The Daily Drift

The Daily Drift

Today's horoscope says:
You may get the sensation that your brain has taken a shower -- there's a fresh, clean energy inside of you that will enable you to cut through any haze and see things as they truly are.
Therefore, it's an excellent day for mulling things over.
If there's a big decision you've been toying with, sit down and go over the pros and cons.
Your emotions are taking a backseat to logic, and you're sure to make a levelheaded conclusion about things.

Some of our readers today have been in:

Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
London, England, United Kingdom
Cork, Cork, Ireland
Milan, Lombardia, Italy
Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
Brugge, West-Vlaanderen, Belgium
Edinburgh, Scotland, United Kingdom
The Hague, Zuid-Holland, Netherlands
Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
Segamat, Johor, Malaysia
Manchester, England, United Kingdom
Geneva, Geneve, Switzerland
Canberra, Australian Capital Territory, Australia
Alicante, Comunidad Valenciana, Spain
Taipei, Taipei, Taiwan

as well as Slovakia, Malta, Bulgaria, Israel, Finland, Austria, Norway, Georgia, Mexico, Peru, Kuwait, Serbia, Bangladesh, Latvia, Greece, Scotland, Hong Kong, Denmark, Wales, Iran, Singapore, Poland, Taiwan, Sweden, Afghanistan, Belgium, Tibet, Croatia, Pakistan, Romania, Paraguay, Sudan, Vietnam, Argentina, Cambodia, Egypt, France, Estonia, Puerto Rico, Maldives, Qatar, Brazil, New Zealand, United Arab Emirates, Slovenia, China, Iraq, Ecuador, Nigeria, Colombia, Chile, Honduras, Paupa New Guinea, Moldova, Venezuela, Germany, Mexico, Saudi Arabia, Ireland, Czech Republic, Vietnam, Norway, Finland

and in cities across the United States such as Detroit, Oakland, Chantilly, Huoston and more.

Today is:

Today is Monday, July 4, the 185th day of 2011.

There are 180 days left in the year.

Today's unusual holidays or celebrations are:

There aren't any.

However the Earth is at Aphelion
and

Today is America's Birthday

The Fourth Of July

Don't forget to visit our sister blog!

And I Quote

Fourth of July

How an Elm Tree Helped Win America's Independence

 

Photo: Boston Public Library

The story of America's struggle for independence tells tale of heroic men and women united in their noble quest for freedom -- but one of the most enduring figures at the center of that revolution was not a person at all. Years before the Founding Fathers gathered in stately halls and meetinghouses to shape what would become the Declaration of Independence, the seeds of liberty had been planted and nurtured in a far more humble setting -- beneath the branches of an elm tree.

Article continues: How an Elm Tree Helped Win America's Independence

The Story of John Hancock's Signature

The story behind John Hancock's signature on the Declaration of Independence.

There are a lot of stories surrounding the Declaration of Independence. One of the most famous concerns John Hancock and his comically large signature. According to legend, the founding father signed his name bigger than everyone else's because he wanted to make sure "fat old King George" could read it without his spectacles. It's a neat story about American brashness, but it isn't very accurate.

Read More

Shoe

Turkey recognizes Libya rebels, gives $300 million

Turkey's foreign minister says his country recognizes the leadership of the Libyan rebels as the sole legitimate representatives of the country.

Full Story

How to avoid grilling disasters

How to avoid common grilling mistakes

Experts explain why you shouldn't apply marinade throughout the cooking process.  

Other tips to avoid flare-ups 

Also: 

• Marinades for grilling
• Perfect summer iced teas
• More uses for Jell-O

Hot dog taste rankings

Hot dogs ranked in ultimate taste test

Oscar Mayer may have the legendary ad, but another brand was judged to have better flavor. 

Also, the healthiest 

Also: 

• Top condiment combos
• Things to avoid at BBQ
• Tips for perfect iced tea

Seven summer myths debunked

We busted these top summer myths to help you stay safe and have fun all season.

Myth #1: Don’t go in the water for at least 30 minutes after eating.
Busted: Despite what your mother might have warned…

Read More

Five myths about hydration answered

How much water should I drink?

How many glasses of water should you really be drinking every day?
Does your coffee—or tea—habit negate your hydration efforts?
Can drinking water help you slim down?
Get answers to these questions—and more.

Read More

Defy your age inside and out

You have no interest in being 21 again. (Neither do we.) 
But, oh, wouldn't it be nice to feel 21 again: 
The energy! 
The…

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Meditation, Not Medication: Easiest Way to Reduce Risk of Heart Attack

Heart disease is currently the leading killer of men and women in the USA. While many are turning to medication or struggling to change their diet, a new study suggests the easiest way to…

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Folk remedies: fact or fiction?

  A few do-it-yourself fixes that work, and others that don't.

Try...

Chicken soup for a cold. Many studies have shown that the homemade remedy has anti-inflammatory effects that soothe sore throats and clear stuffy noses.

