Tuesday, February 11, 2025

Sipping 'Tree Spirits' Sounds Scrumptious

To all you drinkers of alcoholic spirits I have a surprise for you.

I just discovered a spirit that will delight your senses and give new meaning to maple syrup.

If you ever go to Naples, New York there's a unique distillery where you can sample "Tree Spirits.Hollerhorn Distilling makes one-of-a-kind spirits that are categorized as "Spirit Specialties," as they fall into an area of spirit distillation that is yet to have its category. In layman's terms, they are brand new to the world of booze.

The Hollerhorn Distillery's website explains, "Our Tree Spirits are most akin to a rum in production. Rum uses sugar (molasses, cane, etc.) as the sugar source for fermentation. We use the same approach, but with maple syrup as the sugar source and with different fermentation practices. Our Tree Spirits are double distilled (twice rectified in a pot still) at no more than 160 proof. They are not a whiskey, which is a grain-based mash bill."

For the record I didn't get paid for running this post about Hollerhorn Distillery. I shared it because it's new and unique.

A Casual History of Distilling

Because the two ingredients necessary to alcoholic fermentation are widely spread and always appearing together, civilizations in almost every part of the world developed some form of alcoholic beverage very early in their history. Poitin, an Irish spirit, is considered by some to be the world's oldest distilled spirit. It's been produced in Ireland since the sixth century.

The first distilled spirits were made from sugar-based materials, primarily grapes and honey to make grape brandy and distilled mead, respectively. The earliest stills were composed simply of a heated closed container, a condenser, and a receptacle to receive the condensate. These evolved into the pot still, which is still in use today.

Early hand methods of filing, labeling, corking, and other operations have been replaced by highly mechanized bottling lines, with bottles cleaned, filled, capped, sealed, labeled, and placed in a shipping container at a rate as high as 400 bottles per minute!

Spirit strength may be designated in several ways - weight per gallon, percentage by weight, or percentage by volume, all these having reference to absolute (i.e., pure) alcohol and water. The higher the proof the higher you get!

You may be surprised to learn that Jinro Soju is the most consumed liquor brand in the world. I sure am. I never heard of it. It's a Korean distilled spirit made from fermented grains, sweet potatoes, or other starch ingredients.

As it Stands, may your neighbors respect you, trouble neglect you, angels protect you, and heaven accept you. Here's to those that have seen us at our best, and our worst and can't tell the difference!

Saturday, February 8, 2025

10 Crazy Collections That Will Leave You Feeling Uneasy

Some collections are crazier - or more passionate - than others by virtue of how exotic and downright weird they are. I'm not about to judge any of the 10 examples that I'm sharing. I'll leave that to you dear reader.

1. Collecting vomit bags. There's an Air Sickness Bag Virtual Museum that you can find on Google. The top vomit bag collector (for 40 years) name is Niek Vermeulen. 

He has accumulated 6,016 different airline vomit bags. Isn't that sweet?

2. Moist Towelettes. There's a website run by one Michael Lewis who welcomes visitors with these warm words: "Welcome to the exciting world of moist Towelette Collecting." How exciting is it? Google and see.

3. Weird Fortune Cookies. I always thought that fortune cookies were funnier than weird. I stand corrected. Just Google Weird Fortune Cookie Collection and check out their fantastic gallery.

4. Mammal's Phalluses. There's a man who lives in Reykjavik, Iceland who started his own museum after collecting 282 phallus specimens of 93 species and 350 artistic objects related to phallology. If you're a man, the museum is asking you to donate your phallus to the institute post-mortem. Any takers?

5. Condoms. To be clear, we're talking about unused condoms still in their original package. An Italian guy named Amatore Bolzoni entered the Guinness Book of Records with his impressive collection of condoms. He brags that he's been collecting condoms since 1980 and currently has 2,077 of the interesting little packages from Europe, Africa, the Americas and the Far East.  

 

6. Uranium Glass that glows under UV Light. Collecting this special contaminated glassware is unusual and I would not recommend parents/grandparents letting their young charges anywhere near them. They do emit small amounts of radiation.

7. Hot Chili Sauce. The largest collection of hot chili sauce in the world belongs to Vic Clinco who has over 6,000 bottles, including Blair's Million Reserve, also known as the hottest chili sauce in the world. My hats off to the brave souls that not only collect hot chili sauce but also use it on their food.

