(Note: this is an update. Will B. Done pointed out that the links didn’t work, so I fixed them so you can click and enjoy)
I’ve written this blog since August of 2005. It was originally meant for my job in analyst relations, but took a turn when I retired in 2011. It’s morphed into any number of things from humor, sarcasm, anti-Covid Jab and my ramblings on life.
I start Chemotherapy next week, so it’s going to slow down considerably, although I’ll post from time to time. I’ve scheduled some posts so it will look like I’m continuing as I suffer through the poison they will be putting in me. You’ll read something every day this week, but I’m not collecting headlines. I hope to be back, I just know I won’t have any energy
I want to say that I’ve enjoyed the 10’s of thousands of comments, and different groups of readers.
I mostly wrote it as it is my favorite form of communication. If you read anything about me, you know I’m introverted so small talk isn’t my greatest strength.
I pulled the list of top posts. It’s funny to me that my most successful post is Euphemisms for Stupid, which was number one on Google for over 10 years in that category.
As I look at the list, I see various stages of my life and different careers. I see family, pets and co-workers. I’m especially proud of My Dad. It’s the post, On Behalf of the President of the United States.
I wish you all the best and a longer life than me.
It’s not over, but for sure will not be as consistent.
If anyone wants to guest post, send it to me simonize@protonmail.com and I’ll try to put it up and give you credit.
Look, I played Handel’s Messiah over 200 times. I know classical music, I’ve played everything from Rhapsody in Blue, Fugue in G minor, Beethoven, Tchaikovsky, Mozart and you name it. I’ve played them all
I also heard Charlie Daniels trying out The Devil Went Down To Georgia 6 months before He released it to see if the crowd would like it
Still, I enjoyed Robert Plant playing old Zeppelin tunes and Brad Paisley playing his greatest hits as much as anything. Rock N Roll, Trampled Under Foot, So Much Cooler Online, I’m Gonna Miss her were as much fun to listen to as anything.
Everyone likes their own style of music. I’m interested in what you guys like also.
Across the world, scientists have identified over 1.5 million living animal species. One of the perks of being a field biologist to first document a species is they get to name it and that has led to some of the funniest animal names imaginable.
As I was engaged in a highly-competitive game of ‘Bird Bingo’ with my family the other day and appreciating how hilarious some bird names are the idea struck me to bring you all a collection of the funniest animal names on earth. Now here we are!
Ranking 25 Of The Funniest Animal Names In Existence
Many of these are birds but birds don’t have a complete monopoly on the funniest animal names. The list also includes frogs, turtles, sharks, and more. So let’s dive in!
1. American Woodcock
American woodcock bird
The American woodcock (Scolopax minor) doesn’t have just one hilarious name it also has a list of incredible nicknames that include the ‘timberdoodle,’ the ‘mudbat,’ the ‘bogsucker,’ and more. They also have an adorable dance where they rock back and forth.
This is the only species of woodcock native to North America and there is currently one in NYC that is the city’s latest bird celebrity. People are traveling from all over to see the NYC American Woodcock.
2. Blue-Footed Booby
blue footed booby bird
This fella right here needs no introduction, the feet speak for themselves. The Blue-Footed Booby is probably the most famous ‘funny animal name’ on earth for obvious reasons.
They are a marine bird native to the subtropical Eastern Pacific Ocean and have a wingspan up to 5ft but it is their bright blue feet that steal the show.
3. Andean Cock of the Rock
Andean Cock of the Rock bird
I love this bird. The Andean cock-of-the-rock (Rupicola peruvianus) is absolutely stunning. This is actually the bird that was the entire impetus for this list as I had the Andean cock-of-the-rock on my Bird BINGO board when I was playing the other night.
The Andean cock-of-the-rock is the national bird of Peru and found high up in the cloud forests of the Andean mountains in Peru. It would be HARD to miss with the striking colors. Perfect all around, 10 out of 10 looks and name.
4. Tasselled Wobbegong
wobbegong shark
The Tasselled Wobbegong is a carpet shark species native to Australia and New Guinea. They grow up to nearly 6ft in length.
Pronounced ‘wobby-gong’ the Tasselled Wobbegong sounds like a name that an American would come up with while trying to make a joke about Australian accents. The name doesn’t even sound real, but I assure you they are.
5. Pigbutt Worm
The Pigbutt Worm, Chaetopterus pugaporcinus, is also known as the ‘flying buttocks.’ That folks is what I like to call a two-fer because it has two spectacular names.
This deep sea marine worm was first documented by the Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute (MBARI) way back in 2007 and it is a tiny one, 10-20 millimeters in length.
6. Sarcastic Fringehead
Sarcastic fringehead
My favorite part about the name Sarcastic Fringehead (Neoclinus blanchardi) is that you can immediately look at this fish and think ‘yeah, that checks out.’ This fish definitely looks like a sarcastic fringehead.
7. Spiny Lumpsucker
Atlantic Spiny Lumpsucker
What did the Spiny Lumpsucker do to someone to earn this name? They’re adorable. Dare I say perfect.
They only grow up to a max of 5-7″ long and are horrible swimmers so they are commonly found attached to something, aka ‘lumpsucker.’ Instead of scales the fish is covered in cone-shaped plates. They also come in an array of colors.
8. Great Tit
three great tit birds flying together
The great tit (Parus major) is found throughout Europe, the Middle East, and parts of Asia. While the name ‘great’ might imply they’re large, as it typically would in nature, these are tiny birds.
They don’t migrate, instead great tits just stick it out wherever they’re born. Living the dream. Spreading laughs worldwide with their incredible name.
9. Dickcissel
dickcissel bird singing on a tree
Found throughout the Midwest states here in the good ol’ U.S. of A, the Dickcissel is a perfect name for this tiny fella. These birds are also found in Central America, northern Colombia, and northern Venezuela during the winters.
Just say that name. Let it roll off your tongue. It’s perfect.
10. Screaming Hairy Armadillo
screaming hairy armadillo on the ground
Someone looked at this thing, heard it make the iconic squealing sound it produces when it is threatened or handled, and nailed it with the name: Screaming Hairy Armadillo. Is it hairy? Sure is. Does it scream? You betcha.
