What I Learned This Week - 11/8/13

1.  Ohio State University astronomers concluded that there's a probability of “almost” 100% that a star will go supernova in the Milky Way during the next 50 years that will be visible from Earth - but only 20% likely to be visible to the naked eye.  So, never mind.
2. I don’t think “teenager” is word describing the parental moment of understanding that when the child states, “I love you”, your immediate reaction is not to retaliate the love but to question, “What do you want?”
3. Facebook admitted this week their interface and business case is resulting in a staggering loss of members in the 14-21 year old market. My reaction remains, “so?”
4. According to my youngest, youths in Asia are killing the elderly.
5. I find it comical that the new recycle bin that was placed in my office has a non-recyclable sticker affixed to it.
6. Scientists have discovered that not all dog-tailing wagging is equal and indicates intricate emotion – a tail wag with more of a right-centric wag indicates the dog is relaxed and happy. A left-centric wag indicates a sign of stress. Up-down wagging indicates your dog is “special”.
7. All the books in Dumbledore’s office in the Harry Potter movies are just the Yellow Pages rebound to look old.
8. I'm not a fan of my kids new game of letting go a silent but deadly, then asking if anyone smells popcorn. Okay, I'm jealous I didn't think of it.
9. I have the uncanny ability to forget a person's name the second I'm introduced to them.
10. My work day would be more interesting if the Imperial March played every time I walked into a meeting.  Apparently my Dad's ringtone is a big hit.
11. Under the list, "Things I should have taught my kids but they learned on their own"; diarrhea and swimming don't mix.
12. People who ask me for an “honest opinion” are asking a rhetorical question.
13. I use ellipses way too much…or so I’m told.
14. Fort Payne Alabama is the sock capital of the world.
15. Switching your phone to “airplane mode” will not make it fly or make cool jet engine noises. However, it may explode on impact.
16. Low/high EQ is actually a thing.
17. When walking through a crowded airport with a couple dozen doughnuts, TSA agents and Federal Marshalls become surprising friendly.
18. My oldest is at that age where my wife and I embarrass her by just existing.  She has no idea how embarrassing I can actually be.
19. My kids did not know what a mosh pit was.
20. Lady Gaga is broadcasting that she will be the first artist to perform in space in 2015. Apparently, she has never heard of the Christmas tune, “Jingle Bells”, recorded by Astronauts Walter M. Schirra Jr. and Thomas P. Stafford in 1965 on the Gemini mission. Actually, a lot astronauts and Cosmonauts have been playing small performances for at least 30 years – the majority of performances on the ISS. My personal favorite has to be Canadian Astronaut Chris Hadfield singing David Bowie’s “Major Tom” – if his live streaming to over a million viewers wasn’t considered an actual concert, I don’t know what is.
21. If you’re a Google Now user, the voice commands can be launched using the phrase, “okay Jarvis” without a special add-on app. 
22. The word “Voluntold” means I’ve just been told my wife or boss has volunteered me to do something I won’t like.