1. Neat Stuff!

2. Watch the X in the middle very closely
Watch the X in the middle very closely. You should start to see a green dot that rotates around the circle – this dot is an illusion; then you should see the purple dots disappear....but they haven’t really gone. It is an after image effect, sometimes called a 'negative retinal afterimage' - move your head slightly, and the dots will reappear... amazing or what?
This illusion was designed by Jeremy L Hinton of Bristol, UK, and this illusion - with a lot more explanation and many other illusions as well - can be found at the web site of Michael Bach.

3. In the 1400's, a law was set forth that a man was not allowed to beat his wife with a stick no thicker than his thumb. Hence, we have “the rule of thumb."

4. Many years ago in Scotland, a new game was invented
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.

5. Every day more money is printed for the game of Monopoly than the US Treasury.

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

7. Coca-Cola was originally green.

8. It is impossible to lick your elbow.

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

10. 28% 38% The percentage of Africa that is wilderness?
(Now, get this...)
The percentage of North America that is wilderness?
38%

11. The cost of raising a medium-size dog to the age of eleven?
$6,400

12. The average number of people airborne over the US any given hour?
61,000

13. Intelligent people have more zinc and copper in their hair.

14. The first novel ever written on a typewriter?
The Adventures of Tom Sawyer, by Mark Twain published in 1876.

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

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

17. 111,111,111 x 111,111,111 = 12,345,678,987,654,321

18. If a statue 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.

19. 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.

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

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

22. If you were to spell out numbers, how far would you have to go until you would find the letter “A”?
One thousAnd

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

24. What is the only food that doesn‘t spoil?

25. On Which day are there more collect calls than any other day of the year?

26. In Shakespeare's time, mattresses were secured on bed frames by ropes
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.”

27. 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.

28. In English pubs, ale is ordered by pints and quarts
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."

29. Many years ago in England, pub frequenters had a whistle baked in 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.

30. At least 75% of people who watch this slide show will try to lick their elbow.

31. Believe it or not, you can read this...give it a try...
I cdnuolt blveiee taht I cluod aulaclty uesdnatnrd waht I was rdgnieg.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?

32. You know what’s even more amazing???
The value of education!!!!!

33. Education pays in higher earnings and lower unemployment rates
Note: Data are 2008 annual averages for persons age 25 and over. Earnings are for full-time wage and salary workers.

34. Salary Information for the Trade Careers
Modern times call for a thorough rehabilitation of our economy.  Presently, we are looking at rebuilding and strengthening our society's infrastructure which incorporates refurbishing buildings and useable structures, maintaining roads and bridges, and building energy-efficient and environmentally friendly power plants.  As we seek to strengthen our economy, the need for skilled workers will grow.

35. Careers in trade-related industries offer plentiful benefits, including intellectual, physical, creative, and financial rewards.  The following graph illustrates the average salaries of various trade careers in 2007 as recorded by the US Bureau of Labor Statistics.

36. As you can see, trade-specific careers offer solid, livable wages in a variety of areas.  While it is true that managerial positions consistently receive higher salaries and a selection of benefits, they are not unreachable.  After putting in time, hard work, and all the creative energy you have to offer, the time it takes you to go from a willing apprentice to an experienced manager will melt away. 

37. Average pay for skilled and educated workers:
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) the following jobs have above average pay and projected number of openings through 2012.

38. Most importantly, the level of education directly correlates with the ability to get and keep a job . . .

39. Welcome to Vocational English
In this class, you will learn the skills necessary to be successful in today’s working world!
What do you think those skills might be?

40. Vocational English Documentary
FINAL PROJECT:
Vocational English Documentary
To Be Created by the Vocational English Production Company (Official name TBD)

41. VERY Neat Stuff!