What is the largest city that is located on two different continents?

Istanbul, the city that is located in two continents     Istanbul, the city that is located in two continents Istanbul (also known as Byzantium), a historical city of Turkey is the third largest Metropolitan area in Europe. Istanbul has lso served as the capital of many great empires of their time i-e the Roman Empire, the Eastern Roman Empire, the Latin Empire and the Ottoman Empire but since 1923 Ankara is the capital city of Turkey. History: It was found in 660 BC by Greek Settlers, they named this new colony as Byzantium after their king Byzas. In 330 AD it became the capital of Roman Empire and its name was also changed. The new name was Constantinople. Later, several attempts made by different Empire and foreigners but in 1930 the Turkish authorities requested people to adopt Istanbul that was in existence since the 10th century. Geography: This amazing city is located in northwestern part of Turkey spread on a wide area of 5343 kilometers. It is divided by Bosphorus. Bosphorus is a strait (a narrow channel of water that connects two larger water bodies) that connects the Sea of Marmara to the Black sea. Bosphorus also divided the city of Istanbul into two continents i-e Asia and Europe. Istanbul is not the only city that is located in two continents, Çanakkale also stands with Istanbul as a bi-continent city. Some amazing facts about Istanbul: Istanbul was the capital of many great Empires of their times but amazingly it is not the capital of Turkey. During the Ottoman Empire, Istanbul had more than 1400 public toilets while there was not a single toilet in other European cities. Population of Istanbul is over 15 million and is one of the largest cities of the world. Tulips have been associated with Netherlands by many people but in fact tulips were introduced by Turkey to the Netherlands. Hope this information was fruitful for all of you but can anyone from Istanbul tell us more about this historical city? We’ll wait for the Feedback.


Who is credited with writing most of the Bible book of Psalms?

Who wrote the Bible? | Biblica - The International Bible Society Who wrote the Bible? Who Wrote the Bible? Many people contributed to the writing of the Bible. In fact, the Bible is a diverse collection of writings from about 40 main contributors—30 in the Old Testament and 10 in the New Testament. Some books are actually collections of writings from several authors, not just one. For example, while many people think of David when they think of the book of Psalms, there are individual psalms attributed to Moses, Asaph, a man named Ethan, and the sons of Korah. Old Testament authors The accounts preserved in the Old Testament—also known as the First Testament or Hebrew Scriptures—go back thousands of years. They were written down and communicated orally. Many regard Moses as the primary human author of the first five books of the Bible, known as the Torah. Regardless of the role others may have played in compiling the Torah, it’s thought that Moses ensured the narratives, genealogies, and law codes were collected and retold faithfully in these five books (which are, after all, known by many Jewish people as the “five books of Moses”). As already mentioned, David is considered the main human author of the Psalms, though others contributed too. David’s son, King Solomon, is credited with writing or inspiring much of Bible’s wisdom literature (Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, etc.). The First Testament also contains oracles from prophets like Isaiah, Jeremiah, Amos, and others. Many of these messages were delivered in person—shouted from street corners, spoken in front of the Jewish temple in Jerusalem, or pronounced in the royal courts of Israel and Judah. Only later were these oracles written down, often by the prophets themselves or by their scribes. As time passed, all these writings were collected together into the First Testament. The Jewish people received them as divinely inspired Scripture. New Testament authors The New Testament consists of stories, teachings, and letters that circulated among the first Christian churches. Letters from apostles like Paul and Peter are among the earliest writings in the New Testament. These letters were meant to be read aloud by communities of believers in specific locations. After the recipients heard the message intended for them, they often memorized it and shared it with neighboring Christian communities. Luke and Acts, a two-volume series on the life of Jesus and the early church, was penned by a physician named Luke, who was also a traveling companion to the apostle Paul. The gospel of Matthew is popularly attributed to a tax collector variously known as Levi or Matthew—though given its content, some think it was written by someone with more training in the Hebrew Scriptures. Mark’s gospel is thought to record the memoirs of Peter, as told through the pen of John Mark. The gospel of John was written by one of Jesus’ closest disciples, giving us an eyewitness account of the Messiah’s life. Not just any book, not just any author. Of course, for Christians, the Bible is more than just a human book. It is the authoritative, written Word of God. Through this ancient collection of books, God speaks into our world, revealing who he is and how he’s at work—then and now—repairing all that is broken. God did not simply give dictation to the human authors of Scripture; their contribution is real. Their personalities, perspectives, and writing styles are all discernable in the text—as are the unique situations and circumstances of those to whom they were writing. Yet God’s universal message is present from Genesis to Revelation. It is truly amazing that God used so many people to tell his big story, one that transcends language, culture, and time. The Bible is a diverse collection of literature, yet it contains a unified message of redemption and renewal. God has given us a Bible that’s fully human and fully divine—fully inspired by his Spirit and fully a product of the world in which it was written. Back to FAQs Do you have questions about the Bible? Visit our FAQs page for in-depth answers to im


"In what country is it common for ""salarymen"" to stay at ""capsule hotels""?"

For Some of Japan’s Jobless, Homes Just 5 Feet Wide - The New York Times The New York Times Global Business |For Some in Japan, Home Is a Tiny Plastic Bunk Search Continue reading the main story TOKYO — For Atsushi Nakanishi, jobless since Christmas, home is a cubicle barely bigger than a coffin — one of dozens of berths stacked two units high in one of central Tokyo’s decrepit “capsule” hotels. “It’s just a place to crawl into and sleep,” he said, rolling his neck and stroking his black suit — one of just two he owns after discarding the rest of his wardrobe for lack of space. “You get used to it.” When Capsule Hotel Shinjuku 510 opened nearly two decades ago, Japan was just beginning to pull back from its bubble economy, and the hotel’s tiny plastic cubicles offered a night’s refuge to salarymen who had missed the last train home. Now, Hotel Shinjuku 510’s capsules, no larger than 6 1/2 feet long by 5 feet wide, and not tall enough to stand up in, have become an affordable option for some people with nowhere else to go as Japan endures its worst recession since World War II. Once-booming exporters laid off workers en masse in 2009 as the global economic crisis pushed down demand. Many of the newly unemployed, forced from their company-sponsored housing or unable to make rent, have become homeless. Advertisement Continue reading the main story The country’s woes have led the government to open emergency shelters over the New Year holiday in a nationwide drive to help the homeless. The Democratic Party, which swept to power in September, wants to avoid the fate of the previous pro-business government, which was caught off-guard when unemployed workers pitched tents near public offices last year to call attention to their plight. “In this bitter-cold New Year’s season, the government intends to do all it can to help those who face hardship,” Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama said in a video posted Dec. 26 on YouTube. “You are not alone.” On Friday, he visited a Tokyo shelter housing 700 homeless people, telling reporters that “help can’t wait.” Mr. Nakanishi considers himself relatively lucky. After working odd jobs on an Isuzu assembly line, at pachinko parlors and as a security guard, Mr. Nakanishi, 40, moved into the capsule hotel in Tokyo’s Shinjuku district in April to save on rent while he worked night shifts at a delivery company. Photo Atsushi Nakanishi is among the jobless living in a capsule hotel, renting a bunk with no door. Credit Ko Sasaki for The New York Times Mr. Nakanishi, who studied economics at a regional university, dreams of becoming a lawyer and pores over legal manuals during the day. But with no job since Christmas, he does not know how much longer he can afford a capsule bed. The rent is surprisingly high for such a small space: 59,000 yen a month, or about $640, for an upper bunk. But with no upfront deposit or extra utility charges, and basic amenities like fresh linens and free use of a communal bath and sauna, the cost is far less than renting an apartment in Tokyo, Mr. Nakanishi says. Still, it is a bleak world where deep sleep is rare. The capsules do not have doors, only screens that pull down. Every bump of the shoulder on the plastic walls, every muffled cough, echoes loudly through the rows. Each capsule is furnished only with a light, a small TV with earphones, coat hooks, a thin blanket and a hard pillow of rice husks. Advertisement Continue reading the main story Most possessions, from shirts to shaving cream, must be kept in lockers. There is a common room with old couches, a dining area and rows of sinks. Cigarette smoke is everywhere, as are security cameras. But the hotel staff does its best to put guests at ease: “Welcome home,” employees say at the entrance. “Our main clients used to be salarymen who were out drinking and missed the last train,” said Tetsuya Akasako, head manager at the hotel. Please verify you're not a robot by clicking the box. Invalid email address. Please re-enter. You must select a newsletter to subscribe to. Sign Up Privacy Policy But about two year


"What figurative ""war"" has the U.S. been fighting since 1971?"

