Luff I've Stearned

Flying without scanning

2011-09-01T09:43:00.000-07:00

If you don't want to have your body scanned at the airport you can opt for a full body pat down. Simply tell the security attendant before the scanner and they will take you aside.

Tepid water

2011-09-01T09:41:00.001-07:00

Tepid water is a mixture of two parts cold water to one part boiling water and is frequently used in breadmaking.

Earthquake kit

2011-08-23T10:36:00.001-07:00

Here are some things you should consider putting in your Earthquake Survival Bag:
canned foods that are ready to eat (don't forget plates and utensils)
first aid kit
water (very important! at least one gallon per person per day)
warm clothes, blankets
disposable camera (you never know when or what you may have to document)
bleach for water purification
baby wipes (also doubles as toilet paper)
personal hygiene items (i.e. frozen soap)
flashlight
battery operated radio
pocket knife or multitool
map of local area (AAA gives these out for free)
photocopy of important documents
$50 in cash in small denominations

Chips and Salsa calories

2011-08-16T08:41:00.001-07:00

A typical serving of tortilla chips and salsa will net about 800 calories, which is the caloric equivalent to two correctly-proportioned meals.

Caloric Wine

2011-08-16T08:39:00.001-07:00

A single glass of wine usually contains about 100 calories.

Correlation between drinking and BAC

2011-08-08T09:16:00.001-07:00

For males weighing around 200 pounds, every alcoholic drinks add .03 to your Blood Alcohol Content.

-1 drink= .03 BAC
-2 drinks= .06 BAC
-3 drinks= .09 BAC
-et cetera

Ignorant telemarkerters

2011-08-03T09:58:00.000-07:00

If:

-You have a cell phone and no land line
-You live in an apartment

And a telemarketer calls your cell phone about your home's mortgage, kindly stop them and tell them that since they are calling your cell phone, they have no idea about your place of residence, and therefore are on no grounds to be calling you. Ask to be placed on the Do Not Call list, and be done with them.

Confirmation bias

2011-07-30T23:11:00.000-07:00

In skepticism, "confirmation bias" is a state of mind in which you remember evidence that supports your position and ignore or forget evidence to the contrary, which works to keep a cherished belief safe.

Cable monopoly

2011-07-26T14:39:00.001-07:00

There is only one cable provider per area. This is because in every area one cable company will own all the physical cable necessary to provide service. If another service provider comes into the area, it's because they've bought the area from the previous service provider.

Belated tickets

2011-07-20T08:04:00.001-07:00

If you've searched the internet for tickets to an event, make sure the page you come across isn't from the previous year(s)- always check the date before purchasing.

Bowstring

2011-07-20T08:03:00.001-07:00

If you have a new bow for archery without a string, buy/commission a string that is 3 inches shorter than the height written on the side of the bow.

Arrow ratings

2011-07-20T08:02:00.001-07:00

When making arrows for archery, use arrow shafts that have been "spined" (rated for use) at 10 pounds heavier than the draw-weight of the bow for which they're intended.

[Blank] is a four-letter word

2011-07-13T23:12:00.001-07:00

When something's called "a four letter word," it's meant to be profane; in the English language most swear words are four letters.

Checking out with stylus

2011-06-11T19:14:00.000-07:00

When checking out at a cashier with a digital touchscreen, opt to use the stylus pen- using a finger damages the screen.

Interest Equation

2011-06-04T05:24:00.000-07:00

To calculate interest, use this formula:

I= P * r * t

I= Interest
P= Initial money
r= Interest rate
t= Time

For example, if you stated with $4500 at a 9.5% for six years, the equation would read:

I=(4500)(.095)(6)
I=2565

At the end of six years you will have made $2,565 dollars from your initial investment, totaling $7,065.

Specific defrosting

2011-06-04T05:21:00.000-07:00

Unlike beef or chicken, you can't leave fish or pork on the counter to defrost during the day- to prevent risk of food-borne illnesses it is best to let them defrost in the refrigerator.

