Founded : December 2000 Created By : Esther Aquino and Joseph Garcia
DEDICATED TO THE MEMORY OF ESPERANZA AQUINO
Founded : December 2000 Created By : Esther Aquino and Joseph Garcia
DEDICATED TO THE MEMORY OF ESPERANZA AQUINO
June 30th, 2005
In Today's Edition
On July 4th there will be more than fireworks going on in the heavens. NASA has sent a spacecraft into space to deploy an impactor that will smash into the nucleus of comet Tempel 1 July 4th ( 10:52 pm on July 3rd for us Southern Californians). They say that we might be able to see it with the naked eye if we observe it from a dark location but most likely we would need binoculars or a small telescope.
On January 12, 2005, NASA launched "Deep Impact" solely for the purpose of crashing into comet Tempel 1. Scientists believe that the "innards" of a comet will reveal a lot about how the universe was formed and what it consists of.
The table-sized, 820-pound impactor is scheduled to smash into the comet's nucleus at 23,000 mph, creating a crater perhaps 670 feet wide and 50 meters deep.
For more information on "Deep Impact" click the links below.
Sky maps to locate Comet Tempel 1.
The link below will answer a lot of our laymen questions of "Deep Impact".
For "Deep Impact" videos and simulation (most require Quicktime).
NASA TV real-time coverage of "Deep Impact".
This should be a nice project to view. Some scientists say that the comet may brighten up to 40 times it's normal brightness and others say that if the comet "engulfs" the impactor, that there will be no change in luminosity. We'll see.
I hope you all have a great weekend and a safe and pleasant 4th of July.
Born on June 30th
Ralf Schumacher (1975)
Mike Tyson (1966)
Harry Blackstone, Jr. (1934)
Susan Hayward (1919)
Lena Horne (1917)
C. J. Aquino
New York Flight
On a flight to New York the flight attendant said to a lady sitting in first class, "Ma'am, I'm afraid you'll have to sit in the back since you have a coach ticket." The lady responded, "Listen, I'm a beautiful blonde, I'm going to NY, and I'm sitting in first class."
The two argued for a while but finally the flight attendant went and got the first officer - who came and said, "Ma'am, I'm afraid you'll have to move into the coach section since you have a coach ticket". To which she replied, "Listen, sir, I'm a beautiful blonde, I'm going to NY, and I'm sitting in first class."
After they argued for a while the first officer gave up and went to get the Captain who said, "I'll handle this. I'm married to a beautiful blonde." So - the Captain went right up to her, whispered in her ear, after which she got right up and moved into the coach section.
Both the flight attendant and first officer were shocked and asked the Captain - "I don't get it sir. What did you say to make her move back to coach." To which the Captain said, "Oh that was easy, I just told her first class wasn't going to NY!"
Today's useless fact - Does the digestive process work any differently if you are lying down, sitting up, or standing?
There may be some minor differences, but according to the links in the Digestive category, digestion is a remarkably autonomous process. This is due to peristalsis, which is the movement of the esophagus, stomach, and intestine that keeps food passing through your digestive system.
Peristalsis is the reason you can drink a glass of water while standing on your head. It's also the reason astronauts have no problem digesting food. However, the process is definitely helped by gravity.
If you tend to have digestive problems, HealthyLife.Com suggests that you not lie down at least two hours after you finish a meal, but doesn't offer any medical explanation. Several other sites warn against eating directly before going to bed.
In general, your best bet for maximum digestive efficiency seems to be sitting upright. The Mayo Clinic also suggests that you make sure you're relaxed while you're eating, so that your digestive muscles contract normally.
The Buzzword for June 30th
lucid \LOO-sid\ adjective
What does it mean?
1 a : bright with light : luminous b : translucent
2 : having full use of one's reasoning ability :
clear-minded
3 : clear to the understanding : plain
How do you use it?
With the help of Jenny's lucid and informative instructions,
we were able to make a delicious carrot cake for Stacey's
birthday.
