Sunday, August 15, 2010

the simple list

1/4inch - the length of the average termite. They may seem good for nothing, but according ot Peter Miller in The Smart Swarm, the way the tiny pests construct 10-foot high mounds may provide a model for creating energy-efficient buildings. There's something to chew on.

$25,000 - The First Prize college scholarship up for grabs in Jif's Most Creative Sandwich Contest. Wrest open a jar and help your preteen chef(yes, parental collaboration is encouraged)to one-up last year's winning concoction of crunchy peanut butter, apples, grapes, and chicken in a lettuce wrap. Enter your delicious out-of-the-(lunch)-box creations by October 22 at jif.com.

4 - How many inches deep a tulip bulb should be planted in the fall to help it bloom when warmer weather hits. The ideal time for planting spring-flowering bulbs is October for most parts of the country, so order yours now. Pick from a wide selection of varieties at brentandbeckysbulbs.com and whiteflowerfarm.com.

17 minutes - The average length of a designer's show during New York City's Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week, which kicks off September 9. This year the tents move from Bryant Park to Lincoln Center, as they comment on their favorite trends.

207 words per minute - The fastest score (at press time) on Typeracer.com, a FREE site where you can see how effective that seventh-grade typing class really was. Put your fingers on the marks (ASDF and JKL;) get set, and compete against others. (Hunt-and-peckers need not apply.)

Boost your performance with having a smarter home!

Reduce viral clutter: consolidate photos, videos, and music on one centralized media server with an Intel Core i5 processor for easy multitasking.

Sizing up the TV: figure out how far you sit from the TV, then divide the number in half for your screen size.

Sound solutions: for simulated surround sound in smaller rooms, try a soundbar. For even better sound, add speakers in the back of the room.

Centralized DVR: major cable companies offer cable receivers/DVRs that allow you to record on all your TVs, all from one box.

Upload photos anywhere, anytime: get a memory card that lets you store your photos as well as upload them wirelessly to your computer.

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