thebigzowie

Posts Tagged ‘stuff to know’

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Why Positive People Always Win

In Mind-Body, Quality of Life on June 22, 2012 at 6:39 pm

This post credited to: Optimism Vs. Positivity: Why Positive People Always Win, by Mike Radivis at www.becomeunrestricted.com

Optimism Vs. Positivity. Huh? Wouldn’t that have to be Optimism Vs. Pessimism or Negativity Vs. Positivity? And aren’t optimism and positivity the same thing? No, and no. It’s really hard to realize that, because usually optimism and positivity are used as synonyms. Conversely, pessimism and negativity also aren’t the same. Let’s start with some…

Definitions

The following aren’t common definitions of the following terms, but I think they are rather useful and enlightening:

  • Optimism means that you expect a situation to have a definite good outcome.
  • Positivity means that you think any outcome of a situation can be used in a good way.
  • Pessimism means that you expect a situation to have a definite bad outcome.
  • Negativity means that you find a bad aspect of any outcome of a situation and focus on that.
  • Realism means that you have accurate expectations about the probability of good, neutral, or bad outcomes of a situation.
  • Indifference means that you don’t care about the outcome of a situation.
  • Neutrality means that you think the good and bad aspects of any outcome of a situation will balance out each other.

Note that these are pretty granular definitions as they all depend on a given situation; like doing a test, working on a project, or going to a party. In reality, people are optimists in some situations while they are pessimists in others. You can be optimistic about your career outlook and pessimistic about your weight, or the other way around.

Optimism, realism, and pessimism are about expectations. Positivity, negativity, indifference, and neutrality, on the other hand, are about perspective. Read the rest of this entry »

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Stand Up To Feel Better And Stay Lean!

In Food & Drink, Mind-Body, Quality of Life, Zowie Fun Facts on May 10, 2012 at 1:01 am

couchtater

This post credited to: Stand Up, Walk Around, Even Just For ’20 Minutes’, at NPR.org

If you’re sitting at a desk reading this article, take a minute and stand up. That’s the latest advice from New York Times Phys Ed columnist Gretchen Reynolds. In her new book, The First 20 Minutes, Reynolds details some of the surprisingly simple ways you can combat the effects of a sedentary lifestyle.

Federal health guidelines recommend 30 minutes of moderate exercise — such as walking or jogging — every single day. But new research shows that even regular exercisers may not be doing enough to counteract the health hazards of sitting down at a desk all day long.

More Health And Exercise Tips:

How Revving Up Your Heart Rate, Even A Bit, Pays Off

Getting your rate into your target zone can help you get more out of a workout.

Lighter Weights Can Still Make A Big Fitness Difference

You don’t have to lift heavy weights to build muscles. More reps with lighter weights works.

How To Eat Out Without Putting On The Pounds

A researcher says one secret to keeping the pounds off is eating slowly and savoring each bite.

Even A Little Exercise Can Help Your Heart

Even modest amounts of physical activity reduce the dangers of heart disease, a new study finds. Read the rest of this entry »

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Taking Out The Trash in Space

In Extraterrestrial, Space Exploration, Strange Oddities on May 2, 2012 at 3:19 am

This post credited in it’s entirety to: The Big Zowie

Next time you’re out on the street polling the average American about environmental concerns, you’ll probably get most people responding, “somewhat” to “very concerned” about trash littering our streets and highways as environmental pollution. And with good reason. If you drive along almost any highway in America and most rural roads, you’ll see objects d’pollution practically everywhere you look; plastic cups, beer cans, potato chip wrappers and a vast array of bottles, glass or plastic, in almost every possible configuration. Yep, people’s trash is everywhere and it isn’t pretty.

But trash isn’t necessarily dangerous. It’s just unsightly. Now poll those same people on the street again and ask them if they’re worried about trash in space – or, what the better informed refer to as Space Debris…what?? That’s right. Junk floating around in space, plastic cups, beer cans, potato chip wrappers…okay, maybe not. But believe it or not, there is a terrific amount of trash floating around in low Earth orbit, and it’s very dangerous!

It’s so dangerous in fact, we have a national office of space junk. Actually NASA refers to it as the NASA Orbital Debris Program Office, located at the Johnson Space Center. It’s the lead NASA center for orbital debris research. More than 21,000 pieces of orbital debris larger than 10 cm are known to exist. The estimated population of particles between 1 and 10 cm in diameter is approximately 500,000. The number of particles smaller than 1 cm exceeds 100 million.

Okay, that’s a lot of junk floating around up there. But dangerous? Why would it be dangerous? Well not necessarily to us down here, but can you imagine flying around up there in the Space Shuttle, or the ISS (International Space Station) having to constantly duck under flying debris?

And you better duck, because according to NASA: “In low Earth orbit (below 2,000 km), orbital debris circle the Earth at speeds of 7 to 8 km/s. However, the average impact speed of orbital debris with another space object will be approximately 10 km/s.” That’s much faster than a speeding bullet! Read the rest of this entry »

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Why Beautiful Women Can’t Get Dates

In Culture, Mind-Body, Quality of Life on February 16, 2012 at 12:00 am

This post credited in it’s entirety to: The Big Zowie

Is it truth or myth that beautiful women often stay home alone waiting for the rest of us to get up the nerve to call them?