They are found throughout the central/southern portions of South America and dine primarily on insects, invertebrates, and plants.
11. Tufted Titmouse
tufted titmouse birds
The thing about the Tufted Titmouse is if someone asked you what it was, and you were not already aware that it was a species of bird, there is no way you would guess that it was a bird. Everything about the name screams ‘mouse’ of some sort. Alas, it’s a bird.
They are stunners, to be sure. Members of the chickadee family, they’re tiny and beautiful. They can be found throughout the eastern portion of our country and can be spotted by the iconic black forehead.
12. Strange-tailed Tyrant
strange tailed tyrant bird
Someone saw the Alectrurus risora and did them dirty when they named it the strange-tailed tyrant. It was first documented by Louis Pierre Vieillot in 1824 so we at least know who to blame for this.
The strange-tailed tyrant shares a genus with the cock-tailed tyrant, because of course it does. And they are found throughout parts of Argentina and Paraguay where they are excellent fly catchers.
13. Satanic Leaf-Tailed Gecko
rare satanic leaf tailed gecko
George Albert Boulenger must have hated geckos. That is the only explanation for why he would name such a majestic creature ‘satanic’ when he became the first person to document it back in 1888.
The satanic leaf-tailed gecko is also known as the eyelash leaf-tailed gecko or the phantastic leaf-tailed gecko, and they have some of the best camouflage around. They are native to the tropical forests of Madagascar.
14. Boops boops
boops boops fish
I’ve seen this fish a thousand times over the year in the James Bond meme where the text goes something like ‘My name is Bond, James Bond. And you are?… Boops, Boops Boops.’ Or something like that.
The Boops boops is a subspecies of seabream found in the eastern Atlantic with characteristically large eyeballs. Found throughout European waters, they are often pan-fried, broiled, or baked but only when caught fresh because if they are caught and stored the taste turns foul quickly.
15. Dik-Dik
dik dik deer in the wild
What a name! The dik-dik is a small species of antelope found in southern Africa that is absolutely adorable.
They are famous for making a shrill whistling sound because of course they are. It is used to alert other dik-diks and animals when there are predators around.
16. Sparklemuffin
The Sparklemuffin (Maratus jactatus) feels like it got its name from a 1st grader. They are an Australian jumping spider with stunning coloration and the ability to jump more than 50x the length of their bodies.
They are tiny, only measuring around 4-6mm in length, but a leap of 50x that distance is still concerning. Of course they’re in Australia too where every animal is wild in its own way.
17. Chicken Turtle
eastern chicken turtle
Someone in the Southeastern United States got real lazy when they named the Chicken Turtle. They were probably eating chicken roasted over a spit and saw a turtle, pointed at it, and said ‘chicken turtle.’
In actuality, the chicken turtle was first named by two French zoologists back in 1801, Pierre André Latreille and François Marie Daudin, who each published their findings in separate journals after having first observed it near Charleston, South Carolina. If you’ve ever been to the Southeast then chances are you have seen one of these turtles.
18. Pleasing Fungus Beetle
pleasing fungus beetle
This is one of those ‘make your mind up’ names. The pleasing fungus beetle actually encompasses a whole family of beetles. I’m no entomologist but I fail to find anything pleasing about the fungus beetle.
19. Hummingbird Hawk-Moth
hummingbird hawk moth flying
My theory with the Hummingbird Hawk-Moth is three people spotted it at the same time. One swore they saw a hummingbird, another swore it was a mini hawk, and the third was confident it was a moth. When the Hummingbird Hawk-Moth turned out to be a moth that looked like all three they just squished the name together.
They are found from Portugal to Japan and were first described by Carl Linnaeus in 1758. As caterpillars, they are rather unremarkable but as fully grown Hummingbird Hawk-Moths they are stunning.
20. Ice Cream Cone Worm
Ice Cream Cone Worms or trumpet worms measure around 2″ long. Do they look like ice cream cones? In my opinion, absolutely not. But maybe ice cream cones looked like dirty scabs back in the day. They were first documented in the early 1800s so maybe they primarily went by ‘trumpet worms’ early on until ice cream cones hit the market in 1896.
21. Hellbender
eastern Hellbender in the water
The Eastern Hellbender is an iconic species of giant salamander. I have wanted to see one in the wild my whole life but have yet to spot one.
As for having one of the funniest names among animals, the Maryland Department of Natural Resources says “The name ‘hellbender’ probably comes from the animal’s odd look. One theory claims the hellbender was named by settlers who thought “it was a creature from hell where it’s bent on returning.” Another rendition says the undulating skin of a hellbender reminded observers of “horrible tortu”res of the infernal regions.” In reality, it’s a harmless aquatic salamander.”
22. Jackass Penguin
The African Penguin is also known as the ‘Jackass Penguin’ and are endemic to the Old World. Also known as the Cape penguin or the South African penguin, the Jackass Penguin was not, in fact, named for Johnny Knoxville.
23. Hotwheels sisyphus
This name feels like an elaborate prank. Hotwheels sisyphus is a species of Chinese ground spider and the genus is Hotwheels. They were first documented in 2024 which makes the ‘Hotwheels’ designation all the stranger. Didn’t those toys fall off decades ago?
24. E.T. sponge
It is wild how some creature that has existed for untold millennia gets spotted by humans one day and they are like ‘you kind of reminded me of an overrated 80s movie and I’m going to name you after that forever.’ That is basically how the E.T. Sponge, Advhena magnifica, got its name back in 2016 when it was first observed in the Mariana Trench at a depth of 2,028 meters.
25. Mountain Chicken Frog
The Mountain Chicken Frog, Leptodactylus fallax, is critically endangered and found throughout the Caribbean islands of Montserrat and Dominica. Population numbers plummeted by 80% between 1995 and 2004.
The name, Mountain Chicken, comes from the locals hunting them down as a delicacy and the chicken-like flavor.
Well, right now, the Middle East is off my list. I think the reason why is obvious.
After reading the stories of Chris Kyle (An American Sniper) and Lone Survivor, I’m not too hip on Afghanistan. The amenities there seem a bit lacking, as is the hospitality of the tribesmen.
