Passy's World of ICT

Friday Funny Christmas Holidays

2011-12-21T18:40:00.003+11:00

Image Source: http://www.machu-picchu.us

Hi everyone. Big Passy is off for a grand trek of South America in a few days time, and so there will be no Friday Funnies for the next few weeks.

Here in Australia it is summer holidays for high school teachers, and I am taking the opportunity to travel half way across the world and explore the wonders of Peru, Chile, Argentina, and Bolivia.

In the meantime, here are some funny videos to get you through Christmas and into the New Year.

First up some funny Christmas Photos in a video compilation.

This next clip with singing dogs is really cute.

National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation is our all time favorite Christmas movie here at Passy's World, and here is a great clip from the movie.

Here is another great clip from Chevy Chase's "Christmas Vacation" movie.

Finally our all time favorite Christmas carol: "Aussie Jingle Bells"

We wish you a great Christmas and New Year, and here at Passy World we will be into Maths and IT in a big way in 2012.

Enjoy,
Big Passy Wasabi

Epic Meal Time Friday Funny

2011-12-10T16:42:00.001+11:00

Image Source: http://gluttoner.com

Hope you guys are hungry for a big Friday Funny, because this week we have one for you that is of epic proportions.

This week we have a look at some of our favorite culinary masterpieces produced by "Epic Mealtime".

Cooking the epic way is all about meat!

Image Source: http://static.onlinesocialmedia.net

And the meatier the dish, the better.

Image Source: http://www.ny-attractions.com

Here is a video of a sumptuous group banquet called "Ultimate Meat Garden".

You've got to hand it to these guys, they sure are creative.

All styles of cuisine are more than adequately catered for, as in this example of some tasty treats for all of our Italian friends.

And for gym junkie body conscious people, here is an excellent video about making some awesome protein snacks.

Special occasions are also a treat. What better dish for Valentines Day than some yummy hearts cooked up with bacon.

Image Source: http://foodbeast.com

That's right, there has to be bacon in every dish!

I'm not sure where these guys get the money for all the meat that they buy, but it is certainly a passion for them, and a true labour of love.

Image Source: http://images.cheezburger.com

Anyway I'm off to fire up the BBQ for an inspired meat fest.

Enjoy,
Big Passy Wasabi

Exams Friday Funny

2011-12-03T11:35:00.000+11:00

Image Source: http://www.1stfun.com

Students at my school here in Australia have just finished end of year exams.

I think some of them may have written innovative and imaginative responses to their exam questions just like these ones.

Here is some cutting edge survey data that shows what students really think about when they are in exams.

Image Source: http://graphjam.files.wordpress.com

Here are some more great exam answers.

Did you know that the CIA government spying organisation has an entrance exam in the USA.

Here at Passy World we have uncovered the following YouTube expose video on what is required to become a member of the CIA.

Entrance Exams are also required for many exclusive Private schools in the UK and Australia.

The following are some very innovative responses to the "History" section of one such exam.

1. Ancient Egypt was inhabited by mummies and they all wrote in hydraulics.They lived in the Sarah Dessert and traveled by Camelot. The climate of the Sarah is such that the inhabitants have to live elsewhere.

2. The Bible is full of interesting caricatures. In the first book of the Bible,Guinessis, Adam and Eve were created from an apple tree. One of their children,Cain, asked, “Am I my brother’s son?”

3. Moses led the Hebrew slaves to the Red Sea, where they made unleavened bread which is bread made without any ingredients. Moses went up on Mount Cyanide to get the ten commandments. He died before he ever reached Canada.

4. Solomom had three hundred wives and seven hundred porcupines.

5. The Greeks were a highly sculptured people, and without them we wouldn’t have history. The Greeks also had myths. A myth is a female moth.

6. Actually, Homer was not written by Homer but by another man of that name.

7. Socrates was a famous Greek teacher who went around giving people advice. They killed him. Socrates died from an overdose of wedlock. After his death, his career suffered a dramatic decline.

8. In the Olympic games, Greeks ran races, jumped, hurled the biscuits, and threw the java.

9. Eventually, the Romans conquered the Greeks. History calls people Romans because they never stayed in one place for very long.

10. Julius Caesar extinguished himself on the battlefields of Gaul. The Ides of March murdered him because they thought he was going to be made king. Dying, he gasped out: “Tee hee, Brutus.”

11. Nero was a cruel tyranny who would torture his subjects by playing the fiddle to them.

12. Joan of Arc was burnt to a steak and was cannonized by Bernard Shaw. Finally Magna Carta provided that no man should be hanged twice for the same offense.

13. In midevil times most people were alliterate. The greatest writer of the futile ages was Chaucer, who wrote many poems and verses and also wrote literature.

14. Another story was William Tell, who shot an arrow through an apple while standing on his son’s head.

15. It was an age of great inventions and discoveries. Gutenberg invented removable type and the Bible. Another important invention was the circulation of blood. Sir Walter Raleigh is a historical figure because he invented cigarettes and started smoking. And Sir Francis Drake circumcised the world with a 100 foot cutter.

Source: http://listverse.com

Of course if you don't know the answers to exam questions, then cheating is one option that many students go for. Cheating is certainly rife in University examinations, as this action photo demonstrates.

Image Source: http://www.anvari.org

Saving the best for last, here is one of our favorite Mr Bean episodes, where Mr B sits for his end of year maths exam.

Well that's enough of examining the funny things that happen during exams.

We're off to examine our "To Do" list for the weekend, and then write a few school reports.

Enjoy,
Big Passy Wasabi

Superman Friday Funny

2011-11-26T12:17:00.000+11:00

Image Source: http://c0359482.cdn.cloudfiles.rackspacecloud.com

This week we have a super Friday Funny for you all.

You might have heard recently that Superman's identity was strewn all across Facebook by Batman.

Image Source: http://pics.blameitonthevoices.com

Batman has always had the upper hand in these things.

Image Source: http://www.iheartfunny.com

Superman was getting a bit behind the times, and the new guy on the streets is "App Man".

Naturally Superman has been a bit depressed of late. He has really stacked on some kilos, as this next video reveals.

There is talk that there might be a Super Cat action hero soon.

Image Source: http://icanhascheezburger.files.wordpress.com

But his sphere of influence will be rather limited.

Image Source: http://ihasahotdog.files.wordpress.com

Perhaps this young boy from the East is ready to step up to the crime fighting arena.

(With a name like that, how can he go wrong!)

Image Source: http://cdnimg.visualizeus.com

Perhaps he could join the Super Heroes in a game of Poker. Apparently Superman has been kicked out of the game for using his X-Ray vision to look at everyone's card... fancy that!

Classic Superman Joke

Two men are sitting at the bar at the top of the Empire State Building
drinking when the first man turns to the other one and says, "You know,
last week I discovered that if you jump from the top of this building, by the

time you fall to the 10th floor, the wind around the building is so
intense that it carries you around the building and back into the window."

The bartender just shakes his head in disapproval while wiping the bar,
but says nothing.

The second guy says, "What? Are you insane? There's no way in heck that
could happen!"

"No, it's true," said the first man, "let me prove it to you."
He gets up from the bar, jumps over the balcony and plummets toward the
street below.
When he passes the 10th floor, the high wind whips him around the
building and back into the 10th floor window and he takes the elevator back up to the bar. He meets the second man, who is astonished.!

"You know, I saw that with my own eyes, but that must've been a one-time

fluke. That was scientifically impossible!"

"No, I'll prove it again," says the first man as he jumps. Again, just
as his body hurtles towards the street, the 10th floor wind gently carries
him around the building and into the window. He takes the elevator back to
the bar. Once upstairs, he successfully!
urges his dubious fellow drinker to try it.

"Well, what the heck," the second guy says, "I've seen that it works, so

I'll try it!"

He immediately jumps over the balcony - plunges downward - rapidly
passes The 11th, 10th, 9th, 8th floors ...his body hits the sidewalk with a
loud "splat."

Back upstairs, the bartender who had been silent the whole time turns to
the first drinker, and shakes his head. He says, "You know, Superman, you're not a very nice guy when you're drunk."

Finally, here is a video of a nice little Superman mod in Minecraft.

Have a Super Weekend,

Big Passy Wasabi

Couch Potato Friday Funny

2011-11-19T06:47:00.001+11:00

Image Source: http://www.funnypicture.in

This week we are looking at Couch Potato Television.

What is to be gained by watching so much of the tube? Perhaps one can gain fantastic general knowledge and one day become a quiz show champion.

If you don't believe that watching TV rots your brain, then check out this couch potato contestant.

Symptoms of being a Couch Potato

You wake up at 9 AM.
You read a news paper while brushing
You switch on the TV while sipping Tea.
You continuously change channels as there are no interesting programs.
Still you watch any program.
You dad yells at you for watching TV in busy morning.
You put off the TV and immediately start the computer.
Suddenly, you realise that you have to bath. So you shut down the computer.
After bathing and having lunch, you're again on the PC.
After checking mails, you have nothing to do, so you leave the PC and start the TV.
You watch two back to back movies on any random TV channel.
You are very much irritated by TV advertisements.
You fall asleep while watching TV
TV is boring so you are on the PC.
After sometime PC is boring, so you are on TV.
...and the cycle continues.
Your life is only computer and TV...

Source: http://goodgaurav.blogspot.com

The following highly educational video will teach you everything you need to know about being a Couch Potato.

If the shows get boring on TV, there are always entertaining ads like this one, no matter what country you are in.

The CP syndrome is not limited to humans in developed countries around the world.

Image Source: http://www.motifake.com

The CP disease is definitely spreading like wildfire throughout the animal kingdom.

Image Source: http://www.the-two-malcontents.com

Here is the perfect beer ad for couch potato guys.

That last Heineken ad was probably not what you were expecting, and there were so many couch potato complaints that they actually had to remake it.

Here for your potato viewing pleasure is "Walk in Fridge Mk II".

Stupid things do happen on TV and this one is a classic.

Make sure you get up off the couch this weekend!

Enjoy,
Big Passy Wasabi

Confucius Friday Funny

2011-11-11T20:46:00.001+11:00

Image Source: http://www.demotivationalpics.com

This week we have a very wise Friday Funny featuring a few of our favorite Confucius sayings.

Confucius Say:

Man who throw a cat out car window, makes kitty litter.

Man who pushes piano down mineshaft get tone of A flat miner.

Boy who runs after bus, often get exhausted.

House without toilet is uncanny.

Image Source: http://thechive.files.wordpress.com

Confucius Say:

Man who run in front of bus get tired... but

Man who run behind bus get exhausted.

Image Source: http://thechive.files.wordpress.com

Confucius Say:

Butcher who back into meat-grinder, get a little behind in his orders.

He who has a sharp tongue cuts own throat.

Mummys who take vacation, will relax and unwind.

Image Source: http://thechive.files.wordpress.com

Confucius Say:

House with red light over door...not always Communist Party Headquarters.

Man who pamper his cow, will get spoiled milk.

Woman who dates gambler, gets cheated on.

He who stick head in open window get pane in neck.

Image Source: http://thechive.files.wordpress.com

Confucius Say:

Man who eat many prunes get good run for money.

Man with one chopstick go hungry.

War does not determine who is right, war determine who is left.

Man who drive like hell, bound to get there.

Image Source: http://www.motifake.com

Confucius Say:

Man who lives in glass house should change clothes in basement.

Man who stand on toilet is high on pot.

Man who drop watch in toilet bound to have crappy time.

Image Source: http://imagefiles.findimage.net

Confucius Say:

Man who cut self while shaving, lose face.

Man who sit on tack get point!

Man who fart in church sit in own pew.

This last one is not funny as such, but will make you very happy if you can achieve it.

Image Source: http://fc06.deviantart.net

Enjoy the weekend,
Big Passy Wasabi

Military Friday Funny

2011-11-04T19:38:00.000+11:00

Image Source: http://farm2.static.flickr.com

This week to celebrate the release of Battlefield 3, we have a Wartime Friday Funny.

Warning: It can be a very accident prone life in the modern army.

These guys with their basic apparatus should be fairly safe in the battle field!

Image Source: http://www.howiteasy.com

Looks like these soldiers are all ready for Halloween, and can fly to safety easily.

Image Source: http://www.1stfun.com

Time now for us to look at the humorous side of army life.

Image Source: http://images.cheezburger.com

Here is an absolute classic: the full length version of Monty Python's funniest army joke.

Flying helicopters and driving tanks around Battlefield 3 sure is fun, but imagine how much fun it would be doing the real thing.

Image Source: http://picture.funnycorner.net

But being part of this Army next manouver doesn't look like too much fun.

Something is definitely very wrong here.

Image Source: http://www.howiteasy.com

Time now for a music video of classic funny Army pictures from the web.

Another Monty Python classic: "Marching Up and Down the Square".

Surprised that nobody in that little group suggested going off for a sausage sizzle.

Image Source: http://killmydaynow.com

Saving the best for last, one of our all time favorites: "Black Adder".

Let's finish off with YouTube's top three military fails ever.

But our number one army fail is this one:

Image Source: http://www.flixya.com

That's it for the War Friday Funny, time to get back to some Battlefield 3
bang bang shoot 'em up.

Enjoy,
Big Passy Wasabi

Halloween Friday Funny

2011-10-31T15:36:00.007+11:00

Image Source: http://i.ehow.com

Let's get the pumpkin flaming with this Sims 2 Halloween song.

If you're too lazy to walk around town getting candy, then why not take the car out with you.

Image Source: http://luxurynewcar.net

Better watch out you don't eat that candy all at once; as over eating can have some rather horrific side effects.

Image Source: http://www.funny-potato.com

Halloween can be a pretty scarey time, especially if you're a young girl waiting on the street to get into a special party.

It can also be a real drag if you are stuck at the office with the guys working back late.

Image Source: http://images.triplem.com.au

But here are some guys who are never bored with Halloween or horrorific occasions, because they live for this stuff.

Here is another one of their clips where Michael Myers gets dumped by his girlfriend.

That kind of stuff is really funny.

Image Source: http://todaywallpapers.com

Cows are really funny too, especially when they celebrate Halloween in their own unique style.

Image Source: http://cache.blippitt.com

Passy's World of Halloween Costumes

Here are our all time favorite picks of Halloween costumes. Some of the outifts aren't nearly as scary as what must be going on in the minds of the people wearing them.

First up: Sponge Bob and Patrick.

Image Source: http://www.wtfcostumes.com

Not to be outdone, we have another marvelous pair of friends: Bert and Ernie.

Image Source: http://4.bp.blogspot.com

Seems these crazy people keep coming in twos, and here are a couple that are as thick as bricks, so to speak.

Image Source: http://farm7.static.flickr.com

This next one is a great idea from some very artistic ladies.

Image Source: http://goodcostumesideas.com

Not to be outdone by the girls, the boys have their own action packed version of Halloween, or was that "halo-ween".

