The David Thuis Blog

How was I not aware that today is International Bacon Day is beyond me, but hey, we learn something new every day. So in honor of the day, I invite you all to try and make your own Original Bacon Explosion and to enlighten yourself with this informative infographic about everyone’s favorite meat.

[Via 25 Fun Facts about Bacon]

Related posts:

1. Hey Everyone! Remember Us? [Pic]
2. International Space Station Crew Sends Holiday Greetings to All
3. Wannabe Astronauts, Rejoice! It’s International Space Day!

(Cross-posted from the Gmail blog)

We understand that it’s not always easy or affordable for our troops serving overseas to call friends and family at home, so starting today we’re making it completely free for or all uniformed military personnel with valid United States Military (.mil) email addresses to call the United States, right from Gmail.

There are two easy steps to enable free calling from Gmail (detailed instructions):

1. Add your valid .mil email address to your Google Account
2. Click on the Call phone link at the top of the Gmail chat roster and install the voice and video Gmail plugin if you haven’t already.

And don’t forget that for friends and family at home in the U.S., calling troops abroad is as little as $.02/minute. Similar to free calling within the U.S., free calling to the US for service members will be available for at least the rest of 2011. 

Shared by David

This is awesome news for those of us who have earned this award.

The Community Organization Award square knot might not be easy to earn, but it’s now easier to get.

You can buy the knot, recognizing Scouters’ volunteer achievements in national charter organizations such as the Elks, Alpha Phi Omega, the Masonic Lodge, and more, at your local Scout Shop—instead of going through your charter organization.

Once you’ve been recognized with one of the awards (listed below), just take your award documentation to the nearest Scout Shop and purchase the square knot, No. 613864. Award recipients no longer need to contact the Program Impact Department and the charter organization to order the knot as in previous years.

Approved national charter organization awards include the following:

• Marvin M. Lewis Award, Benevolent and Protective Order of the Elks
• Daniel Carter Beard Masonic Scouter Award, Freemasons
• Scouter’s Achievement Award, Veterans of Foreign Wars
• American Legion and Scouting Square Knot Award, American Legion
• U.S. Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal, Department of Defense
• Herbert G. Horton Alpha Phi Omega Youth Service Award, Alpha Phi Omega
• Cliff Dochterman Award, International Fellowship of Scouting Rotarians
• Ruritan Scout Leader Community Service Award, Ruritan National Service Clubs
• Raymond A. Finley Jr. Sea Scout Service Award, U.S. Power Squadrons
• George Meany Award, AFL-CIO
• Robert E. Burt Boy Scout Volunteer Award, National Society, Sons of the American Revolution
• Boy Scouts of America Youth Outreach Award, AMVETS
• Military Order of the World Wars

Congratulations to all award winners. For more information on the Community Organization Award square knot, go here.

Does this post whet your appetite for more knowledge on square knots? Brush up on your square-knot IQ by reading the blog series “Knot of the Week” from 2009-10.