21 Fun Facts About Twenty One Pilots.

Twenty One Pilots has surprised just about everyone in the music industry for not only taking a nice chunk of the alternative niche but creating a sub niche of their own. Once they were three members but are now two, a vocalist and drummer. They’ve grown to take on sold out venues and garner awards and nominations as well as list in the top spots of the premier music charts. They have their own fan base that continues to grow and they continue to amaze the industry and public with innovative ways to release their songs which have made history with multiple listings at the same time on the big charts. If you love Twenty One Pilots, here are 21 fun facts you must read.

1. All four members, past and present of Twenty One Pilots are from Columbus, Ohio. Friends from the beginning they created the unique sound that has drawn so many fans to them and blazing rise to the tops of the charts.

2.They were started in 2009 by Tyler Joseph, Nick Thomas and Chris Salih. The trio garnered notice from the public from the start, but changes in their line up brought about a new invigorating product that the public and record companies were hungry for.

3.Thomas and Salih left the group in 2011, as they didn’t have time to commit to the band. They were replaced by drummer Josh Dun later that year.

4.They started as a self-releasing band of their songs but got the attention of about a dozen top record labels during a sold out performance at the Columbus’ Newport Music Hall in November 2011.

5.They’re signed by Fueled by Ramen, a subsidiary of Atlantic Records since 2012.

6.Twenty One Pilots didn’t have a major hit until their fourth album, Blurryface in May of 2015. Their first single from the album is called ‘Fairly Local’.

7.They’re the first alternative group to have two top ten singles run concurrently in the US in 2015, ‘Stressed Out’ and ‘Ride’ from the album Blurryface from the same year.

8.They performed the song ‘Heathens’ for the 2016 blockbuster anti-superhero flick, Suicide Squad.

9.Their band name comes from the play, All My Sons by Arthur Miller. The play focuses on a man who is responsible for the deaths of 21 pilots whose planes had faulty parts he’d sold.

10.In 2011, drummer Josh Dun signed on with Twenty One Pilots, after being the live drummer for the band ‘House of Heroes’.

11.Their second album, Regional At Best was released as a free CD at the New Albany High School in Columbus, Ohio in 2011.

12.The band actually once gave away two free unreleased songs in 2011 via their websites newsletter. The songs are ‘House of Gold’ and ‘Two’.

13.The band actually worked with Greg Wells, the producer of such superstar artists like Katy Perry and Adele, on their first full length album with Fueled by Ramen, ‘Vessel’. That album was released on 8^thJanuary 2013, reaching an ironic 21 on the Billboard 200 chart.

14.Twenty One Pilots is one of only three musical acts to have two singles appear simultaneously in the top five of the Billboard Hot 100.

15.Their fan base is known as the Skeleton Clique.

16.Josh Dun was born on 18^th June 1988 in Columbus, Ohio. He’s got a brother named Jordan and two sisters, Ashley and Abigail. He’s a self-taught drummer too. Dun, like Tyler is a devout Christian too.

17.They’ve been nominated by the American Music Awards, AP Music Awards, ARIA Awards, Billboard Music Awards, iHeartRadio Music Awards, MTV Europe Music Awards, MTV Video Music Awards, MuchMusic Video Awards, and Teen Choice Awards – to name a few.

18.Twenty One Pilots made their late night debut on the Conan O’Brien Show on 8^th August 2013.

19.Twenty One Pilots is listed in four categories, Rock, Alternative Hip Hop, Indie-pop, and Electro-pop.

20.The band’s Twitter profile is @twentyonepilots.

21.The red armbands they wear symbolize the character they made up called Blurryface, who is actually a representation of all of the things that people are insecure about.

Christmas Carol..!!

