The Windhoek Connection - 7 March 2023

Why Do We “Say Cheese” When Taking Pictures?

“Say papaya!” just doesn’t have the same ring to it. Looking great in photos is an art form in itself. The angle, the lighting, the tilt of your head—all of it can determine that picture-perfect moment. And whether you’re eight years old or 80, you can usually count on one classic command before the camera clicks: “Say cheese!” Odds are, you will respond with a cheeky smile and the word, “Cheese!”

But taking a photo—or smiling in one, for that matter—has nothing to do with this tasty dairy product. So, why do we use this phrase in the first place?

The idea of “cheesing” in photos first appeared around the 1940s. The Big Spring Herald, a local Texas newspaper, printed an article that referenced the phrase in 1943. While no one knows for certain who came up with it or why, most believe the word itself obliges you to smile. The “ch” sound causes you to clench your teeth, and the long “ee” sound parts your lips, making a facial expression that resembles a grin.

“Follow your heart, listen to your inner voice, stop caring about what others think.”

~ Roy T. Bennett,

Granted, we haven’t always bared our pearly whites for the camera. Back in the 19th century, only children, peasants, and drunks smiled in photographs; everyone else kept their faces neutral, which was considered attractive and dignified at the time.

That’s not the only reason people didn’t smile for photos, though. For one, it took several hours (or days!) for cameras to capture the photograph in the first place. As you can imagine, it’s tough to stay still for that long, let alone hold a grin. What’s more, dental hygiene was not a priority back in the day, and most people didn’t want to show off a mouth full of missing or broken teeth

Photographs were also expensive, meaning the average person only sat for one or two photos in their lifetime. Because this was such an important occasion, each person was on his or her best behavior—hence the somber expressions. No matter the original reason for these serious-looking photos, the trend didn’t last for long. The invention of Kodak’s $1 camera in the 1900s, along with the rise of the Hollywood movie industry, allowed more and more “everyday” moments to be captured on film. Thus, smiling in photographs became the norm—and so did saying “cheese”.

Source: rd.com

Did you know

you get Goosebumps when you’re scared to make yourself look bigger.

If you look at a cat that’s facing off against a dog, you’ll often see its hair standing on edge. But you don’t see the goosebumps hidden underneath their fur, which they also get when they’re scared.

Goosebumps are a reaction to increased adrenaline, which is why we get goosebumps when cold or emotional. Although we don’t really need them now, our ancestors would have needed them when facing off against large beasts before the age of humanity began!

You can make yourself luckier (I’m being serious)

Ever notice how certain people seem to attract all the luck in life, while others are like characters in a Peanuts comic? Always attracting the rain like they bathe in an aura of misfortune. Do you think there might be something to that? Were lucky people blessed by the Lucky Prince and his secret luck dust at birth? Do unlucky people possess an unlucky gene?

Well, neither is probable.

What I’ve learned is that luck is an illusion. Coincidence is certainly a thing. So is being in the right place at the right time. So is being prepared and open to opportunity.

‘Luck is where opportunity meets preparation

Seneca

Might it be that these things can be encouraged and amplified? But luck as a personality trait?… that’s made up.

If we believe that’s true, we’re less likely to favour hard work as a strategy for success. Thus — ironically — more likely to attract poor outcomes. It’s a label we give to someone who is reaping the rewards of their positive actions.

You may receive good fortune as a one-off, sure. You could say that’s lucky. But is that repeatable?

Probably not.

Even most lottery winners have manufactured their luck and increased their odds of success through the power of consistently buying tickets.

Many actively positioned themselves for the odds working in their favour (though still incredibly slim). Do you think that someone who eats well every day and shows up to work consistently is likely to be ‘luckier’ than someone who eats junk and misses days?

You guessed it: Luck can be created through action.

Take responsibility for your life, be biased to action, be relentlessly consistent, and remain optimistic.

You may surprise others at how lucky you are.

Source: medium.com

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Upcoming Events

Mediterranean cooking class, Wednesday, 8 Mar · 6 – 10 PM

The Mediterranean diet receives a lot of attention from the medical community because many studies verify its benefits. Some of the benefits include lowering chances of heart disease, improving sleep quality and weight loss.

Join us for an evening of basic Mediterranean cooking techniques and flavours. Contact us at 061 240 994 to make your booking!

Drumming Circle, Thursday, 9 Mar · 6 – 7 PM

A weekly public drumming circle. This is a participatory event: We bring the drums, you bring the vibe. We use African djembe drums and dun-duns. Anyone can join, no experience needed. Kids are more than welcome. Free of charge, donations are appreciated. We suggest N$ 50 for adults, N$ 20 for kids.

