My Favorite Photos: August 2015 Bowling

This was taken at the beginning of August during our monthly bowling trip. I did okay at a personal level, but I managed to win both games. We invited our friend Hirak to play bowling and we also played a game of billiards after it. I actually won the game of pool too even though I'm terrible at it most of the time. 

President Obama Restores Mt. McKinley's Original Name

Mt. McKinley is the tallest mountain in North America, and just recently President Obama had "renamed" McKinley to Denali which was the name of the mountain before it was renamed to honor President William McKinley in 1917. While it doesn't make much of a difference, but I'm glad the original name is back. American history has too many examples of government leaders not giving a second thought to Native Americans. 

Fact of the Day: King of Ireland

Ireland never had a true king (rather smaller ones over different regions) over the whole island nation until the English took over. Even after that, most English monarchs were never called "King of Ireland" but instead were called Lord of Ireland. King Henry VIII was the first English monarch to use the title King of Ireland instead of Lord of Ireland. The nation of Ireland became independent from the United Kingdom in the 20th century. 

My Favorite Photos: We Heart Golf

 My wife Daisy took this picture of me at the last hole of the mini-golf course we went to. We played for fun, nobody kept scored though.

Fact of the Day: Old Paint

One of the oldest known paints is called milk paint. It was made with milk, calcium carbonate (lime), and some natural pigments could be added as well. Because of its use for thousands of years, it's by far the safest paint as it's biodegradable and extremely eco-friendly. Most paints today are either latex/acrylic or oil-based. 

My Favorite Photos: Sugar and Spice Golf

Like the Beacon one, this mini-golf hole was based on a local restaurant in our town called Sugar and Spice. My mom often took me there when I used to play little league after some games. I've taken Daisy a few times, but I don't think we've been for at least a year or two. 

Fact of the Day: Titanic Safety

One of the reasons why the Titanic sinking was so tragic is that many of the deaths could have been avoided as there were many operations failures like having not nearly enough lifeboats for the passengers and crew. Some good came out of the sinking, as this led many countries to achieve major improvements in maritime safety. 

My Favorite Photos: Golf Bridge

While at the mini-golf course in our town, we noticed this hole based on some old bridge in my city. I think I know which were they based it off of but I could be wrong. When I tried putting, my golf-ball got stuck on the bridge. My wife Daisy started laughing. 

Fact of the Day: Magic Cube

Despite inventing the game originally called the Magic Cube, Erno Rubik took about a month to solve his own puzzle. His cube would later be renamed the Rubik's Cube. 

Downton Abbey (TV Series) Season 2 Review

Downton Abbey was a show I was curious about, so my wife and I ended up watching the first season and really liking it too. We didn't take no time to watch the second season, which is a good bit different than the first. As World War I has occurred during the story-line.

Fact of the Day: Nice Tiger

Male Tigers have been noticed to let female and young tigers to feast on food either before or the same time as them. Male lions for example will never let female lions or the cubs do the same. 

Funny Story: Scared Dog

My dog Zelda never liked being outside, this is actually the only photo (and memory) I have of her sleeping in a dog house. Though her first Christmas we got her a dog-toy with a squeaky thing in it. As soon as she heard it, she ran scared outside with the most motivation she's ever had. She eventually got more courage about it, and slowly she started to squeak it herself and having fun about it. 

Fact of the Day: Wrong Ship

During World War I, Germany decided to make a ship to look like the British ship the RMS Carmania. This was to make suprise attacks on British ships. Except the German imposter ship met up with the real RMS Carmania, and the British naval ship sank the German one. 

Jeb Bush Blames Asians For Anchor Babies

Jeb Bush has been the most pro-immigration Republican running for President, as his wife is Mexican-American and it's obvious he isn't racist towards Hispanics. But Jeb Bush recently used the derogatory term "anchor babies" referring to children born in the United States of immigrant parents who wished to stay in America. Jeb Bush said he was referring to Asians when he said that, and I just have no words for such strange politics. So Jeb wants to get the racist vote and the Latino vote? I'm sure he won't get the Asian vote. 

My Favorite Photos: Daniel Morgan Golf

At the new local mini-golf course, one of the holes was based on the Daniel Morgan statue located downtown. Daniel Morgan was a Revolutionary War hero who wasn't from Spartanburg but he was honored because of his leadership in the Battle of Cowpens. The battle saw a turning point in the Southern-side of the War where the British started to lose. 

My Niece Is Going to Be a Big Sister

My niece Little K recently turned 2 years old and at her birthday party they told us all that she'll be getting a brother or sister in March of 2016. I'm guessing she'll get a brother, but her mother thinks it will be another girl. 

Fact of the Day: Hedy Lamarr

Hedy Lamarr was a well-known actress, and was considered one of the most beautiful women in the world. She was also a highly-intelligent person as she was an inventor way ahead of her time. Bluetooth and Wi-Fi for example were based on technology she created. 