8. Death Cards. Believe it or not there was a time in Victorian America when morbid stuff associated with funerals etc., were popular. Fancy Death Cards vied with photos of dead people as collectibles. For all I know there are folks collecting these morbid artifacts.

9. Used Band-Aids. Yes, used band-aids complete with dried blood and all are collected by people fascinated by the macabre and medical oddities. As one collector noted, "Each band-aid tells a story of a wound healed, a mishap, or a moment of care." 

10. Belly Button Lint. Don't laugh. Some people take this hobby seriously, saving each piece of lint in jars or containers often categorized by color and texture.

As it Stands, collecting unusual items as a hobby can range from quirky and endearing to bizarre and straight-up gross.

Thursday, February 6, 2025

Cold Stories on a Winter Day

Most of America is freezing. Here in Medford Oregon, it's 30 degrees in the afternoon and snowing. 

Looking out my window at the frozen landscape gives me a hint of what it must be like living in Alaska. The piles of built-up snow have rounded the edges of fences and cars. It looks like an alien world outside my door.

Let me state unequivocally that I hate the snow, and winter isn't my favorite time of the year. With that said let's move on to some interesting cold stories. In honor of Mother Nature's icy and relentless wrath, I present to you the biggest blizzards and worst snowstorms in United States history.

                            The Great Blizzard of '88

In 1888 the Northwest was faced with one of the worst blizzards in American history. They called it the Great White Hurricane because it left 55 inches of snowfall in some areas and caused disaster wherever it went. Brutal winds hit Washington, D.C. to Maine causing catastrophic damage. Over 400 people were killed. It was so bad that the people of Boston decided to create the first underground subway system in the country.

The Knickerbocker Storm -1922

On Jan. 28, 1922, more than 2 feet of snow fell on Washington, D.C. The weight of the snow collapsed the roof of the Knickerbocker Theatre, killing 98 people. This led to stricter building codes to prevent such a tragedy from ever happening again.

The Great Appalachian Storm - 1950

I was born on November 7, 1950. A few weeks later on Thanksgiving weekend, as much as 62 inches of snow blasted the central Appalachians. As if that wasn't enough, the area was also beset by frigid cold and intense windstorms. At least 160 people died.

The Blizzard of '78

On Feb. 5 a nor'easter broke snowfall records in Boston (27.1 inches) and Atlantic City (20.1 inches). Throw in hurricane-force winds and coastal flooding for three straight days. An estimated 100 people lost their lives.

The Storm of the Century - 1993

I still remember when the great cyclonic storm formed in the Gulf of Mexico in March. As the storm progressed up the East Coast, it began to snow in regions as far south as Alabama and Georgia. The snowstorm stretched from those Southern regions into Maine and even Canada. Affected areas were battered with unseasonable frigid temperatures, power wind gusts and up to 60 inches of snow. At one point every major airport on the East Coast was closed. About 318 people lost their lives despite the storm being predicted several days in advance. It's known as the deadliest American storm of the 20th century.

The Great Blizzard of 2003

On Valentine's Day to Feb.19, the Great Blizzard of 2003 swept across the Mid-Atlantic and the Northeast. Every major city from Washington, D.C. to Boston was covered in an enormous blanket of snow, with many areas getting up to two feet. Airports across the Northwest suspended flights and shut down operations completely, while New York City, Boston, and Philadelphia transformed into icy ghost towns as residents hunkered down against the bitter cold. There were 27 deaths.

Snowmageddon - 2010

In February of 2010, two blizzards - one on Feb.4-7 and one on Feb. 9-11 - hit within days of each other. I'll never know how they came up with the name Snowmageddon, but it wreaked havoc across the country, icing down roads in New Mexico and shutting down the federal government in the nation's capital. The massive storm led to transportation shutdowns and power outages and killed 41 people in the U.S. and Mexico.

Snowzilla - 2016

It seems like as the years ago pass, we have sillier names for snow events. I mean...Snowzilla. Really? It paralyzed the entire East Coast. Snow fell in the Florida Panhandle, Alabama, and Georgia. The death count was no joke, however. 55 people lost their lives.

