Facts About the Nintendo Game Boy:

Ah the Game Boy, so many journeys as a child were filled by the seemly never ending onslaught of the Game Boy’s heavy-hitters including Pokémon and Zelda. Even to this day, when given the choice between playing a PlayStation 4 or Pokémon Blue, the latter will always win. There’s something about the simplicity and easy controls that made the Game Boy one of the highest grossing and most popular handhelds in the world. Here we’re going to look at 15 odd facts about this gaming icon.

1. In 1993, Soviet cosmonaut Aleksandr A. Serebrov took his Game Boy to space on his TM-17 space mission. Later, it was auctioned for $1,220 and is said to have orbited earth 3000 times.
2. In the New York Nintendo World Store, a Game Boy sits proudly on show which survived a Gulf War barracks bombing. The mangled handheld still displays a picture clearly.
3. Tetris, although released on the PC, was a huge hit on the Game Boy. With its more casual gamer demographic, it sold 35 million copies.
4. The first game boy could run for 30 hours on two AA batteries, this was due to the screen having only 4 shades of grey and having no backlight.
5. The Game Boy allowed for multiplayer via link cables, usually 4 people at most. The handheld’s first-person shooter Faceball 2000 released in 1991 changed this, with an interlope of cables and adapters resembling spaghetti junction, 16 players could link up and play together.
6. Nintendo announced, in 1995, that 46% percent of Game Boy’s gamers were female, the first time a console was so popular with women. A 2014 study found 52% of gamers are female.
7. The Game Boy and Game Boy Color sold more than the Atari Lynx and Sega Genesis combined with 118.69 million units before being discontinued in 2000.
8. Satoshi Tajirri, inspired by the concept of monsters running through the Game Boy’s link cables, created the original trio of the Game Boy’s renowned Pokémon series; Red, Green and Blue. Green, due to poor image quality, wasn’t available outside Japan.
9. The Game Boy Light, a Japanese-only release, had a built-in backlit screen allowing people to play in low light conditions, an insane concept for those used to the original, that needed the add-on clip light when it got even slightly dark.
10. Game Boy sold an external camera and printer for their handheld, the camera took low res images of the user and in turn, Game Boy may actually be responsible for the world of the selfie.
11. The original Game Boy was over twice as fast as the NES with both having 8-bit CPU’s and, with the NES’ 2kb and the Game Boy’s 8kb, it had four times the RAM.
12. The Game Boy is the “chiptune” artist’s instrument of choice; these are musicians who use vintage game hardware to make electronic music. With special sequencer cartridges, artists can get the device to make a range of weird sounds.
13. Game Boy Color’s Kirby Tilt ‘n’ Tumble game had a built-in accelerometer in the cartridge which recognized when a player moved the hand held itself; this was then used to direct Kirby in game.
14. Neil Young used the previously mentioned Game Boy camera to produce his Silver and Gold album art work, the photo was taken by his daughter Amber.
15. The handy boy was a weird accessory for the Game Boy which included a magnifier, stereo speakers and light, when constructed it looked more like a spaceship than a games console.

The pure sales figures of the games and console alike show the popularity of the Game Boy, whatever your thoughts on the device are, you have to admire the undeniably simple and yet addictive nature of the games. The amount of cult classics started on the Game Boy are far reaching and some, including Pokémon, are still going strong today. The Game Boy even seemed to make its way into popular culture, so not only was it a gamer’s dream it seemed to be the chosen method for one of the most popular singer-songwriters album art and somehow became an instrument. There is, as per all retro consoles, such a strong following for the handheld and if something can survive a bombing it has to be shown a certain level of respect.

Fascinating Facts About Hot Air Balloons:

Hot air balloons were first discovered in France when Joseph Michel Montgolfier and his brother Jacques Montgolfier realized that a fabric bag filled with hot air would rise.

In 1782 Joseph filled a silk bag with hot air which lifted the bag to the ceiling of his house. On 25th April 1783, Joseph and his brother built a larger, spherical bag, filled it with hot air from a fire and sent several farm animals aloft in a basket hung underneath it, animals such as ducks, roosters and even sheep! This was a great success, so from there they created an even bigger one. On 21st November 1783 in Paris the brothers launched a 70-foot (21 metres) high balloon carrying two brave men. It travelled over Paris for five and a half miles. It managed to stay up in the air for roughly 24 minutes!

