and body markings covered. When disturbed, they flash their bulging eyes and reveal their huge, webbed orange feet and bright blue-and-yellow flanks. This technique, called startle coloration, may give a bird or snake pause, offering a precious instant for the frog to spring to safety.
Their neon-green bodies may play a similar role in thwarting predators. Many of the animals that eat red-eyed tree frogs are nocturnal hunters that use keen eyesight to find prey. The shocking colors of this frog may over-stimulate a predator’s eyes, creating a confusing ghost image that remains behind as the frog jumps away.
Red-eyed tree frogs, despite their conspicuous coloration, are not venomous. They are found in tropical lowlands from southern Mexico, throughout Central America, and in northern South America. Nocturnal carnivores, they hide in the rain forest canopy and ambush crickets, flies, and moths with their long, sticky tongues.
Red-eyed tree frogs are not endangered. But their habitat is shrinking at an alarming rate, and their highly recognizable image is often used to promote the cause of saving the world’s rain forests.
http://animals.nationalgeographic.com/animals/amphibians/red-eyed-tree-frog.html
The red-eyed tree frog flashes its brightly colored body parts when startled. It sleeps by day with its eyes closed and body markings covered, stuck to leaf-bottoms.
Comments by Cheryl V.-I never knew what a tree frog looked like until I saw it on the internet in this article. I’m surprised that the frog has such bright red eyes, and it makes me feel creepy inside just looking at it, because it seems like in this picture, like it’s looking right through me.
Many scientists believe the red-eyed tree frog developed its vivid scarlet peepers to shock predators into at least briefly questioning their meal choice.
These iconic-forest amphibians sleep by day stuck to leaf-bottoms with their eyes closed and body markings covered. When disturbed, they flash their bulging eyes and reveal their huge, webbed orange feet and bright blue-and-yellow flanks. This technique, called startle coloration, may give a bird or snake pause, offering a precious instant for the frog to spring to safety.
Their neon-green bodies may play a similar role in thwarting predators. Many of the animals that eat red-eyed tree frogs are nocturnal hunters that use keen eyesight to find prey. The shocking colors of this frog may over-stimulate a predator’s eyes, creating a confusing ghost image that remains behind as the frog jumps away.
Red-eyed tree frogs, despite their conspicuous coloration, are not venomous. They are found in tropical lowlands from southern Mexico, throughout Central America, and in northern South America. Nocturnal carnivores, they hide in the rain forest canopy and ambush crickets, flies, and moths with their long, sticky tongues.
Red-eyed tree frogs are not endangered. But their habitat is shrinking at an alarming rate, and their highly recognizable image is often used to promote the cause of saving the world’s rain forests.
http://animals.nationalgeographic.com/animals/amphibians/red-eyed-tree-frog.html
Tuesday, June 15, 2010
THE MOODY BLUES
The Moody Blues is an English rock band that was founded in Birmingham, London. The founding members are:
A. Michael Pinder
B. Ray Thomas
They had performed in the rhythm and blues sound, the others had joined later
A. Graeme Edge
B. John Lodge
C. Justin Hayward
In order to make a new kind of music the combined rock with classical music.
The Moody Blues had been active until 2009. They have sold over 50 million albums world wide. And have been awarded with 14 platinum discs and 14 gold discs.
The earlier members of the band were:
A. RAY THOMAS
B. JOHN LODGE
C. MICHAEL PINDER
These people were members of another group called (EL RIOT AND THE REBELS). They had broke up when one of the members went to college and the other went in the army. The rest of thew members had then joined another group called(THE KREW CATS). They had some success. After that they had recruited some other musicians:
A. GUITARISTS/VOCALISTS-DENNY LAINE
B. BAND MANAGER,TURNED DRUMMER-GRAEME EDGE
C. BASSIST-CLINT WARWICK
They appeared for the first times as THE MOODY BLUES in Birmingham,1964.
]Their first hit single that had reached number 1 was (GO NOW) this was in the UNITED KINGDOM. It reached number 10 in THE UNITED STATES.
Their album (DAYS OF FUTURE PAST) had become one of the most successful albums in 1967. This album had two hit singles:
A. KNIGHTS IN WHITE SATIN
B. TEUSDAY AFTERNOON
The album ( IN SEARCH OF THE LOST CHORD) they had based this album of the first moon landing.
The two albums:
A. EVERY GOOD BOY DESERVES FAVOUR in1971
B. AND THE SEVENTH SOJOURN in 1972
Had reached number 1 in THE UNITED STATES, and with this it turned the band to an orchestral sound.
In 1972the re-released the song (KNIGHTS IN WHITE SATIN). It had went on to become number 2 on the billboard hot 100. It also9 became a certified million dollar seller. When the song was first released it did not do so well. This song also reached to number 9 in THE UNITED KINGDOM.
The MOODY BLUES had tried to create their own record label. This was called ( THRESHOLD RECORDS ). Their record jackets and the cover art was not acceptable with the company executives. Eventually THE MOODY BLUES went to a more conservative style. However, they laid the ground work for other recording artists to set up their own labels. Such as:
A. LED ZEPPLIN’S (SWAN SONG)
B. ROLLING STONES
In 1974 THE MOODY BLUES took a long vacation after touring ASIA.
At first they had announced a break-up. But before he break-up JUSTIN HAYWARD had a wrote a song called (ISLAND) before the band had gone their separate ways. They had included this song on the album called(THIS IS THE MOODY BLUES)
The group re-united in 1977. Their record company had released an old recording of THE MOODY BLUES which was performed at the (ROYAL ALBERT HALL) that was against the other band members wishes.
The crude sound of THE MOODY BLUES in concert was not as refined as if they had done it in the studio.
As Pinder getting married and raising a family, he moved to California. The band had disbanded. Their was a lot of tension and lack of members with the rest of the band.
In spring of 1978 (OCTAVE) was ready for releasing.
Although, Pinder was not touring with the group, he still had wanted to have some say in what the band was doing and what was going to happen with the group. He never returned to THE MOODY BLUES.
The album(LONG DISTANCE VOYAGER) was released in 1981 having two hits:
A. THE VOICE
B. GEMINI DREAM
Both of these songs were written by HAYWARD AND LODGE.
In 1986 THE MOODY BLUES played live at (BIRMINGHAM HEART BEAT CHARITY) this was for the children’s charity in the hospital in BIRMINGHAM. They played a few of their songs and later they were back up band with ELECTRIC LIGHT ORCHESTRA for GEORGE HARRISON.
In 1991 PATRICK MORAZ told of his dissatisfaction with the group. His complaints ranged from the music being to simple for his likings to his song writings on their albums. THE MOODY BLUES had no choice but to let him go. Since he was doing more time doing planning for his native countries 700th anniversary than doing more for the group. Two new people were added:
A. BOSHELL
B. PAUL BLISS
These two people were keyboardists that THE MOODY BLUES needed to finish their new album.
THE MOODY BLUS new album(THE KEYS OF THE KINGDOM) in 1991 was a success with a couple of new singles:
A. SAY IT WITH LOVE
B. BLESS THE WINGS THAT BRING YOU BACK
Ray Thomas had a flute piece that gave the band a celtic sound. The energy of the high rock was starting a change in their music style. This was leading toward more love ballads. They had two more albums come out with this:
A. KEYS
B. SAY WHAT YOU MEAN
THE MOODY BLUES did a fund raiser for AMERICAN PUBLIC TELEVISION. This concert was arranged by LARRY BAIRD who has participated in other live concerts bands such as:
A. KANSAS
B. MICHAEL BOLTON
C. AL JARREAU
D. THREE DOG NIGHT
E. ALAN PARSONS
THE MOODY BLUES had law suits against them by PINDER in 1981 and by Moraz in 1992 and since then they had became more careful in the studio and on the stage. Paul Bliss had become the first keyboardist in 2001.These two people (BLISS and THOMAS) had became a duet for many tours after EDGE became injured. The second drummer GORDON MARSHALL was brought in as a permanent drum player.