Image Source: http://technabob.com

Keeping with the gaming Halloween theme, we have Super Mario and friends.

Image Source: http://photos-b.ak.facebook.com

Last but not least, the best Halloween Costume ever, and definitely our winner of the "Best and Scariest".

Image Source: http://coolest-homemade-costumes.shippony.com

Guess we better finish up with something that's actually funny.

Here is a classic Family Guy humor with Jason Voorhees.

Go easy on the candy kids, and have a great Halloween!

Enjoy,
Big Passy Wasabi

Plant People Friday Funny

2011-10-22T17:50:00.001+11:00

Image Source: http://cache.gawker.com

This week we are taking a funny look at Plants.

My students have been doing a Photoshop type exercise making Plant People, and have come up with some pretty amazing creations.

The following Wondershare slideshow showcases the efforts of my Year 7 and Year 8 Multimedia students.

Note that we can click on the bottom of the slideshow on the "Manual Play" option at any time. We can then advance through the photos one by one at our own pace. This allows us to stop for longer on the photos that we really like, and quickly bypass the ones that we are not interested in.

(Push the Play button arrow below if the slideshow is not already running).

If you would like to see the above slideshow full size, then click on this link: http://www.passyworld.com/passyHTMLs/PlantPeopleShow.html

What would a Friday Funny be without a couple of those fabulous "I Can Cheezeburger" Pics.

First, the cat blames the dog for the dying plants.

Image Source: http://wtfcontent.com

But the dog reckons he is completely innocent.

Image Source: http://ihasahotdog.files.wordpress.com

Finally, there is a popular video game involving Plants Versus Zombies, and lots of YouTube game-play videos out there.

Here is one of our favorites.

That's it for now, gotta go eat some healthy plants for dinner.

Enjoy,
Big Passy Wasabi

Kids Choice Friday Funny

2011-10-16T20:55:00.001+11:00

Image Source: http://userserve-ak.last.fm

Hi guys, this week we have some videos that some teenage kids chose especially for the Friday Funny.

First up it is Jeff Dunham's Achmend the Terrorist.

Intro to Achmed the Dead Terrorist

Achmed the Terrorist on US TV

Achmed at Boot Camp

Biscuit the Sleep Walking Dog

Monkey with AK47

Trainsformers

The Lazer Collection 3

(Warning some content may offend sensitive viewers).

That's it for a very late Friday Funny for this week.

Enjoy,
Big Passy

Brian Regan 2 Friday Funny

2011-10-08T14:09:00.001+11:00

Image Source: http://naturalfamilyblog.files.wordpress.com

This week we look at some hilarious routines from one of our most favorite comedians of all time: Brian Regan.

First up, a very short funny animated video.

Here is another animated video of one some classic Brian Regan material.

"Brian Regan Foods and Labels" - a very educational video about serving sizes.

This animated video is all about Fishing.

This animated video is all about moving house with "United Parcel Service" - UPS.

Then after the move, there's the problem of getting the Phone connected at the new house.

Finally a short game play animation about pilots and planes.

Enjoy,
Big Passy Wasabi

Kids Stuff Friday Funny

2011-10-01T09:38:00.001+10:00

Image Source: http://static.guim.co.uk

Kids watch a lot of TV, Cartoons, Movies, and Video Games.

This week's Friday Funny has been inspired by these hilarious guys on YouTube called "Smosh", who have a whole series of videos all about what if thins we look at on the LCD screen were real.

First up let's have a look at Cartoons.

Image Source: http://www.cartoonbrew.com

But what if cartoons were real, and Pooh Bear actually was the product of what he ate.

Image Source: http://verydemotivational.files.wordpress.com

Here is Smosh's take on "If Cartoons Were Real".

Many cartoons have Superheroes in them, and there are many cartoons we would like to see with more Superheroes in them!

Image Source: http://media.comicvine.com

But are Superheroes sending the right message to kids?

The Smosh team investigates in this insightful video.

Kids also play a lot of Video Games.

Ever tried to talk to someone who's playing a game?

Image Source: http://cdnimg.visualizeus.com

And aren't video games just getting more realistic all the time.

Image Source: http://verydemotivational.files.wordpress.com

If you don't know what silly walks are then have a quick look at this classic Monty Python clip.

But what if all video games were real ?

One more for the silly walks fans.

Image Source: http://verydemotivational.files.wordpress.com

The other great passtime involving staring at the big rectangular screen is watching Movies.

Image Source: http://edge.ebaumsworld.com

Movies like Transformers offer great fantasy escapism.

But what if things were different, and Movies were real.

That's it for another week, I gotta get back to the real world and check what the kids are doing.

Enjoy,
Big Passy Wasabi

Microsoft Mathematics

2011-09-27T19:39:00.003+10:00

Microsoft Mathematics 4.0 is a free Application that provides a set of mathematical tools to help students get mathematics work done quickly and easily.

Students can learn to solve equations and draw graphs, while gaining a better understanding of fundamental concepts in number, algebra, trigonometry, physics, chemistry, and calculus.

Microsoft Mathematics includes a fully-featured graphing calculator that is designed to work just like a handheld calculator.

Additional maths tools help evaluate triangles, convert from one system of units to another, and solve systems of equations.

Here is a video introduction to some of the Graphical Calculator features of MS Math 4.0

MS Mathematics 4.0 Equation Solver

Here at Passy World we have only started using Mathematics 4.0 recently.
So far we have mainly been solving Linear Equations.

On the main ribbon menu, we click onto "Equation Solver" and type in our equation like this.

We can then click on the "Solve" button to obtain our answer.

In Worksheet view, we can click on "Solution Steps" to get the full working out displayed.

The Equation Solver easily handles all types of Linear Equations.

By Clicking on the "Graphing" tab we can get a graphical solution of our answer.

The Graph Plotter is great to use for demonstrations of how y = mx +c graphs, (or American y = mx + b lines), as well as graphical solutions for simultaneous equations.

The plotter also does a range of other graphs including parabolas, cubics, and even three dimensional graphs.

We are planning to explore a lot more of Mathematics 4.0, as there is plenty of useful functionality available.

Detailed Review of MS Mathematics 4.0

Here is a video which shows the primary features of MS Mathematics in detail.

Remo Knops has a comprehensive review of Microsoft Mathematics on his blog.

Click here for Remo Knops MS Math 4.0 Review

MS Mathematics 4.0 Free Download

Microsoft Mathematics 4.0 can be downloaded for free and installed on any Windows computer from the web address given below.

Most people use 32bit Windows and need to click download button next to MSetup_x86.exe option. But if you are using 64bit Windows, then click the download button next to MSetup_x64.exe option.

http://www.microsoft.com/download/en/details.aspx?id=15702

Enjoy,
Big Passy Wasabi

Movie Awards Friday Funny

2011-09-24T19:35:00.001+10:00

Image Source: http://wgtccdn.wegotthiscovered.netdna-cdn.com

Let's open this post with the 2011 Academy Awards Opening.

Naturally there's also the lovely ladies in their fabulous frocks walking the red carpet.

Image Source: http://clutch.mtv.com

Everyone just loves spotting all of the famous celebrity couples.

Image Source: http://roflrazzi.files.wordpress.com

And celebrities of all sorts do the walk.

Image Source: http://2.bp.blogspot.com

Here's a look at the 2011 Academy Awards Skit about Inception

Ricky Gervais has hilariously hosted the last two Golden Globes awards.

Here are some classic highlights from the 2010 Golden Globe awards.

(Warning: This clip does contain some adult themes).

The funniest things of all happen at the closed doors after parties.

Image Source: http://media13.onsugar.com

That's it for this award winning post.

Enjoy,
Big Passy Wasabi

Take Away Friday Funny

2011-09-16T21:48:00.001+10:00

Image Source: http://img.xcitefun.net

This guy certainly knows how to turn any boring Saturday afternoon into a whole lot of fun.

Fun Things to Do at a Drive Through

1. Drive through the drive-thru in reverse and let your passenger order.
2. Ask the price of almost everything on the menu and then order something that you didn't ask the price for.
3. Tell the employee that your window is broken. Order and then pay with your door open. When the food comes, roll down the window and snatch your order from their hands.
4. Go to McDonald's and demand a big breakfast at 11:30 at night. Put up a fight.
5. Pay for a large order in 5 cent pieces.
6. Order in another language. (Be careful what neighborhood you're in).
7. When asked if they can take your order, tell them you are just window-shopping and drive on.
8. Laugh sadistically when asked if you would like ketchup.
9. Ask the cashier how they fit into that little box.
10. If they make you wait, make them wait when they come back on.
11. Demand to speak to the manager. When they come on, complain that you did not like the way the employee said, "May I take your order?"
12. When asked if they can take your order say, "Why, can I take yours?"
13. If they ask you to wait, order anyway and keep doing it till they yell at you.
14. Pretend your car has broken down. Ask for assistance moving it. When they come out, drive away.
15. Tell them you have to use the bathroom.
16. Order a cup of water and two napkins. That's it.
17. Don't order when they come on. Just sit there. If a line forms behind you, get out of the car and cause a scene.
18. When they hand you your food, hand them a bag with all the trash from your car in it.
19. Just stare at them when you pay and get your food. Don't break your stare.
20. Honk your horn the whole way through the line.

Colonel Sanders is certainly not amused.

Image Source: http://sheikyermami.com

The Colonel has won a lot of look a like contests in his time.

Image Source: http://images.cheezburger.com

And here is another win to the Colonel!

Image Source: http://images.icanhascheezburger.com

Oh Yeah! The Colonel does it again. (Winners are Grinners).

Image Source: http://images.icanhascheezburger.com

This is what it's like to be chicken of Colonel Sanders.

Image Source: http://images.cheezburger.com

The guys who made this next video must be using a soundboard to keep blurting out phrases from the computer into the telephone. Oh my goodness that lady was polite and patient!

In this next video, the "What-If-Show" guy does some prank Mc Donald's versus Burger King calls.

So what would happen if Ronald McDonald did verse Burger King in a wrestling match. Well ponder no longer because here is the answer right here.

A lot of people think that Ronald is pure evil.

Image Source: http://funnypicturesofpeople.com

But Big Bad Evil Ronald is certainly no match for Chuck Norris.

Take Away Humour

I was just walking down the street, and I saw this restaurant called McDonald's Express. Let's see if we can try to wrap our brains around this concept -- this is a McDonald's, only faster. So, obviously, the McDonald's corporation think there are people out there saying to themselves, Oh I'd so love to go to McDonald's, but who has the time?
Joke Source: Comedian Andy Borowitz

Did you read about the couple that lost the $10 million in the McDonald's contest because their daughter was an employee? What a double whammy. They lose the $10 million, plus the embarrassment of having everybody know they've got a relative working at McDonald's
Joke Source: Comedian George Miller

A Mother and her five year old son were headed to McDonald's one day. On the way they passed a car accident.

As was the tradition when they see something terrible like that, they say a prayer for those who might be hurt.

The mother pointed and said to her son, "We should pray."

From the back seat she heard his earnest request: "Please, God, don't let those cars block the entrance to McDonald's."

Joke Source: http://www.basicjokes.com

Here is a clip from a BBC TV show that sheds some real light on typical take away ordering scenarios.

Might get some take away for dinner.

See you all next week.

Enjoy,
Big Passy Wasabi

Animated GIFs Friday Funny

2011-09-10T07:39:00.002+10:00

Image Source: http://i415.photobucket.com

The students in my ICT class love animated GIFs. There are certainly some very funny ones out there on the Internet.

An animated GIF can be made in Adobe Fireworks by making several image frame pictures, which then play one after each other in a continuous loop.

There are certainly some people out there making some very clever animations using this basic technique.

This week we are taking a quick look at some of our favorite mini animations.

Unfortunately the following GIF is a little bit on the small side, but it is simple and funny.

Image Source: http://i693.photobucket.com

Animated GIFs can also be made by capturing a set of "stills" from a video, and then copy and pasting them into an image processing program like Adobe Fireworks.

Image Source: http://www.funnyhumorclips.net

The following animation is a real favorite of ours. Just the idea of putting Sadam on a tricycle is so funny, but then with added animation it is brilliant.

We especially like how Sadam starts pedaling slowly, and then the animation quickly increases to full speed. (To see this happen. click on the picture to open it in a separate window). Definitely a 10/10 animation!

Image Source: http://i415.photobucket.com

This animation is simple but effective.

Image Source: http://askhumor.com

Here is another 10/10 brilliant animation. It looks very realistic, and would have taken a lot of clever work to make.

Image Source: http://www.crazywebsite.com

This one is so cute.

Image Source: http://images1.wikia.nocookie.net

Here is "Big Cat" listening to some cool songs that Little Cat made and uploaded to Itunes recently.

Image Source: http://24.media.tumblr.com

Being a typical rock star "bad boy" type, Little Cat got into a bit of trouble with the law, and is currently on the run heading for Las Vegas.

Image Source: http://animationsa2z.com

Little Dog doesn't seem too fussed that Little Cat is missing his Birthday Party.

Image Source: http://i415.photobucket.com

This next one is a brilliant idea, and brilliantly executed.

Image Source: http://lol.com.pk

Here are a couple of animations especially for "Alexander the Panda".

Image Source: http://www.furrytalk.com

And another interesting Panda animation.

Image Source: http://www.totalleh.com

Finally, on a more serious note, here is a Christmas Card Animated GIF that we made here at Passy World a while ago.

Image Source: http://www.passyworld.com

If you want to learn how to use Adobe Fireworks to make your own animated GIFs, (with a complete set of detailed step by step instructions), then click the following link.

http://passyworldofict.blogspot.com/2009/11/animated-christmas-card.html

Well we better go and get ourselves a bit more animated, because we've got a lot to do this weekend.

Enjoy,
Big Passy Wasabi

Beauty Friday Funny

2011-09-02T21:01:00.001+10:00

Image Source: http://teacherbootcamp.edublogs.org

This week we are laughing at the beauty myth. It must be hard being a modern girl, and expensive buying all of that makeup to plaster onto your face two inches thick!

There are certainly lots of aggressive marketeers out there, all making a grab for the beauty girl's dollar.

Image Source: http://failblog.files.wordpress.com

The quest for beauty and ensuing fails can start at an early early age.

Image Source: http://poorlydressed.files.wordpress.com

Fashion Parades are always a great venue for beauty fails, as well as the inevitable fashion faux-pas.

Image Source: http://www.almostzara.com

Here is a classic beauty pageant question fail from a very blonde contestant.

Hmmm... "the eyes have it".

And whatever it is we hope we don't see any more of it!

Image Source: http://cdn.nowaygirl.com

Ever noticed how drunk girls look so ugly?

Image Source: http://images.cheezburger.com

Even pets are getting depressed about not being beautiful enough.