Question: When Did You Learn the Truth About Pro Wrestling?

One of the worst-kept secrets in the world is that professional wrestling like the WWE is all staged and there's no such thing as winners or losers. I loved to watching wrestling when I was little, but I think I was maybe in 3rd or 4th grade when I heard the truth. I was in denial for at least a year, but when I finally accepted the truth, I just couldn't watch it anymore. 

Do you remember learning the truth about wrestling? 

Panda Gives Birth to Cub Twins at D.C. Zoo

At the Smithsonian's National Zoo, a mother panda gave birth to a set of twins. The zoo is one of the few in the country that even have panda bears as all are borrowed from China. Panda bears have very low birth-rates, so if these two twins stay healthy and grow up then it will be a fortunate thing for the panda population. 

Fact of the Day: Wolf Fox

The Maned Wolf despite it's name is not closely related to wolves, and while it looks somewhat like a fox, it's not closely related to foxes either. Though they all are members of the Canidae family. 

My Favorite Photos: Crossing Golf

This is one of the holes at the new little mini-golf course that wasn't terribly based on the city itself. It's made to look like a railroad crossing. I can only think of one notable one I've driven past in the city. They made some smart bridges over the years where you don't have to drive past many train tracks. 

Fact of the Day: Slow Train

The first steam-engine train in America was challenged to a race with a horse that was carrying freight. The horse won the race, though the train might of won before a broken belt forced it to retire. 

Paul Blart: Mall Cop 2 (2015 Film) Review

 Comedies are some of the hardest movies to guess when it comes to critics. I could think of at least five very funny movies that critics loathed when they originally came out. I thought the original Paul Blart was a similar story. It was a good film, but not too many critics were terribly thrilled. I heard it was far worse with this sequel. But could it be that awful?

Fact of the Day: Benito Marriage

When Benito Mussolini became dictator of Italy, he tried to hide the history of his first marriage. His wife later caused him some political headaches, and both her and her son (who was named after his monster of a father) were eventually persecuted and died as a result.  

My Top Five Most Hated School Subjects

 While I do miss some of my old days in schools, there are certain subjects I will never miss. I think everyone had at least a handful of classes they were happy to leave when the year was over.

Fact of the Day: Soviet Poland

While it was mainly to protect a lot of modern-day Ukraine, Poland defeated a Soviet Russia (before it became the Soviet Union) in the Polish-Soviet War. Their victory kept the Soviets out of Poland and the majority of Ukraine. However about two decades later, Poland was crippled by the Germans from the West and the Soviets returned to the East. The Soviet Union had essentially controlled Poland at the end of the war, but Stalin promised the United States and the United Kingdom that Poland would remain independent and democratic. It didn't take long for communists to take over the government and remain a Soviet puppet until 1989. 

Donald Trump and Republicans Pretend 14th Amendment Doesn't Exist

The presidential campaign of Donald Trump is one of the most bizarre political things to happen in quite some time. He's said some outrageous things but nothing quite irks me like him saying that not all children born in the United States should be granted citizenship. Despite citizenship being a right in the 14th Amendment. It wouldn't be so bad if other candidates like Ben Carson, Scott Walker, Ted Cruz, Chris Christie, Bobby Jindal, and Rand Paul didn't support ending birthright citizenship or join Trump in thinking that it's not in the Constitution when it clearly is.

My Top Five Favorite Subjects in School

While most of us hated going to school at least part of our lives, I think there were at least a few classes that everyone at least liked. Except maybe the kids who say their favorite subject was lunch.

Fact of the Day: Royal Mother

The battles of World War II had caused much danger for those living in the United Kingdom. There was an idea to evacuate most of the royal family including the future Elizabeth II to Canada, but they stayed. King George VI's Queen said "The children won't go without me. I won't leave the King. And the King will never leave." about the subject. 

Ultimate NES Remix (3DS) Review

 I had heard of Ultimate NES Remix shortly after learning of the WiiU counterpart NES Remix Pack. They're both about the same, except I hear the WiiU version has more games they based missions off of. I should have opted for the WiiU version but I got the 3DS one instead.

Fact of the Day: Faraday Balloon

While Michael Faraday is considered one of the greatest scientific minds of the 19th century, he also made a rather simple invention while doing work in a laboratory. He made the first balloon as he was doing an experiment with hydrogen. 

Funny Story: Pool Frog

Awhile back I had gotten one of those little pools that don't really need to be assembled. I found it for next to nothing since they were getting rid of them, but I didn't have a place to really plug in the filter and the other stuff. I ended up giving the pool to my brother so my niece Little K could enjoy it. The other day he mentioned that he didn't use a filter and asked if I knew what happens when you don't? Frogs and tadpoles started living in the water. 

Fact of the Day: Frog Tail

The scientific name for frogs and toads is Anura. It's taken from two Ancient Greek words that mean "without" and "tail". 