Common internet acronyms

2011-04-26T09:41:00.001-07:00

TIL- Today I Learned
IIRC- If I Recall Correctly
IMHO- In My Humble Opinion

Song versions

2011-04-26T09:40:00.001-07:00

Always listen to a song before you download it. Sometimes artists record multiple versions of the same song and listening will prevent you from downloading the wrong one.

Hunting stupidity

2011-03-30T18:02:00.001-07:00

Hunting is the most socially retarded thing in the world. There's so much paradox in the idea of enjoying the primality of hunting for your food, but using state of the art weapons to do so. It's like churning butter "for that old fashioned feel" with a jackhammer.

What gets me is the culture and mentality that goes into. Hunters will go to great leangths to cover all parts of their body in camoflauge, you know, hats, pants, boots, beltz, wallets, sunglasses, contacts, tongue rings, eye makeup, everything.

Then you know what they accessorize all that camoflauge with? A flambouyant bright-orange vest. Yeah. You really blend in with the surroundings now.

I think we should outlaw hunting as it is now. If you want to go back to your roots and hunt for your food, you are only allowed to do so in three ways, either as one of the three, or a combination. You can either use: a bow and arrow, a spear, your fists, or some sort of brutal trap. That's it.

And for anyone that thinks it's brutal and cruel for the animals, what's more cruel? Getting your meat from the wild, where the animal slaughtered was able to live it's life in nature, or getting your meat from a supermarket, where the animal killed spent it's life in a cage, amongst thousands of its captured comrades?

Second Amendment

2011-03-30T18:01:00.001-07:00

“A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed.”
We have to look at when it was written… 1700s, when they best they had was muskets.
So really, you have to the right to bear arms… assuming that arm is a musket.
We should amend the second amendment so that every citizen gets a musket.
Walk right into the country, someone hands you the musket, the blasting powder, a cleaning rod, and pellets.
What’s the worst that can happen? Crime won’t increase- crime will decrease.
You can’t rob a store with a musket.
BOOM
Shit, missed! Gotta reload… give me five minutes!
Heck, even if you do hit somebody it’s more like a flesh wound.
(dig it out yourself)
Hey, that really stung you ass!
(throws it back)
(hits)
Ow!

"Victims"?

2011-03-30T17:59:00.001-07:00

When a 28 year old teacher sleeps with a 17 year old student, why is that the newspaper covering the story labels the victim as a “victim of the sex crime”? I mean, honestly, victim? I think a good measurement of whether or not you’re a victim is by how many high fives you get. If you receive three or more high fives following the criminal incident, you’re not a victim.

I see 3 or more because I’d imagine even burn victims get a high five or two. Friends visiting them in the burn ward.

“Hey man, congrats on living through that housefire, high five! Ooh, sorry, my bad.”

Monsters, science

2011-03-30T17:15:00.001-07:00

Whenever scientists are developing a new technology, like genetic engineering, people are quick to say, “Well, who are we to play god?”

Well, what about us atheists? Hell, give me those test tubes, I’ll make your monster.

Whatcha thinking about?

2011-03-30T17:14:00.001-07:00

I hate whenever my girlfriend asks me, “What are you thinking about?” You know what she wants to hear is something romantic like, “Oh, the first time we met,” or something like that. But really, that’s not what I’m thinking about. So she’ll ask me, and I’ll say something like, “If Magneto creates magnetic fields how can he levitate other people if they’re not wearing metal? The iron in their blood? Wouldn’t that be really, really painful?”

Steroids

2011-03-30T17:13:00.000-07:00

I enjoy comics and superheroes a little too much because I was watching a documentary about steroids and it said, "Steroids allow your body to gain muscle mass at a greater rate than normal. In essence, steroids give you super-human strength."

And I'm sitting there thinking, yeah! That sounds great!

Measuring geneaology

2011-03-30T17:11:00.001-07:00

I like how people say “Fuck the metric system, this is America!”
They do realize that the English system of measurement came from… England, right? The inch is a thumb, the foot is a foot.

