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Adult Eskimo men and women are not different from any other person in the world in that they must do whatever necessary to support their children and families. Like all other groups, Eskimo men and women must find some time for a little love and romance. Let’s take a look at the romantic life of Eskimos as well as some interesting Eskimo customs.

Hunting Attracts Mates

Hunting is such an important part of Eskimo culture that it is often the determining factor of whether marriage even takes place between an Eskimo man and Eskimo woman. From birth, young Eskimo boys are taught about the importance of hunting and proper hunting techniques. Young girls dream of marrying skilled hunters.

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Arranged Marriages

Marriages are often arranged for Eskimos and sometimes even during infancy. It is common for the community to impose marriage on an Eskimo couple since marriage is not viewed as a choice, but instead as a necessity. An Eskimo woman is considered ready for marriage when she reaches puberty and an Eskimo man when he becomes a productive hunter.

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Activities For Eskimo Couples

Have you ever enjoyed a night in with your lover just watching movies and eating popcorn? It can be very difficult for an Eskimo couple to romance inside their igloo, which is often crammed with children and even parents. Eskimo couples often engage in activities together outside their igloos to bond. This can sometimes be the only way for these couples to enjoy any sense of privacy. Eskimo couples may enjoy a brisk walk outside together or a seal hunting session.

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Divorces Among Eskimo Couples

You would think that divorces would be quite common among Eskimo couples. After all, being cramped in a tiny igloo with your spouse can become really stressful at times. However, divorces are largely discouraged and require the consent of the community and especially the elders. It is especially difficult for a couple to receive approval for a divorce when children are involved. The elders usually believe that children like the ones shown below needed a stable family life.

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Despite tight quarters, an Eskimo couple can find the time to get out of the igloo and hunt together, for instance. After all, hunting is the most important reason that a marriage between Eskimos takes place. We could a learn a thing or two from the Eskimos – they make it work no matter what.

Courtney Love & Kurt Cobain

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This is a Seattle based couple that truly rocked. Courtney Love and Kurt Cobain are often referred to as the first couple of grunge. Unfortunately, drug addiction destroyed their relationship. Love admitted to doing heroin while pregnant with their daughter, Frances Bean Cobain. Cobain himself battled a serious drug problem during the marriage and committed suicide in April 1994 at the young age of 27.

Sleepless In Seattle

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Sleepless in Seattle told the story of  Sam (Tom Hanks), and Annie (Meg Ryan). After his wife passes away, Sam and his son, Jonah, transition from Chicago to Seattle to begin a new life. After 18 months Sam is still having a hard time getting his life back together. Jonah wants his father to move on and pushes him to pour his heart out and talk about his perfect marriage via a national radio talk show. A Baltimore newspaper writer, Annie, is among several who respond to the widower’s woes, and eventually finds herself falling for Sam.

Bill Gates & Computers

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This is a slightly unconventional Seattle love story, but Bill Gates has always had a deep love and passion for computer technology. Gates fell in love in 1968 when he was just thirteen-years-old, as this is the time he started programming computers. In 1975, Gates created Microsoft with his childhood friend Paul Allen and the rest, as they say, is history.

Tudi Roche & Richard Karn

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Richard Karn is best known for his role as Al Borland, Tim’s more competent sidekick in the hit 90′s sitcom, Home Improvement. He’s also well known for hosting the Family Feud game show from 2002-2006. Karn was born in Seattle and married Tudi Roche, whom he met while working on the play The Other Shore, in 1985. The couple has a son named Cooper and the family spends most of their time in Seattle and Los Angeles.

Meredith & Derek

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Grey’s Anatomy is a highly popular medical drama, set in the fictional hospital, Seattle Grace Mercy West. One of the most famous couples from the show is Meredith and Derek. The two met at the Emerald Bar and actually had a one night stand. Ironically, Meredith would be interning at Grace Mercy where Derek works.

The Snuggie 

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The snuggie is undoubtedly one of the worst inventions ever devised for keeping warm. Not only will this sleeved blanket make you look goofy, it’s not a very practical way of keeping warm during the months. If you choose to stand up with a snuggie on, your back is completely exposed. In fact, the snuggie may promote laziness and turn you into a couch potato.

Heated Bras

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In 2005, an environmentally conscious firm in Japan unveiled heated bras as a measure to conserve energy. Not only are heated bras among the worst inventions for keeping warm, they are among the worst inventions period. These heated bras, intended to save the world, could malfunction and create a dangerous situation for women. There are far more effective ways to keep warm during the winter months that will provide heat to your entire body.

