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Olympic "Funny Business" and Funny Photos

8/6/2021

The first Modern Olympic Games took place in Athens, Greece, 1896. Members of the Greek royal family played an important role in the organization and management of the Games. The second modern Olympic competition was like a sideshow at the 1900 World Exhibition in Paris.

The French government took over the control of the Games from the recently formed ICO (International
Olympic Committee) responsible for organizing and administering the new Olympic Games, and the results were, at best, chaotic. The Committee still hadn’t settled on the major events that would define the games, and the rules and procedures were less than rigid. This resulted in some bizarre situations. Paris, 1900
- Image Source: wtop.com/wp-content/Paris_Games_Olympics

CHARIOTS OF CHEATING – OFF ON THE RIGHT FOOT ?
1896, Athens
Human nature never changes. During the inaugural Olympic marathon, Spyridon Belokas cheated by taking a carriage ride for a good chunk of the race. Yet somehow, even with that extra boost, he only managed to cross the finish line in third place...?

Spyridon Belokas
Image Source: en.wikipedia.org/Spyridon_Belokas

Belokas was therefore disqualified, and Gyula Kellner was awarded third place. Nonetheless, following his “victory”, Belokas was celebrated as a national hero

WOMEN? WHAT A SCANDLE!
1900, Paris

Twenty years before American women could vote, they were allowed to compete in the Olympics, causing quite the stir. That first year they could only compete in five events: tennis, equestrian, sailing, croquet, and golf, but it was still a pretty huge deal.

Image Source: redbookmag.com/scandalous-moments-in-olympics

BLOOD AND FEATHERS FLY
1900, Paris
Live pigeon shooting appeared for the first and only time as an Olympic event in the second modern Olympic games. Over 300 live pigeons were killed.

American spots historian Andrew Strunk wrote dryly in a 1988 article on the 1900 Paris Olympics, “Maimed birds were writhing on the ground, blood and feathers were swirling in the air and women with parasols were weeping in the chairs set up nearby.”

CHEATING AND STRYCHNINE
1904, St. Louis Olympics
The 1904 long distance Marathon takes the prize for Olympic mishaps. Staged in St. Louis, the modern Olympic Games were in their infancy and, for the most part, the people in charge knew squat about what was required for such an event.

The foot race was set under the worst circumstances. The 25 mile race ‒ which was actually 24.85 miles ‒ started in the afternoon in hot 103°F weather. The roads were dusty and automobiles were allowed to use the roads during the race, making the dust worse. The only water stop for the runners was at the 12 mark. These unfortunate conditions resulted in several unusual situations.

Frederick "Fred" Lorz was a competitor in the marathon and headed the pack of 32 runners and reached the 12 mile mark first. He had to stop there due to exhaustion. As a joke ‒ or maybe not ‒ his manager gave him an 11 mile lift until the car broke down. Lorz ran the rest of the way to the Olympic stadium where he broke the ribbon and was declared the winner.

Lorz went along with the mistake until some spectators questioned the win. Then he admitted what happened and insisted the finish was just a joke. However, one source said he only confessed it was a prank just before being awarded his medal by Alice Roosevelt.

Thomas Hicks was then declared winner, and Lorz was banned for life by the Amateur Athletic Union. He apologized for the prank and was ultimately reinstated because the AAU determined he had not intended to defraud. He continued in the sport until he died of pneumonia in 1914.

Fred Lorz - Image Source:
en.wikipedia.org/Frederick_Lorz

Image source: unbelievable-facts.com/2017/09/

Image source:
birdinflight.com/marathon-1904
Image Source: en.wikipedia.org/Frederick_Lorz

The real winner, Thomas Hicks, had his own secrets. Near the 19 mile mark, he started to hallucinate. He asked for food and then decided to lie down. His handlers bathed him head to toe in warm water and administered a concoction of eggs, brandy, and strychnine.

He had to walk the rest of the way and by the time he could barely shuffle. As the result of exhaustion and the strychnine ‒ basically rat poison which has been banned since then ‒ he was one of several of the 32 contenders who became ill. In fact, Hicks came close to dying that night. He gave up running the next day.

TUG OF WAR
1904, St. Louis Olympics
Tug-of-war was introduced in Paris 1900 and remained an event through the Olympics at Antwerp in 1920, although the 1916 games were cancelled because of WWI.

Traditionally, the best teams came from Scandinavia and Great Britain, but in 1904 one American squads ‒ the Milwaukee Athletic Club ‒ managed to capture gold in the in spite of the fact that none of the team members were from Milwaukee nor were they members of the Milwaukee Athletic Club. Losing teams filed a grievance to no avail.

Needless to say, the rules still tended to be a bit haphazard even by the third modern games, and the precedent for manipulating the teams had been set in 1900 when competitors from Sweden and Denmark teamed up to beat the French. The fate of the American team in the event's debut is even more bizarre: Some sources say they never competed, while others say they were disqualified.

DECIDE ON THE RULES BEFORE THE RACE
1908, London
In 1908, in the finals of the men’s 400-meter race, American John Carpenter maneuvered to block Britain's Wyndham Halswelle ‒ legal under American track rules, but illegal in Great Britain. Of course, Carpenter was disqualified. Well, after all, the games were in London. Obviously, their rules took precedence.

The two other athletes who qualified with Halswelle were American. They were angry enough at the ruling that they boycotted the final. Halswelle ran the redo of the final all by himself. Guess who won?

GENDER TESTING with a TWIST
1936, Berlin
When Polish Stella Walsh ‒ defending gold-medalist of the 100-meter dash and favored to win again ‒ lost to an 18-year-old bullet from Missouri, Helen Stephens, Walsh supporters insisted that Stephens’ time was simply impossible for a woman and demanded a gender examination.

Stephens agreed to the humiliation of examination by the Olympic Committee and they, indeed, found her to be a woman. She carried home the gold medal.
Stella Walsh ▼ Image Credit: Getty Images
Image Source: timetoast.com/timelines/olympic-controversy

Image Source: Helen Stephens ▲- Image Credit:
redbookmag.com/scandalous-moments-in-olympics De Desconocido - [1], Dominio público
Image credit: commons.wikimedia.org/w/index

The Twist: Forty-four years later in 1980, Stella Walsh was shot to death outside a Cleveland shopping mall. When the autopsy was performed, it was discovered that Stella Walsh had male genitalia, not Helen Stephens

GENDER TESTING UNRELIABLE
1964, Tokyo
Again Gender Testing proves unreliable. Ewa Kłobukowska, a Polish sprinter, competed in the 4×100 meter relay and the 100-meter sprint and took home a gold and a bronze medal, respectively, which were stripped from her in 1967 for failing a gender test.

Surprise, surprise! In 1968 Klobukowska became pregnant and gave birth to a son. It took years for people to realize that she must have had a genetic abnormality that made her have one chromosome too many.

Ewa Kłobukowska c. 1967
Image Credits: Smithsonian Institution from United States
Image Source: commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.

LOW POINT IN OLYMPIC BOXING
1988, Seoul
It doesn’t appear that good sportsmanship is something one can learn from the Olympics.
In 1988,New Zealand Referee Keith Walker took two point off the score of Korean bantamweight boxer Byun Jong-Li for headbutting his Bulgarian opponent.

The Korean crowd at the event went berserk. The Korean head coach Lee Houng-Soo punched Walker and a South Korean official attacked him. After that, at least one other Korean coach and members of the audience poured into the ring and started to riot.

Image Credits: Getty Images - Image Source: Image credits: Getty Images - Image Source:
insidethegames.biz/boxings-battle-of-seoul theage.com.au/referee-flees-seoul-olympics

The crowds directed their violence not just at Walker, but the Bulgarian president of the refereeing committee. Walker was eventually rescued by a somewhat slow-to-respond police force and immediately left Seoul. Walker may have been mistaken by the fans and coaches for a Greek referee who'd told the Korean delegation to “shut up” earlier when they questioned a controversial decision.

CHANGE OF MOOD - FUNNY PHOTOS
Fast Forward to some more recent Olympic Games. Athletic games offer abundant opportunities for funny photos. Nobody is posing, and many of the sports require close body contact. If a photographer happens to be in the right place at the right time, some of the results are hilarious. Some of them make you feel mean for laughing but you can’t help it.

You do get to see a lot of open mouths, teeth, and tongues in Olympic candid shots.

WRESTLING
Source of Images: worldwideinterweb.com/funniest-summer-olympics-photos

BOXING

Image Source: acidcow.com/funny-olympic-photos

SYNCORONIZED SWIMMING
This event offers both professional and amateur photographers to take some very interesting pictures. Looking through the lens, there are lots of body parts superimposed over each other, sometimes in an embarrassing way.
Source of Image: acidcow.com/funny-olympic-photos

TRACK AND FIELD

Image Source: qunki.com/93428/funny-olympic-fails Image Source:
worldwideinterweb.com/funniest-olympics-photos

SAILING

WATER POLO

◄Croatian water polo player Andro Buslje
Image Source: ibtimes.co.uk/olympic-faces

Image Source:
worldwideinterweb.com/funniest- olympics-photos ►

PING PONG
The is another sport that results in many amusing photos, thanks to the many angles at which one can photograph the ball. These players are magicians.
▼ Image Source: ibtimes.co.uk/olympic-faces ▼

Image Source: qunki.com/93428/funny-olympic-fails

Image Source: pinterest.com/pin/158189005632300669/

ICE DANCING HAND BALL

Source of images: worldwideinterweb.com/funniest-olympics-photos Argentina's Rocio Campigli ▲
Image Credit: Eric Feferberg/AFP
Image Source: qunki.com/93428/funny-olympic-fails

SYNCRONIZED RUGBY BEACH
DIVING VOLLEY BALL

Image Source: heart. o.ukc/hilarious-olympic-pictures/

Image source:
qunki.com/93428/funny-olympic-fails

Laura Giombini (Italy)
Image Credit: Shaun Botterill/Getty Images; Image Source: ibtimes.co.uk/olympic-faces

SWIMMING

Image Source: worldwideinterweb.com/funniest-olympics-photos

Image Source:
worldwideinterweb.com/funniest-olympics-photos

Michael Phelps
Image Credit: Al Bello/Getty Images
Image Source: ibtimes.co.uk/olympic-faces

This could go on and on. There are no end to funny faces when athlete concentrate and strain their bodies. Here are just two more photos I couldn't resist.

OH! SO THIS IS WHAT HAPPENED TO IT!
JUST SAY'IN
■
Sources for “Funny Business”:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frederick_Lorz
https://unbelievable-facts.com/2017/09/craziest-historical-incidents.html
https://www.mentalfloss.com/article/31386/11-craziest-events-olympic-history#:~:text=The%201904%20marathon%20was%20one%20of%20the%20most,that%20were%20permitted%20to%20drive%20alongside%20the%20athletes.
https://www.insidethegames.biz/articles/1041711/anniversary-of-boxings-battle-of-seoul-highlights-the-continuing-struggle-to-rid-the-olympics-of-controversy-in-the-ring
Anniversary of boxing’s Battle of Seoul highlights the continuing struggle to rid the Olympics of controversy in the ring (insidethegames.biz)
https://www.theage.com.au/sport/from-the-archives-1988-referee-flees-seoul-olympics-after-ring-assaults-20200918-p55wxa.html
https://www.theage.com.au/sport/from-the-archives-1988-referee-flees-seoul-olympics-after-ring-assaults-20200918-p55wxa.htmlhttps:/www.theage.com.au/sport/from-the-archives-1988-referee-flees-seoul-olympics-after-ring-assaults-20200918-p55wxa.html
https://www.redbookmag.com/life/news/g3566/scandalous-moments-in-olympics-history/
https://birdinflight.com/world/20160824-marathon-during-1904-olympics.html
https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=30478212
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spyridon_Belokas
https://www.timetoast.com/timelines/olympic-controversy
https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=41546035
https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=89624871
https://wtop.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/1900_Paris_Games_Olympics_79847.jpg
https://www.insidethegames.biz/articles/1041711/anniversary-of-boxings-battle-of-seoul-highlights-the-continuing-struggle-to-rid-the-olympics-of-controversy-in-the-ring
Sources for “Funny Photos”:
https://worldwideinterweb.com/the-100-funniest-summer-olympics-photos-of-all-time/
https://www.heart.co.uk/news/sport/hilarious-olympic-pictures/
https://acidcow.com/pics/35912-crazy-and-funny-olympic-photos-105-pics.html
https://www.qunki.com/93428/funny-olympic-fails-that-might-make-you-feel-bad-for-laughing/
https://www.walesonline.co.uk/lifestyle/talking-olympics-hilarious
https://www.walesonline.co.uk/lifestyle/talking-olympics-hilarious
https://www.pinterest.com/pin/158189005632300669/
https://www.ibtimes.co.uk/best-rio-2016-olympic-faces-agony-ecstasy-wtf-1575365
https://www.pinterest.com/pin/158189005632300669/
http://thumbpress.com/can-norway-get-any-more-awesome/#sthash.RSDfwyRp.dpbs
https://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/2014/02/10/27-pictures-of-funny-faces-from-the-sochi-2014-winter-olympics-photos_n_4758755.html#gallery/5d023352e4b09d75a615c871/2
https://www.insidethegames.biz/articles/1041711/anniversary-of-boxings-battle-of-seoul-highlights-the-continuing-struggle-to-rid-the-olympics-of-controversy-in-the-ring

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Olympic Wardrobe Malfunctions

7/30/2021

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OOPS!
To be an Olympic Athlete, a competitor must rise early ‒ really early ‒ work harder than hard, and dedicated his/her entire life to the sport in pursuit of excellence. Then, you’re there… at the Olympics, ready to put yourself out there and give it 200%. The biggest moment of your life; your chance to fulfill your potential at last… and then “rip” or “pop”.

Wardrobe malfunction! But you gather your courage, slap on a smile, and sweat it out with finesse and finish like a pro.

It must be devastating to know that, even though you won the gold, silver, or bronze, or just finished, that any time anyone mentions your name, they will remembering something ripping or a body part instead of your achievements. This happens more often than the audience ever knows, particularly the television audience. It can happen to anyone in any sport. Here are a few of popular examples from recent Olympics.

Image Credits: Getty Images
Image Source: nickiswift.com/oympic-wardrobe-malfunctions

TEAM ROWING
At the Summer Olympics of 2012 the American Rowing team won the bronze medal in the not-at-all accurately titled "coxless four" event. How the event got that name, I don’t know, but not from the 2012 team.

No one’s clothes flew apart or popped out embarrassing body parts, but the tight trunks left nothing to the imagination.

PAIRS ICE SKATING
Figure skaters Sergei Ponomarenko and Marina Klimova had already won their bronze medal at the 1984 Winter Olympics at Sarajevo. They had performed what Dick Button called a "very lyrical and romantic" exhibition dance.

As they skated around the ring, the fabric

on Ponomarenko's shirt gave out, exposing to the spectators in the stands at Sarajevo and to TV audiences at home, a hairy stomach and the top of a pair of underpants.

Image Source: pinterest.com/pin/651966483540546760/

ICE DANCING
This notable malfunction occurred at the 2018 Winter Olympics. Ice dancer Yura Min and Alexander Gamelin had barely begun their routine in the pairs competition when the “load bearing” fastener at the back of Min’s neck came undone. The fastener held the whole costume together, and the South Korean skater told USA Today she was "terrified the entire program."

Image Credits: REC/Shutterstock
Image Source: mirror.co.uk/wardrobe-malfunctions-winter-olympics-2018

She didn’t want to lose points and skated through in a way that kept her costume from falling off. The result was rather stiff posture that affected the gracefulness and fluidity of her dance and their score.
They finished ninth.

FREESTYLE SKIING
Image Credits: Source: seen.co
Image Source: https://fiveo.com/olympic-wardrobe-malfunctions

At the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi, Swedish Henrik Harlaut qualified for the “Free Style” event” and was not hindered by nearly losing his pants flying down the slope. Henrik was not even embarrassed

SPRING BOARD DIVING

Jenifer Benitez, an American-born springboard diver competing for Spain in the 2012 Summer Olympics, had just completed a drive from the height of three meters. While she was catching her breath, she adjusted her bathing suit. In doing that she managed reveal a little too much… just as she was caught by a TV camera. When competing, be sure you have plenty of strong double stick tape.
Image Source: healthyceleb.com/wardrobe-malfunctions/

SPEED SKATING
Speed skaters wear skin-tight jumpsuits that allow them to zoom across the ice with as little drag as possible ‒ and no chance of popping out body parts.

In the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi, Russian speed skater Olga Graf secured a bronze medal in the 3,000 meter event. After looking at the scoreboard afterward, she unzipped the top of her suit partway and waited for her score. When the score appeared, qualifying her for the bronze medal, the story is the zipper wouldn’t go back up. So she took her victory lap with the zipper down to her naval… with nothing on underneath the suit.

Image Credits: AFP - Image Source: mirror.co.uk/wardrobe-malfunctions-winter-olympics-2018

ICE DANCING
French ice dancing duo Gabriella Papadakis and Guillaume Cizeron were gold medal favorites as they began their short program at the Winter Olympics in PyeongChang, China in 2018. Then things went wrong –not so much dancing-wise, but with Papadakis' wardrobe.

Source of images: mirror.co.uk/wardrobe-malfunctions-winter-olympics-2018 Credit: Getty Images

The neck strap breaks ▲
She's holding on ►

According to USA Today, at the very beginning of the routine, the halter part unfastened at the back of her neck, and when her partner Cizeron dipped Papadakis near the end of the dance, part of her chest was exposed ‒ flashing television viewers at home and those viewing slow motion screens in the arena.

