Addiction

These days, people are hysterical over growth hormones in chicken and the addictive properties of foods high in fat. but no one is questioning the apparent co-conspiracy between cookie manufacturers and milk producers to keep us hooked. The addictive properties of milk, especially when combined with ovaltine, are only heightened by those of cookies, which can lead to a variety of symptoms, including but not limited to midnight cravings, impulsive trips to the grocery store, and rapid shifts in mood (from feelings of euporia and excitement to feelings of self-loathing and disappointment). Explore the problem that is... cookie and milk addiction...

Social Etiquette

Let's just get straight down to it. Here's the situation: you're walking somewhere... anywhere. Maybe it's a sidewalk that runs past a peaceful looking tree (per the diagram). In any case, wherever you are, you're walking behind someone who apparently does not have a single thing to do, whereas you, on the other hand, do. You have lots of things to do. Lots and lots of things! But those people with no things to do do not seem to notice that you are frantically looking for a polite way to circumvent them as they casually stroll along. Let's examine your possibilities in this scenario:

Redefining Heroism

We've all been asked the question at some point in life in some form or another: "Who's your hero/ine?" Of course, we have those stock hero cards in our pockets at all times that we can flash if we're not entirely sure of the answer... dad, mom, soldiers, firemen, a teacher... But if you really had to name a hero/ine - a person who is admired for his or her courage, outstanding achievements, or noble qualities, according to the dictionary definition - who would it be and why? Could you even come up with an honest answer?

Oh the many varieties of weirdness...

You've been there before. There you are, in a social sitch, and it happens. You go for a hug and get a handshake... or vice versa. You're with people you've just met, and you say something awkward, which they only half hear, and suddenly silence overcomes your group. Awkwardness. It's difficult to put a finger on exactly what creates it all the time, but one thing is sure - we all know it when we're around it.

Of course, we could just ignore it and continue on like nothing happened... but isn't that just as weird? It's a conundrum.

SUPPORTOSAURUS!

Click me!

 Today I'm highlighting a project that I am absolutely loving. Artist, dinosaur-lover, and creator of the web comic The Underfold, Brian Russell, has written and illustrated a children's book called What I Remember About Dinosaurs. The heart of the inspiration for his book can be best summed up in a statement he made about how this idea was born --

I wanted to make a book to share my love for dinosaurs and hopefully inspire a new generation to learn all about these creatures that have captivated the hearts and minds of millions of people.  So I compiled a humorous book of facts I could remember."

Keepin' the Beat

Whether I'm running or working out on the elliptical, there is a soundtrack that can capture the various feelings I have from lacing up my tennis shoes to cooling down afterward. If you're a runner (or a beast on the elliptical like me (; ), consider these 35 minutes of aurally ingestible stimulants as on the house. If you are not, consider these some of my any-other-time music recommendations because they sure are fun at any time. Enjoy. :)

Adoption

I find myself saying all the time that someone is so adorable and wonderful that I want to "adopt" him or her, and sometimes I get teased for this, but it's true. These are very rarely children, though. While that type of adoption is a fabulous thing, what I mean by this is that I just want to scoop this person up and keep him or her around me to just exude that preciousness. I realize that this is quite strange... and it's difficult to explain, really... but allow me to try...