Unusual: 10 Make You Think Surreal Photos

From Denny: Whether it's Photoshopped or not we all enjoy those odd sometimes surreal photos that make us think. We may wonder what is going on in the head of the artist or photographer. These odd photos make us take pause and ponder about the statement. Photos like this tend to linger in our minds long after viewing. Found these lovlies on StumbleUpon at the account of retrit, a woman in Greece. She does have a great eye for unusual photos, enjoy!


















































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Scary Odd: Chilean Earthquake Shortened Earths Day

From Denny: This is a fact few of us thought about when we first heard the news of the 8.8 earthquake in Chile. It really does make us wonder about the idea of the exponential curve in relation to a longer period of time how these incidences will add up to effect the planet. What am I talking about? The Earth's day is now just a small amount shorter.

Richard Gross, and another scientist at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, California, put the pencil to the math. They calculated this recent high magnitude earthquake has now shortened the day by 1.26 microseconds. In case you forgot, a microsecond is one-millionth of a second. The length of a day is the time it takes for Earth to complete one rotation: 86,400 seconds or 24 hours.

OK, so how did this earthquake accomplish this feat of shortening Earth's day? It caused the Earth to rotate faster by nudging some of its mass closer to the planet's axis. Reminds you of one of those Olympic skaters in a spin where they pull up their arms to increase the speed of the spin.

The opposite can happen too. An earthquake "can slow the rotation and lengthen the day - if it redistributes mass away from that axis," Gross said.

Can this small change be permanent? According to Gross the answer is yes. He also commented that a series of high magnitude earthquakes like this one could possible add up to make the day shorter "but these changes are very, very small."

How small are these changes? There are so small that scientists are not able to record them directly. You would be surprised how much of science is not direct but rather indirect observation and recording. Gross also stated that true observations of the length of the day are accurate to five-millionths of a second. What about his estimate? His estimate about the Chilean quake's effect is just a quarter of that span of time.


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Funny Groundhog Phils Says 2 More Weeks of Winter

From Denny: Here we are now four long weeks into an extended winter, proclaimed by the celebrity groundhog himself to last a full six weeks. Punxsutawney Phil is known around the globe for his famous forecasting abilities even the psychics envy. And he does it all on a non-cash basis, preferring to barter for great room and board, yummy treats, lots of petting and celebrity status adoration. Read that as he is one spoiled pampered little guy. His fan club is known as the Inner Circle and is made up of local dignitaries dedicated to providing his lavish style.

Since we are still stuck in another two weeks of winter it was fun to check out the official site of the famous groundhog himself and discover some funny facts about the celebration. After all, this famous psychic was correct yet again this year.

Phil has quite the devoted fan base. There are T-shirts with his loving face, coffee mugs with his morning "mug." Stainless steel travel coffee mugs are lovingly adorned with his message. Groundhog cookies come with a recipe you can make your own or available for purchase. Powerful refrigerator magnets remind you of his presence in your life!

There are groundhog jokes, groundhog cookie cutters (I kid you not), groundhog lesson plans for teachers, a poetry competition and more.

While researching the origins of this crazy celebration that now millions of people watch all over the globe, I had a laughing good time. It was time to share. Here is a sampling of the funnies to get you started grinning.

*** For the full post over at The Social Poets, go here.





Noteworthy highlight in Phil's long history:

* During Prohibition Phil threatened to impose 60 weeks of winter on the community if he wasn't allowed a drink. (Psychics must need a stiff shot every now and then.)


Top 11 Reasons to Celebrate Groundhog Day


11. It's on nearly every calendar.

10. Helps relieve cabin fever.

9. Spring or not, it's six weeks till St Urho's Day.

8. Forecast is no less reliable than the National Weather Service.

7. At least one of them critters is bound to see things your way.

6. Valentine's Day is too depressing for nerds.

5. Unlike the Easter bunny, he keeps his dirty paws outside.

4. As they used to say on radio: "The Shadow knows."

3. It's fun to say "Punxsutawney."

2. If a rodent can bring us an early spring, more power to him.

1. In Minnesota, either way we come out ahead.


Quote

* The groundhog is like most other prophets; it delivers its prediction and then disappears. - Bill Vaughn


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Ming Tsai’s Chinese New Year Feast: Year of the Tiger

From Denny: Chinese New Year celebrations began on February 14th, the same as Valentine's Day, and last for two weeks or more. This year is known as the Year of the Tiger.

