Who's got the clicker?

A day for all couch potatoes to celebrate! Today is celebrated by many as the date when the remote control was first introduced.

The first remote intended to control a television was developed by Zenith. It was officially called Lazy Bones. The first remotes were actually connected to the television set by a wire. Many complained about tripping over the cable. Later, a wireless remote was developed. Wikipedia notes that the remote is often called a "clicker" because of the sound the early remote made when the user pushed a button on the remote control. The remote has reportedly changed network television programming. They now split the screen so that you simultaneously view credits during the last moments of a broadcast. More commercials are placed in the middle of programs with transitions into the next show directly. The networks don't want you to switch that channel and they don't want you to miss their sponsors' commercials.

The remote has given viewers opportunity -- opportunity to interact with your tv. Viewers can easily change their minds and not watch a show because they do not want to continuously get up to turn the channel. It drives me crazy when someone constantly is changing the TV channels though. I once had a college roommate who would try to keep up with multiple shows being televised at the same time. She was constantly clicking back-and-forth, switching channels during commercials. The remote was practically glued to her hand. The remote definitely comes in handy for those with DVRs. Because of the DVR unit, we start watching the show a few minutes late and then we just fast forward passed those pesky commercials using the wonderful remote control. We generally only look forward to the commercials during the Superbowl!

Things have certainly changed a lot during my lifetime. I grew up in rural America and we were lucky to get three tv stations in our area. There was no cable and no satellite. In our house, the kids had responsibilities. One had the responsibility of changing the channel at Dad's request. Another had the responsibility of standing outside and turning the TV antennae to make the picture as clear as possible! I was very glad when my little brothers grew older and were able to share these duties. I don't miss those days. However, I am reminded of them when we go to the family farm for vacation -- still no cable or satellite and still dealing with what channels are avaiable without sending someone to the antennae. Of course, that will change in 2009. In less than a year, that antennae will be worthless and will be replaced by a little box required to convert the signal into something our old tvs at the farm will recognize.

Perhaps your coffee table is full of remotes -- one for the TV, the DVD player, the cable/satellite/DRV box, the CD player, and the amplifier. Don't forget about the remote for the ceiling fan and the lights. It's been reported that the average American home has four remotes. They sell remotes for remotes -- those universal remotes that magically "learn" or duplicate the signals of the other remotes you have in your home. I've also seen those cool systems where you have a small touch-screen panel where you can control all your systems, replacing the stack of remotes. That is what I want!

The remote is often a topic of discussion in our house. You frequently hear, "Who's got the remote?" or "Where did the remote go?" Many times it slips and falls between the cushions on the sofa or chair. I usually keep the main remote in one spot, but have a decorative small chest that includes my collection of remotes. I generally must spend several minutes looking for the remote after my nephews leave though. They frequently will carry the remote out of the room with them (if they can get away with it) because they don't want their channel changed -- leaving you to sit and watch the commercials and unable to mute the sound. Do you even remember how to change the channel without the remote? If you just change the TV's channel, you'll often lose everything when dealing with cable/satellite/DVR boxes. I often need a "finder" or a "locator" for the remote.

At my Mom's house the entertainment system is quirky. There are multiple remotes and multiple ways to turn on the television and select a channel. However, we've learned that there is only ONE CORRECT way to do it. The challenge is learning and remembering that correct way. I wish Dad had written down those instructions for us all. Maybe it's time for a change. We need someone to evaluate how things are installed and make it easier. You know when it's wrong -- there is a familiar, awful little "pop" related to the surround sound system, followed by the voice of Mom down the hall reminding us there is a proper way to turn on the tv. Now, I usually just ask her to turn it on and keep it on until she turns it off.

Today I found a video about a group of guys who tried to create the ultimate universal remote -- a remote to not only turn on the tv, but one that would put their hot dogs on the grill and open their beer. You can see a video about this ultimate remote here:

As posted on YouTube by remotedisasters

Ride, Sally Ride

Today I'm celebrating the first American woman in space

On this date in 1983 astronaut Sally Ride became the first American woman in space. At that time she was also the youngest American to enter outer space. She was 1 of 8,900 people to answer a newspaper ad seeking applicants for the space program. She joined NASA in 1978 and spent 343 hours in space. After retiring from NASA she became the president and CEO of Sally Ride Space, a company founded in 2001 to create entertaining science programs and publications for upper elementary and middle school students, with an particular focus on girls. You can hear Sally Ride talk about her selection for the NASA crew on YouTube.

Sorry, you may think this is corny, but I can't help but think of the song "Mustang Sally" when I hear Sally Ride's name. You can watch Running with Scissors perform the song on this blogpost:

As posted on YouTube by MisterGrizz

Today I wonder if Dr. Sally Ride ever thought about buying a Mustang. Of course, she had a bigger dream -- all she wanted to do was ride but around the world, that is! As nice as a Mustang is, it will not get you where Sally Ride wanted to ride. Dream big!

Image credit: britannica.com

A carbon copy

Happy Father's Day!

When we all go back home for the family vacation, my brother and I will almost daily here words like:
You remind me so much of your Dad
I can see your Dad in your eyes
You look just like your Dad
Your son is a carbon copy of your Dad at that age

It seems to be a joy to those who were so close to your father to see his look in your eyes, to hear the similarity in the voice, to see his walk or the way he talked, or to recognize the wit or sense of humor. Even after our Dad's are gone, we can often feel them close at hand. You can almost hear the quiet word of warning or the whisper of encouragement. It's amazing how close we still can feel, seeing him through the faces and lives of our loved ones. We see his likes, his dislikes, and the many traits passed on through the kids.

