Friday, December 18th, 2009
Did you see this “study?” (that’s right, click the word “study”)
As you can see, people from Connecticut are the second least happy in the nation, only to be followed by people from New York (gee thanks New York). I knew there was a reason why I yell all the time. Finally, I can say that it’s not my fault. My mother used to ask me why I was mad so much. Back then, I really didn’t have any good reason. Now, I just usually say that the human race has let me down. In actuality, it’s the unhappiness of all the people who surround me. I guess they are rubbing off on me, because it’s certainly not my fault. Wait, perhaps it’s the other way around…hmmm.
I’m not sure I really buy into this study. There is really no rhyme nor reason the states fall where they fall. Here, take a look at the full list of states. It just doesn’t make any sense. How can you have Vermont two spots away from Texas. There are no similarities between those two states. The rest of the list is just as bad.
Here is a message to the author of this study: Who are you to tell me I am unhappy? Do I sound unhappy? Why don’t you come over here and tell me I am unhappy to my face. Then we’ll talk about how unhappy I am. That’s right, you $%^&.
Just kidding.
I will tell you this – There is one thing that makes me unhappy. It’s when people who drive minivans tailgate me. We seem to have a little problem with that over here.
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Tuesday, October 20th, 2009
I have oftentimes described myself as a Utilitarian. Each time I described myself this way, I can’t say that I remember knowing what that term meant. I always kind of figured it was something like, “must have some sort of utility” or “get all the feel good stuff out of the way and let’s get down to the nitty gritty” or “something basic to fulfill a basic need.” As it turns out, I wasn’t that far off.
Wikipedia describes Utilitarianism as “the moral worth of an action is determined solely by its contribution to overall utility…the greatest good for the greatest number of people…somewhat narrow economic or pragmatic viewpoint.” I would say that I was pretty accurate. This, coupled with that fact that I have an issue with being stuck on the “Physiological” rung of Maslow’s hierarchy of needs (I knew that Psych 101 would come in handy) makes for some pretty boring lifestyle.
Moving on…
I have never really appreciated art. I thought it was pretty much a waste of time. I mean, I liked to way some of it looked, but I didn’t get the point. Of course, this was when I was a kid. I’m sure most kids are like that. If you aren’t sure what I mean, go ahead and bring your child to the Met. See what happens.
As I got older, I started enjoying some styles of art, but they had to serve a purpose. Let’s say that a city had a huge mural painted on the side of a building and it looked really great. Now, I can appreciate that. I think the mural would really stand out and put people in a better mood. It would also enhance the look of the city and it may help tourism in the area, if there were multiple murals.
I am probably not alone. Again, I like to think of things in a very basic sense. I like things that function and I think of functionality so much, it’s hard for me to get my head out of that. It’s sort of like dragging a painting into a house that’s being built an asking the carpenter what he thinks of it. He’s probably going to ask you to leave because he is in another zone. Perhaps if that same carpenter went out to a show and had a few drinks, then he would be willing to give you a somewhat honest opinion of what he thinks of the artwork.
I do have my moments though. The problem is that I never know what they are going to arrive.
We decided to visit the Wadsworth Atheneum Museum of Art in Hartford, CT this past Saturday. I think this was a “recommended” trip, if you know what I mean. The sort of trip that is suggested and usually ends up being fun. I kick and scream before these types of outings, only to simmer down once we get there. Then, I usually lead the pack and get all sorts of excited. As excited as I get, I still have a fairly short attention span. I give museums about a half hour, unless they are really neat like the Boston Museum of Science. Then, I can stay as long as it takes to go through all the exhibits. Arts museums…half hour.
I must say, I was surprised by the Wadsworth Museum of Art. It was a pretty nice place. When we first got there, we passed by some typical stuff, but when we visited the Baroque and the Italian Renaissance paintings, I was really impressed. I think the thing that got me was the size of each painting. They were much larger than I though they would be. Also, the color was more vibrant. It was nice to stand so close to such history and really look at what it took to create each piece. Needless to say, I began to feel thankful for being taken out of my normal routine to become a somewhat more cultured individual. I now consider myself an art expert, so if you have any questions…
I am glad I got that off my chest. Now, on to the pictures of pictures.
