DIANE'S CORNER ... Celebrate Nothing Day
Nothing Day has been commemorated since 1973. The day is literally about doing nothing at all, placing it in a similar vein to other such surreal non-occasions as an Un-Birthday or Buy Nothing Day. There is absolutely no purpose or intended structure for this pointless celebration.
The day was first proposed by the late American newspaper columnist Harold Coffin. Nothing Day was founded with the intent of eventual self-destruction, through satirically reigning in what Coffin considered a glut of recently established, useless commemorative days. Coffin’s Nothing Organisation was simultaneously formed in order to raise awareness. Fittingly, the organization has not yet held a single meeting. The continued official celebrations stand testament to Coffin’s ultimate failure.
As it is all about expending no effort on celebrating absolutely nothing, Nothing Day can also be about celebrating life itself. The only limits on how the day is spent are the imagination and bank balance of the participant.
The day also raises some very interesting questions on a philosophical level. Can something worthwhile truly spring from nothing? Depending on your perspective, Coffin could either have been a latter-day David Hume or a quotable newspaper columnist slightly too clever for his own good.
Word of the Day
xanthic
MEANING:
adjective: Yellow or yellowish.
USAGE:
“It became denser, became a yellow fog of tiny, xanthic atoms, dancing endlessly.”
Jack Williamson; Golden Blood; Tamerland Press; 1978.
Jack Williamson; Golden Blood; Tamerland Press; 1978.
how many times have you (secretly) done this, too? lol
Idiom of the Day
Lump Sum
A 'lump sum' is a large amount of money you pay or receive all at once rather than in increments over a period of time.
Examples: You will receive a tax-free lump sum of $50,000 at retirement age.
Would you like to repay the amount in installments or as one lump sum?
Did you know...? The origin of the phrase 'lump sum' comes from one of the meanings of the word 'lump', which is: 'not broken or divided into parts'. If we 'lump' people together, it means we put them together in a single group.
This Day in History
1759 - The British Museum opened.
1866 - Mr. Everett Barney patented the metal screw, clamp skate.
1896 - The first five-player college basketball game was played at Iowa City, IA.
1920 - Prohibition went into effect in the U.S.
1920 - The motion picture "The Kid" opened.
1957 - Little Richard recorded "Lucille."
1961 - Mickey Mantle signed a contract that made him the highest paid baseball player in the American League at $75,000 for the 1961 season.
Bidding Farewell To 'Hello, Dolly!': Actress Carol Channing Dies At 97
1964 - "Hello Dolly!" opened at the St. James Theatre in New York City.
1970 - Buckminster Fuller, the designer of the geodesic dome, was awarded the Gold Medal of the American Institute of Architects.
1976 - The TV show "Donny & Marie" premiered on ABC-TV.
1985 - "Playboy" magazine announced its 30-year tradition of stapling centerfold models in the bellybutton and elsewhere would come to an immediate end.
1987 - The Beastie Boys became the first act censored on "American Bandstand."
1996 - Wayne Newton performed his 25,000th Las Vegas show.
1998 - NASA officially announced that John Glenn would fly aboard the space shuttle Discovery in October.
DAILY SQU-EEK
If You Were Born Today, January 16
You are playful yet ambitious. While security is extremely important to you, so is personal freedom and you have a very determined, self-centered streak. You are smart, a little defiant at times, and very convincing and persuasive. There is certainly a bit of an entertainer in you, even those of you who are on the shy side. While you are a real thinker and dreamer, you are also a doer. You are spiritual and always aware that life is about something much more than the mundane. Famous people born today:
1853 Andre Michelin, French industrialist,tire manufacturer (Michelin) and publisher of the Michelin Guide, born in Paris (d. 1931)
1933 Susan Sontag, American author/film director (Benefactor, 1966 Pol Award), born in NYC, New York (d. 2004)
1935 A. J. Foyt, American racing driver (Indy 500 - 1961, 64, 67 & 77), born in Houston, Texas
1948 John Carpenter, American film director(Halloween, The Thing), born in Carthage, New York
1974 Kate Moss, English model, born in Croydon, EnglandREADERS INFO
1.
1962 -
The first James Bond film, Dr. No, began filming in Jamaica. The famous spy film was based on Ian Fleming's novel of the same name. Fleming wrote a total of 12 James Bond novels using his experience serving in Great Britain's naval intelligence division during World War II to help provide background for the novels. Although Casino Royale, which was published in 1953, was Fleming's first Bond book, the first Bond film was based on Fleming's sixth James Bond novel which was published in 1958.
