Now that is crazy.
For more on . . .
-N- Stuff : Great Big Stories : People Eating Together
BE SURE TO SCROLL DOWN AND SUBSCRIBE - THANKS FOR READING!
Are we alone?
Maybe we're alone, or maybe there are billions upon billions of other planets and galaxies and life forms, just waiting to be discovered.
Maybe not.
Either way, "Stay curious."
For more on . . .
-N- Stuff : Life Questions : TED Talks
BE SURE TO SCROLL DOWN AND SUBSCRIBE - THANKS FOR READING!
The History of tea
Whatever you're drink, tea, coffee, or mate, it doesn't matter to me. Just as long is a book is somewhere close. A real book. Non of that ereader crap (I'm lookin at you, Jeff Birdsong!)
For more on . . .
-N- Stuff : The world's smallest cup of coffee : A peek at the history of coffee
BE SURE TO SCROLL DOWN AND SUBSCRIBE - THANKS FOR READING!
Cultural Intelligence
There is growing research and discussion about a new(er) intelligence: CQ
"Cultural intelligence (CQ) is the capability to relate and work effectively in culturally diverse situations. It goes beyond existing notions of cultural sensitivity and awareness to highlight a theoretically-based set of capabilities needed to successfully and respectfully accomplish your objectives in culturally diverse settings" (via).
"Awareness is the first step, but it’s not enough. A culturally intelligent individual is not only aware but can also effectively work and relate with people and projects across different cultural contexts" (via).
Awareness is a first step, but being aware and doing nothing about it is almost worse. Because then it's blatant disrespect. What I like about these little blurbs though is that they doesn't say we have to agree on anything to be culturally aware. But we do need to be respectful and work hard at finding ways to relate - by embracing the cognitive friction. Which also means we need to be consciously looking beyond the single story.
Stereotypes aren't untrue, they're simply incomplete. For all of us. Being culturally sensitive allows for stories that go beyond the superficial and offensive - that build walls. Rather, it allows for stories that builds bridges and opens doors.
You can take a CQ test here. It's okay. It's one of those tests where you know what you should say, so you say it, because nobody wants a bad score, but the questions are worth thinking about. Especially the last question.
I think this guy would score very, very . . . very low.
For more on . . .
-N- Stuff : Diversity : Stereotypes
BE SURE TO SCROLL DOWN AND SUBSCRIBE - THANKS FOR READING!
The Language of Love : When English words just aren't enough
Sometimes ‘I Love You’ just doesn’t cut it. Here’s a collection of untranslatable words, gathered from around the world, that may help voice your heart’s desire when the English language can’t.
Often, when trying to express some deep emotion, words aren't enough. When we find ourselves in these situations, when our incomprehensible longing or deep despair become too much to bottle up, we sigh, scream, and often cry. Because any word used is insufficient.
For the English language, "love" is one of those words.
“The Language of Love is a collection of clever illustrations that define specific romantic words and idiomatic expressions from around the world, each of which are expressed in such a unique way that they have no direct English translation" (via).
Disney called this "Twitter-pated" which I actually like better.
I think we call this "petting," which is FULLY incomplete . . . and a bit wrong sounding.
For an expat, this is perfect.
(sigh). Or as my students would say I say, "Hm."
For more on . . .
BE SURE TO SCROLL DOWN AND SUBSCRIBE - THANKS FOR READING!
Artist creates the world’s smallest cup of coffee, with a single bean
Paulig asked Luca Zannoto to make the smallest cup of coffee, out of one bean.
Music and Sound Design: Ulrich Troyer
Lucas Zanotto was born in the Alps of Northern Italy but is currently based in Helsinki. He speaks four languages, creates faces out of nature, and started YATATOY - a website that makes high quality simple apps for kids.
IF YOU'VE SUBSCRIBED IN THE PAST MONTH OR SO
PLEASE (scroll to bottom) AND DO SO AGAIN!
