tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-63603089678432254212024-02-19T05:37:39.820-08:00Odd and Strange - World of Odd Stuff, Fun Facts and Bizarre StoriesA sneak peek in the odd world of strange stuff, weird facts and bizarre stories.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11291739035935249194noreply@blogger.comBlogger55125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6360308967843225421.post-30398819169840440892015-03-05T06:48:00.000-08:002015-03-11T07:39:40.740-07:005 Unexplained Mysteries that will Haunt you for Answers<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
From reincarnated twins to ghost ships, these are some of the most famous unexplained mysteries of all time.
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<h2 style="text-align: left;">
The Pollock Twins</h2>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiivvTwlxWybIbBooLRQ4T3KG5nRgU7DDVhnhdL1swszs683w8jYGeT1Yop4I5A5DAj2wRozgGLf0pY-Uy1j4vL8Z7oCi-J0zYXajCqJBEjrCsPTZVfKJ_mIn47KnpAGRcClYPqC-dBiVo/s1600/Pollock-twins.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Pollock Twins" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiivvTwlxWybIbBooLRQ4T3KG5nRgU7DDVhnhdL1swszs683w8jYGeT1Yop4I5A5DAj2wRozgGLf0pY-Uy1j4vL8Z7oCi-J0zYXajCqJBEjrCsPTZVfKJ_mIn47KnpAGRcClYPqC-dBiVo/s1600/Pollock-twins.png" height="236" title="Pollock Twins" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jennifer and Gillian Pollock - The Pollock Twins</td></tr>
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<a name='more'></a>Hexham, England, was home to the little, happy Pollock family that led a normal life until they met with an accident that tore apart their family picture forever. Joanna Pollock, 11, and her little sister Jacqueline Pollock, were killed when they were hit by a car.<br />
The tragic accident left the parents literally destroyed. A year later, they got a good news when they found out that Florence Pollock, the mother, was pregnant. Florence's doctors told her that she was only carrying one child, but everybody was surprised when Florence gave birth to a pair of twin sisters, christened Jennifer and Gillian.<br />
The parents noticed that Jennifer was born with the same birth marks as her dead sister Jacqueline. Even the behaviors of the little twins resembled those of their dead sisters.<br />
As the twins grew older, they started requesting toys that once belonged to their dead sisters. They even remembered the old house where their sisters spent their little life, the school they attended and even the park they used to play at. Dr. Ian Stevenson, one of the reputed psychologists of the time, studied the case and concluded it was likely the twins were reincarnations of their departed sisters. Even more bizarre is the fact that the memories disappeared, almost overnight, as the girls reached the age of five years.<br />
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<h2 style="text-align: left;">
The Green Children of Woolpit</h2>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgfHvH2cN_hsWLiALQSmxk6tJXShiQLZ9Hxw0mg8NqyVR5_af4Y7ZEN-4-yoKvYJdS0rri5NBvzT3tRE9TqCVqPRmJueVlr-1VGXDe4w5MMZwmEbpmDyL0Jgni1SWzGaVv6Gt0ZEdtD8A/s1600/green-children-of-woolpit.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Green Children" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgfHvH2cN_hsWLiALQSmxk6tJXShiQLZ9Hxw0mg8NqyVR5_af4Y7ZEN-4-yoKvYJdS0rri5NBvzT3tRE9TqCVqPRmJueVlr-1VGXDe4w5MMZwmEbpmDyL0Jgni1SWzGaVv6Gt0ZEdtD8A/s1600/green-children-of-woolpit.jpg" height="320" title="Green Children" width="313" /></a></div>
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In 12th century England, the people of Woolpit found two children near a wolf pit. They were astonished by the green color of the children's skin. Besides their unusual skin color, the children were also wearing strange clothes and spoke an alien language. The children were taken to the village but they refused to eat anything other then beans. They quickly became popular as the Green Children of Woolpit.<br />
The Green Children gradually adopted a normal life style and their green skin color faded away. When the Green Children learnt to speak English, they told the villagers they have come from a land where the sun never shone and everything there was green. They were herding their father's animals when they heard the sound of bells which guided them to our world.<br />
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<h2 style="text-align: left;">
The Dyatlov Pass Incident</h2>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghAdnd02PLIAclSQj0xcvZAPTgJ2wqDj5wxQs_viJLb1_JOcdLxUOzMNeBTopxmuvkFwf1Y_KWllbhXrKBqhz7_vZZwgcmEYsiEf_XonVA7WLZVsJixXq7dXLGbM9MySt9_tbl_VRqadA/s1600/dyatlov-pass-incident.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Dyatlov Pass Incident" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghAdnd02PLIAclSQj0xcvZAPTgJ2wqDj5wxQs_viJLb1_JOcdLxUOzMNeBTopxmuvkFwf1Y_KWllbhXrKBqhz7_vZZwgcmEYsiEf_XonVA7WLZVsJixXq7dXLGbM9MySt9_tbl_VRqadA/s1600/dyatlov-pass-incident.jpg" height="242" title="Dyatlov Pass Incident" width="400" /></a></div>
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The Dyatlov Pass Incident took place more than 50 years ago, but still remains one of the strangest unexplained mysteries of Russia. In January of 1959, eight students set off for hiking in the Ural Mountains. In February, the hikers went missing.<br />
They were found six miles away from their camp site, near Kholat Syakhl, meaning 'Mountain of the dead' in Russian. The camp was in wrecks. It looked like it was torn from the inside and covered in snow. All their equipment were found inside the camp. The bodies were later found buried in snow.<br />
Strangely, the bodies had no clothes and no shoes, and that too in a chilling -30 degrees centigrade. The bodies had serious injuries, two of them had fractured skulls two more had major chest fractures, and one hiker was missing her tongue.<br />
The bodies had a deep brown tan and gray hair. Some of the hiker's clothes also contained radioactive contamination. Authorities who examined the case determined that the deaths had been caused by an "unknown compelling force". For some people, the hikers were killed by extra terrestrial while others blame it on Soviet military experiments. Whatever happened to the Dyatlov Pass hikers, we might never know.<br />
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<h2 style="text-align: left;">
Mary Celeste</h2>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaSafcEgkio93FB7SCUUzWqI6S0BjIbPifSe7jtIz1xwfTMT4q8Kk3zoYiBZqCWymezYiS7Bovw5h_AD8hWgdpEiMXmXTuSq0VrffGqTylrh06r5hhxlZKegRd6jgyLN-AH3sEwTZWIDQ/s1600/mary-celeste-unexplained-mysteries.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Mary Celeste" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaSafcEgkio93FB7SCUUzWqI6S0BjIbPifSe7jtIz1xwfTMT4q8Kk3zoYiBZqCWymezYiS7Bovw5h_AD8hWgdpEiMXmXTuSq0VrffGqTylrh06r5hhxlZKegRd6jgyLN-AH3sEwTZWIDQ/s1600/mary-celeste-unexplained-mysteries.jpg" height="190" title="Mary Celeste" width="400" /></a></div>
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In 1872, Dei Gratia, a British brigantine was sailing in the Atlantic Ocean when they came across a ship that was out of control and yawing. The captain of Dei Gratia decided to check out and recognized the ship to be Mary Celeste, a merchant brigantine from New York.<br />
Mary Celeste had left New York for Genoa. When the captain of Dei Gratia investigated the ship, they found it in a seaworthy condition. The cargo compartments were filled with alcohol barrels. They even found served food in the dining hall. But the crew was no where to be found. There were no signs of panic. Everything was at its place. It seemed like the crew had suddenly left the ship..<br />
Mary Celeste was being captained by Captain Briggs. He was accompanied by his wife, a 2-year old daughter Sophia and seven more crew members. What happened to these people remains one of the many unexplained mysteries of the sea.<br />
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<h2 style="text-align: left;">
Babushka Lady</h2>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCv0nNce7aT16vBr-ZeWrJr_IFwPkyOI9cJidc29iJwGwK8qYzwon_WkSTFn3hFm0hBOEFj4tqvzAPPhZNadKWCaP6j6vHjjmKRrt_YCXH11yynGaEH7J37sZ9W_WPiGuWw153DvwLo0Y/s1600/Babushka-lady-unexplained-mysteries.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Babushka Lady" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCv0nNce7aT16vBr-ZeWrJr_IFwPkyOI9cJidc29iJwGwK8qYzwon_WkSTFn3hFm0hBOEFj4tqvzAPPhZNadKWCaP6j6vHjjmKRrt_YCXH11yynGaEH7J37sZ9W_WPiGuWw153DvwLo0Y/s1600/Babushka-lady-unexplained-mysteries.png" height="263" title="Babushka Lady" width="400" /></a></div>
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The Babushka lady is an unknown woman present at the time of assassination of American President, John F. Kennedy. The identity of Babushka Lady remains a mystery to this day. The name 'Babushka' refers to the scarf the woman was wearing, which looks very similar to scarves normally worn by elderly Russian women.<br />
The woman appears to be photographing the event. After the President was shot, the Babushka lady keeps photographing as others around her run for cover. She was never seen after the shooting. Although, there were people who came forward, years later, and claimed to be the Babushka Lady, the photographs taken by her were never obtained.<br />
Was the Babushka lady part of the assassin party? Or her camera captured some shocking evidence? The mystery of Babushka lady still begs for answers.<br />
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<b><span style="color: red;">Know of any more such bizarre stories? Help us extend this list by suggesting any more bizarre stories in the comment form below. Your comments boost our spirits. Really!!!</span></b></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11291739035935249194noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6360308967843225421.post-84125684313926884342015-01-23T21:42:00.001-08:002015-01-23T21:42:41.291-08:00Miracle Baby Born with Heart Outside Chest<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAk559lmSgi9_GyEDX9WqQC-3obj92bU7d_UNTfkcXPXdVTfRmWIdJi0bfkjOBfMDT1iVRaggX9UtrrsKVA4X5V6JM-ulvX_NujqqiY5vZTNXV9Enw6QtVSpOv2lzR485o2v_Ib1bfC14/s1600/christopher-wall-ectopia-cordis.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAk559lmSgi9_GyEDX9WqQC-3obj92bU7d_UNTfkcXPXdVTfRmWIdJi0bfkjOBfMDT1iVRaggX9UtrrsKVA4X5V6JM-ulvX_NujqqiY5vZTNXV9Enw6QtVSpOv2lzR485o2v_Ib1bfC14/s1600/christopher-wall-ectopia-cordis.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
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The Walls were living a normal, uneventful life until the summer of 1975 changed their lives forever. Young Teresa Walls was going through her first pregnancy. Everything seemed normal. Then the time came when she was to give birth to her little baby. After she went through her labor, the doctors gave her a threatening news. Her baby boy was one in a million, born with a rare heart disorder Ectopia Cordis. What this meant was that her baby was born with his heart literally out of his chest. What she didn't know that her little boy was indeed a <b>miracle baby</b>.<br />
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The little boy, christened as Christopher Wall had no room in his chest for his tiny heart. While doctors in many parts of the world would have lost hope and left him to die, little Chris was lucky that his doctors were not ready to give up. They immediately put Chris in the ventilator and checked for other disorders. They had a pleasant surprise that little Chris was perfectly normal other than his tiny heart that hung out of his chest.<br />
Christopher Wall's chest was too little to accommodate his heart. Doctors later found that his chest was not only tiny but also weak and Chris needed a respirator to breath.<br />
Christopher's first 18 months were very difficult during which he endured 15 surgeries. He was allowed to leave the hospital not before he was nearly 3 years old. Until then, young Chris had already became a living miracle. At 6 years old, the doctors were able to give Christopher Wall a new breast bone made out of his own hip bone.<br />
Atlast Chris was able to lead a normal, happy life. The many surgeries left Christopher Walls with hearing loss and learning-disabilities, but that didn't stop brave Chris to enjoy sports like karate. Christopher Walls is now volunteering at the same children hospital that helped him get through the gargantuan challenge to survive.<br />
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"I just wanna be a good person," he said. "I just wanna work and help out with my family."</blockquote>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11291739035935249194noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6360308967843225421.post-14166046652917808372014-06-14T02:23:00.000-07:002014-06-14T02:26:49.728-07:00Fun Facts: A Giant list of 50 Random Facts<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Check out our short but sweet collection of random facts to learn something new today. Enjoy and don't forget to spread the word!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc2xDwoTleleHoBHZd-sMAkt_5OUtj_8kukP1BuBv_pn4xRXWtYCIW5wx2KLPNhZjm_KQmDK00hTBH-xYTUuhYnoLBelKqS5UCe4FN5zvKQ2y2j66LNGDXtlq5TSbZEV4fsqlidYj-0pc/s1600/diamond-core-planet.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Diamond Core Planet" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc2xDwoTleleHoBHZd-sMAkt_5OUtj_8kukP1BuBv_pn4xRXWtYCIW5wx2KLPNhZjm_KQmDK00hTBH-xYTUuhYnoLBelKqS5UCe4FN5zvKQ2y2j66LNGDXtlq5TSbZEV4fsqlidYj-0pc/s1600/diamond-core-planet.jpg" height="269" title="Diamond Core Planet" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a name='more'></a>1. There is a star just 50 light years away from Earth, which has a pure diamond core of 10 billion trillion trillion carats.<br />
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2. Donkeys kill more people each year than plane crashes.
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3. The first bomb dropped on Germany in World War II, killed only an elephant in the Berlin Zoo.<br />
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4. In 1911, pigtails were banned in China because they were seen as a link with its feudal past.<br />
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5. When anaesthetic was employed for the first time during childbirth in 1847, the mother was so surprised at how painless the birth was that she named her child Anaesthesia.<br />
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6. During the battle of Stalingrad, a local railway station changed hands from Soviet to German control and back again fifteen times in 6 hours.
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7. Napolean Bonaparte was just one inch shorter than today's average French men. He stood at 5'6.5'', while the average height of today's French men is 5'7.5''.<br />
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8. Out of all the 3,500 years of civilization, there have been only 230 years of peace.<br />
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9. In 1598, potatoes were banned in Britain by Queen Elizabeth. The ban lasted for 100 years.<br />
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10. Nobody knows who invented a fire hydrant. The patent was burnt in a fire.
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11.<b style="color: #38761d;"> </b>Google was originally named 'BackRub'. It was because of its algorithm based on site's backlinks for ranking in search results.<br />
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12. The first Google storage was made from Lego. The Google guys needed an easily expandable, and cheap way to house ten 4GB hard drives, and LEGO was the answer.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN0bMBkB79RkLdB2Gq4ZPOLO004lnLoK339O2ouUAS4vmOzEZBScoOsFaBPGQfajIIK30244Ffb_Xn06YLVmx0A1T7QXgoRKRL6iPqebaBarBomtDOLJiMIRB-6Y6L6G-rxJMa25wXDAM/s1600/19403_phixr.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Google Lego Storage" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN0bMBkB79RkLdB2Gq4ZPOLO004lnLoK339O2ouUAS4vmOzEZBScoOsFaBPGQfajIIK30244Ffb_Xn06YLVmx0A1T7QXgoRKRL6iPqebaBarBomtDOLJiMIRB-6Y6L6G-rxJMa25wXDAM/s1600/19403_phixr.jpg" height="273" title="Google Lego Storage" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Google's Lego Storage</td></tr>
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13. Rapper 2 Chainz was a geek at college. He graduated in 3 years from a 4 year course with a CGPA of 4.0.
Never judge a book by its cover!<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAykhwGzCy3sYs0DQp52S5x6BdT8bO1BASOEi4DP6qdMz8PuuIlppoFntbcz9rcPl-EfNubixn2yIQYq_cTVhCcF0oXhCULpHLpqixssMMRJ2jZfqaYNIpcP_3IS70M9FOEwhpM0F07nQ/s1600/2chainz.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Rapper 2Chainz" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAykhwGzCy3sYs0DQp52S5x6BdT8bO1BASOEi4DP6qdMz8PuuIlppoFntbcz9rcPl-EfNubixn2yIQYq_cTVhCcF0oXhCULpHLpqixssMMRJ2jZfqaYNIpcP_3IS70M9FOEwhpM0F07nQ/s1600/2chainz.jpg" title="Rapper 2Chainz" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">2Chainz graduated with CGPA of 4.0</td></tr>
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14. Chickens can live without a head. There is a a documented case of a headless chicken named 'Miracle Mike' or 'Mike the Headless Chicken' which lived for 18 months without a head.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieBZfFTBM3sX0C7H0B8JwbC03UBI9-LG0AmoyQIlMTIuklxSJc3mQv1zQQu0eb6PIY2medCYJgEQylUGvIOmEx5mDjfnCqSQTmfnLDMBfT9f-k0QWKQNcHCwOpKeRjIrNY3QWzrghlprw/s1600/mike-the-headless-chicken.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Headless Chicken Miracle Mike" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieBZfFTBM3sX0C7H0B8JwbC03UBI9-LG0AmoyQIlMTIuklxSJc3mQv1zQQu0eb6PIY2medCYJgEQylUGvIOmEx5mDjfnCqSQTmfnLDMBfT9f-k0QWKQNcHCwOpKeRjIrNY3QWzrghlprw/s1600/mike-the-headless-chicken.jpg" height="320" title="Headless Chicken Miracle Mike" width="295" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Headless Chicken Miracle Mike</td></tr>
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15. Jupiter has radio storms so strong that they can be picked up on Earth with an AM radio.<br />
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16. Leonardo Da Vinci could write with one hand and paint with the other, at the same time.<br />
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17. Modern humans appeared more than 200,000 years ago but record keeping started only 6000 years ago. This means more than 97% of human history is lost.<br />
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18. If you eat a polar bear's liver you will die. Humans cannot digest too much vitamin A.<br />
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19. Only Asians have black hair. All the other people that have black hair are actually dark brown.<br />
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20. Anatidaephobia is a fear that somewhere in the world, a duck is watching you.<br />
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21. The longest movie made is 85 hours long. It is titled, "The cure for insomnia".<br />
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22. When the Mount Everest was first measured at exactly 29,000 ft. The surveyors thought that no one will believe them. So, they added an extra 2 ft making it 29,002 ft.<br />
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23. There is a man who holds a record for holding the most world records. Ashrita Furman set this record by having 120 Guinness World Records to his name.<br />
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24. King Tutankhamun's penis was mummified erect -- that's one of the several weird, unexplained details about the best-known pharaoh of ancient Egypt.
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25. Kopi Luwak is the world's most expensive coffee at $600 per pound. Believe it or not, it's the beans excreted by a Sumatran wild cat.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3riqVCfc8KFr0eIOGEwBcsf4WWujyz5ypDBQACKFoAO_Pm2QxZA6LJgP9M-idyC_-tyqQUpMtVxOov5muAISKFtYViYEW01LXyG_dsln4Zf4_T-cBgsSdvJOBi6KwRskjPbVOCL0g_Ck/s1600/kopi_luwak.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Kopi Luwak" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3riqVCfc8KFr0eIOGEwBcsf4WWujyz5ypDBQACKFoAO_Pm2QxZA6LJgP9M-idyC_-tyqQUpMtVxOov5muAISKFtYViYEW01LXyG_dsln4Zf4_T-cBgsSdvJOBi6KwRskjPbVOCL0g_Ck/s1600/kopi_luwak.jpg" title="Kopi Luwak" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kopi Luwak</td></tr>
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26. In 16th Century, Coffee was banned by Muslim rulers because of its stimulating effect.<br />
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27. Before, a black bear eats so much that its weight gains 30 pounds per week.<br />
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28. The longest recorded flight of a chicken is thirteen seconds.<br />
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29. The skin of a female shark is much thicker than the males. This is to protect the female when the male bites it during mating.<br />
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30. Crows will crush an ant and rub it all over themselves like perfume. The Formic Acid in the ants helps ward off parasites. This is called Anting.<br />
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31. The smallest adult bicycle ever created had wheels made from silver dollars.<br />
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32. Lance Armstrong, one of the greatest professional road racing cyclists, has a heart that is one-third larger than normal. Now you know from where all that stamina comes from.<br />
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33. The manchineel tree is so poisonous that the water dripping from its leaves could burn your skin.<br />
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34. 1 out of 8 Americans have worked at McDonald's.<br />
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35. Only 11% of the world's population is left-handed.<br />
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36. There are about 7 octillion atoms in the human body. That is, 7 followed by 27 zeros (7,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000).<br />
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37. The brain consumes as much power as a 10-watt bulb.<br />
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38. Blondes have more hair than others. Blondes have an average 146,000 follicles while people with black hair tend to have about 110,000 follicles.
39. Women's heart beat faster than men's.<br />
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40. In a lifetime, you'll make enough saliva to fill two olympic size swimming pools. Imagine swimming in your own saliva...<br />
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41. Comparing weights, a human baby is stronger than an ox.<br />
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42. Facebook Founder Mark Zuckerberg suffers from red-green colorblindness and sees the color blue best, which is why blue dominates Facebook's color scheme.<br />
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43. Adding a number 4 at the end of Facebook URL (http://www.facebook.com/4), automatically takes you to Mark Zuckerberg's wall.<br />
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44. There is a man named Michel Lotito holds the dubious record of eating an entire airplane. Dubbed as Monsieur Mangetout meaning 'Mr. Eat it all', suffered from an unusual medical condition named Pica which causes unusual cravings.<br />
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45. During First World War, British soldiers used semen as invisible ink.<br />
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46. From 1912 to 1948, painting was an olympic event.
