… get paid obscene amounts of $$$ (like $180,000) to make appearances at “hip” night clubs. $180k for 20 minutes of partying. Almost makes me want to question that whole capitalist thing. Almost.

Source: Some really trashy tv show that was on VH1 or MTV or E! or one of the many other ridiculous lookalike networks at 2:45 AM.

… is approximately 1132 feet above sea level. MSP on the other hand, is at 841 feet. So, keeping in mind that barometric pressure may fluctuate, making macaroni and cheese at the new house may take just a little more time, as the water will boil at a slightly lower temperature (thereby taking the noodles just a little longer to heat up).

About 1/2 degree, if my calculations are correct. (And how could they not be?)

That’s 210.566° F in MN and 210.063° F in AZ.

Don’t believe me? Try it yourself.

There is apparently a country/micro-nation named Sealand, which, in a nutshell, is an old UK military instillation which is just off UK shores, but in international waters. When UK abandoned it, a pirate radio broadcaster claimed it. The “land” is basically a platform suspended between 2 towers – about 550 square meters.

Source: Jeff and then Wiki

… now offer Master’s Degrees in Positive Psychology.

Positive psychology is a recent branch of psychology that “studies the strengths and virtues that enable individuals and communities to thrive.” Positive psychologists seek “to find and nurture genius and talent,” and “to make normal life more fulfilling,” not to cure mental illness.

God forbid we train more plumbers, carpenters, or mechanics. More Positive Psychologists is what we need. How did we survive for the first few millennia without them?

(This post is way more relevant if you read the one right before this.)

Has a Master’s degree in Positive Psychology from the University of Pennsylvania. He also writes an advice column for AARP magazine.

Source: AARP magazine (Don’t ask)

Tom’s post got me to thinking about the other weather measurement that I don’t understand… the Dew Point. Luckily there is a world wide web of information (a super highway, if you will) that can explain these mysteries.

The Dew Point (or dewpoint) is the temperature which air must be cooled to in order for the water vapor in the air to condense into water (dew).

Dew Points are related to relative humidity.

From Meteorologist Steve Horstmeyer:

In terms of relative humidity, as the parcel of air is cooled, the relative humidity increases, when the relative humidity reaches 100%, the air parcel has cooled to the dew point temperature. At a relative humidity of 100% the dew point temperature ALWAYS equals the temperature. The greater the difference between temperature and dew point the lower the relative humidity.

Generally, the higher the Dew Point, the higher the relative humidity, and the more uncomfortable you will feel.

But next time you’re hot, remember, it could be worse:

The highest recorded dew point was 35°C (95°F), reported in Dhahran, Saudi Arabia at 3 p.m. July 8, 2003. The temperature was 42.2°C (108°F) resulting in an apparent temperature or Heat Index of 77.7°C (172°F).

172!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Source: Mr. Horstmeyer, and wikipedia with the assist.

Using a relatively simple machine at home. Each plastic case can be reloaded around 6 times.

Source: The Dad

Her handle was “First Mama.”

True story.

Source: Reeg (Regis Philbin of Who Wants to be a Millionaire?) and verified and further researched with wikipedia.

Actually, the source was the contestant, I guess. He knew the answer, and really did want to be a millionaire. Lucky for him, that Betty Ford question cleared the way for him and he won. In all that time watching GSN it’s the first time I saw someone take home the big check. Pretty cool.

Mostly due to the creepy guy. No wait, this creepy guy.

Source: Comcast On Demand Movies, which, like all things comcast, only worked partially. There was a unknown communication error that forced a restart of the movie half way. But like they say, “Comcast, we’re craptastic!” My personal pick was “Comcast: worst company on earth, but we’re a monopoly, so suck it!” but I guess it was rejected by the marketing department. You know, like Barry O’s presidential seal.

I knew why if feels colder in the wind (wind chill) but I didn’t know why it feels hotter in the humidity. Now I know.

Some basic facts to start. Relative humidity is the % of water in the air. Hotter air can hold more water. So 100% humidity would mean the air is saturated with water.

So… the reason it feels hotter?

Our bodies rely on evaporation to stay cool. Ever hear of a little thing called sweating? At higher relative humidities, it’s harder to evaporate that sweat, so you don’t cool off as much, so it seems like it’s hotter. Eureka. Read more about it at the source.

Source: American Institute of Physics