Ellwyn’s Blog

Originally appeared on CHW on January 15, 2018.

The sun shines brightly. There is not a cloud in the sky. It is a perfect day to be up in the sky. The flyer stands on a ledge gazing at the miniature trees and buildings on the ground below. He jumps headfirst from the safety of the platform, free-falling at rocket speed toward the earth. He shouts with excitement enjoying the chilly air rushing past him. For 60-seconds he rides the air currents–flipping, twisting, flying!

Former skydiver, Christopher Muss said, “The first time I jumped I was really scared. But, I had a great view of the landscape. I could see for miles around. Once you jump from an airplane, you never look at the world the same again. In fact, the first airplane I ever went on I jumped out of!”

A Little History

Skydiving is a popular modern-day sport. The idea of using a parachute to jump from lofty heights was developed hundreds of years ago by the ancient Chinese. While performing at the palace, acrobats, during the Han dynasty, would achieve falls from great elevations. To pull off this heart-stopping feat, they used something that resembled a parachute. Another notable contribution comes from the famous artist and inventor, Leonardo de Vinci, who sketched the first parachute design in 1485.

The first parachute ever made was a lot different from those we see skydivers using today. Some of the earliest had frames made of linen and wood. In 1797, French aeronaut, Andre-Jacques Garnerin, was the first to make a parachute without the typical rigid frame.

Using suspension lines, he attached a basket to a canopy, that was tied beneath a hydrogen balloon. A century later an American named, Tom Baldwin, made the first jump with a limp parachute, which used a trapeze bar instead of a basket.

Twenty-two years later, in 1919, another American named, Leslie Irvin, completed the jump that would change the sport forever. He used his hand-operated parachute during a free-fall jump. Irvin’s design helped skydiving become the sport it is today.

Initially, the military exclusively performed skydiving to save airmen during emergencies, and to transport soldiers to battle on the ground. After WWII it became much more mainstream when many returning soldiers kept at it and began holding contests.

It was finally declared a national sport in 1952. It received its official name a few years later, when a man named, Raymond Young, began using the term, “skydiver.”

Skydiving is not for everyone. Some people only jump once; others continue experiencing the thrill of fear, only falling through the sky can achieve. Christopher Muss said, “Once I landed I had an adrenalin rush that lasted for days. I couldn’t wait to get back up in a plane. So, I could jump again.”

How It’s Done

Before you jump, you must attend a 15-minute training class where you are shown how to cross your arms over your chest when jumping from an airplane. You are taught how an altimeter works. An altimeter is an instrument skydivers’ wear on their wrists, like a watch, it measures their altitude.

On your very first jump, you board a small airplane. You are attached to a professional skydiver who controls the opening of the parachute, as well as the landing; this is called tandem jumping.

Another important factor learned in skydiving is the weather. A first-time tandem jumper needs a sunny day with an average of ten miles an hour winds.

After this, you are harnessed to a professional tandem instructor and climb aboard the airplane. When the airplane reaches an altitude of 13, 500 feet, it’s time to jump. The instructor will say, “Ready, set, go.” After that, all that left to say is, “LOOK OUT BELOW!”

Originally appeared on CHW on February 12, 2018.

 am a victim of debit card fraud. That’s right, my debit card…stolen, and it never left my wallet. According to my bank, the thief cloned my card, embedded it with a security chip, and got my pin number.

I was surprised when I heard this. I thought EMV cards were supposed to make card copying, virtually, impossible. I thought EMV cards changed the information on my card after each transaction, to prevent card skimming.

My card was linked to my bank account. The thief cleared out my checking account in a matter of hours. In two days, the thief had gone to two different post offices and purchased three money orders.

As you can imagine, I was upset. It’s unnerving, knowing someone has access to your money. I felt powerless and angry. To ensure my protection, I took all the steps that were recommended after an incident like this occurs.

I filed a dispute with my bank and a report with my local police station. The officer who took my statement told me that detectives would be in touch with me to follow up on the report.

Luckily, the bank assured me, that after a review by their claims department, I would get a refund of the full amount. It will take 7-10 days for the process to be complete. That was reassuring to hear.

However, during that time frame, I have bills pending payment. It’s comforting to know my money is insured, but the uncertainty about the security of my money has remained. If the statistics are accurate, credit card fraud happens to people, more than once during their lifetime.