Chef Ming Tsai, from his restaurant Blue Ginger and Food Network fame, offers up a few tasty dishes to help us celebrate a feast fit for a tiger. These are some seriously sophisticated recipes. Makes me long for when I spent a few years of high school in Taiwan. The Taiwanese loved to teach others about their food and culture. The Taiwanese are also quite an enthusiastic culture, easy for Americans to relate to their exuberance. The Chinese celebrate New Year like we celebrate Mardi Gras in Louisiana - lots of incredible feasting!

Ming's Recipes Featured:

Tempura Shrimp Cocktail with Lime Leaf-Avocado Puree
Cranberry-Hoisin Sauce Glazed Duck
Lychee Champagne Granita






Ming's books:



Simply Ming: Easy Techniques for East-Meets-West Meals




Ming's Master Recipes (based on the Public Television series SIMPLY MING)

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Tempura shrimp cocktail with lime leaf-avocado puree and chipotle puree

From: Chef Ming Tsai, Blue Ginger restaurant

Serves: 4

Shrimp in Chinese also means to laugh or smile, which we all need in the new year and is, of course, essential in a relationship!

INGREDIENTS

Tomato puree

• 2 tablespoons canola oil
• 1 medium onion, rough chopped
• 1 tablespoon chopped garlic
• 2 medium tomatoes, rough chopped, or 1 cup drained canned plum tomatoes
• 1/2 to 1 tablespoon chopped chipotles in adobo sauce, depending on heat preference
• Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper

Avocado puree

• 2 ripe avocados, rough chopped
• 1 jalapeno pepper, stemmed and seeded
• Juice of 1 lime
• 6 lime leaves, chiffonade
• Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
• 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
• 1 tablespoon finely chopped shallots

Tempura shrimp cocktail

• 2 flour tortillas or best quality tortilla chips
• 1 teaspoon ancho chile powder
• Kosher salt
• 2 cups rice flour
• 2-3 cups club soda
• 12 large shrimp, peeled and deveined, tail-on (Contessa brand preferred)
• Canola oil, for deep frying
• 2 cups romaine lettuce, cut into 1/8-inch ribbons

DIRECTIONS

For the tomato puree

Heat a small skillet over medium heat; add oil and swirl to coat. When the oil shimmers, add onion and garlic and saute until brown, stirring occasionally, about 6 minutes. Add tomatoes and chipotles and cook, stirring occasionally, until tomatoes are soft and their liquid has evaporated, about 10 minutes. Transfer to a food processor and puree. Season with kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper. Set aside.

For the avocado puree

In a food processor, combine avocados with jalapeno, lime juice and lime leaves and puree. Season with kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper. Fold in the cilantro and shallots. Set aside.

For the tortilla chips

Fill a fryer or medium stockpot one-third full with oil and heat to 375 degrees. Cut tortillas in 1-inch-wide long-sided triangles that run the length of each tortilla. Fry tortilla triangles until golden brown, about 3 minutes. Drain well on paper towel-lined plate, season with chile powder and salt and set aside.

For the tempura shrimp

Place flour in medium bowl and stir in sufficient club soda to produce a pancake batter-like mixture. Dip the shrimp in the batter, drain any excess, and fry in 2 batches until golden brown, 3-5 minutes. Remove with a large mesh spoon and drain on paper towels. Season with salt to taste.

To serve, have 4 martini glasses filled with romaine. Dollop purees side by side into martini glasses. Insert 3 chips upright in each glass. Hang 3 shrimp off edge of martini glass, pushing them gently into edge. You may need to make a 1/4-inch incision on top of shrimp so they will stay firmly attached.







Cranberry-hoisin glazed duck with bok choy fondue and a red roast sweet potato puree

From: Ming Tsai

Serves: 4

In Chinese culture, duck symbolizes fidelity and the color red symbolizes happiness.