The Slanket

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Very similar to the snuggie, the slanket is an oversized blanket with sleeves. Users of the slanket have reported breaking out in rashes over their shoulders, arms and necks after use. Also, you can expect the slanket to shrink after washing, which really makes it useless.

The Nuddle

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Along with the snuggie and slanket, the nuddle is yet another lounging blanket. The fusion of “nap” and “cuddle” apparently produced the nuddle, which distinguishes itself from competitors by boasting a foot pocket. Users complain of it being far too thin to provide any real comfort during the harsh winter months.

Electric Blankets

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You may think that electric blankets would be an effective solution for keeping warm during the winter, but they are very hazardous and better options exist for you. In addition to the potential fire danger they pose, the electromagnetic field you would be sleeping under poses a direct health risk to you. There have been studies linking the use of electric blankets with cancer. This fact alone makes electric blankets one of the worst ever inventions for keeping warm.

You can be fully confident that the techs who arrive at your home will be fully qualified and prepared to work on your heating or cooling equipment. These techs will be ready to adjust to different challenges and circumstances.

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Microsoft

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Microsoft, one of the most famous and powerful corporations in the world, is largely based in Seattle. Microsoft has over 40,000 workers and more than a million square feet of office space.

Starbucks

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The next time you get that latte or mocha from Starbucks, remember that Starbucks began in Seattle. The very first opened in on March 30, 1971.

The Space Needle

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The Space Needle located in Seattle is a major landmark of the entire Pacific Northwest region of the United States. It was built for the 1962 World Fair during which some 20,000 people used the elevators per day. The Space Needle 605 feet high and 132 feet wide.

Rain

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Seattle is one of the rainiest cities in the entire world with an average annual rainfall of over 36 inches!

Seattle Mariners

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The Seattle Mariners are a very popular and beloved baseball franchise. Baseball greats such as Ken Griffey Jr., Alex Rodriguez and Ichiro Suzuki have played for the Mariners.

High Literacy

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Did you know that Seattle has consistently been ranked as one of the nation’s most literate cities over the last several years?

Grey’s Anatomy

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The popular TV series Grey’s Anatomy is set in Seattle, which adds to the overall sexiness of the city! This is a medical drama featuring a group of surgeons working in Seattle Grace Hospital.

Frasier

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Frasier is a very popular hit TV series featuring Dr. Frasier Crane (Kelsey Grammer) that is set in Seattle!

Outdoor Activities and Fitness

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Seattle enjoys its reputation as being one of the fittest cities in America. With its mix of gorgeous hiking trails, steep hills and skiing spots, there is a tremendous love and passion for outdoor activities in Seattle.

Politically Left

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Seattle is one of the most left-leaning political cities in the country. 80 percent of Seattle voted for Obama in the 2008 presidential election!

Montgomery Bus Boycott

The Montgomery Bus Boycott was a 13-month protest ignited by the arrest of Rosa Parks on December 1, 1955. Parks, an African American woman, was arrested for violating a Montgomery, Alabama law requiring racial segregation of buses. The Montgomery Bus Boycott culminated with the US Supreme Court ruling that the segregation on public buses is unconstitutional. The Montgomery Improvement Association (MIA) organized the boycott and its president, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., would really gain national prominence. Protesters had to endure through the severe Alabama heat and near 100 degree temperatures.

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The Birmingham Campaign

The Birmingham Campaign was a massive two month protest movement led by King and his Southern Christian Leadership Conference to end discriminatory practices in Birmingham, Alabama. An example of a measure taken during the Birmingham Campaign was to boycott businesses that had segregated bathrooms. If businesses refused to alter policies, protesters organized sit-ins and marches. Protesters really had to endure a great deal during the Birmingham Campaign. In addition to the grueling Birmingham heat, protesters had to endure police brutality.

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March On Washington DC

August 28, 1963 is an epic day in American history. On this warm day in the nation’s capital, 250,000 gathered to participate in the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. delivered his eloquent “I have a dream” speech as a passionate vision of a future based on racial equality. In his speech, King memorably says, “I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character.” The weather was very comfortable on this August day in the nation’s capital.