Rifftrax synching

2011-03-29T09:12:00.001-07:00

If you're watching a film with a Rifftrax, and the two fall out of sync, pause whichever one plays too soon.

Alternatively, if the Rifftrax plays to soon, pause the Rifftrax. If the Rifftrax plays too late, pause the movie.

Back of lapel pin

2011-03-17T09:53:00.001-07:00

The clasp-thingy that holds a pin in place is called a "military clutch."

Famous things to say

2011-03-04T06:07:00.000-08:00

If you're about to meet someone famous, or at least important to you, you may think of interesting things to say before you meet, things that might elicit more interaction than simply "Nice to meet you."However, when you actually come face to face your mind may go blank and you may end up searching for something to say.

Make sure you write those interesting things down while you're not feeling any pressure.

Copyright trick

2011-03-01T09:50:00.000-08:00

You can use licensed characters if you're making jokes or comments about them.

Logic:: Opposite scenarios

2011-01-14T17:12:00.000-08:00

If someone proposes a scenario that proves their point, look at the opposite scenario and see if it still holds.

"You never see violence at a gun show because everyone there is armed! No one would dare to cause gun violence!"

Therefore,

"The most dangerous place to be is at a book fair, because no one is armed and therefore people with guns can have their way!"

In the previous example, is gun violence therefore increased by a lack of guns, or could there be another reason?

(Note to any readers- if there are flaws in this logic please comment and point them out. I'd hate to "luff" a false premise)

Electronics Boxes

2010-12-26T22:57:00.000-08:00

When you buy a new electronic device, especially an expensive one, keep the box for the next few weeks. If something goes wrong you'll be glad you kept it for an easy return.

Associative Fallacy

2010-11-25T10:21:00.000-08:00

"Nazis scrupulously litigated against pollution. Liberals constantly push for anti-global warming legislation. Liberals are just like Nazis!"

That two groups share a common idea does not make them the same group. Imagine this argument:

"Nazis enjoyed sweet candies. Liberals enjoy sweet candies. Liberals are Nazis!"

Chemotherapy

2010-11-15T09:38:00.000-08:00

Chemotherapy is used to treat cancer because cancer cells are more susceptible to radiation. This is because radiation damages DNA and cancer cells are not as capable of repairing DNA as well as normal, healthy cells. It is still a weakening procedure and can possibly lead to side effects like leukemia, but there are drugs to take that lessen the blow of the treatment.

Source: Naked Scientists Novermber 7th, 2010

Law vs Theory

2010-10-01T09:36:00.001-07:00

"Laws tend to be based on facts. And are often worded so they are only valid under ideal conditions. Theories are a much more fluid and variable sort of scientific beast."

-FX

Watering the parasol

2010-07-23T10:12:00.000-07:00

When at the beach, if the sand is too loose to hold up a parasol, pour water around parasol's base, which will compact the sand and will hold the umbrella more tightly

Bag holes

2010-07-21T15:39:00.000-07:00

Be sure to check a plastic grocery bag for holes before it's used to contain something wet and drippy, even if the bag is new from the store.

Psychic predictions

2010-06-14T12:39:00.001-07:00

If someone successfully predicts a statistically-likely event, they really haven't accomplished much.

Hammering

2010-06-10T09:05:00.001-07:00

When hammering a nail into a wall, use fewer, more confident hits to drive the nail in. Lightly tapping will more likely result in bending the nail.

East meets West

2010-06-08T10:38:00.000-07:00

"Oriental" means Eastern.
"Occidental" means Western.

Darker side of apartment hunting

2010-06-07T23:13:00.000-07:00

When looking for a place to live be sure to check out the prospective neighborhood at night as well. A pleasant neighborhood by day may become sketchy by night.

Laundry etiquette

2010-06-07T22:45:00.000-07:00

When using community/coin-operated laundry machines, leave your laundry basket nearby so, if you're late to return to your completed load, an impatient patron will be more likely to place your wet/dry clothes into your basket and not onto the floor.

