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BLACK FRIDAY: May it rest in peace!

11/27/2020

I have to smile when I read phrases like “Black Friday is officially on Nov. 27 (it's always the day after Thanksgiving).” or “Black Friday has certainly changed over the years…”

Both those statements are correct, but to me they sound as if they were written by a millennial with no understanding of how Black Friday came about or the significance of the name. No, it is not an American tradition handed down over a few centuries and finally officially recognized. Neither the event nor the name has national or religious ties, unless you consider avarice as a religion.

That’s not what happened.

Oh, wait! This blog is not timely. If you are reading this at all, you’ve probably completed your Black Friday activities for the year. Why should you care?

IN THE BEGINNING
The term “Black Friday” is used in several contexts, the first dating back to the US financial crisis of September 24, 1869, when the U.S, gold market collapsed. After that "Black Whateverday" became a buzz word to denote financial downturns of large scale.

When I looked up the black days, these economic crises seem too frequent for comfort. Scary! The list is long but "Black Monday," October 19, 1987, and "Black Tuesday," October 29, 1929, stand out among the many.

The Financial Crisis Black Friday September 24, 1869 Black Monday, October 29, 1929
Photo Sourceamazon.com/Contemporary-American-Engraving Photo Source: crushthestreet.com/black-day-week

FAST FORWARD TO THE 1950’S
By the mid 20th century, the term “Black Friday” had come to mean “Anything Bad That Happened on a Friday”. There are any number of opinions and stories about the origins of the Black Friday phenomenon in the latter half of the 20th and the beginning of the 21st centuries.

Nancy Koehn writes, "In the 1950s, some factory managers referred to the day after Thanksgiving as "black Friday" because so many workers called in sick. The day, noted one industrial magazine, 'was a disease second only to the bubonic plague' in its effect on employees.'"
Koehn, Nancy F. "The History of Black Friday." Marketplace Commentary, American Public Media, November 25, 2011.

The most sources believe that somewhere in the mid 1950s the Philadelphia police began to refer to the last weekend in November as "Black Friday". It didn’t take long for the retailers to chime in.
Verbal history has it that the term for the day after Thanksgiving was coined by the Philadelphia Police Department in 1966--and not as a term of endearment. That day was the official opening of the Christmas shopping season and usually brought massive traffic jams, over-crowded sidewalks, a rash of shoplifting, crowded buses, and general chaos.

Photo Source: https://philadelphiaencyclopedia.org/archive/police-department-philadelphia/
Philadelphia, Black Friday 25, 1966

An article by Laura Rosenfeld suggests the confusion was exacerbated by the annual Army-Navy football game on the last weekend of November. “Philadelphia police officers and retail employees loved Black Friday back then probably as much as they do now, which is probably not at all.” techtimes.com/history-of-black-friday

When Philadelphians got wind of the trend, they didn't like it. [I’ll bet it was the Chamber of Commerce, although no one at all says that. Just my guess.]

Fearing the negative phrase, being connected with large crowds, traffic jams, and petty theft, would discourage shoppers, an attempt to change the term to “Big Friday” didn’t catch on. Instead, “Black Friday” spread quickly to other parts of the United States.

AMERICAN INNOVATION SAVES THE DAY
By the 1970s the term was in use around the US and by the 1980s unrest settled in among small and big merchants alike. Needless to say businesses, malls, Chambers of Commerce, and City Mayors did not like the term at all. But when it comes to making money, we shall overcome.

Innovative business people that we are, someone pointed out that the end of November was the point in the year when retail businesses, which traditionally operated at a loss or “in the red”, began to make profits and operated “in the black.”

Once this strategy was employed and marketed, both merchants and shoppers followed with open arms. Enough generations had passed and no one, thanks to the school system, seemed to remember the original usage came from 19th century financial disasters.

“Black Friday” was embraced by all. Kudos, Wall Street.

Even though it may be touted as the busiest shopping day of the year, marketing studies and Snopes.com show the day after Thanksgiving as being only one of the top six or seven biggest shopping days of the year. Black Friday has only risen to the top of the retail sales revenue pile a few times.

THE NEW NORMAL: What to Expect
Now we face a new dilemma. Covid 19. Big crowds aren’t “in” right now. And American companies are coming up with a different approach to what is still being called Black Friday.

You’re already aware that stores are starting early and offering special sales and holiday deals from October until December 25. But there are some changes to expect.

● Stores Closed on Thanksgiving
Walmart stores and Sam’s Club will be open their normal hours the day before Thanksgiving, but closed Thanksgiving Day. Then open again on Friday, October 27.

Target hosted “Deal Days” mid-October and their lowered prices will probably still be in effect on the day after Thanksgiving. They will also be closed on Thanksgiving.

Home Depot, Macy’s, and other major retailers will also be closed on Thanksgiving Day.

● On-line buying
We are already familiar with on-line buying, but it’s bound to be bigger than ever this year when people don’t want to be out in crowds. With greater volume, you can expect slower speeds and more technical glitches than last year.

● Curbside pickup
Curb-side pickup is here to stay, at least for a while. Miller Kern writes on mashable.com/shopping, “One of the biggest shopping changes to come about during the COVID-19 pandemic is the surge of curbside pickup options. Black Friday will be no different.” Kern also suggests we may be looking at lottery systems in the future where you win or purchase a time slot.

● New Technology Takes Hold
Technology is the future of retail buying and Black Friday. Within a few years we may be looking at QR Code scanning and Virtual reality.

No one knows for sure, but that will happen on November 27, 2020, seems predictable given the virus circumstances.

HANDWRITING ON THE WALL
The year 2020 will set the stage for the future -- and most likely, the demise -- of Black Friday as was practiced during the first decade of the 21st century.

Already the connection between the financial disasters of 1869, 1929, and 1987 and the term Black Friday is weakened. When you use the phrase today, most people will identify it with the mass sales the day after Thanksgiving and chaos Christmas shopping.