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The Hartford Times building – downtown Hartford – now closed
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Alexander Calder’s Stegosaurus in the Burr Mall – downtown Hartford
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Fountain near Alexander Calder’s Stegosaurus
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The Goodwin Reception Room – Wadsworth Museum of Art
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The Goodwin Reception Room – Wadsworth Museum of Art – 2
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The Goodwin Reception Room – Wadsworth Museum of Art – 3
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Stairways going to the second floor of the Wadsworth Museum of Art
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The Atrium at the Wadsworth Museum of Art
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Baroque Art in Catholic Europe room description
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Baroque art room at Wadsworth Museum of Art
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Baroque art room at Wadsworth Museum of Art – 2
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Lucrezia as Poetry by Salvator Rosa description
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Lucrezia as Poetry by Salvator Rosa
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The Annunciation by Giovanni Battista Caracciolo description
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The Annunciation by Giovanni Battista Caracciolo
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Cabinet description
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Cabinet
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Dressing table service description
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Dressing table service
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The English Portrait in the 18th Century description
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The English Portrait in the 18th Century
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The English Portrait in the 18th Century – 2
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The Neoclassic and Romantic Eras description
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The Neoclassic and Romantic Eras
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The Disenchantment of Bottom description
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The Disenchantment of Bottom by Daniel Maclise
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Art of the Renaissance description
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Art of the Renaissance
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Fame Conquering Time description
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Fame Conquering Time by Ippolito Scarsella
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Noli me Tangere description
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Noli me Tangere by Lelio Orsi
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Adoration of the Shepherds description
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Adoration of the Shepherds by Ludovico Cardi
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The Feast of Herod description
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The Feast of Herod by Lucas Cranach the Elder
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Loose Company description
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Loose Company by Jan Sanders van Hemessen
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The Finding of Vulcan on the Island of Lemnos description
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The Finding of Vulcan on the Island of Lemnos by Piero di Cosimo
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Sunday, May 3rd, 2009
Official Google Blog: Mowing With Goats
Google has decided to use goats as living lawnmowers at their headquarters. No joke.
Dolphins Keep an Eye Out While Sleeping?
Dolphins have a clever trick that doesn’t involve jumping in the air for fish: They can overcome sleep deprivation and remain constantly vigilant for days at a time by resting one half of their brain while the other half remains conscious. Because they need to periodically come up for air and keep an eye out for potential predators.
16 Preposterous Products For Pets
As proud pet owners, we understand the desire to spoil and pamper your furry, feathered and scaled little friends. But some people take spoiling their pets to a new level, and manufacturers are making it easier with weird and crazy, sometimes preposterous products for pets. We found 16 of the craziest pet products the internet has to offer.
Unwanted Easter Bunnies Multiplying Like Crazy In Florida
What is it about Florida that inspires pet owners to set their captives free? On a Florida island, forgotten rabbits, the spawn of Easter gifts from as far back as 2002, run wild in a field of two-story condominiums.
Kenyan Man Bites Python In Struggle To Survive
A Kenyan man bit a python that wrapped him in its coils and hauled him up a tree in a struggle that lasted hours, local media said on Wednesday.
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Saturday, April 18th, 2009
It’s not too late! Even after 50 you can get fit
Attention Boomers! If you are not physically fit, stop with excuses and start exercising! This article provides great tips for those over 50 and reasons why is it important to stay active! Read on the learn more.
Companies open up to Sponsoring Mixed Martial Arts
Once considered too risky, mixed martial arts is now seen by companies as a way to reach young male consumers.
Coffee Lessens the Pain of Exercise
That cup of coffee that many gym rats, bikers and runners swill before a workout does more than energize them. It kills some of the pain of athletic exertion, a new study suggests. And it works regardless of whether a person already had a coffee habit or not.
Experts pin down exactly how much exercise you need to get fit
You should be taking 100 steps each minute for half an hour a day if you want to achieve “moderate” exercise by walking, a study shows.
The Myth of Daily Exercise
Obesity experts agree that daily exercise is essential for good health, but whether it can successfully lead to long-term weight loss is a question of much debate.
