Random Stuff You May Not Know: Eleven

1. Accent Nails
 

 

While on the way to the Toronto Freedom Festival (4-20) of 2012 I noticed a 20-something-year-old girl on the subway. It was my first time to see this “accent nail” — the ring finger nail polish which is different than the rest on both hands. Today we recognise it as an international trend, but back then not so much.

 

There are many theories trying to explain if there is a certain meaning or symbolism behind the accent nail: From wanting to draw attention to the ring worn on that finger; to nail art which will be too much hard work, too expensive, or too overwhelming if done on all fingers; to breaking the monotony of one colour/shape; even as “flagging” for women who are into women.

 

There is, however, no agreed-upon explanation. But there is a full article by Racked titled An Oral History of the Accent Nail, in which six manicure experts weigh in on how a painted ring finger became nail art. 

 

One fun theory is to subconsciously draw the attention of the lover to that ringless “ring” finger so that they may put a ring on it. Like, look at my cute finger: How about you add a ring to it? Ha.

 

As one can see today, not only are ring fingers painted with a different colour, but some are different by sporting elaborate designs, like adding glitter or tiny gems. As with almost every other fad, certain women overdo it. By that I mean: Really overdo it; with all ten nails, mind you. But hey, to each his and her own.

 

Back to that sunny Toronto day on the subway, I had the camera because I was heading to Freedom Festival. The girl’s nails were so novel and “different”, at least for me, I found the idea to be pretty cool — I still do. So I just went over and asked if I could snap a photo, obviously after complimenting her. Then ClicK it was!

Fast-forward to ten years, who began experimenting with colourful accent nails? Your very own. It took a full decade ever since that capture for the idea to inspire me and to come to being. Interestingly, that had followed another full decade in North America, as I was already back to Egypt when first trying it. Yeah. Males using nail polish is unbecoming in the country, an absolute rarity; in fact, in all of the Arab world it is considered some sort of heresy and blasphemy. But hey, someone’s got to do it and I humbly volunteered.

Some of the Bedouin kids in Dahab become flabbergasted whenever they happen to lay their eyes on my hands. You can sense their amusement emanating from the fact that they had probably never seen such a thing: A man with nail polish; a long-haired, bearded, masculine-looking man in his mid 40s with nail polish — only on two fingers out of the five, with different colours on each. Stereotype-shattering. Pfff.

It feels good to be free, man.  

 

 

 

 2. Mariachi

“Mariachi” refers to a traditional Mexican style of music and musical group performance dating back to at least the 18th century. Ever since it has evolved over time in the countryside of various regions on the western parts of the country. Mariachi has a distinctive instrumentation, musical genre, performance and singing styles, and clothing — called charro suit. ⠀

Consisting of an embroidered jacket, pants, and vest, the attire is a style of dress based on the clothing of a type of horseman, the charro. The short coat, however, is worn by men and women alike. The origins of the charro outfit may be traced back to the city of Salamanca in Western Spain; as the Spanish conquistadors brought this type of clothing with them to Mexico.

Usually, the small ensemble strolls from one place to another while playing their music.

The term “Mariachi” is also used to describe the individual performer(s) of mariachi music as well as for the music itself.



3. White Squirrels 

 

One day beginning of September of 2011 while at a park in Montreal I spotted this little guy — a first to see a white squirrel. I had my camera, so obviously ended up snapping several shots. I knew he wasn’t albino, as those have red eyes, though had no idea how rare white squirrels are, or not. Google it is then.

So, this is a tree squirrel named the Eastern Grey Squirrel (Sciurus carolinensis) or Grey Squirrel. Native to eastern North America, there are two reasons why they could be white in appearance; Either albinos — must have red eyes — or like the one in the photo here those who exhibit a rare white fur colouration known as leucism, which is as a result of a recessive gene found within certain animals within the species. While in the wild the white makes them an easy target for predators like falcons, the gene seems to have lived on. 

A fun thing I found is that there is an ongoing research initiative in North America by Untamed Science about white squirrels. Once on their site, you can fill a short form in which you share what did you see, when, and where before you submit your info. Likewise, there exists a list of white squirrel sightings around the world, maintained by the White Squirrel Research Institute, a group based in Brevard, North Carolina.

Another thing is that white squirrels are a common sight in Parc La Fontaine in Montreal. There are actual Canadian articles about them — like one on MtlBlog.

An additional find is that white squirrels are a “Local Pride” is certain areas in North America. Olney, Illinois, for instance, is known as the “White Squirrel Capital of the World”. True story, Brah. For to is home of the world’s largest known white squirrel colony. Like cows in India, these squirrels apparently have the right of way on all streets in the town, with a $500 fine for hitting one. The Olney Police Department features the image of a white squirrel on its officers’ uniform patches. Serious stuff!