Sean Connery starred as James Bond, the first of seven times he would play Bond in films. Ursula Andress appeared as Honey Ryder, her dialogue and singing voice both dubbed by other actresses because of her heavy Swiss-German accent, and Joseph Wiseman portrayed the villain Dr. No. The film was introduced by an opening sequence that would become a James Bond trademark. Dr. No also included the famous James Bond introduction ("Bond, James Bond") and the spy's signature drink (martini -- shaken, not stirred). The film premiered on Oct. 5, 1962, in London but did not premiere in the United States until May 1963.
Numerous other James Bond films have been created since Dr. No, and altogether, the films have grossed over $5 billion at the box office. Other actors that have played Bond include: George Lazenby (once), Roger Moore (seven times), Timothy Dalton (twice), Pierce Brosnan (four times), and Daniel Craig (four times). David Niven played a retired James Bond in the 1967 Peter Sellers' parody, Casino Royale. James Bond has been a household name for well over 50 years now, and Bond (portrayed by Daniel Craig) even played a part in the 2012 London Olympics opening ceremony, supposedly skydiving from a helicopter with the Queen.
2.
Sedona VegFest 2019
Jan 19-20, 2019 | Sedona, AZ
Sedona Performing Arts Center|995 Upper Red Rock Loop Rd, Sedona, AZ
This is a two-day celebration of the joys of plant-based eating. Participants will learn from some of the top, national experts in plant-based nutrition and lifestyle, related to healthcare, our environment, and animal welfare – all in a fun, festive atmosphere. The VegFest exhibit area will feature exciting products, services and information supportive of whole food plant-based living. Plan to come and find out how easy it is to adopt a lifestyle that can create remarkable, positive results for your health, and for the world.
further information: http://healthyworldsedona.com/sedona-vegfest-2019/
3.
Teen Bookfest By The Bay 2019
Feb 16, 2019 | Corpus Christi, TX
Eyes will quickly dart to the nearest device for another bingeing session and pay no mind to their dust-collecting bookshelf. Getting teens to read more often is an obstacle not all parents are able to overcome, which is why they need to ship their hormonal darlings to the Teen Bookfest in Corpus Christi. They can get their hands on a variety of outstanding books with crisp, turn-worthy pages that their electronic devices could never replicate.
further information: Teen Bookfest by the Bay
let's have a great 2019!!!
Pictures of the day
The Virgin and Child with St. Anne is an oil painting by Leonardo da Vinci depicting Saint Anne, her daughter the Virgin Maryand the infant Jesus. Christ is shown grappling with a sacrificial lamb on the edge of a precipice, symbolizing his Passion. It is likely that the painting was commissioned by King Louis XII of France following the birth of his daughter Claude in 1499, but it was never delivered to him. Leonardo probed into incorporating these figures together through preparatory works including the Burlington House Cartoon, now in the National Gallery, London, and a drawing which resides in the Louvre, Paris. The Virgin and Child with Saint Anne is also in the Louvre.
The Instagram Queue
Hikers waiting in line for ‘the shot’. For those curious, this is the famous lookout point at Roy’s Peak in Wanaka, New Zealand. It’s about a 3 hour ascent to the summit (however this particular spot is not at the very top) and photo opps aside, looks quite breathtaking!
For likes, comments, and social validation please line up here!
knit
thanks, Sheri
1898 HAT
knit
thanks, Valerie, Canadian Correspondent
Fingerless Pocket Mitts
knit
knit
knit
POCKET CARRIER
essential items hidden underneath a tunic or dress
crochet
thanks, Julie
crochet
thanks, Gabby
crochet
crochet
crochet
http://www.redheart.com/files/patterns/pdf/LW2698.pdf
a REALLY windy day!
RECIPE
thanks, Joanne
CROCKPOT RECIPE
thanks, Sally
SWEETS
thanks, Shelley
Pecan-Raisin Rolls
it's all in the eyebrows!
ADULT COLORING
it's important to warm up before exercising
CRAFTS
sneak attack
CHILDREN'S CORNER ... weaving
the middle guy is going great .. but keep looking at the guy on the left!
PUZZLE
| accompany again appeal apprentice attain cape caught cause | cede chief chrome doubt economy election emotion exacerbate fraud | globe heart heat honey hook knock leave limp living | never official party policy resort ridge | share stack tall under video yacht |
best sports moment of last year?
SUDOKU ... very hard
solution:
QUOTE
CLEVER
Use Rosemary To Make Your Toilet Shine
EYE OPENER
9 Ways to Be More Creative in 2019 artsy
Salvador Dali in Figueres, Spain, circa 1900
If your New Year’s resolutions include improving your fitness routine or diet, being more creative should be on your list, too. With advantages ranging from greater brain function and productivity to better mood and memory, creativity can help improve your life at work and home. Anyone can benefit from the nine exercises listed below, whether you’re seeking fresh inspiration for your art practice or just looking to improve your problem-solving skills in 2019.
