Mullet Over

BY JAMES K. WHITE  | DECEMBER 29, 2011

Not as old as Mickey Mouse, but older than Superman

Electric eels are interesting animals. They can propagate thousands of special cells that have the potential to generate 600 volts, which is 5 times the voltage available from standard U.S. wall sockets. Electric eels are not scientifically eels. They are members of the jackfish family, closely akin to catfish.

Conan the Barbarian made his comic book debut in 1932. This Conan is not as old as Mickey Mouse, but he is older than Superman.

In earlier times, rinderpest was a disease that attacked cattle and was disastrously deadly. In 1889 tens of thousands of the cattle in Ethiopia died from a rinderpest outbreak. During the ensuing famine approximately one-third of the human population in Ethiopia died from starvation. The good news is that international communities have combined resources and it is believed that rinderpest has been eradicated from our planet.

The Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C. is supported by 36 Greek-style Doric columns. There is one column for each of the states in the Union at the time of Lincoln’s death. The original plan in 1867 (by Clark Mills) was to include 37 colossal statues in a 70 foot tall structure, but a lack of funds prevented the construction of the Memorial. The present structure (designed by Henry Bacon) was dedicated in May of 1922.

Either the Island of Samoa or the International dateline is being moved at the end of December in 2011. Either way, the official time in the Pacific nation is to be advanced 24 hours as the island will be newly located east of the dateline.

Bedbugs have long been irritating pests and have recently become a wide-spread nuisance once again. The current varieties of bedbugs are largely pesticide resistant and all seem to be quite skilled at concealment. Various breeds of dogs have been trained to detect the tiny critters. However, these efficient canines are not cheap and can cost as much as $70,000. A $200 electronic bedbug detecting device is planned for the U.S. market.

Several of our nation’s larger hospitals are considering the use of “robo-nurses” for medication dispensing. Medication errors cause significant injury or death to approximately 1,500,000 patients each year. The robots are programmed to traverse hospital corridors and wait outside designated rooms to deliver appropriate medications. A patient ID card is read by the robot and prescriptions are verified by nurses or physicians. Prototype nurse robots were first used in 2002. Well, be cautious when tickling certain jackfish and do have a great week.

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

Heaven and hell

While walking down the street one day a corrupt Senator was tragically hit
by a car and died.

His soul arrives in heaven and is met by St. Peter at the entrance.

"Welcome to heaven," says St. Peter. "Before you settle in, it seems there
is a problem. We seldom see a high official around these parts, you see, so
we're not sure what to do with you."

"No problem, just let me in," says the Senator.

"Well, I'd like to, but I have orders from the higher ups. What we'll do is
have you spend one day in hell and one in heaven. Then you can choose where
to spend eternity."

"Really? I've made up my mind. I want to be in heaven," says the Senator.
"I'm sorry, but we have our rules."

And with that, St. Peter escorts him to the elevator and he goes down, down,
down to hell.

The doors open and he finds himself in the middle of a green golf course. In
the distance is a clubhouse and standing in front of it are all his friends
and other politicians who had worked with him.

Everyone is very happy and in evening dress. They run to greet him, shake
his hand, and reminisce about the good times they had while getting rich at
the expense of the people.

They played a friendly game of golf and then dine on lobster, caviar and the
finest champagne.

Also present is the devil, who really is a very friendly guy who is having a
good time dancing and telling jokes.

They are all having such a good time that before the Senator realizes it, it
is time to go.

Everyone gives him a hearty farewell and waves while the elevator rises.
The elevator goes up, up, up and the door reopens in heaven where St. Peter
is waiting for him, "Now it's time to visit heaven...???

So, 24 hours passed with the Senator joining a group of contented souls
moving from cloud to cloud, playing the harp and singing. They have a good
time and, before he realizes it, the 24 hours have gone by and St. Peter
returns.

"Well, then, you've spent a day in hell and another in heaven. Now choose
your eternity."

The Senator reflects for a minute, then he answers: "Well, I would never
have said it before, I mean heaven has been delightful, but I think I would
be better off in hell."

So St. Peter escorts him to the elevator and he goes down, down, down to
hell...

Now the doors of the elevator open and he's in the middle of a barren land
covered with waste and garbage. He sees all his friends, dressed in rags,
picking up the trash and putting it in black bags as more trash falls from
above.