Are you a word wiz?
"Lucid" traces to the Latin word "lucere." What do you
think "lucere" means?
A. to bake
B. to release
C. to think
D. to shine
Answer:
It's easy enough to shed some light on the origins of "lucid":
it derives from the Latin verb "lucere," meaning "to shine."
"Lucid" has been used by English speakers since at least the
late 16th century. Although it once meant merely "filled with
light" or "shining," it has developed extended senses describing
someone whose mind is clear or something with a clear meaning.
Other shining examples of the "lucere" family include
"translucent" and "lucent" ("glowing"). Even the word "light"
itself is akin to "lucere."
Today's Jigsaw Puzzle
CLICK HERE
Tropical Fish
That's all for this week. Have a safe and pleasant weekend.
The following is what appeared in Wednesday's edition.
In Today's Edition
I've never understood why women love cats. Cats are independent; they don't listen; they don't come in when you call; they like to stay out all night, they come home and expect to be fed and stroked. Then they want to be left alone and sleep. In other words, every quality that women hate in a man, they love in a cat.
Born on June 29th
Fred Grandy (1948)
Richard Lewis (1947)
Gary Busey (1944)
Robert Evans (1930)
Slim Pickens (1919)
Antoine de Saint-Exupery (1900)
The Pirate
One day a pirate walks into a bar with a steering wheel hanging out of his pants. He goes up to the bartender and says, "Yar, Give me something to drink."
While the bartender is pouring the drink, he looks at the pirate and notices the steering wheel.
"Hey buddy, do you know you have a steering wheel hanging out of your pants?"
The pirate looks at the bartender and says, "Yar, and it's driving me nuts!"
Today's useless fact - Since yogurt is milk spoiled by bacteria, does it ever really go bad?
We visited the links in the Dairy Product Facts category to answer your question. Yogurt does indeed go bad - witness the expiration dates on commercial yogurt containers. But when you're talking about spoiling, otherwise known as fermentation, the schedules are flexible. Most retailers suggest that refrigerated "live" yogurt is perfectly edible several days after the expiration date.
Yogurt is simply milk that has been supplemented with a couple of friendly bacteria (more specifically, actobacillus bulgaricus and Streptococcus thermophilus), then been left alone to ferment. The bacteria convert the milk's sugar, or lactose, into lactic acid. The lactic acid accounts for yogurt's tangy taste, as well as its texture.
So when you buy a container of yogurt, you are effectively purchasing an ongoing chemical process. Allowing this process to continue unchecked (i.e., leaving the yogurt alone for three weeks) will result in a lot of dead bacteria and lactic acid. The yogurt will taste sour. Feel free to try.
Some yogurts are pasteurized, meaning the bacteria have been killed through heat. Since this halts the fermentation process, the yogurt should last longer and may not have to be refrigerated. If your power goes out for a couple of hours, you probably don't have to throw out your yogurt. But check the expiration dates just to be safe.
The Buzzword for June 29th
capitulate \kuh-PITCH-uh-layt\ verb
What does it mean?
: to surrender usually on terms agreed upon in advance
How do you use it?
After being promised that they would not be prosecuted, the
protesters capitulated to the police.
Are you a word wiz?
Which one of these words do you think means something very
close to "capitulate"?
A. yield
B. avoid
C. defend
D. conceal
Answer:
Don't try to resist A. When you "yield," you are giving way or
giving in to physical force, argument, or persuasion. ("They
refused to yield to political pressure.") If you
"capitulate," you either come to terms with an opponent or
surrender due to overwhelming odds. ("The corporation
capitulated to the striking workers.") You can also "submit,"
which means you give in to the will of another and go against
your own wishes. ("They submitted to the plan under
protest.")
Today's Jigsaw Puzzle
CLICK HERE
That's all for today. Tune in tomorrow for more incredible stuff.
The following is what appeared in Tuesday's edition.
