Today's Fun Fact:
Every human spent about half an hour as a single cell.
Tuesday, November 30, 2004
Monday, November 29, 2004
Common Elements
Today's Fun Fact:
The three most common elements in the universe are 1) hydrogen; 2) helium; 3) oxygen.
The three most common elements in the universe are 1) hydrogen; 2) helium; 3) oxygen.
Wednesday, November 24, 2004
Shiver Me Timbers!
Today's Fun Fact:
The right side of a boat was called the starboard side due to the fact that the astronavigators used to stand out on the plank (which was on the right side) to get an unobstructed view of the stars. The left side was called the port side because that was the side that you put in on at the port.
The right side of a boat was called the starboard side due to the fact that the astronavigators used to stand out on the plank (which was on the right side) to get an unobstructed view of the stars. The left side was called the port side because that was the side that you put in on at the port.
Tuesday, November 23, 2004
Computer Bug
Today's Fun Fact:
In 1945 a computer at Harvard malfunctioned and Grace Hopper, who was working on the computer, investigated, found a moth in one of the circuits and removed it. Ever since, when something goes wrong with a computer, it is said to have a bug in it.
In 1945 a computer at Harvard malfunctioned and Grace Hopper, who was working on the computer, investigated, found a moth in one of the circuits and removed it. Ever since, when something goes wrong with a computer, it is said to have a bug in it.
Monday, November 22, 2004
Deadly Donkeys
Today's Fun Fact:
More people are killed annually by donkeys than die in air crashes.
More people are killed annually by donkeys than die in air crashes.
Sunday, November 21, 2004
Progress at Work
Well, it's Sunday afternoon and I'm at work trying to complete a chapter on Splenic Abscesses. I just finished my first draft and e-mailed it for review.
When thinking about how much progress I made on it in the last hour I could refer to it as a "Quantum Leap." Most people would interpret that as being a large amount of progress. However, being that a quatum (or quanta) is defined as the smallest unit, my last hours work would in reality be very little. So I would not be fibbing... Fibbing is bad!
When thinking about how much progress I made on it in the last hour I could refer to it as a "Quantum Leap." Most people would interpret that as being a large amount of progress. However, being that a quatum (or quanta) is defined as the smallest unit, my last hours work would in reality be very little. So I would not be fibbing... Fibbing is bad!
Can I have that back please?
Today's Fun Fact:
Every year, surgical tools are left in approximately 1,500 patients in the USA. Fatter patients are more prone to having a surgical tool left inside of them due to the additional amount of space in their bodies.
Every year, surgical tools are left in approximately 1,500 patients in the USA. Fatter patients are more prone to having a surgical tool left inside of them due to the additional amount of space in their bodies.
Friday, November 19, 2004
Cards with Facial Hair
Today's Fun Fact:
The king of hearts is the only king without a moustache on a standard playing card.
The king of hearts is the only king without a moustache on a standard playing card.
Thursday, November 18, 2004
10 Trees
PUZZLE
Plant 10 trees in 5 rows such that there are only 4 trees in each row. There are at least 2 solutions.
(source: Dr. Paul P. Lin)
Click on comments below for answer.
Plant 10 trees in 5 rows such that there are only 4 trees in each row. There are at least 2 solutions.
(source: Dr. Paul P. Lin)
Click on comments below for answer.
Blood Supply
Today's Fun Fact:
The only part of the human body that has no blood supply is the cornea in the eye. It takes in oxygen directly from the air.
*Public Service Announcement:
The only part of the human body that has no blood supply is the cornea in the eye. It takes in oxygen directly from the air.
*Public Service Announcement:
Odd Thoughts
- When sign makers go on strike, is anything written on their signs?
- Why do they report power outages on TV?
- Would a fly that loses it wings be called a walk?
- If vegetarians eat vegetables, what do humanitarians eat?
Wednesday, November 17, 2004
Tuesday, November 16, 2004
A Wife's 3 Wishes
Brian Mirza, one of the surgery fellows just told me this one...
A lady was walking on the beach when she came upon a magical lamp. She rubbed the lamp and out puffed a genie.
The genie said, "I will grant you three wishes but know this, I am no ordinary genie. For every wish you make, your husband will get ten times whatever you wish for."