4. Cubital Tunnel Syndrome

Last time I went to a physiotherapist was 25 years ago because of a bad shoulder then a bad knee. I was really into weight training at the time, and apparently squatting with 180 Kg (400 lbs) was a tad too much for a 17 year old. Thing is, I was surrounded by guys who only trained the upper half, which made them look cartoonish, and I sure didn’t want any of that. So intensive leg training was the solution. I did eventually heal and I owe it to Dr. Rawya the physiotherapist. ⠀

A couple of months back I noticed that my small finger and the ring one from my left hand become colder than the rest of the fingers. A week or two later, they began looking yellow whenever cold — showing that blood didn’t circulate properly. Hm. A month through, the same two fingers began to feel numb. Hmm. At the very same time, my neck was hurting, making yearn for a massage. Eventually I Googled it and it turned out it’s something called Ulnar Nerve Entrapment at the Elbow (Cubital Tunnel Syndrome). ⠀

I knew of carpel tunnel, but this is a cousin. One of the causes was using computer for long hours. After knowing what it was I finally went to a physiotherapist — who just happens to be in the building next door. How utterly amazing. Not just that, but Dr. Ramez is an “ancient Jésuitien”, as I found out from my father who also went to the same school. Today was our first session and I feel better already. ⠀

The reason I’m telling you all this is mainly to share why — I think — I got what I did. Now, the chair I’ve been using for the laptop is armless. This forces me to rest both my forearms on the edge of the desk. For 11-13 hours a day! Add to that sleeping a few times with a twisted neck and the nerves become entrapped. Now it makes sense that desk chairs all have arms, so you rest on them. It may seem obvious, but now we know what could happen. Stay Healthy! ⠀

5.  So Who Is Santa Monica Anyway?

Santa Monica is a prominent coastal city in Los Angeles with an environment of mountains, canyons, rolling hills, valley, and ocean. The area was previously inhabited by the Tongva people and was called “Kecheek” in the Tongva language. The first non-indigenous group to set foot in Kecheek was the party of explorer Gaspar de Portolà, who camped near the present-day intersection of Barrington and Ohio Avenues on August 3, 1769. 




Saint Monica (AD 322–387), also known as Monica of Hippo, was an early Christian saint and the mother of St. Augustine of Hippo. On the basis of her name, it is assumed she was born in Thagaste (present-day Souk Ahras, Algeria) and believed to have been a Berber.



Saint Monica is remembered and honoured in most Christian denominations — albeit on different feast days — for her outstanding Christian virtues, particularly the suffering caused by her husband’s adultery; also for her prayerful life dedicated to the reformation of her son, who wrote extensively of her pious acts and life with her in his Confessions. Popular Christian legends recall Saint Monica weeping every night for her son Augustine. 



There exists two accounts of how the city’s name came to be: The first, in honour of the feast day of Saint Monica, despite her feast day being May 4. According to the second version, it was named by Juan Crespí on account of a pair of springs, the Kuruvungna Springs (Serra Springs), which were reminiscent of the tears Saint Monica shed over her son’s early impiety.



I knew of Augustine of Hippo from his philosophical quotes I sometimes share. The last of which is: “The world is a book and those who do not travel read only one page.” However, the connection was only made when I got curious about who that Westside neighbourhood was named after.


And now we know.

Accentuated

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Drum Circle Etiquette — The Do’s and Don’ts

Life is very much like a drum circle; those who drum, those who dance to the beat of the drum, and the audience who watches them both.


As many of you know, I have been religiously drumming for the last four years. Mostly in drum circles, either in Venice Beach or at the Full Lunacy full moon event the One Lucky Soul community organises at Dockweiler Beach here in Los Angeles [then later in Dahab, Sinai in Egypt]. Naturally, the few hundred gatherings played at and the few dozens hosted during this time taught me a whole lot about drumming, drum circles, and people.

Drum circles are known to be where you go relax and let loose; it is also where you get creative and be yourself. Because of the sincere passion found in drumming I dug deeper into it, reading and learning quite a lot about it; even writing a couple of exposés about the benefits of drumming and playing music in general: How Drumming Changed The Way My Brain Processes Music and the more recent The Intertwining of Music and Sexuality ― A Djembefola’s Tale.

As such, there is a number of unwritten guidelines that are understood by most regulars and old-timers. Being plagued by a philosophic mind which thrives to write about the unutterable, reminding ourselves of some of those “do’s and don’ts” will hopefully ensure that the drum circle experience is enjoyed equally by each and everyone, including oneself. Technically, I have been writing this article in my mind for those entire four years — chronicling, reasoning, weighting one point or suggestion at a time. The following thorough observations are all based on first-hand experience in addition to some further readings.


1- When arriving at a Drum Circle try to greet the players before joining in. If you don’t know anyone, a simple eye contact or friendly nod would do. It creates a certain harmony between those who create music together, and connect and communicate with each other. In case you have been invited by a host, saying hello upon arrival or perhaps a later goodbye before leaving — or both — seems like an organic thing to do.


2- Listen to the music before playing. Observe who’s playing what; the different beats and the instruments involved, who’s leading, who’s following, who plays solos. Also observe the dancers if there are any; what rhythms are they dancing to, which drummer(s) are they resonating with. 


3- Now that you have a clearer understanding of what is going on around you, as you integratively fit in, try to complement the music being played with the intention to support it. Do not mimic the beats of other drummers. Be creative with your own rhythm while synchronising with the overall melody. 
Yet, never get too distracted by your drumming that you stop listening and become disconnected from the soul of the circle. 



4- Know that the occasional eye contact between band members is as essential as the nod between security personnel. It reassures them that all is going smooth and that they are all doing great. It is certainly normal to zone out sometimes, but if playing with others, one ought to stay aware of their surrounding. For the musicians, beside helping that no one really goes out of tune, there is also this certain dreamy gaze moment of sharing the ecstatic high with them. This has a tremendous effect on the players, the music, as well as on the audience.


5- Make sure to leave “Rhythmical Space” for other players. I recently learned this new term and couldn’t be happier to finally find a name for that nameless thing I had been pondering. I used to say: It’s all about patterns; your own need to synchronise with the players’. This is what is succinctly called Rhythmical Space.

You see, if one is constantly playing, how will others find the creative space to express themselves? The only way for them to do so would be to get louder, which leads to blocking all other tunes while significantly restricting them by making them hear only their own drumming. Obviously the overall outcome will be negatively impacted if that is the energy spreading around. 