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47. Russian scientists in the 1920s conducted experiments where they tried to make a “humanzee”, a hybrid between a human and chimpanzee. The experiments obviously failed.<br />
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48. On average, 100 people choke to death on ballpoint pens every year.<br />
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49. If you yelled for 8 years, 7 months and 6 days, you would have produced enough sound energy to heat one cup of coffee.<br />
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50. Elvis Presley was naturally blond. His familiar black hair are the product of dye.<br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11291739035935249194noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6360308967843225421.post-17826364732215463632014-05-30T22:48:00.000-07:002014-06-01T02:31:27.098-07:0010 Cutest Animal Pictures to Brighten up Your Day<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<b>"Peace begins with a smile..."</b><br />
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<b> Mother Teresa</b></div>
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Having a bad day? Need a reason to cheer up? We've got 10. Here are 10 pictures of the cutest animal smiling pictures that will surely brighten up your day.<br />
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<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiIZphXZDNiE6HvHqg8iMCJUf7eLZEowtO2GmOhQXaZ8Q6QwimOrXxtUrIgKH-d8dJ4-lREQSs1RDdRYky0o3ZCLY7PiZkpYhHW5gXO8smR9dpJ2D6n4vLFx8VWyU79cSDkuxWz8rrl5w/s1600/animals-smiling-selfies-10_phixr.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Cute Cat Smiling Pictures" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiIZphXZDNiE6HvHqg8iMCJUf7eLZEowtO2GmOhQXaZ8Q6QwimOrXxtUrIgKH-d8dJ4-lREQSs1RDdRYky0o3ZCLY7PiZkpYhHW5gXO8smR9dpJ2D6n4vLFx8VWyU79cSDkuxWz8rrl5w/s1600/animals-smiling-selfies-10_phixr.jpg" height="410" title="Cute Cat Smiling Pictures" width="400" /></a></div>
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He knows what you did last summer... :D</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJjo7g_2mLxRimGh56OaoAtJRDeh_IcbKYeRUR29T08AWaYqm-QROfaGNwNmjA1JZFcb0GPZ_OjMKigRu9NIJH-48teIulTrrwFASY3K22L1248X0i5djwbDd2rPO5i5Db6uz4QQH31lk/s1600/animals-smiling-selfies-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Animals Smiling Pictures - Selfie with a stranger" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJjo7g_2mLxRimGh56OaoAtJRDeh_IcbKYeRUR29T08AWaYqm-QROfaGNwNmjA1JZFcb0GPZ_OjMKigRu9NIJH-48teIulTrrwFASY3K22L1248X0i5djwbDd2rPO5i5Db6uz4QQH31lk/s1600/animals-smiling-selfies-1.jpg" height="281" title="Animals Smiling Pictures - Selfie with a stranger" width="400" /></a></div>
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Someone's been taking selfies with strangers...</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC4qlED4epXnzIsgihzrzoffzczVKAnsRIbpDJBs4QmMegIvmq5jj8oLelfyG-ffrLQOEzykScRcsYLnu_tAMZiHmiAtE6G57PMuu_WnauONd1Ikdx8MNRThmZQ4mJsX6u3CfjwTYknQ0/s1600/animals-smiling-selfies-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Shark Pictures" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC4qlED4epXnzIsgihzrzoffzczVKAnsRIbpDJBs4QmMegIvmq5jj8oLelfyG-ffrLQOEzykScRcsYLnu_tAMZiHmiAtE6G57PMuu_WnauONd1Ikdx8MNRThmZQ4mJsX6u3CfjwTYknQ0/s1600/animals-smiling-selfies-2.jpg" height="300" title="Shark Pictures" width="400" /></a></div>
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That awkward moment...</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFLtuknhoYWFMj7DjxUnwKkPJeMRWKkU9aBfCwiF-Zg74eP9UXIwdwKeWt_qHX-a0pUpDr8nUIG5rDZcy-UvZEwn93M32oTvJZnXrYxDemqddz0pJIGyIbJesCoGtOrxi99ANWMXBrweU/s1600/animals-smiling-selfies-3.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Cute Dog Smiling Pictures" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFLtuknhoYWFMj7DjxUnwKkPJeMRWKkU9aBfCwiF-Zg74eP9UXIwdwKeWt_qHX-a0pUpDr8nUIG5rDZcy-UvZEwn93M32oTvJZnXrYxDemqddz0pJIGyIbJesCoGtOrxi99ANWMXBrweU/s1600/animals-smiling-selfies-3.png" height="308" title="Cute Dog Smiling Pictures" width="400" /></a></div>
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He's happy and he knows it!!!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_7LD0qR0-40Ra2ej21Gr1awkNJ5QPud1WPgF8x3f-22gaLQCObewzidACxCR3fWCV92QcY7hnMOdD8IAFS8F7xcZFvZWUve4q5pcG9yBzIZZQ4z2LtiQhG2FUEPkRsL47_EMVoKHmdjk/s1600/animals-smiling-selfies-5_phixr.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Cute Dog Smiling Pictures" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_7LD0qR0-40Ra2ej21Gr1awkNJ5QPud1WPgF8x3f-22gaLQCObewzidACxCR3fWCV92QcY7hnMOdD8IAFS8F7xcZFvZWUve4q5pcG9yBzIZZQ4z2LtiQhG2FUEPkRsL47_EMVoKHmdjk/s1600/animals-smiling-selfies-5_phixr.jpg" height="235" title="Cute Dog Smiling Pictures" width="400" /></a></div>
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A smile worth a million</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsPhKixqyP6OPGrA7oosapbGepp6HOda4C4q3vLfnBQYEPoM6dKqxSO-V2iuvCqcOKouteS2JBm4hP_zeZCx0qxHi01oHK6RRqA2cH__Nwaegg_QY2YupKeXFr-AJgqUSqq8JWl8DXEv0/s1600/animals-smiling-selfies-4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Iguana Pictures" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsPhKixqyP6OPGrA7oosapbGepp6HOda4C4q3vLfnBQYEPoM6dKqxSO-V2iuvCqcOKouteS2JBm4hP_zeZCx0qxHi01oHK6RRqA2cH__Nwaegg_QY2YupKeXFr-AJgqUSqq8JWl8DXEv0/s1600/animals-smiling-selfies-4.jpg" height="376" title="Iguana Pictures" width="400" /></a></div>
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:-D</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8EuHvT6JSmrG6EM01CJh96KBI3T7WiU4lZSV_IYzFcdus0gEdncbktfowoCP4_NTeHJE3Tmb4nVoaOvqQuoHZVjHZdvYM6z5ESb1gzvalT84X4BoUaQ9Pm2EofCA1hgrB5H3hLKk-cNM/s1600/animals-smiling-selfies-6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Iguana Pictures" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8EuHvT6JSmrG6EM01CJh96KBI3T7WiU4lZSV_IYzFcdus0gEdncbktfowoCP4_NTeHJE3Tmb4nVoaOvqQuoHZVjHZdvYM6z5ESb1gzvalT84X4BoUaQ9Pm2EofCA1hgrB5H3hLKk-cNM/s1600/animals-smiling-selfies-6.jpg" height="322" title="Iguana Pictures" width="400" /></a></div>
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A wise smile...</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwnRdUvjC3MWSgRGCEJo1IicYVC1cBOq_k6tPXTe6gOM_3sbUtm_VOcdqvNs5BxV5P6ctdOZBgXZK1cZ_StygYkr-JUuQ2wMYAElhuNIKcLP6hEFaAKLgjagepmTW_flFBDpO_Rw-qkDs/s1600/animals-smiling-selfies-7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Cute Dog Pictures" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwnRdUvjC3MWSgRGCEJo1IicYVC1cBOq_k6tPXTe6gOM_3sbUtm_VOcdqvNs5BxV5P6ctdOZBgXZK1cZ_StygYkr-JUuQ2wMYAElhuNIKcLP6hEFaAKLgjagepmTW_flFBDpO_Rw-qkDs/s1600/animals-smiling-selfies-7.jpg" height="400" title="Cute Dog Pictures" width="400" /></a></div>
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Probably the cutest one in this lot...</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzUTMu2M_8_cZWWuwsg3Gib4i2UYg6_BOO-I0kinq1vvSc_A4myYiJ2GqvZsQxKllahI4vMrbu9QuQxpwgmmVPv9aD871EHUuDvovSlb1s6zjJ4MmhA-2HXcuwbozQ-bcKuoOT9rIFpLQ/s1600/animals-smiling-selfies-8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Baby Turtle Pictures" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzUTMu2M_8_cZWWuwsg3Gib4i2UYg6_BOO-I0kinq1vvSc_A4myYiJ2GqvZsQxKllahI4vMrbu9QuQxpwgmmVPv9aD871EHUuDvovSlb1s6zjJ4MmhA-2HXcuwbozQ-bcKuoOT9rIFpLQ/s1600/animals-smiling-selfies-8.jpg" height="500" title="Baby Turtle Pictures" width="400" /></a></div>
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This little guy sure loves to be cleaned...</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyuMvP78rcBioRsZSQT56QPazijzKDvf2rsboKuWSUGoIVzMVfi6R5AEQ9DOyznHQsKx_30GuILYtTZMd3zMqHl685329MSMsyFPEz8XCMvCnrhXw9CO_-BvUSdvAN8pgr4GmfC_Pu-ys/s1600/animals-smiling-selfies-9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Turtle Smiling" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyuMvP78rcBioRsZSQT56QPazijzKDvf2rsboKuWSUGoIVzMVfi6R5AEQ9DOyznHQsKx_30GuILYtTZMd3zMqHl685329MSMsyFPEz8XCMvCnrhXw9CO_-BvUSdvAN8pgr4GmfC_Pu-ys/s1600/animals-smiling-selfies-9.jpg" height="300" title="Turtle Smiling" width="400" /></a></div>
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See that KILLER smile!!!</div>
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<span style="color: red;">Smile does make a difference, right? Please help us spread the smile by sharing this post with your friends. So much thanks in advance. :)</span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11291739035935249194noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6360308967843225421.post-3584103252353170702014-02-21T01:55:00.002-08:002014-06-10T02:57:54.840-07:00Weird Stuff: 10 Ridiculous Things Made of Gold<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Thinking about some weird stuff, here are the 10 most ridiculous things made of Gold.<br />
<h2 style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Toilet Paper</span></h2>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3AZI0Jfm-6OY1MH-7XQhbhDoG0EQUohE_ek7xFYFnSClHAzw7qrl81QMxksmt2taO3vsCecjXhNu_zpUEgZcImHqT6IJ4SAwgKvQGagLHceFgID938kQ1n54wPDrS5FHBBOl44goKYDI/s1600/gold-toilet-paper.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Gold Toilet Paper" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3AZI0Jfm-6OY1MH-7XQhbhDoG0EQUohE_ek7xFYFnSClHAzw7qrl81QMxksmt2taO3vsCecjXhNu_zpUEgZcImHqT6IJ4SAwgKvQGagLHceFgID938kQ1n54wPDrS5FHBBOl44goKYDI/s400/gold-toilet-paper.jpg" height="250" title="Gold Toilet Paper" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"></span><br />
<a name='more'></a><span style="font-family: inherit;">There could be no better waste of wealth than this. The Australian company 'The Toilet Man' has produced a toilet paper roll made entirely of 22-carat gold. This weird golden item costs an astonishing $1,376,900.</span>
The roll is three ply to provide the most gentle wipe. Each order will be personally delivered with a bottle of champagne.
Talking in Dubai, the company stated:
'As you use the toilet paper 22-carat gold flakes will fall onto the floor and your behind, taking you to another level of sophistication.
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<h2 style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Pills</span></h2>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4O431JWOR9oo7IYZkW3jN6YJ-DDDBeIsK8kB9nLj79wjNCAwL03rs9qtzUvbME7WCn2wRsUG3xWDjF_pyQaMxbSDFmtW_zcdhrCTDHNFqARcVIvM6V5YvM5gTbrSKseU_KL1zVRsi3lw/s1600/gold-pills-poop-glitter.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Gold Pills" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4O431JWOR9oo7IYZkW3jN6YJ-DDDBeIsK8kB9nLj79wjNCAwL03rs9qtzUvbME7WCn2wRsUG3xWDjF_pyQaMxbSDFmtW_zcdhrCTDHNFqARcVIvM6V5YvM5gTbrSKseU_KL1zVRsi3lw/s400/gold-pills-poop-glitter.jpg" height="215" title="Gold Pills" width="400" /></a></div>
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Okay you got golden paper to wipe your bottom, now here's something to turn your poop into gold. These magical pills will literally get your shit glittering. These bizarre capsules are filled with 24-karat gold leaf and dipped in gold. Priced at $425, these pills are produced by Tobias Wong and Just Another Rich Kid. The producers state that the idea comes from a man who has just everything... except for golden faeces.
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<h2 style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Shirt</span></h2>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtOLNo_iVsDq2b6DGaZQ-7yPqzKz8qahPu6M4x1h1Gmc2vSJmkqwuDh3LMrZ4gBI7KDLmjZYylYO8EElaA_7dQ3d_XH8UrxlVd5mR8WrXQsybohk2RftRn_aXjcmSoObZM5bjX812Tg00/s1600/gold-shirt.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Gold Shirt" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtOLNo_iVsDq2b6DGaZQ-7yPqzKz8qahPu6M4x1h1Gmc2vSJmkqwuDh3LMrZ4gBI7KDLmjZYylYO8EElaA_7dQ3d_XH8UrxlVd5mR8WrXQsybohk2RftRn_aXjcmSoObZM5bjX812Tg00/s400/gold-shirt.jpg" height="267" title="Gold Shirt" width="400" /></a></div>
The £14,000 shirt made of solid gold is owned by the 32-year old Indian money lender Datta Phuge. The shirt took a team of 15 goldsmiths two weeks to make working sixteen hours each day.
Datta Phuge aims to attract the ladies with the shirt and says that he may not be too good looking but no woman could fail to be dazzled by his shirt.
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<h2 style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Pencil</span></h2>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDM6Bi-mIlpFabESHBJxKjGyHjqahejpuYFUFIUrZPrrC7zU-7jh7lNJgDLicgBx-SEiURhMTvG3Z267zfJgBs4Pt1_CZIie5w2on9wKmYr2UOcdGLLIfM9hg9kdce8rMH3lcBWjSyqKs/s1600/gold-pencil.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Gold Pencil" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDM6Bi-mIlpFabESHBJxKjGyHjqahejpuYFUFIUrZPrrC7zU-7jh7lNJgDLicgBx-SEiURhMTvG3Z267zfJgBs4Pt1_CZIie5w2on9wKmYr2UOcdGLLIfM9hg9kdce8rMH3lcBWjSyqKs/s400/gold-pencil.jpg" height="300" title="Gold Pencil" width="400" /></a></div>
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These golden pencils have been produced by Korean designer Daisung Kim. Each pencil is coated with a thin layer of 24-carat gold and cost $20 a piece.
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<h2 style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Lemonade</span></h2>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrZ3rpHBG3AB3B9nuM0u7ck7vGgwnK4aq2XwwCmJGMCNjVhdbc3qzCR0y6JtcMxwzXv4c6caE-2LEDpa0woUQwXEg3s-u1I_eO9eWI_eerLjMwnRmlm53GHDwED06Tt4GdPeHbsR10nuk/s1600/gold-lemonade.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Gold Lemonade" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrZ3rpHBG3AB3B9nuM0u7ck7vGgwnK4aq2XwwCmJGMCNjVhdbc3qzCR0y6JtcMxwzXv4c6caE-2LEDpa0woUQwXEg3s-u1I_eO9eWI_eerLjMwnRmlm53GHDwED06Tt4GdPeHbsR10nuk/s400/gold-lemonade.jpg" height="266" title="Gold Lemonade" width="400" /></a></div>
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This ultra delux drink was produced by the company Elixia Faustin. This extravagant lemonade is chilled with 24-carat gold flakes to refresh your wealthy mind. The idea was inspired by a client who demanded a delux drink from the company in Dubai.
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<span style="font-size: large;">Coffin</span></h2>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTtHRhp-XlZ438-lMqYGavRl2j_kE3lGyRZT5P-26d7v3ZuKiGE4cTFNm2cxMXDvBwn2j8dwX08_4NK_spYM_pAlPxVWyTsm0fIz-pImPDX8U1TR9PQk8cvJtrGQMd2kWRNnCVmmXLI4M/s1600/gold-coffin.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Gold Coffin" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTtHRhp-XlZ438-lMqYGavRl2j_kE3lGyRZT5P-26d7v3ZuKiGE4cTFNm2cxMXDvBwn2j8dwX08_4NK_spYM_pAlPxVWyTsm0fIz-pImPDX8U1TR9PQk8cvJtrGQMd2kWRNnCVmmXLI4M/s400/gold-coffin.png" height="200" title="Gold Coffin" width="400" /></a></div>
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This coffin is for those who prefer finer things in life - and even afterlife. The gold coffin is produced by the Art Funeral, Italy and introduced in 2010. Valued at $400,000, it is coated with 24-carat gold. The coffin even comes with a gold coated mobile phones in case the departed wants to make a call. <i>Ridiculous!!!</i>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Staples</span></h2>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxLwxk6a2Fp9YEmI6mqmo48UyKkbcdUMKUXfnDGwGH4KkURMT0U-ezfod3b1cXMyYf2UsaPeAwnxA3ACkLtoV1Vrm-XBbH_8JWcGzso1fuy8aQJIfweVUVlVaTtpCf9wx6n7ZNjPSDBlA/s1600/Gold-Staples2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Gold Staples" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxLwxk6a2Fp9YEmI6mqmo48UyKkbcdUMKUXfnDGwGH4KkURMT0U-ezfod3b1cXMyYf2UsaPeAwnxA3ACkLtoV1Vrm-XBbH_8JWcGzso1fuy8aQJIfweVUVlVaTtpCf9wx6n7ZNjPSDBlA/s400/Gold-Staples2.jpg" height="277" title="Gold Staples" width="400" /></a></div>
These staples will surely impress your boss by turning your next report gold decked. Designed by the Dutch design house Oooms, these 14 carat gold plated staples are intended as a form of jewelery. The staples come in a velvet case with 24 piece, priced at $210.
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<span style="font-size: large;">Christmas Tree</span></h2>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8oXWdKkYVgZXOzTc_Bl71FXsILuyHkbZNUSV9h7-XO0ODc9i1wdKBHdq1rrACsIo0wJzO4zrtVFlGUO_NGubAr7RhvO9mpyiU_nVW01ajeuixfo-Rfe7xsE-cBOZSr78XlW07HMOJwqI/s1600/gold-christmas-tree.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Golden Christmas Tree" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8oXWdKkYVgZXOzTc_Bl71FXsILuyHkbZNUSV9h7-XO0ODc9i1wdKBHdq1rrACsIo0wJzO4zrtVFlGUO_NGubAr7RhvO9mpyiU_nVW01ajeuixfo-Rfe7xsE-cBOZSr78XlW07HMOJwqI/s400/gold-christmas-tree.jpg" height="400" title="Golden Christmas Tree" width="246" /></a></div>
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The Japanese jewellers Ginza Tanaka are known for their unusual gold-made objects, but this one takes them a leap further. The Ginza Tanaka "Golden Christmas Tree" is the perfect ingredient to pimp up your Christmas. Made from 26 pounds of the noble metal, the tree stands at 8.2 feet tall. It is decorated with about 100 ribbons, orchids and hearts, all made of gold. The Golden Christmas Tree is valued at $2 Million.
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<h2 style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Ice cream</span></h2>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaLa3Qfz9J_ut8tnYGmjp2JbCv5kZpFPgPWdBx_reVcnbE45pW7WEoJIxL_QiSeNt0VSZvOHHvAUORcgg_YUsUutbolnh4IoQL3N61sVbgbbH8fk0dMu-i73-n3LckjFG2pQL_UOKTpQg/s1600/gold-icecream2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Gold Ice Cream, Golden Opulence Sundae" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaLa3Qfz9J_ut8tnYGmjp2JbCv5kZpFPgPWdBx_reVcnbE45pW7WEoJIxL_QiSeNt0VSZvOHHvAUORcgg_YUsUutbolnh4IoQL3N61sVbgbbH8fk0dMu-i73-n3LckjFG2pQL_UOKTpQg/s400/gold-icecream2.jpg" height="266" title="Gold Ice Cream, Golden Opulence Sundae" width="400" /></a></div>
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If you have a sweet tooth with a passion for gold, then this ice cream will suit you best. This 23-carat gold leaf coated delight has the distinction of being the most expensive desert in the world.
This is the Golden Opulence Sundae by New York restaurant Serendipity 3. It is made from the finest Tahitian Vanilla ice cream infused with Madagascar Vanilla. Drizzled with the world's most expensive chocolate, Amedei Porcelana, it is served in a goblet which has a crown that is made of gold along with diamonds. The prize for such a treat is an incredible $1,000.
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<h2 style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Cheese</span></h2>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVJUTLzidm_8znOaLk2ZF0vzVfoAaxcZr9dErLETqDpTIuIwKS9ThebGyxuoew5Lf3m_cOJBOcfCUOODTh9DzcMdPgriz6FJaQWZ7GqWRyY5MShHT4ahnKfPQ1jHmHDhGuIouDA6d1EU4/s1600/gold-cheese.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Gold Cheese" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVJUTLzidm_8znOaLk2ZF0vzVfoAaxcZr9dErLETqDpTIuIwKS9ThebGyxuoew5Lf3m_cOJBOcfCUOODTh9DzcMdPgriz6FJaQWZ7GqWRyY5MShHT4ahnKfPQ1jHmHDhGuIouDA6d1EU4/s400/gold-cheese.jpg" height="255" title="Gold Cheese" width="400" /></a></div>
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Gold is the last thing you would expect in cheese. UK company Clawse has created a cheese that contains a combination of real, edible gold leaf and real gold-cinnamon schnapps. It costs a staggering £60 ($95) per 100g slice, which makes it the most expensive cheese in UK.<br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11291739035935249194noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6360308967843225421.post-64714694921598975762014-02-08T09:06:00.001-08:002014-02-09T09:31:43.043-08:00Sochi Olympics 2014: 25 Fun Facts about Winter Olympics<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
The world is all excited about Sochi Winter Olympics. Let's look at some of the most amazing facts about Winter Olympics history and the Sochi Olympics.<br />
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<h2 style="text-align: left;">
Facts About Winter Olympics
</h2>
<ol style="text-align: left;">
</ol>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRCDux4SvkTqtWChH9ESbi87F7NHaj4QDHDYxTQ7vAPDhvaNVTpgz83Ckqo3zLnWEUfFkBht7RgQn896zoaDvH-ZsyF4uB9Fd2RXPK0OaGyw4kf70XFj2cDAjl-1y2lA-VyhK5XrX0seQ/s1600/Olympic-Rings.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="winter olympics facts" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRCDux4SvkTqtWChH9ESbi87F7NHaj4QDHDYxTQ7vAPDhvaNVTpgz83Ckqo3zLnWEUfFkBht7RgQn896zoaDvH-ZsyF4uB9Fd2RXPK0OaGyw4kf70XFj2cDAjl-1y2lA-VyhK5XrX0seQ/s1600/Olympic-Rings.jpg" height="282" title="winter olympics facts" width="400" /></a></div>
<ol style="text-align: left;"></ol>
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<a name='more'></a>1. The first winter Olympics were held in 1924 at Chamonix, France.<br />
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2. 10,004 people paid to watch the first Winter Olympics in Chamonix.<br />
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3. Winter Olympics has never been held in the Souther Hemisphere.<br />
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4. The first Winter Olympics saw 16 nations compete in 16 events.<br />
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5. Winter Olympics have 7 categories of sports, namely biathlon, bobsleigh, curling, ice hockey, luge, skating and skiing.<br />
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6. The last time Summer and Winter Olympics were held in the same year was in 1992. The Summer Olympics were held in Barcelona, Spain and the Winter Games were in Albertville, France.<br />
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7. USA has hosted the most number of Winter Olympics with 4. It is followed by France with 3.<br />
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8. Norway has won the most medals at Winter Olympics with a total of 303. The Norwegians also have a record 107 Winter Olympics gold medals.<br />
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9. There have been four deaths at Winter Olympics. Two lugers and two skiers, both died during practice sessions.<br />
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10. Artificial snow was first used during Winter Olympics at Lake Placid, USA in 1980.<br />
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11. Norwegian cross country skier, Bjorn Daehli has won the most medals at Winter Olympics. In the three<br />
Winter Olympics he has competed, Daehli has won 12 medals including 8 gold medals.<br />
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12. Cross country skier Raisa Smetanina (USSR) is the winningest woman
medalist, taking 10 medals (four gold; five silver; one bronze).<br />
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13. American athlete, Eddie Eagan is the only person in Olympic history to have one gold medals at both Summer and Winter Olympics.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlnpbRQ_pFSfW95t7dSfrXSJHAXLVhhwdffFLgbrNX4Kd9GCeI_IEfcuVjoYqM-KIrxKLjJ00zmAvPlYgKRIee6v58QeJmxpZGBaf1sPEdL-sVd3zMYw1mL-bJHuR6082AqY4qpqMo3T8/s1600/eddie-eagan.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Eddie Eagan" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlnpbRQ_pFSfW95t7dSfrXSJHAXLVhhwdffFLgbrNX4Kd9GCeI_IEfcuVjoYqM-KIrxKLjJ00zmAvPlYgKRIee6v58QeJmxpZGBaf1sPEdL-sVd3zMYw1mL-bJHuR6082AqY4qpqMo3T8/s1600/eddie-eagan.jpg" height="196" title="Eddie Eagan" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Eddie Eagan</td></tr>
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14. The opening ceremony of the 1960 Winter Olympics in Squaw Valley, USA was organized by Walt Disney.<br />
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15. Great Britain won the Gold at the Curling event at the 1924 Winter
Games, although it wasn’t recognized until 2006, 82 years later.<br />
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<h2 style="text-align: left;">
Facts About Sochi Olympics, 2014</h2>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCW1QDfxPy-MHMndK0lUepMzTq-s1_nJPVHb_jke-09TE8OgO7AhgjBlebBo9IzcSFz2EDjYGIjgNh5vQ8GfOgqRwuMg9X38sZsYnaMn7MzGr85oggrKEWC_18FrQ9_6o9VXUyr4r6twU/s1600/Sochi-olympics-2014.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Sochi Olympics Logo" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCW1QDfxPy-MHMndK0lUepMzTq-s1_nJPVHb_jke-09TE8OgO7AhgjBlebBo9IzcSFz2EDjYGIjgNh5vQ8GfOgqRwuMg9X38sZsYnaMn7MzGr85oggrKEWC_18FrQ9_6o9VXUyr4r6twU/s1600/Sochi-olympics-2014.jpg" height="300" title="Sochi Olympics Logo" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sochi Winter Olympics 2014 Logo</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<ol style="text-align: left;">