The lady agreed. She said, "I wish to be pretty."
The genie reminded her, "Then your husband will be ten times more handsome."
She agreed and continued her wishing. "Next, I would like one billion dollars," she said.
The genie again reminder her, "That means your husband will get ten billion dollars."
She said, "Fine, that's okay with me... " Then she continued, "For my last wish... I want a mild heart attack."
A lady was walking on the beach when she came upon a magical lamp. She rubbed the lamp and out puffed a genie.
The genie said, "I will grant you three wishes but know this, I am no ordinary genie. For every wish you make, your husband will get ten times whatever you wish for."
The lady agreed. She said, "I wish to be pretty."
The genie reminded her, "Then your husband will be ten times more handsome."
She agreed and continued her wishing. "Next, I would like one billion dollars," she said.
The genie again reminder her, "That means your husband will get ten billion dollars."
She said, "Fine, that's okay with me... " Then she continued, "For my last wish... I want a mild heart attack."
Guillotine
Today's (Not-So) Fun Fact:
A human head remains conscious for about 15 to 20 seconds after it is been decapitated.
Here's a thought... One of the symbols of the Christian religion is the cross... When you think about it, the cross is a device used for capital punishment by crucifixion... Likewise a guillotine is used for decapitation...
Now here's the what if...
What if Christ had been decapitated by a guillotine? Would Christians wear little guillotines around their necks, have guillotine icons around their houses or in their churches?
Things to ponder...
A human head remains conscious for about 15 to 20 seconds after it is been decapitated.
Here's a thought... One of the symbols of the Christian religion is the cross... When you think about it, the cross is a device used for capital punishment by crucifixion... Likewise a guillotine is used for decapitation...
Now here's the what if...
What if Christ had been decapitated by a guillotine? Would Christians wear little guillotines around their necks, have guillotine icons around their houses or in their churches?
Things to ponder...
Monday, November 15, 2004
Baker's Dozen
Babak Sarani posed this question:
Why is a baker's dozen 13? Anyone?
Well, Babak... This is what I've found:
The first theory goes back to ancient times. Bakers were widely viewed with suspicion, since it was common (and easy) for them to short-weight customers. Many societies had severe penalties for bakers who engaged in such underhanded practices. For instance, one source says that in ancient Egypt, the baker's ear was nailed to the doorpost of his bakery if he were found selling light loaves. (I'm not sure whether the ear was still attached to the baker. Either way it was a pretty stiff punishment.)
Under the code of Hammurabi, a loaf of bread and a man's hand were interchangeable. They took their bread seriously back then.
In the mid-13th century, British law imposed strict regulations on bakers regarding the weight of bread. Bakers wanted to make sure they complied, since the penalties were severe (a fine or the pillory, although nothing involving ears, so far as I know). It was difficult to make loaves of uniform weight in those days before automation, so bakers added a 13th loaf to every shipment of 12--better to be overweight than under. Thus "a baker's dozen" meant 13.
The second theory is more complicated. A baker selling to a third party (a street vendor, say) would add a 13th loaf as the profit for the middleman. That is, the baker sells the middleman 13 loaves for the price of 12, and the middle man sells the 13 individual loaves for a 7.7% profit.
Whichever theory you accept, the evolution of the expression today has come to mean that the baker adds an extra cookie, bun, pastry or whatever to the order of 12 as a bonus.
Hope that helps...
Why is a baker's dozen 13? Anyone?
Well, Babak... This is what I've found:
The first theory goes back to ancient times. Bakers were widely viewed with suspicion, since it was common (and easy) for them to short-weight customers. Many societies had severe penalties for bakers who engaged in such underhanded practices. For instance, one source says that in ancient Egypt, the baker's ear was nailed to the doorpost of his bakery if he were found selling light loaves. (I'm not sure whether the ear was still attached to the baker. Either way it was a pretty stiff punishment.)
Under the code of Hammurabi, a loaf of bread and a man's hand were interchangeable. They took their bread seriously back then.
In the mid-13th century, British law imposed strict regulations on bakers regarding the weight of bread. Bakers wanted to make sure they complied, since the penalties were severe (a fine or the pillory, although nothing involving ears, so far as I know). It was difficult to make loaves of uniform weight in those days before automation, so bakers added a 13th loaf to every shipment of 12--better to be overweight than under. Thus "a baker's dozen" meant 13.