31 Ways to Motivate Yourself to Exercise
How do you find motivation to exercise when you just don’t feel like getting off your butt? I ask myself this question every now and then, and I have the feeling I’m not the only one.
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Friday, January 23rd, 2009
Internet Population Passes One Billion; Top 15 Countries
The number of people on the Internet surpassed one billion in December, according to comScore. The actual number is probably higher than that (Internet World Stats counted nearly 1.5 billion Web surfers worldwide as of June 30, 2008). In any case, only between 15 and 22 percent of the world’s population is on the Internet. We have a long way to go.
Climate Change Killing America’s Trees at Ever Faster Rates
Trees in western North America are dying at faster and faster rates, and climate change is likely to blame. The mounting deaths could fundamentally transform Western forests because tree reproduction hasn’t increased to offset losses, according to a new study published Thursday in Science.
More Spaceflight Needed To Drive Evolution
There is fierce debate over the direction humanity should take when exploring the solar system. Plans for human exploration of the solar system and beyond often polarize opinions among the public and scientific communities.
Want to Live Longer? Cut the Pollution
Nobody pretends that polluted air isn’t terrible for your health. Clean up the skies over any dirty city and the people who live there will all but certainly become healthier. That, at least, has been popular wisdom, but until now, no one had ever put it to the statistical test. Now someone has and the results are striking.
Mars and Mercury Formed From Planetary Scraps
Mars and Mercury were formed from the scraps of Earth and Venus, according to a radical new theory of rocky planet formation. The model could explain some characteristics of Mars and Mercury that have long puzzled scientists, said Brad Hansen, an astronomer at the University of California, Los Angeles.
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Sunday, January 11th, 2009
I now accept and eat the samples at Costco.
I completely forgot about this post. When we were shopping in Costco last week, I was all, “ooh and aah” about what I was going to write. Then, we left and I forgot all about it. It’s simple really…I just wanted to tell you about a change that’s going on in my life.
It takes a certain type of person to eat samples while shopping. My old self would avoid the whole “sample station” altogether. I have seen people bump, scratch, kick and scream to get at that food. Unless, of course, it’s a slow night. If it’s slow, the opportunity is there to have a wonderful morsel of goodness.
As we are all aware, samples taste really good. The store gets you when it counts; while you are hungry. What better way to sucker you into buying pizza bites than to hook you with a small dose when you know you already have to lay out all that green for the rest of the groceries? The problem is, samples are usually of the food you should never in a million years buy. Pre-made food is a no-no. I will admit though that these guys do a particularly good job at temping souls such as myself.
I’ll tell you how it happened. We were shopping in Costco a few weeks ago and I saw a sample lady standing all by herself. I felt bad, so I walked up to her and asked her what she had there. Her face lit up as she told me all about what she was serving. Since it didn’t contain meat, I accepted. Well, little did I know, I had just entered the sample underworld, a world my father had entered many years earlier. He just loves Costco samples and tells me stories of the science behind it. Stories now, that I listen to with great interest.
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From that point on, every time we go to Costco, I look around to see what is available to nibble on. Laura doesn’t seem too interested, but then again, I am a little more pushy when it comes to these types of things. I also like to look at the name tags of the people handing out the samples to say hello to them. Oftentimes, they have had a long day and a bit of excitement from a tall guy with red hair wouldn’t hurt.
One sample I enjoyed during our last visit to Costco was “POM Wonderful Pomegranate Juice.” It was thick, rich and wonderfully delicious. I also hear it’s good for you. I was just looking at its website and learned a little more about the pomegranate. I think I am going to pick some of this stuff up next time we go shopping. See, it’s working…
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Friday, October 17th, 2008
In Downturn, Solar Industry Sees Bright Days Ahead
People in the solar industry are hopeful that the sun is a good place to put money these days. To be sure, the financial crunch is rippling through even the fast-growing solar business: With falling house prices and general belt-tightening, consumers may be more reluctant to purchase solar panels.
The New Prius Looks Like the Old Prius
Toyota confirms photos making the rounds of the interwebz are are indeed shots of the 2010 Prius that no one was supposed to see until the Detroit auto show in January.
New Solar Hybrid Panels Will Boost Efficiency and Power
The new hybrid material – an electrically conductive plastic combined with metals including molybdenum and titanium – is the first that is sensitive to all the colours in the rainbow, allowing it to absorb all the energy contained in visible light at once.