In Today's Edition
The big movie at the box office is Mr. & Mrs. Smith. In the movie, Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie play a married couple who are both professional assassins that try to kill each other. I understand that in the sequel, Jennifer Aniston will try to kill them both. ~ Jay Leno
Born on June 28th
Steve Burton (1970)
John Cusack (1966)
John Elway (1960)
Kathy Bates (1948)
Gilda Radner (1946)
Pat Morita (1933)
Mel Brooks (1926)
John Dillinger (1902)
Richard Rogers (1902)
Henry VIII, King of England (1491)
Strange Ambition
A father is asked by his friend, "Has your son decided what he wants to be when he grows up?"
"Yes, he wants to be a garbage collector," replied the boy's father.
His friend thought for a moment and responded, "That's a rather strange ambition to have for a career."
"Well," said the boy's father, "he thinks that garbage collectors only work on Thursdays!"
Today's useless fact - What is the deepest lake in the United States?
We went fishing for your answer and it lead us to the LUKOL Oregon Guide which asserted in indisputable manner that Crater Lake in Oregon is the deepest lake in the United States at 1,932 feet (589 meters). The United States Geological Survey (USGS) confirmed this fact and also told us that the lake is located in a caldera formed approximately 7,700 years ago by the eruption and subsequent collapse of Mount Mazama, a volcano in the Cascade Range.
Just for curiosity's sake we also searched on deepest lake world. The honor is held by Lake Baikal in Siberia. It measures 5,315 feet (1,620 meters) deep.
The Buzzword for June 28th
indubitable \in-DOO-buh-tuh-bul\ adjective
What does it mean?
: impossible to doubt : beyond question
How do you use it?
The incumbent was forced to acknowledge the heart-breaking but
indubitable result of the election: he had lost.
Are you a word wiz?
Which of the following sentences do you think uses the word
"indubitable" correctly?
A. I had an indubitable headache earlier, but I'm much better
now.
B. It's going to be an indubitable day, with temperatures over
100.
C. I felt indubitable about going to camp, but I ended up having
a great time.
D. It's an indubitable fact that ice cream is my favorite
dessert.
Answer:
This is indubitable: the correct answer to today's question is
D. An indubitable fact is a fact that is so obviously true
that it's impossible to doubt. "Indubitable" is an old word;
it's been part of the English language since the 15th
century. "Indubitable" comes from Latin, a combination of the
prefix "in-" and "dubitabilis," Latin for "dubitable."
"Dubitable" is a less common word than its longer
counterpart. As you probably guessed from the meaning of
"indubitable," "dubitable" means "open to doubt or question."
Today's Jigsaw Puzzle
CLICK HERE
That's all for today. Tune in tomorrow for more incredible stuff.
The following is what appeared in Monday's edition.
In Today's Edition
There was this guy at work named Tom. He was pretty quiet so I never ever really had a full blown conversation with him. I think in the five or so years that I actually knew who he was, I don’t think we exchanged more than two sentences between us at one time but he always smiled and said hello to me whenever our paths crossed.
This guy loved his motorcycle and was always taking trips on the weekends. He was laid back and a real happy-go-lucky guy.
He had gotten married a few years ago and not long into the marriage, his wife was diagnosed with cancer and she succumbed to the illness about a year later. You can imagine what a big blow that was to him.
I was at the time clock at work ready to punch out one Friday. I guess I was lost in my thoughts when out of the corner of my eye I saw him. He was shrugging his shoulders and giving me that look like "Hey, aren't you gonna say hi?” I told him hi and he gave me the ok sign and his patented smile and he was gone.
That's the last I ever saw of him.
He was going home one night in the carpool lane of the freeway and some imbecile decided to leave their stalled car there in the lane without any flares or hazard lights.
I think Tom was only 45 years old.
When I heard of Tom’s death it made me stop and realize how mortal and fragile we really are. No matter how careful or safe conscious we are, there are uncontrollable situations out there. A drive-by shooting, a drunk driver swerving into your lane, someone on their cell phone not paying attention to the road ahead or someone abandoning their car in the road are all instances where one minute you are a living human being and the next you are reduced to a statistic through no fault of your own. It doesn’t matter how careful or alert you are when you’re out on the road. You have to watch out for the other guy but sometimes even that won’t help you.