Obviously we see women who are, or should be models, on the arm of  some equally dashing and handsome man. So we might assume beautiful people only attract each other.

The media and Hollywood is part of the problem here. Many movies and TV shows promote  beauty, fame and success all in the same package. But perception isn’t always reality for beautiful women in the real dating game.

In a Dating Tips 24/7 article entitled Beautiful and Alone:

“… some of them are assumed to be very self-centered and, therefore, will only date certain types of men. They don’t want to be seen with the ordinary guys. In other words, if a man doesn’t have lots of money and a hot car, they shouldn’t even approach women like this.”

But according to the Hathor Legacy,  where they report on women’s issues and healthy role models, editor-in-chief Jennifer Kesler offers in her post Beautiful Girls Can’t Get Dates:

“I just wanted to let the guys who make these movies and shows know: this doesn’t often happen in real life. Actually, I’m not sure it ever does.”

Many of the top women in their field, who have it all: good looks, money, career and self-confidence, find they have real trouble attracting the right man, even when they are supposedly surrounded by them.

From a recent You Magazine article, Beautiful, Successful and alone:

“…this year, a surprising number of actresses will be taking the red carpet ride without a partner on their arm – Nicole Kidman, Renee Zellwegger, Sandra Bullock and Minnie Driver to name a few.

And although they might tumble in and out of attachments, Kylie Minogue, Geri Halliwell and Miranda Richardson all remain unmarried. These women are not, they admit, entirely happy about their solo status.” Read the rest of this entry »

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Valentine’s Day Top Romantic Movie Picks

In Food & Drink, Quality of Life, Relationships on February 14, 2012 at 10:28 pm

This post credited in it’s entirety to: The Big Zowie

Guys, if you’re reading this, you probably waited ’til the last minute to figure out something romantic to do on a budget for Valentine’s Day. You’re in good company though. According to Cosmopolitan Magazine’s 2010 Romance Survey, most men come up short in the romance department:

SHE SAID: Nearly 40% of women report that their boyfriends or husbands are “not very often” or “never” romantic
HE SAID: Meanwhile, 75% of men claim they are consistently romantic

It’s nothing to brag about boys. But at least we’re trying. So, you’re on a budget and you want to pull off a great last minute night ’0 romance.  This is the time when you need to turn to the professionals – the movie industry! Nothing can raise the snuggle-factor faster than a good old Hollywood romance movie. So whether by dumb luck, or terrific googling skills, you’ve come to the right place to pull your keester out of the fire.

Check out this list from (who else?)  Better Homes and Gardens, find someplace to download, rent, buy, or steal one of the following best picks from the people who know their mushy stuff. Their editorial staff is loaded with high class, opinionated women; an excellent source reference. Then send out for food, light a few candles and hit the couch with your honey for a great night of togetherness. Oh, and ahem, a card would be a smooth move too.

Here you go my brothers: Editors’ Picks: 30 Top Romantic Movies for Valentine’s Day - and may your evening go exactly as planned. Er, better.

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Huge Asteroid Near Miss Nov 2011

In Extraterrestrial, Science, Wild Stuff on October 28, 2011 at 12:21 am

Mark your calendars for an impressive and upcoming flyby of an asteroid that’s one of the larger potentially perilous space rocks in the heavens – in terms of smacking the Earth in the future.

It’s the case of asteroid 2005 YU55, a round mini-world that is about 1,300 feet (400 meters) in diameter. In early November, this asteroid will approach Earth within a scant 0.85 lunar distances. Due the object’s size and whisking by so close to Earth, an extensive campaign of radar, visual and infrared observations are being planned.

Asteroid 2005 YU55 was discovered by Spacewatch at the University of Arizona, Tucson’s Lunar and Planetary Laboratory on Dec. 28, 2005. En route and headed our way, the cosmic wanderer is another reminder about life here on our sitting duck of a planet.

Close and Big

“The close Earth approach of 2005 YU55 on Nov. 8, is unusual since it is close and big.

On average, one wouldn’t expect an object this big to pass this close but every 30 years,” said Don Yeomans, manager of NASA’s Near-Earth Object Program Office and the Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, Calif. Yeomans said that with new radar capabilities at Goldstone in California — part of NASA’s Deep Space Network — there is a good chance of obtaining radar imaging of 2005 YU55 down to the 5-meter resolution level.

Doing so, he said, would mean obtaining higher spatial resolution of the object than that attained by recent spacecraft flyby missions. “So we like to think of this opportunity as a close flyby mission with Earth as the spacecraft,” Yeomans told SPACE.com.

“When combined with ground-based optical and near-infrared observations, the radar data should provide a fairly complete picture of one of the larger potentially hazardous asteroids,” he said. YU55 Asteroid 2005 YU55 is a slow rotator. Because of its size and proximity to Earth, the Minor Planet Center in Cambridge, Mass., has designated the space rock as a “potentially hazardous asteroid.”

