Altering how we taste our food

What can you taste when you swirl a mouthful of malt whisky around your mouth? Peaty flavours, honey, sea salt? Talk to any whisky drinker and they'll be happy to discuss at length.

But it turns out that not all you are getting is down to your taste buds - or even your nose.

If you drink a glass of single malt in a room carpeted with real grass, accompanied by the sound of a lawnmower and birds chirping, and all bathed in green light, the whisky tastes "grassier".

Replace that with red lighting, curved and bulbous edges and tinkling bells and the drink tastes sweeter.

These studies are intriguing. On one hand, I am expecting the large food companies like Nestle to start just advertising the pizza on the box with only a shake of the cheapest chemicals possible inside. On the other, it pretty much is like brain synesthesia for your mouth without your knowledge. Sit back and just let it happen.

Art on Drugs

Artist Bryan Lewis Saunders conducted a bizarre experiment. For several weeks, he took a different drug every day and made a portrait of himself under the influence.

Not sure how much is real versus how much is gimmick, but nonetheless, I like it. But seriously, how is he alive with that many drugs ingested?

Don't Visit if you have Epilepsy

http://squareeater.com Also best to visit if you have taken your contacts out so they don't dry out.

VIA Institute on Character: Take Two

Character Strength #1: Perspective [wisdom] (+10)
Character Strength #2: Bravery [valor] (+15)
Character Strength #3: Integrity [authenticity, honesty] (+4)
Character Strength #4: Self-regulation [self-control] (+17)
Character Strength #5: Social Intelligence [emotional intelligence, personal intelligence] (+3)
Character Strength #6: Appreciation of beauty and excellence [awe, wonder, elevation] (-4)
Character Strength #7: Creativity [originality, ingenuity] (+9)
Character Strength #8: Judgment, critical thinking, and open-mindedness
Character Strength #9: Love of Learning (-4)
Character Strength #10: Capacity to love and be loved (+2)
Character Strength #11: Curiosity and interest in the world (-8)
Character Strength #12: Hope, optimism, and future-mindedness (+10)
Character Strength #13: Fairness, equity, and justice (-4)
Character Strength #14: Leadership (-13)
Character Strength #15: Industry, diligence, and perseverance (-9)
Character Strength #16: Caution, prudence, and discretion (+4)
Character Strength #17: Forgiveness and mercy (+6)
Character Strength #18: Zest, enthusiasm, and energy (0)
Character Strength #19: Gratitude (-9)
Character Strength #20: Humor and playfulness (-5)
Character Strength #21: Citizenship, teamwork, and loyalty (-8)
Character Strength #22: Modesty and humility (-8)
Character Strength #23: Kindness and generosity (-4)
Character Strength #24: Spirituality [religiousness, faith, purpose] (0)

---

So back in 2009 I took this assessment, and was curious the difference how much almost 2 years can make in a personality. From my results, I have gained a new insight into how the world works and have become more adept to dealing with situations. Perhaps that is due to living on my own and being forced to deal. I am much more in control of myself, creativity has increased, but seemingly at the cost of a love of learning. Leadership has decreased to a dismal amount, as evidenced by anyone who has seen me at work since being thrown into Oracle implementation. Gratitude, loyalty, modesty and kindness have all taken a downward turn, indicating, that in the last 2 years I have become mean, more egocentric and proud of that. Hmm.

Interestingly, my vitality and spirituality have stayed exactly the same.

I am a Gemini

So it seems that astronomer Parke Kunkle has come forth saying that your zodiac sign is most likely incorrect due to the precession of the Earth. NASA has a section on their website for kids released in 2005 that shows there are actually 13 constellations in the zodiac instead of the standardized 12 and everyone has been using the wrong ones all of this time.

What I have concluded is that rather than being a very awful Cancer, I am now a very awful Gemini. Of course, I put as much stock into astrology governing my fate as I do unicorns really being horses that have had cosmetic surgery. Or, you know, real, and changing overnight.

NobodyHere

Just Me. Probably one of the most engaging websites I have seen in a very long time. Keep clicking and see just where it leads.

Indexed

And the cycle begins next Saturday
Sorry


Indexed, by Jessica Hagy

VIA Institute on Character

Character Strength #1: Leadership
Character Strength #2: Appreciation of beauty and excellence [awe, wonder, elevation]
Character Strength #3: Curiosity [interest, novelty-seeking, openness to experience]
Character Strength #4: Open-mindedness [judgment, critical thinking]
Character Strength #5: Love of Learning
Character Strength #6: Persistence [perseverance, industriousness]
Character Strength #7: Integrity [authenticity, honesty]
Character Strength #8: Social Intelligence [emotional intelligence, personal intelligence]
Character Strength #9: Fairness
Character Strength #10: Gratitude
Character Strength #11: Perspective [wisdom]
Character Strength #12: Love
Character Strength #13: Citizenship [social responsibility, loyalty, teamwork]
Character Strength #14: Humility/Modesty
Character Strength #15: Humor [playfulness]
Character Strength #16: Creativity [originality, ingenuity]
Character Strength #17: Bravery [valor]
Character Strength #18: Vitality [zest, enthusiasm, vigor, energy]
Character Strength #19: Kindness [generosity, nurturance, care, compassion, altruistic love, "niceness"]
Character Strength #20: Prudence
Character Strength #21: Self-regulation [self-control]
Character Strength #22: Hope [optimism, future-mindedness, future orientation]rol.
Character Strength #23: Forgiveness and mercy
Character Strength #24: Spirituality [religiousness, faith, purpose]

A few notes my results here from the brief survey:
- Leadership is my #1? I am really the most likely person to pass off making a decision unless being paid.
- Humility/Modesty is pretty damn high on the list, especially in comparison to gratitude. I've spent my life trying to differentiate.
- I'm way too lazy to hold a grudge as long as #23.
- I'm not very nice of a person.
- And I am a coward. Nor happy/funny. Go me.

All, via..VIA Institute on Character