The United States War on Drugs America is at war.ï¿½ We have been fighting drug abuse for almost a century.ï¿½ Four Presidents have personally waged war on drugs.ï¿½ Unfortunately, it is a war that we are losing.ï¿½ Drug abusers continue to fill our courts, hospitals, and prisons.ï¿½ The drug trade causes violent crime that ravages our neighborhoods.ï¿½ Children of drug abusers are neglected, abused, and even abandoned.ï¿½ The only beneficiaries of this war are organized crime members and drug dealers. The United States has focused its efforts on the criminalization of drug use.ï¿½ The government has, to no avail, spent countless billions of dollars in efforts to eradicate the supply of drugs.ï¿½ Efforts of interdiction and law enforcement have not been met with decreases in the availability of drugs in America.ï¿½ Apart from being highly costly, drug law enforcement has been counterproductive.ï¿½ Current drug laws need to be relaxed.ï¿½ The United States needs to shift spending from law enforcement and penalization to education, treatment, and prevention. ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ History of U S Drug Policy ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ Drugs first surfaced in the United States in the 1800ï¿½s.ï¿½ Opium became very popular after the American Civil War.ï¿½ Cocaine followed in the 1880ï¿½s.ï¿½ Coca was popularly used in health drinks and remedies.ï¿½ Morphine was discovered in 1906 and used for medicinal purposes.ï¿½ Heroin was used to treat respiratory illness, cocaine was used in Coca-Cola, and morphine was regularly prescribed by doctors as a pain reliever. ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ The turn of the century witnessed a heightened awareness that psychotropic drugs have a great potential for causing addiction.ï¿½ The abuse of opium and cocaine at the end of the 19th century reached epidemic proportions.ï¿½ Local governments began prohibiting opium dens and opium importation.ï¿½ In 1906 the Pure Food and Drug Act required all physicians to accurately label their medicines.ï¿½ Drugs were no longer seen as harmless remedies for aches and pains. ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ The Harrison Narcotics Act, passed in 1914, was the United Statesï¿½ first federal drug policy.ï¿½ The act restricted the manufacture and sale of marijuana, cocaine, heroin, and morphine.ï¿½ The act was aggressively enforced.ï¿½ Physicians, who were prescribing drugs to addicts on ï¿½maintenanceï¿½ programs were harshly punished.ï¿½ Between 1915 and 1938, more than 5,000 physicians were convicted and fined or jailed (Trebach, 1982, p. 125.)ï¿½ In 1919, The Supreme Court ruled against the maintenance of addicts as a legitimate form of treatment in Webb et al. v. United States.ï¿½ Americaï¿½s first federal drug policy targeted physicians and pharmacists. ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ In 1930, the Treasury Department created the Federal Bureau of Narcotics.ï¿½ Harry J. Anslinger headed the agency until 1962 and molded Americaï¿½s drug policy.ï¿½ Under his tenure, drugs were increasingly criminalized.ï¿½ The Boggs Act of 1951 drastically increased the penalties for marijuana use.ï¿½ The Narcotics Control Act of 1956 created ï¿½the most punitive and repressive anti-narcotics legislation ever adopted by Congress.ï¿½ All discretion to suspend sentences or permit probation was eliminated.ï¿½ Parole was allowed only for first offenders convicted of possession, and the death penalty could be invoked for anyone who sold heroin to a minor (McWilliams, 1990, p.116).ï¿½ï¿½ Anslinger was critical of judges for being too easy on drug dealers and called for longer minimum sentences.ï¿½ He established a punitive drug policy with a focus on drug law enforcement. ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ The Federal Bureau of Narcotics also used propaganda as a preventative measure.ï¿½ They created myths and horror stories about drugs.ï¿½ Marijuana was blamed for bizarre cases of insanity, murder, and sex crimes.ï¿½ Anslinger said that marijuana caused some people to ï¿½fly into a delirious rage and many commit violent crimes (McWilliams, 1990, P. 70).ï¿½


"Who originally recorded the song ""Respect""?"

Aretha Franklin — Respect — Listen, watch, download and discover music for free at Last.fm oldies "Respect" is a song written and originally released by Stax recording artist Otis Redding in 1965. "Respect" became a 1967 hit and signature song for R&B singer Aretha Franklin. While Redding wrote the song as a man's plea for respect and recognition from a woman, the roles were reversed for Franklin's version. Franklin's cover was a landmark for the feminist movement, and is often considered as one of the best songs of the Rock & Roll era, earning her two… read more Don't want to see ads? Subscribe now Similar Tracks


What historical character is often thought to have been short - despite being taller than average for his era?

Napoleon The Man | History Today Napoleon The Man Gemma Betros asks what kind of person Napoleon really was. A depiction of Napoleon as First Consul, by Ingres. He attained the office in 1799. If we consider why, almost two centuries after his death, we are still so interested in Napoleon Bonaparte’s great feats, and in his equally great downfall, part of the answer must lie in his personality. What was it about his character that drove him from the distant island of Corsica to the centre of power in Paris? What in his nature enabled him to seize power in France and then project it across Europe? And why, despite defeat and despite the atrocities associated with his name, did his persona retain such a hold upon the imaginations of supporters and detractors alike? These questions can be difficult to answer, not least because of the challenge of separating Napoleon’s personality from his public functions and their requirements. Behavioural patterns can be observed, but the thoughts, feelings, and motivations that also make up a personality are essentially internal, and are sometimes unclear even to the individual concerned. Napoleon himself admitted that he would have found it difficult at times to articulate his true intentions. For French historian Jean Tulard, Napoleon’s correspondence comes closest to showing the ‘real’ Napoleon, exposing his ideas, likes and dislikes, and deceptions. Memoirs can also offer insight, although they can be unreliable and must be employed with care. The effort is complicated by Napoleon’s attempt to rewrite his career through the memoirs he dictated during his exile at St Helena. Yet such material offers at least an impression of Napoleon’s personality and the ways it changed – or remained the same – throughout his 51 years. A Contradictory Character For many who encountered him, Napoleon’s personality escaped the usual boundaries of definition. The writer Germaine de Staël, whose opposition to Napoleon saw her exiled from Paris, thought that unlike most people, he seemed ‘neither good nor violent, neither gentle nor cruel’. ‘Such a being,’ she continued, ‘having no equivalent, could neither feel nor arouse the slightest sympathy.’ For the French author Stendhal, writing to contest Madame de Staël’s ‘slander’, Napoleon was ‘a man endowed with amazing abilities and a dangerous ambition’. He could face adversity ‘with firmness and majesty’ but could also be ‘carried away to the point of frenzy when his passions met with opposition.’ Despite their different motives, each found Napoleon to be a man whose character was difficult to define – and who was perhaps all the more powerful because of it. Historian Harold T. Parker argued that because Napoleon was ‘an important variable in the European situation, the enduring predispositions of his personality counted’. Yet historians, like Napoleon’s contemporaries, have sometimes struggled to capture this personality, resorting to comparisons with Caesar, Alexander the Great, or even Hitler. John Holland Rose’s 1912 study on Napoleon’s personality concluded that it ‘abound[ed] in contradictions’: Napoleon could be mild and stern, kind and unforgiving, generous and egotistical, far-seeing and short-sighted. French historian Georges Lefebvre, who detected ‘several personalities’ beneath the soldier’s uniform of the young Napoleon, thought that it was this diversity that ‘ma[de] him so fascinating.’ For recent historians, these very contradictions have helped explain Napoleon’s hold on power. Geoffrey Ellis saw in Napoleon’s ‘changeable and contradictory character’ and ‘mercurial moods’ the ability to adjust to and exploit any situation, while for R. S. Alexander, Napoleon was a ‘chameleon’, able to change appearance at will to adapt to his surroundings and allow others to see in him what they wanted. Philip Dwyer found that Napoleon could be ‘talented, intelligent, and passionate’, and ‘capable of inspiring others’, but also ‘petty’, ‘vindictive’, and callous concerning the lives of others. Yet this callousness, Dwyer pointed out, was not unusual for so


"The musical ""West Side Story"" was a modern retelling of what classic play?"

West Side Story, musical | Details | AllMusic West Side Story, musical google+ Description               by Rovi Staff On January 9, 1949, Leonard Bernstein entered this into his log: "Jerry R. [Robbins] called today with a noble idea: a modern version of Romeo and Juliet set in slums at the coincidence of Easter-Passover celebrations. Feelings run high between Jews and Catholics. Former: Capulets; latter: Montagues. Juliet is Jewish." The newly formed State of Israel and the resultant war made the idea topical, and Bernstein , of Jewish descent, was familiar with Catholicism. From the beginning, Robbins suggested that Arthur Laurents write the book, which was to be called East Side Story. However, other projects forced them to put off work until 1955. In the late summer of that year, while in Los Angeles with Laurents, Bernstein saw a newspaper article about fights between Mexican and Anglo gangs on Olivera Street. The two decided that recently arrived Puerto Ricans and first-generation Americans born of European immigrants would be a more accessible alternative to the Capulets and Montagues than would Jews and Catholics, and Latin American rhythms began to take shape in Bernstein 's head. Neither Laurents nor Bernstein wanted to compose the lyrics for the songs, and they enlisted the 26-year-old Stephen Sondheim in October 1955. The title was changed to West Side Story when the creators realized that gang warfare in New York had moved from the East Side to the West. West Side Story opened at New York's Winter Garden Theater on September 26, 1957, and has remained in the repertory ever since. The film version of 1961 was a smashing success, earning 10 Oscars, including Best Picture. West Side Story is one of Bernstein 's most impressive achievements in any style of composition. Its mixture of Latin American rhythms, big band jazz harmonies and instrumentation, contrapuntal writing, and colloquial language is handled with such skill and sensitivity that the result makes it seem as though these elements had always coexisted. Arthur Laurents ' book for West Side Story is not really a retelling or paraphrase of Shakespeare 's Romeo and Juliet, but rather uses the play as a point of departure. Feuding families become rival gangs of different ethnic backgrounds, and Tony (Romeo) kills Maria's (Juliet) brother, but the "star-crossed" lovers do not have the chance to commit suicide. The most powerful and musically complex moment in the show occurs at about the midpoint, as Tony and Maria sing of their love in a reprise of "Tonight," Anita anticipates her upcoming date with Bernardo, and Riff and Bernardo, with their respective gangs, prepare for the rumble that evening. The result is a quintet with moments of dense rhythmic and melodic polyphony, conveying musically the meaning of the simultaneous but unrelated lines of text. Other highlights include the energetic "America," with its alternating 6/8 and 3/4 time signatures, while "Tonight" and "Maria" boast some of the most memorable melodies from the American stage. "Somewhere," in its opening phrase, features a melodic line borrowed from the slow movement of Beethoven 's Piano Concerto No. 5, Op. 73. Another factor contributing to the musical's success was its strong dance element, evident in songs such as "America" as well as in confrontations between the rival gangs. The setting for the gangs' "neutral turf" negotiations, for example, is a gymnasium dance at which a distinctive mambo serves as the musical backdrop. Bernstein , even as he broke new ground, drew on a tradition of Broadway choreography that was reaching its high point as the work took shape, and the result was a work that combined rhythmic energy, kinetic appeal, romance, and compositional sophistication. The action on-stage may seem a bit dated in this day of the modern gangster, but the work's virtues are undimmed. It may well be a strong candidate for an innovatively updated production. Parts/Movements The Dance at the Gym (Blues, Promenade, Mambo, Cha-Cha, Meeting Scene, Jump) Maria Ballet Se


What is the biggest city where the Wu dialect is spoken?