There was an (ahem) operations error and it didn't go through (sorry about that).
For more on . . .
An Oxford Comma worth millions . . . or lack there of
The New York Times recently published an article, entitled, Lack of Oxford Comma Could Cost Maine Company Millions in Overtime Dispute, By DANIEL VICTOR, March 16, 2017.
It states that, "A class-action lawsuit about overtime pay for truck drivers hinged entirely on a debate that has bitterly divided friends, families and foes: The dreaded — or totally necessary — Oxford comma, perhaps the most polarizing of punctuation marks."
. . .
In 2014, three truck drivers sued Oakhurst Dairy, seeking more than four years’ worth of overtime pay that they had been denied. Maine law requires workers to be paid 1.5 times their normal rate for each hour worked after 40 hours, but it carves out some exemptions.
A quick punctuation lesson before we proceed: In a list of three or more items — like “beans, potatoes and rice” — some people would put a comma after potatoes, and some would leave it out. A lot of people feel very, very strongly about it.
The debate over commas is often a pretty inconsequential one, but it was anything but for the truck drivers. Note the lack of Oxford comma — also known as the serial comma — in the following state law, which says overtime rules do not apply to:
The canning, processing, preserving, freezing, drying, marketing, storing, packing for shipment or distribution of:(1) Agricultural produce;(2) Meat and fish products; and(3) Perishable foods.
Does the law intend to exempt the distribution of the three categories that follow, or does it mean to exempt packing for the shipping or distribution of them?
Delivery drivers distribute perishable foods, but they don’t pack the boxes themselves. Whether the drivers were subject to a law that had denied them thousands of dollars a year depended entirely on how the sentence was read.
If there were a comma after “shipment,” it might have been clear that the law exempted the distribution of perishable foods. But the appeals court on Monday sided with the drivers, saying the absence of a comma produced enough uncertainty to rule in their favor. It reversed a lower court decision.
. . .
The language in the law followed guidelines in the Maine Legislative Drafting Manual, which specifically instructs lawmakers to not use the Oxford comma. Don’t write “trailers, semitrailers, and pole trailers,” it says — instead, write “trailers, semitrailers and pole trailers.”
The manual does clarify that caution should be taken if an item in the series is modified. Commas, it notes, “are the most misused and misunderstood punctuation marks in legal drafting and, perhaps, the English language.”
“Use them thoughtfully and sparingly,” it cautions.
. . .
Varying interpretations of a comma in the Second Amendment have figured in court decisions on gun laws, including a Federal District Court overturning a Washington gun ordinance in 2007. (The Supreme Court later overturned the law in the case known as District of Columbia v. Heller.)
Most American news organizations tend to leave the Oxford comma out while allowing for exceptions to avoid confusion, like in the sentence: “I’d like to thank my parents, Mother Teresa and the pope.”
Reporters, editors and producers at The New York Times usually omit the comma, but Phil Corbett, who oversees language issues for the newsroom, wrote in a 2015 blog post that exceptions are sometimes made:
“We do use the additional comma in cases where a sentence would be awkward or confusing without it: Choices for breakfast included oatmeal, muffins, and bacon and eggs.”
The Associated Press, considered the authority for most American newsrooms, also generally comes out against the Oxford comma.
But the comma is common in book and academic publishing. The Chicago Manual of Style uses it, as does Oxford University Press style. “The last comma can serve to resolve ambiguity,” it says.
A 2014 survey of 1,129 Americans by FiveThirtyEight and SurveyMonkey Audience found 57 percent in favor of the comma and 43 percent opposed.
Mr. Webbert, who said working on the case recalled his boyhood grammar and Latin lessons, scoffed at the idea that he was representing all those in favor of the Oxford comma. He was only representing the truck drivers, he said.
The drivers, who earned between $46,800 and $52,000 per year without overtime, worked an average of 12 extra hours a week, Mr. Webbert said. Though three drivers filed the class-action lawsuit in 2014, about 75 will share the money.