Image Source: https://lh4.googleusercontent.com

It seems Goebbels gets quite upset as well, when he is informed that his plastic surgery is a failure

Here is part 2 of the previous video, where Goebbels really gets upset about his failed plastic surgery.

(Warning: Sub-titled Bad Language in this clip may offend some viewers).

Finally here is a classic TV Beauty Show send up.

Well it's been another BEAUTIFUL Friday Funny!

Enjoy,
Big Passy Wasabi

Penguin Friday Funny

2011-08-27T07:46:00.000+10:00

Image Source: http://funnyfunnypictures.net

Apparently a black penguin has been found in Antarctica, rebelliously violating the strict dress code for the bird colony.

Image Source: http://i.telegraph.co.uk

We thought this was pretty funny, and so here is our Friday Funny totally devoted to Penguins.

This penguin certainly looks like he's having a bad day.

Image Source: http://icanhascheezburger.files.wordpress.com

Maybe he's upset that he wasn't part of the recent scientific survey conducted on our furry flippered friends.

Image Source: http://cdnimg.visualizeus.com

Obviously you don't need a Penguin Suit to get close to these guys, and strike up a lasting friendship.

Image Source: http://i110.photobucket.com

Penguin Jokes Part 1

Q: How do Penguins drink their cola?
A: On the rocks.

Q: What´s black and white and goes round and around?
A: A Penguin in a revolving door.

Q: Why don´t you see Penguins in Britain?
A: Because they´re afraid of Wales.

Q: Who is a Penguin´s favourite pop star?
A: Seal.

Q: What kind of fish do Penguins catch at night?
A: Starfish.

Q: Why don´t Penguins like rock music?
A: They only like sole.

Q: Why do Penguins carry fish in their beaks?
A: Because they haven´t got any pockets.

Q: What do Penguins sing on a birthday?
A: Freeze a jolly good fellow.

Q: Why do two Penguins in a nest always agree?
A: Because they don´t wanna fall out.

Q: What do Penguins have for lunch?
A: Icebergers.

Q: What do you call a penguin in the desert?
A: Lost.

Q: What´s black, white & red all over?
A: A penguin with sunburn.

Here is a dubbed over parody video of the "Pingu" animated TV show for kids.

As well as the out of uniform black penguin, there are all sorts of other Penguin rebels in the Antarctic colony.

This penguin is a rebel with a cause, but we are not too sure how long his lifespan will be with this type of adrenalin junkie bad boy behavior!

Image Source: http://i520.photobucket.com

And this poor colony misfit is in all sorts of trouble.

Image Source: http://images.cheezburger.com

Penguin Jokes 2

Q: How do penguins drink?
A: Out of beak-ers.

Q. What's a penguin's favorite salad?
A: Iceberg lettuce.

Q. Who's the penguin's favorite Aunt?
A: Aunt-arctica

Q: How does a penguin make pancakes?
A: With its flippers.

Q: Why are penguins good race drivers?
A: Because they're always in the pole position.

Q. What's black and white and black and white and black and white?
A. A penguin rolling off an iceberg.

Q: What's black and white and red all over?
A: An embarrassed penguin.

Naturally our most favorite Penguin is the tuxedo umbrella dude from the Batman movies.

Image Source: http://www.jplegacy.org

Here is a classic Batman versus Penguin sequence from the early days TV series.

Well we gotta go find our flippers and tuxedo for the Deep Sea Divers Ball on Saturday night.

Enjoy,
Big Passy Wasabi

My Virtual Home

2011-08-20T16:07:00.002+10:00

Image Source: http://3.bp.blogspot.com

"My Virtual Home" is Free downloadable software for making 3D Home Designs. It is great fun to use, but requires a reasonable computer, and a good internet connection.

Here at Passy World we downlaoded and tried it out, with a view to it being useful for students doing house plan Perimater and Area type maths assignments.

Click the following links for some typical example assignments.

http://its.guilford.k12.nc.us/webquests/areaperim/areaperim.htm

http://schools.nyc.gov/offices/teachlearn/documents/standards/math/es/67dream.html

Using a modern design program on computer like "My Virtual Home" is an engaging and enjoyable way of doing these types of assignments.

It would certainly be a more fun, and better learning, than using the traditional ruler, colored pencils,and grid paper.

Here is an Intro Video about the My Virtual Home program.

YouTube URL: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wp8dFe_2p9M

Here is another Intro Video that goes for three minutes.

YouTube URL: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b06Nh02Of_k

This video shows how to Navigate around in My Virtual Homes.

YouTube URL: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hP6GlhPJwJo

Here is a demonstration of Changing channels in MyVirtualHome.

These are like different libraries that can be used while making your home. The "Better Homes and Gardens" channel is more focussed on outdoor garden design, and the Building channel appears to be for making houses.

YouTube URL: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WdNLGacHR44

Here is a video on How to Display Measurements onto floorplans.

This is what we need students to do before taking screen shots for their assignments.

YouTube URL: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p4cC85tZpqI

This video shows how to use the program Menus.

YouTube URL: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mfe73REzqew

Here is a walk through (has no sound) of a completed home.

YouTube URL: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hETqJrYQ5g0

Downloading the Program

This is easily done by clicking the "Download" button on the following site:

http://www.myvirtualhome.com.au/

As soon as the program is started for the first time, it is necessary to Register your details by giving a valid email address that a verification email can be sent to with a link that needs to be clicked. You can however use the program for three times before needing to verify it.

The program has to download all the components for given houses from the Internet, and this can be up to 150Meg or more of data for a large home that is already furnished.

The System Requirements state that at least a 128M 3D graphics card is needed. The PC we tried it on had an old NVidia gaming card in it, with an AMD Quadcore processor, and it was reasonable quality, but not quite 100%. It was okay while moving through the house, but angled lines were slightly jagged whenever we stopped moving.

We are not sure how this program would run on a school laptop, but expect that it might be a little bit glitchy in the display. There could also be slow download times for components, depending on how good the school's wi fi network is.

Here is a screen print a house plan with measurements shown from our PC:

Here is a screen shot of the walk through view of these rooms:

My Virtual Home is a really well made fun program, and is great for designing houses and trying out different floor plans.

It would be great for students to use for doing part of a typical Areas and Perimeters House Plan assignment at home, but we are not sure how it would go on the laptops at our particular school.

We would need to get the program installed in a computer lab that has reasonable machines, but it would be painful to register each install and give each PC a password.

We have emailed My Virtual Home to find out if educational institutions are using the program, and if there a free site version available without passwords that is easier to install and manage. Pending a response, we will update this blog post.

Enjoy,
Big Passy Wasabi

Sick Friday Funny

2011-08-20T09:06:00.002+10:00

Image Source: http://declubz.com

If you were feeling sick and went to Hospital, this food would certainly not provide your passage back to better health !

Big Passy is sick this week with some very nasty Bronchitus, but as they say: "Laughter is the best medicine".

So here is a medicine filled Friday Funny all about being sick.

Let's start off with a classic Mr Bean video.

Our pets can get sick, and this is always a problem.

Image Source: http://thegamersthumb.com

Here is a video all about Kermit the frog being sick.

Sick Jokes

In Australia we call corny jokes "sick jokes".

Here are a few of our favorites from the net.

Q. What did the pony say when it had a sore throat?
A. I apologize, I am a little horse!

Q. What did the lawyer name his daughter?
A. Sue.

Q. Why does a seagull fly over the sea?
A. Because if it flew over the bay it would be called a bagel!

Q.What lights up a soccer stadium?
A. A soccer match.

Q. When does Friday come before Thursday?
A. In the dictionary.

Q. What did the mayonaise say when someone opened the refrigerator door.
A. Close the door I am dressing!

Q. What do you call a shoe made from a banana?
A. A Slipper.

Q.Why was the little strawberry crying?
A.Because his parents were in a jam.

Q.What did the fruit tree say to the farmer.
A. Stop picking on me.

Q. How did the pirate stop smoking.
A. He used the patch.

Q. Whats a bear called without teeth.
A.A gummy bear.

Patient-”Doctor, I seem to get heartburn whenever I eat birthday cake.”
Doctor-”Have you tried removing the candles first?”

Did you hear about the restaurant on the moon?
Great food but no atmosphere.

Source: http://www.greatcleanjokes.com

When someone goes to Hospital, it is only natural to fear the worst.

Here is something really fearful: Mr Bean performing surgery!

You certainly don't want to mess with the Panda while on your sick bed.

The only good thing about sickness is when it happens to someone else, like your Boss!

That's it for this week, I gotta get back to my sick bed.

Enjoy,
Big Passy Wasabi

Interactives at Mathwarehouse

2011-08-13T16:16:00.001+10:00

Mathwarehouse has an awesome collection of math interactives that are brilliant for classroom demonstration on interactive whiteboards or data projectors.
Best of all, these fabulous resources are instantly available on the net and 100% free.

These online apps are written in Adobe Flash, and it never ceases to amaze us here at Passy World what clever people can build with Flash.

Unfortunately for Apple device users, these interactive programs are not available for their use, because Apple refuses to support Flash.

One more reason, (in an ever growing list), for schools not to adopt iPads for their students to use.

But even if your school is unfortunate enough to have iPads, these interactives can still be used in the classroom from with laptop plugged into a data projector, and are therefore still of great use.

In this post we review a small sample of the interactives, so that you can get an idea of what they are. The best thing to do is to click the links supplied in this post, and try them out for yourselves.

Distance Between Two Points Formula

Try this interactive out at the following link:

http://www.mathwarehouse.com/algebra/distance_formula/interactive-distance-formula.php

Exterior Angle of a Triangle

Try this interactive out at the following link:

http://www.mathwarehouse.com/geometry/triangles/angles/remote-exterior-and-interior-angles-of-a-triangle.php#demoRemoteExteriorAngle

Vertical Angles

Try this interactive out at the following link:

http://www.mathwarehouse.com/geometry/angle/interactive-vertical-angles.php

Parallel Lines Angles

Try this interactive out at the following link:

http://www.mathwarehouse.com/geometry/angle/interactive-transveral-angles.php

As well as demonstrating these to a class using a Projector, it is also possible to make a video tutorial while using the product. Use Jing with Screencast for free, or else purchase the excellent Camtasia product for making narrated video screen captures.

The video below has been made by Khan Academy, and is available on YouTube.

Unfortunately, the sound seems to cut out half way through the video for some strange reason.

To access a full list of all the Interactives at Math Warehouse, click the link below:

http://www.mathwarehouse.com/interactive/

Enjoy,
Big Passy Wasabi

Demotivational Friday Funny

2011-08-12T21:42:00.001+10:00

Image Source: http://www.marcofolio.net

This week we were not feeling all that motivated by the time Friday rolled around. So we thought we would take a look at some of our favorite "Demotivational" posters.

Here at Passy World we hate real motivational posters! Mainly because of two miserable years we spent working on an IT Project that was managed by this butthole Texan company called "EDS", who thankfully are no longer in business.

They had these stupid lame motivational and propaganda posters everywhere!

No matter where you turned in the office, you couldn't help but see one of these corny pieces of pure pap.

That's probably why we now like "Demotivational" Posters so much here at Passy World. Unlike those lying swine at EDS, Demotivational posters tell it like it really is!

As you probably know, Passy World is based in Australia, and for some strange reason a lot of people are put off from coming out here for a holiday.

Image Source: http://www.demotivationalposters.org

Except Oprah wasn't scared to come here. Our native animals are very scared of Oprah, and so is Big Passy!

Sure, there is the occasional shark in the surf here in Australia, but don't let that put you off.

Image Source: http://www.allowe.com

Cricket is a big sport here in Australia, but oh my goodness it is so damn boring!

Here at Passy World we do not like Cricket at all.

Here is one of the many reasons why.

Image Source: http://images.triplem.com.au

Did we mention that there are lots of sharks here in Australia?

Image Source: http://verydemotivational.files.wordpress.com

Tennis is also a popular sport in Australia, and one that Big Passy used to play a lot of.

But I was never the guy in this photo.

Image Source: http://www.demotivate.info

My Grandma likes playing Lawn Bowls, but she also likes dancing.

Image Source: http://funny-pics-fun.com

We even have Goths in Australia. (We are very multicultural you know).

Image Source: http://verydemotivational.files.wordpress.com

We have lots of cows that we send to Indonesia.

But a few are left behind, because they are not fit for export.

Image Source: http://cstarr.files.wordpress.com

We don't have any Pandas; but you'd think China would give us a heap of them. How much coal and mineral dirt out of our ground have we given to them!

Image Source: http://www.snurk.com

Finally here is one guy who is the coolest of cool.

He would definitely be welcome anytime as a refugee to Australia.

Image Source: http://4chanmemeandmotivational.files.wordpress.com

Gotta go get motivated for a big weekend,

Enjoy,
Big Passy Wasabi

eBay Math Problem

2011-08-07T07:51:00.005+10:00

Image Source: http://topnews.net.nz

A friend recently asked me how to set up a "Buy it Now" price for an item on eBay, so that they would not lose any money selling the item.

They did not care if they made any money on the sale, they just wanted to unload their unwanted item without incurring a loss.

Here is their original question:

"Okay Mathematics Brainiac - Here is a real life example of why we should pay attention to our maths teachers at school.......

I have something I want to sell on ebay but am not looking to make a profit (or a loss!). The item cost me $117.79, and ebay charge a flat-rate "insertion fee" of $2.50 and also a "final value fee" (based on the closing price) which is 5.25% of the first $75 and 2.75% for every dollar over $75. I have run this so many times and keep getting the incorrect answer.... it's the rolling "final value fee" that's getting me. Any help would be greatly appreciated!"

THE FINAL ANSWER IS TO SELL THE ITEM FOR $125.62 .

Here is how to work it out.

To make zero profit, Sell Price = Cost of Selling Price

Let d = the missing dollar amount of mark up that we need to determine.

Sell Price = 117.79 + 2.50 + (5.25% of 75) + d
SP = 124.23 + d

Cost Price = 124.23 + (2.75% of (124.23 + d - 75)
Cost Price = 124.23 + 0.0275x49.3 + 0.0275d
CP = 125.59 + 0.0275d

Now set SP = CP for zero profit and solve:

124.23 + d = 125.59 + 0.0275d (Now subtract 0.0275d both sides)
0.9725d = 125.59 - 124.23
0.9725d = 1.36 (Now divide by 0.9725 both sides)
d = $1.40

So SP = 124.23 + d (Now substitute in our answer for d)
SP = 124.23 + 1.40
SP = $125.63

Check this Answer:

The Original 117.79 should be left when we take away all the charges
125.63 - 2.50 - (5.25% of 75) - (2.75% of (125.63 - 75) = $117.80

So due to rounding off errors introduced while doing this problem, there will be a 1 cent profit.

