What I Learned This Week - 9/19/14

1.  454 days until Star Wars Episode VII is in theaters.
2. James Earl Jones used to pretend to be Darth Vader on the CB radio. Truck drivers freaked out so much he stopped doing it.
3. Someone played the 80’s pop song “99 red balloons” on only “9 red balloons”…and yes, it is more entertaining than you think.
4. According to my youngest, “groceries” are this week’s poop supplies.
5. There are actually foods that are consumed regularly inside-out. Pizza and cake are the most popular.
6. “Meat Raisin” is now my new favorite alias for beef jerky.
7. Off season for training is defined by wanting to work out but then wanting to not work out more.
8. Researchers have found that people are more likely to remember your Facebook post than your face. 
9. In the comics, Charles Xavier did not name the "X-men" after himself but for their "X-tra" powers.
10. Some people read these tidbits and upon completion have NBC's "The more you know" jingle play in their head.
11. It is common courtesy to tip 1$-$5/day for maid service in a hotel room.
12. According to the US Forest Service, there are more trees in the US today than there were 100 years ago.
13. Recipes for “homemade spam” ARE as frightening as you would think.
14. Some people don’t like free music.
15. Apparently, U2 is the new Nickleback.
16. If you create a mobile hot spot with a name similar to “Bomb on board” or “the bomb is under the seat”, expect to be surrounded by federal agents and detained for questioning.
17. The Microsoft Surface Pro 3 IS that much better.
18. There is now a device that allows you to attach your iPad directly to your face to experience virtual reality – and look like a really big dork.
19. 3-D printed cars are here…no word on if they fall apart like a Lego car.
20. Comet tails that amateur astronomers view from backyard telescopes actually consist of less than half of the dust/ice particles in the room you currently occupy.
21. The Marty McFly self-lacing Nike hi-tops with illuminated soles of “Back to the Future” fame are available online for a mere $260 + S/H.