S: Is for social equality for all

The time is ticking down and we are winding up the celebrations of one birth to a universal birth. I am pleased to announce that starting January 1, 2008 xplorefacts moves from a blog to an on-line newspaper. We will still keep this blog going but when you type www.xplorefacts.com you will be directed to a brand new site. That was always our dream for this endeavor. We hope you will continue to follow us on this journey of demystifying.

Before the ball drops and I make my list I wanted to show you something that I have known about for a long time. The origin of its formation may turn some of you off but it's ironic that a religion that most people put down still keeps Human Rights at its forefront. I am not a Scientologist but I do believe in this declaration and the work that they do on this subject. In October there was a conference in Los Angles, addressing global human rights and education. Key-note speaker Mr. Enzo di Taranto, the Coordinator of Action II, United Nations global human rights initiative, focused on human trafficking, a worldwide epidemic that now effects an estimated 29 million. I present to you our rights.

#1: We Are All Born Free & Equal
#2: Don't Discriminate
#3: The Right to Life
#4: No Slavery
#5: No Torture
#6: You Have Rights No Matter Where You Go
#7: We're All Equal Before the Law
#8: Your Human Rights Are Protected by Law
#9: No Unfair Detainment
#10:The Right to Trial
#11 We're Always Innocent Till Proven Guilty
#12:The Right to Privacy
#13:Freedom to Move
#14:The Right to Seek a Safe Place to Live
#15:Right to a Nationality
#16 Marriage and Family
#17:The Right to Your Own Things
#18: Freedom of Thought
#19: Freedom of Expression
#20: The Right to Public Assembly
#21: The Right to Democracy
#22: Social Security
#23: Workers' Rights
#24: The Right to Play
#25: Food and Shelter for All
#26: The Right to Education
#27: Copyright
#28: A Fair and Free World
#29: Responsibility
#30: No One Can Take Away Your Human Rights

As you are writing out your list, may you remember that you do have rights and that is a F.A.C.T.

T: Is for the continuation of trivia

The first novel ever written on a typewriter: Tom Sawyer.

The San Francisco Cable cars are the only mobile National Monuments.

Each king in a deck of playing cards represents a great king from history.....Spades - King David Hearts - Charlemagne Clubs -Alexander, the Great Diamonds - Julius Caesar

111,111,111 x 111,111,111 = 12,345,678,987,654,321

If a statue in the park of a person on a horse has both front legs in the air, the person died in battle. If the horse has one front leg in the air the person died as a result of wounds received in battle. If the horse has all four legs on the ground, the person died of natural causes.

Only two people signed the Declaration of Independence on July 4th, John Hancock and Charles Thomson. Most of the rest signed on August 2, but the last signature wasn't added until 5 years later.

Half of all Americans live within 50 miles of what?,,,,, Their birthplace

Most boat owners name their boats. What is the most popular boat name requested?......Obsession

If you were to spell out numbers, how far would you have to go until you would find the letter "A"?...... One thousand

What do bulletproof vests, fire escapes, windshield wipers, and laser printers all have in common?...... All were invented by women.

What is the only food that doesn't spoil?.....Honey

Which day are there more collect calls than any other day of the year?.....Father's Day

In Shakespeare's time, mattresses were secured on bed frames by ropes. When you pulled on the ropes the mattress tightened, making the bed firmer to sleep on. Hence the phrase......... "goodnight, sleep tight."

It was the accepted practice in Babylon 4,000 years ago that for a month after the wedding, the bride's father would supply his son-in-law with all the mead he could drink. Mead is a honey beer and because their calendar was lunar based, this period was called the honey month, which we know today as the honeymoon.

In English pubs, ale is ordered by pints and quarts... So in old England , when customers got unruly, the bartender would yell at them "Mind your pints and quarts, and settle down." It's where we get the phrase "mind your P's and Q's"

Many years ago in England , pub frequenters had a whistle baked into the rim, or handle, of their ceramic cups. When they needed a refill, they used the whistle to get some service. "Wet your whistle" is the phrase inspired by this practice.

At least 75% of people who read this will try to lick their elbow!

Don't delete this just because it looks weird. Believe it or not, you can read it.

I cdnuolt blveiee taht I cluod aulaclty uesdnatnrd waht I was rdanieg. The phaonmneal pweor of the hmuan mnid Aoccdrnig to rscheearch at Cmabrigde Uinervtisy, it deosn't mttaer in waht oredr the ltteers in a wrod are, the olny iprmoatnt tihng is taht the frist and lsat ltteer be in the rghit pclae. The rset can be a taotl mses and you can sitll raed it wouthit a porbelm. Tihs is bcuseae the huamn mnid deos not raed ervey lteter by istlef, but the wrod as a wlohe. Amzanig huh?

Our minds work in mysterious ways and it is a F.A.C.T. that we need to keep them in check.

C: Is for the creative origins of words

The origin of words has always fascinated me. My friend Robert sent me this and I was completely absorbed in what it had to say so, I decided to save it for when I needed a column that was clever. Enjoy as you go back to work or into the city for last minuet holiday festivities.

In the 1400's a law was set forth in England that a man was allowed to beat his wife with a stick no thicker than his thumb. Hence we have "the rule of thumb"

Many years ago in Scotland , a new game was invented. It was ruled "Gentlemen Only...Ladies Forbidden"...and thus the word GOLF entered into the English language.

The first couple to be shown in bed together on prime time TV were Fred and Wilma Flintstone.

Every day more money is printed for Monopoly than the U.S. Treasury.

Men can read smaller print than women can; women can hear better.

Coca-Cola was originally green.

It is impossible to lick your elbow.

The State with the highest percentage of people who walk to work........Alaska

The percentage of Africa that is wilderness: 28% (now get this...)

The percentage of North America that is wilderness: 38%

The cost of raising a medium-size dog to the age of eleven: $ 16,400

Intelligent people have more zinc and copper in their hair.

The average number of people airborne over the U.S. in any given hour........61,000 aren't you glad your on the ground?

Continue tomorrow when the origin of words become get knowledge for trivial pursuit and that's a F.A.C.T.

A: Is for the act of Christmas

Tis Christmas and the presents are being opened, friendships re-newed and food consumed. Will we keep in our hearts the spirit of this holiday? This year unlike any other year, Christmas seems to truly not be here! Could it be that global warming has us not feeling those traditional joys? I mean where's the snow? Normally I am sick of carols by this point. I actually missed those familiar tunes droned in like elevator music gone array. Where were the lights and the street decorations that normally have blinded me as early as Halloween? Sure the major department stores invested in the spirit to tune of "Jingle bells, jingle bells lets spend the almighty buck, but were thier hearts invested. Tyler and I went to church yesterday and though massively attended, the spirit of the season was still lacking. The carols were sung like a dirge, of what was. When the service finished no greetings of "Merry Christmas" or "Happy Holidays" rang out. Ty and I started to randomly wish strangers the greetings lacking and the smiles received made us continue through out the journey of the day. Do we wish only those we know, like an oblatory play written ages long past? Christmas is about light being born, hope being given free of charge, no questions asked. It is something that should live in our hearts all year long. Maybe that's why Christmas seemed missing, our hearts have grown cold. My wish is that we stop being the Grinch and let our hearts grow 3 sizes too large. Then we can make a differnce and that is a F.A.C.T.

Merry Christmas
Suzanna and Kismet

F: is for 3,2,1 Fabulous wishes underneath the tree.

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Of all the gifts under my tree Verika is my favorite, hands down. We all need encouragement to be the best that we can be and it is a F.A.C.T. that we can and should play Santa to ourselves.