Too Early Trivia Thursday, April 30th, 2009

Question:
How many feet of wire does it take to make on Slinky?

Answer:
80 feet

Too Early Trivia Wednesday, April 29th, 2009

Question:
This piece of clothing accessory was invented on this date in 1913. What is it?

Answer:
The zipper

Too Early Trivia Tuesday, April 28th, 2009

Question: According to a recent Harris poll the Top 4 TV shows of all time are what?

Answer: 1)CSI 2)MASH 3)House 4)NCIS

Why Google Wants You To Google Yourself

To give people a bit more control over internet search results, Google introduced a new feature this week it calls a "Google profile" that users can create so that a thumbnail of personal information appears at the bottom of U.S. name-query search pages.

Once users create a Google profile, their name, occupation, location (and photo if they choose), appears in a box on the first page of the search results for their name. Next to the thumbnail info, there's a link to a full Google profile page that in many ways resembles a Facebook page.

By giving users some control over the results that appear on a search for their name, Google hopes to establish a social network beachhead and take on wildly popular sites like Facebook and MySpace.

The Google profile lets you set up a personalized page where you can include links to your blog, Twitter feed or company website, plus share online photos and link to your other personal profiles on sites such as Facebook, MySpace, and LinkedIn.

Like Facebook, your Google profile doesn't display any private information unless you've explicitly added it. You can share info with friends and family, and control who sees what. There's no Google profile feature that lets you "friend" another user — at least not yet. But there is a "Send a message" feature that lets anyone with a Google account email you without revealing your email address.

Another feature called "My places" displays all the cities you've entered on your profile and your current location on a map. A Google map, of course.

The more information you add to your profile, the higher your page is likely to be ranked on a Google search for your name and associated keywords, such as the name of your hometown, your job title, or where you work or go to school. And the more richly detailed your Google profile is, the more Google knows about you.

There's no advertising attached to Google profiles, but in the future, the company could easily sell ads targeted to your personal details, much as they've already done on Gmail.

These days, Big Brother isn't just watching you — he wants to know your superpower and the name of your childhood pet. And he already knows you like to Google yourself, so don't try to deny it.


Source: http://www.time.com/time/business/article/0,8599,1893965,00.html

The Conficker Virus Finally Attacking Computers

The Conficker virus that was supposed to do something on April 1st, but didn't is slowly being activated. It's quietly turning thousands of personal computers into servers of e-mail spam and spyware.

A Symantec vice president said "Expect this to be long-term, slowly changing. It's not going to be fast, aggressive."

Here's how Conficker works: it installs a second virus that sends out e-mail spam without knowledge of the PC's owner, along with a fake anti-spyware program. The Waledac virus recruits those new PCs into distributing e-mail spam.

Conficker also carries a third virus that warns users their PCs are infected and offers them a fake anti-virus program, Spyware Protect 2009 for $49.95. If they buy it, their credit card information is stolen and the virus downloads even more malicious software.

A researcher from Trend Micro said, "This is probably one of the most sophisticated (viruses) on the planet."

Source: http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,517817,00.html

iPhones and Designer Jeans Continue To Sell In Recession

Sales of the Apple iPhone are as hot as ever, recession or not. McDonald's is doing well too. So is Internet access.

A look at this list of things that are holding their own:

The iPhone
Designer jeans
Wal-Mart and Costco
McDonald's
Internet access
High-definition TV sets

So... why is the iPhone doing well, when it was widely seen as a geeky status symbol just a few years ago? Why is the BlackBerry, gradually spreading from business users to the broader consumer market, holding up, too?

The difference is that when the value of their nest eggs goes down, people look for value in what they buy.

"Even in down times, people still have some discretionary income. What happens is that they spend it more carefully."

So they look for things that will last for them -- which means, for instance, that a television set will look more appealing than, say, a vacation. "They'll get several years of use from the TV, but when the vacation is over, well, you have your memories, and that's it."

Source: http://abcnews.go.com/Business/story?id=7414939&page=1

Too Early Trivia Monday, April 27th, 2009

Question: What percent of Americans say winter is their favorite season?

Answer: 7 percent

"Twilight" Fans Will Attend First-Ever Twicon

The first ever "Twilight"-inspired convention, TwiCon, will be held on July 30-August 2 at the Sheraton Dallas Hotel in Dallas, Texas.

And despite the $255 conference registration and $139 hotel room rate, the event is expected to sell out.

Organizers say tickets have been selling to people of all ages from 11 year-olds to grandmothers, from places as far away as England and Australia.

