Where's the love? Here's some love!
Thursday, April 29, 2010
World's smallest horse?
He was just 14 inches tall and only weighed six pounds when he was born - is Einstein the pinto stallion the smallest foal in the world?
Einstein is just three days old, after being born on Friday at a farm in Barnstead, New Hampshire.
It's thought that Einstein could lay a claim to the title of the world's lightest foal - his 6lb weight at birth being normal for a human baby, but not a horse, even a miniature breed like Einstein.
Unlike other miniature horses - notably the current claimant of the world's smallest horse title, Thumbelina - Einstein doesn't show any signs of dawrfism.
Judy Smith, the owner of the Tiz A Miniature Horse Farm where he was born, at first feared that he was dead when his mother, Tiz Fenisse, gave birth.
'I have been at this for 20 years plus but I have never seen one this tiny or even close to it,' she said.
Dr Rachel Wagner, Einstein's co-owner, told Sky News: 'Most of the ones that are really tiny are what we call dwarves and they have some sort of dysmorphic features, or features that aren't really normal or healthy. This little guy is like all horses - he's almost all leg.'
Pic1:Tiny Einstein the miniature horse with his mother, Tiz Fenisse, at the farm in New Hampshire (Pictures: AP)
Pic 2:Einstein's owner, Dr. Rachel Wagner, holds a ruler next to the three day old pinto stallion .
Einstein is just three days old, after being born on Friday at a farm in Barnstead, New Hampshire.
It's thought that Einstein could lay a claim to the title of the world's lightest foal - his 6lb weight at birth being normal for a human baby, but not a horse, even a miniature breed like Einstein.
Unlike other miniature horses - notably the current claimant of the world's smallest horse title, Thumbelina - Einstein doesn't show any signs of dawrfism.
Judy Smith, the owner of the Tiz A Miniature Horse Farm where he was born, at first feared that he was dead when his mother, Tiz Fenisse, gave birth.
'I have been at this for 20 years plus but I have never seen one this tiny or even close to it,' she said.
Dr Rachel Wagner, Einstein's co-owner, told Sky News: 'Most of the ones that are really tiny are what we call dwarves and they have some sort of dysmorphic features, or features that aren't really normal or healthy. This little guy is like all horses - he's almost all leg.'
Pic1:Tiny Einstein the miniature horse with his mother, Tiz Fenisse, at the farm in New Hampshire (Pictures: AP)
Pic 2:Einstein's owner, Dr. Rachel Wagner, holds a ruler next to the three day old pinto stallion .
Tuesday, April 27, 2010
Smiling could help you live longer
Smiling could add years to your life, according to researchers.
The wider you grin and the deeper your laughter lines, the more likely you are to have a long existence.
Broader smiles and wrinkles around your eyes point to a positive outlook on life which translates to better long-term health.
It has long been thought that a happy disposition can impact on life expectancy, and the recent study by experts at Wayne University in Michigan, America, seems to back this.
They came to their conclusions by studying 230 pictures of major league baseball players printed in the 1952 baseball register.
Each picture came with a listing of the player's vital statistics, including age, weight, height and marital status.
Researchers then ranked to players according to their smiles and laughter lines, spanning from none at all, to partial and then those with a full blown toothy grin and crinkled eyes.
They then compared the chart to the lifespan of each player to reach their conclusions.
Of the 184 players who had since died, those in the "no smile" section lived an average of 72.9 years while the "partial smile" group lived to around the age of 75.
Those with the widest grins lived an average of 79.9 years – a full seven more years than their glum colleagues.
The study also found that putting on a false smile did not work, as only those who looked genuinely happy had the extra life expectancy.
The wider you grin and the deeper your laughter lines, the more likely you are to have a long existence.
Broader smiles and wrinkles around your eyes point to a positive outlook on life which translates to better long-term health.
It has long been thought that a happy disposition can impact on life expectancy, and the recent study by experts at Wayne University in Michigan, America, seems to back this.
They came to their conclusions by studying 230 pictures of major league baseball players printed in the 1952 baseball register.
Each picture came with a listing of the player's vital statistics, including age, weight, height and marital status.
Researchers then ranked to players according to their smiles and laughter lines, spanning from none at all, to partial and then those with a full blown toothy grin and crinkled eyes.
They then compared the chart to the lifespan of each player to reach their conclusions.
Of the 184 players who had since died, those in the "no smile" section lived an average of 72.9 years while the "partial smile" group lived to around the age of 75.
Those with the widest grins lived an average of 79.9 years – a full seven more years than their glum colleagues.
The study also found that putting on a false smile did not work, as only those who looked genuinely happy had the extra life expectancy.