Conversely, when we give others the chance to display their tunes — and patterns — without distractions, we will then have our own chance to creatively build upon those patterns with newer ones. In the simplest terms, this is how real music works. There is no domination in music, even if there is a leader. Quoting from the Tao Te Ching, “By not dominating, the Master leads.”

That said, remember that neither volume nor speed mean quality; we certainly do not have to drum as loud or as fast as we can every time. Oftentimes low, soft tunes can be a great way to complement drumming. This is when more subtle percussion instruments like shakers and cowbells get to work their magic.

Equally remember that we all have an inner rhythm — think of the heart, the breath, the blinking of the eyes; some simply learn how to express it outwards and possibly make a melody out of the different beats and tunes.


6- Following on “Rhythmical Space”, it is a similar case when there are multiple soloists. The “Solo Space” is something I personally have to deal with within larger gatherings since I consider myself a soloist who is capable of drumming over, around, and through the collective beat being played across the circle.

This was why after a while I began going to the Venice Beach Drum Circle on Saturdays rather than Sundays, as the latter tend to sometimes get a tad too loud and chaotic for my taste as a drummer. From the sheer excitement and the sight of the dancing women, multiple soloists end up playing at the same time, while the rest could hold the same mechanical rhythm for hours at a time. We’re talking perhaps about as many as 40 or 50 drummers improvising with no leader, facilitator, or rehearsal. For that reason, at some point on those Sundays the actual circle is often divided into two or three smaller circles or clusters, so that they are more manageable. Then again, having a circle on the right and one on the left ― each playing different tunes ― is confusing to say the least, especially for dancers who find themselves in the middle of a sort of ego battle. Many Sundays though remain great to party, have fun, and just be.

Quoting from an article titled Drum Circle Etiquette by Arthur Hull, which I came across after writing this piece and Googling its title out of curiosity. A reason why I eventually settled on adding “The Do’s and Don’ts”, even though the initial title came strictly from my head. There are, however, other articles titled Drum Circle Do’s and Don’ts. 

Hull insightfully writes: “Soloing through a drum circle groove is very much like a bird flying through the forest. But the “solo air” above can’t accommodate more than a few people soloing at the same time. If there is more than one soloist available in a circle be sure to share the solo space with them. The best way for two or three drum soloists to play through the groove together is to have a “drum dialogue” with each other. In a facilitated drum circle event a good facilitator will have found all of the advanced drummers in the circle and would be “show casing” them individually or encouraging them to trade solos with each other.” Open your ears, Ned Flanders with the earplugs.

Now, it seems that drumming for men is like sex. Some fast drummers play like they are constantly ejaculating ― which forces them to stop after a while to be able to recharge and start again; while others learn how to prolong the orgasm until it becomes a state of mind, eventually leading to possible explosive Tantric ecstasies.

Again, playing loud or fast is not necessarily always a good thing. The Duracell bunny can keep going for a couple of days straight. The question to ponder is: Is one producing music, as is there some kind of melody or patterns being followed, or it’s just repetitive drumming. While speed is a useful skill, it is not just it, especially when playing with others. Many drummers are capable of going at insane speeds, but how to creatively incorporate their speedy tunes with the slower ones played by those around them is what makes a true musician.

Some Sunday at the VBDC in 2014

7- Dancers at drum circles should do their best not to give their backs to any one player for too long. If it’s crowded and there is no space to move around as in the above photo, a simple 90 or 180 degree turn every few minutes would do the trick. First, because drummers do not particularly enjoy staring at the back of a person, unless of course the dancer is twerking or grooving on purpose for them to see.

Second, because it may be blocking their view of the circle itself — including other drummers [remember the importance of the occasional eye contact], the dancers, and possibly also the spectators as well as the fire in case there is one.

If the circle is crowded, having people standing or even sitting down too close in front of the drummers can obstruct the air flow, especially for those of us who drum sitting down, and hence cannot easily relocate, compared to those who play standing who can escape the butts and backs by taking a step or three on either side.   


8- Do not under any circumstances use an unattended drum or any other instrument without asking permission first. Music instruments are like babies to players, quite a personal matter, so it’s not worth getting anyone pissed off. If you happen to ask someone, make sure you are not wearing watches, rings, or metal bracelets first, then maybe they would agree; maybe they wouldn’t.


9- Visibly intoxicated folks who cannot control themselves shouldn’t show up in the first place. If there already, it is better for everyone if they stayed outside the circle, or to just leave. At a more public circle such as at Venice Beach, this may be somewhat tolerated as it’s much harder to control. But at a more private circle as Full Lunacy for instance, they will be asked to leave, by myself personally. 

I never felt the need to add this bit of info in the introduction of the event until a knobhead showed up totally plastered this one time, mindlessly crawling on his knees and freaking the dancers out — which is something he is usually seen doing around Venice. Stuff like that are bound to happen during events and gatherings, especially when the numbers increase, but I will make sure to handle such people. Remember, drum circles are not that place or club where you go to get pixilated. The true experience is more holistic than that, even spiritual, one might say. I know for a fact that at other drum circles the rules are actually real rules; if you don’t follow them you will not be allowed in.

Actually I ended up writing said tosser online, informing him that he has been banned from all future Full Lunacy events. Fortunately, it will only a one-time thing.


