DID YOU KNOW…SOME FUN FACTS and RECORDS

Have you ever wondered what/where the world’s tallest freestanding structure was or what the all-tim best-selling non-fiction book was?  Do you know what world destination is the most visited?  What of social media – do you prefer Facebook, Twitter or Google+ Well, look no further because I am about to share some of the answers with you now.

ANIMALS

Elephant

The oldest elephant ever was Lin Wang, an Asian elephant (Elephas maximus), who died on 26 February 2003 aged 86, at Taipei Zoo, Taiwan.

Grandpa Lin, as he became known, carried supplies through the jungles of Myanmar (formerly Burma) for the Japanese army, during World War II. He was even taken prisoner by the Chinese in 1943. Lin Wang retired to the Zoo in 1954. The average age of an Asian elephant is 60 years.

Snake

The longest snake in captivity is named Medusa, she resides in Kansas City, Missouri USA and is 7.67 metres long or 25 feet, 2 inches.  She weighs 350lbs.

LITERATURE

The best-selling non-fiction book in the world is The Bible. 

Codex Leicester by Leonardo da Vinci is the most expensive book ever sold – $30.8 million (sold in 1994).  Bought by Microsoft mogul Bill Gates.  A 72-page document (and therefore not a printed book), Codex Leicester is a collection of scientific writing and gained its named from Thomas Coke, Earl of Leicester who bought it in 1719.  The journal covers theories on astronomy, water, rock, air, the moon and the heavens.

Sources:

http://www.abebooks.com/blog/index.php/2013/09/25/top-10-most-expensive-books-ever-sold/

MUSIC

Billboard HOT 100 Top Group – The Beatles

Billboard HOT 100 Top Female Artist – Madonna.  Madonna is also Billboard’s Hot 100 top female artists.  She has had the most top 10 singles, a total of 38.  She has sold over 305 million albums worldwide and is the best-selling female recording artist according to Guinness World Record.

Best Selling Digital Artist – Rihanna 

Sources:

http://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/world-records/8000/best-selling-female-recording-artist 

BUILDINGS/TOWERS

The tallest freestanding tower in the world is located in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.  The Burj Khalifa houses offices, residentials units and a hotel.  It measures 829.8 metres tall.

MOST TRAVELLED TO DESTINATION

Here are the top 5 most travelled to locations or destinations in the world (according to the Business Insider):

5.  Niagara Falls (22.5 million)

4.  Union Station, Washington D.C. USA (32.8 million)

3.  Central Park, New York City, NY USA (37.5 million)

2.  Times Square, New York City, NY USA (39.2 million)

1.  Las Vegas Strip, Las Vegas, NV USA (39.6 million)

FILM

The top 5 grossing films of all time are:

5.  Frozen (2013) – $1.2 billion

4.  Harry Potter and The Deathy Hallows Pt II (2011) – $1.3 billion

3.  Marvel’s The Avengers (2012) – $1.5 billion

2.  Titanic (1997) – $2.1 billion

1.  Avatar (2009) – $2.7 billion

TELEVISON

Here are the top 10 series finales in television history (US):

10.  Home Improvement – May 1999 (35.5 million)

9.  Family Ties – May 1989 (36.3 million)

8.  All In The Family – April 1979 (40.2 million)

7.  The Cosby Show – April 1992 (44.4 million)

6.  Magnum P.I. – May 1988 (50.7 million)

5.  Friends – May 2004 (52.5 million)

4.  Seinfeld – May 1998 (76.3 million)

3.  The Fugitive – August 1967 (78 million)

2.  Cheers – May 1993 (84.4 million)

1.  M*A*S*H – February 1983 (105.9 million)

http://www.etonline.com/tv/144979_10_Most_Watched_TV_Series_Finales_Ever_Gallery/index.html?page=MA==&itmCnt=MTg=

SOCIAL MEDIA

Facebook – Has approximately 1.15 billion users, 350 million photos are uploaded everyday and 751 million users access Facebook from a mobile device.

Twitter – Has approximately 500 + million users and approximately 20 million twitter accounts are fake.

Google+ – Has approximately 500 + million users of which 67% are male.

Pinterest – Has approximately 70 + million users of which 64% are female.

Instagram – Has over 130 million users and MTV is the most followed with over 1.2 million followers.

Linkedin – Has over 238 million users.

