March 18, 2012

Today I learned how to make perfect hard boiled eggs. I know this sounds simple but I have always had a problem getting them just right. But, finally, I have made perfect eggs with easy-peel shells, and solid velvety yolks that are cooked through but not over dried and grey. Yay!

You can learn how here.

Shelly laid a double-yolker on St. Patricks Day - exra good luck perhaps?

March 17, 2012

Today I learned that it is possible to dress a princess completely in fondant and rice krispies and that such a cake will attract the sparkling eyes of little girls all the way across an arcade.

I also learned that newly birthday-ed seven-year-olds (just like any other any-year-olds) just want to know that someone is hearing them.

As a bonus I learned that I am in serious need of some new windshield whippers.

March 16, 2012

Today I learned that there are lady bug babies turning into grown-ups on the side of my garage and that this is what lady bug larvae look like:

Further study revealed that these little ladys, who science calls Coccinellidae, are actually "overwintering" which means that the adult bugs attach themselves to the south side of a building or plant to spend a safe, cozy winter. When the days start to get longer they lay egg, which hatch into larvae. They will lay lots of extra eggs so that their babies will have something to eat when they wake up on the side of my garage. How thoughtful!

Lady bugs will live an impressive 1 to 2 years. I am glad they decided to spend the winter in a spot high enough that the chickens can not notice or reach them. You go girls (and lady boys).

March 15, 2012

Today I learned that having conversations about imperfections and small hurt feelings is not a sign of a bad relationship. On the contary, the fact that you can have conversations and discussions about how you feel and continue on with hugs and smiles and knowledge shows that everything is going quite great.

I hear lots of grown-up little girls talk about wanting fairy tales and I hope they don't miss out on a wonderful, surprise and learning filled life of imperfection, searching for perfection that does not exist (and would probably be a bit boring anyway).

March 14, 2012

Today I learned what dueling banjos sounds like when played on Tesla coils. And it, my friends, is awesome.

You can listen for yourself here.

As a result, I also gained a better understanding of what Tesla coils actually are - which is resonating transponders that produce high voltage, low current, high frequency alternating current electricity. They were invented by Nikola Tesla around 1891. If I am understanding correctly it is a way of creating energy that makes noise and a super-fun light show. And, as we previously learned, could be a great way to talk to aliens.

March 13, 2012

Today I learned that a project that I have been working on for the last eight months has received an initial glowing reception with lots of positive feedback - which could potentially lead to international sales. Time will tell but so far things are looking good.

This is a boost that I have been needing lately and am excited by the possibilities. It also helps me to learn to trust my own aesthetic instincts.

March 12, 2012

Today I learned that the word cuckolding does not mean what I thought it meant. At all. I am glad I never used it in a sentence, as I thought it meant something much more innocent. It does not. I also learned that my new tv service includes channels where one accidentally learns what words like cuckolding mean. It is not the same experience as stumbling on the history channel.

This reminds me of the time my 12-year-old self told my mother that I thought people didn't honk enough and that I wanted to be a horny driver when I drew up.

Learn new words and use them correctly or this too will happen to you.

March 11, 2012

Today I learned that Samurai were expert bowman, using a long, asymmetrical bow called a Yumi which is the largest and most powerful in the world. While most people think of Samurai as renowned swordsmen (which they were), they were considered equally if not more skilled with a bow and arrow. The Yumi uses heavier, more accurate arrows that are guided by the archers thumb rather than two fingers like western long bow.

The bows are handcrafted by artisans today exactly how they were made in the third century out of individually selected pieces of bamboo with just the right flex and balance. It seems the perfect combination of deadly and zen.

March 10, 2010

Today I learned that this video exists and sweet GaGa it is wonderful. Perfect for this weeks National Women's Day, Soomo Publishing rewrote the Lady Gaga song Bad Romance into a parody about Women's suffrage. They re-shot the entire Bad Romance video almost shot for shot and did a pretty amazing job. You are a free bitch baby (literally).

Vo vo votes ah ah
Whoa ah, won’t ta ah
Stop ha, ooo la la
Til we have suffrage!

