MollystixSo cute, who would think after looking at these pictures that they are ferocious beast animals?
MollystixWow.
MollystixHaha, this is part of Tom's course.
MollystixEw! I do not think these are the hottest trend or any trend but gross.
MollystixLots of thoughts. First, who would take so many drugs just to do an experiment? Second, I love the colors in most of these. Third, who knew there were so many drugs one could take that mess with your brain and body? Fourth, that last drug, love, has estrogen in it - why?
Graphic designer Brian Pollett, aka Pixel-Pusha, pusha-ed himself to the limit by doing a new drug every day for twenty days and making art. The San Francisco-based artist said he “wanted to create opportunities to educate, whether related to psychedelics or art.” We’ve covered artists like him before here on Bored Panda.
“Imagine the past, future, and linear time are gone,” Pollett explained to A+. “You can just focus on your existence in the present. The idea of tomorrow is laughable. I can create art without concern of outsider judgment, without over analyzing my process, and intuitively enjoy creating the most honest work.”
Bored Panda does not endorse drug use. Refer to your local laws before indulging in something potentially illegal.
More info: psybry.net (h/t: aplus)
MollystixIt is a little long, but man, so cold!
MollystixIs this real life?
Is there a weight limit or can an adult use this as their city commuter?
Also, will this give kids' range anxiety too?
Submitted by: (via Radio Flyer)
MollystixPretty cool.
Yes, that is two flight attendants spiraling through the air. GIF from OK Go/Facebook.
They're in zero-G! They're not on a green screen and this most definitely isn't CGI. They really did choreograph an entire routine — complete with flying laptops, acrobatic flight attendants, and a storm of colored floating balls — all set to a remarkably catchy song.
OK Go is known for doing some crazy stuff in their videos, like dancing on treadmills or constructing a musical car obstacle course, but even they don't have the wherewithal to blast into space. Instead, their latest video all takes place on a special airplane from S7 airlines in Russia that can simulate zero gravity.
A similar plane in Germany. Image from borsi112/Wikimedia Commons.
How it works: The plane flies in long arcs up and down. At the very top, right as it stops going up and is just starting to fall back down, the passengers can experience what it's like to be in space. It's like how a pop-fly in baseball will sometimes appear to hang in the air for just a second before falling back to Earth.
A lot of people have used this technique before.
It's been used in movies, such as the weightlessness scenes in "Apollo 13."
GIF from "Apollo 13."
But it has applications beyond the silver screen as well. It's been used to train astronauts, for one thing.
Image from NASA/Wikimedia Commons.
And in 2007, physicist Stephen Hawking got to go for a ride as well!
Image from Jim Campbell/Aero-News Network/Wikimedia Commons.
Here's the rub about making a three-minute video on this plane. Each bout of zero-G only lasts about 20 seconds. After that, the plane needs about five minutes to reset.
And, fun fact, that weight they lose at the top of the arc comes back with a vengeance afterward. Any passengers on the plane will be plastered into their chairs for a few seconds.
So while they were able to film the entire thing in one continuous shot — by pausing their actions for the non-weightless periods and snipping that out of the video — the actual trip took about 45 minutes! You can read more about how they found those amazing flight attendants, how many people it took to do this (a lot), and how many times the crew experienced stomach troubles from the constant up and down (also a lot) on the video's FAQ page.
Thumbnail image and video from OK Go/YouTube.
MollystixI'm pretty excited this is actually happening soon!
Rob Daviau co-designed Pandemic Legacy, a board game we named one of the best of 2015. For those who need a refresher, Pandemic Legacy plays out over an entire year as your try to rid the world of viruses. As the game progresses, the board and rules change, so the game you play with your friends is entirely unique. It kicks so much ass. Now Daviau has released details on his new upcoming game, one that’s even more ambitious.
According to Polygon, the former Hasbro designer will soon be releasing a new game, SeaFall: A Legacy Game. Although it appears to be a seafaring game, you’re not just sailing the briny seas. You’re making landfall and exploring—and exploiting—native territory. It’s “like Indiana Jones but in the 16th century,” Daviau said.
More than that, the game has a twist: It has elements of a choose-your-own-adventure game. SeaFall comes with a book, which has a whopping 430 entries. Making your way to a point on the board leads you to an entry in the book.
