2012 Perseid Meteor Shower

 

 

Every year around this time, the Earth is pelted with fiery stones from the frigid depths of outer space. Instead of as being as terrifying as that concept has every right to be, it is beautiful and awe-inspiring. For skywatchers, this year’s Perseid meteor shower should be a particular treat, with Jupiter and Venus getting in on the action as well.

ProTips on how to view the coolest light show of the year and a video from the smart folks at NASA, who when they are not sending robots to perfect 10 landings on another planet, are apparently getting other people to do their more menial tasks — like counting meteors — for them. Nice work if you can get it, right?

Get Out of Dodge: If you can afford to take a little late-night trip and, yes, lose a little sleep, getting away from city lights is going to make the Perseids a much more enjoyable show. Escaping light pollution will make for a lot more visible meteors. I didn't see anything particular set up at the observatory SW of the city but it might be worth while checking it out anyway.

Sunday Funday: This Sunday, August 12th will mark the height of the show, which goes on every year when the Earth passes near the comet Swift-Tuttle.

Coffee. Also, More Coffee: Though you can catch a glimpse of the meteors pretty much anytime after 10 or 11 pm, the best viewing is going to be in the early morning hours, just before dawn. So be prepared to either get up real early, or stay up real late. Hot coco is also nice or some kind of tea. Just something warm to put in your tummy and don't forget some comfy blankets to lay out on. This is one thing that is best enjoyed on your back.

Look to the East. Also, A Little North: The majority of the evening’s shooting stars will seem to radiate from the constellation Perseus. For those of you who (like me) have no idea where to begin looking for that cluster of stars, it is to the northeast. For those of you who (again, like me) have no idea what direction northeast is, your phone probably has a compass that will come in handy.

For more tips, we turn you over to the capable hands and dulcet tones of the professionals at NASA. While you’re watching, the space agency would appreciate if you could count meteors for them to help determine the trajectory of Swift-Tuttle. They’ve even cooked up a smartphone app to make it easy for you — at that point, it’s kind of rude not to lend a hand, right? Right.

 

 

and for a special treat, watch this video!

and then check out this month's Star Chart from the TELUS Spark Science Centre.

(via Space.com, pic via Logan Brumm)

Introducing: B. in the City

I have been wanting to do this for a long time. A few years ago I started a blog series in My Dog, Dinner called B. in the City and it was all about all the things I did or you could so in the city of Calgary.

It didn't last that long. I still labeled some of my adventures as B. in the City but I stopped going out of my way to post things.

A few months ago I created a new blog called B. in the City (B. being me of course) and I have been updating it with information and events as they come to me. Sadly, I don't have the time to put all the events that I find but I put the ones that interest me the most. I always receive feedback about the amount of knowledge that I have of happenings in the city so I thought it might be nice to have a "go to" place where all of my information can be accessed (as side from picking my brain).

My intention is to bring attention to the things I think deserve attention. Events, festivals, eats, adventures, free stuff, local products, presale codes for concerts I am interested in, etc. I am not really sure how it's going to look in a year. I hope it will be full and well developed like My Dog, Dinner. I haven't been able to figure out how to make it stand-out in Google searches but it will come. There is a hair place in the states that I think is kind of pissed off I have the same title.

There is a link on the right side of my blog (exact picture that is posted above-- for now) that will take you directly there or you can also find it in my blog list just below on the right side again.

It's been fun so far finding stuff to write about. There should be lots more in the coming months to update and when I get my cookie business up and running, I'll be posting about that in there as well. GO ME!

If you have any feed back, please let me know. I am all ears.

I do this for that one person on a Saturday night, wondering what the hell they can do in the damn city that doesn't involve going to the bar or to the movies.

I do this for the person who has just asked out their soul mate and has no idea where to take her and wants to do something special.

I do this to help spread awareness about the gems this little city of ours has to offer.

I do this to try and make life a little easier and a lot more fun.

I do this for all of you. You have supported me this far, and I love you.

Lets hear it for funny dreams and know-it-alls! *cheers!

Slurpee Day

Slurpees: Better then ice cream?

7-Eleven is celebrating it's 83rd birthday today across the US and Canada (Yes, 83rd birthday) as per usual. With free slurpees Mmmmm....

SLURPEE FUN FACTS:

• The frozen, carbonated beverage was first invented in 1959 by a Kansas hamburger stand owner. Using an automobile air conditioner, he created a sophisticated piece of equipment that would freeze a carbonated soft drink and serve it in a sherbet-like form that could be sipped through a straw.

• 7-Eleven began selling Slurpee drinks, then called Icee, in its stores in 1965, and is the only place to buy a Slurpee drink.

• To get that uniquely Slurpee beverage consistency, each Slurpee machine has a compact refrigeration system that mixes syrup, carbon dioxide and water under pressure in a freezing chamber.

• Slurpee drinks are served fountain-style at a frosty 28°F/ -2°C.

• The Slurpee name was created in May 1967 during a brainstorming session of the Stanford Agency, 7-Eleven stores’ in-house agency. While drinking the product through a straw, agency director Bob Stanford commented that it made a “slurp” sound coming through the straw.

• To capitalize on the popularity of the Slurpee beverage, 7-Eleven began introducing Slurpee collectors’ cups in 1972. Through the years, special Slurpee cups have featured monsters, rock ‘n’ roll stars and endangered species. 7-Eleven also offered surprise Slurpee cups with false bottoms, free prizes and peel-off game pieces.

