Friday, August 29, 2014

Life: Are You a Mosquito Magnet?

I used to be bitten more frequently than most people, but there are certain people that seem to keep them away from me. Recent years, I have also been bitten less often than before.

My mom's unsourced knowledge that eating more meat causes the blood to be sweeter for mosquitos. I have learned that her wisdom are usually unfounded. But for some reason or other, most of what she says works even if the reasoning is not true. In this case, I cannot say for sure if this is true or not as my diet is too inconsistent to make a reasonable guess. I suppose the easiest way to judge this is that vegetarians would be less likely to be bitten when around other people. Given other factors, this may or may not provide any concrete information.

From a video (reference 1), 20% of people are more likely to be bitten by mosquitoes. Some factors it lists are: Vigorous exercising (due to higher body temperature and sweat), being more fragrant, exhaling more carbon dioxide, being pregnant, blood type (from more likely to less likely: O, B, then A), wearing certain colors (black, blue, and red), and drinking beer 12 oz.


Reference

1 - http://www.slate.com/articles/health_and_science/science/2014/08/people_attracting_mosquitoes_alcohol_blood_type_and_more_reasons_some_people.html

Wednesday, August 27, 2014

Life: MayTag Refrigerator Fixed Finally (Broken Fridge, Working Freezer)

My bottom-freezer refrigerator (MBF2258XEB6) was broken for almost a month. The first week, I was not available for the first week. Second week, I supposedly filled out the service form incorrectly. I should have figured something was wrong when I didn't get an email. I may have been distracted by a very highly urgent call from my mother that turned out not to be important at all. So finally the third week, I correctly scheduled a service through Maytag.

The work was contracted out to a local company. The time range was between 1-4pm. The technician (Vince) came around 2pm and finished by 2:40pm. Although he said it was better to have had the fridge turned on (I turned it off since I figured it was better that way and I wasn't using it for 3 weeks). [Advice to anyone with a fridge problem - leave fridge on at least 24 hours prior to service]

To reiterate the problem (see reference 1), the freezer was working but the refrigerator (top portion) was not cooling. Vince was able to find the problem and replaced a motor that blew the air into the fridge. Supposedly the one that I had would turn on for a few seconds but then would shut down. He explained that it was just a mechanical problem. To my ears, I did not do anything wrong to cause the problem.

He had to take out quite a few parts of the freezer to get to the motor. There was the freezer door, then the shelves, then the ice maker, then the back panel, and finally some other electronic piece.

Reference
1 - http://douglastclee.blogspot.com/2014/08/review-maytag-bottom-freezer.html

Bored: Random $100 Tipping, JavaZone - Game of Codes, Why I Don't Wear a Tie

Why I Don't Wear a Tie

The video started of slow but then brought up some interesting topics in the latter half. At first, I thought he was leading into being able to relate with common folks but really was more about oppression. It is not as bad as other areas of oppression but was interesting that it exists in other niches of society.


JavaZone 2014 - Game of Codes

Interesting spoof of Game of Thrones although I have not watched it. The video was still funny to watch. It probably would be more amusing if I watched the show.


Tipping Fast Food Workers

This was a heartwarming video (although the publisher's primary content is to amuse people). Makes me wonder if there is a documentary on homeless people after reading the comments. I am wary on what they use the money for. I have more faith that the fast food workers will make better use of the money. Is it possible that my faith is misplaced? Possibly...

It was really interesting that some of them were unwilling to take the money. They seem to genuinely work for their money. I'm not sure if I would take the money but probably more out of suspicion. The last recipient was kind enough to give some of the money to someone else.

Reference

JavaZone 2014 - Game of Codes - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3vI_7os2V_o
Tipping Fast Food Workers - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hyXJeus-wm4