Photo source: distractify.com/p/black-friday-fights Image Credit: John Minchillo Photo source : hoskinsandturco.com/blog Photo Source: corporate.target.com/target-shoppers

Sales in store already start much earlier and cover several months before the month of December. On-line shopping had created its own days for sales. It won’t take long before the start of the holiday shopping season is detached from Black Friday or any other specific date.

I predict that within ten years the term will drop into the category of folk lore. At least, it won’t be on the retailer’s banner any more.

Next, it will be malls that become obsolete. As an urban planner, I’ve always felt the planning profession missed the boat by not giving much greater consideration to reuse of malls when they pass their prime. Some will survive, of course, but many won’t. It’s been happening for years now.

I’m a little early for holding a funeral for Black Friday. I’ll be back for that in a few years.
Just Sayin’
□
Resources:
2020
https://mashable.com/shopping/black-friday-2020-future-predictions/
https://www.techradar.com/news/black-friday-deals-2019
https://www.hbs.edu/news/releases/Pages/koehnblackfriday.aspx
https://www.cnbc.com/2020/10/02/black-friday-is-over-heres-why-retailers-are-touting-weeks-of-deals.html
https://www.theblackfriday.com/what-is-black-friday.shtml
https://www.hbs.edu/news/releases/Pages/koehnblackfriday.aspx
https://www.marketplace.org/2011/11/25/history-black-friday/
https://www.crushthestreet.com/articles/precious-metals/black-day-week-started-gold-friday
Photos only:
https://www.hoskinsandturco.com/blog/the-deals-and-dangers-of-black-friday-five-most-insane-injuries/
https://corporate.target.com/press/releases/2014/11/target-shoppers-nationwide-score-doorbusters-as-bl
https://www.distractify.com/p/black-friday-fights
Previously used references:
http://www.techtimes.com/articles/20879/20141125/history-of-black-friday.htm
http://philadelphia.cbslocal.com/2011/11/25/the-little-known-philadelphia-origins-of-black-friday/
http://www.philly.com/philly/...Black_Friday_started_in_Philly.html%20-
http://en.http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Black_Friday_(shopping)wikipedia.org/wiki/Black_Friday_(shopping)
http://www.techtimes.com/articles/20879/20141125/history-of-black-friday.htm
http://www.marketplace.org/topics/life/commentary/history-black-friday
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/americanexperience/features/general-article/grant-black-friday/
http://www.vocabulary.com/articles/wordroutes/the-origins-of-black-friday/
https://blackfriday.com/pages/black-friday-history
http://mentalfloss.com/article/31581/brief-history-black-friday
http://www.todayifoundout.com/index.php/2010/11/black-friday-is-not-the-biggest-shopping-day-of-the-year/
http://www.snopes.com/holidays/thanksgiving/shopping.asp
□

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Being Grateful Is Good For You

11/22/2020

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THE WORST YEAR EVER
The year 2020 hasn’t been one of the best. COVID 19 has made this a unique eleven months.
Many are enduring the deaths of friends and family, loss of jobs, loss of business and savings, loss of mobility, houses lost in fires and natural disasters, pets and wild animals lost in fires, and much more. Many people throughout the world are suffering greatly, and it’s hard for nearly everyone to feel particularly grateful about the year.

There are no words to make it better for those who suffer, but many people around the world have stepped up to the plate and done kind and unselfish things to help others in need. For that, we should all be grateful. There are still many kind and generous people in the world, and we must never forget [WU1] that.
Focusing on the problems and worries does nothing to abate the situation. To lift the spirit a bit, how about focusing on the good things we still have?

“There aren’t any good things,” you say, and it certainly feels that way sometimes, but if you actually start listing them you’ll find quite a few things, material and non-material, you take for granted for which you can be grateful to still have.

WHAT GRATITUDE CAN DO FOR YOU
Professionals cite 40 years of research and studies to back up their claims that gratitude is good for all of us. Some of the reasons include the following:

●Gratitude makes us happier.
● Gratitude puts situations into perspective.
● Gratitude makes us feel more gratitude.
● Gratitude makes you friendlier, helps you make friends, and deepens friendships.
● Gratitude makes people like us.
● Gratitude makes us healthier: It improves your sleep, boosts your energy levels, and makes you more likely
to exercise.
● Gratitude makes us more optimistic.
● Gratitude reduces materialism.
●Gratitude requires humility, being modest and respectful.
●.Gratitude increases self-esteem.
● Gratitude makes us less self-centered.
● Gratitude strengthens our emotions.
● Gratitude develops our personality.
● Gratitude increases spiritualism. All major religions espouse gratitude as a virtue.
● Gratitude improves your health, sleep, and longevity.
● Gratitude helps you relax.
● Gratitude helps your marriage and family relationships.
●.Gratitude helps you bounce back.
● Gratitude makes you feel good.
● Gratitude reduces feelings of envy.
● Gratitude makes our memories happier.
●.Gratitude boosts our career by making you a better worker or manager.
● Gratitude improves your decision making.
● Gratitude increases your goal achievement.
● Gratitiude increase productivity.

This is a whopping big list… and promise, but supposedly it is verifiable research. Unfortunately, the wording, and particularly the verb form, makes it sound like a foregone conclusion these wonderful improvements definitely will occur.

I suppose that choice was made in the interests of being positive, and not a promise. Undoubtedly, some of these improvements will occur in some of the people who achieve a certain level of gratitude.

DO GRATITUDE LISTS WORK?
Liz Brown, writing for goodhousekeeping.com/life/ says writing out all the things she has to be grateful for, which is what most of the above professionals encourage, didn’t work for her.
She tried and, as a result, fell into a deep depression. She believes “Gratitude lists imply that those of us who are in pain are choosing misery and aren’t working hard enough.”