Wu (Chinese) Language Tweet Click to view full Infographic Overview: The term “Wu” is mostly considered to be a technical term used by linguists; those who encounter the language in other contexts are likely to call it simply “Chinese,” “Shanghainese,” or one of the many local dialect names. It is popular in and around China’s largest city, Shanghai, and in the surrounding Jiansu and Zhejiang provinces. Although they are spoken by many people, the Wu dialects are not usually mutually intelligible with Mandarin Chinese, and so those who speak Wu natively are almost always fluent in Mandarin as well. During the 1950s, as the People’s Republic of China took power, it sought to establish Mandarin as a lingua franca throughout the nation. Efforts were made to persuade the people of the Shanghai region to speak Wu less frequently in favor of Mandarin, with mixed success. Although people are technically supposed to speak Mandarin in public, official, or formal situations, they do not always adhere to the rules, and these rules are also not strictly enforced. Something of a blend of Wu and Mandarin has emerged, which some consider to be threatening to the existence of a few of the older dialects. Roots of the language: A language family that is nearly three thousand years old, the Wu dialects are said to have been spoken by the ancient Wu and Yue peoples of the Yangtze River Delta. These states, which were considered barbaric by the Chinese dynasties, became increasingly involved in Chinese politics before being absorbed into the larger empire. It is unknown to what degree the modern language of Wu has changed from the way it was centuries ago, but it is generally agreed to have descended directly from the states of Wu and Yue. The Suzhou variety was perhaps the most important dialect of Wu in earlier times, used by scholars, officials, and other members of the elite. It was supplanted by the Shanghai dialect in the early twentieth century as migrants flooded Shanghai, making that city one of the largest and most powerful in the region (and in China as a whole). The Shanghai dialect, sometimes referred to as “Shanghainese,” is now the dominant form of Wu, and lesser-spoken dialects might even be endangered. The Suzhou dialect, however, is still considered to have more features in common with the older, “pure” form of Wu that first came to be. Language characteristics: The pronunciation differences that the Wu dialects have from Mandarin Chinese are proposed to be remnants of certain pronunciation characteristics typical of Middle Chinese (from roughly between the 7th and 10th centuries AD). Word order is generally less strict in Wu than it is in Mandarin, although the majority of phrases still follow the subject-verb-object pattern. Wu is often described by other Chinese speakers as having a soft, flowing quality to its pronunciation. The language is known for its complex pronoun system, which uses different sets of pronouns depending on whether or not the speaker is including the listener in the reference. Written form: Most of the cultures that existed near the ancient Chinese state, whether or not they were Chinese themselves, adopted classical Chinese characters as their own writing system. This was true of the Wu and Yue people as well, whose writings are not easily distinguishable from those of other Chinese scholars in the same time period. While there are some differences in vocabulary and grammar, older Wu texts do not give much of an idea of what pronunciation must have been like, as Chinese characters do not reflect phonetic sounds. While Wu literature can be studied, much of the focus is necessarily on more modern pieces, or else on folklore and poetry. Last Updated : April 21, 2015


What common celebratory gesture was invented by American athletes in the late 1970's?

Give Me a Sign: The Stories Behind 5 Hand Gestures | Mental Floss Give Me a Sign: The Stories Behind 5 Hand Gestures Image credit:  Like us on Facebook So much can be said with a hand gesture. Here are the stories behind gestures you might use every day, and some you might not. 1. The Vulcan Salute We all know it, even if we can't all do it. The Vulcan Salute, made famous by Leonard Nimoy as Mr. Spock on the original Star Trek, has become a cultural icon recognized even by those who have never been to a sci-fi convention. And while the gesture is meant to be from another planet, its inspiration is anything but alien. When Nimoy was a child, he witnessed a Jewish ritual called the "kohane blessing," which uses a hand sign meant to resemble the Hebrew letter "shin," which symbolizes the Hebrew word for "Shaddai," meaning "Almighty (God)." (Got that?) It's made by splitting the hand down the middle—holding the index and middle fingers together, the ring and pinky fingers together—and then the thumb pressed firmly against the side of the hand. The Orthodox priest giving the blessing holds both hands out in front of him in these strange configurations, palms down. When Nimoy was developing a greeting to be used between Vulcans, he remembered the sign and adapted it, using only one hand held up, and pulling his thumb away from the rest of the hand. Nimoy had no problem doing the salute, but not all Trek actors have been so lucky. William Shatner had to have his fingers tied together with fishing line whenever Captain Kirk needed to use the sign. Even the latest pointy-eared Vulcan, actor Zachary Quinto, who played a younger Mr. Spock in the recent blockbuster film, had to have his fingers stuck together with the skin-safe superglue used by hospitals as a replacement for traditional stitches. 2. The Shaka Sign Folding your three middle fingers down while holding out your thumb and pinky, then twisting your hand around, is a strange gesture to say the least. But if you visit Hawaii, you're likely to see it a lot. The gesture, called The Shaka Sign, can be interpreted as "Hello," "Goodbye," "Have a nice day," "Take it easy," "Good luck," or, the most popular definition, "Hang loose." Unfortunately, the sign's history is a bit vague. The oldest origin story goes back to the days when Spanish sailors first landed on the Hawaiian Islands. Unable to speak the native tongue, but trying to be friendly, the Spaniards offered to share a drink by mimicking a bottle with their hand with the gesture and tilting back their head. This became such a common greeting that the natives simply believed that's how the Spanish said hello, so they started using the sign whenever the two groups encountered one another. Another theory, from the mid-20th Century, claims the sign was inspired by the wave of a beloved local named Hamana Kalili, who'd lost the middle fingers on one hand. There are multiple theories as to how he lost his fingers: there was a shark attack, they were blown off while using dynamite to catch fish, or perhaps the digits were lost in an accident while working on a sugar plantation. But no one knows for sure anymore. As if the origin of the gesture isn't mysterious enough, the word Shaka isn't even Hawaiian. However, most people agree the name goes back to a local used car salesman, Lippy Espinda, who would throw up the sign at the end of popular TV commercials during the 1960s and 70s, and say, "Shacka, brah!" ("Shocker, bro!") During his Inauguration Parade, Barack Obama threw the Shaka Sign to greet Honolulu's Punahou School marching band. 3. The Corna Hand gestures can have multiple meanings. Perhaps one of the best examples of this is the "hand horn," also known as the "corna," where only the pinky and the index finger point up while the other fingers are held in the palm under the thumb. If you're in Italy or Spain and you flash this sign towards a man, you might get beaten up. In this culture, the symbol represents the horns of one of nature's most virile animals, the bull. The bull in this case


What type of gasoline, blamed for lowering IQs, was banned in the U.S. in 1996?

Lead: America's Real Criminal Element | Mother Jones Lead: America's Real Criminal Element Lead: America's Real Criminal Element The hidden villain behind violent crime, lower IQs, and even the ADHD epidemic. Kevin Drum Feb. 11, 2016 5:58 PM Email When Rudy Giuliani ran for mayor of New York City in 1993, he campaigned on a platform of bringing down crime and making the city safe again. It was a comfortable position for a former federal prosecutor with a tough-guy image, but it was more than mere posturing. Since 1960, rape rates had nearly quadrupled, murder had quintupled, and robbery had grown fourteenfold. New Yorkers felt like they lived in a city under siege. Throughout the campaign, Giuliani embraced a theory of crime fighting called "broken windows," popularized a decade earlier by James Q. Wilson and George L. Kelling in an influential article in The Atlantic. "If a window in a building is broken and is left unrepaired," they observed, "all the rest of the windows will soon be broken." So too, tolerance of small crimes would create a vicious cycle ending with entire neighborhoods turning into war zones. But if you cracked down on small crimes, bigger crimes would drop as well. Flint Kids Have So Much Lead in Their Blood That the Mayor Declared a State of Emergency. Giuliani won the election, and he made good on his crime-fighting promises by selecting Boston police chief Bill Bratton as the NYPD's new commissioner. Bratton had made his reputation as head of the New York City Transit Police, where he aggressively applied broken-windows policing to turnstile jumpers and vagrants in subway stations. With Giuliani's eager support, he began applying the same lessons to the entire city, going after panhandlers, drunks, drug pushers, and the city's hated squeegee men. And more: He decentralized police operations and gave precinct commanders more control, keeping them accountable with a pioneering system called CompStat that tracked crime hot spots in real time. The results were dramatic. In 1996, the New York Times reported that crime had plunged for the third straight year, the sharpest drop since the end of Prohibition. Since 1993, rape rates had dropped 17 percent, assault 27 percent, robbery 42 percent, and murder an astonishing 49 percent. Giuliani was on his way to becoming America's Mayor and Bratton was on the cover of Time. It was a remarkable public policy victory. This Mom Helped Uncover Flint's Toxic Water Crisis But even more remarkable is what happened next. Shortly after Bratton's star turn, political scientist John DiIulio warned that the echo of the baby boom would soon produce a demographic bulge of millions of young males that he famously dubbed " juvenile super-predators ." Other criminologists nodded along. But even though the demographic bulge came right on schedule, crime continued to drop. And drop. And drop. By 2010, violent crime rates in New York City had plunged 75 percent from their peak in the early '90s. All in all, it seemed to be a story with a happy ending, a triumph for Wilson and Kelling's theory and Giuliani and Bratton's practice. And yet, doubts remained. For one thing, violent crime actually peaked in New York City in 1990, four years before the Giuliani-Bratton era. By the time they took office, it had already dropped 12 percent. Second, and far more puzzling, it's not just New York that has seen a big drop in crime. In city after city, violent crime peaked in the early '90s and then began a steady and spectacular decline. Washington, DC, didn't have either Giuliani or Bratton, but its violent crime rate has dropped 58 percent since its peak. Dallas' has fallen 70 percent. Newark: 74 percent. Los Angeles: 78 percent. There must be more going on here than just a change in policing tactics in one city. But what?   Illustration: Gérard DuBois There are, it turns out, plenty of theories. When I started research for this story, I worked my way through a pair of thick criminology tomes . One chapter regaled me with the "exciting possibility" that it's mostly a matter of economics: Cri


"What famous author wrote many plays but just one novel, ""The Picture of Dorian Gray""?"