</ol>
1. This year's winter Olympics in Sochi costs around $51 billion, making it the most expensive in event in Olympics' history. Just to make a comparison, the last Winter Olympics at Vancouver cost just around $8 billion.<br />
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2. Sochi is the warmest city ever to host Winter Olympics. The temperatures at Sochi in winter remain around 12 degrees. So, snow events will be held at Krasnaya Polyana which is already equiped with artificial snow machines.<br />
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3. Sochi is the longest city in Europe, spanning over 90 miles along the shores of the Black Sea.<br />
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4. Sochi Olympics will include twelve new events. One of them being women’s ski-jumping.<br />
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5. Sochi has also been home to the tennis star, Maria Sharapova. She moved to the Russian town when she was 2 and played tennis in a local park.<br />
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6. Mascots for the Sochi Winter Olympics are a polar bear, a hare and a leopard.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUYDPrqY3tyQkc_S2gyLFm4yLB5njlB0tzJt57gRHe_FfH8JCbDQy6Za-m3Pqy-SW6VWdgSzl8zSwVtutHOSWBjkSMICqNoSEQsQmX1UpGW9V2Rg9Nlz_V2XdEkCqflWJUEeT03VrtNEY/s1600/Sochi-olympics-mascots.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Sochi Olympics Mascots" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUYDPrqY3tyQkc_S2gyLFm4yLB5njlB0tzJt57gRHe_FfH8JCbDQy6Za-m3Pqy-SW6VWdgSzl8zSwVtutHOSWBjkSMICqNoSEQsQmX1UpGW9V2Rg9Nlz_V2XdEkCqflWJUEeT03VrtNEY/s1600/Sochi-olympics-mascots.jpg" height="192" title="Sochi Olympics Mascots" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Sochi Olympics Mascots, a polar bear, a leopard and hare</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
7. The gold medals which will be given at Sochi Olympics will contain 516 grams of silver and 6 grams of gold. <br />
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8. 88 countries will take part in Sochi Olympics. Some nations will make their debut, including Zimbabwe and Paraguay.<br />
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9. Athletes who win gold on February 15 will be given special gold medals with pieces of a recent meteorite in them. It crashed in Russia on February 15, 2013.<br />
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10. The Sochi Olympics will also feature the debut of Team BMW as they jump
into sled-building business.The speed pros will be designing bobsleds
for the American team as they hope to win an Olympics gold after 78
years. </div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11291739035935249194noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6360308967843225421.post-76218462180129064112014-01-23T23:27:00.003-08:002014-01-24T00:25:00.279-08:00The 10 Coolest Google Easter Eggs<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKxE-JtD9FZLZi28De2SfqcNGEF_nqn69TEufIj_8SBPbsvFvQlnXaN8gKoSmOOdM4B9G267E5vCBFZA2-_3qQPcVFUiMMkCYo0esFFXRGflbLdx2tfyu33zVHK0H7aOYXJpIpSkvyHyI/s1600/Google_Easter_Eggs.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="Google Easter Eggs" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKxE-JtD9FZLZi28De2SfqcNGEF_nqn69TEufIj_8SBPbsvFvQlnXaN8gKoSmOOdM4B9G267E5vCBFZA2-_3qQPcVFUiMMkCYo0esFFXRGflbLdx2tfyu33zVHK0H7aOYXJpIpSkvyHyI/s1600/Google_Easter_Eggs.png" height="150" title="Google Easter Eggs" width="200" /></a></div>
Google is a much livelier company than what its plain landing page suggests. The guys at Google love to amuse their users with some cool surprises. And that's where Google Easter Eggs come into play. Below are some of the coolest Google Easter Eggs to try out. If you know more like these, then feel free to let us know in the comments and we'll post it with a thank you :)<br />
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<h2 style="text-align: left;">
<a name='more'></a>Do a Barrel Roll</h2>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_269imCqR9FOFjYrHlBISBQUDuxUiBq_WlLGo9lwExTgR9wIaCqZvQOVmXe2Mot4cwt76ZH1GyI8Z4-A98ducYc5mGdwuvM0nO9hwqxk2WBwH5FcLRm59VUbVqMrbHWy2VvddpWJTld4/s1600/Barrel_Roll_easter_egg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Do a Barrel Roll" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_269imCqR9FOFjYrHlBISBQUDuxUiBq_WlLGo9lwExTgR9wIaCqZvQOVmXe2Mot4cwt76ZH1GyI8Z4-A98ducYc5mGdwuvM0nO9hwqxk2WBwH5FcLRm59VUbVqMrbHWy2VvddpWJTld4/s1600/Barrel_Roll_easter_egg.jpg" height="248" title="Do a Barrel Roll" width="400" /></a></div>
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The 'Do a Barrel Roll' feature was first rolled out in November 2011. Just type "Do a barrel roll" in Google Search and press Enter, and see your screen do a 360 degree spin. The trick was reportedly taken from the classic "Star Fox 64," video game from Nintendo, which was introduced on April 27, 1997.<br />
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<h2 style="text-align: left;">
Zerg Rush</h2>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTmr0nrAHoTpyTR3csDMtpcmDZhRADz_4caJm7tEa3t6ldDBYU-IxWwYBkIoyUF9oXZxlIKCPhnlOVn72otpJrQkRH1mvJWvlDDT7i4_WjKQecBazXtISipDpYWfFY24RKThHK1OnSVoU/s1600/zerg-rush-easter-egg-google.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Zerg Rush" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTmr0nrAHoTpyTR3csDMtpcmDZhRADz_4caJm7tEa3t6ldDBYU-IxWwYBkIoyUF9oXZxlIKCPhnlOVn72otpJrQkRH1mvJWvlDDT7i4_WjKQecBazXtISipDpYWfFY24RKThHK1OnSVoU/s1600/zerg-rush-easter-egg-google.jpg" height="218" title="Zerg Rush" width="400" /></a></div>
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Zerg Rush is Google's version of the game 'Star Craft'. Typing 'Zerg Rush' in Google Search will initiate a rain of O's which will destroy any search result they encounter. You can stop the destruction by eliminating the O's by clicking on them. Google keeps your score which you can post on Google Plus.<br />
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<h2 style="text-align: left;">
Google Gravity</h2>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikUtqwShHdSqISp4UZ81JLfekHtk44cJhAJL6Vf5FCJ_VKO90TUNHYNelIjPz1tUfTm0KR4NX0jFAW_db961ufYw9wmXMJc1K6zz_xCdaZAXMTQnjZ1SAbNPyj9ZiLGwUkOkHh4O1d8a4/s1600/google-gravity-easter-gg.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Google Gravity" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikUtqwShHdSqISp4UZ81JLfekHtk44cJhAJL6Vf5FCJ_VKO90TUNHYNelIjPz1tUfTm0KR4NX0jFAW_db961ufYw9wmXMJc1K6zz_xCdaZAXMTQnjZ1SAbNPyj9ZiLGwUkOkHh4O1d8a4/s1600/google-gravity-easter-gg.png" height="248" title="Google Gravity" width="400" /></a></div>
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If you've loved the movie Gravity, then here's another type of gravity you would probably like. Enter "Google Gravity" and hit "I'm feeling lucky" and watch as everything on your screen falls apart.<br />
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<h2 style="text-align: left;">
Mental Plex</h2>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4IgCBDLw8gdGRJfgMzkFN6gxt6m_yJRCiK87SaCMp2YCmVS74H-0O-qRuLS_3n8POeN06GXnCRVDY7v8yl3Uk76erWelS8P52KXFs1XGo7Zf480b5YOi66TnGromng3g12zI1KrmhIGg/s1600/mentalplex.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Mental Plex" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4IgCBDLw8gdGRJfgMzkFN6gxt6m_yJRCiK87SaCMp2YCmVS74H-0O-qRuLS_3n8POeN06GXnCRVDY7v8yl3Uk76erWelS8P52KXFs1XGo7Zf480b5YOi66TnGromng3g12zI1KrmhIGg/s1600/mentalplex.jpg" height="400" title="Mental Plex" width="360" /></a></div>
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Mentalplex is a search feature introduced by Google. The user is asked to stare in a spinning circle. Google then reads your mind and returns the results accordingly. No need to type and click. Google co-founder Larry Page said that "typing in queries is so 1999." <br />
For the best the results, the user is asked to:<br />
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li></li>
<li>Remove hat and glasses.</li>
<li>Peer into MentalPlex circle. DO NOT MOVE YOUR HEAD.</li>
<li>Project mental image of what you want to find.</li>
<li>Click or visualize clicking within the MentalPlex circle.</li>
</ul>
Mentalplex was a April Fool's prank by Google in the year 2000. If someone clicked the MentalPlex circle, search results for "April
Fools" appeared, as well as a notice that MentalPlex was "unclear on
whether your search is about money or monkeys."<br />
You can still try out Mentalplex at: <a href="http://www.google.com/mentalplex">www.google.com/mentalplex</a><br />
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<h2 style="text-align: left;">
Pacman</h2>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPUcqCG9JBpd3CDTKCStdqK67UhkeeYsQQqH9ciRhSAn2MT0KPhger9KCewP6YVJb2eSQ7CJNMAK3l1Fy1KUKx2Eya-0BeRhxXPoMRj_eBXz2M_rU-E35NMzPR-1Kk8aDEfKE-wT4jOuE/s1600/pacman10-hp.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Google Pacman" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPUcqCG9JBpd3CDTKCStdqK67UhkeeYsQQqH9ciRhSAn2MT0KPhger9KCewP6YVJb2eSQ7CJNMAK3l1Fy1KUKx2Eya-0BeRhxXPoMRj_eBXz2M_rU-E35NMzPR-1Kk8aDEfKE-wT4jOuE/s1600/pacman10-hp.png" height="133" title="Google Pacman" width="400" /></a></div>
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The Pacman Google Doodle was introduced on May 21, 2010 to mark the 30th anniversary of the classic arcade game. You can still enjoy the game at <a href="http://www.google.com/pacman">www.google.com/pacman</a> .<br />
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<h2 style="text-align: left;">
Atari Breakout</h2>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6tVa_w8-G-Phr6MMDM1uFnoKR_kVz2p0nuNN9dW68NoqnIkuvCNyVMKSBl-v3jcSvJkJRgln3CyZe1zk-iphs0LbEj1HAHwzk9g02nbSEaR4GLHxu1yNkZEb9bceG8XDcqn_V0cgprT4/s1600/atari-breakout.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Google Atari Breakout" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6tVa_w8-G-Phr6MMDM1uFnoKR_kVz2p0nuNN9dW68NoqnIkuvCNyVMKSBl-v3jcSvJkJRgln3CyZe1zk-iphs0LbEj1HAHwzk9g02nbSEaR4GLHxu1yNkZEb9bceG8XDcqn_V0cgprT4/s1600/atari-breakout.jpg" height="225" title="Google Atari Breakout" width="400" /></a></div>
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Google has a classic gem for Atari lovers. Just goto Google Image Search and put in 'Atari Breakout' in the search box. You'll see your search page transformed into an Atari Breakout arena. You control the bar with your mouse and the arrow keys. The objective of the game to destroy all the blocks without dropping the ball. It's Google's way of celebrating the 37th anniversary of Atari.<br />
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<h2 style="text-align: left;">
Meaning of Life</h2>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiClQJI-Ob_RArP9Kzh03eWZPt0ArQVNkf_Fvr-bWC56kf1TmAJ38f8rFW7ih3Nz78R63TUy93z3F9OQKFgyfD-y7YryhDtJq5vlu1tKE9d-I1M8DND1hBUbc7pqvHyANtfAzPOjTQIJ6Q/s1600/answer-to-life-and-everything.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Google Meaning of Life" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiClQJI-Ob_RArP9Kzh03eWZPt0ArQVNkf_Fvr-bWC56kf1TmAJ38f8rFW7ih3Nz78R63TUy93z3F9OQKFgyfD-y7YryhDtJq5vlu1tKE9d-I1M8DND1hBUbc7pqvHyANtfAzPOjTQIJ6Q/s1600/answer-to-life-and-everything.jpg" height="186" title="Google Meaning of Life" width="400" /></a></div>
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Google sure has answers for everything. Now, it has an answer for the most important question of all. Type "answer to life, the universe and everything" into the query box and hit Search. The answer comes, "42". The answer is inspired by Douglas Adams' The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy.<br />
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<h2 style="text-align: left;">
Google Calculator</h2>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzX_d-3NLzqoaSjjGNmwE_4PfmxBClK12_BjeQyyA1I5ouF5RoKTYOcsOUawFQlR3bBFAeTa0vPD5V1aqgzPjszi5qyH5vQH5b7DKxKk6DfQUNBgJ_XV9T2Ce8n_ZpNE02Cev6vwmunT0/s1600/google+scientific+calculator3.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Google Calculator" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzX_d-3NLzqoaSjjGNmwE_4PfmxBClK12_BjeQyyA1I5ouF5RoKTYOcsOUawFQlR3bBFAeTa0vPD5V1aqgzPjszi5qyH5vQH5b7DKxKk6DfQUNBgJ_XV9T2Ce8n_ZpNE02Cev6vwmunT0/s1600/google+scientific+calculator3.png" height="268" title="Google Calculator" width="400" /></a></div>
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Google's Calculator is much more awesome than your everyday gadget. Apart from doing the usual addition, subtraction, multiplication and division, it can solve logarithmic, exponential, trignometric functions and many more. But the coolest feature are the weird strings it accepts as numbers. For example, number of horns on a unicorn which is equal to 1. Some other examples are:<br />
<ul style="text-align: left;">
</ul>
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li>"the loneliest number" equals "1", a reference to the song by Harry Nilsson.</li>
<li>"once in a blue moon" equals "1.16699016 × 10−8 hertz".</li>
<li>"a bakers dozen" equals "13".</li>
</ul>
<h2 style="text-align: left;">
Youtube Snake</h2>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp7Hr5wHi8XYKf5c0bbcPRR8gNXZUU4l9dE_EjjBpQGX2Pr0HrXp1rXcW9mv7CI9c11GTaqUuxjSzf9o92hIxRd_FqUHNpkHcPCF4DMbuhZAJefcN3eyYjvLo5tmHgmtYPRnz0mzYKjEE/s1600/Youtube+Snake.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Youtube Snake" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp7Hr5wHi8XYKf5c0bbcPRR8gNXZUU4l9dE_EjjBpQGX2Pr0HrXp1rXcW9mv7CI9c11GTaqUuxjSzf9o92hIxRd_FqUHNpkHcPCF4DMbuhZAJefcN3eyYjvLo5tmHgmtYPRnz0mzYKjEE/s1600/Youtube+Snake.jpg" height="245" title="Youtube Snake" width="400" /></a></div>
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Do you get bored while waiting for your videos to buffer? Google has something for you. Now you can play a classic game of snake while your videos load. Just use arrow keys to steer your snake and help it eat the dots.<br />
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<h2 style="text-align: left;">
Talk to a Martian</h2>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ5tuYz5A86cI-hQN9gW_pzfepyyk8V1LE5jTK-lQEneuxnQFlFWMCuNXfYvrHIUHScG_To7kGHnWbrOFKFdRIZwEdiCrlNY0KbjBCc3wmdPyPtLPWD0fDM5M4u3BaVJjFAmy24PJUmS8/s1600/talk-to-a-martian-meliza.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Google Earth Meliza" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ5tuYz5A86cI-hQN9gW_pzfepyyk8V1LE5jTK-lQEneuxnQFlFWMCuNXfYvrHIUHScG_To7kGHnWbrOFKFdRIZwEdiCrlNY0KbjBCc3wmdPyPtLPWD0fDM5M4u3BaVJjFAmy24PJUmS8/s1600/talk-to-a-martian-meliza.jpg" height="315" title="Google Earth Meliza" width="400" /></a></div>
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Google Earth now has a new feature that allows you to go
through Mars just like you would do for Earth. But the developers at
Google didn't just stop here. Type “Meliza” in the search window while
looking at Mars. This will take you to a place on Mars with a placemark
labeled “MELIZA“. Click on that and the placemark bubble will open and
start talking to you. The program is based on an old computer
application called “Eliza” which simulates talking to someone (very
poorly). But, it’s a classic easter egg for Google Earth. 9YYJACMRCR2R</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11291739035935249194noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6360308967843225421.post-33501108791687711212014-01-14T03:35:00.001-08:002014-02-08T09:07:41.840-08:00Odd Jobs Celebrities Did Before Fame<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Feeling annoyed of your job? Then, here are some pretty odd jobs celebrities did before they hit stardom.<br />
<h2 style="text-align: left;">
Tom Cruise</h2>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxSzVPNGdfPd2qa5uL2P1DbptrSLzQYpAPZx3-bI-qtmpZAp_h8KkOkhyh7cSeq6w-spBljF2HzSpyionPWxL2Sg8TDiNFVjcymyQk3QO4wNl9w7hKv9pJWOkozPcL8kvb527c_N4IGiw/s1600/tom-cruise.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Tom Cruise" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxSzVPNGdfPd2qa5uL2P1DbptrSLzQYpAPZx3-bI-qtmpZAp_h8KkOkhyh7cSeq6w-spBljF2HzSpyionPWxL2Sg8TDiNFVjcymyQk3QO4wNl9w7hKv9pJWOkozPcL8kvb527c_N4IGiw/s400/tom-cruise.jpg" height="397" title="Tom Cruise" width="400" /> </a></div>
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<br />
<a name='more'></a>Tom Cruise is one of the highest paid actor in Hollywood. But before he made his name on the big screen, Tom Cruise had to do a couple of odd jobs to work his way. The 3-time Golden Globe Award winner worked as a paperboy for the Louisville Courier-Journal during his time in Kentucky. At an early age, he also joined a seminary to become a priest.<br />
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<h2 style="text-align: left;">
Eminem</h2>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoLjF_jeaRq_686BhOna3aKnWGGthNq3VoKxxrRoinlw0GsUe5PIhcgWe5twrF0ZBbWX7ALDsFhE6D1kroXaK2pdYBAsi5YKydYfLATKdu29GVw4H72xUVJD6CXAX7mCo65YEBUnBuvr8/s1600/eminem.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Eminem" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoLjF_jeaRq_686BhOna3aKnWGGthNq3VoKxxrRoinlw0GsUe5PIhcgWe5twrF0ZBbWX7ALDsFhE6D1kroXaK2pdYBAsi5YKydYfLATKdu29GVw4H72xUVJD6CXAX7mCo65YEBUnBuvr8/s400/eminem.jpg" height="400" title="Eminem" width="306" /> </a></div>
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Young Eminem went through a hard time making a name in a industry where he was all alone. He had no father and so he had to do several odd jobs to help his broke mother.
At the age of 16, Eminem worked at a factory called Gibbs Machinery. There he swept floors and took out trash. He also worked as a cook at a family restaurant in Michigan.<br />
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<h2 style="text-align: left;">
Madonna</h2>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxMoRQe9zPNb1VNAWbm0MHLwjJdv0tgizCzyv0oWvgVQ58KeHidu-m1JgdOiU9eODGsxJVBbvqP_CjaTZHgxNDYvCEiOgHQlv08E4GahLLazBrj6adkr77tzPwyJic6pHaxIpBEXp07iM/s1600/madonna.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Madonna" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxMoRQe9zPNb1VNAWbm0MHLwjJdv0tgizCzyv0oWvgVQ58KeHidu-m1JgdOiU9eODGsxJVBbvqP_CjaTZHgxNDYvCEiOgHQlv08E4GahLLazBrj6adkr77tzPwyJic6pHaxIpBEXp07iM/s400/madonna.jpg" height="377" title="Madonna" width="400" /> </a></div>
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After young Madonna moved to New York city to live her dream, she found it no easy to survive in the big city. So, she started a job at Dunkin Donuts in Times Square where she served coffee and doughnuts. Lady M was fired off from Dunkin' after she squirted jelly all over a customer.<br />
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<h2 style="text-align: left;">
Whoopi Goldberg</h2>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioxKakMD1MI1hSAfHOAaX8C20j8WUDhRIkgC432i_slSWYDMEcDyRwiY3RuqxbWL6OrWPnky-D2VJ84ASlyqrGgg02XGHuKIjsZr4IZgtq7tVo7iuNYFKcDjtuPLdIE-Y9CDE_AfnMks4/s1600/whoopi-goldberg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Whoopi Goldberg" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioxKakMD1MI1hSAfHOAaX8C20j8WUDhRIkgC432i_slSWYDMEcDyRwiY3RuqxbWL6OrWPnky-D2VJ84ASlyqrGgg02XGHuKIjsZr4IZgtq7tVo7iuNYFKcDjtuPLdIE-Y9CDE_AfnMks4/s400/whoopi-goldberg.jpg" height="400" title="Whoopi Goldberg" width="265" /> </a></div>
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American comedy actress Whoopi Goldberg probably did the weirdest job of all, she actually worked with the dead. Before landing in the limelight, the Academy Award Winner worked in a morgue. Her job was that of a mortuary beautician, dressing up and putting make up on the deceased.<br />
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<h2 style="text-align: left;">
Hugh Jackman</h2>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuo2W30KODeYxjy7q8C3w-L_vznNfmPK9CQ3Pd-vTltr2oR3a34-TN3sGR1EB8zOeb8iHwI8Sx0ERXslcpTql3eor7O_mSit9W1HnBsfOhZUN3AeuXKZhzXYSiBpBWV7lWisX5yDiwsNw/s1600/hugh-jackman.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Hugh Jackman" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuo2W30KODeYxjy7q8C3w-L_vznNfmPK9CQ3Pd-vTltr2oR3a34-TN3sGR1EB8zOeb8iHwI8Sx0ERXslcpTql3eor7O_mSit9W1HnBsfOhZUN3AeuXKZhzXYSiBpBWV7lWisX5yDiwsNw/s400/hugh-jackman.jpg" height="396" title="Hugh Jackman" width="400" /> </a></div>
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Hugh Jackman hasn't always been the tough guy we see in Wolverine. In fact, Hollywoods's most dashing mutant, once played a much more jollier role - that of a clown. Hugh Jackman used to dress as Coco, the clown at children parties.
According to him,
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
“I was Coco the Clown and I had no magic tricks and I remember a six-year-old standing up at a party saying 'Mummy this clown is terrible, he doesn't know any tricks' and he was right." </blockquote>
<h2 style="text-align: left;">
</h2>
<h2 style="text-align: left;">
Johnny Depp</h2>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD2yFCKCa2C02rM7L9uadK4j5JnmpHeIvoHnWYG6aWm3WZ2BTd9rQenaehPOy7PmF7huP4xoxtmXD1KndE9XsYlhAKtA81ki0Oqa8WSchrupbAu7ytpDlb0PqO3PE7bnNi26SjrJh6idU/s1600/johnny-depp.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Johnny Depp" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD2yFCKCa2C02rM7L9uadK4j5JnmpHeIvoHnWYG6aWm3WZ2BTd9rQenaehPOy7PmF7huP4xoxtmXD1KndE9XsYlhAKtA81ki0Oqa8WSchrupbAu7ytpDlb0PqO3PE7bnNi26SjrJh6idU/s400/johnny-depp.jpg" height="250" title="Johnny Depp" width="400" /> </a></div>
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Johnny Depp may be today's most versatile actor in Hollywood but he once held a not so awesome job. The man behind Captain Jacksparrow in 'The pirates of the Caribbean' was once a pen salesman. He used to call customers in an attempt to convince them to buy pen from him.<br />
<br />
<h2 style="text-align: left;">
Brad Pitt</h2>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4FjUSzWSsc6NaW-jGoyIDV1qPnbzAlPpo3faKbefHs4Gq3OgAbiyOeMCMO7Dlja-3Yf_UEVk9qoCTgJ6A_BcElFtkSvcz4WeeOR2XgAQpKN1-k6pD1DmHXBOOBO0NpbjN3Cyey8UvUY4/s1600/brad-pitt.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Brad Pitt" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4FjUSzWSsc6NaW-jGoyIDV1qPnbzAlPpo3faKbefHs4Gq3OgAbiyOeMCMO7Dlja-3Yf_UEVk9qoCTgJ6A_BcElFtkSvcz4WeeOR2XgAQpKN1-k6pD1DmHXBOOBO0NpbjN3Cyey8UvUY4/s400/brad-pitt.jpg" height="400" title="Brad Pitt" width="285" /> </a></div>
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The star of 'Moneyball' once earned a living by dressing as a chicken for El Pollo Loco chicken restaurant. He also worked in the stripper industry, not as a stripper, but as a limo driver.<br />
<br />
<h2 style="text-align: left;">
Sylvester Stallone</h2>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgUovztR7wJcxsZnUQiJX9kzqtZMCJQQece05jhxlWHc6aTmSW2Pxs0YSlvBqwml2vqNsxNrtpk5Pw8lFB1_6AM_hVKjnNfsdfLEtUaLgLZOha_BNYl3sJVwSI4BuCZQJN-aOjae0qtXo/s1600/sylvester-stallone.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Sylvester Stallone" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgUovztR7wJcxsZnUQiJX9kzqtZMCJQQece05jhxlWHc6aTmSW2Pxs0YSlvBqwml2vqNsxNrtpk5Pw8lFB1_6AM_hVKjnNfsdfLEtUaLgLZOha_BNYl3sJVwSI4BuCZQJN-aOjae0qtXo/s400/sylvester-stallone.jpg" height="400" title="Sylvester Stallone" width="400" /> </a></div>
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Sylvester Stallone, the commando in Rambo, was as intrepid in real life as he showcases in his movies. Although his real life involved no firearms, he sure spent days along side some real beasts. In his young days, the hunk made ends meet by cleaning lion cages in the central zoo. Probably that's where he got all his moxy.<br />
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Jon Hamm</h2>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNIgfnb96Vn6ZmMS8RE0I1oTyGOdjZlZQJ0lf3uJlG-tFfI3p0ai6RkEkarM4oHh2kLJLmZq0vt6-KANQRnZu1dHCL3V8SxTdtfKB21v3rJAgPQOceQEc_yitSRqcZSzscn1X4tthdIxE/s1600/jon_hamm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Jon Hamm" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNIgfnb96Vn6ZmMS8RE0I1oTyGOdjZlZQJ0lf3uJlG-tFfI3p0ai6RkEkarM4oHh2kLJLmZq0vt6-KANQRnZu1dHCL3V8SxTdtfKB21v3rJAgPQOceQEc_yitSRqcZSzscn1X4tthdIxE/s400/jon_hamm.jpg" height="400" title="Jon Hamm" width="268" /> </a></div>
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Jon Hamm, before playing the womanizing Don Draper in tv series "Mad Men", actually worked in the porn industry. He used to dress porn sets before being casted in a play which actually revealed his true talents.
