Traffic Traffic Traffic Traffic... you get the picture.  As I sat in some of DC's infamous frustrations I popped in some bubble gum I had purchased just for this purpose.  Yes, a friend actually told me to try chewing gum when I was stuck in traffic as it has some sort of relaxing effect.  True?  I have no idea but I like it.

So, I got to thinking... how and when did people start chewing gum?  Perhaps this is one of those basic things where when I ask my friends they laugh and say "omg everyone knows that..." but hey, if I don't then maybe some of you do not either?  So let's begin our research.

According to About.com Thomas Chicle into automobile tires before creating chewing gum with an appealing flavor.  I wonder how that process went?  Hmm these tires are awful- but I am so hungry..???

According to Wrigley.com  the history of gum can be traced back to the numerous items that people have chewed throughout history.  For example, in ancient Greece and Turkey the resin of a certain type of tree was chewed.  It appears that the reason this was chewed was to clean teeth.

In New England, Indians taught early settlers to chew the resin type substance from spruce trees.  In the 1800s this gum was sold to the general public, thus creating the first chewing gum.

Much later, demand for chewing gum increased so significantly that using tree products to produce became difficult due to the amount of chicle, a milky substance, that could be delivered.  (for more on this see www.wrigley.com)

With production constraints, synthetic bases were developed to satisfy demand.  In the 1800s a dentist developed a chewing gum with a rubber base to provide exercise for the jaw and stimulation of the gums.

In the 1900s flavors were added and experimented with.  This later led to the cola flavored bubble gum I saw at the counter of 7-11 this morning.. I wonder if those Indians would be okay with where we have gone?

(Caveat- this information is based on internet research- aka if it is on the internet it must be true)

So, initially when I started this blog and sat in the leaving something to be desired boutique hotel room in not so sunny Miami- my first question was, where are the nicest prisons?  This question raises another question though.  How does one rate prisons and who rates such prisons.  In other words, what is the criteria to say such and such city, country etc. has the "nicest prisons".  Additionally, by nice prison are we talking caviar and a nice pillow or are we talking your own cell.

So, today in the I Wonder Blog, I set out to determine the answer to these questions.  Please remember, this blog follows the logic that many of use "if it is on the internet then it must be true".  That said, I will try to find some answers that seem reasonable so read on. Oh- and if the prisons are nice, don't go robbing any nice older ladies okay?  I would feel very badly about that.

According to Andrew Freeman of Takepart Norway has the nicest prison in the world.  His photo shows a friendly enough bloke laying out on a chair outside with what appears to be a decent tan.  Per Takepart, the philosophy at this prison is very different from those in the USA.  The Bastoy prison in Norway allegedly has separate cottages for the inmates who work on a farm.  Inmates enjoy such activities as horseback riding, tennis, and basking in the sun.  Hmm, sounds a lot like the camp at the Camp Winnrock I went to as a child.  Did they model Camp Winrock after... a prison?  Probably not.
Do remember- this is a minimum security prison however, aside from not having your freedom (kind of huge) this place looks quite lovely.

Prison attire is far from the stereotypical orange jumpsuit and it appears that inmates are able to wear sweaters and jeans.  This sounds more like a Land's End photo shoot to me! Inmates do all have to work from 8:30-3:30 on the farm and are paid a small stipend for their work.

So petty crime might pay but what about more serious crimes?  According to Listverse, those Scandinavians are at it again when it comes to cushy prisons. Norway's Halden prison is home to those who have committed more heinous crimes yet this prison is described using words like "pleasant and relaxing".  In fact, hot coffee and good food come with your lockup time.  It sounds kind of like a maximum security Starbucks to me.  According to Listverse, this prison also contains private bathrooms, mini fridges and scenic forest views.  Can I book in for a weekend?

Well, because I find this particular topic fascinated I shall end here but we will pick up tomorrow for part 2 on the most bizarre and luxurious prisons.

Until then, make good decisions!

Yes, it's true.  I did in fact pull a muscle in my back trying to "twerk".  Ugh.  Why does no one warn you these things will happen.

So, Friday I was in Kazaxe.  This class is amazing and as it was described to me "like Zumba on crack".  I have never done Zumba nor crack thus unfortunately I can not tell you if this description is at all accurate.  What I can tell you is that it is super addictive.

