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MUNDANE MYSTERIES: Why Cats Love To Sit On Computer Keyboards
If you’ve been working from home, or have ever used a computer at your place, then you probably know that computer keyboards are prime real estate in the eyes of pretty much every cat. They’ll frequently bypass their comfy cat bed over in the corner & just sprawl right out across your laptop. But why? It hardly seems random, and, as it turns out…it’s not.
One reason is the heat coming from your device. Cats are most comfortable when they don’t have to use their own energy to heat their bodies. Their “thermoneutral zone”, or temperature sweet spot, is between 86°F & 100°F. And, computer keyboards are often nice & toasty, just like heating vents, sunny spots, and pretty much all the other places your cat prefers to lounge.
But, what if your laptop doesn’t run hot? Your cat might still like to hang around it whenever you’re trying to get work done. I mean, after all, it’s where you are. And, that laptop is on your lap, which is prime feline territory. Plus, you’re staring at it constantly, all while your cat would prefer that it gets your immediate & direct attention. So, it gets between you & the screen to accomplish that.
Most folks probably welcome a visit from their favorite furry coworker to break up the monotony of emails, spreadsheets, and other work. But, with that said, being able to only see half of your screen & use only half of your keyboard…that isn’t the most ideal work scenario. And, unfortunately, giving your cat attention (even if it’s just to move them out of the way) can actually reinforce their behavior.
The best way to convince your cat to steer clear of the keyboard is to reward them whenever they settle down somewhere else. That might require setting up an appealing alternative spot, like a heated cat bed or a pillow-filled corner near a window. Then, tempt them over there with treats & pay plenty of visits to their new turf. Then, eventually they should lose interest in your boring old keyboard.
Got a Mundane Mystery you’d like solved? Send me a message via social media (@AndyWebbRadioVoice), or shoot me an email at [email protected].
{Katie’s Baby Blog} Happy Friday!
Happy Friday from our sweet BIG girl!!!
My mom sent me this picture (on left) this morning and I can’t believe how big my baby looks! She seems to grow and change overnight.
The second picture below is her playing and using her baby doll plates and silverware to feed my parent’s dog and our dog, Zoey 🙂 They are her besties!
And…if you can’t tell…this girl loves her jammies! She will beg me to let her stay in them all day; and sometimes we do 😉
House of the Week: 01/22/21
MUNDANE MYSTERIES: Why Marines Are Called “Jarheads”
The US military has always had its own interesting language. To “hit the silk” is to use a parachute. Something that’s 20 kilometers away is considered 20 “klicks”. A flashlight can be called a “moonbeam.”
Most of the terminology is pretty obvious in what it means, but there’s one term that’s a bit more ambiguous: some military folk refer to Marine Corps members as “jarheads.”
Why is that, and what is “jarhead” in reference to?
Well, there are a few theories. The Marines were founded on November 10, 1775, as a subset of different military branches, before later becoming its own branch. The Marines have long used a uniform with a high-collar, originally made of leather, which once led to the nickname “leathernecks”. That high collar was thought to have given a Marine the appearance of his head sticking out of a jar, thus leading to the “jarhead” moniker (which was adopted around World War II).
Another physical trait may have also led to the nickname: the Marines’ trademark haircuts are short on the sides and square & flat on top, which could’ve looked like a jar lid to some.
It’s also possible the “jarhead” label referred more to the overall Marine attitude, as opposed to physical characteristics. Marines have long been seen at as durable & able to endure tough physical training, which led to a belief among other service members that Marines are hard on the outside while being able to hold inside whatever beliefs or orders are sent down from above. This theory is actually probably more true than others, since, as early as 1918, “jarhead” was a slang term used for a mule. Since mules were considered loyal & hardworking animals who are able to follow orders, it’s possible the “jarhead” nickname was ported over to Marines, who considered it a favorable comparison.
The “jarhead” label may be well-received or not depending on the Marine in question, but many Marines embrace it, since it designates them as unwavering in their sense of duty. Unless you’re also a service member, though, it’s probably best to let them be the ones to use that moniker.
Got a Mundane Mystery you’d like solved? Send me a message via social media (@AndyWebbRadioVoice), or shoot me an email at [email protected].
