Novermber 2003

Country Music

The music section of BBC has a quick guide to country music and also one to folk (covers European and US). They have an index page of music artist profiles (all areas of music). Here is the link to the music webguide. The website is very complex, a page that breaks it down to categories (1000 pages to explore).

Cowboy Music
Yup, pardners. This is where the Western in Country and Western music comes from. Popular in the 30s and 40s as a direct result of the boom in cowboy films it was mainly the domain of a man, with a big hat, an acoustic guitar and, most importantly, a horse on which to sing/yodel. Top cats in hats were; Roy Rogers (not forgetting Trigger) who actually started his career with his band the International Cowboys long before appearing in films, and Gene Autry, who was undoubtedly the most successful of all singing cowboys with hundreds of hits including "Yellow Rose Of Texas", "Tumbling Tumbleweeds", and "South Of The Border". Other main exponents of this rather quaint genre were The Sons Of The Pioneers, Spade Cooley and later derivatives such as yodelling Slim Whitman.

Metaphysical

Don't be turned off by the heading. Crystalinks.com is a very interesting website, over 3,000 pages on various topics and subtopics. Startoff at the main page and scroll to middle. There you will find topic links. One topic is Ancient and Lost Civilizations, another is Prophets and Prophecies. Below is a snip (I find that hard to believe) on telekinesis. Here is the page on astral projection, just in case anyone wanted to experiment. I have never been able to do it. Exposed to this activity in my early 20's, thru a Rosicrucian (I am not crazy).

The brain is the hardware that is utilized by the Mind. Our brain is capable of generating a neural network that when "pushed" can actual step up an energy ready to be utilized beyond our 5 senses. Neurons do communicate with each other. There is all sorts of low level subatomic and atomic dialogue going on all the time. Even at a cellular level there is communication going on. I remember years ago, I saw a documentary on, Cellular Communication. In essence, what was done is a the scientist scraped some cells from the inside of several participants mouths and placed them in a petre dish. They connected those cells to a lie-detector type looking device. They took the subjects into another room several feet away from "their" cells.....

As the participants were introduced to different stimuli, naturally their bodies would react. What was amazing - so did their cells in the other room!! To further their experiment, they had the participants walk further and further from their cells in the lab - still when stimuli was introduced, those cells in the other room would respond. Next, they detached the electronic equipment to their amazement the cells in the other room still responded!! Finally, they let the subjects walk out of the building on to the street, as the they came in contact with other people or other stimulus, those cells continued to respond.

Golden Hamster

A while back I read something to the effect that all Golden hamsters are believed to be descended from a single litter captured in Syria in 1930. Escaped Golden hamsters have created a large wild population in the British Isles. Here is an interesting page on the topic.

Again no information, and, more to the point, no interest, until the late 1920s. At this time Saul Alder a parasitologist at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem was conducting research on the prevalent disease, Leishmaniasis, for which the "Chinese" Hamster had been shown to be an excellent animal model. However, Alder had been unable to breed Chinese Hamsters successfully and found it totally unacceptable to keep relying on shipments from China. He therefore wanted to obtain a species of hamster that was endemic to the Middle East. It appears that he knew of the Syrian Hamster from reading the description by Waterhouse, but some authorities propose (and I think I would go along with this) that he was actually more interested in the Grey or Migratory Hamster (Cricetulus Migratorius) which was and still is quite widespread in Asia Minor. Whichever he was looking for, he asked a colleague from the Zoology Department to help him obtain some endemic hamsters. Thus it appears that the real reason we have the Syrian today is due to the fact that the Chinese Hamsters were unwilling to have anything to do with sex.

Sherwood Elementary School

This is a great learning site for kids. I would suggest starting on this page. I clicked on the Pioneer link, which took me to the Pioneer Life Topics for third graders to explore. Third graders at the school composed the page! Here is the Explorers page, from students in Room 30 at Tom Matsumoto School in San Jose, California.

Physics - How it Works

This is interesting, a professor at University of Viginia, answering questions dealing with physics in everyday life. A few to spark your interest.