If we try to sell for 125.62 we will have:
125.62 - 2.50 - (5.25% of 75) - (2.75% of (125.63 - 75) = $117.79.

$117.79 is how much the item cost, and so the cost of buying the item will be recovered and no loss incurred.

We did do some Googling to see if we could find an Online Calculator that could work all of this out in a computer program, but could not find anything useful.

So there you go. There is not always on Online Calculator for everything. Learning High School Algebra can be useful in later life!

Enjoy,
Big Passy Wasabi

Google Keyword Tool

2011-08-06T21:26:00.001+10:00

Image Source: http://www.techwyse.com

Google Adwords "Keyword Tool" is a fantastic free researching tool!

It allows us to find out what people are searching for on the Internet, and what keywords they search on.

Here at Passy World we are not interested in the advertising side of things. We are interested in finding out what people are looking for on the internet.

In particular we want to know what words they are typing into the Google search box when they look for certain material.

Our angle on this at Passy World, involves using Keyword research to help us choose better titles for our Blog Posts. Titles that will contain the right type of keywords, so that people can easily find them when using search engines.

There are quite a few video Tutorials on the "Keyword Tool" on YouTube, and here are a couple that we found particularly useful.

Video Tutorial Part 1 - Google Adwords Keyword Tool

Here is the second part of the Tutorial, that is all about how prices work in Google Adwords.

This is of interest to people in marketing and advertising, as to where websites can be advertised, and what sort of prices are involved.

Here is one example of how we recently used the Google Keyword Tool.

We had a post for our "Passy's World of Mathematics" site that was all about how Geometry is used in a range of different jobs and professions.

We were thinking of calling the post: "Geometry in Jobs".

However when we put "Geometry Jobs" in the Google Keyword Tool, we obtained the following results:

These results indicated to us that it would be a good idea to call our post
"Jobs With Geometry", since this is what people most frequently search for in Google.

As a result, we called our post "Jobs With Geometry", rather than "Geometry in Jobs".

Google Keyword Tool is also very useful for authors, when they are thinking about how to title their next book, or for people setting up websites, who are wondering what name to call their site.

The best thing about Google Keyword Tool is that it is 100% free!

Enjoy,
Big Passy Wasabi

Jim Breuer Friday Funny

2011-08-06T20:33:00.001+10:00

Image Source: http://thumbnails.hulu.com

Jim Breuer is a very talented comedian and singer, much in the vain of Jack Black, but probably even better.

This week we devote our whole Friday Funny to showcasing his awesome talents.

Here is one of his stand up routines about Rock Music and kids.

Here is Jim Breuer doing his AC/DC Hokey Pokey.

(This is really awesome. It sounds exactly like AC/DC!).

AC/DC must have heard about his antics and decided to get him on stage to perform with them at a live concert.

Jim Breuer Radio Interview about performing with AC/DC.

Here is Jim's stand up routine about when he was a kid dressing up as Batman at Halloween.

Here is a more adult oriented routine about sleep deprived mothers.

Finally a very funny routine from Jim all about the hazards of drinking.

That's it for this week.

Enjoy,
Big Passy

Make Toondoo Cartoons

2011-08-02T17:29:00.002+10:00

By Passy | View this Toon at ToonDoo | Create your own Toon

ToonDoo is a free online cartoon maker which is lots of fun. It is very easy to get started with, and only requires a valid email address to sign up.

Here is a great Slideshare Presentation that takes you through step by step on how to sign up for free and use Toondoo.

Click the bottom right hand corner symbol to go fullscreen, and then use Esc key to come back to this blog post.

How to create a Toon Doo

View more presentations from jfljunk

Here is a short three minute YouTube video on how to make your first cartoon, once you are signed up to Toondoo.

The only thing we found tricky was that when we were in the cartoon editor, and had saved our cartoon, there is no button we could find to click to take us back out to the main Toondoo page. Instead we had to use the browser's back button to find our way out.

The other thing to know is that when we save our cartoon, it saves into the "My Toondoos" area of our online account.

We can then go into this area, by using the top left hand corner "Toons" button, and clicking "My Toondoos".

Next we click on our cartoon, and under it will be options to save it as a .PNG file, or to print it, or share it through social media or email.

We can also get embed code for our Toondoo to put it on our blog or webpage as another one of the options.

If we want to make a sequence of our cartoons into a book, there is a flip book maker on the Toondoo site.

Or we could save our cartoons from Toondoo to our PC, and Insert them into a PowerPoint or Word Doc.

There are also character creator tools, and other features like uploading your own images, which we have not tried out, but look good.

The Toondoo main site is at the following link:

http://www.toondoo.com/

So give Toondoo a go, it is lots of fun for story-telling and making quick little comics.

Enjoy,
Big Passy Wasabi

Running Friday Funny

2011-07-29T21:36:00.000+10:00

Image Source: http://www.harveyabramsbooks.com

Sometimes I wonder if I am running out of ideas for the Friday Funny. The above picture might not be funny, but is a splendid piece of art to finish the week with.

Here is a funny video called "The Running Matador".

Running is a very serious sport, usually lacking in funny moments.

That is until we see a guy who just doesn't get it.

Image Source: http://www.failpix.net

This next running race is also a bit out of the ordinary. Could it be a modern take on the "Hare and the Tortoise" race ?

Image Source: http://verydemotivational.files.wordpress.com

Running Jokes 1

A blonde goes out for a run. She comes to a river and cannot see a bridge anywhere nearby.

She spots another blonde on the opposite bank. "Yoohoo doll!" she shouts, "How can I get to the other side?"

The second blonde looks up the river then down the river then shouts back, "You're already on the other side!"

Running Jokes 2

A brunette was jogging down the street saying "66,66,66" etc. a blonde comes up behind her asking her "why are you saying 66."

The brunette says "It helps me jog better." So, the blonde goes across the street and starts saying "66,66" etc.

The brunette yells "Its a lot easier if you do it in the street." So, the blonde goes in the middle of the street saying "66" all of a sudden a truck comes up and hits her.

The brunette keeps jogging down the road saying "67,67,67".

Joke Source: http://www.best-running-gear.com

And full proof of the validity of the above jokes is very evident in the following photo finish.

Image Source: http://www.demotivationalposters.org

This next video is all about sticking by your friends in times of trouble.

The Joy of Jogging

1. For every mile you jog, you add one minute to your life. This enables you, at the age of 85, to spend an additional five months in a nursing home at $5,000/month.
2. The only reason I took up jogging was to hear heavy breathing again.
3. I joined a health club last year, spending $400 in the process. I haven't lost a pound. Apparently you have to show up.
4. I have to exercise early in the morning, before my brain figures out what I'm doing.
5. I like long runs, especially when they are taken by people who annoy me.
6. The advantage to exercising every day is that you die healthier.
7. I have flabby thighs but fortunately my stomach covers them.
8. If you are going to take up cross-country running, it helps to start with a small country.
9. I don't jog; it makes me spill my milk shake.
10. Actually, I don't exercise at all. If we were meant to touch our toes, we would have them farther up on our body.

Joke Source: http://www.jokesnjokes.net

But not everyone who goes out running is exactly who the appear to be.

Image Source: http://www.motifake.com

If you think that runner looked surprised, then check out the surprise you get when we find out who is jogging along in these running shoes.

This one isn't so funny, as just absolutely incredible. Parkour Free Running was invented by the Russians, and combined running with amazing gymnastic stunts in public places.

Serious Warning: Don't try this at home!

Something else incredible is this crazy UK guy called "Neg", and his Urban take on running sports.

Neg's Urban Sprinting low quality but only embeddable one

(Warning: Some viewers may be offended by the language in this video).

Neg would definitely never get away from these security guys.

Image Source: http://www.demotivationalposters.org

That's just about it for another Friday Funny.

But just before we go: Remember that advice that your mother gave you about never running with scissors in your hand?

Image Source: http://runswscissors.files.wordpress.com

That's it for now, I've got to run off and start another big weekend.

Enjoy,
Big Passy Wasabi

Weight Training and the Internet

2011-07-24T19:06:00.005+10:00

Image Source: http://sp.life123.com

Suppose we want to do some weight training in the gym to help us with sport and be healthy. We might need to get a few things worked out first.

How do we know how much weight to lift for a given exercise?
How do we know how many times ("repetitions") we should do?
How do we know how many sets of exercises to do ?
How do we know how long to rest in between sets ?
How many times should we go to the gym a week ?
How long should we rest between trips to the gym ?

And what better way to get some answers to these questions than from the Internet. There is a wealth of information, online calculators, and instructional videos on weight training. We will be reviewing them here, and proving once more that whatever you need is on the Net for free.

However, the computer does not give all the answers. We need to hire a professional trainer to work out a starting point for us, and that will be money well spent.

However we can also do some internet research and a bit of mathematics, to find out some relevant information ourselves.

While it is good to do some math to determine the training weights that you can use, you should always check with a personal trainer or gym staff, before commencing your program.

The contents of this post are a mathematical review of some websites for weight training, and are definitely not weight training advice for someone to set up their own training program.

Here at Passy World we do regular weights training, but we had our program set up by professional staff at a gym. We recommend that you always do the same.

Let's look at some of the mathematics of weight training.

Here is a short YouTube video which mentions some of the mathematics involved with weight training.

As demonstrated in the video, the key to each exercise is the "repetition" which is the full motion we do to complete the exercise once.

"Brian Mac - Sports Coach" is a brilliant website about weight training, and the source of most of the material which follows in this post.

http://www.brianmac.co.uk/weight.htm

We highly recommend visiting the above link for a great overview of muscle strength development and sports training.

On the "Brian Mac" site, ranges of values for recommended repetitions are given, depending on the type of training that the person needs to do.

This is summarized in the following table.

The types of training indicated in the above table, as per the "Brian Mac" site are as follows:

Strength Endurance

The aim is to develop muscles that are able to to produce repeated contractions under conditions of fatigue. This requires high repetitions (15+) with light loading (30-50% of 1RM). Appropriate for field sports, rowing and martial arts.

Power

The aim is to develop fast powerful movements. This requires medium number of repetitions (6-10) with medium to heavy loading (70-80% of 1RM). Appropriate for power based events e.g. sprinting, jumping (long jump), throwing (Javelin).

Maximum Strength

The aim is to enable maximum loads to be lifted. This requires low number of repetitions (1-5) with heavy loads (80-100% of 1RM). Appropriate for Power Lifting, Olympic Lifting, Shot Putt.

In the table shown previously, all weight to be lifted is expressed as a percentage of the "1RM" weight value which is set at 100%.

The 1RM weight is the maximum weight we can lift for a specific exercise, where the weight is so heavy that we are only able to do one repetition of that weight. We are not strong enough to do a second lift of that weight.

As we train and get stronger, this 1RM value may become larger, and so it needs to be recalculated from time to time.

But how do we determine the 1RM weight for a particular exercise?

The "Brian Mac" site has a very nice online calculator that looks like this:

Three estimates are provided by this calculator:

Novice - an adult with less than 1 year of regular weight training
Experienced - an adult with 1 to 2 years of regular weight training
Advanced - an adult with more than 2 years of regular weight training

Once we have determined the weight we should lift for 1RM (One Repetitition Maximum) at 100% training weight from the calculator, we can then work out what weight we would need to do for different amounts of reps, according to the training program we are following: Strength, Power, or Endurance.

For example, Let's say we obtained 120kg for Military Bench Press as our 1RM from the calculator. If we want to do Endurance Training, then we need to consult our training table.

The table shows that if we want to do 14 reps per exercise for Endurance, then we need to have our barbell weight set at 65% of 1RM.

So our required weight is calculated as 65% of 120kg = 0.65 x 120 = 78kg.

For Endurance training we need to Military Bench Press 78kg of weight.

But what if we want to determine the 1RM for an exercise that is not in the Brian Mac calculator, such as Bicep Curls.

Image Source: http://munfitnessblog.com

What we need to do is work out the maximum weight we could manage for several reps, until such point as our muscles are fatigued, and we cannot lift the weight any more.

For example, to do a 1 rep max test for the bicep curls, we might lift a 40kg barbell and discover that we can only lift the weight 6 times until our muscles are completely fatigued.

From our previous table we know that 6 repetitions represents 85% of the 1RM weight value.

85% of 1RM is 40kg (Divide both sides by 85)
1% = 40 divided by 85 (Now Multiply both sides by 100)
100% = 47 kg

So our calculated 1RM value for us doing 1 rep of bicep curls is 47kg.

To check the mathematics we have done, we can use an Online 1RM Calulator.
There is a very good calculator for determining the 1RM value and it's percents at the following link:

http://www.exrx.net/Calculators/OneRepMax.html

Interestingly, when we use this calculator for our 6 reps of 40kg Bicep Curls, the answer given was 46kg and not 47kg.

There are several slightly different 1RM math formulas, made by different researchers. This is discussed on Wikipedia, and the common formulas are by Brzycki, Beachle, Epley, Lander, Lombardi, and others.

The Online Calculator appears to be using the Brzycki formula:

1RM = Weight / (1.0278 - (.0278 x Reps))

which is the most commonly used formula by most Sports Scientists and Personal Trainers.

The % Table we have been using in this blog is only an approximation, with rounded off percents. It is therefore not suitable for calculating accurate 1RPM values.

We need to use the Brzycki formula to work out our 1RM correctly. This is simple to do, and involves some basic Algebra substitution.

For our Bicep Curls we have:
Weight = 40
Reps = 6

1RM = Weight / (1.0278 - (.0278 x Reps))
= 40 / (1.0278 - (.0278 x 6))
= 40 / 0.861
= 46.46
= 46kg.

Now that we know the 1RM for our Bicep Curls is 46kg:

If we want to do "Power Training" then we could work at
12 reps using 70% of 46 = 12 reps of a 32kg weight.

And if we wanted to do "Endurance Training" for our bicep curls, we could work a set of 14 reps using 65% of 46 = 14 reps of a 30kg weight.

You may be wondering what exactly are bicep curls exercises ?

"Expert Village" on YouTube have some really good YouTube videos on how to do different weight training exercises.

So if you forgot some of the things your personal trainer showed you at the Gym, then find a video on YouTube to watch.

Here is a great example video by Expert Village on bicep curls.

Finally, let's take a look at some of the Mathematics involved in Olympic Weight Lifting.

Competition Weight Lifting is all about overcoming the force of gravity in the most efficient way possible. This involves applying some specific mathematical geometry and alignment between the weight being lifted and the the person lifting the weight.

Here is an excellent Chinese video, with English narration which explains this mathematics very clearly.

Hope the material in this post has not been too heavy going, too hard to find uplifting, or too much of a strain.

Image Source: http://ph.cdn.photos.upi.com

Enjoy,
Big Passy Wasabi

Free Online Math Tests Review

2011-07-23T16:57:00.004+10:00

Image Source: http://www.monitoringsoftwareblog.com

The Internet is an incredible resource for mathematics learning tools. And after we have done some learning, we need to test how much has been retained and properly understood.