This was the first attempt made by man to fly, and it worked as well as they expected, which is why they are still used to this day.

Hot Air Balloons are more complicated than they look these days though, here are a few facts you didn’t know about Hot Air Balloons: They have a special basket for the passengers to sit in. There are “flying wires” to attach the basket to the balloon. The part that helps direct the hot air into the balloon is called the skirt. A Parachute is always right at the top of each Hot Air Balloon – just in case!

“Each long section of the Hot Air Balloon is called the gore. Smaller pieces of the gore are called panels.

Balloon pilots need a commercial pilot’s license (fixed-wing). They must have at least 35 hours of flight instruction, attend ground school for basic aviation training, pass a written test for hot-air balloons and have a flight check from a Federal Aviation Administration official.

According to the FAA, balloons must meet air-traffic control requirements if they are in a controlled air-space, and pilots must have radio contact with controllers.

Accidents are rare, especially in the Northwest. The only serious injuries for the area – found in a check of National Transportation Safety Board balloon accident reports back to 1984 – were a broken leg and a broken ankle, both from rough landings.”

Hot air balloons do not fly when it is raining, mainly due to the fact that the heat of the balloon can cause the rainwater to boil on the balloon, and boiling water destroys the fabric and would cause problems.

Finally, children under the age of five aren’t usually allowed on them for safety reasons.

Facts About the Colour Green:

The colour green signifies nature, life, youth, safety and hope. Green is the second most favourite colour with blue being the first. Read the top facts about this colour.

Green represents ‘go’ in traffic signals, railway signals and ship signals. It is known as a safe colour worldwide which is why first-aid equipment is often green. Fire escape exit signs are green in most countries, although some are red.

Green is the colour used for night vision goggles because the human eye is most sensitive and able to distinguish the most shades in that colour.

The colour green is often used as a symbol of sickness, you’ll most likely have noticed this in cartoons; the character often has a green face when being sick.

In North American stock markets, green is used to indicate a rise in stock prices, however In East Asian stock markets, green indicates a drop in stock prices.

Green has long been a symbol of fertility and was once the preferred colour choice for wedding gowns in the 1400’s.

Before the 1950’s Santa’s suit was originally green until Coca-Cola bought him out and changed his suit to red.

In high schools in the United States during the 1960s, it was believed that if someone wore green on Thursdays, it meant that they were gay.

Green is the national colour of Ireland.

Green was a sacred colour to the Egyptians representing the hope and joy of spring. The floors of the temples were green.

Suicides dropped by 34% when London’s Blackfriar Bridge was painted green.

Kermit the Frog doesn’t find it easy bein’ green!

A Brief History of Candy Corn:

Is there any other candy that says “Halloween” as much as candy corn? Every adult and every child recognizes this multi-colored sweet treat! Read on for a brief history and some interesting facts.

Adults will find the still popular candy to be the exact same as when they were children, no matter how old they are, because the original version hasn’t changed one bit since 1880 when it was first made. The only difference is the way it’s made; originally, candy corn was made by hand.

George Renninger of the Wunderlee Candy Company was the creator of this concoction and it did well, but when Goelitz Candy Company took it over in 1898, it really became popular under the name of “Chicken Feed.” The same company changed its name in 2001, to the more familiar “Jelly Belly Candy Company”, but it still makes candy corn.

At barely over three and a half calories per kernel, candy corn isn’t the worst candy you can eat, but considering that around 8.3 billion pieces were sold in 2001, we can assume that most people did not stop at one piece. The amount keeps climbing; while 8.3 billion pieces meant 20 million pounds in 2001, by 2015, an estimated total of 25 million pounds of candy corn or about 10.4 billion pieces!

Three quarters of all candy corn made is bought during the Halloween season, but there are other versions, like Indian corn, which is brown & white with chocolate and vanilla flavors.

Many holidays have their own version of candy corn. There is pastel colored corn for Easter, and red, white and green for Christmas. Candy apple, green apple, pumpkin and carrot corn are some of the variations that have been recently introduced. With all of these offerings, the Halloween version with its yellow, orange and white colors and original flavor still tops the list in sales.

The popularity of candy corn has as much to do with what it signifies as it does with its flavor. It’s met with nostalgia now and what parent can deny their child something they have enjoyed themselves?