Instead, she wrote an ingratitude list. “My ingratitude lists helped me grieve the things that I'd lost, missed out on, been cheated out of and all the times life had kicked me straight in the heart. I learned that stuffing down anger and sadness with a stack of gratitude lists doesn't make them go away. Writing down the things that made me miserable and furious didn't make them go away either, but it helped me focus on the things in life that I wanted to change because they caused me suffering over and over again. My ingratitude lists gave me direction, focus and helped me move away from shame and toward acceptance and action. My heart still hurts, but I don't scream at myself for being selfish for being sad anymore.

I chucked my gratitude lists in the trash and cheered when I watched the garbage truck lift up the can and watch the stacks of legal pads go flying into the fetid hopper along with the rest of the rot.”

If you are tired of being told to “look on the bright side” and irritated, or furious, with well-intentioned friends and family who tell you that, then this is a good place to stop reading. Being told that someone else has it worse usually isn’t any comfort.

PSYCHOLOGISTS BELIVE IN GRATITUDE LISTS
For the rest of you who believe it helps, which includes many psychologists, go through the following list, compiled from several sources, of things you might be grateful for. [To tell you the truth, some of the things listed wouldn’t ever come to my mind, and I don’t agree with others, but what do I know?]

Don’t focus on the bad, like Brown; turn your attention to the good things. I’m not saying that having a house, an income, or family and friends outweigh the death of a loved one, but looking at the positive side, they may help deal with the other losses.

There are always things we still have that we can be grateful for. Some of them we never think about, but when they are gone, we appreciate them. Many rate the “well, duh!” category, but we wouldn’t want to be without them. The following is comprised of lists taken directly from lifehack.org/thankful-for and thelawofattraction.com/100-things-thankful/ plus a few others and some of my own, and combined. They are grouped loosely but their importance to you is personal. Find those things you can be grateful for.

● Good Health
Even if your health isn’t great, it could be worse and you likely still have some working parts to be thankful for.
● Money in the Bank
Having just a few coins makes you richer than most people on Earth.
● Having a Job or income
Even if you don’t like your job, being employed means someone thought you were special enough to hire. And you are employed and receive a paycheck. Having good co-workers is also a blessing.
● Having a Home
Whether you live in an apartment, a mansion, or a tent, having a place to call home is something to be thankful for.
● Family
Even if your parents were dysfunctional, they gave you life. In the end, what matters most is family, and you have the ability to create your own.
● Having a Partner
Creating a future with someone. Being in a romantic relationship can teach you so much about the world and yourself.
● Having children
Watching children laugh, grow, and dream can keep things in perspective.
● Good Friends
Often, it’s the quality of friendships, not the quantity. The ones you can always count on are priceless.
● Freedom of Religion
Being able to worship whomever and however you want is something many people don’t ever experience.
● Freedom of Speech
Being able to express your thoughts and feelings freely should never be taken for granted.
●. Freedom to Vote
Being able to have a say in the laws should never be taken for granted.
Sleep and a Bed to Sleep In
A bed is one of those things that’s easy to take for granted, until you don’t have one. Fresh bed sheets and duvet are even better. Sleep is another
● Goodnight kisses
● Waking up Today
Simply waking up today means you have things to be thankful for, and each day is a new chance to begin again!
● Bad days that make you appreciate the good ones
● Food on the table
There is nothing like a good home cooked meal.
● Laughter
Without laughter, the world would be a sad place. Uncontrollable laughter is a special experience.
● Safety and Security
Being able to wake up without immense fear frees us up to really live life.
● Electricity
Electricity enables us to have most of the modern conveniences and communication that we have today. They make life much easier and safer.
● Comfortable clothes appropriate for the weather
On a cold day, there’s nothing more important than warm clothing.
● Modern Medicine
Without advances in modern medicine, many of us wouldn’t be alive.
● Living pain-free
● Music
Finding music that moves you and singing your favorite songs brightens the day. Music brings out new emotions.
● Cuddles
● The progression of human rights
● All our senses
● Being able to experience all emotions
● Love
The world sure would be a different place if we lacked the ability to love.
● Eyesight and Being able to see colors
Being able to see allows us to view the world’s beauty.
● Hearing
Being able to hear your loved one’s voice is something that not everyone gets to do.
● An Ability to Learn
The ability to learn new things means we have endless potential.
● Imagination
● Being able to look forward to something
● Being able to set and achieve goals
● Learning from Mistakes
If we never made mistakes, we wouldn’t learn much so it is one of those things we should be thankful for.
●4. Kindness of Strangers
When a stranger smiles at you or shows kindness and courtesy, never take that for granted. Pass it forward.
● Pain
Without pain, it would be difficult to appreciate life’s joys.
● Tears
Sometimes when there are no words to say, tears express how we feel for us.
● Wisdom that Comes with Age
Thankfully, we grow smarter over time.
● Your Mind
Being able to think, remember, and solve problems sure makes life easier.
● The Ability to Dream
● Challenges
Without challenges in life, we wouldn’t be the people we are now
● The ability to help others
● Sincere apologies
● Open minded people
● Strength
Physical and strength of character.
● The generosity of others
● Respect
● Forgiveness
● Teamwork
● Having some time to yourself
● Ability to have and pursue a passion
● Sunshine
The sun’s warmth can brighten any day.
● Time
Although we often don’t think there’s enough of it, time is something we shouldn’t take for granted.
● The seasons changing
● Breathing Fresh Air
Being able to step outside to breathe in fresh air is a good reminder how many little things we should be thankful for.
● Mountains
Mountains provide us with beauty and recreation.
● Rainbows
The beauty of a rainbow is unmatched.
● Sunrises and Sunsets
The rising of the sun and Sunsets are reminders that we should enjoy the simple things in life and there will be tomorrow.
● Moon and Stars
The moon and stars encourage us to dream.
● Diversity
The world would be a boring place without diversity.
● Oceans
The sea creatures in the ocean almost seem too mystical to be real.
● Hiking Trails
● Opportunity to Get an Education
The opportunity to attend school is something many people don’t have.
● An Ability to Read
If you’re reading this right now, you have a lot to be thankful for.
● People Willing to Teach
Whether it’s your grandmother teaching you to knit or your plumber showing you how to prevent future problems, be grateful that others are willing to use their time and talents to teach you something new.
● Books
Books provide an opportunity to enter another world all from the comfort of your own home. You can go anywhere and be anyone if you read books.
● Finding people who bring the best out in you
● Weekends
There’s something magical about weekends and not having an alarm go off.
● Pets
Pets offer one of the best examples of unconditional love. Puppies and kittens have a special place in everyone’s heart.
● Cars
Without cars, it would take a lot longer to get our activities done.
● Clean running water
Many people on earth lack access to clean water.
● Hot showers and feeling clean
● Good Hair Days
● Indoor Plumbing
Indoor plumbing not only provides convenience, it spares us from disease.
● Art
The world would be less beautiful if art didn’t exist.
● Holidays
Any reason to celebrate is something we should be thankful for.
● Cell PhonesCell phones make talking to loved ones easy.
● An Internet Connection
It’s hard to believe how easy it is to take the internet for granted, seeing how none of us had just a couple of decades ago.
● Entrepreneurs and inventors
Some of life’s best inventions resulted from an entrepreneur who was willing to take a risk.
● Grocery Stores
Grocery stores mean we don’t have to spend all of our time getting our own food.
● Entertainment
Entertainment gives us a way to relax and enjoy life.
● Air Conditioning
Staying cool on a hot day is something people wouldn’t have dreamed about in past centuries.
● Armed Forces
Our lives would likely be very different if we didn’t have protection from the armed forces.
● Hearing good news
● Chocolate
● Ice Cream
● Cups of tea
● Coffee
● Fresh countryside walks
● Cameras
They capture amazing memories
● Traditions
Religious, family and others.
● Nice neighbours
● Having deep conversations until the early morning
● Spell checker
● Jumping into a swimming pool in the summer
● Modern Transportation
● Old photographs
● Meeting up with old friends
● Snow days
● A nice bubble bath
● Not having to set an alarm
● Sunday mornings