Oakhurst, a longtime family business that was acquired by Dairy Farmers of America in 2014, employs about 200 people and has annual sales of $110 million, selling dairy products throughout New England, according to its website.
Its president, John H. Bennett, said in an interview on Thursday that “our management team values our employees and we take employee compensation seriously.”
“We believe we’re in compliance with state and federal wage laws, and we’ll continue to defend ourselves in this matter,” he said.
Mr. Webbert declined to take a personal position on the broader debate of using the Oxford comma. But he sounded like a lot of English teachers and writing coaches who offered an alternative suggestion: If there’s any doubt, tear up what you wrote and start over.
“In this situation, it did create an ambiguity, which means you have to either add a comma or rewrite the sentence,” he said.
I'm an oxford man myself, and a avid supporter of the middle class worker being paid for his work.
This, for me, is a win-win-win. It was entertaining, supportive of my views, and helpful to the working class (see what I did there?).
IF YOU'VE SUBSCRIBED IN THE PAST MONTH OR SO
PLEASE (scroll to bottom) AND DO SO AGAIN!
There was an (ahem) operations error and it didn't go through (sorry about that).
For more on . . .
The Last Jedi, and a tribute to Carrie Fisher
I've never been a huge Star Wars fan, but I have always enjoyed them - especially the oldest and the most recent - and I'm pretty pumped about this one.
As it's opening day creeps closer, it seems only fitting to pay tribute to one of the great originals.
In November of 2016, I listened to this podcast, from NPR's "Fresh Air" and connected with her thoughts on oversharing. "I think I do overshare," Fisher says. "It's my way of trying to understand myself. ... It creates community when you talk about private things."
IF YOU'VE SUBSCRIBED IN THE PAST MONTH OR SO
PLEASE (scroll to bottom) AND DO SO AGAIN!
There was an (ahem) operations error and it didn't go through (sorry about that).
For more on . . .
Found Sounds: Making Instruments From Trash
Ken Butler is a Brooklyn-based artist and musician who has built over 400 musical instruments from discarded objects. It's pretty nifty (via).
I love this concept - of taking something discarded, something "unworthy" and making it beautiful once more.
Such is art.
Such is life.
IF YOU'VE SUBSCRIBED IN THE PAST MONTH OR SO
PLEASE (scroll to bottom) AND DO SO AGAIN!
There was an (ahem) operations error and it didn't go through (sorry about that).
For more on . . .
We-adababyit'saboy
Today, we were blessed with our fourth child! And yes, it's a boy.
So this seems appropriate.
I remember collect calls and I have always remembered this commercial. Brilliant.
People are photoshopping Mr. Bean, and it will make your day
I've seen some of these images posted in a few places today, and they just kill me each time, and distract me from the things I should be doing. Alas.
This is from boredpanda:
"Mr. Bean is probably one of the funniest faces of all time. I mean, the character barely talks yet still manages to make us laugh all the time. There are rumors that he may return, but we don't know for sure. Until then, let's enjoy some hilarious pics of him to brighten this dull {any day} at work."
Here are a few of my favorites:
If you've subscribed in the past month or so
PLEASE (scroll to bottom) AND DO SO AGAIN!
There was an (ahem) operations error and it didn't go through (sorry about that).
For more on . . .
Sundial Philosophy : the little reminders, hidden around the world
I started listening to S-Town which, after two episodes, has quickly become one of my favorites. . Hosted by This American Life producer Brian Reed and produced by the creative team behind Serial, S-Town is brilliant, complicated, frequently troubling, and often painfully beautiful (via).
At the end of the second episode, John, the stories main character, shares a bit about sundials and their philosophy, "All sundial mottos are sad" he says, a reflection of the sentiments of its maker or owner.
"As the shadow crept along," Brian Reed states, "you were actually witnessing the rotation of the earth. It's so much less abstracted than a clock; a level closer to time itself."
And perhaps to life as well.