The various colors and flavors make it fit in with many celebrations throughout the year, but it’s special shape appeals to adults and children alike and it still symbolizes autumn and Halloween like no other candy.

Leonardo Da Vinci Invented Contact Lenses in 1508!

The idea of a contact lens as a visual aid first started to float about the ideas ring in 1508. Like many of this time’s revolutionary and forwardly-thought ideas it was the intellectual property of inventing boss-man Leonardo Da Vinci. Da Vinci described a method of directly altering the corneal power of sight by either submerging ones head in a bowl of water, or by wearing some form of water-filled glass hemisphere over the eye. However, this proved to be sadly impractical like many of Da Vinci’s other inventions (e.g. the helicopter), due to the age in which he lived in.

Further down the line in 1636, French philosopher René Descartes proposed the idea of a glass tube filled with liquid to be placed in direct contact with the cornea. The protruding end of this tube was to be composed of glass and shaped to correct vision. This proved to be impractical too, as the ungainly size and shape of it prevented the wearer from blinking. Fast forward to 1887, Germany, where German glass-blower F.E. Muller produces the first ever eye covering to be both seen through and tolerated by the wearer. A year later, in 1888, German ophthalmologist Adolf Fick – working from Muller’s findings – constructed and fitted the first contact lens from blown glass. Although uncomfortable, and only able to be worn for a few hours at a time as it was worn over the entire eye, this is the true break through in contact lens technology. In 1949, the first corneal contact lens is developed and soon becomes popular, becoming an object of mass appeal by the 1960’s.

The modern-day contact lens works by resting on the wearer’s cornea, the clear outer surface of the eye. The lens is held in place primarily by sticking to the tear film that covers the front of the eye, but also secondarily by pressure caused by eyelids from blinking. As the wearer blinks, their eyelid glides over the surface of the lens, thus moving it slightly. This movement allows the wearer’s tears to provide the necessary lubrication to the cornea and also helps flush away any debris between the cornea and the contact lens.

Contact lenses have two main functions: medical uses and aesthetic uses. However, due to the mild and sometimes serious optical complications contact lenses can bring, all types of contact lenses are classified as medical devices.

Medically speaking, contact lenses are often used to correct sight disorders such as myopia, hyperopia, astigmatism and reading problems. These conditions are caused by light not being properly focused upon the retina, causing vision to be blurred or impaired. When placed on the cornea, a contact lens functions as an initial optical element for the eye in picking up light. These optics combine with the optics from the eye to properly focus the light resulting in cleared vision.

Due to the way in which contact lenses can be used to dramatically change the appearance of an individual’s eyes they see a wide use in the Film and TV industry. Some of the more notable uses of contact lenses within films are the blood-red eyes of Rage Virus victims in 28 Days/Weeks Later. Contact lenses were also used widely across the Star Wars saga of films as well as in the Riddick films (Pitch Black, Chronicles of Riddick). They were also used to give the characters of the film Avatar different coloured eyes, too.

One possible future use of contact lenses is that of bionic contact lenses – a concept not unlike that of Google Glasses. This specialised type of contact lens is currently under development, being trailed as a prototype in Seattle, America. The lens itself is made up of organic materials that are biological safe and features electronic circuits built from a layer of metal only a few nanometres thick. Currently, the device can only work within a few centimetres of its crude wireless battery and only features a single-pixel display. However, this is just another stepping stone for contact lens technology which could potentially take Da Vinci’s rudimentary idea and thrust it into the future of mass-media.

Fascinating Facts About Jeans & Denim:

It’s safe to say that the majority of us own a pair of jeans, making denim one of the most popular materials in our wardrobes today. With hundreds of fashion companies selling items made from denim, it’s worth knowing a few interesting facts about it.

