365 Days of Knowledge #57, 58, 59, and 60

#57. So, I've been reading Into the Wild for my book club. It's about the kid who attempted to rough it in Alaska and was found dead in a bus. I've read quite a few survival-type books and am so far enjoying this one. Anyway, I read that in 1867, the US bought Alaska from Russia for two cents an acre. Alaska is roughly 586,400 square miles. I did the math and Alaska cost the United States about 750 billion dollars. I'm sure the price in land has gone up considerably since 1867, so I propose we sell it back and that will take care of our debt and help jump start the economy. Just an idea.

#58. One more Alaska fun fact. Dog mushing is the state sport. I kind of knew this but I think the word mushing is fun to say. I promise that if anytime this month, someone happens to ask me what my hobbies are, I'm going to say dog mushing.

#59. There are approximately 18 million vacant homes in the United States.

#60. There are approximately 1 million homeless people in the United States.

Something doesn't add up.

I know this post is all over the place, it's been a long week(end).

Peace out.

365 Days of Knowledge #5

Today I learned that you cannot order the Atomic Wings at Quaker Steak and Lube without first signing a release form.....true story.






On a more educational note, I learned that the basset hound was bred to have a white tip at the end of their tail in order to help hunters see them while tracking animals.

Snickity Snackity

I just remembered this funny story. I wasn't even involved in this hilarious exchange but I was told it and I have the right to retell it because it involves two of my closest friends.

During college two of my roommates, Choppa and Miss Lippy, had a class together, as we often did. This class (I believe history but am probably wrong) was in a very large lecture hall and came at the end of a very long day for Choppa. Choppa, was always really hungry by this time and would routinely get a bag of Cheez-It's from the vending machine to munch during her final class. Choppa (Cheez-It's in hand) and Miss Lippy would meet before class, sit together and commence learning. One day, Choppa was extra hungry and decided to get two bags of Cheez-It's. Other than this anomaly, events transpired per usual.

Choppa finished off her first bag of Cheez-It's and without skipping a beat, opened the second and resumed munching. Although this was not relayed to me, I'm sure Miss Lippy had some thoughts running through her head surrounding the double serving of Cheez-It's being inhaled by her dear and petite friend. Choppa did indeed finish the second bag of Cheez-It's and in my mind's version of this story, she straightens out the corners of the bag and pours the crumbs into her mouth*.

After finishing off two bags of Cheez-It's, wiping crumbs off her face, her chest and I'm sure her books, Choppa slowly leans back in her seat, throws an arm around Miss Lippy's chair, turns to her and says, "Woof, shouldn't have had that second bag of Cheez-It's".

What makes this funny is the fact that this hunger response and subsequent satiated reaction is coming from one of the cutest and tiniest people I know.

Guess what? In writing this I made up a word. The plural for Cheez-It is NOT Cheez It's like I have been using, it's Cheez-It crackers. Scrumtrulescent!


*please note this detail has not been verified

"Quick as a Cat" is so Cliche

I came home from work last week and decided my place stunk, instead of cleaning I lit a few candles, a stick of incense and proceeded to "google" insanely expensive real estate (it's an obsession of mine that often leaves me quite depressed).

About 15 minutes into the self pity I knowingly set myself up for, I smelled something, something putrid. I had the dryer running and at first hypothesized that the smell was a broken belt from the dryer. I quickly realized that the smell was a too intense to be coming from the basement. I followed the smell into the kitchen where I found the following scene. The picture shown is obviously a reenactment (and quite a good one if you ask me).




Needless to say, Roswell was on fire! I had had a candle burning on my above the sink shelf and Roswell was wandering around on it and caught fire. As soon as a ran in the room and assessed the situation I yelled out. Roswell looked at me and meowed, clueless to the fact that he was quickly transforming from a fur ball, to a fireball. I ceased to think and began reacting, I grabbed the cat and threw him in the sink and turned the water on. After I successfully extinguished the cat I assessed the damage. The hair on Roswell's right side was singed and black but the skin had not been burnt at all, I don't even think the cat ever knew he'd been on fire. After a big sigh of relief and hugs and kisses, I gave the cat what he needed and what he deserved, a bath!

Lessons learned: 1. Cats are NOT fire retardent.
2. Fire safety won't save you in the clutch, instinct will.

Woof!

What a long and discouraging day at work! I know many people say that but in my line of work every day is challenging, today even more so.

I needed a pick me up quote, found one and thought I'd share it.

Most of the important things in the world have been accomplished by people who have kept on trying when there seemed to be no hope at all.
-Dale Carnegie-