I learned something interesting today in my natural quest for new and useless knowledge. Today, I learned of a person named Alan Turing. He was a man ahead of his time. He was a mathematician, philosopher, and codebreaker. Among other things, he is also the founder of Computer Science.
Mr. Turing was born in London in 1912, and died by suicide (cyanide poisoning) in 1954. During his short life, he accomplished much. He had a degree in Quantum Mechanics, probability and logic from Cambridge University. He received his Ph.D. in logic, algebra and number theory from Princeton University.
Turing felt that in time - 50 years by his prediction - computers would be programmed to rival humans in intelligence. To prove his theory, he developed a test for machine intelligence in 1950.
To support his theory, Turing created an 'imitation game', where a human being and a computer would be questioned under conditions where the person asking the questions would not know which was which, since the communication would be entirely by text messages. Turing said if the person questioning could not tell the difference by questioning, then we must call the computer intelligent. Today, this 'imitation game' is called the Turing test for intelligence.
People have taken Turing's theory and run with it - taking his statement that "in 50 years" computers would be as intelligent as humans. Computer programmers were encouraged to create programs that would fool the judges into thinking that the computer was actually a human being. There is The Loebner Prize in Artificial Intelligence, which actually held it's first contest in 1991. The competition for the fiftieth anniversary of Turing's prediction was held in 2000 at Dartmouth College in New Hampshire.
What interesting things have turned up from these contests. You should google this and read all about it. You can actually link up to the programs created for these contests and have yourself a conversation with the computer. See if YOU can tell the difference!! Um, I'll never tell about my experience (these computers like to talk about sex..)
It was reported that no program entered in the competition even came close to fooling the judges, so therefore we can now say that Alan Turing was incorrect in his prediction.... So far...
Chat soon.
xoxo
Monday, March 27, 2006
Tuesday, March 14, 2006
The First Step
There are many things in life in which you have to make a decision. Exercise. Go to Church. Go back to school. Get a job. You can have the best of intentions, like with New Year's Resolutions, and still not get the ball rolling. I am familiar with all of these decisions. I don't have many balls rolling yet. But I'm working on it.
I think the biggest detriment to my getting 'the ball rolling' is myself. I'll decide to start today. Then something happens, and I don't get started. I then get discouraged and say I'll start next week. That never happens and before I know it, it's the next New Year time again.
I have begun to learn, at my old age, that every journey begins with the first step. I may not want to go to school part-time because it will take too long to finish; however, if I don't go at all it'll take even longer!! Plugging along slowly is better than being stagnant.
So here I am in my life, plugging along, rolling balls and trying to set some sort of example for those I love. Off to work now.
Chat soon.
xoxo
I think the biggest detriment to my getting 'the ball rolling' is myself. I'll decide to start today. Then something happens, and I don't get started. I then get discouraged and say I'll start next week. That never happens and before I know it, it's the next New Year time again.
I have begun to learn, at my old age, that every journey begins with the first step. I may not want to go to school part-time because it will take too long to finish; however, if I don't go at all it'll take even longer!! Plugging along slowly is better than being stagnant.
So here I am in my life, plugging along, rolling balls and trying to set some sort of example for those I love. Off to work now.
Chat soon.
xoxo
Friday, March 03, 2006
The Secret to Staying Healthy
Having just spent almost a week with the flu, I decided to do what I can to eradicate the damn bug! The most important thing that you can do to keep from getting sick is to wash your hands. By washing your hands often you wash away germs that you have picked up from other people, or from contaminated surfaces, or from animals and animal waste.
What happens if you do not wash your hands frequently? You pick up germs from other sources and then you infect yourself when you:
* Touch your eyes
* Or your nose
* Or your mouth.
One of the most common ways people catch colds is by rubbing their nose or their eyes after their hands have been contaminated with the cold virus.
You can also spread germs directly to others or onto surfaces that other people touch. And before you know it, everybody around you is getting sick.
The important thing to remember is that, in addition to colds, some pretty serious diseases -- like hepatitis A, meningitis, and infectious diarrhea -- can easily be prevented if people make a habit of washing their hands.
When should you wash your hands?
You should wash your hands often. Probably more often than you do now because you can't see germs with the naked eye or smell them, so you do not really know where they are hiding.
It is especially important to wash your hands:
* Before, during, and after you prepare food
* Before you eat, and after you use the bathroom
* After handling animals or animal waste
* When your hands are dirty, and
* More frequently when someone in your home is sick.
What is the correct way to wash your hands?
* First wet your hands and apply liquid or clean bar soap. Place the bar soap on a rack and allow it to drain.
* Next rub your hands vigorously together and scrub all surfaces.
* Continue for 10 - 15 seconds or about the length of a little tune. Singing the alphabet is a good one! No one has to hear you....