Take a free online art class
It’s never been easier to take an art class. From your phone or computer, you can dive into lessons and videos covering everything from the basics of analog photography to the history of Egyptian art. Free online classes and MOOCs (massive open online courses)—which you can find through websites like Class Central, Skillshare, and Coursera—allow you to access weeks- or months-long courses in various creative fields. Many of these curricula allow you to work at your own pace, and some are even offered by prestigious universities.
Stop procrastinating
It’s a common misconception that all people who routinely put off their work are procrastinators—and that creative geniuses like
and
were famous for this type of behavior. However, if you leave an assignment until the last minute knowing full well that you’ll still be able to get your work done—and done well—your actions are more accurately described as “purposeful delaying.” True procrastinators, on the other hand, end up producing work that’s worse not just in quality, but in terms of creativity, as well.
Some helpful strategies for kicking your procrastination habits include working during the times of day when you’re naturally most productive, breaking down big assignments into more manageable tasks, and minimizing distractions while you’re working, like turning off your phone.
Start a drawing routine
Drawing is not only an accessible means of creative expression, it can also help you process emotions and enhance your memory—in fact, a new studyfound that drawing is more effective than writing for memory retention. Like anything, you’ll need to make it part of your routine in order to stick with it and improve your skills.
One way to start is to keep a sketchbook, which you may choose to fill with depictions of your surroundings, travels, friends, or simple
you can assemble from household items. The beauty of a sketchbook is that you don’t have to worry about making mistakes, and you can keep it to yourself, like a diary.
Meditate
Meditation has long been utilized as a means to tame anxiety and tap into creativity—and countless artists and other creatives have caught on. Take, for instance, filmmaker
, who is largely responsible for growing enthusiasm around Transcendental Meditation (TM), and performance artist
, who follows a form of focused-attention meditation (FA).
In its various forms, meditation has been found to improve skills that are key to creativity, including observation skills, divergent thinking (the ability to come up with many novel ideas or solutions to a problem), and convergent thinking (the ability to find connections between different things). If you don’t know where to begin, consider a meditation app, like Headspace or Calm.
Eat more fish and walnuts
Researchers believe that you can optimize your diet for greater creativity—and unsurprisingly, the recommended foods are staples of a healthy diet. They include fruits and vegetables, which contain creativity-boosting flavonoids; fish, walnuts, and other foods that are rich in omega-3 fatty acids, which heighten brain performance; as well as bananas, almonds, and seaweed, which contain tyrosine, an amino acid that’s been linked to convergent thinking. To be clear, this approach won’t work overnight, but rather through a long-term diet.
Broaden your dating pool
A recent research study found that the deep learning that occurs during a romantic relationship with someone from another country may contribute to creativity. For one experiment, researchers worked with a group of students enrolled in an international MBA program over the course of 10 months, and tested their creativity at the beginning and end of the program; those who had dated someone from another culture had “superior creative performance.” Other experiments supported these findings, showing that the depth of a relationship correlates with a person’s convergent and divergent thinking.
Sleep smarter
While some studies have found that creative people don’t sleep well, adequate sleep is recommended for boosting the cognitive functioning that creativity requires. Both a full night’s sleep and power naps have been shown to help with idea generation;
and Thomas Edison were known to regularly nap for this reason.
Getting enough sleep at night, however, is particularly important for creative problem-solving. A study published in June 2018 suggested that both REM and non-REM sleep play a role in enhancing a person’s creative thinking. A previous study found that when people had a full eight hours of sleep before trying to solve a problem, as opposed to staying awake, nearly triple the number of participants were able to solve the problem. One of the easiest ways to become a better sleeper is to develop “sleep stability,” meaning going to bed and waking up at the same time every day (even on weekends).
Take more museum trips
Researchers working at the intersection of arts and medicine have proven that the seemingly dissimilar fields are mutually beneficial—even when it comes to the simple act of viewing an artwork in person. This year, studies reported findings that patients stand to benefit from doctor-prescribed museum visits, and likewise, doctors can learn crucial observation skillsthrough carefully examining art. If you’re wary of a fatigue-inducing museum trip, make a plan to visit one exhibition or gallery, or even just one work of art—this approach is also a good one if you’re planning on seeing art with children.
Spice up your cooking or baking rituals
If making art is not your cup of tea, perhaps you find food more accessible. Cooking invites just as much room for experimentation as art, and for many artists, like
, the ingredients, science, and ethics of food can spur fresh ideas and lead to fruitful, communal meals. While the alchemy of baking may seem to leave less room for improvisation, devotees of TheGreat British Bake Off and Instagram users will know well that there’s no shortage of innovative bakers and pastry chefs pushing confections into the realms of art.
bye
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