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While the claim that a mansion can be heated for only a few hundred dollars is far-fetched, there are steps that millionaires and billionaires can take to reduce the heating costs of their large homes. Energy efficiency, insulation and smart thermostats are vitally important. Bill Gates himself lives on an earth sheltered home that helps to minimize his heating bills.

Energy Efficiency

It is important for large homes and mansions to have energy efficient heating systems. The EPA strongly recommends that Energy Star be professionally installed in homes so that an appropriately sized unit is determined and then properly installed. The EPA has claimed that energy efficiency can be reduced by a whopping 30 percent if the installation is not done correctly.

Insulation

Insulation is very important to the heating of large homes and mansions, as well. Did you know that insulation can reduce heating costs by nearly 25 percent? Ceilings, walls, floors and heating ducts should all be insulated to see this reduction in energy costs. Insulation will prevent heat from escaping large homes and also keep the home more comfortable. In Bill Gates’ mansion, the soil acts as a kind of natural insulator on the sides of the homes.

Smart Thermostats

Large homes and mansions can benefit tremendously by having smart thermostats, which include digital and wireless thermostats. Digital thermostats should be placed in convenient locations in the mansion. These convenient devices allow homeowners to save time and money. Heat settings can be set for the future so that thermostats are scheduled when everyone is asleep. Also, those who are away from their home for extended periods of time can schedule this in their digital thermostat. Bill Gates actually takes advantage of a wireless thermostat to heat his mansion. It makes sense to have a wireless thermostat for convenience purposes in a large space, such as this.

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When we live in a world that relies so heavily on the use of heat, from the heat generated to run our cars, to the heat we use to run our homes, it is important to know the characteristics of heat, as well as the good and the bad.

First, heat is the energy an object has because of the movement of its atoms and molecules which are continuously jiggling and moving around, hitting each other and other objects. When we add energy to an object, its atoms and molecules move faster increasing its energy of motion or heat. Even objects which are very cold have some heat energy because their atoms are still moving.

Imagine you’re standing outside in the cold and you’ve forgotten your gloves, how do you warm your hands? By rubbing them together, you create a friction and as well as a jumbling of molecules that generate warmth. It may not last very long, but it will probably help you remember to bring your gloves next time.

The Good

There are many ways to heat your home. A furnace may be fueled with gas, electricity, oil, and even coal and wood. Technology today has provided advancements in geothermal energy, solar energy, and wind energy. As far as non-renewable energy sources, natural gas is one of the most affordable forms of energy available to the residential consumer, and it is 97% efficient.

Even though most homeowners are relatively limited in their options for heating fuels, in the Northeast, the choices are largely fuel oil or electricity, natural gas is becoming available to more homes. While, people in most of the rest of the country have natural gas and electricity as their main choices, those who live in rural areas may be limited to propane and wood as their choices for heating fuel.

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The good thing about heat is that the current cleanest fuel for heating your home comes right from the sun, and produces no pollution at all. Although for most homes, solar energy only supplements the main heating and cooling source, the Department of Energy is building homes that aim to consume net zero energy during the course of a year.

The Bad

Heating and cooling your home uses more energy and drains more energy dollars than any other system in your home. Typically, 43% of your utility bill goes for heating and cooling. If you’re living in an older home or a place with an older HVAC, you may be spending more money than you should to heat your home. Inefficient HVAC’s or problems can be the number one way to see higher utility bills, especially during those extra cold winter months.

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What’s more, heating and cooling systems in the United States together emit 150 million tons of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere each year, adding to global climate change. They also generate about 12% of the nation’s sulfur dioxide and 4% of the nitrogen oxides, the chief ingredients in acid rain.

How to deal with The Bad

Even though heating a home can be costly, there are at least six different ways to cut your spending. Homeowners and renters can save by turning the water heater down a few degrees, keeping the fireplace damper closed, using fans and curtains, turning down the thermostat at night and when gone during the day, and by keeping vents clear from rugs and furniture.

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As far as improving your heating system, either to be more economical or more environmental, it may take time and it may take money, but most improvements will be very beneficial in the long run.

1. Winter Solstice

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In the northern hemisphere, the first day of the winter season is the day of the year when the Sun is farthest south, normally on December 21^st or 22^nd. This day is known as the Winter Solstice. A common misconception is that the earth is further from the sun in winter than in summer, but the Earth is actually closest to the sun in December which is winter in the Northern hemisphere. The day of the winter solstice is the shortest day of the year, because the length of time elapsed between sunrise and sunset on this day is a minimum for the year. In the United States, there are only about 9½ hours of daylight on this day.

