So I haven’t quite figured out what to do with Mondays here in Zebra Sounds. (I know, I know. Video blogging is being given all the consideration it deserves, I promise!) I’ll start something exciting soon. In the meantime, I’ve collected a whole bunch of new, completely irrelevant absolutely fascinating things you might not know. So here you go, ten more things to rot expand your mind.
- Batteries powered by swine flu? It could happen. MIT scientists are, in fact, developing virus-powered rechargeable microbatteries. (I know! What will they think of next? I can’t wait to see how they market these babies.)
- A little stress is good for you. (I’ve actually posted about this before, but it’s been proven again, so I’m thinking it bears repeating.) “According to a recent study from Ohio State University, mice that experienced short-term stress were better prepared to fight off a flu virus. Other studies have linked short-term stress to a reduced risk of a wide variety of diseases, including heart disease and cancer.” (So go ahead, leap. It’s good for you.)
- Hand painting. It exists. It’s awesome. Check it out.
- During WWII, marijuana was used by the OSS as a truth serum; it caused subjects “to be loquacious and free in their impartation of information.” (This technique was especially effective after the munchies set in, when interrogators frequently employed the use of Snickers and Cheetos to pry from their prisoners the top secretest of information.)
- Here is, without a doubt, more information than you could ever want on the world’s deepest living fish caught on camera. (And not to overly excite you, but there is video too.)
- Global recession is good for the environment. “Carbon dioxide emissions have been growing globally at three and half percent a year. But for 2009, emissions are expected to drop by about three percent.” (Proof that there is a bright, clean sunshiny side to everything.)
- “In a series of surveys with 141 parents and their teenage children, researchers found more than 40 percent of children had sexual intercourse before any discussion about condom use, sexually transmitted diseases, birth control or what to do if their partner refuses to use a condom.” So what is the right time to talk to your kids? Researchers advise, “Go earlier than you think.” (Consider this a public service announcement.)
- There’s a name for it! According to UrbanDictionary.com, the “feeling fist” is the fist used to express deep or extreme emotion during a song, in which the singer extends a fisted hand and brings it back in toward their body with intensity of emotion. (I do this all the time. I am often, but not always, singing. It surprises people. I like knowing there’s a name for it.)
- Ants count! Really. Read (or listen) to this story about an incredible experiment conducted in the Sahara. It’s amazing, and one of the most amazing things about it is that some researcher had to devise and attach little ant stilts to little ant legs. (C’mon. Go check it out. You know you want to.)
- A friend posted this on Facebook. It’s one of those ridiculous gadgets that is just for showing off. I want one. (Note: About nine shopping days left until my birthday.) ;-)
There! You are ten things smarter. Go win the girl, get that promotion, dazzle your friends. Make me proud.
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(This just in, two more fascinating facts from Karen From Mentor. Jackpot!_
Runaway
I LOVE the “feeling fist” and I love that you do it when you sing.
I use it to show squirrels that I’m friendly.
[stay with me] Squirrels naturally bring their paws to their chests when they are assessing a situation. If you do it too, but with only one hand they see you as “friend” not “foe.”
Hey….can that be # 11?
Oddly enough, our posts are both about trivia today ….let’s try something…I’m thinking of a number between 1 and 43…….
:0)
Wow, I gotta say, the term “feeling fist” just creeps me out! As in “whoa doc, have you got the whole feeling fist up there or what?”
And to anyone that is hand painting….you have waaaaay too much time on your hands (so to speak).
Side note — think about some guy coming up to you and saying “would you like to see my feeling fist or my hand painting??” YIKES!!
Karen, Yes the squirrel thing is definitely #11. I will try it. Squirrels and I have an uneasy relationship, so maybe you have just given me the critical piece of information I needed to make peace with the varmints.
1 and 43… I’m going with 17. (Which I changed from 23, which I changed from 32, which I changed from 2.)
Bobby, Um, I just finished painting my hand to look like… Bobby. Erase, erase, erase!
Darn. Nope. It was 36. I wrote it down when I thought of it.
But hey we can’t mesh on everything.
Really happy I could link to you today so we can all add to our trivia ammo arsenal.
:0)
Karen, hmmm… I never was great with numbers. Added a link to you too, girlfriend. :-)
Okay, I went to view the video for #9 and well … I was horrified. I just hope there’s not a race of gigantic aliens out who view us as we view ants.
Aw, Linda, I’m sorry! I should have put a warning on that one, huh? Will you be okay? Hugs!
Thank you for the hug. I will survive. :-) I,m just gloomy from this dark, wet, cold day. I should probably put on some cheerful music, huh?
But not, “The Ants Go Marching” methinks.
RE: Cheerful music….I’m listening to Mariah Carey singing Christmas Carols and looking at my sparkly x-mas tree.
Try Mariah she’s pretty upbeat Linda. And I swear they must have someone right by her side to squeeze her at JUST the right time so she can hit those high notes!
thank you for making me 9 things smarter – i needed that today. i did know #2 (“a little bit of stress is good for you…”) i just have trouble with the “little bit” part and always end up at “exceeded legal limit – spontaneous combustion eminent” instead. solutions welcome. ;-)
I’m going to a party this weekend so this list will totally come in handy to help make me the life of the party. I can’t wait to share.
Karen, thank you for the emergency happiness delivery. Whew! That was close. Linda’s right, it’s a little gloomy in sunny California today.
jb, Yeah, I think we all do. Being a little stressed is like being a little pregnant. You know what my mom says, “Have a glass of wine.” My mom is WISE!
Becky, I’m so happy to help. But, aren’t you always the life of the party, cool girl?
hey, someone paint a fist full of dollars in my hand. I am heading out to shop!!
Wow,
Ten MORE things I didn’t know. Now my 400 terabyte drive is full, best go get another…
George
The hand pictures on that site were killer cool, man… and that espresso machine – I gotta put that on my “cool things I’d like to have, probably never will, but still would love to have” list. :D