MCI, as in the old long distance company that eventually became WorldCom and fell apart in one of the largest corporate implosions of all time.

They started in the 60′s trying to use Microwave Relay Stations to compete with AT&T’s monopoly on long distance lines. The idea was to bypass AT&T for the long distance part, then interface with the existing local phone services.

Sprint, by the way, traces it’s roots to the Southern Pacific Railroad, which had it’s own extensive private communications network. They would lease extra space on their network to businesses that didn’t want to pay for AT&T service.

(“Sprint” rumored to be Southern Pacific Railroad Integrated Network Transmission – but that’s not confirmed.)

Source: Yep.

When NBC was created in 1926, General Electric held a 30% share. RCA held the controlling share. GE purchased RCA in 1986 and gained the remaining control of NBC.

When NBC started, there were 2 networks, NBC Blue and NBC Red. Eventually, through antitrust lawsuits, NBC sold the Blue network to the guy who invented Lifesavers candy, and it was renamed ABC.

The original owner of the radio station that eventually became NBC was AT&T.

Source: What Else?

All those ball point pens come from France.

Also, the ball in the ball point pen is made of Tungsten Carbide. The ball is put in a machine and then made smooth by sanding it down using diamond paste for 5 days.

Yes, each one of those pens that cost about 8 cents each gets ground for 5 days with diamond paste.

Source: How do they do it? on the Science Channel

…and are considered the 3rd smartest animal (behind primates and dolphins).

Source: The State Fair tour guide.

From July 2007 to June 2008 MN paid out $486.1 Million in welfare. The next closes state… Wisconsin at $2.4 Million. We spend way too much in welfare.

Source: MN Dept of Human Services

Changing the air filter is waaaaaaaaay easier with a step stool.

Yes, that little yellow Lego man has been around for 30 years.

Source: Fox News

… that needs to be fully seated or else water will come pouring gushing out from the bottom of the washing machine while you are making dinner.

Assumptions: You are making dinner and doing laundry at the same time.

If not, the water will gush about 12 minutes after the laundry cycle begins, regardless of the status of dinner.

So, it turns out that flooding your laundry room while your spouse is making you dinner is not the best thing to do.

You know, in case you were wondering…

Sorry

Not really, but I do have to share my new french toast recipe, discovered today to be 100% awesome.

Eggs
A Liberal (but not ep0pee liberal) splash of milk
A dash of pure vanilla extract
Cinnamon (in with the eggs in addition to sprinkled on the toast)
A small handful of Brown Sugar (in with the eggs)

Serve with Brown ‘n Serve original or maple sausage links and Donald Duck Orange Juice for the ultimate french toast brunch. For best results don’t serve before 11:00 AM, since there’s no excuse to be eating that early on the weekend.