On a more serious note, I don’t really want to go back to Europe. I traveled there on business and vacation for decades. I’m married to a Scandinavian, so I’ve been there more times than I wanted to go.
Travel used to be a lot more fun and good until about 9/11. After that, going through airports sucks.
When I used to go to an office in Paris, London, Milan, or Cannes (and many other cities, depending on the job), the people were a lot nicer. Now, the American bashing has taken its toll on me.
Even my wife is tired of her relatives talking so much shit about the US and the American people. She doesn’t go as much as she’s fed up also, just not as much as me.
The next time an introvert in your life needs alone time, remember it’s not personal. They need solitude because that’s how they’re wired.
I love spending time alone. There’s nothing better than being at home in my comfy clothes, reading a good book, or watching a show while munching on snacks. This doesn’t mean I don’t crave time with “my people” — those I laugh with and share my day with. But when I don’t get enough alone time, I start to feel tired, cranky, and overstimulated, even if I’ve enjoyed being with the people I love.
Sometimes when I need alone time, the people in my life feel hurt. They feel rejected, but that’s not what it means. I need little periods of solitude to recharge my energy and feel like myself again.
Why do introverts need alone time? Why does socializing exhaust us, even when we’re having fun? Recent research offers some interesting insights. I delve deeper into these findings in my book, The Secret Lives of Introverts.
The Curious Connection Between Introverts and Rewards
When writing my book, I spoke with Colin DeYoung, a psychology professor at the University of Minnesota who had published a paper on introversion. He explained that one reason introverts need alone time is related to how we respond to rewards.
No, I’m not talking about the gold stars you might have earned in grade school (though it could be argued that stickers are indeed a reward for kids). For adults, rewards can be things like money, social status, social connections, food, and even sex. When you get promoted at work or convince an attractive stranger to give you their phone number, you’re receiving a reward. Hurray!
Of course, introverts also value things like money, relationships, and food. However, researchers believe that introverts are wired to respond differently to rewards than extroverts. Compared to our more outgoing counterparts, we “quiet ones” are simply less motivated and energized by these same rewards. It’s as if extroverts see big, juicy steaks everywhere, while introverts see overcooked hamburgers.
In fact, as any introvert can confirm, sometimes those “rewards” aren’t just less appealing — they can actually be tiring and annoying, like a big party. This brings me to another reason why introverts need alone time: We react differently to stimulation.
An Extrovert and an Introvert Go to a Party
Take, for example, two friends at a house party — one an extrovert, the other an introvert. They’re crammed into a crowded room where loud music blares from huge speakers. Everyone is practically shouting to be heard over the din. There are a dozen conversations happening simultaneously, with just as many things demanding their attention.
For the extrovert, this level of stimulation might feel just right. He sees potential rewards everywhere — an attractive stranger across the room, opportunities to deepen old relationships, and the chance to make new friends. Most importantly, tonight offers a chance to boost his social status within his friend group, especially if he plays his cards right.
So, the extrovert feels energized and excited to be at the party. In fact, he’s so motivated that he stays late into the night. He’s exhausted the next day and needs time to recover — after all, partying is hard work. But to him, the energy spent was well worth it.
Now, back to our introvert. See him over there, hunkered down in the corner? For him, the environment feels overwhelming. It’s too loud, there are too many things happening at once, and the crowd creates a dizzying buzz of activity. Sure, he wants to make friends, fit in, and be liked, but these rewards just aren’t as tantalizing to him. It feels like he would have to expend a lot of energy for something he’s only mildly interested in to begin with.
So, the introvert heads home early to watch a movie with his roommate. In his own apartment, with just one other person, the level of stimulation feels just right. He exchanges some texts with a woman he met a few weeks ago in one of his classes. Like the extrovert, he too wants friends and a romantic partner. However, he finds it too tiring to deal with the noise and socializing at a big party to make those connections.
The Dopamine Difference
Chemically, there’s a good reason the introvert in the above scenario feels overwhelmed, and it relates to a neurotransmitter called dopamine. This chemical, found in the brain, is often referred to as the “feel good” chemical because it regulates our pleasure and reward centers.
One of its roles is to make us notice potential rewards and motivate us to pursue them. For example, dopamine alerts the extrovert to the attractive stranger at the party and fuels his motivation to come up with a cheesy pick-up line.
Another important function of dopamine is reducing our cost of effort. Socializing requires energy because it involves paying attention, listening, thinking, speaking, and moderating our emotional reactions. Technically, socializing is tiring for everyone, including extroverts. However, dopamine helps make it less exhausting for them.
According to DeYoung, extroverts have a more active dopamine reward system. As a result, they can better tolerate — and often push through — the tiredness that inevitably comes with socializing. Much of the time, they don’t experience the same level of mental and physical fatigue that introverts do, thanks to dopamine.
It’s called the “introvert” hangover, not the “extrovert” hangover for a reason.
A New Theory of Introverts and Dopamine
In her 2002 book, The Introvert Advantage, Dr. Marti Olsen Laney speculated that introverts may be more sensitive to dopamine. In other words, we “quiet ones” might need less of it to feel good. Too much, she wrote, could leave us feeling overstimulated.
Science has come a long way since then. When I caught up with DeYoung again, he told me that theory had since been disproven. In fact, scientists now think it’s the opposite.
In fact, DeYoung told me, extroverts are the ones who are more sensitive to dopamine. For example, if introverts and extroverts are given the same drug that affects dopamine, extroverts tend to have a stronger response and become more motivated by similar stimuli later on.
It’s not that dopamine itself makes introverts feel overstimulated. Rather, when introverts do overstimulating things, like going to a party, they may not get as much dopamine release. Extroverts, on the other hand, may get a much bigger dopamine hit from those same activities.
“Without the sense of reward, the extra focus, and the sense of being ‘worth the effort’ that dopamine initiates,” DeYoung told me, “the introverts simply find the activities overwhelming and/or tiring instead.”
Extroverts Place More Significance on People
Finally, a study found that extroverts might simply find humans more interesting than introverts do. This finding aligns with the idea that introverts are less motivated to seek social rewards.