Daviau gave an example of one of the book’s entries. “We pulled up upon the shore and spied in the hills what we thought to be gold. However, it turned out to be an ambush from some of the natives who knew that we were searching for gold in the area. We lost many of our crew, and my only question now is whether I go out to seek revenge or wait for another day since I’m down by many of my crew.”
But it’s also a “legacy” game, which means as with Pandemic Legacy (a spin-off of the original Pandemic), the game changes as it’s being played.
In addition, players are given eight “enmity” tokens—and only eight. This is your currency for declaring war or attacking people. That means you have a mere eight opportunities to strike out at other non-player factions. As Daviau said, “[W]hen your eight tokens run out, you’re done. It’s basically saying no, you’ve reached your jerk limit.” Tokens you don’t use stick around and become like a visual history of what happened in the game.
Daviau says he “put his heart and soul” into SeaFall, which supposedly has twice the content of Pandemic Legacy. He also put in a whopping three-and-a-half years of work. “It took me less time to get my bachelor’s degree than it did to make this game,” Daviau told Polygon, “and I took summers off for that.”
You mateys and scurvy dogs can expect to play SeaFall some time in August 2016.
Excited? Eager to blast your best friends with cannons? Let us know in the comments.
Via Polygon.
MollystixGreat moves. Imma try to learn some before Saturday!
MollystixMan, I wish I was as happy through all my trials as Eric here is.
When a small town’s quirky ticket-taker fell on hard times, his neighbors were there to catch him.
<br>Eric is a ticket-taker at a movie theater in Morristown, New Jersey, where he has worked for years. And he’s well known in the community for his unique approach to his job: He makes “tick-tick-tick” noises to imitate a ticket machine, gestures wildly when he’s tearing off the stub, and tries to make every ticket-holder smile.
Morristown loves him for it. The local bar, where he has worked as a bouncer, once gave him a 2003 Cadillac DeVille for his birthday. He even has a Facebook fan page— "dedicated to the coolest guy ever" — which is how you know you’ve really made it.
His work hours had been cut, and he had been living out of his car. "I’ve been homeless now for going on ten months," Eric said in this video.
A community member set up a GoFundMe page for Eric, and 10 days after the page was created, contributors had exceeded the original fundraising goal of $50,000 — by more than $15,000. Some people even commented on the page to offer up personal support.
Screenshot via Eric's GoFundMe page.
"I have a spare room if he needs a place to stay," one commenter wrote. "No one should be on the streets, especially this time of year."
Another community member said:
“I donated because on my first date with my wife, Eric took my ticket, and made me smile. Then, hundreds of times, thru out my life, he did it over and over. ... For one single man, to rise up every day, despite his own troubles, and give a smile to the world every day he goes into it ... that is a gift. It is a gift this man has given to thousands.”
But every single day, communities across the globe are showing us that people still believe in the importance of lending a hand to their neighbors.
We saw it in the Ohio pizza shop that hosted a free Thanksgiving dinner for the homeless. We saw it in the community that replaced an elderly woman’s stolen bike. And we saw it in the town that fundraised to rebuild a mosque that had burned down.
Now, we’re seeing that kindness again in Morristown.
<br>So far, more than 1,700 people have donated to Eric Glover’s GoFundMe page. According to an email from his daughter, though, he is still trying to find stable housing to stay safe and warm after the recent blizzard. If you want to contribute, you can find the fundraising page here!
MollystixBut the sparkled suit is fabulous!
Mollystix"The role that dads play in the lives of their daughters in terms of their self-esteem, body image, and future relationships is huge." So true.
Watch these NFL players give the 'dad-do' to their daughters.
<br>It doesn't matter if you're a mom or dad. Styling your daughter's hair can be pretty challenging.
And it's easy to forget that a lot of NFL players — giant men who run into other giant men for a living — are also dads. They have lives at home. Many of them are even raising tiny female humans who have hair that needs taming.
So Pantene stepped up its game by inviting three NFL players to style their daughters' hair for its "Strong Is Beautiful" campaign for its upcoming Super Bowl commercial. Here's how it went down.
Rhiya was ready for her daddy to do his thing. Images via Pantene/YouTube.
He struggled a bit in the beginning and admits that carrying a football is easier than styling hair because "I have help running through that defensive line."
He persevered, and Rhiya was pretty pleased with the results.
Boom.
Grace was ready for her chance to sit in the hot seat.
Grace expressed that she was excited and a bit nervous, but Benjamin was ready to dive in.