We wish you a Merry Christmas

We wish you a Merry Christmas

We wish you a Merry Christmas

And a Happy New Year

Good tidings we bring

To you and your kin

We wish you a Merry Christmas

And a Happy New Year

Oh bring us some figgy pudding

Oh bring us some figgy pudding

Oh bring us some figgy pudding

And a cup of good cheer

We won't go until we get some

We won't go until we get some

We won't go until we get some

So bring it right here

So bring us some figgy pudding

So bring us some figgy pudding

So bring us some figgy pudding

And bring it right here

Good tidings we bring

To you and your kin

We wish you a Merry Christmas

And a Happy New Year

We wish you a Merry Christmas

We wish you a Merry Christmas

We wish you a Merry Christmas

And a Happy New Year...

Merry Christmas!!

Christmas isn’t just a time for family & friends, it’s also a time to read festive facts that you wouldn’t read at any other time of the year! So far in my blog, I posted very few facts about Christmas and at last Christmas arrived. :) Let's wait for a year for more facts about Christmas. I wish you all a Merry Christmas.

It is a fine seasoning for joy to think of those we love.

I love Christmas, not just because of the presents but because of all the decorations and lights and the warmth of the season.

I’m wishing you blessings and joy this Christmas.

5 Tips for A Healthier Christmas:

The holiday season is upon us and it’s a full of cheer and good tidings. People tend to really live it up during the big holidays, especially during Christmas when they cut loose and splurge and often over indulge. They also rush about, to and fro, frantically looking for those deals and specialty items for loved ones. It’s important to note that the high emotional states some reach during the fun and merriment, can at times bring people to the point that they’re not always thinking clearly, not paying attention, and breaking rules of safety that they normally would adhere to. So, that being said, here is a list of five tips for a healthier Christmas.

1. Do not overeat.
   First rule of thumb is not to overeat. Yes, those cookies, cakes, pies, office snacks, and delectable food gifts are too much a temptation to pass over, you’re going to have to restrain yourself or you’ll end up packing on the calories and thus the excess fat that can cause serious health problems. Just one brownie or donut can put 300 to 600 calories on you in no time, and before you know it, you’re struggling to try on those new pants that Aunt Martha sent you for Christmas. Companies know the sales on goodies are at the tops during holidays, with sporting events compounded into the mix. It can take just one football game, and bunch of friends over for holiday dinner, to ruin a person’s figure for months. Too much salt, sugar, starch, cholesterol, can add up quickly to diabetes II or even heart problems. So watch the calories and quality of the food you eat during Christmas. Consume reasonable portions, and go for the more nutritious items and you’ll come out the other end ahead of the game.

2. Watch the alcohol.
   It goes without saying, that the holidays bring on lots of toasting and celebrating where alcohol is concerned. One doesn’t want to hit the sauce too hard or not only will you bring on health problems, but social problems as well that could lead to fighting, accidents, or worse. Alcohol and bad weather are probably the biggest factors for health related injuries during any holiday season, and Christmas is the foremost. People give bottles of wine, kegs of beer, and other spirits as gifts, not to mention chugging down every glass of scotch, bourbon, vodka, and wine that is passed in front of them. We often get into toasting and celebrating so much that we forget that we’ve had too much to drink and by the time the holiday is over, the ramifications have sunken in and lots of apologizing needs to happen. Especially in the wintry areas where good judgement and sure-footing on ice and snow are essential. Being high on booze is not how you do winter safely. Add that inclement weather and alcohol and a car or snowmobile, and you’ve the recipe of a disaster just waiting to happen.

3. Holiday hygiene is important.
   Wash your hands, wash your hands, wash your hands. Do it frequently, frequently, frequently. The Christmas season is when people come in contact with one another on a massive scale. There’s ten times the hugging and kissing and handshaking going on, and from people who’ve been on planes and trains from around the world. Influenza loves this and takes hold during these times and can be a menace. Get hand sanitizer for every room in the house, put in cars, offices, everywhere. Use them. Make sure others in the home, shop, or office use them frequently too. If out shopping, carry a bottle and use it before, during, and after shopping. Many stores have sanitizer available in special spots in the store. Look for them and remember to use them.