Papadakis bravely soldiered on during the performance but left the ice in tears and skipped the Q&A with the media, letting Cizeron handle the questions. "It is not what we get ready for when we train," he said. "I am still proud that we managed to pull out a program like that even with a difficulty like this." Papadakis and Cizeron returned to the ice (with a new wardrobe) for the free program, scored a record-breaking high score for that portion of the competition, and took home a silver medal in ice dancing.

WATER POLO
Water Polo is a fast and physical contact sport, so it is not surprising there are not more bathing suit malfunctions than there are but they are the kind that the media loves.
Image Credits: YouTube
▼ Image Source: nickiswift.com/oympic-wardrobe-malfunctions

The Daily Mail reports that during a match between Spain and the United States at the 2012 Summer Olympics, American Kami Craig held back Spain's Matilde Ortiz by holding on to her swimsuit. The Spanish swimmer retaliated by wiggling and flailing. As she did so, her breast broke free from her suit.

This was under the water so it wasn’t so public, but water polo has other move obvious malfunctions, so many there is even a term for exposed bums: "white tailed deer."

Greek national water polo team star Christina Tsoukala was the subject of a telecast match during the 2008 Summer Olympics when her swimsuit decided to move out of place and exposed her left breast. Christine, 17 at the time, wasn’t even aware of it.
Image Source: electropiknik.com/wardrobe-malfunctions ▼

▲Image Credits: AFP/Getty Images
Image Source: mirror.co.uk/wardrobe-malfunctions-winter-olympics-2018

Spanish water polo player Laura Lopez flashed a nipple when her costume slipped down at the FINA World Swimming Champion ships in 2009.

BOBSLEDDING
Olympian Christopher Spring, driver for the Canadian Olympic bobsled team, suffered a malfunction in his tight fitting suit at the 2014 Sochi Olympics. Fortunately, he has a good sense of humor and saw the funny side of it, as he posted a behind-the-scenes picture to his Twitter account where the suit tore open, exposing what he called his “Power Belly”. The picture was taken down in a few hours.

Image Credits: Pinterest Image Source:
▼Image Source: fiveo.com/olympic-wardrobe mirror.co.uk/wardrobe-malfunctions-winter-olympics ▼

Scottish-born Brit Gillian Cooke, a track and field athlete and bobsledder, was revving up for the start of a 2010 World Championship race in Switzerlander when her racing suit failed in one of the worst ways imaginable.

At the time, it was unclear if she knew what had happened, but the official behind her definitely noticed! Cooke and Minichielle competed in the Winter Olympics in Vancouver, without malfunction.

SWIMMING

Italian swimmer Flavia Zoccari was left red-faced and tearful after flashing her backside when her costume failed at the Mediterranean Games in 2009. Right before the start of the 200 Meter Finals, she was forced to withdraw from the games because of her swimsuit. The swimsuit brand, which features a special back-hinge, has been under controversy recently. First it was banned by FINA, the official swimming organization, then reinstated.

Image Credits: REX/Shutterstock ►
Image Source: mirror.co.uk/wardrobe-malfunctions

American Ricky Berens had a similar situation when his suit tore down the back as he dived during the men's 4m x 100m relay freestyle at the 2009 FINA World Swimming Championships. No mention of the brand for this one.

◄ Image Sourcebing.com/images/search?view

COSTUME DESIGN IN GENERAL
Sometimes the Costume Designers for the Olympic teams in various countries go off the deep end with the costume designs. The malfunction may be the color or color combinations, graphic design. Or just plan unfamiliarity with the movements and stresses the sport requires for its wearer or just plain inappropriate.

Image Credits: wittyfeed.me
Image Source: fiveo.com/olympic-wardrobe-malfunctions/

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Defunct Events from Early Modern Olympic

7/23/2021

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The first Modern Olympic Games took place in Athens, Greece, 1896. Members of the Greek royal family played an important role in the organization and management of the Games. Hungary was the only other nation to send a team.

The idea took hold and an International Olympic Committee was created. The second modern Olympic competition was relegated to a sideshow of the World Exhibition, which was being held in Paris in the summer of 1900.

Baron Pierre de Coubertin founder of the modern Olympics and president ofthe International Olympic Committee (IOC), lost control of the 1900 Games to the French government. In many respects the games were at best chaotic. The Committee still hadn’t settled on the major events that would define the games. They tried a lot of different things before they landed on the events we know today – and, in the meantime, there were a number of rather bizarre Olympic sports.

The following is a partial list of some of those early events that were either one-time events, demonstration events, or were continued, some for a short time, and some until now, but in different formats.

LIVE PIGEON SHOOTING Image Source: edition.cnn.com/olympic-strangest-events

This event appeared for the first and only time as an Olympic event at the Paris games of 1900. Belgian Leon de Luden shot 21 pigeons of the total 300 gunned down in the event. In later games the live pigeons were replaced by clay ones. This is the only time in modern Olympics history that live animals have been killed.

SWIMMING OBSTACLE COURSE
Another first and last event from the 1900 Paris games was Obstacle Swimming. In the event, swimmers had to crawl over a line of boats, swam under other line of boats, and climb a pole, while swimming 200 meters in the rather muddy Seine River. Australia’s Fred Lane took home the gold medal in the event, as well as finishing first in the 200 meters freestyle.

Image Source: https://edition.cnn.com/2012/07/24/sport/olympic-strangest-events/index.html

CLUB SWINGING
Some people believe that juggling was once an official Olympic sport. Actually, the closest event that may have been misinterpreted as juggling is a sport called Club Swinging. This unusual sport debuted in the 1904 Olympics -- then known as the Games of the Third Olympiad – in St. Louis, Missoui

The athlete stands erect, holding clubs that resemble bowling pins in each hand. He then twirls and whirls them around. The more complicated the routine, the more points he wins. Historians say the sport was the precursor to rhythmic gymnastics which employs ribbons and hoops.

Image Source: https://www.nydailynews.com/photos/

RIBBON TWIRLING / HULA HOOPS
This sport, now a part of Rhythmic Gymnastics, is a women-only event in which gymnasts perform on a floor with a rope, hoop, ball, clubs or ribbon accompanied by music, in individual or group events.

Rhythmic gymnastics combines elements of gymnastics, dance and calisthenics, requiring strength, flexibility, agility, dexterity, and coordination. Gymnasts must be strong, flexible, agile, dexterous, and coordinated.

Governed by the International Gymnastics Federation (FIG), Rhythmic gymnastics became an Olympic sport in 1984. The sport evolved from many related disciplines, including classic ballet as well as the German system of emphasizing apparatus work for muscle development and the Swedish method of using free exercise to develop rhythm.

Image Source: edition.cnn.com/strangest-events

TUG-OF-WAR
Tug-of-war was introduced in Paris 1900 and remained an event through the Olympics at Antwerp in 1920, although the games were cancelled in 1916 because of WWI. Teams of eight had five minutes to pull their opponents six feet over a line. If there was no winner after the time limit expired, the team who’d pulled their rivals the furthest would win. Milwaukee Athletics Club represented Team USA and won gold at the 1904 Games in St. Louis, Missouri.

St. Louis Olympics in St. Louis – 1904 U.S team – London Olympics 1908
Image Source: pinterest.com/220324606741139836/ image Source: edition.cnn.com/strangest-events

In 1900 the teams were sometimes made up of men from several nations and the rules tended to be a bit haphazard. During the 1900 games, competitors from Sweden and Denmark teamed up successfully against the French. The fate of the American team in the event's debut is even more bizarre: Some sources say they never competed, while others say they were disqualified.

LONG JUMP FOR HORSES
The long jump is a staple of track and field, while Equestrian competitions are among the most elegant of Olympic sports. The Equestrian Long jump for horses, however, had its first and last chance at the famous Paris Games in 1900.

According to Megan Gibson writing for “olympics.time.com/”, “No one could accuse equestrian horses of not being athletic, yet the winning leap, from Belgium’s Constant van Langendonck atop the horse Extra Dry, measured only 6.10 meters. Not too shabby, until you consider the world record for long jump, by a human, is 8.95 meters.”

There was also an equestrian high jump which apparently didn’t make it past the 1900 games either.

Image Credit: Hulton Archive via Getty Images
Image Source: edition.cnn.com/strangest-events

ROQUE
A Roque tournament was played only once, at the 1904 Olympics. Roque is a hard-surface form of the game Croquet. The USA won all three medals, which didn’t surprise anyone since all the competitors were American.

Image Source: olympics.time.com/no-longer-in-olympics

CROQUET
Croquet also made its first and last appearance in Paris Olympiad. It’s notable for being the first Olympic event in which women took part against their male counterparts and not in their own competition. France took home the gold in all four categories, but the sport was removed from subsequent Olympiads after just one spectator reportedly showed up to watch.
Image Source: bing.com/images/search?q=Women-1900+Olympics

Image Source: theolympians.co/tandem-cycling:

TANDEM BICYCLE SPRINT
Tandem cycling, which saw two two-men teams racing over 2,000 meters, was a major fixture of the Olympic program from 1908 to 1972

ROPE CLIMBING
Rope climbing was featured at five games from 1896 to 1932. From a seated start, athletes used only their hands to clamber up 49 feet at Athens 1896, and then 25 feet of rope in the later events.

Source of Images: blog.weekendthrill.com/discontinued-in-olympics/

Greece’s Nikolaus Andriakopoulos won the inaugural Olympiad in 1896. He was one of just two people to make it all the way to the top that year.

At the 1904 Games in St. Louis, Missouri, Team USA’s George Eyser took the title. His feat was all the more incredible because he had one wooden leg.

Left Image source:
hellenicaworld.com//NikolaosAndriakopoulos
Right Image Source: en.wikipedia.org/George_Eyser

STANDING HIGH JUMP
The track and field competitions at every Olympics from 1900 to 1912 included a standing high jump competition, seeing how high a bar athletes could jump over a bar from a standing position

Team USA’s Ray Ewry [pictured] was the undisputed master of the discipline, winning gold three times from 1900 to 1908. His best effort saw him clear 1.655 meters at Paris in 1900. Ewry, who contracted polio as a youngster and used a wheelchair for much of his childhood, also dominated in the standing long jump and triple jump events — in which Image Credits: Empics/Empics Sportbbbbb he won a further five gold medals.
Image Source: edition.cnn.com/strangest-events

STANDING BROAD JUMP
The standing broad jump was an Olympic event until 1912. Its other two variants standing high jump and standing triple jump were also conducted in all Olympic games until 1912.
Image Source: blog.weekendthrill.com/discontinued-in-olympics/

UNDERWATER SWIMMING
The Olympics in Paris 1900, was a trial run for a number of new events. Underwater Swimming was another one-time event from these games. This involved swimming below the surface of the River Seine for 60 meters. Competitors received two points per meter they swam and another point for every second submerged.

France’s Charles DeVandeville received a gold medal in the underwater swimming with 188.4 points. He died of injuries during the First World War, at age 32.

HOT AIR BALLOONING
Another 1900 Olympics demonstration was Hot Air Ballooning. Despite being very popular at that time, ballooning enthusiasts saw their hopes of becoming an official event rise and fall. All in all, 61 men and 3 women competed in ballooning, which consisted of 18 events. Judges marked contestants on various points, like distance, duration and elevation. The aeronautical pioneer Henry de La Vaux set two world records for distance and duration piloting a balloon flight.

According to Wikipedia, “all events at the 1900 Games that satisfied all four of these retrospective selection criteria — restricted to amateurs, open to all nations, open to all competitors and without handicapping — are now regarded as Olympic events, except for those in one sport — ballooning.”
Image Source: weekendthrill.com/trangest-games-that-are-discontinued

KITE FLYING
Considered another demonstration sport -- a sporting event held during the Olympics, but not technically considered an official sport of the games -- Kite Flying debuted in 1900 as another one-time event.

SKELETON
This is an ice track sport similar to Bobsledding or Luge, except that instead of being seated upright or secure, in Skeleton competitors hurl down the ice track face first. If anything happens you can throw away your previous photographs.

The event first appeared at the 1928 Winter Olympics in St. Moritz and again in 1948 Winter Olympics, after which it was discontinued as an Olympic sport. It was reintroduced at the Salt Lake City Olympics in 2000, with both men's and women's events, and has been held in each Winter Olympic competition since then.

Image Source: Image Credits: John Hartley | January 1, 2018
Image Source:thatonesportsshow.com/olympic-skeleton/

FIRE FIGHTING AND LIFE SAVING
Fire fighting and life saving sound like public services rather than sports, and although neither was ever added officially to the list of Olympic sports, that doesn't mean practitioners had no place at the games.

The firefighting demonstration events of the Paris Games are not very well documented, but one must assume some Parisian buildings [hopefully constructed constructed for this demostration] were sacrificed in a blaze to see which teams could extinguish them first. Portugal took the volunteer division win; a team from Kansas City secured the professional
Image Source: allthatsinteresting.com/olympic-sports division win.

PISTOL DUELING
The first Pistol Dueling competition was held in 1906 Olympics in Athens, Greece. Competitors wearing face masks tried to shoot each other in the face with wax bullets. Later Titanic survivor Sir Cosmo Duff Gordon was a famous participant in the event.

Source of Images: thefirearmblog.com/olympic-pistol-dueling/

TWO HANDED SHOT PUT
Despite the name, the competitor doesn’t throw the shot put with both hands. Two-handed meant the competitors had to use both hands, one at a time, and throw the object. Later the best distances with each hand were combined to decide the winner. Each contestant was given 3 attempts with each hand.
Image Source: blog.weekendthrill.com/games-discontinued-olympics/

Image Source: blog.weekendthrill.com/games-discontinued-olympics/

ONE HANDED WEIGHT LIFTING
The one hand weightlifting was a men-only event in 1896, 1904 and 1906. They had to perform lifts with each hand, with the winner determined from the combined score of both hands.

SOLO SYNCHRONIZED SWIMMING

Image Source: edition.cnn.com/strangest-events

That’s an oxymoron that’s hard to get the mind around. This sport features one female swimmer synchronizing with herself. The sport made its debut in the Los Angeles Games in 1984, with U.S. swimmer Tracie Ruiz winning the gold medal. The solo event was discontinued after 1992.

TEAM SYNCHRONIZED SWIMMING
Synchronized swimming, known as water ballet, was organized as a competitive event for teams for the first time in 1891, Berlin, Germany, but was not an officially recognized sport until 1941. Competitions were not related to the Olympics but to the World Aquatics Championships. The International Swimming Association officially renamed the sport from "synchronized swimming" to "artistic swimming" in 2017, decision that faced mixed reception.

Synchronized Swimming is a relatively recent Olympic event, becoming a recognized sport for the first time at the Los Angeles summer Olympics in 1984. The events included solo and duet competition as well as teams. The last Olympics with Solo synchronized swimming was in 1992.

Russia's Natalia Ishchenko / Svetlana Romashina The Russian synchronized swimming team -Rio 2016
duet final- London 2012 Games - Image Source: Image Source:
olympics.time.com/synchronized-swimming sputniknews.com/synchronized-swimming-gold/

HONORABLE MENTIONS
There are other sports which had short-lived experience in the Olympics, some of which are mentioned here as “honorable mentions.”
Cricket – 1900
Underwater swimming – 1900
Plunge for distance diving – 1904
100 meter running deer shooting – 1908 to 1948
Baseball – 1992 to 2008
Motor boating – 1908

JUST SAY’N
Coming July 30, 2021 - Olympic Wardrobe Malfunctions
Coming August 6, 2021 Olympic Funny Business and Funny Photos
■
Sources:
https://www.huffpost.com/entry/weird-olympic-sports_n_5794b6a4e4b01180b52f4a0b
https://entertainment.howstuffworks.com/10-bizarre-olympic-events.htm#:~:text=1%20Pentathlon.%20If%20the%20biathlon%20sounds%20bizarre%2C%20the,9%20Hot%20Air%20Ballooning.%20...%2010%20Tug-of-War.%20
https://edition.cnn.com/2016/08/05/sport/olympics-strangest-events-trnd/index.html
https://www.topendsports.com/events/discontinued/gym-club-swinging.htm
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pigeon-shooting
https://sputniknews.com/sport/201608191044441027-russian-synchronized-swimming-gold/
https://olympics.time.com/2012/08/07/the-strange-but-beautiful-art-of-synchronized-swimming/photo/009-03347986/
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Synchronized_swimming
https://olympics.com/en/video/synchronized-swimming-s-first-olympics#:~:text=Synchronized%20Swimming%27s%20first%20Olympics%20A%20relatively%20recent%20discipline%2C,solo%20and%20duet%20events.Team%20USA...%20Los%20Angeles%201984
https://www.reddit.com/r/olympics/comments/y4004/what_is_the_ribbontwirling_hula_hoopthrowing_event/
https://olympics.com/en/sports/rhythmic-gymnastics/
https://olympics.time.com/2012/07/16/really-strange-sports-that-are-longer-in-the-olympics/slide/horse-long-jump/
https://blog.weekendthrill.com/9-strangest-games-that-are-discontinued-in-olympics/
https://allthatsinteresting.com/weird-olympic-sports
Source: https://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/olympics/2008/07/olympic_countdown_22_days_pion.html
https://theolympians.co/2016/05/02/tandem-cycling-then-and-now/

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Emotion Thesaurus for Writers - Part 2

7/16/2021

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NOTE: Most of the thesaurus content herein comes from various sources, but I have added my share based on experience as a writer. The facial expressions, in part, are from Entusiasti Blog (March 19, 2014). Facial expressions and other physical behavior are largely from The Blog Muse, Emotion Thesaurus posted by Angela Ackerman before she and Becca Puglisi published their books. The full list of sources is at the end.

EMOTIONS THEARSUS – PART 2

CONTEXT IS EVERYTHING
Take all things into account when describing a scene so that the facial expression, body language, and context all match the situation and reactions that you, as the writer, intend it to mean. Never assume readers will know what you mean. They don't know what the author is thinking.