The three-day conference will include guest appearances by the "Twilight" cast including Peter Facinelli, Jackson Rathbone, Kellan Lutz, Ashley Greene, Mike Welch, and Christian Serratos.

There will also be performances by "Twilight" fandom bands, whose music was inspired by the series. The bands will include Twilight Music Girls, Bella Cullen Project, and the Mitch Hansen Band will be headlining Friday afternoon.

In addition, there will be discussions about the books and film, a vendor hall that will sell everything from T-shirts to colored contacts, appearances by popular "Twilight" bloggers, and even a Volturi Masquerade Ball on Saturday night.

Source: http://www.nbcwashington.com/news/entertainment/First_Ever__Twilight__TwiCon_Expected_To_Sell_Out.html

It's Take Your Child To Work Day

(Washington, DC) -- It's "Take Your Child To Work Day." This morning, First Lady Michelle Obama will welcome the kids of Executive Office employees to the White House's annual celebration of the event. The kids' big day starts at 10:30 a.m. Eastern time with Michelle Obama giving brief remarks and answering questions. Take Your Child To Work Day was started by the Take Our Daughters And Sons To Work Foundation. The idea is to take the mystery out of where parents spend their working hours and get kids thinking about their own futures.

Source: Metrosource News

Viruses Headed to Mac Computers

One of Mac computers' big selling points is their near-immunity to viruses... but some security experts say viruses are moving toward Macs.

According to computer security researchers, as sleek Mac computers become more popular, they're also more sought-after targets for viruses. Apple computers aren't protected by anything other than "relative obscurity" up until this point.

Blogs are buzzing this week after two Symantec researchers found the first program to strike specifically at Mac. The "iBotnet" has only infected a few thousand Mac machines, but it represents a step in the evolution of viruses.

The experts say it was only a matter and time, and they expect to see more.

Source: http://www.cnn.com/2009/TECH/04/22/first.mac.botnet/index.html

The Big Mac Diet

A Californian man lost 15 pounds by eating nothing but McDonald's for a month.

The 40-year-old from San Diego stuck with his diet for 30 days and lost more than half of that 15 pounds in the first week alone.


He ate sausage and egg burritos for breakfast, chicken wraps for lunch and salads for dinner - and exercised regularly.

He said a lot of cardio was involved, and a lot of sit-ups as well. He did an hour of cardio in the morning, or worked out with a trainer three times a week.

This guy's experience is the opposite of filmmaker Morgan Spurlock, who only ate McDonald's food for 30 days. Spurlock gained 24lbs and experienced mood swings, sexual dysfunction, and liver damage.

Source: http://www.ananova.com/news/story/sm_3291833.html?menu=news.quirkies

Too Early Trivia Thursday, April 23rd, 2009

Question: What is the only animal physically unable to jump?

Answer: Elephant

AAA Survey Finds 50 Percent of Drivers Admit To Bad Driving Behavior

A new survey from AAA shows that half of American drivers admit to bad behavior behind the wheel.

The research found that 50 percent of the people questioned said they speed on major highways, speed on residential streets, speed up to beat a yellow light, honk at other drivers, and tailgate.

YET-- 78 percent of those same people call aggressive driving a serious concern.

The study also found that aggressive driving was a contributing factor in 56 percent of all fatal crashes. The AAA determined that there is a fatal crash in the United States every 13 minutes.

Source: http://wsbradio.com/localnews/2009/04/aggressive-driving-in-america.html

See Salad, Eat Fries

A new study has found that just seeing a salad on the menu at a restaurant seems to push some people to make a less healthy meal choice.

The research showed that consumers may feel they have fulfilled a healthy eating goal even if they choose an unhealthy food, and seeing a healthy option among food choices may draw their attention to the least-healthy choice available.

Researchers say it's an effect called "vicarious goal fulfillment," in which a person can feel a goal has been met if they have taken some small action, like considering the salad without ordering it.

Source: http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/04/090420170915.htm

Don't Want To Tell Your Family You Lost Your Job...Facebook them

Anyone getting laid off doesn't have to worry about telling friends of family. Spread the word with Facebook or Twitter.

The Orlando Sentinel quotes people who have recently lost their job. It writes that using online tools is "a more effective way to communicate news that might be too difficult to verbalize, and doing so instantly brings a stream of supportive and helpful messages."

If that sounds helpful, the paper also points out that social networks can also be a good way to jump-start a new job.

