fact
Cuban ballet dancers are arguably the country’s most esteemed export, they often earn more money than doctors, and they perform locally to the type of cheering crowd that in the USA would be reserved for pop stars
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You know what we all have in common? A mom. Yes, we all had to be born, so there’s no getting out of this bit of human unity.
So we all can show a little love for how weirdly funny and strange and beautiful their personalities can be.
This AskReddit finds people sharing all the quirky, wonderful stuff that they do… and we’re here for them all.
Love you moms!
“Mom 1 min ago: “Where are you??”
Mom 2 min ago: “Why aren’t you picking up my calls?”
Mom 3 min ago: “You are normally home at 5:32pm on the dot, it is 5:33pm, are you home? Where are you?”
Then you call her back less than a minute after the last call/text and she doesn’t.”
“Be sure to use the bathroom before you go anywhere. You never know when you’re going to find the next one.
I live 2 minutes from work and still use the bathroom before I leave.”
“Hearing a ‘fact’ from an ‘expert’ on the news once and believing it forever.
i.e. My mom still thinks I should be getting nine hours and fifteen minutes of sleep after hearing that figure on the Today Show over a decade ago.”
“Vacuuming when they’re angry.
So everyone knows they’re angry and everyone is super uncomfortable.
It’s loud and scary and I just want to die.”
“Moms are freakishly strong when they need to be.
I remember my wife running away from a pissed off skunk, one kid in each arm.”
“While driving with you in the passenger seat they throw their arm across you if they have to hit the brakes.
Reminds me of that Seinfeld episode and the “Stop Short” move that Kramer mistakenly pulls on George’s mom.
Ahhhh… Seinfeld.
Wait, what were we talking about?”
“Tom! Dave! Brad!
YOU!
Stop that!”
“Temp might get down into the 70s.
“Make sure you bring a jacket”
Transklation = A jacket is what you wear when your mother is cold.”
“My mom would angrily wash the dishes.
All you would hear was slamming cutlery.
It was terrifying.”
“OMG A NATURAL DISASTER/MURDER/MAJOR CRIME HAPPENED IN A COUNTRY YOU WANT TO VISIT ONE DAY.
YOU SHOULD NEVER EVER GO THERE.
EVER.”
“Texting with 1 finger whilst holding the phone entirely in the palm of their other hand.”
“Mom screaming at the kids.
Phone rings.
Total personality shift!
The caller would never believe we were fearing for our lives .03 seconds ago!”
“Licked her fingers to straighten out your eye brows/stray hair/etc.
Gross mom! That’s how you spread germs.”
“Me: (describes some type of physical ailment)
Mom: “How much water have you drank today?”
Me: Enough.
She does this every time.”
“Mom knows why you hate that bi**h Shelby from high school.
So she goes out of her way to casually let you know that last Thursday she saw Shelby at the gym, and has she gotten fat.
Love you, Mom.”
Those are some seriously funny mom moments, right?
Have any that you want to share?
Let us know in the comments!
The post People Share the Things All Moms Do That Make Us Smile appeared first on UberFacts.
Cats are the best animals on the planet. From the Ancient Egyptians who worshipped cats to modern day cat stars like Grumpy Cat and Lil’ Bub, cats reign supreme.
Whatever their size, whatever their color, cats have long fascinated and inspired us.
Don’t believe me? Further your cat knowledge, and begin to appreciate these finicky felines with these 11 delightful cat facts.
Image Credit: iStock
According to NASA, on October 18, 1963, French scientists launched the first cat, Félicette, into space on a Veronique AGI sounding rocket No. 47.
Félicette was successfully retrieved after a parachute descent (yay!) but the second cat to be launched into space, six days later, faced some difficulties and was unable to be recovered. (boo!)
Image Credit: iStock
Have you ever wondered why cats knead or “make biscuits” when they’re cuddling with you?
One theory is that cats do this to mark their territory, using the scent glands found in their paws.
Another theory suggests this is a “neotenic behavior,” or a behavior that has carried over from when they were kittens; kittens knead their mother’s belly when they are nursing to stimulate milk production.