CONFIDENCE / PRIDE
Confidence and Pride may seem like the same emotion, and at times they may be, but there are differences.
● Pride refers to the satisfaction that an individual gains of his abilities, achievements, qualities, and possessions. Pride makes a person feel good about himself.
● A proud person is not humble whereas a confident person is.
● A proud person believes that he is capable of anything, but a confident person is aware of his flaws. differencebetween.com/pride-and-vs-confidence.

PRIDE Image Source: entusiastiq.blogspot.com/facial-expressions

When a person begins to be proud of his abilities, this creates an image of the person as supreme in comparison to others. Such an individual is usually engrossed in himself and pays less attention to others. Pride also involves signs of dominance and can also be misread as contempt.

Facial Expression
●The corners of the lips rise slightly, signaling the person is happy.
● The difference between pride and happiness is the backward tilt of the head and a minor thrust of the jaw, classic signs of power and dominance, giving feeling of strength.
● A slight smile.

Other Physical Behavior
● Using slow exaggerated movements to draw attention to oneself
● A booming laugh
● Speaking boisterously, enthusiastically
● Walking with a swagger, sauntering
● Running hands through hair, flipping hair
● Assuming a pose that's sexy, appealing, or draws attention to one's best attributes
● Wearing clothes that are flashy or dramatic

Other Physical Behavior
● Smiling, a knowing or playful grin
● Winking or giving someone an easy nod easy nod
● Bragging, obsessively talking about an achi
● Bragging, obsessively talking about an achievement or material object (winning a game, a new car, etc), showing off
● Reacting with anger or jealousy if reputation is impugned

CONFIDENCE
There are a few subtle differences between pride and confidence. People with self-confidence are usually proud of their accomplishments without being “prideful” and, to use the scientific term, “stuck up.”

Confidence refers to the trust someone has about something. A significant difference between the Pride and Confidence stems from the quality of humility. A person, who is proud or full of pride, is not humble. However, a person, who is confident, is humble. He takes the advices and the feelings of others into consideration.

Facial Expression
● Chin lifted but relaxed
●·Eyes look directly into another’s eyes
● Pleasant smile

Other Physical Behavior
●·Shoulders back, chest out
● Comfortable being in close proximity to others or initiating contact

Other Physical Behavior
● Telling jokes, adding to and/or steering a conversation
● Hosting an event or activity; inviting others to be with you
● Discrete about doing or saying things outside of the norm but takes smart risks and speaks out honestly with the truth without anxiety or concern
● Leaning in to talk or listen
● Good eye contact
● Generally positive and enthusiastic
· A gleam in one’s eye, an inner light
● Appearing relaxed, at ease
● Controls emotional reactions; thinks things through
● Open stance dealing with peoplel
● Clarifies to assure understanding

CONFUSION
Confusion represents a lack of understanding, and the expression itself is created by one increasing their efforts to understand something.

Facial Expression
● The nose and forehead scrunched up
● Brows drawn together; Sometimes with one eyebrow raised higher than the other
● Lips are typically pursed together
● Nose wrinkled
● Lines forming between the eyebrows
● Head tilting to the side
● Eyes narrowing
● Gaze clouded, distant; slack expression
● Biting lip
● Hands touching lips, mouth, face

Other Physical Behavior
●·Glance darting around, head turning, as if looking for answers
● Mind churning, working rapidly
● Mind freezing, unable to work
● Wandering a short distance before returning
● Moving blindly, mind on other things
● A slight shake of the head
● Repeating a question, responses
● Opening mouth but not speaking
● Using ‘word filler’ to stall for time (“Well…” or “Hold it a sec…” etc)
● Swallowing excessively
● Pinching the bridge of the nose, closing eyes

Other Physical Behavior
● Wilting posture
● Taking extra time to react (slowly finding a seat, distractedly reaching out for something or responding to stimulus—doorbell, ringing phone)
● Pacing
● Staring down at the ground or hands in lap
● Scratching at cheek, rubbing chin
● Asking for affirmation: “Are you sure?”
● Tapping fist against lips lightly while thinking
● Denial, shaking head, repeating “No”, warding someone off from speech or coming closer
● Taking a deep breath and puffing cheeks while letting it out again slowly

CONTENTMENT
Most of us often consider happiness and contentment as synonymous, this is inaccurate. Happiness refers to a state of being happy or feeling pleasure and is usually short term.On the other hand, contentment is generally defined as a longer lasting state of being and a deeper feeling of satisfaction and gratitude. The emotional state viewed by many to have a long-lasting effect on those that experience it and a calmness which is stable.

Because contentment is a longer-term state of being, there is plenty of room for other emotions with their own facial expressions. One might say that these are the general, over time, normal expressions of content person.

Facial Expression
● Relaxed smile
● Eyes closed, head tipped back, calm features
● Relaxed eyes, with smile lines; sparkling eyes
● Eyes half-closed, a lidded look of satisfaction

Other Physical Behavior
● Relaxed posture, slack limbs
● Slow easy breathing, A satisfied sigh
● Fingers loosely clasped together or behind head
● Being with others and with no need to fill silence with words
● An urge to sit back and soak in the sounds and sight around you
● Having no desire to be anywhere else

Other Physical Behavior
● Pleasant demeanor to others
● Leaning back, an arm hooked over the back of a chair
● Enjoying listening to others
● An unforced laugh or grin
● Relaxing or displaying interest and enjoyment of a venue
● Catlike stretching
● A warm voice, caring tone
● A wide stance, open demeanor

CONTEMPT
Contempt is when you look down on someone derisively or suspiciously, or have total lack of respect.

The first kind of contempt is where one person is upset with another individual and has reached the breaking point. This actually an extreme form of anger. The second kind of contempt is when one person feels superior to the other person.
thetrustambassador.com/76-contempt Image Source: entusiastiq.blogspot.com/facial-expressions

Facial Expression
● The lips tighten on one side of the face but not the other; a sneer. If the tightening is on both sides of the face, the person could be swallowing or salivating.
● Usually the jaw is set tight as are the lips.
● Frown with eyebrows; anger
● Eye brows level, not furrowed; superiority
● Backward tilt of head, but without the slight smile of pride.
● Eyes may squint
● Mouth open; the emotion is usually rage rather than contempt.
● Mouth closed and not clenched; superiroity

When contempt is fueled by anger, the facial expressions of anger will be similar.
People may confuse contempt with disgust, but the later involves the raising of the upper lip and the bridge of the nose wrinkles. People express disgust about noxious things, not those about which we are derisive or suspicious.

Other Physical Behavior
● Pointing to focus energy on person held in contempt; accusatory language
● Flat hand extended palm up
● Arms folded across chest
● Hands on hips
● Clenching/unclenching fists, nails biting into one’s palms
● Anger motivated pounding fists against thighs, table, wall, slamming doors, cupboards, drawers
● Anger motivated muscles quivering, breathing deeply, noisily
● Anger motivated pulse; vein visibly pulsing in various body parts
● Scowling, sneering, frowning
● Smiles that don't reach the eyes
● Laughter with an edge
● sarcasm

COMPASSION
Image Source: entusiastiq.blogspot.com/facial-expressions

Facial Expression
● Corrugators muscles pull eyebrows in and up
● Lips pressed together in neutral expression or slightly down; lips pulled down usually means sadness, not compassion
● Head slight forward; sign of social engagement
● Soft eye contact, with the intention of
really seeing the speaker

Other Physical Behavior
● Listening with the whole body; turn whole body toward speaker, not just head.
● Leaning forward; engaging
● Offer connecting gestures, such as a part on the back or holding their hands, without interrupting the speaker to share your own comments or stories
● Open body language, such as arms and legs not crossed (and certainly no distractions, like a cell phone, in your hands!)

CURIOSITY

Facial Expression
● Raised eyebrow, wide eyes, intense stare at person speaking, display, or item of interest
● Cocked or tilted head, a slow nod
● A small delighted smile, Lips parting slightly
● Focused eyes; alert
● Lips parted slightly

Other Physical Behavior
● Repeating a statement as a question
● Leaning in, sliding a chair closer, edging in
● A shift from mediocre to pointed questions
● A softened voice or tone
● Prying or snooping
● Straining to hear, shushing others

● Pushing one’s glasses up and tilting the body toward the object of curiosity
● A gasp of wonder and/or surprise

Other Physical Behavior
● Slowed breaths
● Crossing arms & observing
● Stillness

DESPERATION
Extreme desperation is the feeling you have little or no hope and are ready to do almost anything without worrying about the consequences to yourself or others.

Whether you are talking about real life or writing characters in a novel, you can expect your subject will act out of character. With judgment and smart decision making hampered by emotion, they can be rash and make impaired decisions. Rules be damned and don’t get in my way. Just as with other emotions, there are varying degrees from mild to extreme, depending on the stakes at risk.

Other Physical Behavior
● Wrap upper arms around self for comfort
● Wrap upper arms around self for comfort

Facial Expression
● Raised chin and compressed lips
● Furrowed brow
● Sides of mouth pulled back
● Hands to head

●·Hugging shoulders, chin tight to chest
●·A disregard for another's feelings/needs if they conflict with one's own goal
● Sarcastic or cynical remark, with sarcastic smile

DEFENSIVE

Facial Expression
● Squinting eyes
● Lowered, angry brows
● Teeth grinding
● Cheeks sucked in
● Nostrils flaring
● Raised chin
● Eye rolling
● Lips tightly pursed
● Surprised, innocent expression

Other Physical Behavior
● Hands on hips, arms crossed
● Rigid body
● Shaking the head
● Flinching, jerking back
● Breathing heavily
● Deflecting blame
● Sputtering, raised voice
● Interrupting the offender
● Storming away
● Sarcasm, Shouting, shaking voice
● Raised blood pressure, red in the face

Other Physical Behavior
● Continuing with mundane activities, as if the claim isn't worth acknowledging
● Flipping hair in annoyance
● Blowing out a noisy breath
● Going on the offensive and verbally attacking the accuser
● Stuttering, difficulty being articulate
● Hand splayed across chest, mouth gaping
● Stiff neck, cords standing out
● Sweating
● Lip-licking, excessive saliva
● Jerky movements, loss of fluidity to actions
● Excessive swallowing
● Pleading as if in danger or fearful
● Tears
● Leaning away from the offender
● Short snort of dismissive laughter
● Hands up, palms out, to ward off a blow
● Impatient gestures (foot tapping, etc.)
● Looking to others for back-up

DESIRE Image Source: entusiastiq.blogspot.com/facial-expressions

Desire in this context is closely related to flirtation and infatuation, and less closely to love. Strong desire for things can produce some of the same expressions.

Facial Expressions
● Most signals of desire affect the mouth; Biting lip, lip puckers, tongue protruding, slightly licking
● Pupils dilate, making eyes look darker and more dazling
● Eye blinking, fluttering eyelashes
● A focused, flinty stare
● Engaging smile

Other Physical Behavior
● Tension in the face, shoulders and neck
● Exhaustion, insomnia
● Tension headaches
● A focused, flinty stare
● Loss of appetite
● Snapping at people
● Day dreaming
● Mood swings
● Risk taking
● Paranoia

Other Physical Behavior
● Jumping to conclusions
● Physical pain
● Crankiness/irritability
● An inability to focus on day-to-day tasks
● Cravings
● Retreating from people and events in order to brood over obsession
● Stalking or spying
May break the law to obtain object of desire
● daydreaming
● Misreading signals/body language
● Letting other things fall by the wayside--hygiene, work, commitments, responsibility
● Not easily distracted from the object of desire
● Finding ways to be near the object
● Rationalizing the desire
● Jealousy of those that have the object/person, are close to having it or have access to it
● Manipulation of those around you
● Denial

● Lying
● Changing one's personality, dress or environment in order to impress/gain trust/obtain
● ▪Overlooking faults, problems and heartache associated with the object or person desired

DISAPPOINTMENT
Facial Expression
● Tilting chin to the side and frowning
● Shoulders slumping, sagging, drooping
● Chin dipping to chest
● Lips pressing tight, eyes focusing inward
● Gaze dropping down
● Face falling, turning pale
● Mouth falling open or chewing lip
● Eyes tearing up
● Eyes closing, squeezing shut for a moment

Other Physical Behavior
● Pressing hands to side of the head, or weaving hands into hair and pulling down
● Fist pressing to lips
● Avoiding other peoples' eyes, going stone-faced
● Wincing, pained expression
● Looking up with hands raised / ‘why me?’
● Collapsing into a chair, bench
● Weaving slightly, stumbling mid-stride
● Sagging against a door/wall, reaching out to something to steady self
● Pressing hands to side of the head
● Fist pressing to lips

Other Physical Behavior
● Avoiding eyes contact; going stone-faced
● Wincing, pained expression
● Looking around in confusion
● Attempting to hide / assume fetal position
● Hands fiddling with things
● A slow nod while frowning
● A heavy sigh
● Rubbing at back of the neck
● Voice dropping or going quiet
● Voice rising in anger
● Denial (shaking head, whispering ‘no’
● Heart sinking
● Onset of anger or violence

DISGUST Image Source: entusiastiq.blogspot.com/facial-expressions

Disgust usually involves the sense of smell, taste, or touch as well as sight. Disgust is expressed according to the intensity of the aversion / repulsion.

Facial Expression
● Muscles above upper lip pull up, raising the right upper lip higher than the left; lips curled
● Wrinkled nose
● Eyes narrowed
● Mouth opens and tongue comes out, or it turns down.
● Face may pale, depending on degree of repulsion of what person is looking at.

People may confuse disgust and anger but anger tightens the mouth, the lowers the eyebrows more significantly and raises the upper eyelid.

Other Physical Behavior
The body language expression and objective is to get rid of, or get away from, the offensive taste, object, or rotten smell, which would include many actions de-pending on circumstances. Only a few are list here.
● Strong verbal expressions such as “ugh”, “yuck”, “Eeww” or swearing, shrieking.
● Gag reflex; feel like vomiting, vomiting
● shuddering; shaking hands

● Cover nose or mouth, possibly ears with sound, eyes when something gruesome
● Move rapidly away; turn back to source or rush to curtail source (sound, smell, etc.)
● Throwing something into trash, etc.
● Sneering
● Reactions of surprise

DISINTEREST
Disinterest is very close to boredom and the opposite of being keenly interested in something.

Facial Expression
● Eyes turned away, rolling eyes
● Hands to the face
● Lips straight and slightly compressed
● Also lips quirked to one side and eyes narrowed
● Eyebrows raised
● Head tilted, often supported by hand(s),
● Turned down mouth
● Eyes unfocused or glazed looking

Other Physical Behavior
● Slumping shoulders
● Slouching
● Finger in the nose
● Hands in lap
● General fidgeting
● Repetitive motion like swinging one foot or rubbing the shin
●Yawning

DISTRUST

Facial Expression
● A curling lip or tightened lips
● Eyes appear cold, dead, flat
● Narrowing eyes
● Averting eyes from subject
● Wrinkling up face or nose
● A pale cast to one’s face, a pallor over their features

Other Physical Behavior
● Sneering
● Flinching away, recoiling
● Bringing a hand up to cover one’s mouth
● Refusing to look at someone
● Shaking head, muttering
● Looking or walking away/ gain composure
●· Spitting on ground or in direction of others
● Putting hand up, backing away
● Slowly repeating what someone has said, purposely devoid of all emotion
● Pulling away from contact
● Pressing hand to stomach
● A feeling of nausea, heaving stomach
● Demanding another to stop speaking or desist what they are doing
● Feeling dirty, oily, soiled, just by be being in the presence of one who causes disgust
● Using a purse, jacket, etc to create a ‘shield’ between self and cause of discomfort
● A desire to flee
● Avoiding touches, brushes, stepping back to stay beyond the other person’s reach
● Shunning, evasive answers
● Excessive saliva, having to swallow
● A choking or uncomfortable swallow
● To curl away from another if lying prone

DOUBT

Facial Expression
● Cocking or tilting the head
● Avoiding eye contact, looking awaye
● Brow furrowed
● Tightness in the face, pained
● Pressing lips together, mouth tilted
hand over the face, closing eyes
● Hand over the face, closing eyes
● Licking lips/wetting lips

Other Physical Behavior
● Shuffling feet
● Shoving hands in pockets
● Throat clearing

● Backing away or lingering at the edge of a group or event
● Running hands through the hair
● Checking/rechecking appearance
● Nervous or impatient gestures such as pulling or tugging at clothes, tapping fingers
● Cold hands
● A hesitating nod
● Licking lips/wetting lips or other nervous habit
● Slightly clenched fists
● Making excuses for not agreeing quickly or to reassure
● Making alterative suggestions
● Rubbing the back of the neck
● Fiddling with hands, watch or jewelry

Other Physical Behavior
● A heavy, weighted sigh
● A shrug
●Avoiding speaking or agreeing; arguing
●Wincing as others agree or commend someone for their solution
● Rubbing the back of the neck
● Fiddling with hands; a watch or other jewelry
● Shaking the head
● Coughing as one agrees or supports a doubtful decision or stance
● A sharp or exaggerated intake of breath
●Avoiding speaking or agreeing; arguing
●Wincing as others agree or commend someone for their solution

ELATION

Facial Expression
● Mouth open
● Bright smile; teeth showing
● Head up or tilted back
● Eyes closed or squinted

Other Physical Behavior
● Hands up
● Jumping up and down
● Shouts or cries of joy
● Exuberant-like body language
● Energetic movements ; arms, hands
● Whooping, smiling, cheering, shouting
● Pumping a fist in the air
● Greeting with gusto; shaking hands firmly
● Squeezing the arm; a friendly shake

EMBARRASSMENT
Image Source: entusiastiq.blogspot.com/facial-expressions

Facial Expression
● Avert gaze; move eyes downward or upward
● Cover face with hands, hair, something
● Neck red
● Lips press together tightly reflecting feelings of restraint or inhibition; grit teeth
● Move head downward and to the side
● Cheeks and forehead flush

Embarrassment is an emotion which strikes quickly and automatically in a manner that people cannot control, but it lasts only a short time.