Article Date

2010-06-03T23:40:00.000-07:00

If you are linked to an article of political interest/outrage, check the articles date to make sure you're not becoming angry over old news.

Fast Food Check

2010-06-03T23:38:00.001-07:00

When you receive your fast food from a drive through window, pull into the parking lot and check to make sure you received the correct items. If there is a mistake you won't have to turn around and drive back because you'll be right there.

Reviews before purchase

2010-05-16T22:17:00.000-07:00

When purchasing online, always investigate product details and customer reviews (when available) before making a purchase online; never trust an image alone.

Steam release

2010-05-14T10:36:00.001-07:00

Before tilting the lid of a covered pot to strain the liquid from the now-boiled contents, first remove the lid entirely to dissipate the excess steam; otherwise, that steam will escape from the other end of the tilted-lid and likely scald any unfortunate body part above it.

Evaluation/Investigation

2010-05-14T10:34:00.000-07:00

First evaluate if a claim is true, then investigate how it's happening.

All in

2009-12-08T09:13:00.000-08:00

If someone with less chips/money than you goes "all in" in a game of poker, make sure to count how much less than you they have. Do not become overconfident.

Rotiart

2009-11-23T23:43:00.000-08:00

If you come across a seemingly foreign word, try reading it backwards to see if it's another word in reverse.

Hot glue/clothing

2009-11-20T18:09:00.000-08:00

If a small amount of hot glue drips onto your clothes (the ideal would be a small bead), leave it alone and allow it to dry. You can then pick it off.

If you attempt to remove it while it's still molten, you're more likely to smear it and mesh it more finely in your clothing's threads, making it impossible to fully remove.

Glue gun/spray paint

2009-11-20T11:02:00.000-08:00

Be careful when using a hot glue gun for arts and crafts. If the hot tip of a glue gun touches a layer of dried paint, the paint will melt and expose the original surface.

Yellow Light

2009-11-20T10:53:00.000-08:00

As a rule of thumb, while driving towards a traffic light that's just turned yellow, if it would take extra-hard braking to come to a complete stop, keep driving- you're likely to make it through just fine.

If you can comfortably come to a complete stop, do so. Lights tend to be timed in relation to the speed limits of the street.

Mechanic conversation

2009-11-04T22:42:00.000-08:00

When you take your car to a mechanic to be fixed, if you reliably understand the problem, don't tell your Mechanic. Instead describe the symptoms and ask for advice on what to do. You can then compare your knowledge against his advice and proceed.

Otherwise, if you're wrong, the mechanic will attempt to fix a problem that wasn't there and charge you all the same.

Card Accident

2009-11-04T22:39:00.000-08:00

If you accidentally leave your card in ATM after completing your transaction, the machine will swallow and destroy it after 10 seconds on inactivity. You'll then have to contact your bank for a new card.

Forgotten card

2009-10-25T18:41:00.001-07:00

If you accidentally leave your credit/debit card in an ATM, it will swallow the card after 10 seconds of inactivity and destroy it. You will then have to cancel your card and order a new one.

Guess/Answer

2009-10-23T13:45:00.000-07:00

If someone has something to tell you, and they want you to guess what it is, try not to guess it correctly. You don't win anything by doing so, and instead only deflate the person's enthusiasm for telling you what it is.

Eating right

2009-09-30T10:08:00.001-07:00

The best way to avoid snacking is to not buy snacks.

Meet standards

2009-09-22T14:42:00.001-07:00

Assume all celebrities, or personal heroes, are assholes. That way, should you meet them in person, you'll never be crushed when they are, but elated when they're not.

Test screening answers

2009-09-22T11:26:00.000-07:00

When you RSVP an invitation to a movie test screening:

If asked your occupation, never say you work in the entertainment industry. If pressed, say something else.

If asked if you have seen similar films in the genre, say yes.