Image Credit: iStock
Wealthy San Francisco philanthropist and art collector Kate Birdsall Johnson loved her cats so much, she commissioned Austrian immigrant Carl Kahler to paint a 6-by-8.5-foot oil portrait of them in 1891.
The 42 life-size Angora and Persian cats in the painting, referred to by Mrs. Johnson’s husband as, “my wife’s lovers” can be seen lounging around and living it up in their luxurious owner’s mansion.
Image Credit: iStock
In 2018, the Cat Fanciers Association announced the Exotic Domestic Shorthair was officially American’s favorite breed of cat.
This squashed-faced feline looks similar to a Persian, but with their shorter coats they require less over maintenance.
Image Credit: Amazon
Sure, you’ve heard of the beautiful and horrific disaster that is Cats the movie musical (we love to hate it), but did you know Cats was based on a book by T.S Eliot, called Old Possum’s Book of Practical Cats?
Originally the book was meant to feature poems about dogs as well, but Eliot concluded “dogs don’t seem to lend themselves to verse quite so well, collectively, as cats.”
Image Credit: Live Japan
Speaking of Cats, Skimbleshanks isn’t the only railway cat around.
Meet Nitama, the Wakayama Cat!
Nitama (who took over for the original feline station manager Tama, after they passed away) is the official stationmaster of Wakayama Electric Railway.
You can make a day of riding this train. Not only can you meet Nitama and her fellow stationmaster cats when you visit, you can also enjoy a cat-themed cafe, shop, museum and even a shrine.
The train itself is also decorated with images of cats, inside and out.
Image Credit: iStock
Have you ever been told not to let a black cat cross your path? In some cultures black cats have long been seen as omens of bad luck, or associated with demons or dark forces.
However, in Japan, black cats are seen as a sign of good luck! Especially for single women, as they are thought to attract fine, potential suitors.
Image Credit: iStock
Humans aren’t the only mammals with allergies.
Like humans, cats and dogs can be allergic to flea saliva, certain foods and even dander.
Although we think of dander as coming from our pets, we humans produce it as well.
If you notice your cat sneezing often or see little scabs or missing hair around the head and neck area, check with your vet about getting your pet tested for allergies.
Image Credit: iStock
Cat’s brains have a larger cerebellum than most other mammals, which gives them a biological advantage when it comes to balance and movement.
This, matched with heightened senses and a body built for agility and speed, allows them to jump five times their own height and six times their own length.
Image Credit: iStock
Thanks to a cat’s vestibular apparatus (a balance system located in the inner ear), they are able to tell up from down when falling.
Using their flexible backbones, they can twist their bodies mid-fall to point their paws downward.
They might not always land as gracefully as you expect, but they have a better chance of doing so than any human.
Image Credit: Nyan.Cat
Remember Nyan Cat? They’re still nyaning on.
Chris Torres, the creator of Nyan Cat, based the cat portion of this classic Internet sensation on his own cat, a Russian Blue named Marty.
The Pop-Tart portion of Nyan Cat is most definitely a Cherry Pop-Tart. The cat of Pop-Tarts, if you will.
Aren’t cats amazing? Their agile bodies and acrobatic feats are beautiful to behold, and their ability inspire us never ends. (Just like Nyan Cat.)
Which cat above is your favorite cat? Let us know in the comments!
The post Cats Can Jump up to 5 Times Their Own Height and More Delightful Kitty Facts appeared first on UberFacts.
Few animals have captivated our curiosity and adoration so much as cats.
Our feeds are flooded with videos of their hilarious antics and adorable faces. We’ll happily buy them the best toys, treats and food that money can offer. But how much do you really know about cats?
Perhaps you’ll learn something new after reading these 13 curious facts about cats.
Image Credit: Pexels
Cats clean themselves frequently for many reasons.
It helps to protect them from predators, by removing odor-causing agents.
Grooming also distributes natural oils in a way that prevents dampness and seals in heat.
Similarly, cats rely on saliva evaporating from their fur to regulate their body temperature.
Image Credit: Pexels
Purring can be a self-soothing technique for cats who are injured, stressed, or giving birth.
It can also be a tactic to solicit food or attention!
Image Credit: Unsplash
Some people theorize cats also purr to heal themselves.