The Picture of Dorian Gray and Other Short Stories - Oscar Wilde - Google Books The Picture of Dorian Gray and Other Short Stories 1 Review https://books.google.com/books/about/The_Picture_of_Dorian_Gray_and_Other_Sho.html?id=VLRZYSV8fRkC The Picture of Dorian Gray and Other Short Stories is a compilation of short stories by Oscar Wilde, along with his only novel, The Picture of Dorian Gray. It was originally published in 1888 under the title Stories: Oscar Wilde. Some of the short stories within include "The Sphinx Without a Secret," "The Model Millionaire," and stories from the previously-published collections "A House of Pomegranates" and "The Happy Prince and Other Tales." This book is sure to interest Oscar Wilde fans and fans of Victorian literature. OSCAR WILDE (1854-1900) was a celebrated Irish-born playwright, short story writer, poet, and personality in Victorian London. He is best known for his involvement in the aesthetic movement and his only novel, The Picture of Dorian Gray, as well as his many plays, such as Lady Windermere's Fan, The Importance of Being Ernest, A Woman of No Importance, An Ideal Husband, and Salom . During his imprisonment for gross indecency, he wrote De Profundis, and later, The Ballad of Reading Gao.   What people are saying -  Write a review LibraryThing Review User Review  - WYLK - LibraryThing [edit] The characters in the novel are fascinating. Dorian is a beautiful, empty headed boy ripe to be filled with Lord Henry's ever-flowing thoughts and ideas. The lesson to be learned is clear as we ... Read full review LibraryThing Review User Review  - maryoverton - LibraryThing The seducer - Lord Henry Wotton: "'I believe that if one man were to live out his life fully and completely, were to give form to every feeling, expression to every thought, reality to every dream - I ... Read full review Selected pages The Nightingale and the Rose 355 Copyright Common terms and phrases afraid answered asked Basil Hallward beautiful began can’t Canterville Canterville ghost Catherine Wheel charming cheiromancy cried curious dance dear delightful door Dorian Gray Duchess everything eyes face felt ﬁgure ﬁlled ﬁnd ﬁne ﬁngers ﬁnished ﬁre ﬁrst ﬁve ﬂew ﬂoor ﬂowers ﬂung garden gold hair hand happy Happy Prince Harry head heart horrible Hughie Infanta inﬂuence King King’s kissed knew Lady Windermere laughed lips little Hans little Mermaid looked Lord Arthur Lord Henry Lord Henry Wotton lying marriage morning mother murmured never night o’clock once one’s Otis painted passed passion play Podgers portrait Prince Prince Charming rose round seemed Sibyl Vane silver smile soul Star-Child stood strange Swallow Sybil talk tell terrible thee thing thou thought told voice window woman wonderful yellow young Fisherman About the author (2012) Flamboyant man-about-town, Oscar Wilde had a reputation that preceded him, especially in his early career. He was born to a middle-class Irish family (his father was a surgeon) and was trained as a scholarship boy at Trinity College, Dublin. He subsequently won a scholarship to Magdalen College, Oxford, where he was heavily influenced by John Ruskin and Walter Pater, whose aestheticism was taken to its radical extreme in Wilde's work. By 1879 he was already known as a wit and a dandy; soon after, in fact, he was satirized in Gilbert and Sullivan's Patience. Largely on the strength of his public persona, Wilde undertook a lecture tour to the United States in 1882, where he saw his play Vera open---unsuccessfully---in New York. His first published volume, Poems, which met with some degree of approbation, appeared at this time. In 1884 he married Constance Lloyd, the daughter of an Irish lawyer, and within two years they had two sons. During this period he wrote, among others, The Picture of Dorian Gray (1891), his only novel, which scandalized many readers and was widely denounced as immoral. Wilde simultaneously dismissed and encouraged such criticism with his statement in the preface, "There is no such thing as a moral or an immoral book. Books are well written or badly written


Apollo 11 Moon Rocket's F-1 Engines Explained (Infographic) Apollo 11 Moon Rocket's F-1 Engines Explained (Infographic) By Karl Tate, SPACE.com Infographics Artist | March 20, 2013 01:10pm ET MORE Learn how Amazon founder Jeff Bezos plans to raise sunken Apollo 11 moon rocket engines from the Atlantic Ocean floor in this infographic. Credit: Karl Tate, SPACE.com Contributor Billionaire space enthusiast and entrepreneur Jeff Bezos, founder of Amazon.com, has announced an audacious plan to retrieve the five massive rocket engines used to launch NASA's historic Apollo 11 mission to land the first men on the moon in 1969. The five F-1 rocket engines were jettisoned along with the rest of the Saturn V moon rocket's first stage after liftoff. For more than 40 years, they've sat on the floor of the Atlantic Ocean. See what the Apollo 11 F-1 moon rocket engines were like in this SPACE.com infographic.


"What brand of chocolates includes an ""affirmation"" on the inside of the wrapper?"

Candy Addict » Candy Review: Dove Promises Milk Chocolate With Peanut Butter Candy Review: Dove Promises Milk Chocolate With Peanut Butter Tags: chocolate , Dove , milk chocolate , peanut butter , promises , review It’s no secret that Dove makes some of the best mass-produced chocolates on the market. With its super-smooth texture (resulting from high levels of cocoa butter) and an unbeatable chocolaty flavor, it has always seemed a cut above the Hershey’s and Nestle brands sold alongside. And their venture into the “miniature” chocolates arena, Dove Promises? Melt-in-your-mouth and perfectly satisfying. Seemingly sinful, yet pretty much guilt-free. What might come as a surprise, though, is that Dove has only recently released its take on the classic chocolate- peanut butter combo. Though I hadn’t seen a Dove peanut butter candy before, I’d always just kind of assumed that one had to be out there somewhere. Every sort of chocolate, I’d thought, had its peanut butter, and vice versa. So when a bag of new Dove Promises Milk Chocolate with Peanut Butter arrived on my doorstep, after recovering from my initial surprise, I was eager to try such a great brand’s take on the blend. Now, I have a major weakness where really good candies are concerned. If I really like a certain candy, I may finish off the entire bag in the space of one day. Yummy and self-indulgent, yes. Healthy and waistline-friendly, no. So, anticipating these pieces would be as nice as they looked/sounded, I refrained from sampling until I’d given half the bag away. The Promises received major thumbs up from both of my landladies, five maintenance workers, and my boyfriend. The reaction was near-identical – a second or so after placing the chocolates on their tongues, a smile would cross the sampler’s face. The smile would widen to a certain degree and often the sampler’s eyes would roll back in their heads. As the chocolate and peanut butter melted and mixed upon their tongues, they’d offer commentary varying from “That’s really good” to “I don’t think I tasted enough to know yet, I need another!” Finally, when over half the bag had been depleted, my turn came to sample the gems and see if the wait for Dove’s version of peanut butter in chocolate had been worth it. I gently placed a morsel on my tongue, contemplating the oh-so-profound affirmation on its inner wrapper (“It’s not bad to be different – it’s fantastic”). As I absorbed that nugget of wisdom, the chocolate began to melt across my tongue, bathing my mouth in the full flavor and texture of the Dove milk chocolate . This is very good chocolate. I’d forgotten how good Dove was. The silky texture makes for an especially quick, flavorful and evenly-spaced melt. The flavor is richer and more “genuine” tasting than most comparable chocolate brands. Once the milk chocolate melted away, I found a peanut butter center that was sweet, but not overly so. Nearly as smooth as its chocolate shell, the inside reminded me more of Skippy’s Creamy than Reese’s . In lesser candies, this sort of peanut butter may have been overpowered by the chocolate. Here, the two components complimented each other beautifully. The flavor left a distinct impression on my palate, one which lingered and left my sweet tooth satisfied until my next meal. Maybe the perception of peanut butter and chocolate as a simple, even juvenile combination is why Dove held off on developing this candy for so long. However, I for one am glad they finally went through with it. Put the two ingredients together in any form, and they’re delicious. Leave the task to Dove, and the results are truly, well, promising. One Response to “Candy Review: Dove Promises Milk Chocolate With Peanut Butter” 1 Liz says: Thanks for the review. I just picked up a bag at Wal-Mart and I am in love. They taste a little like Nestle Treasures peanut butter chocolates, but with a much richer chocolate exterior. These are definitley my new favorite bite-sized snack:o)


What construction project, completed in 1914, killed over 30,000 workers (mostly due to disease)?

10 of History's Deadliest Construction Projects 10 of History's Deadliest Construction Projects Go to permalink The Panama Canal opened 100 years ago this month , one of the greatest engineering achievements in history. It was also one of the greatest sacrifices of human life in the name of construction, but tragically, it was far from the most deadly project in modern history. Advertisement It's not always easy to compare one project to another, since each project measures "deaths" differently—some include disease due to working conditions, for example. And though construction has become far safer today, worker deaths are still common. New reports estimate that 4,000 migrant workers might die building eight stadiums for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar—which would place it far ahead of most major infrastructural projects in history. Is this the price we pay for progress? Here's a sampling of projects—not a complete list—finished since 1900 using numbers reported by McGraw Hill's Engineering News Report , along with the explanations for how record-keepers decided upon those numbers. Panama Canal, 1880-1914 Illustration by artist Charles Graham Advertisement One of the largest and most ambitious engineering projects in modern history, the Panama Canal was also one of the deadliest, at 30,609 deaths. France managed the construction starting in 1880, which likely saw a death count of about 25,000 people, most killed not by construction incidents but by yellow fever and malaria. (The French would only officially record deaths that took place at their hospitals, which was a very small number overall.) After the U.S. took over construction in 1904, figures collected on the canal's site show that 5,609 workers died of diseases and accidents. A majority of the men who died under U.S. management were natives to the area. Only 350 of the U.S. deaths were white Americans. White Sea-Baltic Sea Canal, 1931-1933 As punishment for their crimes against the government, Russian gulag prisoners were forced to dig this canal under extremely deplorable conditions, using primitive tools and inadequate safety equipment. At the end of the project, 12,000 prisoners were freed for their work, yet an estimated 12,000 prisoners died during construction. The finished 141-mile canal runs through Russia from the Baltic Sea to the inland White Sea, which allows goods to travel all the way to Siberian ports in the Arctic. Burma-Siam Railway, 1942-1943 Advertisement Sponsored Nicknamed the "Death Railway" for obvious reasons, this 258-mile railroad was built by Japan to get its troops and supplies to Burma during World War II. In addition to the 100,000 local residents who lost their lives working on the project, it's estimated that 60,000 Allied POWs were used as forced labor and at least 12,399 of those soldiers died, although the figure may be higher than 16,000. Many soldiers starved to death, while others were subjected to tremendous brutality at their hands of their captors. One of the bridges built during construction was immortalized in the book The Bridge on the River Kwai, which has been criticized for not accurately portraying how bad the conditions were. Karakoram Highway, 1959-78 This 905-mile highway that connects the city of Abbottabad, Pakistan, with Kashgar, China, is the highest-elevation paved international road on the planet: At the Pakistan-Chinese border in Kashmir, the road reaches 15,520 feet above sea level. It also travels over some of the most treacherous and unstable mountains on Earth, so many of the 892 deaths were caused by landslides, which are still an issue for drivers today. A devastating landslide in 2010 created a lake which flooded a Pakistani valley and closed part of the highway. Aswan Dam, 1960-70 Over 30,000 workers contributed to the building of the Aswan Dam in Egypt, and 500 lost their lives. This diversion of the Nile River was a huge power move for the country's economic prospects, even though the environmental and cultural impacts on the area were devastating—100,000 people were relocated and many archeological


"What best-selling book was orginally a work of ""Twilight"" fan fiction?"

