Electronic Labels

 Sounds kind of scary, doesn't it? Electronic labels are already common in most parts of Europe and is slowly spreading across the US. According to what The Wall Street Journal reports the new labels are not being used to raise prices so that by the time you get to the checkout an item will be higher than when you took it off the shelf, in fact they claim the aren't used for surge pricing or dynamic pricing, which means times when certain items are more popular or if a weather event is pending. With those qualifiers in mind what they claim is they are used to lower prices when an item is about to expire or is otherwise on the shelf too long. Some stores also use paper labels to show the actual savings. I suppose this was an inevitable step in the tech world we now all inhabit. 

Robo Bunny

 First spotted in the Florida Everglades in the 1970s, Burmese pythons are one of the most problematic invasive species. Since then they have become top predators in South Florida, a big part of the problem is pythons are masters of camouflage. Marsh rabbits are one of their favorite snacks but real bunnies are difficult to take care of and require to much manpower, so researchers made solar powered robot bunnies that give off heat signals and otherwise mimic the actions of real rabbits. They are also equipped with motion sensors that ping remotely to indicate a python is approaching. The hope is they will bring the snakes out of hiding so they can be dealt with and a balance of nature can be achieved. 

Out Feral the Feral

 That's the motto of the present parenting style that's replacing the gentle parenting technique that shaped Gen Z. Some are referring to it and FAFO, meaning "F--- around and find out". It is based on the idea that parents can ask and warn but when that fails the children need to face the consequences of their actions. The gentle parenting style raised kids to think that they could do whatever they wanted with no repercussions and that later caused problems when they entered the work force and had to face reality for the first time. FAFO also signals the end of the participation trophy as it should, bottom line kids need to know things aren't always going to go their way and the sooner they find out the easier it will be for them to cope in the real world. 

Food Flags

 These food flags were created by an ad agency in 2015 for Sydney International Food Festival. They are made with the dishes that best represent the countries. Needless to say I won't be listing all of them but will offer a brief description of what the dishes consist of. 

Australia meat pie and sauce

Italy basil, pasta and tomatoes 

China dragon fruit and star fruit

United States hot dogs, ketchup and mustard 

Lebanon tomatoes, pita bread and parsley

France blue cheese, brie and grapes

United Kingdom scone, cream and jams 

Trash Trolls

 A Danish recycle artist and his team have created 170 troll sculptures from discarded wooden pallets, wine barrels, and old furniture. Twelve years after the start of the "Trail of a Thousand Trolls" project the sculptures can be found in 20 countries and 21 US states. Each year they make about 25 new trolls that stand up to 40 feet tall. The troll's message is simple, humans need to live better without destroying the planet. 

Lunatic Game?

 Auto Polo took the traditional game of polo and added stripped down Model-Ts chasing an oversized ball across dirt fields in the early 1910s. Players were often thrown from cars and the damage to the vehicles was extensive but the spectators loved it. The sport reached its peak in 1913 but was halted completely in 1920 due to injures, soaring insurance costs, and mangled vehicles. This actually sounds like something that could be brought back and made to work. With all the advances in the ways cars are made they would be more stable and less easily damaged, though maybe that would ruin the sport for the spectators? 

Kitty Porn

A Dutch photographer who travels the world taking shots of the local feral pets recently set his sights on Istanbul to capture the most famous feral felines of Europe. His book featuring the four legged shop attendants, guardians, cuddlers, and consummate nappers is called, "City Cats of Istanbul. 

Christmas Eve Eve

While the exact date of Jesus' birthday is unknown, some argue it more likely to be in the summer months and let's face it that would be a lot more convenient in the Northern Hemisphere with warmer weather and longer days. That very concept has been around for centuries (1892), and in 1933 a summer camp in North Carolina decided to have Christmas on the 24th-25th of July. By the 1940s the idea had spread and today the retailers are of course on board as are the Hallmark channel, sports teams, and some radio stations. Not being a particular fan of Christmas, July is fine as long as it means the one in December doesn't take place too.

 

Greetings

 Today's post looks at how different parts of the world greet each other. One rule of thumb is to always greet elders first especially in Asian and African countries. When in doubt watch how the locals greet people. In Tibet it used to be sticking out your tongue though that greeting isn't used often today. Bumping noses is the common in the Gulf countries. Air kisses vary in how they're done depending on the country, the countries that employ this technique are France, Italy, Belgium, Spain, Portugal, Latin America, Ukraine and Quebec, Canada. In New Zealand it's rubbing noses or foreheads. Clapping hands after shaking, once for the first person, twice for the second person. In Malaysia put your hand on your heart. Bowing is the way in Japan, Cambodia, India, Nepal, Laos, and Thailand, the deeper the vow the greater respect for the person. Last on the list is sniffing faces which is done in Greenland and Tuvalu.

Cat and Mouse?

 It was previously thought that the domestication of cats began in Northern Africa about 9,000 years ago when the farmers found them useful for controlling rodents, but recent research reveals something more sinister. Further studies revealed that cats were domesticated in Egypt around the first or second millennium BC and though they were still useful for dispatching rodents their primary purpose was sacrifices to the cat goddess Bastet. Millions of mummified cats were found at temples dedicated to Bastet. 