Source: http://www.orlandosentinel.com/business/orl-asecjobtweet21042109apr21,0,995797.story

Disney Planting Trees In Celebration Of Earth Day And New Film "Earth"

In celebration of Earth Day, Disney is planting at least half a million trees. "Entertainment Tonight" reports the Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures Group is planting one tree for every person buying a ticket to see the new film titled "Earth." The documentary style movie hits the big screen today and is the first feature film under the Dinseynature umbrella. Five-hundred-thousand advance sale tickets have already been sold and Disney plans to plant a tree for every ticket purchased through this weekend. President of the Disney Motion Pictures Group Mark Zoradi says the film and the tree planting will have a massive impact on the world. He said, quote, "We're so pleased that moviegoers have embraced this film and our tree-planting initiative to this degree and we expect the numbers to keep climbing." The trees will be planted in so-called "critical areas of biodiversity" such as Brazil's Atlantic rainforest region. "Earth" hits theaters this today. James Earl Jones narrates the story which follows three animal families as they venture through the world.

Too Early Trivia Wednesday, April 22nd, 2009

Question: What year did the observance and celebration of Earth Day begin?

Answer: 1970

Four Corners Off The Mark

It turns out the spot that marks the Four Corners area has not been the true mark of where Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico and Utah meet. Updated measurements by the U.S. National Geodetic Survey indicate it's about two-and-a-half-miles away, which might dismay tourists who took photos of themselves standing on the site. The federal government first surveyed the area in 1868, but made some mistakes which misplaced the spot of the monument. Anyone making travel plans to the site should hit 109 degrees west longitude and 37 degrees north latitude. It'll be east of U.S. 160 in Colorado and northeast of the San Juan River as it flows into New Mexico, still putting visitors in desert territory.

Source: Metrosource News

Twitter Set To Double Its Monthly Traffic...Again

More Twitter stats keep rolling in, which show just how massive the last week was for Twitter.

The Kutcher/CNN race to a million on top of Oprah showcasing the service was probably the biggest week for the service... ever.

And here's some data to back that up.

The week before the Kutcher/CNN race, Kutcher's Twitter page got about 176,000 pageviews. Last week, his pageviews rose to an incredible 3.2 million. The CNN page, which was racing with Kutcher went from 61,000 pageviews to over 900,000. And Oprah went from 5,000 pageviews to over 980,000.

All in all, Twitter is poised to explode this month and will probably finish April up over 30 million users for the month. If that happens, they will double their March numbers and jump from #72in the rankings and into the Top 20.

Source: http://www.techcrunch.com/2009/04/20/twitter-is-poised-to-double-its-monthly-traffic-once-again/

Too Early Trivia Tuesday, April 21st, 2009

Question: On average, how much does a woman spend each year on fragrance purchases?

Answer: $47

Too Early Trivia Monday, April 20th, 2009

Question: How many Americans say their homes are "above average" in cleanliness?

Answer: 85 percent

Divorce Cake

The owners of a Florida bakery have created the "divorce cake".

It's like a wedding cake but instead, it's for people wanting to celebrate the end of a marriage.

The owners of the bakery in Pembroke Pines, Florida made the cake to taste the same as wedding cakes, but the miniature scenes on top of the cake show moments of marital strife instead of wedded bliss.

The scenes include a broken heart with the bride and groom on opposite sides, a bride taking her groom out to the garbage, a prison-themed cake with a ball and broken chain and a bride about to throw her groom from a waterfall.

The owners are siblings and one of them has already been through a divorce.


Source: http://www.upi.com/Odd_News/2009/04/16/Bakery-creates-cakes-to-celebrate-divorce/UPI-18641239913249/

Are You A Twitter Loser?

...if any of the following statements sound familiar, I'm afraid to tell you: you're a Twitter loser.


~~ You follow 500 people but only have 35 people following you
~~ You tweet more than 10 times a day
~~ You've replaced drunk dialing with drunk tweeting
~~ It's not a holiday for you until you wish all your followers a happy one
~~ Your favorite source for news is Twitter
~~ You once got a tweet from Ashton Kutcher and immediately called your mom to tell her about it
~~ Then you printed a copy of his tweet and stuck it on your fridge with your favorite Dollywood magnet
~~ You know it's spring because you keep seeing the Twitter logo everywhere

~~ The last time you socialized with anyone in person was when you went to a Tweetup at Applebees last month
~~ You actually think anyone cares what you ate for lunch

Source: http://www.thefrisky.com/post/246-10-reasons-youre-a-twitter-loser/

Twitter Equals Muscle Pain

Health experts are warning that heavy users of the trendy social networking website Twitter could be struck with painful muscle problems.