The most important thing to be grateful for is the fact that you are unique in the world. There is no one else who is exactly like you.

BE GRATEFUL AND PAY IT FORWARD!
You can decide that you are going to be happy and grateful, or not. Tomorrow you are going to begin again. However you celebrate Thanksgiving [or don’t celebrate that particular holiday] be grateful for what you have. It is not a matter of just thinking it, or saying it…live it in your thoughts and actions every day
Just Sayin’
□
Note: Pay it forward is an expression for describing the beneficiary of a good deed repaying the kindness to others instead of to the original benefactor. The concept is old, but the particular phrase may have been coined by Lily Hardy Hammond in her 1916 book In the Garden of Delight.

Resources:
https://www.lifehack.org/articles/communication/60-things-thankful-for-life.html
https://www.thelawofattraction.com/100-things-thankful/
https://www.cbc.ca/kidscbc2/the-feed/5-ways-being-thankful-is-really-good-for-you
https://www.happierhuman.com/benefits-of-gratitude/
https://greatergood.berkeley.edu/article/item/what_parents_neglect_to_teach_about_gratitude
https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/life/a45386/gratitude-lists-dont-work/
https://www.unstuck.com/gratitude/

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CAN GOOD THINGS HAPPEN ON FRIDAY the THIRTEENTH?

11/13/2020

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Although superstition dooms Friday the 13th by proclaiming it an unlucky day, almost every article written about the day assures us that, in reality, as many good things happen on those days as bad things. I believe that’s true, but it became very hard for me to verify that statement. Apparently, people have only recently started keeping track of good or positive things that take place.

Of course, the passage of time puts a different slant on incidents and one unlucky event may eventually be seen later as “not that earth shaking” or perhaps even good.

In terms of tracking bad luck episodes, most of the accidents and unlucky occurrences happen to an individual or occur at a personal level. Only a few are of a scale worthy of the 10 p.m. news broadcast, an article Time Magazine, or announcement in an internet Twitterfeed.

HOW MANY FRIDAY 13 ARE THERE?
Friday falls on the 13th day of the month, on the Gregorian calendar, at least one day each year. The maximum times in a year is three. For example, in 2015, Friday the 13th occurred in February, March, and November. In 2017 through 2019 there were two Friday the 13ths each.

This year, 2020, there are two: March 13 and today, November 13. We could certainly stand something good happening today. The years 2021 and 2022 will both have just one occurrence each.

WHERE DID ALL THE GOOD THINGS GO?
While there are very long lists of unfortunate events that occurred on Friday the 13th, the list of positive events is sparse. Here are the incidents I could find on the internet. I’m sure deep research would reveal others.

▼Callisto, 4th moon of Jupiter - mage Source: pinterest.co.uk/563935184559873500/

● 1610 -- Callisto Discovered
On January 13, 1610, Galileo Galilei discovered Callisto, the fourth moon of Jupiter.

● 1789 -- “Nothing Certain but Death and Taxes" Quote
I’m not quite sure this qualifies as a “Good Thing” that happened, although it has proven to be spot on. Friday, November 13, 1789, Benjamin Franklin wrote his famous quote in a letter to Jean-Baptiste Leroy. He was informing the fellow inventor that the US Constitution was completed, and the quote in its entirety reads, "Our new Constitution is now established, and has an appearance that promises permanency; but in the world nothing can be said to be certain except death and taxes.”

● 1854 – First US Patent For An Accordion
The first US patent for the accordion was granted on January 13, 1854 to Anthony Faas of Philadelphia.
▼Image Source: theparisreview.org/blog/

●1882 – The Thirteen Club was Founded in
New York
On January 13, 1882, The Thirteen Club was founded Club was founded in New York City at Knickerbocker Cottage at 454 Sixth Avenue -- note that the address adds up to 13 – by Captain William Fowler (1827-1897) who desired to remove the stigma surrounding the number 13.