He recalls:
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“I’m sure there are more terrible day jobs in L.A. (but) it was horribly depressing.” </blockquote>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Patrick Dempsey</span></h2>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6SEX5c2Bii6Wmt8DN05nAR9NEyiyuXJKYNchRrCkrNSPimaxKdQkZS9TCpzQNfVx2oldv9U1s9WiAhcWXyAH1t3vfgwfyK7QGQYGQnXorsWmh41glp4cnW27mCGs_eSEXluLk1YVxIG8/s1600/Patrick-Dempsey-juggling.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Patrick Dempsey" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6SEX5c2Bii6Wmt8DN05nAR9NEyiyuXJKYNchRrCkrNSPimaxKdQkZS9TCpzQNfVx2oldv9U1s9WiAhcWXyAH1t3vfgwfyK7QGQYGQnXorsWmh41glp4cnW27mCGs_eSEXluLk1YVxIG8/s400/Patrick-Dempsey-juggling.jpg" height="400" title="Patrick Dempsey" width="325" /> </a></div>
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Patrick Dempsey, television's most charming surgeon in the hit series "Grey's Anatomy", was a professional juggler. He even went to national competitions to showcase his skills. Juggling is one of Dempsey's many talents. As most of his fans know, he's a serious race car driver, owns his own coffee chain Tully's and was also a champion downhill skier.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Conclusion</b></span><span style="font-size: large;"><b></b></span></h2>
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Know of more odd celebrity jobs? then feel free put them in the comment form below.</div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11291739035935249194noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6360308967843225421.post-45302731683163953292013-06-14T22:43:00.000-07:002013-06-14T22:43:13.060-07:00The Incredible Ruby Falls of Chattanooga, Tennessee<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Ruby Falls is an underground waterfall in Tennessee, USA. It is part of the Lookout Mountains in Chattanooga. Ruby Falls is one of the most famous underground waterfalls in the world. The beauty of Ruby Falls makes anyone go 'WOW'.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq5oHtD-wqaXFsWACJP-LxpFkj22CJ9MYXBYnBWpbnNQgrHUNBLVlBSAyVXXhmT1w_wDfa9_apbA3tz59DiC07mgzf-Rc67PNqS6QZDf6qCyKXsb1sFqNTtw2I9FZv-qMsB65oqV0l6tk/s1600/ruby-falls-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="297" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq5oHtD-wqaXFsWACJP-LxpFkj22CJ9MYXBYnBWpbnNQgrHUNBLVlBSAyVXXhmT1w_wDfa9_apbA3tz59DiC07mgzf-Rc67PNqS6QZDf6qCyKXsb1sFqNTtw2I9FZv-qMsB65oqV0l6tk/s400/ruby-falls-1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Ruby Falls: History</h2>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjJo91CzDdWaQv3UvaBkG9rUmeea5UblNe7FH6Aig-JmYJyQMBIn7X0loMIiM8TfzjlHZ-eoH8UkUPUpJzFDULJPRxCGoCGeSeg6jLmi-zeIHSYPdcBItR9Vq6adf7g2SS426AWXeYR-w/s1600/ruby-falls-leo-lambert.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjJo91CzDdWaQv3UvaBkG9rUmeea5UblNe7FH6Aig-JmYJyQMBIn7X0loMIiM8TfzjlHZ-eoH8UkUPUpJzFDULJPRxCGoCGeSeg6jLmi-zeIHSYPdcBItR9Vq6adf7g2SS426AWXeYR-w/s400/ruby-falls-leo-lambert.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ruby Falls was discovered by Leo Lambert</td></tr>
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Ruby Falls remained unnoticed till the 20th century. It seems really surprising how such an amazing place was undiscovered for such a long time. It finally came to the public eye when Leo Lambert, a chemist and cave enthusiast who accidentally discovered the cave, got the idea of turning the place into a tourist attraction. Although his primary motive was entirely commercial, I think that we all should be thankful to the man for finding such an amazing place. Thus Leo Lambert started work to turn the place more tourist friendly and named it Ruby Falls, after his wife.<br />
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Ruby Falls: Formation</h2>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0vIik6ebS4Aw9ex_flAgg1D2JMNfk9OjYZGmn_iAWHE2duDaTluSJFS6DMJ1g66ClAScH0xGEFvEe3suZdv9N8j3azExpbY1u0aXNaM0-FRCaJdGGoLGE3C2MLUqu4-thW11sU7SEpSY/s1600/ruby-falls.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0vIik6ebS4Aw9ex_flAgg1D2JMNfk9OjYZGmn_iAWHE2duDaTluSJFS6DMJ1g66ClAScH0xGEFvEe3suZdv9N8j3azExpbY1u0aXNaM0-FRCaJdGGoLGE3C2MLUqu4-thW11sU7SEpSY/s400/ruby-falls.jpg" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">An Amazing View of Ruby Falls</td></tr>
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About 200 million years ago, the area around Tennessee was covered by a shallow sea. The sea disappeared with time and sediments turned into the limestone rocks that are found in the area today. The ground water gradually carved caverns into the limestone including Ruby Fall Cavern that houses the Ruby Falls.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT_fujnIB_xwxnX0Jye4aqvB43r6cUGQ6gknKVCrZJPlfdnqcqmskaKg3wut6RrHWjhPHLv9t8KFOIEIfmqykVr9ZSHZ3X0pv6b48Fw0FXanI6nw6-mHjdX048BRLrOCtAwOqm7GUO2E0/s1600/lookout-mountain-tennessee.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT_fujnIB_xwxnX0Jye4aqvB43r6cUGQ6gknKVCrZJPlfdnqcqmskaKg3wut6RrHWjhPHLv9t8KFOIEIfmqykVr9ZSHZ3X0pv6b48Fw0FXanI6nw6-mHjdX048BRLrOCtAwOqm7GUO2E0/s400/lookout-mountain-tennessee.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lookout Mountain which houses the Ruby Falls</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR9Is6wbYA2e6owBcGXJWhrkIFx-dWmgburKFkrh4FltZIu21Uhukh1bKiwxi2nkRtDsXFE2_Vgwb5g1JY1nb8F2TUXUMGJMXHJGPZKdRfpIWg-A4cCtjladRivxGvcRjtS9WiI1NurCw/s1600/lookout-mountain-top.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="318" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR9Is6wbYA2e6owBcGXJWhrkIFx-dWmgburKFkrh4FltZIu21Uhukh1bKiwxi2nkRtDsXFE2_Vgwb5g1JY1nb8F2TUXUMGJMXHJGPZKdRfpIWg-A4cCtjladRivxGvcRjtS9WiI1NurCw/s400/lookout-mountain-top.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">At the top of Lookout Mountain</td></tr>
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The Ruby Falls is situated in the heart of the Lookout Mountain. An elevator takes visitors, 26 stories below the surface. The cave path is full of beautiful stalactites and stalagmites which makes the little journey more amazing.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvyK_RpgRUP4WMHnZByPKa5YPvw6d7_IhZZGLOwTAgFkteqIU7y20fKKWg32ndJuqhO9wsSt0G9wIqWmc2etG0cnMhygmvV_8jRiVhqI1Wv6c9yaOFWfOpADS8gsIlSvWPPZzfVVkt520/s1600/ruby-falls-cave.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="285" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvyK_RpgRUP4WMHnZByPKa5YPvw6d7_IhZZGLOwTAgFkteqIU7y20fKKWg32ndJuqhO9wsSt0G9wIqWmc2etG0cnMhygmvV_8jRiVhqI1Wv6c9yaOFWfOpADS8gsIlSvWPPZzfVVkt520/s400/ruby-falls-cave.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Inside Ruby Cave</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrugjbjLMrTRgJCcDzbkeng8_-FDUDZvlejhNt2Nda2Q6JVGPi4cfi5nRjNYhjEV4dFD6p2mNy8WZrk-wQWMmfou48sNCNM_6ALIMVK_OVkgswHL8imtItu7UsqFsVbnupVymv-eLrXMo/s1600/ruby-cave.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrugjbjLMrTRgJCcDzbkeng8_-FDUDZvlejhNt2Nda2Q6JVGPi4cfi5nRjNYhjEV4dFD6p2mNy8WZrk-wQWMmfou48sNCNM_6ALIMVK_OVkgswHL8imtItu7UsqFsVbnupVymv-eLrXMo/s400/ruby-cave.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ruby Cave lit up</td></tr>
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The Ruby Falls is 145ft high. The rocks around the falls are cut to provide the tourists a better view of the waterfall. The lighting show adds immensely to the breathtaking beauty of the falls and fills the entire cavern with gentle hues. The stream from the fall drops in a pool on the floor. Don't try to drink the water of the spring, because although it is filtered through the rock, the large Magnesium content has made it a natural laxative. So, avoid ruining your further trip by a drink. ;)<br />
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Ruby Falls Photos</h2>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1vd1L2OEqdKJ2WmuZ_jvhYwevXF3-WYNQiCMlbIEev1uykApgVqBnCmUBVTusZG2I9tnvYII09R7MoPz9TUTQJNjIpOUvkEOhm6q9Cykmiz4YQPPcUR0sml1MlGWMUfFoTvIX99qgiMU/s1600/ruby-falls-entrance.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1vd1L2OEqdKJ2WmuZ_jvhYwevXF3-WYNQiCMlbIEev1uykApgVqBnCmUBVTusZG2I9tnvYII09R7MoPz9TUTQJNjIpOUvkEOhm6q9Cykmiz4YQPPcUR0sml1MlGWMUfFoTvIX99qgiMU/s400/ruby-falls-entrance.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ruby Falls Entrance</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbVPl-9xzwnUg8TIqWSWw1Cypo1R2pJDnY18jllQgL2r6_4jP8lWJbTWLMKHHg423ou4r7J8PcWSahdIZcWIlLCMzHvl7m3XJylTqd4p2i3qMqMP-UxDpohF_tpS4eM344bJSDcxlFdjc/s1600/ruby-falls-tennessee.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbVPl-9xzwnUg8TIqWSWw1Cypo1R2pJDnY18jllQgL2r6_4jP8lWJbTWLMKHHg423ou4r7J8PcWSahdIZcWIlLCMzHvl7m3XJylTqd4p2i3qMqMP-UxDpohF_tpS4eM344bJSDcxlFdjc/s1600/ruby-falls-tennessee.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ruby Falls illuminated</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYkDxv1rht4Lue_8ELaWkKrTX0C6wC_Mcn9OFDUY6JV6lGfMrCbpK9mLJISvV7LYwfHe66VkghKZBoZr7S1LdM8eyKkXDVwuwMzNyI9asBrRrYYj90Mjn8fnNFmqhy9-fb9o2cuFDHGeY/s1600/ruby-falls-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYkDxv1rht4Lue_8ELaWkKrTX0C6wC_Mcn9OFDUY6JV6lGfMrCbpK9mLJISvV7LYwfHe66VkghKZBoZr7S1LdM8eyKkXDVwuwMzNyI9asBrRrYYj90Mjn8fnNFmqhy9-fb9o2cuFDHGeY/s1600/ruby-falls-2.jpg" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ruby_Falls" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">[Source]</a></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11291739035935249194noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6360308967843225421.post-48071953371695985292013-05-15T00:39:00.001-07:002013-06-03T05:52:12.338-07:0025 Amazing Earth Facts You Should Know<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Planet Earth is undoubtedly the most incredible planet in the entire universe. Learn about the most amazing Earth facts that makes our planet such a wonderful place to be. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9HgJ7vcidwFu9u_60z0G6r0uTIKzAaAeDoGAwA6HqxQyVRpxz-J5lw9dzKHHhFjOaXwLvjfNScgydn6-b3aqS-RiMuZusji60ZJ64-9UGQGOXBmmhQ-q2WmkVZ8AJWCqzjhQiC2Ns2wA/s1600/earth.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 7px;"><img align="center" alt="Earth Facts" border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9HgJ7vcidwFu9u_60z0G6r0uTIKzAaAeDoGAwA6HqxQyVRpxz-J5lw9dzKHHhFjOaXwLvjfNScgydn6-b3aqS-RiMuZusji60ZJ64-9UGQGOXBmmhQ-q2WmkVZ8AJWCqzjhQiC2Ns2wA/s640/earth.jpg" title="Earth Facts" width="640" /></a></div>
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1. The Earth is the only planet that is not named after a Greek God. The name 'Earth' comes from Anglo-Saxon, originally meaning ground or soil.</div>
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2. Earth is not round. The Earth is not flat either. Rather it is an oblate spheroid. This only means that the earth is not a perfect sphere but is flat at the North and South poles.<br />
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3. Our Earth is the densest planet in the solar system. At an average density of 5.5 g/cm, our world beats all the other planets when it comes to being the densest. Scientists believe that the massive amounts of iron in our planet’s core is what makes it so dense.<br />
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4. Earth's rotation is slowing down with time. This means that days are getting longer and longer. Thus an extra second, called a leap second is added after every few years to account for the Earth's slow rotation.<br />
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5. The Earth actually has two moons. The second moon which is actually the asteroid 3753 orbits the earth. It was discovered in 1986 and is dubbed as the "Earth's Strange Companion". The asteroid is unique in the fact that it has a horse shoe orbit.<br />
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6. Life on Earth is largely due to the Moon. According to a theory, life originated in tidal waves which are created by the Moon's gravitation. Another one suggests that tides may have set up conditions for sea creatures to transition and become the first land animals. Yes, we all should be thankful to the Moon.<br />
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7. The Earth had a twin brother, Theia. It was roughly the size of Mars and the two planets shared a single orbit until they both collided. Theia was absorbed by Earth and the remaining mass created the Moon. The mass donated by Theia gave Earth the gravity necessary to sustain a substantial atmosphere.<br />
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8. Earth's core is made up of a solid ball of iron 1,500 miles wide. Although, it is white hot, the enormous pressure at the planet's heart is what keeps the iron ball solid.<br />
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9. Everybody knows the great Mount Everest. Standing at an impressive 29,035 feet, it is the tallest mountain on Earth. However, due to fact that the earth is not really a perfect sphere, anything at the equator is at a slightly greater distance from the <a class="zem_slink" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Inner_core" rel="wikipedia nofollow" target="_blank" title="Inner core">Earth's center</a>. This means that <a class="zem_slink" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chimborazo_%28volcano%29" rel="wikipedia nofollow" target="_blank" title="Chimborazo (volcano)">Mount Chimborazo</a> in Ecuador, at 20, 564 feet, is taller than Mount Everest by about 1.5 miles.<br />
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10. If you could evaporate all the water out of all the oceans and spread the resulting salt over all the land on Earth, you would have a five hundred-foot layer coating everything.<br />
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11. Our Earth is the only planet in the milky way that comes with tectonic plates.<br />
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12. The Earth is dubbed as the 'Blue Planet'. This is because of the blue color of the oceans that cover almost 70% of our planet.<br />
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13. The Earth is not only a planet that supports life, it itself is a living organism. According to the <a class="zem_slink" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gaia_hypothesis" rel="wikipedia nofollow" target="_blank" title="Gaia hypothesis">Gaia Hypothesis</a>, the Earth is an organic system which has the ability to self-regulate in order to maintain life. Researches are on the way to prove the hypothesis and with the recent advancements, we are very close to know if the Earth is really alive or not.<br />
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14. The driest place on Earth is the <a class="zem_slink" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Atacama_Desert" rel="wikipedia nofollow" target="_blank" title="Atacama Desert">Atacama desert</a> in South America. The average rainfall in the Atacama is 0.004 inches per year. Which means that it gets only 4 inches of rain in a thousand years. The last time rain was recorded in the area was in the mid 1700's.<br />
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15. The deepest point on Earth is the Mariana Trench. The trench is so deep, that even the Mount Everest can sink in it.<br />
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16. The longest place name in the world is Krung thep maha nakorn amorn ratana kosinmahintar ayutthay amaha dilok phop noppa ratrajathani burirom udom rajaniwesmahasat harn amorn phimarn avatarn sathit sakkattiya visanukamprasit (155 letters) in Thailand. It means:<br />
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The land of angels, the great city of immortality, of devine gems, the great angelic land unconquerable land of nine nobel gems, the royal city, a pleasant capital place of the Royal Palace, eternal land of angels and reincarnated spirits predestined and created by the highest Devas.”</blockquote>
If you think you never knew this place, then let me tell you that it is one of the most famous cities in the world. The one we call, Bangkok.<br />
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17. Earth is the brightest planet in the solar system. This is because sunlight is reflected off the water in our oceans. That's probably why it is called the 'Blue Marble'.<br />
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18. The Amazon Rainforest is the most bio diverse place on Earth. One in ten of all species on Earth are found here.<br />
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19. The vast oceans that cover about 70% of our Earth are filled with riches. These mighty seas hold more than 20 million tons of gold. But unfortunately the precious metal is so heavily diluted that each litre of seawater contains 13 billionths of a gram of gold. So, think again before you dive in for the treasures.<br />
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20. Antarctica is the Earth's ice box. The frozen continent contains almost 90% of all the ice and 70% of all the fresh water on the planet. It has as much ice as the <a class="zem_slink" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Atlantic_Ocean" rel="wikipedia nofollow" target="_blank" title="Atlantic Ocean">Atlantic ocean</a> has water.<br />
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21. Earth grows 1 cm every 100 years. This is because of the dust from space.<br />
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22. Only 1% of the total land is inhabited by humans.<br />
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23. Earth's gravity varies from place to place. This is due to the uneven distribution of the Earth's mass.<br />
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24. Our atmosphere is not just a bunch of gases. It is much more than that. The atmosphere is made up of seven layers, each with its own particular function. For examples, the first one is the troposphere. This is where all the weather activities take place.<br />
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25. Our Earth is at a distance of approximately 93 million miles from the sun. This means that light from the sun takes about 8 minutes and 19 seconds to reach us.<br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11291739035935249194noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6360308967843225421.post-26134524577269793762013-03-04T03:40:00.001-08:002013-03-04T03:40:31.581-08:0010 Pictures of Weird Cloud Formations<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Check out our collection of the weirdest cloud formations and rise your head in amazement.<br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV8ja6fP01r8eGmTvWRjC7CfUdxEVVL74Lhwwze9j14eL-k3qbzLJgrHp6VRzgCJ67KlJ7ckvq22JZrZ5K0vHiGeoBy8gHpZlwk1qAwTzVcJMejFjvutTWneT6wiQfcHhBpYnkNIjfXsc/s1600/clou-lion.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Lion in Clouds" border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV8ja6fP01r8eGmTvWRjC7CfUdxEVVL74Lhwwze9j14eL-k3qbzLJgrHp6VRzgCJ67KlJ7ckvq22JZrZ5K0vHiGeoBy8gHpZlwk1qAwTzVcJMejFjvutTWneT6wiQfcHhBpYnkNIjfXsc/s400/clou-lion.jpg" title="Lion in clouds" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Lion King of the skies</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIEOd3bM8RSvI_j2sdGHZ4TAqtn5sT23Ag8MhgmRfQEYQZ0hS-wyY8VqQ3ivqyQiwTX3O36vG4vgH0HeHjBz1y3-EIm7ZXIdlil4LqBMGKT-3s2NN0_GZ8SNhPmER4cQY22iQ0EaxcqjA/s1600/cloud-bunny.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Bunny in clouds" border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIEOd3bM8RSvI_j2sdGHZ4TAqtn5sT23Ag8MhgmRfQEYQZ0hS-wyY8VqQ3ivqyQiwTX3O36vG4vgH0HeHjBz1y3-EIm7ZXIdlil4LqBMGKT-3s2NN0_GZ8SNhPmER4cQY22iQ0EaxcqjA/s400/cloud-bunny.jpg" title="Bunny in clouds" width="310" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bunny on the hop!</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg75IaQ7uMJ7tsUuDXOBSEL7Jkcor953m1JSNXt3b25XP6oBIL2uSIMX8-2U7GdlHkatkg4pjQ5NmHQXKPRTG4M0zZcKu5BG9gDMUYN3374X9B0nqw0JDW4O5N4pQgXb4pnqdBEZ6IcXWM/s1600/cloud-hand.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Cloudy hand" border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg75IaQ7uMJ7tsUuDXOBSEL7Jkcor953m1JSNXt3b25XP6oBIL2uSIMX8-2U7GdlHkatkg4pjQ5NmHQXKPRTG4M0zZcKu5BG9gDMUYN3374X9B0nqw0JDW4O5N4pQgXb4pnqdBEZ6IcXWM/s400/cloud-hand.jpg" title="Cloudy hand" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">There's no better helping hand than this one.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbKRiivxe5dNbP-rDRF0qNoA61I0n_H2BtDvsNzQTOrQj2lnKpEg9WdilhAz9bj06FRDID9SOz8WGxWY0LCTAhisFVuvKvRlO_YHJ0i1wjOSvORdwQ0jvsNYzdsZtzjH4aQqzu6kUg-i8/s1600/cloud-elephant.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Elephant in clouds" border="0" height="217" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbKRiivxe5dNbP-rDRF0qNoA61I0n_H2BtDvsNzQTOrQj2lnKpEg9WdilhAz9bj06FRDID9SOz8WGxWY0LCTAhisFVuvKvRlO_YHJ0i1wjOSvORdwQ0jvsNYzdsZtzjH4aQqzu6kUg-i8/s400/cloud-elephant.jpg" title="Elephant in clouds" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;">Elephant in sky<br /></span></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTbEygcRJI9PQFsnkMOj4ckEdePvBr2tXBT_yTSj6EkKCV8cvozU9zbijwgQPnQZc6x2OaRV1u359lBHfzFIb-zpTVH4AgVRZ3Hmlnr64teF0wxKdq5XKbOkw0-5wwNceyfyYIida-H_8/s1600/cloud-fish.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Fish in the clouds" border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTbEygcRJI9PQFsnkMOj4ckEdePvBr2tXBT_yTSj6EkKCV8cvozU9zbijwgQPnQZc6x2OaRV1u359lBHfzFIb-zpTVH4AgVRZ3Hmlnr64teF0wxKdq5XKbOkw0-5wwNceyfyYIida-H_8/s400/cloud-fish.jpg" title="Fish in the clouds" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Something fishy...</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK8D_76RIs_qcqvHdV-cBsHkWUMQUbg5en8NhE4b31IR-ESbJbO6R4R1plo0UzZKJxedbxe8GwHDt0tF1EiRvpD67JAsFSdxWIWkkFljXbqE44XUvkAAgAbFb43TDfJcu4bdMETIbJ-hE/s1600/cloud-man.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Face in Clouds" border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK8D_76RIs_qcqvHdV-cBsHkWUMQUbg5en8NhE4b31IR-ESbJbO6R4R1plo0UzZKJxedbxe8GwHDt0tF1EiRvpD67JAsFSdxWIWkkFljXbqE44XUvkAAgAbFb43TDfJcu4bdMETIbJ-hE/s400/cloud-man.jpg" title="Face in Clouds" width="340" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Head above the clouds</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv4HphqhlmKKdFi6NIh1_zIKInZRmlz1b4NiPai72504kbP5roc11pa-4xX5qVggbWFXsSzjupTpeGyxxJYDlFJpjloIUQ4bUrWozGBspFifbCv_0_0JKYEys10Wx9O4MiEHYnySCF2X8/s1600/cloud-shark.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Shark in clouds" border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv4HphqhlmKKdFi6NIh1_zIKInZRmlz1b4NiPai72504kbP5roc11pa-4xX5qVggbWFXsSzjupTpeGyxxJYDlFJpjloIUQ4bUrWozGBspFifbCv_0_0JKYEys10Wx9O4MiEHYnySCF2X8/s400/cloud-shark.jpg" title="Shark in clouds" width="277" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">GREAT WHITE...</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq7qXp7fUD6f0sNKVJYRb_hgMtf2rFqNQqrJj3BjiS5rzbiWjKQVyLNDKzP5UbU3Op6tbi5-3DLHVYTcW4abySBOy9S7I3hJDwnQ6v603BDdjDCJZu6gCV6PQb6f5jG-T6GmKeaAtiOx0/s1600/cloud-cone.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Cone in clouds" border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq7qXp7fUD6f0sNKVJYRb_hgMtf2rFqNQqrJj3BjiS5rzbiWjKQVyLNDKzP5UbU3Op6tbi5-3DLHVYTcW4abySBOy9S7I3hJDwnQ6v603BDdjDCJZu6gCV6PQb6f5jG-T6GmKeaAtiOx0/s400/cloud-cone.jpg" title="Cone in clouds" width="306" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I always wished for a lick of this one...</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeq_rTVBG0W9Dgod_6lIa-fYj_TI3AfpcwcqsfsMF0FlBgBiFbpGy8oaol5LWh48T_9-Zg44WLEk7imfjjfnMwphF66GEoH_UB8eBZ1_xJv8qPHvavv6h_jgVOJTU_IAS8eK3DqRgkhb0/s1600/cloud-smile.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Smiley in clouds" border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeq_rTVBG0W9Dgod_6lIa-fYj_TI3AfpcwcqsfsMF0FlBgBiFbpGy8oaol5LWh48T_9-Zg44WLEk7imfjjfnMwphF66GEoH_UB8eBZ1_xJv8qPHvavv6h_jgVOJTU_IAS8eK3DqRgkhb0/s400/cloud-smile.jpg" title="Smiley in clouds" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Keep calm and smile :)</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHvkP6sRs-9_qFV3e4jsITtrv3T7_KSK-iEr4oa5l1G5A4GAqfhpaux1IwSXenaCLym-BeO3jFp1VEznh0DEqdd0glE500TNKR1xe_yRKDfMoD6bs4Ld7SeSnIcVzP5zP8xD_j4hJF4_4/s1600/cloud-ufo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="UFO in clouds" border="0" height="250" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHvkP6sRs-9_qFV3e4jsITtrv3T7_KSK-iEr4oa5l1G5A4GAqfhpaux1IwSXenaCLym-BeO3jFp1VEznh0DEqdd0glE500TNKR1xe_yRKDfMoD6bs4Ld7SeSnIcVzP5zP8xD_j4hJF4_4/s400/cloud-ufo.jpg" title="UFO in clouds" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">UFO</td></tr>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11291739035935249194noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6360308967843225421.post-69896733506295072072013-02-04T23:16:00.000-08:002013-02-04T23:19:36.484-08:00Top 15 Valentine's Day Fun Facts<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRhs1AK8n9DU5pWUoq0bolKxMo_IRBMTRW4NF1PxA_EYsTK7CZ2bdMHNAsW19stVgORBd8XH8tJ1j3hYk6BN0Ih5aZK3DbC_AimccyaAkK5MRzfdd45LlBwpHYw6velZOQMKf4Xmlu0YI/s1600/cupid.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRhs1AK8n9DU5pWUoq0bolKxMo_IRBMTRW4NF1PxA_EYsTK7CZ2bdMHNAsW19stVgORBd8XH8tJ1j3hYk6BN0Ih5aZK3DbC_AimccyaAkK5MRzfdd45LlBwpHYw6velZOQMKf4Xmlu0YI/s1600/cupid.jpg" /></a></div>
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Valentine's day is the festival of love and emotions. Check out our weirdest Valentine's day fun facts to make the day more special for you and your loved one.<br />
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1.</b></span> More than 50 million roses are exchanged worldwide on Valentine's day each year.<br />
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<b><span style="color: red;">2.</span></b> 73% of the flowers bought on Valentine's day are by men. While only 27% are bought by women.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOCO9T_4ulJ70bfqI0XqRqKAsrJxXMJW9z6T1OezCwvpwSJ-nclxbFxkGuJId1H2seUIrLpZt1pHtYmEYEfv48Owx4T7oGTh0Uw8nYEZUmP6keYe0ccK_YsZeTlZUkKyLXjHzOKCy1I2M/s1600/stvalentine4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Saint Valentine" border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOCO9T_4ulJ70bfqI0XqRqKAsrJxXMJW9z6T1OezCwvpwSJ-nclxbFxkGuJId1H2seUIrLpZt1pHtYmEYEfv48Owx4T7oGTh0Uw8nYEZUmP6keYe0ccK_YsZeTlZUkKyLXjHzOKCy1I2M/s320/stvalentine4.jpg" title="Saint Valentine" width="224" /></a></div>
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<b><span style="color: red;">3.</span></b> Valentine's day is named after Saint Valentine. Saint Valentine is the patron saint of lovers. But few people know that he was also the patron saint of greetings, travelers, young people, and even epilepsy, plague and bee keepers.</div>
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<b><span style="color: red;">4.</span></b> The letter 'X' first symbolized a kiss in medieval times. It is believed that people who could not write their names, signed with an 'X'. The 'X' was then kissed to show their emotions.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmnp-_uRmwhkwdc4m5X1ilmzT1ygHkbTvyU-LYnh2vxVBJydaNGCKMmZatI5OEBcA4gL15GrW6AZfYRz8dRZ33d0-N30KSadaWGuFplIwmz-w0WpBvoztKvzrRCQbHQgA-KF1IHA6Gr4U/s1600/forever-alone-girl.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Valentine's Day Facts" border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmnp-_uRmwhkwdc4m5X1ilmzT1ygHkbTvyU-LYnh2vxVBJydaNGCKMmZatI5OEBcA4gL15GrW6AZfYRz8dRZ33d0-N30KSadaWGuFplIwmz-w0WpBvoztKvzrRCQbHQgA-KF1IHA6Gr4U/s320/forever-alone-girl.png" title="Valentine's Day Facts" width="247" /></a></div>
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<b><span style="color: red;">5.</span></b> 15% US women send flowers to themselves on Valentine's day.</div>
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<b><span style="color: red;">6.</span></b> Survey shows that most girls prefer a good dinner over any other gift. So, book a table and score points!<br />
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<b><span style="color: red;">7.</span></b> Alexander Graham Bell, the inventor of telephone, patented his invention on the Valentine's day. So, Valentine's day gave us telephones. Penicillin was also introduced on Valentine's day.<br />
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<b><span style="color: red;">8.</span></b> In the Middle Ages, young men and women drew the names from a bowl to see who would be their Valentine. They would wear this name pinned on their sleeves for one week. This was done so that it becomes easy for other people to know your true feelings. This was known as "to wear your heart on your sleeve".</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCnebk-Rmi08NMaPuaSIkuX3bP2iFD0PDq5Bc8qzr6P_d-TnejcqaHLAkg-mjKc7gWFzSgFpFB1vr2otBel4pgko-FTqSam5ydjNidOwCX0mcb4zXehQgdI9V8NFzD0HDsNJCvrIeDlhs/s1600/red-roses.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Valentine's day Red Roses" border="0" height="282" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCnebk-Rmi08NMaPuaSIkuX3bP2iFD0PDq5Bc8qzr6P_d-TnejcqaHLAkg-mjKc7gWFzSgFpFB1vr2otBel4pgko-FTqSam5ydjNidOwCX0mcb4zXehQgdI9V8NFzD0HDsNJCvrIeDlhs/s320/red-roses.jpg" title="Valentine's day Red Roses" width="320" /></a></div>
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<b><span style="color: red;">9.</span></b> Red roses are the most popular gifts on Valentine's day. Red has traditionally been the color of love and symbolizes strong emotions. Thus, red roses are thought to be the perfect objects to show off the adornment on the special day.<br />
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<b><span style="color: red;">10.</span></b> If you're a teacher, then we have a good news for you on Valentine's day. According to a study, Teachers receive the most number of Valentine cards. Each year, children between 6 and 10 give about 650 million cards to their teachers.<br />
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<b><span style="color: red;">11.</span></b> In Germany, young girls would plant onions in a pot on Valentine's Day, and place the name of a boy next to each onion. They believed that they would marry the boy whose name was nearest to the first onion to grow.</div>
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<b><span style="color: red;">12.</span></b> During the 1700's, girls in England would eat a hard boiled egg, along with the shell, on Valentine's day eve. Doing so, they hoped that they would dream their future husband that night.<br />
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<b><span style="color: red;">13.</span></b> Verona, the Italian city where Shakespeare's play lovers Romeo and Juliet lived, receives about 1,000 letters every year sent to Juliet on Valentine's Day.<br />
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<b><span style="color: red;">14.</span></b> Contrary to the common conception, more than 50% women don't find Valentine's day romantic at all. Even worse, more than 75% doesn't like being proposed on Valentine's day. So, think twice if you're planning to do so.<br />
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<b><span style="color: red;">15.</span></b> Recent surveys revealed that on average, men spend about $158 dollars on Valentine's day. This is twice as compared to the $75 spend by women. Now, whose got the bigger heart? ;)<br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11291739035935249194noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6360308967843225421.post-43122061690903917252013-01-14T03:02:00.000-08:002013-01-14T03:02:19.993-08:00Weird Weapons: 6 Incredible Animals Used as Weapons of War<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Animals have always accompanied men at war. They have carried our soldiers and pulled our cannons. If you think that's all, then check out these stories of some of the craziest uses of animals in war.