'Fifty Shades of Grey' started out as 'Twilight' fan fiction - Business Insider print "Fifty Shades of Grey" is  a sexier, erotic version of "Twilight." Chuck Zlotnick/Universal Studios and Focus  Features " Fifty  Shades of Grey " — the best-selling erotic romance novel,  box-office hit and international phenomenon — began as a fan  fiction spin-off on the "Twilight" novels before it was  published without an agent through a small, online  writers community. After reading the "Twilight" series, "Fifty Shades" author  E.L. James started posting her own erotic take on the novels on Fanfiction.net , an  online forum that allows fans to write stories based on the  settings and characters in some of their favorite works. "I just sat on my sofa and just read them and read them and  read them," James told ABC back  in 2012, referring to the books in the "Twilight" series. "I was  inspired by ['Twilight' author] Stephenie Meyer ... she just kind  of flipped this switch in my head." Shortly after reading the  books, James says she sat down and decided to write a book of her  own. "It was one of tens of thousands, really hundreds of  thousands, of stories written by this vast community of women who  were inspired to write and share stories by  'Twilight,'" Anne Jamison, author of "Fic:  Why Fanfiction is Taking Over the World," told CBC News . Many readers deemed James' stories too provocative for  Fanfiction.net, however, and she was forced to remove some of  them from the site.  " She took it down and thought, I’d always  wanted to write. I’ve got a couple unpublished novels here,"  James' agent told the LA Times . "I will rewrite this thing, and create  these iconic characters, Christian and Ana." Christian Grey and Anastasia  Steele, the two protagonists of "Fifty Shades," are basically  Edward Cullen and Bella Swan of "Twilight."  Edward Cullen (Robert  Pattinson) and Bella (Kristen Stewart) in the "Twilight"  series. Summit  Entertainment In "Fifty Shades," Christian  Grey is a mysterious, jaw-droppingly handsome CEO. In "Twilight,"  Edward Cullen is a mysterious, jaw-droppingly handsome  vampire. In both stories, the heroine is  understated, "pretty" but not "beautiful," and intimidated by the  men's wealth and good looks. Both Bella and Ana are clumsy and  routinely question what their male counterpart sees in  them. James went on to create her own  website — 50shades.com — where she could post more of her  writing. Her online serial, originally published under the  title " Masters of the  Universe," eventually led her to write "Fifty Shades of Grey,"  which James self-published through a small former  writers community called  The  Writer's Coffee Shop  in May 2011, according  to  Publishers  Weekly . One year later, she had sold  roughly 30,000 copies in e-book downloads.  A screenshot of the link  to the first chapter of 'Masters of the Universe,' a fan fiction  erotica book about an average girl named Bella Swan meeting the  wealthy, handsome Edward Cullen. GalleyCat Literary agents soon took  notice of the book's rising online  popularity.  “There  was already a buzz about the trilogy in early 2012, appreciation  for the books had gone viral,” James’s literary agent Valerie  Hoskins told Vanity Fair last week. "All of the Big Six (five now)  publishers in New York City were very keen to offer for  it.” In March 2012, James signed a 7-figure contract with Random House’s Vintage  Books. The book sold 10 million copies in six weeks.  By the end of 2012, sales hit 70 million copies  worldwide.  The series' humble origins are  surprising given its record-breaking success. Since its  mainstream release in 2012, "Fifty Shades" has sold over 100  million copies worldwide and launched an entire genre known  as "mommy porn." It has been translated into 52 different languages  and the long-awaited film  adaptation, which premiered on Valentines Day, raked in $94 million on its opening weekend — a Presidents' Day  record.  Supporters of fan fiction have  mixed fe


Who was on the cover of the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue in both 2012 and 2013?

Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Cover 2013: Kate Upton Again, According To Leaked Photo (UPDATED) | The Huffington Post Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Cover 2013: Kate Upton Again, According To Leaked Photo (UPDATED) 02/08/2013 04:08 pm ET | Updated Feb 12, 2013 830 The Sports Illustrated Swimsuit cover is finally here -- and Kate Upton is the star yet again. After the triumph that was Kate Upton's 2012 cover , the blonde bombshell model has returned for more. The issue isn't set to arrive until early next week, but Fashion Copious has a leaked image over the cover -- click to see it here . It's a bit of a surprise, given that Upton had her moment in the sun and has since catapulted to more high fashion heights ( Vogue , Vogue Italia , V Magazine ). There had been speculation that the 2013 Sports Illustrated cover model might be Hannah Davis , girlfriend of Derek Jeter, but looks like those rumors now appear to be false. In the leaked pic, Upton poses for Sports Illustrated's 50th anniversary swimsuit issue wearing a furry parka and white bikini bottoms, a photo presumably taken on her Antarctica shoot . If you'll recall, Kate was seen on a photo shoot in Antarctica wearing nothing but a swimsuit while cozying up to a man dressed in an Oreo costume. Still no hints on what the Oreo might have to do with it, but from this leaked image, it looks like Kate's second spin on the coveted Sports Illustrated cover is nearly guaranteed. Click to see the leaked pic ! What do you think about Upton getting a second chance on the cover? UPDATE: Sports Illustrated has confirmed that Kate Upton is indeed the cover girl. Check out a real photo of the 2013 Swimsuit Issue. Questions? Comments? Concerns? Relive the magic -- and the high-waisted bikinis! Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Covers Through The Years Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Covers Through The Years 1


"What Basque sport is sometimes called ""the fastest sport in the world"" because its ball can reach a speed of 300 km/h?"

What happened to Jai Alai? - SBNation.com Michael J. Mooney | February 28, 2013 What happened to Jai Alai? Echoes of a dying game Looking at the rows and rows of seats, you can imagine a different time. There were thousands of people every night, men in dark suits and hats packed shoulder to shoulder. They’d be waving programs, downing brown booze, smoking cigarettes from cigarette cases or, better still, puffing thick cigars that would fill the room with pungent smoke and give the air just below the giant ceiling lights a ghostly blue haze. As the men on the court used oblong baskets to hurl a goatskin ball over and over against a granite wall, the men in the crowd would be hollering and belly laughing and slapping each other on the back. There was a time when the audience at the Miami Jai Alai fronton was so loud, the players on the court could barely hear their own thoughts.  Tweet Share on Twitter Share Share on Facebook Pin Pinterest 34 Comments ⋆ Rec Recommend this Post 1 Now though, the seats are almost all empty. On this clear-skied, 85-degree Tuesday afternoon in mid-winter, there are more players in uniform than spectators in the crowd. On the other side of the building, in the freshly renovated casino, there are plenty of people at the poker tables and parked in front of the more than 1,000 flashing slot machines. But in this massive auditorium, once the epicenter of the gambling action, it’s dead. You can hear the scoreboard beeping, and it sounds like the entire building is on life support With every throw, you can hear the ball—in jai alai, the pelota—crash against the wall with a thunderous, echoing boom. You can hear the scoreboard beeping, and it sounds like the entire building is on life support. What was once a five-star restaurant at the top of the grandstand, the Courtview Club, is almost always dark and vacant now. The skyboxes, once bustling with young women offering cocktail service, now gather dust year-round. Same for the sectioned-off rows that once comprised the sizable press box. Even the players’ names, they once sounded so exotic and intriguing. Now they just seem … foreign. The few people in the audience who are actually paying attention to the action—there are no fans here, just bettors rooting for their wagers—feel comfortable yelling at the players by name, even when they are only barely pronounceable. “Goiko!” they yell. Or “Aritz!” Or “Paxti!” An old Cuban man in a weathered leather jacket and worn blue cap stands up near the back, lifts his fist, and shouts: “Tevin! Make it happen!” Now he’s the only American-born player left on the Miami Jai Alai roster. He’s the only American jai alai player he knows. The player known as Tevin is named Leon Shepard. As is the tradition in jai alai, professional players are each known by one short nickname. He picked “Tevin” because he’d been listening to a lot of R&B singer Tevin Campbell at the time. Shepard grew up in Bridgeport, Conn. He’s been playing professionally for 21 years. Now he’s the only American-born player left on the Miami Jai Alai roster. He’s the only American jai alai player he knows. Last year at the World Championships in France, when organizers couldn’t find a second American player, he was paired with a Cuban-American partner. “I guess they thought that was close enough,” he’d say later. He has a long, narrow face, with eyes that seem calm whether he’s plunging toward the floor in service of a ball or patiently waiting his turn in the cage next to the court. At the moment, he’s wearing white shoes, white pants, a thick white helmet, a red sash around his waist, and a black jersey with a number 5 on the front and a 25 on the back. (The number on the back is a player’s permanent number, and the number on the front is his playing position, which changes every game like with a racehorse.) Attached to his right hand is a long curved basket—a cesta—handmade from steamed chestnut wood and woven reeds from the Pyrenees Mountains. When it’s his turn, he walks calmly onto the court—the cancha. Imagine a three-story, three-sided 176