How fire works

2009-09-09T10:54:00.000-07:00

If a substance is flammable, heating it to its "ignition temperature" will create a combustion reaction, and the substance "burns"; more specifically "the compound molecules break apart, and the atoms recombine with the oxygen to form water, carbon dioxide and other products."

The light we see produced from fire is created from "the rising carbon atoms (as well as atoms of other material) emit[ting] light."

Source: http://science.howstuffworks.com/fire1.htm

iTunes auto-check box

2009-09-02T12:32:00.000-07:00

Command-clicking the "check mark" boxes in iTunes will check all/none automatically.

Package delivery options

2009-07-27T10:52:00.001-07:00

If you:

1) Are ordering an important package
2) Will not be home to receive it
3) Don't trust your neighbors/neighborhood

You can have the package sent to your workplace, whose hours of operation likely include the standard time of delivery and will most likely have no problem holding onto it.

Prison strategy

2009-07-22T01:03:00.001-07:00

The best advice for surviving in Prison is to keep a Low Profile.

Actor schedules

2009-07-21T10:16:00.000-07:00

If actors have different schedules, shoot a film non-chronologically, taking care of scenes for actors as they come and go.

Salt water, pasta

2009-07-21T10:15:00.001-07:00

Salt prevents pasta from sticking while cooking. Salt water has a lower boiling point and will reach a boil faster. Therefore, add the salt to the water in order to expediate the cooking process.

How a CD Burner works

2009-07-09T11:13:00.000-07:00

A CD burner works by dulling the reflective surface of a burnable disc. When the laser reads the disc, the light is projected at an angle that should reflect back at a receiver. When the laser hits the reflective surface, it's read as a "1." When the light is dulled and therefore not reflected back, it's read as a "0."

Spectacle damage

2009-07-08T23:36:00.001-07:00

Using one hand to remove your glasses damages them.

Horse safety

2009-07-06T08:47:00.001-07:00

When walking around the backside of a horse, keep a hand on its flank.

Hair style

2009-06-30T14:56:00.000-07:00

Apply hair gel after you've put on a shirt.

Salt water

2009-06-28T15:33:00.001-07:00

Adding salt to water lowers its boiling point, so you'll reach a boil faster.

Wine temp

2009-06-28T15:31:00.001-07:00

Red wine is served at room temperature.

True Brainstorming

2009-06-27T18:36:00.000-07:00

Brainstorming is most successful when a group's members spend time thinking of ideas on their own, outside the group, and then bring those ideas "to the table" when they meet.

If members wait until they gather to begin formulating ideas, it may encourage less participation; members may rely on others to do the group's thinking.

Child reward strategy

2009-06-27T18:35:00.001-07:00

Rewarding a child for effort is more successful than rewarding achievement.

Firefly sight

2009-06-27T18:34:00.000-07:00

Fireflies/lightning bugs do not see blue light.

Check cabinets

2009-06-22T23:43:00.002-07:00

If you are selling or throwing out a piece of furniture used for storing items (ie, desk, cabinet, drawers), make sure to open and check all the compartments beforehand. There may be a forgotten item that will be sold/thrown out along with the furniture it's within.

What makes a theory

2009-06-22T23:43:00.001-07:00

A scientific theory has some characteristics: a model that fits the evidence, an explained mechanism, and a record of making successful predictions.

Speeding to a stop

2009-06-16T00:05:00.000-07:00

Accelerating to a red light is a waste of gas. If an upcoming light turns red, remove your foot from the gas pedal and coast the rest of the way, applying the brake when necessary.

Friend you've never met

2009-06-11T08:57:00.000-07:00

If you are heading to a meeting or social gathering, assume every strange also walking the same direction is heading there as well. Hold the door open, be pleasant in elevators, because if they are also part of the group to which you're heading and you're cold, obnoxious, or rude to them, the entirety of the event will be awkward.

Balloon fill

2009-06-08T22:44:00.000-07:00

The helium in balloons is cryogenically distilled out of natural gas.

