Touchy Feely

The phrase "touch and go" came into my mind earlier today,and though most people know it to mean a risky,precarious situation,I couldn't help but wonder how it came into being. I had mostly heard it in relation to medical affairs but it actually dates to stagecoach days. The stagecoach drivers were often competitive and would attempt to pass one another on narrow roads at great risk. If the coaches wheels became entangled,they would both wreck,if they were lucky,the wheels would only touch and the coaches could still go. That scenario puts me in mind of people using the narrow roads in my neighborhood without giving thought to meeting other vehicles...it can get dicey especially on the hills and corners!

Close

The back story for today's blog explains how the topic was selected. In my ongoing desire to become a contestant on "Who Wants To Be A Millionaire" I joined the masses playing online for one of the expense paid trips to be on the show by beating the current host of the show (Cedric the Entertainer). It was going extremely well until I went for the $1,000,000 question which brings us to our subject for today. What first name was chosen for the "Mr. Clean" icon as a result of the 1962 "Give Mr. Clean a First Name" promotion? I knew the correct answer,but talked myself out of it and chose the more likely "Wink" instead of "Veritably",is it just me or does Wink make more sense for Mr. Clean's first name? Oh well,there is always next time...providing I don't go senile,or worse before there is a next time!

A Debate

Today in Washington,D.C. a group of scientists,humanists and science-fiction authors will debate the longevity of civilization,will technology end humanity or save it? The roster includes a NASA senior scientist,the director of the Office of Scholarly Programs at the Library of Congress and  sci-fi authors who will explore the future in the literary and scientific imagination. In the afternoon scientists and authors will address how technology could affect climate,evolution or prevent future disasters. The event will be concluded with a discussion between panelists and the audience.
I am not a huge fan of sci-fi but I am impressed that they are being brought into this type of conference,as the usual cast seems to lack the necessary imagination to come up with fresh ideas,and as we all know...the clock is ticking!

What...Tangled Webs?

The regular readers among you may recall a blog from a few months back about the way different drugs effected the symmetry of spider webs,complete with pictures to illustrate the effects of the various drugs. Hopefully I have now primed you brain to present this truly bizarre web structure. It was found in the Peruvian Amazon and not even scientists know precisely what it is. It consists of a tiny center spire surrounded by what looks a little like a picket fence. It was first thought to be some sort of aborted moth cocoon,others guessed that eggs were at the base of the center. It is still unknown at this time what made the strange structure,but the world's rain forests still contain millions of new species yet to be discovered. Just another example of fact being stranger than fiction!

Early Bling

I'd never given much thought to why pirates wore earrings until I heard the reason,and now you will know too,like it or not!
It was believed that the ear was a acupuncture point for vision and eyesight would be further improved by wearing precious metals there. Acupuncture of the ear is done for vision problems,but once the piercing is done the scar tissue would block any further benefits. Some other purposes mentioned for piercing was to mark their travels. Young sailors were given earrings to commemorate their first crossing of the equator or when they rounded Cape Horn. Another theory suggests pierced ears would prevent seasickness,while others believed the earring a talisman to prevent drowning. If the earrings were made of silver or gold they were worth enough to pay for the sailors burial. I probably should have saved today's post for the 19th as a compliment to "Talk Like A Pirate Day"!

The Good,the Bad...

There really is a museum for everything,even Bad Art. The MOBA (Museum of Bad Art) was started in 1993 and had its first showing in 1994 with the mission to bring the worst art to the widest of audiences. They are a private institution dedicated to the collection,preservation,exhibition and celebration of bad art in all its forms. They have three gallery locations,all in the Boston,MA area and a website. Their collection is about 600 pieces but due to limited space only 50-70 are shown at a time.

Speaking of...

I don't want to beat this Barbie thing to death,but in case some of you missed the memo on what her size and shape would be if she were a real person,look no further I am about to tell you! It seems like when I first heard about this her height was supposed to be 7 feet,but I must have remembered that wrong. Barbie would stand 6 feet tall and weigh 100 lbs, with her neck being twice as long and 6 inches thinner than the average woman (her head is also 2 inches larger,22 inches),she would be incapable of lifting her head (a perfect example of a pencil neck!). Her waist at 16 inches (smaller than her 22 inch head) she would only have room for half a liver and a few inches of intestine. Her small wrists would render her incapable of lifting much of anything. Her freakishly long legs (50% longer than her arms,normal is 20% longer) combined with 6 inch ankles and a child's size 3 foot she would be unable to support her top half leaving her to walk on all fours. In conclusion if anyone out there has ever wished for a Barbie figure or any man wished his girlfriend had a Barbie figure...be careful what you wish for!