Studies show that sounds frequencies between 25 and 150 Hertz, which is within the range that cats purr, can improve bone density and promote healing.
Image Credit: Unsplash
When cats encounter catnip, chemical compounds enters the cat’s nasal cavity and attach themselves to certain receptors.
One of these compounds, nepetalactone, is responsible for the strange and silly behavior some cats demonstrate after sniffing catnip.
It triggers a response in the amygdala, which is responsible for emotional responses to stimuli, and the hypothalamus, which is responsible for behavioral responses to stimuli.
Image Credit: Unsplash
Whether a cat responds to catnip or not is based on its genetics.
The catnip gene is autosomal dominant, which means at least one parent must pass on the gene for offspring to inherit the response.
20-30% of cats will experience no response at all to catnip.
Image Credit: Unsplash
In the 1960s, a pair of Siamese cats helped ambassador Henri Helb find 30 tiny microphones hidden behind the walls of his residence in the Dutch Embassy, in Moscow.
Ambassador Helb noticed as his two pet Siamese cats went from sleeping peacefully in the study to arching their backs and clawing at the walls.
He suspected they must be hearing something imperceptible to the human ear, and he was right.
Image Credit: Unsplash
When millionaire antique dealer and recluse Ben Rea died in May 1988, he left his £7-million ($12.5-million) fortune to his cat Blackie.
Blackie was the last surviving of Rea’s 15 cats.
If you think that sounds ludicrous, rest assured the majority of Rae’s wealth was split between three cat charities, with instructions to look after Blackie.
Image Credit: Unsplash
You might be accustom to referring to a group of kittens as a litter, and that is correct, but a litter of kittens all born of the same mother can also be called a kindle.
Makes e-readers sound a lot more cuddly, doesn’t it?
Image Credit: Unsplash
Cats were trending well before the Internet came along, and cat ladies are no new phenomenon.
Notable historical women such as Florence Nightingale, Louisa May Alcott, and the Brontë sisters all owned and adored cats.
Image Credit: Unsplash
Abraham Lincoln, our 16th president, loved cats. When asked if her husband had any hobbies, Mary Todd Lincoln responded, “Cats!”
Reportedly, near the tail of the civil war, Lincoln discovered and rescued three orphaned kittens in a telegraph hut.
He saw to it they all found a home, where they would be loved and well fed.
Image Credit: Unsplash
Napoleon was deathly afraid of cats, Ivan the Terrible killed cats for pleasure, and Hitler was ailurophobe, meaning, he hated cats.
That’s ok. I’m sure they didn’t like him very much either.
Image Credit: Unsplash
Are you simply a cat lover, or are you an ailurophile?
This fancy word for someone who loves cats comes from the Greek word for cat, ailouros, and the suffix –phile, meaning “lover.”
Image Credit: Unsplash
Around 200 feral cats roam the Disneyland property, doing the important work of controlling the park’s rodent population. (Sorry Micky and Minnie, but real mice are not welcome!)
These cats are spayed, neutered, given medical care when needed, and fed by the Disney corporation.
You might not see them, because they roam the park at night when all the guests are gone and the park goes dark.
There is so much to learn about cats, and if you are a true ailurophile, we know you’ll be curious for more.
What’s your favorite cat fact from above?
Let us know in the comments!
The post A Group of Kittens Is Called a ‘Kindle’ and Other Curious Facts About Cats appeared first on UberFacts.
Don’t let the horrors of the world weigh heavy on your heart. There’s always joy to be found, if you take a moment to look.
Let’s turn that frown upside down (or at least give it a shot) with these 10 memes that just might make you smile.
Professional clowning takes creativity and skill.
Image Credit: borgaard88
Something tells me he’s about to win some big money.
Image Credit: borgaard88
But relatable, am I right?
Image Credit: borgaard88
It’s not worth it…
Image Credit: borgaard88
Lookin’ sharp!
Image Credit: borgaard88
Who else would you expect to be pressure washing the roof? Batman?
Image Credit: deafkitten
Remember this dynamic duo, and find a way to overcome.
Image Credit: deafkitten
Phew, so glad to have left all of that behind….wait a minute…
Image Credit: deafkitten
Back. Off.