INGREDIENTS

• 1 bottle dry red wine
• 2 cups Shaoxing wine, or 1 cup dry sherry
• 1 cup dark soy sauce
• 3 cups Wanjashan organic soy sauce
• 2 cups Ocean Spray cranberry juice
• 1 cup hoisin sauce
• 2 boxes (about 3 pounds) rock sugar, or 2 cups dark brown sugar
• 1 cup Craisins, rough chopped, plus whole for garnish
• 1 5-inch piece fresh ginger, cut into 1/4-inch slices
• 1 whole head garlic, unpeeled and halved horizontally
• 2 bunches scallions, white parts sliced into 2-inch lengths, green parts sliced 1/8 inch thick
• 2 star anise
• 4 Thai bird chiles
• 2 cinnamon sticks
• 1 large duck, about 6 pounds
• 2 cups water, plus more if necessary
• 8 baby bok choy, halved and cored
• 4 sweet potatoes, forked, wrapped in foil and baked through

DIRECTIONS

1. In a large, deep pot combine the wines, soy sauces, cranberry juice, hoisin sauce, rock sugar, Craisins, ginger, garlic, scallion whites, star anise, chiles and cinnamon sticks. Bring to a boil over high heat and stir to dissolve rock sugar, about 5-10 minutes. Reduce to a simmer and add the duck and water. If the liquid doesn't cover the duck, add more water.

2. Place a second pot or stainless-steel bowl half-filled with water into the first to keep the duck submerged (see Tips) and simmer until the duck is very tender and almost falling from the bones, 2 1/2 to 3 hours. Do not overcook or the meat will come apart. During the last 10 minutes of cooking, add the bok choy.

3. Meanwhile, prepare sweet potato mash: Unwrap hot sweet potatoes and scoop flesh into a large heat-proof bowl. Add 2 to 3 tablespoons of the hot braising liquid to potatoes. Stir together until well combined. Check for flavor and season with salt and pepper (and extra braising liquid, if you like). Place potatoes in center of a large platter. Using a large, mesh spoon, carefully remove the duck and bok choy from the pot and arrange on platter, using potatoes to anchor duck.

4. Glaze the duck with the sauce, garnish it with the scallion greens and reserved Craisins, and serve.

TIPS

Ming's Tips: The duck must be kept submerged in its braising liquid while it cooks. To accomplish this, find a pot or stainless-steel bowl that will fit into the braising pot. Fill it halfway with water and place it on the duck to weigh it down as it cooks.

Don't be put off by the amount of sugar I call for here; it's needed to give the dish its mellow flavor.





Lychee champagne granita

From: Ming Tsai, "Simply Ming"

Serves: 4

In Chinese culture, the lychee is considered a symbol of romance and love. It is also thought to be beneficial to place dried lychees under the marriage bed as a wish for many children.

INGREDIENTS

• 1 cup drained lychees
• 1/2 cup syrup from can of lychees
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• 1 1/2 cups Champagne, plus more for garnish
• Whole fresh lychees, for garnish (optional)

DIRECTIONS

In a blender, combine lychees, syrup and lemon juice. Blend until smooth. Strain mixture into a bowl. Add Champagne and stir to combine. Pour mixture into baking dish, stir once and freeze overnight. To serve, scrape using the back of a fork, pile into chilled martini glasses and top with more Champagne and a whole lychee, for garnish, if desired.






Ming's books:



Simply Ming: Easy Techniques for East-Meets-West Meals




Ming's Master Recipes (based on the Public Television series SIMPLY MING)


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8 Funny Advice Quotes About Sleeping

Sleeping lion Photo by travlinman43 @ flickr

From Denny: Here's a sampling of the funny quotes about the subject of sleep for you to get a chuckle of the moment. For the full huge post of funnies with great photos over at The Social Poets for Cheeky Quote Day, go here.

The best Life advice:

Think in the morning. Act in the noon. Eat in the evening. Sleep in the night. - William Blake

Never work just for money or for power. They won't save your soul or help you sleep at night. - Marian Wright Edelman

Better to sleep with a sober cannibal than a drunken Christian. - Herman Melville




Sleeping boy at the table where sometimes sleep wins out over food Photo by indi.ca @ flickr


Best Interesting Observations:

Laugh and the world laughs with you, snore and you sleep alone. - Anthony Burgess

From time immemorial artistic insights have been revealed to artists in their sleep and in dreams, so that at all times they ardently desired them. – Paracelsus

We are not hypocrites in our sleep. - William Hazlitt

Each day is a little life: every waking and rising a little birth, every fresh morning a little youth, every going to rest and sleep a little death. - Arthur Schopenhauer

There is only one thing people like that is good for them - a good night's sleep. - Edgar Watson Howe


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Funny Talented Dancing Traffic Cop

From Denny: You are going to enjoy this talented guy. He finds ways to chase away the boredom of the job - and stays in shape doing it!