Technology has allowed the world to come together to witness some of the most amazing things in the world.  We have witnessed triumphs and tragedies across the world.  Revolutions were organized using social media.  We are able to receive instant messages of events happening across the oceans and throughout the universe.  With all the milestones we have witnessed – imagine the great things to come and the potential to create positive change around the world by sharing, following, favoriting, pinning and liking.

Together we can make the world a more positive one!

 

INSPIRATION CAN COME FROM ANYWHERE and ANYONE

What inspires you?  A great philosopher, religion, passion, conviction of beliefs, an artist, animals, the environment…..many things may inspire, it’s what you do with that inspiration that matters, so share and act on the things that move and inspire you.

(I’ve posted this one before….I have so much respect for what these people do and feel that it was time to share it again….please help them out in any manner that you can.)  Song – Fleetwood Mac:  “Songbird”

Together, we can make the world a more positive one!

SOME OF MY PERSONAL FAVOURITE PHOTOS

How many times have we said:  “I wish I had that on video or in a photo”?  I know that I have personally made a statement like that many times throughout my life.  My blog today is a photo blog of photo memories that bring me joy, happiness and laughter each time I look at them or remember the actual moments.  Enjoy!

1.  Freddy – this was our (Jason – my spouse and I ) first pet.  This picture is special to me because it captures all the love for life that Freddy had.  He loved being outdoors and loved sharing that time with Jason and I.  Freddy passed on in November of 2010.

2.  Cedars Campground – The first trip there.  On our first trip to Cedars Campground in Ontario Canada (over 10 years ago) we set up our tent and met with 2 guys who had a trailer across from our site.  We became fast friends and they played a practical joke on us while we went into town for some supplies.  Upon our return we found women’s panties, panty hose, wigs, dresses and other items scurried around our campsite and in our tent!!!  It was a very funny moment we will never forget especially when the practical joke came from 2 guys we hardly knew – We loved them and are grateful for the memories and great times we shared together!

3.  Relaxing at my favourite Ontario beach – Sandbanks.  Moments that I treasure most are spending time with nature – I feel connected with the universe when I spend time with nature.  I am in awe of the beauty our world and environment has to offer.  I am so grateful for moments such as these in the picture below.

4.  Fashion Cares Toronto 2004.  Being able to connect with one of my favourite singers (the amazing Kristine W) was an amazing memory for me, and to share this moment with my spouse Jason and good friend Lestat – was icing on the cake.

5.  My mother. I find this picture wonderful and magical because it captures my mother’s warmth on such a chilly winter’s day.

6.  Jason kayaking on Georgian Bay, Ontario Canada.  This picture captured the joy and happiness Jason had kayaking on the shores of Georgian Bay.  The weather was beautiful and hot, the water crystal clear and the day was filled with joy and laughter.  A memory of happiness I will always hang on to.

7.  On the way to Sandbanks Provincial Park – Jason and I stopped in Bloomfield to grab a bite to eat.  While I was in the cafe – Jason discovered that a local woman was having a garage sale.  He immediately fell in love with the original art print in the picture below, so we purchased it.  The artist a local woman from Bloomfield indicated that she wanted to sell many of her items as she was joining her daughter in Indonesia.  The last time the woman was Indonesia was when she was pregnant with the daughter she was going to meet – who was now pregnant with her own child.  The painting now hangs in my house and every time I come down the stairs I look at the picture and remember this trip, the artists story and how we were all connected through her art.

8.  Meeting Andy Bell and Vince Clark of ERASURE!  It was brief but I got to ask a few questions and talk to one of my favourite electronic bands ever!  I put my intention into the universe that I wanted to see them during their 2011 tour.  A few days later – I saw a contest in a gay and lesbian newspaper to enter to win a meet and greet.  The universe responded and I won tickets to the show and the chance to meet with Andy Bell and Vince Clark!  It was awesome and I got to share the moment with the most important person in my life – my husband Jason.

9.  Montreal trips…..I love the energy of Montreal.  We visit a few times a year and are always pleasantly surprised how we enjoy it more and more every time we go.  Some great vegetarian restaurants and so many wonderful, happy memories!

10.  Finally getting married after almost 15 years together!!!

Maybe we should all take a photo trip down memory lane and reconnect with friends and family.  Share the laughter and joy of days gone and start creating new, wonderful and happy memories.  The time we have is short – make the best of it and spread love, joy and laughter by sharing old memories and creating new ones!

What personal photos have you taken that invoke positive energy, love, laughter and joy?

Together, we can make this world a more positive one!