Predictions

 Today's post looks back to 1925 at the predictions made for 2025, they didn't get a lot of them right. Life expectancy would be at least 150, H. G. Wells said there would a global power with no independent countries only 3 great masses of people, the United States of America, the United States of Europe and China. A British scientist expected television machines, breakfast tubes, automatic sleep beds, wireless banking and moving sidewalks. The airport of the future would be in the center of the city, have a well appointed lobby with an elevator that would take you to the roof where the plane waited on a turntable to be catapulted off at 300 mph. San Francisco and Oakland would overtake New York City as the world's greatest city with a population of 15 million. Oh well, back to the drawing board.  

Old Words

 As words go these really aren't that old, in fact they're just turning 50 though it's still surprising to learn they've been around that long. Of course as to be expected some have aged better than others but that's mostly true of newly coined words they lose their impact quickly. Without further ado the list of 50 year old words. 

1. 800-Pound Gorilla
2. Ableism
3. Athleisure
4. Aviophobia
5. Butterfly Effect
6. Cool-Down
7. Couch Potato
8. Digital Camera
9. Drum Machine
10. Ethernet
11. Exit Poll
12. French Press
13. Meme
14. Out-There
15. Radical
16. Skeevy
17. Skill Set
18. Trail Mix
19. Wannabe
20. Wuss
    
    
    
    
    
    
    

Wild Cards

 To say this collection of vintage New Year's cards is odd is and understatement at the very least. My only comments are that the Fums Up one took me a minute to realize it meant thumbs up and the one with the pig and the spiderweb is from 1907 well before Charlotte's Web in case anyone was wondering. 

Drop It II

Today's post features the top 5 New Year's Eve drops, enjoy! 

 

#5 Ludington, Michigan a ball drop clad in thousands of flashing lights.

#4 MoonPie Over Mobile, Alabama Indulge in the world's largest MoonPie cake, the watch the 600lb electric MoonPie descend. 

No. 4: Best New Year's Eve

#3 Tallapoosa, Georgia Possum Drop, no possums are harmed in the event. Spencer a stuffed possum who met his fate as roadkill is used instead of a living possum. 

#2 Boise, ID Potato Drop, a glowing potato is dropped at midnight.

#1 Pierogi Drop Whiting, Indiana a giant pierogi is dropped 50 feet into a boiling cauldron at midnight. 

Drop

Drop It I

 New Year's Eve is right around the corner which calls for a variety of celebrations depending on your location. Today's post will feature #10-6 of New Year's Eve drops around the country. 

At #10  is the Pickle Drop of Mount Olive, NC where a glowing pickle drops into a giant jar.

#9 is the Shrimp Drop at Amelia Island, FL 

#8 is the Beach Ball Drop at Panama City, Fl. One ball drops at 8pm and another at midnight.

#7 is the Great Pinecone Drop at Flagstaff, AZ a 70lb 6 ft. metallic pinecone drops at 3 different times.

#6 is the Peeps Chick Drop at Bethlehem, PA a 400lb Peeps Chick is dropped at 5:35 on both 12/30 and 12/31.

Oh, the Vanity!

 Vanity plates are amusing although what some states reject on the plates for reasons like, inflammatory, profane, offensive or too difficult to read stretches the definitions of those reasons. Maybe the most surprising part about vanity plates is that they are allowed at all since they can be a distraction which is not ideal when driving. Here are some ones that are fun to figure out. 

It's a Sign

 People in Christchurch, New Zealand were left slightly baffled by seemingly official looking signs with odd messages. One signs simply read, "Don't", another said, "This area is slightly haunted, but manageable." One sign warned, "Walking speed limit 2.83 km/h (1.75 mph)." Though the signs were official looking on closer examination they revealed the words "Christchurch City Confusion" instead of "Christchurch City Council". The signs are the work of a local artist who said the idea was to make the signs look real but with absurd messages to cause a moment of confusion followed by a burst of joy.

Good Cop, Bad Cop

Most everyone is familiar with Santa Claus but what about his somewhat evil counterpart, the Krampus? While fairly well known today Krampus hasn't always been known in the US as his roots are mainly in German speaking countries in Europe. Krampus at times was a sidekick to Santa, as Santa would reward the nice little boys and girls and Krampus would take care of the naughty list with switches, whips or threats of feeding the naughty ones to the bears. Pictures of Krampus often depict him with a long red tongue which in turn brings Gene Simmons of Kiss to mind, though he makes no claim to Krampus fame.  

Super Beer

Ever heard of Utopias beer? If not you could live in one of the 15 states where it's illegal, not because it can eat a hole through a paper cup but because it contains 30% alcohol by volume. Brewers devote a small portion of their time and resources to developing high octane brews not because they are good sellers but to try different things and to show it can be done. Like most things extreme beer has a following and those people who enjoy it will pay up to $1000 online for a special ceramic bottle of Utopias, though the original cost is $250 per bottle.

 

Let 'er Rip

 According to research swearing is actually good for you, it can boost your performance by helping you feel stronger, more focused and disinhibited. The latest research also shows it can be good for your well-being making you let go and realize more potential. It has already been proven that swearing allows people to perform physical challenges like how long they can keep their hand in ice water or how long they can support their bodyweight on a chair push-up exercise. Why swearing is beneficial isn't quite as clear but it is believed that it throws off social constraints and let's us push ourselves harder in different situations. 

Karen and David?

 Some people believe the term "Karen" is gender-neutral and applies to anyone who excessively complains. Despite Gen Z thinking "Jessica" would be a better name that ship has already sailed as Karen caught on in a big way, but the question remains what should a male "Karen" be called? Several names have been kicked around, Greg, Terry, and especially Ken, though Ken got a reprieve after the "Barbie" movie. When all else fails let data help, in this case it was a study of who left the most 1 star reviews and the name that repeatedly appeared was David. Oh, and to set the record straight of the top 10 names on that list only one belonged to a woman, Sarah. Meaning men are more likely to piss and moan than women.