honey colors, aromatic(ity), recent music, lexus ads, Baldwin

My labmate Ryan linked a Cracked article regarding surprisingly pretty effects of human pollution on nature for the interesting tidbit of French bees and their production of blue honey. i'd known about some Brooklyn red-honey-producing bees for a while, due to the proximity of a maraschino cherry factory, and read about bees also producing mint honey near a gum factory, but this is still pretty cool.

While enjoying a beverage or two with Kelly AT and her James the other night, Kelly waved her IPA in my direction with the intent that i appreciate the fine aromatics. She then inquired if there's any relation between the chemistry property for aromaticity (where chemical bonds are more stable when in conjugated, unsaturated pairs than might be expected, like a benzene ring) and the olfactory sense (scents?!). Turns out, according to wikipedia, not really: " The first known use of the word "aromatic" as a chemical term — namely, to apply to compounds that contain the phenyl radical— occurs in an article by August Wilhelm Hofmann in 1855.^[1] If this is indeed the earliest introduction of the term, it is curious that Hofmann says nothing about why he introduced an adjective indicating olfactory character to apply to a group of chemical substances only some of which have notable aromas. Also, many of the most odoriferous organic substances known are terpenes, which are not aromatic in the chemical sense. But terpenes and benzenoid substances do have a chemical characteristic in common, namely higher unsaturation indices than many aliphatic compounds, and Hofmann may not have been making a distinction between the two categories. ". Interesting.

Been writing lately, and the easiest way of getting my brain to shut up and focus is via earphones and very loud music, preferably this-ish or something akin to this old favorite. NPR's recent Newport Folk Festival recording have worked very well towards this end. One of my favorite bands growing up, recently reformed (it was a trip to be working at the bench the other day and hear their distinctive sound on the radio), is the neo-bluegrass group Nickel Creek, and their concert was a lovely mix of very old loves and new stuff. Another bit of awesome comes from the group Ages and Ages - their concert is just too cheerful to not smile at. Finally, an NPR Tiny Desk Concert from the group Moon Hooch is like live electronica, and is such a weird equally foreign and familiar sound that it's gotten a lot of play, too. i descibed it to Kelly AT as sounds like something Calvin and Hobbes would play if they had a band. Anyway, another side-result of earphones and very loud music is getting hella startled when i don't see that someone has been standing behind me for a good 2 minutes before tapping me on the shoulder.

Regarding youtube ads, has anyone else really enjoyed the recent Lexus Amazing in Motion ad campaign? There's a cool statue/parkour thing happening  on 'Strobe', and another with some highly personable little drones called 'Swarm' here.

i was talking about last names with a soon-to-be married female friend the other night, and she made the statement that she really likes hers, but was joking around about it's meaning. The surname is Baldwin, which is common enough that there's a wikipedia article, " The name Baldwin or Balduin is of Anglo-Saxon and Old German origin, from the Old English Bealdwine, or the Old German equivalent Baldavin, meaning "bold friend". ". i also mentioned that it's a variety of apple; " Baldwin Apples, unlike many apples, have long been prized for the making of hard cider. "

Kar (and Roommate): Roommate pointed out that Better Than Ezra, a favorite band from high school/early college, is putting out a new album (with a single, Crazy Lucky, currently released). Their music has gone from southern garage rock to something more pop, which is an interesting progression, but i was looking for the release date for the new album and came across an interesting bit of trivia: turns out, the 3-and-a-half-minutes song alluded to in A Lifetime is R.E.M.'s Perfect Circle. So, long standing mystery solved.

me:  #overlyhonestmethods

consistency is important

 Lauren:  12 hrs were added between normally scheduled feedings 2 and 3 due to ordering 'issues'

 me:  who knows? maybe it'll stimulate some sort of stress response and they'll be doubly hardy

 Lauren:  this reagent order itself is $670

 me:  sweet monkeys.

 Lauren:  yeah

 me:  (it's probably made of sweet monkeys.)

i came across a hilarious article regarding NYTimes wedding announcements and common themes.