Stephen Hawking - 'Don't talk to aliens'
Some love for aliens? Don't even think about it!
Stephen Hawking has reportedly warned against attempting to contact aliens in case they try to colonise Earth.
The theoretical physicist claimed in a Discovery documentary that extraterrestrials could ravage our planet's resources should they know where to find us.
According to Metro, Professor Hawking said: "We only have to look at ourselves to see how intelligent life might develop into something we wouldn't want to meet. I imagine they might exist in massive ships, having used up all the resources from their home planet.
"Such advanced aliens would perhaps become nomads, looking to conquer and colonise whatever planets they can reach. If aliens visit us, the outcome would be much as when Columbus landed in America, which didn't turn out well for the Native Americans."
He added: "To my mathematical brain, the numbers alone make thinking about aliens perfectly rational. The real challenge is to work out what aliens might actually be like."
Source: Metro
Stephen Hawking has reportedly warned against attempting to contact aliens in case they try to colonise Earth.The theoretical physicist claimed in a Discovery documentary that extraterrestrials could ravage our planet's resources should they know where to find us.
According to Metro, Professor Hawking said: "We only have to look at ourselves to see how intelligent life might develop into something we wouldn't want to meet. I imagine they might exist in massive ships, having used up all the resources from their home planet.
"Such advanced aliens would perhaps become nomads, looking to conquer and colonise whatever planets they can reach. If aliens visit us, the outcome would be much as when Columbus landed in America, which didn't turn out well for the Native Americans."
He added: "To my mathematical brain, the numbers alone make thinking about aliens perfectly rational. The real challenge is to work out what aliens might actually be like."
Source: Metro
Tuesday, April 20, 2010
World Malaria Day
April 25th 2010. Be a part of history: Protect a life, End deaths from Malaria!
http://www.facebook.com/MalariaEnvoy
http://www.facebook.com/MalariaEnvoy
How Apple lost iPhone
The Gourmet Haus Staudt. A nice place to enjoy good German ales. And if you are an Apple Software Engineer named Gray Powell, it's also a nice place to make the honest mistake of losing the next-generation iPhone.
Gray Powell—a North Carolina State University 2006 graduate and talented amateur photographer—is an Apple Software Engineer working on the iPhone Baseband Software, the little program that enables the iPhone to make calls. A dream job for a talented engineer like Powell, an Apple fan who always wanted to meet Steve Jobs.
On the night of March 18, he was enjoying the fine imported ales at Gourmet Haus Staudt, a nice German beer garden in Redwood City, California. He was happy. After all, it was his birthday. He was turning 27 that very same day, and he was celebrating. The place was great. The beer was excellent. "I underestimated how good German beer is," he typed into the next-generation iPhone he was testing on the field, cleverly disguised as an iPhone 3GS. It was his last Facebook update from the secret iPhone. It was the last time he ever saw the iPhone, right before he abandoned it on bar stool, leaving to go home.
It's a simple, honest mistake in the middle of celebration. Something that anyone, from Steve Jobs to Jonathan Ive, could have done. Knowing how ferocious and ruthless Apple is about product leaks, those beers may have turned out to be the bitterest of his life.
Source: Gizmodo
T.J. Pluhacek - Youngest iPad App Developer
Some love for devoloping?
The 16-year-old developer from Oregon has already landed his first iPad-specific program in the App Store--NoteLook.
Tyler Jordan Pluhacek--but he goes by the name of TJ--is a 16-year-old high-school student from Lake Oswego, just south of Portland, Oregon. His favorite subjects are Math and Spanish, and he's an accomplished guitarist and harmonica player with a passion for Blues and Ragtime from the '20s and '30s. He lives at home with his Mom and younger sister and he's designed a $.99 app for the iPad.
You might expect a teen developer to come up with a frivolous app--a game, perhaps, or something more throwaway. Not TJ. NoteLook is a pretty serious tool aimed at both students and business people, and it helps you organize your note-taking. But then, TJ is not your average teen. He's extraordinarily focused--when asked what he wanted to do after school, this was his response. "I've spent more time than most people looking at my options. When I go to college, I want to obtain degrees in both computer science and business management, and my plan is to become an entrepreneur and start up my own software development business."
T.J. Keep on going with the good work!
The 16-year-old developer from Oregon has already landed his first iPad-specific program in the App Store--NoteLook.
Tyler Jordan Pluhacek--but he goes by the name of TJ--is a 16-year-old high-school student from Lake Oswego, just south of Portland, Oregon. His favorite subjects are Math and Spanish, and he's an accomplished guitarist and harmonica player with a passion for Blues and Ragtime from the '20s and '30s. He lives at home with his Mom and younger sister and he's designed a $.99 app for the iPad.
