Traditionally Speaking

 Traditions are pretty much superstitions dressed up, for instance weddings have some odd traditions. Did they just randomly apply them or did they see a good wedding and think, "from now on we have to do all weddings the same way." Whatever the case may be, let's look at a few of these "traditions." In Germany wedding guests break porcelain to bring the couple good luck as their saying goes,"Scherben bringen Gluck", shards bring luck. Sort of staying with the wedding theme, in Denmark if you're not married by the time you're 25 family and friends throw cinnamon at you, and if still unmarried by 30 they throw pepper at you. It kind of makes throwing bouquets and wearing something blue seem tame by comparison. 

The Whole Ball of Wax

Earwax, aka cerumen, even though it's ignored more than other topics is quickly becoming a valuable diagnostic tool. Alzheimer's, cancer, heart disease, and some metabolic disorders like type 2 diabetes can all be indicated by earwax, but wait there's more! There are two types of earwax, wet which is the orangish, sticky kind found in people of European or African descent though 95% of people of Asian descent have dry earwax which is gray and not sticky. The importance of this distinction is that most of the people with gray earwax are considerably less likely to get breast cancer because of the gene that makes the wax gray also inhibits cancer. One more interesting earwax fact for the day...earwax moves through the ear canal at the rate of one 20th of a millimeter everyday making it nearly impossible to get a ticket for speeding.  

Cute or Cruel?

 The jury's still out on whether giving your child a unique name is a great idea, sure you want your kid to stand out from the crowd but if they are too different will it make life harder for them? Especially when they're young and that difference can be the cause of teasing or worse, so give it some thought before you get creative with your baby's name. I've included some of the more unusual  names by state for your consideration. Really though? Noname? 

Alabama	Zaykeese	13	38.46 percent
Alaska	Atigun	5	100 percent
Arizona	Noname	11	45.45 percent
Arkansas	Maziyah	205	2.44 percent
California	Alique	5	100 percent
Colorado	Aristea	76	6.58 percent
Connecticut	Nayeliz	179	2.79 percent
Delaware	Naim	1549	0.32 percent
District of Columbia	Meklit	474	1.05 percent
Florida	Kendly	5	100 percent
Georgia	Nyyear	99	5.05 percent
Hawaii	Lehiwa	5	100 percent
Idaho	Moroni	255	1.96 percent
Illinois	Kotryna	5	100 percent
Indiana	Nymeir	34	14.71 percent
Iowa	Brex	104	4.81 percent
Kansas	Macklyn	301	1.66 percent
Kentucky	Eleia	125	4 percent
Louisiana	Ryda	5	100 percent
Maine	Winner	212	2.36 percent
Maryland	Danera	5	100 percent
Massachusetts	Jadalys	6	83.33 percent
Michigan	Fatme	10	50 percent
Minnesota	Sabarin	5	100 percent
Mississippi	Johneisha	40	12.50 percent
Missouri	Carmya	20	25 percent
Montana	Treysen	320	1.56 percent
Nebraska	Halsey	329	1.52 percent
Nevada	Eluney	113	4.42 percent
New Hampshire	Babyboy	952	0.53 percent
New Jersey	Mariaeduard	11	45.45 percent
New Mexico	Charmayne	78	6.41 percent
New York	Hudes	5	100 percent
North Carolina	Aryya	22	22.73 percent
North Dakota	Cauy	155	3.23 percent
Ohio	Firman	12	41.67 percent
Oklahoma	Daycee	47	10.64 percent
Oregon	Trask	31	16.13 percent
Pennsylvania	Pater	6	83.33 percent
Rhode Island	Jahziel	883	0.57 percent
South Carolina	Tradd	8	62.50 percent
South Dakota	Wicahpi	6	83.33 percent
Tennessee	Kavious	27	18.52 percent
Texas	Taslin	5	100 percent
Utah	Arikka	5	100 percent
Vermont	Wylder	1873	0.27 percent
Virginia	Lakhi	37	13.51 percent
Washington	Chelan	6	83.33 percent
West Virginia	Haylea	480	1.04 percent
Wisconsin	Yuepheng	51	9.80 percent
Wyoming	Mazikeen	1236	0.40