"It's fun to do something new and spend this time with my daughter," he said.
After a little bit of time, Grace was styled up in a pair of twin braids and was happy with the results.
Another satisfied customer.
Jason is known for his great hands on the football field, but how "great" are they when it comes to styling Landry's hair?
Jason admits that Landry's mom has the skills when it comes to making her hair look pretty. He also readily admits that "catching a touchdown pass is easier than creating a beautiful braid."
Of the three dads, Jason probably struggled the most — but props to the dude for sticking with it.
The end result? Adorable pigtails for his adorable little girl.
That is one happy toddler.
Yes, this is an absolutely adorable commercial, and I wouldn't fault anyone for experiencing a severe case of sweaty eyeballs after watching it, but a deeper message shouldn't be ignored.
The role that dads play in the lives of their daughters in terms of their self-esteem, body image, and future relationships is huge. Kudos to Pantene for recognizing that and putting this message on display for millions of viewers to watch.
Speaking of watching, you can check out a sneak peek of the commercial here.
To check out more of these awesome dad-do videos, be sure to check out Pantene's YouTube page.
MollystixHaha, good stuff.
MollystixWow, took me a bit to realize what I was looking at.
MollystixThat is impressive.
This is an athelete at the Wind Games which seems to be happening at an indoor skydiving facility in Spain.
Submitted by: (via Ernest)
MollystixThis is a real, very scary thing.
A new recommendation urges medical providers to screen new mothers for depression.
<br>Almost immediately, Heidi Koss knew something wasn't right. The psychology major was experiencing some of the symptoms of postpartum depression and sought help. Sadly, it was hard to come by.
She went to her obstetrician/gynecologist only to be told she needed to "get out more" and maybe "buy a nice dress." She wasn't being heard. She wasn't being taken seriously.
"I kind felt like help was unavailable to me," she says.
She loved her baby, but she didn't love motherhood. Heidi recognized the symptoms of postpartum depression right away. Photo by Heidi Koss, used with permission.
For those who've never experienced depression, it may be hard to understand what it's like to feel the symptoms compound over time. Heidi had nightmares, she felt scared, and she was irritable. The more time passed, the worse it got.
"And while I bonded to my baby and I loved my baby, I wasn't enjoying motherhood," she said. "It was a nightmare becoming a mother even though I loved my child."
It wasn't an issue of not bonding with her baby. She did. It was the depression, anxiety, hyper-vigilance, and fear that kept her from keeping calm. Photo by Heidi Koss, used with permission.
According to Postpartum Support International, between 15% and 21% of women experience moderate to severe symptoms of depression or anxiety during pregnancy. Roughly 21% experience depression after birth. In fact, at that rate, mood and anxiety disorders are one of the most common pregnancy-related complications.
"It was a nightmare becoming a mother even though I loved my child."
Various studies have found that untreated depression and anxiety leave potentially lasting negative effects on parents and children.
The U.S. Preventative Services Task Force, an independent review board, in early 2016 issued some new, potentially lifesaving guidelines for depression screening. Here's what that means:
This may not seem like a big deal, but it is. As Heidi's story illustrates, even when mothers actively sought help, it was sometimes denied. Now, hopefully, screening for depression will become a routine part of pregnancy, and new mothers won't face that same struggle.
"I think it's imperative to do early screening with every single mother every single time," Heidi tells me. Photo by Heidi Koss, used with permission.
Knowing she was at risk — mothers affected by mood and anxiety disorders are more likely to develop them during future pregnancies — she took preemptive measures before and during her second pregnancy, such as receiving therapy and medication to help ease the transition. Shortly after giving birth, symptoms of depression returned. Luckily for her, she had the right people and care providers in place.
"With my first, it took 17 months before I found an appropriate care provider who actually listened and got me into appropriate treatment. ... 17 months is a world of difference."
In 1996, a National Mental Health Association survey found that the majority of Americans "think of depression as a sign of personal or emotional weakness." Other studies have shown a belief that seeking therapy or medication to treat depression or anxiety is a sign of poor character. Medically, these beliefs are flat-out wrong. Even so, they may deter people from seeking treatment.
If doctors roll depression screening into the battery of tests that accompany pregnancy, they will help normalize and reduce the stigma associated with it.(And, you know, it ensures that they're equipped to help out in these types of situations, as well.) Other tests can be self-administered, such as the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale.