4. Food and kitchen hygiene.
   The big meals and lots of baking go on during the holidays. Christmas must be the baking moment of the year as well as for preparing the best meals outside of Thanksgiving. This is awesome, however, not paying attention to what you’re doing can lead to disasters that won’t be forgotten. Fresh meats as always have to be handled cautiously with good, clean tools and surfaces. Nothing should be left outside of the fridge if it’s not to be served, and all items should have their own individually protective wrapping. With many people visiting, the fridge and freezer get a real workout and you don’t want them to break down during the height of the festivities. If friends or family are game hunters and bring in that deer or pheasant, then make sure you have the facilities to clean it and dress it with professional perfection.

5. Fresh air, pets, dander & fumes.
   It’s the winter months and Christmas is upon you. People are usually in the house more, including pets, and company. Sometimes the occupancy of the house expands to the point of bursting at the seams, and if you don’t have a good air system or way of keeping the air clean you’ll be promoting a good chance of respiratory distress and other breathing problems. Everything is being done indoors during Christmas, plus the use of materials you normally don’t have out like trees, plastics, etc.. Pet dander can build up and vacuuming twice the regular rate is advised. Clean vents and door frames where particulates can collect and fester. Wash those furry pets of yours and clean out the closets. The fireplace should be cleaned of any debris and if you’re rummaging around in attics and basements to drag out dusty old tinsel or other holiday decorations, you’re just asking for trouble. It only takes a keen eye and some extra elbow grease to handle it all.

The History Of Tinsel:

We decorate our house and trees with tinsel every Christmas, but why? And where did tinsel originate from? Check out the facts on tinsel!

Tinsel was first used in Germany in 1610 however it wasn’t the shiny plastic stuff we get these days; it was made from shredded silver. At first, the silver was hammered so that it was thin, and then cut into thin strips, a few years later machines were invented for this purpose. The inventor of tinsel remains unknown.

Tinsel is mainly used to decorate Christmas trees; it can also be hung from ceilings or walls. Tinsel is usually flexible which makes it easy to wrap around anything such as posts, picture frames or ornaments. It is often held up by using pins or blue tack.

The smoke from the Christmas candles caused the tinsel to turn into a black colour on one side, which didn’t look very attractive, so experiments were made and tinsel was then made with tin and lead, which they hoped would preserve its shininess, however this mixture made the tinsel heavy and it broke apart easily, which wasn’t much use for decorating your tree with.

“Tinsel is thought to have made its first public appearance in England in 1846. Queen Victoria and Prince Albert were illustrated in the Illustrated London News, standing with their children around a Christmas tree decorated with tinsel, candles, and small bead ornaments. Because of Queen Victoria’s popularity, the Royal family’s decorated tree became the height of fashion sweeping through both the British and East Coast American Societies.”

According to the Oxford Dictionary; the word tinsel comes from an Old French word “estincele”, which means sparkle.

This shiny decorative material is a great toy to your pets, especially for playful pets such as cats and dogs, although it is dangerous for them to eat, which they most likely would try, so be careful!

Why Do We Send Christmas Cards?

Sending Christmas cards started in England in 1843. Before this time, people used to send private notes wishing Merry Christmas, this was also done for births and to wish a happy new year.

Sir Henry Cole was a busy man and did not have the time to write personal messages for Christmas in 1843, although he didn’t want to just not send any, so he hired an artist called John Calcott Horsley and got him to design a card which could be sent off straight away.

The first Christmas card created had hand drawn images of adults and children raising their wine glasses in a toast. It also had some religious symbols on it too, for example, sprigs of holly symbolises chastity, while ivy symbolises places God had walked. The message underneath the picture was ‘A Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to you.’

There were one thousand of these cards printed and was sold in only a few stores in London, only one of the original cards still exists today.

