Wednesday, April 29, 2009

Rock, Paper, Scissors

While watching the clip on Big Bang Theory about "Rock, Paper, Scissors, Lizard, Spock", I decided to look up the rules because it didn't make sense to me.

I found the rules on wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rock-paper-scissors

While reading, I came across the reference to the Japanese version called Jan-ken-pon.
My mind flashed-back to my childhood when my mom and I would play the "Rock, Paper,Scissors" derivative Jack en poy; the chant clearly going through my head "Jack en Poy. Hali Hali Hoy!" or "Pik, Pik... Papel, Gunting, Bato!" Surely, this had to be related to the Japanese version.

I looked up the rules of Jan-ken-pon: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jan-ken-pon

Sure enough, it was:

In the Philippines, a variation called jack en poy is used. This was introduced most likely during the Japanese occupation during World War II. The complete chant in Tagalog is Jack en poy, hali hali hoy, sino ang matalo, siya ang unggoy! ("Jack en poy, hali hali hoy, the one who loses is a monkey!"). Another variation is called bato bato pik! or simply pik.

Thursday, April 23, 2009

To Hell in a Handbasket

That phrase came into my head as I was thinking about something. Then I thought, where did that phrase come from. What does it even mean? The picture painted in my head is a weird one. It doesn't even make much sense to me. I don't even know why I know that phrase or where I heard it from.

So, I looked it up. Not much help in that arena. Origins don't seem clear.
http://wiki.answers.com/Q/What_is_the_origin_of_going_to_hell_in_a_hand_basket

Wednesday, April 15, 2009

Worms in the Rain

It's April, so it's been raining a lot lately. I've noticed this many times that after a rainstorm, you see worms all over the payment. I always wonder if the worms knew they were going to die. Why don't they stay closer to the ground so they can go back down after the rain stops? Sometimes after the rain, if I see that a worm is still alive and writhing on the payment, I'll pick up a stick and place them on a patch of grass. I don't know if they survive. I guess it's just to make myself feel better.