From the years 1991-1998 THE MOODY BLUES took a long vacation from touring and from the studio. They came back in 1999. With an album called(STRANGE TIMES)
THE MOODY BLUES re-released a film on IMAX called (JOURNEY INTO THE AMAZING CAVES) with a couple of new songs.
The two new songs were from the album called (THE PRESENT)
A. WATER
B. HOOLE IN THE WORLD
The millennium came and saw THE MOODY BLUES reducing their tours. The end of 2002 came with one of the founding members retiring and that had put the band down to three members. Early in ther following year came flutist NORDA MULLEN and has worked with the band through THE NORTH AMERICAN TOUR and had remained with the band to the end of 2003.THE MOODY BLUES had released a CHRISTMAS ALBUM containing some of THE MOODY BLUES original songs and one from JOHN LENNON CALLED(HAPPY X-MAS WAR IS OVER).
In March of 2006 THE MOODY BLUES re-released these albums;
A. DAYS OF FUTURE PASSED
B. SEVENTH SOJOURN
On CD’S. On September of 2008 HAYWARD had said these following remastered versions will be released on UNIVERSAL RECORDS:
A. OCTAVE
B. LONG DISTANCE VOYAGER
C. THE PRESENT
A. Michael Pinder
B. Ray Thomas
They had performed in the rhythm and blues sound, the others had joined later
A. Graeme Edge
B. John Lodge
C. Justin Hayward
In order to make a new kind of music the combined rock with classical music.
The Moody Blues had been active until 2009. They have sold over 50 million albums world wide. And have been awarded with 14 platinum discs and 14 gold discs.
The earlier members of the band were:
A. RAY THOMAS
B. JOHN LODGE
C. MICHAEL PINDER
These people were members of another group called (EL RIOT AND THE REBELS). They had broke up when one of the members went to college and the other went in the army. The rest of thew members had then joined another group called(THE KREW CATS). They had some success. After that they had recruited some other musicians:
A. GUITARISTS/VOCALISTS-DENNY LAINE
B. BAND MANAGER,TURNED DRUMMER-GRAEME EDGE
C. BASSIST-CLINT WARWICK
They appeared for the first times as THE MOODY BLUES in Birmingham,1964.
]Their first hit single that had reached number 1 was (GO NOW) this was in the UNITED KINGDOM. It reached number 10 in THE UNITED STATES.
Their album (DAYS OF FUTURE PAST) had become one of the most successful albums in 1967. This album had two hit singles:
A. KNIGHTS IN WHITE SATIN
B. TEUSDAY AFTERNOON
The album ( IN SEARCH OF THE LOST CHORD) they had based this album of the first moon landing.
The two albums:
A. EVERY GOOD BOY DESERVES FAVOUR in1971
B. AND THE SEVENTH SOJOURN in 1972
Had reached number 1 in THE UNITED STATES, and with this it turned the band to an orchestral sound.
In 1972the re-released the song (KNIGHTS IN WHITE SATIN). It had went on to become number 2 on the billboard hot 100. It also9 became a certified million dollar seller. When the song was first released it did not do so well. This song also reached to number 9 in THE UNITED KINGDOM.
The MOODY BLUES had tried to create their own record label. This was called ( THRESHOLD RECORDS ). Their record jackets and the cover art was not acceptable with the company executives. Eventually THE MOODY BLUES went to a more conservative style. However, they laid the ground work for other recording artists to set up their own labels. Such as:
A. LED ZEPPLIN’S (SWAN SONG)
B. ROLLING STONES
In 1974 THE MOODY BLUES took a long vacation after touring ASIA.
At first they had announced a break-up. But before he break-up JUSTIN HAYWARD had a wrote a song called (ISLAND) before the band had gone their separate ways. They had included this song on the album called(THIS IS THE MOODY BLUES)
The group re-united in 1977. Their record company had released an old recording of THE MOODY BLUES which was performed at the (ROYAL ALBERT HALL) that was against the other band members wishes.
The crude sound of THE MOODY BLUES in concert was not as refined as if they had done it in the studio.
As Pinder getting married and raising a family, he moved to California. The band had disbanded. Their was a lot of tension and lack of members with the rest of the band.
In spring of 1978 (OCTAVE) was ready for releasing.
Although, Pinder was not touring with the group, he still had wanted to have some say in what the band was doing and what was going to happen with the group. He never returned to THE MOODY BLUES.
The album(LONG DISTANCE VOYAGER) was released in 1981 having two hits:
A. THE VOICE
B. GEMINI DREAM
Both of these songs were written by HAYWARD AND LODGE.
In 1986 THE MOODY BLUES played live at (BIRMINGHAM HEART BEAT CHARITY) this was for the children’s charity in the hospital in BIRMINGHAM. They played a few of their songs and later they were back up band with ELECTRIC LIGHT ORCHESTRA for GEORGE HARRISON.
In 1991 PATRICK MORAZ told of his dissatisfaction with the group. His complaints ranged from the music being to simple for his likings to his song writings on their albums. THE MOODY BLUES had no choice but to let him go. Since he was doing more time doing planning for his native countries 700th anniversary than doing more for the group. Two new people were added:
A. BOSHELL
B. PAUL BLISS
These two people were keyboardists that THE MOODY BLUES needed to finish their new album.
THE MOODY BLUS new album(THE KEYS OF THE KINGDOM) in 1991 was a success with a couple of new singles:
A. SAY IT WITH LOVE
B. BLESS THE WINGS THAT BRING YOU BACK
Ray Thomas had a flute piece that gave the band a celtic sound. The energy of the high rock was starting a change in their music style. This was leading toward more love ballads. They had two more albums come out with this:
A. KEYS
B. SAY WHAT YOU MEAN
THE MOODY BLUES did a fund raiser for AMERICAN PUBLIC TELEVISION. This concert was arranged by LARRY BAIRD who has participated in other live concerts bands such as:
A. KANSAS
B. MICHAEL BOLTON
C. AL JARREAU
D. THREE DOG NIGHT
E. ALAN PARSONS
THE MOODY BLUES had law suits against them by PINDER in 1981 and by Moraz in 1992 and since then they had became more careful in the studio and on the stage. Paul Bliss had become the first keyboardist in 2001.These two people (BLISS and THOMAS) had became a duet for many tours after EDGE became injured. The second drummer GORDON MARSHALL was brought in as a permanent drum player.
From the years 1991-1998 THE MOODY BLUES took a long vacation from touring and from the studio. They came back in 1999. With an album called(STRANGE TIMES)
THE MOODY BLUES re-released a film on IMAX called (JOURNEY INTO THE AMAZING CAVES) with a couple of new songs.
The two new songs were from the album called (THE PRESENT)
A. WATER
B. HOOLE IN THE WORLD
The millennium came and saw THE MOODY BLUES reducing their tours. The end of 2002 came with one of the founding members retiring and that had put the band down to three members. Early in ther following year came flutist NORDA MULLEN and has worked with the band through THE NORTH AMERICAN TOUR and had remained with the band to the end of 2003.THE MOODY BLUES had released a CHRISTMAS ALBUM containing some of THE MOODY BLUES original songs and one from JOHN LENNON CALLED(HAPPY X-MAS WAR IS OVER).
In March of 2006 THE MOODY BLUES re-released these albums;
A. DAYS OF FUTURE PASSED
B. SEVENTH SOJOURN
On CD’S. On September of 2008 HAYWARD had said these following remastered versions will be released on UNIVERSAL RECORDS:
A. OCTAVE
B. LONG DISTANCE VOYAGER
C. THE PRESENT
Wednesday, May 26, 2010
HEAT- A MAJOR KILLER
HEAT: A MAJOR KILLER
Heat Index Information
Heat Hazards
Heat Safety
Effects of Excessive Heat
Heat is the number one weather-related killer in the United States. NOAA National Weather Service statistical data shows that heat causes more fatalities per year than floods, lightening, tornadoes, and hurricanes combined. Based on the 10-year average from 1994 to 2003, excessive heat claimed 237 lives each year. By contrast, floods killed 84; tornadoes, 58; lightning, 63; and hurricanes, 18.