This was a huge step forward in identifying and treating an all-too-common complication.
<br>
Mollystix"...where he can remind himself of the painful memory forever." Haha, I hated break ups.
This is what heartbreak looks like. Koby Soto, a law student at Tel Aviv University, was recently broken up with by his boyfriend, a fellow student. On the positive side, the moment Soto received a call from his now ex cancelling both their plans and relationship, he happened to be wearing his Fitbit.
With the heart tracking capabilities of his wearable, he was able to pinpoint the moment of heartbreak and cherish it/share it on the internet where he can remind himself of the painful memory forever.
Submitted by: (via @iamkoby)
MollystixInteresting idea, maybe I will have to do this. I feel like it might be liberating but I also do like to wear different things.
Zuckerberg’s closet
Every morning/afternoon when I get dressed, I spend about 67 seconds selecting my outfit for the day based on my mood, activities that day, and availability of clean clothes. 67 seconds isn’t much, but is that time and mental energy I could better spend on other things?
Steve Jobs (who I generally try not to emulate) thought so. President Obama agrees, saying, “I don’t want to make decisions about what I’m eating or wearing. Because I have too many other decisions to make.”
Celebrated author Neil Gaiman has a similar philosophy about his closet. “You know, the main reason I’ve been wearing more or less the same thing for about 20 years is that I don’t ever have to wonder what to wear.”
And most recently, Mark Zuckerberg joked about the intentional lack of options in his closet. He was asked about this back in 2014, and he said, “I really want to clear my life to make it so that I have to make as few decisions as possible about anything except how to best serve this community.”
All interesting points. I’m not sure if the incremental gain in time and metal energy is worth the loss in variation. Wearing different outfits is fun, and it can have a positive impact on your mood (and other peoples’ moods). Like, on a cloudy day, I like to wear brighter clothing to make the day seem a little less gloomy.
It is kind of freeing, though, to pick one outfit and stick with it. I have a few shirts that I like more than any others, but I try to spread them out and not wear them more than every 2-3 weeks. What if I could just wear the same shirt I love the most every day? That might be kind of amazing.
I’m curious about how people make a transition from a varied wardrobe to a limited one. The first decision to make is what that outfit will be. I’ve found that I really like dark grey shirts. I also like a specific cut of sweater in the winter. And I like button down shirts with two pockets and snap-off buttons (I feel like Superman whenever I take off those shirts).
When you first switch over to a single-outfit wardrobe, people are bound to think that you’re just wearing the same shirt over and over again. You almost have to make a point of telling people that you’re actually wearing different copies of the same exact clothes.
Last, it’s notable to me that all of the people who are famous for wearing the same outfit are men. Are there women who do this as well? If not, is there a reason for it? I’m not judging at all–I’m genuinely curious what women think.
Do you see benefits in doing this? What’s your favorite outfit, and would you enjoy wearing it every day?
MollystixI did it once pre-Tom, it was terrible. It's been great with Tom though, that is kinda how our relationship started.
MollystixToo good.
MollystixYes, please!
I try to avoid broad sweeping generalizations like that — but c'mon. Mosquitoes? Seriously? Gross. And unless you're a frog prince (in which case you're dealing with some other issues), you probably share my distaste for the little bloodsuckers.
They show up invited and ruin your picnic, leaving behind a wretched rash of itchy red bumps in their wake.
GIF via thegatesnotes/YouTube.
Worst case? They gift you some disease like malaria, West Nile virus, or the recently-relevant Zika virus. And if you thought bug bites were awful, try putting up with something called breakbone fever.
Or, ya know, death. Did I mention that mosquito-borne illnesses kill more than half a million people every year, making them the deadliest creatures on the planet? And climate change is making it increasingly easier for them to spread their once-tropical sicknesses to the rest of the world.
Not bad for a bug that only lives around 10 days and hardly travels the length of two football fields in its lifetime.
Just a chill mosquito infecting your blood stream with a horrible sickness. GIF via thegatesnotes/YouTube.
Wait — what?!?! How do more mosquitoes help anything?
For that answer, you'll have to ask the folks at Oxford Insect Technologies, also known as Oxitec. Founded by Hadyn Parry in 2002, Oxitec is pioneering a sustainable and environmentally-conscious method of eradicating mosquito-borne illnesses.
