Amicable Numbers

In the world of numbers, 220 and 284 are special because they come as a pair.

They are a pair because, if you take all the numbers that divide 220 (1, 2, 4, 5, 10, 11, 20, 22, 44, 55, 110 – but not 220 itself) and add them together you get 284.

However, if you take all the numbers that divide 284 (1, 2, 4, 71, 142 – but not 284 itself) and add them together, you get 220.

These are called Amicable Numbers, and in ancient times these numbers represented mutual harmony, perfect friendship and love.

From http://mathsgear.co.uk/products/amicable-numbers-pair-of-keyrings-nerd-romance

The burning effect of chilli

What is it best to drink to cool the burning sensation of capsaicin?

Milk products cool you off after eating chillies because casein, a protein, breaks the bond between the pain receptors and the capsaicin.

Why are chillies hot?

The heat of the chilli comes from the oil called capsaicin which is present in the chilli. it is found mostly in the seeds and the "ribs" of chilli peppers. capsaicin acts on the same nerves - found in the tongue and the skin - that gives us a sensation of heat. it releases a chemical called "substance p" into the blood which sends signals to the brain, telling it you are eating something hot.

Can you get desensitised to eating chilli?

Yes. tests have showed that with successive exposure to equal concentrations of capsaicin, the sensation of pungency decreases.

How do i get rid of the burning feeling?

If you burn your mouth with chilli, drinking water will do no good because capsaicin is not soluble in water. (it's like trying to wash away grease with water) fat will do the trick - and that means drinking milk, eating yoghurt, ice cream or even peanut butter.

See full FAQ on chilli topics at http://www.chilliworld.com/factfile/chilli-peppers-FAQ.asp

111 - a Nelson

The number 111 is sometimes called a "nelson" (particularly as a score in cricket or darts) after Admiral Nelson, who allegedly only had "One Eye, One Arm, One Ball" near the end of his life. This is sometimes bowdlerized to say that he lost "One Eye, One Arm, One Life" during his naval career.

Another suggestion is that the number is derived from his three great victories, thus Copenhagen, Nile & Trafalgar which gives the sequence "Won - Won - Won".
 
A score of 111 or multiples thereof (called "double nelson", "triple nelson" etc.) is considered an ill omen in cricket, because the figures "111" resemble a wicket without bails.
In pre-decimalisation days, bankers seem to have called a sum of one pound, one shilling and one penny `Nelson'.

From http://uk.answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20061126225050AApc4Qq

Power law

A power law is a mathematical relationship between two quantities. If the frequency (with which an event occurs) varies as a power of some attribute of that event (e.g. its size), the frequency is said to follow a power law.

For instance, the number of cities having a certain population size is found to vary as a power of the size of the population, and hence follows a power law.

From http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Power_law

Otto Rohwedder

Otto, originally a jeweller, was the inventor of the world’s first mechanical sliced bread, which went on sale on July 7 1928,  in Chillicothe, Missouri.

After many setbacks, including a fire which destroyed his first factory as well as blueprints and prototype, he managed to develop a successful process for slicing and wrapping the bread. However sales were slow at first as suspicious consumers were slow to accept a pre-sliced bread, but soon everyone wanted sliced bread. By 1933, only five years after its introduction, American bakeries were turning out more sliced than unsliced bread.

See full article at http://britishlibrary.typepad.co.uk/inthroughtheoutfield/2009/02/otto-rohwedder-and-the-greatest-thing-since-sliced-bread-.html

Ways to Annoy People At An Amusement Park

Leave large gaps in between you and the people in front of you while waiting in line.

Offer people money for their spots in line...MONOPOLY money.

Find someone to tell your life story to.

Whisper right in someone's ear, "I know what you did last summer."

See more ways to annoy people at http://www.bored.com/getannoyed/

Mondegreens

Mondegreens are a sort of aural malapropism. Instead of saying the wrong word, you hear the wrong word.

The word mondegreen is generally used for misheard song lyrics, although technically it can apply to any speech.

 

"Excuse me while I kiss this guy."
   "Excuse me while I kiss the sky."
   Purple Haze, Jimi Hendrix

 

"The girl with colitis goes by."
   "The girl with kaleidoscope eyes."
   Lucy in the Sky With Diamonds, The Beatles

 

"Are you going to starve an old friend?"
   "Are you going to Scarborough Fair?"
   Scarborough Fair, Simon and Garfunkel

 

See full list at http://www.fun-with-words.com/mala_mondegreens.html

To the strongest …

A month before his 33rd birthday Alexander of Macedonia (Alexander The Great) became ill with a fever and the fever worsened. Soon he was barely able to speak.

He was asked to whom the empire should go Alexander whispered, "To the strongest of course!"

About ten days before he would have become 33 years of age Alexander, the ruler of a world empire he had created himself, died.

See full article at http://www.sjsu.edu/faculty/watkins/alexandergreat

The world's largest banknote

To commemorate the Centennial of Independence from more than 300 years of Spanish colonial rule in 1998, the government of the Philippines wanted to do something very special.

It issued the world's largest banknote 355.6 mm by 215.9 mm (14" x 8 1/2"), beating the previous record: China Ming Dynasty 1 Kuan 220 mm x 335mm (8 3/4" x 13 1/4").

Only 1,000 of these notes were issued. Originally offered to collectors at a pre-issue price of 180,000 Piso (US$4175).