In the disastrous heat wave of 1980, more than 1.250 people died. In the heat wave of 1995 more than 700 deaths in the Chicago, Illinois area were attributed to this event, and in August 2003, a record heat wave in Europe claimed an estimated 50,000 lives.
North American summers are hot; most summers see heat waves in one section or another of the United States. East of the Rockies, they tend to combine both high temperature and high humidity although some of the worst have been catastrophically dry. Additional detail on how heat impacts the human body is provided under “The Hazards of Excessive Heat” heading.
NOAA’S WATCH, WARNING, AND ADVISORY PRODUCTS FOR EXTREME HEAT
Each National Weather Service (NWS) Weather Forecast Office (WFO) can issue the following heat-related products as conditions warrant:
Excessive Heat Outlook: When the potential exists for an excessive heat event in the next 3 to 7 days. An outlook is used to indicate that a heat event may develop. It is intended to provide information to those who need considerable lead time to prepare for the event, such as public utilities, emergency management and public health officials.
Excessive Heat Watch: when conditions are favorable for an excessive heat event in the next 12 to 48 hours. A watch is used when the risk of a heat wave has increased, but its occurrence and timing is still uncertain. It is intended to provide enough lead so those who need to set their plans in motion can do so, such as established individual city excessive heat mitigation plans.
Excessive Heat Warning/Advisory: when an excessive heat event is expected in the next 36 hours. These products are issued when an excessive heat event is occurring, is imminent, or has a very high probability of occurrence. The warning is used for conditions posing a threat to life or property. An advisory is for less serious conditions that causes significant discomfort or inconvenience and, if caution is not taken, could lead to a threat to life and/or property.
THE HAZARDS OF EXCESSIVE HEAT
Too Much Heat
Heat disorders generally have to do with a reduction or collapse of the body’s ability to shed heat by circulatory changes and sweating, or a chemical (salt) imbalance caused by too much sweating. When heat gain exceeds the level the body can remove, or when the body cannot compensate for fluids and salt lost through perspiration, the temperature of the body’s inner core begins to rise and heat-related illness may develop.
Ranging in severity, heat disorders share one common feature: the individual has overexposed or over exercised for his age and physical condition in the existing thermal environment.
Sunburn, with its ultraviolet radiation burns, can significantly retard the skin’s ability to shed excess heat. Studies indicated that, other things being equal, the severity of heat disorders tend to increase with age-heat cramps in a 17-year old may be heat exhaustion in someone 40, and heat stroke in a person over 60.
Acclimatization has to do with adjusting sweat-salt concentrations, among other things. The idea is to lose enough water to regulate body temperature, with the least possible chemical disturbance.
Children, Adults, and Pets Enclosed in Parked Vehicles Are at Great Risk
Each year children die from hyperthermia as a result of being left enclosed in parked vehicles.
Hyperthermia is an acute condition that occurs when the body absorbs more heat than it can dissipate. This can occur even on a mild day. Studies have shown that the temperature inside a parked vehicle can rise rapidly to a dangerous level for children, adults, and pets. Leaving the windows slightly open does not significantly decrease the heating rate. The effects can be more severe on children because their bodies warm at a faster rate than adults.
Hyperthermia deaths aren’t confined to the summer months only. They also happen during the spring and fall. Below are some examples:
Hawaii, March 07, 2007: A 3 year old girl from Honolulu died. The child’s father told police that he left her in a child seat in the back seat of the car for an hour and a half Saturday late morning while he visited friends in a Makiki apartment building. The outside temperature was only 81 degrees.
North Augusta, SC; April 2006: A mother left her 15 month old son in a car. He was in a car for 9 hours while his mom went to work. She is now serving a 20 year prison sentence.
Denver August 2008: Two kids that died in an overheated car may have been on their own for more than 3 hours as their mother slept after working a night shift. The kids died in a closed but unlocked car, Investigators believe the temperature where the children were found may have reached 123 degrees.
Adults are also susceptible to hyperthermia. On July 12, 1002 a man died of heatstroke after falling asleep in his car with the windows rolled up in the parking lot of a supermarket in Hinds County, Mississippi.
HEAT SAFETY
Child Safety Tips
Check to make sure seating surfaces and equipment (child safety seat and safety belt buckles) aren’t too hot when securing your child in a safety restraint system in a car that has been parked in the heat.
Never leave your child unattended in a vehicle, even with the windows down.
Teach children not to play in, on, or around cars.
Always lock car doors and trunks—even at home—and keep keys out of children’s reach.
Always make sure all child passengers have left the car when you reach your destination. Don’t overlook sleeping infants.
Adults Heave Wave Safety Tips
Slow down. Strenuous activities should be reduced, eliminated, or rescheduled to the coolest time of the day. Individuals at risk should stay in the coolest available place, not necessarily indoors.
Dress for summer. Lightweight light-colored clothing reflects heat and sunlight, and helps your body maintain normal temperatures.
Put les fuel on your inner fires. Foods (like proteins) that increase metabolic heat production also increase water loss.
Drink plenty of water or other non-alchohol fluids. Your body needs water to keep cool. Drink plenty of fluids even if you don’t feel thirsty. Persons who (1) have epilepsy or heart, kidney, or problem with fluid retention should consult a physician before increasing their consumption of fluids. Do not drink alcoholic beverages.
Spend more time in air-conditioned places. Air conditioning in homes and other buildings markedly reduces danger from the heat. If you cannot afford an air conditioner, spending some time each day (during hot weather) in an air conditioned environment affords some protection.
Don’t get too much sun. Sunburn makes the job of heat dissipation that much more difficult
Do not take salt tablets unless specified by a physician.
Know These Heat Disorder Symptoms
SUNBURN: Redness and pain. In severe cases swelling of skin, blisters, fever, headaches. First Aid: Ointments for mild cases if blisters appear and do not break. If breaking occurs, apply dry sterile dressing. Serious, extensive cases should be seen by physician.
HEAT CRAMPS: Painful spasms usually in muscles of legs and abdomen possible. Heavy sweating. First Aid: Firm pressure on cramping muscles, or gentle massage to relieve spasm. Give sips of water. If nausea occurs, discontinue use.
HEAT EXHAUSTION: Heavy sweating, weakness, skin cold, pale and clammy. Pulse thready. Normal temperature possible. Fainting and vomiting. First Aid: Get victim out of sun. Lay down and loosen clothing. Apply cool, wet cloths. Fan or move victim to air conditioned room. Sips of water. If nausea occurs, discontinue use. If vomiting continues, seek immediate medical attention.
HEAT STROKE (or sunstroke): High body temperature ( l06 F or higher): Hot dry skin. Rapid and strong pulse. Possible unconsciousness. First Aid: HEAT STROKE IS A SEVERE MEDICAL EMERGENCY. SUMMON EMERGENCY MEDICAL ASSISTANCE OR GET THE VICTIM TO A HOSPITAL IMMEDIATELY. DELAY CAN BE FATAL. Move the victim to a cooler environment. Reduce body temperature with cold bath or sponging. Use extreme caution. Remove clothing, use fans and air conditioners. If temperature rises again, repeat process. Do not give fluids. Persons on salt restrictive diets should consult a physician before increasing their salt intake.
*For more information contact your local American Red Cross Chapter. Ask to enroll in a first aid course.
COMMUNITY GUIDANCE: Preparing for and Responding to Excessive Heat Events
The “Excessive Heat Events Guidebook” was developed by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in 2006, in collaboration with NOAA’s National Weather Service (NWS), the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS). This guidebook provides best practices that have been employed to save lives during heat waves in different urban areas, and provides a menu of options that communities can use in developing their own mitigation plans.
Produced as a cooperative effort of NOAA’s National Weather Service, the Federal Emergency Management Agency, and the American Red Cross.
http://www.weather.gov/om/heat/index.shtml
Heat Index Information
Heat Hazards
Heat Safety
Effects of Excessive Heat
Heat is the number one weather-related killer in the United States. NOAA National Weather Service statistical data shows that heat causes more fatalities per year than floods, lightening, tornadoes, and hurricanes combined. Based on the 10-year average from 1994 to 2003, excessive heat claimed 237 lives each year. By contrast, floods killed 84; tornadoes, 58; lightning, 63; and hurricanes, 18.