1. It is believed that denim was first invented in Genoa, Italy, as far back as the 1500s. It was made for the Italian navy to wear while on duty.
2. Although the Italians were the first to make it, the material itself came from a French city called Nimes. ‘De Nimes’, which means ‘from Nimes’ in English, gave the material its name.
3. The word ‘jeans’ comes from the word ‘Genes’, which is the French word for the city of Genoa.
4. Denim has been around for several hundred years, but in the 1960s, people began to see it as a sign of rebellion among young people. Establishments began refusing entry to people in jeans as they were worried they were part of a protest.
5. It was first seen in the 16th century, but Levi Strauss was the man who popularized the material in the 1870s. He made clothes for miners and other working class people since the material was inexpensive.
6. A grand total of 225 pairs of jeans can be made from just one bale of cotton.
7. We’re used to seeing blue jeans, but the color is actually created using indigo dye. This was the best color to hide any dirt which got onto the clothing – ideal for miners and sailors.
8. Each person in America owns an average of 7 pairs of jeans.
9. While baggy jeans and bootcut jeans were popular in the 50s, 60s, and 70s, lots of people prefer wearing skinny jeans nowadays. These are made by mixing denim with another fabric called elastene, which helps to slightly stretch the material.
10. Levi Strauss, the creator of the famous brand Levi’s, never wore a pair of his own jeans. He was a wealthy businessman and jeans were made for the poorer people.
11. Denim jeans weren’t known as ‘jeans’ until the 1950s – before this point, they were referred to more commonly as ‘overalls’.
12. In 1936, a label was sewn onto an item on clothing for the first time. It was a red flag sewed next to the back pocket of a pair of Levi’s.
13. Around 7.5 billion feet of denim fabric is produced every single year.
14. There are many different styles of jeans available now, including bootcut, skinny and straight. Some retailers even allow people to customise their jeans, choosing features such as pocket size, leg length, fit and style.
15. Unfortunately, thousands of denim items are manufactured in sweatshops in third-world countries, even though most denim garments are worn by people in the Western world.
16. May 20th is regarded as the birthday of blue jeans, since it was the day when Levi Strauss patented his idea.
17. Jeans have featured on several songs by popular artists over the years. Lana Del Rey released a song titled ‘Blue Jeans’ in 2012, and Neil Diamond released ‘Forever in Blue Jeans’ in 1979.
18. Ripped jeans, also known as distressed jeans, are one of the most popular fashion looks of the early 21st century. While some people break the bank for a nice quality pair of ripped jeans, many people follow YouTube tutorials and do a DIY job.
19. Every year, around 450 million pairs of jeans are sold in America.
20. If you’ve ever wondered why the inside of denim garments are white, this is because only the outside (warp) is dyed indigo. The weft (interior) is not dyed.
21. Some people don’t like ripped jeans, but they do look for a more ‘wore-in’ appearance. Some clothing retailers, such as Calvin Klein, sell jeans with this look. A variety of methods are used to achieve it, including beating the denim with rocks.
22. Before the 20th century, manufacturers imported indigo from India to create the blue denim look. Artificial dyes were then created, so imported indigo become less common.
23. The oldest pair of jeans to be discovered was found in 1998 down an old mine. According to the date, they were 115 years old.
24. The small pocket in the larger pocket of your jeans was originally designed for a pocket watch.
25. In 2001, George W. Bush decided that staff in the Oval Office were not allowed to wear jeans anymore.
26. While denim is traditionally blue, there are now many other colors available, including black, red and green. All these colors are achieved with artificial dyes.
27. In 1951, popular singer Bing Crosby was refused a hotel room as he was wearing jeans. In response to this, Levi’s designed a denim jacket especially for him.
28. One of the common features of Levi’s jeans is orange stitching, which is sometimes seen on their jeans. This was first used to match the copper rivets which were first used on jeans.
29. Soldiers during World War II would wear jeans when off duty, as they were comfortable and casual and allowed them to worry less about getting dirty.
30. Yoshida Kogyo Kabushikikaisha is the company which makes 90% of the world’s zippers for jeans. The initials YKK can often be found on the zippers.

Now you know more about denim than the average person, you’ll have many opportunities to impress when you next see a pair of jeans!

Levi Strauss Day - 26th February:

Few people know about Levi Strauss Day, but it takes place every year on 26^th February. Huge fans of Levi Strauss and his ever-popular jeans are likely to acknowledge the day when it comes around, but why does this historical designer have a day all to himself?

Who is Levi Strauss?

Levi Strauss was born on 26^th February 1829 and was the founder of Levi Strauss & Co., the first company to ever make blue jeans. The company was created in 1853 and was based in San Francisco.

He was born in Germany to a Jewish family, although Strauss and his family moved to America when he was 18 years old. Levi Strauss wasn’t the only one with entrepreneurial skills, as his two brothers had already started up a wholesale dry goods business in New York.