MUNDANE MYSTERIES: Why People Are Seemingly Immune To Their Body Odor
How is that so many otherwise sensitive people expose others to their less-than-stellar body odor? I mean, surely they have to know that they, or their clothes, aren’t up to snuff, right? Right?
Compared to most animals, humans don’t have an acutely developed sense of smell. The human olfactory nerve easily becomes fatigued in areas where there are strong odors. So, in order for your brain to not be overloaded with information, your nervous system decides not to even try being bothered by your own body odor unless it changes dramatically. Whether you regularly smell like a spring bouquet of daisies or last night’s leftover table scraps, you’re unlikely to notice, even if you’re sensitive to other people’s B.O.
This fatigue principle applies to a lot of our other senses. Workers at automobile factories learn to block out all the machinery sounds, which would otherwise drive them insane. Residents of Hershey, PA, stop noticing the smell of chocolate that permeates the entire town. There’s even a phenomenon where students often can’t discriminate the tastes of different dishes served in their school cafeterias. (Of course, that might be explained by the fact that all cafeteria dishes do taste alike, but we might need a government grant to solve why that mystery exists.)
Got a Mundane Mystery you’d like solved? Send me a message via social media (@AndyWebbRadioVoice), or shoot me an email at [email protected].
Tim McGraw & Tyler Hubbard Perform Undivided
What better way to debut a new song than perform it for the Presidential inauguration? Tyler Hubbard of Florida Georgia Line wrote this song while he was quarantined alone on his tour bus battling COVID-19. So close to his family yet so far, parked in his drive way. He took advantage of his time alone to create a song that represents unity. Tim McGraw jumped at the chance to be a part of it. Check out their live performance here:
MUNDANE MYSTERIES: Why “Objects In Mirror Are Closer Than They Appear”
Anyone who’s ever driven a car has seen the little warning on basically every passenger-side mirror: “Objects in mirror are closer than they appear.” But, why can’t objects be displayed accurately in those mirrors?
It’s actually a careful design choice made with safety in mind.
The way we see things depends on how light reflects off the objects around us. An object’s shape, color, texture, other characteristics, all factor into the direction & intensity of the light which bounces off of them. If the objects are reflected off an intermediate object, like a mirror, then the way we perceive the original object could be distorted.
Our perception is also affected by the shape of the mirror. Here in America, passenger-side mirrors are convex, or curved slightly outward, while driver-side mirrors are flat. A convex mirror placed on the passenger side reduces the driver’s blind spots on that side of the vehicle by presenting a wider field of view. But, it also makes other cars appear farther away due to the slight distortion caused by the shape. The flatter mirror on the driver’s side gives you a more accurate depiction of what’s behind your car using a more narrow field of view, since light is bouncing off in the same direction that it’s hitting the mirror, so that it doesn’t distort the reflection of the object.
When the reflections of the two mirrors are combined into the driver’s point of view, you have the ability to see wider areas of the passenger side of the vehicle while also being able to keep your eyes mostly on the road. That flat-convex combo has been the U.S. standard for years. However, the Department of Transportation’s looking into the safety benefits of two convex mirrors, which are what most European cars usually have.
For now, though, you should always remember to check your mirrors frequently, and always look over your shoulder before you change lanes. Oh, and please, please, please…don’t forget to use your turn signal!
Got a Mundane Mystery you’d like solved? Send me a message via social media (@AndyWebbRadioVoice), or shoot me an email at [email protected].
Life Hacks Worth Using!
You can find a million Life Hacks all over the internet. However, some of them are a little extra and call for even more effort. Here are a few that I’ve found I think are worth using!
Cutting Cherry Tomatoes:
Neatly Folding Hoodies:
Out of Chip Clips?:
@rafaelariotReupload with captions ##lifehack ##foryou ##fyp♬ Ultimate life hacks – Kelly – The Life Bath
Pasta Straining:
@athomewithshannonHow was I doing this wrong my whole life? This was one of those LIFE HACKS that I use EVERY DAY! ##hack ##lifehacks ##learnontiktok ##hacks ##lifehack♬ Ultimate life hacks – Kelly – The Life Bath
Job Hunt January 18, 2021
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