The second theory is more complicated. A baker selling to a third party (a street vendor, say) would add a 13th loaf as the profit for the middleman. That is, the baker sells the middleman 13 loaves for the price of 12, and the middle man sells the 13 individual loaves for a 7.7% profit.
Whichever theory you accept, the evolution of the expression today has come to mean that the baker adds an extra cookie, bun, pastry or whatever to the order of 12 as a bonus.
Hope that helps...
Words Per Day
Today's Fun Fact:
On average women say 7,000 words per day. Men manage just over 2,000.
On average women say 7,000 words per day. Men manage just over 2,000.
Music from the Sky
So I made it back to Cleveland. The drive wasn't bad but I sure missed my satellite radio. I HAD to listen to FM with its lousy reception on I-80 through Northern, PA. Drove my parents 1992 Toyota Previa back to Cleveland to sell it to a friend at work. Anyways, I realized how much I took the car audio for granted on these long trips.
I had heard of satellite radio many years ago but never knew anyone who had it until last year. One of the chief residents last year at GWU was Babak Sarani, he got XM radio for his BMW and has sung its praises ever since. I looked into it and 'cause I had a Kendwoood receiver which was SIRIUS compatible, I went that route instead. Now I am addicted to it. So much so that when I got my new car which had XM optional, I opted against it and went ahead and did my own custom Sirius install.
To anyone who doesn't have satellite radio, you don't know what you're missing... until like me, you end up travelling through Pennsyltuckey (yeah, I said it again!) and have to endure poor reception and commercials on FM radio.
I had heard of satellite radio many years ago but never knew anyone who had it until last year. One of the chief residents last year at GWU was Babak Sarani, he got XM radio for his BMW and has sung its praises ever since. I looked into it and 'cause I had a Kendwoood receiver which was SIRIUS compatible, I went that route instead. Now I am addicted to it. So much so that when I got my new car which had XM optional, I opted against it and went ahead and did my own custom Sirius install.
To anyone who doesn't have satellite radio, you don't know what you're missing... until like me, you end up travelling through Pennsyltuckey (yeah, I said it again!) and have to endure poor reception and commercials on FM radio.
Saturday, November 13, 2004
Interstate Highways
Not looking forward to tomorrow's eight hour drive from my parents house to Cleveland. Most of the drive is through what I call Pennsyltuckey... What a useless state, Pennsylvania!
Friday, November 12, 2004
M&M and 3M
Today's Fun Fact:
The M's in M&M's stand for Mars and Murrie.
(Jason Roland came up with this one about two weeks ago)
I added another fact to his...
3M stands for Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing
This one's a double since I'm gone for the weekend...
The M's in M&M's stand for Mars and Murrie.
(Jason Roland came up with this one about two weeks ago)
I added another fact to his...
3M stands for Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing
This one's a double since I'm gone for the weekend...
Stationary Traveler
PUZZLE
What stays in corner but travels around the world?
(source: Dr. Paul P. Lin in cafeteria of GWU Hospital, 2001-2002)
Click on comments below for answer.
What stays in corner but travels around the world?
(source: Dr. Paul P. Lin in cafeteria of GWU Hospital, 2001-2002)
Click on comments below for answer.
Pyrotimer
PUZZLE
You have two fuses of a heterogenous burn rate. Each fuse will take 60 minutes to burn. Light the fuses in such a way to measure 45 minutes.
(source: unknown)
Click on comments below for answer.
You have two fuses of a heterogenous burn rate. Each fuse will take 60 minutes to burn. Light the fuses in such a way to measure 45 minutes.
(source: unknown)
Click on comments below for answer.
Carry-On
It's past midnight and I just finished packing for my trip to visit the parents... As usual I've packed way to much stuff for a weekend in New York. However, it's still only two carry-ons... I really hate checking-in baggage on these quick trips.
Anyway, the link in the title seems useful as it describes a unique way of packing.
I'm gonna try to get some sleep before my 6:30am flight...
Anyway, the link in the title seems useful as it describes a unique way of packing.
I'm gonna try to get some sleep before my 6:30am flight...
