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Hey Guys,

I like to think I’m a somewhat brave person. I can deal with spiders. The idea of death doesn’t freak me out. But there is one area in which I am a complete and total wimp. Clowns.

Clowns freak me out, man. And for a long time I thought I was a weirdo for being so scared of them. But it turns out this affliction (yes, it is an affliction, I don’t care what you say) affects more people than I thought.

There aren’t official numbers, but all over the Web you’ll find sites and blogs dedicated to scary clowns. In fact, I found a lot more sites dedicated to menacing clowns than I did sites dedicated to nice, friendly, funny clowns. Maybe they need a new P.R. firm?

It turns out a fear of clowns is a very real problem for some people. The blog phobialist has an interesting, though not definite, theory as to why. It argues that people may be afraid of clowns because a clown disguises his or her real emotions via makeup. That makes it impossible for Joe or Jane ‘Fraidycat’ to figure out whether the clown wants to give you a balloon or do something terrible.

Makes sense to me. And keep in mind that if you’re one of those folks who would rather walk through fire than go to the circus, you are not alone. Many people are terrified of these things. For example, Johnny Depp used to have nightmares about clowns. In an interview, he remarked, “There always seemed to be a darkness lurking just under the surface, a potential for real evil.”

No argument here, Johnny. No argument here.

Thanks for reading,

Mike

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Hey Guys,

After Jesus and Santa Claus, Uncle Sam may be the most famous bearded man in history. A strong symbol of patriotism, ol’ Sam has been pointing his finger at would-be soldiers for decades. But was Uncle Sam based on a real person? I want you to read on for the answer.

Uncle Sam was indeed based on a real guy named Samuel Wilson. However, the real Sam looked nothing like the drawing. For one, Wilson had no beard. And instead of being tall and slim, Samuel Wilson was short and, well, a little on the chunky side.

According to an in-depth blog, Wilson, who was a businessman from New York, earned the nickname in a rather interesting way. During the war of 1812, he provided the armed forces with barrels of beef. The barrels were emblazoned with the letters “U.S.” for United States. Soon, though, people joked that the “U.S.” stood for “Uncle Sam.”

But why does the cartoon version of Uncle Sam look nothing like the real guy? Blame (or maybe thank) cartoonist Thomas Nast. He created the tall Lincon-esque version and it’s that version that has stuck. Call it a strong case of artistic liberty.

So, that’s the story of Sam. But does anyone know how the bald eagle came to be the symbol for the United States? Please leave a comment below.

Thanks for reading,

Mike

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Hey Guys,

If you’re like most holiday revelers, you’ve got a few parties to attend this season. Odds are that upon walking through the door, you’ll be faced with a large bowl of murky liquid known as eggnog.

Your first reaction may be one of revulsion, but try to keep it together. Eggnog, in one form or another, has been around for centuries. In fact, according to Preferred Consumer, the drink was enjoyed by the pilgrims way back in 1607 (and you thought they didn’t know how to party).

The blog goes on to explain that while eggnog is often made with liquor, it doesn’t have to be. You can get the same flavor from many a non-alcoholic recipe.

The Kitchen Project writes that Americans have put their own spin on the English drink. Whereas Brits like to spice up their eggnog with wine, folks in the States prefer to use rum for a little extra kick.

About.com points out that while the name is rather unfortunate (after all, who wants to drink an egg?), there is a reason behind it.The site explains, “One version says that nog derives from an Old English word for strong beer, hence ‘noggin.’ Another version attributes the name to Colonial America where colonists referred to thick drinks as ‘grog’ and eggnog as ‘egg-and-grog’.”

I confess that I have never actually had eggnog, and I don’t really plan to break that tradition. What about you guys? Are you nog-heads or would you sooner eat a poinsettia?

Thanks for reading,

Mike

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Hey Guys,

The holidays are a time for families and friends to come together. But they also mark a time when parents and pet owners should be extra careful. For as fun as this time of the year can be, there are many ways in which children and pets can injure themselves.

The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) hosts a stellar article that explains how to be prevent disasters, both small and large. The SPCA has a simliar blog for furry friends. Below, some of the highlights for having a fun and safe holiday season.

For those using an artifical Christmas tree, be sure to look for trees that are labeled “fire resistant.” Even then, always keep it a safe distance from the fireplace. If you’re using a live tree, the AAP suggests you check for freshness. The less fresh a tree is, the dryer it is. And the dryer it gets, the easier it will become a fire hazard.

Keep the tree stand full of water, but also make sure the tree stand is covered for the safety of your pets. According to the SPCA, tree water can be “infested with fertilizer, bacteria, and other harmful elements.” You definitly don’t want your pets drinking it. You’ll also want to make sure cats don’t climb the tree, tip it over, and possibly hurt themselves or others. Delicate and breakable ornaments should be placed higher on the tree.

And then there’s the eggnog. When the nog comes out, you gotta be careful. Kids left unattended can scoop it up and slurp it down. In fact, according to hospitals, incidents of alcohol poisoning in children rise during the holidays–in part due to more parties and half-empty drinks being left out. Same deal with dogs and cats — alcoholic beverages are not good for pets. As for food, the SPCA writes that macadamia nuts and chocolate, both holiday favorites, can be especially dangerous for dogs, so try to keep those out of reach.

Got any other tips on staying safe over the holidays? Please leave a comment below.

Thanks for reading,

Mike

This piece originally appeared on Yahoo! Buzz Log.

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Hey Guys,

Take a flight within the United States and one thing is for sure: You’re going to be told that you can’t use your cell phone. Why? Apparently the signals can interfere with the plane’s navigational system, and, of course, nobody wants that. But is this really true? Has there ever been a documented case of a cell phone messing up a flight?

Well, maybe. Most people, experts included, believe that the ban on cell phones is more a case of “better safe than sorry” than anything else. According to an article from ABC News, part of the reason for the caution comes from the fast moving and always evolving electronics industry.

Dave Carson, a Boeing official and co-chair of the RTCA (for Radio Technical Commission for Aeronautics), explains that when dynamic consumer electronics meet with slow-to-advance aviation technology, there is “the potential for problems.”

Wired Magazine writes that part of the resistance may come from the cell phone companies. “When phones ping for signals at 35,000 feet, they can hit hundreds of towers at once, necessitating complicated parsing of roaming agreements.” The article, which sounds a bit conspiratorial, goes on to argue that “providers don’t want the hassle if they’re not being properly compensated, so the government has left the plane ban in place.”

There are several first-hand reports of mobile phones seeming to have an effect on passenger flights. A 1999 article from the BBC explains several instances, but also notes that “most of the evidence is circumstantial and anecdotal.” Again, better safe than sorry it seems.

Interestingly, European regulators are lifting the mobile phone ban. ABC writes, “In April 2008, Air France became the first airline to give a trial run to a service that let passengers use their own phones to e-mail, text and make and receive phone calls.” But in the United States, that’s still a no-go, so no texting “OMG LOL” to your friends on the ground.

What do you guys think about cell phones on planes? If you take the potential danger out of the equation, would you like the ban lifted? Or does the risk of sitting between two loud talkers negate any possible benefits? Sound off below.

Thanks for reading,

Mike

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