At the time there was a rule, unwritten, about not having thirteen guests at the dinner table. Members met on the 13th day of the month in room 13 of the Knickerbocker Cottage, a popular watering hole Fowler owned from 1863 to 1883. Before sitting down for a 13-course dinner, members would pass beneath a ladder and a banner reading “Morituri te Salutamus,” Latin for “Those of us who are about to die salute you.” Four former U.S. presidents were members.

● 1923 -- First Scientifically Recognized Dinosaur Eggs Discovered
According to the American Museum of Natural History, Roy Chapman Andrews discovered the first dinosaur eggs at a dig in Mongolia, on July 13, 1923. Scientifically, this was huge for the field of paleontology, confirming that dinosaurs laid eggs —and the Museum was so impressed that Andrews would go on to be the director of the Museum from 1935 to 1942.
Image Credit: Topical Press Agency/Getty Images
Image Source: insider.com/good-things-friday-13th

● 1923 – Dedication of the Hollywoodland Sign
Dedication of the Hollywoodland Sign took place on July 13, 1923. It was to promote a housing development in the Hollywood Hills owned by H.J. Whitley called Hollywoodland. The fifty-foot tall letters on the side of Mount Lee weren’t intended to last more than two years, but instead remained there until 1949, when it was replaced by the iconic Hollywood Sign.

◄ Image Credit: AP Photo/The Bruce Torrence Hollywood Photograph Collection
Image Source: stltoday.com/national/events-friday-the-13

▲ Image Credit: Bettmann/CORBIS
Image Source: smithsonianmag.com/howard-hughes-h-1

● 1935 -- Howard Hughes H-1 Sets World Airspeed Record
Friday the 13th in 1935, the Hughes H-1 Racer set a world airspeed record (567 kph/352 mph). Designed by the legendary Howard Hughes and Richard Palmer, it was the last privately owned aircraft to break the world air- ▲ Image Credit: Getty Images
speed record, and now resides at the National Image Source:
Air and Space Museum. insider.com/good-things-friday-13th

● 1939 - The First Female Flight Instructor Licensed
Evelyn Pinckert Kilgore became the first licensed female flight instructor on October 13, 1939. During World War II, Kilgare-Brier joined the Women Airforce Service Pilots. She was an important figure for women in aviation. She also flew non-combat missions during World War II, and after the war owned and operated her own private airport in San Bernardino, CA.

The aeronautics field continues to be predominantly male, but Ms. Kilgore was one of the first women to challenge and break that barrier.
▲Image Credit: Acme/PhotoQuest/Getty Images
Image Source: insider.com/good-things-friday-13th

[Note: I knew Pinkie personally when I was with the San Bernardino County Planning Department in the 1960s and 1970s. She was a remarkable person and a tough old gal, but I never knew about her being the first female licensed as a flight instructor.]

● 1942 – Plastic Soybean Car Patented
On January 13, 1942 Henry Ford patented a plastic automobile known as the Soybean Car made using soybeans, although some people now claim it was made primarily from hemp. [Since I’d never heard of it, it may never have gone anywhere. LOL]

▲ Image Source: youtube.com/watch?v=kS6e797W4iA

● 1967 – President L.B. Johnson Signs Executive Order
No. 11246
President Lyndon B. Johnson signed an executive order preventing gender discrimination in the government on October 13, 1967. Executive Order No. 11246 amended Executive Order No. 11246.

Image Credit: Bettmann/Getty Images ►
Image Source:insider.com/good-things-friday-13th

● 1974 – Malta becomes a Republic
The tiny Mediterranean country of Malta first became independent in 1964, but officially became a republic on December 13, 1974. Even though it's small, Malta is an underrated place to visit.

● 1985 -- Super Mario Bros. Released
Nintendo’s Mario is one of the most recognizable characters in pop culture. "Super Mario Bros.," one of the most iconic video games in history, was released on September 13, 1985 – exclusively in Japan. Since then, Mario has been in approximately 170 games, including wildly successful spin-offs like "Mario Kart," "Mario Party," and "Paper Mario." ▲Valletta, the capital of Malta
Image credit: Zoltan Gabor/Shutterstock
Image Source:insider.com/good-things-friday-13th

● 1986 -- The Olsen Twins Were Born
The Olsen twins were born on June 13, 1986. The twins got their start on TV’s "Full House," and from there created an empire of books, videos, perfume, clothing lines, and more.
There are quite a few celebrities born on Friday the 13th including Actor Steve Buscemi, director Alfred Hitchcock. Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Peter Tork, Frances Conroy, Didi Conn, Beau Mirchoff. Tony Dow, Max Weinberg, Christopher
The twins in 2015. ▲ Plummer, and many others.
Image Credit: Larry Busacca/Getty Images
Image Source: insider.com/good-things-friday-13th

● 1995 -- Finland’s Established Accident Day
Finland designated Friday the 13th as Accident Day in 1995, with the aim of raising awareness for workplace and road safety. It’s a clever idea to use the superstitious day as an opportunity to be extra vigilant.
Plus, because of its capital’s airport code and a particular daily flight demarcation, Finland also offers a Flight 666 to HEL every Friday the 13th. That means Helsinki, I presume.

● 2004 – The Olympic Games Return To Their Birthplace
The 2004 Summer Olympics were held in Athens, Greece, the country where they first started— both in ancient and modern times. The opening ceremony took place on August 13.