Read More

How to Be Happy Every Moment of the Day

"The greater part of our happiness or misery depends on our dispositions and not on our circumstances." - Martha Washington Wise words spoken by our nation's first First Lady. This phrase (now taped to my cubicle wall) has helped me find happiness in my daily life. When I…  

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Five ways to take charge of your work life

Whether you're climbing the corporate ladder or building your own home business, harboring negative feelings about your job can poison every aspect of your life. Here's the good news: "While it may not always feel like it, we are each in charge of our own work-life balance," says Cathie Black, president of Hearst Magazines and author of the book Basic Black: The Essential Guide for Getting Ahead at Work (and in Life). Read on for Black's tips on how you can call the shots—and create success—in your own life.

Read More

Unemployment crackdown

States target unemployment fraud

Federal officials say $17 billion was swindled from government coffers last year alone. 

  'A national concern' 

Also: 

• Year two of the recovery
• Stimulus jobs created
• White House salaries up

American dream home prices

Prices of dream homes vary widely

Finding an affordable four-bedroom for your family depends on looking in the right spot.

Where the bargains are 

Also: 

• Pitfalls of newer homes
• Most expensive cities
• Tools for homeowners

Did you know ...

Gold is the only metal that doesn't rust, even if it's buried in the ground for thousands of years.

Man issues bizarre lawsuit against pinball arcade

A 30-something, unemployed, self-described "pinball wizard" is suing a "hippie" arcade operator for an alleged assault that took place during a game of Xenon, which the plaintiff says he's "mastered well beyond incredible defeat." In addition to damages exceeding $10,000, the plaintiff, John Luckett, who has no law degree and represents himself in ...

Man issues bizarre lawsuit against pinball arcade

Free Market Takes That Incandescent Bulb And Shoves It (Aside)

"A light bulb in black and white." Image credit:Flickr, PlastAnka

Democrats and their anti-green Republican foils are far too late to control the market for incandescent light. Both the law to help slowly phase out the incandescent bulb or the recent lobbying effort by Republican cow-tippers and pundits to repeal that law matter little, as the free market demands increased energy efficiency in commercial, industrial, or institutional buildings - residential will follow. With electricity prices projected to rise even more, and building managers and owners wanting to reduce the cost impact of frequent bulb replacement as well, the old-fashioned incandescent bulb is destined mainly to burn on only over Rush Limbaugh's studio mic. On to Wisconsin...energy efficiency battle ground state.

Article continues: Free Market Takes That Incandescent Bulb And Shoves It (Aside)

Is Living In A City Making You Crazy?

Taxis in New York City photo by Bonnie Hulkower

With more than 50% of the world's population currently living in cities and 70% of the world population expected to live in a city by 2050, neurologists are starting to map out the impact of living in cities on one's mental health. City living has many virtues that have been extolled on this website, including some health benefits. Yet researchers say living in a city increases the risk of developing a mental disorder, including depression and schizophrenia, compared to people who live in non-urban areas.
Recent research by McGill University scientists builds on earlier research by mapping out regions of the brain where their urban dwelling study participants showed signs of increase stress stimulated by city living. Their findings, published in Nature will hopefully lead to discussions and strategies on how to improve the quality of life and mental health city dwellers.

Article continues: Is Living In A City Making You Crazy?

Ziggy

Leather HOG

All-Leather Harley

This all-leather chopper was made in 2000 by  Japan’s Red Moon, a company that specializes in leather products. This ¾-scale replica took 20 craftspeople more than two years to complete.  Wheels, frame, headlight, spark plug boots, chain, fuel valve, even the tools in the tool bag are all made of leather! You can see this and other motorcycling oddities at the Milwaukee Harley-Davidson Museum exhibit titled “Collection X: Weird Wild Wonders of the Harley-Davidson Museum” until August 21.

Full Story

Floor of the Pacific rich in expensive rare earth deposits

Japanese scientists have found huge reserves of rare earth minerals, crucial for the production of high-tech electronics, on the floor of the Pacific Ocean, according to the online version of Nature Geoscience.

How One Man Survived The Pelee Eruption

When Mount Pelee erupted and killed the entire population of 30,000 people on the island of Martinique, only one man survived, a prisoner who happened to be locked up in a partially underground jail cell. Learn more about his amazing story in this great Environmental Graffiti article.

Ten Unbelievably Dangerous Doctors

Walter Freeman was one of the biggest proponents of the “ice pick” lobotomy, performing more than 3,000 during his lifetime. He’s one of the ten most dangerous doctors to have ever lived and you can read more about him and the rest of these men in this great Ty.rannosaur.us article.

Arrest in 1950s murder case

Arrest in 54-year-old murder mystery

An old, almost forgotten train ticket proves the key to solving the cold case of a child's murder.  

Family stunned 

Also: 

• Unabomber brother's story
• Illinois death row closes
• Loughner appeals ruling

B.C.

Rare white tiger gives birth to quintuplets

A snow tiger mother recently gave birth to quintuplets at a zoo in Northeast China on Friday, according to Xinhua.

Rare white tiger gives birth to quintuplets

Animal Pictures