So, as I look around the room I notice that I am covered in sweat while some of my fellow exercise fiends still have their shiny ponytails and mascara intact.  It is then that I began to wonder.. and I am sorry because it is a little bit gross.. Do some people sweat more than other people?  Ewww I am sorry.  Okay, skip this post if you must but don't you kind of want to know too?

I first hopped over to Popsugar which informed me that if you drink a lot of coffee that you will be prone to sweat more.  According to Popsugar, gender, number of sweat glands, the intensity of your exercise, heat and level of anxiety all factor into whether you are the pretty ponytail, or like me, look like you have just gotten out of a long shower.  Wow.  But wait there's more...

This amount also is determined by how many sweat glands are activated and how much sweat each produces.  The body has somewhere between 2 and 5 million sweat glands.  Women are born with more sweat glands than men but men have more active glands.   In general, men and women whose bodies are accustomed to exercise will start to sweat at lower temperatures than people who are out of shape, most likely because fit bodies run more efficiently.

This is based on research done on the internet, so you know it must be true.  Want to know more? Have questions?  Feel free to comment.  Until then, I'll be doing laundry and getting those gym clothes smelling lovely.

Today for some reason, after a networking lunch, I found myself craving blue M & Ms.  Seeing that I am not famous enough to ask someone to pull out only the blue m&ms, I knew that solely blue would be a bit difficult.


This reminded me of a time when I worked for the hospitality division at the University of Arizona and I DID have to be the person who sorted out the M&Ms by color.  Okay, I digress (are you seeing a theme here?)  I guess that was one of those, character building experiences.


Today I would like to understand what the deal is with the candy coating and how do they decide about the colors and their percentages?  A rather long and detailed question of which no one will lose sleep over but hey here goes..


The candy coating of the M&M, per Wikipedia was developed for soldiers to carry chocolate without having it melt.  This led to their still famous slogan "melts in your mouth not in your hands". (although I have had some melting in my hands- have you?)  At one time, the candies were ONLY available to soldiers. 


Mars received a patent for their new way of adding candy coating to chocolate after seeing soldiers in the Spanish civil war struggle with the melting issue.


In the 90s the public was given the opportunity to vote on what color would replace the previously tan M&Ms.  Blue was the winning color, beating out pink and purple.


In 2008 and 2009 bags with solely green M&Ms were available for purchase around Valentine's day to follow the folklore that green M&Ms.. well.. made for a romantic evening.  (what happened to that folklore?  Did too many people find themselves disappointed?) 


And that my friend.. is all you need to know about m&ms on a Friday. 
Questions? Feedback feel free to share.

Did you ever wonder how cavemen thought that rubbing to sticks together would create fire?  Yes, well maybe you have not had that much time on your hands or that sort of insomnia.  Which reminds me, I want to wish all of those affected by the California fires peace and safety.

I digress. Well, according to  (screen name) Icobad on Yahoo answers the famous rubbing of the two sticks together is a mere myth.  (that would explain why I was never able to start a fire outside as a child).  Icobad concludes.  Fires were initially created by lightning strikes.  The fires created by this severe weather helped provide light and heat. (It must have been cold in those loin cloths?  Perhaps I should not get all of my cave person knowledge from the Flintstones).

In later times, one can refer to the Aborigines of Australia who did in fact utilize the friction that is created when rubbing two sticks together.  This rubbing created the ember that could be combined with dry grass or leaves to create a fire.

As for me, I am glad I have my little purple Bic lighter.  That sounds exhausting.

Have a question or comment?  Feel free to post it.

One day, I was sitting with my friend, Lisa in a very overpriced hotel room in Miami as the rain poured down in sheets.  My mind, being as it is, started to wander as Lisa played around on her Ipad. 


"Where do you suppose the nicest prisons are located?"  I asked.   Lisa looked slightly taken aback, although she is pretty used to my mind and its' path by now.  It was on that day that the rain wouldn't stop, and the room smelled profusely of bug spray (that can't be good for you, can it?)  that I came up with the idea for this blog.


Every day moving forward I have decided that I will answer one question.  Whether this question is how the first bagel was invented or the history of the civil war.. this one question every day must be answered.  It is my hope that at some point I will gain enough of a following to add to the question of the day so that it is not just me, but we are all learning together like a big happy family.  (or perhaps a big dysfunctional one) but I leave that up to you.