Embarrassment most often occurs when an error or gaff, a socially unacceptable or frowned upon act is committed and witnessed before others or is revealed to others.

The emotion, unlike others, because it has unique antecedents and physiological effects, it elicits singular feelings and behaviors, and it has particular effects on people’s interactions with others.

Other Physical Behavior
● Looking shamefaced, sheepish
● Nervous repetitive movements
● Clearing the throat; coughing
● Covering oneself: crossing arms, closing jacket
● Wincing, ducking head
● Stuttering, stammering
● speechlessness
● Shoulders slumping, slouching, sagging, hunching
● Desire to run away (fight or flight)
● Glancing about as if for an exit or escape
● Deflecting attention/assigning blame to another
● Angry or knee-jerk type reactions: lashing out, taking a cheap shot; defensive reaction
● Shoving hands in pockets
● Hiding behind a book
● Death grip on backpack straps, school books pressed to chest
● Rapid walking with head down to get away
● Excessive swallowing
● muddied or panicked thoughts
● Lightheadedness, tingling in chest/stomach
● Attempting to be invisible

ENERGETIC / ENTHUSIASTIC

Mirrors Elated expressions and actions but, in a more formal setting such as at work, probably more subdued and usually longer-term than Elated.

Facial Expression
● Mouth open; raised chin
● Bright wile smile; teeth showing
● Head up or tilted back
● Eyes closed, squinted, good eye contact
● Color in cheeks

Other Physical Behavior
● Hands up
● Jumping up and down
● Shouts or cries of joy
● Exuberant-like body language
● Energetic movements; arms and hands
● Whooping, smiling, cheering, shouting
● Pumping a fist in the air
● Greeting with gusto
● Squeezing the arm; friendly shake of shoulders
● Alert
● Excited; Twitchy
● Super-observant; Sharpened senses
●Tingly extremities
● Bouncing on the balls of the feet
● Buoyant voice
● Pacing
● Erect posture; Shoulders back
strong decision-making
● High-fiving, bumping shoulders, etc.
● Speed-talking; bubbly or loud tone
● Deep/genuine laughter

Other Physical Behavior
● Restless movements such as swinging or tapping foot
● Eagerness to do whatever needs to be done
● The feeling that you can do anything
● Lighthearted, like your problems are no longer significant
● Increased and louder heartbeat
● A gaze that flits from person to person or sweeps across a room, picking up all details
Tapping fingers against the leg
● Nodding along as someone speaks
● Cutting in, speaking over people
● Defusing/refuting the excuses of others, refusing to be deterred or delayed
●Taking in deep cleansing breaths
● A bright, positive outlook
● Belief in oneself
● Encourages others
● Displays confidence and determination
● Easy to pump up, like with music

EXHAUSTED / FATIGUED

Facial Expression
● Downward gaze
● Closed Eyes or half lidded eyes
● Rubbing at eyes; difficulty keeping them open
● Red or tearing eyes; drifting focus
● Squeezing eyes shut hard and then opening them wide in a bid to keep focused
● Vacant stare
● Dark circles under eyes
● Yawning
● Head nodding forward toward chest

Other Physical Behavior
● Propping up head in some way
● Slouching, bad posture; bowed shoulders
● Slow or slurred speech; mumbling, one word answers
● A weighted sigh
● Loose movements
● Rubbing temples or face
● Fumbling, clumsiness, shakiness
● Heavy limbs; numbness
● Shuffling or steps that scuff the floor
● Scrubbing a hand through the hair
● Drinking coffee non-stop
● Leaning against a chair, a wall, etc.
● Rolling the neck side to side
● Opening windows for fresh air (car)
● Turning up a radio or TV for noise
● Pinching the bridge of the nose
● Stretching, shaking limbs; blood flow
●Taking an opportunity to sit when possible
● Swaying on feet
● Silence; Zoning out
● Tipping head back on neck
● Rereading the same page
● Asking someone to repeat themselves
● Listening but not hearing
● Slowed reaction time
● Impaired judgement
● Stiff, weary muscles
● Dry mouth or a bad taste in the mouth

MORE EMOTIONS IN COMING WEEKS
COMPLETE SOURCES LISTED IN PART 1

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Emotion Thesaurus For Writers - Part1

7/9/2021

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NOTE: Most of the thesaurus content herein comes from various sources, but I have added my share based on experience as a writer. The facial expressions, in part, are from Entusiasti Blog (March 19, 2014). Facial expressions and other physical behavior are largely from The Blog Muse, Emotion Thesaurus posted by Angela Ackerman before she and Becca published their books. The full list of sources is at the end.

“I KNOW WHAT YOU’RE THINKING!”
No! You really don’t!
You can speculate what someone else is feeling and thinking based on facial expression, body language, how well you know the other person, and the circumstances, and you may be right, but you can’t know for sure without taking up residence inside his mind.

You can’t be absolutely sure even if the person tells you. And look, how many times in our lives do we have mixed emotions or confusion… times when we, ourselves in our own minds, don’t know what we’re thinking or how we feel?

Don’t get me wrong. People can and do read body language, including facial expressions. In fact, we are pretty good at it. Most researchers and scientists contend that nearly 60% of human communication is non-verbal.

Facial expressions
The human face is extremely expressive, able to convey countless emotions without saying a word. And unlike some forms of nonverbal communication, facial expressions are universal. The facial expressions for happiness, sadness, anger, surprise, fear, and disgust (the basics) are the same across cultures. Therefore, there is a close tie between reading facial expressions and surmising how someone is feeling.

THE CHALLENGE FOR WRITERS
Writers, in particular fiction writers, face the challenge of conveying to their readers how different characters in the story are reacting to and feeling about what is happening to them and those around them. That is how readers engage with the characters, but all writers have to work with are words on the page.

The easiest, lazy way to convey reaction and feelings is to have an omniscient narrator tell the reader, “Jane felt sad.” “Jack looked terrified.” It is also the least interesting and least engaging way to inform the reader. Show, don’t tell.

Another technique is internal dialogue where the reader “hears”, so to speak, what the view point character is thinking and feeling. But this only lets the reader into the VP character’s mind. How is everyone else involved reacting and feeling?

The reader can see what the VP characters see about others through facial expressions and body language or, better still, the writer can show the emotions without filtering them through someone else’s view point.

EMOTIONS
How Many Are There?
Once upon a time not so long ago, psychologists believed there were six basic emotions common to all human beings: happiness, sadness, anger, surprise, fear, and disgust. From there, the field came up with 7, 8, and then 12 discrete emotions. Charles Darwin’s theory was 34.

Since then, humans haven’t changed, but the latest study conducted by the University of California, Berkeley, involving thousands of individuals, suggests there are 27 distinct emotions, all intimately connected one with the other.

No man, or emotion, is an island. If you want to delve into the theories, go to MedicineNet: medicinenet.com/what_are_the_27_basic_emotions/article.htm

For Writing Purposes
We all know intuitively that human emotions come in various gradations. They are related but different extremes which are often identified by different names or words. I see them like a color wheel.

INDEX OF EMOTIONS COVERED IN THESAURUS

Amusement / Laughter / Joy
Anger
Annoyance
Anticipation
Boredom
Confidence / Pride
Confusion
Contentment
Contempt
Compassion
Curiosity
Defensiveness
Desire
Desperation
Disappointment
Disgust
Disinterest
Distrust

Doubt
Elation
Energetic / Enthusiastic
Embarrassment
Exhaustion / Fatigued
Fear
Frustration
Guilt
Happiness
Hate
Haughtiness / Smugness
Hopefulness
Humiliation
Hurt
Interest
Impatient
Indignant
Jealousy

Loneliness
Love / Attraction / Flirtation
Lying
Pain
Relief
Reluctance
Resignation
Sadness / Grief
Satisfaction
Sarcasm / Verbal Disrespect
Shy
Somber
Stubborn
Sullen
Surprise / Shock
Suspicious / Wary / Uncomvinced
Sympathyc
Threatening
Worried / Ill at Ease

CONTEXT IS EVERYTHING!
Whether you are an author writing a novel or just a person experiencing life, the “when, where, why, how, and with whom must be looked at together.

● Everyone is different and each person may react and feel differently than others, sometime in unexpected ways.

● One facial expression or body motion can mean many things. A person is capable of sending a variety of messages or clues with a smile or a frown. Reading this text, you’ll recognize the same interpretation of an expression may be used often to mean different emotions.

● In the same type of situation and even in the same situation at the same time as others, participants can hear, see, feel, taste, and smell different things in spite of what the reality is. Our brains assimilate stimuli in different ways and then interpret and remember them in relation to each individuals’ filters. In reality the witnesses to an accident between a black car and a blue car will see one of the cars speeding away from the scene, but they will remember it as different colors.

Take all things into account when describing a scene so that the facial expression, body language, and context all match the situation and reactions that you, as the writer, intend it to mean. Never assume readers will know what you mean. They don't know what the author is thinking.

EMOTION THESAURUS – PART 1

AMUSEMENT / LAUGHTER / JOY
Facial Expression Image Source: entusiastiq.blogspot.com/facial-expressions

Genuine amusement, laughter, and joy relaxes all body muscle movements because of shifts in our respiration pattern when we laugh. Rapid shifting of the body to a state of relaxation often shuts off feelings of aggression, frustration, and competition.

● Backward head movement
● Genuine laughter
● Open mouth, usually with wide smile
or grin
● Muscles contract around the eyes, making crow’s feet

Other Physical Behavior
● A snort of laughter,
● A chuckle, chortle or guffaw
● A bemused smile
● Uncontrollable laughter
● Inability to form words
● Squealing, giggling

●Gasping for breath; wheezing
● Eyes tearing, wiping at eyes
● A high voice, Whimpers of mirth
● Pain in the ribs or stomach
● Shaking with hysteria
● Light-headedness
● Holding onto ones sides
● Slapping knees; Slapping someone on the back, punching in the arm, bumping shoulders or drumming feet on floor
●·Collapsing into a chair
● Quirked eyebrow / raised eyebrows
● Falling against someone for support
●“Drunken” behavior; weaving, reaching for support, struggling to stay upright
● Repeating the punch line over and over
● Face reddening, shaking head, trying to regain control
● Spewing food or drink if eating/drinking
● Falling to the ground, rolling on the floor

● Asking/begging people to stop making you laugh; Holding you hand up as you laugh as if to ward off more jokes
● Grabbing at ribs / a stitch in your side
● Weakness in knees, muscles twitching
● Trying to keep a straight face but failing
●Covering mouth with a hand to hide a smile;
hold in laugh
● Cupping cheeks with hands
● Avoiding eye contact to maintain control over laughter
●Clearing throat, struggling to speak in full sentences
● Attempting to change the topic/discussion to avoid falling apart with laughter
●Making gestures in lieu of speaking be-cause you’re unable to form words correctly
● Biting down on lip, pressing lips together to keep from laughing

ANGER
Image Source: entusiastiq.blogspot.com/facial-expressions

Facial Expression
Muscle movements in the lips, around the eyes and in the brow mean feelings of aggression, threat, or frustration. The face tenses up possibly in preparation to protect the face in physical confrontation; e.g. a furrowed brow might protect the eyes. An angry person usually expresses bitter-ness about life in general.

● Lips tighten and compress
● Frown or furrowed brow caused by
muscle contraction to raise upper eyelids
● Jaw clenches; teeth clench
● Face may redden
● Nostrils flare
● Eyes narrow, making them appear cold, hard; glaring

Other Physical Behavior
●Clenching/ unclenching fists, nails biting into palms
● Pounding fists against thighs, table, wall
● Slamming doors, cupboards, drawers
● Stomping, stamping
● Body tense, Rigid posture
● Quivering muscles
● Breathing deeply, noisily
● pulse/heartbeat slowing or speeding
● Vein visibly pulsing in various body parts

Other Physical Behavior
● Smiles that don't reach the eyes
● Laughter with an edge
● Yelling or snapping at people
● Using a carefully controlled tone
● Voice shaking
● Sarcasm
● Picking fights (verbal or physical)
● Irrational reactions to inconsequentials
● Demanding immediate action
● Taking inappropriate risks

ANNOYANCE
While the emotion “annoyance” is sometimes used as a synonym of angry, as an adjective there's a difference between being annoyed and being angry. "Annoyed" means troubled or irritated by something unwanted or unliked; vexed.

Facial Expression
Similar facial expression for angry can be applicable to annoyed, but less intense. An overall pinched expression.

● Mouth turned down
● Mouth fine line or quirked
● Eyes squinted or narrowed
● Rolling eyes or glazed glassy stare
● Wrinkled nose
● A frown or grimace
● Avoiding looking at person, eyes turned away
● Clenched jaw

Other Physical Behavior
● An exaggerated sigh
● “Taking over” discussion
● Impatience
● Fidgeting in general
● Grinding teeth
● A twitch, a vein throbing
● A shake of the head
● Shuffling feet, moving from foot to foot, shifting weight or position

Other Physical Behavior
● Propping head up with fist; holding head in hands
● Opening mouth to say something and stopping
● Taking a deep breath and holding it in
● Having to force oneself to remain in the presence of another, faking interest, holding impatience at bay

ANTICIPATION
Anticipation is the energy or driving force behind any action. Isaac Newton said it best, stating that “every object will remain at rest or in motion unless compelled by an external force.” This Law of Inertia applies to everything in nature… include humans. Activity in the brain called neural clairvoyance created strong activity; in the area of the brain responsible for preparing the body to move. February 25 issue /Journal of Neuroscience

The greater the anticipation, the greater the reaction. For the purposes of this article, anticipation is related to something good or pleasant. It could be dread of something terrible.

Facial Expression
● Biting lip, licking lips
● Wide smile
● Open mouth and wide eyes similar to surprise
● Closing eyes (with smile), staring off into space; dreamy
● Bright animated eyes

Other Physical Behavior
● Sweaty palms
● Fluttery, empty feeling in stomach
● Breathlessness
● Trembling hands
● Crossing/ uncrossing legs
● Frantic planning for the event
● Can’t think/talk about anything else
● Fear something will happen to screw things up
● Loss of sleep
● Lack of concentration

Other Physical Behavior
● Day-dreaming; fantasizing/building up event far beyond its reality
● An inability to sit still, fidgeting
● Bouncing on toes, springy steep
● Twisting hands together, fussing with clothes, rearranging things
● Waiting at a window, hovering at the door or by the phone
● Checking/rechecking hair, make up
● Gossiping with others, sharing excitement
● Drumming feet against the floor
● Covering face, then peeking
● Closing eyes and sighing
● Pacing
● Obsessive clock-watching
● Checking and rechecking email, text messages
● Leaning in toward others with interest
● Tingling all over
● Picking at food, too excited to eat

BOREDOM
Boredom is defined as “the state of being weary and restless through lack of interest.” And most of us know what it’s like to have a lack of interest in certain settings.

People need to learn that, first, we can tolerate it, and second, some really good things can emerge from those moments of downtime. Now, as our world becomes a place of rapid hyper-stimulation, our tolerance for living through boredom is becoming nonexistent.