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<h2 style="text-align: left;">
Anti tank Dogs</h2>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9SzcXaAbEmbMSfbBE4zbLkt00DgJh9hDSrjUrsAx7lZ1PrUmIJkQO3R5bHW7j5QfP6TLkTS9YF6g9HjcdHTX0QCzMKXOYr9l1XFXbmUuVIU-EzCiMcOmlheZpFV9ox4tZRxsDs18khLc/s1600/78217208.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Anti Tank Dogs" border="0" height="243" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9SzcXaAbEmbMSfbBE4zbLkt00DgJh9hDSrjUrsAx7lZ1PrUmIJkQO3R5bHW7j5QfP6TLkTS9YF6g9HjcdHTX0QCzMKXOYr9l1XFXbmUuVIU-EzCiMcOmlheZpFV9ox4tZRxsDs18khLc/s400/78217208.jpg" title="Anti Tank Dogs" width="400" /></a></div>
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This is one of the worst examples of war brutality. Anti tank dogs were first developed by the Soviet Union to take down German tanks during World War II. The idea was simple yet effective. Dogs were trained to find food under tanks and then starved before a battle. The dogs were then released in battle, jumping under tanks hoping for food. Each dog carried a 10-12 kg bomb which had a lever that detonated the bomb when the dog dived under the tank.<br />
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According to Soviet sources, the results was quite impressive. The anti tank dogs managed to destroy about 300 German tanks. But it also had its drawbacks. One of the most serious problems was that the dogs were often frightened by gun fires and returned to the trenches, killing Soviet soldiers. To tackle this, Soviet soldiers were ordered to shoot any returning dogs.<br />
Thus, Soviets dropped the use of anti tank dogs in 1942. USA also used the strategy against fortification.<br />
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<h2 style="text-align: left;">
Bat Bombs</h2>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD4DdixM9aJwhvGYz-romuw6-VxP9AJtdBEryLRnrDDqa3ft-1-m_JpVQVbdRMRhdRsnwuI5dsWXVBU8Ghkf1I50R0jA1aUXlCsn4qYNSR8-6ajKAFXS4Tc0ElQpeAb8ga57AITvaKzDY/s1600/bat-bombs.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Bat Bombs" border="0" height="262" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD4DdixM9aJwhvGYz-romuw6-VxP9AJtdBEryLRnrDDqa3ft-1-m_JpVQVbdRMRhdRsnwuI5dsWXVBU8Ghkf1I50R0jA1aUXlCsn4qYNSR8-6ajKAFXS4Tc0ElQpeAb8ga57AITvaKzDY/s400/bat-bombs.jpg" title="Bat Bombs" width="400" /></a></div>
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The bat bomb can sound something out of a fiction novel, but bats actually carried bombs during World War II. The bizarre notion was sparked in the mind of Lytle Adams, a Pennsylvanian dentist who carried interests in much more than teeth.<br />
After watching the news of the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, Adams came up with an unusual strategy againstthe island nation. He visualized the use of bats to spread incendiaries in Japanese cities. Surprisingly, the idea was very well appreciated as most of Japanese houses were made up of flammable materials like wood and paper and Adam's method would likely cause chaos without many casualties. Also bats were quite suitable for the project as they could carry loads equal to their own weight.<br />
The plan was to capture bats and put them into cooled containers where they would hibernate. Small bombs were then attached to the bat's backs. The containers were dropped from high altitudes. The containers would in mid air, releasing thousands of bats at a time. At daytime, the bats would look for dark places, most of them settling in the attics of houses. The bombs will be activated by a timer, burning whole Japanese buildings to the ground.<br />
The U.S military tested Adam's theory, spending around $2 million on the project. But after only a single year in testing, the idea was dropped as it was believed that it was important to focus on a much more effective weapon, the atomic bomb.<br />
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Mare Distraction</h2>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXFEsGSvb4EE8Fk52PyBKeUXJ6gEW9BXMvr_CM7zP0DI4FGvffPGMlQJAFYBvh6lox-IAdgDWEg5BPlRrwBJLsFby4JYU1NKNY_jttywGt1pNMSRbuNdNoQpVae0SGNy6biVSFAjBGpkg/s1600/mare.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Mare Distraction" border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXFEsGSvb4EE8Fk52PyBKeUXJ6gEW9BXMvr_CM7zP0DI4FGvffPGMlQJAFYBvh6lox-IAdgDWEg5BPlRrwBJLsFby4JYU1NKNY_jttywGt1pNMSRbuNdNoQpVae0SGNy6biVSFAjBGpkg/s400/mare.JPG" title="Mare Distraction" width="400" /></a></div>
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One of the most effective war strategies is to distract your enemy's war efforts. This strategy has been used for centuries, but one man in the ancient world took it one step further.<br />
King Thutmoss III is the one of the greatest Pharoahs of ancient Egypt. The military led his army in countless battles and built the largest egyptian empire.<br />
The King of Kadesh, a dynasty in what is now Syria, feared to lose his kingdom to Thutmoss. He needed to find the weak link in Thutmoss' forces in order to save his throne. And that is what he actually found.<br />
The King of Kadesh came up with a weird yet intelligent move. He knew that Thutmoss rode on a chariot pulled by stallions. That is where he found the weak link. Right in the heart of the battle, King Kadesh set loose a mare in heat as a distraction.<br />
Ancient records show that the idea worked well, causing a total disrupt among enemy lines. The move became quite famous and was widely used at the time.<br />
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<h2 style="text-align: left;">
Explosive Rats</h2>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWr8FekB1_tWZrCMIqlSuGnTFPlClHA43UGz-JYW9W2S8Yd2VPGq6uoZM0HA7H548R4rFULzQiJ_Rlf7OLcFoJ9CZOEsB6txV7RaXuRwxxOU7Ewz6su2bS7Db9JjeE0aM2WvSBzdqNdDs/s1600/rat-bombs.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Rat Bombs" border="0" height="127" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWr8FekB1_tWZrCMIqlSuGnTFPlClHA43UGz-JYW9W2S8Yd2VPGq6uoZM0HA7H548R4rFULzQiJ_Rlf7OLcFoJ9CZOEsB6txV7RaXuRwxxOU7Ewz6su2bS7Db9JjeE0aM2WvSBzdqNdDs/s400/rat-bombs.jpg" title="Rat Bombs" width="400" /></a></div>
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In 1941, Britain had almost no hope in World War II. They had to come up with something to keep their chances alive. The British were looking for something that could put the Germans on the back foot and so they came up with the Rat bomb.<br />
What really was the rat bomb? Well, that's an easy question. The rat bombs were nothing but actual rat carcasses filled with explosives. The British hoped that if their rat bombs could reach the German coal supplies, they could be shoveled into the boilers along with the coal, detonating by the heat. It was estimated that the bombs could cause a serious damage to German infrastructure.<br />
Bad luck for the British that the Germans soon found out about the plans and the plan was dropped.<br />
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<h2 style="text-align: left;">
Cat Guidance System</h2>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyUmGfgN_FG_ZFcsgOBX9lWHFi3X8G8AfP9SPnWXZoDdzE55oVRADw2formoI9UweO7z8BigFGM58L8hQl2V-ColXnArhfhAmcXvgj3Mx8td9oFUPGUNsED7MiTwjPLNm9ZZkeXOTVnIM/s1600/cat-bomb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Cat Bombs" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyUmGfgN_FG_ZFcsgOBX9lWHFi3X8G8AfP9SPnWXZoDdzE55oVRADw2formoI9UweO7z8BigFGM58L8hQl2V-ColXnArhfhAmcXvgj3Mx8td9oFUPGUNsED7MiTwjPLNm9ZZkeXOTVnIM/s1600/cat-bomb.jpg" title="Cat Bombs" /></a></div>
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Before all the sophisticated guidance systems, the Americans came up with the wackiest solution to guide their missiles to the target. Cats have a natural abhorrence for getting wet. So, a U.S military mastermind came up with the thought that if a cat be attached to a bomb and dropped in the vicinity of an enemy ship, the cat's instinct to avoid water would help guide the bomb to the target.<br />
Amazingly enough, the so called 'genius' never really explained how a little creature like the cat could guide a huge bomb. There were also many more variables that remained unanswered and that is probably why the plan never got past the drawing table.<br />
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Monkeys on Fire</h2>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipDmUxGBtBjAtSHDyyfke-114owuxQ-__ZcxJ9LUKE0FrE7G6ydO-WSxzlkwi9SYTr9S_J5eSzzKJho3UdkxeL55oeMrKUfX8k3PA0lJcfs8GTKzRmtXhmoSBob5fHDSB_sujjnoOn3NI/s1600/monkey.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Monkeys in war" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipDmUxGBtBjAtSHDyyfke-114owuxQ-__ZcxJ9LUKE0FrE7G6ydO-WSxzlkwi9SYTr9S_J5eSzzKJho3UdkxeL55oeMrKUfX8k3PA0lJcfs8GTKzRmtXhmoSBob5fHDSB_sujjnoOn3NI/s1600/monkey.jpg" title="Monkeys in war" /></a></div>
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Monkeys have always had their special place because of their unusual intelligence. No wonder, they've been used in wars for a long time.<br />
The first known use of monkeys in war was in ancient China. In a battle between between the Southern Song forces and an army of the Yanzhou, monkeys were used as live incendiary devices. They were clothed in straw, dipped in oil and set on fire. The panicked creatures were then set loose in enemy camps, causing fire in the tents.</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11291739035935249194noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6360308967843225421.post-75905829395986915812013-01-04T03:43:00.000-08:002013-01-04T03:44:05.730-08:00Obamadon: Lizard Now Bears Barack Obama's Name<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
A recently discovered extinct lizard species have been named 'Obamadon', after the American President Barack Obama.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8nfmajZh9D-MoYQDzlwBnxXEL4BOs7FrrhkH2itrM8eEq4iEb5Bb3q4hKqN4xY1oVzPTfUr_qSHcxeWqqhEMnnlMZeMyW9Re86ZyloGA6EheODzdkkt6oGuz0RAtpCaPSoeipPhbVJr8/s1600/obamadon.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="228" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8nfmajZh9D-MoYQDzlwBnxXEL4BOs7FrrhkH2itrM8eEq4iEb5Bb3q4hKqN4xY1oVzPTfUr_qSHcxeWqqhEMnnlMZeMyW9Re86ZyloGA6EheODzdkkt6oGuz0RAtpCaPSoeipPhbVJr8/s400/obamadon.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a name='more'></a>The 44th American President Barack Obama has earned himself another honor (after the American presidency and the Noble prize for peace). He now has a lizard species named after him i.e Obamadon.<br />
The small insect eating lizard lived about 65 million years ago but was wiped out with the rest of the dinosaurs. It was discoverd in 1974 in Montana. The lizard was earlier classified as Leptochamops denticulatus but recent study showed that it was actually a new species.<br />
It was not the president's dynamic personality that urged the researcher at the Yale University to give the lizard his name. It was rather his toothy smile.<br />
The name given to the lizard is 'Obamadon Gracilis'. Where 'Obamadon' means Obama's teeth and Gracilis means slender.<br />
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"The lizard has these very tall, straight teeth and Obama has these tall, straight incisors and a great smile," said Nick Longrich, a paleontologist at the school in New Haven, Connecticut.</blockquote>
The researchers had to wait until the American elections to name the lizard.<br />
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"It would look like we were kicking him when he's down if he lost and we named this extinct lizard after him," Nick Longrich.</blockquote>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11291739035935249194noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6360308967843225421.post-64500916313394833802012-12-25T10:29:00.000-08:002013-04-19T08:41:31.782-07:00The Lost Islands of Socotra, Yemen<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8kiXmvWl-DofLe9lXyAqGrpT5z1d6x9o3_YbX-R8p1DGCs10nhrPC8UuKMwkLFsd8YHsFZBFI6EyhDqrR8sC_a5iBEUhoX5St9900sWa83BN5Tf2vEbn9T2K1uqgX3AE2_ZVZB5xx8BU/s1600/Socotra-island.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; display: inline !important; float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img alt="Socotra Island" border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8kiXmvWl-DofLe9lXyAqGrpT5z1d6x9o3_YbX-R8p1DGCs10nhrPC8UuKMwkLFsd8YHsFZBFI6EyhDqrR8sC_a5iBEUhoX5St9900sWa83BN5Tf2vEbn9T2K1uqgX3AE2_ZVZB5xx8BU/s320/Socotra-island.jpg" title="Socotra Island" width="320" /></a>Socotra is a collection of 4 islands cut away from the rest of the world about 6 million years ago. It is one of the most isolated places on earth. Socotra's long isolation and fierce climate has given birth to a unique variety of endemic flora, giving Socotra the distinction of being 'the most alien looking place on earth'.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihVhWP-gnLS3C98rCmSEu4Lj5bRd_0VvWzhy-F-fpF2mJeZsKzgTPn1mbzftn-fdd1BZp3FIobvHMxZwDqdIwxuk8X8KdtDTjw1_UxzTO5iN8lpr5DYFZOiDPv8ZTHGF4P9rNNgAnmD_k/s1600/Socotra-map.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Socotra Map" border="0" height="230" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihVhWP-gnLS3C98rCmSEu4Lj5bRd_0VvWzhy-F-fpF2mJeZsKzgTPn1mbzftn-fdd1BZp3FIobvHMxZwDqdIwxuk8X8KdtDTjw1_UxzTO5iN8lpr5DYFZOiDPv8ZTHGF4P9rNNgAnmD_k/s400/Socotra-map.jpg" title="Socotra Map" width="530" /></a></div>
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Socotra's enchanting islands lie about 240 km east of the Horn of Africa and 380 km south of the Arabian Peninsula in Yemen. Socotra, the 'Galapagos of Indian Ocean', is the largest island in the Middle East and is known to the world as one of the best sites to witness biodiversity.<br />
The name 'Socotra' comes from Sanskrit 'dvipa sukhadhara' meaning 'island of bliss'. I personally believe that it is the peace and the natural grace of the place that earned it such a name.<br />
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Socotra has a seriously harsh climate. The average temperature around the year is about 25 degrees Centigrade. Rains are very scanty and strong winds hit the island in monsoon.<br />
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<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggHHHo3-VpzFhk0bb-TrLLeU6O3LYDsTm-Up7iDgYsLqP6jgr7H0B1wlImZullI0Rd4TJ-P1HcqRif6Am5HwgEq7MMxOtGgS0oH0-L10q6Io2MvZAWU0CqucXhnkDRtw6PkumfYA0QjZE/s1600/Socotra-yemen.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggHHHo3-VpzFhk0bb-TrLLeU6O3LYDsTm-Up7iDgYsLqP6jgr7H0B1wlImZullI0Rd4TJ-P1HcqRif6Am5HwgEq7MMxOtGgS0oH0-L10q6Io2MvZAWU0CqucXhnkDRtw6PkumfYA0QjZE/s200/Socotra-yemen.jpg" width="200" /></a></td>
<td rowspan="2"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1SCdI4cErI1UIvrErvh9RA_XrMZc2JYpDss8UVAnmsQ-j8kPnTcRl3P4VrrTdOLb70ZN6AJ3W79nURWrq20-OhT6tAsPSbo66WK-XUnszfHSY4pSePWCw9eusvnsWKQFS6OQfHpdv8U8/s1600/socotra-sand-dunes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="275" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1SCdI4cErI1UIvrErvh9RA_XrMZc2JYpDss8UVAnmsQ-j8kPnTcRl3P4VrrTdOLb70ZN6AJ3W79nURWrq20-OhT6tAsPSbo66WK-XUnszfHSY4pSePWCw9eusvnsWKQFS6OQfHpdv8U8/s400/socotra-sand-dunes.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8kiXmvWl-DofLe9lXyAqGrpT5z1d6x9o3_YbX-R8p1DGCs10nhrPC8UuKMwkLFsd8YHsFZBFI6EyhDqrR8sC_a5iBEUhoX5St9900sWa83BN5Tf2vEbn9T2K1uqgX3AE2_ZVZB5xx8BU/s1600/Socotra-island.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8kiXmvWl-DofLe9lXyAqGrpT5z1d6x9o3_YbX-R8p1DGCs10nhrPC8UuKMwkLFsd8YHsFZBFI6EyhDqrR8sC_a5iBEUhoX5St9900sWa83BN5Tf2vEbn9T2K1uqgX3AE2_ZVZB5xx8BU/s200/Socotra-island.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
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Socotra's geography is also a major reason why it is such a fascinating place. Its little patch of land has a diverse geography. The landscape consists of features like plains, plateaus, sandy beaches and mountains as high as 1503 meters. The plateaus are full of caves, some of which go as deep as 7 km. There are sand dunes and amazing beaches which add to the awesomeness of the place.<br />
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<tr><td align="left"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0p6xJGlcPQyAHo8Zn4XD6tOB7sF89Bvz7oeVsa-nP6GuwwvoXHtWl7WDBf1WDwltVuIZDCrnbc85WfYJxncKbLQoincKP_UFt61li2UZJotlMbdWHhn6DoFQ_qhtBvglCXz7takDQfu0/s1600/socotra-flora.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Socotra Plants" border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0p6xJGlcPQyAHo8Zn4XD6tOB7sF89Bvz7oeVsa-nP6GuwwvoXHtWl7WDBf1WDwltVuIZDCrnbc85WfYJxncKbLQoincKP_UFt61li2UZJotlMbdWHhn6DoFQ_qhtBvglCXz7takDQfu0/s320/socotra-flora.jpg" title="Socotra Plants" width="240" /></a></td><td></td><td align="left"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi43zFWeTrWqLglKBrjZlrDNZxq7t_WTkiEJCM85wh78gH4Iuswwcs9r6X0SCMMFfSLcto1UfGm7K2cBvFFiWHamrD9T03kFFj2S3GBQD2m39rDkQu0OM5MfKmRmcIkg9Lo1k8vDk7V-0/s1600/Socotra-flower.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Socotra Flower" border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi43zFWeTrWqLglKBrjZlrDNZxq7t_WTkiEJCM85wh78gH4Iuswwcs9r6X0SCMMFfSLcto1UfGm7K2cBvFFiWHamrD9T03kFFj2S3GBQD2m39rDkQu0OM5MfKmRmcIkg9Lo1k8vDk7V-0/s320/Socotra-flower.jpeg" title="Socotra Flower" width="270" /></a></td></tr>
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Inspite of the scorching temperature, Socotra supports one of the world's most amazing plant life. For some people, it is the fierce heat itself and the lack of water that has helped Socotra's flora to evolve in such unique forms.<br />
Socotra is home to a total of 825 plant species, out of which about one third are endemic i.e found nowhere on earth. Which makes Socotra one of the world's largest endemic plant populations.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyER8Xx6aJH1vf3UIIigRQ6XgUqLCL3BVQiF32MskRxDeK2opaCclQSorGdDuHdl0mH9DIwYc61JvUkh6oktUAtIUVkRzBbW_NtIzZ3xEszjE5pTr0SqeLeYshPJIJARivCyClALQ8Rvs/s1600/dragon-blood-tree.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Dragon Blood Tree, Socotra" border="0" height="261" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyER8Xx6aJH1vf3UIIigRQ6XgUqLCL3BVQiF32MskRxDeK2opaCclQSorGdDuHdl0mH9DIwYc61JvUkh6oktUAtIUVkRzBbW_NtIzZ3xEszjE5pTr0SqeLeYshPJIJARivCyClALQ8Rvs/s400/dragon-blood-tree.jpg" title="Dragon Blood Tree, Socotra" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dragon Blood Tree</td></tr>
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This is one of Socotra's most popular plant. It is named the <a href="http://www.oddityjournal.com/2013/04/7-strange-trees-from-around-world.html">Dragon's Blood Tree</a>. It's unique quality doesn't lie in it's strange shape but the red sap it produces which is used to make crystals which are used for dyeing and for medicines.<br />
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<tr><td align="center"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM56sTOVBlAApH10IqXnwHLQwMSHzc0PXHhEJij7ib7TkD7eDnId6qUr2QzKnPgxQWcKZakRqDuCYitL_mH3_D-bjR6kY3syqXBmLrtzn51NmCxZnK0A-HBDiwUppjnWP_n3uDcKZJ4FQ/s1600/socotra-bunting.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Socotra Bunting" border="0" height="110" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM56sTOVBlAApH10IqXnwHLQwMSHzc0PXHhEJij7ib7TkD7eDnId6qUr2QzKnPgxQWcKZakRqDuCYitL_mH3_D-bjR6kY3syqXBmLrtzn51NmCxZnK0A-HBDiwUppjnWP_n3uDcKZJ4FQ/s200/socotra-bunting.jpg" title="Socotra Bunting" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Socotra Bunting</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiecKwY14acbNOAn20EISABiO9-sjn8qRp9JjSSeGQ6n_xy6cypndx-vDPPU35YYDaIMmBJEucsEsA3aNTrtVVuBssAHjhpgosRCe6iINPsBfe7zTBFWiJhieE-k33G2i_Z3ef4GowBnl8/s1600/Socotra-Cormorant.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Socotra Cormorant" border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiecKwY14acbNOAn20EISABiO9-sjn8qRp9JjSSeGQ6n_xy6cypndx-vDPPU35YYDaIMmBJEucsEsA3aNTrtVVuBssAHjhpgosRCe6iINPsBfe7zTBFWiJhieE-k33G2i_Z3ef4GowBnl8/s400/Socotra-Cormorant.jpg" title="Socotra Cormorant" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Socotra Cormorant</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijQp7nDA83tGsTXdRdv_KOTBQA6J39BDfj_Y3nm5b49WLh1uv-IfhMa4U4fps1DOoNcPO7XTva0zwHHvkBm9XKwE2QszxT4s2U2bhWpjTmXV3nNHhMpmeKZZiG2Fzn-A6v1NFDXtF-5Cg/s1600/socotra-lizard.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Socotra Lizard" border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijQp7nDA83tGsTXdRdv_KOTBQA6J39BDfj_Y3nm5b49WLh1uv-IfhMa4U4fps1DOoNcPO7XTva0zwHHvkBm9XKwE2QszxT4s2U2bhWpjTmXV3nNHhMpmeKZZiG2Fzn-A6v1NFDXtF-5Cg/s200/socotra-lizard.jpg" title="Socotra Lizard" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Socotra Lizard</td></tr>
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Socotra also offers a diverse show of fauna, with birds mostly dominating the environment. Socotra has about 140 species of birds which make it a heaven for bird watchers. Out of the 140, 10 species are endemic. The most important birds found on Socotra are the Socotra warbler, Socotra sunbird, starling, bunting, sparrow and cisticola.<br />
Socotra also has some small reptiles with mammals only present in the form bats and feral cats.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7Z9RqLB8i0SULyIgFEVe1Oexj0hDcQy-T-tSBRtYLowG-3QX8aqcY9vE1yFqYyBVAmLA2U5vQlZ_yAg5v_h02sv4PrU66wBtBfGAG4PuoauBM0l_gvTuUorxejaXLGETejN4TZZ7ayNo/s1600/socotra+city.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Socotra City" border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7Z9RqLB8i0SULyIgFEVe1Oexj0hDcQy-T-tSBRtYLowG-3QX8aqcY9vE1yFqYyBVAmLA2U5vQlZ_yAg5v_h02sv4PrU66wBtBfGAG4PuoauBM0l_gvTuUorxejaXLGETejN4TZZ7ayNo/s400/socotra+city.jpg" title="Socotra City" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The misty Socotra city</td></tr>
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The 4 islands of Socotra have a total population of about 70,000. The inhabitants are mostly of Arabian and African origin who speak a language called Socotri, the language itself being endemic. They are peaceful, joyful, and hospitable. For me, they all deserve a big thankful hug for conserving this amazing ecosystem for the rest of the world.