What better way to do this than to take a quick online test and get immediate feedback.

"Online Tests" are onscreen interactive tests, where we can type an answer into the computer. The computer then immediately corrects all of our questions and gives us our score.

There are many websites that have free PDF Practice Tests for National testing in the UK and USA, but these are not corrected by the computer online, and so we consider these to be worksheet type resources rather than online tests.

In this post we look at ten great websites that have free online tests for Mathematics.

We have not used these online tests on Apple devices, but it is quite likely they will not work. The reason being that Apple devices do not support Flash or Java.

To get to each site, use the text link supplied at the end of each mini review. Click this text link to go to the site - do not click the banner image.

Free Math Test

This site is really good and simple to use. It covers basic mathematics up to Averages and Integers, Substitution, Order of Operations.
There do not seem to be any Fractions, Decimals, Percentages, Ratios, or Solving Equations questions.

This site allows a person to choose the level of difficulty, and the number of questions they want to do.

http://www.freemathtest.com/

That Quiz

This covers a lot of mathematics right up to Trigonometry and Calculus.

This site also allows a person to choose the level of difficulty, and the number of questions they want to do.

It is a great site and worth using.

http://www.thatquiz.org/

See our full review of "That Quiz" on a separate post at the following link.

http://passyworldofmathematics.wordpress.com/2011/07/18/online-testing-with-that-quiz/

Math Tests

This site has a great range of online tests, but a selected test can take a minute or two to load in, so be patient.

It also does not appear to allow selection of the number of questions or their difficulty, and seems to default to 10 questions for each test with a 30 minute time limit that is enforced by an onscreen timer.

http://www.math-tests.com

Soft Schools

This site has plenty of basic math tests.

However it does also have some good middle school tests for Algebra such as solving one variable equations.

It does not appear to allow selection of the number of questions or their difficulty, and seems to default to 10 questions

Other things of interest on this site are as follows.

A nice Quadratic grapher with value sliders at:

http://www.softschools.com/math/algebra_1/quadratic_equation_graph/

and a similar straight line graph simulator at:

http://www.softschools.com/math/algebra_1/straight_line_graph/

A set of calculators at:

http://www.softschools.com/math/online_calculators/

The site also has Worksheets, but for some of them you need to be a registered user. (Registration appears to be free).

The homepage for Soft Schools is as follows:

http://www.softschools.com/

Amby Math Tests

This site has a number of basic skills math tests that can be done online. A mini lesson is given at the start of each test.

It does not appear to allow selection of the number of questions or their difficulty, and the number of questions between different tests varies.

http://amby.com/tests/math/

Math Goodies

This site does not have quizes that you can directly go to, but has lessons on topics, that most times have a short online quiz at the end of them.

The topics are on basic math, and do not include middle school topics like Trigonometry, Equations, and Algebra.

This site does not allow selection of the number of questions or their difficulty, and the number of questions in an end of lesson quiz varies.

As well as lessons with Quizes at the end of them, the site also has plenty of worksheets.

It is an excellent site, and one of our favorites. Check out all of the lessons at the link below.

http://www.mathgoodies.com/lessons/

BBC Maths

This site is like Maths Goodies, and has lesson lists and the lessons contain online tests.

It does not allow selection of the number of questions or their difficulty, and the number of questions at the end of a lesson always appears to be 10.

This is a great site and one of our favorites.

Check out the comprehensive list of lessons covering basic number through to Trigonometry, Algebra, and Equations. So the BBC cover primary through to middle school for free online resources, and do it as good as any site we have seen.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/websites/11_16/site/maths.shtml

Khan Academy

Saving one of the best for last, the Kahn Academy is an awesome website of free online Math Learning resources.

There are lots of videos, but to do online practice tests, we need to click on the "Practice with an Exercise" button, and then navigate down the left had side of the page to the topic we want to practice.

The practice sessions have scoring, and you can ask for hints, or watch a video if you are struggling with the test.

This site does not appear to allow selection of the number of questions or their difficulty

http://www.khanacademy.org/

Cool Math

This is a great site that has lessons, games and quizes for math from Primary through to the end of middle school. We have found that students really like this site for the math games and activities it has.

The online testing can be found under the "Practice Problems" link.

Here we usually get problem generators, so we can do as many questions as we like, on a very specific part of math, and get an answer when we need it.

For example check out this typical one at a time question generator.

http://www.coolmath.com/crunchers/algebra-problems-solving-equations-1.htm

The Cool Math homepage can be found here:

http://www.coolmath.com/

My Quizzes CA

This site has quizzes that people submit, and so the quality can vary.
However there are around 500 online math quizzes on the site.

http://www.myquizzes.ca/

So that's our Top 10 of great Free Math Quiz and Test sites. These are a great way to check up on how your math skills are going, and an excellent tool to use when reviewing for tests.

Best of all they are available 24x7, and 100 percent FREE!

Enjoy,
Big Passy Wasabi

Geometry Friday Funny

2011-07-22T21:58:00.004+10:00

Image Source: http://reviewtion.com

Hi there, it's good to be at the gateway to another weekend. This Friday we are poking some fun at Geometry. If that doesn't add up, then it's not supposed to, because it's Geometry!

Let's hope this Friday Funny makes everyone a lot happier than this unfortunate little chap.

Image Source: http://www.failepicfail.com

There is right and wrong geometry for everything. Whoever designed that bike never heard wheels on the bus going round and round.....

What makes them go round?

The fact that they are round you dodecagon!

Speaking of things going round and round, here is an interesting little science experiment. (Warning: Don't try this at home!)

Keeping with circles as our geometric shape under close scrutiny, we all know that plane engines have circular openings, and the plane is cylindrical in shape.

Even though the geometry theory has been implemented in the following example, there still seems to be something annoyingly wrong.

Image Source: http://3.bp.blogspot.com

When dealing with plane engines, it is important to remember that square things don't fit into round holes.

Image Source: http://4.bp.blogspot.com

Not all things fit in square holes either, no matter how much money you throw at the problem!

Image Source: http://www.dailyhaha.com

Spacial geometry tells us that an air traffic controller's circular screen could not fit this many planes taking off at once.

Image Source: http://projectwander.com

But it's not just humans who struggle with the complexity of geometry.

Image Source: http://images.icanhascheezburger.com

But like all species, there are always those members of superior intelligence.

This next cool cat has certainly blitzed triangles on his latest geometry test!

Image Source: http://mypantherpress.info

Here is a video crash course in geometry. They reckon you can learn geometry in 48 seconds! Amazing!

If learning by video is not your style, then you could always read a book on geometry. There are books about everything these days.

Image Source: http://1.bp.blogspot.com

Okay, time we squared up this post by actually adding a humor item.

Image Source: http://evansheline.com

Here is a mini quiz on what we have learned so far.

Spot the odd one out:

Image Source: http://failblog.files.wordpress.com

Answer: The Octagon should have eight sides. The red shape in the picture above only has six sides, so it is actually a Hexagon.

Rectangles are a great shape to use for parking cars.

As simple as this may seem, some drivers just don't get it!

Image Source: http://2.bp.blogspot.com

You don't really need to know Geometry to be a rock star, but it certainly might improve your parking.

That was a very exciting stunt, squarely captured on car park security cam.

If only geometry could always be that exciting!

That's it for another funny week.

Hope you get around this weekend, and you liked the angle we took on geometry in this post.

Enjoy,
Big Passy Wasabi

Amazing and Puzzling Friday Funny

2011-07-15T22:56:00.002+10:00

Image Source: http://images.travelpod.com

This week we are taking a funny look at Puzzles and Mazes.

So let's start off with something really simple.

Image Source: http://media.myspacepimper.com

You will be absolutely amazed at this video. We certainly were!

Make sure you watch the whole video, and have the sound up nice and loud... lol.

(Not for the faint hearted, people with heart conditions are strongly advised to skip this one.)

Everyone just loves a good Maze game.

Check out this video if you don't believe us.

Here is a video from "The Crystal Maze".

In this show people are locked in a room, and have to solve a puzzle to get out, or in this case do an actual maze as the puzzle.

Here is an epic fail from the Crystal Maze.
Obviously this guy failed every science electronics class he ever took.

This next video must be one of the all time biggest epic fails on Crystal Maze ever !

Jigsaw Puzzles are always a load of fun.
But this little furry guy is having a bit of a confusing time.

Image Source: http://icanhascheezburger.files.wordpress.com

Here is a picture of the Vase that the cat was talking about.

Image Source: http://www.coolfunpics.com

That cat sure is a real little trouble maker!

Image Source: http://icanhascheezburger.files.wordpress.com

The Rubik's Cube has been one of the most amazing puzzles ever.

But for some dudes, solving the cube requires a bit of lateral thinking.

Image Source: http://www.karrels.com

The cube provides indisputable proof that cats are much smarter than dogs.

Image Source: http://images.cheezburger.com

Certain non-Rubik approved modifications were required to the cube however.

This was especially so in parts of the USA inhabited by pick up driving familes.

Image Source: http://www.thecomedynet.com

The cube is certainly one for the thinkers of this world.

Image Source: http://1.bp.blogspot.com

But leave it to the world's biggest solutions company to bring us the best non-functioning Rubiks cube ever.

Image Source: http://images.icanhascheezburger.com

And some nerd we found on Google who has the best tattoo ever.

Image Source: http://3.bp.blogspot.com

All right then, enough of the Rubik's cube, and onto other exciting puzzles.

This next puzzle is not from Crystal Maze, and is an interesting little Car Parking Challenge.

Let's finish off with this great puzzle prank.
Who wouldn't love doing these funny jigsaw puzzles!

We're off to find our way through a maze of weekend activities ahead of us.

Enjoy,
Big Passy Wasabi

Passy's World of Mathematics

2011-07-14T12:33:00.001+10:00

http://passyworldofmathematics.wordpress.com/

Hi everyone. We have a brand new Blog, all about Mathematics, and it is in WordPress!

We decided that we would take some of the maths posts from this Blogger blog, and copy them into their own separate blog.

So why is the new blog in WordPress ?

Well here are the reasons:

We have always wanted to try out WordPress, and "see how the other half lives".

Blogspot.com sites are now totally blocked in a lot of schools, (because some Blogger sites contain pronography). Apparently WordPress is not blocked.

We wanted a simple clean "book" type layout and look for the blog

We wanted a Blog without any Friday Funnies in it, because some teachers don't like students looking at them

We wanted a blog which only has mathematics resources on it

We wanted a companion website for the mathematics ebook we are currently writing

WordPress is free, just like Blogger

WordPress is easy to use, just like Blogger

We wanted to learn WordPress anyway.

You can read the "About" page for our new Mathematics blog here:

http://passyworldofmathematics.wordpress.com/about/

To check out the new WordPress blog: "Passys's World of Mathematics",
simply click the link below:

http://passyworldofmathematics.wordpress.com/

Don't worry, we will still be keeping Passy's World of ICT and the Friday Funny going. But we are also very busy writing our first ebook, and so there might not be so many posts in the next few weeks.

Enjoy,
Big Passy Wasabi

Decimal and Percentage Games

2011-07-13T14:56:00.003+10:00

Here at Passy World we are contantly searching the web to find great free stuff that can be used for fun and learning. Because learning should be fun !

But sorry there is no fun for Apple users, because these games are in Flash and Java.

Thanks to Apple's designers, Flash and Java do not run on ipods or ipads.
We do have an ipad here at Passy World, but hope to replace it in the near future with an Android tablet with USB connection and Flash and Java capability.

In this post we present a great collection of free online games for gaining skills in dealing with decimals, fractions, and percentages.

If Blogger sites are blocked in your school, then you can also read this post at our Mathematics blog on WordPress by clicking the link below:

http://passyworldofmathematics.wordpress.com/

Note that to get to each Game, it is necessary to Click the Link that we have supplied. Clicking the screen shot of the Converter, does not take you to the online app.

(Eg. Because it is a bit tricky to do picture links in Blogger, we haven't connected each screen shots to it's app, but instead provided a direct text link at the end of each review.)

We have certainly checked out a lot of games on the web, and here we give you the best of the best! So let the fun begin.

"Mission Magnetite"

Mission Magnetite involves Fractions and Percents.

In this fun game we click a percent first into it’s bottom circle, and then click it’s equivalent fraction, and then into the last bottom circle the appropriate drawing.
It is a race against time to complete the puzzle before the rocket fills with fuel.

http://pbskids.org/cyberchase/games/percent/percent.html

“Bravo Millionaire”

In this one or two player millionaire game, we can practice changing fractions and decimals into percents. It is well done and lots of fun.

Click here to play Fractions Decimals Millionaire

“Bravo Jeopardy”

In this really fun jeopardy game we change fractions to decimals and percents and vice-versa. We can play this game by solo, or with our friends, or in teams. Remember to click on your character to get them to buzz in first for the answer.

Click here to play Fractions Decimals Jeopardy

Decimal Place Values - American Football Game

In this American football math game, we solve decimals place value problems. For each correct answer, we earn seven points, but we lose three points for each incorrect answer.

Use the mouse to move the ball thrower left and right, and when it looks a good time to pass to your layer, then click the mouse to do the pass.

After the pass is completed, we get to do a math question on decimals.

Click here to play the American Football Game

Rounding Decimals to Whole Numbers - Soccer Game

In this Soccer game we practice our knowledge about rounding decimals to the nearest whole numbers. You have to answer each question correctly to get a chance to kick the ball. You must score enough goals to move on to the next level!

To round a decimal to the nearest whole number, look at the digit that indicates the tenth place value. If this digit is greater than 5, you have to round the decimal up. If that digit is less than 5, you have to round the number down. Erase the decimal point.

Example: 31.78 rounded to the nearest whole number is 32, because 7 is greater than 5, therefore we have to round the number up.

56.2 rounded to the nearest whole number is 56, because 2 is less than 5, therefore we have to round the number down to the nearest whole number.

The game also includes rounding to tenths, hundredths, and thousandths.

Note that to kick goals we first mouse click how much power we want to apply, and then mouse kick again to have the kick at goal.

Click here to play Soccer Rounding Game

Rounding Decimals - Baseball Game

In this baseball math game we practice our knowledge about rounding decimals. We first need to click the mouse on the batter when the ball is pitched to get a home run.

After this we get to answer a rounding off question. Each correct answer gives 1000 points and each incorrect answer takes away 1000 points from our score. The game has several levels, but we need to get enough home runs to advance from one level to the next.

