I like to talk to people. It doesn't matter whether they are old or young, a friend or a stranger. I learned some interesting trivia on a recent trip to Disneyland just because I engaged in that lost art form - conversation.
#1 - The horses that pull the street car on Main Street work three hours a day, three days a week. It's a cushy job for them since most come from other "careers." The horse pulling our street car came from an Amish farm where he worked 10 hours a day!
#2 - It's common knowledge that Disney employs "cast members" to assist "guests." Besides perks of merchandise and food discounts, cast members also get unlimited admission into all Disney parks worldwide EXCEPT for Tokyo Disneyland where a 1-day admission is 6400 yen ($62 USD).
#3 - There are five cast members selling Mickey Mouse balloons for $14 each throughout Disneyland. They sell a combined total of 2000 balloons "on a good day." You do the math.
#4 - The most popular Mickey ears hat is the traditional black one. It's good to know that tradition is alive and well, at least at Disneyland.
#5 - The most popular ride among cast members, according to the poll I conducted, is Big Thunder Mountain Railroad (32%) followed by Haunted Mansion (20%), Space Mountain (16%), Indiana Jones (12%), Pirates of the Caribbean (8%), Star Tours (8%) and The Tiki Room (4%). Surprisingly, NO ONE chose my personal favorite -Storybook Land.
Wednesday, April 2
Wednesday, March 26
wacky wednesday - paper clothing
I recently saw a comic in the paper that not only made me laugh but also took me on a trip down Memory Lane.
In 1966 the Scott Paper Company, as a marketing stunt, offered consumers, for the low price of $1.25 and a coupon, a paper dress made out of "Dura-Weve," a cellulose material patented almost a decade before. That marketing ploy paid off as it kicked off a craze the likes of which the fashion industry had not seen before. Paper dresses were mass produced and by 1967 they sold in major department stores around the country for about $8. Consumers could also purchase paper underwear (perhaps the precursor of disposable diapers?), men's vests (why???), girl's pinafores (but no boy's clothing?), wedding gowns (a deal at $15), raincoats (hard to believe they would be waterproof) and even bikinis (only good for two or three wearings!).
There was "talk" about paper garments taking over the entire clothing market. Paper clothing was just one of many new disposable products available in the 1960's when disposable cutlery, plates, razors, pens and lighters became readily available. My parents had disposable pens and lighters and we occasionally used paper plates and cutlery. But when I begged my parents for a paper dress, they emphatically put their foot (feet?) down with a resounding "No child of mine will wear disposable clothing!" For them, it was a cost thing. My mom could make me a dress for a lot less than $8 and it would last for years eventually being handed down to my sister, cousins and sometimes neighbors. Even a store-bought dress was less than $10.
The "talk," however, was wrong and the novelty soon wore off. By 1968 - just one year later - paper garb had disappeared from the clothing market. Why? They didn't fit well, they were uncomfortable, the colors could rub off, and they sometimes were flammable (watch out for those new disposable lighters!). They ended up as waste in a landfill in a society becoming more aware of the environment. And the hippies arrived on the scene with their flowing, romantic vintage-style clothing. The wind had changed...
F MINUS
In 1966 the Scott Paper Company, as a marketing stunt, offered consumers, for the low price of $1.25 and a coupon, a paper dress made out of "Dura-Weve," a cellulose material patented almost a decade before. That marketing ploy paid off as it kicked off a craze the likes of which the fashion industry had not seen before. Paper dresses were mass produced and by 1967 they sold in major department stores around the country for about $8. Consumers could also purchase paper underwear (perhaps the precursor of disposable diapers?), men's vests (why???), girl's pinafores (but no boy's clothing?), wedding gowns (a deal at $15), raincoats (hard to believe they would be waterproof) and even bikinis (only good for two or three wearings!).
There was "talk" about paper garments taking over the entire clothing market. Paper clothing was just one of many new disposable products available in the 1960's when disposable cutlery, plates, razors, pens and lighters became readily available. My parents had disposable pens and lighters and we occasionally used paper plates and cutlery. But when I begged my parents for a paper dress, they emphatically put their foot (feet?) down with a resounding "No child of mine will wear disposable clothing!" For them, it was a cost thing. My mom could make me a dress for a lot less than $8 and it would last for years eventually being handed down to my sister, cousins and sometimes neighbors. Even a store-bought dress was less than $10.
The "talk," however, was wrong and the novelty soon wore off. By 1968 - just one year later - paper garb had disappeared from the clothing market. Why? They didn't fit well, they were uncomfortable, the colors could rub off, and they sometimes were flammable (watch out for those new disposable lighters!). They ended up as waste in a landfill in a society becoming more aware of the environment. And the hippies arrived on the scene with their flowing, romantic vintage-style clothing. The wind had changed...
Wednesday, March 19
wacky wednesday - tee hee hee
We just got back from a week in North Carolina visiting the grandkids and their parents. One of the things I love about being there is listening to kid conversation, and in particular, kid jokes. Even though I've heard most of them many times, each child tells them with different expression and emphasis which makes me laugh again and again.