December 2022 North American Winter Storm

The most recent storm raged on from Dec.21 to Dec.26. Here we go again, another dumb name for a snowstorm was the North American Winter Storm Bomb Cyclone that weatherman excitedly reported on. It was so widespread that 60% of Americans felt it's deadly effects. As a result, 106 people across the United States and Canada lost their lives.

As it Stands, it's time to have a mug of hot chocolate and be thankful you're inside because Baby It's Cold Outside! 

Monday, February 3, 2025

Enter the World of LARPs


  Ready to have some fun? I just found an activity that has become popular in the last two decades - Live Action Role Playing (LARP) - that transports you to other worlds for days.

Let me be clear. Role playing activities have been around forever in America and around the world. What I'm talking about today is role playing on steroids for four to six straight days. Total immersion into fantasy and historical worlds designed to challenge your senses and reality. 

Renaissance Fairs have been popular worldwide for a long time, but they only scratch the surface. Visitors are encouraged to wear theme clothing but it's not necessary and there are generally staged shows - knights jousting and stuff like that.

Now compare that to a recent Medieval LARP in Texas last year where hundreds of people bought tickets and agreed to immerse themselves, (they sign a contract) in the themed activities. There's numerous LARPs out there. One of my favorites is... 

                          WASTELAND WEEKEND  


When you arrive at the LARP location you are given an identity and tasked with different challenges that take you all around the huge, themed park over the course of four days. Themed food is offered throughout the different sections of what feels like a movie set. Authenticity is encouraged and is even rewarded with prizes.

I highly recommend going to YouTube and watching past LARP events to really get the complete picture of what's going on. I watched one that was Mad Max themed and was in awe of the vehicles the participants built for the event. You really feel like you're in a movie or another world.

The whole concept is centered around escapism which doesn't surprise me because so many people (of all age groups) are dissatisfied with the world around them. The LARPs are a reflection of other realities created by innovative and twisted minds that want to share their visions with like-minded individuals. LARPs are held all over the world with each one sharing different themes that attract thousands of adventurous souls.

As it Stands, what's true is people throughout the ages will always go to any extremes for a good time. Think ancient Roman gladiators fighting for their lives to entertain a bloodthirsty audience.

Friday, January 31, 2025

A Fast History of Shoes

Pull on your athletic shoes and get ready to run through a timeline of shoes. 

Scientists found evidence while researching the Last Glacial Period (at least 50,000 years ago) of footwear on human remains. The oldest shoes so far recovered were found by a team under Luther Cressman in Fort Rock Cave, Oregon in 1938.

Walk Like an Egyptian

Credit the ancient Egyptians as the first culture to wear platform sandals. Butchers wore thicker soles to raise their feet out of the gore on the floor and the wealthy sometimes wore them.

If you have never seen Saturday Night Live's, funny take on the way ancient Egyptians walked (with Steve Martin) I highly recommend you go to YouTube. But that's not where the term "Walk like an Egyptian" came from. Liam Sternberg (The Bangles) thought passengers on a ferry crossing the English Channel looked like ancient Egyptians as they tried to keep their balance when the boat hit waves.

Just Like a Roman

The Romans saw clothing and footwear as unmistakable signs of power and status in society. Patricians typically wore dyed and ornamented shoes of tanned leather while plebeians wore rawhide or hobnailed boots. Slaves went barefoot.

Medieval Footwear

In the 12th century leather shoes and boots were more common. From the reign of Charlemagne Byzantine fashions began to influence the west and the popes and bishops began to feature more luxury in their footwear including embroidered silk and velvet slippers.

During these Middle Ages footwear got really weird when wealthy women wore Chopines (pictured above), that were so awkwardly high that the wearer required two servants to help support them. The higher the status the taller the Chopine. The men had their own ridiculous shoes. For the record, the term "well-heeled" came from this time period.

Shoes in the 19th, 20th, and 21st Centuries

Frankly 19th century shoes were often boring featuring lowcut shoes, boots, slippers and sandals made from a variety of materials from leather to snakeskin. The 20th century however opened Pandora's Shoe Box and shoes became works of art - and yes - status again. 