Thursday, November 11, 2004
Wiffle Ball
Technology is everywhere...
The story of the Wiffle Ball, invented by a father for his two sons struggling to throw the perfect curve ball.
In 1953, David N. Mullany invented what we know as the modern wiffle ball. Named by his sons since batters often "whiffed" (struck out), Mullany dropped the 'h' and patented his invention. With this new ball, children could now play in cramped areas without much fear of property damage (e.g. broken windows) and throw sinkers, curve-balls and straight pitches... a young pitcher's dream!
Now if only I could invent something so simple, yet so appealing...
The story of the Wiffle Ball, invented by a father for his two sons struggling to throw the perfect curve ball.
In 1953, David N. Mullany invented what we know as the modern wiffle ball. Named by his sons since batters often "whiffed" (struck out), Mullany dropped the 'h' and patented his invention. With this new ball, children could now play in cramped areas without much fear of property damage (e.g. broken windows) and throw sinkers, curve-balls and straight pitches... a young pitcher's dream!
Now if only I could invent something so simple, yet so appealing...
Cereal Talk
Well, good morning, it's breakfast time and therefore breakfast thoughts... This morning, Jason Roland was at work (presumably hungry too) and was mentioning the history of breakfast cereals. He gave me the cool link for the title which has almost anything anyone would want to know about the different characters on cereal boxes.
I fondly remember the monster cereals by General Mills. I think most people like Count Chocula, but my favorite was definitely Frankenberry (not a big fan of chocolate).
It’s kinda sad to think that some cereals had to change their names so that they would have a “Sugar-Free” title (i.e. Sugar Smacks to Honey Smacks). To think how far we must got to be ‘Politically Correct.”
Anyways, I know it’s wrong, but I end up skipping breakfast cereals in the morning… prefer to eat them late at night instead!
I fondly remember the monster cereals by General Mills. I think most people like Count Chocula, but my favorite was definitely Frankenberry (not a big fan of chocolate).
It’s kinda sad to think that some cereals had to change their names so that they would have a “Sugar-Free” title (i.e. Sugar Smacks to Honey Smacks). To think how far we must got to be ‘Politically Correct.”
Anyways, I know it’s wrong, but I end up skipping breakfast cereals in the morning… prefer to eat them late at night instead!
Stethoscopes
Today's Fun Fact:
The stethoscope was invented in 1816 when a young French physician named Rene Theophile Hyacinthe Laennec was examining a young female patient. Laennec was embarrassed to place his ear to her chest (so called "Immediate Auscultation"), as was the method of the time. He remembered a trick he learned as a child that sound travels through solids, and thus he rolled up 24 sheets of paper, placed one end to his ear and the other end to the woman's chest. He was delighted to discover that the sounds were not only conveyed through the paper, but they were also louder and more clear.
The stethoscope was invented in 1816 when a young French physician named Rene Theophile Hyacinthe Laennec was examining a young female patient. Laennec was embarrassed to place his ear to her chest (so called "Immediate Auscultation"), as was the method of the time. He remembered a trick he learned as a child that sound travels through solids, and thus he rolled up 24 sheets of paper, placed one end to his ear and the other end to the woman's chest. He was delighted to discover that the sounds were not only conveyed through the paper, but they were also louder and more clear.
Wednesday, November 10, 2004
Evolution of Candy Bars
K and I had a talk on the phone today regarding the possible evolution of candy bars...
He brought up some interesting points. Starting with just milk chocolate like a Hershey bar one could propose that the 3 Musketters bar is more 'evolved' since it has chocolate nougat covered with milk chocolate. Then comes the Milky Way bar which is chocolate malt-flavored nougat and caramel covered with milk chocolate. This modification of the nougat and addition of caramel MUST me a more sophisticated candy bar. Lastly we go to the number 1 candy bar, Snickers. This one has peanut butter nougat, caramel, roasted peanuts, and milk chocolate. It's the only one that satisfies! With all those complex ingredients Snickers HAS to be the "fittest" of the candy bars mentioned and most 'evolved.'
Well, I thought all this was good until I came upon the dates at which these sugary treats were introduced. Then the whole evolution of candy bars was blown apart...