You might expect a teen developer to come up with a frivolous app--a game, perhaps, or something more throwaway. Not TJ. NoteLook is a pretty serious tool aimed at both students and business people, and it helps you organize your note-taking. But then, TJ is not your average teen. He's extraordinarily focused--when asked what he wanted to do after school, this was his response. "I've spent more time than most people looking at my options. When I go to college, I want to obtain degrees in both computer science and business management, and my plan is to become an entrepreneur and start up my own software development business."
T.J. Keep on going with the good work!
Monday, April 19, 2010
Wednesday, April 14, 2010
Cat awarded!
Cat awarded for using paw to warn of gas leak.
A 3-year-old cat credited with saving lives by tapping its owner's nose with a paw to alert her of a gas leak has been awarded the Purple Paw by the Great Falls Animal Foundation. Schnautzie received her award Saturday at the foundation's annual Fur Ball.
Trudy Guy says Schnautzie was just 6 months old in 2007 when Guy awoke with Schnautzie on her chest and a paw on her nose.
In checking the house she heard a roaring sound in the bathroom and found a gas pipe outside the bathroom had broken above the shut-off valve.
She said responding firefighters told her the house could have blown up due to the gas levels.
Source: Paw Print Post
A 3-year-old cat credited with saving lives by tapping its owner's nose with a paw to alert her of a gas leak has been awarded the Purple Paw by the Great Falls Animal Foundation. Schnautzie received her award Saturday at the foundation's annual Fur Ball.
Trudy Guy says Schnautzie was just 6 months old in 2007 when Guy awoke with Schnautzie on her chest and a paw on her nose.
In checking the house she heard a roaring sound in the bathroom and found a gas pipe outside the bathroom had broken above the shut-off valve.
She said responding firefighters told her the house could have blown up due to the gas levels.
Source: Paw Print Post
World's largest banana museum saved!
Some love for banana?!
The future of the world’s largest banana museum has finally been secured.
‘Top banana’ Ken Bannister had painstakingly gathered some 17,000 banana-related exhibits but it all went pear-shaped when he was turfed out of his premises in January.
He put the likes of his banana-shaped golf putter and banana tent in storage and thought it was time to split – until fellow fruit loop Fred Garbutt saw his a-peel on eBay and stumped up £30,000 for the collection.
Mr Garbutt runs an off-licence and hopes to drum up business by launching the ‘International Banana Museum’ next door (though he will be leaving out the more ‘adult’ exhibits).
Californian Mr Bannister – who started the Guinness World Records-approved collection in 1972 – is confident he has found the best custodian, and hopes for a smoothie transition.
‘When they told me they were going to buy a little Beamer [BMW] and have it painted golden yellow, I thought, “This guy’s really serious. He’s got to be a real banana man”,’ he said.
Mr Garbutt – the ‘big banana’ – has equally ambitious plans. ‘We’re going to add to the collection – we’re going to sell banana-leaf wallpaper and make banana-printed clothes for kids,’ he said.
Source: Metro.co.uk
The future of the world’s largest banana museum has finally been secured.
‘Top banana’ Ken Bannister had painstakingly gathered some 17,000 banana-related exhibits but it all went pear-shaped when he was turfed out of his premises in January.
He put the likes of his banana-shaped golf putter and banana tent in storage and thought it was time to split – until fellow fruit loop Fred Garbutt saw his a-peel on eBay and stumped up £30,000 for the collection.
Mr Garbutt runs an off-licence and hopes to drum up business by launching the ‘International Banana Museum’ next door (though he will be leaving out the more ‘adult’ exhibits).
Californian Mr Bannister – who started the Guinness World Records-approved collection in 1972 – is confident he has found the best custodian, and hopes for a smoothie transition.
‘When they told me they were going to buy a little Beamer [BMW] and have it painted golden yellow, I thought, “This guy’s really serious. He’s got to be a real banana man”,’ he said.
Mr Garbutt – the ‘big banana’ – has equally ambitious plans. ‘We’re going to add to the collection – we’re going to sell banana-leaf wallpaper and make banana-printed clothes for kids,’ he said.
Source: Metro.co.uk
Northern Lights - Amazing images
The beautiful images were taken by Linda Drake, a photographer who braved temperatures of minus 20 degrees to capture them.
"Most people travel to Churchill in Manitoba to photograph the polar bears coming out of hibernation in February and March, but I like to set up camp and wait each evening for the dancing lights and nature's most breathtaking show," said the San Luis Obisto based photographer.