At the time, it was the largest Olympic Games, with 201 countries participating. Michael Phelps also won his first Olympic medal in Athens, and broke his first record. ▲ Australia's Robert Newbery practices diving.
Image Credit: Itsuo Inouye/AP Images -- Image Source: insider.com/good-things-friday-13th

● 2009 – Announcement Of Finding Water On The Moon
Project scientist Anthony Colaprete made the announcement on November 13, 2009, that NASA had found a "significant amount" of water on the moon, around a dozen two-gallon bucketfuls.
Image Credit: Image Source: Matt Cardy/Getty Images ►
Image Source: insider.com/good-things-friday-13th

TAKE AWAY
I have to believe that many more important and positive events have taken place on Fridays the 13th, but there is a pittance of references. I checked March 13, 2020, hoping that something good might have happened this year, but it all falls in the “bad” category. We have to put our hopes into today, November 13.

JUST SAYIN’
□
Resources
https://www.stltoday.com/news/national/events-that-took-place-on-friday-the-th/collection_0eaa62c9-86f4-5a2b-abe9-0a9cfd05d957.html
https://www.insider.com/good-things-friday-the-13th-2018-1
https://www.csmonitor.com/The-Culture/2015/0313/Eight-surprisingly-good-things-that-happened-on-Friday-the-13th
https://www.theparisreview.org/blog/2015/03/13/morituri-te-salutamus
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kS6e797W4iA

0 Comments

THE RULE OF THREE

11/6/2020

1 Comment

GRANDMA MYTH-BUSTER RIDES AGAIN
Every time I see a particular TV commercial about automobile X, when the announcer says “The Rule of Three says things are better when they come in threes…”, I wonder if there is a Rule of Three and if so, does it make that statement? I decided to find out.

THE RULE OF THREE: NO WHERE TO BE FOUND
I searched the internet diligently [well, at least a lot], and THE general Rule of Three was not to be found. Nope, not there… at least not by that name. Oh, there are plenty of Rules of Three, but they refer directly to a specific topic, none of which claim that things are better when they come in threes.

There is a Latin phrase "omne trium perfectum" which translates to “everything that comes in threes is perfect” or to “every set of three is complete.” As best I can tell, the original quote was used in reference to the art of oratory, but no doubt it is the source of The Rule of Three.

Rats! The automobile advertisement is vindicated.

THE NUMBER THREE
The number three, however, has a long history of popularity all over the world. The origins of this esteem are unknown with any certainty, but the number seems to pop up in every culture and in nature.

RELIGION

Christianity
Three symbolizes the Holy trinity: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. In addition, the three attributes of God are omniscience, omnipresence, and omnipotence. Biblically, the number three represents divine wholeness, completeness and perfection. The number seven also holds some lesser importance in Christianity.

Buddhism
Three symbolizes The Triple Gem or The Three Jewels: Buddah, the Enlightened One; Dhamma, the Teachings, and Sangha, the Community of Followers

Hindu
Three symbolizes creation, destruction, and preservation

Jewish
The number three was the symbol of holiness. The Holy of Holies occupied one-third, and the Holy Place two-thirds, of the entire Temple. The tapestries were ten times three ells in length, and there were three vessels each for the altar of burnt offering, the altar of incense, and the Ark. The candlestick had twice three arms (besides the shaft, which also held a lamp), and each arm had three knobs. The blessing of the priest consisted of three sections, and in the invocation of God, the word “holy” was repeated thrice.
Also, three signifies male, female, and uniting intelligence.

Taoisim
Three is the Great Triad: Heaven, Human, and Earth.

Muslim
The significant number in the Muslim religion is seven, not three.

CULTURES
▪ Chinese
The Chinese believe three is the perfect number.

▪ Mayan
The Mayan culture believed three was the sacred number of women.

▪ Egyptian
Egyptians revered three as the number of the cosmos.

▪ Japan
In Japan three stands for three treasures: truth, courage, and compassion.

POWERFUL IDEAS
The Rule of Three has also been used to encapsulate some of history’s most powerful ideas. For example:

▪ “Veni, vidi, vici.” (“I came, I saw, I conquered”) ~ Julius Caesar.

▪ “Liberté, Égalité, Fraternité.“ (“Liberty. Equality. Fraternity.”) ~ The national motto of France.

▪ “Citius, Altius, Fortius.” (Swifter, higher, stronger”) ~ The Olympic motto

▪ “Location, location, location.”~ Harold Samuel.

▪ “Education, education, education.” ~ Tony Blair.

▪ Body, mind, and spirit

▪ Faith, hope, and charity

▪ Thought, word, and deed

▪ Animal, vegetable, and mineral

▪ The three primary colors combine to make all other colors.

RULES OF THREE
These are not all the rules of three that pertain to specific topics, but you’ll get the idea.

Writing
The rule of three is writing principle that suggests that a trio of events or characters is more humorous, satisfying, or effective than other numbers.

Communication, Oratory, and Presentation
Choose three main points, no matter how long your presenting slot is. If you’re there to talk about a weighty subject, break each of your key three issues into three sub-parts. Your audience will be able to follow so much more easily.

Survival
Each of the following assumes that the one(s) before it are met:
▪ You can survive three minutes without breathable air (unconsciousness occurs), or in icy water.
▪ You can survive three hours in a harsh environment (extreme heat or cold).
▪ You can survive three days without drinkable water.
▪ You can survive three weeks without food.
Here it is not so much three rules as rules which revolve around the number three so they are easy to remember (but are only generally accurate scientifically).

Comedy
Sometimes called trebling, the Rule of Three is a pattern used in stories and jokes, where part of the story is told three times, with minor variations. The first two instances build tension, and the third releases it by incorporating a twist.

Physics
Newton’s three rules of motion.
▪Every object in a state of uniform motion will remain in that state of motion unless an external force acts on it.
▪Force equals mass times acceleration [ f (t) = m a (t)]
▪For every action there is an equal and opposite reaction.

Business and Economics
The rule of three in business and economics is a rule of thumb suggesting that there are always three major competitors in any free market within any one industry.

Music
Musical triads are the three-note building blocks of musical harmony.