It is the soap combined with the scrubbing action that helps dislodge and remove germs. Rinse well and dry your hands.
It is estimated that one out of three people do not wash their hands after using the restroom. (EWwwwwww!!) So these tips are also important when you are out in public.
Washing your hands regularly can certainly save a lot on medical bills. Because it costs less than a penny, you could say that this penny's worth of prevention can save you a $50 visit to the doctor.
Not to mention reduce the number of people getting sick, namely ME! I just don't have time to be sick, so if you could all help out by washing now and again, I'd appreciate it!
Chat soon.
xoxo
What happens if you do not wash your hands frequently? You pick up germs from other sources and then you infect yourself when you:
* Touch your eyes
* Or your nose
* Or your mouth.
One of the most common ways people catch colds is by rubbing their nose or their eyes after their hands have been contaminated with the cold virus.
You can also spread germs directly to others or onto surfaces that other people touch. And before you know it, everybody around you is getting sick.
The important thing to remember is that, in addition to colds, some pretty serious diseases -- like hepatitis A, meningitis, and infectious diarrhea -- can easily be prevented if people make a habit of washing their hands.
When should you wash your hands?
You should wash your hands often. Probably more often than you do now because you can't see germs with the naked eye or smell them, so you do not really know where they are hiding.
It is especially important to wash your hands:
* Before, during, and after you prepare food
* Before you eat, and after you use the bathroom
* After handling animals or animal waste
* When your hands are dirty, and
* More frequently when someone in your home is sick.
What is the correct way to wash your hands?
* First wet your hands and apply liquid or clean bar soap. Place the bar soap on a rack and allow it to drain.
* Next rub your hands vigorously together and scrub all surfaces.
* Continue for 10 - 15 seconds or about the length of a little tune. Singing the alphabet is a good one! No one has to hear you....
It is the soap combined with the scrubbing action that helps dislodge and remove germs. Rinse well and dry your hands.
It is estimated that one out of three people do not wash their hands after using the restroom. (EWwwwwww!!) So these tips are also important when you are out in public.
Washing your hands regularly can certainly save a lot on medical bills. Because it costs less than a penny, you could say that this penny's worth of prevention can save you a $50 visit to the doctor.
Not to mention reduce the number of people getting sick, namely ME! I just don't have time to be sick, so if you could all help out by washing now and again, I'd appreciate it!
Chat soon.
xoxo
Underwear, Panties, Boxers, Whatever you call em..
Underwear Facts:
(1) Briefs outsell boxer shorts by a margin of 2-1.
(2) Women prefer men in boxers 2 to 1 over briefs.
(3) Men 25 and under are the largest users of boxer shorts.
(4) Women prefer young guys since they wear boxer shorts.
Lets look at Underwear History.
With clothing manufacturers spending millions on the advertising, development and production of underwear, it is difficult not to question whether what's under there is a necessity or an indulgence.
Centuries ago, underwear was only worn by the wealthiest of nobles. With the introduction of linen in the 18th century, lingerie elitism made way for mass under-wearing. In turn, the life expectancy of peasants sky-rocketed as they became significantly less prone to bacterial disease and infection. Of course the aristocracy swiftly drove underwear to new more expensive heights with corsets and bloomers of richer material. An assurance that class will always find a way of highlighting its lines and divisions. In fact, class is still delineating itself underneath our pants.
Underwear history can be followed through the US Patent library. These patents represent significant functional benefits in underwear that are unobvious, novel and have a useful purpose.
The first significant advancement in underwear technology was the creation of the Jockey® Y-vent brief in 1934. This was the first time a truly functional vent was applied to boxers and briefs. This was followed closely by Munsingwear® who developed the kangaroo pouch underwear in 1936. The horizontal vent was functional and differed from the Jockey® diagonal vent brief. This design was also used in boxers and briefs.
Today, as much as things have changed they stay the same. Underwear now comes in many more colors, fabrics and patterns then at any other time. Jockey® today still continues to sell their Y-Vent underwear and also sell the Munsingwear® horizontal vent design.
The first known U.S. appearance of the thong was in 1939 at the World's Fair when the Mayor of New York, Fiorello LaGuardia ordered that the city's nude dancers put something on to cover themselves a bit. So they used thongs. Fasion designer Rudi Gernreich, however, was credited for introducing the first thong in 1974. Gernreich also created a lot of topless designs, such as a topless bathing suit and a topless nightgown.