"It never ceases to amaze me how grand the shows of colour are and how each one differs so wildly from the last.
"Hopefully in these pictures I have managed to capture the beauty that has transfixed me."
Usually catching the light shows between midnight and two in the morning, Ms Drake uses a variety of different camera exposure times to photograph the aurora.
"Sometimes I leave the lens open for two to three seconds and on other occasions go for 30 seconds to one whole minute," she said.
"The longest display of the northern lights that I have seen has lasted for up to two hours."
Caused by photon emissions in the upper ionosphere around 50 miles up, the light shows are the result of ionised nitrogen atoms becoming excited by solar wind particles funneling through the Earth's atmosphere.
Source: Telegraph.co.uk
Linda Drake captured the images of the Northern Lights in Northern Manitoba, Canada. Photo: LINDA DRAKE/BARCROFT USA
"Most people travel to Churchill in Manitoba to photograph the polar bears coming out of hibernation in February and March, but I like to set up camp and wait each evening for the dancing lights and nature's most breathtaking show," said the San Luis Obisto based photographer.
"It never ceases to amaze me how grand the shows of colour are and how each one differs so wildly from the last.
"Hopefully in these pictures I have managed to capture the beauty that has transfixed me."
Usually catching the light shows between midnight and two in the morning, Ms Drake uses a variety of different camera exposure times to photograph the aurora.
"Sometimes I leave the lens open for two to three seconds and on other occasions go for 30 seconds to one whole minute," she said.
"The longest display of the northern lights that I have seen has lasted for up to two hours."
Caused by photon emissions in the upper ionosphere around 50 miles up, the light shows are the result of ionised nitrogen atoms becoming excited by solar wind particles funneling through the Earth's atmosphere.
Source: Telegraph.co.uk
Linda Drake captured the images of the Northern Lights in Northern Manitoba, Canada. Photo: LINDA DRAKE/BARCROFT USA
Tuesday, April 13, 2010
Musical Rats?
All animals are cute in their own way. Dutch photographer Ellen van Deelen has got to an idea to train a few of white rats to hold different instruments and objects.
The result of that is a beautiful gallery of photos of little rats.
For more beautiful pictures look at Ellen van Deelen's portfolio.
The result of that is a beautiful gallery of photos of little rats.
For more beautiful pictures look at Ellen van Deelen's portfolio.
Postmen afraid of 'Tiger'?!
Postmen are refusing to deliver letters to a house because they are frightened of an elderly cat.
Tiger, a 19 year-old black and white cat, has been accused of attacking postmen on three occassions delivering mail in Leeds, west Yorkshire.
Owner Tracy Brayshaw, of Farsley, Leeds, said the postmen have complained that Tiger attacks them as they approach the cat flap, before chasing them down the garden path.
Mrs Brayshaw now has to collect her mail from the local sorting office.
She said: "If Tiger climbs up a tree he is done in for the rest of the week. I find it really hard to believe.
"The post has been suspended for two weeks now. It was funny at first but it is going a bit far now."
Mrs Brayshaw is hoping to appeal against the decision to suspend her post.
She said: "Tiger is 19 years old, he dribbles when he sleeps and snores - he sleeps for 20 hours a day.
"Royal Mail said that they will not come near the house because the cat is far too dangerous. They said it was a health and safety issue but he is not a Rottweiler."
A spokeswoman from Royal Mail said: "We are sorry for the inconvenience to Mrs Brayshaw and, as we want to resume delivery of mail to her address as quickly as possible.
"We're trying to agree a way to do this and avoid our employees suffering further nasty injuries, as has happened three times already."
Source: Telegraph.co.uk.
Tiger the cat Photo: ROSS PARRY SYNDICATION
Tiger, a 19 year-old black and white cat, has been accused of attacking postmen on three occassions delivering mail in Leeds, west Yorkshire.
Owner Tracy Brayshaw, of Farsley, Leeds, said the postmen have complained that Tiger attacks them as they approach the cat flap, before chasing them down the garden path.
Mrs Brayshaw now has to collect her mail from the local sorting office.
She said: "If Tiger climbs up a tree he is done in for the rest of the week. I find it really hard to believe.
"The post has been suspended for two weeks now. It was funny at first but it is going a bit far now."
Mrs Brayshaw is hoping to appeal against the decision to suspend her post.
She said: "Tiger is 19 years old, he dribbles when he sleeps and snores - he sleeps for 20 hours a day.
"Royal Mail said that they will not come near the house because the cat is far too dangerous. They said it was a health and safety issue but he is not a Rottweiler."