                                                   Sneakers

My favorite shoe is the once lowly sneaker, which has gone by a variety of names, depending upon geography and changing over the years. The term 'athletic shoe' is typically used for shoes used for jogging or road running and indoor shoes. We can thank Henry Nelson McKinney an American who was an advertising agent for N.W. Ayer & Son for that moniker. He used the term sneakers because the rubber sole made the wearer stealthy. 

During the 1950s when I was growing up kids began wearing sneakers as school dress codes relaxed. I loved my first pair of black and white Converse sneakers which liberated my feet from the heavy and all too often tight leather dress shoes I had to wear. Sneakers became so popular back then that their sales rose so high they began to hurt the sales of conventional leather shoes. 

In the 1990s, various vendors began producing "walking shoes" for adults using the construction technology of sneakers but visually resembling traditional shoes. They were so popular that by 2010 they repeated the post-1950 success story and outsold leather shoes for adults.

I can't talk about sneakers without mentioning their importance in cultures since the 1970s. Pumas, Nike, and Adidas became intwined with Rock 'n Roll and "sneakerheads" made them some of the most fashionable footwear on the planet. Today, collecting rare sneakers in limited numbers is popular with collectors willing to pay thousands for an old pair of Michael Jordon's sneakers. 

As it Stands, I think I'm on firm footing with my Sketchers Slip-On's.

Wednesday, January 29, 2025

The Good, Bad, and the Ugly on Commuting to Work

When it comes to going to work people generally have two choices: public or private. 

There are benefits to both means of traveling.

Most of my work life I lived in California where cars and trucks are worshipped like metal deities. 

The idea of taking a bus or train to work every day was repugnant to me. I wanted my space and that's all there was to it. The idea of interacting with strangers daily wasn't my idea of having a good commute.

I suspect an environmentalist would look down on my selfish choice and condemn me as a wicked capitalist who didn't care about the planet. Not true. I'm very concerned about pollution on this planet... I just express my concerns in other areas.

The Benefits of Driving vs Public Transit

1. A flexible personalized schedule catering to individual preferences.

2. Privacy and personal space.

3. Door-to-door service eliminating the need for additional modes of transportation for the daily commute. Less commute time means less stress.

4. Carrying personal belongings that you can't have on public transportation.

The Cons of Driving to Work in your Own Car

1. Traffic congestion. A long commute spent during rush hour (when most people are on the road) can lead to stress, anxiety, and sometimes road rage.

2. Environmental impact. Single-occupancy vehicles contribute to environmental pollution, adding to carbon emissions and traffic-related environmental issues.

3. Cost savings by avoiding fuel, parking, and maintenance expenses, and potential tolls.

4. Limited productivity. The time workers spend driving is often considered unproductive, with individuals unable to engage in work-related tasks during the commute.

If you want more detailed information on commuter benefits, I recommend Googling Edenred's Commuter Benefits website. It offers a superior alternative for your daily commute, combining the connivence of personal transportation with the cost savings and sustainability of public transportation.

In general Americans tend to avoid most forms of public transportation with the exception of some major cities. 

In my humble opinion it's because we are too independent and are addicted to our personal vehicles. In most of the major industrialized nations public transportation plays a much larger part than personal vehicles do.

The few times in my life that I took public transportation (a bus) were memorable - and not in a good way. 

A Closing Anecdote

One time while traveling on a Greyhound bus to Washington state a passenger freaked out and started attacking other passengers with his guitar! Along with a couple of other guys we were finally able to subdue the dude who had to be high on something (medium build but strong as an ox). 

The bus driver pulled the bus over by a phone booth (yes, back then there were public phones available on some highways). He calmly got out and called the cops and lite up a cigarette. I joined him while the police were taking the guy away and vowed never to take public transportation again. Thus far I've kept my oath. 

As it Stands, one of the benefits of retiring is not having to commute to work every day. Maybe that's what pundits mean by golden years. It's a matter of perspective.

Monday, January 27, 2025

A Wary Glance at Gambling

I'm going to take a gamble here and say you've probably gambled on something at least once in your life.

Gamblings linage goes back to ancient times. It's also universal. Early man gambled every day of his life that a wild animal wouldn't kill him while hunting for food. 

Historians tell us that gambling dates back at least to the Paleolithic period, before written history. It was the Mesopotamian culture that invented the first six-sided dice thousands of years ago. As early as 2000 B.C. in ancient China, the Book of Songs records a game where those who play draw wood tiles in what appears to be a lottery game.