Special Report: How Our Economy Is Killing The Earth
Most of us accept the need for a more sustainable way to live, by reducing carbon emissions, developing renewable technology and increasing energy efficiency. But are these efforts to save the planet doomed?
Could Solar Power Satellites Beam Down Gigawatts of Energy?
How pie-in-the-sky is Ben Bova’s space satellite scheme? Mr. Bova, the president emeritus of the National Space Society and a prolific science fiction author, calling on the next president to build an armada of solar power satellites (SPS) — basically large accumulations of solar cells — to help meet a substantial chunk of our energy needs.
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Tuesday, October 14th, 2008
Incredible Images of the Sun
The Sun is now in the quietest phase of its 11-year activity cycle, the solar minumum – in fact, it has been unusually quiet this year – with over 200 days so far with no observed sunspots. The solar wind has also dropped to its lowest levels in 50 years. Seen below are some recent images of the Sun in more active times.
How Much Oil Do You Eat?
Over the past few years, as the ‘green movement’ has grown, more attention has been paid to our food system. Pollution is rampant, we’ve become removed from knowing how or where our food was grown, and food-borne illness outbreaks are a constant problem. But should our food supply become a priority to the next administration?
Spectacular Crystals & Mines Explored
Interesting piece on discovery & exploration of 1 of richest crystal mines in world — with huge crystals among largest in world.
House Uses Hydrogen For Power
Hydrogen power is usually associated with vehicles, but a house in the UK is showing that there are a multitude of uses for fuel cells. The grid-connected West Midlands home is powered by hydrogen as part of a £2 million University of Birmingham and Black County Housing Group (BCHG) project.
Globalization Theories Win American Nobel Prize
Paul Krugman has won the Nobel Prize in economics. The Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences says the Princeton economist won “for his analysis of trade patterns and location of economic activity.” Krugman is also a columnist for The New York Times.. Reporter Curt Nickisch talks with Renee Montagne about Krugman’s work.
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Tuesday, July 29th, 2008
Wind Power Superhighway for West Texas
Texas likes to do everything big, including wind farms and investing in clean energy. The states has been given the thumbs up for a $4.9 billion plan to set up transmission lines to carry the wind power generated in West Texas to surrounding urban areas.
When Good Science Goes Bad: 3 Ideas that Went Really Wrong
The history of scientific discovery is full of missteps. Sometimes iffy ideas lead to stronger theories. Other times, a good idea becomes a bad idea. And still others seem like they were always bad ideas.
What to Do if You Encounter a Bear
“Run for your life†may seem like common sense if a grizzly approaches you, but such action is highly unlikely to foil an attack.
A Modest Eco-Friendly Stimulus Proposal: Cash For Clunkers
Princeton economist Alan Blinder proposes that ‘Cash for Clunkers’ programs under which the government buys up some of the oldest, most polluting vehicles and scraps them, should be expanded nationwide.
The Physics-Defying Promise of Endless Cheap Energy
An entrepreneur with $60 million in venture funding says he’s found an endless source of cheap energy. Trouble is, it violates the laws of quantum physics.
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Monday, June 16th, 2008
Seven Ways to Save Energy by Saving Water
Though many states and localities are waking up to their water shortages and taking steps to plan for “peak waterâ€, people generally continue to waste water and to ignore the energy-water link.
New Material Absorbs Light Completely And Generates Electric
A partnership between Duke University and Boston College turned out to be very beneficial for the science world, as they obtained a metamaterial that absorbs all the light it gets (yes, it becomes invisible) and that is supposed to generate energy more efficiently than the solar cells.
Civic Outsells F-150 for First Time Ever
Go little Civic, go!
How To Heat Up Solar
It seems incredible then that the U.S. Senate has again failed to pass a bill that would extend solar tax credits to build new power plants.
Prius is Now the Most Searched New Car on Cars.com
Cars.com has announced that for the first time ever, the Toyota Prius has become the most searched for new vehicle on the popular vehicle classifieds site — surpassing long time favorites such as the Accord and Camry. The Prius first appeared in the top 10 most searched vehicles list last summer.
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