In this study, researchers observed a diverse group of individuals and recorded their brain’s electrical activity using an EEG. As participants were shown pictures of both objects and people, the researchers measured their brains’ P300 activity. This activity happens quickly in response to sudden changes around us and gets its name because it occurs within 300 milliseconds.
Interestingly, researchers found that extroverts showed the P300 response primarily when viewing images of faces, whereas introverts only exhibited this response after viewing objects. Essentially, extroverts’ brains became more active when looking at people.
This doesn’t mean that introverts hate people (though, admittedly, the human race can get on my nerves occasionally). Researchers still don’t fully understand introversion. However, these findings suggest that extroverts might simply place more importance on social interactions than introverts do.
So, the next time an introvert in your life needs alone time, remember that it’s not personal. Introverts need alone time because their brains are wired that way. It isn’t necessarily a reflection of how they feel about you or your relationship.
As for me, you can find me at home tonight. Preferably with the whole place to myself, that is.
I’ve been a huge Olympics fan since 64 in Tokyo. I suffered through John Carlos and Tommie Smith in Mexico City in 68 and the terrorists in Munich in 72. I started watching during the Cold War, so the whole US vs. the USSR was going on.
I was always a track fan, especially the sprints and hurdles. I tend to miss the field events unless there was a spectacular athlete like Duplantis in the pole vault at present. I’d pick the 200 over the 100 as there is more going on with a turn involved than who can go the fastest in a straight line.
I swim for exercise, having been on swim teams as a kid. Unlike track, I like the distance events. I never miss a chance to see Katy Ledecky swim. I know her career is coming to a close sometime soon, so seeing greatness is a pleasure.
I enjoy the other events to a varying degree, but have less patience for a lot of the events.
I watched surprisingly little of the Winter Olympics this year. While I have in the past, I lost interest this year.
1. Don’t force them to socialize beyond their comfort level.
Introverts need downtime to recharge their energy. Forcing them to socialize beyond what feels comfortable for them can leave them feeling drained and exhausted. For example, if you guilt-trip your introverted partner into attending two big events in one weekend, they might end up feeling tired and stressed.
So, respect their boundaries and give them the time and space they need to recharge their energy. Maybe the two of you agree to drive separately so your partner can leave when their social battery is reaching empty. Or maybe they’ll sit this event out, but go to another one in the future that’s more important to you.
2. Don’t make them feel guilty for wanting to spend time alone.
Everyone needs downtime to recharge their energy and process their thoughts and emotions — especially introverts. When they want to be alone, it’s not about you. Introverts are simply wired differently than extroverts; you can read the science behind why introverts love alone time here.
Sometimes extroverts make off-hand comments that make introverts feel guilty: “Don’t you enjoy spending time with me?” or “I never have a problem hanging out with you, why is it so hard for you to do the same?” They don’t realize that saying these things can hurt their relationship.
If you find yourself doing this, try to understand your partner’s need for solitude and support them. If the two of you live together, you could help them create an “introvert zen zone” or sanctuary in your home — a place that they can retreat to as needed.
3. Give them space when they’re in the middle of a task.
When introverts are working on a task, like looking up information or meticulously planning the meals for the week, they tend to focus deeply. And many of them thrive when doing this deep work. Interrupting them when they’re in the middle of something can be frustrating for them. So, be patient and wait for a time when they’re more available. Or wait until they take a break and seek you out.
4. Don’t push them to be more talkative or expressive.
Introverts tend to express themselves a little differently than extroverts. For example, they might prefer writing a thoughtful text over having a face-to-face conversation about serious topics. They might be quiet in large groups, especially when they’re around people who they don’t know well (like a gathering of your extended relatives).
So, don’t push your partner to be more talkative or expressive than they’re comfortable with. Don’t say things like, “Why are you so quiet?” or “Come on, join the conversation, everyone’s waiting to hear from you.” Believe me, they’ll talk when they’re ready. Usually, this will happen around close friends and loved ones.
5. Don’t assume they’re not interested in spending time with you just because they enjoy different activities.
Introverts often prefer spending time alone or with small groups rather than with many people at once. But… they are still interested in spending time with you. Otherwise, they would not be with you!
Keep in mind that they may enjoy more low-key introvert-friendly activities, such as walking, watching a movie, or having a quiet dinner together vs. checking out the bustling new restaurant. Please don’t take their preference for more peaceful activities as a lack of interest in spending time with you.
6. Don’t criticize them for not being more outgoing.
Similar to #4, criticizing your introverted partner for not being more social can be hurtful and make them feel inadequate. Introversion is a healthy personality trait that cannot be changed. Yes, your partner can grow and learn — perhaps they need to learn to communicate better — but introversion is in their DNA, so they’ll always have a general preference for quiet and calm. Expecting someone to act against their true nature is unfair.
Instead of criticizing them, appreciate them for who they are. You fell in love with them for a reason, right?
7. Don’t assume their quietness means they’re mad or bored.
For some people, sitting quietly side by side might seem boring or uncomfortable. However, for introverts, this situation often has a different feel. Silence doesn’t necessarily signify discomfort or boredom; rather, it’s a space where introverts feel at ease. Allow your introverted partner to just be, to relax quietly in your company. It’s a meaningful way to connect and show understanding of their needs.
8. Don’t assume they’re not enjoying themselves just because they’re not showing it outwardly.
Similar to the point above, don’t assume your introverted partner is not having a good time just because they’re not expressing it as much as you may be. They just might prefer to express themselves in quieter, more subtle ways.
9. Don’t expect them to be the life of the party.
Introverts might be uncomfortable being the center of attention and entertaining others. Don’t expect them to be the life of the party or continuously make small talk, if you, say, have guests in your shared home or go away with friends for the weekend. Instead, appreciate their presence and the contributions they make in their own way. If you have a dinner party, for instance, they might be great at listening attentively to guests and making sure everyone is comfortable.
10. Don’t assume they’re not interested in making friends or meeting new people.
Just because someone is an introvert doesn’t mean they don’t want to make friends or meet new people. They just might prefer to do so in smaller settings or through shared interests rather than in large social gatherings. Introverts don’t consider everyone to be their friend (as extroverts might), and that’s okay!