In an attempt to be proactive, I researched tips on how to protect myself. I want to lower my chances of having this happen to my family or me again. Here are a few tips I learned:

1. Use a shredder for all bank statements, credit card statements, and checks.
2. Monitor your credit report, and bank accounts for any suspicious transactions.
3. Have mobile banking alerts sent to your smartphone.
4. Don’t use public computers to log into your email to correspond with your bank.
5. Only do business with credible online merchants and websites.
6. Check to make certain no one is looking over your shoulder when you are paying with your credit card.
7. Be careful where you go to eat.
8. Be aware of email phishing scams.
9. I have also decided to pay with cash for most purchases and use my credit card as a backup. I will no longer use my debit card.
10. I also froze my credit report, to prevent anyone from opening new accounts in my name.

I know that thieves are getting savvier at breaking into financial information systems. Taking these precautions helps me feel I have control over my personal information. It has also been a wake-up call. I have to be more aware of my surroundings and vigilant with whom I share my personal information with over the phone.

Originally appeared on CHW on March 19, 2018.

An entire day devoted to slacking off and getting nothing important done? International Goof Off Day may sound like a waste of time, but that’s the point. In our fast-paced and hectic society, we all need a day to relax, unwind, and ignore our responsibilities.

On Thursday, March 22, 2018, you get a free pass to play hooky. (Unless you celebrated early and took additional time off it will get you in trouble at work or school.)

Although goofing off may seem easy, some of our most celebrated “Goofs” have worked hard to make us laugh. Robin Williams (1951 –2014), Eddie Murphy, Kevin Hart, Billy Crystal, Whoopi Goldberg, Stephen Colbert, Jerry Seinfeld, Dave Chappelle, Kate McKinnon, and Chris Rock are just some comedians who have touched our lives with extravagant silliness, and we love them for it. On International Goof Off Day, we can all strive to be as deliberately carefree as these happy-go-lucky artists seem to be.

So whom can we thank for this jolly holiday? In 1976, 10-year-old Monica Dufour and her grandfather William Chase decided everyone needed a day dedicated to goofing off. A local newspaper heard about the idea and published an article on it.

If you’re stuck with nothing to do on International Goof Off Day, congratulate yourself for a job not done. If you’d like to seize the moment or go where the wind takes you, have a safe trip. If you’re looking for creative ways to goof off, here are eight suggestions:

• Wake up late and don’t make your bed.
• Eat dessert before dinner.
• Watch television in your underwear.
• Have a picnic at a park.
• Fly a kite.
• Visit a museum.
• Take a hike.
• Unplug from your electronic devices and listen to the surrounding sounds.

However, you choose to spend the laziest of days, make sure to have a ton of dippy fun!

Originally appeared on CHW on March 26, 2018.

To commemorate my family heritage and National Irish Month, I have researched the origins of a little potato candy that packs a tasty punch. For those of you who may not like potatoes, don’t fret.  There are no potatoes in two versions of these delicious faux potato candies.

An Irish Potato is a coconut, cinnamon, sugary delight that originated in the city of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. They are a tasty Saint Patrick’s Day tradition that I have enjoyed since I was a child.

Every year in early March, my Italian grandmother (who married my Irish grandfather), would have the grandkids over for a day to make these little candies. I looked forward to it every year. What kid doesn’t like sugar and cinnamon at Grandma’s house? A lot of fond memories were made during these visits with my family and quite possibly a few cavities.

It is believed that Irish immigrants, living on the East Coast, were the first to make the creamy candy more than a 100 years ago. A typical Irish Potato is a bite-size, brown ball that resembles a regular potato, but is filled with a delicious blend of cream cheese, confectioners sugar, and coconut. Like many Philadelphians, I grew up unaware that Irish Potatoes were a local treat that isn’t shared by the rest of the country.

Although an obscure candy, Irish Potatoes have found their way to the west coast. Another variation is made by See’s Candies located in South San Francisco. They add a nougat-like mixture called divinity and nuts to their confection. A third version of the Irish Potato uses real mashed potatoes mixed with confectioner’s sugar, vanilla, and coconut.

If you’re one of those unfortunate people whose never heard of or tasted an Irish Potato, you’re in luck. I’ve found an easy Philadelphia-style recipe by Saundra on allrecipes.com for Irish Potatoes, no cooking is required.

Ingredients:

1/4 cup of butter softened

1/2 8 ounce package of cream cheese

1 teaspoon of vanilla extract

4 cups of confectioner’s sugar

2 1/2 cups of flaked coconut

1 tablespoon of ground cinnamon

Directions:

Beat the butter and cream cheese in a medium-sized bowl until it’s smooth. Add the vanilla and confectioner’s sugar, beating the mixture once again until it’s smooth. Mix in the coconut. Roll the mixture into small balls, then roll in the cinnamon. Set the balls on a tray and chill in the refrigerator.

(Note: You may have to use your hands to mix the ingredients.)

Taitneamh a bhaint! Enjoy!