Doing a Bit of Prize-Worthy Research

It turns out that the author of my favorite column in the Boston Globe Magazine is married to the guy who invented the Ig Nobel prizes. They must have very interesting conversations at their dinner table. Anyway, I was reading Miss Conduct's blog, to follow up on something she wrote in this week's column regarding her husband, and found this link very funny and interesting.

Another link about the origins of the prize.

I admit it, when I read the descriptions of some of these research projects, I do think "how fun!"

Here's the link to the item that originally piqued my interest.

Green Stuff

One of my students sent me a link to an NPR clip about
why most bottle caps are NOT recycled and why the
bottles are. It had to do with different melting points
for the two different types of plastic, and lack of a
market for the caps. It led to information about this
website, which looks like a worthwhile one to bookmark.

Related to that was this interesting clip I saw on
AdAge Video. I don't mind telling you that after viewing the clip,
I wanted one.

Here's the official website. There's even a version for Lefties!

Weary and Wary

What's the incubation period for the flu?
That is the question.

Added a few days later....
Okay, so far I haven't gotten it, and enough time has
elapsed since my first exposure. It's been one of
those very long weeks, with too many six-hour sleep
nights in a row, and stacks of papers to grade. A stack
is festering right now in my office, ruining the gorgeous
fall, Columbus Day, sparkle-y atmosphere.

Row Row Row Your Boat

This month I was forced to change the route I take when I drive home from work late at night because roadwork on Storrow Drive resulted in the nightly closing of the entrance that I use at the end of Berkley Street. So, I've been taking the longer route, driving the length of Beacon Street, (trying to eyeball Tom Brady's place) before turning onto Mass Ave to drive across the river to Memorial Drive. What I've discovered is THERE IS NO BETTER VIEW OF BOSTON AND CAMBRIDGE AT NIGHT THAN THE ONE FROM THE MASS AVE BRIDGE - WOW! I know it's not considered very green to leave the lights on in our skyscrapers, but suspended above the Charles River at night, they are a glorious sight. Usually there's no traffic driving toward me, so I can sort of float across the river and enjoy the view without having to worry too much. It's been an unexpected bonus that makes me wonder if I'll ever go back to Storrow Drive.

And on that note, off I go to my own little river to sneak in a late work-out.