1894: Hershey Bar
1920's: Butterfinger (crunchy blend of butter and peanut butter covered with chocolate
1921: Baby Ruth (nougat and peanuts covered with chocolate)
1921: Oh Henry! (big chunk of fudge, crispy peanuts, velvety caramel, and covered with chocolate
1923: Milky Way
1930: Snickers
1932: 3 Musketeers
I guess we're gonna have to re-think this one...
He brought up some interesting points. Starting with just milk chocolate like a Hershey bar one could propose that the 3 Musketters bar is more 'evolved' since it has chocolate nougat covered with milk chocolate. Then comes the Milky Way bar which is chocolate malt-flavored nougat and caramel covered with milk chocolate. This modification of the nougat and addition of caramel MUST me a more sophisticated candy bar. Lastly we go to the number 1 candy bar, Snickers. This one has peanut butter nougat, caramel, roasted peanuts, and milk chocolate. It's the only one that satisfies! With all those complex ingredients Snickers HAS to be the "fittest" of the candy bars mentioned and most 'evolved.'
Well, I thought all this was good until I came upon the dates at which these sugary treats were introduced. Then the whole evolution of candy bars was blown apart...
1894: Hershey Bar
1920's: Butterfinger (crunchy blend of butter and peanut butter covered with chocolate
1921: Baby Ruth (nougat and peanuts covered with chocolate)
1921: Oh Henry! (big chunk of fudge, crispy peanuts, velvety caramel, and covered with chocolate
1923: Milky Way
1930: Snickers
1932: 3 Musketeers
I guess we're gonna have to re-think this one...
Solitaire
Well I've wasted yet another hour of my life.....this time playing solitaire. Not the wimpy draw one card each time solitaire, but Spider Solitaire. I wasn't tired from my late night this morning but after playing solitaire for about 25 minutes I started to blankly stare at the screen and click on random cards. I could have took a quick nap but I was determined to win a game. It was not to be though, as I began to forget how to count to 10 which is kind of a necessary skill for solitaire. During this ongoing quest to waste time, I decided to open a second window and watch some TV on my laptop... Wow! Now I'm efficiently wasting time!
I began to wonder more about this game and how many people play it...
Q. Exactly how much time and money has been wasted globally as a result of office workers playing Solitaire?
A. There was a global recession in 1991/1992, just after Solitaire was released.
Q. Who invented the solitaire game for windows, SOL.EXE?
A. Wes Cherry
In 1975 employees wasted time gossiping around the water cooler. Now employees waste time playing solitaire in Windows.
Quote from an article on Forbes: "Time spent playing computer solitaire is time that vanishes. Completely. I get on a plane, I turn it on, I play, I blink, and two hours are gone. Wow. Finally, a way to genuinely erase time."
Solitaire Rulez!!
I began to wonder more about this game and how many people play it...
Q. Exactly how much time and money has been wasted globally as a result of office workers playing Solitaire?
A. There was a global recession in 1991/1992, just after Solitaire was released.
Q. Who invented the solitaire game for windows, SOL.EXE?
A. Wes Cherry
In 1975 employees wasted time gossiping around the water cooler. Now employees waste time playing solitaire in Windows.
Quote from an article on Forbes: "Time spent playing computer solitaire is time that vanishes. Completely. I get on a plane, I turn it on, I play, I blink, and two hours are gone. Wow. Finally, a way to genuinely erase time."
Solitaire Rulez!!
Nilla Wafers
Are Nilla Wafers by Nabisco considered a type of cookie??? I was having a discussion with my friend K about KitKat bars and if the chocolate wafer inside them is a type of cookie... I know that the wafer inside KitKat bars are not the same type of wafer that are Nilla Wafers but they are still called wafers...
Dictionary.com has cookie defined as a small, usually flat and crisp cake made from sweetened dough.
I'll have to ponder this one a bit more...
Dictionary.com has cookie defined as a small, usually flat and crisp cake made from sweetened dough.
I'll have to ponder this one a bit more...
Climbing Coconut Trees
Two of my friends and I have been exchanging little "fun facts of the day" via e-mail over the last two weeks... This might be a good place to start posting them...
Today's Fun Fact:
The largest seed in the world is the coconut!
Today's Fun Fact:
The largest seed in the world is the coconut!
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