Image Credit: deafkitten
Unless you’re watching Riverdale. Then it most certainly will not get better.
Image Credit: deafkitten
Also Tiger King. Tiger King does not get better.
But your day CAN get better. And if not your day, then your week. And if not your week, then your month. And if not your MONTH then your YEAR!
Ok, so hopefully it gets better before then. Let’s focus on the positive.
What’s ONE good thing that’s happened to you lately? Let us know in the comments!
The post Memes that Might Just Make You Smile appeared first on UberFacts.
Scientists and technology companies everywhere are looking for the answer to the problem of nuclear waste – nuclear is a viable alternative to fossil fuel energy in the future, but only if we can devise a way to handle the waste, too.
The idea for this radioactive diamond battery began in 2018, when a hobby drone dropped a small package near the lip of an extremely active Sicilian volcano called Stromboli. It’s one of the most active volcanoes on the planet and has long fascinated geologists, but with the constant eruptions, collecting data near the vent has been a challenge.
Image Credit: Arkenlight
A team of researchers from the University of Bristol had the idea of building a robot volcanologist, then used a drone to ferry it to the top. It sat, passively monitoring the quakes and quivers until it was destroyed.
RIP.
The sensor pod was the side of a softball, and was powered by nuclear energy from a small, radioactive battery. They dubbed it a “dragon egg.”
Materials scientist Tom Scott and a small group of collaborators saw something more in the dragon eggs, though, and they’ve been developing a souped-up version of the egg’s nuclear battery that can last thousands of years without needing to be replaced.
Image Credit: Arkenlight
Instead of generating its energy from chemical reactions, like a typical battery, this new battery uses particles shed by radioactive diamonds that can be made from nuclear waste.
Now, the team behind this revolutionary idea is ready to commercialize this nuclear diamond battery. It’s still in a prototyping phase, but they expect to be able to mass produce them soon – in fact, the first nuclear batteries could hit the market as early as 2024.
That said, they won’t replace the batteries in your computer or laptop, most likely. Instead of generating a lot of power for a short amount of time – like traditional or lithium-ion batteries – these nuclear batteries produce smaller amounts of power over a longer time.
Image Credit: Arkenlight
They won’t create enough energy to power a cell phone, but they could provide a steady – small – drip of electricity literally forever, says Morgan Boardman, the company’s CEO.
“Can we power an electric vehicle? The answer is no. The mass of the battery would be significantly greater than the mass of the vehicle.”
That said, in something like a fire alarm, say, he expects a world where the device would need to be replaced before the battery.
As anyone who has be woken up at 3am by a chirping smoke alarm battery can tell you, that would be a welcome world indeed.
If you’re concerned about the health risks of being in close proximity to a radioactive battery, the scientists involved – and those who aren’t, like materials scientist Lance Hubbard – say there’s no reason to worry.
Image Credit: Arkenlight
“Usually just the wall of the battery is sufficient to stop any emissions. The inside is hardly radioactive at all, and that makes them very safe for people.”
There you go, folks – a safe way to recycle nuclear waste and a way to power the device in your life with low energy requirements literally forever.
Good news all the way around, if you ask me.
The post Could Radioactive Diamond Batteries Be the Answer to Nuclear Waste? appeared first on UberFacts.
Do you have childhood memories of playing in a treehouse? Do you enjoy the outdoors? BUT… do you dislike camping?
Woodnest has the perfect vacation getaway for you.
You can now rent a luxury treehouse experience in the forests of Norway.
Nestled in the forest, near the town of Odda, Norway are two luxury treehouses. Each Odda Treehouse is attached to a single tree, which shoots through the center of the house.
The steel collar, attached to the trunk of the tree, eliminates the need for additional support, leaving the forest floor below untouched and giving the impression of a nest free-floating among the trees.
This minimally invasive design is the work of Helen & Hard Architects, who say their aim was “to create a space that truly embodies what it means to dwell in nature.”
Each treehouse includes wifi, running water, sleeping accommodations for up to 4 people, a kitchenette, and is accessible via ramp.
Although, the Odda Treehouses are not accessible via car. Renters must hike to their designated Odda Treehouse, but the journey is part of the overall experience.
