Today's Dippit!
Quote of the Day
"You are valuable and irreplaceable. If you are ever told otherwise, do not believe it."
Unknown
Writing Prompt of the Day
What Are the Sounds That Make Up the Background Noise in Your Life?
Day's Conversation Starter
Do you prefer travelling alone or with a group?
Joke of the Day
Two egotists started a fight. It was an I for an I!
Top Fun Fact
Playboy has been publishing braille versions of their magazines since 1970, however no pictorial representations are included.
History Fact
From 1912 to 1948, the Olympic Games held competitions in the fine arts. Medals were given for literature, architecture, sculpture, painting, and music. Naturally, the art created was required to be Olympic-themed. According to the founder of the modern Olympics, Pierre de Frédy, the addition of the arts was necessary because the ancient Greeks used to hold art festivals alongside the games. Before the art events were eventually removed, 151 medals were awarded.
Weird Laws
It's Illegal to Chew Gum in Singapore
Sometimes we all suffer when fools break the rules. After vandals used chewing gum to mess with the Mass Rapid Transit system and the Housing and Development Board spent $150,000 a year to clean gum liter, Singapore banned all gum substances in 1992.
Anyone importing, selling or making gum in Singapore can get fined and/or jail time, with the exception of nicotine and dental gums offering therapeutic value.
Don't get caught blowing bubbles in the streets!
Foody Things
Finland, Denmark & Sweden
The Nordic countries of Finland, Denmark and Sweden (plus Norway and Iceland, which are in Europe but not the European Union) blend in together when it comes to cuisine.
These nations combine mostly rural land with long coastlines along the Baltic and North Seas. As a result, menus in Scandinavia consist of many vegetables, game meat and fish, much of it fermented.
This simplicity can be effective, but when compared to the cuisine of other European countries, well...fermented shark just doesn't cut it.
Plus, food in Scandinavia is the priciest in all of Europe, thanks to a super-strong currency and high VAT rates. As we have heard it described, “Scandinavian food is expensive and uninteresting” — a less-than-stellar combo.
Still, Sweden did introduce us to the Smorgasbord and Swedish meatballs, so it’s not all that bad.
Movie/TV Quote
James Cameron Drew That Charcoal of Naked Kate Winslet
That slightly scandalous charcoal drawing of a topless Kate Winslet in Titanic was drawn by none other than the director himself, James Cameron. If you want something done right, sometimes you just need to do it yourself.
Movie/TV Trivia
"Just keep swimming"
Finding Nemo, 2003