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11291739035935249194noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6360308967843225421.post-41667558248777774162012-12-22T03:16:00.002-08:002012-12-22T03:17:48.684-08:00Toddler almost killed after his egg collection hatches into Eastern Brown Snakes<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Kyle Cummings, a 3-year old toddler, was almost killed when his egg collection hatched into <a class="zem_slink" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eastern_brown_snake" rel="wikipedia nofollow" target="_blank" title="Eastern brown snake">Eastern Brown</a> snakes.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig7XEM_zde2FSE7hkcz8Y05Eb98mBe1eBTqN3chG0BLcVUhjzbijpP6z7WwIwWsDDAlTe7v3ZOUiz2mm1Sl639StDoOxbjEz2-lds0qedioaUhNVVGPqSIGrsREQ8YiBIZUkX8_6uSEM8/s1600/eastern-brown.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Eastern Brown Snakes" border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig7XEM_zde2FSE7hkcz8Y05Eb98mBe1eBTqN3chG0BLcVUhjzbijpP6z7WwIwWsDDAlTe7v3ZOUiz2mm1Sl639StDoOxbjEz2-lds0qedioaUhNVVGPqSIGrsREQ8YiBIZUkX8_6uSEM8/s400/eastern-brown.jpg" title="Eastern Brown Snakes" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a name='more'></a>It all started about a few weeks ago, when Kyle Cummings came across with a clutch of nine eggs while playing in his family's 3 acre property near the city of Townsville, in Queensland state. Unaware of what the eggs actually carried, the young wildlife enthusiast brought the eggs home and kept them inside a box, leaving the box in the warmth of his bedroom closet.<br />
It was not until Donna Sim, Kyle's mother, lost her soul in fright when she found the baby snakes writhing in her son's wardrobe. Seven of the nine eggs had hatched into deadly eastern browns.<br />
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<blockquote class="tr_bq">
"I was pretty shocked, particularly because I don't like snakes," Sim told the Townsville Bulletin newspaper.</blockquote>
Fortunately, Kyle had closed the box tight enough so as to confine the Eastern Browns.<br />
Reptile specialist Trish Prendergast, who is also the Townsville-based reptile coordinator of the volunteer group North Queensland Wildlife Care, was handed the container on Tuesday and released the snakes into the wild that night. Trish said that Kyle Cummings could have been killed if he had handled the eastern brown snakes - the world's most venomous species on land after Australia's inland taipan.<br />
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<blockquote class="tr_bq">
"If he'd opened the container he might not be here today." she said</blockquote>
Snakes kill 3-4 people each year in Australia, most of them as a result of bites from Eastern Brown snakes.<br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11291739035935249194noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6360308967843225421.post-54293476371167548992012-12-04T03:07:00.002-08:002012-12-18T21:51:09.396-08:0020 Christmas Fun Facts You Never Knew<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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The Holiday Season is on your doorstep. Enjoy these truly amazing fun facts about Christmas you never knew.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIp_L3sFTRxxC8x33AOMcAyomevxY1-6LwRXkt8-HgogJqimWeX1lfdndeihf_syWxTpbWhZFEDqeMKUA-EQZL5IdySomn-5ouGuRe4fg32-_bnJ0x2TsuMwdeHiPGdrnEiQSrkjVpKoY/s1600/Christmas.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Christmas Facts" border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIp_L3sFTRxxC8x33AOMcAyomevxY1-6LwRXkt8-HgogJqimWeX1lfdndeihf_syWxTpbWhZFEDqeMKUA-EQZL5IdySomn-5ouGuRe4fg32-_bnJ0x2TsuMwdeHiPGdrnEiQSrkjVpKoY/s400/Christmas.jpeg" title="Christmas Facts" width="400" /></a></div>
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1. The Greeks celebrated Christmas on January 7. Until in A.D. 350, <a class="zem_slink" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pope_Julius_I" rel="wikipedia nofollow" target="_blank" title="Pope Julius I">Pope Julius I</a> proclaimed December 25 the official date for Christmas.<br />
2. In Greek, 'X' stands for Christ. This is from where the word 'Xmas' originated.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6xEKX8gFNp5X3xh5zumC-WDjDjv8MXJHqv6pxDvP7EwQBY1SszQ2_JpU7k_upy6uTv7eUQnMKHgN1kz6RxIffpUODMwq4TtIJhmoQ2wIRNQJVq-fMp5vLF09Y1CtiE26m9DKVsMczSb8/s1600/santa-claus.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Santa Claus Facts" border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6xEKX8gFNp5X3xh5zumC-WDjDjv8MXJHqv6pxDvP7EwQBY1SszQ2_JpU7k_upy6uTv7eUQnMKHgN1kz6RxIffpUODMwq4TtIJhmoQ2wIRNQJVq-fMp5vLF09Y1CtiE26m9DKVsMczSb8/s400/santa-claus.jpg" title="Santa Claus Facts" width="400" /></a></div>
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3. If you wait for Santa to bring you a gift on every Christmas Eve, then keep these facts in mind. According to US scientists, if Santa is to deliver all the world's gifts on Christmas eve, then he would have to visit 822 homes a second, while travelling at no less than 650 miles per second. That has to be fast...<br />
4. The legend of <a class="zem_slink" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Santa_Claus" rel="wikipedia nofollow" target="_blank" title="Santa Claus">Santa Claus</a> comes from a real saint, St. Nikolas of Myra, who lived in today's Turkey around the fourth century. The term 'Santa Claus' is itself derived from Sankt Niklaus, German name for <a class="zem_slink" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saint_Nicholas" rel="wikipedia nofollow" target="_blank" title="Saint Nicholas">Saint Nicholas</a>.<br />
5. According to a story, the tradition of Christmas stockings have been originated from three sisters who could not afford a marriage dowry. They were helped by Saint Nicholas, who crept down their chimney and filled their stockings with gold coins.<br />
6. Apples were the first known Christmas tree decorations. Until they were replaced by lights, a trend first started by protestant reformer, Martin Luther (1483-1546). According to a story, he got the idea after watching stars shining between the branches of a fir tree.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIcUcA0F8GbFPwzE_JEc4wxh-eCCxyL-mC17SLTqlb6zrG3qyW8B4G8BsVzpFibJ5aOzmtJRuRmBY0D8S9AIt9JyzCtuteX6HjxKZqSxMEKcyxV9CdRDAVHomK2jR599iF6QUgbXQy7SI/s1600/paper+crown.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="British tradition of paper crowns on Christmas" border="0" height="366" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIcUcA0F8GbFPwzE_JEc4wxh-eCCxyL-mC17SLTqlb6zrG3qyW8B4G8BsVzpFibJ5aOzmtJRuRmBY0D8S9AIt9JyzCtuteX6HjxKZqSxMEKcyxV9CdRDAVHomK2jR599iF6QUgbXQy7SI/s400/paper+crown.JPG" title="British tradition of paper crowns on Christmas" width="400" /></a></div>
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7. In Britain, people wear paper crowns on Christmas. The origins of this tradition can be traced back to the Roman Saturnalia Celebrations.<br />
8. The term 'Christmas' has been derived from the Old English word "Cristes maesse" which means "<a class="zem_slink" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christmas" rel="wikipedia nofollow" target="_blank" title="Christmas">Christ's Mass</a>".<br />
9. Christmas was first celebrated in Britain in 521 in York.<br />
10. An average Christmas tree takes 15 years to grow.<br />
11. An average household in America mails out 28 cards on Christmas and see 28 Christmas cards return to their place.<br />
12. In Canada, Santa Claus has his own postal zip code, H0H 0H0.<br />
13. In 1647, Christmas was made illegal by the English Parliament. The Puritan leader Oliver Cromwell, who considered feasting on a holy day to be immoral, banned the Christmas festivities. The ban was lifted only when Cromwell lost power in 1660.<br />
14. The song "<a class="zem_slink" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jingle_Bells" rel="wikipedia nofollow" target="_blank" title="Jingle Bells">Jingle Bells</a>" was originally written for Thanksgiving in the year 1857.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMwaEI7Q1VDh6A1xWT5EEQGV-Q4PSgi35IDnwx50bQUhVb16AWRwth10RPT-xCyUH0gyqsg5Pqv5s1vRxHT9nKZupmUytDeNyZc5FQcSqHS5m8fd4uMFqyIKUGPbWo-GnGpRFBUHJ0yVE/s1600/witch-on-broom.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Witch on broom" border="0" height="295" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMwaEI7Q1VDh6A1xWT5EEQGV-Q4PSgi35IDnwx50bQUhVb16AWRwth10RPT-xCyUH0gyqsg5Pqv5s1vRxHT9nKZupmUytDeNyZc5FQcSqHS5m8fd4uMFqyIKUGPbWo-GnGpRFBUHJ0yVE/s320/witch-on-broom.png" title="Witch on broom" width="320" /></a></div>
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15. The Norwegians believed that witches come out on Christmas eve to look for brooms to ride. Thus, all the brooms in the house were hidden and men went outside and fired a shotgun to frighten the evil spirits away.<br />
16. 56 percent Americans say that they always sing Christmas carols to their pets.<br />
17. During the Christmas buying season, Visa cards are swiped an average of 5340 times every minute in the United States.<br />
18. There are two islands in the world named 'Christmas'. One in the Pacific ocean and the other in the Indian ocean.<br />
19. According to a study, two weeks before Christmas is the most popular time for couples to break up.<br />
20. The Germans made the first artificial Christmas tree out of dyed goose feathers.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUGgpyhHJO4_2FnXJLAMs0pAnJ_hEVj9_heieerhpB9gbZvxMXu0SZQ-8YNZvq8POcqwSAHUilSyuuk_0C9K1vEaOtMjA0IqKiQaRP4v8a880u4JSQdl4HaBF00eDCFzoNPegHZoEG_2s/s1600/51Ll41kwU2L._SL110_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUGgpyhHJO4_2FnXJLAMs0pAnJ_hEVj9_heieerhpB9gbZvxMXu0SZQ-8YNZvq8POcqwSAHUilSyuuk_0C9K1vEaOtMjA0IqKiQaRP4v8a880u4JSQdl4HaBF00eDCFzoNPegHZoEG_2s/s1600/51Ll41kwU2L._SL110_.jpg" /></a><br />
<h4>
More Christmas Fun Facts</h4>
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Here is a great book to dive deeper into Christmas facts. You may find some questions in this book that will stump you. Some of the answers may even surprise you. A fun read for the whole family. <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B009R283LK/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B009R283LK&linkCode=as2&tag=googadsetrea-20" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Buy <i>Christmas Facts for Fun</i> from Amazon</a><br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11291739035935249194noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6360308967843225421.post-48691817251432595852012-11-26T02:03:00.001-08:002012-11-29T08:02:21.540-08:0010 Fun Facts about America and its History<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Did you know how America became Uncle Sam? How the Democrats became donkeys and the Republicans elephant? Let us walk you through the weirdest fun facts you never knew about history of America.<br />
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The first American President</h2>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1kxHrcPGEbu6x1QD8pdfQxTKAmDxoFrRenRCXeYOP23pDtmZwk1N1EDXu_db0MY3EGis0T_boUwBn6KPB8PTyks9ywlaaHvkq71wwmxqgxxvxvXlADDlhyy1dHFlEp0L-v7TtOWFdr78/s1600/john-hanson.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1kxHrcPGEbu6x1QD8pdfQxTKAmDxoFrRenRCXeYOP23pDtmZwk1N1EDXu_db0MY3EGis0T_boUwBn6KPB8PTyks9ywlaaHvkq71wwmxqgxxvxvXlADDlhyy1dHFlEp0L-v7TtOWFdr78/s320/john-hanson.jpg" width="279" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">John Hanson</td></tr>
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<a name='more'></a>Most people believe that the first American president was George Washington. This is what we've been taught at school. But the truth is completely different. George Washington was not the the first American President. Instead, it was John Hanson.<br />
The Article of Confederation is known to be the first American attempt at self governance. John Hanson was the first president under this article. The Article of Confederation was replaced by the <a class="zem_slink" href="http://www.history.com/topics/constitution" rel="historycom nofollow" target="_blank" title="The U.S. Constitution">U.S Constitution</a> in 1789, under which Washington became the first president.<br />
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The birth of the Democratic Donkey and Republican Elephant</h2>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwZufhOQtCmqgtPj6WACWtp4PDagTyUV1XY0M7oLGGLP3mDjuGf6I13RzhbyU4p-4veJ9qN3VtV_mXeUuRdKoCNPIF15ARo4yoEqLBLxDBqgSoujq3yRgN644Rh9aa-v_mQx-kfb85_cc/s1600/democrat-republic.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="228" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwZufhOQtCmqgtPj6WACWtp4PDagTyUV1XY0M7oLGGLP3mDjuGf6I13RzhbyU4p-4veJ9qN3VtV_mXeUuRdKoCNPIF15ARo4yoEqLBLxDBqgSoujq3yRgN644Rh9aa-v_mQx-kfb85_cc/s400/democrat-republic.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Have you ever wondered about the origin of the <a class="zem_slink" href="http://www.democrats.org/" rel="homepage nofollow" target="_blank" title="Democratic Party (United States)">Democratic donkey</a> and <a class="zem_slink" href="http://www.gop.com/" rel="homepage nofollow" target="_blank" title="Republican Party (United States)">Republican elephant</a>? Well, it was <a class="zem_slink" href="http://www.biography.com/people/andrew-jackson-9350991" rel="biographycom nofollow" target="_blank" title="Andrew Jackson">Andrew Jackson</a> who was first associated with the Donkey.<br />
It all started in the presidential elections of 1828 when politics got too personal. The Democrat candidate Andrew Jackson was called a Jackass (Donkey) by his opponents. Jackson, instead of taking the statement humiliating, adopted the image of the strong willed animal in his campaign posters.<br />
The Republican elephant was also born out of ridicule. The cartoonist, Thomas Nast, published a cartoon in an 1874 edition of the Harper's Weekly in which he labeled an elephant as the Republican vote. Thus, giving the Republicans their strong and dignified image.<br />
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"Teddy" Bears and Roosevelt</h2>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXcuJCd91rbdYwvW5PysKEQxvRLScE_9Sl7mIz1r7zo_n7tJwdvVzvZyN56sViBc767xtvG-wovdrHTzkrwV558fSXiCY3g-LBpumaEOOXiImfSvkSCPB7jY04SIoBgKWZvpoayBMDppY/s1600/roosevelt.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="248" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXcuJCd91rbdYwvW5PysKEQxvRLScE_9Sl7mIz1r7zo_n7tJwdvVzvZyN56sViBc767xtvG-wovdrHTzkrwV558fSXiCY3g-LBpumaEOOXiImfSvkSCPB7jY04SIoBgKWZvpoayBMDppY/s400/roosevelt.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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“Teddy Bears” were so named when Theodore “Teddy” Roosevelt (1858-1919) refused to shoot a small bear cub one day. The incident was reported in the news, which inspired a toy manufacture to come out with the cute stuffed animals.<br />
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The Bush Thing</h2>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh90I3Ea3CJdU2WB0sW09BM9kjuY79ZbwUtxiliJHgaFI92n4OG4MzKloQVTBagPzIExr9kUhi1ejIEGSs9CMeWokwZEAFa9ufmzlz592pnbiyDHRGebxpp0_k8wdqIDB0ZPoqByykfAFs/s1600/bushusuru.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh90I3Ea3CJdU2WB0sW09BM9kjuY79ZbwUtxiliJHgaFI92n4OG4MzKloQVTBagPzIExr9kUhi1ejIEGSs9CMeWokwZEAFa9ufmzlz592pnbiyDHRGebxpp0_k8wdqIDB0ZPoqByykfAFs/s400/bushusuru.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div>
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After President Bush Sr. vomited on the Japanese Prime Minister, a new word entered the Japanese language. <a class="zem_slink" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/George_H._W._Bush_vomiting_incident" rel="wikipedia nofollow" target="_blank" title="George H. W. Bush vomiting incident">Bushusuru</a> means “to do the Bush thing,” or to publicly vomit.<br />
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First American Flag</h2>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii6mKCJOH_HJK2ENjco2mlS-zoTW3F0MKOr-tmdWTW_h4Z6vw7soA0DUcgLPT8eRIf7Dj_lGjdXwIFiSxJ-P_OzbHj7bY17mxmF5iUv8iF6F6fl2eXCbi_YiLO6lL8-y_qxeuoN1cgvAA/s1600/flag.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="185" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii6mKCJOH_HJK2ENjco2mlS-zoTW3F0MKOr-tmdWTW_h4Z6vw7soA0DUcgLPT8eRIf7Dj_lGjdXwIFiSxJ-P_OzbHj7bY17mxmF5iUv8iF6F6fl2eXCbi_YiLO6lL8-y_qxeuoN1cgvAA/s320/flag.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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The first American flag was a little different from the one you see today. It contained 13 stars instead of today's 50. The stars were designed in a circle in the corner section. The circular arrangement declares the equality of each state and that no state has any power over the other.<br />
It was designed by Betsy Ross during the American Revolution.<br />
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The undiscovered Japanese bombs</h2>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV4ySYIjwd9nF55mdmcfApiflFvRRXd9LcZvv2fnJDDIrtycWFjbKKOQwTDXq8u4lDCp6m9LMFmA1XTzpZRViMHFnNEFXLdS-S6Wq94HOBDogxrpdWFMCA4M5BGyLTJmpB0Y3qGomxRUI/s1600/balloon-bomb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV4ySYIjwd9nF55mdmcfApiflFvRRXd9LcZvv2fnJDDIrtycWFjbKKOQwTDXq8u4lDCp6m9LMFmA1XTzpZRViMHFnNEFXLdS-S6Wq94HOBDogxrpdWFMCA4M5BGyLTJmpB0Y3qGomxRUI/s320/balloon-bomb.jpg" width="243" /></a></div>
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During World War II, Japan bombed the United States using balloons. Although, many of them never reached USA, some actually did damage including one incident in 1944 in which a family in Oregon was killed.<br />
According to some people, there are many such bombs in the US which are yet undiscovered. Be prepared, as you may come face-to-face with one of them some day.<br />
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Marijuana legal in the US</h2>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglhL7opoFGHRoclbV7g-OjhnLza2EgJt8aKvCTaCVtgQx94ZiYVCG6w9Pqk0hXM-WgCcRvm58Ok53rIDgMIZMKbsi7nAsDVDw3wi2NMyJ4rsSoXaaMlVQT9e1nS4Rwg6dv6bFWTLxJwDY/s1600/marijuana_leaf.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglhL7opoFGHRoclbV7g-OjhnLza2EgJt8aKvCTaCVtgQx94ZiYVCG6w9Pqk0hXM-WgCcRvm58Ok53rIDgMIZMKbsi7nAsDVDw3wi2NMyJ4rsSoXaaMlVQT9e1nS4Rwg6dv6bFWTLxJwDY/s320/marijuana_leaf.gif" width="304" /></a></div>
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Marijuana haven't always been an illegal crop. Instead, marijuana was Kentucky's major crop in the 1800's. Marijuana was not used for smoking then, rather for it was valued for its fiber, called hemp, which was used in ships' sails, rope, twine, paper and canvas. Even George Washington personally grew the crop.<br />
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How America became "Uncle Sam"</h2>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIe0AKPrdOlxTCOj9z7nQfjCXJtVn9Gy-YnXaRJJa5Cuw-ruGp54gO1Gdfal24d47dTHEaOgodbYSUHhpMzYZ37WYJiGmCWVZEOOMZxrKie4PqyT-49S4haU0mKH5InaWkfkaczNpFxss/s1600/uncle-sam.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIe0AKPrdOlxTCOj9z7nQfjCXJtVn9Gy-YnXaRJJa5Cuw-ruGp54gO1Gdfal24d47dTHEaOgodbYSUHhpMzYZ37WYJiGmCWVZEOOMZxrKie4PqyT-49S4haU0mKH5InaWkfkaczNpFxss/s320/uncle-sam.jpg" width="232" /></a></div>
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Did you ever know who actually was "Uncle Sam"? Uncle Sam, or Samuel Wilson, was a butcher in New York who shipped pork to the Army during the war of 1812.<br />
He never looked like the "Uncle Sam" we see in posters. The man who posed in posters was actually Dan Rice, a professional clown. Dan Rice even fought the election for the presidency, but lost.<br />
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Smiths VS Vietnam</h2>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-bcq2bM2woZ3P-WRvvBgZiLcBAhbT9i2TCTc9U2CUG8MDvoMmkQ95xPvt9JYjLDnTVwh9YWm-cl8D2UFYPE7jFX8slMLASCJNvHAaHosLW_KSSXr1n6cMk8Ww7P6BJhcH7_kuLkMXsss/s1600/vietnam-war.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="262" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-bcq2bM2woZ3P-WRvvBgZiLcBAhbT9i2TCTc9U2CUG8MDvoMmkQ95xPvt9JYjLDnTVwh9YWm-cl8D2UFYPE7jFX8slMLASCJNvHAaHosLW_KSSXr1n6cMk8Ww7P6BJhcH7_kuLkMXsss/s400/vietnam-war.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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American soldiers with the surname "Smith" suffered the most casualties during the Vietnam war with 667 deaths. Johnson was the second with 557 and William stood third with 406. A total of 58,152 soldiers were killed in the war.<br />
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Why Tuesday, Why November...</h2>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBSvJDayWong_uE2UXr3y7WXmN78sAtVoDFA-xp_Qf6J9Bpe1MqeLdDJqN929d8SDYiVO1n59USF4qpY6z3K2-pyMaJaPNkMS7uMA6N8VNxd4uYzhv8_vOUalcVdZxlehEsqHLSN9U0Qw/s1600/election.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBSvJDayWong_uE2UXr3y7WXmN78sAtVoDFA-xp_Qf6J9Bpe1MqeLdDJqN929d8SDYiVO1n59USF4qpY6z3K2-pyMaJaPNkMS7uMA6N8VNxd4uYzhv8_vOUalcVdZxlehEsqHLSN9U0Qw/s400/election.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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The US presidential election is always held on a Tuesday, in November. It all comes down to weather, harvest and worship.<br />
Back when voters traveled to the polls by horse, Tuesday was an ideal day because it allowed people to worship on Sunday, ride to their county seat on Monday and vote on Tuesday - all before market day, Wednesday.<br />
<a class="zemanta-pixie-a" href="http://www.zemanta.com/?px" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;" title="Enhanced by Zemanta"><img alt="Enhanced by Zemanta" class="zemanta-pixie-img" src="http://img.zemanta.com/zemified_h.png?x-id=2dc22468-6782-4aeb-9d27-daad0fbb38a9" style="border: none; float: right;" /></a>And the month of November fit nicely between harvest time and brutal winter weather - which can be especially bad when you're trudging along by horse and buggy.</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11291739035935249194noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6360308967843225421.post-76360834048370952792012-11-16T06:58:00.000-08:002012-12-15T23:44:58.928-08:00Weird Phobias You Never Knew About<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Phobias are frightening. But some phobias can be weird, bizarre and even funny. From Anatidaephobia (fear of being watched by a duck) to Chronophobia (fear of time), here we combine a list of the world's weird phobias.<br />
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Anatidaephobia - Fear of being watched by a duck</h2>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitnmyvhFyZOElWYpQo5zIJ_DiaCZMgakz4MCkxz-hnEIniFE5tf_ZIc4VUIfvIpS2IHj7bXieZcDqCOB-yVaX5fr0D6atv-8M_whco2cWWpcLvF5NXtPw_nMK2Fvi5OpFqv4_YKYiYWUg/s1600/anatidaephobia.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitnmyvhFyZOElWYpQo5zIJ_DiaCZMgakz4MCkxz-hnEIniFE5tf_ZIc4VUIfvIpS2IHj7bXieZcDqCOB-yVaX5fr0D6atv-8M_whco2cWWpcLvF5NXtPw_nMK2Fvi5OpFqv4_YKYiYWUg/s400/anatidaephobia.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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"Anatidae" is the <a class="zem_slink" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Greek_language" rel="wikipedia nofollow" target="_blank" title="Greek language">Greek</a> word for ducks, swans and geese. Anatidaephobia is the weird fear of being watched by a duck. The victims of Anatidaephobia, no matter wherever they are or whatever they are doing, feel that a duck is watching them.<br />
This weird phobia usually grows during childhood. Ducks and geese are famous for their aggressive nature. It is believed that a fear of these creatures during childhood, as a result of biting or flapping, can result in the development of Anatidaephobia.<br />
<a href="http://voices.yahoo.com/anatidaephobia-fear-being-watched-2261417.html?cat=70" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">[Link]</a><br />
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Stasibasiphobia - Fear of Walking</h2>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdn_Co0Dtmyv7c217P4kmi3wHY0qTPoFM6GgOZaiy_mJYYCfB0lCl5DV928tK7rQFXHKhhPVcKxKYwCuutur5c_pSe1XkW9Houn3lp2c5RCGY0sy89mXSGQJ0VKsJN3luR4tPMdir0HxA/s1600/walk-fear.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdn_Co0Dtmyv7c217P4kmi3wHY0qTPoFM6GgOZaiy_mJYYCfB0lCl5DV928tK7rQFXHKhhPVcKxKYwCuutur5c_pSe1XkW9Houn3lp2c5RCGY0sy89mXSGQJ0VKsJN3luR4tPMdir0HxA/s400/walk-fear.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Stasibasiphobia is the constant fear of walking or standing. It is a type of social phobia. The term covers a number of fears related to movement.<br />
People suffering from stasibasiphobia may be afraid of falling, being attacked, walking alone at night or in a crowd.<br />
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Chronophobia - Fear of Time</h2>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnUYvGhm9e0IGq9VX5fm064g9m_GZkFn_UDVeXymp0CZDerEaiAqNkNyp0K0AOcQLGZTsHd7BMYPAwxTc_5ITO0bmVHcBWWx1AOjIDZLVVCfFKOXm66N0OBzjO-1HU-KwyBsdB9I-HRrw/s1600/chronophobia.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="314" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnUYvGhm9e0IGq9VX5fm064g9m_GZkFn_UDVeXymp0CZDerEaiAqNkNyp0K0AOcQLGZTsHd7BMYPAwxTc_5ITO0bmVHcBWWx1AOjIDZLVVCfFKOXm66N0OBzjO-1HU-KwyBsdB9I-HRrw/s320/chronophobia.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Chronophobic people cope with a fear of time. The term is derived from "<a class="zem_slink" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chronos" rel="wikipedia nofollow" target="_blank" title="Chronos">Chronos</a>" meaning time. Chronophobia is usually developed in people suffering from great stress. That is why, it is most common in prisoners and old people.<br />
Chronophobia gives a feeling that events are moving too fast. This feeling causes severe anxiety and panic. In more serious cases, shortness of breath, shaking and depression is experienced.<br />
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Gamophobia - Fear of Marriage</h2>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFkMcrnHXmvXJHfbWNAEA48ty0d8mwi_FO5TmddVwogHdhSVSjnZIP-7r9v-y3XK1Qpv3fLCizgNH7JbjD9DyAFUm1pQoal0RYjlwWq05c-sCR2hK1uyV5q4t-l0pXhxi_2llcmAVt02A/s1600/gamophobia.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="328" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFkMcrnHXmvXJHfbWNAEA48ty0d8mwi_FO5TmddVwogHdhSVSjnZIP-7r9v-y3XK1Qpv3fLCizgNH7JbjD9DyAFUm1pQoal0RYjlwWq05c-sCR2hK1uyV5q4t-l0pXhxi_2llcmAVt02A/s400/gamophobia.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Does the idea of marriage makes you dizzy? If yes, then you may be a victim of Gamophobia, the fear of marriage. A gamophobic person may usually have no problem in a long term relationship, but is afraid of the idea of marriage. Such persons experience heartache and anxiety as the subject of marriage is brought up and tries everything to avoid it. It is one of the major symptoms of the phobia.<br />
Like many phobias, Gamophobia has its roots in the childhood of the person. In the case of gamophobia, it is possible that the victim was raised up in a broken house. Where the parents were divorced or not married. Such tensions may develop into a mental condition known as Gamophobia.<br />
<a href="http://www.blogger.com/"><span id="goog_63656387"></span>[Link]</a><br />
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Arachibutyrophobia - Fear of peanut butter sticking to the roof of the mouth</h2>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-51Qst4TJzffJ-s07BleBmGdAcdnJ_-wanQ-03C4wAyQ92m7h8oEG39wwzZ_ug0I5FvCtjBrDXMUdMuRf8YJYHam9N-y5k-Xn9sxXWnLonWyluTtKuUjZidk32L-giqys6QuZS_LpWB0/s1600/peanut-butter.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="260" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-51Qst4TJzffJ-s07BleBmGdAcdnJ_-wanQ-03C4wAyQ92m7h8oEG39wwzZ_ug0I5FvCtjBrDXMUdMuRf8YJYHam9N-y5k-Xn9sxXWnLonWyluTtKuUjZidk32L-giqys6QuZS_LpWB0/s400/peanut-butter.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Arachibutyrophobia is defined as the fear of peanut butter sticking to the roof of the mouth. If you're coping with this weird phobia, then you would definitely want to evade any situation where you have to eat peanut butter.<br />
Peanut butter comes with sticky-gel-type properties. Since the roof of the mouth is drier than the rest of the mouth, so peanut butter sticks here more easily. When the butter gets stuck, you're unable to get it out in public. Thus the discomfort develops into a real phobia.<br />
The symptoms include nausea, shaking, dizziness and sweating. Some people are so scared that they even fear the sight of a glass jar.<br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11291739035935249194noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6360308967843225421.post-54621435939043286922012-11-01T03:41:00.000-07:002012-12-15T22:47:17.128-08:00World's Spookiest Haunted Houses<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
From White House to London Castle, this is our list of the world's most iconic places that are actually real haunted houses.
