Big and bigger Megalodon shark teeth
Posted By RichC on February 23, 2023
When it comes to big teeth, Little Red Riding Hood’s wolf has nothing on this Megalodon shark tooth find …
… or the one pulled up in a fishing net the other day.
When were the borders of the countries of the World mapped?
Posted By RichC on February 22, 2023
Here is an impressive map of "The Age of the World’s Borders." (right-click and zoom in)
But when were most of the world’s borders formed? By time period they are:
- 1200-1499: 2,405km (0.9%)
- 1500-1699: 5,463km (2.1%)
- 1700-1724: 4,264km (1.6%)
- 1725-1749: 0km (0%)
- 1750-1774: 8,491km (3.3%)
- 1775-1799: 4,350km (1.7%)
- 1800-1824: 9,025km (3.5%)
- 1825-1849: 9,309km (3.6%)
- 1850-1874: 16,416km (6.4%)
- 1875-1899: 60,046km (23.6%)
- 1900-1924: 83,897km (32.9%)
- 1925-1949: 34,752km (13.6%)
- 1950-1974: 13,130km (5.1%)
- 1975-1999: 1,674km (0.6%)
- 2000-today: 1,189km (0.4%)
- Undefined: 2,202km (0.8%)
Therefore, 52.2% of the world’s borders were set during the 20th century and a further 37.1% were set during the 19th century.
Obviously a map like this is going to disputed, but PisseGuri82 has gone to great lengths to explain his methodology …
Adding the Ridgid 175-watt Power Inverter to my want list
Posted By RichC on February 21, 2023
Here’s a small tool that most likely I don’t need, but find myself wanting. It is a small portable 110-120VAC power inverter by Ridgid sold at Home Depot that delivers 175 watts for as long as you have batteries to power it (I have a few that I keep charged). It might me handy to have when you need to charge up a gadget (USB ports) or want to plug in a low wattage standard AC lamp or small tool.
Would love to see it show up on sale or at a lower price to add to my lengthy inventory of cordless Ridgid tools, since it would not be used all the time.
Music Monday: “Happy Does” and Happy Birthday Ellerie
Posted By RichC on February 20, 2023
My youngest granddaughter turns 3 years old today … WOW! Happy Birthday Ellerie. We wish we were spending it with you, but we will be calling you on your way home from Michigan (photo above on Sunday) and celebrating soon for your combined birthday with your sister.
For Music Monday today, I was thinking about “HAPPY” and it triggered a Kenny Chesney beachy song called “Happy Does” from 2020 by Kenny Chesney.
Ricky Stenhouse Jr. wins 75th Daytona 500
Posted By RichC on February 19, 2023
Congratulations to Ricky Stenhouse Jr. winning the Daytona 500 in extended lap fashion. Interestingly the experts were for the most part wrong as this was a “single car team” racing against the multi-car race teams … 
although it again came down to surviving the 200 lap race, avoiding the mayhem and having just enough fuel to finish the race. Great win.
Results Final Top 5
- R. Stenhouse Jr. Chevrolet #47
- J. Logano Ford #22
- C. Bell Toyota #20
- C. Buescher Ford #17
- A. Bowman Chevrolet #48
Archiving: Saving woodworking condo side table idea
Posted By RichC on February 19, 2023
While at the condo in Florida this past week, Brenda was searching for a side table and lamp to replace the very ugly and cheap one between the couch and chair (photo right). She found one online that was way overpriced for "particle board or manufactured wood." I’m not a fan and mentioned that it would be much nicer if it were hardwood with the antiqued paint treatment I used on the toothbrushing stools. She agreed and sent me the photo to archive.
A bit more on the Portuguese Man O’ Wars this past week
Posted By RichC on February 18, 2023
Brenda commented that I didn’t link any information on the the large numbers of Portuguese Man O’ Wars earlier this week, so figured I would share a beach photo of a bourgeoning Portuguese Man O’ War spawn that were washing up all over the beach this past week (click above). The interesting colored spot on the shore has me linking and reading a bit more … and finding this “lefthanded vs righthandedness” section intriguing.
For each man o’ war or bluebottle, the float can be oriented towards the left or the right (dimorphism), believed to be an adaptation that prevents the entire population from being washed on shore to die.
The “left-handed” bluebottles sail to the right of the wind, while the “right-handed” bluebottles sail to the left. The wind will always push the two types of bluebottles in different directions, so at most half the population will be pushed towards the coast.
Tech Friday: Reading rumors regarding the iPhone 15 and Pro
Posted By RichC on February 17, 2023
Since a new iPhone will eventually be in my future, I’m paying a little more attention to the rumors around what is changing. The most obvious seems to be the USB-C port, but according to 9to5mac photos and renderings, the iPhone15Pro could see some bezel changes too.
With the iPhone 15 lineup, a USB-C port will be added to all iPhone 15 models in lieu of the Lightning port. Based on the renders, the port won’t look significantly different, but there may be some changes to the speaker holes at the bottom.
The iPhone 15 Pro models are expected to have somewhat thinner bezels than than the iPhone 14 Pro models, plus there is a minor change to the curve of the edges. The frame is slightly more curved and the glass curves into the edges, a subtle but noticeable tweak.
Our shrinking kitchen counter space in the Florida condo
Posted By RichC on February 16, 2023
Nothing like a big game, a bag of frozen Costco chicken wings and a desire to make them crispier than in a normal oven to talk us into a splurge buy!
At home in Cincinnati, we enjoy our Breville convection toaster oven at home so much that really wanted one down at the Delray Beach condo ever since the kitchen update and tossing our 
old 2-slice bread toaster. We’ve used the regular oven … which does a fine job … but used the Super Bowl and desire for crispy Buffalo wings as an excuse to buy a new Cosori brand air fryer/toaster oven. I debated one of the smaller dedicated 5-qt air fryers, but decided the convenience of making other smaller oven and toaster items for the two of us was worth putting a combo model on the countertop, besides we do not have a toaster.
It was still a trade-off.
A few more family homebuilding photos and using rehab as an excuse to take a winter trip to Florida
Posted By RichC on February 15, 2023
This content is restricted.
Desultory - des-uhl-tawr-ee, -tohr-ee
- lacking in consistency, constancy, or visible order, disconnected; fitful: desultory conversation.
- digressing from or unconnected with the main subject; random: a desultory remark.