10- On that same note, if you choose to drink alcohol at a drum circle, do it outside and not right inside where people dance. In other words, be discreet and respectful to the circle and the musicians rather than showing off while walking around with a full bottle in hands — like that other dude. Bear in mind that the drum circles discussed here are the ones taking place in public locations where alcohol is prohibited anyway, at least in the U.S. So if you will still go for it, as some do, do it at your own risk, be considerate, and do not ruin it for the rest. As mentioned, holistic, spiritual, healing, therapeutic, community experience are words to consider when stepping into the drum circle world.   

In actual fact, I heard from Andy, an old-timer who has been around since 1965, that not too long ago at the Venice beach Drum Circle when someone drank booze, the drummers would stop and ask them to leave.

Similarly, try to avoid smoking in the middle of the circle or too close to any player. Drumming and dancing are a form of exercise, during which drummers and dancers alike are required to breathe fresh air in order to optimally perform. So consideration is key.

Full Lunacy on December 4, 2017

11- If a drummer is really into their Flow State, do not attempt to say hello using your hand, requiring them to stop and shake yours. While some have no problems doing so, others mind the interruption, and they will probably not stop drumming — yet may still mind the sudden pause. A smile or eye-contact along a basic word or a tap on the shoulder work just fine. You can always greet them later when they take a break. The same can be said about interrupting them for other reasons, like asking for a lighter or talking about this or that. 


12- Not because a girl or a woman is standing by watching then she is interested in being taken to the middle of the circle to dance or to have a selfie taken with. Some are just there because they are curious, some may be interested in someone specific, while others may simply not be interested in dancing with, or being touched by, a stranger. So better not be sleazy and embarrass oneself, possibly causing her to leave — again, ruining it for her and the rest. This is mainly for public circles like the VBDC as it does not occur elsewhere.


13- If you drum while standing using a belt/strap and can move around, make sure not to position yourself too close to someone who drums sitting down. The level of the drum will be directly opposed to their ears, which could be disturbingly loud. And as noted in point 7, because they are sitting down, for them to move requires a full cumbersome “migration”. Same story when some go stand in front of sitting drummers and start casually drumming, blocking their view and tunes as if they do not exist.


14- This is not a “do or don’t”, but rather a suggestion. I encourage everyone who goes to drum circles just to drum to every now and then try to enjoy the gathering as a non-drummer. You could dance, use shakers or cowbells, or purely just watch. The experience teaches you how to carefully listen; how to better understand other drummers’ melodies. Hence be able to later complement them with your own. You also get to know the perspective of the dancers and spectators, as well as how to just BE.


15- Last but certainly not least, whether advanced or beginner: Have fun. Keep it simple. Let go of your worries and obsessions and ego-self, leave them all behind. Be One with the music and everyone. And enjoy the drum circle uplifting experience.


See you dare if there not being square.


More photos can be viewed on here: Venice Beach Drum Circle and Full Lunacy.

ALSO VIEW:

The Intertwining of Music and Sexuality ― A Djembefola’s Tale

How Drumming Changed The Way My Brain Processes Music

A Year at the Venice Beach Drum Circle in Photos & Videos (2014-’15)

Another Year at the Venice Beach Drum Circle in Photos & Videos (2016-’17) 

One More Year at the Venice Beach Drum Circle in Photos & Videos (2017-’18)

A Wacky Day Out at LA Burning Man Decompression in Photos & Video
 
Kool Tunes Everyone Should Know

Have You Ever Noticed? — Situational Awareness and Street-Smartness Examples

Have you ever noticed something then wondered if others could notice it as well? That something is not that obvious such as the weather change. But rather, it is an insight gained from observing certain patterns, usually over a period of time, which you have probably never worded before. On rare occasions perhaps no one ever did. 

I often wonder about all sorts of matters before writing many of them down. Interestingly, since I began freely sharing this kind of unfiltered thoughts I found that I’m certainly not alone. So I keep sharing even more.

We know that some people’s awareness level is higher than others. Conventional wisdom tells us that it is due to our uniqueness as humans. Think of fictional characters like 007 and Jason Bourne as examples. Also from the real world George Carlin and Jerry Seinfeld, who are capable of conjuring a whole sketch based on a five-second encounter. Whether they were born with that exquisite attention to details, or they developed it later, or — most likely — a mixture of both is a different story.
 
Said high awareness allows one to not only notice things which others usually don’t, but also who notices first, last, and who doesn’t notice.

Speaking of, Dealing with High Awareness and Empathic Accuracy is another more in-depth article, which was originally incepted as an elaborate follow-up to the simple reflection: High awareness can be a double-edged sword if you don’t know how to channel it.

Now, before sharing some of my personal Have You Ever Noticed reflectons, let us first get acquainted with a couple of related terms to get a more wholesome understanding of what we are dealing with. 


The first is Situational Awareness. Situational Awareness or Situation Awareness (SA) involves our ability to identify, process, and comprehend information which is constantly flowing in. It is defined as the perception of environmental elements and events with respect to time or space, the comprehension of their meaning, and the projection of their status after some variable has changed, such as time, or some other variable, like as a predetermined event.

In less technical terms, situational awareness is simply paying attention to what is going on around you; by scanning the surrounding environment, spotting any anomalies — danger, challenges and opportunities — while making detailed assessments.

Not just that, but situational awareness also entails performing all the above while maintaining the ability to conduct normal activities. So the essence is to pay attention to the surroundings while not appearing to be paying attention, like a spy of a sort. If one is allowed to reduce S.A to a single word, the closest would be is Mindfulness.


The second more colloquial term that comes to mind when pondering such topic is Street-Smart. Being street-smart means being savvy and experienced; it is someone who has a certain kind of intelligence that enables them to learn from trial and error. And situational awareness is gained from experience. It is the wisdom and the needed skills to survive in the real world, hence likewise called “World-Smart”. That is in contrast with following more abstract knowledge largely based on the experiences of others, such as the “Book-Smart”, who is also dubbed “Word-Smart”.

