Saturday, March 31, 2012

boon \boon\, noun:

1. Something to be thankful for; blessing; benefit.

2. Something that is asked; a favor sought.

Boon comes from the Old Norse word bōn meaning "a prayer."

Apple Year

The amount of time it takes an Apple product to get old, from the day it is purchased. An Apple Year is usually less than one month, although it depends based on the product.

I can't believe this! I bought the iPad just an Apple Year ago, and now they're coming out with a new one!

Trivia

Who was the model for Uncle Sam in the U.S. Army’s famous “I Want You” World War I recruitment poster?

• The artist who created the iconic image, James Montgomery Flagg, who said he wanted to save on the modeling fee.

History

• Alhambra Decree: was signed, giving Spain's Jews four months to convert or face expulsion (1492)
• Eiffel Tower: was dedicated in Paris; designed by bridge engineer Alexandre Gustave Eiffel, the open-lattice wrought iron masterpiece was the tallest structure in the world at the time (1889)
• Daylight Savings Time: was instituted in the US for the first time (1918)
• Dalai Lama: Tibetan spiritual and political leader went into exile and was granted asylum in India (1959)

Birthdays

• Rene Descartes 1596 - Philosopher, "I think, therefore I am"
• Andrew Marvell 1621 - Poet
• John Harrison 1693
• Nikolai Gogol 1809 - Playwright, novelist
• Edward Fitzgerald 1809 - Author
• Robert Wilhelm Bunsen 1811
• Mary Chestnut 1823 - Author
• Sir Dugald Clerk 1854
• Jack Johnson 1878 - Boxer, author
• Henry Morgan 1915 - Comedian
• Tommy Bolt 1918 - Golfer
• Richard Kiley 1922 - Actor ("The Thorn Birds")
• Leo Buscaglia 1925
• Cesar Chavez 1927 - Labor leader, founder of National Farm Workers Association
• William Daniels 1927 - Actor ("St. Elsewher", voice of KITT on "Knight Rider")
• Gordie (Gordon) Howe 1928 - Hockey player (Detroit Red Wings, Hartford Whalers)
• Lefty (William Orville) Frizzell 1928 - Country musician
• Liz Claiborne 1929 - Fashion designer
• Miller Barber 1931 - Golfer
• John Jakes 1932 - Author ("California", "In the Big Country")
• John D. Loudermilk 1934 - Country singer and songwriter
• Shirley Jones 1934 - Singer, Actress ("The Partridge Family")
• Richard Chamberlain 1934 - Actor ("The Bourne Identity")
• Billy Hicke 1938 - Hockey player (Montreal Canadiens, NY Rangers, Minnesota Rangers, Baltimore Clippers, Oakland Seals, California Golden Seals, Pittsburgh Penguins)
• Herb Alpert 1935 - Musician
• Christopher Walken 1943 - Actor ("The Deerhunter", "Pulp Fiction")
• Rod Allen 1944 - Musician (The Fortunes)
• Gabe Kaplan 1945 - Actor ("Welcome Back Kotter"), comedian
• Al Nichol 1946 - Musician (The Turtles)
• Al Gore 1948 - U.S. Vice President under President Bill Clinton
• Rhea Perlman 1948 - Actress ("Cheers"), comedian
• Mick Ralphs 1948 - Musician (Bad Company, Mott the Hoople)
• Ed Marinaro 1950 - Football player (Minnesota Vikings), Actor ("Hill Street Blues")
• Sean Hopper 1953 - Musician (Huey Lewis and The News)
• Marc McClure 1957 - Actor ("Freak Friday")
• Angus Young 1959 - Guitar player (AC/DC)
• William McNamara 1965 - Actor
• Pavel Bure 1971 - Hockey player
• Ewen McGregor 1971 - Actor ("Star Wars: The Phantom Menace", "Moulin Rouge")