In the disastrous heat wave of 1980, more than 1.250 people died. In the heat wave of 1995 more than 700 deaths in the Chicago, Illinois area were attributed to this event, and in August 2003, a record heat wave in Europe claimed an estimated 50,000 lives.
North American summers are hot; most summers see heat waves in one section or another of the United States. East of the Rockies, they tend to combine both high temperature and high humidity although some of the worst have been catastrophically dry. Additional detail on how heat impacts the human body is provided under “The Hazards of Excessive Heat” heading.
NOAA’S WATCH, WARNING, AND ADVISORY PRODUCTS FOR EXTREME HEAT
Each National Weather Service (NWS) Weather Forecast Office (WFO) can issue the following heat-related products as conditions warrant:
Excessive Heat Outlook: When the potential exists for an excessive heat event in the next 3 to 7 days. An outlook is used to indicate that a heat event may develop. It is intended to provide information to those who need considerable lead time to prepare for the event, such as public utilities, emergency management and public health officials.
Excessive Heat Watch: when conditions are favorable for an excessive heat event in the next 12 to 48 hours. A watch is used when the risk of a heat wave has increased, but its occurrence and timing is still uncertain. It is intended to provide enough lead so those who need to set their plans in motion can do so, such as established individual city excessive heat mitigation plans.
Excessive Heat Warning/Advisory: when an excessive heat event is expected in the next 36 hours. These products are issued when an excessive heat event is occurring, is imminent, or has a very high probability of occurrence. The warning is used for conditions posing a threat to life or property. An advisory is for less serious conditions that causes significant discomfort or inconvenience and, if caution is not taken, could lead to a threat to life and/or property.
THE HAZARDS OF EXCESSIVE HEAT
Too Much Heat
Heat disorders generally have to do with a reduction or collapse of the body’s ability to shed heat by circulatory changes and sweating, or a chemical (salt) imbalance caused by too much sweating. When heat gain exceeds the level the body can remove, or when the body cannot compensate for fluids and salt lost through perspiration, the temperature of the body’s inner core begins to rise and heat-related illness may develop.
Ranging in severity, heat disorders share one common feature: the individual has overexposed or over exercised for his age and physical condition in the existing thermal environment.
Sunburn, with its ultraviolet radiation burns, can significantly retard the skin’s ability to shed excess heat. Studies indicated that, other things being equal, the severity of heat disorders tend to increase with age-heat cramps in a 17-year old may be heat exhaustion in someone 40, and heat stroke in a person over 60.
Acclimatization has to do with adjusting sweat-salt concentrations, among other things. The idea is to lose enough water to regulate body temperature, with the least possible chemical disturbance.
Children, Adults, and Pets Enclosed in Parked Vehicles Are at Great Risk
Each year children die from hyperthermia as a result of being left enclosed in parked vehicles.
Hyperthermia is an acute condition that occurs when the body absorbs more heat than it can dissipate. This can occur even on a mild day. Studies have shown that the temperature inside a parked vehicle can rise rapidly to a dangerous level for children, adults, and pets. Leaving the windows slightly open does not significantly decrease the heating rate. The effects can be more severe on children because their bodies warm at a faster rate than adults.
Hyperthermia deaths aren’t confined to the summer months only. They also happen during the spring and fall. Below are some examples:
Hawaii, March 07, 2007: A 3 year old girl from Honolulu died. The child’s father told police that he left her in a child seat in the back seat of the car for an hour and a half Saturday late morning while he visited friends in a Makiki apartment building. The outside temperature was only 81 degrees.
North Augusta, SC; April 2006: A mother left her 15 month old son in a car. He was in a car for 9 hours while his mom went to work. She is now serving a 20 year prison sentence.
Denver August 2008: Two kids that died in an overheated car may have been on their own for more than 3 hours as their mother slept after working a night shift. The kids died in a closed but unlocked car, Investigators believe the temperature where the children were found may have reached 123 degrees.
Adults are also susceptible to hyperthermia. On July 12, 1002 a man died of heatstroke after falling asleep in his car with the windows rolled up in the parking lot of a supermarket in Hinds County, Mississippi.
HEAT SAFETY
Child Safety Tips
Check to make sure seating surfaces and equipment (child safety seat and safety belt buckles) aren’t too hot when securing your child in a safety restraint system in a car that has been parked in the heat.
Never leave your child unattended in a vehicle, even with the windows down.
Teach children not to play in, on, or around cars.
Always lock car doors and trunks—even at home—and keep keys out of children’s reach.
Always make sure all child passengers have left the car when you reach your destination. Don’t overlook sleeping infants.
Adults Heave Wave Safety Tips
Slow down. Strenuous activities should be reduced, eliminated, or rescheduled to the coolest time of the day. Individuals at risk should stay in the coolest available place, not necessarily indoors.
Dress for summer. Lightweight light-colored clothing reflects heat and sunlight, and helps your body maintain normal temperatures.
Put les fuel on your inner fires. Foods (like proteins) that increase metabolic heat production also increase water loss.
Drink plenty of water or other non-alchohol fluids. Your body needs water to keep cool. Drink plenty of fluids even if you don’t feel thirsty. Persons who (1) have epilepsy or heart, kidney, or problem with fluid retention should consult a physician before increasing their consumption of fluids. Do not drink alcoholic beverages.
Spend more time in air-conditioned places. Air conditioning in homes and other buildings markedly reduces danger from the heat. If you cannot afford an air conditioner, spending some time each day (during hot weather) in an air conditioned environment affords some protection.
Don’t get too much sun. Sunburn makes the job of heat dissipation that much more difficult
Do not take salt tablets unless specified by a physician.
Know These Heat Disorder Symptoms
SUNBURN: Redness and pain. In severe cases swelling of skin, blisters, fever, headaches. First Aid: Ointments for mild cases if blisters appear and do not break. If breaking occurs, apply dry sterile dressing. Serious, extensive cases should be seen by physician.
HEAT CRAMPS: Painful spasms usually in muscles of legs and abdomen possible. Heavy sweating. First Aid: Firm pressure on cramping muscles, or gentle massage to relieve spasm. Give sips of water. If nausea occurs, discontinue use.
HEAT EXHAUSTION: Heavy sweating, weakness, skin cold, pale and clammy. Pulse thready. Normal temperature possible. Fainting and vomiting. First Aid: Get victim out of sun. Lay down and loosen clothing. Apply cool, wet cloths. Fan or move victim to air conditioned room. Sips of water. If nausea occurs, discontinue use. If vomiting continues, seek immediate medical attention.
HEAT STROKE (or sunstroke): High body temperature ( l06 F or higher): Hot dry skin. Rapid and strong pulse. Possible unconsciousness. First Aid: HEAT STROKE IS A SEVERE MEDICAL EMERGENCY. SUMMON EMERGENCY MEDICAL ASSISTANCE OR GET THE VICTIM TO A HOSPITAL IMMEDIATELY. DELAY CAN BE FATAL. Move the victim to a cooler environment. Reduce body temperature with cold bath or sponging. Use extreme caution. Remove clothing, use fans and air conditioners. If temperature rises again, repeat process. Do not give fluids. Persons on salt restrictive diets should consult a physician before increasing their salt intake.
*For more information contact your local American Red Cross Chapter. Ask to enroll in a first aid course.
COMMUNITY GUIDANCE: Preparing for and Responding to Excessive Heat Events
The “Excessive Heat Events Guidebook” was developed by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in 2006, in collaboration with NOAA’s National Weather Service (NWS), the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS). This guidebook provides best practices that have been employed to save lives during heat waves in different urban areas, and provides a menu of options that communities can use in developing their own mitigation plans.
