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The examined life
"A Minnesota man says he will spend one month inside a glass house at a mall to help teach people about healthy living," United Press International reports. "Scott Jorgenson, 45, of St. Paul said he will live in the glass apartment at the Mall of America in Bloomington. … Jorgenson, who will be allowed to leave the house to shop and walk around the mall, said the public will participate in the project by deciding his 'daily do's.' Dr. Marc Manley, vice-president and chief prevention officer of Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota, will be observing the project. 'We really expect him to be learning new ways to move more, to eat better,' Manley said. 'And we expect lots of people to follow along and give him some support, and to participate in the things he's doing as the month goes on."
Tiny pods for living
Local developers attracted lots of attention in 2009, The Seattle Times reports, when they opened the first newly built rooming house in the city in memory. "It featured 46 furnished, cable-ready rooms the size of parking spaces - some as small as 90 square feet - each with a private bath and refrigerator, but no closet. The units they called 'aPodments' rented for about $500 or $600 [U.S.]a month, including all utilities, broadband Internet and access to shared kitchens. Some questioned how anyone could live in such little space. But [the developers]maintained the units suited the lifestyles and budgets of young adults and others in transition or living on modest incomes. 'This is what real people can afford,' " said one.
Have you heard?
March is International Listening Awareness Month, the Chicago Tribune reports. By some estimates, people only retain about 50 per cent of what they hear immediately after they hear it, and only another 20 per cent beyond that. Travis Bradberry, author of Emotional Intelligence 2.0, says no two people will give the same account of an event, no matter how much they were paying attention. His tips on how to be a better listener:
- Don't take notes at meetings. Try watching who's speaking instead - pay attention to what you miss while you're usually looking down at your notebook.
- Clear your mind. Focus when you're talking to others. Pay attention to what you're thinking when they're speaking; if you're planning out a response rather than listening to them, you need to work on your focus.
- Ask questions or ask for specific examples if you still want clarification.
- Don't argue, understand. Having a tough conversation? Don't just plan your rebuttal - really listen, then start with where you agree and move the discussion toward a solution by asking them to help you understand their point.
Is the snake breathing?
"Some Oregon firefighters and paramedics are now equipped and trained to give first aid to dogs, cats and other pets," Associated Press reports. "The [Ashland]Daily Tidings reports that Ashland Fire & Rescue firefighters were trained last week to do CPR on dogs, cats, ferrets, gerbils and even reptiles that have inhaled smoke. All five department engines now carry oxygen masks for pets. … Veterinarian Dr. Alice Sievers says smaller animals can be placed inside the masks, while the devices can be fitted over the nose or beak of larger animals."
Thought du jour
"Things are never as bad as they turn out to be."
- Richard N. White (1933-2009), Cornell University professor