Category Archives: Random Stuff

Random thoughts, topics, and factoids you’ll be happy you read.

3 cost-saving tips when pumping gas

Gas_Prices
Since we don’t actually take any crude when we “go to war for oil,” and since BP ruined any chances of us drilling off our own shores, I guess we’ll being paying a shit-ton at the pump for awhile. Here are some tips that can make you feel like you have some control over this mess.

1. Only buy or fill up your car or truck in the early morning when the ground temperature is still cold. Remember that all service stations have their storage tanks buried below ground. The colder the ground the more dense the gasoline, when it gets warmer gasoline expands, so buying in the afternoon or in the evening…your gallon is not exactly a gallon. In the petroleum business, the specific gravity and the temperature of the gasoline, diesel and jet fuel, ethanol and other petroleum products plays an important role.

A 1-degree rise in temperature is a big deal for this business. But the service stations do not have temperature compensation at the pumps.

2. When you’re filling up do not squeeze the trigger of the nozzle to a fast mode. If you look you will see that the trigger has three (3) stages: low, middle, and high. You should be pumping on low mode, thereby minimizing the vapors that are created while you are pumping. All hoses at the pump have a vapor return. If you are pumping on the fast rate, some of the liquid that goes to your tank becomes vapor. Those vapors are being sucked up and back into the underground storage tank so you’re getting less worth for your money, or so the story goes. Could be total BS though…..

3. One of the most important tips is to fill up when your gas tank is HALF FULL. The more gas you have in your tank the less air is occupying its empty space. Gasoline evaporates faster than you can imagine. Gasoline storage tanks have an internal floating roof. This roof serves as zero clearance between the gas and the atmosphere, so it minimizes the evaporation.

Guerilla knitting

Guerilla knitting (a.k.a., yarn bombing) involves sneaking into public spaces and changing the look of an area by slipping colorful embroidery and yarn stitches on things in the environment. For instance, a group of knitting ninjas will invade a place and leave tight-fitting cardigans on all of the trees, streetlamps and bus stops in an area. One artist has even taken to filling up Parisian potholes in the dead of night with her knitting. So, if you see a guy dressed all in black on the street at night holding a pair of knitting needles, you’re probably safe.  (via MentalFloss)

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A passenger talks about crash landing on the Hudson River

Ric Elias had a front-row seat on Flight 1549 as it crash-landed in the Hudson River in January 2009. What went through his mind as the plane went down? Watch this video and learn the 3 things he learned in those short moments before he thought he would die. I could not imagine the horror.

The bicycle double standard

Minneapolis is consistently ranked as one of the best cities for bicycle riding. Now that the weather is getting warmer, people like me who prefer to drive to work will soon experience the double standard that is bike riding in Minnesota.
bicycle riding in MN
(via)

The Lions Mane jellyfish

The Lions Mane jellyfish (shown here) is the largest known spices of jellyfish. They measure about 8 ft in bell diameter. The largest known specimen was around 120 ft in length (longer than blue whales). These jellyfish live in the boreal waters of the Arctic, northern Atlantic, and northern Pacific Oceans. Pretty cool huh? I have been told that pictures 1 and 3 are Namura jellyfish. More on the Lions Mane Jellyfish here. 

Lions Mane jellyfish

World’s largets jellysfish
Source: Today I learned
giant-jellyfish

Source: Today I Learned

How People View Easter

Here is an interesting in chart explaining how people view Easter.

How People View Easter(via Visual Loop)

Casualties of War

Sometimes when the war is over, it’s actually still being fought. Help a military veteran if these images move you. (via)

Casualties of War

Source: Dorothy

How to help:
Armed Services YMCA of the USA
Fisher House Foundation
Homes For Our Troops
Injured Marine Semper Fi Fund
Intrepid Fallen Heroes Fund
National Military Family Association
Operation Homefront – N.O.

Imperfect matches can be beautiful

Here is a visual look at symmetry. It shows a life in balance and reveals how beautiful imperfect matches can be.

More info here:
http://www.radiolab.org/
http://everynone.com/

How to celebrate total death and destruction

On 6th August 1945, a B29 bomber dropped an atom bomb on Hiroshima.

It has been estimated that over the years around 200,000 people have died as a result of this bomb being dropped.

Hmm, I wonder how we could celebrate this amazing use of military might? Wait, I know! Cake!

U.S. Navy Vice Admiral William H. P. Blandy, his wife, and Rear Admiral Frank J. Lowry cut a cake made in the shape of a mushroom cloud at a reception for Operation Crossroads, November 6, 1946.

(via)

Holding a grudge

I wish I were better at this…

Holding a grudge
(via Sad and Useless)