This article from the New York Times about hotels who are adding book lounges in public areas in order to take advantage of the book reading, coffee (or whatever) drinking population.
I saw the reference at Bookshelf.
Archive for the ‘Uncategorized’ Category
What battle am I talking about today?
July 31, 2013
This is the Pharos Lighthouse at Alexandria, site of the Battle of Alexandria on July 31, 30 BC. Founded by Alexander the Great in 332 BC, Alexandria was one of the greatest cities in the world under European influence for over 300 years. The battle, which pitted the forces of Octavian against those of Mark Antony, marked the end of Rome as a republic and the beginning of the empire. Mark Antony’s defeat at the battle let to his suicide, as well as that of Cleopatra. Alexandria’s fortunes ebbed and flowed over the centuries under the rule of Europeans, Arabs and the Ottoman Empire at various times. Modern Alexandria is a prosperous seaport and industrial center.
Ancient Alexandria
Modern Alexandria
Don’t get me started about the Library at Alexandria – you know how I get.
References:
This is a re-posting. Unfortunately, the current religio-political situation in Egypt is having negative repercussions across that country, including Alexandria. Financial news from today.
What is tattoo Tuesday about?
July 30, 2013
Today is Cornflake Day.
The invention of cornflakes was the result of a failed attempt by Dr. John Harvey Kellogg, back in 1894, to create a healthful snack for patients at his sanitarium out of some stale grain. Dr. Kellogg had some strange ideas about health and well-being. You can read more about them here (bizarre alert.)
The flakes that resulted from his experimentation were a success. Dr. Kellogg and his brother tried the process with other grains including corn, and a cereal empire was born.
In addition to being a part of Kellogg’s astounding number of breakfast cereals, cornflakes can also be used in recipes, such as these from Pepper: Cornflake Chocolate Chip Marshmallow Cookies: Genius with a Touch of B*tch.
A cornflake tattoo? I could not find one. This is the closest I came:
By the way, did you know that Butterfinger candy bars are made with corn flakes that have been sweetened, mixed with peanut butter, and covered in chocolate? I didn’t either.
Who am I reblogging?
July 28, 2013“Don’t know if it’s good or bad that a Google search on “Big Bang Theory” lists the sitcom before the origin of the Universe.”–Neil deGrasse Tyson
Thanks to Mark Sackler at Millenium Conjecture for this reference to the Big Bang – the TV show and the theory.
What am I remembering?
July 26, 2013
What do I remember – or do I?
Does anybody besides me remember the Red Dwarf episode where Lister gave Rimmer some of his memories?
Scientists at MIT have recently created a similar effect in mice:
When the brain forms a memory, a population of brain cells is thought to undergo lasting physical or chemical changes, creating what’s called a “memory engram.” Memory has two phases: First, the memory is acquired by activating these brain cells, and later it is recalled by reactivating these cells. Scientists had hypothesized, but never proved, these memory cells existed.
Researcher Susumu Tonegawa, who worked with mice to create a false fear memory, explains that a similar process may exist in humans. This phenomenon may help to explain why eyewitness testimony, particularly that experienced in an emotionally charged setting, may often be inaccurate.
What am I sappy cat blogging?
July 26, 2013This week is a combination of sappy cat and geeky science blogging with this little video about Schrodinger’s Cat:
As a Sappy Cat Bonus, here is Cmdr. Sam Vimes modeling his new doggie hat:
What do we remember today on tattoo Tuesday?
July 23, 2013It’s summertime in the northern hemisphere – warm temperatures go hand in hand with frosty treats. Although history is somewhat fuzzy on this point, I choose to celebrate July 23 as the day ice cream cones were invented. Here, from Wiki:
In St. Louis, Missouri during the 1904 Saint Louis Exposition, the Banner Creamery’s owner George Bang was selling ice cream. Allegedly, he ran out of bowls and was given rolled-up waffles to serve it in instead. Others credit Ernest A. Hamwi, a waffle maker at the World Fair, as the first inventor.
Given that today is tattoo Tuesday, here are some ice cream cone tattoos.
To round out this post, I offer this handwritten recipe for ice cream. This is from the collection of Thomas Jefferson and is in his hand writing. The original is in the Library of Congress. Isn’t that amazing?
I am not going to mention Gucci Mane in this post.
What was I saying?
July 21, 2013Someone cut you off in traffic? Someone sit in front of you in the theater when there are only three million other empty seats they could have chosen? Are you still using the same stale and recycled insults to handle these situations? Never fear . . .
Thanks to Cappy Writes for this handy guide. Follow the instructions and you can insult the gleeking rump-fed pignut and sound erudite at the same time:
What am I remembering today?
July 20, 2013One small step for a man; one giant leap for mankind. Happy anniversary, Apollo 11!
Thanks to Lights in the Dark for the nudge.
Gunsmoke and Knitting 