March 9, 2012

Today I learned that I take criticism as failure rather than a means of growing. If my goal truly is to always be learning and constantly moving positively forward and learning, learning, then this is a lesson that I need to absorb quickly and well. Right now. Criticism needs to be a means of betterment and not a emotional pot hole.

March 8, 2012

Today I learned that the MLA (The Modern Language Association - which college taught me is the holy bible of academic citation) has added "how do I cite a tweet?" to its prodigious style guide.

Here is how to properly cite a tweet in your next research paper/publication:

Takei, George (@GeorgeTakei). “Tomorrow I'm going to violate Leviticus by wearing a cotton/polyester blend. #CherryPickingSins.” 15 March 2011, 8:05 p.m. Tweet.

Also, thank you, George, for allowing me to randomly reference religion, politics and star trek all with a single (perfectly sourced) retweet.

March 7, 2012

Today I learned that our best chance of ever communicating with aliens is through the universal constant of mathematics. One of the best ways to communicate in the language of math would be through wavelengths of light which include visible color.

While my understanding of the actual math and science behind all of this is a bit sad and underwhelming, my inner artist is busy painting mental pictures of having delightful conversations with alien life forms - our words nothing but swirling bright and beautiful color - flashing lights, rainbows and patterns and something called teslas. What colors would you communicate into the unknown?

March 6, 2012

Today I learned that carbonate is CO3 2- (that is big C followed by a big O with a little dangly 3 and a floating 2-). I am helping a special someone studying chemistry for upcoming exams. This has also resulted in my learning that I really don't remember anything at all about chemistry and that I am glad I became an artist.

I also learned that my car seems to have, unfortunately, started down a path of slow but inevitable decline.

March 5, 2012

Today I learned that there is a one-in-three chance that my house will be a TV star. It is a small, simple house but it's urban, church-adjacent location has caught the eye of the powers that be and we are now in the running to be used as a location for an episode of a brand new TV show. I am pretty excited about the prospect and the money is not bad either.

I also learned that Trader Joe's par-baked rolls are absolutely delicious. Crispy on the outside and soft on the inside - packaging has never been so perfectly correct.

March 4, 2012

Today I learned that I am going to have to overcome my general aversion to careful planning and excellent time management if I am going to be able to do all of the freelance jobs that I would like to accept.

Even as little as a year ago this level of work and creative commitment would have caused panic but I am only a little nervous and mostly excited. This makes me feel like I have, over time, learned something far more valuable.

As a bonus, today my fiancee learned how to make a modernist fruit bowl out of materials we already own. I guess in our case it is actually a root bowl. Either way, I'm impressed.

March 3, 2012

Today I learned that it is evidently shockingly easy to make your own peanut butter - almost disappointingly so. I had expected a bit more magic and toil. I will perhaps try this one and hold a full scale taste test and price comparison to determine possible benefits of homemade peanut butter.

March 2, 2012

Today I learned about neti pots and humidifiers and that I should have done this all a lot sooner - followed by a second "I told you so." I was at first a bit put off by whole idea of the neti pot. But now I am a believer. It did not hurt like I expected it to and has made a huge difference in my poor sinuses and also helped with my nose bleeds. I will admit that the sensation is quite odd.

Don't worry - I have read the newspaper articles also. You won't get an amoeba in your brain if you follow the directions correctly. It says right on the box: do not use tap water.

March 1, 2012

As it is the start of a brand new month it is once again time to check in with our friend Ginger Chicken who is now two months old and starting look more like a real, albiet very small and fluffy, chicken. (the small will go away with time but the fluffy will always remain)

She has adjusted to life in the coop and has even learned how to climb up the chicken ramp and put herself to bed. She has also learned how to escape the chicken yard - this is less positive, but somewhat entertaining.

Today I learned that veins look blue under your skin because of light absorption not oxygenation or any other stuff people might tell you. Any color you see of any object is actually that wavelength of light reflected back and all other colors being absorbed.

Red light is able to penetrate your skin much further than blue light does. Any blood or blood vessel that is half a millimeter or closer to the surface of your skin will appear red. Any blood vessel that is further in will appear blue because the blue light can not penetrate that far so it bounces right back at your eye making it look blue. Technically you are seeing red also it is just now mixed with the blue that your skin is reflecting. It's like a magic trick!

You can read more about it here.