They said Twitter fans who constantly update their blogs may develop repetitive strain injury in wrists or arms through over-use of computers or phone keys.

A spokesperson from a support group (in London), said: "Twitter should put a warning on their site."


Source: http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/news/article2381011.ece

TV Themes More Popular At Funerals Than Hymns

A new survey found that TV theme tunes and pop songs are now more popular than traditional hymns at funerals.

In England, Frank Sinatra, Celine Dion and Robbie Williams are the funeral faves..

Also, "The Benny Hill" theme and Monty Python's "Always Look On The Bright Side of Life" are among the most requested tunes.

A survey of 30,000 funerals conducted last year found that hymns were now the most popular requests at only 35% of services.

"My Way" by Frank Sinatra was the most popular, followed by "Wind Beneath My Wings" by Bette Midler and "Time To Say Goodbye" by Andrea Bocelli and Sarah Brightman.

Priests end up rejecting one in 10 requests, including for AC/DC's "Highway To Hell" and "Another One Bites The Dust" by Queen.

Source: http://www.ananova.com/news/story/sm_3284581.html?menu=

Too Early Trivia Friday, April 17th, 2009

Question: A survey shows that consumers will spend what amount for Mother's Day this year?

Answer: $123.89

Too Early Trivia Thursday, April 16th, 2009

Question: What percent of Americans say they couldn't live without their microwave?

Answer: 86 percent

9 Ways To Get Happy In The Next 30 Minutes

1. Raise your activity level to pump up your energy.

If you're on the phone, stand up and pace. Walk to a coworker's office instead of sending an e-mail. Put more energy into your voice.

2. Take a walk outside.

Research shows that light helps brain chemicals that improve mood. For an extra boost, get your sunlight first thing in the morning. Find the best walking workout for your exercise style.

3. Reach out.

Send an e-mail to a friend you haven't seen in a while, or reach out to someone new. Having close bonds with other people is one of the most important keys to happiness.

4. Take care of an errand or chore that's on your mind

Deal with that insurance problem, buy something you need, or make that appointment with the dentist. Crossing a chore off your to-do list will give you a sense of happiness.

5. Create a more serene environment.

Spend some time organizing bills and the kitchen. A large stack of little tasks can feel overwhelming, but just a few minutes of work can make a big difference. Set the timer for 10 minutes and see what you can do.

6. Do a good deed.

Introduce two people by e-mail, take a minute to pass along useful information, or give out some props.

7. Save someone's life.

Sign up to be an organ donor and remember to tell your family about your decision. Do good, feel good really works!

8. Act happy.

Research shows that even a fake smile helps your mood. And if you're smiling, other people will see you as friendlier and more approachable. There's no need to walk around worried all the time.

9. Learn something new.

Think of something that you wish you knew more about and spend 15 minutes on the Internet reading about it or go to a bookstore and buy a book about it. But pick a topic that really interests you, not something you think you "should" or "need to" learn about.

10 Gadgets About to Go Extinct

In no particular order, here are 10 technological dinosaurs that recently went extinct, or will be before you know it.

1. Landline phones: Walk into any college dorm room and ask to use a landline. You'll be met with blank stares. These days, only a handful of people are still moving into a new house and having the landline turned on.

2. Floppy disks: if you have any of those little 3 1/2 inch disks lying around, they make great coasters.

3. Wristwatches: Throwing on a fancy watch may make you look professional, but let's be honest... no one wears a wristwatch anymore. Cell phones tell the time, and pretty much everybody has one.

7. Typewriters: The typewriter was near the top of the technological food chain for more than 100 years. Smudged fingers and gallons of whiteout later, it's over. All that remains from the typewriter-ear is the illogical QWERTY keyboard which was created to force the typist to go more slowly so the keys wouldn't jam up.

8. The Walkman, Discman and MiniDisc player: The Sony Walkman portable cassette player changed the way the world listened to music in 1979. In 1984, Sony trumped itself with the introduction of the Discman, the CD version. They've since been killed off by iPods.

9. Dial-up Internet access: In 2008, 9 percent of Internet users still got online via dial-up.

10. DVDs: DVD sales fell off the proverbial cliff in the first three months of 2009, with some retailers reporting a 40 percent drop. The recession? Maybe, but sales of video games, which cost two or three times as much, actually went up about 10 percent. With broadband Internet, you don't need a disc to watch a movie any more. Netflix and Blockbuster have ramped up their online-download services.

To find the rest of the list go to: http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,515647,00.html

Too Early Trivia Wednesday, April 15th, 2009

Question: California is the number one state for vehicle theft, what is the number one vehicle stolen?