Facial Expression
● Head tilted, often supported by hand(s),
● Half-open eyelids along with raised eyebrows
● Lowered eyes staring at nothing
● Turned down mouth
● Slouching posture
● Eyes unfocused or glazed looking

Other Physical Behavior
● Slumping shoulders; Slouching
● Hands in lap or holding up head; prop chin
● General fidgeting
● Repetitive motion like swinging one foot or rubbing the chin
● Yawning

PART 2 Coming Next Week [without the introduction and more emotions]
Complete Sources:
https://www.psychmechanics.com/facial-expressions-disgust/
http://entusiastiq.blogspot.com/2014/03/facial-expressions.html
https://www.businessinsider.com/how-to-tell-someones-lying-by-watching-their-face-2016-1#take-note-of-what-youre-asking-them-5
http://www.nlp-secrets.com/how-to-tell-if-someone-is-lying.php
http://www.cccoe.net/social/bodylang.htm
http:/thedreamwithinpictures.com/blog/portrait-analysis-reveals-that-the-human-face-can-express-at-least-21-emotions
https://imotions.com/biosensor/fea-facial-expression-analysis/?creative=377770993338&keyword=facial%20expression%20analysis&matchtype=b&network=s&device=c&gclid=EAIaIQobChMImOfH2Zms8QIVi7bICh3HxQGPEAAYAiAAEgLDUvD_BwE
https://devblogs.microsoft.com/cse/2015/11/29/emotion-detection-and-recognition-from-text-using-deep-learning/#:~:text=Sentiment%20Analysis%20aims%20to%20detect%20positive%2C%20neutral%2C%20or,such%20as%3A%20Gauging%20how%20happy%20our%20citizens%20are.
https://allwritealright.com/how-to-describe-facial-expressions-in-writing/
https://kathysteinemann.com/Musings/expressions/
https://www.macmillandictionary.com/thesaurus-category/british/words-used-to-describe-facial-expressions
https://www.nownovel.com/blog/talking-character-face/
https://thoughtcatalog.com/january-nelson/2018/06/list-of-emotions/
USE THIS▲
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24724522/
https://www.schoolofmotion.com/blog/understanding-the-principles-of-anticipation
https://ricepsychology.com/rice-psychology-team/dr-wendy-rice/being-bored-why-its-a-good-thing-for-your-kids/
https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/annals-the-emotions/201508/what-do-you-look-when-you-re-bored
https://www.differencebetween.com/difference-between-pride-and-vs-confidence/#:~:text=%20What%20is%20the%20difference%20between%20Prid
https://listverse.com/2013/07/05/ten-compelling-origins-of-our-facial-expressions/#:~:text=10%20Common%20Facial%20Expressions%20Explained%201%20Confusion.%20An,Fear.%20...%209%20Sadness.%20...%2010%20Happiness.%20
https://thoughtcatalog.com/january-nelson/2018/06/list-of-emotions/#:~:text=Facial%20Expression%2FEmotion%3A%20Happy%20Happiness%20is%20an%20emotion%20that,studied%20throughout%20different%20philosophical%2C%20religious%2C%20and%20biological%20approaches.
https://thetrustambassador.com/2020/04/27/body-language-76-contempt/#:~:text=The%20most%20obvious%20body%20language%20associated%20with%20superiority,by%20looking%20down%20one%E2%80%99s%20nose%20at%20another%20person.
https://www.mindful.org/what-compassion-looks-like/#:~:text=%20This%20means%20literally%20tuning%20in%20to%20the,%E2%80%9CApproach%E2%80%9D%20signals%2C%20such%20as%20learning%20toward...%20More
https://www.ionos.com/startupguide/productivity/body-language/#:~:text=Facial%20expression%201%20Interest%2Fcuriosity%3A%20Your%20eyes%20are%20wide,wide%20and%20eyebrows%20are%20raised.
https://writershelpingwriters.net/2008/06/emotion-thesaurus-entry-curiosity/
https://www.presentationprep.com/body-language-face/#:~:text=During%20a%20presentation%2C%20your%20face%20conveys%20more%20to,also%20communicate%20fear%2C%20frustration%2C%20or%20lack%20of%20control.
https://www.verywellmind.com/understand-body-language-and-facial-expressions-4147228
http://rainydaywriting.co.uk/portraying-the-emotion-of-desperation/#:~:text=%20Expressing%20the%20emotion%20of%20desperation%20%201,Needing%20or%20wanting%20something%20very%20much%20More%20
https://accuratebodylanguage.wordpress.com/tag/disgust/#:~:text=DISGUST%20usually%20involves%20the%20sense%20of%20smell%2C%20taste%2C,indicating%20disgust%3A%20Forehead%3A%20usually%20relaxed.%20Eyebrows%20are%20lowered.
https://greatergood.berkeley.edu/article/item/how_many_different_human_emotions_are_there#:~:text=Psychology%20once%20assumed%20that%20most%20human%20emotions%20fall,emotions%E2%80%94and%20they%20are%20intimately%20connected%20with%20each%20other.
http://thebookshelfmuse.blogspot.com/
https://greatergood.berkeley.edu/article/item/are_emotions_born_or_made
https://www.medicinenet.com/what_are_the_27_basic_emotions/article.htm#:~:text=The%2027%20different%20emotions%20include%3A%201%20Admiration%202,Boredom%209%20Calmness%2010%20Confusion%20More%20items...%20
https://online.uwa.edu/news/emotional-psychology/#:~:text=Emotions%20and%20Psychology%201%20Basic%20and%20Complex%20Emotions.,Schachter-Singer%20Theory.%20...%208%20Cognitive%20Appraisal%20Theory.%2
https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/between-cultures/201911/understanding-hate
https://www.scienceofpeople.com/microexpressions/
https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/fulfillment-any-age/201407/the-one-emotion-really-hurts-your-brain

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AND ON THE FOURTH DAY....

7/2/2021

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Every year for the Fourth of July I’ve been blogging about… well, about the Fourth of July, meaning American Independence Day. This year I found myself repeating what I’ve already written and wondered what else might have happened on the fourth of July that never gets mentioned.

HISTORICTAL EVENTS ON JULY 4

1054 - Brightest known supernova SN 1054 (creates the Crab Nebula) 1st reported by Chinese astronomers.

1187 – Battle of Hittin: Saladin defeats Reinoud of Chȃtillon

Hold on! What's the Battle of Hittin? Who is Saladin?
There are plenty of historical days, mostly in Europe, which don’t mean much to Americans looking for a way to impress their friends at the 4th of July celebration. Let’s fast-forward to history in the western hemisphere.

1634 - The city of Trois-Rivières is founded in New France, later to become the Canadian province of Quebec.

1636 - City of Providence, Rhode Island formed.

1754 - George Washington surrenders Fort Necessity, Ohio, to a force of French soldiers and their Ohio American Indian allies. This engagement is considered by many historians to be the start of the French and Indian War.

1774 - Orangetown Resolutions adopted in the Province of New York, one of many protests against the British Parliament's Coercive Acts.

1776 - According to popular legend, the Liberty Bell rang for the Second Continental Congress.

1776 - Declaration of Independence.

1789 - 1st US tariff act signed by President Washington.

1796 - 1st Independence Day celebration was held.
Image Credit: Shutterstock
Image Source: bestlifeonline.com/july-4-events

1802 - 1st US Military Academy opened at West Point, NY.

1803 - Thomas Jefferson announced to the public the acquisition of the territory of Louisiana by the United States from France. In return for fifteen million dollars, or approximately eighteen dollars per square mile, the United States acquired acquired a total of 828,000 square miles of territory.

1817 - Construction begins on the Erie Canal.

1826 & 1831 - Thomas Jefferson and John Adams, second and third Presidents of the US and legendary political adversaries, both died on July 4, 1926. Fifth President of the US, James Monroe, died on the 4th of July in 1831.

▲ Image Credit: Shutterstock
▼Image Source thefamouspeople.com/stephen-foster Image Source: bestlifeonline.com/july-4-events

1826 – Stephen Foster, nicknamed the "Father of American Music” was born in Lawrenceville, Pennsylvania. Of the hundreds of songs he wrote, "Oh! Susanna" and "Beautiful Dreamer" are the most popular.

1827 - New York City abolishes slavery, paving the way for the eventual abolition of slavery in all of the U.S.

1828 - Construction begins on the first U.S. passenger railroad.
On July 4, 1828, workers broke ground on the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad (also called the B&O) at Baltimore Harbor in Maryland.

1831 - "My Country, 'Tis of Thee" is performed for the first time.
The lyrics written by Theology student Samuel Francis Smith wrote the lyrics to "America" (as the song was first named) in 1831 at the request of his friend, church-music composer Lowell Mason.

Impressively, the lyrics took Smith just 30 minutes to write, and were put to the melody of the national anthem in the United Kingdom The song was first performed by a children's choir at an Independence Day
celebration that year at Park Street Church in Boston, Massachusetts. Samuel Francis Smith
Image Source: CD_Moshe 1890
Image Source: commons.wikimedia.org/Samuel_Francis_Smith

1845 – The Republic of Texas' congress passed an ordinance agreeing to become a member of the United States.

1845 - Henry David Thoreau moved into a small cabin near Walden Pond in Concord, Massachusetts that sparks his career. Here, Thoreau wrote his first published works. Walden, one of the more famous pieces, was a documentation of his newfound simplistic lifestyle, and later played a key role in the environmental movement.
Walt Whitman
Image Source: en.wikipedia.org/Walt_Whitman

1855 - Walt Whitman published the first edition of his poetry collection Leaves of Grass.

1862 - The idea for Alice in Wonderland is conceived.
Charles Lutwidge Dodgson, who went by the pen name Lewis Carroll, was an obscure math lecturer who took a rowboat excursion on the River Isis in Oxfordshire, UK. He was joined by the three young daughters of his host Dean Henry Liddell who asked him to tell them a story. He improvised and created the story of Alice in Wonderland.

1863 - General Lee's army withdraws from Gettysburg.

1870 - Independence Day is celebrated as a federal holiday.

1883 - Cartoonist Rube Goldberg is born.
He is best known for his eccentric cartoons of
Image Credit: Shutterstock unnecessarily complicated machines to do
Image Source: bestlifeonline.com/july-4-events simple tasks.

1883 - Buffalo Bill Cody presents 1st wild west show, North Platte, Nebraska.

1884 - 1st US bullfight held (Dodge City Ks)

1884 - The Statue of Liberty is presented to the United States in Paris. The Statue of Liberty was a gift of friendship from the people of France to the United States and is recognized as a universal symbol of freedom and democracy.

The idea for the Statue began as a casual after-dinner conversation in 1865 between Laboulaye, a staunch abolitionist, and Frédéric Bartholdi, a sculptor. Laboulaye, an ardent supporter of the Union in the American Civil War, Image Source:
is supposed to have said: en.wikipedia.org/Statue_of_liberty
"If a monument should rise in the United States, as a memorial to their independence, I should think it only natural if it were built by united effort—a common work of both our nations." wikipedia.org/Statue_of_Liberty

The history of the project is long and complicated. The statue is a figure of Libertas, a robed Roman liberty goddess. It was designed by French sculptor Frédéric Auguste Bartholdi and its metal framework was built by Gustave Eiffel.

The statue arrived in the US in pieces on the French Steamship Isere in June, 1885. It was dedicated on October 28, 1886, with a parade and grand ceremony presided over by President Grover Cleveland and attended by over a million people. Where the July 4 date comes in, I have no idea other then one source.

1892 - Western Samoa made a change to its time zone during this leap year, resulting in that country having two July fourths.

1894 - Hawaii becomes a republic which existed from July 4, 1894 to August 12, 1898 when it annexed to the US. It became an official state in 1959.

1910 - Jack Johnson defeats Jim Jeffries in a highly anticipated boxing match.

1918 – Oittoman Sultan Mehmed VI ascends to the throne.

1923 - Jack Dempsey beats Tommy Gibbons on points over 15 hard fought rounds in Shelby, Montana to retain world heavyweight boxing title.

1925 – Margaret Mitchell (author of “Gone With The Wind” marries 2nd husband John Marsh.

1925 - 44 die when Dreyfus Hotel in Boston collapses.

1927 - The Lockheed Vega, a six-passenger monoplane designed for long distances, took its maiden voyage, beginning a new chapter in air flight.
1931 - Author James Joyce finally married Nora Barnacle after knowing her since 1904.

1934 - Nuclear age physicist, Leó Szilárd patents the nuclear chain reaction and the nuclear reactor.
Image Credit: Shutterstock
Image Source: bestlifeonline.com/july-4-events

939 - Lou Gehrig announces his retirement after 17 seasons. He was the first player to have his uniform number (4) retired by a team, the New York Yankees.

1940 – Actress Gertrude Lawrence married theate owner Richard Aldrich.

1946 - The Philippines establishes Independence from US.

1950 - The first broadcast by Radio Free Europe.

1954 - Dr. Sam Sheppard's wife Marilyn is murdered (he is accused of the crime). On Dec. 21, 1954, he was found guilty of second-degree murder and sentenced to life in prison. On July 16, 1964, Sheppard was freed after the court found after finding five violations of Sheppard's constitutional rights during his trial. In a second trial in November 1966 he was found innocent.

1959 - Hawaii becomes a state.

1960 - The American flag receives its 50th star.

1966 - The Freedom of Information Act is signed into law.

1970 - The Falls Road curfew in North Ireland, imposed by the British Army while searching for IRA weapons, continues throughout the day; a man is killed by the British Army.

1971 - Koko the gorilla is born. She later gained fame for learning to communicate using modified American Sign Language. She asked for, and received, a kitten for her birthday. Koko died in 2018 at the age of 47. Image source: kickassfacts.com/gorilla-facts/

1974 – Ted Bundy Victim Nancy Baird disappears from Layton, Utah.

1982 - 4th Space Shuttle Mission-Columbia 4 lands at Edwards AFB.

1982 - Ex Black Sabbath lead singer Ozzy Osborne married TV host Sharon Arden.

1985 - Back to the Future, released; second best movie released on July 4.

1988 - Coming to America released, fourth best movie released on July 4.

1988 - US Navy shoots down Iranian civilian jetliner over Gulf, kills 290.

1989 – 14 year old actress Drew Barrymore attempts suicide.

1991 - Terminator 2: Judgment Day, third best movie released on July 4.

1995 - Artist Bob Ross dies.

1996 – The best movie ever released on July Fourth is Independence Day.

1996 - Hotmail goes live. One of the first electronic mail providers, Hotmail, launched the revolutionary idea of accessing your messages from anywhere in the world.

1997 – Actor Bill Murray married costume designer Jennifer Butler.

1997 - Men in Black released, fifth best movie to be released on July 4.

1997 - The Pathfinder (twenty-three pounds) lands on Mars and begins its mission.
Image Credit: Shutterstock
Image Source: bestlifeonline.com/july-4-events

1999 – Soccer star David Beckham weds Spice Girls singer Victoria Beckham.

1999 - Wild Wild West was released, considered the worst movie ever release on July 4.

2002 – Actress Julia Roberts married cameraman Danny Moder.

2004 - The cornerstone of the Freedom Tower is laid on the site of the World Trade Center in New York City. (This was largely a symbolic event; actual construction would not start for several weeks).

2009 – Statue of Liberty crown reopened to the public after eight year, due to security reasons following the World Trade Cent attacks.

2012 - The Higgs boson discovery is announced.

2013 – Singer Tina Turner married music exec. Erwin Bach.

2015 – Actress-singer Vanessa Williams weds Jim Skrip.

2015 – Actor Ashton Kutcher weds actress Mila Kunis.

2016 - NASA's Juno spacecraft successfully enters Jupiter's orbit.

2017 - North Korea tests first successful intercontinental ballistic missile into Sea of Japan.

2018 - Chinese technology company Baidu announces it has begun mass production of self-driving buses, the 14-seat Apolong.

2019 - Largest earthquake in California in 20 years 6.4 magnitude near Ridgecrest.

2019 – Russian President Vladmir Putin meets with Pope Francis at the Vatican.

2019 - US publication Mad Magazine announces it will stop publishing new material after 67 years

2020 – A rare Planet Parade took place on July 4, all of the planets lined up on one side of the sun, the first time since 1982 and won’te happen again until 2061 amd again in 2492.
https://www.orissapost.com/rare-celestial-event-planet-parade-to-occur-after-37-yrs/

INDEPENDENCE DAY HATH NO RIVALS
At least a zillion things have happened on July fourth over the years. After reviewing historical events, plus numerous more trivial events, scientific events, 4th of July weddings and divorces, and lists of movies and sporting events, I feel I can say, with impunity, that the creation of the Unites Stated of America is by far the most significant event that has ever taken place on July fourth.

JUST SAYIN’
□
Sources:
hotoHOhttps://www.onthisday.com/weddings/july/4
https://www.onthisday.com/events/july/4
https://bestlifeonline.com/july-4-historical-events/
https://www.history.com/topics/holidays/july-4th
https://www.birthdayagecalculator.com/historical-events-on-july-4.html
https://www.brainyhistory.com/days/july_4.html
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Statue_of_Liberty
https://www.productopia.com/shopping?qo=semQuery&ad=semA&q=this%20day%20in%20history&o=1468264&ag=fw59&an=google_s&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIrqbn5crO8AIVJ_3jBx1uqAXFEAAYBCAAEgIW6PD_BwE&rch=intl140
https://bestlifeonline.com/july-4-historical-events/#:~:text=%2030%20Major%20Events%20That%20Also%20Happened%20on,Adams%2C%20and%20James%20Monroe%20die..%20Thomas...%20More%20

Photos Only:
https://madmonarchist.blogspot.com/2016/07/flag-day-in-hawaii.html
https://www.thefamouspeople.com/profiles/stephen-foster-6656.php
https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Samuel_Francis_Smith_by_CD_Mosher,_1890.jpg
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Walt_Whitman_1872.jpg
https://dailytimes.com.pk/635940/earths-siblings-lining-up-for-a-rare-show-of-planet-parade/
https://www.etsy.com/listing/537142954/alice-in-wonderland-first-edition-lewis?gpla=1&gao=1&&utm_source=bing&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=shopping_us_a-books_movies_and_music-books-childrens_books&utm_custom1=_k_098b3c28d753110ebe8f5c88c3183175_k_&utm_conte
https://www.holidayscalendar.com/day/july-4/#:~:text=Historical%20Events%20on%20July%204%201776%3A%20The%20Second,New%20York%20opens%20its%20doors%20on%20this%20date.
https://dailytimes.com.pk/635940/earths-siblings-lining-up-for-a-rare-show-of-planet-parade/
https://www.kickassfacts.com/25-fascinating-gorilla-facts/

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THANKS FOR THE MEMORY

6/25/2021

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Reprinted from 2018

MEMORY IS WHO WE ARE
Memories make up the ongoing experience of our lives. Our collective memories provide us with a sense of past, present, and future, and make us who we are. Memory makes fictional characters who they are as well.

Memory is not something you have, like eyes or hair you can touch, but the active process of remembering which involves encoding sensory perceptions, storing them, and recalling information. It is a brain-wide process made up of a group of systems that work together, but each playing a different role, in creating, storing, and recalling memories.

The notion of memory being like a filing cabinet in one location of the brain is no longer the current scientific view of what memory entails. As you learn and experience the world, and as changes occur at the synapses and dendrite, more connections in your brain are created. The brain organizes and reorganizes itself in response to your experiences, forming memories triggered by the effects of outside input.

As you learn and experience the world and changes occur at the synapses and dendrites, more connections in your brain are created. The brain organizes and reorganizes itself in response to your experiences, forming memories triggered by the effects of outside input prompted by experience, education, or training.

OH, MAN! HERE COMES THE BORING STUFF
Brain can process large amounts of information. How much depends on the source you're consulting, but all sources agree the brain can only register a limited amount of information taken in by our senses of sight, touch, sound, smell, feel (non-tangible such as mood).

Image Source: http://www.willamette.edu/~gorr/classes/cs449/brain.html

Then the data moves to parts of the frontal cortex responsible for analyzing the sensory inputs and deciding if they're worth remembering.
If they are, they're shipped off to the various parts of long term memory. Much of it returns to the sensory cortex areas where the brain originally received it.