2. Boy that’s cold!

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The coldest temperature ever recorded in the world was -128 degrees Celsius, in Vostok Station in Antarctica in 1983.

3. Ice

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Black ice is extremely dangerous, because this type is difficult if not impossible to see. Black ice usually forms in a very thin, very slippery layer, and usually forms first on structures such as bridges. Much of the damage done by winter storms is not from snow, but from the weight of ice.

4. No Two Snowflakes are alike!

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Snowflakes start as ice crystals that freeze around small pieces of dust in the air. As they fall to the earth, the ice crystals join together to form snow flakes. The shape of each snowflake is determined by temperature, wind, the amount of time it takes to fall to the ground, and the amount of water vapor in the air.

5. The Largest Snowflake

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According to the Guinness Book of World Records, on January 28, 1887, a 15 inch wide, 8 inch thick snowflake ever observed fell in Fort Keogh, Montana.

6. World’s Tallest Snowman

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It was built to bring attention to the Bethel, Maine area and allow the total community to come together for a project. The people of Bethel and the surrounding area worked 5 months to plan and build the 113 foot 7 inch tall snowman which broke the former record held by Yamagata, Japan of 96 feet 7 inches. At 9:30 a.m. on Wednesday, February 17, 1999 the record was officially broken. Two town officials, a regional photographer, a videographer, a licensed professional surveyor and the president of the Bethel Area Chamber of Commerce were on hand to verify the actual size and height for the Guinness Book of World Records.

7. The Winter of 1779 – 1780

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It was so cold that ice was piled 20 feet high along the Delmarva Coast and stayed there until spring. The upper portion of the Chesapeake Bay and the entire Potomac River was frozen solid, allowing people to walk from Annapolis to Kent Island and from Alexandria in to D.C.

8. Snow

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The all-time world record for the largest snowfall in a single day was set in the United States on December 4, 1913, when Georgetown, Colorado received a staggering 63 inches of snow – more than five feet.

9. Seasonal Affective Disorder

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The “winter blues” were first diagnosed in 1984. And have recently been named seasonal affective disorder or S.A.D. According to the Mayo Clinic, Seasonal affective disorder (also called SAD) is a type of depression that occurs at the same time every year. If you’re like most people with seasonal affective disorder, your symptoms start in the fall and may continue into the winter months, sapping your energy and making you feel moody.

10. Chionophobia

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People with chionophobia are simply said to have a fear of snow. One of the largest components to this fear is the idea of becoming snowbound. A forecast calling for a snowstorm can bring on cold sweats, panic attacks, and even an unrealistic feeling of doom and dread. People with chionophobia will rarely venture out into the snow for fear of being stranded as well.

According to the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency), indoor levels of pollutants may be two to five times higher than outdoor levels. The main reason that indoor air can reach this level is due to ventilation. Homes that are not well ventilated contain the most indoor air pollution.

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If you think you’re not at risk, consider these sources of indoor pollutants:

• Household cleaning products
• Central heating and cooling systems
• Radon
• Air fresheners
• Combustion sources
• Personal care products like hair spray, nail polish, perfume, and nail polish remover
• Hobby materials including glue, paints, paint stripper
• Pesticides
• Cigarettes

Improve Your Air Quality

Minimize the source of pollutants by avoiding the use of pesticides, chemical cleaners, and air fresheners in your home. Look to use non-toxic, low-VOC or zero-VOC paints if remodeling or repainting.

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Fresh air is hard to circulate in winter, so consider using a window or attic fan, kitchen or bathroom exhaust fan, or a window air conditioner unit to increase ventilation. If you live in a location with mild winter days, briefly open windows or doors to freshen the air and eliminate built-up toxins from carpets, dust, and poor air circulation.

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Keep the humidity level in your home between 30% to 60% to prevent dust mites, mold and mildew from growing rampant. If your furnace doesn’t have a built-in humidifier, keep a cool mist humidifier in the bedrooms or place a bowl of water on the floor near warm air registers. This will help to prevent brittle skin, nails, and hair as well as help keep nasal passages clear; problems that tend to arise in over-heated, dry conditions.

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Regular cleaning, dusting and vacuuming, will also keep biological air pollutants to a minimum. Consider a bagless vacuum and try to do household cleaning at least once a week.