Answer: Honda Accord

Conficker Worm Now Stealing

The Conficker worm that infected millions of computers around the world this month is now morphing and spreading, and is stealing personal information.

Conficker is now pretending to be an anti-virus program called Spyware Protect 2009.

The worm takes users to a fake security website, asks them to pay $50 for a spyware program that actually is the Conficker worm, then keeps your credit card information.

Source: http://www.tampabays10.com/news/watercooler/story.aspx?storyid=104027&catid=58

Small Cars Get Poor Marks In Collision Tests

Want MPG's... or to L-I-V-E?

Small cars that give drivers high fuel efficiency at a competitive price do NOT fare well in collisions with larger vehicles.

In crash tests, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety found that drivers of 2009 versions of the Smart "fortwo," Honda Fit and Toyota Yaris could face significant leg and head injuries in severe front-end crashes with larger, mid-size vehicles.

Automakers who manufacture the small cars said the tests simulated a high-speed crash that rarely happens on the road.

(They also said the tests rehashed past insurance industry arguments against tougher fuel efficiency requirements.)

The insurance institute has raised questions about whether stricter gas mileage rules, being developed by the government, might lead to smaller, lighter vehicles that could be less safe.

Source: http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,515516,00.html

Too Early Trivia, Tuesday, April 14th, 2009

Question: What percent of U.S. households have two or more vehicles?

Answer: 65 percent

7 Burning Questions About Air Travel

1. Why Must Your Seat Be Returned to the Upright Position?
"Put your seat in the upright position, make sure any carry-on luggage is placed under the seat, and stow away your tray table."

Why does any of this matter? Note that these instructions pertain specifically to the period during which the aircraft is either taking off or landing. Should an emergency occur during either of these times, passengers often have a good chance of survival if they evacuate the plane immediately. Milliseconds count in these situations, so passengers are naturally in a rush when finding their way to an emergency exit.

Coach passengers know how difficult squeezing out of a seat mid-flight just to get to the lavatory can be; now imagine that the cabin is filled with smoke and visibility is near zero. Reclined seats, extended table trays and briefcases in the aisle will cause already panicked folks to stumble and fall and hamper the evacuation process.

2. What Happens to Items Confiscated by Security Officials Prior to Boarding?

It depends upon individual airline policy. If there is enough time left before boarding, passengers usually have the option of packing the forbidden item into their checked luggage or running outside to stash it in their car. If time has run out for that solution, passengers can request that the airline send the item to "lost and found" so they can claim it upon their return.

However, there are no guarantees that they'll be reunited with their keepsake. The majority of confiscated items ultimately end up in an industrial-sized incinerator or trash compactor.

These days, the most common items accidentally left behind at airport screening terminals are personal computers. Security regulations require that they be removed from their cases for inspection, and many harried travelers simply grab the empty case as they rush to catch a plane. Denver International Airport once posted "Got Laptop?" reminder signs after they collected 95 of the devices in only 30 days.

3. Where Do Airport Codes Come From?

Some airport codes are easy enough to decipher; Boston is BOS, Miami is MIA, and Salt Lake City is SLC. But what about some of the more unusual codes? Why is Chicago ORD and New Orleans MSY?

The names become less mysterious if you know some history about the airports. For example, before Chicago's airport was named after Butch O'Hare, it was called Orchard Airport. New Orleans' code is derived from the property's original purpose - Moisant Stock Yards.

The FAA began to issue three-letter identifying codes to airports back in the early 1930s. The oldest airports were simply designated by their official weather station code, with the letter "X" added to the end. So the Los Angeles Airport became LAX, Phoenix was PHX, and so on.
Incidentally, that tiny sand dune in Kitty Hawk where the Wright Brothers made their first flight has its own location identifier: FFA, for First Flight Airport.

4. What Are the Hottest Selling Items at Airport Shops?

Sometimes it's a regional thing. Miami International is the nation's largest airport retailer of Spanish-language books. Decorative Western saddles (which sell for upwards of $2,000 each) are very popular with international travelers who pass through Dallas/Ft. Worth International. But in 2006 one particular item was selling out at airport newsstands across the country: mechanical pencils. Closer study revealed that the pencil passion was caused by the Sudoku craze. Passengers liked to fritter away their flying time with the popular number puzzles, and most airplanes don't come equipped with pencil sharpeners.