If you choose to explore the complexity of neuro-transmitters diffusing across the space between brain cells, the following are links to articles that give you plenty of information:

http://science.howstuffworks.com/life/inside-the-mind/human-brain/human-memory.htm http://www.human-memory.net/index.html

◄Image source: http://www.human-memory.net/index.html

● Long Term Memory -- If our long term memories are essentially who we are and what we believe in, then everything we see and do is filtered through that lens.

When three characters (or real people) walk into a room, they don't all see the same thing. Presumably all three will take in the gist of things without the details. Let's say they all perceive a large luxurious-looking dining room with a long table set for a dinner party, and soft music playing in the background.

The important thing: we remember only those details which the brain chooses to store based on what the individual has learned and experienced. Our Filters.
See, that wasn't too bad, was it?

WHO WE ARE IS WHAT WE PERCEIVE
Because our brains only focus on a fraction of the details, our filters kick in. We tend to focus on those things that matter or are important to us as individuals. Although humans seem to rely more heavily on sight, remember that sounds, vibrations, touch, smells, and a general sense of mood are all processed through the brain in the same way.

Now, let's go back to the dining room scenario and imagine the three people entering the dining room are an architect, the wife of a diplomat, and a cellist who play in the local philharmonic orchestra.

The architect ogles the dome above the center of the table, thinking about the construction and the effectiveness of a dome. He/she may wonder about the effect of opening up parts of the dome to natural lighting.

Image Source: castledesign.com/ceiling-domes

Image source: creativehospitality.blogspot.com

The wife of a diplomat may focus on the table settings, the flower arrangements, and the way in which this number of people are seated for lunch...and could care less about the dome. The cellist focuses on the music and thinks about the orchestra playing the composition.

What your characters notice and perceive is a way of describing for the reader what matters to the character and what interests and experiences they have.

SEEING IS BELIEVING
Have you ever used that cliché? Most of us have. Unfortunately, what people see and experience is not necessarily an accurate record of reality.

Our brains are good at taking in the general gist of things without taking in the details, particularly if you see the item, person, or scene frequently. This applies to all the sensory inputs although, as mentioned, humans rely heavily on sight. The brain, however, receives, processes, and stores information that the individual is not aware of at the particular moment.

On the History Chanel production of "Our Bleeped Up Brain," the host challenged people to pick out the picture of an actual penny (which is something we all see all the time) from several false images. See below.

Do you know off hand which is the correct depiction of the US penny? Respond to the blog with your choice of the correct coin...BEFORE you look at a real one.

Image Source: http://stuff4educators.com/?p=1_177_May-15-Long-term-memory

The point is, the brain recognizes a penny without necessarily registering the details. Have you ever looked at a family member, co-worker or someone else you know well and had the feeling something is different about them...but you don't know what?

Your brain recognizes who the person is from general indicators and fills in the details from memory (the way it has been seeing the person). It may take a while before you realize that she cut her hair or that he shaved off his beard.

So, seeing (smelling, hearing, touching, feeling or sensing) is not always believing. First, because a good story teller can get people to believe almost anything. Second, everything we see is filtered through our own individual values, beliefs, and our perceptions of what is important. Third, because the brain fills in the details.

The best illustration of not necessarily believing what you see, is an optical illusion.

Impossible Penrose Rectangle ▲
Image Source: newopticalillusions.com/3d-chalk

Illusive drawing by Humberto Machado ►
Image source: newopticalillusions.com/3d-chalk

Our minds can be tricked into seeing things that aren't there or are different than reality. This is the one I like the best. Below are two photographs of body painting by Craig Tracy.

Body painting by Craig Tracy - Image Source: http://craigtracy.com/?p=95

Most of the time, our brains get it right...but not all of the time.

FLASHBACKS
People have flashbacks, just like characters in books. A flashback, in the more medical sense, it an involuntary memory in which an individual has a sudden powerful re-experiencing of a past event, like PTSD.

A flashback can be, to some people, like reliving the experience, particularly when it's a traumatic or highly emotional event. Most of the time, humans simply remember something about another time, place, event, or incident. That isn't like reliving the event or watching a movie, although it can evoke sounds, smells, and emotions.

First, to simply "recall" something, our memory/brain requires a retrieval cue or trigger. You have to see, hear, smell, or receive other stimulus that makes you pull that memory out of its storage places in your brain, partly because you may not have been aware of it when it went into storage.

Second, remembering is a process of reconstructing what may have happened based on the details your brain chose to store during the experience and, afterward, was able to recall. So those particulars which the brain didn't choose to store won't be there for you.

Third, the retrieval cue itself makes a difference what is recalled. The more specific the cue, the more complete the memory. But the cue can also influence the memory. Asking a person if he saw a car speeding away from a hit and run accident and, then, asking if he remembers the color of the car, may give you one answer. Asking if the person saw a red Ford speeding away from the accident will almost always get an answer that the person saw a red car, even if that wasn't the color.

So, the trigger itself may cause someone to reconstruct the memory incorrectly. I believe that's part of the reason many of us have selective memories.
.
Flashback and internal thinking are tools of the trade for writers. It's important to remember fictional characters have the same kind brain as we do. When a character thinks about how she first met her husband, it doesn't just come out of thin air while she's driving to work and worrying about the project she's working on, unless something triggers the memory.

"I CAN REMEMBER WHEN I WAS ONLY A YEAR OLD..."
One more thing about memories. It might be possible to remember something from when you were a year old, but not probable.

There are some rare incidents of people born with this ability which is called Hyperthymesia. People with Hyperthymesia remember an abnormally vast number of their life experiences – some say every day of their lives -- in great detail, as well as public events that are personally significant to them. However, there are only 25 people identified with this ability [who are known to science].
Image Source: momsmagazine.com/your-childs-feelings

Many times there are early childhood events which have been described by others so often that the person believes these are their own real memories. General Patton believed in reincarnation and was convinced he had fought in and personally remembered having participated in various famous battles in history.

Be sure your characters' memories and motivations from early childhood events are generally possible, unless you can explain why this individual is different than the norm.

WHAT'S YOU ANSWER TO THE PENNY QUESTION?
Write a comment giving the number of the correct image of the penny. Then go compare that to a real penny and see if you were correct.
◘
References
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/body/how-memory-works.html
http://www.history.com/shows/your-bleeped-up-brain/episodes
http://www.encyclopedia.com/topic/brain.aspx
http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/tech/columnist/aprilholladay/2007-03-12-memory-first_N.htm
http://www.human-memory.net/brain.html
http://www.encyclopedia.com/topic/brain.aspx
http://wiki.answers.com/Q/How_many_pieces_of_information_can_the_human_brain_process_in_one_second
http://www.ehow.com/how-does_5006337_human-brain-remember-things.html
http://www.willamette.edu/~gorr/classes/cs449/brain.html
http://home.comcast.net/~momtofive/SIDWEBPAGE2.htm
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-2659620/Memories-really-ARE-Researchers-uncover-brain-decides-remember.html?ITO=1490&ns_mchannel=rss&ns_campaign=1490
http://www.sciencekids.co.nz/sciencefacts/humanbody/brain.html
http://wiki.answers.com/Q/The_average_age_of_the_earliest_reported_memory_is_roughly_years_of_age
http://www.psychicsdirectory.com/articles/general-george-patton-and-reincarnation/
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2014/01/140124135705.htm
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Childhood_amnesia
http://www.human-memory.net/processes.html
2021 updates
http://www.newopticalillusions.com/illusions/3d-chalk-drawings/page/13/
https://depositphotos.com/5448880/stock-photo-3d-man-stacking-some-cardboard.html
http://creativehospitality.blogspot.com/2014/01/decorative-dinner-table-setting-ideas.html
https://www.pinterest.com/pin/289848925988009204/
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-8588167/Human-brain-limit-information-process.html
https://momsmagazine.com/emotional-contagion-catching-your-childs-feelings-when-you-use-parental-intelligence/
https://momsmagazine.com/emotional-contagion-catching-your-childs-feelings-when-you-use-parental-intelligence/

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RISK TAKING and DECISION MAKING

6/18/2021

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Everyone makes millions choices every day, and fortunately we make them unconsciously by instinct, rote, habit, experience. If we had to remember to breathe, to make our hearts beat, or consciously control all our bodily functions, human beings wouldn’t last a second. Choices at the primal level are similar to a computer: they are either off or on.

Some people are natural risk takers, others are not. Natural risk-takers possess personalities which are a result of both genes, environment, and experience. Even though they tend to put themselves in danger sometimes, they highlight a human trait which is essential to survival as a species.

HOMANID TO HUMAN – We Bring Baggage
Hominids, including humans, evolved slowly over a few million years in a world filled with life-or-death risks, including large predators which hunted them. One of defenses mechanisms used by large primates, including the forerunners of humans, was hunting and living in groups. This provided for protection and a number of other advantages, which is the reason, at least in part, why large primates evolved to be social animals. We are still today.

Our primitive ancestors survived by their wits and cooperation within the group. Those with traits which contributed to group survival were passed on to the next generation, presumably because those without those traits failed to survive. The misfortune of being ousted from the group due to unacceptable behavior or lack of status meant death.

Anything that threatened having a place within the community was felt as a risk or threat. That primal threat, and its resultant fear, underlies the human trait of wanting to fit in with the others around them. Behaviors, looks, or whatever that resulted in not fitting in or being different from the community is perceived, consciously or unconsciously, as a risk.

“Ostracism appears to occur in all social animals that have been observed in nature,” says Kip Williams, a professor of psychological sciences at Purdue who has studied ostracism. “To my knowledge, in the animal kingdom, ostracism is not only a form of social death, it also results in death. The animal unable to protect itself against predators, cannot survive.”
psychology.iresearchnet.com/social-psychology

Although risk-taking has its negative aspects and can prove fatal, it is a positive force as well. If our primitive ancestors had never taken risks, humans would still be swinging in the trees or extinct. Without curiosity and the drive to have new experiences, humanity would have stagnated with little impetus for discovery or advancements. No doubt certain primitive progenitors did take successful risks, which must have increased the individual’s status within the community. So the human traits that existed in prehistory still exist in human today. Not just the fear of ostracism or the propensity to be part of a group, but also curiosity and need for new experiences.

FAST-FORWARD
In 2021 most of us do not live in an environment where we are required to fend off predators bigger than we are on a daily basis. We don’t have to kill for food or starve. But we still to face risks every day at every stage of development.

Babies and Pre-School Age
Babies and toddlers don’t have a clue about what is a risky and what isn’t. It is up to the parents and other adults around them to teach them. Babies are all about self, but they learn very quickly how to signal their discomforts and needs, and they learn to fear things that can hurt them. They also don’t worry about hurting anyone’s feelings.

Grammar School Age to Tweens
By the time children are ready for grade school, most have a limited grasp of action and consequence. They know if you place your hand on something hot, you get burned and it hurts, but they don’t have a lot of experience knowing what is and isn’t hot. Children are always testing their limits ‒ that is how they learn ‒ and most parents, by the beginning grammar school, know which of their offspring are risk-takers by nature.

Teenagers and Young Adults
Teenagers have reached the point of mental maturity to generally understand action and reaction, both mental and physical. They also have the capacity to understand how to make choices. However, until the early twenties ‒ some psychologists say 25 ‒ the prefrontal and frontal cortex are not fully formed. These parts of the brain “house executive functions such as judgment and decision making. Risky behavior, thrill seeking and impulsivity….are symptoms of the developing adolescent brain.” harbormentalhealth.com/adolescent-risk-taking-Dr. Frances Jensen in The Teenage Brain: A Neuroscientist’s Guide to Raising Adolescents and Young Adults.

At any age, risk taking is likely to occur when the short-term positive consequences reduces the negative emotions they are feeling, which run high in teenagers, and increases physical pleasure. Thus teenagers are drawn to risks that promise:
● A quick positive response that makes them feel good and forget the unpleasant emotions;
● Satisfaction of an internal need, such as self-esteem; and
● Approval from their friends and peer group.

Those in the 13-20+ age group are undergoing significant developmental changes, mental and physical, which affect the way they perceive themselves and the world. They also lack the experience to identify all the negative consequences of an action, tend to underestimate the number and severity of the bad results, and most of the time react spontaneously without bothering to think at all about the results.

Adults
By the time people reach adulthood their brains should be developed enough to recognize risks, be able to analyze the pros and cons of certain behaviors, and have enough self-discipline to control urges and actions. Although most Western cultures recognize young people as adults at the age of 18 [it does vary] most people have not reached complete brain development at that point.

For anyone over the age of 20, the key is making the effort to think about the positive and negatives consequences of a decision and gather the necessary information from reliable sources before making decisions. i.e. making informed decisions.

FEAR OF TAKING RISKS
People today have pretty much the same basic fears as primitive man. We all start out as newborns and have to learn as we grow and develop and learn about fear.

Man on Glass Bridge – Tianmen Mt., China This is why he’s afraid – He is on this glass walkway ▼
Image Source: youtube.com/watch ▼ Image Source: boredpanda.com/glass-bridge-tianmen

Fear
Fear, conscious or unconscious, is important because it is the built-in emotion that protects humans from negative events. It drives and moderates behavior by directing our attention to potential risks. While physical fear is the most obvious, it also applies to social and personal situations, like the fear of having another broken heart. The basic role of fear is to protect us, but it can also get in the way of achieving your goals or doing normal everyday things like taking an elevator.

Another dilemma is distinguishing rational fear‒ “Don’t touch the hot frying pan.”‒ from irrational fear ‒ “If I leave the house, I’ll be kidnapped by aliens.” ‒ and everything in between such as another broken heart. To the person experiencing the fear, it is rational and real.

Some psychologists and researchers believe we live in a culture of fear. As a society, we have actually become more risk-adverse. The fact is, facing things that make us uncomfortable offers a cluster of psychological benefits that has been coined as “the risk-taker’s advantage.” psychology.iresearchnet.com/

According to Theo Tsaousides Ph.D., writing for Psychology Today, “Being successful relies to a large extent on knowing how to leverage fear.” To do that, you must understand what you are afraid of, then evaluate the pros and cons. Imagine what you can do to deal with the fear and what you can accomplish if you take the chance. That requires us to recognize and weigh the outcomes, in relation to ourselves and other.

What Do We Fear?
Certain fears are primal, but most are learned behavior, either because parents and/or adults teaching us or from experience.
Fear, like all other emotions, is basically information. It offers us knowledge and understanding ‒ if we choose to accept it. The Scream - 1893 By Edvard Munch
Image source: psychologytoday.com/

● Fear of Extinction ‒ the fear of annihilation, of ceasing to exist. Fear of death. “The idea of no longer being arouses a primary existential anxiety in all normal humans.”
● Fear of Mutilation ‒ “the fear of losing any part of our precious bodily structure; the thought of having our body's boundaries invaded, or of losing the integrity of any organ, body part, or natural function.”
● Fear of Loss of Autonomy ‒ “the fear of being immobilized, paralyzed, restricted, enveloped, overwhelmed, entrapped, imprisoned, smothered, or otherwise controlled by circumstances beyond our control.” Physical and social.
● Fear of Separation ‒ Humans have a need for love and belonging. “The fear of abandonment, rejection, and loss of connectedness; of becoming a non-person ‒ not wanted, respected, or valued by anyone else.” Being exorcised from the group or losing acceptance or approval is a fear of separation.
● Fear of Ego-death ‒ “the fear of humiliation, shame, or any other mechanism of profound self-disapproval that threatens the loss of integrity of the self; the fear of the shattering or disintegration of one's constructed sense of lovability, capability, and worthiness.” fastcompany.com/your-brain-wired-take-risks

Understanding that every fear we have reverts back to one of the primal fears, we can understand and assess the situation and deal with it. Keep in mind that only the first two fears deal with the physical… being killed and suffering severe injury. Three of the basic fears are social and/or psychological.

This information, along with the non-primal concern about how your action can affect others, gives a person the tools to examine the worst consequences of speaking in public, going up in an elevator, jumping out of an airplane, or whatever. Then the individual can decide if the rewards are greater than the potential losses. Or they can decide they simply don’t care… which is still an informed decision albeit a poor choice.

Benefits of Risk Taking
Humans also have an internal curiosity, a needs to explore and experience new feelings. They get bored. In making an assessment of risk, keep in mind that certain types of risks can be beneficial. Try to imagine the possibility of success, but be reasonable in your expectations and don’t downplay risks.
● Unforeseen opportunities may arise
● Build confidence and develop new skills
● Develop sense of pride and accomplishment
● Learn things you might not otherwise
● The chance to actively pursue success
● Spurs creativity
● Opportunity to create change in your life
● Develop emotional resilience
● Feel more engaged and happy
psychology.iresearchnet.com/decision-making/risk-taking/

Risk-taking can result in negative consequences, but taken in small amounts at lower risk levels, it is beneficial for your brain and mental health. Novel experiences can help to ward off sadness, depression and reinvigorate a stale relationship.
What keeps people down is the fear of failing. Unknowingly, some may adopt the mantra, “If you don’t do anything, you can’t fail.” That is not a good reason for never trying anything. You can’t live your life encased in bubble wrap for protection. You have to try new things and make mistakes. It’s completely acceptable to fail as long as you are taking smart risks. Try, make mistakes, learn from mistake and don’t do it again.

THERE’S ALWAYS ONE RISK-TAKER IN THE CROWD

Image Source: engrprofmom.blogspot.com/baby-birds

Even though humans want, and thrive on, the approval of their communities and do not want to be exorcised, sometimes the desire for recognition, for a chance to move up in status, curiosity, or just plain boredom leads some of us to take risks; even to become thrill-seekers.