Why?:Trade Your Family's Only Cow For Magic Beans | Uncyclopedia | Fandom powered by Wikia Why?:Trade Your Family's Only Cow For Magic Beans From Uncyclopedia, the content-free encyclopedia This article is part of Uncyclopedia's Why? series. See more Why's? Why, hello there! Hello there, good sir! How are you this fine idiot -conning morning? That's quite an emaciated cow you have there! She looks malnourished. What's that you say? Your family is about to starve to death and this cow is your only source of income? Well, that's interesting... This Must Be Your Lucky Day!! I have a proposition for you, my good friend - one you simply cannot afford to miss! What's your name my friend? Good to meet you Jack. What an odd name. You remind me of this fine fellow I met yesterday, Jack I think his name was. Anyhow, you look like a shrewd and not-at-all gullible person. That's why I'm making you this offer. A lesser man, a man without a nose for a good deal would almost certainly turn this down. But not you. You hebetudinous simpleton . Hmm? No I didn't mutter anything. I was just saying how good you look in that outfit. Very fetching. The filthy rags look really suits you. So anyway, back to the deal, my malnourished friend... This is the Deal of a Lifetime!!! You would have to be a complete idiot to turn this deal down my friend, and you are certainly no idiot. I will trade you five – nay – six magic beans for that one measly cow. Now I know what you're thinking: this deal sounds so good, there must be a catch. But let me assure you, there is no catch, my good mark...I mean, my good man. Sorry, Freudian slip . But you can rest assured my friend that these are real magic beans – certified by the University of Fairytale-land's Department of Magicology . This isn't one of those Magic-Bean scams you hear about in the press – no sir – this is the real deal! Magic Beans! The beans of a thousand uses! “So what can I use these beans for?” you say! Well, that is an excellent question my good lad. "What can't they be used for?" is a more pertinent question. These are no ordinary beans, my friend, though they may look like ordinary beans, though they are in fact identical in every meaningful sense to ordinary beans. No, these are magic beans! “Wait a minute!” I hear you say, “aren't these just Heinz Baked Beans that have been cleaned off and covered in glitter?” Haven't you been listening? These are magic beans. Magic! Magic beans (serving suggestion). Perhaps a demonstration is in order. OK, here we go... Got your nose! See that. I now have your nose. That is the power of the beans my friend. The power of the beans. But it doesn't stop there. These beans can cure measles, arthritis and impotence ; a concoction of beans is a powerful love potion/ date-rape drug; if you plant the beans they will grow a beanstalk which you can climb and enter a magical giant's kingdom in the sky! There's no end to the uses of these magic beans. Don't believe me? Read these testimonials: “Well at first I was sceptical. I thought, “there's no way these can really be magic beans – this must be some sort of con.” But boy was I wrong! I was able to put that bitch Sleeping Beauty (just called 'Beauty' at the time) to sleep for quite a while.” ~ Wicked Witch on those yummy magic beans These beans made me good at boxing . I'm so proud of them, I put my name on them. - George Foreman Still not convinced? Well, it's up to you my friend. I thought you were smarter and more open-minded than that. OK, I guess I can throw in this book on crystal healing to sweeten the deal. I'm really going out on a limb for you my friend. These beans normally retail at two cows and half a chicken. What do you think you're going to get for that thing at market? Food to feed your starving family? Not likely. Perhaps you need another demonstration? Here is a hat - just an ordinary hat, as you can see. But if I place it on top of this rabbit cage with a cloth over it, and use the magic of the beans... as if out of nowhere, a rabbit appears! Just an ordinary top hat . No secret trapdoors...


What was the profession of Jesus's father Joseph?

Joseph - The Earthly Father of Jesus Christ Updated December 08, 2015. Profile of Joseph the Father of Jesus Christ: God chose Joseph to be the earthly father of Jesus. The Bible tells us in the Gospel of Matthew , that Joseph was a righteous man. His actions toward Mary , his fiance, revealed he was a kind and sensitive man. When Mary told Joseph she was pregnant, he had every right to feel disgraced. He knew the child was not his own, and Mary's apparent unfaithfulness carried a grave social stigma. Joseph not only had the right to divorce Mary, under Jewish law she could be put to death by stoning. Although Joseph's initial reaction was to break the engagement, the appropriate thing for a righteous man to do, he treated Mary with extreme kindness. He did not want to cause her further shame, so he decided to act quietly. But God sent an angel to Joseph to verify Mary's story and reassure him that his marriage to her was God's will. Joseph willingly obeyed God, in spite of the public humiliation he would face. Perhaps this noble quality made him God's choice for the Messiah's earthly father. The Bible does not reveal much detail about Joseph's role as father to Jesus Christ , but we know from Matthew, chapter one, that he was an excellent earthly example of integrity and righteousness. Joseph is last mentioned in Scripture when Jesus was 12 years old. We know that he passed on the carpentry trade to his son and raised him in the Jewish traditions and spiritual observances. Joseph's Accomplishments: Joseph was the earthly father of Jesus, the man entrusted to raise the Son of God . Joseph was also a carpenter, or skilled craftsman. He obeyed God in the face of severe humiliation. He did the right thing before God, in the right manner. Joseph's Strengths: Joseph was a man of strong conviction who lived out his beliefs in his actions. He was described in the Bible as a righteous man . Even when personally wronged, he had the quality of being sensitive to someone else's shame. He responded to God in obedience and he practiced self-control. Joseph is a wonderful biblical examples of integrity and godly character . Life Lessons: God honored Joseph's integrity by entrusting him with a great responsibility. It is not easy to entrust your children to someone else. Imagine God looking down to choose a man to raise his own son? Joseph had God's trust. Mercy always triumphs. Joseph could have acted severely toward Mary's apparent indiscretion, but he chose to offer love and mercy, even when he thought he had been wronged. Walking in obedience to God may result in humiliation and disgrace before men. When we obey God, even in the face of adversity and public shame, he leads and guides us. Hometown: Children - Jesus , James, Joses, Judas, Simon and daughters The ancestors of Joseph are listed in Matthew 1:1-17 and Luke 3:23-37. Key Verses: Matthew 1:19-20 Because Joseph her husband was a righteous man and did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly. But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, "Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit . (NIV) Luke 2:39-40 When Joseph and Mary had done everything required by the Law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee to their own town of Nazareth. And the child grew and became strong; he was filled with wisdom, and the grace of God was upon him. (NIV)


What legendary character turned everything he touched to gold?

Everything he Touched Turned to Gold: The Myth and Reality of King Midas | Ancient Origins 8 October, 2015 - 21:42 ancient-origins Everything he Touched Turned to Gold: The Myth and Reality of King Midas (Read the article on one page) Almost everyone has heard the story of King Midas, the legendary king who turned everything he touched to gold. But how much myth and how much reality is there around this character? Was there really a King Midas? If there was, what do we know about him? The Myth of the Golden Touch Midas is the protagonist of one of the best known myths of antiquity. It is a tale that has been evoked by countless writers and artists, however the  Roman poet Ovid  was the one who gave full shape to Midas in his play  Metamorphoses. In the play, Ovid tells the story of Midas, king of Phrygia, son of  Gordius  and  Cybele. Statue of Ovid in Constanza, designed by Ettore Ferrari. In his "Metamorphosis" Ovid tells the story of King Midas ( Public Domain ) According to one version of the legend, after the death of  Orpheus ,  Dionysus  left  Thrace . His old teacher  Silenus , drunk as usual, accompanied Dionysus but got lost along the way and was picked up by Phrygian farmers, who led him to Midas. The king, who had been initiated into the cult of Dionysus was surprised and immediately recognized the old man, following which he held a ten-course banquet in Silenus’ honor. He then returned him to Dionysus. Happy to have his old teacher back at his side, the god wanted to thank the gesture and gave Midas a wish. Midas asked that everything he touched would turn into gold. The wish was fulfilled and, although at first it was delightful to turn roses, apples, etc. into gold, very soon King Midas was surrounded by such luxury and brightness that he had nothing to eat – whatever touched his lips turned into the precious metal. Even the wine, a gift of Dionysus, became liquid gold as he tried to quench his thirst. Realizing that he was doomed to die of hunger and thirst, Midas begged Dionysus to free him from his golden touch. Dionysus ordered him to wash his hands in the  Pactolus River   - located in today's Turkey - where, since then, gold has always been present. Pan and Apollo Have a Musical Battle and Midas is a Donkey Midas discovered that he did not need unlimited wealth and often spent his days outdoors and became a devoted follower of  Pan, the god of nature. Pan had achieved such ability on the flute that he dared to challenge none other than the great god Apollo, to see who was the best player of the two.  Tmolus, god of the mountain of the same name, would be the judge of the competition.


What is the most common first name for U.S. males born between 1933 and 2012?

Top 5 Names in Each of the Last 100 Years Top 5 Names in Each of the Last 100 Years Top names by State The following table shows the five most frequent given names for male and female babies  born in each year 1916-2015. Over the last 100 years, the male name   Michael has held the top spot most often (44 times), while the female name  Mary has been ranked number one 40 times over those years. Top Five Names for Births in 1916-2015 Females This website is produced and published at U.S. taxpayer expense. External Link Disclaimer You are exiting the Social Security Administration's website. SSA cannot attest to the accuracy of information provided by such websites. If we provide a link to such a website, this does not constitute an endorsement by SSA or any of its employees of the information or products presented on the non-SSA website. Also, such websites are not within our control and may not follow the same privacy, security or accessibility policies. Once you visit such a website you are subject to the policies of that site.


What city has Muslim, Christian, Jewish, and Armenian Quarters?

Four Quarters of the Old City - Jerusalem 101 4- Christian Quarter The Jewish Quarter - is located just west of the Western Wall (back to top). The Jewish Quarter is a thriving modern community with more than 1,000 families. It has been rebuilt out of the rubble that was left from Jordanian occupation of the area from 1948 until the Six Day War of 1967. Since the destruction was severe, the Jews who returned to the Old City in 1967 excavated the quarter’s archaeological remains first and then built their city over, around and beside the ancient discoveries. Today there are numerous synagogues and schools for Jewish studies, along with contemporary shops and restaurants up and down the streets. The ancient Roman Cardo Street (135 AD) with its old Byzantine bazaar (325 AD) has been preserved and is filled with trendy new businesses that sell a wide variety of items, including original art work by local artists. A bookstore with Jewish t-shirts, jewelry, photos, etc. located just west of the Western Wall. It is the Jewish version of a Christian bookstore. I spent a couple hours on two different occasions talking to the owner. He has written two books.   A friendly Orthodox Jew who approached me to talk and volunteered to exchange photos at the Western Wall. Notice the Herodian Ashlar stones in the wall behind him. The thin partition wall on the right side of the photo seperates the men and women's side of the Prayer Plaza. Galyn, Ryan and Jenn talking in the streets of the Jewish Quarter in Jerusalem.   Here we are at a Jewish cafe in the Jewish Quarter. Class at mid-night on the prayer plaza at the Western Wall.     Israeli police and IDF (Israeli Defense Force) leave the West Wall Plaza in the Jewish Quarter.   Muslim Quarter (back to top) The Muslim Quarter is the largest and most populated of the four quarters in the Old City. Developed by Herod the Great, organized by the Christian ByzantineEmpire, and then occupied by the Christian Crusaders, even this section is full of Churches and Christian shrines. The main streets, El-Wad (which leads to the Damascus Gate) and Via Dolorosa (which runs from the Lions Gate to intersect El-Wad), are bazaars with Muslim shopkeepers ready to sell the Christian Pilgrim a plastic crucifix or olive wood nativity set. When Jesus walked through these streets to his crucifixion they were busy even then and would have been filled with shops. Closer to the Temple Mount (or as the Muslims call it the Hara mesh-Sharif, meaning “The Noble Sanctuary”), buildings from the Mamelukes’ reconstruction of the city from 1250 to 1516 can be seen. This area today preserves some of the fine medieval Islamic architecture.   Toni (white straw hat) shopping in the Muslim Quarter through the covered street bazaar. Galyn purchases a Coke and a bottle of water in the Muslim Quarter. The Damascus Gate from the inside.   Israeli soldiers patrol the Muslim Quarter. Cell phone on the Temple Mount.   Armenian Quarter (back to top)   The nation of Armenia was the first nation to declare itself a Christian nation. They did this in 301, before the days of Constantine, but Armenians had been living in Jerusalem since 95 B.C. The Armenian Quarter was established on Mount Zion 301. Right before the Crusader period (1099-1187 A.D.) the Armenian Quarter began to develop. It reached its current size during the Ottoman period (1517-1917). Today the Armenian “quarter” covers about one-sixth of the Old City.   An Armenian woman hand paints the ceramics created in her father's local shop.   Buses and cars run through the narrow streets in the Armenian Quarter by entering and exiting the Joppa Gate. Smaller cars also use the Zion Gate. Israeli soldiers at the Zion Gate in the Armenian Quarter. The streets of the Old City in the Armenian Quarter early in the morning around 1:00 AM. JUC, Jerusalem University College, on the Mount of Zion just outside the walls of the Armenian Quarter. Dr. Carl Rasmussen and Mary bumped into Toni and Galyn outside the Armenian Quarter. Carl and Mary were returning from an excursion in the West


