Mullet Over

BY JAMES K. WHITE  | OCTOBER 19, 2011

One of nature’s most spectacular displays

More than 97 percent of Egypt is classified as desert. More than 98 percent of Antarctica is deemed to be desert. More than 99 percent of butter fudge brownies are considered to be dessert.

Approximately 8,000 miles from Chicago (in Thailand), a Cubs fan has financed the construction of a Wrigley Field replica, complete with a copy of the famous scoreboard. The fan (Steve Hirschtick) hoists a flag with a big “W” on it after each Cubs victory. Now that’s a fan.

A fabulous (but little known) Nile waterfall is located in Uganda. Since the 1860s, this cascade has been named Murchison Falls. I am told that when the sun shines through the fulsome (not to be confused with Folsom) white spray, one of nature’s most spectacular displays is provided for fortunate observers.

Some ad campaigns are not completely thought out. In the 1940s, a famous U.S. cough syrup company published in magazines and broadcast on radio “Use our cough remedy – you cannot get any better.” I understand the campaign was short-lived.

It was in 1933 that Francis Perkins was appointed as America’s first female cabinet secretary (Department of Labor).

George Clinton (1739-1812) was vice president under both Thomas Jefferson and James Madison. Mr. Clinton and John C. Calhoun are the only persons to have been vice presidents under two different presidents. I was once vice president of my homeroom (circa 1964).
The highest mountain in South America is Argentina’s Aconcagua topping out at 22,800 feet (694,944 cm).

Marguerite Johnson was born April 4, 1928 in St. Louis, Missouri. Marguerite later became the famous poet Maya Angelou.

Some California millipedes have the ability (or peculiarity) to glow at night whenever they are agitated. It might be a spooky experience should one walk amidst hundreds of millipedes that simultaneously became distressed. There are at least 12,000 species of millipedes, but only eight of those species (all native to California) are known to glow.

The first International Olympics to be held in the U.S. was hosted by the city of St. Louis in 1904 (July 1 – November 23). Controversy surrounded the events. To start with, Chicago had been awarded the Olympic Games, but some high level political arm-twisting caused the Olympics to be moved. There were plenty of angry folks in Illinois. I must mention a remarkable athlete that competed in the 1904 Games: George Eyser won six Olympic medals. George Eyser had a wooden left leg. Well, do not panic if surrounded by radiant millipedes – and have great week.

James White is a retired mathematics teacher who enjoys sharing fascinating trivia. He can be reached at [email protected].

Hard-to-find conversions

1. Ratio of an igloo's circumference to its diameter = Eskimo Pi

2. 2000 pounds of Chinese soup = Won Ton

3. 1 millionth of a mouthwash = 1 microscope

4. Time between slipping on a peel and hitting the pavement = 1 bananasecond

5. Weight an evangelist carries with God = 1 billigram

6. Time it takes to sail 220 yards at 1 nautical mile per hour =   Knotfurlong

7. 16.5 feet in the Twilight Zone = 1 Rod Sterling

8. Half of a large intestine = 1 semicolon

9. 1,000,000 aches = 1 megahertz

10. Basic unit of laryngitis = 1 horsepower

11. Shortest distance between two jokes = A straight line

12. 453.6 graham crackers = 1 pound cake

13. 1 million-million microphones = 1 megaphone

14. 1 million bicycles = 2 megacycles

15. 365/25 days = 1 unicycle

16. 2000 mockingbirds = 2 kilomockingbird

17. 52 cards = 1 decacards

18. 1 kilogram of falling figs = 1 Fig Newton

19. 1000 milliliters of wet socks = 1 literhosen

20. 1 millionth of a fish = 1 microfiche

21. 1 trillion pins = 1 terrapin

22. 10 rations = 1 decoration

23. 100 rations = 1 C-ration

24. 2 monograms = 1 diagram

25. 4 nickels = 2 paradigms

26. 2.4 statute miles of intravenous surgical tubing at Cornell University Hospital = 1 IV League

27. 100 Senators = Not 1 decision

Puzzle Solutions

Crossword Puzzle

Sudoku Puzzle

Answers for both puzzles are at the
bottom of this page

October 19 –  25, 2011

For All Signs: Venus, goddess of love, beauty and harmony, is challenged from every direction for the next two weeks. Relationships that are faltering due to poor foundations may have a difficult time moving beyond this period in peace. This includes individual, governmental and global participants. Those which cannot be healed in some way may need to separate and find more compatible companions elsewhere. Even those relationships which have a solid core may require tweaking and negotiation to improve their processes and direction.

Aries:  You and another may be in different camps at this time.  You could be in conflict over issues of shared resources which may also include the subjects of intimacy and sexuality.  The one who plays Venus' role is the one asking for more sharing.  Sexual desire is strong at this time but can be thwarted by lack of attention to the communion of hearts.

Taurus:  This is a time of evaluation.  The subject at hand is a new relationship beginning or a fresh promise in an ongoing partnership which developed late in the spring of ’11.  If you want to grow this relationship further then a new surge of energy and resources are required.  You must decide if it is worth the effort.

Gemini:  You are looking for a way to make improvements in your job or the working environment.  This may require some experimentation.  You’ll be turning your ideas over this way and that searching out the best solution.  It is an interesting learning experience and one which others may share with you.

Cancer:  You may feel out of sorts this week.  Your feelings are in conflict with your ideal self and your values.  You want to put your best foot forward but circumstances do not feel quite right.  Bring closure to small projects.  Wait until after the New Moon on the 26th to begin new ones.

Leo:  Your attention shifts toward home, hearth and family as it often does at this time of year.  You may have a strong need to clean out debris, get out in the yard and generally make things ready for winter.  This will require three or four weeks after which you will shift to the holiday preparations.  It is your natural solar rhythm.

Virgo:  You are caught between what you should do and what you want to do.  The routine is safe but also boring.  Your mind may play tricks on you and you could be distracted easily.  This is not a good time to do work that requires attention to fine details.  You are feeling independent so you may want more alone time than is the norm.

Libra:  Your love of luxury and fine things may cause a battle with your partner who prefers to keep the belt tightened.  This reflects a genuine inner conflict.  A fairly strong part of you wants to play it safe as well as buy what pleases you.  Look for a way to satisfy your wants a little more inexpensively.

Scorpio:  This is not your best week for getting along with others on the playground or at home.  Even if you keep to yourself, you may attract those who want to take pokes at you.  Don't get caught up in a battle of wills.  The energies are short-lived – no more than a couple of weeks – and you can return to harmony.

Sagittarius:  This is a time in which your exuberance and enthusiasm may carry you farther than you really intended to go.  You will certainly have more energy to do whatever you choose but take care that you don't promise way more than you can deliver.  Your warm and generous heart could have a heyday.

Capricorn:  There is tension in your relationship sector.  Partners or even friends may be goading you toward a fight.  Most of it is over ego stuff and not worth your attention.  You do not have to prove anything here.  They just want to “best” you somehow.   Pay close attention to your billfold.  Pickpockets may be floating about.

Aquarius:  You may have a nagging sense of boredom this week.  Your normal routine may feel repetitive and in need of change.  The “authorities” whomever they may be will probably argue with your need for change.  These folks are much more into the security of tried and true sameness.

Pisces:  During the next two weeks you will be contemplating your existence.  You are thinking about how you can position yourself in order to feel more sense of meaning in your work, your family and your relationships.  Some may be pondering on the level of the spiritual.  “What is the ‘best’ that I can become?”

Are you interested in a personal horoscope?  Vivian Carol may be reached at 704-366-3777 for private psychotherapy or astrology appointments.  
www.horoscopesbyvivian.com.