Sometimes people who haven’t had enough life — street — experience tend to compensate by hiding in books. Those book-smarts can be educated and somewhat bright. Yet neither the sole accumulation of information or knowledge nor the intellect in general are enough to lead a full and peaceful life. It is not the solution to one’s problems, THE way out, or the key to one’s reality. Excessive reading can actually turn clinical while potentially leading to a detached and antisocial behaviour as well as isolation.

Books, however, certainly have the ability to enlighten minds. For they are magical portals to other realities. They also remain great escapes. But if we become hooked on transcending the present Here and Now, maybe it is a good time to pause and reflect upon why we are constantly attempting to escape our waking lives.

Conversely, having some life experience teaches situational awareness we are discussing here. Being street-smart is also educational when it comes to relationships — with ourselves as well as with others; as it teaches us about the Human Condition. Rather than vicariously following more abstract knowledge, which is largely based on the experiences and adventures of others, this wisdom is coupled with practical, applicable skills to help us survive and even enjoy the real world.

As such, a fundamental difference between scripturalism and experimentalism will likely always exist, in terms of depth of knowledge and in terms of Truth; between imitating and creating; between following others’ paths and daring to explore uncharted territories while creating our own trails.

In some cases, by rare fortune, one kind of ‘intelligence’ may induce, inspire, catalyse the other, birthing the manifestation of a certain balance. Being “world-smart” as well as “word-smart” could then lead to an astounding existence.

All that said, observation is a great educational tool. For one, because it is through which we become aware of patterns, which are essentially the real guru. The following everyday observations were written and [some] shared on social media over the course of the past several years. You will notice that most are merely thought-provoking statements rather than actual questions requiring actual answers. In fact, excluding the couple of humorous ones on the list, the possible responses are rarely simple if we were to attempt to answer. And that is why they pique my interest while tickling my juices.

Further, “answers” received from readers can be quite illuminating. Oftentimes they act like conversation starters, possibly leading to different topics in addition to even more questions and answers. So feel free to add your own in the comments.

Now let us ponder on and on.


1- Have you ever wondered what makes us uncomfortable to walk, jog, ride, or drive next to strangers who are going at the same pace, that we usually either slow down or speed up?



2- Have you ever noticed how when we trip, slip, or lose our balance in public we always turn around and look at the ground as if we’re blaming it for our quirkiness? It’s like we cannot believe we could do this to ourselves.



3- Have you ever noticed how dogs, and cats, who attentively watch you eat — hoping that you share with them — are often tricked by thinking that whatever food falls down from your mouth or spoon or fork into your plate can be retrieved by looking on the floor underneath the table? Who knows, perhaps it’s part of their body language and they do it on purpose to show you that they actually want to eat from the food.



4- Have you ever thought of the tie as a phallic symbol and accessory used to point to the man’s ‘brain’ and draw attention to it? No, well you can start as of… now.



5- Have you ever wondered why by the end of every year some people love saying that this has been “the worst” year due to some deaths or catastrophes or whatever? It seems like they forget that every year there will be deaths and catastrophes and whatevers, as well as fun and happiness and good things. That’s how life is. Looking at the brighter side of existence is a choice. As simple as that.



6- Have you ever been tempted to cordially congratulate a woman for pregnancy but didn’t do it because you were reluctant that it might just be her belly? Say the truth.

 

7- Have you ever noticed how dogs, and cats, casually stretch their bodies whenever you catch them stalking you, while eating of example? We humans actually do the same.

On a similar note, cats sometimes sneakingly stretch when they really like you and want to come closer so you can pet them, yet they still want to look as if they can keep their cool around you. Apparently there is name for that specific body language and it’s called a “Greeting Stretch”, which is a posture used only towards someone the pet likes and with whom they are comfortable. I believe in some cases it is deliberately done to show you that comfort, perhaps to pet them or just as a way to express their love.

More about felines and how seemingly different they are when compared to canines can be found in Why Cats Are Not Dogs.


8- Have you ever noticed how die-hard fanatics of certain sports rarely know how to play the sport themselves? And I mean jersey-wearing, bumper-sticker violent ones who tend to overidentify with the team while losing themselves in the surrounding hyper-masculine culture commonly found nowadays.



Those who do play can also be fans. But usually, they are not the overly emotional or aggressive type who may casually get into viscous, possibly drunken fights with rival fans — nowhere other than in the very stadium they went to to watch a mere game and support their team, supposedly to also have fun in the process. Maybe the relative coolness of such player-fans goes back to having a better understanding of how the sport is actually played, and maybe also what playing really is.



9- Have you ever noticed that when two people are walking or jogging towards each other in a narrow path or passage they feel sort of obliged to synchronise their eye contact? It cannot happen too soon since it will get awkward by the time they approach and acknowledge each other — if it does happen. So what some people do is reduce that waiting time by turning their head away for a moment or two, be it left/right, down to the ground, or to face their iPods (remember those) and more recently, phones; then as they get closer to the other person they look straight again before smiling or nodding — if they do. Then again, those who exert all this effort to avoid making a longer-than-usual eye-contact are probably those who get anxiety from making eye-contact with strangers.

Yes. Someone has to put this everyday nothingness into words and I humbly volunteered. 



10- Have you ever noticed how some older folks end their Facebook comment and messages with a signature? “Beautiful picture. Aunt Dolores.” Omar Cherif.