See more paper money trivia at http://tomchao.com/trivia.html

Types of men’s belts

LEATHER DRESS BELT
LEATHER CASUAL BELT
SKINNY BELT
WOVEN BELT
BUCKLE BELT
FABRIC BELT

See full article at http://www.individualism.co.uk/2008/11/mens-belt-styles/

America's 10 Deadliest Jobs

1. Logging workers
2. Fishers and related fishing workers
3. Aircraft pilot and flight engineers
4. Roofers
5. Structural iron and steel workers
6. Refuse and recyclable material collectors
7. Electrical power-line installers and repairers
8. Drivers/sales workers and truck drivers
9. Farmers, ranchers, and other agricultural managers
10. Construction laborers

See more at http://www.forbes.com/sites/jacquelynsmith/2013/08/22/americas-10-deadliest-jobs-2/

Guests, like fish …

Guests, like fish, begin to smell after three days.

Benjamin Franklin

From http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/quotes/b/benjaminfr151622.html

Types of Keys

Single Bitted

The traditional key with one set of cuts on the bitting.

Multi Bitted

A key with several sets of cuts, thus giving them multiple bitting surfaces. Common in high security locks that have auxilliary locking mechanisms, such as a sidebar.

Convenience

A key with duplicate cuts but only one actual bitting surface, allowing the key to be functional when inserted in any orientation.

Cruciform

A key that has four bittings, giving it a star shaped tip. May not actually use all four, like a convenience key.

Transponder Key

A key that has an electronic transponder in the bow of the key that transmits a code to a receiver in the lock. Most commonly seen in automotive keys. Requires specialized equipment to copy.

Valet Key

A special type of automotive key that can be used by a valet driver. Typically, a valet key can operate the doors and ignition of a car, but can't open the glove compartment or trunk.

Blank Key

A key that has had no bitting cuts applied to it. "Blanks" are a common locksmithing item used for duplicating keys, impressioning, and creating bump keys.

From http://www.lockwiki.com/index.php/Key

Pimm’s Cups

• Pimm's No. 1 Cup is based on gin and can be served both on ice or in cocktails.
• Pimm's No. 2 Cup was based on Scotch whisky. Currently phased out.
• Pimm's No. 3 Cup is based on brandy. Phased out, but a version infused with spices and orange peel marketed as Pimm's Winter Cup is now seasonally available.
• Pimm's No. 4 Cup was based on rum. Currently phased out.
• Pimm's No. 5 Cup was based on rye whiskey. Currently phased out.
• Pimm's No. 6 Cup is based on vodka. It is still produced, but in small quantities.

See more at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pimm%27s

Mad Hatter Day – 10/6

Mad Hatter Day is October 6th!

Celebrated by Disney fans across the world, this day is dedicated to the Mad Hatter from Alice In Wonderland.

Are you curious as to why October 6th was the chosen date?

10/6 are the numbers written on the card on the Mad Hatter’s hat. The card or label on the Hatter’s hat reads “In this style 10/6″, which refers to 10 shillings and six pence – the price of the hat in pre-decimalized British money. The figure acts as a visual indication of the hatter’s trade. In the UK, 10/6 would point to the tenth of June, but since the day was founded in America it is the 6th of October.

See full article at http://www.thehatblog.com/blog/2013/10/03/mad-hatter-day/

and see the Village Hat Shop at http://www.villagehatshop.com/

BOB, EDC, GHB and house kits

BOB ( BUG OUT BAG) this is your I’m leaving town and I’m not sure when I’m coming back bag. It should be ready to go at all times and should have everything you need to run out the door naked and make it to safe spot and be somewhat comfortable for at least 72hrs.

GHB (GET HOME BAG) this is a smaller easily carried bag that rides in your car,or person (if you live in the city think expanded EDC) with supplies to make sure you make it home. To get to your house or a safe spot. These are things to piggy back your EDC or EVERY DAY CARRY.

EDC (EVERY DAY CARRY) these are things that you carry every day when you leave the house.

BUG in BAG or HOUSE KIT,these are the emergency kits,for staying at home through natural disasters and time of emergency.

If done right, your EDC will compliment your GHB,your GHB will compliment your BOB or home survival kit ... like a 3 tier system to help make it through the hard times and emergencies.

From http://www.bugoutwhale.com/showthread.php/111-BOB-EDC-GHB-house-kits

The Lemniscate

The symbol of an "eight on its side" is sometimes known as the lemniscate and is a glyph for infinity.

The English mathematician John Wallis (1616-1703) introduced the symbol to represent mathematical infinity in his Arithmetica Infinitorum of 1655. The term lemniscate refers to the shape itself, and the Swiss mathematician Jacob Bernoulli (1654-1705) first called the shape a lemniscus (Latin for ribbon) in an article in Acta Eruditorum in 1694.

In spiritual terms, the lemniscate represents eternity, the numinous and the higher spiritual powers. The Magus, the first card in the Major Arcana of the Tarot, is often depicted with the lemniscate above his head or incorporated into a wide-brimmed hat, signifying the divine forces he is attempting to control.

The use of a figure eight to represent infinity is an interesting choice, as eight is linked to pre-creational infinity through the Ogdoad and to the cyclical sense of infinity through the eight pagan festivals of the year and the octagram.

From http://www.byzant.com/mystical/symbols/Lemniscate.aspx