Canine Christmas

Dogs have it made for Christmas! Cats – not so much...

If you’ve got a dog – you’ll probably buy something for him or her for the holidays. 56% of dog owners do. Some people even admit there are gifts under the tree FROM the dog – and they don’t mean the home-made kind – they actually buy something for the dog to give to someone. Retailers are cashing in on the canine Christmas too – there are edible raw-hide greeting cards your dog can send to his pals in the neighborhood.

Cats probably couldn’t care less – and apparently their owners care a little less too. Only 48% of them buy a gift for kitty – but chances are they’ll like the all that paper and ribbon better anyway.

Source: Sue Manning, Associated Press

Check the Tires!

It’s time to check the air pressure in your tires again...

A lot of us are driving around on under-inflated tires - because when the temperature drops outside, the air pressure goes down. It’s really worth stopping for a quick refill. Driving on under-inflated tires is less fuel-efficient and can even be dangerous. When they’re low there’s much more wear and tear on the tread and you’re more prone to blowouts because there’s more friction between the tire and the road surface.

Source: Edmunds.com

Moon Down Under

The folks down under don’t see the moon like we do...

On a clear night – we all see the same moon no matter where we are – but it’s going to look different down under. On the other side of the earth during a crescent moon – the crescent will be on the other side. That’s because the shadow of the earth is that of the other side than we see. A full moon here is a full moon there too – but the face is slightly different – by about 1 degree. The face and phases of the moon are actually measured from the center of the earth to keep it fair for everyone.

Source: Dominic forge, university of Cambridge.

New Retail Trick

What tricks do retailers have up their sleeves to make you buy stuff? Here's a new one!

You may never have heard of flicker manipulation – but you’ve probably experienced it. It’s a new technique in neuro-marketing. Researchers go to great lengths to find out how our brains react to different marketing techniques – and they’ve taken that big flashing sign that gets our attention to a whole new subtle level. Flickering lights – even at a rate we can’t detect with our eyes – directs our attention to that area. That’s flicker manipulation – and it’s already being used in electronic signs and billboards – and in ambient or spot lighting in shopping environments.

Marketing experts are busy perfecting flicker manipulation for computers too. The flashing of the ads on our screens is likely to get more subtle - since we’ve trained ourselves NOT to look at them.

Source: Dr. Chris Smith, The Naked Scientist

Riding Backwards

If riding backwards on a train makes you queasy - close your eyes...

If you feel sick when riding backwards on a bus or train – you’re in the majority – most people opt for the front facing seats. Dr. Dan Parker from the University of Washington explains when we’re facing forward – we can see what’s coming and naturally predict and prepare our bodies to react to the changes in motion. When we sit backwards – our bodies are caught off guard for turns and speed changes which can throw our balance off.

If you’re stuck with a backward seat – and don’t like it – closing your eyes might help. When we can’t see anything our bodies tend to prepare a little better for the unexpected.

Weekend Getaway

If you’d like to plan a weekend getaway – now is a great time!

If a last minute weekend getaway sounds good – go for it. There’s a way to get a lot more for your money where hotel rooms are concerned. First, choose a hotel that caters to the business crowd. Business travel is down right now – and with more rooms available on the weekends those hotels are much more likely to fill them up at a lower rate – or give you an upgrade. And if you’d like an even nicer room – get there late. Travel experts say most travelers check in between 3 and 5pm. If you get there around 7 – the front desk will know for sure if deluxe room upgrades are available.

Source: Travel and Leisure Magazine

Touchy Feely

We touch and feel things all the time – and that has a bigger effect on us than we think...

We underestimate our sense of touch. According to a study out of Yale, It can have a really big effect on how we perceive things - and on the decisions we make. Participants were asked to do two puzzles – one had pieces that were rough to the touch – the other pieces were smooth. The rough puzzle was perceived as more difficult even though it wasn’t. And it’s not just texture – weight counts too. Judges were given resumes to look at – one on a heavy clipboard and the other on a lighter one. The resumes on the heavier clipboards were rated higher than those on the lighter ones.

The study also revealed that people sitting on a hard chair were much less flexible with negotiating than when seated on a soft chair – and that touching a soft blanket can actually make us feel warm and fuzzy towards someone.

Outlets Online

Did you know a lot of the outlet stores are now online? They can be tricky to find though...

If you like shopping the outlets – but would like to skip the long drive and the crowds – you can shop some of them online now. Some of the most popular outlets like Amazon, Ralph Lauren and Sears can be hard to find though – they aren’t always linked to their main websites. Just Google the brand name you’re looking for and include the word outlet in your search.

