Last week Saturday we were talking about the crazy new years traditions from around the globe, and I told you about the wearing of different coloured undies.
5 years ago New Years, I wore the red undies to hopefully bring in new love in the New Year. And as I mentioned, I met my husband about 2 or 3 weeks later. Well I am pretty sure it had nothing to do with the red undies, but everything to do with the Algoa FM Love line.
And apparently January 2 is Match.com's biggest day of the year, and other sites report a huge spike in memberships in January as well.
Some possible explanations though:
67% of people who registered in January, said their New Years resolution was to find love in the new year.
24 % had broken up with someone over the holidays
82 % said the holidays felt that the holidays made them feel more romatic
14% of people had just stayed together with someone just for the holidays (having presumably broken up after the holidays)
If you are keen to give it a try, do it – it’s exciting and you never know who you might meet online
Imagine a world where toast never burned, you never had to touch a toilet seat again, and men never forgot an anniversary.
Betterific users did, and then submitted more than 2,000 ideas starting with the line, 'Wouldn't it be better if...'; suggesting improvements on everyday items from food and household products to technology and entertainment.
Selected for the site's Top 15 ideas, one frustrated multitasker suggested: 'Wouldn't it be better if ovens and toasters could immediately detect if something were burning?'
A top bathroom suggestion was: 'Wouldn't it be better if toilets had a "pedal lift lid" like a lot of trash cans, so you wouldn't have to touch the seat to lift it up and down?.
Another top suggestion aimed to make laundry day more efficient.
'Wouldn't it be better if a washer was stacked on top of the dryer, so that when the wash cycle completes, it automatically dumps the clothes into the dryer for the dry cycle,' wrote a user.
However there are already appliances that are two in one washer and dryers, enabling clothes to wash, and then dry, without having to take them out of the appliance in between cycles.
A frequent flyer had this suggestion for the next time he's traveling: 'Wouldn't it be better if airplanes had a sign that said "please wake me up for my meal".'
And another who is fed up with layovers wrote: 'Wouldn't it be better if Airports had cinemas for long stopovers (several small ones, with movies starting hourly).'
A car-orientated improvement was: 'Wouldn't it be better if cars had built in cup holders that kept your drink hot or cold. If you can do it to a seat, you can do it to a cup holder.'
The food and beverage category had some inspiring ideas also.
'Wouldn't it be better if milk cartons changed colors when milk spoiled, based on its new chemical properties?' wrote one user.
When it comes to the television, watchers' frustrations turned into some interesting ideas.
'Wouldn't it be better if every remote had an "anchor" button. So you could switch channels as many times as you wanted and then hit anchor button so it would take you right back to your main program,' jotted down another.
The male and female specific ideas were also abundant.
One husband suggested: 'Wouldn't it be better if there was a service that automatically delivered gifts to my wife based on my pre-selections and frequencies and/or important dates.
'It would be great if it also recommended gifts within my budget.' he added.
While one woman's idea was met with a resounding 'yes' from females everywhere.
'Wouldn't it be better if purses had little lights inside, so when you open them up, you can see what's in the bottom?'
TOP FIVE 'WOULDN'T IT BE BETTER IF' SUGGESTIONS:
• Purses had little lights inside, so when you open them up, you can see what's in the bottom?
• Milk cartons changed colors when milk spoiled?
• Ovens and toasters could immediately detect if something were burning?
• Airports had cinemas for long stopovers?
• Toilets had a "pedal lift lid" so you wouldn't have to touch the seat to lift it up and down?
Some strange and interesting events happening around the globe this weekend:
Haxey Hood
Every Epiphany (or the day before if a Sunday), the parish of Haxey engages in a curious custom called Haxey Hood, a rugby-like game. Attracting huge crowds, the objective is to push a leather tube to one of four pubs nearby.
Reputably the oldest local tradition in England, legend has it that Haxey Hood was conceived after Lady de Mowbray had her silk riding hood blown away while riding, some time during the 14th century. Thirteen farm workers in the field rushed to help and chased the hood all over the field, and as a token of her gratitude she donated 13 acres of land for the act to be re-enacted each year.
Nowadays villagers from throughout Haxey gather for an impassioned re-enactment of the original event, with huge swells of participants pushing and shoving in order to steer the hood to their desired pub.
Empire State Building Run-Up
If the thought of a broken escalator fills you with dread, then stay away from this race! Fit and fearless competitors race up the 1575 stairs of the Empire State Building, from the lobby to the 86th floor.
Even if the famous skyscraper has now relinquished its title as "tallest building in the world", the event remains a gruelling trial. In 2007 Suzy Walsham won the women's race in a record time of 13:12. Paul Crake holds the current men's record of 09:33.
This is an invitation-only race and you need to contact the New York Road Runners Club for further details. For an application form, write to: Empire State Building Run-up Application Request, New York Road Runners Club, 9, E 89th St, New York 10128.
Procession of the Three Kings
The Procession of the Three Kings (Cabalgata de los Reyes Magos) is a popular Christmas tradition throughout Spain. Celebrations in the capital include theatrical re-enactments, pageants and enough sweet distribution to keep every Madrid dentist busy for the next year.
Thirty carriages equipped with around 7000 kilos of sweets make their way along the boulevards Paseo de la Castellana and Paseo de Recoletos. The Three Kings, accompanied by helpers, greet the crowds with handfuls of sweets.
Hordes of spectators turn up, with estimates in previous years reaching half a million. Children and parents alike grin and bear the Christmas cold. Sweet tooth or no sweet tooth, this event is bound to sweeten your Christmas