Click here to play Baseball Rounding Decimals Game

Mixed Decimal Mathematics

The following web page has a listing of several Decimal Mathematics Games including adding, subtracting and multiplying questions. Do some of these if you need to learn more about decimals than we have covered here.

http://www.math-play.com/decimal-math-games.html

Percentage of a Number - Balloon Invaders

This game is like a Space Invaders type game to play, and is really fun.
Use the arrow keys to move the shooter, and space bar to shoot.

http://www.mathplayground.com/balloon_invaders_percent.html

Percent Discount - Discounts at Troy's Toys

This game is quite challenging, and for some people they might need a calculator to divide the % value by 100, and then multiply by the dollar amount.

http://www.mathplayground.com/percent_shopping.html

Percents Fractions Decimals - "Decention" Game

“Decention" involves Percents Fractions and Decimals Groups of 3 Matching.

Use the mouse to move the players into circles in groups of 3, then click the “Check” button to see how things are going. The groups of three have to be equal values. For example 4/5 and 0.8 and 80% belong in a group of three because they are all representations of 80 percent.

http://www.mathplayground.com/Decention/Decention.html

Fractions and Percent - Memory Matching Game

This Memory Matching game is very challenging, as we can only reveal two squares at a time, and have to remember what was under each square as we continue through the game. It will teach fractions and their percent equivalents, as well as improve memory.

http://www.mathplayground.com/matching_fraction_percent.html

Fractions Decimals Percent - Matching Game

This matching game has the player click pairs of circles, and if they match correctly they turn red, and go into the answer box in the top left hand corner.

Click here to play Fractions and Decimals Matching Game

Viewing Percentages Activity

This is not so much of a game as an activity, where percentages can be viewed as part of a Pizza, a number of people, how full a jug is, or how much chocolate is left.
We simply click down and hold the mouse button, and then drag the % value from the right hand table, into the black action box, and the picture changes.

Click here to do BBC Viewing Percentages Activity

Percentages to Fractions - Private Investigator Game

In this game we solve the mystery of the burgled bank vault with Percentage P.I.
Visually we locate percent values on Pie Charts and learn the fractions associated with percentages.

http://funschool.kaboose.com/formula-fusion/games/game_percentage_pi.html

Percentage Discount

This game teaches how to calculate percentages, as well as rounding off Answers. It is a UK game, and so money is in pounds and pence.

Click here to play Percentages Discount Game

Ordering Decimal Numbers Activity

In this game we push down our mouse button and drag the left hand decimal values, over onto the right hand number line. We can click “Check” anytime to see how we are going, but we lose a life is a decimal is in the incorrect position.

Click here to do BBC Ordering Percents Challenge

Percentages Mystery Game

This game is a movie mystery story with percentage puzzles along the way. Requires sound to hear the story. Very well produced and entertaining. Note that you need to mouse over area names on the map to find out how many squares they actually are.

Click here to play BBC Percentages Mystery Game

Fraction Decimal Percent

This game is basically a set of quizzes which get progressively harder as we move through each 10 question game. It lacks action, but is good for practicing our skills.

http://www.mathgoodies.com/games/conversions/

Whole Numbers Place Value

This Millionaire game contains whole number tens, hundreds, thousands, place value questions and is good fun. Can be played in one player or two player mode.

http://www.math-play.com/Place-Value-Millionaire/place-value-millionaire.html

Decimal Place Value - Pirates Game

This is a fun game where we have to choose which Pirate to cast our sword on, depending on the decimal place given at the top of screen information box.
We move our sword to the correct Pirate and then click the mouse button.

http://www.mrnussbaum.com/placevaluepirates1.htm

Decimals Number Line

In this game we have to type in a decimal value in between the two values they give us, and gradually work our way along the number line to the house where the criminal is hiding. Note that values like 0.5 have to be entered in the bottom right hand box as .5 (eg. There is no room for the leading zero).

Click here to play Decimal Detective Game

Putting Decimals in Order

In this Olympic Medals awards ceremony, choose the Long Jump even to do decimals. Drag the country to a Position number in the "Pos" column. Then click on this number with the mouse to have to country's details entered in there. Once all countries are in, click the Award Medals Button.

http://www.mathsonline.co.uk/nonmembers/gamesroom/awards/awardc.html

Fractions to Decimals - Puppy Race Game

Getting this Puppy Race game started is tricky, because if there is only one player then you have to create a game moving through the options and then play against the computer. Not sure how multiplayer works, but the option is there.

http://www.arcademicskillbuilders.com/games/puppy-chase/puppy-chase.html

Decimals to Fractions - Flying Helicopter Game

In this flying game we click the mouse button to make our helicopter go up, and let go of the mouse button to let it go down, as it flies through the city. We are given a decimal value in the middle of the screen, and have to fly above or below the decimal towards the correct Fraction answer. If we fly too high or too low, or hit the decimal, the game ends.

The game takes a while to get used to, and it is very annoying that there is not a restart button. To restart a game we have to reload/refresh the web page with our browser.

http://www.xpmath.com/forums/arcade.php?do=play&gameid=79

Fractions to Decimals - Alien Invaders

In this Invading Aliens game we get to save the world from invading decimals by converting the fraction value given in the left hand corner to a decimal. We move the fraction man superhero using the arrow keys, and use the space bar to shoot. Note that the webpage loads the game in slowly, so we have to wait a minute or two for it to come in.

http://www.mrnussbaum.com/death_decimals/index.html

Decimals to Fractions Tester

This is an online quiz activity. Note that we get given some study notes first, then we need to scroll down the web page to do the quiz that is shown above. When a decimal value is given, click the yellow fraction button which is equal to the given decimal value.

http://www.aaamath.com/fra42cx2.htm

Percents to Fractions Tester

This is an online quiz activity. Note that we get given some study notes first, then we need to scroll down the web page to do the quiz that is shown above. When a Percent is given, type the /100 fraction in the answer box, and then click the yellow "Check" box. Note that we do not reduce fraction answers down, so that 80% is 80/100 and not 4/5 in this game.

http://www.aaaknow.com/fra71cx2.htm

Percents to Decimals Time Trial

In this Time Trial activity, we type the answer in the answer box and then press enter, (or click the check box). We are then given immediate feedback about our answer. At the end of the time we get a % accuracy score for our work.

http://www.xpmath.com/forums/arcade.php?do=play&gameid=31

Decimals to Percents Time Trial

In this Time Trial activity, we type the answer in the answer box and then press enter, (or click the check box). We are then given immediate feedback about our answer. At the end of the time we get a % accuracy score for our work.

http://www.xpmath.com/forums/arcade.php?do=play&gameid=33

So that's a big percentage of the best available free online games. Give them all a go and have some fun learning mathematics.

The sad thing is that a large percentage of Apple device owners will never got to play these games, because Apple does not support Flash and Java.

Enjoy,
Big Passy Wasabi

Online Calculators and Converters

2011-07-11T14:40:00.016+10:00

The Internet is brilliant for finding just about everything!

It is especially easy to find plenty of free online apps for calculating and converting. There are free online converters for just about anything you could ever want to do.

My son told me that Google is the best search engine for finding converters. Whenever he hits a problem he cannot do in "Matheletics" online games, he just Googles to find a converter app that can get him the answers he needs.

In this post we provide links to our favorite free online converters.

If Blogger sites are blocked in your school, then you can also read this post at our Mathematics blog on WordPress by clicking the link below:

http://passyworldofmathematics.wordpress.com/

Note that to get to each converter, it is necessary to Click the Link that we have supplied. Clicking the screen shot of the Converter, does not take you to the online app.

(Eg. Because it is a bit tricky to do picture links in Blogger, we haven't bothered connecting the screen shots to the apps, but instead provided direct text links.)

Scientific Calculator

This calculator works like TI and Casio calculators, and so is very easy to use. It also has a "Full Size" button we can click to make it go full screen.

Click the link below to use this scientific calculator online.

http://www.mathopenref.com/calculator.html

Graphing Calculator

The above online calculator can draw graphs with up to four different variables input.

As shown above, we enter a Quadratic Parabola in the form: x*x + 2*x + 1

http://www.mathopenref.com/graphfunctions.html

Online Basic Calculator

This calculator can be used online to do any basic calculation, and is full screen size.

Even without special function buttons, we can still do tasks like converting Fractions to Percentages.

Eg. To convert 1/4 to % we could type in 1 divided by 4 then x100 and then press the equals button to get our required answer of 25%.

http://www.amblesideprimary.com/ambleweb/mentalmaths/BigCalculator.html

Online Percentage Calculators

Here are some Online Percentage Calculators that are very useful.

Fraction to Decimal Calculator

Simply enter the fraction we want to convert into the bottom right hand corner area and then click the "Calculate" button.

http://www.amblesideprimary.com/ambleweb/mentalmaths/fracto.html

Percentages and Amounts Calculator

This calculator is easy to use and gives Percentages and Values as shown above. Pick which calculation you want to do. You do not have to do both calculations like we have done.

http://www.onlineconversion.com/percentcalc.htm

3-Way Online Percent Calculator

http://www.math.com/everyone/calculators/calc_source/percent.htm

Fractions and Percents Converters

These two calculators can be found at the following links, and work as shown above.

http://www.calculatorsoup.com/calculators/conversions/fractiontopercent.php

and

http://www.calculatorsoup.com/calculators/conversions/percenttofraction.php

Fractions Calculators

"Calculator Soup" has a full set of fractions calculators, including Simplifying, Conversions, and Addition, Subtraction, Multiplication, and Division.

To use any of these great free online calculators, simply click the link below:

http://www.calculatorsoup.com/calculators/math/fractionscalculators.php

Rounding Off Calculator

"Calculator Soup" also has a great rounding off Calculator that can do whole numbers as well as decimals rounding.

http://www.calculatorsoup.com/calculators/math/roundingnumbers.php

Factors Calculator

This calculator finds all of the factors of any number.

http://www.classbrain.com/artteach/publish/article_48.shtml

Highest Common Factor Calculator

This calculator will find the Highest Common Factor for a group of number. Remember to separate the numbers with commas when entering them.

http://www.calculatorsoup.com/calculators/math/gcf.php

Multiples Calculator

This online calculator gives the first hundred multiples of any number.

http://www.calculatorsoup.com/calculators/math/multiples.php

World Time Converters

The "Time and Date" website has everything we need for working our World Time. As shown above, it is very easy to use the world time converter.

http://www.timeanddate.com/worldclock/converter.html

World Time Now

The "Time and Date" website also has a World clock we can bring up that tells us the current time in all of the world's major cities.

http://www.timeanddate.com/worldclock/

Metric Length Converter

The following web page has an easy to use metric length converter.

http://www.onlineconversion.com/length_metric.htm

Calculators to Convert Anything

The "Online Conversion" website has calculators to convert just about anything: Length, Weight, Volume, Angles, Temperature, Cooking Measures, etc. Go to this page and then navigate down through the calculators to find what you need.

http://www.onlineconversion.com/

Currency Conversion

The XE converter has been around for a few years and is very easy to use.

http://www.xe.com/ucc/

Once we have our converted result, we can click on the "Rates" tab to see the current major conversion rates for the two currencies we just converted.

We get a listing of conversion rates like this.

Note the above listing also has "Inverse" values for going backwards, from say Canadian Dollars to Australian dollars, where 1 Canadian will get 0.96891 Australian.

Simple Interest Calculator

This is a great online Interest Calculator, because it gives a fully worked solution on the answer page.

This is a very impressive piece of web page programming.
You can access the calculator at this link:

http://www.webmath.com/simpinterest.html

Compound Interest Calculator

This is a Compound Interest Calculator, which allows for a savings plan, where we can add to our money each month if we want to.

If we did not want to have any extra amount added, we could just set the
"Add an extra" to box zero.

This is a very well set up application.

http://jaw.iinet.net.au/stuff/interest.html

Discount Calculator

We can use this calculator to get discounts. But this calculator is extra nice, because we can also enter the "Reduced" discounted price, and will it will calculate the original price.

So the calculator works in both directions.

Note that we always have to enter the Percent Value, but we only have to enter one of the three items on the top input line.

http://discount.miniwebapps.net/

There is a Calculator for anything!

Just Google for what you want, (for example, something like "Roman Numerals" which we haven't included on our post), and click the first item that comes up in Google that is non-sponsored.

Well that's everything converted !

Enjoy,
Big Passy Wasabi

Chocolate Friday Funny

2011-07-09T20:19:00.005+10:00

Image Source: http://farm6.static.flickr.com

This week we have decided to treat everyone to a bit of chocolaugh.

Let's get right straight into it with a clip from the best film ever made about chocolate.

Just typing this post is making me hungry for chocolate, even my keyboard is starting to look strange.

Image Source: http://www.coolfunpics.com

It makes chocoholics want to rush out and get their teeth into one of those fabulous new Iphones.

Image Source: http://www.cellphonesidekick.com

Maybe I'll just have to pop out to the kitchen for a cuppa.

Even the dog is craving a chocolate fix.

Image Source: http://theaffordablewebhost.com

Here is another great clip from Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory.

My goodness that little girl was annoying.

Let's face it, life is kind of like chocolate, and sometimes you've got to deal with all sorts.

Image Source: http://4.bp.blogspot.com

And to cope with a day of dealing with nuts, what better comfort food is there than a giant block of your favorite chocolate treat!

Image Source: http://cdn.trendhunterstatic.com

That is, unless you happen to have already done a solid day's work making your own chocolate.

Image Source: http://images.travelpod.com

Those guys with the giant chocolate bar can probably tick yes to all of the following items.

Top 10 Signs You Are a Chocoholic

1. You like to dip strawberries, cherries and bananas in chocolate so much, that you start experimenting at dinner with broccoli and cauliflower substituting chocolate for cheese.

2. You buy a bottle of chocolate syrup and carry it around in a small paper bag for a quick nip when you need it.

3. You've eaten all twenty-four pieces of chocolate in your advent calendar by December 1st.

4. You think the best post-holiday sales follow Halloween, Valentines Day and Easter.

5. You think Hershey 65% cacao bars are for rookies and Lindt 85% cacao bars are for professionals.

6. You plan to start a grassroots movement to get the cacao bean listed in the protein section of the food pyramid.

7. You think the woman in the Dove commercial who is satisfied with just one piece of chocolate is faking it.

8. The only tree you want to save in the Rainforest is the Cacao tree.

9. You accidentally ate some dog food pellets the kids gave to you, thinking they were chocolate.

10. You think Chocolate is better than COD!

Source: http://2wahms.com/191/signs-that-you-are-a-chocoholic

Speaking of COD, could this be the ultimate food snack for Black Ops players ?

Image Source: http://myfoodlooksfunny.files.wordpress.com

This is definitely one of the best chocolate ads ever!

Here is another great "Japp" brand Chocolate Bar ad.

Easter is a time of devotion for chocoholics.