Perhaps inspired by his brothers, Levi opened his own wholesale dry goods business in 1853 just after he became an American citizen. He sold various things, including bedding and handkerchiefs. He paired up with Jacob Davis, an inventor of blue jeans, and 20 years later in 1873, the two businessmen patented the idea.

A Brief History of Blue Jeans

On 20^th May 1873, blue jeans were patented for the first time. While they are worn now as a comfortable and fashionable item, they were worn very differently back in the late 19^th century. Jacob Davis was asked by the wife of a local farmer to create a pair of pants that would stand the everyday wear and tear of hard labor. He decided that by adding metal rivets to the most strained part of the clothing, it would prevent damage and cause the clothing to last for much longer.

His idea was successful, and soon many laborers were flocking to get hold of a pair. Davis, however, needed a business partner to help get the patent on the blue jeans, and since he had purchased the material from Levi Strauss, could think of no better person to ask. Once he saw how much of a hit the jeans were already and how much potential they had, Strauss was only too happy to pair up with Davis and obtain a patent.

While we call them ‘jeans’ today, they were known as ‘overalls’ back in the day. They were worn only by farmers and those who carried out hard labor, since nobody else needed to wear clothing which would withstand heavy wear and tear. It wasn’t until the 1960s, around 60 years after Levi Strauss’ death in 1902, that they were actually given the name ‘jeans’.

The Significance of Levi Strauss Day

The story of Levi Strauss and Jacob Davis is a real-life story of the American Dream. Since they were both immigrants to America, it gave (and still gives) many other immigrants hope of what they could achieve. During this particular time, men and women dreamed of coming to America and making a success of their lives. The American Dream told people that no matter where they were from or what their background, they could achieve their ambitions by working hard, not giving up and being creative. Strauss and Davis came from humble beginnings but managed to create one of the best-sold items of clothing in the whole world.

While many rich and successful people kept their money for themselves, Levi Strauss was a generous businessman who tried to give something back to those who were less fortunate. Throughout his lifetime, he made many donations to orphanages and other charitable organizations. This, along with his successful company, is one of the reasons why he is such an admired and respected historical figure in the fashion world.

Celebrating Levi Strauss Day

Levi Strauss & Co. does several things to help charities throughout the year. They hold Community Days in May each year where thousands of hours are donated to helping charitable organizations. They run community projects and all the employees get involved as a way of continuing the legacy that Levi Strauss himself left behind.

One of the good things that Levi Strauss & Co. has done in the 21^st century is reduce the amount of water which is used during the manufacturing of their products. They have committed to recycling the vast majority of water which is used, reducing the water usage by a huge 96%.

While there are no specific events on Levi Strauss Day itself, it hopes to raise awareness of the man himself and his life. Some people are inspired to read a book about Levi Strauss and the story of the blue jeans, while for others, it marks the day they set up their own business and try to make a success of it.

Top 10 Travel Destinations You Have To Visit:

‘Adventures are the best way to learn’, and it’s very difficult to argue against that statement when there are so many amazing places to see around the globe.

Whether you’re a student looking to take a gap year or a family hoping to visit somewhere new this year, there is a wealth of choice available to you. 

Check out the top 10 travel destinations you should definitely visit!

London, UK

Brimming with culture, this city won an award in 2016 for being the best travel destination. Watch the Changing of the Guard ceremony outside Buckingham Palace, take a cruise down the River Thames and view the city on foot or from the top of an iconic red bus. Westminster Abbey, which opened in 1090, is highly educational as well as very interesting.

Siem Reap, Cambodia

Siam Reap is a great place if you’re young and looking for adventure, but there are certainly no age limits when it comes to seeing the world. Find a friendly youth hostel or stay in one of the 5-star hotels. Either way, you can explore great sights such as Angkor Wat and the Bayon Temple. Pay for your own private tour, or join a small group to get a discounted price.

Florida, USA

Florida is a whole state, which means there’s something for everybody. For children and those young at heart, visit Orlando and roam through the Disneyworld parks. Fans of sports can visit the race track at Daytona while getting some sea and sunshine at the same time. Miami is the place to be if you’re looking for a good party.

Botswana, Africa

Certainly not a country most people will visit during their lifetime, but for those in search of something different, it’s a great choice. Chobe National Park and Mokolodi Nature Reserve provide thrilling ways to see animals and nature up close, while the Botswana National Museum is the ideal stop for lovers of art.

