The Mindbender wakes up
If you’re old enough to remember the tragedy that unfolded on 9/11/2001, it’s kinda odd when you realize there are now college students—and college graduates—who weren’t even born when it happened.
And people up to about 27 or 28 have no real memory of it.
For many of us, it’s one of those “you always remember where you were” moments.
Older generations had the Kennedy assassination; many of us have things like the Challenger explosion and 9/11.
Spend a moment today thinking about not only the people lost on this date, but perhaps a few moments thinking about how it—for a while—seemed to bring the country together in a way that doesn’t often happen.
Let's get on with the countdown.
Along with today's Mindbender you get these bonus stories:
The first thing you’d grab
TV’s best opening credits
Countries to visit on a budget
But first, today's Mindbender:
A poll asked, “Instead of an alarm clock, what would you LIKE to wake up to?”
Nine percent of people said (blank).
I'll have a clue coming up.
The first thing you’d grab
September is National Preparedness Month, launched after the 9/11 attacks to encourage citizens to be ready in a crisis.
A recent poll asked people what they’d quickly grab if they had to evacuate in just five minutes. People and pets were not included; we’re assuming you’d take them.
Number one on the list is no surprise at all: 74% said their phone.
The rest of the top five:
- Your wallet or purse
- Important documents (passport, Social Security card, etc.)
- Prescription medications
- Family photo albums
And you gotta love the 10% who said they’d definitely grab their gaming console.
TV’s best opening credits
Most opening credits for television shows aren’t special at all. But occasionally you get one that’s glorious.
I almost always hit the “skip intro” button when watching a show, but I remember NEVER forwarding through the opening credits of “Game of Thrones.” It was mesmerizing.
And it showed up as the #2 best opening sequence of all-time in the opinion of “Entertainment Weekly.”
Their number one? “The Simpsons.” Hmm.
“Mad Men” was another gorgeous opening, and it ranked #4. The sequence for “Severance” is also cool, but it’s way down at #30.
Personally, I think it’s nuts they didn’t include the iconic opening for the original “Star Trek.” But oh well.
See their top 30 here.
Here's a clue for the Mindbender:
It has both a sound and a smell that titillates many people.
Countries to visit on a budget
You want to travel overseas, but it’s perhaps too expensive for you?
An online site has come to the rescue, with suggestions for the best countries to visit when you’re on a budget.
At the top, they chose Vietnam. They say everything is cheap and the exchange rate is good. You can live there on $30 to $60 a day.
Others near the top of the list:
- South Africa
- Portugal
- Argentina
- Indonesia
Costa Rica was #6, at around $116 per day.
See the story and list here.
And now, the answer to today's Mindbender:
What do they want to wake up to?
The sound and smell of sizzling bacon.
For a while, the nation kinda went bacon-crazy, didn’t it? Every kind of product you can imagine had to have a bacon version.
Today, pumpkin spice has become the new bacon.
That'll do it for today's Mindbender. Thank you for being part of The Club.
Enjoy your day!
Dom
Okay, campers, rise and shine, and don't forget your booties 'cause it's cooooold out there today.
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