Tauranga

Vol. 284-2  November 11, 2024

Phone 022 350 8096


Everybody's Talking

Classical deterrent: In Espoo, Finland, police have found an unconventional way to deter youth from partying on the beach. They blast classical music. Officers play pieces like Strauss' The Blue Danube, Vivaldi's Four Seasons, and Schubert's Ave Maria from loudspeakers to keep the beach free of litter and broken glass. In use for several years, this method has proven effective despite a lack of scientific evidence that young people dislike classical music. Locals, although initially puzzled by the tactic, appreciate the cleaner beach for morning swims. Police started using this approach after other methods failed to disperse end-of-term parties.

Early retirement: In Japan, a man's extreme frugality enabled him to retire early after saving about 130 million (JPY) over 21 years. The 45-year-old man endured a demanding job while living in a cheap company dormitory, scavenging for furniture, and skipping air conditioning to save money. His diet consisted mainly of boiled rice and occasional fruits or vegetables. Despite these sacrifices, his perseverance allowed him to achieve financial independence and publish a book about his journey. However, the yen's recent depreciation threatens his savings, casting doubt on his early retirement plans. His story went viral, with some admiring his dedication and others criticising his extreme lifestyle and poor nutrition.

Urban hippo: Residents of Cape Town, South Africa, were startled to see a hippopotamus strolling down their city's streets. The enormous animal likely was on a quest to find a new territory that was away from his pod. Initially, his presence caused alarm. However, conservationists swiftly intervened, safely capturing the young male and returning him to his habitat at the False Bay Nature Reserve. To ensure his safety and to prevent further wanderings, authorities made plans to relocate the wandering hippo to a secure, undisclosed location. Interestingly, his home pod plays a crucial role in managing the invasive perennial grass threatening the city's wetlands.

Concrete canvas: In Texas (USA), Sam Ward, now dubbed the Power Washer Van Gogh, has turned a mundane task into an art form. Initially purchasing chalk for his sons, Ward found himself bored while cleaning his driveway and began drawing with a power washer. This creative spark transformed into an artistic venture. Using various nozzles and pressure settings, he started crafting intricate designs on concrete. His unique method gained traction on social media, leading to collaborations with brands like BuzzFeed and Ripley's Believe It Or Not. Ward's creations feature icons such as Johnny Cash, Batman, David Bowie, and the Statue of Liberty.

Quotable Quotes

Beauty when unadorned is adorned the most. ~ St. Jerome

Cheerfulness keeps up a kind of daylight in the mind, and fills it with a steady and perpetual serenity. ~ Joseph Addison

Trivia

1. Is the blue shark the largest shark in the world?

2. Philematology is the scientific study of what?

3. Penne is a tube-shaped pasta cut on the diagonal T/F?

4. Which of the major oceans is the smallest and the shallowest?

5. Who is the lead singer of the band U2?

Your Weekly Horoscope

ariesAries (March 21 - April 19)
You may feel very enthu­siastic about something at the start of the week. However, you may need to make changes in your presentation to best attract the interest of others. Lucky numbers: 5, 9, 19, 27, 31, 39.
libraLibra (Sept 24 - Oct 23)
Are you in a situation where you feel the need to stand up for yourself? Midweek may be a good time to approach the other party in this dynam­ic, to quietly work it out. Lucky numbers: 3, 6, 13, 15, 27, 28.
taurusTaurus (April 20- May 20)
Is something in your life coming to an end, whether you want it to or not? If you are feeling discon­tented, how could you use the feeling to begin a new endeavour? Lucky numbers: 11, 26, 28, 29, 36, 40.
scorpioScorpio (Oct 24- Nov 21)
If you are in a stalemate with someone, look for a positive way to break through it. This is impor­tant because any hurt feelings now could last beyond this situation. Lucky numbers: 7, 10, 18, 29, 33, 38.
geminiGemini (May 21- June 21)
Are you clear about what you want to achieve right now? If not, or if you aren't accomplishing it, consider what adjustment in your viewpoint could help you succeed. Lucky numbers: 5, 9, 11, 15, 33, 39.
sagittariusSagittarius (Nov22-Dec21)
Many new thoughts and ideas may come your way at the end of the week, which could be a bit overwhelming. Think through them but maybe wait a few days before acting. Lucky numbers: 1, 8, 11, 20, 24, 28.
cancerCancer (June 22 - July 22)
Romance and commit­ment are often consid­ered to be “old fashioned” now, but not for you. An oppor­tunity of this nature may be available to you for the next few weeks. Lucky numbers: 4, 5, 12, 17, 22, 34.
capricornCapricorn (Dec 22- Jan 19)
A romantic relationship may be a focus over the next month. You might want to take advantage of this situation to work out any underlying issues with a partner. Lucky numbers: 10, 15, 17, 21, 27, 31.
leoLeo (July 23 - Aug 22)
Have you and a romantic partner been having a disagreement? This week may offer an opportunity to explore the dynamic of how well your needs are being met. Lucky numbers: 2, 11, 12, 19, 20, 35.
aquariusAquarius (Jan 20- Feb 18)
Do you have a project in your life that is close to your heart but hasn't yet manifested? Focus and hard work over the next few weeks may allow you to make progress on it. Lucky numbers: 2, 7, 9, 16, 26, 28.
virgoVirgo (Aug 23 - Sept 22)
For the last few months, you may have felt the need to work extra hard, just to keep up. Things could start to open up soon, so get ready to make more progress. Lucky numbers: 6, 9, 16, 23, 32, 37.
piscesPisces (Feb 19 - March 20)
Recently, you may have found that progress on what you desire has slowed down. That could be about to change, but you might need to be patient for a little while longer. Lucky numbers: 1, 6, 9, 11, 26, 40.
Lucky numbers for the week: Lucky numbers this week: This week's odds favour Aquarius winners with the luckiest number being 7.

Did you know

Ancient tool: Even Neanderthals had dental care tools, and fossil evidence shows early humans worldwide, including in Egypt, practiced teeth picking. By medieval times, ornate gold or silver toothpicks were European status symbols.

Resilient composer: Beethoven, despite being deaf by the end of his life, could still hear by biting a metal rod attached to his piano. Known as bone conduction, this method allowed the composer to sense vibrations and continue writing music.

Africa's reach: A hemisphere is essentially half of a sphere, and the equator and prime meridians split Earth into four. Africa uniquely straddles all four hemispheres, with territory in the northern, southern, eastern, and western parts of the globe.

Smoky spice: Black cardamom, a member of the ginger family, boasts a bold, smoky flavour that can be reminiscent of bacon. This unique spice shines in Indian dishes, but also adds depth to soups and stews in other Asian cuisines.

Neon magic: Neon lights in signs and displays are famous for their bright, colourful glow. The lights ionize neon gas in glass tubes with electric currents, causing the atoms to emit light. Different colours are achieved by using various gases.

On the lighter side

A nickel and penny jumped off a train together. But the quarter had more sense.

A guy opened a horseback riding school, but business fell off.

Husband: What do you mean our situation is fluid? Wife: We're going down the drain.

How do trees sleep? Like logs.

Baby snake: Mommy, are we poisonous? Mommy snake: Why do you ask? Baby: Because I just bit my tongue.

Answers

1. No 2. Kissing 3. True 4. Arctic 5. Bono