11. Don’t make them feel abnormal for being an introvert.
Think about the strengths your introverted partner brings to your relationship. For example, they might be excellent listeners, offering you their undivided attention when you talk about your day. They often think deeply before speaking, which means their words and advice are usually well-considered and insightful. Introverts also tend to enjoy meaningful one-on-one conversations, which can strengthen the emotional connection in your relationship. And, their love of quiet, low-key environments can create a peaceful, calming atmosphere at home.
12. Don’t guilt them into participating in activities that require a lot of small talk.
Making introverts participate in activities that require a lot of small talk can be overwhelming and exhausting for them. Allow them to join in their own way or for them to opt-out altogether. Respect their boundaries and preferences. After all, you two can find other activities that appeal to both of you. And the two of you do not have to do everything together.
13. Don’t expect them to be as spontaneous as you might be.
Introverts may not be as spontaneous as extroverts, and that’s perfectly fine. They may prefer to plan activities (they’re great planners!) and take time to thoroughly consider all the options. Don’t expect them to be more spontaneous than they’re comfortable with. That can be your department.
14. Don’t assume they’re not good communicators just because they’re introverted.
Introverts may not communicate in the same way as extroverts, but that doesn’t mean they aren’t good communicators. In fact, they can be pros at reading body language, noticing subtle changes in someone’s facial expression or tone of voice, which helps them understand unspoken feelings or concerns. Introverts are also typically good at written communication; they may craft you well-articulated texts or love letters.
15. Don’t judge them if they need to be alone after a social event.
After social events, introverts might need to be alone to recharge their batteries. So, don’t expect them to be up for another social event immediately after a big party or gathering. Or, they might not want to go out for dinner right after a day filled with meetings and socializing at work.
Again, don’t take their need for alone time as a sign of rejection or disinterest. Instead, give them this time, and know they’ll have more energy afterwards.
They did everything they could to get rid of him. There were impeachments, illegal raids on his house (that found nothing), a massive amount of lawsuits, a fake pandemic, a fake January 6th Insurrection, 2 assassination attempts, lawfare, and Russiagate.
We knew it was stolen. The Dems knew it too. Thats why they tried to put Trump in prison. They knew he’d dig deep enough to find out. pic.twitter.com/dn3ygn4mVd
They were trying to prevent him from finding out the illegal activities and money laundering of the deep state. He wasn’t one of theirs that they could control and be his puppeteer, like they did with Biden.
What they didn’t realize was that they could have been done with him in 2024. It was very short-sighted by the uni-party, deepstate, and anti-American politicians who vie for power and money in Washington. Instead, they threw their gauntlet at preventing him from running and winning in 2024.
The result? Four more years of Trump, while he was still relevant in the four useless years of the Biden presidency.
He is now dismantling even more of their power, like US Aid, the UN, the WHO, the Climate Hoax and the other lies.
My wife’s relatives live in Scandinavia. I had to cut them off from social media because they believed the news, which also hate Trump and spewed stuff I couldn’t stomach anymore. I’m laughing at them getting a triple serving of Trump instead of this being the presidency of someone else, and Trump would have served his 4 years.
He got stronger in between terms and came down harder on the swamp.
I’m laughing at all of them hating each day they wake up, and Trump has succeeded at everything from lowering food prices, lowering inflation, bringing more peace around the world and defying the global power machine.
I don’t get to see it, but I know the Europeans on my wife’s side must be seething. It’s schadenfreude for me, but after decades of marriage, which gave me decades of America-bashing by them is very funny and just deserved, just like it is to the media, the swamp, and the other retards in government.
The EU Is Falling Apart As theWorld Order shuffles
Davos Is Dead: Western Civ Has Suffered Enough… – WEF is falling apart. The head of the EU, Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission has flushed Europe down the toilet, and Trump gets full rights to Greenland without NATO interfering. The world order is changing. This is good as I didn’t want to eat bugs. I like to own stuff also.
EU is splintering – The Western fools led by German include Denmark and France, two countries that surrendered to Germany in World War II are demanding that Trump respect their authority. They have none. The USA protected Greenland from Hitler and his Nazi horde. Trump wants to defend it again, this time from Russia and Red China.
Songs, without a doubt. I can hear a song and go back to the room I was in and the person I was with, not to mention how I felt.
Here’s an example or two.
I hear Come Monday by Jimmy Buffet, and it’s 3:00 in the afternoon. I’m at work at the Winter Park Towers, my first job. I was mopping the floor after lunch. I was 15 at the time, and I recall the 4-top by the window overlooking Lake Berry. My Uncle lived on that lake, and I could see his house
Here’s another. I was laying the wood to a girl named Leila in her bedroom in Coral Gables, Florida, at 24 years old. She was a cologne girl who sprayed you at the escalator in the Department Store where I worked. Apparently, she had already decided she was going to do me well before I knew it, and she did.
I was always able to control busting a nut and had been going at it with her clock radio playing music. Then Layla, by Eric Clapton came on. On the downstroke, she said it was her song because it was her name. I decided I would keep going until the end of the song just because it was long. We went at it like big dogs, which was unusual as she had a special talent with her mouth that was outstanding. It starts off with a hairband for a ponytail, if you need a reference. She even performed that on me in my office one afternoon. What a good sport.
If either of those songs comes on, I go right back to that time of life.
There are a million more, but I won’t bore you with the rest of my life. Plus, everyone has their own.
Metropolitan State U. of Denver Rejects Standard American English in the Name of ‘Anti-Racism’ – They don’t even realize they are the racists. The rest of us just want to be left alone and treated like humans. So do the students have to ax a question bruh? No wonder the kids are stupid with having this to deal with. Go to a real school that teaches you how to prepare for life.
The War on White Men Is Real—Here’s the Proof – everyone hates number one and tries to take him down. Man up and don’t take this PC crap. Be the real man that made this country great. Don’t listen to the SJW BS saying we did anything but build the greatest country and help the most people around the world.
I just read that Europe will look up at the moon and know they’ve never been there and will never go, unless it is on an American spaceship.
