The Lone Elm

Do You Daydream?

Reuters reports this morning that scientists have been able to observe the brain's activity during daydreaming using MRI technology.  Specific parts of the brain appear to be dedicated to activity during "down" time.  Wikipedia defines "daydream" as "a fantasy that a person has while awake, often about spontaneous and fanciful thoughts not connected to the person's immediate situation."   According to WebMD, psychologists have found that we daydream for one-third to one-half of our waking hours. Daydreaming also serves valuable functions, including helping us get through tedious tasks and stimulating creatvity.  soul food cafe has guided imagery to stimulate the creative you.

6,000 BC Tsunami

Power Line refers us to a story about scientists' conclusions of the impacts of the eruption of Mt Etna  some 8,000 years ago.  The huge, resulting tsunami wreaked havoc across the Mediterranean  Sea and Northern Africa.  A video is on the entry showing the wave action.  Very cool!  Interesting comment line on Power Line as well.  Other info at Science Daily and an overview of volcanic activity in the Mediterranean in Time Europe.

Trojan Horse Video

I love YouTube. This video done in Australia really hits my funny bone and made me laugh.

Putney School Pigs

We visited The Sapling at Putney School this weekend, and I wandered over to the small animal barn.  I enjoyed watching the turkeys poking around outside, and then happened onto what can only be described as a "pig-pile."

Glass in the Garden

Wow! For some true eye-candy go through the photos at Dale Chihuly's site of his work at the Franklin Park Conservatory.  This is incredible and very striking work.    Roam around the rest of the site for his installations at other locations.  Quite something.  Also see photos of a new installation of Chihuly glass at the Missouri Botanical Gardens at Burningbird.  Hat tip to I Speak of Dreams for the reference.

Juggling in Perspective

The Washington Post has an article today about Chris Bliss.  His 4 minute plus juggling video backed up by the Beatles on Google Video has become an internet sensation.  The juggling is pretty good - just three balls but he does seem to manage to make it through the whole routine to recorded music without a drop.  What is more interesting is that Bliss started out as a juggler, but decided that this was not the way he wanted to make a living longer term, so he headed for stand-up comedy, which he considers higher on the entertainment food-chain (seems a bit insulting to budding jugglers!).  I don't know about that!  Maybe it depends on the kind of juggling act you have or what you do it with. In any case, Bliss seems pretty comfortable with his situation, and is pushing a not-for-profit organization promoting the Bill of Rights.

Where the Ships Are

Marginal Revolution refers to a fascinating site that has all sorts of info on shipping - here is a map where all ships are right now!  You can look up tall ships, get a map of ocean water temperatures (very fascinating), see where storms are etc.  If you click the tall ships tab, the web site also hitches into a Tall Ships Web Ring.  Absolutely fascinating.

Dubai Architectural Adventures

Marginal Revolution links us to a Business Week article and slide show on Dubai architectural realities and plans. Quite a fantasy world!  Here are some other photos of modern Dubai.  This site has a history of Dubai architecture. 

Taking More Risks in Life...

Tyler Cowen at Marginal Revolution talks about Maria Headley's experiment in accepting all male invites for a date during a year.  She has written a book about her experience (which did result in marriage to a playwright) in The Year of Yes. Website for the book is here.  Ms. Headley is an interesting and provocative person as evidenced in this informal interview by a friend of hers. This article in The Telegraph is a fun read too.  While her approach seems pretty extreme, for all of us in our various ruts, there is something to learn here!

Have a Sprinkle of Gold on Your Martini...

The Washington Post reports on the latest conspicuous consumption craze -- edible gold and silver.  It is flavorless, in case you are curious.  To give you a flavor of the uses:  "The shavings are served in and on chocolates, cocktails, coffees, pastries, soups, salads and even entrees, like riso oro e zafferano , a gold and saffron risotto. Some chefs like to swaddle a whole chicken with gold leaf -- and eat with relish both foil and fowl. Silver is also big on finger foods. When one thinks of sushi, one can now think metallic shavings on raw mackerel."  Wow. Seems like a LA - Las Vegas kind of glitzy thing, not for us New Englanders...