Today is LOST PENNY DAY, when we are all encouraged to take the pennies we have stashed away in jars, piggy banks, and whatnot, and put them back into circulation, presumably by spending them. I would, but none of the local establishments will take my 'funny money'...

lubov nyet katorshka
That's what the Russians have to say on the topic: love is not a potato. While this may seem absurdly irrelevant, if you think about it, it's actually right on target. Because you can't eat love. You can't turn it into an alcoholic beverage to get yourself drunk, and you can't hook it up with wires to generate electricity. Despite what the songs say, love cannot solve all the problems that may exist between two people; only a mutual determination to make love work can do that.


Don't get me wrong. I'm not saying 'down with love'. Love is a wonderful thing-- I should know-- and when it's right, it can make every day seem that much brighter, every sunset more spectacular. What I am saying is that it's not a miracle cure, or a universal problem solver. It's neither the philosopher's stone nor the holy grail. Love is only love; and tragically, it isn't always enough. Sometimes you're better off with a potato.


in the news today
New research seems to indicate that chocolate can help improve circulation, lower blood pressure, and produce yet other health benefits. Dr Norman Hollenberg of Harvard Medical School found that cocoa was effective in lowering the blood pressure of the isolated Kuna Indians, who live on islands off the coast of Panama.


Despite a high salt diet, Hollenberg explained, the Kuna have normal blood pressure, and they consume large quantities of locally-grown cocoa. When Kuna moved to a city and stopped consuming their home-made chocolate, their blood pressure tended to rise, he noted. Early research also showed that cocoa could help increase blood flow in the brain and the extremities, which could prove beneficial to the elderly and diabetics (although that last part sounds like a catch-22 to me...).


See? Clearly, food is more useful than love.

TRIVIA QUIZ
Do dolphins sleep?


answer to yesterday's question
The humps on a camel's back are huge heaps of fat and flesh that can weigh as much as 80 pounds on a healthy camel. When water and food become scarce on the deserts where camels roam, the fatty humps serve as stored food, and are used for nourishment. By metabolizing these fat reserves, camels can go for up to two weeks without eating or drinking, although camels actually eat just about anything, and have been known to munch on tents, sandals, and blankets in a pinch. They can also close their nostrils and are the only animals with humps. (And by the way, Puting Tikbalang-- I've ridden a camel, and the humps are squishy...)


A round of applause to Vin, Puting Tikbalang, and Charles for being humpy triviameisters, and a special wolf whistle to Alex for his really-wrong-but-highly-creative answer!


Oh, yeah, and I officially apologize to Dean for dissing his intestine-condom answer, which really did have merit. I just like picking on you because you're too smart and someone has to keep you humble!