365 Days of Knowledge #55 and 56

I'm going on a mini vacation next week and have decided to take a pit stop in Washington D.C.. I have never been there and find that at 27 years of age, that is unacceptable. While looking up attractions and unattractions, I found out that DC is home to one of the world's largest churches. the Basilica of the National Shrine of the immaculate Conception is the largest Roman Catholic church in North America. I think I was surprised by this because I thought big, over-the-top churches were an old world European thing.

Today, I haven't learned yet but am going to learn after I eat the dinner my lovey ;) has made for me, how to drive stick shift. I'm nervous, support would be nice....hint hint.

365 Days of Knowledge #50, 51, 52, 53, and 54

I'm going to blame my blog slacking on my upcoming "vacation" and the preparation that goes into leaving your home for an extended period of time.

First and foremost I want to give a big shout out to the Wisconsin Parks and Recreation Department, you all rock! While I always knew the folks at the Wisconsin Parks and Recreation Department were a pretty fine group of people, I didn't learn until this weekend how really awesome they are. This past weekend I went to visit my sister who lives in north central Wisconsin and we went to nearby Rib Mountain State Park (not really a mountain). The parks department had helped to organize a candle-lite snowshoe hike in the pseudo-mountain. I wasn't really expecting too much but it was awesome, and so beautiful with the candles lighting the trail and the city lights far beneath us. At the end of the hike they had a huge bonfire and free refreshments (donations welcomed, and gladly given). It was so much fun and just a great experience overall.

Funny story. At one point during our hike the binding on one of my sister's snowshoes came loose so we stopped so I could fix it for her. An elderly couple passed us and the gentleman, who was probably in his early sixties, stopped and said, "I don't know why the hell I'm out here, I don't even buy green bananas at my age." Miss Lippy, if you're reading this, please put that on the quote board.

Another thing I learned while visiting my sister is, the old cliche, "the more things change, the more they stay the same", is often true. My sister goes to college at the same university I attended. On Friday evening we decided to "go out". My sister took me to her and her friends' "hangout" which just happens to be the same establishment my friends and I frequented circa 2001-2004. The only difference from then to now, is the name of the place. Seriously, everything was exactly the same, even down to the clientèle and their outfits. I also learned that my 21 year old sister's love interest is a 30 year old man but that's a blog in and of itself.

Last week I learned that throughout your life, you may come to a point when you do something you always swore, and believed whole-heartedly, that you would never do. I recently experienced one of these moments. I broke down, and bought....it shames me to type this......a pair of skinny jeans. Go ahead, tar and feather me, I deserve it.

I need to thank my friend Melbarney for this tidbit of information. There's a band called Vampire Weekend and they sing a song called Oxford Comma. The first line of this song is, "Who gives a fuck about an oxford comma?" I like the song, I've listened to it, sung along with it, and danced amongst it, all without knowing what an oxford comma was, just knowing that I shouldn't give a fuck about it. Well, it turns out an oxford comma is the optional comma used when listing items in a sentence. The oxford comma is typically found before an and and it's completely optional, you can take it or leave it. I choose to take it. You can find the oxford comma in the title of this blog, "53, and 54". Click this link to check out Vampire Weekends, Oxford Comma video.

Last but not least I learned that the colors for Mardi Gras were chosen in 1837. Green represents faith, gold stands for power, and purple signifies faith. Happy Fat Tuesday everyone!

365 Days of Knowlege #48 and 49

Supposedly the world is ending on December 21st 2012. I learned that people will do anything for a buck because if you go to this website you can buy your very own end of the world souvenirs. Definitely something worth investing in. I mean, who doesn't want their very own Doomsday Snuggie? I wonder if they have 12212012 Sham Wows.....

Today I was visiting with a client of mine and he was telling me how he just finished reading a biography about Harry Houdini. I learned that Harry Houdini took a year away from the stage during WWI to help with war efforts. During this time Harry taught soldiers how to get out of handcuffs. Good thing they didn't let him visit a prison.

365 Days of Knowledge #42, 43, 44, 45, 46 & 47

I apologize for not keeping up but I do have two really good excuses. I was really busy all last week and the internet here at home was working and we had to get it fixed today. All better now, green means GO!

1. According to a new study, American teenagers spend an average of 31 hours per week online. That's 3/4 of a typical work week! Get ready to yack because apparently just over an hour of their time spent online is devoted to researching cosmetic surgery procedures.

2. Humans have "plantigrade" feet, both heel and toe make contact with the ground when walking. Panda bears share this trait. Yes! For some strange reason I get so excited when I hear about human/animal similarities.

3. All information on facebook belongs to facebook, including your shitznit. Even if you delete your profile facebook still holds the rights to your crap and can use it anyway they want. I didn't personally look in the terms and conditions to verify this but apparently it's written in there.

4. James Buchanan was ranked the #1 worst president in United States history before George W. Bush stole his place. Buchanan landed this position by not challenging the confederacy or the spread of slavery.


