my profile | my password | search | faq & rules | forum home

» Film-Tech Forum ARCHIVE   » Community   » Bob Maar's Joke-A-Thon   » Useless Fact's (Page 69)

This topic comprises 88 pages: 1  2  3  ...  66  67  68  69  70  71  72  ...  86  87  88

Author Topic: Useless Fact's Bob Maar (Maar stands for Maartini) Posts: 28608 From: New York City & Newport, RI Registered: Feb 2001 posted 11-02-2006 07:53 AM                        Rated G Useless fact - Should lawn maintenance people be tipped? For me the rule of thumb is that every time someone performs a service, and you notice he/she is going the extra mile it should be tipped. The more exceptional the job the most juicy the tip. If you employ lawn maintenance people infrequently, you might tip them for doing a good job each time they visit. Or you might consider giving them an annual or end of season tip for the services they provided on a regularly scheduled basis, so you don't go broke tipping them every week when they come to mow your lawn. We have regularly scheduled service for the lawn of an elderly relative and we do the latter and it works well. The guys come by, free of charge, and clear her walkway and wheelchair ramp of snow during the winter because they appreciate the tip so much. We usually enclose a generous end of season tip with a thank you note  |  IP: Logged Bob Maar (Maar stands for Maartini) Posts: 28608 From: New York City & Newport, RI Registered: Feb 2001 posted 11-03-2006 08:52 AM                        Rated G Useless fact - Where did the phrase "cat got your tongue" come from? We aren't sure, but we do know one thing: Curiosity killed the cat. Despite that, we dove into etymology's muddy waters to find you an answer. As is often the case with idioms, no one's positive of the origins of "cat got your tongue." However, there's no shortage of theories. Here are a few, in no particular order... Theory #1: The saying comes from the Middle East, where as punishment, liars had their tongues ripped out and fed to the king's cats. Theory #2: Fear of a whipping with a cat-o'-nine-tails, or "cat" for short, could paralyze a victim into silence. Theory #3: The expression comes from the Middle Ages when witches were greatly feared and often put to death. It was believed that if you saw a witch, her cat would somehow "steal" or control your tongue so you couldn't report the sighting. So there you have it -- sort of. This list is by no means exhaustive, and there are probably at least a half a dozen more possible explanations. Let's just leave it at this: "Like the history of the word 'cat' itself, the origins of some of these expressions are as mysterious as the Sphinx."  |  IP: Logged Bob Maar (Maar stands for Maartini) Posts: 28608 From: New York City & Newport, RI Registered: Feb 2001 posted 11-09-2006 09:11 PM                        Rated G Useless fact - Why does lighting a match get rid of "bathroom odors"? This isn't the most pleasant topic, but questions relating to the bowels are usually worth answering. After all, if we can help prevent just one unnecessary odor, then we've done noses the world wide a great service. We have found links that offer several theories about why matches neutralize odors. One notes that smell is subjective, meaning it's possible the "match effect" is in our heads. However, if you're willing to play along and assume a match really does work, there are a few possible reasons why. When a match is struck, it produces sulfur dioxide, a very pungent substance, to which the smell receptors are extremely sensitive. You can smell a minute amount of sulfur dioxide, but when you have done so, you will not smell anything else for a while." So, the match doesn't really get rid of the odor -- it just covers it up. This seems the most likely explanation, but we found a few other explanations, including "oxidation of smelly substances in the flame" and "absorption of smelly substances onto the smoke." The TV show "MythBusters" covered this topic and concluded that a match may not eliminate odors, but it will push them to the background. Most of the time, that's good enough.  |  IP: Logged Bob Maar (Maar stands for Maartini) Posts: 28608 From: New York City & Newport, RI Registered: Feb 2001 posted 11-10-2006 10:51 AM                        Rated G Useless fact - How many mammals are monogamous? Not as many as you might think. According to the links we came across, less than 3 percent of mammals are monogamous. One article we found echoes the figure and explains that among animals, birds are by far the most monogamous. "Over 90 percent of bird species pair up exclusively to mate and rear chicks together." Monogamy makes more sense for our feathered friends because "both mother and father are equally able to provide food for the chicks." So is excess hanky-panky among mammals good or bad? Scientific research suggests that large mammals that are monogamous may be more likely to become extinct. "There is some evidence that hunters take more males than females from populations." This could result in fewer available males for monogamous relationships.  |  IP: Logged Bob Maar (Maar stands for Maartini) Posts: 28608 From: New York City & Newport, RI Registered: Feb 2001 posted 11-12-2006 11:39 AM                        Rated G Useless fact - I stare at a computer monitor all day. What can I do to reduce eye strain? Get an eye exam and ask your optometrist this question. You may need glasses or contacts to work at your optimum at a computer. One of the most common complaints from all day computer users is dry tired eyes. If a refractive problem is not causing this symptom, the next most common cause is dry eye. When we work at a computer screen, we concentrate intensely on the images. When this is done, we often forget to blink. This usually doesn't bother the user in the morning but gradually builds up through out the day and becomes more significant in the 2nd half of the work day. One solution is to take breaks. But, who does this! Another tactic is to keep a bottle of artificial tears on hand and put a drop in right after lunch whether it's needed or not. Use another drop a half hour later and again if needed. It's easier to prevent dry eye than to play catch up once the symptoms set in. Put the drops in before the symptoms hit you and it you will be more successful at avoiding this problem. The critical flicker rate for human eyes is around 60 hz. (We can't see anything flickering on and off at a rate above 60 hz.) Another thing to keep in mind beside glare reduction and lighting conditions is font size. Our eyes can't perform at peak efficiency levels when we are forced to read the smallest font size that can be seen by the human eyes. For peak efficiency the font size should be three times that size that is barely viewable. A basic rule of thumb, one should be able to back up three times the normal working distance from the computer screen and it should still be readable. If you can't do this, increase the size of your font. That's why it's so hard to read those cheap novels with their little print. There are other pitfalls and problems that could cause computer problems, but these are the most common ones. Don't work so much and play more golf.  |  IP: Logged Bob Maar (Maar stands for Maartini) Posts: 28608 From: New York City & Newport, RI Registered: Feb 2001 posted 11-12-2006 11:42 AM                        Rated G useless fact - What's the best thing to do to quiet a crying baby? Sitting in a chair, with both feet on the floor, place your baby on his stomach, on your legs above your knees. you are going to slowly bounce your baby up and down by lifting your legs at your ankles. This action has two functions. It relives the colic and sends your baby into dream world. It worked on our children and grandchildren.  |  IP: Logged Bob Maar (Maar stands for Maartini) Posts: 28608 From: New York City & Newport, RI Registered: Feb 2001 posted 11-13-2006 12:44 PM                        Rated G Useless fact - Why is it that when I have a cold frequently only one nostril is stuffed up? Most folks believe mucus causes a stuffy schnozz. But according to Medline Plus, inflamed blood vessels are the real culprit. They cause swelling in the membranes lining our noses. Interestingly, there's a normal cycle of congestion and decongestion called a "nasal cycle." WebMD explains that the length of the cycle varies, but usually takes one to four hours. "If you hold a finger over one nostril and blow air out the other nostril, you will notice a different amount of air coming from each side. This should normally vary from side to side according to your nasal cycle." A plugged-up proboscis can result from more than just a cold or the flu. Other causes include allergies or a non-allergic inflammation in the nasal blood vessels (which can occur in response to stress, cold air, spicy food, or exercise). MayoClinic.com recommends these measures to breathe freely: steam, drinking fluids, eating chicken soup, nasal saline spray, breathing strips, or decongestants. We hope you feel better soon.  |  IP: Logged Bob Maar (Maar stands for Maartini) Posts: 28608 From: New York City & Newport, RI Registered: Feb 2001 posted 11-13-2006 12:54 PM                        Rated G Useless fact - Can you actually "walk" a cat on a leash? Apparently yes, and I have seen it a few times now. Here's what my friend says about this: "I have a leash for my cat so I can take him on the airplane with me. I use a cat carrier but when I have to walk through the metal detector I walk him through (the baggage xray thing is not good for humans or cats so he's out of the carrier and walking on his leash at that point)."  |  IP: Logged Bob Maar (Maar stands for Maartini) Posts: 28608 From: New York City & Newport, RI Registered: Feb 2001 posted 11-14-2006 09:14 AM                        Rated G Useless fact - What is the most common birthday? Several links we came across cite the study finding October 5 as the date the most people (in the U.S., anyway) are born. The 2001 report claims approximately 968,000 living Americans entered the world on that date. So why October 5? Just a random date? Perhaps, to be born on this date, a baby would most likely have been conceived on New Year's Eve. The study also found May 22 to be the least common birthday. As yet, no guesses as to what it is that happens in late August (nine months prior to that date) that routinely turns so many people off. Perhaps it's just too darn hot?  |  IP: Logged Bob Maar (Maar stands for Maartini) Posts: 28608 From: New York City & Newport, RI Registered: Feb 2001 posted 11-15-2006 08:49 AM                        Rated G Useless fact - Why do women love to shop? This is a theory based on a large percentage of women, but its by no means universal. Many women love shopping for items such as clothes, shoes and make up because, (helped on by images in celebrity magazines and the like) they can cling to the hope that these adornments will magically enhance their status and attractiveness -- if we can locate that perfect pair of shoes or lipgloss or whatever then somehow our lives will magically transform -- men will fall at our feet, our boss will respect us more, our enemies will be green with envy. The media has long perpetuated the belief that a woman's success is intimately tied up with the way she looks, and increasingly- how much she spends on the way she looks- hence we march down our high street in full Gucci armour waving our credit cards like weapons, certain that the next pair of designer shoes we by will transform us into a Goddess (which sometimes, temporarily, I think they do..). By contrast, most of us hate shopping for things like food and electrical goods which do little to enhance the way we appear to the outside world. In a nutshell, it's vanity, sweetie...  |  IP: Logged Bob Maar (Maar stands for Maartini) Posts: 28608 From: New York City & Newport, RI Registered: Feb 2001 posted 11-15-2006 02:00 PM                        Rated G Useless fact - Is it cheating when your lover kisses someone else on the lips? Good rule of thumb, if they wouldn't do it when your were standing next to them, they shouldn't be doing it at all- this also works in reverse. Any time I question an action I'm taking, I think whether I'd be doing or saying it if my wife was with me, if the answer is no, I don't do it.  |  IP: Logged Bob Maar (Maar stands for Maartini) Posts: 28608 From: New York City & Newport, RI Registered: Feb 2001 posted 11-15-2006 02:22 PM                        Rated G Useless fact - What's the largest currency denomination ever made in the U.S., and what's the biggest one used today? According to the US Treasury Department, the largest currency denomination ever printed by the Bureau of Engraving and Printing was the $100,000 series 1934 gold certificate, which featured a portrait of President Woodrow Wilson. But you couldn't find these in, say, J.P. Morgan's wallet. A limited number were printed at the end of 1934, and they were intended for government use only. By the end of that year there were several other big bucks, including denominations of $500, $1,000, $5,000, and $10,000. These were perfectly legal tender, but mostly used for bank transfers. Production of these bills stopped around 1946, and in 1969 the government decided to cease using them altogether. The big bills are still around (though mostly in the hands of collectors), and can be used to make a down payment on a plasma TV. However, the U.S. government has made an effort to pull them out of circulation. The biggest bill still in use is the classic C note -- the $100 bill. The Benjamin was the highest note to survive the 1969 repeal, because by that point electronic money transfer systems had rendered large paper bills unnecessary.  |  IP: Logged Bob Maar (Maar stands for Maartini) Posts: 28608 From: New York City & Newport, RI Registered: Feb 2001 posted 11-16-2006 10:39 AM                        Rated G Useless fact - Is it a good idea for parents to promise to reward academic achievements with cash? No, it's better to teach them that self respect, self confidence and acquired knowledge and experience are the lifelong rewards resulting from academic achievement. Make sure kids understand that they have more options in life if they achieve academically -- so many more doors open to you! I do think it is critical to make a big deal out of academic achievement, calling the relatives, congratulating the student and complimenting them to reinforce the importance of the achievement. Give them more options in recognition of their academic achievements. Depending on the child's age, you could allow them to choose a DVD for the whole family to watch, let them choose the next family outing, or if there are choices in academia give them the opportunity to choose a direction. I think parents should reinforce that a passion for learning is a far more rewarding motive than financial gain -- this way maybe they will choose a career or course of life that makes them excited to wake up every morning. Not that anything is wrong with making a lot of money along the way too! But nothing beats a passion for the way you live your life. And after all, parents will pay pay pay when that academic achiever pursues higher education, even if they get a scholarship. Save your reward money till then.  |  IP: Logged Bob Maar (Maar stands for Maartini) Posts: 28608 From: New York City & Newport, RI Registered: Feb 2001 posted 11-16-2006 01:10 PM                        Rated G Useless fact - What is the best therapy for overcoming depression? Depression is a generalized "deadness" or numbness. When we're in pain (e.g. from a loss, or a sense of failure, or whatever...), we don't want to experience that pain. So our minds do something they learned very early in life as a coping strategy: they shut down all feelings. This "generalized suppression" deadens the pain, but it also deadens any of the joy, satisfaction, or other enjoyable feelings. We can't selectively kill *just* the pain, there isn't a knob for each different kind of emotion. So we have to turn down the volume on everything, and that leaves a sense that nothing is satisfying or interesting -- i.e. depression. The general path out of depression is turn and face directly into the pain which you're trying to escape from: to experience that which you've been trying to avoid experiencing. Life includes pain: there is no way around that. One must "turn and face the music", whatever that may be, in each situation. This can be a very frightening prospect, especially if one has expended a great deal of energy avoiding the issue. The good news is that in most cases (with the rare exception of biologically-driven mental illness) it actually is possible to pass through to the other side and come out whole and healed. But that depends very much on the degree to which you're willing to come to grips with the painful content at the core of the dark areas in your life  |  IP: Logged Bob Maar (Maar stands for Maartini) Posts: 28608 From: New York City & Newport, RI Registered: Feb 2001 posted 11-16-2006 01:26 PM                        Rated G Useless fact - What are remedies for heartburn? Drinking water will make the pain abate some by diluting the stomach acid that is causing heartburn. Add yogurt with live active cultures to your diet. Eating a few soda (saltine) crackers with sips of water. There are many over the counter meds for this problem now. Using them for a couple of weeks gives your esophagus a chance to heal any erosions and can keep you pain free for many months. Another popular home remedy for heartburn is apple-cider vinegar: 2 teaspoons to 2 tablespoons mixed with water and honey (for taste) usually heal any tummy ache in under 20 minutes. Plus Apple-cider vinegar has many healthy benefits.  |  IP: Logged

All times are Central (GMT -6:00)

This topic comprises 88 pages: 1  2  3  ...  66  67  68  69  70  71  72  ...  86  87  88

Printer-friendly view of this topic

Hop To: Select a Forum: Category: Operations -------------------- Digital Cinema Forum Film Handlers' Forum Large Format Forum Ground Level Feature Info, Trailer Attachments & REAL Credit Offsets Category: Community -------------------- Film-Yak Film Handlers' Movie Reviews The Afterlife Bob Maar's Joke-A-Thon Category: Classified -------------------- Equipment and Supplies Wanted/For Sale Help Wanted/Seeking Employment Category: System -------------------- Software Beta Testing Forum

The Film-Tech Forums are designed for various members related to the cinema industry to express their opinions, viewpoints and testimonials on various products, services and events based upon speculation, personal knowledge and factual information through use, therefore all views represented here allow no liability upon the publishers of this web site and the owners of said views assume no liability for any ill will resulting from these postings. The posts made here are for educational as well as entertainment purposes and as such anyone viewing this portion of the website must accept these views as statements of the author of that opinion and agrees to release the authors from any and all liability.