What is the best-selling soda in the U.S. that is not made by Pepsi or Coke?

Sweet! America's top 10 brands of soda - Business - US business - Food Inc. | NBC News Sweet! America's top 10 brands of soda Whatever happened to 7 UP? And people really actually drink Fanta Below: Expand AP It was the biggest victory in the Cola Wars since Michael J. Fox picked up his first can of Pepsi: Diet Coke last year passed Pepsi to move into second place in U.S. soft drink popularity. But the sales figures — released last week by the trade publication Beverage Digest — brought up many more questions than answers for consumers of sugary carbonated beverages. What ever happened to 7 Up? Are there really enough 13-year-old boys in the U.S. to keep Mountain Dew in fourth place? And who the hell drinks Fanta? The Top 5 drinks from 2010 were Coke, Diet Coke, Pepsi, Mountain Dew and Dr Pepper. Soft drink sales are on the decline overall in the U.S., although diet drinks are taking less of a hit. There were four diet sodas in the Top 10 in 2010 — twice as many as 2000. Accompanying this article are breakdowns of all 10 most popular beverages, including historical facts, great moments in product placement and any presidents or pontiffs who have been seen consuming the drink. 1. Coca Cola Introduced: 1886 Archrival: Pepsi-Cola Target market: Pretty much everyone. The 17 percent market share is higher than Pepsi and Mountain Dew combined, and the drink is reportedly recognized by 94 percent of the world’s population. Product placement: While hundreds of television shows, films and other forms of media have featured Coke as product placement, we’re declaring “American Idol” the winner for its relentlessly awkward Coke drops (narrowly beating out “The Cosby Show”). Fun fact: Coca Cola was the first soft drink in outer space, consumed by members of the Space Shuttle Challenger in something called a “Coca Cola Space Can.” Introduced: 1983 Archrival: Diet Pepsi Target market: After destroying diet soda trailblazer Tab in its first years of existence, Diet Coke has dominated a wide demographic. Diet Coke has always seemed aimed at a slightly older age group, although it has become more popular recently among young adults and teens. Product placement: Diet Coke benefited from perhaps the ultimate product placement in the U.S. — the hand of the president of the United States. For eight years, President Clinton was frequently photographed holding a can. Fun fact: Artists ranging from Lady Gaga to Frank Sinatra have included Diet Coke on their touring contract rider. 3. Pepsi-Cola Introduced: 1898 Archrival: Coca Cola Target market: Introduced originally with the far less appetizing name “Brad’s Drink,” Pepsi has reinvented itself several times over the years — and since the 1980s has been aiming at the younger generation. Product placement: In 1959, Soviet premier Nikita Khrushchev and then-Vice President Richard Nixon chatted while drinking small goblets of Pepsi at the Moscow World’s Fair. Fun fact: The original Pepsi advertising tagline was “Exhilarating, Invigorating, Aids Digestion.” 4. Mountain Dew Introduced: 1948 Archrival: Mello Yello Target market: Based on the advertising over the past decade-and-a-half, Mountain Dew seems to be aiming squarely at injury-prone 17-year-olds. After the caffeinated, vaguely nuclear-looking beverage gained a reputation as “rocket fuel,” PepsiCo has associated the drink with fast times, all-night video game binges and extreme sports — to great success. Product placement: Mountain Dew has appeared everywhere from “Men in Black II” to the X Games. But it will forever be in the product placement shadow of Mello Yello, which adorned Tom Cruise’s car in “Days of Thunder.” Fun fact: The name “Mountain Dew” was apparently a reference to moonshine. Introduced: 1885 Archrival: Pibb Xtra Target market: Dr Pepper has a very distinct taste, which tends to attract loyal customers. Most of the Dr Pepper Snapple Group’s advertising over the years (“I’m a Pepper, you’re a Pepper …”) seems to celebrate its difference from the other colas. It’s the oldest popular soft drink, and was invented in Waco, Texas. P


Citrine and amethyst are forms of what mineral?

Citrine: The quartz mineral Citrine information and pictures Advertising Information The Mineral citrine Citrine is the yellow to brownish-red variety of  the mineral Quartz . It is a widely used as a gemstone, and after Amethyst it is the most popular Quartz gem. Most Citrine is formed by heat treating purple Amethyst . Citrine may also be produced by heat-treating Smoky Quartz from certain localities. In some Amethyst deposits, the Amethyst has been partially or fully changed over to yellow Citrine by natural means of heating. Natural Citrine, which is rare, is yellow to orange-yellow, and occurs in much lighter hues than the heat-treated material, which is dark orange-brown to reddish-brown. Virtually all heat-treated material has a reddish tint, whereas the natural specimens do not. Natural light yellow Citrine is often called "Lemon Quartz" on the gemstone market. Sometimes Citrine has a "smoky" hue to it, and can be borderlined between Citrine and Smoky Quartz , with either definition being correct. For additional information, see the gemstone section on Citrine . USES Citrine is known mainly for its use as a gemstone . Gems are faceted for jewelry, and it is often used as an inexpensive substitute for Topaz . Citrine is also popular among mineral collectors, and small pieces and drusy plates are often sold to amateur collectors in gift shops. NOTEWORTHY LOCALITIES Natural Citrine is not common and occurs sparingly in many large Quartz deposits. Most commercial gem-grade material comes from Rio Grande do Sul and Minas Gerais, Brazil, but almost all of the Brazilian material is heat treated Amethyst . A classic exhausted locality for natural Citrine is Olkhovka in the Northern Ural Mountains, Russia. Other locations where natural Citrine is found is San Cristobal, Santander, Colombia; Lubumbashi in Katanga (Shaba), Congo (Zaire); Antananarivo Province, Madagascar; Salamanca, Spain; and Dauphine, France. In Boekenhoutshoek (Magaliesberg), Mkobola district, South Africa, a unique form of natural Citrine is found together with Amethyst that has a spiky overgrowth of small crystals popularly called "Cactus Quartz".


"If a person is ""juicing"" what drug are they taking?"

Anabolic Steroids | NIDA for Teens Also known as: Anabolic-androgenic steroids, “roids,” or “juice” Common brand names: Androsterone, Oxandrin, Dianabol, Winstrol, Deca-durabolin, and Equipoise Anabolic steroids are manmade substances related to testosterone (male sex hormone). Doctors use anabolic steroids to treat hormone problems in men, delayed puberty, and muscle loss from some diseases. Bodybuilders and athletes may use anabolic steroids to build muscles and improve athletic performance, often taking doses much higher than would be prescribed for a medical condition. Using them this way is not legal—or safe. Anabolic steroids are only one type of steroid. Other types of steroids include cortisol, estrogen, and progesterone. These are different chemicals and do not have the same effects. How Are Anabolic Steroids Abused? When people take steroids without a doctor’s prescription or in ways other than as prescribed, they are abusing steroids. Some people who abuse steroids take pills; others use needles to inject steroids into their muscles. How Do Anabolic Steroids Affect the Brain? Anabolic steroids affect a part of the brain called the limbic system , which controls mood. Long-term steroid abuse can lead to aggressive behavior and extreme mood swings. This is sometimes referred to as “roid rage.” Steroids can also lead to feeling paranoid (like someone or something is out to get you), jealousy, delusions (belief in something that is not true), and feeling invincible (like nothing can hurt you). What Are the Other Effects of Anabolic Steroids? Abuse of anabolic steroids has been linked with serious health problems. They include: High blood pressure Changes in or end of menstrual cycle/getting your period Enlargement of clitoris In addition, if teens abuse anabolic steroids, they may never achieve their full height because anabolic steroids can stop growth in the middle of puberty. Can You Get Addicted to Anabolic Steroids? Yes. Addiction to steroids is different compared to other drugs of abuse, because users don’t become high when using. People who do become addicted keep using steroids despite bad effects on their bodies and lives. Also, people who abuse steroids typically spend large amount of time and money obtaining the drugs, which is another sign they may be addicted. When they stop using steroids, people can experience withdrawal symptoms such as feeling depressed, mood swings, feeling tired or restless, loss of appetite, being unable to sleep (insomnia), and the desire to take more steroids. Depression can be very dangerous, because it sometimes leads people to think of or attempt suicide (killing themselves). If not treated, some symptoms of depression that are linked with anabolic steroid withdrawal have lasted for a year or more after the person stops taking the drugs. NIDA has two education programs for players on high school sports teams. In the ATLAS (for guys) and ATHENA (for girls) programs , coaches and sports team leaders talk about how steroids and other illegal drugs can affect sports performance, and they teach how to say no to offers of drugs. They also discuss how strength training and eating healthy foods can help teens build their bodies without the use of steroids. Later, special trainers teach the players proper weightlifting skills. If you see or hear about someone abusing steroids, talk to a coach, teacher, or other trusted adult. Hear a neuroscientist talk about the teen brain and drug use. Can You Die If You Abuse Anabolic Steroids? Yes. Although it is rare, there are a few ways steroid abuse can cause death. Heart attacks and strokes. Steroid use can lead to a condition called atherosclerosis, in which fat builds up inside arteries and makes it hard for blood to flow. When blood flow to the heart is blocked, a heart attack can occur. If blood flow to the brain is blocked, a stroke can occur. HIV. People who inject anabolic steroids using needles may share dirty drug injection equipment that can spread serious viral infections such as HIV/AIDS or hepatitis (a liver disease). How Many


"If Paul McCartney is ""Ivory"", who is ""Ebony"" in the 1982 chart-topping song?"