11- BONUS:

Have you ever noticed how certain delivery guys pause mid returning the rest of your payment, in hope you say: “That’s enough” while leaving them the remaining money as tips? Some of them are so wily, they know exactly when to stop counting as they have prepared the cash beforehand by placing the bills in a certain order, seemingly covering the smaller denominations which they think is fair to keep for themselves as tips. Say, I am expecting 60 back, so they start counting 10, 20, 30, 40, 50 then their speed is dramatically reduced while their hands move closer to you, as in to hand you the money. The plan is that I would take the already counted 50 and leave the rest. When you do not interfere, they have no other option than to carry on counting the remaining 10, to finally reach the total 60 of your change.

Note that the above transpires in split seconds. While it is obvious those delivery guys know what they are doing, they probably don’t know you can see through them like that, by simply observing their behaviour, in slow motion.

Another minority of guys simply claim they have no change upon delivering your order, which seems idiotic. Since the actual payment is usually covered, either they have to go down the streets to bring change and back up again, or just leave with nothing*. Naturally, and depending on the place, that *nothing [in Cairo] nowadays include 20-25 EGP added to most delivered orders.



ALSO VIEW:

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Who Are We?

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What Being Conscious Means

The Significance of Letting Go

Change Is The Only Constant 

Random Stuff You May Not Know: Ten

After a brief hiatus, the Random Stuff series is back with number ten.

1. ‘Gypsies’ is Short for Egyptians

 

Gypsies
/ˈjipsē/

Gypsy:

1. A member of a travelling people traditionally living by itinerant trade and fortune telling. Gypsies speak a language (Romany) that is related to Hindi and are believed to have originated in South Asia.

Synonyms: Romany, Rom, traveller, nomad, rover, roamer, wanderer.

2. A nomadic or free-spirited person.

The Romani (also spelled Romany; /ˈroʊməni/, /ˈrɒ-/), or Roma, are a traditionally nomadic ethnic group, living mostly in Europe and the Americas and originating from the northern regions of the Indian subcontinent, presumably from where the states Rajasthan, Haryana, and Punjab exist today. The Romani are widely known among English-speaking people by the exonym “Gypsies” (or “Gipsies”), which some people consider pejorative due to its connotations of illegality and irregularity.

What I just found out is that the origin of the name came from the time when they entered Europe between the eighth and tenth centuries C.E; they were called “Gypsies” because Europeans mistakenly believed they came from Egypt. Seriously!

Now I can confidently introduce myself as a gypsy.

On a parallel note, check this early piece of mine: Why Hippies Are Sometimes Called Bohemians.

2. New Orleans, Louisiana

 

Only a few weeks ago I came to know that New Orleans — La Nouvelle-Orléans — is not an actual state in the U.S but a city of Louisiana. The reason why I had always assumed it was a full state is because whenever asked, almost all the people I met from there say “I’m from New Orleans” rather than “I’m from Louisiana”.

I got curious to know more so I kept reading. Nicknamed the “Big Easy”, I also found out that it is known for its round-the-clock nightlife, vibrant live-music scene, and spicy, singular cuisine reflecting its history as a melting pot of French, African and American cultures.

New Orleans is equally known to be where the first American Mardi Gras took place on March 3, 1699 when French explorers celebrated it.

One day soon I would like to visit this charming place.

3. Remnants of Prohibition

A couple of weeks ago I went to the nearby grocery store at around 5:30 am. I got what I needed, added a bottle of rosé wine, and headed to the cashier. The girl put the stuff in my bag but then said that there is no alcohol sale before 6 am (by California law).

“Are you serious?” I asked and she confirmed it. Since it was 5:50 by then and I was not about to drink it any time soon, I said screw it and left the bottle.

This got me scratching my head a little. Is there really a difference between 5:59 and 6:01 when it comes to regulating the public’s alcohol consumption? I mean, most pharmacies or “drugstores” and gas stations in the U.S sell booze and tobacco — the legal drugs. While at the same time there are states such as Alabama, Indiana, Minnesota, Mississippi, Montana, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, and West Virginia where you cannot buy alcohol on Sundays. True story and it’s 2017. These regulations must be the reason why alcoholics across the nation are causing less mayhem and debauchery! Lives are saved!

This also makes one think about how the system of such a production-consumption culture essentially works and who really is in charge.

 

4. Rivet

Those tiny copper buttons we find on jeans are called rivets. They are there to prevent jeans from wearing out and ripping at the seam, making them last longer. Young Levi Strauss came up with the idea in 1829 when he noticed miners were complaining about how quickly their pants wore out. Rivets are actually patented by Levi.

The word originates from Middle English; from Old French; from river “fix, clinch”, of unknown ultimate origin.

Rivet
/ˈrɪvɪt/

1. Rivet (n) a. A short metal pin or bolt for holding together two plates of metal, its headless end being beaten out or pressed down when in place.

b. A rivet-like device for holding seams of clothing together.

2. Rivet (v): a. Join or fasten (plates of metal) with a rivet or rivets.

b. Fix (someone or something) so as to make them incapable of movement.

Synonyms: Fixed, rooted, frozen; unable to move, motionless, unmoving, immobile, stock-still, as still as a statue, as if turned to stone.

c. Attract and completely engross (someone).

Synonyms: Fascinated, engrossed, gripped, captivated, enthralled, intrigued, spellbound, rapt, mesmerised, transfixed.

Fascinating, gripping, engrossing, very interesting, very exciting, thrilling, absorbing, captivating, enthralling, intriguing, compelling, compulsive, spellbinding, mesmerizing, hypnotic, transfixing; (informal) unputdownable.

d. Direct (one’s eyes or attention) intently.