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<h2 style="text-align: left;">
The Tower of London</h2>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD4ykeNwtVXGgJWjtsddTRk8skuubEeYZ8jh26aAJeejNaL8pv48_dCyqaML8OPK7wKSXOLO50s0yQAj61XN5rtaz-3R1LWqgUCsXPsWw8tGwWeMLm3HMHUxh1Q3yf2K5I-1oOKLmwYuo/s1600/tower-of-london.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin: 1em;"><img alt="Tower of London" border="0" height="293" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD4ykeNwtVXGgJWjtsddTRk8skuubEeYZ8jh26aAJeejNaL8pv48_dCyqaML8OPK7wKSXOLO50s0yQAj61XN5rtaz-3R1LWqgUCsXPsWw8tGwWeMLm3HMHUxh1Q3yf2K5I-1oOKLmwYuo/s400/tower-of-london.jpg" title="Tower of London" width="400" /></a></div>
<a name='more'></a>The Tower of London is one of the most important highlights of the city. Throughout its illustrious age of more than a thousand years, the Tower of London has played a prominent role in English history.<br />
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She has been home to beheading murders, torture and hangings, as well as being a prison to Nobles. During its peak years, it even housed Elizabeth I, before she became the Queen, within its walls.</div>
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The <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tower_of_London" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Tower of London</a> is also one of the most haunted places in Britain. Dozens of ghost sightings have been reported. One of the most famous ghosts of the Tower is that of the spirit of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ann_Boleyn" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Ann Boleyn</a>, one of the wives of Henry VIII and the mother of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Queen_Elizabeth_I" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Queen Elizabeth I</a>, who was beheaded and buried here. Other noble spirits who roam the tower include Henry VI, Lady Jane Grey, Margaret Paul, Thomas A Becket and Sir Walter Raleigh.<br />
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<h2 style="text-align: left;">
White House</h2>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRSHYwx1zuFuG7tmjxESdkVgiSmuIGbLtilKgNmSJoKTSDmI6xmoqQXvg6Bjajyf81YlK4H15yNZw-klj_B4un1CPc4yveNj7VzUGmuTyAhb9BrJM3dHp4t-SfgCY5tu6N4EY-eAdA7to/s1600/white-house.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin: 1em;"><img alt="White House" border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRSHYwx1zuFuG7tmjxESdkVgiSmuIGbLtilKgNmSJoKTSDmI6xmoqQXvg6Bjajyf81YlK4H15yNZw-klj_B4un1CPc4yveNj7VzUGmuTyAhb9BrJM3dHp4t-SfgCY5tu6N4EY-eAdA7to/s400/white-house.jpg" title="White House" width="400" /></a></div>
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue - the address not only houses the current President of the country but also the spirits of many more who once dwelt the building but now occupy their graves. The <a href="http://www.whitehouse.gov/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">White house</a>, probably the most important building of America, is also the most famous haunted house of the country.</div>
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On many occasions Presidents, first ladies, guests and staff, have experienced paranormal activities in the building. The attic seems to be the most favorite part for the ghosts. Several presidents have reportedly heard unexplained noises coming from the attic above the Oval Office.<br />
While White House hosts spirits of several presidents like President Harrison and President Andrew Jackson, but the most famous of all is that of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abraham_Lincoln" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Abraham Lincoln</a>.<br />
Abe Lincoln is frequently sighted by the dwellers. One incident took place with Queen Wilhelmina of the Netherlands who was awakened by a knock on the bedroom door. Answering it, she faced the ghost of Lincoln staring at her from the hallway. Reports say that even President Obama has himself confronted Lincoln's ghost.<br />
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<h2 style="text-align: left;">
The Queen Mary</h2>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiavr27KdBhIvkbhyEgtNVdgQVsg5n6xsoCp-PityKpZYsoXJo-LGfP4NobiqfE0-03CbHehcbzJgtCtSD5Hd6qhqrrvuAHrCRGjQ8j8csWHlorV4WUXM2nodjSqi8svDptWSwKBJ1nD0Y/s1600/queen-mary.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin: 1em;"><img alt="RMS Queen Mary" border="0" height="297" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiavr27KdBhIvkbhyEgtNVdgQVsg5n6xsoCp-PityKpZYsoXJo-LGfP4NobiqfE0-03CbHehcbzJgtCtSD5Hd6qhqrrvuAHrCRGjQ8j8csWHlorV4WUXM2nodjSqi8svDptWSwKBJ1nD0Y/s400/queen-mary.jpg" title="RMS Queen Mary" width="400" /></a></div>
RMS Queen Mary sailed the waters of North Atlantic Ocean from 1936 to 1967. It was used in World War II both as a transport ship and a luxury liner.<br />
During its 31 years of service, Queen Mary has witnessed dozens of deaths. These deaths haunts the grand ship till date.<br />
<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/RMS_Queen_Mary" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">RMS Queen Mary</a> which was once known as a luxury liner, now has a reputation of a sailing haunted house. People have reported several incidents of paranormal activities in different sections of the ship. The most popular being the engine room where a 17-year old sailor was crushed to death while trying to escape a fire. The spirit of the young sailor now haunts the engine room.<br />
Another famous haunted spot is Cabin B340 which is haunted by an 8-year old girl who was killed here. Screaming of men and crushing of metal have also been reported below the deck.<br />
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<h2 style="text-align: left;">
Winchester Mystery House</h2>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3RMPpyBhfznIKW8mFi4v8I1J1drCki6i6wWHJ5P-TwB19dP4irvMPrDDdOKXOuhfc-uq8R9YWp8o6kLhyphenhyphen-w1rtPfTnx6570ERIZoMpOLfW4HrW3YQaWt0KBBm0bxo25BkXGO5bHgSYR0/s1600/winchester-mystery-house.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin: 1em;"><img alt="Winchester Mystery House" border="0" height="316" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3RMPpyBhfznIKW8mFi4v8I1J1drCki6i6wWHJ5P-TwB19dP4irvMPrDDdOKXOuhfc-uq8R9YWp8o6kLhyphenhyphen-w1rtPfTnx6570ERIZoMpOLfW4HrW3YQaWt0KBBm0bxo25BkXGO5bHgSYR0/s400/winchester-mystery-house.jpg" title="Winchester Mystery House" width="400" /></a></div>
The Winchester Mystery House is a well-known mansion in Northern California. The grand state costed a woppin' $5.5 million, which is equivalent to today's $71 million. It now serves as a tourist destination.<br />
The <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Winchester_Mystery_House" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Winchester Mystery House</a> was once dwelled by Sarah Winchester, the wife of gun magnate William Wirt Winchester. She was left in shock after the death of her infant daughter followed by her husband's. According to a legend, Sarah believed that her family had been victim of ghosts of people who were killed by the Winchester rifles. So she visited a medium where she confronted the spirit of her dead husband who told her to build a house but never finish it as it would allow her to live forever. So she moved West where she started the construction of the Winchester House.<br />
The construction took place continuously for 38 years from 1884 to Sarah's death in 1922.<br />
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<h2 style="text-align: left;">
Edinburgh Castle</h2>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5cpSIGyVAGsYujYq1j-5VepXhaIMzeQn3-B2Y1noFQ8YrTWDd6n4zR16SbP8549GxfdiboRy_WJQnbVfK7JpyGKnAbgTnp_5hQmArki0i7JPo9EtKq7csvUxU7Jeeh9E3MEPd-Q4zacA/s1600/edinburgh-castle.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin: 1em;"><img alt="Edinburgh Castle" border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5cpSIGyVAGsYujYq1j-5VepXhaIMzeQn3-B2Y1noFQ8YrTWDd6n4zR16SbP8549GxfdiboRy_WJQnbVfK7JpyGKnAbgTnp_5hQmArki0i7JPo9EtKq7csvUxU7Jeeh9E3MEPd-Q4zacA/s400/edinburgh-castle.jpg" title="Edinburgh Castle" width="400" /></a></div>
The <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edinburgh_Castle" target="_blank">Edinburgh Castle</a> not only possesses a prominent place in the history of Edinburgh, but also its landscape. But it also bears the unusual distinction of being one of the most haunted spots in Edinburgh. <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edinburgh" target="_blank">Edinburgh</a> itself is one of the most haunted cities in Europe.<br />
Visitors frequently report odd happenings in the castle. Paranormal sightings include those of a phantom piper, a headless drummer, the spirits of French prisoners from the Seven Years War and colonial prisoners from the American Revolutionary War - even the ghost of a dog wandering in the grounds' dog cemetery.<br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11291739035935249194noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6360308967843225421.post-76690410607287024492012-10-26T06:34:00.000-07:002012-12-16T00:01:10.636-08:00Australian Tycoon to turn Morgue into Hotel<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikbucN6OCFggNwHVLsrUWkukNlgORsPTih8SkXZ4w5LNpy-mQ6MRPEQ2CPS1Cy8e-UY8NTJZNHksnM4fZuVVEK3KtW7DJs4ujWDiFRKTk9d08UXnZGLnLsvd0JQprg7Euv5GastfHtMr8/s1600/morgue+hotel.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 5px;"><img alt="Morgue Hotel" border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikbucN6OCFggNwHVLsrUWkukNlgORsPTih8SkXZ4w5LNpy-mQ6MRPEQ2CPS1Cy8e-UY8NTJZNHksnM4fZuVVEK3KtW7DJs4ujWDiFRKTk9d08UXnZGLnLsvd0JQprg7Euv5GastfHtMr8/s320/morgue+hotel.jpg" title="Morgue Hotel" width="300" /></a></div>
The Australians have come up with an unusual idea to utilise a disused morgue, by turning it into a hotel.<br />
The morgue is part of a mental asylum. It once housed psychiatric patients, but was abandoned a decade ago after the asylum was closed down.<br />
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The owner Hayden Pearce recently bought the 7 acre site. The Tasmanian tycoon and hotelier now plans to turn the unfortunate site into an accomodation.<br />
According to Daily Mail, Pearce will use the 4 rooms of the morgue as an extension to his 22-room hotel nearby.<br />
The previous owner wanted to turn the place into an ice cream parlor and child care center. But Pearce thinks that his unusual idea might intrigue visitors. He told ABC news, "We're hoping to attract the unusual"<br />
If you're planning for a night at the 'Morgue', then don't expect fluffy beds and comfortable suites. Instead of luxurious bed rooms, the morgue-cum-hotel will keep the terrazo stone slabs for resting your weary heads. Pearce reportedly stated: "The idea is to give an experience in a morgue before it's too late." <br />
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Pull-out fridge and surgical instruments scattered around the rooms will add to the creepiness of the <a href="http://oddandstrange.blogspot.com/2012/09/strange-hotels-of-world.html" target="_blank">strange hotel</a>. So, have guts before you take a step in!</div>
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<a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/10/25/morgue-hotel-haydn-pearce_n_2011159.html" target="_blank">[link]</a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEDZpvYrw0fIm-w32vSqVou794edZD4n9f9s4cRkOIX85HiXHYXI2cZCDD2OkNBayTMPCcXNge1wMkrWyNwKV_t27jGGhspRv1Fa6SMTOOT2H4YbVOjgYDg26wYL_rf2woTdMjaSnKqNc/s1600/morgue+hotel+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Morgue-cum-hotel" border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEDZpvYrw0fIm-w32vSqVou794edZD4n9f9s4cRkOIX85HiXHYXI2cZCDD2OkNBayTMPCcXNge1wMkrWyNwKV_t27jGGhspRv1Fa6SMTOOT2H4YbVOjgYDg26wYL_rf2woTdMjaSnKqNc/s400/morgue+hotel+3.jpg" title="Morgue-cum-hotel" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq0ik8lnY2QyTLpA034Exhw1klYaqVOhDnpMXiBHPyZyN3JJYutVxRwWRSJET9d4do_e4VK2YRGQmFnk4q289kjVxXs248sQSFLzFj3-FWhBUHjkdzjVx6VbiT0tfSvimROy5Xc8VmQm4/s1600/morgue-hotel-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Morgue Turned Hotel" border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq0ik8lnY2QyTLpA034Exhw1klYaqVOhDnpMXiBHPyZyN3JJYutVxRwWRSJET9d4do_e4VK2YRGQmFnk4q289kjVxXs248sQSFLzFj3-FWhBUHjkdzjVx6VbiT0tfSvimROy5Xc8VmQm4/s400/morgue-hotel-2.jpg" title="Morgue Turned Hotel" width="400" /></a></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11291739035935249194noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6360308967843225421.post-11712654603614642562012-10-21T00:31:00.000-07:002012-12-15T23:58:25.823-08:00Mount Paricutin: Facts about the Cornfield Volcano<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Mount Paricutin is one of the most amazing wonders of Mother Nature, a volcano grown out of a cornfield. The cornfield volcano is the youngest volcano in the Western Hemisphere and one of the '7' Wonders of the World.<br />
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<h2 style="text-align: left;">
Mount Paricutin</h2>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjiUEYgNG6a3T8nPvTdm8WKlkgis9XmvjFR9b-2qLGbLaPWS-LzBLtQAKhpjt5tA2M-JY5IPPZcJk0cO00zffOhseW4le1RvGZSgdGc3fjtm-UdHlPFYLGJOqTjLFSbMjd1YltAftieSU/s1600/paricutin+-+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Paricutin at night" border="0" height="263" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjiUEYgNG6a3T8nPvTdm8WKlkgis9XmvjFR9b-2qLGbLaPWS-LzBLtQAKhpjt5tA2M-JY5IPPZcJk0cO00zffOhseW4le1RvGZSgdGc3fjtm-UdHlPFYLGJOqTjLFSbMjd1YltAftieSU/s400/paricutin+-+1.jpg" title="Paricutin at night" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Paricutin erupting at night, 1948</td></tr>
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<a name='more'></a>The Paricutin is the world's only volcano whose birth has been witnessed by human eyes. It is one of the youngest volcanoes and its bizarre story has made it to the 7 wonders of the world. Paricutin grew out of a Mexican cornfield. Its birth, although wasn't as disastrous as the fall of Pompeii, nonetheless represents a dramatic period in the lives of the inhabitants of Paricutin, Mexico.<br />
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<h2 style="text-align: left;">
The Story</h2>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQBMOxcdnK_oLsVvpAx2xjBPglzAYKIJmLMZuSg3mPFmWvaXqXsJJT2_R3cAHXLKc7zgrqcncppeC7eh0pniDpqK2GcjOWgu14swrcBuust4lB28KEKNs1MbmIxLwyKc3hWXFabg01w4I/s1600/paricutin-2.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Paricutin in 1944" border="0" height="275" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQBMOxcdnK_oLsVvpAx2xjBPglzAYKIJmLMZuSg3mPFmWvaXqXsJJT2_R3cAHXLKc7zgrqcncppeC7eh0pniDpqK2GcjOWgu14swrcBuust4lB28KEKNs1MbmIxLwyKc3hWXFabg01w4I/s400/paricutin-2.gif" title="Paricutin in 1944" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Paricutin, 1944</td></tr>
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The story takes place in Paricutin, a small Mexican village of farmers. It is situated in an active tectonic area. It was a usual Saturday afternoon. Farmer <a href="http://www.geology.sdsu.edu/how_volcanoes_work/Thumblinks/Dioniso_%20page.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Dionisio Pulido</a> was working in the field, with his wife preparing dinner for the family, much like she did everyday. Unaware of the fact, that the day would become one of the most infamous days of human history.</div>
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Suddenly, Dionisio felt strong tremors and thunder sounds from the ground. He couldn't believe his eyes, when he saw the ground crack open. Soon, a pungent odour spread in the field. The odour of burning sulphur. Dionisio's wife rushed outside and the couple became the first human ever to witness the birth of a volcano.</div>
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<h2 style="text-align: left;">
The Development</h2>
Soon after, lava and ash started flowing out of the fissure, affecting Paricutin and other nearby villages. The ashes from the volcano fell as far as the Mexico city. The volcano grew rapidly from a fissure to a height of a 5-storey building in no more than a week.</div>
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Paricutin Volcano Facts</span></h2>
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<li><span style="color: white;">Location: Mexico
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<li><span style="color: white;">Eruption: 1943 to 1952
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<li><span style="color: white;">Area Covered: 25 sq. km
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<li><span style="color: white;">Total Height: 1345 feet
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<li><span style="color: white;">Major Eruption: 1943</span></li>
<li><span style="color: white;">Characteristic: Youngest volcano in Western Hemisphere
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Paricutin erupted frequently during the first few months of its birth. Most of the volcano's growth occurred in the first year. At the end of the first year, the Paricutin had reached a massive height of 1,102 feet.<br />
The Paricutin continued erupting between 1943 and 1952, affecting hundreds of thousands of lives. During this period, lava and ash swept an area of more than 25 sq. km. The worst of Paricutin's volcanic activity, took place in 1943, with its lava rising to about 50 feet below the crater's rim and killing more than 1000 inhabitants.