• Cola and Cherry continue to be Slurpee-lovers’ favorite flavors. Other top-selling Slurpee flavors are blue raspberry, Crystal Light Raspberry Ice and Mountain Dew.

• 7-Eleven coined the word BrainFreeze in 1994 to communicate the somewhat painful joy drinking a Slurpee drink brings.

So what if they are high in both sugar and sodium. There are much worse things you could consume- that cost money. So, if you can... go grad yourself a frozen freebie today and have a safe and happy Slurpee Day.

What's your favorite flavour?

(facts from an official press release from 7-Eleven)

Photo borrowed from Yahoo Image Search

Today Is Awesome

Why?

Because the bank was giving away free Cotton Candy, that's why.

Life is gooood.

Happy Friday Everyone-





Images borrowed from Cheeky Kitchen

Augmentation

The other day someone came up to me and asked me to go for coffee. Never one to turn down a chance to take a walk, grabbed my purse and left with her. I don't often find myself in situations with her in which it's just her and I talking. At first it was kind of awkward, and it got even more awkward when she out right said "So I guess I should tell you... I'm getting an augmentation done". My face was blank and I asked her- "What is that?" it was her turn to give me a blank stare and say "Breast enhancement- you know... a Boob job."

"Ooooohhh... um, WHY? you don't need it. " I look at this woman, she is super cute and I know I'm not the only one who thinks so. "It's time I do something for myself." I can tell she has given this a lot of thought, so whatever. To each their own. Personally, I'm scared of any operation so I give her kudos for going under the knife. This really must mean a lot to her and I'm excited.

"So where did you get yours done at?" she asked me- another blank stare came across my face. "My what?" I asked. She motioned towards my boobs and I laughed- "No where, they just grew this way." She looked shocked "On your tiny frame? Wow, did you luck out!" I sort of shrugged my shoulders and said "It is what it is, no big deal!"

and so we kept walking, this really was an unexpected conversation. When we arrived at the coffee shop we made our orders and waited for them to be made. The conversation came back to our bodies and she said to me "Well, when I come back from having my surgery a lot of my clothing isn't going to fit me, I mean, this dress that I'm wearing isn't going to fit me at all ." I look at it, super cute tailored wrap dress "So, if you want, I can put together a bunch of stuff that doesn't fit me and give it to you..." I gasped, now I'm really excited for her surgery! This girl has some of the cutest clothing I have ever seen! "Really? are you sure??" I swear I was drooling by this point. "Oh yes, I'm sure! None of my friends even come close to being the same size as me so it would be a total waste if I didn't give them to someone!" I smiled, "okay! if you insist! Thank you for thinking of me!"

and that was that. Though it was a strange conversation to have with someone I hardly talk to, it ended up being a good one. So I count down the days just as she does, till she has her surgery. I'm excited to see the change in her, I'm sure on some level she will feel better then she does now about her self. I am also excited to potentially inherit some really cute clothing- April the 4Th, here I come!

Steve and KFC

I once had a roommate named Steve
Who loved Transformers and eating KFC

Always keen to a good deal

Especially when it came to a meal

OH! how he'll smile when he learns he can get it for free!

*Free Chicken Thing on November 1st Across Canada*

Over the duration of the 2 years that Steve and I were roommates I went to KFC more then any other period in my life. I didn't like it. My body just can't digest it... maybe it's the grease, maybe it's the special seasoning or maybe it was just the fact that I always called it Barny's Chicken (I blame my mother for the inability to call things by their proper name). I'd sit there in the greasy booths drinking my milk and playing with one of the new toys I got from the little coin machines by the front door (yes, I was an adult) while Steve would munch away contently on some type of Crispy Chicken sandwich. I'd steal the odd fry and people watch... I can't really remember what we would talk about but it was fun. As gross as it was, it was fun.

He has since moved out and lives near a different KFC but every so often I get a text message from him - "KFC? Blah". Usually I'm busy or not around but I think I will always associate KFC with Steve (amongst other things but those things are not free on November 1st- at least not to my knowledge).

Tuesday's Coming, Did You Bring Your Coat?

There are some things in life that just never stop being amazing.

(Thank you Myles)

Free Music For The Week of June 15th

There is an online Canadian music store called Zunior and every two weeks they release a compliation album with a bunch of fantastic up and coming artists. It's nothing mainstream which is fine by me and it's all free- no questions asked! It's awesome and though I keep iTunes in business it sure beats thier once a week free download (which is usually something that I've already purchased 3 weeks prior.).

So visit the site --> Zunior

and download the free music --> Free Music

Previews - Zunior Music Sampler ver.4.11

1)

Let's Break Up -
Hayden
2)
Swallowing Werewolves (I Hear Mary Timony Used to Live Here) -
Bloodsport
3)
Lowiza -
The Lovely Feathers
4)
Independence Is No Solution -
The Blankket

5)
Walk On Boy -
Jim Byrnes
6)
Long Hauling -
Copilots
7)
I Know Nothing Anymore -
Dave Marsh
8)
A Thousand Jacobs -
Flotilla
9)
Imaginary Friends -
Little Girls
10)
Against the Day -
Land of Kush

Free Art

Fact: it's Girly (which is a good thing because I'm a girl.)

Fact: it's freeeeee

Fact: who doesn't love pretty walls!

Fact: there can never be enough creative people in the world so lets celebrate them!

Fact: You can get it here -> Feed Your Soul: the free art project