On a parallel note, the tiny pockets we also find on jeans are another invention of Levi Strauss; they were originally made for pocket watches. When they began being used for different purposes they were eventually also dubbed: Frontier pocket, condom pocket, coin pocket, match pocket, and ticket pocket.

And now you know.

5. Hustler, moi?

I remember an ex who would occasionally tell me: “You’re not a hustler, you will never ‘fight’ for me.” And I always told her, “No I’m not and I won’t. There is no need to fight for anything; if it’s not happening, you cannot force it.”

Then some time later I found out the full meaning of ‘hustler’.

Hustler (n): An aggressively enterprising person; a go-getter, especially in selling and promoting business; a prostitute (uhu).

The word originated as a 19th-century slang, hustle “To have sexual intercourse”. Later in the same century it meant “To sell goods in an aggressive manner”. Then even later “To work as a prostitute”.

In the late 19th Century, the term hustler became slang for a ‘player’, ‘gambler’, which by the 1910s had become a pimp, which in turn by the 1920s then became a prostitute of either sex.

I do love to play but it is no wonder the word never sincerely appealed to me.



ALSO VIEW:

Random Stuff You May Not Know

Random Stuff You May Not Know: Two

Random Stuff You May Not Know: Three

Random Stuff You May Not Know: Four

Random Stuff You May Not Know: Five

Random Stuff You May Not Know: Six 

 
Random Stuff You May Not Know: Seven

Random Stuff You May Not Know: Eight

Random Stuff You May Not Know: Nine
 

Random Stuff You May Not Know: Eleven

 
Nations’ Did You Know

Useful Home Tips

Some Useful How-To Videos
 

Bizarre Random Facts

Bizarre Random Facts

 
Why Hippies Are Sometimes Called Bohemians

The World’s Rare and Natural Phenomena

After Mesmerising Natural Wonders of the World, the following is a list of more bizarre occurrences from Mother Nature. From fire in the sky, flying-saucer clouds, and ice formations looking like capirote hats, to dancing ice circles and double suns. Enjoy this educational and entertaining ride.

1- Fire Whirls

Firenado in the Australian Outback by Chris Tangey in 2012

Fire whirls, also known as Fire Devils, Fire Tornado, Firenado, or Fire Twister, is a whirlwind caused by a fire which is often made up of flame or ash. The phenomenon appears in or around raging fires when the right combination of climactic conditions is present. They can be spawned by other natural events such as earthquakes and thunderstorms, and can be incredibly dangerous — in some cases spinning well out of the zone of the fire itself to cause devastation and death in a radius not even reached by heat or flame. Fire whirls have been known to reach a mile high, have wind speeds of over 100 miles per hour, and can last 20 minutes or more. 



2- Fire Rainbows (Circumhorizontal Arc)

Circumhorizontal arc in the Nepalese Himalaya

“Fire Rainbows” is a misleading term since they are neither fire, nor rainbows. The technical name for the phenomenon is Circumhorizontal Arc, which is an ice halo formed by hexagonal, plate-shaped ice crystals in high level cirrus clouds. The halo is so large that the arc appears parallel to the horizon, hence the name. Crystals within the clouds refract light into the various visible waves of the spectrum like a prism. 

The conditions required to form a “fire rainbow” are extremely precise – the sun has to be at an elevation of 58° or greater, there must be high altitude cirrus clouds with plate-shaped ice crystals, and sunlight has to enter the ice crystals at a specific angle. This is why it is an exceedingly rare sight.



3- Ice Circles

A spinning ice circle in Russia

Ice circles are formed by eddies in the water which spin a sizeable piece of ice in a circular motion. As a result of this rotation, other pieces of ice and flotsam wear relatively evenly at the edges of the ice until it slowly forms into an essentially ideal circle. Ice circles have been seen with diameters of over 500 feet, and at times can be found in clusters and groups of different sizes.

You can see it in motion here in this video:

4- Lenticular Clouds

Lenticular Cloud over Harold's Cross Dublin Ireland on June 2015

The peculiar looking Lenticular clouds (Altocumulus lenticularis) are stationary lens-shaped masses of cloud forming in the troposphere. Generally, they are formed as wind speeds up while moving around a large land object such as a mountain, normally in perpendicular alignment to the wind direction.

With a strong internal uplift, lenticular clouds can drive a motorless flyer to high elevations. Their shape is quite often mistaken for a mysterious flying object, possibly a UFO, or an artificial cover for one.



5- Light Pillars

Light Pillars over Alaska by a. Libby Photography

Light pillars appear as magical, sourceless upright luminous columns in the sky. What they really are is an atmospheric optical phenomenon in the form of a vertical column(s) of light, which appears to extend above and/or below a light source. The effect, sometimes also called the Crystal Beam Phenomenon, is created by the reflection of light from numerous tiny ice crystals suspended in the atmosphere or clouds. The light may originate from the Sun — usually when it is near or even below the horizon — and the phenomenon is then called a sun pillar or solar pillar. It could equally be from the Moon or from terrestrial sources such as streetlights.


6- Mammatus Clouds

Mammatus clouds over New Jersey on 21 June 2016

Another sky rarity are the Mammatus clouds. True to their nebulous, perhaps also somewhat ominous appearance, those are usually a warning of a coming storm or other extreme weather conditions. Typically composed primarily of ice, they can extend for hundreds of miles in each direction; and individual formations can remain visibly static for ten to fifteen minutes at a time. Even though they may appear scary, they are mere messengers — appearing around, before, or even after severe weather. I think I may have seen those once in Canada.