A spokeswoman from Royal Mail said: "We are sorry for the inconvenience to Mrs Brayshaw and, as we want to resume delivery of mail to her address as quickly as possible.
"We're trying to agree a way to do this and avoid our employees suffering further nasty injuries, as has happened three times already."
Source: Telegraph.co.uk.
Tiger the cat Photo: ROSS PARRY SYNDICATION
Monday, April 12, 2010
Pineberry
What looks like a strawberry, but is white and tastes like a pineapple? A pineberry, of course.
While the delicacy might look like a faded strawberry, it is said to have the exotic flavour and smell of a pineapple.
If the pineberry tantalises your tastebuds, you best be quick - they are only in season for the next few weeks.
The fruit, which has the same genetic make-up as the common strawberry, originated in South America where it grew wild.
It had been near to extinction until seven years ago when Dutch farmers saved it.
Now it is grown commercially in glasshouses, turning from green to white and is ripe when the seeds turn dark red.
The freaky fruit is on sale now!
Source: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pineberry
Friday, April 9, 2010
Treadmill desk
Some love at work!
A treadmill desk is practical because even low-intensity walking can bring great benefits. With this “fitness furniture,” you can walk slowly enough to get office work done — but over several hours you will burn more calories than you would during a short, high-intensity workout.
Information: http://www.treadmillreviews.net/introducing-the-treadmill-desk-time-management-takes-a-step-forward/
Thursday, April 8, 2010
"Tell Me Your Secrets Bear"
The “Tell Me Your Secrets Bear” is an adorable plush that will be your wee geek’s closest confidante. When hugged, he’ll profess his love for your child, and stress that friends always share their secrets. He’ll ask, "Do you have a secret, best friend? You can tell me anything." When the bear completes a trigger phrase, the audio and video turns on, recording your child’s secrets, which are then wirelessly transmitted to you via email (or your Twitter/Facebook accounts).
Of course, mostly you’ll hear things like, "I really wish Mommy would cook more bacon", "Why do I have two daddies?" or "Is this real life?", but every once in a while, you’ll get valuable intelligence that will help you become a more casually despotic parent. Sleep better knowing that Tell Me Your Secrets Bear is in your corner.
More information: http://www.thinkgeek.com/stuff/41/secrets-bear.shtml?cpg=cj
Saturday, April 3, 2010
Some love before dinner??!!
These photos were captured on safari in Kenya’s Masai Mara by photographer Michel Denis-Huot.
Friday, April 2, 2010
Recipe – Easter ganache slice
Makes
24 pieces
Ingredients
200ml thickened cream
400g dark cooking chocolate, chopped
150g marshmallows
150g Scotch Finger biscuits, broken into large chunks
150g Violet Crumble, chopped
Method
1.Line a 26cm x 16cm baking pan with non-stick baking paper, leaving 2 sides extended. Melt thickened cream and dark chocolate in a heatproof bowl over a saucepan of simmering water (do not let the bowl touch the water). Stir until the mixture is melted and smooth.
2.Carefully remove the bowl. Stir in marshmallows, Scotch Finger biscuits and Violet Crumble until well combined.
3.Spread the mixture into the pan and place in the fridge for 4-5 hours or until set. Cut into squares to serve.
Easter Island
Easter Island, situated 2,500 miles off the coast of Chile, was named by the first recorded European visitor, the Dutch explorer Jacob Roggeveen, who discovered it on Easter Sunday in 1722.
The sky is seen behind a row of moai statues. About 95% of the 887 moai known to date were carved out of compressed volcanic ash at Rano Raraku, where 394 moai still remain visible today.
Thursday, April 1, 2010
'The Things That You Do'
Great video about 'The things that you do'!
Many thanks to our dear friend Yvette, who realised this beautiful video!
Many thanks to our dear friend Yvette, who realised this beautiful video!
Goldfish '7 hours out of water'
A goldfish had reportedly survived for seven hours outside its tank when it was presumed dead by its owner.
According to The Mirror, Mr Fish was wrapped in tissue paper and placed in a dry bath for a later burial when 44-year-old owner Carol Norris found its presumed-dead body on Saturday morning.
However, when she returned that afternoon to her home in Waterbeach, Cambridge, the 13-year-old goldfish flipped in her hand, prompting her and 40-year-old partner Darren Bradnick to place him - wedged upright - in his bowl.
Norris said: "When I picked him up the tissue was stuck to him. I screamed when he flipped in my hand."
Bradnick added: "He's a miracle. It's just lucky Carol didn't flush him down the loo."
Last August, a goldfish in North Yorkshire survived for a similar length of time behind a fluff-covered dresser after leaping out of its bowl.
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