Can infrared lasers, thermal cameras, digital cameras, or optical fiber cameras be used to see through walls of homes or to monitor people¹s conversations? ­ CB, Connecticut

Ever since someone struck and damaged the rear bumper of my SAAB 9-3, the air pressure inside the car has been unbearable to myself and passengers. It causes ear pain and nausea after around 15 minutes of driving. The only solution is to open the windows. Can you think of any structural aspect that may cause a problem like this? - TA

Life Magazine Cover

Ever wonder what the Life Magazine coverpage was for the week you were born. Here is mine - that has to be Grace Kelly. At first I thought it was Marilyn Monroe, but her legacy began in the late '50s. You have to be born between '36 and '72.

Herbs

This is a good site to find information on herbs. It lists about 500 plants, with their corresponding therapeutic properties.

HOLLY   ILEX AQUIFOLIUMThe bark and leaves are excellent, being used in fomentations for broken bones and such members as are out of joint.
The well-known evergreen bush or tree with glossy green, prickly leaves and red or yellow berries. Also called Holm or Huiver-bush.
Where to find it: Often planted as a hedge, but grows in woodland.
Flowering time: Late spring, early summer. The berries ripen in autumn and stay on the tree through the winter.
Astrology: The tree is saturnine.
Medicinal virtues. The berries are profitable in the colic. If a dozen of them are eaten in the morning when they are ripe and not dried, they purge the body of gross and clammy phlegm; but if the berries are dried and beaten into a powder, they bind the body and stop fluxes and the terms in women.
Modern uses: The leaves contain theobromine which has a weak diuretic effect on the kidneys, dilates coronary and other arteries. An infusion of the leaves produces sweating and is used in fevers and rheumatism. The berries are poisonous, being violently emetic and purgative, but have been used to treat dropsy. The powdered berries are anti-haemorrhagic. For catarrhal complaints, coughs, colds and  flu an infusion has been used. It is not a popular medicine with herbalists at the present time.

SPAM - Hormel Foods

Hormel Foods position on the word Spam and the Internet. In all fairness to Hormel; a short page on the history of Spam and another showing the Monty Python Spam Skit. Did you know that Hormel opened a Spam Museum a few years back.

You've probably seen, heard or even used the term "spamming" to refer to the act of sending unsolicited commercial email (UCE), or "spam" to refer to the UCE itself. Following is our position on the relationship between UCE and our trademark SPAM.

Herblock

Herbert Block, renowned political cartoonist; from the Library of Congress. Another site, Comiclopedia is an index of comic artists, with biographies and artwork examples. Below is from LoC:

The Depression politicized Herb Block. Sheltered from economic hardships by his steady income, he observed the suffering around him and used his editorial panel as a vehicle for progressive reform. He admired Franklin Delano Roosevelt's New Deal policies and recalls that "during the early days of the New Deal I did get to see what government could do." Herb Block came into his own during then, stirring domestic controversy with powerful images attacking the volatile oratory of such American demagogues as Father Coughlin and Huey Long. Largely supportive of New Deal policies, he nonetheless questioned President Roosevelt's efforts in some areas, notably an unsuccessful attempt in 1937 to increase the number of Supreme Court justices.

It is hard to say just when a thought turns into a cartoon. In writing or speaking, we all use phrases that lend themselves to visual images. Where you might say that a politician is in trouble up to his neck, a drawing might show him as a plumber in a flooded basement or a boy at the dike with his chin just above the water line. On one occasion when a public figure obviously was not telling the truth, I did a sketch of him speaking, with a tongue that was shaped exactly like a table fork. These are pretty simple examples, but they may provide some clue to how concepts develop into drawings.

From time to time the question of cartoon fairness comes up -- with some practitioners asserting that they are not supposed to be fair. This is a view I don't share. Caricature itself is sometimes cited as being unfair because it plays on physical characteristics. But like any form of satire, caricature employs exaggeration -- clearly recognized as such. Also the portrayal of a person is often part of the opinion. For example, President George Bush was associated with words like "Read my lips" and "The vision thing." Emphasizing his overhanging upper lip and squinty eyes expressed a view identifying him with his words. I think fairness depends on the cartoon -- on whether the view is based on actual statements, actions or inactions.

