David Boles: Human Meme David Boles

Professional wrestling, as we know it today, began in the late 19th century. It evolved from genuine competitive wrestling into a more entertainment-focused spectacle. The early days were marked by carnival and vaudeville acts where wrestlers, often referred to as "hookers" due to their ability to "hook" their opponents into submission holds, would challenge locals to prove their strength. These exhibitions were as much about showmanship as they were about strength, setting the stage for what was to become professional wrestling.

Collecting is a purposeful and selective process. It involves the acquisition of specific items that fit within a predefined category. Collectors often experience joy and pride in organizing and displaying their collections. Whether it’s stamps, books, coins, or art, collections often follow a thoughtful acquisition strategy. The items collected have not just monetary value but emotional value; they tell a story or complete a set.

Ten years ago, the archetype of the kindly professor was often exploited. Students, perceiving kindness as a vulnerability, frequently requested extensions, favors, and leniencies that stretched beyond the typical academic courtesies. This dynamic, while problematic, was somewhat contained within the understood professional boundaries of the educator-student relationship. The instructor, committed to nurturing minds, often felt obligated to acquiesce, perhaps hoping to inspire dedication through their own example of benevolence.

06We open today’s adventure aboard the grand Feline Star Cruiser, hurtling through the velvety cosmos. The bridge is alive with the usual array of starry blips and bloops on the monitors. Captain Whiskerfluff is pensively staring out the viewport, his tail flicking with each troubling thought. Lieutenant Mittens is trying to adjust the navigation panel, but keeps hitting the wrong buttons with her paws. 

One stormy night, Emily discovered an ancient, moss-covered tome in her attic. It was bound in birch bark and smelled of earth and old secrets. The tome spoke of a forgotten forest, Heartwood, where trees whispered and walked under the moon’s watchful eye. The Heartwood was said to hold the heart of nature itself, beating deep within its oldest tree, known as the Heartwood Oak.

Exploding head syndrome (EHS) is a condition that falls under the category of sleep-related disorders. Those affected by EHS experience auditory hallucinations that are described as loud noises — they might sound like a bomb exploding, a gunshot, or a cymbal crash — occurring just before falling asleep or upon waking. The sound is vivid and real to the person experiencing it, but it is completely internal; there’s no actual sound being produced externally.