Gambling has a mixed history of being popular and being reviled in most societies. Christians, as well as Muslims, Jews, Baha'i, and other religious groups have a historically opposed gambling. From a Buddhist perspective, recreational gambling would be considered harmless and not against the Precepts. However, because all gambling plays at least some element of greed, it is certainly unbecoming for Buddhist organizations to raise funds by lotteries and games of chance.

             Lotteries

Organized gambling on a large scale and sanctioned by governments and other authorities in order to raise money began in the 15th century with lotteries - and centuries before in China with Keno.

Today lotteries are commonplace in America. The first modern government-run US lottery was established in Puerto Rico in 1964. Instant lottery tickets, also known as scratch cards, were introduced in the 1970s and have become a major source of lottery revenue for state governments. Multi-state lotteries, such as Powerball and Mega Millions, came into being starting in the mid-1980s, as smaller states banded together in order to get in on massive jackpots and attract more people.

It's interesting to note that prior to 1964, lotteries were illegal in the country. But greed is a powerful stimulant that overcame gambling laws one by one.

The Pitfalls of Gambling

According to the Mental Health Foundation research department gambling can cause low self-esteem, anxiety and depression.

It can become an addiction, just like drugs or alcohol. It also affects the part of the brain that releases dopamine (our natural high). Problems with gambling can lead to bankruptcy, crime, domestic abuse, and even suicide.

So why even gamble?

The experts tell us the personality of a gambler is complex and multifaceted. Gamblers are risk-takers, impulsive, optimistic, competitive, and sometimes use gambling as a form of escape. Apparently, it's in our DNA when you consider how long mankind has been taking chances for a thrill.

Because I fit in several of the above categories I know something about gambling. I confess I was addicted to it at one time. When I got back from Vietnam in 1970, I was addicted to adrenaline highs and did a lot of crazy things. Driving fast, picking fights, and gambling when I couldn't afford too were all symptoms of my PTSD. I struggled for years until I finally got help.

I learned that mental health disorders are common factors for people who gamble along with certain personality disorders. 

As it Stands, the good news is there are plenty of organizations who can help you if you can't control your urges to gamble. 

Tuesday, January 21, 2025

The Way of the Whistle Revealed

Welcome! 

Today we're going to follow the Way of the Whistle and its many wonderous applications in nature.

Mankind discovered the power of whistling while still living in caves. 

The musical notes that cave mates shared may have been primitive, but they surely had significance to our ancestors. A whistle could be a warning, or it could be a sign of admiration depending on the circumstances.

Scientists tell us the oldest whistles ever discovered were made from bone and found in Peru and Israel dating back to 4000 BCE and 12,000 years ago respectively. 

The power of the whistle can be found throughout the animal kingdom. Some animals that whistle like humans include rodents (who knew?), birds (no surprise), and dolphins.

Some people say they can't whistle. The fact is everyone can learn to whistle with their lips it just takes a lot of practice. A word to the wise; if you're having trouble whistling by blowing air out of your lips, you might want to try sucking air in instead. 

I'm amazed at how many creatures can whistle.

I recently discovered that caterpillars could whistle. The walnut sphinx caterpillar compresses its body and squeezes air out of the holes in the side of their bodies, called spiracles. The shrill whistle they let out lasts for several seconds if disturbed by a predator.

Do you know why guinea pigs' whistle? Pet owners say they whistle in anticipation of food. They learn to identify the telltale signs of a pending meal and whistle wildly in response.  

Stranger still, there are highly social wild dogs - dholes - that live in packs in the dense forests of Asia that are known as "whistling hunters." Dholes hunt cooperatively, breaking into smaller groups to surround prey animals hidden deep in the vegetation. To coordinate their movements in an environment that's both noisy and visually cluttered, the canines whistle to each other.

You may have heard that bottlenose dolphins have a signature whistle, a unique vocalization that acts like a name. That whistle not only provides an identity, but it also helps dolphins locate each other and deepen bonds.

Moving on.

There's an International Whistle's Guild which promotes the art of whistling as mankind's oldest and most unique musical expression. 