In 2500 B.C., Minoan women had bra-like clothing in which their breast were actually sticking out of their clothes. Years later, ancient Roman and Greek woman wore straps on their breast to make their breasts seem smaller, as breasts were NOT the fashion. Some people say that Otto Titzling invented the first bra, but because of his humorous names, and the other humorous names of his partners, it is said to be fiction. From a survey, it is shown that if a woman doesn't wear a bra, she has a 21% less of a chance from getting breast cancer. Although, this survey was said to be untrue, as they didn't take in their other habits, such as drugs or alcohol. A woman by the name of Berbel Zummer, was walking through the park one day in Vienna. She was wearing a metal under wire to support her large frame. Then a storm came up and a bolt of lightning became attracted to her bra. It zapped her resulting in her death.
Long, long time ago, people used loincloths, as they had no idea how to make underwear we use today. King Tutankhamen had 150 loincloths in his tomb. In the 20th century, people began to wear union suits. In the 1930's people ditched their union suits and went to boxers and briefs. They also stopped using buttons and switched to elastic waistbands. In 1997, the book Captain Underpants hit stores.
(1) Briefs outsell boxer shorts by a margin of 2-1.
(2) Women prefer men in boxers 2 to 1 over briefs.
(3) Men 25 and under are the largest users of boxer shorts.
(4) Women prefer young guys since they wear boxer shorts.
Lets look at Underwear History.
With clothing manufacturers spending millions on the advertising, development and production of underwear, it is difficult not to question whether what's under there is a necessity or an indulgence.
Centuries ago, underwear was only worn by the wealthiest of nobles. With the introduction of linen in the 18th century, lingerie elitism made way for mass under-wearing. In turn, the life expectancy of peasants sky-rocketed as they became significantly less prone to bacterial disease and infection. Of course the aristocracy swiftly drove underwear to new more expensive heights with corsets and bloomers of richer material. An assurance that class will always find a way of highlighting its lines and divisions. In fact, class is still delineating itself underneath our pants.
Underwear history can be followed through the US Patent library. These patents represent significant functional benefits in underwear that are unobvious, novel and have a useful purpose.
The first significant advancement in underwear technology was the creation of the Jockey® Y-vent brief in 1934. This was the first time a truly functional vent was applied to boxers and briefs. This was followed closely by Munsingwear® who developed the kangaroo pouch underwear in 1936. The horizontal vent was functional and differed from the Jockey® diagonal vent brief. This design was also used in boxers and briefs.
Today, as much as things have changed they stay the same. Underwear now comes in many more colors, fabrics and patterns then at any other time. Jockey® today still continues to sell their Y-Vent underwear and also sell the Munsingwear® horizontal vent design.
The first known U.S. appearance of the thong was in 1939 at the World's Fair when the Mayor of New York, Fiorello LaGuardia ordered that the city's nude dancers put something on to cover themselves a bit. So they used thongs. Fasion designer Rudi Gernreich, however, was credited for introducing the first thong in 1974. Gernreich also created a lot of topless designs, such as a topless bathing suit and a topless nightgown.
In 2500 B.C., Minoan women had bra-like clothing in which their breast were actually sticking out of their clothes. Years later, ancient Roman and Greek woman wore straps on their breast to make their breasts seem smaller, as breasts were NOT the fashion. Some people say that Otto Titzling invented the first bra, but because of his humorous names, and the other humorous names of his partners, it is said to be fiction. From a survey, it is shown that if a woman doesn't wear a bra, she has a 21% less of a chance from getting breast cancer. Although, this survey was said to be untrue, as they didn't take in their other habits, such as drugs or alcohol. A woman by the name of Berbel Zummer, was walking through the park one day in Vienna. She was wearing a metal under wire to support her large frame. Then a storm came up and a bolt of lightning became attracted to her bra. It zapped her resulting in her death.
Long, long time ago, people used loincloths, as they had no idea how to make underwear we use today. King Tutankhamen had 150 loincloths in his tomb. In the 20th century, people began to wear union suits. In the 1930's people ditched their union suits and went to boxers and briefs. They also stopped using buttons and switched to elastic waistbands. In 1997, the book Captain Underpants hit stores.
Wedgies - Happens to the Best of us.....
It's been a while since my last post. I decided to return to blogging with an interesting, yet seldom discussed, topic.
History of Wedgies
Wedgies are a part of the anals of our history. Its a coming of age ritual. They date back to the Egyptions and have been represented in cave paintings, hyroglyphics and Aztec frescos. Philip of Macedon encouraged his son after a cruel wedgie at school--that boy grew up to be Alexander the Great. They say Michelanglo gave pope Paul the 3rd a wedgie. Also, Henry Duke of Richmond gave one to Richard III during the 1485 battle of Bosworth Feild. Upon the arrest of Alven "Creepy"Karpis in 1936, J. Egdar Hoover hikked Karpis' boxers up to the nape of his neck. Among Presidents, Nixon, Bush and both Roosevelts got wedgies in their youth, while Jackson, Lincon, LBJ and Clinton gave them. Among baseball greats Tye Cobb and Pete Rose were notorious givers of Wegdies.