Today, I thought of the Rodney Atkins song "Watching You" and you can see the music video from this blogpost today. This song reminds us that our children are often carbon copies of our lives -- not only the physical traits that are so recognized, but also the habits and behaviors that we may or may not wish to be portrayed.

As posted on YouTube by BlazingSky2006

Today on Father's Day, a challenge for us all: remember the influence we have in the lives around us. Our sons, daughters, nieces, and nephews are indeed watching us...learning from what we say and what we do...learning from what we don't say and what we don't do as well.

What goes up, must come down

Today's I'm celebrating Yo-Yo Day

In honor of Donald Duncan's birthday and his phenomenal influence he had in the world of yo, today is celebrated as yo-yo day. The history of yo-yo likely originated in China. Although you may find yo-yos today manufactured in China (unfortunately like so many other products), there is a rich history of yo-yo manufacturing in the US. Duncan built his factory in Luck, Wisconsin. They produced 3,600 wooden yo-yos per hour earning the town the nickname: Yo-yo Capital of the World. They used 1,000,000 board feet per year. Duncan then partnered with Flambeau Plastics Company to produce plastic yo-yos. By 1962, the Duncan Company alone sold a record 45 million yo-yos in a country with only 40 million kids. Duncan Yo-Yo once dominated sales producing 85% of all yo-yos being sold in the US. At its peak production, Duncan produced 60,000 yo-yos per day with 640 employees. In 1965, Duncan lost its trademark on the word yo-yo. Also, tragically in 1965 the Duncan Company was forced into bankrupty. Flambeau bought the "Duncan" name and now manufactures and sells 11 different models of Duncan yo-yos today.

The yo-yo has been a big part of US history and entertainment. In 1968 activist Abbie Hoffman was cited for contempt of Congress for "walking the dog" and in 1974 Richard Nixon made headlines when he yo-yo'd on stage at the opening of the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville. In April of 1985 the yo-yo was first taken into space by NASA and again in July 1992. You may have seen yo-yos in a Simpsons or House episode on television. You may have seen an orderly playing with a yo-yo in One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest or the yo-yo tricks throughout the Zoolander film. You can see amazing videos of yo-yo competitors today on YouTube.

Yes, even I owned a yo-yo or two during my childhood. However, I was not very successful in mastering the yo-yo. I'm still amazed watching the yo-yo masters, even today. What do I most fondly recall about "yo yo" during those early teen years? You can see in the video below.

Yo Yo by The Osmond Brothers


As posted on YouTube by nurfana

Image credit: mentalacrobatics.com

A mover and a shaker

Today I'm celebrating the premier of "Hound Dog" by Elvis Presley!

On this date in 1956 Elvis Presley first performed "Hound Dog" to a nationwide television audience on The Milton Berle Show. The controversy of his pelvic gyrations exploded with Berle's network receiving protest letters and the TV critics claiming that Elvis had no talent, criticizing the nonsense lyrics, and claiming his influence on juvenile delinquency. Elvis, who earned the nickname Elvis the Pelvis, was known as a mover and shaker. Presley's "Hound Dog" spent eleven weeks at#1, staying there until replaced by his "Love Me Tender." It is listed #19 on Rolling Stone's list of "The 500 Greatest Songs of All Time" and is the highest ranked of Presley's eleven entries. The song has also been featured in numerous blockbusters, including American Graffiti, Grease, Forrest Gump, Lilo and Stitch, and Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull (which you can enjoy in movie theaters today).

You can also enjoy Elvis singing "Hound Dog" on this blogpost:

As posted on Youtube by elpres42

Although this song premiered before my time, it is a song that is very familiar to me and is likely very familiar to you -- one of the most famous songs sung by the infamous mover and shaker.

Image credit: Howstuffworks

Beautiful to view

Today I'm celebrating Jefferson Davis Day

On this date in 1808, Jefferson Davis, the first and only president of the Confederacy, was born. Beauvoir was the location of his retirement home. Beauvoir, which means beautiful to view, is located in Biloxi, Mississippi, across US Highway 90 from Biloxi Beach. The estate consisted of about 608 acres when he lived there, but is only about 52 acres today. The compound had a cottage-style plantation residence, which faced the Gulf of Mexico, and a botanical garden, a Confederate veterans home, a Confederate Soldier Museum, a historic Confederate cemetary, the Jefferson Davis Library and Museum, and the Tomb of the Unknown Confederate Soldier. It was a beautiful estate with a beautiful view of the Gulf of Mexico along the Biloxi Beach. I've driven by that estate hundreds of times. At one time the house was surrounded by cedars, oaks, and magnolia trees. You could see Spanish moss hanging from many of the large old trees on the property. The home survived Hurricane Camille in 1969. However, during Hurricane Katrina, five out of the seven buildings on the estate were reportedly destroyed. This week, during the start of the hurricane season, I'm reminded of my drives down Highway 90 viewing the damage of Hurricane Camille and Hurricane Katrina. Although it took years, the beachfront revived following Hurricane Camille and life returned. It's an amazing site driving down the coast, viewing the devastation following Hurricane Katrina. The restoration effort is proceeding slowly. I understand that as a US national historical landmark, there will be federal support to repair and rebuild the Beauvoir complex. It's my hope that once again, and very soon, that the drive along Highway 90 will one day again be beautiful to view.


Image credit: Photos by Debra Hess Norris and Betty Fiske, courtesy of the Ohr-O’Keefe Museum of Art