No more sleeping on the cold earth or squatting in the bushes when nature calls.
You can enjoy a warm shower, heated floors, and remarkable views of the fjord all from the comfort of your Odda Treehouse.
The creative team behind this breath-taking experience is the Aano family, including partners Kjartan and Sally and their daughter Lily. The treehouse plays a significant part in the love story of Kjarta & Sally, making this endeavor even more special.
It is important to the Aano family that their guests experience that “wow” moment when they gasp at seeing the treehouse for the first time.
Each rental starts at 2800 nok, which translates to $331.34 in United States dollars. The treehouses are currently booked through September 2021, and are taking reservations as far out as September 2022.
Would you book a night in one of these Odda Treehouses?
Let us know in the comments!
The post The Cabins Provide a Luxury Treehouse Escape in the Forests of Norway appeared first on UberFacts.
It’s about that time again…
Time to sit back, kick your feet up, crack open a cold beverage of your choice, and enjoy some hilarious tweets! Come on, you know you want to!
And I gotta tell you, these tweets really hit the spot in a major way. I’m talking about that sweet spot where your funny bone just feels like it can’t take it anymore.
We like to call it “laughter overload.”
So what do you say? Are you ready to get busy with all this funny business? Let’s check it out!
It gets scary out there…
*sees New Balance 609s hanging on wire*
"Gangs?"
Worse.. Dads.
"I'm scared"
*hears faint "hi scared, I'm dad" echoing through neighborhood*— luke [from online] (@internetluke) November 22, 2014
And I don’t think there will be a second date!
date: So what do you do?
me: *pulls out stuffed fox* I'm a taxidermist
date: Oh wow
fox: and a ventriloquist— dan mentos (@DanMentos) April 28, 2015
I have my fingers crossed on this one.
"So terribly sorry to hear of your ninety and nine problems." pic.twitter.com/S2zxEAhicd
— Dave Itzkoff (@ditzkoff) December 9, 2014
When did that happen?
[losing badly in a contest]
guys its not a contest— dan chamberlain (@amfmpm) November 18, 2015
But I never said what kind of temple…
My body is a temple, but it's one of those temples in Thailand where they let monkeys shit all over the place
— Andy Richter (@AndyRichter) October 21, 2012
Did that pick-up line work?
[sees girl reading The Catcher in the Rye]
"Ah I love that book. The way he just [clenches fist] catches all that frickin rye."— David Hughes (@david8hughes) June 1, 2014
They’re always like that, aren’t they?
Baby carrot inventor: ok so the idea is we make tiny little carrots
Investor: eh………
Baby carrot inventor: BUT we make sure they are always soaking wet
Investor: you’ve got yourself a deal
— Alyssa Limperis (@alyssalimp) November 16, 2020
That would sure be nice?
pls forgive my student loans. they didn't mean to
— Jill Gutowitz (@jillboard) November 16, 2020
Just trust us on this one…
pro tip: if a man ever wants you to watch one of his boring man movies with him you don’t even have to pay attention just turn to him and go “holy shit” every time the music gets really loud
— ellie schnitt (@holy_schnitt) November 15, 2020
And so was I…
gyms closing again???? I was about to start next week fr this time
pic.twitter.com/e9ZzW0sSbd
— Danae
(@_daannaaee) November 17, 2020
And yes, you’ll get 7 full days out of it.
It's Sunday. Everyone remember to change into a new outfit for the week.
— Elizabeth Hackett (@LizHackett) November 15, 2020
Now it’s your turn!
Have you seen any hilarious tweets lately that you really loved?
If the answer is YES, please share them with us in the comments.
Thanks in advance!
The post Funny Tweets That Really Hit the Spot! appeared first on UberFacts.
We want you to come and get it! What on Earth is this crazy person talking about, you might be asking yourself? Well, I’m gonna fill you in!
We’re here today to present you with yet another batch of funny tweets that we’ve carefully hand-selected to make you laugh your *sses off!
What else do you need, really?
The answer is NOTHING. Nothing at all…
And we are almost 100% certain that these tweets will make you laugh so hard, you might not even have an *ss anymore…so just be sure to check when you’re done looking at this stuff, okay?
Okay, enough with the chit chat, let’s get it on!