An anceint Persian wedgie joke c.350 BC goes something like this: A man comes back from the marketplace with 2 black eyes. His wife asks what hapenned. He says "It was crowded and a fat lady on line infront of me had part of her robe in her buttcrack. To be polite I tryed to pluck it out. Then she hit me." The wife asks how did he get the 2nd blackeye. The man says "Since she was upset I then tryed to put it back the way she had it." Clearly the noble wedgie is part of our history and humanity.
Types of Wedgies:
The Classic--we all experienced it
The boy getting it: Shame. Discrace. Anger. The boy giving it: Wrist action. Speed. Grace. The worst part about it -- explaining the skid marks
Hanging wedgie
Generally occurs after a night of heavy drinking with people who are supposed to be your friends. You wake up in the morning hanging from your underwear from a chain-link fence...
Accidental wedgie
Getting out of a car too fast with the seatbelt the wrong way, clipping suspenders to the wrong layer, or running from a tornado and getting caught on the screen door handle--its all the same
Locker room Wedgie
Associated with humiliation, like in The Breakfast Club when Charlie Sheen admitted taping a boys cheeks together after a wedgie. The best part of the movie is when he felt so bad about it afterword he cried.
Power Wedgie
Same as above, but with the Wedgie Master using 2 hands. Usually accompanied by wet towel snaps to the visibly remaining part of the ass.
Fudgie Wedgie
Self explanatory. Any wedgie with an abundance of brown pulpy matter as a result (and not just a regular dry skidmark).
Centrifical Wegdie
The worst of all. When someone hikes up your underwear then sticks their arms out stiff. You are then twirled around and around and around in a circle in front of your tormentor till your feet come off the floor. After 7 or 8 times around you are usually let go - only to fly across the room and land in a heap! Centrifical wedgie was also made popular by Dilbert who calls it a twirling wedgie.
Well, I hope you are all better informed about a subject that is not discussed in depth these days.
Chat soon.
xoxo
History of Wedgies
Wedgies are a part of the anals of our history. Its a coming of age ritual. They date back to the Egyptions and have been represented in cave paintings, hyroglyphics and Aztec frescos. Philip of Macedon encouraged his son after a cruel wedgie at school--that boy grew up to be Alexander the Great. They say Michelanglo gave pope Paul the 3rd a wedgie. Also, Henry Duke of Richmond gave one to Richard III during the 1485 battle of Bosworth Feild. Upon the arrest of Alven "Creepy"Karpis in 1936, J. Egdar Hoover hikked Karpis' boxers up to the nape of his neck. Among Presidents, Nixon, Bush and both Roosevelts got wedgies in their youth, while Jackson, Lincon, LBJ and Clinton gave them. Among baseball greats Tye Cobb and Pete Rose were notorious givers of Wegdies.
An anceint Persian wedgie joke c.350 BC goes something like this: A man comes back from the marketplace with 2 black eyes. His wife asks what hapenned. He says "It was crowded and a fat lady on line infront of me had part of her robe in her buttcrack. To be polite I tryed to pluck it out. Then she hit me." The wife asks how did he get the 2nd blackeye. The man says "Since she was upset I then tryed to put it back the way she had it." Clearly the noble wedgie is part of our history and humanity.
Types of Wedgies:
The Classic--we all experienced it
The boy getting it: Shame. Discrace. Anger. The boy giving it: Wrist action. Speed. Grace. The worst part about it -- explaining the skid marks
Hanging wedgie
Generally occurs after a night of heavy drinking with people who are supposed to be your friends. You wake up in the morning hanging from your underwear from a chain-link fence...
Accidental wedgie
Getting out of a car too fast with the seatbelt the wrong way, clipping suspenders to the wrong layer, or running from a tornado and getting caught on the screen door handle--its all the same
Locker room Wedgie
Associated with humiliation, like in The Breakfast Club when Charlie Sheen admitted taping a boys cheeks together after a wedgie. The best part of the movie is when he felt so bad about it afterword he cried.
Power Wedgie
Same as above, but with the Wedgie Master using 2 hands. Usually accompanied by wet towel snaps to the visibly remaining part of the ass.
Fudgie Wedgie
Self explanatory. Any wedgie with an abundance of brown pulpy matter as a result (and not just a regular dry skidmark).
Centrifical Wegdie
The worst of all. When someone hikes up your underwear then sticks their arms out stiff. You are then twirled around and around and around in a circle in front of your tormentor till your feet come off the floor. After 7 or 8 times around you are usually let go - only to fly across the room and land in a heap! Centrifical wedgie was also made popular by Dilbert who calls it a twirling wedgie.
Well, I hope you are all better informed about a subject that is not discussed in depth these days.
Chat soon.
xoxo
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)