Don Henley has some very fine lyrics in his song New York Minute.
This verse from that song is especially thought provoking:
“And in these days
When darkness falls early
And people rush home
To the ones they love
You better take a fool’s advice
And take care of your own
Cause one day they’re here;
Next day they’re gone”This song has reinforced a lot of my sentiments and also created some new ones. We are not immortal and in one moment one’s life may be taken away without a warning.
I now cherish every minute that I am alive. I may not be in the best of health but I thank God for the things I am able to do now. I used to be angry to be cursed with this affliction that I have but I know that there are others who are worse off and I feel for them and their suffering.
Life is too short to harbor ill feelings toward anything or anyone. Where does it get you?
Live life to its fullest and tell those who you care for that you love them. This may be the last opportunity for you to do so.
“In a New York Minute, everything can change”.
Born on June 27th
Madylin Sweeten (1991)
Julia Duffy (1951)
H. Ross Perot (1930)
Bob "Captain Kangaroo" Keeshan (1927)
Helen Keller (1880)
Juan Gonzales
Police are investigating the murder of Juan Gonzales.
"It looks as if he was killed with a golf gun," one detective observes.
"A golf gun?" asks his partner. "What in the world is a golf gun?"
"I don't know," the detective answers, "but it surely made a hole in Juan."
Today's useless fact - Does talking to your plants actually help them grow?
We visited the links in the Lukol Gardening category and here's what we learned:
It turns out that there may be some truth to the belief that talking to plants helps them grow, but not for the reasons you may think. According to ScienceNet, plants need carbon dioxide to grow, and when you talk to a plant, you breath on it, giving it an extra infusion of CO2. However, for this to have any real effect on your favorite fern, you would have to spend several hours a day conversing with it in close quarters.
The idea of talking to plants was introduced in 1848, when Dr. Gustav Theodor Fechner, a German professor, suggested the idea in his book Nanna (Soul-life of Plants). He believed that plants were capable of emotions, just like humans, and you could promote healthy growth by showering your plants with attention and talk.
In his book Training of the Human Plant, Luther Burbank, a renowned botanist and inventor of the Burbank potato (better known as the Idaho potato), wrote that plants may not understand the spoken word, but they were capable of telepathically understanding the meaning of speech.
And in 1970, New York dentist George Milstein released Music to Grow Plants By, a record of songs to play for your plants. In fact, a few studies seemed to confirm that classical or soothing music would benefit plants, while loud aggressive music, like rock music, could cause them to wither and die.
Ultimately, there is little concrete evidence that talking to your plants or playing music for them will help them grow, but we say if you enjoy it, by all means, do it. Just don't let the neighbors catch you!
The Buzzword for June 27th
splice \SPLYCE\ verb
What does it mean?
1 : to unite (as two ropes) by weaving the strands together
2 : to unite (as rails or pieces of film) by connecting the
ends together
How do you use it?
We had to splice another length of rope to this one so it
would be long enough to wrap all the way around the cargo.
Are you a word wiz?
From the language of which sea-going people do you think
English acquired "splice"?
A. the Greek
B. the Dutch
C. the Phoenicians
D. the Portuguese
Answer:
Aye, aye, you're on the right course if you chose answer B.
"Splice" was first used by sailors, so it's no surprise that
it was adopted from the language of the Dutch, who were
notable sea-farers. "Splice" comes to English from an
obsolete Dutch word, "splissen," which meant the same thing
as "splice." The origin of "splissen" is not known for sure,
but it is a linguistic cousin of another medieval Dutch word,
"splitten," meaning "to split." English sailors first started
using "splice" sometime around 1500.
Today's Jigsaw Puzzle
CLICK HERE
That's all for today. Tune in tomorrow for more incredible stuff.
