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SHOOT THE BREEZE
Fairest of Them All: “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs” holds a special place in cinematic history, not just as Disney’s first full-length animated feature but also as the first movie to release a motion-picture soundtrack. This 1937 classic set the stage for the importance of music in film, enchanting audiences with its memorable songs. The soundtrack’s success paved the way for countless others, establishing a norm in the film industry where music plays a pivotal role in storytelling.
No Assembly Required: Believe it or not, here’s a quirky trick when you’re lost in the parking lot! If you’re struggling to locate your car, try pointing your car keys at your head. It sounds bizarre, but it works! The fluids in your head act as a conductor, amplifying the key remote’s signal range. This little hack can extend the remote’s range by a few car lengths, making it easier to find your vehicle in a crowded lot.
Edible Adhesive Art: Those little stickers on fruits aren’t just for show; they’re actually edible! While they’re not exactly a culinary delight, these stickers, along with the glue that holds them, are made to be ingestible. This is because they’re often consumed accidentally and, thus, are regulated by the FDA for safety. However, it’s always a good idea to wash your fruits thoroughly before eating them, sticker or no sticker. So, while you probably won’t start snacking on fruit stickers anytime soon, it’s comforting to know that if you accidentally eat one, it’s perfectly safe.
Ahoy Matey!: The term “astronaut” conjures images of space exploration and adventure. But did you know the word itself is a journey through language? Derived from Ancient Greek, “astronaut” combines “Astro” (star) and “naut” (sailor), literally translating to “star sailor.” This poetic etymology perfectly captures the essence of what astronauts do – they navigate the vast ocean of space, exploring the unknown realms beyond our planet.
Eye Rainbows: Ever wondered about those colorful lights you see when you rub your eyes? They’re called “phosphenes,” a visual phenomenon caused by mechanical stimulation of the retina. When you press on your closed eyes, you’re essentially stimulating the cells in your retina, which the brain interprets as light. This can create the illusion of stars or patterns, a kind of private light show behind your eyelids. Phosphenes can also occur spontaneously, especially when you’re in a dark environment.
TRIVIA
- What is the closest planet to the Sun in our solar system?
- Which country is known as the Land of the Rising Sun?
- Who wrote the famous fairy tale “Cinderella”?
- In which year did Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin land on the moon?
- What type of animal is the largest mammal in the world?
(See below for answers)
CELESTIAL WATCH
January 3, 4 – Quadrantids Meteor Shower – The Quadrantids is an above-average shower, with up to 40 meteors per hour at its peak. It is thought to be produced by dust grains left behind by an extinct comet known as 2003 EH1, which was discovered in 2003. The shower runs annually from January 1-5. It peaks this year on the night of the 3rd and the morning of the 4th. The waning gibbous moon will block out some of the fainter meteors, but if you are patient, this could still be a good show. The best viewing will be from a dark location after midnight. Meteors will radiate from the constellation Bootes but can appear anywhere in the sky.
January 11 – New Moon – The Moon will be located on the same side of the Earth as the Sun and will not be visible in the night sky. This phase occurs at 11:59 UTC. This is the best time of the month to observe faint objects such as galaxies and star clusters because there is no moonlight to interfere.
January 12 – Mercury at Greatest Western Elongation – The planet Mercury reaches the greatest western elongation of 23.5 degrees from the Sun. This is the best time to view Mercury since it will be at its highest point above the horizon in the morning sky. Look for the planet low in the eastern sky just before sunrise.
January 25 – Full Moon – The Moon will be located on the opposite side of the Earth as the Sun and its face will be will be fully illuminated. This phase occurs at 17:55 UTC. This full moon was known by early Native American tribes as the Wolf Moon because this was the time of year when hungry wolf packs howled outside their camps. This moon has also been know as the Old Moon and the Moon After Yule.
KICKS & GIGGLES
- “Not my circus, not my monkeys” – A humorous way to say that it’s not your problem or responsibility.
- Did you hear about the mathematician who’s afraid of negative numbers? He’ll stop at nothing to avoid them.
- “To buy a lemon” – This means to purchase a vehicle that constantly gives problems or stops running after you drive it away.
- What has keys but can’t open locks? (Answer: A piano)
- “As useful as a chocolate teapot” – Describing something that is of no practical use.
BACK IN TIME
New Year’s Day – The most celebrated holiday around the world.
January 1, 1776 – During the American Revolution, George Washington unveiled the Grand Union Flag, the first national flag in America.
January 7, 1782 – The first U.S. commercial bank opened as the Bank of North America in Philadelphia.
January 14-23, 1943 – President Franklin Roosevelt and British Prime Minister Winston Churchill met at Casablanca in Morocco to work on strategy during World War II. At the conclusion of the conference, Roosevelt and Churchill held a joint news conference at which Roosevelt surprisingly announced that peace would come “by the total elimination of German and Japanese war power. That means the unconditional surrender of Germany, Italy, and Japan.”
January 17, 1773 – The ship Resolution, sailing under Captain James Cook, became the first vessel to cross the Antarctic Circle.
January 21, 1954 – The USS Nautilus, the world’s first nuclear-powered submarine, was launched at Groton, Connecticut.
MEMORABLE QUOTES
- “Many of life’s failures are people who did not realize how close they were to success when they gave up.” – Thomas A. Edison
- “Success is not final, failure is not fatal: It is the courage to continue that counts.” – Winston Churchill
- “The secret of getting ahead is getting started.” – Mark Twain
- “I can’t change the direction of the wind, but I can adjust my sails to always reach my destination.” – Jimmy Dean
ANSWERS TO TRIVIA
- Mercury
- Japan
- Charles Perrault
- 1969
- Blue Whale
Read last month’s edition, here [December 2023 Edition]