Image Source: http://weddingwhirlwind.files.wordpress.com

Chocolate Quotes

All I really need is love, but a little chocolate now and then doesn't hurt!
-- Lucy Van Pelt in Peanuts by Charles M. Schulz

Chocolate is cheaper than therapy and you don't need an appointment.
-- Catherine Aitken

Chocolate is nature’s way of making up for Mondays.
-- Anonymous

Exercise is a dirty word... Every time I hear it, I wash my mouth out with chocolate.
-- Author Unknown

I could give up chocolate but I'm not a quitter.
-- Author Unknown

I have this theory that chocolate slows down the aging process.... It may not be true, but do I dare take the chance?
-- Author Unknown

I never met a chocolate I didn't like.
-- Deanna Troi in Star Trek: The Next Generation

It's not that chocolates are a substitute for love. Love is a substitute for chocolate. Chocolate is, let's face it, far more reliable than a man.
-- Miranda Ingram

Life is like a box of chocolates... you never know what you're gonna get.
-- Forrest Gump in the movie "Forrest Gump"

Make a list of important things to do today. At the top of your list, put "eat chocolate." Now, you'll get at least one thing done today.
-- Gina Hayes

Man cannot live on chocolate alone; but woman sure can.
-- Author Unknown

There are four basic food groups: milk chocolate, dark chocolate, white chocolate, and chocolate truffles.
-- Anonymous

There's nothing better than a good friend, except a good friend with CHOCOLATE.
-- Linda Grayson

Quotes Source: http://www.great-inspirational-quotes.com/chocolate-quotes.html

Here is a classic annoying Taxi Driver commercial.

And here is the actual Indian Kit Kat ad.

Kit Kat and Cadbury are big rival brands in India. But there must be some special illicit ingredient they are putting into the Indian version of Cadbury Dairy Milk.

Some people take chocolate containing legal substances for medicinal purposes.

Image Source: http://kazza.id.au

While others go for an all over chocolate treatment.

Image Source: http://yeinjee.com

We have never heard the "Chocolate Rain Song". But here is one version that is definitely not the original.

Hope you liked the taste of our first ever chocolate coated Friday Funny.

Enjoy,
Big Passy Wasabi

Spiderman Friday Funny

2011-07-02T14:46:00.001+10:00

Image Source: http://toonapalooza.net

This week we've got a bit caught up in the web, and the Friday Funny is slightly late. Blame it all on Spiderman, and his infernal sticky web!

This trailer spoof of Spiderman 3 is so bad it is actually funny. It has had over 3 million views on YouTube, and so why not rack up another one.

But what does Spiderman do to fill in time in between sequels of his movies ?

Image Source: http://4.bp.blogspot.com

Does he have to get petty street busking jobs like this one as a rap dancer come stunt man ?

Image Source: http://roflrazzi.files.wordpress.com

Or does Spiderman wander around still keeping the streets safe, but getting fat from eating too many cheeseburgers and donuts.

Image Source: http://www.fugly.com

Spiderman Jokes I

Why is Superman stupid?
Because he wears his underwear over his pants.

Why is Batman more stupid?
Because he wears his underwear over his pants and puts on a belt over his underwear.

Why is Robin even more stupid?
Because he followed what batman did.

Why is Wonder Woman stupid?
Because she wears a belt on her head.

Why is Spiderman the most stupid superhero of them all?
Because he wears his underwear over his head.

What we didn't know until researching this week's funny, was that Rowan Atkinson of Mr Bean fame has even had a go at a bit of web weaving work.

"Spider-Plant Man" is a parody of Spider-Man, made for the Comic Relief 2005 appeal and aired on BBC One on March 11, 2005.

Spider Plant Man - Part 2

Did you know that there is also a Spider Girl?

Image Source: http://wtfhub.com

No not the girl in the fancy dress outfit, or the following bizarre photo-shopped "Aracnowoman":

Image Source: http://www.joe-ks.com

but a comic book superhero, (or is that heroine?). That's not the drug heroin, but the super save the world type comic girlie.

Image Source: http://mydisguises.com

There has also been some Spiderman type game play action captured in Halo, purely an accidental coincidence, or so we have been told by the players concerned.

Image Source: http://images.cheezburger.com

Spiderman Jokes 2

Q: Why does Spiderman need to get to the computer so badly?
A: To search the world wide web!

Q: Where's Spiderman's home page?
A: On the world wide web.

Q. Who runs Spiderman's web site?
A. He does it himself because he is a web master.

Here is a classic YouTube voice over clip of a famous scene from Spiderman.

So what does Spiderman do to keep amused between movies....we have really been trying to figure this one out.

Does he just chill out playing guitar ?

Image Source: http://chzmemebase.files.wordpress.com

Or does he join the "Peace Corps" and do charity work in third world countries.

Image Source: http://www.spidermancrawlspace.com

No he does none of these things!

He works at what he knows best: clinging to buildings at excessive heights.

Image Source: http://www.spidermancrawlspace.com

Speaking of work, we got to get out of this web and go do some.

Enjoy,
Big Passy Websabi

How to Pimp Up Your USB

2011-06-25T18:37:00.002+10:00

Recently one of our computer class students showed us how he had made a custom icon and background for his plug in USB stick drive.

It looked great, and so we thought we would do this ourselves, and make a tutorial on how it is done.

The folowing works for Windows XP, but on VISTA and Windows 7, the custom background does not work, because Windows has some kind of security that does not allow the desktop.ini file to run.

The following PDF gives step by step instuctions on how to make your own custom icon and desktop background.

If you would like to have your own full size copy of this PDF, then simply click the save disk icon button on the PDF viewer, and you should be able to save it to your own hard disk.

Alternatively, you can view or save the full size PDF by clicking the link below:

Click here to open or save the “How to Pimp Up a USB” PDF

Have fun pimping up your USB, and if you want to use the Passy World icon, then here it is in tiny miniature below.

Use your web browser to save it as a .ico file.

Enjoy,
Big Passy Wasabi

Toy Story Friday Funny

2011-06-24T21:35:00.005+10:00

Image Source: http://toonbarn.com

The Toy Story movies by Pixar are a fantastic work of computer animation, and truly great comedy entertainment.

At least Mr Potato Head never had problems getting replacement parts, whenever he was falling to pieces.

Image Source: http://i43.tinypic.com

Here is a video about the making of the latest installment: Toy Story 3.

What we have always liked about the Pixar films is that they are such clever adult humor applied to an innocent children's story.

Image Source: http://30.media.tumblr.com

And the best thing is that the latest Toy Story movies are all in fabulous 3D.

Image Source: http://4.bp.blogspot.com

Here is an exclusive inside look at the creation of the latest Toy Story Movie Logo.

Originally Quentin Tarantino was going to be the Movie Director for Toy Story, but somehow it just didn't all come together, and so he went off to do his own thing.

We are so excited about Toy Story 3 here at Passy World, that we are thinking of having a Toy Story Fancy Dress Party.

Image Source: http://costumepop.com

Wonder how the COD fans will dress up for the Party ?

Image Source: http://farm5.static.flickr.com

This guy is definitely invited.

Image Source: http://farm3.static.flickr.com

But these people are on the very doubtful list.

Image Source: http://i15.photobucket.com

Toy Story movies are not without their fare share of violence.

And in Toy Story 4 next year, we will be seeing this Jonah Hex versus Woody footage.

Famous Toy Story Quotes

Mr. Potato Head: Hey, a laser! How come *you* don't have a laser, Woody?
Woody: It's not a laser! It's a...
[sighs in frustration]
Woody: It's a little light bulb that blinks.
Hamm: What's with him?
Mr. Potato Head: Laser envy.

Woody: Wait a minute, I just lit a rocket... Rockets explode!

Woody: All right, that's enough! Look, we're all very impressed with Andy's new toy.
Buzz: Toy?
Woody: T-O-Y, Toy!
Buzz: Excuse me, I think the word you're searching for is "Space Ranger".
Woody: The word I'm searching for I can't say because there's preschool toys present.

Sergeant: Molly's first present is... Mrs. Potato Head! Repeat, a Mrs. Potato Head!
Hamm: Way to go, Ida-ho!
Mr. Potato Head: Gee, I'd better shave!

And of course the most famous Quote of all.

Image Source: http://www.demotivationalposters.org

The big story surprise for Star Wars movies was finding out that Luke had a father.

Image Source: http://www.demotivationalposters.org

In the upcoming Toy Story 4 to be released next year, we find out that Buzz Lightyear has many sisters working at Hong Kong Disney Land.

Image Source: http://www.flaircandy.com

Here is just one of the many great voice over remakes of Toy Story footage that can be found on YouTube.

So that's it from us, we are off to the weekend and beyond!

Enjoy,
Big Passy Wasabi

Top 10 Friday Funny

2011-06-17T20:38:00.000+10:00

Image Source: http://wedding-pictures.onewed.com

This week is all about Top 10's. There is a great wealth of material out there on the net that is very funny.

Here for your laughter and entertainment, we have ten of the best PG rated funny things we could find.

Let's kick off with a Top 10 of very funny TV Commercials

The next Top 10 contains advice about preventing long term tragic situations like this one.

Image Source: http://de.acidcow.com

Top 10 Ways to say No to Going out on a Date

I'd love to, but...

I have to floss my cat.
I want to spend more time with my blender.
The man on television told me to stay tuned.
I'm staying home to work on my cottage cheese sculpture.
I'm building a pig from a kit.
I have to go to the post office to see if I'm still wanted.
I'm teaching my ferret to yodel.
I have to check the freshness dates on my dairy products.
I'm planning to go downtown to try on gloves.
I'm attending the opening of my garage door.
I'm being deported.

Source: http://www.poddys.com

You certainly wouldn't want to go out on a date with this guy.

Image Source: http://img12.imageshack.us

Here is a great cartoon video about the Top 10 ways to fail at falling in love,
(if you happen to be a turtle).

We travel to the Middle East for our next list, and it is indeed a funny place.

Image Source: http://2.bp.blogspot.com

TOP 10 HIT MOVIES IN IRAQ

10. "You've Got Veil"
9. "There's Sanctions Against Mary"
8. "Honey, I Martyred the Kids"
7. "I Still Know What You Did Last Ramadan"
6. "How Saddam Hussein Got His Chemical Weapons Back"
5. "Kurdz"
4. "Arranged Bride of Chucky"
3. "Patch Saddams"
2. "Turban Cowboy"
1. "The Waterboy"

Source: http://www.poddys.com

Top 10 Health & Safety Warnings

The following training video shows ten important Health and Safety Hazards for workers.

Here is another Health and Safety warning concerning the ergonomics of using a redneck computer workstation:

Image Source: http://hiphappy.files.wordpress.com

TOP TEN WAYS TO TELL IF A REDNECK HAS BEEN USING YOUR COMPUTER

1. The monitor is up on blocks
2. Outgoing faxes have tobacco stains on them
3. The six front keys have rotted out
4. The RAM slots have Ford truck parts that smell like they
were just dipped in gasoline
5. The numeric keypad only goes up to six
6. The password is "Bubba"
7. There is a gun rack mounted on the Monitor
8. There is a Skoal can in the CD-ROM drive
9. The keyboard is painted in camouflage
10. The mouse is referred to as the "critter"

Joke Source: http://www.poddys.com

And one more safety warning about keeping a close eye on your pets.

Top 10 Signs Your Cat May Be Trying To Kill You

Seems mighty chummy with the dog all of a sudden.
He actually *does* have your tongue.
You find a stash of "Feline of Fortune" magazines behind the couch.
Cyanide pawprints all over the house.
You wake up to find a bird's head in your bed.
Droppings in litter box spell out "DIE"
Catch him with a new mohawk looking in the mirror saying, "Mew looking at me? Mew looking at me?"
Takes attentive notes every time "Itchy and Scratchy" are on.
Has taken a sudden interest in the wood chipper.
Ball of yarn playfully tied into a hangman's noose.
You find a piece of paper labelled "MY WIL" which says "LEEV AWL 2 KAT."

Joke Source: http://www.poddys.com

Image Source: http://i160.photobucket.com

Enjoy,
Big Passy Wasabi

Can You Bear It Friday Funny

2011-06-10T21:25:00.001+10:00

Image Source: http://www.juliapetrova.com

Hope your week wasn't too unbearable..... and if you can possibly bear it, this Friday's funny is all about our good friend the bear.

Let's start at the beginning with cute cuddly teddy bears. They are reliably there for us in our earliest years, and always so obedient.

Everyone loves to share and care for their teddy bear, but do you think you could bear having Mr Bean as your full time companion?

Moving right along to another all time cutie: the Panda Bear.

Image Source: http://images.icanhascheezburger.com

Be warned that just like any other bear, it is best not to upset the Panda Bear; that is unless you want to see his dark side.

In fact Pandas can do some fairly jackass things when they are let loose, as happened not so long ago in Japan.

Polar bears aren't nearly as smart as Panda Bears!

Image Source: http://www.innocentenglish.com

But black bears are real smart. They even know how to ride bikes.

Image Source: http://funnyfunnypictures.net

And they know where to get their fast food, (even if it takes a while).

Image Source: http://3.bp.blogspot.com

It has been known for a long time that bears are excellent fishermen.

Image Source: http://www.21st-century-christianity.com

Outsmarting a bear in the fishing stakes isn't easy, but it certainly can be done.

Man is indeed king of the beasts, and always triumphs.

If you can possibly bear another video, then watch this fabulous Yogi Bear movie trailer.

We'll bet this Friday Funny has been so funny, you can barely stop laughing!

Enjoy the weekend, because come Monday it's time to bear the load of another long working week.

Enjoy,
Big Passy Wasabi

Gaming Friday Funny

2011-06-03T19:18:00.002+10:00

Image Source: http://funnyandspicy.com

This week we are taking a funny look at computer games.

Since it's Friday, let's start off with this one. It's bizarre but kind of funny: "The Black Friday" video game, kind of a bad hair day meets Mario game for the modern working woman?

Is this what reality gaming is becoming?

Image Source: http://files.sharenator.com

So what kind of people become video gaming addicts?

Image Source: http://www.funnymine.com

And it's not just the guys becoming gaming addicts. Here's a timely health warning to all the lady gamers out there.

Image Source: http://2.bp.blogspot.com

Even pets and animals can become addicted.

Image Source: http://3.bp.blogspot.com

So what's next in computer gaming?

There are several new hybrid games being developed for mixed markets, such as "Grand Theft Mario". Here is a sneak preview of what crossover gamers can expect.

As part of this upcoming "GTM" release, there will also be "Mario Kart San Andreas" bundled in as part of the package.

Passy's World has been lucky enough to get an exclusive pre-release preview of this hybrid game as well.

For fans of mathematics and Venn Diagrams, here is the lowdown on computer games:

Image Source: http://www.dealspwn.com

There has also been extensive mathematical research into why certain people always lose at computer games.

Image Source: http://graphjam.files.wordpress.com

Here is a great video all about the player types that participate in a typical group online game such as "Counter Strike".