I asked each of the older kids to tell me their favorite joke. As expected, "knock knock" jokes were at the top of their lists.
I asked each of the older kids to tell me their favorite joke. As expected, "knock knock" jokes were at the top of their lists.
Christopher (age 10)
Knock knock!
Who's there?
Aaron.
Aaron who?
Aaron out my stinky gym shoes!
Nick (age 9)
Knock knock!
Who's there?
Dishes.
Dishes who?
Dishes your friend, let me in!
Ben (age 7 (almost))
Knock knock!
Who's there?
Blue.
Blue who?
Blue Berry!
Lexie (age 6)
Knock knock!
Who's there?
Banana.
Banana who?
Knock knock!
Who's there?
Banana.
Banana who?
Knock knock!
Who's there?
Orange.
Orange who?
Orange you glad I didn't say banana?!
Ellie (age 4 months)
She doesn't know any jokes but she makes me laugh with her expressions and "talking!" It seems as though she is trying to tell a joke as she babbles and then waits for a second before delivering the punchline and breaks into a huge smile.
It has been said that laughter is the best medicine. I think it might be. The effects of laughter and exercise are similar - heart rate increases, oxygenation of tissue increases, stress hormones are reduced. People who laugh often tend to be healthier and happier. So go find something to laugh about … giggle… guffaw… snort… and let loose a belly laugh!
Wednesday, March 12
wacky wednesday - people, it's a bucket!
People have been having babies since… well, since Adam and Eve. And, in the beginning, what one needed for a baby was pretty basic. But now new parents (and grandparents!) are bombarded with the latest and greatest baby paraphernalia. Some things are absolute must-haves - a carseat and a place for baby to sleep, for example. Others, like a jumper seat, are in the nice-to have-but-not-essential category. And then there are the money-wasters - wipe warmers would be one example, in my opinion.
I was walking through a local baby store and saw these.
I was walking through a local baby store and saw these.
What you can't read underneath "washPOD" is "The most natural way to bathe baby!" What is "natural" about sticking your baby in a bucket to bathe them?
Apparently they are all the rage in Europe. Proponents of them claim it simulates being in the womb for the baby. Really? I'm pretty sure uteruses are not made of hard plastic and there are no bright lights in there. They are recommended for ages newborn through six-months. It is not easy to hang on to a wet newborn IN A PLASTIC BUCKET FULL OF SOAPY WATER!
Now imagine my surprise when I discovered you can order adult-sized inflatable bath pods! I love a long soak in a hot tub probably more than most folks - but not scrunched up in a bucket! And I just don't believe that a baby likes it either. Call me old-fashioned but I think a plain ol' bathtub is just fine - for baby and for me.
Wednesday, March 5
wacky wednesday - it's the pits!
Clay Thompson writes a column, Valley 101, for The Arizona Republic, our local newspaper. He answers readers' questions about pretty much anything in a semi-sarcastic (okay, really sarcastic) manner and frequently says things like, "You people have too much time on your hands!" when he gets random queries about insignificant things - which is most of the time.
As I was cutting up fruit this week, I wondered why some of the fruit had several small seeds (like the apples) while others had just one larger pit (like the peaches). I pondered this conundrum while I finished cutting up fruit knowing it is the kind of question that drives Clay crazy.
As I was cutting up fruit this week, I wondered why some of the fruit had several small seeds (like the apples) while others had just one larger pit (like the peaches). I pondered this conundrum while I finished cutting up fruit knowing it is the kind of question that drives Clay crazy.
A little internet research provided an answer. ALL fruits have seeds. Some fruit - apples, grapes and pears, for example - have several/many small seeds and other fruit - peaches, plums and apricots, for instance - have a single seed encased in the pit which protects the seed until conditions are right for it to start to grow. Different plants require different growing conditions - soil pH, sun vs. shade, etc.
Fruit seeds are spread when animals eat the fruit. If the fruit has many small seeds, the animal typically eats the entire fruit and the seeds are eliminated in the animal's poo (called scat for those who are really interested in that kind of thing) which provides fertilizer for the fledgling seedlings. Many seeds are needed since the survival rate is low for unprotected seedlings in the wild.
On the other hand, if the fruit has a pit, the animal eats the fleshy part of the fruit and leaves the pit. As the pit is exposed to the elements and breaks down, the seed inside begins to grow while being protected by the decomposing pit which becomes fertilizer for the seedling.
Maybe Clay is right. Maybe I do have too much time on my hands.
Wednesday, February 26
wacky wednesday - did you know?
Today is Wednesday, February 26th, 2014… aka "Tell a Fairy Tale Day"… and "National Pistachio Day"… and "Carnival Day." But did you know it is also "Inconvenience Yourself Day?" Yes, you read that correctly - INconvenience Yourself Day.
The holiday's founder, Julie Thompson, noticed that more often than she liked, she was in her own little world (or lala-land, as I call it) oblivious to the people around her and how her actions impacted them. The more she thought about this, she realized the "problem" was fairly universal and widespread. Gone were the days of common courtesy and politeness being the rule rather than the exception. Her thinking is that people aren't actively choosing to be discourteous or even rude but they also are not choosing to be kind and generous (with their time, energy, etc.). Without conscious effort, self will always take over and we exhibit behavior that looks like we think we are more important than someone else… like cutting across several lanes of traffic so we don't miss our turn… or not holding the door open for the person behind you … or not saying thank you if someone does open that door for you.