5. Are Pilots Allowed to Chat?

A "sterile cockpit" has nothing to do with the cleanliness of the flight crew. Sterile cockpit is an FAA rule that requires pilots to refrain from non-essential conversation during critical phases of flight (usually any time below 10,000 feet). Airline pilots like to chit-chat while on the job just like anyone else. It's only natural that a task they perform thousands of times becomes automatic and a little gossip while breezing through them would make the process less mundane.

However, prior to take-off, the FAA prefers that cockpit personnel have their minds 100% on the task at hand. Any extraneous conversation could conceivably distract the crew and ultimately cost lives.

6. When Did Airports Beef Up Security?

Airport security was virtually non-existent until a rash of hijackings occurred in the early 1970s. In December 1972, the FAA issued an ultimatum: all U.S. airports had one month to install the necessary equipment and procedures to ensure that each and every passenger and bag would be properly screened.

The first metal detectors used at most airports were large, clumsy devices called magnetometers. These machines were originally designed for the logging industry.

(If a piece of metal is present in a log, it can severely damage the saw, so the magnetometer was devised to prevent saw mill shutdowns.) Unlike the door-frame design of today's metal detectors, the original magnetometers were tunnels about five feet long. Passengers walked up one ramp to enter the device, and down another to exit.

7. What's So Bad About Living Near an Airport? (You Know, Besides the Noise and Traffic.)

Just like prisons and meat processing plants, airports suffer from "Not In My Backyard" syndrome. However, it's not just the noise and traffic that make living near an airport undesirable; the construction of an airfield can actually change an area's weather patterns. Because expansive areas of land have to be flattened out, the surrounding tracts may suddenly become more susceptible to fog. The miles of pavement necessary for taxiways and runways can also change drainage patterns, which may lead to problems with flooding and soil erosion.

Source: http://www.mentalfloss.com/blogs/archives/24547#more-24547

Exercising After The Baby

What's a new mom or dad to do about exercise now that the baby is here and they need to spend time with the little one?

Invent an exercise bike that combines the two activities, of course.

A new creation called the ‘Bike Dream Machine' uses the circular motion of pedaling the bicycle to gently rock your baby to sleep while you ride.

Best of all, the bassinette sits right in front of the handle bars so you can see your baby, and your baby can see you.

Source: http://www.trendhunter.com/trends/exercise-bike-parents-rocks-baby-to-sleep

Inhalable Chocolate

A Harvard professor has come up with "Le Whif" - inhalable chocolate with zero calories.

Each Le Whif dispenser looks like a blend of an asthma inhaler, a tube of lipstick, and a shotgun shell, and it'll set you back 53 bucks for a box of 24.

Le Whif comes in four flavors: mint chocolate, raspberry chocolate, mango chocolate, and plain chocolate, and will be introduced in Paris on April 29th.

After that, the professor will premiere it for 10 days at the Cannes Film Festival and then a "surprising" roll out in Chicago.

http://www.lewhif.com/

Too Early Trivia Monday, April 13th, 2009

Question: In what year did the first Hard Rock Cafe open in London?

Answer: 1971

Facts About My Beloved PEEPS!

Here are some more facts and figures regarding this favored Easter season delight:

• Ancient Egyptians were the first to enjoy a gooey treat now called “marshmallow” as early as 2000 BC. Marshmallow was made from the mallow plant (Athaea officinalis) that grows wild in marshes (creative naming!) native to Asia and Europe, and has since been naturalized in America.

• Marshmallows were introduced and popularized in the United States in the early 1900s, with the particular marshmallow affectation known as the Easter Peep being “born” in 1953.

• Peeps were originally made by hand, which took 27 hours (requiring setting overnight). Today it takes six minutes to create one Peeps chick.

• Why Peeps for Easter? Peeps may not have much to do with Jesus, but they do have a lot in common with Spring.

• In fact, Peeps have been the #1 non-chocolate Easter candy in the U.S. for more than a decade. Yellow is America’s best selling color of Peep chicks and bunnies.

• Peeps are no stranger to science - there are plenty of websites devoted to exploring their chemical and physical properties.

• According to a survey, most people relish eating Peeps head-first.


Source: http://www.mentalfloss.com/blogs/archives/24430#more-24430

Remember The Conficker Virus? It's Finally Doing Something

The Conficker computer worm that's had every computer user in a tizzy for weeks is finally showing signs of life... but no one's quite sure what its doing.

Here's the scoop: On Wednesday, Conficker started updating itself via the web. Now it's receiving instructions, but they are a mystery at the moment because they are heavily encrypted. So far, the worm starts, has the PC look for 5 websites to make sure there is an internet connection, grabs instructions, then the program deletes itself and every trace that it ran... but it obviously doesn't really delete itself. It just sits and waits for the next set of instructions... whatever those may be.

