Category Archives: Factoids

When The Economist isn’t shilling for unconditional free trade and occupying Iraq, it contains interesting technology and science stories. I had no idea there was a “solution” to credit card numbers as this article demonstrates the Luhn algorithm. I tried it with … Continue reading →

I’m not into baseball, especially when it come to the Texas Rangers, the younger, AL version of the Phillies for losses and overall awfulness. What happened yesterday with the Orioles was definitely a fluke and amazing since a score that high … Continue reading →

My co-worker Peter sent me this story and I seem to have doubts in its validity. No other links, including the original source (a Denver-based newspaper in a land of credibility problems, see Colorado Springs) has a picture. My link has … Continue reading →

I’ve been collecting concert shirts for 25 years now, ever since my first live concert back in Springfield and laugh if you must but it was Rick Springfield; je ne regrette rien! Believe it or not, most still fit too, … Continue reading →

Note: My current writing/posting streak almost ended today but was saved by Philly breaking their winning streak against St. Louis! Friday night, my former college roommate Paul warned me about this painful milestone that finally happened tonight. Now to be fair, … Continue reading →

Here’s a great site that answers a handful of those nagging, rhetorical questions we hear all our lives. Most of them are from the lyrics of familiar songs. Al Jaffe of MAD would be proud. There’s a better explanation here about Mr. Gradgrind … Continue reading →

When I went to Costco Sunday, I saw that they’re already selling Olestra II…I mean Alli. I first heard about it on The Colbert Report but I thought he was kidding. No, it’s real and it is comic gold for the … Continue reading →

I stumbled upon this story Friday. When comparing my career choices against my brother’s, I’d say this theoretical IQ advantage means bupkes. Same for my wife, who is also the oldest. It’s going to be a tough sell to my three … Continue reading →

Until the Fourth of July, Lucky Brand Jeans are on sale! I completely endorse and stand by this product as I have with my mechanic, my favorite record store or the numerous restaurants I’ve covered in Picayune. Thus, this isn’t an … Continue reading →

This morning I just endured one of the shortcomings of solar power, the security gate at my friends’ house. It has a car-style battery to store all the energy it receives from its panel and one would think it stored … Continue reading →

Yesterday wasn’t a shining moment for me as a customer (on the phone) with Sallie Mae. Since I took over Somara’s finances, I have implemented a plan to allocate more money toward her smallest of the four student loans she … Continue reading →

Here’s another interesting take on the history of America’s favorite naughty words. Not appropriate for kids since Slate doesn’t pull any punches. Nice to see the US Courts finally smacking down the three prudish members of the FCC to celebrate the … Continue reading →

Finally some justice is starting to happen with the War on Spam as this story shows. I think the best punishment for him would be a public flogging since I really can’t come up with something more appropriate now that Kurt Vonnegut … Continue reading →

Congratulations to the people of Singapore according to this trivial factoid courtesy of The Economist. I have only been to be Manhattan and my memory of the people’s walking habits is fuzzy. Maybe my friends who have been to the other cities … Continue reading →