Tokyo, Japan

Always ranking highly as a travel destination, Tokyo has much more to offer than temples and skyscrapers. Watch the time pass by as you enjoy a stroll in Ueno Park, or wander over to Harajuku for a world of fashion and anime. Book a tour around the Tokyo Imperial Palace, home to the Emperor of Japan and one of the top tourist destinations. 

Palau

A small island located southeast of the Philippines, you will find deep blue waters and bright blue skies at this gorgeous destination. Snorkeling and scuba-diving are two of the main activities which tourists enjoy while visiting this country. Relax in style with a glass of champagne at one of the many luxurious spas, and don’t forget to try out the local cuisine. 

New York, USA

There’s far too much to see in New York after just one visit, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t book a trip to the ‘Big Apple’. From the hustle and bustle of Wall Street to a relaxing carriage ride through Central Park, you’ll have the experience of a lifetime. Check in to a youth hostel in the center of town, or choose one of the more upscale hotels in Times Square.

Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Home to the iconic Christ the Redeemer statue and the 2016 Olympics games, Rio is a city not to be missed. Copacabana and Ipanema are two of the most famous beaches in the world, and are widely regarded as two of the best beaches in the world too. Enjoy a spot of samba dancing with your partner, or if you’re a seeker of thrills, go hang gliding at Pedra da Gávea.

Barcelona, Spain

If you want to see the colorful walls featured on many advertisements for Barcelona, head to Park Güell. For an amazing piece of architecture, Sagrada Familia is a must-see and is situated right in the center of the city. Don’t forget to try churros, tapas and paella while you’re there, and head over to the Magic Fountain for a romantic or relaxing evening to finish off the day.

Petra, Jordan

This city has sights which any historian or archaeologist will love. With ruins, tombs and structures dating as far back as 300 B.C, the Petra World Heritage Site should be your first port of call. For a unique experience, buy a ticket for the Petra by Night tour during one night of your stay. The Royal Tombs provide a great way to see the city from a height – climb to the top and take some holiday snaps to make your friends jealous!

As you can see, the world is full of incredible countries with amazing things to see and do. The above destinations are just a few of the places to visit if you want culture, fun and some wonderful adventures! No matter which continent, avid travellers will be guaranteed a good time.

Facts About Pumpkins:

Carving pumpkins is an iconic tradition when it comes to Halloween, but what facts do you know about pumpkins? Learn the facts here!

1. The pumpkin is a member of the cucurbit family, which are gourds, such as cucumbers and squashes.
2. The original Greek name for the pumpkin was pepon, which meant large melon. This was changed by the Puritans.
3. They come in many shapes, sizes and colours.
4. As it has seeds, the pumpkins is classed as a fruit.
5. There are many types of pumpkin, the most common being: the Cinderella, the One Too Many, the Fairytale, the Jarrahdale, and the Jack-be-Little.
6. Pumpkin seeds are traditionally planted in greenhouses in April. When they begin to grow for May, they are moved outside. When the colours begin to change from green to orange, they can be harvested.
7. The heaviest pumpkin on record was in October of 2012 – it weighed 2009 pounds!
8. Turnips and swedes were originally carved at Halloween – not pumpkins. However, they have become a stable fixture of the Halloween holiday.
9. In America, a carved Halloween pumpkin, is known as a ‘Jack-o-Lantern’, and is used as a decoration. Many families join in the carving process.
10. In America, pumpkin pie is a traditional Thanksgiving dish, but it can be used in many more recipes, such as lasagne, pasta and soups.

Spooky Facts About Halloween:

Halloween is believed to be one of the oldest celebrations in the world, dating back to over 2000 years ago from a Celtic festival in the UK. Halloween is celebrated on 31st October every year.

Halloween (Hallowe’en is in fact the correct spelling) is known as ‘The Day of the Dead’ in Mexico instead of Halloween, in other countries it is known as: All Hallows Eve, Samhain, All Hallowtide and The Feast of the Dead, which all sound rather spooky to me!

“When Christianity came to England and the rest of Europe, 1st November became All Saints Day – a day dedicated to all those saints who didn’t have a special day of their own. They performed a mass called ‘All hallows mass’ and the night before became known as All Hallows E’en and eventually Hallowe’en or Halloween.”

People worldwide spend more than £150 billion during Halloween on costumes, decorations, food and parties, making it the 2nd most expensive holiday – the most expensive being Christmas.