All true gaming nerds build there own high performance gaming PC's, as we have done several times here at Passy World.

Unfortunately, not everyone has the skills or funds to undertake this high-tech hobby successfully.

Image Source: http://ghettocomputers.files.wordpress.com

Then there are the gaming consoles like X-Box and Nintendo Wii to consider budgeting in as well.

Image Source: http://www.japanitup.com

Our final video is not a computer game, but was a funny animation we found along the way researching this week's Friday Funny....which we just had to include here.

This Flash animated parody of the "What is Love" song has very clever animation and backing tracks, with some great computer game animation as well.

That's it for another week, and this weekend it is definitely "Game On!"

Enjoy,
Big Passy Wasabi

Scratch Magic 8 Ball

2011-05-29T17:23:00.000+10:00

Welcome to our Magic 8 Ball Fortune Teller.

Type in your question on the screen and click the blue tick mark. Good Luck and we hope your dreams come true!

To make this fun game, we first checked out a few of the Magic 8 Ball projects that had already been uploaded to the Scratch MIT Community Site:

http://scratch.mit.edu/

We then realised that our Project would require the following components:

A Good 480x360 pixel sized Background image
An 8 Ball image that had a spherical gradient on it to make it look 3D
A Blue Triangle graphic image that we could write "Fortune" messages on
A set of Fortune messages that we could include in our project
Code blocks to make the ball shake
A nice ball shaking sound effect
Code blocks to randomly choose and display a "fortune" message

First of all, here is a link to the "free for personal use" image that we downloaded. We then took this image into Adobe Fireworks, and resized, cropped, darkened, and painted over its 8 ball to hide the number 8.

http://www.wallpapers-room.com/2256/filter/popular/sports/1280x960/1/

We made our 8 ball image as a 420x420 sphere in Adobe Fireworks, and added a spherical gradient 3 D effect to it. Watch the "YouTube" video later in this post for information on how to do this.

The small blue triangle took a few tries to get the right size, but we ended up with this 108x86 image. We made the triangle in Adobe Fireworks, using the Polygon Tool set to sides = 3, and added a gradient, and a light blue pencil outline.

Watch the "YouTube" video later in this post for information on how to do this.

The shaking sound effect we exported out of a Scratch project by "dominic_hunter" that we downloaded from the MIT site.
We also got our basic script coding ideas from his project.

To Export a Sound out of a Scratch Project

Right click on the Speaker symbol next to the sound in the Scratch project, and then choose "Export Audio Files to PC". (We can also do this same thing for Sprites and Images while on their "Costume").

We have placed the .WAV sound file at the following link:

http://www.passyworld.com/Scratch/ShakeSound.wav

If you click the above link, you should be able to play the sound with Windows Media Player. In WM player you can do "file > save as" to get a copy of it onto your PC.

However, if the sound plays in Quicktime when you click the link, then you will not be able to save it. You need to remove Quicktime as being your default audio player.

There is an excellent step by step article on how to do this at the following link:

Click here for How to Deactivate Quicktime as Default Player

Fortune Messages

Here are some fortune messages that can be used in the project.

( The / indicates a line return )

Definitely / yes
Without / a doubt
Try / again
Outlook / good
Ask Nostradamus / he might / know
Nostradamus / I am not. / Try / Again
It is / certain
My Reply / is No
Yes It is / decidedly / so
Yes
Reply Hazy / Try Again
No
Ask again / later
Sorry but / No
Cannot predict / at this time
My sources / say no
Most / Likely
Very / Doubtful
Don't count / on it
Probably / yes

Watch the "YouTube" video later in this post information on how to place each message into a blue triangle.
For the message font we used Arial Rounded MT Bold Bold size 14 or 18.

Creating all the costumes and graphic images, and getting them the right size, ended up taking a lot more time than creating the script blocks.

The following YouTube video explains in detail how to build the Passy World Magic 8 Ball Fortune Teller.

Note that by adjusting the bottom right hand controls, it can be viewed full screen in HD. (Press Escape to return to this blog page when finished).

Here is the Script blocks setup for the Stage.

Here is the scripting for the 8 Ball sprite.

The scripting for the Fortune Message triangle sprite is very long, but quite repetitive.

Here is the first part of the Fortune Answer sprite.

And the scripting repeats as we go through all the fortune answers, and ends like this.

The "Click for Next Question" message sprite requires the following scripts.

So that's it for our Magic 8 Ball Project.

Make sure you give our tutorials a go, by downloading and installing the Scratch Development Environment for free on your PC from the following link:

http://info.scratch.mit.edu/Scratch_1.4_Download

When we asked the Magic 8 Ball if it had been a good project, the answer was:

"Definitely yes".

May good fortune be with you always.

Enjoy,
Big Passy Wasabi

Scratch Random Numbers

2011-05-29T09:07:00.010+10:00

Welcome to our Random Numbers Tutorial in Scratch.

Click the Green Flag to start the guys making some numbers, and then keep clicking the green flag to go again.

This tutorial shows a variety of ways we can make Random Numbers using Scratch. These numbers are handy to use in games we make to create interest and unpredictability.

The following YouTube video shows how our Random Numbers project was built.

Note that by adjusting the bottom right hand controls, it can be viewed full screen in HD. (Press Escape to return to this blog page when finished).

Here are the variables that need to be created for this project.

Here is the Scripting for the Cat, who says numbers between 1 and 20.

The following is the scripting for the Starfish, who also creates numbers bewtween 1 and 20, but includes inbetween values like 6.5 and 17.5.

The script for the Squirrel creates numbers between 1 and 30 that are multiples of 3.

If you want to use our background to build your project, then here it is.
(Click on the picture and use your browser's save function, and then back arrow to return to this page).

As a challenge, modify this project to do the following:

The Cat says numbers between 20 and 40

The Starfish says numbers between 10 and 20 that have decimal values in one quarter increments such as:
10, 10.25, 10.5, 10.75, 11, 11.25.......19, 19.25, 19.5, 20

The Squirrel says numbers between 10 and 100 that are multiples of 10 such as: 10, 20, 30, 40, ......... 90, 100

Make sure you give our tutorials a go, by downloading and installing the Scratch Development Environment for free on your PC from the following link:

http://info.scratch.mit.edu/Scratch_1.4_Download

You'll definitely have some fun getting into random situations with Scratch.

Enjoy,
Big Passy Wasabi

A Muddy Friday Funny

2011-05-27T21:07:00.008+10:00

Image Source: http://users.xcel.net.au

In our part of the world it has been raining all week and getting very muddy. So here is a dirty little Friday Funny that will slip by quite quickly.

Here at Passy World we love mountain bike riding, but Face Planting in mud certainly doesn't look like a good idea:

Image Source: http://www.faillol.com

This little piggy went to market, and that little piggy stayed home; but this little piggy is a clean freak!

Image Source: http://www.petsfunky.com

With winter sports we expect a bit of mud, but where's the boundary between a wet soccer pitch and a mud bath?

Image Source: http://www.haozuyupen.info

Motocross is a great mud sport, and this guy thought he'd get stuck right into it. (Obviously a "beginner boy").

Image Source: http://static.blogo.it

Mud wrestling is of course the ultimate muddy messy affair.

Even the spectators of winter sports can't resist the fun, and happily get a splattering.

Image Source: http://images.essentialbaby.com.au

If you really like what you've seen here, then the Louisiana Mud Fest in the American deep south needs to be your next holiday destination.

High heels and mud have never been a good combination, but this situation looks particularly nasty.

Image Source: http://www.topcargallery.com

Here is some conclusive proof that four wheel drives are definitely NOT
"Go Anywhere" vehicles.

Image Source: http://www.coolfunpics.com

Not exactly sure how these "mud pack" treatments are supposed to increase female beauty, as the before shots never look too flattering.

Image Source: http://attachments.techguy.org

Here's the latest all over "mud pack" beauty treatment for budding summer beach babes.

Image Source: http://www.crazyfunnystupid.com

And here's how the girls looked at the end of that amazing process.

Image Source: http://www.topnews.in

That's enough mud slinging by us, time to go wash the car!

Enjoy,
Big Passy Wasabi

Schwarzenegger Friday Funny

2011-05-20T07:02:00.001+10:00

Image Source: http://1.bp.blogspot.com

Arnie has been going through a tough time lately, giving up Governor and ending his marriage. Now he needs to find some fresh new projects to work on.

Here at Passy World we have managed to uncover some exclusive information about what the shape and form of these new exploits might be.

First up, an exclusive interview with the man himself, concerning his latest "Clone" movie.

He has also been auditioning for a few talent shows around the world.

Here he is launching himself into a California Beach Boy romantic serenade.

Arnie has also been looking at crossing over into the Horror genre, as evident in this recent screen test.

However, we haven't heard anything to substantiate rumors of a "Conan II" movie anywhere in the near future.

Image Source: http://images.icanhascheezburger.com

We do know however, that prior to his recent Divorce he was working with his wife and friends, on this Broadway extravaganza.

Somehow we don't think there will be "KIndergarten Cop II".

Image Source: http://punditkitchen.files.wordpress.com

The following video is not really a humorous one, but is a brilliantly done animation, and so we just had to include it.

Finally, on a more serious note, as we do love the great man and all of his movies here at Passy World:

Top 25 Facts About Arnold Schwarzenegger

Arnold Schwarzenegger turned 63 on July 30 2010, and has packed an awful lot into his lifetime.

Born in Austria he first rose to fame as a world champion bodybuilder which led into a career as a movie actor in Hollywood. He is now the Governor of California with ambitions to one day become President of the United States.

An ambition that, given his past achievements, is well within his capabilities.

To celebrate his recent birthday here are some interesting facts about one of the most famous men in the world today.

His middle name is ‘Alois’.

He had an older brother, Meinhard, who died in 1971.

His father was a European ice curling champion.

He served in the Austrian army in 1965.

He won the Mr. Universe title five times and the Mr. Olympia title seven times.

He earned a degree from the University of Wisconsin.

He is a talented illustrator and painter.

He was the original choice to play “The Incredible Hulk” in the TV series.

He is nicknamed “The Austrian Oak”.

He has cast friend Sven-Ole Thorsen in 15 of his films.

He models himself politically after Ronald Reagan.

He managed a gym in Munich.

He has appeared in 28 movies.

He served 7 days in a military prison in Austria for going AWOL to compete in the Junior Mr. Europe competition.

He received $29.25 million plus 20% of the gross for Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines.

He was the first American private citizen to own a Humvee.

He owned the restaurant “Schatzi on Main” in Santa Monica, California.

He excelled in soccer and swimming as a child.

He is California’s 38th Governor.

He was founding partner in Planet Hollywood with Sylvester Stallone and Bruce Willis.

He works closely with the Special Olympics.

He buys carbon credits to offset the greenhouse gas emissions of his flights.

He has a tent outside his Sacramento Governor’s office where he can smoke cigars.

He holds an honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters from USC.

He left the Governor’s office in January 2011.

Source: http://www.inmycommunity.com.au/news-and-views/blogs/post/25-Facts-About-Arnold-Schwarzenegger/947/

So drop back in for another laugh next Friday, because......

We'll Be Back!

Enjoy,
Big Passy Wasabi

Scratch Car Race Game - Part 3

2011-05-16T20:12:00.002+10:00

Welcome to the third and final part of our Car Race Game in Scratch.

Click the Green Flag to start and drive counter clockwise around the track.
Use the Up Arrow to accelerate forwards, and the Down arrow to reverse.
Use the Left and Right Arrows for steering, and Space Bar for brakes.
(The faster you go the tighter the steering, so be careful not to oversteer at higher speeds).

If you hit the grass, the car slows down dramatically.
The car has a limiter that slows it back down if maximum speed is exceeded.

Watch out for oil hazards on the USA Track!

The car is hard to steer once the speed gets up, and stays at a constant speed until you either brake or hit the grass. Concentrate mainly on steering with the left arrow key, and only tap the up key to go faster as you get better on each lap.

It is best to drive the car towards the middle or the outside of the track. Keep practicing until you achieve mastery. You can change the Car script to different number values if you don't like the game as it currently is.

The Car Race game is based on a game by "Spark98" called "Awesome Car Race" which we downloaded from the MIT Scratch site.

In the Part 3 build we add the following features to the Car Race Game:

Random Oil Slicks that spin the car around on the track
Display a Best Lap Time Value
Race only lasts for 10 laps
A "Game Over" Message

You need to complete the Part 2 tutorial, before building this Part 3 game.

The Part 2 game has an Introduction screen with a menu of three Race tracks that can be selected.

The Part 2 tutorial can be accessed by clicking the following link:

http://passyworldofict.blogspot.com/2011/05/scratch-car-race-game-part-2.html

The Part 1 tutorial can be accessed by clicking the following link:

http://passyworldofict.blogspot.com/2011/05/scratch-car-race-game.html

The following YouTube video explains in detail how to build Part 3 of the Passy World Car Race Game.

Note that by adjusting the bottom right hand controls, it can be viewed full screen in HD. (Press Escape to return to this blog page when finished).

In Part 3, the first thing we needed to do was create a 40x40pixel Oil Slick hazard to use on our track. This sprite was built using Adobe Fireworks and its Bezier Curves Pen Tool.

Here is the Oil sprite if you would like to use it in your project. click on it, and then save these to your PC using your web browser.

The next thing was to import the Oil sprite into Scratch, and then create the Script for the Oil Slick sprite, so that it could appear every now and then on the USA track at various locations.

We then needed to add code to the Car Sprite, so that it could check if it was touching the Brown colour of the oil slick, and then go into a Spin momentarily.

Note in the script below, the "touching colour is actually dark brown, not black. Get a perfect match by using the scratch eye dropper selector and dip into an oil slick sprite on the track.

We have also modified the script to be slightly different to the one shown in the YouTUbe "How To" video.

The next thing we did was add a 10 Lap Limit to the race, and a Game Over Message.

In the Car Script we already had the lap counter variable being used, so all we had to do was Broadcast out a "Game Over" message, when the Laps reached 10 completed.

The next step was to create the "Game Over" by using the Scrath Paint Sprite editor and putting in the "Game Over" text message using "Earwig Factory" font at a size of 60.

We then added the following Script blocks onto the "Game Over" sprite.

The final item to add was the display of the Best Lap Time.

We needed to do this on the Car sprite, and add two new variables: "Best" and "Prev Best". The Car sprite code was then modified to contain the following additional new code.

So that's the Car Race Time Trial Game completed.

We did try to add some sound effects but were unable to find or make decent enough car engine sounds that would loop okay in Scratch.

Make sure you give our tutorials a go, by downloading and installing the Scratch Development Envioronment for free on your PC from the following link:

http://info.scratch.mit.edu/Scratch_1.4_Download

You'll definitely have some fun Racing Cars with Scratch.

Enjoy,
Big Passy Wasabi