Order up 72 more Virgins, Israel Got another Quds Leader
The IDF eliminated a senior operative in the IRGC's Quds Force, Hussein Mahmoud Marshad al-Jawhari, in an airstrike in southern Lebanon's Ansariyah. The IDF described Al-Jawhari as a key operative in the QF's Operational Unit (Unit 840), responsible for advancing attacks against… pic.twitter.com/vtNBqkz2fP
Last night, the left lost their minds when Bijan Robinsin commented on his play as it related to a game we played as kids. He called it smear the queer, but we knew it as kill the man with the ball. He had to walk it back, but I know he didn’t mean it.
If you grew up before video games and actually played outside without a helmet, it was great fun. If you don’t know it, look it up. It will be a good education for you on why our generation tried harder at most things. The struggle was real, like real life, everyone against you.
Another good game was Red Rover. It’s where you line up kids in 2 groups, holding each other by the arms, and pick someone from the other side to run and try to break the hold. Red rover, red rover, send x (next victim) on over. In reality, it was a way to clothesline a kid from the other side, also great fun.
We also played war, kick the can, and baseball, where a parked car served as 3rd base. The game would stop for a while if a car came through, but there weren’t as many back then.
And then there is dodgeball. That’s where you’d hit the girls and the fat kids first. Nothing beats a good shot to the face though. That’s the real score
If you didn’t have a ball, there was kick the can.
Sometimes it was stickball. Kids from NY know that one well.
Life was easier back then, and we didn’t need a Switch or Xbox to play video games. Our moms kicked us out of the house, and we made stuff up.
If there were not enough other kids, you could climb a tree or throw something for the dog to chase. I grew up in an old tangerine farm so that is what we had, way before tennis balls were dog toys.
Without a doubt, Bugs Bunny, Tom and Jerry, and the old Jonny Quest.
Everything I know about opera on Jeopardy, I learned from Bugs. I like all of the Looney Tunes, especially when they break the new lines of political correctness. Road Runner/Coyote, Pepe’ Le Pew, Daffy Duck, Elmer Fudd, Foghorn Leghorn, all were better than anything on today. Who could forget Michigan J. Frog, a classic.
As for Tom and Jerry, the Tex Avery ones are clearly the best. Cat Fishin’, Touche’ Pussy Cat, Pecos Pest, and Spike and Tike are some of the better ones.
Only the original Jonny Quest shows were good. They were far ahead of their time and very creative. The Invisible Monster and the Robot Spy were two of my favorite episodes. After that, the series wasn’t very good. Later in life, I found them on Sunday morning. I’d do a wake and bake and enjoy my childhood all over.
A point of interest is that Tim Matheson is the original voice of Jonny. You may know him better as Otter in Animal House.
I even named one of my dogs Bandit after the cartoon. She was a boxer and is still in my blog, way back in the early years
First of all, I love the comments. Some of you guys are very interesting and funny. I write to different groups, including introverts, the intelligentsia, political individuals, car people, and others. I’m getting to know you all more closely from the stuff you write.
I even connected with one reader who knew Denny from Grouchy Old Cripple, but neither of us knew it until I started AOTW in Denny’s honor.
Once in a while, I get off the wall comments that are out of left field. I saw this meme and thought about it.
I can write some offensive stuff and know it. Hell, I do it on purpose sometimes. I don’t care if you disagree with me, but keep it civil when you write back. My favorite are people who outthink me and write clever stuff.
I also ask questions that are set up by WordPress and answer them as honestly as I can. I love it when people answer them also (Bocopro is a great writer)
I have it set up to approve all comments, and if it gets too out of hand, I’m not going to let it on the page. It just starts a fight I don’t want to see happen and piss off others. If it’s spicy and will start a discussion, I’ll let it go. I also am not going to let people post their blogs that have nothing to do with my post. They have their own blog, and I read it there.
All I ask is that you be civil. I know that the people on the left hate my ass by now, but I don’t care. They aren’t smart and write childish things. I brush that off and move along, which is what they should have done to begin with.
So keep up the commentary. Many of you are better writers than I am. I enjoy reading your stuff.
Holodomor Memorial Day – Killing fields, Stalin’s purges, the truth about Socialism the left is trying to hide. It just shows how stupid the liberal women in NY were to vote in their own demise.
Hurricane season has just 2 weeks remaining, but so far, for the first time in a decade: ZERO hurricanes made US landfall ZERO Gulf hurricanes pic.twitter.com/ljt5TGr7UO
so another lie debunked. I wonder what emergency scare they’ll come up now that the climate hoax is falling apart?
GoogleSpying on you
IMPORTANT message for everyone using Gmail. You have been automatically OPTED IN to allow Gmail to access all your private messages & attachments to train AI models. You have to manually turn off Smart Features in the Setting menu in TWO locations.
Gmail is spying on you, like Google hasn’t been for years anyway.
Masculinity
Actor Anthony Mackie: “We’ve Been Living Through Death of American Male for Twenty Years” – The world needs men, real men who act like men. The downfall started with Metrosexuals, or as I call them, pussies. Act like men. If woke women don’t want that, they can have the weak beta males who will disappoint them the rest of their lives, or until they breakup, whichever comes first.
Revology 1969 Boss 429 Mustang Is a Frankensteinian Work of Art – one of the best Mustangs (not counting specials like Rousch or Shelby). My ex-brother-in-law was able to burn rubber in 4th gear in his. He had to put in a slower transmission as the speed scared him so much.
Christmas Shooting In Concord NC
Almost 30K kids skipped school because they were illegals and got tipped off in next door Charlotte. Criminals are not going to be afraid of those fat donut eating girl cops. No wonder they picked this place to strike.
Insurance
Obamacare Is a Disaster, Just as Expected – not affordable, not any thing they promised and you didn’t get to keep your doctor or your existing plan. One of the biggest lies ever told.
The Embarrassments of Ideology – Rigid ideologies like DEI, climate dogma, and anti-Trump obsession keep collapsing under their own contradictions, leaving their loudest champions looking increasingly absurd. Also Michelle Obama, the country’s biggest “victim” and outside of Eric Holder, one of the biggest racists.