The colours black and orange are Halloween colours because black is associated with death and orange is associated with harvests, because Halloween marks the end of harvest.

99% of all pumpkins sold are used as Jack O’ Lanterns at Halloween, which makes me think they must taste horrible if people would rather use them as decoration. Growing pumpkins can be a rewarding hobby; the top prize money for the biggest giant pumpkin is as much as £15,000. The biggest pumpkin in the world weighed 1,528 pounds. This gigantic gourd was weighed in October 2008 at a pumpkin festival in Half Moon Bay, California.

Samhainophobia is the name for the fear of Halloween.

It’s believed that the Irish started the tradition of Trick or Treating. This was done to in preparation for ‘All Hallow’s Eve’, the Irish visited neighbours and asked for contributions of food for a feast in their town.

People have believed for centuries that light keeps away ghosts and ghouls. Making a pumpkin lantern with a candle inside may keep you safe from all the spirits flying around on Halloween. People also believe that ringing a bell on Halloween will scare evil spirits away, and if you see a spider on this night, it could be the spirit of a dead loved one who is watching over you – don’t ask me who believes this, but I would imagine their intelligence would be rather low!

The Meaning Behind ‘Trick or Treat’:

Halloween is a widely loved holiday. It’s a day to dress up, visit haunted houses, and beautify your home with spooky Halloween decorations. Though there is one tradition that makes this day-or night rather special – the children knocking door to door in fancy dress shouting “trick or treat” in exchange for candy and snacks. But why do they do this? What’s the meaning behind trick or treating? Check out the history of this strange tradition below!

The practice of trick or treating has been around since the time of the Celts 2,000 years ago Halloween was then known as Samhain, or the end of the harvest season and the beginning of winter, the darker part of the year. Trick or treating began as what was called “mumming” or dressing up as a ghost or demon and acting like a fool for drinks and food. This tradition lasted until the ninth century.

In the Middle Ages Christianity found its way to the Celtic lands and Christian customs mingled with old Pagan ones. November 2nd was known as All Souls Day at that time. The people would honour the dead with masquerades and bonfires. Some practiced ‘souling,’ an early form of day trick or treating, where those without much money would visit the homes of the wealthy. The poor would ask for food and sweets in exchange for the promise that they would pray for the wealthy family’s dead loved ones.

In Scotland, children would go door to door just like children do now, only they would perform a type of act or trick in exchange for food, sweets or ale. This was a practice known as ‘guising’ – a trick for a treat.

The closest tradition that most resembles modern day trick or treating, originated in the UK in the early 1800’s. Children would walk around their neighbourhood wearing masks and carrying effigies, or small sculptures. It was a tradition practiced because of an event in the early 1600’s, when a man named Guy Fawkes was caught and executed for being involved in a plot to blow up the parliament building, and remove King James I from power. Nineteenth century children would wear masks while carrying little representations of Fawkes and ask people “a penny for the guy?”

Early American colonists brought Guy Fawkes Day with them and later Irish and Scottish immigrants helped make it popular. During this time cultures mixed until the name Halloween stuck with this holiday. Trick or treating continued to happen annually until World War II, but became popular again after the war when many children populated America during the ‘baby boom’. Candy companies began making a lot of money from people buying candy for the children in their neighbourhoods each year. Today Americans spend about $6 Billion on candy each year on Halloween.

So, from Celtic mumming, souling, Scottish guising, and early Britons asking “a penny for the guy,” the tradition we all love has very deep roots. Trick or Treating has its origins in multiple cultures and parts in history. The well-known Halloween custom has had many contributing factors to its existence. Not to mention we even have the baby boomers to thank for Trick or treating’s continued popularity.

Roses: What Colour Should You Give and How Many?

It’s a simple stereotype that everyone likes to receive roses at some point in their life. But did you know that the colour of roses have different meanings? There are even meanings for how many roses you receive!

– Red roses in general mean: beauty, love, passion and respect.

– Dark red roses/burgundy roses means: unconscious beauty.

– A single red rose means: ‘I love you’.

– Red rosebuds mean: loveliness and purity.

– White roses mean: purity, innocence, secrecy, and worthiness.

– White roses at a wedding mean: happy love.

– White rosebuds symbolize girlhood.

– To be given red and white roses together means unity.

– Light pink roses mean: admiration, appreciation, gentleness, joy and sympathy.