Produced as a cooperative effort of NOAA’s National Weather Service, the Federal Emergency Management Agency, and the American Red Cross.
http://www.weather.gov/om/heat/index.shtml
Monday, May 24, 2010
WHAT TO DO WHEN HEAT WAVES STRIKE
WHAT TO DO WHEN HEAT WAVE STRIKES
Increase your intake of Non-Alcoholic, Non-Carbonated, Caffeine Free Beverages Such as Water and Juice,
Wear Clothing That is Light in Color and Loose Fitting.
Avoid The Outdoors During Extreme Heat. Stay Out of the Sun.
Stay in an Air-Conditioned Environment if Possible. Shopping Malls Offer Relief if Your Home is not Air-Conditioned.
Check on the Elderly. They are Especially Susceptible to Heat Related Illnesses.
Eliminate Strenuous Activity Such as Running, Biking and Lawn Care Work When it Heats Up.
Eat Less Foods That Increase Metabolic Activity/Heat. Proteins are an Example. Increased Metabolic Heat Increases Water Loss.
HEAT RELATED ILLNESSES AND THEIR SYMPTOMS
SUNBURN-Redness and pain in the skin. In severe cases there is also swelling, blisters, fever, and headaches.
HEAT CRAMPS-Heavy sweating and painful spasms usually in the leg or abdomen muscles.
HEAT EXHAUSTION-The person becomes weak and is sweating heavily. The skin is cold, pale and clammy. The pulse becomes thready. Fainting and vomiting accompanies heat exhaustion.
HEATSTROKE/SUNSTROKE-High body temperature (106 degrees or higher) along with hot dry skin and a rapid and strong pulse. Unconsciousness is possible.
Increase your intake of Non-Alcoholic, Non-Carbonated, Caffeine Free Beverages Such as Water and Juice,
Wear Clothing That is Light in Color and Loose Fitting.
Avoid The Outdoors During Extreme Heat. Stay Out of the Sun.
Stay in an Air-Conditioned Environment if Possible. Shopping Malls Offer Relief if Your Home is not Air-Conditioned.
Check on the Elderly. They are Especially Susceptible to Heat Related Illnesses.
Eliminate Strenuous Activity Such as Running, Biking and Lawn Care Work When it Heats Up.
Eat Less Foods That Increase Metabolic Activity/Heat. Proteins are an Example. Increased Metabolic Heat Increases Water Loss.
HEAT RELATED ILLNESSES AND THEIR SYMPTOMS
SUNBURN-Redness and pain in the skin. In severe cases there is also swelling, blisters, fever, and headaches.
HEAT CRAMPS-Heavy sweating and painful spasms usually in the leg or abdomen muscles.
HEAT EXHAUSTION-The person becomes weak and is sweating heavily. The skin is cold, pale and clammy. The pulse becomes thready. Fainting and vomiting accompanies heat exhaustion.
HEATSTROKE/SUNSTROKE-High body temperature (106 degrees or higher) along with hot dry skin and a rapid and strong pulse. Unconsciousness is possible.
Tuesday, May 18, 2010
ONE SISTER IS UP TO HER SANDBOX ANTICS
ONE SISTER IS UP TO HER SANDBOX ANTICS
One sunny day in the month of May, Sissy decided she wanted to spend her time as green as a lime, one morning, in the sandbox with no sand just mud. She sat in the sandbox with no sand in the backyard, alone with her blue toy phone. The last thing on her mind didn’t make her; feel like she wanted to sing her heart out. She didn’t want her older sister to do anything but smolder away, because she didn’t want her sister on her list to play, there, in the sandbox without any sand with her. Like a pig, she didn’t dig her sister, being in the sandbox without sand, any morning. Otherwise Sissy might fight over who got the sandbox without sand, first. She wanted to play and stay inside it, by herself. Otherwise, she might have a fit over whose sandbox without sand, it belonged to.
So, she leaned over the sandbox so clean, after she looked beside her for the coming tide. She hadn’t wanted any croissant from her older sister, who, once, gave her, a blister. Since, she didn’t see her older sister around, anywhere, as she peeked over her shoulder. She was free as a bird to do what she wanted to do, without her older sister around to make a sound. Or to tell her what to do, or put her under her spell.
Sissy with a nickname of Missy picked up her red shovel as she wore her treads. And she made her way back to the sandbox without sand from the garden. As she reached the sandbox without sand again like a peach, she bent over a four leaf clover. And she felt the cold sand as cold as snow. So, Sissy picked up her red shovel, and made her way back to the sand. Which sand had turned and turned into all this mud and crud underneath her butt. But she, almost, jumped and jumped out of the sandbox as she felt all this cold, so boldly, go through her red sun suit, so red in the bright sun.
She was about to run under the sun out of the sandbox without sand. And just call on her toy phone, alone, for that morning, and mourn about the whole thing in a jig. But she loved and loved being in the bright sun in her red sun suit. This bright sunny day in every way seemed to warm her up like a puppy, cuddled up near its mom to the point, she forgot just how cold, ice cold her butt, felt as she hopped into and plopped herself into all this mud.
As she held her shovel in a huddle, with all her might, with the sun out of sight, she dug as smug as a rug, these holes in all that mud. After each hole in a roll was like she wished and wished each one to be, she set the red, so red shovel down outside the sandbox without sand. Since, the cruddy mud felt so cool, so cool to her. She was ready to take on the coolness of the cruddy mud. Since, all this mud appeared so smeary and inviting to her, she plopped her little butt down in a hop into all that mud. Then, she grabbed a hold of the old red shovel, again, and again. She started to mold and mold these big bunches of mud like a pig into her hands in a sandbox without sand as she dropped with a big plop, the red shovel into all that cruddy mud beside her.
Not much later as such, she had most of the cruddy mud, molded into all these small and big bunches of cruddy mud. Which cruddy mud, she thought, looked like crooked cakes, so good to eat like meat? She was to stuff a bunch of cruddy mud into her red sun suit in the bright sun of the day. But she changed her mind in time as she happened to see in a peek, her older sister, Kathy, walk and walk towards the sandbox without sand.
Sissy, that is Missy, could sense like sixpence that Kathy started with a spark to head as heavy as lead towards the sandbox without sand. As Sissy, that’s Missy, watched and watched her get this big smirk on her face with a jig, she knew that her older sister and bolder sister was up to no good.
Sissy, that is Missy, walked and walked out of the sandbox without sand, and stuck up her fists like a bump in the mud up at her sister. Her sister didn’t jig, her sister, Sissy, that is Missy, doing this to her with her fists. So, she pushed and pushed Kathy down and down into the grass like a lass.
As Kathy landed on the grass like a lass with a big boom with a zoom, Sissy laughed and laughed even more at her. But Sissy, that is Missy, didn’t dig with a jig, her sister’s laugh in wrath. So, she pushed and pushed ever harder until she had her down and laughed like a clown with her on the grass like a lass. Kathy became so mad not glad. She developed a big smirk on her face with a jig. She wasn’t about to take any full of bully stuff from her sister.
So, Kathy took off with a scoff right inside towards the sandbox without sand. Sissy followed her and followed her until she reached the sandbox without sand like a peach. She pushed and pushed Kathy inside the sandbox without sand. Sissy laughed and laughed harder at her as Kathy screamed with a gleam in her eye.
Her older sister had something up the sleeve in a bed of leaves. She waited and waited even longer as her sister plopped without a hop into the sandbox without sand. Kathy reached like a peach inside in a slide, and grabbed and grabbed more cruddy mud into her hands in a sandbox without sand. She molded and molded some more of what she thought as being cruddy mud cakes.
She knew that Sissy, that is Missy, was hungry enough to huff and puff for some cruddy mud cakes to eat. She had this silly and frilly look on her face like she was ready to eat and really eat anything. Which appeared right in sight before her crying eyes to her surprise? Kathy stuff in a huff and a huff the cruddy mud cakes into her sister’s mouth.
She had this pout about on her face, because the cruddy mud cakes didn’t taste too good. She seemed dumb and dumber to eat more of these cruddy mud cakes. So, her sister and again shoved more cruddy mud cakes into her mouth with her like a grouch.