After all, if humans weren’t a risk-taking species, Homo sapiens, who originated in East Africa, could not have spread over the entire globe in 100,000 years. Just as with most other character traits, tests have determines that a risk-taking character style is a mix of genes, biology, culture, and experience.

Predominant Kinds of Risks
The risky activities of our century are many, but currently the articles and studies by psychologists seem to focus on these risks:
● Financial, such as gambling or investing in the stock
● Drugs
● Excessive Alcohol
● Unprotected sex
● Unsafe driving, including talking and texting on cell phones and drunk driving
● Traveling in unsafe places
● Extreme sports

Skier Lindsay Vonn - Image Source:
today.com/news/olympic-ski-lindsey-vonns

Motorcycle racing - Image Source:
pinterest.com/190347521720620349/

Image Credit: Getty Images- Image Source: reddit.com/r/wtfstockphotos/comments/

Bull Riding - Image Source: gen.medium.com/as-sports-become-safer

Sky Diving - Image Source:
goodfinancialcents.com/high-risk-activities/

Tight Rope Walking Image Source: infobloom.com/tightrope.htm

Parachuting - Image Source: content.time.com/time/health

Mountain Climbing -Image Source:
docktorsinsurance.com/high-risk-life-insurance/

Car Racing - Image Source:
tvovermind.com/dangerous-car-racing

WHAT HAPPENS IN THE BRAIN
Risk-taking, whether it be physical, social, or psychological, effects us psychologically. Major risks lead to a quick release of adrenaline and dopamine, which engender intense feelings of pleasure.

The impact of these chemicals is a powerful high which can become addictive, particularly in those who are unhappy, sad, or depressed. Over time, the individual may need bigger risks
to get the same rush. Image Credit: Illustration by Liz Meyer
Image Source: fastcompany.com/brain-wired-take-risks

According to studies performed by Vanderbilt University in Nashville and Albert Einstein College of Medicine in New York City, dare devils and adrenaline junkies appear to have fewer dopamine-inhibiting receptors in the brain; i.e. their brains are more saturated with this chemical, thus more inclined to take risks. In addition, David Ropeik, a Harvard instructor and author, says there is some consensus among psychologists and researchers, that certain brains are inherently better wired for risk taking.
● Thalamus: The AssessorIn any given situation, the thalamus takes in all the information, then sends it to yhe amygdala.
● Amygdala: The Gut Reactor
In a few milliseconds, the amygdala, responsible for emotional responses, reacts to the situation before the cortex, responsible for decision making, even receives the news.
● Cortex: The Reasoner
Around 22 milliseconds after you’ve registered the situation, the cortex starts reasoning. The cortex breaks it down and sends signals to other regions of the brain to determine a solution.
● Ventral Striatum:
People who show increased activation in the ventral-striatal, which is involved in emotional responses, tend to be more willing to take risks.
● Insula: The Soft-Stepper
People who show an increased activation in the insula region of the brain, associated with cognitive reasoning, tend to make more conservative decisions, according to the same study.
OTHER FACTORS
But there are other factors than how the brain sends messages to its different parts. Remember the propensity to be a risk-taker includes possess personalities which are a result of both genes, environment, and experience.
● Environmental Influences
Scientists know that environment contributes to sensation-seeking traits, but not so much the surroundings of the home as the exterior which consists of friends and exposure to potential behavioral risks.
● Genes
Genetic background plays also plays a role. Molecular genetics has made it possible to identify major genes influencing personality and forms of psychopathology. Scientists have found an association between novelty-seeking [a trait very highly correlated with impulsive sensation-seeking] and a gene that codes for a class of dopamine receptor; the dopamine receptor-4 (DRD4).
Dopamine is an important brain neurotransmitter, active in pathways related to the brain's intrinsic reward and pleasure centers. It responds to stress, and enables people not only to see rewards but to take action to move toward them.
Genes also influence two other personality traits associated with risk-taking which are aggression , agreeableness, and sociability, the main components of extroversion.
psychologytoday.com/us/are-you-risk-taker
● Chemicals
The various levels of chemical in the brain contribute the most to this behavior, or lack of it, and not just adrenaline and dopamine.
Testosterone levels correlate with the tendency to overcome psychological inhibitions associated with drinking, drugs, unprotected sex and antisocial behavior. This hormone is also associated with normal traits such as dominance, sociability, and activity. Primarily this hormone is thought of in relation to men but women also have testosterone, only less of it.
Another biological correlate of sensation-seeking is the enzyme monoamine oxidase (MAO) Type B, active in the brain. Monoamine oxidase functions as a regulator, keeping neurotransmitters in balance. It could also contribute to the gender and age differences in sensation-seeking and risk-taking. The enzyme is low in high-sensation-seekers, implying a lack of regulation. MAO levels are known to be higher in women than in men, and the levels rise in both men and women with age.

GOOD DECISION-MAKING and RISK-MANAGEMENT GO HAND IN HAND
The bottom line is that good decision making can balance risk-taking so outcomes are beneficial experiences unlikely to do harm. “There is a saying that good decisions are a consequence of experience and experience is a consequence of bad decisions.” In other words, you make a mistake, you learn, and the next time you make a better choice. https://agileleanlife.com/stupid-decisions/you learn

Just about everything we do and say is a choice. Most choices are made unconsciously and are low risk, but there is always some level of risk involved. You could choke drinking a glass of milk. Every time you drive your car you could be in an auto accident. But we do these things because the risk is low and the payoff is positive. We usually don’t think consciously about those small decisions. Our brains act on automatic based on prior decisions and experiences.

Start Making Smarter Decisions
You can only start making better decisions where you are right now, not somewhere in the past or future.

The sum of your past decisions is where you are today. All those things that make you as a person over which you had no control ‒ such as your ethnic group, the color of your eyes, where you grew up, having a low or high IQ, etc. ‒ and the sum of your past decisions make up your experiences. Together they are who you are. Start now and your smart decisions will accumulate and influence your life for the better.

Poor Decisions Affect Your Future
Significant decisions most often deal with stepping outside your comfort zone or a major change in your life. Safety first. Protecting the downsides. Never go too far from the learning zone to the panic zone. The bigger the choice, the more calculation it requires. Paying attention to your decisions is absolutely a big part of a superior life strategy.
● Know yourself, your strengths and limitations, your comfort zones.
● Know your short- and long-term goals.
● Start by thinking about the decision.
● Gather information. What do you really know about the risks and consequences? Be sure what you believe is not just hearsay.
● Evaluate the positives and negatives. Be careful not to underestimate negative outcomes, and not to overestimate the positive outcomes.
● Ask yourself if the positive consequences outweigh the potential negative consequences. Will the risk justify the reward? What could go wrong?
● Are the things that could go wrong out of your control?
● Are the rewards short lived? Will the adrenaline rush really change anything? Does it move you towards your goals?
● When accidents happen react quickly and wisely.
● When making decisions that you know are significant, always do an evaluation of where your choices are leading you.

Decisions May Depend On How The Risk Is Framed
Obviously, asking someone what they would do under certain circumstances, without the reality ‒ i.e. Without the pressure and with time to think ‒ does not necessarily reflect how they would react when faced with the actual situation. Still, the following experiment teaches something about the framing of the risk.

“One group of participants was willing to implement a risky health policy involving a vaccination plan when they were told only that the vaccination plan would likely ‘save the lives of 600 people’ in a particular town (population = 1,000). A second group, in contract, was unwilling to implement the same policy when they were told that ‘400 people might die’ if the plan were implemented. Thus, people made different choices even though the choices were formally identical.” psychology.iresearchnet.com/social-psychology/decision-making/risk-taking/

STUPID DECISIONS CAN RUIN YOUR LIFE IN A INSTANT
Stupid decisions have nothing to do with failure and learning. Stupid decisions result from not thinking through the choices. All people make mistakes; make them in a controlled, manageable and risk-reward justifiable way.
According to Author Blaz Kos, writing for agileleanlife.com, these are a few of the stupid decisions people make:
● Jumping into the water without knowing how deep it is
● Not wearing a safety belt
● Dangerously driving any kind of vehicle, like speeding and so on
● Engaging in a physical fight (if you aren’t really protecting yourself)
● Sleeping with a prostitute or your best friend’s wife
● Having unprotected sex
● Cheating on taxes or breaking the law in any other kind of way
● Taking on a huge debt just to enjoy a lavish lifestyle
● Travelling to a country with dangerous diseases or war zones
● Marrying too soon
● Exposing yourself in an investment you don’t understand
● Quitting your job without having a strategy of what you will do next
●Cheating on your exams
● Having somebody else write your diploma thesis or copying it from somebody else
● Stealing at your job or cheating at your company in any other way
● Getting into business with people you don’t know

NEVER SAY “I HAD NO CHOICE”
That is a copout. There is always a choice.

JUST SAYIN’
□
Sources:
http://psychology.iresearchnet.com/social-psychology/decision-making/risk-taking/
https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/articles/200011/are-you-risk-taker
https://safetycenter.org/the-psychology-of-safety-taking-risks/
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18792715/
https://bitrebels.com/lifestyle/psychology-risk-taking-control/
https://www.888poker.com/poker/your-brain-on-risk/
http://psychology.iresearchnet.com/social-psychology/decision-making/risk-taking/
https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/the-real-story-risk/201211/the-thing-we-fear-more-death
https://harbormentalhealth.com/2020/11/14/adolescent-risk-taking-impulsivity-and-brain-development/
https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/the-couch/201303/afraid-take-chance
https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/smashing-the-brainblocks/201712/why-fear-failure-can-keep-you-stuck
https://sites.psu.edu/psych256fa1602/2016/11/20/the-effects-of-fear-on-decision-making/
https://agileleanlife.com/stupid-decisions/
https://www.verywellmind.com/why-you-make-bad-decisions-2795489
https://dpopulars.blogspot.com/2013/06/tightrope-walker-nik-wallenda.html#.YK5dQ42Sncc
https://www.infobloom.com/what-is-a-tightrope.htm
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rWVriShkwkc&feature=emb_title
https://www.fastcompany.com/1784815/your-brain-wired-take-risks
https://www.docktorsinsurance.com/high-risk-life-insurance/
https://www.seenox.org/instant-regret-bad-decisions/

http://content.time.com/time/health/article/0,8599,1869106,00.html#:~:text=In%20the%20risk%20taker%27s%20brain%2C%20researchers%20report%20in,drinking%20too%20much%2C%20overspending%20or%20even%20taking%20drugs.

https://nautil.us/issue/53/monsters/how-evolution-designed-your-fear#:~:text=1%20Fear%20of%20the%20dark%202%20Fear%20of,of%20others%20%28paranoia%29%2010%20Fear%20for%20someone%20else

https://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=141164708#:~:text=Brain%20Maturity%20Extends%20Well%20Beyond%20Teen%20Years%20Under,don%27t%20reach%20full%20maturity%20until%20the%20age%2025.

https://www.researchgate.net/publication/222691153_A_Review_of_Behavioral_and_Biological_Correlates_of_Sensation_Seekinghttps:/www.researchgate.net/publication/222691153_A_Review_of_Behavioral_and_Biological_Correlates_of_Sensation_Seeking

https://www.psychologytoday.com/intl/blog/psych-unseen/202007/how-does-fear-influence-risk-assessment-and-decision-making

https://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/risks-adrenaline-benefits-neuroticism-0418137#:~:text=%20The%20Psychology%20of%20Risk-Taking%20%201%20Effects,or%20not%20people%20are%20willing%20to...%20More%20
Photos Only:
https://www.today.com/news/olympic-ski-hopefuls-lindsey-vonns-crash-risk-par-course-1B8273743
https://www.goodfinancialcents.com/high-risk-activities/
https://www.docktorsinsurance.com/high-risk-life-insurance/.
https://www.tvovermind.com/seven-incredibly-dangerous-car-accidents-in-nascar-history/
http://ceoselfimprovement.blogspot.com/2012/09/the-most-common-risk-people-take.html
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rWVriShkwkc&feature=emb_title
http://content.time.com/time/health/article/0,8599,1869106,00.html#:~:text=In%20the%20risk%20taker%27s%20brain%2C%20researchers%20report%20in,drinking%20too%20much%2C%20overspending%20or%20even%20taking%20drugs

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SALUTE TO OLD GLORY

6/11/2021

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“I PLEDGE ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG…”
Flag Day, celebrated on June 14, commemorates the adoption of the flag of the United States which occurred on June 14, 1777, by resolution of the Second Continental Congress. It wasn't until 1916 that the president of the United States issued the proclamation which established Flag Day, but not as a national holiday.

Image Credit: Shane’s Photography
Image Source: pinterest.com/397864948300820614/

Flag Day was not only to celebrate its creation, but to acknowledge the ideals behind it. It is a time to pay respect to what's become part of American iconography.

THE MEANING OF THE US FLAG
While the US flag code [The United States Flag: Federal Law Relating to Display and Associated Questions - April 14, 2008] does not articulate any definition of what the flag is supposed to mean, it is generally thought of as representing the principles of liberty, justice, and humanity, and the patriotic ideals and spiritual qualities of the citizens of the US.

WHERE DID THE NAME “OLD GLORY” COME FROM?
We frequently hear the US Flag referred to by the nickname “Old Glory”. That nickname has become synonymous with the US Flag, but in fact “Old Glory” is a specific, single flag.

The United States Flag was not referred to as “Old Glory” until March 17, 1824 when Captain William Driver turned 21 years old. His mother and a group of ladies in the area presented him with the flag as a gift, which he named “Old Glory”.

William Driver [March 17, 1803 – March 3, 1886], ran away from his home in Salem, Massachusetts at the age of thirteen to become a cabin boy on a ship. He must have kept in touch with his family because, at 21 Driver qualified as a master mariner and took command of his own ship, the Charles Doggett. To celebrate that occasion, his mother and other women from the community sewed a flag which they gave to him in 1824.

He was thrilled and named the flag “Old Glory”. Throughout his career he flew “Old Glory” from his ship. Later he settled in Nashville and brought the treasured flag with him.
Driver was 34 when his wife died on throat cancer leaving their three young children. He retired from sea faring and settled in Nashville, Tennessee, and later remarried.

He flew his flag every holiday, although it was so big he had to attach it to a rope from his attic window and stretched it on a pulley across the street to secure it to a locust tree.
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Old_Glory

THE CIVIL WAR
The original Old Glory had 24 stars. It was updated in 1861 with ten more stars, and a white anchor was added to signify the captain’s years at sea.

In 1861, when Tennessee seceded from the Union, the Confederates made an attempt to seize and destroy all union flags. To protect Old Glory, Captain Driver had the flag sewed inside a quilt.

On February 25, 1862, as Union soldiers entered Nashville, Old Glory was display above the state Capitol building. This was the last time Old Glory was flown.

OLD GLORY’S RESTING PLACE
Before his death in 1886, he presented the flag to his daughter with these words. “Mary Jane, this is my ship flag, Old Glory. It has been my constant companion. L love it as a mother lover her child. Cherish it as I have cherished it.” worldhistory.us/american-history/

Image Credit: Homer Hoyt - Harlan Hoyt Horner. Old Glory, on display at the Smithsonian
New York: State Education Department. 1910. Public Domain Image Source:
Image Source: commons.wikimedia.org/curid=9687050 newenglandhistoricalsociety.com/old-glory

FLAG MYTHS - TRUE or FALSE
Most American know a little about the US flag. Some remember that the thirteen stripes in white and red represent the thirteen colonies and the stars on the field of blue [originally 13 and now 50] represent the union of the states under one federal government. There are a number of myths, or at least misinterpretations, related to the US Flag, some oe which we learned in school.

● Betsy Ross made the first American Flag.
That's what I was taught back in the day. And back then, if it was in print, it had to be correct. Right?

Portrait of Betsy Ross Artist’s depitction on Betsy Ross and Martha
Image Source: timetoast.com/betsy-ross Image Source: www.revolutionarywararchives.org

Actually, there is no historic evidence that Elizabeth Claypoole [her maiden name] Ross was involved in either the design or production of the flag that made its debut in 1777. It appears that this myth found fertile ground in 1870 when Betsy Ross' grandson, William Canby, first made this claim [100 years after the fact].

It's true that Ross made flags in Philadelphia in the late 1770, along with many other women, but most historians now believe the story about the first flag as pure legend

● The red, white, and blue colors symbolize American sacrifice.
Nothing in the statues mentions an official reason or explanation for the colors of our flag.

When people say the colors symbolize something, they are probably referring to the explanation given by Charles Thomson, secretary of the Continental Congress, about the meaning of the colors in the Great Seal of the United States which are also red, white, and blue. Thomson's report to the Congress in 1782, says the "white signifies purity and innocence; red, hardiness and valor; and blue signifies vigilance, preservation, and justice."

● It is illegal to burn the American Flag?
Burning the flag was illegal until 1989, when the Supreme Court ruled 5 to 4 in Texas v. Johnson that burning the flag is a form of symbolic speech protected by the First Amendment.

The Supreme Court’s decision invalidated a 1968 national flag-desecration law, as well as similar laws in 48 states (all except Wyoming and Alaska).

In response, Congress passed the Flag Protection Act, but that law was also challenged and wound up in the Supreme Court. The court in 1990 essentially affirmed its earlier ruling, stating that any law banning flag burning violated free speech.
Image Source: commons.wikimedia.org/US_Flag_Burn

● It's Okay to wear clothing with the Stars and Strips
Wait! Don't buy that T-shirt yet. The US Flag Code states the flag "should not" be displaying on any article of merchandise. [Other references say the words are "Shall never"]

The US Flag Code also states that the flag should never be used for advertising purposes in any manner whatsoever and goes on to say specify a number of things. Technically, if you wear garments or use beach towels bearing replicas of the US Flag, you are violating the Flag Code.