Aviation
The Aviation rule of three: "3:1 rule of descent" is that 3 nautical miles (5.6 km) of travel should be allowed for every 1,000 feet (300 m) of descent.

Graphic Design, Art, and Photography
”The rule of thirds simply states that if you take a canvas and divide it into three equally sized horizontal sections and three equally sized vertical sections, the resulting grid provides a sort of roadmap that helps you choose where to place your design elements.” companyfolders.com/blog/rule-of-thirds

Dramatic Conflicts
internal, relational and external. This could also encompass the three-act structure of beginning, middle, and end.

PATTERNS
Humans brains can only hold a few pieces of information in short-term (active) memory. Harvard Professor George Miller, author of “The Magical Number Seven, Plus or Minus Two” claimed that humans have a hard time retaining more than seven to nine digits in short-term memory. More contemporary science has lowered that number to three or four pieces of information the working memory can pay attention to and manipulate.

Why three?

Dr. Steve Dayan, in Modern Aesthetics.com, states “The neuro-psychological conventional wisdoms support that information absorbed within a pattern is less taxing on the brain. The neural circuits don't have to work as hard to retain the learned material. Less thinking, less energy, and less Adenosine Triphosphate (ATP) is expended.”

Three is fewer than four. Since all living species tend to follow the path of least resistance, conserving energy whenever possible, the brain remembers three more easily than four. I guess our brains are either very lazy or very smart or both. Regardless, it pays attention to patterns of three. Four, not so much.

TAKE AWAY
Memory favors the path of lease resistance. Stick with three.

Just sayin’
□
Resources
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rule_of_three_(statistics)
https://www.wired.com/2014/05/physicists-rule-of-threes-efimov-trimers/#:~:text=Rule%20of%20Threes-,Efimov%20trimers%20are%20states%20of%20matter%20that%20theoretically,an%20infinite%20range%20of%20sizes.&text=The%20so%2Dcalled%20Efimov%20%E2%80%9Ctrimer,t
https://www.bookofthrees.com/the-rule-of-three-in-mathematics/#:~:text=The%20Rule%20of%20Three%20is,can%20calculate%20the%20unknown%20number.
https://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/RuleOfThree
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rule_of_three_(writing)#:~:text=The%20rule%20of%20three%20is,or%20effective%20than%20other%20numbers.&text=The%20Latin%20phrase%20%22omne%20trium,as%20the%20rule%20of%20three.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rule_of_threes_(survival)#:~:text=Normally%2C%20the%20rule%20of%20threes,(extreme%20heat%20or%20cold).
https://www.forbes.com/sites/carminegallo/2012/07/02/thomas-jefferson-steve-jobs-and-the-rule-of-3/#8616fdd19622
https://www.companyfolders.com/blog/rule-of-thirds-graphic-design#:~:text=The%20rule%20of%20thirds%20simply,to%20place%20your%20design%20elements
https://www.presentationmagazine.com/presentation-skills-3-the-rule-of-three-7283.htm#:~:text=Structure%20your%20presentation%20around%20threes,to%20easily%20remember%20three%20things.
https://best3minutes.com/the-power-of-three/#:~:text=When%20Cicero%20was%20perfecting%20the,%2C%20and%20of%20the%20people.%E2%80%9D
https://modernaesthetics.com/articles/2019-july-aug/omne-trium-perfectum#:~:text=In%20Kabbala%20philosophy%20the%20number,that%20is%20three%20is%20perfect.
http://s-wadsworth.cengage.com/religion_d/templates/stripped_features/symbols/islamic.html
https://www.mathwarehouse.com/geometry/triangles/triangle-inequality-theorem-rule-explained.php#:~:text=The%20Triangle%20Inequality%20Theorem%20states,3%20conditions%20of%20the%20sides.
https://rule-of-three.co.uk/what-is-the-rule-of-three-copywriting/
https://www.tinablake.com/speechwriting-the-rule-of-three/
https://www.shawlministry.com/significance_of_three.htm
https://www.chabad.org/library/article_cdo/aid/608781/jewish/On-the-Meaning-of-Three.htm
https://www.livescience.com/2493-mind-limit-4.html
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IYd1sWEebQY
http://kenlevine.blogspot.com/2017/07/the-comedy-rule-of-3s.html
https://www.presentationmagazine.com/rule-of-three-836.htm

1 Comment

THE RULE of THREE

11/6/2020

0 Comments

GRANDMA MYTH-BUSTER RIDES AGAIN
Every time I see a particular TV commercial about automobile X, when the announcer says, “The Rule of Three says things are better when they come in threes…”, I wonder if there is a Rule of Three and if so, does it say that. I decided to find out.

THE RULE OF THREE: NO WHERE TO BE FOUND
I searched the internet diligently [well, at least a lot], and THE general Rule of Three was not to be found. Nope, not there… at least not by that name. Oh, there are plenty of Rules of Three, but they refer directly to a specific topic, none of which claim that things are better when they come in threes. Close, maybe, but not in those words.

There is a Latin phrase "omne trium perfectum" which translates to “everything that comes in threes is perfect” or to “every set of three is complete.” As best I can tell, the original quote was used in reference to the art of oratory, but no doubt it is the source of The Rule of Three.

Rats! The automobile advertisement is vindicated

Christian
Three symbolizes the Holy trinity: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. In addition, the three attributes of God are omniscience, omnipresence, and omnipotence. Biblically, the number three represents divine wholeness, completeness and perfection. The number seven also holds some lesser importance in Christianity.

Jewish
The number three was the symbol of holiness. The Holy of Holies occupied one-third, and the Holy Place two-thirds, of the entire Temple. The tapestries were ten times three ells in length, and there were three vessels each for the altar of burnt offering, the altar of incense, and the Ark. The candlestick had twice three arms (besides the shaft, which also held a lamp), and each arm had three knobs. The blessing of the priest consisted of three sections, and in the invocation of God, the word “holy” was repeated thrice. Also, three signifies male, female, and uniting intelligence.