Equivalence

2009-06-08T10:34:00.000-07:00

Proof is confirmation.

Stretch of strength

2009-06-07T19:49:00.001-07:00

When handing something heavy from one person to another, don't reach to make the pass. Because you're reaching you'll be unable get a good grip and if you've misjudged the weight you're likely to drop the object.

If you must reach, at least make sure there's nothing fragile underneath the object during the transaction.

Food Efficiency

2009-06-03T13:49:00.000-07:00

One meal of meat takes five meals worth of grain to produce.

Cosmomutt

2009-06-03T12:36:00.000-07:00

"Laika" is Russian for "Barker."

Green potatoes

2009-06-01T14:57:00.000-07:00

Potatoes left in the sun will develop green skin and a green discoloration underneath the skin. This signifies the presence of solanine, a toxic substance. Although it would take the consumption of many potatoes to cause poisonous effects, it's best the peel the green away until only white flesh remains.

Convince of want

2009-05-16T00:22:00.000-07:00

It should not take serious effort to convince someone to do something with you. If it does, it means the person is either not interested in the event, or you.

Quack red flag

2009-05-01T23:33:00.000-07:00

Any claims of a "cure all" or "cause all" of disease is a red flag to its falsehood.

Magnet therapy debunk

2009-05-01T12:33:00.001-07:00

If magnets promoted blood flow and healing, placing a strong magnet on your palm would make the area swell, turn red, and increase in temperature.

Fortnight

2009-04-30T10:39:00.000-07:00

A "fortnight" is two weeks. The word roughly derives from the phrase "Fourteen Nights" in old English.

Apple Video Import

2009-04-30T08:55:00.001-07:00

Importing to video to an Apple computer requires a Firewire cable. USB will not work.

Hand hygiene

2009-04-29T00:11:00.000-07:00

Washing your hands after using the restroom is not necessarily to clean yourself of germs acquired from using the restroom, but instead a periodic opportunity to rid yourself of bacteria picked up since the last time you've washed your hands.

Scientific terminologies

2009-04-27T12:14:00.000-07:00

Scientific Laws describe things. Scientific Theories explain them.

Tumble Brambles

2009-04-27T10:45:00.000-07:00

If an item of clothing becomes covered in brambles from the outdoors, pick off as many as you can before placing it into the laundry- between the washer and dryer, the brambles may spread to other items of clothing.

Like the ears of a dog

2009-04-14T10:47:00.001-07:00

A "dog eared book" refers to a book whose pages have been folded at their corners as an impromptu bookmark.

Argument from Authority fallacy explanation

2009-04-14T08:57:00.000-07:00

"Because an argument is supported by an authority doesn't make it not true either... it's just that it's not necessarily true just because an authority is supporting it... [an authority] is as much value as it has earned."

-Stephen Novella, Skeptics Guide 5x5 #49

What Science Is

2009-04-13T17:34:00.000-07:00

The core quality of science is that it makes testable predictions

Hand mixing

2009-04-05T14:17:00.001-07:00

Before mixing ingredients with your hands, be sure to remove your jewelry and/or watch(es).

Wooden Puppet

2009-04-05T14:16:00.000-07:00

"Pinocchio" is a Tuscan word meaning "Pine nut."

Cost of being towed

2009-03-17T10:31:00.001-07:00

If your car is towed, you'll have to pay a tow fee, and if you were parked on a public street, a parking ticket as well.

Receipts

2009-03-12T20:54:00.001-07:00

Because receipts are dated and time-stamped, they are useful for maintaining an alibi if you made a purchase at the time of the wrongfully-accused crime.

Sticky plates

2009-03-02T13:59:00.000-08:00

When you receive new license plates for your car in the mail make sure that they aren't stuck together appearing as one. Although some states only require the display of one plate on a vehicle, states that require the display of two will fine you for the difference.

Cheddar cheese maintenance

2009-02-26T13:10:00.000-08:00

Cheddar cheese becomes hard when exposed to air for too long. Be sure to seal it well.