My mind is a sieve some days. Wait-let me rephrase that. Most days. I can’t seem to hold a thought together. Useless information stays with me. I am the master of writing things down and making lists. Lists help me feel accomplished because I can check things off as I go through the day and feel like I have actually done something. My new Erin Condren planner is getting filled up and things are getting written on the days with lots of notes scribbled all over.
I often wonder about memory loss and as I get older I see that some of my memories are slipping away. I wonder if it is time to be concerned about it or if it is just part of getting older. I have always claimed that I have too much stuff bouncing around in my brain to be able to keep it all so some of it gets dumped. Some of the information is just ridiculously useless and that is the stuff that I wish I would forget but often it isn’t.
I found a book called “The World’s Greatest Book of Useless Information”. It is something that my brother in law, Carl, would like I think. So today I thought I would offer up some bits of wisdom from this book for your reading pleasure! There is a world of useless info out there just waiting to be told! Maybe some of it will start bouncing around in your brain instead of mine.
1. A “keeper” is the loop on the belt that holds the loose end.
2. D. H. Lawrence enjoyed taking off his clothes and climbing up mulberry trees.
3. John Grisham is a distant cousin of former president Bill Clinton.
4. The board game Scrabble can be found in 1 out of 3 American homes.
5. Between one and two horse jockeys are killed each year while horse racing.
6. Four percent of the food people eat in a lifetime is consumed in front of an open refrigerator.
7. The darker an olive is, the higher the oil content.
8. The sun’s warming rays travel 93 million miles to reach earth.
9. The average lifespan of a human taste bud is 7 – 10 days.
10. People who attend church, synagogue, or other religious services once a week live to be an average age of 82 while non church goers live to an average age of 75.
11. Napoleon reportedly carried chocolate on all of his military campaigns.
12. In Iceland, tipping at a restaurant is considered an insult.
That’s it for today. Amaze someone with your knowledge. If you have something to share that will amaze me please feel free to share in the comments.
19 Comments
Leave a commentNow, I DID know Number 8. It was a questions on Who Wants To Be A Millionaire, and my hubby knew it. No, we didn’t win a million, but it was fun that he remembered the answer from science class!
I apparently am a fan of useless information because I love reading stuff like this. I always thought of it more as obscure or arcane rather than useless. Fun, too.
I love lists – I make lists about lists and add things already done just to have the pleasure of ticking them off. I know – I probably need help 🙂
As for forgetfulness – I know exactly what you mean – my mum used to say it was the sign of a cluttered mind – so perhaps you’re right offloading some of the more redundant stuff.
My favourite ( ok – most annoying) form of useless information is the sign that a couple of our local shops use when the have to shut unexpectedly. ‘Back Soon’ – is no help unless you know when they left and also their definition of ‘soon’. Grumpy, me??
Lots of interesting stuff here. I especially like #10 and #11. Randy would appreciate this book. He remembers lots of what I consider useless info. He’s good at playing trivia games. Me? Not.
Love this! AND…that Napolean was a smart guy!!
#10 Looks like church added to Sunday routine now !
I’m guessing that John Grisham is now trying to distance himself ever further from his once “distant” cousin..
I have found that the older I get, the more I forget. I have to keep notes so I know just what I have to do each day.
Very fascinating! Now I’m off to eat in Iceland. 😉
Interesting! I think I’ll be a tad more selective on those tidbits I try to retain!!!! LOL!!!!!
Thanks, Doreen! Great to share some useless info for your pleasure. 🙂
I did not know taste buds had lifespans! Mine are probably all dead from all the spicy food I eat.
Yours most likely have retreated!
I love all these fun bits of useless information. Thanks!!
I didn’t realize taste buds had a lifespan, either! Hmmm, Napoleon and his chocolate…that takes the mind in many directions! “Come to our side, we have chocolate.” Or were there ladies involved? This one may bounce around in my head all night!
It seems the busier I get, the more I can remember those details; let me sit around a bit and hum….what was I doing! I to didn’t know taste buds had a lifespan…no wonder they say your taste buds are the last of the senses to go!
I totally get it! I sit around and hum a lot as well!
Hey, I appreciated the tip about Iceland, since I’ll be spending a week there, at the end of the summer. I’ll be sure not to tip in a restaurant, so as not to infuriate the locals! I’m also given to understand that the least spoken language in Iceland, is Icelandic! Apparently, English will get us by, which is a relief…
It’s amazing to learn about tipping in Iceland!