This video comes from CBS Sunday Morning show. They had profiled the Rhode Island, USA, traffic officer back last summer. CBS followed up with comedian Mo Rocca interviewing him this past Christmas season.

Here I am in February - and still laughing!



Watch CBS News Videos Online


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Dennys Funny Quotes

Ouch Outrageous Obnoxious And Odd


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Funny Best of the Week Political Cartoons 27 Feb 2010

From Denny: Every week I collect the best political cartoons and roll them into one funny post. To best enjoy them on a wider blog template that displays well, go here:

Funny Political Cartoons: Political Olympics, Broken Government, Lampooning Toyota - 27 Feb 2010

See Cartoons by Cartoon by David Fitzsimmons - Courtesy of Politicalcartoons.com - Email this Cartoon

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Stop That Cold in Its Tracks: Illness Fighting Foods

From Denny: Want to know some great foods as medicine to deal with life's issues like colds, stomach pains and headaches? Check out this easy to eat and enjoy list!

Colds:

* Mushrooms - boost your immune system. Mushrooms also are considered like a leafy green vegetable and help the liver process toxins easier.

* Salmon - contains high amounts of vitamin D and you need vitamin D to ward off colds.

* Sunflower seeds - contain lots of vitamin E

* Curry spice - helps lower stress levels

* Milk - all that calcium eases muscle aches and pains and soothes you psychologically

* Red bell pepper - high in vitamin C and vitamin A, easy low acid source of vitamin C, the vitamin that lowers and soothes our stress

* Pistachios - loaded with vitamin E, great for lowering cholesterol too, lowers blood pressure and is calming

Headaches:

* Red snapper and salmon - high in Omega 3 fatty acids that are anti-inflammatory. To help fight inflammation - the reason for most diseases like heart disease, diabetes, migraines and asthma.

* Quinoa, an ancient grain, anti-inflammatory full of protein and minerals

* Black beans, anti-inflammatory and aids the liver in digesting toxins better than other beans.

* Cayenne pepper - great anti-inflammatory for lung, sinus and intestional issues, fights cancer too.

Stomach Pain:

* Ginger - proven great for nausea

* Fennel - a digestive aid

* Peppermint oil - a digestive aid

* Fiber - digestive

* Yogurt - helps digest food faster and avoid bloating

* Berries - act like yogurt as ultimate digestive aid


From Fitness Magazine, Pam O'Brien informs us of the focus foods for getting back on our feet when we have been feeling under the weather:

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Evidence of the Afterlife: New Book Offers Proof

From Denny: There's a new book out with research from a study and recounting near death experience stories. It's from an author in my part of the country, Louisiana, Dr. Jeffrey Long who researched this subject and the new book is called "Evidence of the Afterlife."

Reincarnation, near death and after life experiences are often controversial, especially to those who have not experienced the phenomenon. Previously, medical researchers tried to explain away those experiences by declaring the brain was on overload while dying and that explains "the light." What they should have said is "I don't really know." One person's truth is not always someone else's truth - until it happens to them.

I applaud this doctor, a radiation oncologist, for daring to step out there and investigate this subject. He collected more than 1,300 stories from people all over the world.

He offers this book up as proof the afterlife exists, writing there are at least nine lines of evidence and here are two of those lines of proof:

1. People blind from birth have visual near death experiences.

2. His study was with young children with no previous knowledge of the subject, ages 5 to 9, and their near death experiences were identical to that of older children and adults.

Mary Jo Rapini recounts her experience in this video. Previous to her near death experience she had been a skeptic who worked with dying cancer patients who repeatedly told her of their experiences.

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Springs New Ruffle Loose and Sophisticated: 4 Ways to Wear It

From Denny: The weather is starting to cooperate and turn a bit warmer, melting all that annoying snow here and there. Your mind turns to "maybe I can wear real clothes now instead of piling on the winter gear." The clothing trend this Spring is frilly! Not to worry, it isn't weird or too girly but all grown up and sophisticated is the fashion take designers took on ruffles this year.

