Too Much?

A pizza bed?

http://laundry.reviewed.com/features/catch-some-zas-with-this-delicious-pizza-bed?utm_source=usat&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=collab

What a See-Saw Can Teach Us

Below is a really interesting video about levers.

It's short.  Less than five minutes, but it's packed with enlightening info.

Check it out.

http://news360.com/digestarticle/7gBerow6Jk-cQTO8IKKrpw

[Official Video] White Winter Hymnal - Pentatonix (Fleet Foxes Cover)

Another one from my favorite guys.

Follow their hands.

Rock and Rollin'

More on Chris Rock from Charlie Rose.

The first clip is the most accurate response to the difference between black and white audiences' appreciation of a performance that I've heard.

Check them all out.

They're good.

http://www.salon.com/2014/12/12/chris_rock_to_charlie_rose_black_people_laugh_better_than_white_people/?source=newsletter

Arrogance Personified

The air must truly be rarified among the young, gifted and outrageously rich.

One of the Silicon Valley rich kids bought "The New Republic" magazine a few years back, and according to many, completely destroyed it.

http://www.salon.com/2014/12/12/downright_contemptuous_and_hostile_5_takeaways_from_the_behind_the_scenes_drama_at_the_new_republic/?source=newsletter

The entitled arrogance of this crop of rich kids usually takes center stage.

What they have in genius intellect, can often be measure against their lack, many times over, of common sense and simple social etiquette.

Genius + Common Sense = Rarer Than a Blue Moon

Proven Fact

From Salon comes an article entitled, "Science Says Men Are Idiots."

Present male company excluded, of course.

Did we really need a scientific study to validate that many more men, to a much greater degree than women (by a long shot) do stupid things that end in death?

http://www.salon.com/2014/12/12/science_says_men_are_idiots/?source=newsletter

More on the Genius of Einstein

With the release of his papers from Princeton University, come a treasure trove of information and a peak into Einstein's incredible mind and thought processes.

Decades later, his musings are timeless.

http://www.brainpickings.org/2014/12/09/albert-einstein-fame-letter/

Clarification

The post entitled "Setting the Mood With Apps" from yesterday, refers to apps used on Apple TV and Amazon FireTV.

The fireplace apps turn your TV into a virtual fireplace that is quite realistic, and the rain app creates the illusion of a storm.  The graphics aren't great on the rain one I downloaded, but it was the sound effects I am interested in anyway.

Hope this helps.

Great Gift Ideas for Under $20

From Quirky

https://www.quirky.com/shop/markdowns?utm_source=Sailthru&utm_medium=email&utm_term=All%20Users%20and%20Subscribers%20Overlap&utm_campaign=14-12-12%20-%20Markdowns%20-%20Overlap

How to Digitalize Old Photos

Here's a great "how to" article from USA Today on getting all of our old pictures saved onto your computer.

http://www.usatoday.com/story/tech/columnist/komando/2014/12/12/easy-ways-to-digitize-your-old-photos/20072417/?csp=tech

Straight No Chaser - Who Spiked The Eggnog?

Another favorite.

Enjoy!

Setting the Mood with Apps

I just discovered apps that simulate a fireplace with the crackling sounds of wood burning.  You can even add music to really make it cozy.

It's chilly here this morning and I swear having this on help to warm the place up.

The power of suggestion is real people.

Then, I found another app that simulates rain and rain storms.

One of the things I miss the most being here is the theatrics of rain, with the thunder and lightning.

Now, I've got that too, without the dripping, soggy mess that actual rain brings with it.

Oh, how I love the folks who come up with these things!

I downloaded these from Amazon, but similar ones are also available on iTunes.

Check them out below and enjoy the soothing, oh so satisfying ambience.

http://www.amazon.com/Relaxing-Sounds-Rain-Relaxation-Meditation/dp/B00DY5MBCI/ref=pd_sim_mas_1?ie=UTF8&refRID=0V1A130J3MT4JQZG0JY4

https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/fireplace-live-hd-free-relaxing/id469329213?mt=8

She's Behind the Greatness

Check out Shonda Rhimes, the creator of Scandal and How to Get Away With Murder.

This is one smart lady.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/12/10/shonda-rhimes-glass-ceiling-speech_n_6305104.html

Did You Know About Her?

I didn't.

Fascinating bit of history.

http://www.nytimes.com/2014/12/10/us/dollree-mapp-who-defied-police-search-in-landmark-case-is-dead.html?hp&action=click&pgtype=Homepage&module=second-column-region&region=top-news&WT.nav=top-news&_r=0

Sam Smith - Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas

I love this kid!

An Invisible Sound

This speaker is the coolest thing around.  Perfect for that person who has everything, if you're willing to shell out the $350 bucks for it.

https://www.thegrommet.com/clio

Einstein's Thoughts

Just release personal papers from Einstein reveal the broad scope of his genius and courage.

http://www.salon.com/2014/12/09/albert_einsteins_profound_observations_on_entrenched_racism_in_america/?source=newsletter

Powerful Messages

Words of wisdom for future generations of black boys.

http://www.upworthy.com/10-pictures-you-may-need-to-show-your-kids-but-i-really-hope-you-dont-have-to?c=upw1

Terrific Idea!

Here's a car for wheelchair-bound folks.

Ingenius!

http://www.upworthy.com/at-first-it-looks-like-a-smart-car-open-the-hatch-and-it-becomes-a-holy-crap-thats-genius-car?c=upw1

Jericho

By the time we reached Jericho, we were tired and hungry.

We ate at a gift shop / restaurant, then we headed up to Mount of Temptation where Jesus is believed to have fasted for forty days and forty nights.

We walked a ways, and then we were picked up by a jeep /van to take us way up.

High above us sits the Mount of Temptation Monastery that is built into the mountain.

The signs claims that Jericho is the oldest city in the world.

This plaque declares that Jericho is the lowest place on earth.

Although the picture is not great, it is a
replica of the city of Jericho carved out of rocks.

These tiles are on the floor of the outdoor area.

A view of the luscious gardens in Jericho.
It is a very rich agricultural area growing lots of fruits and vegetables.

A couple of our guys walking along the cliff of the mountain.
No thanks.

Another closeup view of the mountain.

These buildings are part of the monastery.

 Wow!

What a day!

What an experience!

What a dream come true!