5. Cats can get acne. I know this because my cats have it, I've just ordered a three month supply of pro-active and got the free refining mask. Score!

and last but not least

6. Cooled coffee grounds are a great fertilizer for house plants. This one is a double score because I love the smell.

365 Days of Knowledge #41

While watching Wheel of Fortune this evening, Pat Sajak informed me that Hawaii is the only state in the US to commercially grow coffee. Thanks Pat!

The Wheel of Fortune was shooting on location in Hawaii and it looked as though Pat had one too many Mai Tais and fell asleep pool side. Home boy was looking crispy!

365 Days of Knowledge #40

Today I learned why the movie "Slumdog Millionaire" won four Golden Globes and is nominated for 10 Oscars. The answer is simple, this movie is simply AMAZING! It's in my top 10 favorite movies of all time. Probably one of the most beautiful love stories I've seen on the big screen. Please, next time you go to the theater, check it out. You will NOT be disappointed.

Forget reading your horoscope, here's your fortune for the day.

365 Days of Knowledge #38 and 39

Apotemnophilia, heard of it or happen to suffer from it? Apotemnophilia is a psychological disorder characterized by a desire to BE an amputee. No joke, apotomenophiliacs have a strong desire to have one or more of their healthy limbs removed. Doctors won't just remove a healthy limb so some apotomenophiliacs will purposely do harm to a limb in order to force an amputation. I was discussing this with a co-worker of mine and he asked me this question, "If you were sitting next to a apotomenophiliac and they fell off their chair, would you help them up?" So, would you?

Apotomenophiliac should not be confused with acrotomophilia, which is an erotic interest in people who ARE amputees.

Well perusing some wedding stuffs I discovered that many wedding site establishments charge a cake cutting fee. I've never heard of such nonsense. Isn't that why aunts were invented?

365 Days of Knowledge #37

Blonde moment!

Today I learned that there are only 28 days in February 2009.

My boss is expecting a baby at the end of this month and like good minions we held a baby shower for her. During this baby shower we played the typical game where you guess the date and time when the baby will be born and who ever wins gets a slap on the ass or something just as favorable.

The baby's due date is February 27th and she still hasn't "dropped" (I don't know what the hell that means but it sounds uncomfortable). I thought I'd play it smart and guess February 29th. My plan backfired because I come to find out there is no February 29th until 2012. So, unless this baby is going to be celebrating it's 3rd birthday in the womb, I lose and make an ass of myself in the process.

365 Days of Knowledge #34, 35 and 36

While surfing the web for origami patterns, I came across a craft called "iris folding". Iris folding is a simple and inexpensive craft that involves folding paper and layering it in a pattern to create a beautiful effect for cards, scrapbooks, and decorations. I should probably stick with my crane making since my quota of 1,000 paper cranes isn't even close to being met but I thought this was just as interesting. This is a great craft to do with kids because it's simple and yields beautiful results. Here's an example of a simple iris folding project.


To learn how check out Iris Folding @ Circle of Crafters

Sternutation is the medical term for sneezing.

Lastly, today I learned that there will be six more weeks of winter.....Thanks Miss Lippy.

365 Days of Knowledge #31

I skipped a day somewhere so I'm just going to cheat and direct you to this link because I don't have the energy or the eloquence to relay this as well as the source can.

http://dsc.discovery.com/news/2009/02/02/chimp-baby-smart.html

365 Days of Knowledge #32 and 33

Yesterday I learned that whenever I do I have children I'm pretty sure I'm going to love them more than I ever thought possible and I know this love is going to hit me like a mac truck and scare the shit out of me. While I've been carrying this notion with me since RZ and I became doting "parents" to our two lovely felines, it really didn't hit me until this weekend.

A friend of mine asked if I would transport her seven year old daughter to a nearby city that I was just happening to be traveling to to visit some friends. On the drive down my little stowaway (we'll call her Pea) entertained me with a game of ABC, gossip from her second grade class, and High School Musical facts. We sang, we laughed, we even discussed the atrocity that is McDonald's.

After dropping Pea off I proceeded to hang out with my favorites. I had a great time, celebrating birthdays, reminiscing, and just doing what we do best, make each other laugh.

The next morning I was tired, lazy, a bit hung over, and not wanting to drive to pick up Pea. I did of course, and immediately felt guilty for having sour feelings about having to pick her up. Pea was a breath of fresh air and instantaneously brightened my mood. She told me all about her day with her aunt and she asked me about my evening (I melted). Although she didn't sleep, I could tell Pea was tired on our drive back, she lazily stared out the window, occasionally commenting on the scenery and fellow commuters. I found myself keeping my eyes less on the road and more on my rear view mirror, just waiting to see what she would do or say next, literally hanging on her every word, and she's not even my child.

I'm not sure if this is my biological clock trying to tell me something or if children just fascinate me but I'm pretty sure my kids are not going to lack love.

Today I learned a less inspirational notion and if you don't want to puke a little in your mouth you might want to stop reading.

While President Obama speaks to our nation and calls the recession of our economy a "continuing disaster", Miley Cyrus decides to trade in her Porsche for her "dream car", a black Mercedes with pink stitching. Yeah!