As their mom, ran and ran out of the house, as she reached like a peach, the sandbox without sand, Sissy said to her, “Mom, Kathy made me, eat these cruddy mud cakes?”
She answered Sissy, that is Missy, “Did you force Sissy to eat cruddy mud cakes today?”
“Yes, I did, mom. But she talked and talked me, again, into it. She made me, feed her these cruddy mud cakes, because she said she was hungry as a bug for them. So, she wanted and wanted more of these cruddy mud cakes from me.
Both sisters were lucky as a four leaf clover that their mom didn’t try to punish either one of them, today after they both played all morning in the sandbox without sand. So, both sisters were just made after they played, so have their mouths, cleaned out in gleam with toothpaste. Which toothpaste, that came from a tooth fairy to them. But then, both sisters had to kneel and kneel for a half hour in a corner just like Jack Horner for what both of them were guilty of doing and screwing around and around with mud, that morning.
One sunny day in the month of May, Sissy decided she wanted to spend her time as green as a lime, one morning, in the sandbox with no sand just mud. She sat in the sandbox with no sand in the backyard, alone with her blue toy phone. The last thing on her mind didn’t make her; feel like she wanted to sing her heart out. She didn’t want her older sister to do anything but smolder away, because she didn’t want her sister on her list to play, there, in the sandbox without any sand with her. Like a pig, she didn’t dig her sister, being in the sandbox without sand, any morning. Otherwise Sissy might fight over who got the sandbox without sand, first. She wanted to play and stay inside it, by herself. Otherwise, she might have a fit over whose sandbox without sand, it belonged to.
So, she leaned over the sandbox so clean, after she looked beside her for the coming tide. She hadn’t wanted any croissant from her older sister, who, once, gave her, a blister. Since, she didn’t see her older sister around, anywhere, as she peeked over her shoulder. She was free as a bird to do what she wanted to do, without her older sister around to make a sound. Or to tell her what to do, or put her under her spell.
Sissy with a nickname of Missy picked up her red shovel as she wore her treads. And she made her way back to the sandbox without sand from the garden. As she reached the sandbox without sand again like a peach, she bent over a four leaf clover. And she felt the cold sand as cold as snow. So, Sissy picked up her red shovel, and made her way back to the sand. Which sand had turned and turned into all this mud and crud underneath her butt. But she, almost, jumped and jumped out of the sandbox as she felt all this cold, so boldly, go through her red sun suit, so red in the bright sun.
She was about to run under the sun out of the sandbox without sand. And just call on her toy phone, alone, for that morning, and mourn about the whole thing in a jig. But she loved and loved being in the bright sun in her red sun suit. This bright sunny day in every way seemed to warm her up like a puppy, cuddled up near its mom to the point, she forgot just how cold, ice cold her butt, felt as she hopped into and plopped herself into all this mud.
As she held her shovel in a huddle, with all her might, with the sun out of sight, she dug as smug as a rug, these holes in all that mud. After each hole in a roll was like she wished and wished each one to be, she set the red, so red shovel down outside the sandbox without sand. Since, the cruddy mud felt so cool, so cool to her. She was ready to take on the coolness of the cruddy mud. Since, all this mud appeared so smeary and inviting to her, she plopped her little butt down in a hop into all that mud. Then, she grabbed a hold of the old red shovel, again, and again. She started to mold and mold these big bunches of mud like a pig into her hands in a sandbox without sand as she dropped with a big plop, the red shovel into all that cruddy mud beside her.
Not much later as such, she had most of the cruddy mud, molded into all these small and big bunches of cruddy mud. Which cruddy mud, she thought, looked like crooked cakes, so good to eat like meat? She was to stuff a bunch of cruddy mud into her red sun suit in the bright sun of the day. But she changed her mind in time as she happened to see in a peek, her older sister, Kathy, walk and walk towards the sandbox without sand.
Sissy, that is Missy, could sense like sixpence that Kathy started with a spark to head as heavy as lead towards the sandbox without sand. As Sissy, that’s Missy, watched and watched her get this big smirk on her face with a jig, she knew that her older sister and bolder sister was up to no good.
Sissy, that is Missy, walked and walked out of the sandbox without sand, and stuck up her fists like a bump in the mud up at her sister. Her sister didn’t jig, her sister, Sissy, that is Missy, doing this to her with her fists. So, she pushed and pushed Kathy down and down into the grass like a lass.
As Kathy landed on the grass like a lass with a big boom with a zoom, Sissy laughed and laughed even more at her. But Sissy, that is Missy, didn’t dig with a jig, her sister’s laugh in wrath. So, she pushed and pushed ever harder until she had her down and laughed like a clown with her on the grass like a lass. Kathy became so mad not glad. She developed a big smirk on her face with a jig. She wasn’t about to take any full of bully stuff from her sister.
So, Kathy took off with a scoff right inside towards the sandbox without sand. Sissy followed her and followed her until she reached the sandbox without sand like a peach. She pushed and pushed Kathy inside the sandbox without sand. Sissy laughed and laughed harder at her as Kathy screamed with a gleam in her eye.
Her older sister had something up the sleeve in a bed of leaves. She waited and waited even longer as her sister plopped without a hop into the sandbox without sand. Kathy reached like a peach inside in a slide, and grabbed and grabbed more cruddy mud into her hands in a sandbox without sand. She molded and molded some more of what she thought as being cruddy mud cakes.
She knew that Sissy, that is Missy, was hungry enough to huff and puff for some cruddy mud cakes to eat. She had this silly and frilly look on her face like she was ready to eat and really eat anything. Which appeared right in sight before her crying eyes to her surprise? Kathy stuff in a huff and a huff the cruddy mud cakes into her sister’s mouth.
She had this pout about on her face, because the cruddy mud cakes didn’t taste too good. She seemed dumb and dumber to eat more of these cruddy mud cakes. So, her sister and again shoved more cruddy mud cakes into her mouth with her like a grouch.
As their mom, ran and ran out of the house, as she reached like a peach, the sandbox without sand, Sissy said to her, “Mom, Kathy made me, eat these cruddy mud cakes?”
She answered Sissy, that is Missy, “Did you force Sissy to eat cruddy mud cakes today?”
“Yes, I did, mom. But she talked and talked me, again, into it. She made me, feed her these cruddy mud cakes, because she said she was hungry as a bug for them. So, she wanted and wanted more of these cruddy mud cakes from me.
Both sisters were lucky as a four leaf clover that their mom didn’t try to punish either one of them, today after they both played all morning in the sandbox without sand. So, both sisters were just made after they played, so have their mouths, cleaned out in gleam with toothpaste. Which toothpaste, that came from a tooth fairy to them. But then, both sisters had to kneel and kneel for a half hour in a corner just like Jack Horner for what both of them were guilty of doing and screwing around and around with mud, that morning.
Wednesday, January 20, 2010
HOW TO MOUNT A HORSE
HOW TO MOUNT A HOR S3
Once you’ve checked your girth and fashioned your helmet chinstrap, you are ready to mount.
Steps
1. ALWAYS check your horse’s girth just before mounting, no matter who saddled the horse. It should be very snug—two fingers should fit between the girth and the horse’s side. Less is too tight, more is too loose. If it’s too lose your weight could pull the saddle to one side when you mount, and the horse could be startled, but if it’s too tight, some skin could get caught and it could be uncomfortable.
2. Stand on the horse’s left side, preferably on a mounting block as to not put strain on your horse’s back.
3. Take the reins in your left hand and gather them up so the horse doesn’t move away. If you have a tighter rein on the off side, or in this case the right, rein if the horse should move he will be more likely to move into you than away from you, giving you a little more control for mounting. Rest your left hand on the horse’s neck or also grab some mane in your left hand along with the reins.
4. If this is your first time, or if you feel uncertain, placed your right hand towards the rear of the saddle. Keep in mind your safety, by placing your right hand toward the rear of the saddle you will have to move it to allow your right leg to swing over the saddle. It is much safer to always hold the front of the saddle on the right side of it with your right hand. If you need more leverage than with your right hand on the pommel (the front of the saddle), you can try placing it a bit farther back on the saddle. Just keep in mind that you are a bit more vulnerable because you will have to let go with it to move it out of the way for your leg to swing over.