But instead of focusing on vaccinations for dengue, Zika, and other virus strains, Oxitec is focusing on the delivery method of these terrible diseases — the mosquitoes themselves.
What better way to do that than to release thousands of weaponized mutant mosquitoes into the wild to breed?
♫ Do a little dance. Make a little love. Get down tonight. ♫ GIF cia thegatesnotes/YouTube.
(That's what I call 'em, anyway. The folks at Oxitec call them OX513A, which is decidedly less catchy.)
As it turns out, there are more than 3,500 known species of mosquitoes on the planet, but only two of them — the Aedes aegypti and the Aedes albopictus — actually feed on human blood. And of those species, the females are the ones that actually do the biting, occasionally passing along some fatal viruses in the process.
That's why the clever folks at Oxitec found a way to breed scientifically-modified male mosquitoes whose sole purpose is weaponized reproduction.
"Hello, ladies!" GIF from thegatesnotes/YouTube.
These lab-grown suckers have an altered gene that, without the antidote that's readily available in the Oxitec hatchery, will ultimately cause the bugs to break down and die.
This doesn't happen immediately of course. And once the infected mosquitoes are released into the world, they still follow their natural impulse to seek out the nearest female, do the midair humpty dance, and fertilize her eggs — both sides blissfully unaware that he just passed on that same self-destructive protein.
The unsuspecting larval mosquito babies are dead before they hatch, and whammo-blammo, problem solved!
That's what you get, ya little plague-bringin' creep! GIF from thegatesnotes/YouTube.
ICYMI, the CDC just announced a major U.S. travel ban.
Specifically, they're warning anyone who is carrying, or is planning to carry, a baby to stay far, far away from South America and the Caribbean, where the Zika virus has been linked to a sudden meteoric increase in microcephaly — that is, children born with abnormally small heads, which can lead to lots of other problems and can severely affect brain development.
In the 70 years or so since the virus was first discovered in the Ugandan jungle, the number of people affected by Zika was originally pretty small — somewhere around a hundred people, ever.
But that all changed in the last few years. And like the spread of West Nile and dengue fever before it, there is no vaccine currently available to prevent the spread of Zika — and it could take a while before anyone figures one out.
So, in the meantime, why not eradicate the virus at its source, before it has a chance to spread?
"Who, me? What? I didn't do anything. I'm just gonna go over here now..." GIF from thegatesnotes/Youtube
After all, what happens if a female mosquito gets infected with this self-destructing protein and passes it on to a human before she dies? What happens if evolution and radical conditions eventually transform these weaponized genocidal mutant mosquitoes into, well, something worse? What kind of unforeseen damage will occur in the local ecosystem if neither of the human-biting mosquito species are present to fulfill their crucial ecological functions?
To that last point, the answer is "almost certainly none." Yes, mosquitoes can assist in the spread of pollens, and they serve as meals for certain animals. But for the most part, they're selfish self-sustaining death machines designed to breed and kill.
The rest of those questions, however, are totally valid.
Mosquitoes are basically the real-world equivalent of the xenomorph from "Aliens" (which is also where this GIF is from).
Unfortunately, those same concerns have also made it difficult for Oxitec to conduct the tests they would need to in order to produce satisfactory answers. The few controlled experiments they have conducted in Brazil and the Cayman Islands have both resulted in 80% reductions in the populations of disease-carrying mosquitoes in just a few months.
While the science fiction fan in me is still terrified of the consequences, the rational human in me understands the math.
So what are we waiting for?
Here's a TED Talk with Oxitec founder Hadyn Parry about the real-life benefits of Sexytime Frankenstein Death Mosquitoes:
Thumbnail photo by Fábio Rodrigues Pozzebom, Agência Brasil/Wikimedia Commons.
MollystixNo thanks. Also, I think he is Norwegian?
Science, y'all!:
It's harder to create movement in water than in air, because water molecules are closer together than air molecules. To show the difference in resistance, physicist Andreas Wahl puts himself in front of a weapon submerged in water and fires it - on himself.
Submitted by: (via NRK Viten)
MollystixSnow/ice days as a teacher were the best!
MollystixIf only he lived closer, he could be in our bookclub! Also, this is a board game designer/publisher who is just great-at least online.
I think I’ve enjoyed the act of reading more in 2015 than any other year. I’ve found that it’s crucially important for me to read fiction every night to help my brain switch from work mode to dream mode, and as I’ve discovered more great books to read, the prospect of climbing into bed to read for the night has helped me stop working (which, as someone who works from home, is a big deal).
