Edward Leigh, M.A.

Creating positive workplace environments to
energize people and increase productivity

"Joy on the Job"Electronic Newsletter!
 

International
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ederation
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Fun Facts


Answers for April 2009 Questions (Mid Month Motivator)

Q: According to the International Ice Cream Association, what is the most
popular ice cream flavor in the US?


A: It is Vanilla (29%).  The second most popular flavor is Chocolate (8.9%)
and the third most popular flavor is Butter Pecan (5.3%). 

Source: http://www.makeicecream.com/15mospopicec.html

Q: During Season One of American Idol, Ryan Seacrest had a co-host. What
was his name?

A: His name is Brian Dunkleman.  

Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brian_Dunkleman


Q: Two speeding ticket questions. How many speeding tickets are issued in
the US each year. How much is the average raise in insurance costs for
just one speeding ticket over the course of 3 years?


A: About 41,000,000 speeding tickets are issued per year. One in every 6
drivers will get a speeding ticket this year.

The average raise in insurance costs for one speeding ticket over the
course of 3 years is $900.00.

Source: http://www.trafficticketsecrets.com/speeding-ticket-facts.html
 

Answers for April 2009 Questions (Newsletter)

Q: What is the biggest hotel in the world (in terms of number of rooms)?

A: Las Vegas is famous for the size of there hotels. Of the 20 largest hotels
in the world, 15 are located in Las Vegas. However, the world's largest
hotel is the First World Hotel (located in Malaysia) has 6,118 rooms.
The world's second largest hotel is in Las Vegas -- the MGM Grand, which
has 5,690 rooms.
Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hotel

Q: What is the longest running show on Broadway?

A: The Phantom of the Opera.  The show opened on January 26, 1988, and is
still playing.  Source:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_the_100_Longest-Running_Broadway_shows

Q: Name five (5) human foods that are toxic to dogs? (There are many more
than five, but for this question just see if you can name five.)


A: Here are five foods that are dangerous to your dog: Onions, Chocolate,
Grapes / Raisins, Macadamia Nuts and Coffee. For a complete list of 25
foods that are toxic to your dog visit:
http://www.animalpetsandfriends.com/Article/25-Human-Foods-Toxic-To-Dogs/300

Q:  Of our last seven (7) US Presidents, how many were / are left handed?

A: Five of our last seven US Presidents were / are left handed: Gerald Ford,
Ronald Reagan, George H.W. Bush (Sr Bush), Bill Clinton and Barack Obama.
Ironically, just 10% of the US population is left handed.  Source:
http://www.indiana.edu/~primate/left.html

Q: In the TV series / movie, Sex and the City, what is "Mr Big's" real
name?  How did he get the name "Mr. Big?"


A: Mr. Big's real name is  "John James Preston." The series creator, Candace
Bushnell, called the character "Mr. Big" because, "He is one of those New
York guys with a big personality — you just notice him as soon as he walks
in the room. I called him Mr. Big because he was like a big man on
campus.” Source:  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Big
 

Answers for February 2009 Questions

Q: What part of the grocery store carries the essentials like milk, bread, and eggs?  What is the reason for this arrangement?

A: The essentials are located at the back of the grocery store -- that is no accident! Supermarket layouts are designed such that you have to walk by all the snack and gourmet foods before you get to the essentials. Make a beeline to the back of the store, and try to avoid the tempting center aisles.

Shop the perimeter of the store. Food essentials (produce, meats, dairy, and bread) are usually located around the store’s perimeter. The middle aisles have the more costly prepared foods. Concentrate your shopping on the edges of the store to save money and make healthier food choices.

When you do hit the aisles, keep in mind the most expensive brand-name items are on shelves at eye level. Less expensive store brands are on the upper and lower shelves.

(Sources: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/29143563/)

Q: Who was the first U.S. president to be born in a hospital?

A: James Earl "Jimmy" Carter, our 39th president, was born at the Wise Clinic
in Plains, Ga. on October 1, 1924, making him the first U.S. president to
be born in a hospital. (Source:
http://www.nps.gov/pub_aff/pres/trivia.htm)

Q: What is the normal body temperature for dogs?

A: In general, the normal body temperature for animals is higher than for
humans. The normal rectal temperature of a dog is 99.5° to 102.5°F.
(Source: http://www.peteducation.com/article.cfm?c=0+1759&aid=1779)

Q: What famous actress was born with the name Norma Jean Baker?

A: Marilyn Monroe (Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marilyn_Monroe)

Q: Why does Swiss Cheese have holes in it and other cheeses do not?

A: Like yogurt, cheese is made by adding live bacteria to milk. The resulting
fermentation gives off gasses and it is the bacteria that is used in
making Swiss cheese that is responsible for the large holes. One of the
three bacteria used in Swiss cheese is Propionibacter shermani. For some
reason this bacteria makes the the cheese's distinctive larger holes.

Once P. shermani and other bacteria are added to the milk mixture it is
warmed and bubbles of carbon dioxide form. The bubbles come together to
create the large holes. In the cheese industry the holes are called
"eyes."