“Two reasons for the initial popularity of Christmas cards are given. The custom may have caught on because greetings could be mailed for a penny each in 1843, London. The other reason is attributed to a scandal with Horsley’s design. A family, surrounded with religious symbols, holding glasses of wine, offended some. The controversy is thought to have helped promote Cole’s idea.”

So really we send Christmas cards because it’s better than just writing personal notes to people. They look attractive and it doesn’t take much time to wish people important to you a merry Christmas.

The A-Z of Global Christmas Traditions:

Many countries have their own unique ways of celebrating at Christmas, check out the A to Z list of Christmas traditions across the world!

A is for AUSTRALIA! In Australia, families decorate their homes with ferns, palm leaves, evergreens and a flower known as the Christmas Bush.

B is for BRAZIL! In Brazil, people view their traditional play, Los Pastores, in which shepherdesses and a gypsy attempt to kidnap the baby Jesus.

C is for CHINA! In China, Christmas is celebrated with acrobats, fireworks and jugglers who entertain crowds.

D is for DENMARK! In Denmark, Christmas Eve dinner begins with a traditional rice pudding dish that has a secret almond. You find the almond – you win a prize!

E is for ENGLAND! In England, the Queen delivers a traditional afternoon speech, which is broadcast over the radio and the television at three o’clock in the afternoon.

F is for FRANCE! In some parts of France, thirteen desserts are eaten. They are made with fruits, nuts and pastry.

G is for GERMANY! In Germany, children leave their shoes outside and fill them with carrots, which St. Nicholas’ reindeer will eat.

H is for HOLLAND! In Holland, families eat a letter-blanket on Christmas Eve. A letter-blanket is a cake shaped in the first letter of the family’s last name.

I is for ITALY! In Italy, when the first star appears on Christmas Eve, families light candles to help the Christ Child find his way.

J is for JAPAN! In Japan, many families eat a special KFC Christmas Chicken Dinner. Many people order their meals months in advance and queue for hours to collect them.

K is for KOREA! In Korea, presents are exchanged on Christmas Eve, when one customary present (usually monetary) is given.

L is for LAPLAND! In Lapland, families will visit the cemetery, after Christmas Eve dinner, to light candles to remember the dead.

M is for MEXICO! In Mexico, they have their own version of Christmas dinner. It begins with an oxtail soup with beans, and hot chili. Roasted turkey follows, with salads of varying fresh fruit and vegetables.

N is for NORWAY! In Norway, families dance around their Christmas tree, singing traditional carols before presents are exchanged.

O is for OMAN! In Oman, the family elders distribute sweets and cookies to the entire family.

P is for POLAND! In Poland, straw is placed on the floor to remind people of Jesus’ birth.

Q is for QATAR! In Qatar, cards read ‘Seasons Greetings’ to not disrespect the Muslim faith.

R is for ROMANIA! In Romania, pigs are bred and slaughtered on the 20th of December, in line with the Ignatius Christmas tradition.

S is for SPAIN! In Spain, families put their names in hats. Two names will be drawn out, and those people will be nice to each other for the year.

T is for THAILAND! In Thailand, the younger generation buy and give gifts as signs of respect for their elders. It is not traditional to give children gifts.

U is for UGANDA! In Uganda, Christmas is a time for sharing love, food, family and clothes. Not gifts.

V is for VENEZUELA! In Venezuela, Christmas is celebrated on the 24th of December.

W is for WALES! In Wales, many families would spend Christmas Eve making toffee in order to stay awake for the morning’s church service.

X is for… There are no countries of the world beginning with X!

Y is for YUGOSLAVIA! In Yugoslavia, it is believed that if the Yule Log flame goes out, it is a symbol of bad luck. A member of the family is elected to stand guard over it during the night.

Z is for ZAMBIA! In Zambia, children take a present to the church on Christmas Day. These gifts are then presented to children who are spending the holiday in hospital.