This year solidly belongs to author Brandon Sanderson. I’ve devoured his books–from Steelheart to Mistborn to The Way of Kings, I’ve spent entire months of nightly reading on Sanderson. I’m grateful for a lot of authors this year, but if there were a prize, it would have to go to Sanderson.
Here’s the list of books I read for the first time this year. There aren’t quite 10, not for lack of options, but because I only included books I rated 4.5 stars or more. Plus, the final entry encompasses 5 total books within a single series.
9. The Martian by Andy Weir: I actually had a hard time getting into this one, but a friend convinced me to keep reading. That was a good call, because the aspect of the book that made it tough to get into–the scientific precision–is the same aspect that made makes the book work so well. How can you get readers to believe that a lone man can survive on Mars? By getting the science right, that’s how.
8. Every Day by David Levithan (review): This is exactly the type of speculative fiction I love (though I also like more in-depth fantasy and sci-fi): A book grounded in reality with a slight fantastical element to it. In this case, it’s the protagonist’s curse/ability to wake up every day in someone else’s body. The author explores every angle of this concept, and it’s a wonderful read.
7. The Long Walk by Stephen King: The shortest novel I read this year has the word “long” in the title. It’s another speculative book grounded in a world very similar to ours, with the one key difference being an optional annual contest of sorts where young men volunteer to walk with each other as long as possible until they can walk no more, at which point they are killed. The stakes are incredibly high, and every page is filled with tension and interesting characters.
6. The First Fifteen Lives of Harry August by Claire North (review): It seems that the bottom half of the list is all speculative fiction grounded in reality, while the rest of the list is harder-core fantasy and sci-fi. The is the last of the bottom half, but it’s still a wonderful book about a character who, when he dies, wakes up at the original moment of his birth with full recollection of his past life/lives.
5. The Fall of Hyperion by Dan Simmons: This is the second of four books in the Hyperion series, the other three of which I had already read. For some reason I skipped the second book–I couldn’t get into it–but given how much I liked the other books, I gave it another chance…and man, I was missing out! This is simply one of the best sci-fi series of all time. If you read it, read all of them!
4. Golden Son by Pierce Brown: This is the second book in the Red Rising trilogy (the first of which was my top book of 2014). Golden Son was quite different than I thought it would be, but mostly in a good way. The author makes adventurous, unconventional decisions through his characters every step of the way, and I can’t wait for the final book in in the trilogy to be released in February.
3. The Way of Kings by Brandon Sanderson: I spent the last 2 months reading The Way of Kings and the second book in the series, Words of Radiance. They are so, so good. This is high fantasy at its best: Worldbuilding with a reason, fully formed characters, and moments that are etched in my memory as if I were there to experience them in person. Now I just have to wait patiently (not so much) for the third book.
2. The Emperor’s Blades by Brian Staveley (review): As I mentioned in my review, this is, quite simply, one of the best books I’ve ever read. Definitely one of the best fantasy novels. Similar to The Way of Kings, it features great characters grounded in a world with an interesting overarching mystery. I also really enjoyed the second book in the trilogy, and the final book will be released in March.
1. Mistborn by Brandon Sanderson (review): The inclusion of Mistborn on this list doesn’t quite do it justice, because that word encompasses a total of 5 books. I’ve spent so much time this year reading these books and simply being in awe of them. I think many Sanderson fans may put The Way of Kings above Mistborn, and I get that–the epic moments in The Way of Kings are more memorable than most comparable moments in Mistborn. But Mistborn is just so relentlessly entertaining from start to finish, without sacrificing the all-important elements of characters, plot, worldbuilding, etc. I would probably only recommend The Way of Kings to people who love fantasy. I’d recommend Mistborn to anyone.
What were your favorite books in 2015?
Mollystix"A floor is but a movie screen to project the minds eye." Haha, so good.
Have you ever had an upstairs neighbor who makes the strangest sounds?
My walls are pretty thick, so I don’t here much. But recently in the evenings, something has been going on in the unit above mine that makes the entire condo shake. It’s not consistent, like rowdy sex–it’s more like THUNK THUNK THUNK long pause THUNK THUNK THUNK. What is that?
My best guess some sort of self-improvement, at-home exercise like Crossfit or P90x. But what if it’s something way more interesting?