Snow White and the Huntsman (2012 Film) Review

 Movies about Snow White don't happen everyday, but I remember there were two back in 2012. One of them, Mirror Mirror was more family-friendly, but I saw it about three years ago and liked it more than I expected. The second is Snow White & The Huntsman which I had been curious about but this grimmer take was also hit or miss critically.

Fact of the Day: A Really Cold Colorado

The highest amount snowfall in recorded U.S. history was in Georgetown, Colorado. The town got 63 inches (1.6 meters) of snow on December 4th, 1913. 

My Favorite Photos: College Golf

At the new little mini-golf course we played at, I noticed this one was focused on the local colleges the city has. You can see that they have a golf diploma and a graduation hat.

My Favorite Photos: Beacon Golf

While at our city's new min-golf course, I noticed the hole based on the local Beacon restaurant. I never cared for the restaurant personally as the food never amazed me and it becomes the place where all the Republican presidential hopefuls go to campaign when in Spartanburg. The hole itself was rather basic, Daisy and I had a difficult time with it though. 

Bioshock Infinite (PS3) Review

I remember playing the original Bioshock a few years ago on Xbox 360 and really liking it. The sequel was originally done by a different team but I loved that one too. Bioshock Infinite is done by the original team, but set in a new city with original characters. I ended up getting this one on PS3 which doesn't matter to me since it's virtually the same as the Xbox 360 version.

Fact of the Day: International Mormon

Despite the Church of Latter-Day Saints being founded in America, most Mormons live outside the United States. This is due to many of its members proselytizing in various countries over many decades. 

The Fighter (2010 Film) Review

 I had never heard of The Fighter back in 2010, though I did hear of it a few years ago. I didn't know much about it, especially considering that it was based on a true story. Though I don't really watch boxing, it's a fascinating sport. I really liked the Rocky movies, and the video game series Punchout. I believe this is the first boxing movie I've seen that's not set in fiction, but is it as good as the the film critics said?

U.S. Embassy Reopens in Cuba

The United States and Cuba have been officially enemies shortly after Fidel Castro's communist government took over the country. There has been a trade embargo since, and Americans officially could not visit Cuba either. Now the U.S. and Cuba are becoming diplomatic again, which I think is good. This silly feud should have ended when the Soviet Union fell. 

Fact of the Day: Dumb Idea Boxing

In 1949 a skilled boxer named Gus Waldorf decided to be in a special boxing match. Except his opponent was not a man, but a full-grown bear. They muzzled the creature and covered his claws with boxing gloves. Despite the handicap, the bear eventually was the winner of the match. 

My Favorite Photos: Bicycle Golf

As I mentioned before our city Spartanburg, SC recently had made their own little mini-golf course. One of the holes is based on the Rail Trail. Which is a two mile bicycle trail located in the city. This was by far the hardest one. You have to get it perfectly through the bicycle wheel and it has to be fast enough to clear the gap in the middle. Daisy called it impossible, but I got past it on my first try. But I hit too hard and it landed where those people are standing. 

Fact of the Day: First Bicycle

In the early 19th century, German inventor Karl Drais made a device called the Laufmaschine. It also became known as the Dandy Horse and the draisine in English. It later evolved into the modern-day bicycle. 

Downton Abbey (TV Series) Season 1 Review

 I had heard of Downton Abbey for quite some time now but never really considered watching it. While it's a critically-acclaimed show, in America it goes somewhat unnoticed as (like Sherlock) it airs on PBS. I also heard a few of the actors in Game of Thrones also were in Downton Abbey. Which was reason enough for me to start the series.

Fact of the Day: Poor Titanic

Many of the passengers on the RMS Titanic were people from all across Europe who wished to make a new life in America. Most of these people were part of the Third Class (poor) on the ship, which only 178 individuals survived out of 706 people. 

Silly Story: Animal Stop

Recently I was driving home late at night, and I see this animal run across the road. I think it's a cat, and I hit my brakes to let it pass. If I didn't stop it would have been hit probably as it froze and looked straight at my car. I could see clearly it was a possum, and it ran to the other side of the road. I think possums are very digusting creatures, but I'm glad it survived. 

Fact of the Day: Huxley Birds

Thomas Henry Huxley became famous for being one of the first notable individuals who studied evolutionary biology after Charles Darwin's work was published. He proposed that birds had evolved from a type of dinosaur. Which later proved to be true.  

Orange Is the New Black (TV Series) Season One Review

 I had heard of Orange Is the New Black a few years ago when it was one of the first notable Netflix Original series. Though back then I was a bit skeptical, even though I heard it was pretty good. I was also shocked to learn it was based on a book written by a woman who the main character is based on. Is the show nearly as good as I hoped to expect?

Fact of the Day: Orange Brazil

The country of Brazil produces more oranges than any other country in the world. Typically more than twice than all the oranges from Florida and California.