Okay friends, we have a problem. I know that we've hit that unfortunate time of year again when the holiday excitement has long since vanished, the cold is barely tolerable and the weeks of winter will just drag on forever until we are finally blessed with the graces of spring break, but we've got to pick up our dampened spirits. I've been sensing a lot of negativity from all different directions, even from myself many days, but we can beat these January blues. So let's all take a moment to reflect on some happy things and move forward in our day with a slightly better attitude.
1. Bay of Pigs.
There is a beach in the Bahamas where wild pigs roam the shore and swim the sea. It is commonly called Pig Beach, but officially it is known as Big Major Kay. I can't imagine a happier pig.
2. Funny fat suits.
Just think about the fact that people buy inflatable fat suits to jump around in for fun. And look at how ridiculously funny they look doing it.
3. Multiplying Monarchs.
After a dramatic population decrease over the past 20 years, Monarch Butterflies are finally making a comeback. Monarch environmentalists are estimating that the population will triple or even quadruple in size this year. There's nothing like a swarm of butterflies to look forward to this spring after these dreadful winter weeks.
4. Occupation: Pirate.
Taking pirate enthusiasm a step further, MIT students can become official certified pirates. So long as they fulfill the requirements of completing fencing, pistol, archery and sailing courses, MIT students can be pirates. Isn't it great knowing there are people out there dressed ridiculously and pursuing their true hobbies without hesitation? Let the sword fighting and treasure hunting begin!
5. I speak Minionese.
Don't worry, our worlds obsession with "Despicable Me's" minions continues. These little overall clad yellow balls have their own real language that you can learn. Contrary to my initial thoughts, and I'm sure many others, these little creatures aren't just spitting nonsense. The writers of the movie created a real language for them, which you can see some translations for here.
6. When sheep fly.
The first living creatures to fly in a hot air balloon were a sheep, a duck and a rooster. The flight took place in France in 1783. I bet a sheeps' life hardly gets more exciting than that.
7. Pastry progression.
Whenever I think I can't do something, I just think of those crazy pastry chefs who can make cake into anything, literally anything. You need a car? Even better here's a cake car.
Oh dear! Is that a snake?
Nope! It too is a cake.
Humanity is amazing.
8. There have always been cat memes.
Harry Whittier Frees was a Victorian photographer who dressed up cats and dogs and posed them like humans in photographs. Who would have thought cat memes were a thing before the Internet was?
9. And so it continues...
Thank goodness the trend of dressing up our pets continues or we wouldn't have these gems.
10. Fairy tale forests.
There are such things as bioluminescent mushrooms that grow in the wild and glow in the dark. Don't get too excited but fancy fairy tale forests don't only exist in works of fiction anymore.
11. Music to my soul.
Over one trillion songs were streamed in 2015! Music is amazing. Take your favorite song and focus individually on every instrument used. That must take a lot of talent to put those all together to make such a wonderful sound. Now imagine that one trillion times. Over one trillion songs have been listened to this year. That is a lot of songs and a lot of talent. Now go listen to your favorite song and applaud your favorite artists for doing so well and let that continue your good mood.
P.S. If you're having trouble with that check out these guys. They helicoptered a piano onto the Great Wall of China once.