5. Place your left foot into the stirrup. Bounce once or twice on the ball of your foot that is still on the mounting block, this will give you enough momentum to bounce and spring up into the saddle.
6. Swing your right leg up and over the saddle, making sure your right leg clears the horse’s back. Sit down as lightly as you can—don’t just thump down hard. It is much kinder to their back to not thump down like a lump, just as it is much kinder to use a mounting block than mount from the ground, but they should not start or spook if you do. If a horse moves off because it is startled, or seeming spooked, by you thumping down hard when mounting you should consider whether this is a temperament, training issue or a possible pain issue from an ill fitting saddle. The latter of which can cause instant bucking, another reason to not drop down like a lump! Don’t disregard this step.
7. You should now be seated in the saddle.
8. Be sure to place your right foot into the stirrup, preferably without poking the horse too much with your toe in the process.
Adjust your reins, be sure you are ready and then ask the horse to move off.
Tips
After putting the saddle on your horse, walk them around a little before you attempt to mount them, and then retighten the girth/cinch. Some novice horses will bloat (take a deep breath) so that the girth/cinch will be loose. Walking a horse will force them to let the air out.
If you are inexperienced or your horse tends to walk off as soon as you put a foot in the stirrup, have another rider hold the horse’s reins for you. This will help keep the horse still while you mount.
If your horse starts to move, give the command of “Whoa” in a deep, calm voice.
If the horse constantly evades being mounted, break down each step and praise the horse when they stand still. (Start on the ground, then each step of the mounting block, touching the saddle, putting your foot in the stirrup, jumping up and finally getting all the way on). A well trained horse should stand for being mounted and wait for your command to walk off.
If you’re short, consider using a mounting block or other sturdy object—buckets and crates are often not sturdy enough.
Have an experienced rider or instructor watching you if you are an inexperienced rider; never ride alone, have someone watch you and work on ground work in case you fall.
In order to keep the horse from turning around and biting you, if that is a problem for your horse, pull the reins over towards you so that there isn’t enough slack on the other side for the horse to move its head all the way over.
Be careful when mounting a frisky or green-broke horse, or a stallion. If this is the situation, you can always have another person with you to help.
Always remember your equine common sense whenever handling a horse.
Warnings
ALWAYS check your girth!
Remember to wear boots with a heel and an ASTM/SEI certified helmet when riding.
Some horses are very sensitive, after you swing over you may want to stay standing in the stirrups, or in two-point for a second.
Once you’ve checked your girth and fashioned your helmet chinstrap, you are ready to mount.
Steps
1. ALWAYS check your horse’s girth just before mounting, no matter who saddled the horse. It should be very snug—two fingers should fit between the girth and the horse’s side. Less is too tight, more is too loose. If it’s too lose your weight could pull the saddle to one side when you mount, and the horse could be startled, but if it’s too tight, some skin could get caught and it could be uncomfortable.
2. Stand on the horse’s left side, preferably on a mounting block as to not put strain on your horse’s back.
3. Take the reins in your left hand and gather them up so the horse doesn’t move away. If you have a tighter rein on the off side, or in this case the right, rein if the horse should move he will be more likely to move into you than away from you, giving you a little more control for mounting. Rest your left hand on the horse’s neck or also grab some mane in your left hand along with the reins.
4. If this is your first time, or if you feel uncertain, placed your right hand towards the rear of the saddle. Keep in mind your safety, by placing your right hand toward the rear of the saddle you will have to move it to allow your right leg to swing over the saddle. It is much safer to always hold the front of the saddle on the right side of it with your right hand. If you need more leverage than with your right hand on the pommel (the front of the saddle), you can try placing it a bit farther back on the saddle. Just keep in mind that you are a bit more vulnerable because you will have to let go with it to move it out of the way for your leg to swing over.
5. Place your left foot into the stirrup. Bounce once or twice on the ball of your foot that is still on the mounting block, this will give you enough momentum to bounce and spring up into the saddle.
6. Swing your right leg up and over the saddle, making sure your right leg clears the horse’s back. Sit down as lightly as you can—don’t just thump down hard. It is much kinder to their back to not thump down like a lump, just as it is much kinder to use a mounting block than mount from the ground, but they should not start or spook if you do. If a horse moves off because it is startled, or seeming spooked, by you thumping down hard when mounting you should consider whether this is a temperament, training issue or a possible pain issue from an ill fitting saddle. The latter of which can cause instant bucking, another reason to not drop down like a lump! Don’t disregard this step.
7. You should now be seated in the saddle.
8. Be sure to place your right foot into the stirrup, preferably without poking the horse too much with your toe in the process.
Adjust your reins, be sure you are ready and then ask the horse to move off.
Tips
After putting the saddle on your horse, walk them around a little before you attempt to mount them, and then retighten the girth/cinch. Some novice horses will bloat (take a deep breath) so that the girth/cinch will be loose. Walking a horse will force them to let the air out.
If you are inexperienced or your horse tends to walk off as soon as you put a foot in the stirrup, have another rider hold the horse’s reins for you. This will help keep the horse still while you mount.
If your horse starts to move, give the command of “Whoa” in a deep, calm voice.
If the horse constantly evades being mounted, break down each step and praise the horse when they stand still. (Start on the ground, then each step of the mounting block, touching the saddle, putting your foot in the stirrup, jumping up and finally getting all the way on). A well trained horse should stand for being mounted and wait for your command to walk off.
If you’re short, consider using a mounting block or other sturdy object—buckets and crates are often not sturdy enough.
Have an experienced rider or instructor watching you if you are an inexperienced rider; never ride alone, have someone watch you and work on ground work in case you fall.
In order to keep the horse from turning around and biting you, if that is a problem for your horse, pull the reins over towards you so that there isn’t enough slack on the other side for the horse to move its head all the way over.
Be careful when mounting a frisky or green-broke horse, or a stallion. If this is the situation, you can always have another person with you to help.
Always remember your equine common sense whenever handling a horse.
Warnings
ALWAYS check your girth!
Remember to wear boots with a heel and an ASTM/SEI certified helmet when riding.
Some horses are very sensitive, after you swing over you may want to stay standing in the stirrups, or in two-point for a second.
Friday, January 15, 2010
HOW TO JOIN UP WITH A HORSE
HOW TO JOIN UP WITH A HORSE
Some horses just won’t quit avoiding you and asserting themselves. They don’t trust you. You don’t trust them. They are scared and so are you. How can you help create a bond without spending millions of dollars or fancy training stuff and spending years just trying to avoid getting bitten while putting on a saddle? Or maybe you just want to be closer with your horse/pony.
Joining up may be able to help you calm your friend and make life easier, as well as making being together less painful and less frustrating.
Steps
1. Calm down. Going into it with a nervous or angry attitude is not going to get you anywhere. Take a few deep breaths, and run your hands over the lunge line (Stroking the rope may imply that you are in a friendly attitude).
2. Show yourself and your horse that you are calm, confident body language (you should be erect, head up, shoulders back) and disposition first. The horse understands your good/bad attitude and tone and timber of your voice.
3. Bring your horse to an enclosed paddock or ring on a lunge line. When lunging, the lunge line stimulates the reins as a directional took as if you were riding.
4. Gently talk to the horse. He/she might be a little scared or confused. Lead him/her around the safe enclosed area you are working in for a few minutes, with some changes in direction to set yourself as “leader.”
5. Go to the centre of the area you are working in. Unclip the line (don’t use tied lines); step back from the horse; look the horse in the eye; adopt assertive body language squarely to the horse, and raise your hands if need be (represents “pawing the air”).
6. Encourage the horse to stay at a respectful distance from you in this training. The process of moving them away represents you as lead mare. You are trying to be actually mean like the stallion would be in a herd. The stallion expels challenges from the herd—opposite of joining up.
7. When the horse is moving away from you, throw the line out behind him/her (keep hold of the clip) to move the horse forward at a brisk trot.