Speaking of unique there's a World Whistling Competition every year. I guarantee you'll be awed by the people who stand in front of a mike belting out impressive tunes with just their lips. And yes, there are professional whistlers who win prizes in competitions worldwide.

As it Stands, did you know that when you whistle while you work it makes the time go by faster?

Saturday, January 18, 2025

Understanding Procrastination

I became a world class procrastinator in my early teens. If I could put something off... I did. 

I admit to never giving my tardy habits much thought until I went into the Army. Suddenly I had to be on time, all the time. It was gut wrenching. A slap of reality. Some lessons were learned.

No more delaying tasks that were boring or unattractive. Nope. Being a procrastinator had negative consequences that weren't worth it. I still put some things off these days because being retired provides more opportunity to be sloth-like without major consequences.  

For the record, procrastination is a common part of human behavior, but it can also become a habit that affects your well-being.

Researchers tell us that procrastination can be linked to low self-esteem, anxiety, depression, ADHD, and poor study habits. It's also a way to avoid negative feelings like dread, incompetence, or insecurity.

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5 Ways to Stop Procrastination

(#1 Center for Clinical Interventions)

1. Reduce the number of decisions you need to make throughout the day. Every decision has an energy consequence.

2. Finish your day before it starts...

3. The nothing alternative... 

4. The next action habit-focus on something doable...

5. Adjust your environment.

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After reading numerous articles on procrastination, I found that they all agree that the number one cause for procrastination is Task Aversiveness.

In layman's terms, if a task is frustrating, boring, or unpleasant, avoid it. People have anxieties and fear of being criticized. They also feel overwhelmed.

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7 Ways to Overcome Procrastination 

(#2 Psychology Today)

1. Identify your daily goals. In order to stop delaying important tasks, you have to identify those tasks in the first place.

2. Set specific goals.

3. Set realistic goals - change your inner dialogue

4. Include easy tasks.

5. Find your productive flow.

6. Include accountability.

7. Factor in room for faults.

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Now that we've explored the negative effects of procrastination let's take a look at the other side of the coin.

Some experts at Harvard University claim that moderate procrastination can have positive aspects, like allowing for more creative thinking, better decision-making by giving time to mull over options, and potentially leading to more efficient work when you finally start a task due to the pressure of a deadline.

As it Stands, procrastination can be bad... and good. It depends on if it's chronic or moderate. 

Tuesday, January 14, 2025

No Limits on Imagination

It strikes like lightning. A spark that sets your mind on fire and ignites your spirit. The moment you allow your imagination to run free anything is possible.

Imagination allowed our ancestors to make sense of the stars. Now we are paving a pathway to other planets with technology so advanced that it was thought impossible fifty years ago.

Mankind relies upon imagination. In fact, historian Yuval Noah Harari, author of Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind, claims that imagination defines us as a species.

From the invention of airplanes to the construction of space stations, humanity does not advance in a linear fashion, but through spectacular leaps of imagination.

You want to know why mankind is the superior species? It's our ability to think about things that are not real or that do not yet exist. That imagination solves problems, spurs new ideas, and is a way to entertain ourselves.

Albert Einstein once said, "the true sign of intelligence is not knowledge but imagination." 

If you think about it unlocking our imagination is like owning a superpower. Scientific research indicates that more robust daydreaming is associated with superior intelligence. I'm not entirely convinced of that because I do a lot of daydreaming without tangible results. I've been accused more than once in my school days of "having my head in the clouds."

According to researchers' imagination is a skill, not a trait we lose.

People talk about children's imagination springing forth fully formed in their young minds. 

That's because children engage in pretend play and often seemed absorbed in imaginative activities. However, upon closer inspection these activities are less imaginative than they first appear. For example, when they make things, they typically simulate real world activities.

There's a difference between active imagination and having an extraordinary one. To fully unleash your extraordinary imagination requires knowledge: the examples, principals, and models learned from others.

As it Stands, the more we know, the further our imaginations can wander.

Sunday, January 5, 2025

Traveling Abroad is out of the Question!

After 74 years I no longer have a hankering to go wandering abroad. Back in the early 70s traveling overseas was something my wife and I talked about a lot. 

We just couldn't go to our dream vacation in Tahiti because the cost of raising three boys prohibited such an expensive getaway.

Over time I've noticed air travel fees hitting the stratosphere every year. 

