I couldn't help but write about my new favorite TV show that I will never see again once I go back to the states. It's called "The Guinea Pigs" and features 5 young men who are foolish, reckless, and just plain idiotic. Sounds like a waste of time, but funny thing, you actually learn random facts from this show. Guinea Pigs is presented similar to M TV's Jackass, where the men do stupid stuff to each other as well as have pranks pulled on them by surprise, all videotaped live. The goal of this show, however, is to prove or disprove any vaguely known fact about physics, human science, psychology...you name it.
Tonight's episode had lots of little known facts to teach & I thoroughly enjoyed it. First they watched how the human body reacts to fear by taking one of the most gullible of the 5 guys and placed him in a frightening situation like the Blair Witch Project combined with the Ring. His mission, to videotape his effort making contact with the alleged ghost 'Jessica' in the dark damp basement of a pub. He was also given the code word 'Mesopotamia' if he wanted to escape the situation. The team watched as Mr. Gullible began to scare himself with his own imagination. It was also recorded that his heart rate jumped up to 150 beats per minute as the human body "prepared to run away to safety". The key of the project was to see how focused the human mind zeros in on the unpleasant situation, hence the code word. This poor fellow forgot to say the code word he was so scared, but it gave the audience and his friends a good laugh to see him jump & scream when 'jessica' popped out from the shadows. He was so scared he peed his pants...wouldn't want to be him.
The second task was to prove if ESP existed. 10 eggs were hard boiled, placed among a collection of 15 raw eggs, and the hard boiled numbers recorded from the 25 total. The numbers were placed in a sealed envelope, and given to the 5 fellows seated around the eggs. So if ESP exists then they should correctly guess the hard boiled eggs from just handling the envelope with the answers. How do they find out? Smashing the eggs against the head of course. One messy way to prove it, but that's where all the fun is! The answer was obvious, and all but 2 guys ended up with egg on their face.
The third was perhaps the funniest. Task: eat a sugar coated jelly donut without licking the leftover sugar off your lips. Try it! It's gotta be the most concentrated donut anyone has ever eaten. After a short while a couple of the guys were actually began salivating profusely down their chins, their faces looking absolutely tortured. Lesson: the skin on your lips is so thin and sensitive that even tiny remaining granules of sugar is like a constant tickle you can't get rid of. The best part though was watching the poor guys salivate they wanted to lick their lips so badly.
The last one I really enjoyed too, though perhaps for a more twisted reason. This time two guys were chosen by body type; one big guy, one small, each respectively representing a car and a motorbike. The point was to illustrate the level of impact on each during a car collision. This was done by repeated but unexpected, violent tackles from players of a professional Rugby team, no padding. After the first fellow was humorously tackled (after foolishly chiding the Rugby men as 'little ladies' no less) he was visibly banged up. Guy #1 was knocked about so much, Guy #2 actually became nervous and visibly frightened. Just as guessed, guy #2 was even carried a good 5 feet farther out; he looked like a poor rag-doll. In the end our guinea pigs exhibited whiplash, a couple broken rigs and a broken collar bone...in the joking words my beloved sister Mallory quotes.."Poor little bugger". Maybe its a little disturbing that we get amusement from the foolishness of others, but I justify it with the little lessons you get from their mistakes. Everyone needs a little half-witted enjoyment every now and then to lighten up life a little, and currently "Guinea Pigs" fulfills those simple pleasures adequately.
In conclusion...a little update on my life lately. My last paper for Dr. Hurst went fabulously & I am very proud that I was able to grasp the general picture of Europe 1906-1914. It can be a very confusing period to study because there are around 3 or 4 different issues going on, that involves every country in one way or another. One just has to analyze it in layers. No Rugby practice this week as I had already accepted an invitation from Dr. Hurst to lunch with him and his wife that Saturday. It was thoroughly enjoyable, the food adequate, but I most enjoyed the spirited conversation we had over coffee after dinner. Dr. Hurst never ceases to amaze me, and I was absolutely thrilled to hear his stories about growing up & his boyhood during WWII. He has one fascinating story about a German bomber going down in the local park...such things you don't normally hear anymore. My last week finished with an incredible football match. One of the most challenging games yet, neck to neck competition. Even better, we won 2-0! Part might be because I happened to be really doing well this particular match as keeper, not one ball went by me; I just slipped into this new mindset that really helped me focus and play well. Hopefully I can bring it back again for the next match I play. My punts surprisingly turned out best ever that match too, and at times crossed almost 3/4 of the field. I credit much of the win to our defense/midfield. Usually they play a little loose and just kick instead of really passing the ball, or stop it in motion, throw it away, etc. But this match they also seemed to have their game on, and followed through with some really impressive tackles, steals and one touch passing. I was so proud of my mates for their performance out there. I am so proud to be a part of this incredible team for the quality of ladies, as well, and I always enjoy sharing a good time & good laughs. This also happened to be a great time to choose to win, as it was a Cuppers tournament game and was an important victory to qualify us to keep on moving up towards the finals. I'd say overall, I had a very impressive and fulfilling week! And next post may be a while, as I leave for Italy on Thursday!
Cheers All,
Lindsay