Office Romance

Office romance is nothing new – but you might want to check the employee handbook first...

Romance in the workplace is not as taboo as it used to be. 50% of the workforce is single – and we’re working more than ever – so it’s unrealistic to think relationships aren’t going to happen. According to Match.com advice columnist Margot Carmichael Lester – it’s important to check the employee handbook first. 20% of companies in the U.S. have explicit office romance policies with detailed rules of conduct. Even if there isn’t a clear policy – your best bet is to keep it as private as possible and be discreet. A third party can file a complaint if they feel you are getting preferential treatment – or if your conduct makes them feel uncomfortable in any way.

It’s also a good idea to skip the dozen roses, flashy gift or singing telegram – especially if one of you is a manager or boss. Favoritism is an easy thing for disapproving coworkers to latch on to and use against you.

Mind Sharpener

If you’re bilingual - you’ve got a sharper mind.  If you're not - try this...

If you’d like to be at the top of your mental game – learn another language. People who are bilingual actually hold on to cognitive skills better than those who are monolingual. It’s true that it’s easiest to learn a second language under the age of ten – but it can be done at any age. If it all seems a bit daunting – consider sign language. Some people pick that up a lot easier. And when you’ve mastered that, try a different sign language – it’s not universal.

Source: Howard Gurr, Ph.D.

Cartoon Profile

It’s no coincidence some of your friends have changed their profile pictures to cartoon characters on Facebook...

In case you’re out of the loop and aren’t sure what it’s all about – it’s being described by most users as a campaign to raise awareness about child abuse. So far, nobody has come forward to take credit for starting it. There is a National Child Abuse Prevention month – but that’s not until April.

Some of the top Google searches over the past few days have been Rainbow Brite, Ren and Stimpy, Bugs Bunny, Jestsons, Peanuts and Flintstones.

Source: David Sarno, LA Times

Giftwrapped Therapy

Wrapping presents is actually good for you – but only if you do it right...

If you’re putting off that wrapping – consider it stress relief. Wrapping presents can actually IMPROVE your state of mind, because tasks involving fine motor control actually release endorphins. But you can counteract the benefits of wrapping by doing it wrong. First of all – the kitchen counter or an ironing board is the best spot to set up – they’re the kindest height for your neck and back. Having all the supplies in reach is also key. And above all – invest in a sharp pair of scissors – dull ones just add extra time and frustration to your therapeutic wrapping session.

Source: Melissa Tussing, Mountain Democrat

Poinsettia Poisoning

You’ve probably heard that poinsettias are poisonous to humans and pets...

It’s probably not a good idea at all to eat that poinsettia – but not because it’s poisonous – because they taste awful! As a matter of fact, poinsettias are actually considered nontoxic to humans and animals. The deadly rumor started way back in 1918 when a child in Hawaii was falsely believed to have died from poinsettia poisoning. Although they won’t kill us – if you did choose to eat a few for some reason – you’d probably wind up with an upset stomach and possibly some festive vomiting.

Poinsettias are actually good to have around – they’re pretty effective for absorbing pollutants and improving indoor air quality.

Source: Matt Hickman, Mother Nature Network

Regifting Etiquette

There is NOTHING wrong with re-gifting – as long as we follow some basic rules...

A gift is a gift – and it’s got value whether you paid for it or not. There’s really nothing wrong with re-gifting if it’s something nice that you just don’t have a need for – and HAVEN’T used yet. Etiquette expert Peggy post has some basic rules for re-gifting:

• If it looks ALMOST new – that’s a dead giveaway.

• Don’t point out that you’re re-gifting. It really is the thought that counts, so why ruin the moment.

• There is a difference between re-gifting and hand-me-down. Re-gifting is something you HAVEN’T used yet. Save the hand-me-downs for a nice gesture – not a gift.

There are a few things you should NEVER re-gift – CDs or movies that have been opened, gift cards that have some money left on them and random software or books. Champagne or wine is perfectly fine to re-gift – assuming you haven’t opened it yet.

Saltwater Shield

If you feel a cold coming on – quick – gargle with saltwater!

At the height of cold and flu season we can use all the help we can get – and a recent study found that gargling with saltwater can actually help protect us. In the study, people who gargled with saltwater three times a day got sick 40% LESS than those who didn’t. That’s because saltwater reduces inflammation in the throat and flushes out allergens, bacteria and other irritants. Just add about a half teaspoon of salt to warm water – stir to dissolve – and give it a gargle.

Source: Dr. Philip T. Hagen, Mayo Clinic