The devil comes over to him and puts his arm around his shoulders.

"I don't understand," stammers the Senator. "Yesterday I was here and there
was a golf course and clubhouse, and we ate lobster and caviar, drank
champagne, and danced and had a great time. Now there's just a wasteland
full of garbage and my friends look miserable. What happened?"

The devil smiles at him and says, "Yesterday we were campaigning, Today, you voted." 

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Annual 2012 Part I
December 28, 2011 – January 3, 2012

Overview for All Signs:
See next week's column for the annual individual sign projections.
The years 2008 through 2015 are a challenge for the average person.  The cosmic arrangement over these years is almost a replica of what astrologers call “The Depression T square" of the 1930s.  The road to recovery requires significant patience and adaptability from each of us.  It is already altering our values. 

Materialism as the false god is slowly fading away for the masses.  Good riddance.  Environmental consciousness is steadily increasing.  This is definitely a plus.  By 2015 we will be extremely aware of the world's water supply, which is becoming more toxic every day.  No longer will that issue be "over there."  Invest in clean energy and water as those are the "must have" of the future.

We have arrived at the long awaited “2012.”  No doubt almost every individual is aware that Dec. 21, 2012 has been touted by many as a significant end time, identified by the Mayans and others.  Unfortunately, there will likely be some deranged individuals who feel it necessary to insure an end time in their particular localities.  This date is the end of what the Mayans called the 13th b’ak’tun.  One b’ak’tun is the equivalent of 5,125 years.  The current beliefs about this upcoming date range from Armageddon to an ecstatic walk into spiritual salvation. 

We need to look at the magic date with the perspective of history.  If we subtract 5,125 years (one b’ak’tun) from the present date we arrive very close to 3,000 BCE.  That is the generalized date identified by academics as a turning point for human civilization.  At that time writing was invented which brought a tumble of new world developments in civilization.  It did not happen overnight.

I think it is entirely possible that the present day pivotal “turning point” invention is the Internet, which allows almost instantaneous communications all over the globe.  That brings us one step closer in evolution to telepathy, which clearly humankind is trying to materialize, consciously or not.  The need to be “connected” by ever faster cell phones and Internet social mechanisms is dizzying.

During this decade every equinox and solstice will bring significant news of damage resulting from human greed and inconsideration of the natural world.  This is and will be particularly so near each spring equinox, within a month of Mar. 21st.  In 2010 we had the explosion of the oil rig in the Gulf of Mexico and a serious bottom in the stock market.  In 2011 the earthquake and tsunami in Japan has wrought enormous devastation and the potential for major radiation poisoning of the air and water.  That story is not yet over.

Class wars will continue to intensify throughout the world.  The global economy will be shaky throughout this decade, but particularly through 2015.  It is entirely possible that the basis of the world’s financial system will dramatically change before the end of 2014.  We in the US may only have another couple of years to enjoy the privilege of having the dollar as the world’s reserve currency.

This year, just before the Presidential election, Saturn moves into the sign of Scorpio.  The Plutocrats will buy the election and the following 2.5 years will be a time of more deeply lining the pockets of the wealthy.  Taxes will likely steeply increase. 

It may seem overwhelming to take on the challenges facing the masses.  What we have on our side is exactly that:  sheer numbers.  Each of us can choose a fresh paradigm of thought for that which is happening personally.  As individuals, we are not doomed to be in replay mode forever.  If you have an issue and can think of no solution, hold the question in mind before you go to sleep and ask your higher mind for the answer.  Trust that an answer will be there within a reasonable period of time – maybe two or three days.  Refuse to follow any path you know is not working.  Given you have a positive expectation, a fresh and improved version of dealing with any issue may be available for evaluation in the morning.  Or it may simply fall into your conscious mind during the day.

If we refuse to play the same old tapes, the mind will come up with better solutions.  Just as we have “refused” by moving our checking accounts and OWS.  Our minds are naturally lazy and will keep reproducing the same scenarios unless we demand that it reinvent answers.  We need to focus on pressing our brains to expand into fresh territory.  Think about your habits and eliminate those which harm you.

The problems of the world are not solved because we as a species are not mature enough to clean up the mess.  We are looking for rescue.  Instead we must consciously stretch toward a greater maturity individually.  If enough of us do this, it will ultimately result in better use of our brains that can actually resolve our social issues.

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