7- Sundogs

Sundog over Lake Como in St. Paul, Minnesota, US

Sundogs is an atmospheric phenomenon which consists of a pair of bright spots on either side on the Sun, often co-occurring with a luminous ring known as a 22° halo. Their scientific name is parhelia (singular parhelion), from the Greek parēlion, meaning “beside the sun”. Speculation is that they are called so because they follow the Sun like a dog follows its master. Sundogs are also known as Mock Suns and Phantom Suns. 

Like light pillars, sundogs are the product of light passing through ice crystals in the atmosphere. They typically appear as two subtly coloured patches of light to the left and right of the Sun, approximately 22° distant and at the same elevation above the horizon as the Sun.

As terminology, each of two spots appearing on either side of the Sun is a separate sun dog. Since they typically appear in pairs, it is more accurate to use the plural “sun dogs”. They can be seen anywhere in the world during any season, but they are not always obvious or bright.

Sundogs have been speculated about and discussed since ancient times; written records describing the various attributes of our sun date back to Ancient Egyptians and Greeks.

There are also Moon Dogs (paraselenae) appearing alongside the moon, which are formed by lunar light passing through ice crystals. Visible only at night, they are not seen as often as the sun ones.

Interestingly, as I was polishing this article I remembered a shot I had taken over a frozen lake in Haliburton, Ontario in 2012 — check the featured photo captured with a Canon 5D at around 4:30 pm as the sun was in the midst of setting all gloriously. I cannot tell for sure if it’s a legitimate Sundog since I am no expert, but the double circles tell me that it’s probably some kind of phenomenon because I have seen similar photos all over Google. Mayhap it is just the lens. Whatever it is, I do like the capture as it reminds me of a sensational five-day trip.



8- Penitentes

Penitentes in Upper Rio Blanco, Argentine

Penitentes (Spanish for “penitent-shaped snows”) are dazzling naturally-forming ice blades which stick up at sharp angles toward the sun. Rarely found except at high altitudes, they can grow up to 1.5–2 metres, or 5–7 feet, high and they form over vast fields. The name penitentes refers to the tall, pointed conical hats and hoods worn by brothers of religious orders in the Procession of Penance of the brotherhood during the Spanish Holy Week. The also look like the white hats worn by the KKK.

As ice melts in particular patterns, valleys formed by initial melts leave mountains in their wake. Strangely, these formations ultimately slow the melting process as the peaks cast shadows on the deeper surfaces below, allowing for winds to blow over the peaks and cooling them. In actual historical fact, it was Charles Darwin who first described penitentes for science while he was crossing the Andes from Santiago de Chile to Mendoza in Argentina.



9- Sailing Stones

Sailing Stones of the Death Valley

The mysterious moving stones of the packed-mud desert of Death Valley have been a centre of scientific controversy for decades. Rocks weighing up to hundreds of pounds are known to move on the dry mud for hundreds of yards at times. Some scientists proposed that a combination of strong winds and surface ice account for these movements. However, this theory does not explain evidence of different rocks starting side by side and moving at different rates and in disparate directions. Moreover, the physics calculations do not fully support this theory, as wind speeds of hundreds of miles per hour would be needed to move some of the stones.

Edit*:

Since 2014 the Sailing Stones were no longer a mystery. Researchers have finally found the reason why the stones move: The rock movement occurs when very thin windowpane ice covering the dry lake bed begins to melt due to the late morning sun. The ice then breaks up under light winds and the floating ice panels push the rocks, causing them to move and leave tracks on the desert floor.

*Original article was written on July, 2012


10- Blue Holes

Great Blue Hole – Belize City, Belize

Blue holes are giant and sudden drops in underwater elevation which can reach hundreds of feet deep. They get their name from the dark, foreboding blue tone they exhibit when viewed from above in relation to the surrounding waters. And while divers are able to explore some of them, they are largely devoid of oxygen to support sea life due to poor water circulation — leaving them mysteriously empty. Some blue holes, however, contain ancient fossil remains which have been discovered preserved in their depths.

I have actually seen the one located in the Red Sea from up close; it is near Dahab in East Sinai, Egypt, and it is a well-known diving spot.



11- Sinkholes

 Sinkhole in Studio City, California from February 2017

Sinkholes are another type of holes which is often regarded as the world’s scariest natural phenomena. They can swallow homes, cars, trees and, obviously, people. Over time, water erodes the soil under the planet’s surface until in some cases, quite suddenly, the land above gives way and collapses into the Earth. Many sinkholes occur naturally, while others are the result of human intervention. Displacing groundwater can open cavities as broken pipes can erode otherwise stable subterranean sediments. Urban sinkholes which are up to hundreds of feet deep have formed and consumed parts of city blocks, sidewalks, and even entire buildings.

More photos and info on this Nat Geo Article.



 12- Orange Moons

Also known as the Harvest Moon, this last phenomenon may not be as rare as some of the previous ones on the list; in fact, it is something most of us have seen before: A stunning big orange moon hanging low in the sky. But what causes this phenomena, and how does the moon change colour?

Well, the full moon will always look bigger when it’s near the horizon, though it’s not actually bigger. It’s 100 percent an optical illusion. More to the story can be found on this Phys.org Article.

As for the orange colour, it has nothing to do with the harvest moon. The moon — and the sun as well, actually — look redder when closer to the horizon. The reason for this is that compared to when the moon is directly overhead, whenever it’s near the horizon the moonlight must pass through the maximum thickness of atmosphere, which absorbs blue light and transmits red light, hence the orangish hue.

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The Most Unusual and Unknown Creatures II

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