With so much transition happening, like a countdown to our last hundred days in China, I'm more aware than ever of the precious fleeting moments of time, and time wasted. Some of these mottos struck a deep chord. Mottos like:
Life passes like the shadow
Tedious and brief
Dum tempus habemus operemur bonum. (While we have time, let us do good)
Use the hours, don't count them
Even as you watch, I'm fleeing
Soon comes night
In the podcast, Brian Reed says, "These little reminders are out there, hidden in crannies around the world." And they are, and I'm continually struggling with them.
Recently, I've given up sports. I didn't watch the Super Bowl (by accident) and haven't watched a sporting event since (on purpose) because the question came to mind, "If I never see another game again, will I really miss it?" I don't know. But I like asking the question, and I like filling in the time with other things, like blogging, reading, or being with my family.
Which is another reason why these mottos struck me. Because time is fleeing, the hours are passing by faster than I can count, and I'm terrified of what I'll miss. Of never gaining some of the hopes and dreams. So I've been more diligent than in years past, to write every day, and to read more often - and to process. Because . . .
I did nothing good today, I have lost a day
Dice bene vivere & mori (learn to live well and to die well)
Be as true to each other as this dial is to the sun
But what about resting? Sitting quietly in a living room with family? What about "living in the moment" with friends, or watching a movie with family? Are those "wasted times"? Because before I know it, my kids will be gone, my marriage several years older, and what then? If I've been published, have a successful writing career, and have traveled several more places but have lost time, what then? Because the sundials say,
Make haste, but slowly
Lente hora, celeriter anni. (An hour passes slowly, but the years go by quickly)
Serius est quam cogitas. (It's later than you think).
This is what I'm wrestling with. And the sun sets yet again.
Here's a history of the sundial and keeping time
Air Guitar World Championships
All kids, and some adults, have played the air guitar in the mirror, imagining themselves before a sell-out crowed. Because it's only natural.
Little did we know, we could be stars doing so.
Since 1996, The Air Guitar World Championships has annually been held in Oulu, Finland, "taking the once so absurd idea into an international media event that attracts a wide international league of contestants, audience and media representatives." The Big Happy Family includes Belgium, Bulgaria, Canada, France, Germany, Japan, Kazakhstan, Russia, The Netherlands, and the United States.
Matt "Airistotle" Burns (USA) was last years winner.
Burns unseated former champ Kereel "Your Daddy" Blumenkrants, his friend from Russia, who placed second. The close friendship of the two best air guitarists in the world is proof that the Air Guitar World Championships' message of unity and world peace is a real one.
Nicole "Mom Jeans Jeanie" Sevcik and her husband Luke "Van Dammage" Sevcik made competitive air guitar history as the first married couple to make the second round of competition, placing third and fifth respectively.
Peace and goodwill filled the air as a crowd of more than 5,000 sang along to a Karaoke performance of The Beatles' "All You Need is Love" during the show's halftime.
15 air guitarists from around the world competed in this year’s Air Guitar World Championships Final (via).
So really, what this means for all of us who've started and restarted and bought and sold several guitars with the hopes of one day mastering the craft, is that there's hope.
All we need now, is a mirror and some rockin good moves.
Done.
And then there's this.
Japanese Fish : Incredible Ocean Art
Apps teens use to hide their activity
A friend of a friend put together a list of apps that teens are using to avoid/hide their activity and parental restrictions you may have in place. His job requires him to be vigilant with student activity and mobile devices at school. He, and I, thought it worth sharing - as parents and educators.
Here is a list of what the apps do.
LINE: A chat application popular with teens.
Burn It: A notepad that can be shared, but messages delete after a set time period.
Blender: Chat/Dating much like tinder, but seems to be very popular with the teen community.
After School: Only allows students to sign up, groups by local school based on GPS.
Omegal: Chat Application (request a subscription)
Yik Yak: GPS based chat, very popular with college kids, but anyone can chat.