Mistakes = $

 One thing that increases the value of items is if they have a misspelling or other imperfection, but for today we will go with the spelling issue. In 2013 the Vatican released a commemorative medal in honor of Pope Francis, they had to recall 6,000 of them when it was discovered that Jesus had been spelled Lesus. If one can be found they sell for around $3,000. Along with the 50 states quarters program spoons with the state design were also issued. Most aren't worth much with the exception of the "Kentuckey" spoon which goes for around $100. "Love Me Do" was the first Beatles single released. 250 promotional copies were sent to radio stations and reviewers. Those copies listed the artists as Lennon-McArtney. One of those misspelled copies sold for $19,000 in 2012. It pays to make mistakes. 

 

Credit Due

 Over the last few years musicians and environmentalists have created a movement viewing nature as more than just inspiration but as a collaborator who deserves both credit and compensation. One of the groups formed are giving 20% of each release going toward conservation and stewardship projects for the habitats featured in the recording. The next time you hear music with the sounds of rain, birdsong or other sounds of nature, know that they are getting a piece of the action. 

Innocent? Motivational?

 Back in 1988 when Nike hired an advertising agency to come up with a catchy slogan they had no idea "Just Do It" would give them worldwide recognition so they weren't too worried that the phrase was actually borrowed from convicted killer Gary Gilmore's last words, "Let's do it" that he said when he was facing the firing squad. A far cry from what was once thought to be a motivation to be active but turned out to be more like a skeleton in the closet. 

USA for the Win!

 The 28th annual Wife-Carrying World Championship took place in Finland recently and for the first time ever a US couple won. The course was 253.5 meters or about 277 yards and the team must navigate 2 dry land obstacles and one meter deep water pit. Before this year the winners were all from Finland, Lithuania, Estonia, or Russia. This year's event was one of the largest with 200 competitors from 18 countries. What does the winner receive? The wife/partner's weight in beer. 

World Sweet World

 Today's post showcases the most popular desserts in the world according to a survey. If you want to know more about any of the listed desserts you'll need to google them as the list is quite lengthy. Though Montreal Bagels with Cream Cheese doesn't sound much like a dessert. Enjoy!

Abu Dhabi, UAE	Saffron milk cake
Amsterdam, Netherlands	Stroopwafels
Athens, Greece	Loukoumades
Bali, Indonesia	Klepon
Bangkok, Thailand	Mango sticky rice
Barcelona, Spain	Churros con chocolate
Beirut, Lebanon	Knafeh
Berlin, Germany	Berliner pfannkuchen
Bogotá, Colombia	Tres leches cake
Brussels, Belgium	Belgian waffles
Budapest, Hungary	Chimney cake (kürtőskalács)
Buenos Aires, Argentina	Alfajores
Cairo, Egypt	Basbousa
Cape Town, South Africa	Koeksisters
Chiang Mai, Thailand	Thai tea soft serve
Chicago, USA	Deep dish cookie
Copenhagen, Denmark	Wienerbrod
Delhi, India	Gulab jamun
Doha, Qatar	Luqaimat
Dubai, UAE	Dubai chocolate
Dubrovnik, Croatia	Rozata
Edinburgh, Scotland	Shortbread
Hanoi, Vietnam	Coconut coffee
Helsinki, Finland	Runeberg torte
Hobart, Tasmania	Lavender ice cream
Hong Kong	Egg waffles
Honolulu, Hawaii	Malasadas
Istanbul, Turkey	Baklava
Izmir, Turkey	Lokma
Jakarta, Indonesia	Martabak manis
Kraków, Poland	Kremówka
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia	Ais kacang
Lagos, Nigeria	Puff puff
Lima, Peru	Picaroons
Lisbon, Portugal	Pastel de nata
Ljubljana, Slovenia	Kremna rezina
London, UK	Bubble waffles
Los Angeles, USA	Croffles
Manila, Philippines	Halo-halo
Marrakech, Morocco	Chebakia
Melbourne, Australia	Freakshakes
Mexico City, Mexico	Pan dulce
Montreal, Canada	Montreal bagels with cream cheese
Mumbai, India	Jalebi
Naples, Italy	Sfogliatella
New York City, USA	Cronut
Nice, France	Tarte tropézienne
Oslo, Norway	Kanelboller
Paris, France	Crookie
Porto, Portugal	Pastel de nata
Prague, Czech Republic	Trdelník (chimney cake)
Reykjavik, Iceland	Skyr cake
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil	Brigadeiros
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia	Saffron milk cake
Rome, Italy	Gelato
San Francisco, USA	Mochi donuts
San Juan, Puerto Rico	Flancocho
Seoul, South Korea	Tang Hulu
Singapore	Pandan cake
Stockholm, Sweden	Kanelbullar
Taipei, Taiwan	Boba desserts
Tbilisi, Georgia	Churchkhela
Tokyo, Japan	Mochi
Toronto, Canada	Japanese soufflé pancakes
Valencia, Spain	Horchata with fartons
Vancouver, Canada	Taiyaki cones
Vienna, Austria	Sachertorte
Warsaw, Poland	Paczki
Zurich, Switzerland	Luxemburgerli