Robotic Houses

A project lasting several years, located in Knoxville, Tennessee, fitted three empty homes with robots that simulated average American homeowners consumption of energy.

The results:  fascinating.

http://www.popsci.com/blog-network/zero-moment/robohouse-project-pumped-simulated-sweat-and-breath-empty-homes

The Languages We Speak

It never ceases to amaze me how fluent so many people are in speaking two, three, four or more languages.

This is especially evident here with the ex-pat community being so large and varied. There are people here from all over the world.

The article below features maps that represent the many languages we speak, and the origin of them.  Some of them are arcane, but keep going, they gather steam and are pretty interesting as you move along.

http://www.vox.com/2014/11/17/7082317/language-maps-charts

Great Apps

I have this app on my iPhone called "Appsgonefree."  Everyday it offers free apps that would otherwise cost.  There are a lot of things I'm not interested in like games, or productivity apps, but sometimes, the featured apps are nuggets of gold.

Like today.

The free apps are:

iComm = a picture and voice communication aid for toddlers or non-speaking folks with disabilities.

Language Lab:  Core Words = teaches kids core words through visual association

iAdvocate = a comprehensive resource for parents of kids with disabilities helping them to be the most effective advocate

Please pass this info on to others who might benefit from it.

A Better Bike

Chilean engineering students have created a theft-proof bike.  Here's another example of necessity being the mother of invention.

Check out their prototype below.

http://college.usatoday.com/2014/11/16/engineering-students-design-a-bike-that-cant-be-stolen/?csp=tech

Alive and Well

For those of you who thought the Klu Klux Klan was a thing of the past, think again. Their threats to the folks in Ferguson, Missouri opens the window a crack into their devious, deadly behavior.

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2014/11/16/1345394/-Anonymous-Seized-the-Klan-s-Main-Twitter-Account-This-Morning?detail=email

Ouch!

This is what happens to our feet when we wear those gorgeous sky high shoes.

It ain't pretty.

http://www.salon.com/2013/08/27/study_wearing_high_heels_causes_long_term_foot_damage_clawing_of_the_toes/

He Joins Tiger

Bill Cosby has joined Tiger Woods in my list of low-down, dirty, think-they're-above-the-law, can-get-away-with-anything, men.

May they all rot in hell.

Too harsh?

OK.

Yeah.

I remember my mantra.

Forgiveness.

No matter what.

But . . .

OK.

As my dear friend Deb says "Lord, I apologize."

How about . . .

May their wieners wear out from overuse/misuse?

I know.

You're right.

I'm a work in progress.

Just please, don't remind me of this post the next time I'm preaching forgiveness to you.

A Brave Soul

This white guy is brave enough to speak the truth in the face of plenty who think his message is unnecessary and redundant.

Bravo Mr. Kristof.

http://www.nytimes.com/2014/11/16/opinion/sunday/when-whites-just-dont-get-it-part-4.html?action=click&pgtype=Homepage&region=CColumn&module=MostEmailed&version=Full&src=me&WT.nav=MostEmailed&_r=0

Learning to Love Herself

Is what has helped to make Lupita Nyong'o a role model for us all.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/11/16/lupita-nyongo-quotes_n_6154440.html?utm_hp_ref=entertainment&ir=Entertainment

Hmmmm

Some of these looks are questionable at best.

Others, spot on.

What do you think?

Be patient.  It took a minute for the pictures to load.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/11/13/stylish-men-instagram_n_6154730.html

Helping or Enabling?

For those of you old enough to remember Elvis Presley, this is clear-eyed view of his cause of death.  The similarity between his demise and Michael Jackson's is uncanny.

http://www.salon.com/2014/11/16/the_elvis_presley_coverup_what_america_didnt_hear_about_the_death_of_the_king/?source=newsletter

Promoting His Movie

Here's Chris Rock.

http://deadline.com/2014/11/chris-rock-charlie-rose-interview-top-five-black-fame-whites-race-1201285487/

Use To It

Long ago, I got used to being the only one.

Growing up, I was the only girl with three brothers.

Once we integrated schools, I was the only black in many of my classes.

That's why going to a predominately black college was so refreshing.  I was surrounded by people who looked like me, all moving in the same direction.

That all-black experience was an aberration though.  An outlier in a life of mostly being in settings where I was the only one.

My point is, as black folks in America, many of us are used to this state of being.

It is what it is.

We're use to being the different one.

We're use to the isolation.

So, we learn to deal with it.

Some assimilate.

Some imitate.

Some isolate.

All of us cope, some better than others.

This article is about a young black woman in the tech industry and how she fared being "the only one."

https://medium.com/theli-st-medium/the-other-side-of-diversity-1bb3de2f053e

We Need Canadians to Vote

From our comrades up north.

Hat tip to Forrest.

Missing Persons

This is a graphic of the states with the most missing persons.

Very interesting.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/11/10/most-missing-persons-state_n_6110476.html?utm_hp_ref=entertainment&ir=Entertainment

Yep

This characterization of President Obama and his presidency is spot on.

http://www.nytimes.com/2014/11/10/opinion/charles-blow-the-obama-opposition.html?action=click&pgtype=Homepage&region=CColumn&module=MostEmailed&version=Full&src=me&WT.nav=MostEmailed&_r=0

Clever Gifts

The Grommet is a website I visit often for unique gifts.

Check out these map creations.

https://www.thegrommet.com/neighborwoods-handcrafted-cedar-maps?utm_campaign=20141110B&utm_content=13165&utm_medium=email&utm_source=CC&trk_msg=4IB5QDP05TM4H8TU8LBDFOODRO&trk_contact=6PJ17299EJ5SLGM27119G0AQ7K

Be Careful!

Those of you with little ones in your world, be mindful of the laundry pods that kids are getting into that are hazards to their health.  Statistics in the article below states one kid a day heads to the hospital because of these things.

http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2014/11/10/laundry-pods-child-hospital/18663007/

Fresh Toilet Seat

A revolutionary way to freshen bathroom air is Kohler's Purefresh toilet seat.

Check it out below.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/11/06/smart-toilet-seat-deodorizes-air_n_6115006.html

The Upside of Aging

There is an upside to aging, and more and more I appreciate it.

There is a calmness now, when there used to be chaos and fretting.

There is patience to see things from other points of view, when there used to be only one way . . . mine.

There is the freedom to be myself, and really, truly not give a hoot, when years were spent trying to please others.

There is peace of mind.  Actually, it's the choice to hand peace of mind, instead of frantic thoughts that clouded my judgement.

This article expands on this . . . the upside of aging.

http://www.nytimes.com/2014/11/09/opinion/sunday/frank-bruni-gray-hair-and-silver-linings.html?hp&action=click&pgtype=Homepage&module=c-column-top-span-region&region=c-column-top-span-region&WT.nav=c-column-top-span-region