Muslim
The significant number in the Muslim religion is seven, not three.

Taoisim
Three is the Great Triad: Heaven, Human, and Earth.

Buddhism
Three symbolizes The Triple Gem or The Three Jewels: Buddah, the Enlightened One; Dhamma, the Teachings, and Sangha, the Community of Followers

Hindu
Three symbolizes creation, destruction, and preservation.

Cultures

Chinese
The Chinese believe three is the perfect number.

Mayan
The Mayan culture believed three was the sacred number of women.

Egyptian
Egyptians revered three as the number of the cosmos.

Japan
In Japan three stands for three treasures: truth, courage, and compassion.

Powerful Ideas
The Rule of Three has also been used to encapsulate some of history’s most powerful ideas. For example:

“Veni, vidi, vici.” (“I came, I saw, I conquered”) ~ Julius Caesar.

“Liberté, Égalité, Fraternité.“ (“Liberty. Equality. Fraternity.”) ~ The national motto of France.

“Citius, Altius, Fortius.” (Swifter, higher, stronger”) ~ The Olympic motto

“Location, location, location.” ~ Harold Samuel.

Body, mind, and spirit

Faith, hope, and charity

Thought, word, and deed

The three primary colors combine to make all other colors.

RULES OF THREE
As mentioned, there are many of these sets of rules of thumb, so to speak. The following are not all the sets of rules, but they are the most well known. You’ll get the idea.

Writing
The rule of three is a writing principle that suggests that a trio of events or characters is more humorous, satisfying, or effective than other numbers.

Physics
Newton’s three rules of motion

Music
Musical triads are the three-note building blocks of musical harmony.

Aviation
The Aviation rule of three: "3:1 rule of descent" is that 3 nautical miles (5.6 km) of travel should be allowed for every 1,000 feet (300 m) of descent.

Mathematics
The Rule of Three is a Mathematical Rule that allows you to solve problems based on proportions. By having three numbers: a, b, c, such that, ( a / b = c / x), (i.e., a: b :: c: x ) you can calculate the unknown number.bookofthrees.com/rule-of-three-mathematics

PATTERNS
It's that darn Human brain again! Our brains can only hold a few pieces of information in short-term (active) memory. Harvard Professor George Miller, author of “The Magical Number Seven, Plus or Minus Two” claimed that humans have a hard time retaining more than seven to nine digits in short-term memory. More contemporary science has lowered that number to three or four pieces of information the working memory can pay attention to and manipulate. Then why three?

Dr. Steve Dayan, in Modern Aesthetics.com, states “The neuro-psychological conventional wisdom supports that information absorbed within a pattern is less taxing on the brain. The neural circuits don't have to work as hard to retain the learned material. Less thinking, less energy, and less Adenosine Triphosphate (ATP) is expended.” Three is fewer than four.

Since all living species tend to follow the path of least resistance, conserving energy whenever possible, the brain remembers three more easily than four. I guess our brains are either very lazy or very smart or both. Regardless, it pays attention to patterns of three. Four, not so much.

TAKE AWAY
Stick with three. Just sayin’
□

Resources
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rule_of_three_(statistics)
https://www.wired.com/2014/05/physicists-rule-of-threes-efimov-trimers/#:~:text=Rule%20of%20Threes-,Efimov%20trimers%20are%20states%20of%20matter%20that%20theoretically,an%20infinite%20range%20of%20sizes.&text=The%20so%2Dcalled%20Efimov%20%E2%80%9Ctrimer,t
https://www.bookofthrees.com/the-rule-of-three-in-mathematics/#:~:text=The%20Rule%20of%20Three%20is,can%20calculate%20the%20unknown%20number.
https://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/RuleOfThree
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rule_of_three_(writing)#:~:text=The%20rule%20of%20three%20is,or%20effective%20than%20other%20numbers.&text=The%20Latin%20phrase%20%22omne%20trium,as%20the%20rule%20of%20three.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rule_of_threes_(survival)#:~:text=Normally%2C%20the%20rule%20of%20threes,(extreme%20heat%20or%20cold).
https://www.forbes.com/sites/carminegallo/2012/07/02/thomas-jefferson-steve-jobs-and-the-rule-of-3/#8616fdd19622
https://www.companyfolders.com/blog/rule-of-thirds-graphic-design#:~:text=The%20rule%20of%20thirds%20simply,to%20place%20your%20design%20elements
https://www.presentationmagazine.com/presentation-skills-3-the-rule-of-three-7283.htm#:~:text=Structure%20your%20presentation%20around%20threes,to%20easily%20remember%20three%20things.
https://best3minutes.com/the-power-of-three/#:~:text=When%20Cicero%20was%20perfecting%20the,%2C%20and%20of%20the%20people.%E2%80%9D
https://modernaesthetics.com/articles/2019-july-aug/omne-trium-perfectum#:~:text=In%20Kabbala%20philosophy%20the%20number,that%20is%20three%20is%20perfect.
http://s-wadsworth.cengage.com/religion_d/templates/stripped_features/symbols/islamic.html
https://www.mathwarehouse.com/geometry/triangles/triangle-inequality-theorem-rule-explained.php#:~:text=The%20Triangle%20Inequality%20Theorem%20states,3%20conditions%20of%20the%20sides.
https://rule-of-three.co.uk/what-is-the-rule-of-three-copywriting/
https://www.tinablake.com/speechwriting-the-rule-of-three/
https://www.shawlministry.com/significance_of_three.htm
https://www.chabad.org/library/article_cdo/aid/608781/jewish/On-the-Meaning-of-Three.htm
https://www.livescience.com/2493-mind-limit-4.html

0 Comments

BLACK FRIDAY: May it rest in peace!

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THE RULE OF THREE

THE RULE of THREE

Author R. Ann Siracusa

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