Paul McCartney and Stevie Wonder's 'Ebony and Ivory': A History of the Hit 30 Years After Its Release | Hollywood Reporter Login to download Paul McCartney and Stevie Wonder's 'Ebony and Ivory': A History of the Hit 30 Years After Its Release 6:00 AM PDT 3/29/2012 by Erik Pedersen COMMENTS Recording sessions in the West Indies, a spliced-together music video, "Saturday Night Live's" hilarious spoof starring Eddie Murphy and Joe Piscopo -- THR looks at why the 1982 chart-topper was a pop culture milestone. One was a member of the most popular band of the 1960s; the other was arguably the most acclaimed singer-songwriter of the ’70s. And their pairing became one of the biggest hits of the ’80s. Paul McCartney and Stevie Wonder’s smash duet “Ebony and Ivory” was released March 29, 1982, and became by far the biggest hit of the latter’s stellar career, spending seven weeks atop Billboard’s Hot 100. (His “Fingertips -- Part 2,” “Sir Duke” and “I Just Called to Say I Love You" each topped the charts for three weeks.) Take away “Hey Jude,” and it’s the longest-running No. 1 for the former Beatle as well -- tied with the game-changing “I Wanna Hold Your Hand.” The song’s theme of racial harmony -- if a mite precious and overbroad -- is beautiful in its simplicity: “Ebony and ivory/Live together in perfect harmony/Side by side on my piano keyboard/Oh Lord, why don't we.” And its metaphor isn’t the only minimalist aspect of “Ebony and Ivory”: While the title words and chorus are repeated frequently, there’s only a single verse, which is sung twice. When McCartney penned the song for his Tug of War album, he knew right away he wanted to record it as a duet. In an April 1982 interview with Bryant Gumbel on NBC’s Today, Sir Paul said: “I had a song called ‘Ebony and Ivory’ that I’d written, and I wanted to sing it with a black guy. And my first thought was Stevie.” He’d been a longtime fan of Wonder: McCartney put a message to the singer in Braille on the back cover of his 1973 album Red Rose Speedway: “We love ya, baby.” [pullquote] Wonder didn’t need much cajoling. In The Billboard Book of Number One Hits, Fred Bronson quotes the singer as telling Dick Clark on The National Music Survey: “I listened to the song, and I liked it very much. … I felt it was positive for everybody. I won’t say it demanded of people to reflect upon it, but it politely asks the people to reflect upon life in using the terms of music … this melting pot of many different people.” McCartney and Wonder recorded the song together on the West Indies island of Montserrat -- with backing vocals by “Theme From Shaft” singer-songwriter Isaac Hayes -- but couldn’t make their schedules work to shoot a video for it. The resulting clip of the two superstars glancing at each other while seated on the same stool playing the same piano -- and later seeming to interact while astride the black keys of an enormous keyboard -- was strictly an editing trick (see the video below). Produced by George Martin of Beatles fame, “Ebony and Ivory” was an immediate success. It debuted on the Hot 100 at No. 29 and hit the top spot five weeks later, being certified gold for sales of 500,000 units. It also hit the Top 10 of Billboard’s R&B chart — a rare feat for any ex-Beatle. Its popularity pushed Tug of War to No. 1 on The Billboard 200 for three weeks; it would be McCartney’s last chart-topping album in the U.S. Eighteen months after that song was recorded, McCartney would team with another iconic black singer-songwriter, Michael Jackson, for "Say Say Say." That Martin-produced duet nearly matched “Ebony’s” success, ruling the Hot 100 for six weeks. With its rather schmaltzy arrangement, rose-colored-glasses take on race relations and mammoth success, “Ebony and Ivory” was an easy target for parody. It was famously -- and hilariously – spoofed on Saturday Night Live in May 1982, with Joe Piscopo and Eddie Murphy doing their classic impressions of Frank Sinatra and Wonder. Watch the SNL clip below; we dare you not to crack up. E-mail: erik.pedersen@thr.com


Whose wives included Aisha, Safiyya, and Sawda?

Wives of the Prophet Muhammad (SAW) Wives of the Prophet Muhammad (SAW) 1. Khadijah bint Khuwaylid 2. Sawada bint Zam'a 3. A'isha Siddiqa bint Abu Bakr 4.Hafsa bint 'Umar 5. Zaynab bint Khuzayma 6.Umm Salama Hind bint Abi Umayya 7. Zaynab bint Jahsh 8.Juwayriya bint al-Harith 9. Umm Habiba Ramla bint Abi Sufyan 10. Safiyya bint Huyayy 11. Maymuna bint al-Harith 12. Maria al-Qibtiyya  Introduction The Position of 'Aisha Conclusion   Introduction   What is there that a woman may not do? She can do everything except what Allah has forbidden. The teachings of Islam tell us what the limits of behavior are. Anyone who goes beyond these limits is likely to meet trouble, both in this world and in the next world. The best of women have lived their lives within the limits of Allah and have achieved greatness, often through actions, which even the best of men could not have equaled. They have gained the love and respect not only of those who knew them, but also of those who came to hear about them long after they have died. Among the best of women were the wives of the Prophet Muhammad, (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) for he was the best of creation, Al Quthum, the one who has all good virtues and characteristics gathered together in him, and accordingly Allah granted him the best of women in marriage. Today, even hundreds of years later, young girls still learn a little about them and then, as they grow up and become women, they follow their example, seeking the pleasure of Allah. It has been related by Anas that the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said, " Of all the women in all the worlds, these are enough for you (meaning that they were the best of women): Maryam, the daughter of Imran, (and the mother of Jesus, peace be upon them); and Khadijah, the daughter of Khuwaylid (the first wife of Muhammad, peace and blessings of Allah be upon them); Fatima, the daughter of Muhammad (and of Khadijah, may Allah be pleased with them); and Asiyya, the wife of Pharaoh (who rescued Moses from the river Nile when he was a baby and brought him up as her son, peace be on them)." Anas also related that the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said, "Love Allah for the gifts that He gives you; love me for the sake of Allah; and love the People of my House for I love them." The Wives of the Prophet Muhammad Abdullah ibn Jafar reported that he heard Sayyiduna Ali say in Kufa that Allah's Messenger, (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said, "The best of the women of her time was Maryam, daughter of Imran, and the bet of the women of her time was Khadijah, daughter of Khuwaylid." Is it not a great honor that the first person to embrace Islam was a woman? She was the first to bear witness that there is no god except Allah and that her husband was the Messenger of Allah. Her husband was our beloved Prophet Muhammad, (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) and she was called Khadijah, ( may Allah be pleased with her) She was also called Thaira, meaning 'pure'.   KHADIJA bint Khuwaylid   Khadijah, may Allah be pleased with her, came from a noble family. Her father Khuwaylid had been one of the most honored leaders of their tribe until he was killed in battle. Her husband had also died, leaving her a very wealthy woman. When Muhammad (peace be upon him) was still a young man, she entrusted him with some of her wealth, asking him to trade with it in Syria on her behalf. He was already well known for his honesty, truthfulness and trustworthiness. He returned from Syria after having made a large profit for Khadijah. After hearing his account of the journey, she decided that he would make the best of the husbands, even though many of the most important nobles of the Quraish had already proposed to her and had been refused, and in due course she proposed to him. After the Prophet's uncle, Abu Talib, had given the proposed marriage his blessing, Muhammad and Khadijah were married. At the time of the marriage, the Prophet was twenty-five years old, while Khadijah was forty years old.  Fo


According to singer Edwin Starr, what is war good for?

Edwin Starr - War (Original Video - 1969) - YouTube Edwin Starr - War (Original Video - 1969) Want to watch this again later? Sign in to add this video to a playlist. Need to report the video? Sign in to report inappropriate content. Rating is available when the video has been rented. This feature is not available right now. Please try again later. Uploaded on Dec 6, 2007 Original video of Edwin Starr singing his famous song: "War" [Original Music video from 1969] Originally written under the Motown label, and first performed by The Temptations, "War" was later re-released as a single with Edwin Starr as vocals. This version is considered a more emotional version and has become the most popular protest song ever. Lyrics: What is it good for? Absolutely nothing, oh hoh, oh War huh yeah What is it good for? Absolutely nothing, say it again y'all War, huh good God What is it good for? Absolutely nothing, listen to me Oh, war, I despise 'Cause it means destruction of innocent lives War means tears to thousands of mothers eyes When their sons go off to fight and lose their lives I said War, huh good God y'all What is it good for? Absolutely nothing, just say it again War whoa Lord What is it good for? Absolutely nothing, listen to me War, it ain't nothin' but a heartbreaker War, friend only to the undertaker Oh war, is an enemy to all mankind The thought of war blows my mind War has caused unrest within the younger generation Induction, then destruction who wants to die War, good God, y'all What is it good for? Absolutely nothing, say it, say it, say it War, uh huh, yeah, huh What is it good for? Absolutely nothing, listen to me War, it ain't nothin' but a heartbreaker War, it's got one friend that's the undertaker Oh, war has shattered many young man's dreams Made him disabled bitter and mean Life is much to short and precious to spend fighting wars these days War can't give life it can only take it away, ooh War, huh, good God y'all What is it good for? Absolutely nothing, say it again War, whoa, Lord What is it good for? Absolutely nothing, listen to me War, it ain't nothin' but a heartbreaker War, friend only to the undertaker Peace love and understanding tell me Is there no place for them today They say we must fight to keep our freedom But Lord knows there's got to be a better way War, huh, good God y'all What is it good for? You tell 'em, say it, say it, say it, say it War, good Lord, huh What is it good for? Stand up and shout it, nothing War, it ain't nothin' but a heartbreaker Category