Researchers are continuing to try to figure out exactly what's going on. Stand by.

Source: http://tech.yahoo.com/blogs/null/137609

10 Things That Scream, "Don't Hire Me!"

(from CareerBuilder.com.)

Not sure if you're unknowingly blowing your chances at scoring your dream job? Here are 10 red flags to be wary of during your next job hunt:

Red flag No. 1: You don't have any contact information on your résumé

When you're crafting your résumé, you should focus on highlighting relevant skills and accomplishments that are in line with the position for which you are applying. But what good is an impressive résumé if hiring managers have no way to get in touch with its owner? If they can't find you, they can't hire you. Always provide a home address, phone number or e-mail address so employers can get in touch with you easily.

Red flag No. 2: You have long gaps between jobs on your résumé

Even if your long departure from the work force is valid, extended lapses of unemployment might say to an employer, "Why weren't you wanted by anyone?" Anytime you have more than a three-month gap of idleness on your résumé, legitimate or otherwise, be prepared to explain yourself.

Red flag No. 3: You aren't prepared for the interview

There are many ways to be unprepared for an interview: You haven't researched the company, you don't have any questions prepared, you didn't bring a copy of your résumé, etc. Plain and simple, do your homework before an interview. Explore the company online, prepare answers to questions and have someone give you a mock interview. The more prepared you are, the more employers will take you seriously.

Red flag No. 4: You didn't provide any references

By omitting references in your application, employers could infer that you don't know anyone who has any positive things to say about you -- when in fact, you just forgot to provide them with people who can vouch for you. No references also shows employers that you aren't prepared for people to call them. Always make sure the hiring manager has at least one person to contact who can speak on your behalf.

Red flag No. 5: You only have negative things to say about previous employment

We know how tempting it is to want to tell anyone who will listen how much of a (insert expletive word here) your old boss was -- but a hiring manager for a coveted job is not that person.

There are hundreds of ways to turn negative things about an old job into positives. Thought your last job was a dead end?

Spin it by saying, "I felt I had gone as far as I could go in that position. I'm looking for something with more opportunity for advancement."

Couldn't get along with your co-workers? "I really need to work in an environment where I feel like I'm part of a team and my last position didn't allow for that kind of atmosphere."

Red flag No. 6: You've held seven different jobs -- in the past six months

Job hopping is a new trend in the working world. Workers are no longer staying in a job for 10-20 years; they stay for a couple and move on to the next one. While such a tactic can further your career, switching jobs too often will raise a prospective employer's antenna. Too many jobs in too little time tells employers that either you can't hold a job or you have no loyalty. Pick and choose the jobs you include on your résumé or prepare to explain yourself.

Red flag No. 7: You give inconsistent answers in your interview

One tactic hiring managers use during the hiring process is to ask you the same question in several different ways. This is mostly to ensure that you're genuine with your answers and not just telling an employer what he or she wants to hear. Keep your responses sincere throughout the entire process and you should be good to go.

Red flag No. 8: You lack flexibility

Most people know what they want in a job as far as benefits, compensation, time-off, etc. If you're unable to be flexible with some of your (unrealistic?) expectations, however, you're going to have a difficult time finding a job. Have a bottom line in terms of what you want before you start the hiring process and be willing to bend a bit if necessary.

Red flag No. 9: Your application was, in a word -- lazy

Only doing the bare minimum of what's asked of you won't get very far -- in life or in your job search. Applying to jobs with the same résumé and the same cover letter (or none at all) is pure laziness. And, if you won't spend extra time on yourself and your application materials, you sure as heck won't do it for a client.

Red flag No. 10: You lack objective or ambition

If you have no long-term goals, then you really have no short-term goals either. "Long-term goals may change, however you need to have some concept of where you want to go." Know where you want to go and how you plan to get there. Otherwise you seem unfocused and unmotivated, which are two big no-no's for an applicant.

Too Early Trivia Friday, April 10th, 2009

Question: In what year did the word 'cupcake' first appear in a book?

Answer: 1828

Too Early Trivia Thursday, April 9th, 2009

Question: How many calories in a Cadbury Creme Egg?

Answer: 172

Too Early Trivia Wednesday, April 8th, 2009

Question: According to Men's Health magazine, the average amount of cash a guy carries is what?

Answer: $37

Some Last Minute Tax Tips

New Homeowner Deduction
If you were a first-time home buyer in 2008, you may be eligible for a tax credit of up to $7,500 or 10 percent of the purchase price, whichever is less. There is a catch, though. You have to pay it back in the next 15 years, in equal amounts each year, which makes it a bit more like a loan than a credit.