Technology in Nature

Something I never really thought about, but this page lists mans technology or inventions with that of what is found in nature. Camera vs human eye, fishing net vs spider web, snow shoes vs penguin feet, etc. Can you think of more parallels?

Soup of the Day

Really cool - blog style site format with a worldwide recipe for soup each day. Well worth a visit to joyofsoup.com.

Alcoholism

An article on the effects of alcohol.

High-Dose Use:
Hangover
Hangover, a withdrawal syndrome, is the body's response to excessive amounts of alcohol. The effects of a hangover can be most severe many hours after alcohol has been completely eliminated from the system. Typical effects include nausea, vomiting, headache, thirst, dizziness, mood disturbances, abbreviated sleep, sensitivity to light and noise, dry cottony mouth, inability to concentrate, and a general depressed feeling. Some research shows that those with a high susceptibility to alcoholism suffer more severe hangovers and often continue drinking to find relief. Those with a genetic risk for alcoholism experience more acute withdrawal symptoms and more severe hangovers.

The causes of hangover are not clearly understood. Additives (congeners) in alcoholic beverages are thought to be partly responsible although even pure alcohol can cause hangovers. Irritation of the stomach lining by alcohol may contribute to intestinal disorders. Low blood sugar, dehydration, and tissue degradation may also play their parts. Symptoms vary according to individuals but it is evident that the greater the quantity of alcohol consumed, the more severe the aftereffects.

Brain Control Interface

Here is an article from 3 years ago on BCI technology. I searched further and this is the latest on the subject.

For the past 15 years, researchers have been trying to develop BCIs to tap into the brain waves of individuals who are unable to communicate with the outside world. The goal of all BCI research is to create a direct link between computers and the electrical signals in the brain of these so-called "locked in" individuals so they can operate devices like wheelchairs or use simple word processing programs to express their wishes. While no actual BCI products are currently on the market, researchers are making progress. Interfaces are being developed that can control basic environmental factors (such as the temperature of a house or a light switch), answer yes-or-no questions, and operate a word processor at slow rates (about one to two words a minute).

It could allow disabled people to control prosthetic devices. BCIs also could lead to the development of an entirely new class of video games, or "mental typewriters" which translate thoughts into cursor movements. The military is interested in using BCIs to make faster responses possible for fighter pilots.

Ask a Linguist

Ask-A-Linguist is designed to be a place where anyone interested in language or linguistics can ask a question and get the response of a panel of professional linguists.Ask-A-Linguist is a service provided by The LINGUIST List, an Internet network for professional linguists, a number of these have volunteered to staff the Ask a Linguist page. Here is the most recently asked questions.

I find the etymology of words fascinating. Below is a snip from a page on how words are formed. Rungate eymology is from yourdictionary.com.

Folk Etymology
Some people use the term folk etymology to describe a fanciful story behind a word's origin. But etymologists use this term in a very specific, and different, way. Folk etymology is when an unfamiliar word is altered through common use to resemble a more familiar word. Hence, through the process of folk etymology cater corner becomes kitty corner.

Runagate:   The same as that of "renegade:" (1) an apostate, someone who deserts a religion, cause or obligation; (2) an outlaw, especially one who runs rampant over a territory.
Etymology:    Today's word probably originated as a variant of "renegade," "renegate" (from Latin renegatus "denied, rejected," akin to "renege"). Then, perhaps under the influence of run-about "a vagabond, wanderer," it fell victim to folk etymology. Folk etymology occurs when a rather long word of foreign origin is poorly understood, so speakers convert it into a word based on familiar parts. For example, shamefast "bound by shame" became "shamefaced" when the meaning of "fast" changed, while French cÙtelette "little rib" became "cutlet." Though "gate" was familiar, the "rene" was not, so it was converted to "run," resulting in a new word that almost makes sense.

Grass

I never realized this, but grass covers one quarter of the earths vegetation. Probably due to the fact that I never thought of bamboo, rice, sugarcane, corn, rye, wheat, barley, and oats as belonging to the grass family (Gramineae). A neatly trimmed lawn is pretty much a modern invention and one that early Americans considered pretentious. Early American front lawns were full of tall grass, clover, dandelions, weeds, and nettles. From the classical Greeks on up to the Middle Ages, grass was only a minor part of the landscape and the focus was on flowers, especially wildflowers. The goal then was to create a natural, easily managed, "meadow" look. Guess that didn't include bermuda grass. Below is an introduction to the grass family.