Recognizing that reality could begin a real conversation and serve as the foundation of real and much more meaningful reform, that is, needless to say, very sorely needed.
We are failing the students and they are getting nothing more than a piece of paper for their money, certainly not an education.
Masculinity, in its healthiest form, is a stabilizing force for truth, clarity, responsibility, and protection. It built the West, defended it, and preserved its freedoms. But today, the characteristics that once stabilized society are being recast as threats to it.
It is the liberal women who lead this, because they can’t get their way without demonizing those who are in their path to power. They don’t deserve the power that masculinity earned. They don’t deserve much past the blue hair and nose rings.
Childish behavior. The kicker is she did it with Keith Olberman, one of the biggest loser celebtards. Perhaps only DeNiro, Kimmel or Rosie O’Donnell are worse with TDS.
In more serious cases, GLP-1s can cause gallstones, kidney stones and inflammation of the pancreas, with some doctors warning of ‘life-threatening complications’.
Reality Caught Up to ‘Climate Change’ – Greed for AI power is more important that the carbon lie. Bill Gates pulled the rug out from under the Green New Scam
Too Many Americans Want a Civil War – First of all, Katie Couric is a F’n idiot. Second, Antifa and the left don’t know that hunters have been practicing with camo and high powered rifles since they were kids. A lot of us had to fight real fights, not the pussy name calling they are used to. The are in for a nice Sunday Surprise if they try it
If you know, you know: Florida is more than a glorious, sun-drenched vacation land. It’s a weird and chaotic, semi-lawless-feeling place dangling off of the edge of America. And for Maddy (@maddy.1414), who lives in Tampa Bay, that is exactly why she swears it’s not even a “real place.”
In a TikTok video that’s been watched over 689,000 times, Maddy spotlights one of the quirkiest, most counterintuitive things about life in Florida. And shockingly, it has nothing to do with alligators or the Brightline. It’s all about drive-thru drinks.
One For The Road, Literally
“Florida is not a real state,” says Maddy in the intro to her video. Sure, she’s going hard, but she promises to back up her claim with evidence. The video then cuts to her ordering at a drive-thru. “Can I just get one espresso martini?” she says.
A voice replies, “Yeah, sure thing.”
She pulls around to the window. But while waiting, she speaks directly into the camera again. “OK, if you know me, you know that I always say Florida isn’t a real state because you can do things here that you shouldn’t be able to legally do,” she says.
MY STORY FROM YEARS AGO
When a stupid youth in high school and college, I remember going through the brew-threw to get a six pack for the beach or wherever I was going. They were available in Orlando and along the beach. We had fake IDs and just cruised in and out. The best thing I ever did was move out of that state. That meant splitting a six-pack to the beach and another one on the way home. It was only a one hour drive away. I could have blown the limit by double, which was higher back then. That business made a killing. We’d have to wait in line for our turn, it was so busy, any time of day. I think they finally passed a law to stop it, but I haven’t been there in years.
How I’m alive is beyond me.
Now, when I see a Florida tag in my current state, I steer clear because I know it’s a bad driver. The minute you cross the border from Georgia, people pass in the right lane. The old people get into the fast lane and drive slowly. They also drive into pools in South Florida fairly regularly
Now, If I have to go out with my brother-in-law to dinner, he has a cocktail, a bottle of wine, and an after dinner drink. I gave it up 30 years ago, yet he drives because I don’t know where I’m going where they live, and he thinks he’s a big shot. How he doesn’t have a DUI or a broken neck is beyond me. It’s why I avoid my family when possible. I also won’t drive with him anymore.
Here’s Why NFL Games Feel So Different Than in Years Past – They are boring. Bring back the gunslingers who could stay in the pocket and throw for 400 yards. Give me a young Dan Marino any day for excitement. I don’t think the running QB has helped anyone if you read the article.
Obamacare Is a Disaster, Just as Expected – prices up, service down, politicians get rich, insurance companies don’t care. Socialized medicine is never good, just ask Canada, UK or the EU. We were lied to the whole time, about everything. The stats are in the article.
The War on America
The Red-Green Alliance Is Still Powerful – still the most powerful military ever, but the war is from within, and unless Americans wake up, it will work. Stop the liberal White women and the socialists.
When it comes to the biggest freshwater fish species on the planet, the Wels catfish is one of the largest. The current International Game Fish Association (IGFA) weight world record for a Wels catfish is 297 pounds and nine ounces, which was caught in 2010 on the River Po in Italy.
It’s not known how much a nine-footer recently caught in Poland weighs, but it should now hold the length world record, per fishing news outlet Wired2Fish.
Video of the gargantuan fish started circulating on social media following two Polish Angling Academy anglers hauling it in, Wired2Fish reported. The feat was accomplished amid a fishing tournament that was taking place in southern Poland on the Rybnik Reservoir.
You can see the footage of the 9-foot-long Wels catfish here.
Is there an age or year of your life you would re-live?
When I was single in Miami. I was in a place that was great to be solo. I had friends to do stuff with. The beach was minutes away. Life was just starting for me, so everything was an adventure. We went deep-sea fishing, clubbing, and I came home to a house that occasionally had roommates. Mostly, I was able to come and go as I wished.
When it was time to move on in a relationship, that was easy too. They would just become after W in the alphabet.
Health was easy. I was in shape for free by just being young. We were fearless and what felt like immortal. We could do anything and there would always be tomorrow.
My friends and I had season tickets to the Dan Marino Air Force show. Every game was 5 touchdowns, and I even partied in the stands with Don Shula’s daughter.
Then, I grew up. In the words of Toby Keith, I wish I didn’t know now what I didn’t know then.
Now, it’s you ain’t much fun since I quit drinkin’.
13 – The original Captain Marvel was a man; Disney made it woke. I’m surprised she wasn’t a lesbian also. Knowing Disney, she should have been anything but a white person
“Toxic Femininity” Will “Not End Civilization” – Megan McArdle – Maybe not, but it caused wokeness and has set us back way more than the much hyped Toxic Masculinity. One built the world that we enjoy, and the other is trying to tear it down (hint, that one is not the men). They are just mean girls who didn’t get their way, or ones who are so overcome by emotion, they can’t function properly.