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The Death</h2>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZi-83atlRT2HfwzvOESY2rXN5_x8DIZlY-fQBztwHmvlOVA4KBAemMwRy-D1NiWsXi6VQetO5-NxpNOvxN-LtoA9AjgwXmNf8-kPrAed57spVA8JldL1vj_aNns0AE2j1hOwOOPmslyk/s1600/paricutin-3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Paricutin" border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZi-83atlRT2HfwzvOESY2rXN5_x8DIZlY-fQBztwHmvlOVA4KBAemMwRy-D1NiWsXi6VQetO5-NxpNOvxN-LtoA9AjgwXmNf8-kPrAed57spVA8JldL1vj_aNns0AE2j1hOwOOPmslyk/s400/paricutin-3.jpg" title="Paricutin" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://paricutin.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Paricutin</a> is a <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Monogenetic_volcanic_field" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Monogenetic Volcano</a>, meaning that once it has finished erupting, it will never erupt again. The last of the eruptions occurred in 1952, after which the Paricutin calmed. It has been quite since then, reaching a final height of 1,345 feet.</div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11291739035935249194noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6360308967843225421.post-81520464153594729352012-10-13T20:39:00.000-07:002012-12-15T23:45:15.175-08:00Top 10 Most Amazing Extinct Animals Ever<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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The earth has always been home to incredible creatures. This is a list of the 10 most amazing animals which once ruled the planet earth.</div>
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Tyrannosaurus Rex</h2>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiru7ah1wgsNhRkyNNJ-R7AEv_-ScRiiBncFQEdn-o6K2QjjxiPASRFD5p1b3v96UqVAxpQv4AeKK82IMnilqxUysdeagN5XshwSFJiToDf4a1tC5yrQyvWJ70n-dVPj6iHZHPoj60VMGQ/s1600/t-rex.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Tyrannosaurus Rex" border="0" height="288" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiru7ah1wgsNhRkyNNJ-R7AEv_-ScRiiBncFQEdn-o6K2QjjxiPASRFD5p1b3v96UqVAxpQv4AeKK82IMnilqxUysdeagN5XshwSFJiToDf4a1tC5yrQyvWJ70n-dVPj6iHZHPoj60VMGQ/s400/t-rex.jpg" title="Tyrannosaurus Rex" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a name='more'></a>Tyrannosaurus, meaning the "tyrant lizard, is probably the best known of all the dinosaurs. It lives in our imagination, with its massive jaws and threatening figure, as the perfect monster. That is probably why we named it "Rex", meaning the "King".<br />
The <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tyrannosaurus" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Tyrannosaurus Rex</a>, or T. Rex for short, wandered the earth about 65 million years ago. With a height of upto 16.6 ft and weighing at a massive 7 tons, the T. Rex was the largest land carnivore ever existed. Fossils of T. Rex have been discovered in rock fossils in North America, dating back to the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cretaceous" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Cretaceous Period</a>. The last T. Rex died out 66 million years ago, much earlier than any human feet trampled land.<br />
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Sabre Toothed Tiger</h2>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyKs70T-ZJOcKDbEPtgzjpXmZmxF1jB79ugBce4ZX_BAcxSflP_jf3lSoUq943CvYdGHQVBaTSIXmCXaNjhj-zzwEwis5Udexckk68B_gcuESB9zo24zgYLVXSi-yG5zz-XBVnhYssSgE/s1600/sabre-tooth-tiger.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Sabre Toothed Tiger" border="0" height="250" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyKs70T-ZJOcKDbEPtgzjpXmZmxF1jB79ugBce4ZX_BAcxSflP_jf3lSoUq943CvYdGHQVBaTSIXmCXaNjhj-zzwEwis5Udexckk68B_gcuESB9zo24zgYLVXSi-yG5zz-XBVnhYssSgE/s400/sabre-tooth-tiger.jpg" title="Sabre Toothed Tiger" width="400" /></a></div>
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The Sabre Toothed Tiger was one of the most feared enemies of prehistoric man. The sabre toothed tiger, or the sabre toothed cat, owe its name to the two magnificent large canines which extend from its mouth, making it look even more savage than modern tigers. These canines could grow to a length of about a foot.<br />
The sabre toothed tiger roamed the earth about 40 million years ago. It was much bigger then its modern descendants and had a bear like build. It was an excellent hunter, hunting giant animals including mammoths, sloth, even prehistoric men. The <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saber-toothed_cat" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">sabre toothed tiger</a> went extinct about 10000 years ago, at the end of the last ice age. Although the definite causes are unknown, it is believed that climatic changes and disappearance of prey spelled its doom.<br />
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Gigantopithecus</h2>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy9G6sKjRwN5PqA_1N6kG7HurdEf13Ew_3ECTUssqrJ6C5GwsD9x-junivCkSeG57BAIyyXQjd5uUEm3hFB6p3VYzLWu8qt71Xx1WjdM7bVirz4ZUqyf8aUectxL4eLHqduO1DgiJf3bc/s1600/gigantopithecus.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Gigantopithecus" border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy9G6sKjRwN5PqA_1N6kG7HurdEf13Ew_3ECTUssqrJ6C5GwsD9x-junivCkSeG57BAIyyXQjd5uUEm3hFB6p3VYzLWu8qt71Xx1WjdM7bVirz4ZUqyf8aUectxL4eLHqduO1DgiJf3bc/s320/gigantopithecus.jpg" title="Gigantopithecus" width="217" /></a></div>
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The ancient forests of India, China and Vietnam, were home to one of history's most special apes. The <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gigantopithecus" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Gigantopithecus</a>, meaning "the gigantic ape" is the largest monkey or primate ever lived. With a height of 10 ft and weighing about half a ton, the Gigantopithecus was about 3 to 4 times larger than modern gorilla.<br />
It ruled the forests around 500,000 years ago. The giant ape lived on bamboos, occasionally feeding on seasonal fruits. It died out around 10,000 years ago as a result of climatic changes.<br />
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Terror Bird</h2>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgppZadAJVSBRUhVv7sBpRQ47KWHqewvFixc-MuJCA6z5pjJZGjRIyx9doSnwGOTgnflqQQ4LI6YZzOvxj_FGsn0jjg2Mzp4azqeMbA_9zwFoE07ufVVSDpIEZtq_63W4QehF5-sEpX0cg/s1600/terror+bird.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Terror Bird" border="0" height="211" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgppZadAJVSBRUhVv7sBpRQ47KWHqewvFixc-MuJCA6z5pjJZGjRIyx9doSnwGOTgnflqQQ4LI6YZzOvxj_FGsn0jjg2Mzp4azqeMbA_9zwFoE07ufVVSDpIEZtq_63W4QehF5-sEpX0cg/s400/terror+bird.jpg" title="Terror Bird" width="400" /></a></div>
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The Titanis Walleri is probably the most fearful bird of all time. 28 million years ago, America was a ferocious place. A land ruled by fearful predators. The setting staged the evolution of a giant flesh eating bird, the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Titanis" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Titanis Walleri</a> or the terror bird.<br />
The terror bird stood at a remarkable 6 ft and weighed as much as 300 pounds. They were blessed with large hatchet like bills which tore apart mammals, reptiles and other birds.<br />
Fossils of these large prehistoric birds of prey have been collected from a former sinkhole in the Santa Fe River, Gilchrist County, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Florida" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Florida</a>. No terror bird fossils were younger than 2 million years, suggesting it became extinct early in the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pleistocene" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Pleistocene period</a>.<br />
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Tasmanian Tiger</h2>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSU23DMXpVOb167TSvGDDxA34O89g9Gu9BcB5DPg_67ZeaqzEDcdvnllurzehfehg58UbY7xzYOziXlUQEnq3ug3j8IhU63dsqP6IMKDc8MLC_sLFSOpQ5HjmQVgLIqgL_ydmCIBDEm4E/s1600/Tasmanian_tiger.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Tasmanian Tiger" border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSU23DMXpVOb167TSvGDDxA34O89g9Gu9BcB5DPg_67ZeaqzEDcdvnllurzehfehg58UbY7xzYOziXlUQEnq3ug3j8IhU63dsqP6IMKDc8MLC_sLFSOpQ5HjmQVgLIqgL_ydmCIBDEm4E/s320/Tasmanian_tiger.jpg" title="Tasmanian Tiger" width="219" /></a></div>
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The Thylacine was the largest known carnivorous marsupial. <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thylacine" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Thylacine</a>, also known as the Tasmanian tiger or the Tasmanian wolf, was native to Australia and Tasmania. It is thought to have become extinct in the 20th century largely due to over hunting by the European settlers in the area. Other factors which contributed to its extinction includes diseases, introduction of dogs and habitat destruction. It was the last member of its genus, Thylacinus.<br />
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<h2 style="text-align: left;">
Dodo</h2>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyFQHc-iowhdXAYco98H0FYaGSYNUJFY0W8RJHJD3MY9eelFxfWAKGecN8o5gKQ2a1kzzmwqlYUIv9SMslShrS-co7m07sBWZtDz4c8Zp1pP24J0Y_njGy8VgsE-wGb1y-IZzNAcbL_u4/s1600/dodo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Dodo" border="0" height="375" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyFQHc-iowhdXAYco98H0FYaGSYNUJFY0W8RJHJD3MY9eelFxfWAKGecN8o5gKQ2a1kzzmwqlYUIv9SMslShrS-co7m07sBWZtDz4c8Zp1pP24J0Y_njGy8VgsE-wGb1y-IZzNAcbL_u4/s400/dodo.jpg" title="Dodo" width="400" /></a></div>
The phrase: "As dead as a Dodo", is used for something that has become extinct. But what exactly is a Dodo? The dodo is a big fat bird which once roamed the islands of Mauritius in the Indian ocean. The dodo was a large, flightless bird which stood at around 1 metre. It had a large hooked beak, lived on fruits and nested on the ground. The <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dodo" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">dodo</a> was hunted to extinction by sailors who landed on the islands. Since, the bird was found no where else, it soon died out and became extinct in late 17th century.<br />
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<h2 style="text-align: left;">
Pyrenean Ibex</h2>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy6yGL5upLH1llaBR9DzyYboqWAnU9kbh7GuxF_jRgMYX7EsTOgFQ6InxRnLcX2ScfXNkKjLQZMphiU0Cu2Ho6xtAKa0KpBAjbfHPvn_M-npMv4CgLa2fuZzIIJgDx85gkEOFyGaxmyeE/s1600/pyrenian-ibex.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Pyrenean Ibex" border="0" height="305" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy6yGL5upLH1llaBR9DzyYboqWAnU9kbh7GuxF_jRgMYX7EsTOgFQ6InxRnLcX2ScfXNkKjLQZMphiU0Cu2Ho6xtAKa0KpBAjbfHPvn_M-npMv4CgLa2fuZzIIJgDx85gkEOFyGaxmyeE/s400/pyrenian-ibex.jpg" title="Pyrenean Ibex" width="400" /></a></div>
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The Pyrenean Ibex roamed the plains of France and Spain, until its extinction in the year 2000. It is one of the most famous of the recently extinct animals. They were numerous a few centuries ago, but their numbers started falling after 1900 due to intensive hunting. In 1980, about 30 pyrenean ibex were reported to exist. Then on 6 January 2000, the last specimen, a female named Celia, was found dead and the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pyrenean_ibex" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">pyrenean ibex</a> was officially declared extinct.<br />
But this was not the end. Due to extensive cloning, scientists were able to brought them back to life, the first animal ever to be resurrected through cloning. Unfortunately the cloned specimen couldn't survive for more than 7 minutes due to lung failure.<br />
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<h2 style="text-align: left;">
Megalodon Shark</h2>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn5f7-J55PpdCg-z513FL8dfaWO2OQ6l15xvQSj65IQMpmxxjngjI24SBjWhjEzQ5SnX8gnhI72WsM7pssOmyJQYYJElFwLzzA7j-ZwkuVpgjIwEDniDdPcAm27HxNuBa6lc15RJD2OzA/s1600/megalodon.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Megalodon Shark" border="0" height="351" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn5f7-J55PpdCg-z513FL8dfaWO2OQ6l15xvQSj65IQMpmxxjngjI24SBjWhjEzQ5SnX8gnhI72WsM7pssOmyJQYYJElFwLzzA7j-ZwkuVpgjIwEDniDdPcAm27HxNuBa6lc15RJD2OzA/s400/megalodon.jpg" title="Megalodon Shark" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Megalodon" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Megalodon</a>, meaning "big tooth" in Greek, is an extinct shark that ruled the seas around 16 million years ago. The massive creature was twice the size of the modern great white shark and was probably the top predator of the time. It was blessed with a ferocious 2 metre wide jaw laced with teeth 21 cm long which allowed it to hunt large preys including whales and even dinosaurs.<br />
The great shark went extinct around 1.6 million years ago during the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cenozoic" target="_blank">Cenozoic Era</a>. While the exact causes remain unknown, climatic changes are believed to play a crucial role.<br />
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<h2 style="text-align: left;">
Stellar Sea Cow</h2>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRpL97idtdh50YfK8q3G_ZeUAYuzb3bgRgP_SZxiQZyKT2MoJygW8c5r0yXxVBKNsZcCDyPVHPbIAxqWazEP1M0VAavyj-AaqcJjVLmEm1k6W6SqByJV_qhMx0Jq8zNnL-4vImiQLKzso/s1600/sea-cow.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Stellar Sea Cow" border="0" height="237" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRpL97idtdh50YfK8q3G_ZeUAYuzb3bgRgP_SZxiQZyKT2MoJygW8c5r0yXxVBKNsZcCDyPVHPbIAxqWazEP1M0VAavyj-AaqcJjVLmEm1k6W6SqByJV_qhMx0Jq8zNnL-4vImiQLKzso/s400/sea-cow.jpg" title="Stellar Sea Cow" width="400" /></a></div>
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The Stellar Sea Cow is named after George Stellar, the man who first saw it in the waters of Commander Islands in 1741. The <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steller's_sea_cow" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Sea Cow</a> was related to manatee and dugong, only much larger in size. The sea giant grew to a length of 8-9 metres and weigh upto 3 tons.<br />
With its large body, small head, stout limbs and whale-like tail, the sea cow resembled modern seals. The creature was once widespread in the areas around the north Pacific coast but human settlement in the area resulted in rapid decrease in its numbers and the last specimen died in 1768. This makes it one of the more recently extinct animals in our list.<br />
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Haast's Eagle</h2>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFImycnMnnS_WuNIJ6Jb1vBaX4JSnqSV_mqyxaQfmUv1zY11x0poN9GwbNtshbj487h7oqEnFRdE6E4lbnwS5_4aNB8QZ0DtXNo96SUcIAl0FBRTZQUTSwS9XSRGri2NwUPP3IcmzByzc/s1600/haast-eagle.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Haast's Eagle" border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFImycnMnnS_WuNIJ6Jb1vBaX4JSnqSV_mqyxaQfmUv1zY11x0poN9GwbNtshbj487h7oqEnFRdE6E4lbnwS5_4aNB8QZ0DtXNo96SUcIAl0FBRTZQUTSwS9XSRGri2NwUPP3IcmzByzc/s400/haast-eagle.jpg" title="Haast's Eagle" width="400" /></a></div>
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The Hasst's Eagle is the largest raptor ever known to mankind. Weighing as much as 15 kg, the Haast's eagle had a wingspan of more than 9 ft. It was estimated to attack its prey at velocity of upto 80 mph, ripping them with its large ferocious beak. The Haast's eagle was the ultimate predator of the area, preying on large creatures such as the Moa and even humans.<br />
The reign of the giant raptor continued till 1400, until the Maori people settled in the area who hunted the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moa" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">moa</a>, it's chief prey, to extinction. As a result, the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Haast's_Eagle" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Haast's eagle</a> soon died out.<br />
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<b>Further Reading:</b><br />
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There is no end to history. If you want to learn more about these extinct animals and many other ones, then this encyclopaedia can be your complete answer. It covers everything from the first microscope sea creatures to the Tasmanian wolf. Each chapter covers the animals themselves, the processes that brought them to extinction, and the modern scientific discoveries that reveal their lost words.<br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11291739035935249194noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6360308967843225421.post-19079540695524852502012-10-09T03:58:00.000-07:002012-12-05T02:48:27.604-08:0015 Halloween Fun Facts<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Carve your Jack O' Lanterns, dress like a zombie, turn orange, black and go 'Trick-or-Treating'... Yeah! It's Halloween. Get spooky and check out some fun facts you never knew about Halloween.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNz0dEi-2X4D9JiKga24_aDbqWkyEyVja_KcOuG5Ct7dE1kVtrsVMInXBAzHQN6DAKBuB_354-fG2vLVtrPcVLJNk6MXfqp5NAH67hhBJyl2UW60I4D8RFaYkK1LfH15y58leIeiLCH5k/s1600/halloween.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Halloween Fun Facts" border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNz0dEi-2X4D9JiKga24_aDbqWkyEyVja_KcOuG5Ct7dE1kVtrsVMInXBAzHQN6DAKBuB_354-fG2vLVtrPcVLJNk6MXfqp5NAH67hhBJyl2UW60I4D8RFaYkK1LfH15y58leIeiLCH5k/s400/halloween.jpg" title="Halloween Fun Facts" width="400" /></a></div>
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<li>Halloween is short for Hallow's Eve or Hallow's Evening.</li>
<li>The first Jack O' Lanterns were made from turnips and beets.</li>
<li>According to an Irish legend, Jack O’Lanterns was actually a stingy man named Jack who, because he tricked the devil several times, was forbidden entrance into both heaven and hell. So, he wandered on Earth, waving his lantern to lead people away from their paths.</li>
<li>On Halloween's night, it is believed that if you stand in front of the mirror at midnight, you'll be able to see the reflection of your spouse just above your left shoulder.</li>
<li>Ireland is believed to be the birth place of Halloween</li>
<li>Halloween is the second highest grossing holiday in the Western world with Christmas being the first.</li>
<li>Children are more twice more likely to be killed in a road accident on Halloween than any other night.</li>
<li>Fifty Percent kids prefer to chocolate candy on Halloween.</li>
<li>Halloween is one of the world's oldest celebrations dating back to almost 2000 years and was celebrated by Celts living is present day Britain.</li>
<li>Orange and Black are the colours of Halloween. Orange symbolizes harvest as Halloween is celebrated at the end of the harvest season and blacks symbolizes death.</li>
<li>Travellers carry a piece of bread crossed with salt, to keep them safe from witches on Halloween nights.</li>
<li>According to a legend, if you see a spider on Halloween, it is actually the spirit of a loved one watching over you.</li>
<li>"Trick-or-Treating" originally started in England when the poor begged for food and families would give them pastries called "soul cakes" in return for a pray for their familiy's dead relatives.</li>
<li>The tradition of ghostly costumes comes from the legend that spirits and ghosts return to Earth on Halloween and if you dress like ghost, they might mistake you for fellow spirits.</li>
<li>Every year, candy sells on Halloween can reach upto 2 billion dollars in USA alone.</li>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11291739035935249194noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6360308967843225421.post-33777525298679471032012-10-06T21:48:00.001-07:002012-12-15T23:53:59.858-08:00Hadaka Matsuri - Inside One of Japan's Strangest Festivals<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Hadaka Matsuri, the strange Japanese festival of naked men. I’ve always been fascinated by Japan. As a kid, the first thing that used to click in my mind on the word ‘Japan’ were Robots. I thought of them as super humans living a life we could only watch in sci-fi movies. But as I learned more about them, I found out that the Robots are not the most amazing thing about the Japanese, it was their culture. The Japanese have been blessed with one of the world’s richest cultures.<br />
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One important aspect of the Japanese culture is their festivals. These festivals not only reflect their brilliant culture but also their rich historical background. Here we introduce Hadaka Matsuri, one of the three most eccentric festivals of Japan.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZD1ziEXBH17S_-ldazm186M2IlUi_NJUQkmARHHYR9cr9iFAq8M-XfeMZUg1MpXKYcBFyoGn8Yg8GlOMHyx5c8FkykUHqvUMtVkKUyfVUK7x9kMyoKMtRb2wTW5KeB57hCLANEyzAh_0/s1600/Hadaka-Matsuri-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="hadaka matsuri" border="0" height="301" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZD1ziEXBH17S_-ldazm186M2IlUi_NJUQkmARHHYR9cr9iFAq8M-XfeMZUg1MpXKYcBFyoGn8Yg8GlOMHyx5c8FkykUHqvUMtVkKUyfVUK7x9kMyoKMtRb2wTW5KeB57hCLANEyzAh_0/s400/Hadaka-Matsuri-1.jpg" title="hadaka matsuri" width="400" /></a></div>
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What is Hadaka Matsuri?</h2>
Hadaka Matsuri, Japanese for <b><i>“Naked Festival”</i></b>, is a strange festival which involves men only dressed in loincloths, fiercely competing to get hold of a pair of sacred lucky sticks, the <b>“Shingi”</b>. Anyone who luckily gets a shingi and manages to stick it upright in a wooden box filled with rice, called the <b>masu</b>, is blessed with a year of happiness.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg01vqzuAwo4UF2u5uy5SISFBJZ4oPXzoEW5TD41sKIsIz6LxSZEzW-Vkrli9FcBb4jvCHe8tdEJGsTT_Gby8YEmXAt_tahqaImCT4bhksZYyRP4Y_7xrpZukXDTk2xvb19xPFy_JCa_jE/s1600/hadaka-matsuri.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Hadaka Matsuri - Japan" border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg01vqzuAwo4UF2u5uy5SISFBJZ4oPXzoEW5TD41sKIsIz6LxSZEzW-Vkrli9FcBb4jvCHe8tdEJGsTT_Gby8YEmXAt_tahqaImCT4bhksZYyRP4Y_7xrpZukXDTk2xvb19xPFy_JCa_jE/s400/hadaka-matsuri.jpg" title="hadaka matsuri - Japan" width="400" /></a></div>
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Where Is It Held?</h2>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUAcJWN_YwxVD0bO7NrGSc4KJdqHXVvEPQExbiWanu5VAuqMz6ZuYJKg4WxsgeEaiym70KBFbOzRsKXj6JTazoBce-FRIuEl0mHG3eMI49K48WXyBkTBTateKKHCIOGn8GlHDzOZtOnoc/s1600/okayama-in-japan.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Okayama - Japan" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUAcJWN_YwxVD0bO7NrGSc4KJdqHXVvEPQExbiWanu5VAuqMz6ZuYJKg4WxsgeEaiym70KBFbOzRsKXj6JTazoBce-FRIuEl0mHG3eMI49K48WXyBkTBTateKKHCIOGn8GlHDzOZtOnoc/s1600/okayama-in-japan.gif" title="Okayama - Japan" /></a></div>
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The Hadaka Matsuri festival is now held in various cities of Japan but the biggest one takes place in the city of Okayama which is attended by more than 10,000 men from all over Japan. The city of Okayama is also the origin place of the festival.<br />
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How It all Started?</h2>
Like many other Japanese festivals, Hadaka Matsuri has its roots in the ancient culture of Japan. It all started about 500 years ago when farmers struggled to get the lucky talismans from the priests. The paper talismans, known as Go-o, were the tokens of completion of the New Year Ascetic training. The talismans are now made up of sticks which are considered to be the “sticks of God”.<br />
These talismans, prized as lucky charms, were thought to bring good luck and it was believed that the they protect their possessor from all types of accidents and injuries, even death. As time went on, the number of people requesting the talismans increased and so as their importance. This gave rise to the Hadaka Matsuri festival as we know it today.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglijzSLpog7tL_Fp2DVgFBf4WnlFmDQB57YMqN_bgYpQjXyiNvX2jqQakgyErVN0Nze2dkFqEt0Ayf4TuJyX8uXyEEJfIuNouabqSId3PQMiNmJgZMDDntQFqT_0KV_qSbpSe9SqLAXLU/s1600/Hadaka-Matsuri-3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Hadaka Matsuri" border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglijzSLpog7tL_Fp2DVgFBf4WnlFmDQB57YMqN_bgYpQjXyiNvX2jqQakgyErVN0Nze2dkFqEt0Ayf4TuJyX8uXyEEJfIuNouabqSId3PQMiNmJgZMDDntQFqT_0KV_qSbpSe9SqLAXLU/s400/Hadaka-Matsuri-3.jpg" title="Hadaka Matsuri" width="400" /></a></div>
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What's It All About?</h2>
A struggle with 10,000 men can sound a fiery job. But for the Japanese, well they can do anything for their 365 days of happiness.<br />
The festival takes place every year in the cold season. The n@ked crowd, shouting ‘Wasshoi! Wasshoi’, wait outside the temple. Precisely at midnight, the sticks are thrown into the crowd and the men rush to grab a stick. Cold water is sprayed heavily on the raging men as they struggle ambitiously for the lucky charm. Even if you manage to grab a stick, it will be quickly snatched away by others. Its almost like the Japanese version of rugby, with no clothes. ;)<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiRTtc1pu_RR0SSWmJCkQsbeUsOp8rdexJx8uDwK6rfkbuCIAw-B7saAzlIwt-U4tUyqNj_IJVDG9vVEMNs5OvszIcQNhfO8r8YcFTlJOUXPULxu01YlLDbV0Fw49YShXObYyEqPocoIc/s1600/hadaka-matsuri1550.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Hadaka Matsuri - Naked Festival" border="0" height="263" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiRTtc1pu_RR0SSWmJCkQsbeUsOp8rdexJx8uDwK6rfkbuCIAw-B7saAzlIwt-U4tUyqNj_IJVDG9vVEMNs5OvszIcQNhfO8r8YcFTlJOUXPULxu01YlLDbV0Fw49YShXObYyEqPocoIc/s400/hadaka-matsuri1550.jpg" title="Hadaka Matsuri - Naked Festival" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKJzkC_769CaAXAZSqvQfc7G7bzeQRWBxCiQB2GgISVblp_f_-2EKFoapRxrocrvFwmrAiY4wJuXAYk5SQKCZqK-LgkaqMRcymhhhForHVidMAOSLAGxovNH_88QLgp4tMNi5Ob4Gfh4c/s1600/Hadaka-Matsuri-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Hadaka Matsuri - Naked Festival" border="0" height="242" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKJzkC_769CaAXAZSqvQfc7G7bzeQRWBxCiQB2GgISVblp_f_-2EKFoapRxrocrvFwmrAiY4wJuXAYk5SQKCZqK-LgkaqMRcymhhhForHVidMAOSLAGxovNH_88QLgp4tMNi5Ob4Gfh4c/s400/Hadaka-Matsuri-2.jpg" title="Hadaka Matsuri - Naked Festival" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYJotLWBGXqVFv4x7bX1-4aBOp4ZyJM_QDaE4CGcEH4qhDAF4v_wOKDnfj5BpFcR3rjRiJq7LLlGr6VHDjCWjATI20tgHw-msi1hU1-sILSXs8w6HTP4WBR4PjDszLwRkAa8LFzV1HY_M/s1600/had.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Hadaka Matsuri - Naked Festival" border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYJotLWBGXqVFv4x7bX1-4aBOp4ZyJM_QDaE4CGcEH4qhDAF4v_wOKDnfj5BpFcR3rjRiJq7LLlGr6VHDjCWjATI20tgHw-msi1hU1-sILSXs8w6HTP4WBR4PjDszLwRkAa8LFzV1HY_M/s400/had.jpg" title="Hadaka Matsuri - Naked Festival" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjymBCm_TuWMT6hNtX_zsbsqcUw4T5CnZRYJOVLRKGp05ie9QDDZeETf2ZSUzKtu5VsppCY-rBqc28hcPeqisn_b7brk0BgBUOhxV-BKbicdiAG7Ghg0pW-PJhrQ8r4UG_dYVYfYKR8yXM/s1600/hadaka-matsuri+(1).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Hadaka Matsuri - Naked Festival" border="0" height="257" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjymBCm_TuWMT6hNtX_zsbsqcUw4T5CnZRYJOVLRKGp05ie9QDDZeETf2ZSUzKtu5VsppCY-rBqc28hcPeqisn_b7brk0BgBUOhxV-BKbicdiAG7Ghg0pW-PJhrQ8r4UG_dYVYfYKR8yXM/s400/hadaka-matsuri+(1).jpg" title="Hadaka Matsuri - Naked Festival" width="400" /></a></div>
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So, do you think that the Shingi is worth of a competition with 10,000 men. Speak out and like always, I'd be most eager to hear from you.<br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11291739035935249194noreply@blogger.com