Ask Rachel

Seat shifters, the worst fans ever and short people, redux
Seat shifters, the worst fans ever and short people, redux
09/02/2021
Interesting fact: John Harington, the inventor of an informally eponymous flush toilet in Britain during Elizabethan times, is a distant relative of Kit Harington, who played Jon Snow in “Game of Thrones,” which although I have never watched, I know ended with a finale that should have been sent to the septic tank, thus bringing things full circle. 
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To lick or not to lick, concert coping and short people hugs
To lick or not to lick, concert coping and short people hugs
08/26/2021

Interesting fact: They also make no-lick peel-and-stick envelopes that require no saliva exposure. But they’re not fancy enough to be ONvelopes.

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Strap sleuth, tomato fails and ghosting your family
Strap sleuth, tomato fails and ghosting your family
08/19/2021

Interesting fact: Tomatoes will not ripen outside of 50-85 degrees F. If your friend’s river beer is any warmer than this, you should take your straps back immediately. 

 

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Skinny tire scorn, half-baked and Bozos in space
Skinny tire scorn, half-baked and Bozos in space
08/05/2021
Interesting fact: Joe DiMaggio hadn’t actually gone anywhere; Paul Simon just meant that heroes are in short supply. 
 
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Oh sheet, the tipping point and all in-tents and purposes
Oh sheet, the tipping point and all in-tents and purposes
07/29/2021
Interesting fact: When it comes to the Great Sheet Debate, the Martha Stewart website says you should ask the hosts their preference. What kind of adults does she think we are?
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Podcast therapy, not-so Southern charm and #bashnews
Podcast therapy, not-so Southern charm and #bashnews
07/22/2021
Interesting fact: As of April 2021, there were only 2 million podcasts in existence with 48 million episodes. So while not everyone has a podcast, everyone has probably appeared by now as a guest on one.
 
 
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Space invaders, animal instincts and small talk
Space invaders, animal instincts and small talk
07/15/2021

Interesting fact: The United States government claims it cannot explain 143 out of 144 unidentified flying objects spotted during military flights. They got one! And people say the feds are incompetent.

 

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No laughing matter, mama me-uh and the big fall
No laughing matter, mama me-uh and the big fall
07/08/2021
Interesting fact:  The word “courtesan” derives from an old Italian word for “advisor to the king or queen.” Yeah, I bet they did some advising.
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Rubber meets the road, Trader Joe's FOMO & seed gender bias
Rubber meets the road, Trader Joe's FOMO & seed gender bias
07/01/2021
Interesting fact: The International Olympic Committee is supplying 150,000 condoms to the Olympic village. 11,000 athletes are expected to participate in this year’s games. Is that a ridiculous amount of condoms or not nearly enough condoms?
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Safety third, space schmucks and heavy hugs
Safety third, space schmucks and heavy hugs
06/24/2021

Interesting fact: The pressure of a weighted blanket is suspected to release oxytocin, that ol’ feel-good hormone. No word yet on how much oxytocin a weighted blanket stimulates in the zero gravity of space. 

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Gleek mythology, tongue baths & goth gardening
Gleek mythology, tongue baths & goth gardening
06/17/2021
Interesting fact: The AKC says that dog saliva (and human saliva too!) is slightly antibacterial and antimicrobial. Key word: slightly. 
 
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International incident, growing turmoil and belly aches
International incident, growing turmoil and belly aches
06/10/2021
Interesting fact: That whole “humans use only 10% of their brains” thing is apparently a myth, and most of our brains are active most of the time. Not saying they’re usefully active. Just active.
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Baffled by breakfast, 'no' to nostalgia & Aunt Flo's undies
Baffled by breakfast, 'no' to nostalgia & Aunt Flo's undies
06/03/2021

Interesting fact: “Shorts” is reportedly slang for cigarette butts. Thus, “eat my shorts” takes on a range of meanings both literal and euphemistic.

 

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Super specific, burrito blunders and air heads
Super specific, burrito blunders and air heads
05/27/2021

Interesting fact: Canned air is not actually air at all, but a highly flammable mixture. I’m more and more invested in this potential canned-air superhero by the moment.

 

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Saved by the boss, styrofoam stash and ride bribes
Saved by the boss, styrofoam stash and ride bribes
05/20/2021

Interesting fact: Styrofoam is about 95 percent air. So basically… it’s the breathable version of bottled water.

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Deathly Disney, bad dads and missed connections
Deathly Disney, bad dads and missed connections
05/13/2021
Interesting fact: Anyone who thinks all Disney movies don’t share a universe has never been to Disneyland, where you can dine with Robin Hood and Cinderella at the SAME TIME.
 
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Unnatural flavors, puzzling punctuation and bat bikes
Unnatural flavors, puzzling punctuation and bat bikes
05/06/2021

Interesting fact: According to the FDA Code of Regulations, natural flavors are created from substances extracted from certain plant or animal sources. I don’t know about you, but just reading the word “extracted” makes me hungry.

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Doggy style, in-box anxiety and rind etiquette
Doggy style, in-box anxiety and rind etiquette
04/29/2021

Interesting fact: “Jury-rigged” is a makeshift solution from materials at hand. “Jerry-built” is something constructed with shoddy materials. “Jerry-rigged” is an 18-wheeler driven by Jerome.

 

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Parental timeshares, glue lies and bursting bubbles
Parental timeshares, glue lies and bursting bubbles
04/22/2021

Interesting fact: The short answer? Soaps are made of natural products, and detergents are synthetic. Also, detergents work better in cold water. Good for ice bucket bubble baths.

 

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Dishing it out, hug withdrawal and getting boned
Dishing it out, hug withdrawal and getting boned
04/15/2021
Interesting fact: In humid climates, bones can decompose in a decade or two. But in more dry areas, they can take hundreds of years. This is why we generally hide bodies in lakes.
 
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