One of the things I kept an eye on is how American tourists were treated overseas. The Ugly American phrase became commonplace for the loud and annoying American travelers who were called that not because of their physical appearance but because of their personalities.

Apparently, we earned the reputation. Being bores and acting rude didn't set well with any country.

I was concerned about air travel well before getting married, however. The 1960s was called the "Golden Age of Hijacking" (specifically the latter half) where hijackings were significantly more common than any other decade in our history. During the last five years (60s) there were hundreds of hijacking attempts globally, with many originating here in the United States.

By the mid-seventies hijacking was no longer a major threat. So, the Ugly Americans took up traveling abroad again with a vengeance. The new challenge was Americans increasingly getting arrested or kidnapped in foreign countries.

Moving on...

Following the outbreak of war between Israel and Gaza and flaring tensions in the region, the U.S. State Department issued a worldwide caution advisory on Oct. 19, 2023, due to "increased tensions in various locations around the world, the potential for terrorist attacks, demonstrations or violent actions against U.S. citizens and interest."

The U.S. State Department also issued individual travel advisory levels for more than 200 countries globally, continually updating them based on a variety of risk indicators such as health, terrorism and civil unrest.

If Americans want to travel to nearby Mexico, they should know six of the 32 states in Mexico are designated Level 4 - meaning their very dangerous and travelers are warned not to go there.

All of this adds up to not going outside of the United States in my book. The only overseas experience I've had was a tour of duty in Vietnam (circa 1970), and I can tell you I have no desire to return there. The chance of meeting an untimely death in another country leaves me cold. I'm a survivor who's trying to see how long I can live. My solution is simple; improve the odds.

To all you brave Americans that think traveling abroad is a good idea... more power to you. The world is a fascinating place and there's nothing like seeing it firsthand. 

As it Stands, I satisfy my wanderlust these days watching documentaries and taking virtual tours of famous museums and other locations of interest around the world. Yes, it's a second-hand experience but a much safer one.

Thursday, January 2, 2025

From Fiction to Fact: Mystery of Invisibility Revealed by Researchers

There's a science fiction novel by British writer HG Wells (circa 1897) called the Invisible Man where the author explores the dark side of people turning invisible.

The scientist in the novel was a rogue and his goal of being able to turn invisible had nothing to do with advancing humanity. His name was Griffin, and he intended to commit crimes without fear of being caught. But being invisible turned out to be a curse. He couldn't return to his normal state.  Because of that he developed a deep sense of isolation, and it drove him to madness and terrorism.

Fast Forward to Reality

Turns out the future of making things invisible is just around the corner! That's right. Fiction becoming fact.

Scientists today say they have solved the mystery of an insect's invisibility coat that can manipulate light. You may have never heard of Leafhoppers, but the tiny common bugs are really special. They are the only species on the planet that secrete brochosomes: rare nanoparticles with invisibility properties. Yes, that special.

For the first time, a group of scientists have created their own synthetic brochosomes. Their ultimate goal is to use them one day for invisible cloaking devices for all kinds of technologies. 

In the next few years, they could find their way into a range of commercial applications - from solar energy to pharmaceuticals - according to the lead investigator Tak Sing Wong, professor of mechanical engineering and biomedical engineering at Penn State.

The beauty of synthetic brochosomes is they can be made at different sizes and thus tailored to absorb and scatter different wavelengths across the electromagnetic spectrum. That means they are very versatile and can even form around bodies.

I can see this new technology is also destined for military uses and possibly beyond. The beyond is when they develop a way to make a human invisible with the ability to return to their normal state at the push of a button (or something along those lines). The results would more than likely be catastrophic and world changing. It's a scary thought.

Would you want to be Invisible?

The catch is you'd have to stay that way and couldn't return to your normal self. In return you could literally live off the land(s) and go anywhere in the world for free. Food and transportation. Free. The possibilities are endless. I suspect it would be paradise for a voyeur.   

As it Stands, the idea of a common insect being the catalyst for invisibility possibilities sounds crazier than HG Wells method of using chemicals in the novel.

Sipping 'Tree Spirits' Sounds Scrumptious

To all you drinkers of alcoholic spirits I have a surprise for you. I just discovered a spirit that will delight your senses and give new ...