Fact Of The Day

[ER]

In Japan in the 1980s a popular product for children was (translated as) "Whacky Pee." Apparently when a child swallowed a Whacky Pee tablet, which looked like the little Easter egg dye pellets we see each spring, his urine would temporarily be turned to one of a rainbow of pre-selected colors, from orange to blue, green to purple. The original intent of the product was for medical use, but it soon took off when introduced in toy stores in 1984.

[claws]

Since Europeans are not familiar with the flavor Cool Ranch, Frito-Lay made a name change when they launched Doritos Cool Ranch in Europe. In some parts of Europe they are known as Cool Original (UK), or Cool American (Germany).

[Umaril Has Returned]

Since Europeans are not familiar with the flavor Cool Ranch, Frito-Lay made a name change when they launched Doritos Cool Ranch in Europe. In some parts of Europe they are known as Cool Original (UK), or Cool American (Germany).

And, at one time, one of the Three Stooges held 51% stock in the company that makes this great snack, and they were thinking of calling them "Curly Joe Doritos"....   

[Flangepart]

In Japan in the 1980s a popular product for children was (translated as) "Whacky Pee." Apparently when a child swallowed a Whacky Pee tablet, which looked like the little Easter egg dye pellets we see each spring, his urine would temporarily be turned to one of a rainbow of pre-selected colors, from orange to blue, green to purple. The original intent of the product was for medical use, but it soon took off when introduced in toy stores in 1984.

On St. Patrick's day, Yankee adults get the green effect with green beer.

[ER]

J.K. Rowling says if Voldemort saw a boggart, it would take the shape of his dead body, since his own death was Voldemort's greatest fear.

[indianasmith]

In 1837, the Navy of the Republic of Texas claimed the Island of Cozumel for the Republic.

WHY DID WE GIVE IT BACK???

[ER]

Every freedom we hold dear, each right we enjoy as citizens of democracies, can be traced back to the bravery and sacrifices made by the veterans of World War Two who fought to protect them, especially those men who stormed the beaches of Normandy this day seventy years ago. Across time, from whatever Allied nation they came from, I thank them one and all for everything their sacrifices bestowed upon us.

[BoyScoutKevin]

Would you do this, if it meant your demise?

I know some of us have already lost friends and family to violence. Other of us will die violently in the future, but the statistics are so good, at least here in the U.S., if I am correct, only about 3% of Americans will die a violent death from all causes.

It is harder to figure out how many people in the past died violently, but my best guesstimate is somewhere between 5% and 10%. Higher than now, but still not as high as . . .

Who Was Who in World Explorers
(Carl Waldset, editor)

A brief, if detailed, bio of 830 different explorers of the past from the time of the Ancient Phoenicians to the 20th century. It is detailed enough to give how each explorer died, if known.

83 (10%) never returned from their last exploration.
40 (05%) later died in battle
25 (03%) were later murdered
15 (02%) later disappeared and were never seen again
09 (01%) were later executed
09 (01%) were later mortally wounded
08 (01%) later committed suicide
14 (02%) later died violently from some other cause

That's 203 out of 830 or about 25%. When a figure gets to be that high, I have to think explorers must have had some secret death wish that set them off exploring.

People of the past lacked for many things, including some times a brain, but they never lacked for courage.

Next time: The Twenty

[ER]

According to Luann Platter, the changing table at Whataburger is strong enough to hold one person, but not two.

[Umaril Has Returned]

Britney Spears and Kevin Federline were thinking of naming one of their kids after where he was conceived, but there wasn't enough room to put "Taco Bell, Men's Room Floor" on the birth certificate.   

[Umaril Has Returned]

Christopher Lee, famed British horror legend, was among thousands who traveled to Finland to fight against the Russians in the Winter War of 1939.  I can only wonder how many of his comrades saw him later on TV and went "Hey, that guy was in combat with me back in 1939!".   Very interesting fact.

[Chainsawmidget]

Christopher Lee, famed British horror legend, was among thousands who traveled to Finland to fight against the Russians in the Winter War of 1939.  I can only wonder how many of his comrades saw him later on TV and went "Hey, that guy was in combat with me back in 1939!".   Very interesting fact.

There's a nice story from the commentary of Lord of the Rings on that note. 

From Peter Jackson's DVD commentary: "When I was shooting the stabbing shot with Christopher, as a director would, I was explaining to him what he should do... And he says, 'Peter, have you ever heard the sound a man makes when he's stabbed in the back?' And I said, 'Um, no.' And he says 'Well, I have, and I know what to do.'"

Another good one, one time he was pressed in an interview about his SAS past.  Lee leaned forward and whispered: "Can you keep a secret?"

The interviewer cried out "Yes!" with excitement.

"So can I." replied a smiling Lee, sitting back in his chair.

[BoyScoutKevin]

Last year, 8,000,000 of your fellow Americans took a cruise. If anyone is interested in taking a cruise this year, or sometime in the future, here are the 20, and the year that they began operation, cruise lines that sail out of the U.S.

1840 Cunard
1872 Holland America
1950 Costa
1964 ACCL
1965 Princess
1966 Norwegian Cruise Line
1969 Royal Caribbean
1972 Carnival
1986 Cruise West
1986 Windstar
1987 Seabourn
1989 Celebrity
1990 Crystal
1990 RSSL
1991 Star Clippers
1994 Silver Sea
1995 MSC
1998 Disney
2003 Oceania
2006 Azamara

Total years experience 864
Average years experience 43

Next time: almost everyone's favorite topic . . . food

[Umaril Has Returned]

The 1965 Toho oddity Frankenstein Conquers The Worldwas the first full American and Japanese film collaboration ever. It was released in Japan on August 8, 1965, two days after the commemoration of Hiroshima.

[Rev. Powell]

Mickey Rooney has the longest career acting regularly in motion pictures. His first credit came at the age of 6 in the 1926 short "Not to Be Trusted," and he continued acting in movies until his death in 2014, a record 88 years.