Designers have been playing with fabric like your toddler does with toys and having great fun. The result of their creativity is the modern update for ruffles is that the ruffle is longer, looser, even twisted and turned, creating very relaxed and easy to wear styles. For the unexpected are those nonperfect puckers that come across as elegant. The beauty of this modern take on ruffles is their versatility so you can dress them up or down: to work or on the weekends with jeans.

4 Styles of Frilly this season

Fashion-forward frills

Normally, the traditional ruffle is so excessive in its flourish that it is not considered work appropriate. However, the new abstract take this season on the ruffle makes it wearable to the office. If you are in a conservative environment with menswear-inspired as the rule this year's ruffle can give you a bit of a feminine twist for your wardrobe.

This new take on ruffles are larger folds that lie flat but add depth and movement yet without feeling frilly. Asymmetrical layers like these ruffles help soften structured suits and skirts and carve out some curves in all the right places. Make sure to add a belt to tame that possible volume on cardigans and blouses.

Featured in the video: Ruffled wrap top, $49, Loehmann's; Tiered ruffle skirt, $89.90, Zara.com

Pretty and preppy

Sometimes, casual wear can look just too plain vanilla and uninspired. This season focus on smaller details and update some of your casual cotten and easy knits to give them some flair with visual interest. Those tiny elements of texture on a simple T-shirt or a menswear button-down shirt with a tuxedo-like ruffle trim can do the trick without resorting to accessories.

Even this season's accessories are getting into the act with ruffles, puckers and pleats! Remember to keep your total look in mind and moderate just how much you embrace any new trend. A few touches of a good thing often create more stylish impact than too much flourish. Leave the excess to when you come down to visit me in south Louisiana and we blow it out over at the New Orleans Mardi Gras! :)

Featured in the video: Cascading Rose T-shirt, $45; Jcrew.com, Slim fit white jeans, $59.90, Mango.com; Deux lux ruffle handbag, $68, Urbanoutfitters.com

Trendy tiers

Some of the harsher, edgy and sharply tailored looks like biker jackets, knee-length boots and studded handbags are getting ruffles this season. Even if you might normally wear a very sleek look, a few items from this season's offerings can give your wardrobe that fluid flowing benefit that only a soft item can provide.

These new long layers look easy and modern, pairing well with tough fabrics and sharp tailoring, making you more approachable. Who wants to scare off a possible great mate? :) The reverse is true of the sharply tailored looks: they help balance soft flowing lines, taming a billowy look. I'm a big fan of contrast to create balance in a wardrobe. It keeps things interesting and people asking, "Where did you get that?"

Featured in the video: AK Anne Klein Blouse, $29.99, TJMaxx.com; Faux leather blazer, $24.95, Hm.com

For children: Look 1 — Kiddo USA ruffle tank, $8, Tjmaxx.com; denim leggings, $18, Macys.com; Sneakers, $30, Zara.com; Look 2 — Scooter Brown T-shirt, $7, Tjmaxx.com; denim jacket, $37.50, sequin scarf, $10, Macys.com; ruffle skirt, $20, Zara.com; leggings, $9, Oldnavy.com; Skechers Twinkle Toes sneakers, $39.99, Jcpenney.com

Dressy and delicate

In the Fall season we embraced structured, architectural styles. Well, this Spring season we all need a breather, something more whimsical and a bit softer. Don't even allow your mind to go to the typed cast vision of ruffles: little girls in pink poufy party dresses. This season ruffles grew up: think more classic muted tones like blush, rose and palest blues. Sophisticated colors build a stage for those perfect subtle details to be a stand out.

Check out how layered ruffles from delicious fabrics like lace and chiffon weave this airy transparency. It's those raw edges that give these vintage-inpsired versions their modernity. Even a trench coat gets cascading edges or a wonderful wrap gifts drama to a very simple classic black dress for that special occasion.

Featured in this video: Ruffle dress, $129, Zara.com; Silk ruffle trench, $228, Anntaylor.com

Check out how there are four different ways to wear this season's new take on frilly from style editor Bobbie Thomas who is also author of The Buzz column for In Touch Weekly. Explore with her new ways to embrace this textured trend!

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