Ms. Thompson decided to actively look for ways to "inconvenience" herself, to put someone else ahead of her. One of her first acts was moving some stray shopping carts that were blocking cars in a crowded parking lot. She had to walk a few parking spaces out of her way to move carts that were not in her way but she said that the smile on the driver's face when he realized he did not have to get out of his car and move the carts was heartwarming.
Does this sound a bit like random acts of kindness? Or the Boy/Girl Scout slogan - "Do a good turn daily." It did to me, too - at first. But Ms. Thompson's intention was not just to do something nice once a day or randomly but to be very intentional about how she lives her life and encourages others to live theirs. I think it's more like the Golden Rule - "Do unto others as you would like them to do unto you." Or as Jesus said in Matthew 7:12, "Do to others what you want them to do to you. This is the essence of all that is taught in the law and the prophets." (NLT) When Jesus said "others," he meant everyone - your family, your friends, your enemies, those who are nice to you and those who are not. And he did not add a time quantifier like "daily" or "once a year" - he just said "do."
The Inconvenience Yourself website has stories to encourage you and lists of ideas to get you started. Maybe you could tell the child in your life a fairy tale instead of checking out Facebook once again. Or share your bag of pistachios with a stranger. Imagine what could happen if we celebrated "Inconvenience Yourself Day" every day!
Oh, and in case you are interested, tomorrow is National Chili Day.
The holiday's founder, Julie Thompson, noticed that more often than she liked, she was in her own little world (or lala-land, as I call it) oblivious to the people around her and how her actions impacted them. The more she thought about this, she realized the "problem" was fairly universal and widespread. Gone were the days of common courtesy and politeness being the rule rather than the exception. Her thinking is that people aren't actively choosing to be discourteous or even rude but they also are not choosing to be kind and generous (with their time, energy, etc.). Without conscious effort, self will always take over and we exhibit behavior that looks like we think we are more important than someone else… like cutting across several lanes of traffic so we don't miss our turn… or not holding the door open for the person behind you … or not saying thank you if someone does open that door for you.
Ms. Thompson decided to actively look for ways to "inconvenience" herself, to put someone else ahead of her. One of her first acts was moving some stray shopping carts that were blocking cars in a crowded parking lot. She had to walk a few parking spaces out of her way to move carts that were not in her way but she said that the smile on the driver's face when he realized he did not have to get out of his car and move the carts was heartwarming.
Does this sound a bit like random acts of kindness? Or the Boy/Girl Scout slogan - "Do a good turn daily." It did to me, too - at first. But Ms. Thompson's intention was not just to do something nice once a day or randomly but to be very intentional about how she lives her life and encourages others to live theirs. I think it's more like the Golden Rule - "Do unto others as you would like them to do unto you." Or as Jesus said in Matthew 7:12, "Do to others what you want them to do to you. This is the essence of all that is taught in the law and the prophets." (NLT) When Jesus said "others," he meant everyone - your family, your friends, your enemies, those who are nice to you and those who are not. And he did not add a time quantifier like "daily" or "once a year" - he just said "do."
The Inconvenience Yourself website has stories to encourage you and lists of ideas to get you started. Maybe you could tell the child in your life a fairy tale instead of checking out Facebook once again. Or share your bag of pistachios with a stranger. Imagine what could happen if we celebrated "Inconvenience Yourself Day" every day!
Oh, and in case you are interested, tomorrow is National Chili Day.
Wednesday, February 19
wacky wednesday - winter or spring??
Just two and a half weeks ago the world-renowned groundhog, Punxsutawney Phil, saw his shadow and six more weeks of winter were predicted. And, as much of the U.S. plunged into more snow and ice storms, it seemed PP's prediction was, once again, accurate.
But I wonder.
As my sweethearts living in the Charlotte, N.C. area battled snow and ice resulting in three school snow days last week, the unseasonably warm temperatures here in the Valley of the Sun resulted in the mind battle of whether or not it's too early to turn on the air conditioning.
And then there is the tree in our front yard which turns into a giant, white blossom ball every spring - usually in mid-March or later. But this year, even before all the leaves fell off, the "snow" covered its branches - a sure sign of spring.
But I wonder.
As my sweethearts living in the Charlotte, N.C. area battled snow and ice resulting in three school snow days last week, the unseasonably warm temperatures here in the Valley of the Sun resulted in the mind battle of whether or not it's too early to turn on the air conditioning.
And then there is the tree in our front yard which turns into a giant, white blossom ball every spring - usually in mid-March or later. But this year, even before all the leaves fell off, the "snow" covered its branches - a sure sign of spring.
The National Climatic Data Center analyzed PP's forecasts and announced he has "no predictive skill." I think I have to agree with them. (And I hope my tax dollars did not fund that bit of research… another post for another day!)
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