Clausthaler Finkenstein Trail Run, Saturday, 11 Mar · 7 AM – 12 PM

Attention Trail Runners/Walkers! Get ready for the Clausthaler Finkenstein Trail Run! Follow this link to complete your entry form: https://forms.gle/Wfmwixagu18dLJCC9

Please note that medals are capped at 20 per category (4km/8km) and we will strictly adhere to start times at 07:15 for 8km and 07:30 for 4km. No "arrive and run" will be allowed.

Bring back 3 medals and receive a FREE T-Shirt!

And don't forget to keep an eye on the page, as we have prizes up for grabs! It's time to enjoy nature, challenge yourself, and have some fun during Namibia's Independence Month! Don't miss out on this amazing opportunity. Register now!

Green Market, Saturday, 11 Mar · 7:30 AM – 12:15 PM

Saturday is MARKET DAY in Klein Windhoek on the venue around the Stephanus Church in Dr Kenneth David Kaunda Street - the open air GREEN MARKET open from 7:30 am to 12:15 pm. You find freshest produce from Namibia, Farm Goodies & Preserves | Healthy and Organic certified products & natural cosmetics.

Village Sunday Market, Sunday, 5 Mar · 9 AM – 3 PM

The Village Sunday Market is a place for high quality local vendors and craftsmen to sell their products and produce to the public. All goods available are proudly local and of only the finest quality. The market was started by Alain Seha with his company Urban Eden during times of the coronavirus as an opportunity for struggling local artisans to find a market for their products and since then the market has begun taking a life of its own. Takes place every Sunday at The Village Garden from 9 am to 3 pm.

Find and circle all of the words that are hidden in the grid. The remaining 44 letters spell an Ogden Nash quotation.

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Triple Chocolate Brownies

INGREDIENTS

• 1 slab (170g) Cadbury Dairy Milk

Top Deck Bunnies

• 1 cup (200g) castor sugar

• 2 large eggs

• ½ cup (113g) butter, melted

• ½ cup (62g) cake flour

• ½ cup (50g) cocoa powder

• 8 (16.5g each) Cadbury Fluffies

Chocolate Covered Mallow Eggs

Garnish (optional):

• 3 (25g each) Cadbury Hen’s Eggs

Candy Coated Milk Chocolate Eggs

• 1 packet (80g) Cadbury Mini Eggs

DIRECTIONS

1. Preheat the oven to 180ºC. Line a 23cm square baking dish with baking paper and lightly grease the paper.

2. Using a small hot knife, carefully separate the white chocolate bunnies from the Cadbury Dairy Milk Top Deck Bunnies slab. Set the bunnies aside until needed.

3. On a chopping board, chop the remaining milk chocolate slab into small chocolate chip-sized pieces. Set the chocolate chips aside until needed.

4. In a mixing bowl, whisk the eggs with an electric beater until pale, airy, and doubled in volume. Add the sugar and whisk until the mixture has thickened. *Chef’s Tip: Whisking the eggs and sugar will ensure the brownies rise well!

5. Add the melted butter to the bowl and gently stir into the mixture. Sieve in the flour and cocoa powder and add half of the chopped chocolate chips, gently folding until a smooth brownie batter has formed.

6. Transfer ⅓ of the brownie batter to the prepared baking dish and spread evenly to form a smooth surface.

Source: www.thetoastykitchen.com

7. Arrange the Cadbury Fluffies Chocolate Covered Mallow Eggs, 2 rows of 4, spaced out evenly over the brownie batter. Pour over the remaining ⅔ brownie batter, covering the fluffies, and spread the batter evenly to form a smooth surface.

8. Bake the brownies for about 20 minutes or until almost cooked through yet still gooey in the centre.

9. Allow the brownies to cool for 1 hour.

10. Add the remaining half of the chocolate chips to a bowl and microwave for about 30 seconds, stirring every 15 seconds until melted. *Chef’s Tip: Stirring the chocolate while melting will prevent it from seizing!

11. Drizzle the melted chocolate over the brownies. Decorate the brownies by crushing the optional Cadbury Hen’s Eggs Candy Coated Milk Chocolate Eggs. Sprinkle the optional Cadbury Mini Eggs over the brownies as well. Top with the reserved white chocolate bunnies and cut into 9 neat brownie squares.

12. Serve the brownies on a platter and ENJOY!

Source: foodiesofsa.com

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