Dishing it out “We’re already preparing for the 2005 YU55 flyby,” said Lance Benner, a research scientist at JPL and a specialist on radar imaging of near-Earth objects. He said part of the plan is to observe the asteroid with radar using both the huge Arecibo dish in Puerto Rico and equipment at Goldstone. Read the rest of this entry »

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World Population Hits 7 Billion This Year – Zowie!

In Mind-Body, Quality of Life, Zowie Fun Facts on October 27, 2011 at 12:34 am

A clock is ticking. Sometime late this year, the United Nations Population Division predicts that with about five babies born every second, the world will have 7 billion people.

Seven billion. It was fewer than 1 billion in 1800, 3 billion in 1960, and 6 billion as recently 1999.

The number keeps growing. The planet does not. Thomas Malthus famously predicted in 1798 that at some point, it would all be too much: starvation and disease would kill people more quickly than we can replace them.

But is this year’s milestone cause for worry? Or just the opposite — celebration?

“With the population still growing by about 80 million each year, it’s hard not to be alarmed,” writes Robert Kunzig, the author of National Geographic magazine’s January cover story, “7 Billion.” “Right now on Earth, water tables are falling, soil is eroding, glaciers are melting, and fish stocks are vanishing. Close to a billion people go hungry each day.”

A funny thing has happened on the way to the apocalypse, though. Yes, there is poverty more dire than most of us in America can imagine, but the growing population has not caused the world to collapse. Instead, we’ve conquered infectious diseases, learned how to grow more food, provided clean water even in crowded cities.

The much-discussed “population bomb” may yet go off, says Kunzig — but so far it has not. Read the rest of this entry »

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Balance Your Brain For Better Health And Prosperity!

In Medical Benefits, Mind-Body, Prosperity, Quality of Life on July 20, 2011 at 10:39 pm

Want to have more energy, be healthier, more productive, have a better outlook on life in realizing your personal and financial goals? Maybe balancing your brain is the answer.

More specifically, balancing the left and right sides of your brain to produce harmonic brain wave activity that creates a synergy between perspectives in your internal world of thought and the outside world of materiality.

Centerpoint Research Insttitute lays claim to creating specialized sound technology, anyone can easily use, to electronically induce deep levels of meditation previously available to a only a very few highly trained and disciplined practioners.

The Well-Balanced Brain

Just as we exercise our bodies to feel better and improve our physical health, stimulating the brain in this manner “exercises” the brain, bringing better mental and emotional health and increased intellectual functioning.

Researcher Robert Cosgrove, Jr., Ph.D., M.D., and an authority in pharmaceutics and biomedical engineering, noted that technologies that alter brain wave patterns: Read the rest of this entry »

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The 8 Fastest Growing Jobs in America

In Culture, Financial Markets, Prosperity, Quality of Life on July 8, 2011 at 5:00 am

8 fastest growing jobs in america

In a tough job market, it pays to be strategic – and look for growth opportunities. “One key to finding employment in a poor economy is to target positions that have suffered significant cutbacks in recent years and are now poised to recover to previous or even higher levels,” said Tony Lee, publisher of job-search site CareerCast.com.

Stockbroker

Projected hiring growth: 25%
Income growth potential: 452%
Salary range: $31,000 to $171,000

After being cast in the role of villain during the financial crisis, Wall Street is making a comeback – and we’re not just talking about Gordon Gekko!

The annual salary for a stockbroker starts around $31,000 and can rocket to $171,000 or more for top performers, according to CareerCast.com.

There are no specific educational requirements to be a stockbroker – you can be a high-school dropout or a Harvard M.B.A. Everything you need to know, you’ll learn on the job. But, you gotta have a strong stomach. If you can’t run with the big dogs, you’re going to have to get back on the porch! Read the rest of this entry »

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Feed Your Brain To Live Longer And Feel Better

In Food & Drink, Medical Benefits, Mind-Body, Quality of Life on June 13, 2011 at 9:26 pm

Many people exercise to keep their muscles strong and healthy. However, with so much attention on keeping our bodies looking and performing their best, it’s easy to forget that the brain also needs to be protected from weakness and age.

Just like the human body, the brain also requires adequate nutrition to remain healthy and perform efficiently.

WILD SALMON

A source of high-quality animal protein, wild salmon is one of best foods to improve brain health. Omega-3 fatty acids provide the nutrients necessary for brain function, while also possessing anti-inflammatory properties. Wild salmon is low in saturated fat and has been praised for its cleanliness and abundance, as well as its low mercury levels, according to WebMD.

BLUEBERRIES

Researchers have discovered that a diet rich in blueberries protects the brain from age-related diseases, including Alzheimer’s and dementia, due to their ability to counteract stress. According to WebMD, one scientific study indicated that aging rats, when given a blueberry-based diet, demonstrated evidence of better motor skills and learning ability. Blueberries also contain antioxidants, which improve cognition while protecting the brain from aging prematurely. Read the rest of this entry »

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