This will be an intermittent series. It’s a happy post while I’m out. Don’t forget, pets are an Introvert’s best friend, and the first thing we look for when stuck with people
I’ll be taking a Father/Son trip for a few days, so posting will be slow.
I’ve scheduled most of the usuals already, with at least one best of (tune in to see what), so there should be a post each day.
If I do put something up, you can take shots at where we went. It’s one of our shared passions. We’ve gone through fishing, hunting, Karate, and this together over the years.
I usually introvert out and try not to go to stuff with people, but spending some of the little time I have left with my son makes it worth it to do.
It’s not like what I post changes the world, but I hope it brings some diversion from life from time to time.
Oh, and bad guys who think my abode is free to raid, there is a special surprise for you if you try.
When was the first time you really felt like a grown up (if ever)?
I had to think about that if ever part, especially when you factor in my sophomoric sense of humor.
The real answer is…..it happened, and only in looking back did I realize that I (for the most part, I grew up)
I never saw it coming. I had a Wife, kids, a mortgage, and a job. After the kids moved out, I’m left with just my wife and my dog.
At my age (You got me by a few years, Bocopro), I guess it’s over. I also don’t climb ladders to do work, and I realized that the most valuable tool in your toolbox is a checkbook.
I’m playing with the title and the concept, but I can cover more territory this way. When I want to pontificate, I’m more than happy to upset or make a lot of people happy.
I’m trying new things to keep it interesting. I’ll keep them brief, this isn’t the Drudge Report.
When I was growing up, the joke was big black dildo. We made endless jokes about size, girth, comparability to the real thing, and so forth. But seriously, Green? What, is there some Martian with a unit that would put the brothers to shame, or is the stud of the ‘hood?
Now, the WNBA lost it’s star attraction and they offer the world and other sports leagues green dildo’s. They are a joke without Caitlin. The mascot of the WNBA is a gree didldo, but then a lot of them are lesbians anyway so it’s not all that unfamiliar.
During the game, a sex toy was thrown on the field to continue the craze that originated in the WNBA, which resulted in a security guard having to scoop it up so it didn’t interrupt things. And here’s what made the scene even more hilarious: After removing the dildo, the guard received a loud ovation from fans.
The dildo, which was bright green like all of the other sex toy incidents, was thrown onto a Soldier Field end zone from the stands. Fortunately, there was no delay in the game thanks to the security guard.
🚨🚨BREAKING🚨🚨
A GREEN DILDO WAS THROWN ON THE FIELD OF THE #BEARS – #PACKERS GAME.
Darth Vader’s primary dueling lightsaber from “The Empire Strikes Back” and “Return of the Jedi” sold for $3,654,000 at auction, setting a record as the most valuable piece of “Star Wars” memorabilia ever sold.
The winning bid of $2.9 million climbed to the final total with the buyer’s premium paid to Propstore, which held its Entertainment Memorabilia Live Auction at the Petersen Automotive Museum in Los Angeles on Thursday, according to The Hollywood Reporter. The lightsaber had been expected to fetch between $1 million and $3 million.
The prop — held onscreen by actor David Prowse and stunt double Bob Anderson — is said to be the only hero lightsaber from the original trilogy to ever reach auction. Its sale coincides with the 45th anniversary of the release of “The Empire Strikes Back.”
In 2022, Propstore sold a 22-inch screen-matched model miniature of an X-wing fighter from George Lucas’ original “Star Wars” film for more than $2.3 million.
“Surviving genuine lightsaber props from the original trilogy of films are exceedingly rare, and Propstore is honored to present this historic artifact in our September sale,” Brandon Alinger, chief operating officer of Propstore, said in a statement. “It is a grail-level piece, worthy of the finest collections in the world.”
This is what my Trump hating friends couldn’t fathom. He’s always many steps ahead of the others. What’s more, those steps are usually pretty freaking awesome. I told him that the others were playing checkers and he’s playing 4D chess. I also get a schadenboner because LinkedIn is a liberal bastion of cringe and shit talking.
In a Final Boss move, he does this:
In a move reminiscent of President Bill Clinton staffers removing the “W” key from White House keyboards, someone on President Trump’s tech staff is trolling former Democrat employees of the executive branch via LinkedIn, by making sure 47’s photo appears in their online profiles.
Yes. Any lib who ever worked at the White House now has my big, beautiful face on their linkedin timeline. —LFG!!!😍🤣🤣🤣 pic.twitter.com/GNr8NOGxpW
If a Democrat worked in the Obama or Biden administration and lists that job in his or her profile, since “The White House” is the employer, the current president’s photo is displayed.
“Liberals HATE IT!” remarked Eric Daugherty on X.
? BREAKING: The White House on LinkedIn has changed their profile picture to Donald Trump, so even the people who worked for BIDEN from 2021-2025 have Trump’s face on their profile. Liberals HATE IT. ?
A Trump parody account on X imagined former President Obama opening his LinkedIn account:
Yes. Any lib who ever worked at the White House now has my big, beautiful face on their linkedin timeline. —LFG!!!?ﾟﾤﾣ?ﾟﾤﾣ pic.twitter.com/GNr8NOGxpW
Remarked a writer at Red State: “Once again, Trump and his team have outmaneuvered the Democrats. What are they going to do, delete the fact that they worked at the White House, probably the biggest job many of them have ever had? Are they going to nuke their entire profile because they just hate Trump that much?
Folks, if there’s one thing Donald Trump has mastered, it’s the art of memetic provocation. He’s basically the Troll Master General at this point.
This week, he revealed in an interview he’d be adding a portrait of Joe Biden’s autopen — yes, the autopen, not Biden himself — to his “Presidential Wall of Fame” in the newly renovated White House Rose Garden.
That was fantastic, but the encore may have been better.
Let’s put it this way: Former Obama and Biden staffers might want to check their LinkedIn profiles.
The White House set off a social media frenzy after it swapped out its official LinkedIn profile photo for a picture of Donald Trump. You know what that means? Anyone who lists working at the White House as part of his or her work experience — staff, interns, you name it — suddenly looks like they worked for Trump on their resume.
Delusions of Adequacy 