Interestingly, USDA regulations state that the holes in Swiss cheese must
be between 11/16 and 13/16 inches in diameter.

(Source: http://www.drgourmet.com/askdrgourmet/swisscheese.shtml)
 

Answers for August 2008 Questions

Q: What are the most expensive states for speeding tickets (according to
2007 statistics)?  (the answer also includes two creative ways to get out
of tickets!)


A: According to stats from the National Highway Traffic Safety
Administration, Virginia, Georgia, North Carolina, Maryland and New
Hampshire all hit up speeders for a maximum of $500 or more for a first
offense. Judges in North Carolina and Georgia, not to mention 16 other
states, have the discretion to add jail time! The national median for a
first offender's top-end fine is $200. Source:
http://www.forbes.com/2007/12/18/highways-automobiles-virginia-biz-logistics-cx_tvr_1218speeding.html

According to an 12/18/07 article in Forbes Magazine here are two creative
ways to get out of ticket (yes, they have been successful tried!)
* A woman carries a camera in her car, purely as a prop. to show cops as
she tells them she's rushing to the hospital to meet her pregnant sister,
for whom she promised to take pictures during delivery.
* A man who always drives around with a full water bottle. Anytime he's
pulled over, he pours a little out onto his lap, and then tells the
approaching officer he's been trying to rush home ahead of a bladder
emergency.

Q: According to the American Kennel Club (AKC) 2007 statistics, what is
the most popular dog in the United States?


A: Retrievers (Labrador) are the most popular breed according to AKC's
2007 statistics.  Here are the other breeds rounding out the top five (#2
Yorkshire Terriers, #3 German Shepherd Dogs, #4 Retrievers (Golden), and
#5 Beagles. Source: http://www.akc.org/reg/dogreg_stats.cfm

Q: What country produces most of the world's coffee?

A: Brazil remains by far the largest Coffee Beans producer with an average
output of 28% of the total. Even world renowned Colombia is a distant
second at only 16%, with Indonesia less than half that at 7%. Mexico, the
fourth largest producer is half again at 4%.  Source:
http://wiki.answers.com/Q/Does_Brazil_produces_most_of_the_world's_coffee

Q: What candy was prominently featured in the movie, E.T.?

A: Reese's Pieces. Steven Spielberg originally approached Mars with the
idea of product placement of M&M's in his upcoming movie, E.T. the
Extra-Terrestrial (1982). Mars declined the offer. Spielberg later
approached the Hershey Chocolate Company, who turned down the idea of
using their flagship product Hershey's Kisses but chose to use Reese's
Pieces instead. Immediately after the movie was released, sales of Reese's
Pieces increased by 80%.  Source:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reese's_Pieces

Q.  What is the meaning behind the wedding custom of "something old,
something new, something borrowed, something blue?"


A: Each item represents a good-luck token for the bride. If she carries
all of them on her wedding day, her marriage will be happy.
* "Something old" symbolizes continuity with the bride's family and the past.
* "Something new" means optimism and hope for the bride's new life ahead.
* "Something borrowed" is usually an item from a happily married friend or
family member, whose good fortune in marriage is supposed to carry over to the new bride
* "Something blue" the color blue symbolizes love, modesty, and fidelity.
Source: http://ask.yahoo.com/20031027.html

Answers for April 2008 Questions

Q: Every episode of Seinfeld contains a reference to what comic book
character?


A: Superman.  Seinfeld has a Superman reference in every episode. Trying
to find these references has become a sport of sorts for Seinfeld and
Superman fans alike. Some references are quite vague and take a little
imagination to make the connection, but some references are more obvious.
For example, starting with the 56th episode, a Superman magnet is placed
on the fridge so that it is visible from all kitchen angles.  Here is a
reference:
http://www.movieprop.com/tvandmovie/Seinfeld/superman.htm

Q: Name the only two US States that currently ban self-service gas stations.

A: New Jersey and Oregon are the only U.S. states that currently ban
self-service gas stations.  However, things may be changing in NJ, read:
http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9F0DE5DF173FF937A35757C0A9669C8B63

Q: Which US president had 15 children?

A: John Tyler, was the president who had the most children, 15. He had 8
children with first wife Letitia Tyler and 7 children with 2nd Lady: Julia
Garbiner.  Source:
http://wiki.answers.com/Q/Which_US_President_has_had_the_most_children

Q: The Beatles song, Till There Was You, came from what Broadway show?

A: The song was written in 1957 for the Broadway musical The Music Man.
Meredith Willson wrote the song.  Reference:
http://www.songfacts.com/detail.php?id=24

Q:  A tomato is actually considered a fruit? Why?

A: Botanically, tomatoes are a fruit, because a fruit is defined as the
edible part of the plant that contains seeds, while a vegetable is the
edible stems, leaves and roots of the plant.
Reference:
http://www.ontariogreenhouse.com/documents/show/749