I thought this only happened in elevators…
[being chased by killer]
ME: *frantically pressing crosswalk button*
— Rads (@FeelingEuphoric) April 19, 2018
I think that’s enough! Thanks though!
Please stop praying for my grandpa u are making him too strong. He broke out of the hospital & cops say their tasers don't work on him
— Dante Allegheny (@woodmuffin) January 9, 2013
Is that cool?
Today is gonna be the day that they're gonna throw it back to you pic.twitter.com/qCoF30eEWK
— Sean Leahy (@thepunningman) February 7, 2017
Just in case…
Movie theater: Please silence your phones.
Me, who hasn't taken my phone off silent since 2012: *double-checks*
— Gayer, Angstier Aaron (@abgates7) May 22, 2018
And keep ’em coming!
WHEN CATS ARE SAD
Bartender: What'll ya have?
Cat: Shot of rum.
[Bartender pours it]
[Cat slowly pushes it off the bar]
Cat: Another.— phil (@PhilJamesson) March 17, 2015
Are you happy now?
ME: honey, it's really muggy out today
WIFE: if I go outside & all our mugs are on the front lawn, I'm leaving u
ME: *sips coffee from bowl*— Duke Max “Carnival Lawyer” Ash (@mynameisntdave) June 15, 2015
You know he couldn’t pass that up!
Son: "Mom, Dad.. I'm gay"
Mom: *staring at dad
Dad: …*clenches fists
Mom: …don't!
Dad: *sweats profusely
Mom:
Dad: HI GAY, IM DAD
— Guy Dangerous (@Lerky) October 24, 2015
More of that, please!
When you’re cutting wrapping paper and your scissors start to glide is what I imagine heroin feels like.
— Bryan Donaldson (@TheNardvark) December 25, 2013
He always makes it all about him.
What should we call this giant advertising board?
PHIL: A philboard
BILL: I have a better idea— Better things are possible (@InternetHippo) April 6, 2015
Take some time for yourself to reflect…
i enjoying mysekf by the lake, but then i remembered instances of regret in my life, and pain i have caused others pic.twitter.com/KASFAIIQWc
— BAKOON (@BAKKOOONN) April 8, 2015
Get rid of all your other books.
These two books contain the sum total of all human knowledge pic.twitter.com/MF8ME8tJOM
— James Kirkpatrick (@James_Kpatrick) April 5, 2013
Just a thought…
Food $200
Data $150
Rent $800
Candles $3,600
Utility $150
someone who is good at the economy please help me budget this. my family is dying— wint (@dril) September 29, 2013
How about you?
Have you seen any funny tweets lately that you really love?
If so, please share them with us in the comments. Thanks!
The post Funny Tweets for Your Viewing Pleasure appeared first on UberFacts.
Who’s ready to kick off this new year with some good news? Because we definitely all need it…
I know I do! So let’s get down to business!
As a child of the 1980s, I’m here to tell you that breakdancing was HOT HOT HOT when I was a kid, mostly thanks to a little film you might have heard of called Breakin’ (and the sequel Breakin’ 2: Electric Boogaloo).
Well, now it looks like the sport of breakdancing will finally be getting its due, because it’s going to be an Olympic sport!
Awesome, right?
Yes, it was recently announced that breakdancing will be one of four new sports at the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris, France. The sport debuted at the 2018 Summer Youth Games and the “high entertainment value” of the activity was cited as the main reason for its inclusion in the big show.
It makes sense when you think about it. The athleticism and showmanship of breakdancing can be compared to other Olympic events like ice skating or the gymnastics floor routines. It’s all about style, ya know?
A British breaker named Karam Singh said that it’s “going to be great for breaking as it gives us more recognition as a sport. And for the Olympics, it will attract young people who may not follow some of the traditional sports.”
I personally can’t wait to see how this plays out during the 2024 Olympic Games. And I think it’s about time I revisit those classic Breakin’ films for a little refresher…
Pretty cool, huh?
And now we want to hear from you!
In the comments, tell us what other sports and activities you’d like to see included in the Olympics. Thanks in advance!
The post Breakdancing Will Be an Olympic Sport in 2024 appeared first on UberFacts.