– A dark pink rose means: “Thank you”.

– Peach roses mean: “Let’s get together” and modesty.

– Coral roses mean: desire.

– Lavender roses mean: enchantment and “Love at first sight”.

– Yellow roses mean: care, delight, friendship, joy and new beginnings.

– A yellow rose with a red tip means: “I’m falling in love with you”.

– Yellow and red roses mean: happy feelings.

– An orange rose means: desire and enthusiasm.

– Blue roses mean: the unattainable.

– Black roses mean: death and farewell.

Generally to be given a single rose of any colour means that someone is thankful to have you in their life. If these roses are thorn-less, this means the giver has fallen in love with you the first time they saw you.

Two roses entwined together are a sign that the giver would like to marry you.

A bunch of six roses signify a need to be or feel loved.

A bunch of eleven roses are a symbol that you are well and truly loved by the giver.

To be given a bouquet of thirteen roses means that you have a secret admirer.

Interesting Facts on Tornadoes:

Each year about a thousand tornadoes touch down on the ground in America, on average 800 more than any other country in the world!

A tornado, also known as a twister, is a rotating, funnel-shaped cloud that extends from a large thunderstorm to touch the ground. They are the fastest winds on Earth and can whirl up to 300 miles per hour.

These rotating thunderstorms, also known as mesocyclones or supercells, birth tornadoes when a current of cool, moist air from downdraft of the supercell meets with a current of warm air from the supercell’s updraft. This causes the rotating wall cloud to form and ‘touch down’ on the ground below. These mesocyclones are well-defined and easily detectable via Doppler radar, meaning that a twister can be predicted by a meteorologist. Twisters can also be defined by weather characteristics that occur before the initial touch downs. Such weather characteristics include severe gale-force winds, lightening, flash floods and hailstones that can be the size of a grapefruit!

The size and power of a twister is a measured on a scale known as the Fujita-Scale, the largest twister being an F-5 and the smallest twister being an F-1 (the most recent twister in Oklahoma being classed as an F-4). Although many tornadoes last no longer than 10 minutes and some only several seconds, there are many recorded instances of a tornado lasting for more than an hour!

The majority of America’s twisters touch down in an area known as ‘Tornado Alley’. This is a flat space of land that consists of Western Texas, through Oklahoma, Kansas, and Nebraska then into South Dakota with the Rocky Mountains and Appalachian Mountains to either side of it. The most twisters occur here due to the cool, polar air flowing from Canada in the North often meeting with the warm, moist tropical air from the Gulf of Mexico. Some of America’s largest twisters have touched down in Tornado Alley. A tornado in Oklahoma once ripped a full motel off the ground and its sign was later found in Arkansas! However in 1931 a twister that struck Mississippi ripped an 83 ton train from a track flinging it 80 feet.

When a tornado touches down it most often starts out as a transparent colour, often see through. However a tornado’s colour blackens and darkens the longer it stays on the ground due to the amount of debris it sucks up. The amount of debris a tornado picks up also determines how loud it can be. For example, if a tornado consists of nothing large or solid and mostly dust and dirt then it is more likely to be quitter than a tornado full of swirling chunks of buildings and cars and other such things. The path of destruction a tornado can leave in its wake can exceed 1 mile and stretch over a whopping 50 miles! Once a tornado has touched down it is not necessarily grounded for its duration, they have been known to hop over areas of ground, sometimes destroying two houses either side of a house left intact!

Most tornadoes tend to move from the south-west to the north-east but have been known to back-track over themselves if hit by strong winds from the eye of a storm.

In America’s southern states the peak season for tornadoes is most often between March and May, whereas in the north-most states the peak season is late June through August.

Take Your Houseplants for a Walk Day!!

Who doesn’t love a reason to be weird? Well, 27th July is Take Your Houseplants for a Walk Day, this is a crazy day where you walk your houseplants around, so they can get to know their environment a little more, which provides them with a sense of knowing and familiarization to their surround areas.

This special day was invented by Thomas & Ruth Roy, it is a copyrighted holiday, which means if this day is used to raise money, you must first inform the creators and come to an arrangement.

It is important for humans to get exercise and is also unimportant for your plants to have the occasional exercise too.

While you walk your houseplants, I suggest talking to them, spraying them with a fresh spray of water and playing music. Although if you meet somebody else on your travels also enjoying this day, be careful of cross-pollination!