8. After 5 or 6 circuits (if using a 50 foot diameter pen) change direction by blocking the horse using body language, but not actually getting in the way. After another 5 or 6 circuits change direction again, and start to coil the line and maybe drop eye contact down to the neck/shoulder.
9. Look for signs from the horse, such as making the circle smaller. The inside ear will be turned towards you. He/she may lick and chew, head lowering.
10. Continue to push the horse on, changing directions every five or six circuits, you will see the horse angle its head to you, which is a sign they are ready to negotiate their position according to what you want.
11. When the horse drops its head very close to the ground when near you, you can be sure you have won its respect. It now understands that you have told the horse: “I am not a predator. I am no threat to you”.
12. When you see these signs, drop eye contact completely, soften your body language by bringing the hand nearest the horse across your stomach with fingers closed, step a little in front of the horse turn your back but be alert (watch out) and take a couple of steps away from the horse. This will cause him/her to come to you slowly and “join up”.
13. Reward the horse with a rub between the eyes or a nice stroke on the neck. This is how they naturally groom each other or assure a lower status horse. They do not approach the lead mare unless she is very relaxed and not exerting her authority.
14. Now stand next to the horse on the left hand, or near side, facing forwards. Walk off and circle around the horse’s nose to the right, he/she will follow when you have established that you are the leader. Complete a small circle and reward the horse. Do this in both directions.
Tips
Light use of a whip is a good enforcement aid to establish that you are “in charge”, but is not good for join-up.
If you don’t have a line a lunge whip can be used but never touch the horse with it. The idea is to move it behind him/her to make them move.
Throwing a line behind the horse to step up the pace is okay but it does not hit the horse (obviously such tricks are not for use with a horse using blinders).
Instead of using fear with yourself—here you treat your horse with respect (calm and accepting) to get results. He/she will show you the same regard.
Only allow your equine to come in after he/she has shown the movements of accepting your presence by relaxing (licking lips, dropping head, etc).
Walking away a couple steps ahead of the horse puts the horse in position to choose to accept being a (willing) follower, and the horse joins you (not vice versa. Reward that behavior.
Warnings
This is a guideline. Horses are not robots that can be “fixed” each one is different with a personality. Respect that and don’t expect too much the first time. Your horse is trying its best to understand.
Horses can be unpredictable, always be aware of this for safety and for your sanity.
Stay close to places that are safe for you to get away to in case the horse runs or kicks at you. If it’s an outdoor arena, it’s a good idea to have a fence that you can quickly crawl under or jump over.
Never yell or get mad at your horse because you are not trying to be a stallion.
Always be patient with your horse and don’t always expect results instantly.
Don’t be too passive-aggressive. This can really scare your horse and the join up will be unsuccessful.
Never do join-up with more than one horse in the ring because they may be confused and may compete for position in the herd.
Never hit your horse that you are trying to get to volunteer to join up to you. You are supposed to be bonding and learning to gain trust of a horse and each other with you as leader—not mean and bossy.
PLEASE do try this if you do not have a clear idea of what and why you are doing it, as it would confuse the horse and put you in danger.
Things You’ll Need
Halter
Lunge line
Closed paddock or ring
The “safe” place to escape from an aggressive horse
Praise the horse with your tone of voice
Some horses just won’t quit avoiding you and asserting themselves. They don’t trust you. You don’t trust them. They are scared and so are you. How can you help create a bond without spending millions of dollars or fancy training stuff and spending years just trying to avoid getting bitten while putting on a saddle? Or maybe you just want to be closer with your horse/pony.
Joining up may be able to help you calm your friend and make life easier, as well as making being together less painful and less frustrating.
Steps
1. Calm down. Going into it with a nervous or angry attitude is not going to get you anywhere. Take a few deep breaths, and run your hands over the lunge line (Stroking the rope may imply that you are in a friendly attitude).
2. Show yourself and your horse that you are calm, confident body language (you should be erect, head up, shoulders back) and disposition first. The horse understands your good/bad attitude and tone and timber of your voice.
3. Bring your horse to an enclosed paddock or ring on a lunge line. When lunging, the lunge line stimulates the reins as a directional took as if you were riding.
4. Gently talk to the horse. He/she might be a little scared or confused. Lead him/her around the safe enclosed area you are working in for a few minutes, with some changes in direction to set yourself as “leader.”
5. Go to the centre of the area you are working in. Unclip the line (don’t use tied lines); step back from the horse; look the horse in the eye; adopt assertive body language squarely to the horse, and raise your hands if need be (represents “pawing the air”).
6. Encourage the horse to stay at a respectful distance from you in this training. The process of moving them away represents you as lead mare. You are trying to be actually mean like the stallion would be in a herd. The stallion expels challenges from the herd—opposite of joining up.
7. When the horse is moving away from you, throw the line out behind him/her (keep hold of the clip) to move the horse forward at a brisk trot.
8. After 5 or 6 circuits (if using a 50 foot diameter pen) change direction by blocking the horse using body language, but not actually getting in the way. After another 5 or 6 circuits change direction again, and start to coil the line and maybe drop eye contact down to the neck/shoulder.
9. Look for signs from the horse, such as making the circle smaller. The inside ear will be turned towards you. He/she may lick and chew, head lowering.
10. Continue to push the horse on, changing directions every five or six circuits, you will see the horse angle its head to you, which is a sign they are ready to negotiate their position according to what you want.
11. When the horse drops its head very close to the ground when near you, you can be sure you have won its respect. It now understands that you have told the horse: “I am not a predator. I am no threat to you”.
12. When you see these signs, drop eye contact completely, soften your body language by bringing the hand nearest the horse across your stomach with fingers closed, step a little in front of the horse turn your back but be alert (watch out) and take a couple of steps away from the horse. This will cause him/her to come to you slowly and “join up”.
13. Reward the horse with a rub between the eyes or a nice stroke on the neck. This is how they naturally groom each other or assure a lower status horse. They do not approach the lead mare unless she is very relaxed and not exerting her authority.
14. Now stand next to the horse on the left hand, or near side, facing forwards. Walk off and circle around the horse’s nose to the right, he/she will follow when you have established that you are the leader. Complete a small circle and reward the horse. Do this in both directions.
Tips
Light use of a whip is a good enforcement aid to establish that you are “in charge”, but is not good for join-up.
If you don’t have a line a lunge whip can be used but never touch the horse with it. The idea is to move it behind him/her to make them move.
Throwing a line behind the horse to step up the pace is okay but it does not hit the horse (obviously such tricks are not for use with a horse using blinders).
Instead of using fear with yourself—here you treat your horse with respect (calm and accepting) to get results. He/she will show you the same regard.
Only allow your equine to come in after he/she has shown the movements of accepting your presence by relaxing (licking lips, dropping head, etc).
Walking away a couple steps ahead of the horse puts the horse in position to choose to accept being a (willing) follower, and the horse joins you (not vice versa. Reward that behavior.
Warnings
This is a guideline. Horses are not robots that can be “fixed” each one is different with a personality. Respect that and don’t expect too much the first time. Your horse is trying its best to understand.
Horses can be unpredictable, always be aware of this for safety and for your sanity.
Stay close to places that are safe for you to get away to in case the horse runs or kicks at you. If it’s an outdoor arena, it’s a good idea to have a fence that you can quickly crawl under or jump over.
Never yell or get mad at your horse because you are not trying to be a stallion.
Always be patient with your horse and don’t always expect results instantly.
Don’t be too passive-aggressive. This can really scare your horse and the join up will be unsuccessful.
Never do join-up with more than one horse in the ring because they may be confused and may compete for position in the herd.
Never hit your horse that you are trying to get to volunteer to join up to you. You are supposed to be bonding and learning to gain trust of a horse and each other with you as leader—not mean and bossy.
PLEASE do try this if you do not have a clear idea of what and why you are doing it, as it would confuse the horse and put you in danger.
Things You’ll Need
Halter
Lunge line
Closed paddock or ring
The “safe” place to escape from an aggressive horse
Praise the horse with your tone of voice
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