But don't worry! The law doesn't have any provisions for enforcement, so are there are no Flag Police lurking around the corner to fine you. However, we should respect the flag, and I don't believe the last garment is very respectful.

MOST IMPORTANT OF ALL
Respect the flag and treat it properly.

JUST SAYIN’
□
2021 Sources:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Old_Glory#:~:text=Grave%20marker%20of%20sea%20captain%20William%20Driver%2C%20who,to%20become%20a%20cabin%20boy%20on%20a%20ship.
https://worldhistory.us/american-history/why-is-the-american-flag-called-old-glory.php
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Old_Glory
https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=9687050
https://www.history.com/news/what-is-flag-day
https://www.newenglandhistoricalsociety.com/old-glory-gets-little-glorious/
Photos Only
https://www.newenglandhistoricalsociety.com/old-glory-gets-little-glorious/
https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=9687050
https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:US_Flag_Burn.jpg

Older Sources:
http://www.answers.com/Q/What_does_the_United_States_Flag_Represent
http://www.usflag.org
https://www.nyhistory.org/web/crossroads/gallery/all/pewterers_banner.html
https://www.senate.gov/reference/resources/pdf/RL30243.pdf
http://search.excite.com/excite8/search/web?fcoid=417&fcop=topnav&fpid=27&q=flag%20etiquette
https://www.timeanddate.com/holidays/us/flag-day
http://www.debunkingmandelaeffects.com/51-or-52-states-in-the-united-states-of-america/
https://www.legion.org/flag/flagmyths
https://www.reference.com/geography/51-states-fa0d9935e4f12b61
https://www.aflag.com/flag-etiquette/
https://www.va.gov/opa/publications/celebrate/flagdisplay.pdf
http://mentalfloss.com/article/547248/rules-displaying-american-flag
https://www.quora.com/What-does-it-mean-if-the-US-flag-is-upside-down
https://napavalleyregister.com/news/local/use-of-american-flag-as-car-cover-sparks-neighborhood-debate/article_e17bc242-6433-11e1-ad0c-0019bb2963f4.html
https://www.greatseal.com/
https://www.nbc-2.com/story/36587395/condo-resident-being-threatened-with-lawsuit-for-hanging-american-flag
https://www.congress.gov/109/plaws/publ243/PLAW-109publ243.pdf
http://www.revolutionarywararchives.org/betsyross.html
https://fineartamerica.com/featured/vintage-illustration-of-george-washington-watching-betsy-ross-sew-the-american-flag-american-school.html?product=metal-print

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THE SCOTTISH CLAN LOGAN

6/4/2021

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If you have the desire to trace your roots back to the middle ages to find out where you came from and the real family history, think thrice!

You are less likely to learn your ancestors were heroic leaders among men than you are to find the family patriarch described as "ane godless, drunkin, and deboshit man" or as Sir Walter Scott describes the person as "one of the darkest characters of that dark age".

IN THE BEGINNING
Unless your family is famous or you are royalty, it’s hard to trace your specific blood relatives more than a few hundred years back. Most amateurs end up tracing the history and location of the family surname. Soon you find the family name has been spelled a dozen different ways in different dialects or languages, and that the same or similar surnames have settled in many locations throughout a country or multiple countries.

There are many many branches to everyone’s family.
CLAN ▼ LOGAN

Verbal family history informed me that one part of my family was Scotch-Irish ‒ whatever that means ‒ and that the surname was Logan. I had always heard that one progenitor, Benjamin Logan, traveled part of the Cumberland Gap Trail with Daniel Boone, and that Fort Logan, Kentucky, was named after him. Not a shred of evidence as back up.
Image Credit: allseasontreeservicealberta.ca/tree-root-problems

I never got anywhere with it. Oh, there is definitely a figure in history named Benjamin Logan, and some of the family names even match up, but unfortunately the dates and locations are too garbled for me to proceed. Besides, after I read that he, under military orders, seized and burned thirteen Indian villages, I didn’t want to claim any connection.

That was when I decided I’d have to settle for the origin of the name. Much easier and less bloody. Alas, that was not the case. You’ll see.

CLAN LOGAN
The history of Scotland is fascinating and bloody, primarily due to the nature of the clan system which had grown firm and tangled roots as early as the 1300s.

The word “clan” in Gaelic means family or children, but not everyone in any clan was actually related to each other. The clans lived off the land, and raising cattle was the main source of wealth. Continual borer disputes between the land of one clan and another, caused unrest and often bloody battles between them. The most important clan chiefs at this time were part-kings, part-protectorates and part-judges. They each held real power over their controlled lands. Disputes over land often ended in gory battles among the clans.

The system remained largely intact until the time of the bloody Battle of Culloden in 1746, where the Jacobite rebellion was mercilessly crushed by the royal troops of King George II.

By this point, improved trade and communication links between northern and southern clans were already leading to the dilution of the clan system and the infamous Highland Clearances effectively signalled the end as thousands of Scottish land workers sought the promise of a better life on distant shores.

Official Status
In Scotland, the Logan Clan does not have a Chief recognized by Lord Lyon King of Arms, and is therefore is called an Armigerous clan. Before 1745 all chiefs had Coats of Arms; however, not all of these are recorded in the Public Register of All Arms and Bearings in Scotland, which was only established in 1672. Today Clan Logan is chiefless.

Coats of Arms
Being without a clan chief has serious ramifications in Scotland. Coats of Arms in Scotland can only belong to one person at a time. There is no single coat of arms which all people with the same name can use. A “'family coat of arms” is a non-existent misnomer because the whole concept of coats of arms originated to identify an individual person

In the middle ages, a coat of arms was an actual cloth coat bearing the distinctive design of the knight’s lord, worn over a suit of armor to enable the knight to be recognized: i.e. to who he paid homage. The knight did not have to be a family member to bear the coat of arms.

A family crest is not the same, only an element of part of a coat of arms.
Image Source: scotlandspeople.gov.uk/record-coats-arms

Most personal Coats of Arms consist of a shield, helmet, crest and motto. Supporters, the figures or beasts standing on either side of the shield, are only granted to particular groups of people.

The Public Register of All Arms and Bearings in Scotland records all coats of arms in Scotland from 1672 to the present day and it is added to daily. Coats of arms cannot be used legally in Scotland unless they are recorded in that Register. The Register is maintained by the Court of the Lord Lyon, the office responsible for heraldic matters in Scotland, and a great deal of genealogical information is required to register a new one or use one of an ancestor.

According to Wikipedia, these are the Logan Crest is a passion nail piercing a human heart, and the Logan motto is HOC MAJORUM VIRTUS (Latin for "This is valor of my ancestors. Their slogan is Druim-nan-deur (Scottish Gaelic for "The ridge of tears").

Logan Crest Logan Badge Clan Flower- Furze or Gorse

Perhaps the reason for not having a specific coat of arms, shield, etc. is because the clan is chiefless. (armigerous). There are quite a few versions on the internet, but they are all variations of the nail piercing the heart.

FROM WHENCE CLAN LOGAN CAME
Similar to the branches of the tree shown above, describing Clan Logan ‒ or any other, for that matter ‒ is a tangled mess. Dealing with both name and location are difficult because they are so intertwined and have so many variants of each.

Common belief is that Clan Logan originated in both the highlands and lowlands of Scotland, with no historical connection between the two. Another Clan Logan is prominent in Ireland, also with no tie to the other two branches.

That alone leads one to surmise that there is a connection further back in history: the Normans. The “de Logan” family existed in Normandy even before the 1066 invasion by William the Conqueror, and several “de Logans” accompanied Richard de Clare on his invasion of Ireland in 1170. Later in history, many Scottish family groups of highland stock emigrated to Ireland during the Plantation of Ulster in the early 17th century, after the surname Logan was well established.

The Irish believe the name Logan derives from the Gaelic surname O'Leoghain which translates to “the descendant of the warrior.”

The Scottish Highland Logans claim they are descendants from Clan Logan of Drumderfit in Easter Ross (north of Inverness), and Clan MacLennan is believed to be a variant of the Highland Logan Clan. The clans Logan and MacLennan share the same tartan, which doesn’t mean much historically since clan plaids were the product of the 19th mercantile industry. (Currently, there are eleven clan tartans.) https://clan.com/family/logan

Image Source: images.fineartamerica.com/scotland-political-map

In the lowlands, the surname Logan is a territorial name, and believed to be derived from the lands of Logan in present Ayr, Scotland. Later, the clan center was Restalrig, Scotland, which is now a suburb of Edinburgh.

SCOTTISH NAMES
A Scottish surname may or may not originate with a Clan. It can also be derived directly from ancient Gaelic or even from a profession you ancestors did, which makes it even harder to decipher where any particular Scottish name came from.

Place Names
Place names, often called territorial or habitational names, derive from location or type of location. For example, the name Craig derives from the Gaelic word "creag" which means crag or rocks. The name Logan (from the lowlands) is also a place name originating from the Gaelic word "lagan" which means either little hollow or signifies a hollow place, plain, or meadow, encircled by rising ground. As a place name, it is common throughout Scotland.

Personal Features
Names can also be based on individual features, the way a person may be described. The name Cameron comes the Gaelic words “cam” and “sròn” (camshròin) which means “crooked nose”.

Profession
Last names can also be derived from an individual’s or family’s profession. The names Lister, McInlester, Lidster, McLeister, Laister, Litster all originated with the profession of dying fabric. A Webster was a weaver of cloth, and so on. Baker originated with someone or a family who bakes.

Children usually worked in the same profession as their parents, and crafts where handed down mother to daughter, so it’s simple to deduce that families would become associated with that activity. Perhaps, small villages had only one family who dyed cloth or baked.

Patronymics
A Scottish surname can also trace its origin to derivations of the name of the father or ancestor, typically by the addition of a prefix or suffix: e.g. Johnson, O'Brien, Ivanovich.
Patronymics is the basis for Russian surnames. If you have ever read a Russian novel and had problems figuring out who all the characters were, this confusion results from patronymics plus the fact family relationship in Russian also dictate what name is used by which relative. Very complicated. In Scotland, the process is simpler. For example, Peter has a son called John - John's surname becomes Peterson (Peterson's son). I’m not sure what happens if John then has a son of his own.

Mac and Mc are prefixes that mean “son of”. Both are used in Scotland and Ireland. It is not true that Mc is Irish and Mac is Scottish. Folk history has claimed that these prefixes designate illegitimacy status, but there were no references I found to corroborate that Folk Rumor.

Variants
To complicate matters, there are numerous variations to the spelling of each name.
Surnames related to Clan Logan include: Lagan, Laggan, Leonerd, Loban, Lobban, Loben, Logane, Logan, Logen, Loggan, Loggane, Loggans, Loghane, Logie, Loggie, Loggins, Loghyn, Login, Logyn, Lohan, Lopan, Lowgan, Lyndon – to name only some of them.

MAKE YOUR NAME MEAN SOMETHING
Andrew Carnegie, a Scott himself, advised “Make your name mean something.” He came to America and did just that.

Quite a few of other Logans did make a name for themselves, and the lowland Logans became Scottish Royalty for a while. There are many Robert Logans in the southern clan, which makes following bloodlines rather difficult, and many dates of birth and heritage seem to be inconsistent, depending on the source.

1200s
● The first written record identifying a lowland Logan is Robert Logan (from Ayrshire) who is recorded as witnessing the resignation of the lands of Ingilbristoun in 1204.

● In 1296, at least four Logans signed the “Ragman Rolls” to pay homage to Edward I of England: Phelippe de Logyn (burgess from Montrose), Thurbrandus de Logyn (from Dumfrieshire), Andreu de Logan (from Wigtonshire), and Wautier Logan (from Lanarkshire).

● In 1298, Walter (possibly another spelling for Wautier) Logan of Hartside received a grant of the lands of “Lus” form Robert the Bruce.

1300s
● The same Walter Logan, Lord of Hartside, was sheriff of Lanark in 1301. This Walter Logan appears twice on a roll of landowners forfeited in 1306 by Edward I, for supporting Robert the Bruce. In the same year a man named Dominus Walter Logan was taken prisoner by the English forces and hanged. This sounds suspiciously like a relative, but probably not Wautier himself, since he later petitioned for the return of his confiscated lands.

● Sir Robert and Sir Walter Logan were among the Scottish nobles who in 1329 set off on a pilgrimage headed by Sir James Douglas. Douglas’ mission was to take the heart of the dead King Robert I of Scotland (Robert The Bruce) to the Holy Land. Both Logans were killed in the Battle of Teba (1330) fought against the Moors in Andalucía in Spain.

15th Century depiction of the battle of Teba where brothers Robert and Walter Logan perished
▲Image Source: ▲ Source of Imagespinterest.com/pin/557390891378956037/ ▲
ites.google.com/site/loganfamilyhistory

● The original line of the Logan chiefs in the north highlands ended in an heiress, Colan Logan Druimanairig in Wester Ross, who married Eachan Beirach, and carried the estates into his possession. Eachan took his wife’s name, and, dying at Eddyrachillis about the year 1350, left a son, Eanruig, from whom descended the Sliochd (family clan) Harich. From this point on, most of the tales and events from the highlands are found under the name MacClennan.

At this point in history, it is necessary to go back in time to explain how the Logans became the Barons of Restalrig. According to some sources, Restalrig The Barony of Restalrig passed in an unbroken line through 2 families from the 11th century to the 17th, the two being joined through in the middle through marriage. The first Barons were the de Lestalrics, who passed the keys of Lochend castle to Logans in the 14th century. Both these families pop up repeatedly in Scottish history and were generally always loyal to the Scottish Crown.

▲Lochend Castle, Edinburgh ▲ Image Source: stravaiging.com/castle/lochend-castle ▲
Image Source: pinterest.com/pin/Lochend Castle

● Robert Logan, the 1st Baron of Restalrig under the Logan Clan, was born about 1345 in Ayrshire, Scotland, son of Robert Logan of Cunningham and Katherine De Restalrig. In 1365 he married Princess Katherine Stewart, daughter of Robert II of Scotland, and later was appointed as Admiral of Scotland. The lowland Logans claim descent from this Robert Logan, who at this time was royalty.

1400s
● Second Baron of Restalrig, John Logan of Grogar. (1420 – 1451).
● A Sir Robert Logan was one of the hostages given in 1424 to free James I of Scotland from being held in England. Robert's son or grandson, John Logan of Restalrig, was made principal sheriff of Edinburgh by James II of Scotland.

● Third Baron of Restalrig, Robert Logan. (1445 – 1498).

● Fourth Baron of Restalrig. (? – 1513) He died on September 9, 1513, at Flodden, Northumberland, England, killed in the Battle of Flodden Field.

1500s
● Fifth Baron of Restalrig, Robert Logan. (1503-1543).

● Sixth Baron of Restalrig, Robert Logan (1533-1561). In 1555 Logan of Restalrig sold the superiority of Leith (the principal seaport of Edinburgh) to the queen regent Mary of Lorraine (aka. Marie de Guise).

● Seventh and Last Baron Restalrig, Robert Logan. (1555 – 1606). This Sir Robert Logan was not well liked and had an unsavory reputation, but he had great wealth and power. His only allegiance sHe was described by contemporaries as "ane godless, drunkin, and deboshit man". Sir Walter Scott described him as "one of the darkest characters of that dark age."

In history he is famous for his supposed involvement in the Gowrie Conspiracy, a plot to assassinate King James VI of Scotland. The attempted assassination took place in August 1600. The plot was thwarted, and the principal conspirators killed.

Logan, who was not present at the actual assassination attempt, died six years later. After an eight year lag, in 1608, suspicions were raised that Logan had been involved in the plot to assassinate King James VI.

Logan was summoned to appear in court and his body exhumed and physically laid before the court. (Apparently that wasn’t all that unusual then). With Logan in no position to defend himself, his secretary Sprot was tortured for his confession of guilt. In 1609 Logan’s bones were found guilty on the flimsiest of evidence, athough there was no real proof that he had anything to do with the conspiracy. All his lands and wealth were forfeited to the king.

Thus ended the Baronly of Restalrig…at least as far as the Logans were concerned. After that, apparently many Logans emigrated to American, Australia, and Canada.

A WORD ABOUT CLAN TARTANS
“Plaid” is derived from the Scottish Gaelic word plaide, which means “blanket.” “Tartan” means a woven pattern in fabric made of crisscrossed horizontal and vertical bands in multiple colors.

During the middle ages up through the 1600s, tartan designs were produced by local weavers for local tastes using the dye materials of the local area. The patterns and colors were the choice of the weaver and people picked and wore those based on personal preference. Because they were using local materials for dyes, certain colors predominated in different regions of Scotland.

It wasn’t until 1703, when Martin Martin wrote the book A Description of the Western Islands of Scotland, that tartans were identified as a possible way of distinguishing inhabitants of different regions of Scotland.
Image Source: scotsusa.com/funniest-scottish-images

During the Scottish Rebellion of 1745, tartan was used in the uniforms of the leading Scottish military troop, The Royal Highland Regiment, or the Black Watch. The green and dark blue patterns became strongly associated with rebellion. However, depictions of the Battle of Culloden in 1746 show the monarchy’s forces battling against the clansmen, all wearing different tartans.

After Scottish forces were defeated at the Battle of Culloden in 1746, the monarchy adopted the Dress Act of 1746, banning tartans (except for British military uniforms) for nearly a century.

By the time the law was repealed, tartan kilts were no longer the ordinary dress of the highlands. The tartan kilt was, however, adopted as the symbolic national dress of Scotland, which revived interest in tartans and one’s Scottish heritage. According to Wikipedia – who agrees with my tour guide in Scotland – the clan tartans date no earlier than the beginning of the 19th century. They are an invented tradition. And that's the bottom line.

JUST SAYIN'
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