Nearly a quarter of the earth's land surface is covered with grasses, either in the form of crops or of grasslands. The Great Plains of North America, and the savannas of South America and Africa were or are covered with vast stands of native grasses. The lawns in cities and suburbs are an important part of the urban landscape, and no one could miss the recent popularity of ornamental grasses. Grasses, in other words, are central to human civilization, whether one is considering nutrition, ecology, aesthetics, or simply dollars and cents.

Sports Agent

I had a laugh when I read the first paragraph. The last half of FAQ is interesting.

In the spring of 1964, Earl Wilson, a hard throwing right handed pitcher with the Boston Red Sox, asked then personnel injury attorney, Bob Woolfe to represent him in stalled contract negotiations with the club. Although not actually present during the negotiation, Wilson was able to confer with Woofe via the telephone until the deal was finalized. This seemingly insignificant act was the birth of the sports agent in professional athletics.
A few months later, all-pro Packers center Jim Ringo, informed legendary Coach and GM Vince Lombardi, upon arriving at training camp, that he had hired an agent to represent him in contract talks with the Packers. Lombardi excused himself briefly from the room and when he returned, informed both Ringo and his agent, that they should contact Herman Ball of the Philadelphia Eagles, because you've just been traded!

Who was the first practicing sports agent?
The late Bob Woofe, famed Boston attorney is believed to be the first fulltime sports agent in the United States. Nearly thirty-five years earlier in 1925, theatrical agent C C Pyle, actually represented University of Illinois All American, Harold "Red" Grange in contract talks with the Chicago Bears. Pyle proved to be somewhat of a visionary, he arranged for the Bears to go on a barn storming tour in 1925, but a year later, had a major dispute with Bears head coach, player, and owner George Halas, after insisting on a 1/3 ownership of the Bears, and a then unheard of 5 figure playing salary for Grange! "Cash and Carry" as he was called, wasn't through yet; in 1926 he formed the 9 team AFL awarding the New York franchise to his one and only sports client, Red Grange!

Wonder Woman

Polygraph inventor William Marston also created cartoon character Wonder Woman.

Moulton Marston was an educational consultant in 1940 for Detective Comics, Inc.(now better known as DC Comics). Marston saw that the DC line, seeing it filled with images of super men such as Green Lantern, Batman, and their flagship character, Superman. Seeing all these male heroes, Marston was left wondering why there was not a female hero.

Max Gaines, then head of DC Comics, was intrigued by the concept and told Marston that he could create a female comic book hero - a "Wonder Woman." Marston did that, using a pen name that combined his own middle name with the middle name of Gaines: Charles Moulton

Print Dusting

A little information on the fundamentals of fingerprint dusting found in a forum. Another thread that answers this question: "Would a clone of another human being have the same fingerprints?" Somewhat off topic, but Battlefield Detectives is a great show!

Powders work by adhering to moisture present in latent print residue. When you touch something, you leave sweat on that surface which usually conforms to the ridged area of the skin that touched the item. By brushing powder over the surface, it usually sticks to the moisture in the print and not to the background (unless the background is also sticky).

Powder processing for latent prints is the oldest form of latent development. Basically, a powder substance is applied to a surface with a soft brush (commonly called a Camel hair brush, but it is not really made with 'Camel' hair). Latent print residue, which may be primarily natural body fats and oils, attract the powder and make the ridges visible. The preferred powder color is one with contrasts with the background, black for light surfaces and white for dark surfaces. There is also a Bi-Chromatic powder that has properties of both black and gray powders and which appears black on light surfaces and light on black surfaces.

Magnetic powders are powders that have been mixed with a ferrous product as a ëcarrierí and the mixture is then attracted to a magnetic wand. The resulting collection of powder at the end of the specially designed wand forms the ìbrushî. The magnetic wand method can be less destructive than the Camel hair brush method, which may be more abrasive when passed over a hard surface.