ASkFM: Allows users to receive questions anonymously, much like truth or dare.
KIK: Very dangerous chat application, and very popular with teens.
Whisper: Another anonymous chat application.
Private Vaults: Vault: Encrypts and hides images and videos on your device, requiring a passcode.
Calculator+: Disguises itself as a calculator app, but allows the hiding of images and videos.
Photo Vault: Hides images using a 4 digit PIN.
Keepsafe: Hides images using a 4 digit PIN.
HiCalculator: Disguises itself as a calculator app, but allows the hiding of images and videos. Rated 17+ Content
ImGur: Image hosting site, a lot of the content is vulgar.
VPN Proxy: Evasive/ Anonymous Applications
Hexatech: Creates a virtual private network allowing you to bypass some internet filters and browse web anonymously.
Betternet, VPN Master, Turbo VPN, X-VPN, Hotpost VPN: VPN software for bypassing filters and surfing web anonymously.
"My PVC Instrument"
I can't stop watching this.
Fun facts about Snubby J!
1.) I just graduated from LMU with a Theatre Arts degree (WOOHOO!)
2.) I built my own PVC Pipe Instrument (called the "RimbaTubes") on which I play original music and medleys of recognizable songs.
3.) My goal in life is to spread joy and inspire others to be creative. I love to make entertaining music videos and want to share my work with the whole world.
The construction of his PVC instrument is fairly simple and involves hardly any materials.
Shown in photo:
-2" ABS/PVC Piping
-2" ABS/PVC Elbows
-2" ABS/PVC Couplings
-Tuner
-Measuring Tape
-Pipe cutter (a hacksaw will work too, but it makes the edges rough)
Not Shown in Photo:
-2x4 and 2x10's
-2 1/2" Bore
-ABS/PVC Cement
-Power tools and screws
-Castor Wheels (Optional
Pretty awesome.
For more on . . .
East vs West: Cultural stereotypes explained in 10 simple pictograms
Yang Liu, who was born in Beijing and moved to Berlin at 13, took on the challenge for East meets West (Taschen), a pocket-sized book of pictographs showing how values (respect for elders, treatment of newcomers) and practices (fever remedies, popular pastimes) vary across cultures (via).
Her depictions are hilarious, and spectacular.
I love these illustrations, but even as I laugh and nod in agreement, the beautiful Chimamanda Adichie's words come to mind: "the problem with stereotypes is not that they are untrue, but that they are incomplete. They make one story become the only story."
These stereotypes of the East and West are indeed true, but they are also completely incomplete. And I love that.
Liu has published three books with a similar feel: East Meets West, Man Meets Woman, and Today Meets Yesterday.
For more on:
The Economics of Airline Classes
How much money does an airline make on a typical flight in the various classes of service? On some flights, revenue from first & business class seats can be up to 5 times that of economy seats. This video explores the economics of airline classes and looks at how we got to the present moment, where the people and companies buying business class and first class tickets are subsidizing those of us who fly economy (via).
For more on . . .
-N- Stuff : History
Two reasons underwater life is better . . . and more terrifying.
Truly, the ocean produces some of the most beautiful and spectacular life this planet has to offer. I cannot watch this video enough.
Humankind has been looking for the giant squid (Architeuthis) since we first started taking pictures underwater. But the elusive deep-sea predator could never be caught on film. Oceanographer and inventor Edith Widder shares the key insight -- and the teamwork -- that helped to capture the squid on camera for the first time..
Power, and Responsibility : Why Michael Jordan will never be the best
Growing up in the Chicago-land area and watching Jordan play while in middle school, these 90's Bulls will always be the best in all of basketball.
I remember "Hodgy open for threeee!!!" and Jordan winning rings and Paxon's "Going for the win!" I remember 72-10 because I was thirteen.
Now, as a coach and father, I want my players, my kids, to be like Hodges, not Mike.
Well played Craig Hodges, well played.
For more on . . .