As I started to think of what it could be, I remembered watching this amazing video about the art form of the upstairs neighbor. Be warned–while the video is work-friendly, it’s also laugh-out-loud hilarious. I absolutely lose it when the lady drops the chains on the wood floors. Here are some of my favorite lines, followed by the video:
What’s the oddest thing you’ve ever heard from an upstairs neighbor?
MollystixThat is super cool.
I remember the anticipation and excitement that came from choosing my favorite horse on the carousel, my mother lifting me up and placing me in the saddle, and instantly being transported into a world of wonder and amusement.
Unfortunately, amusement parks aren't always accessible to all people. There are countless children and adults with disabilities or special needs who would seemingly never be able to experience a theme park like I could.
But that’s changing.
Life is a carousel. I'm gonna ride it. All images via Morgan's Wonderland, used with permission.
Reeling in a big catch in the fully stocked catch-and-release pond.
Music to my ears.
The San Antonio-based park has a long list of unique rides and experiences, including carousels made for people in wheelchairs, off-road jeeps with built-in ramps and compartments to allow full wheelchair access, a fully stocked fishing pond with minders to help anyone reel in that big catch, wheelchair swing sets, and roughly 20 other rides and attractions, all created to serve people with a range of special needs.
A journey of the senses.
The Sensory Village entertains the senses of those with cognitive challenges through interactive videos and a news station that lets you conduct a weather forecast and see yourself on TV. Want to try galloping? Mechanical horses replicate the experience of riding for people who might not otherwise be able to.
Ready to hit the open road in a car simulator.
Opened in 2010 by philanthropist Gordon Hartman, who was previously a prominent real estate developer, Morgan’s Wonderland has provided fun and laughter to 65,000 children and adults from over 60 countries and all 50 states.
They’ve done so completely free of charge to those with disabilities or special needs, too. As a nonprofit, they are fueled by donations.
The namesake and inspiration for the park is Morgan Hartman, the 21-year-old daughter of Gordon and Maggie Hartman, who is cognitively challenged and also has some physical special needs.
Morgan and Gordon Hartman.
Gordon recalls watching his daughter at the pool, attempting to play with other children on a vacation. He noticed that the other children were unsure of how to interact with Morgan and subsequently didn’t include her. The kids weren’t being mean, according to Hartman. “They didn’t know how to play with or understand her,” he told Upworthy.
Knowing that there were millions of people just like Morgan, he envisioned a park where the culture was in line with their needs and specially designed to ensure inclusion. Then he built it.
Gordon Hartman with daughter Morgan Hartman and Wonderland mascot Joy.
Fast-forward five years, and they are now expanding the idea even further.
In November, the park announced it would break ground on what they call the world’s first “ultra inclusion” waterpark.
It will feature unique wheelchair access and have special considerations for those who are hearing or visually impaired.
Water. Always a good time.
The hope is that the idea of inclusion will continue outside the walls of the park and into society. Here, kids and adults of all abilities play together every day while increasing their awareness and understanding of one another. Gordon made it very clear that this is a park for everybody and not just those with special needs.
Morgan's Wonderland is important not only because it overcame countless design challenges to provide fun for everyone but also because it’s trying to inspire an ethos, a way of being, a culture of acceptance and inclusion in our society as a whole.
And let’s not forget this part: It’s a lot of fun.
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MollystixSo you have to click this link, then click on the video in the text, not the first video and that takes you to Twitter. Then you can see the pretty good acting by Tom Brady.
Brady makes 36-yard catch on trick play
MollystixWho knew this app was a thing? I'll have to try it out on Tom...
Three months ago, I learned about and started using an app called Sleep Talk. Every night, I activate the app and place my phone on my headrest. When I wake up in the morning, I can look at any point in the night when I made any sound and play it back.
Usually the sounds are pretty standard nighttime sounds: snoring, sneezing, farting, telling the cats to stop attacking each other. But a few times a week for a few seconds, I’ll say some pretty weird stuff. It’s amazing.
I discovered this morning that the app has a built-in function to send specific clips to custom URLs so I can share them with anyone and everyone. So I picked some of my favorites from the last month and posted them online. If you’re on board for a weird little journey into what happens in my bed at 2:00 am, see below:
This is 100% real, folks. This is what I say in my sleep. If you’ve been using the app since my previous sleep talk post, do you have any clips to share?