Job Hunting Expenses
If you were laid off in the past year, most of the expenses incurred while looking for a job can be deducted from your taxes. Any money you spent on creating and mailing your resume is deductible. You can also deduct expenditures for career coaches and headhunters. You can even deduct long distance or cell phone charges related to the job search, as well as travel expenses for interviews, including mileage.

Other Missed Deductions
- College tuition credit: Parents who paid their children's college tuition in 2008 can deduct up to $4,000.
- Teacher book credit: Teachers who paid for books or other classroom supplies can deduct up to $250.
- Clean fuel credit: If you bought a hybrid car or truck, you're eligible for a conservation tax credit of between $250 and $1,000. Depending on the make of the car, you could also get a fuel economy credit of between $400 and $2,400.

Tax Payment Plans
In this recession, many Americas don't have enough money to put food on their tables, let alone pay the IRS. Luckily, there is a payment plan option, but it comes with several strings. You may qualify if your tax bill is less than $25,000 and can be paid off within five years. The IRS' interest rate is 5 percent.

Filing Extensions
An extension allows you to delay filing your official tax return for six months. But don't think it will save you money. You must still pay all the taxes you owe on April 15, or you will incur interest charges. If you know you can't pay your taxes, you'll need to set up a payment plan.


Source: http://abcnews.go.com/Business/Economy/story?id=7250070&page=1

What's Your Excuse?

Careerbuilder.com did a study on what happens to people when they realize they're running late to work.

According to reports, the moment of knowing that you're going to be late brings out a creative side and it's when you begin to plan the excuse on why you were late.

A February 2009 survey of 8,000 people showed that 20% of workers said they were late to work at least once a week.

Employees have heard the craziest excuses and here are a few:

1. My heat was shut off so I had to stay home to keep my snake warm.

2. My husband thinks it's funny to hide my car keys before he goes to work.

3. I walked into a spider web on the way out the door and couldn't find the spider, so I had to go inside and shower again.

4. I got locked in my trunk by my son.

5. My left turn signal was out so I had to make all right turns to get to work.

6. A gurney fell out of an ambulance and delayed traffic.

Careerbuilder.com suggests that you're honest but always try to be on time.

Too Early Trivia Tuesday, April 7th, 2009

Question: According to a Glamour magazines readers poll what percent of women said wearing polka dots is a do?

Answer: 70 percent

6 Things To Buy Before The Economy Improves

1. Women's Clothing
According to the Consumer Price Index, women's outerwear, shoes and accessories have all seen lower prices in February compared with a year ago. Women have begun flocking to "value" retailers, which means less expensive clothing stores can lower their prices through lower production costs, and more expensive clothing stores will be forced to have more sales and clearance racks.

2. Laptops
The VP of consumer electronics for Amazon.com says laptop prices have dropped thanks to the interest in netbooks. Computer prices dropped 13 percent in February from a year earlier.

3. Toys
Parents can breathe a sigh of relief: More affordable toys are on their way for the holidays. According to the Toy Industry Association Inc., toy manufacturers are responding to the economic climate by developing low-cost toys.

4. Televisions
Each year it seems TVs get cheaper and cheaper, but this year those decreases are starting to make larger flat-panel TVs far more affordable. The radio/television category in February's Consumer Price Index was down 9 percent from a year ago.

5. Furniture
With fewer people buying houses, fewer people are buying new furniture. Furniture retailers who haven't gone out of business have to respond to those liquidation sales with price cuts and clearance items of their own.

6. Diamonds
Don't wait for the economy to improve before popping the question. The recession has quashed demand for diamonds, creating deals. One expert says prices for polished diamonds are down 14 percent, on average, from their highs last summer.

Source: http://shopping.yahoo.com/articles/yshoppingarticles/218/6-things-to-buy-before-the-economy-improves/

Too Early Trivia Monday, April 6th, 2009

Question: When did the tradition of painting eggs become an Easter tradition?

Answer: 13th century

Too Early Trivia Friday, April 3rd, 2009

Question: On September 18th Guiding Light is going off the air after how many years?

Answer: 72

Too Early Trivia Thursday, April 2nd, 2009

Question: Entertainment Weekly listed their "Top 20 Hero's", who was their top hero?

Answer: James Bond (#2 Indiana Jones, #3 Superman, #4 Harry Potter)

Too Early Trivia Wednesday, April 1, 2009

Question: When was the Make-A-Wish Foundation founded?

Answer: 1980