Hi! What a week it’s been. I’ve started a new freelance gig (finally!), and I’m wrapping up some other projects. Coupled with LA’s recent rains and plants overgrowing everywhere, it really feels like a time of regrowth.
This week, I wanted to share some fun facts! I get social anxiety, and it’s been helpful to have some as a way to break the ice. When I introduce people, too, I use the method of introducing someone with a fact about them. I’m pretty sure I got that from Bridget Jones’ Diary actually. Anyway, most of these are just weird animal facts.
Did you know that wombats poop cubes? Actually, the most fun part about this fact is that they only just recently discovered the why - it’s a communication method! It’s kinda like a poop text.
Desert tortoises can store their pee for a whole year- so you shouldn’t pick them up because they might get startled and pee themselves, and then literally DIE. Worst jumpscare ever!!
The first paper straw was invented because a dude wanted to enjoy his cold mint julep in 1890 without a weird taste in his mouth. I wonder if he would like metal straws?
The general who fought in the battle of the Alamo helped invent chewing gum. Actually, fun fact about me, I had a hyperfixation on this gum history book as a kid and can still remember tons of chewing gum facts even though I don’t chew gum at all.
All the giant pandas were returned to China decades ago, but there’s been recent moves in panda diplomacy to bring them back! You can see them in Atlanta, and there’s a pair coming to San Diego later this year. You can see a list of places here where you can see Giant Pandas.
Hope you found these fun facts… FUN. And next time you’re at a party and you don’t know what to say, try blurting out that desert tortoises can die if you startle them.
Archive.org- it’s not just for searching old versions of websites!! I’ve been on the hunt for design references, and the internet archive has been so valuable. Did you know they have a virtual library system where you can take out books? I’ve been preferring this to looking on google for some stuff lately.
I updated my shop with more STIIIICKERS! I didn’t realise you could print and laminate your own stickers so easily (well maybe not easily, but without too much complicated machinery!). Maybe a tutorial for a another substack!
speaking of stickers, I might do a giveaway of some sort soon- this little newsletter has almost 500 subscribers, which is bonkers to me!! I’ve been so grateful for this little corner of the internet. thank you all for reading.
ok love u bye
Fun, Ashlyn! The stickers are fab. I’d also love to hear more about making them!
Oh my! It would be quite surprising to have a desert tortoise pee all over you, then die!
I have to make a small correction to your panda facts: Pandas all DO return to China at some point, either when their loan period is up (They are usually on 5-10 year loan periods) and all cubs born abroad still belong to China (sooooorrrreeeee) and usually go to China when they are 2-4 years old. One notable exception was the legendary Mr Wu (aka Xiao Li Wu) the last cub born to San Diego matriarch Bai Yun, who didn't return until he was almost 8 years old. There are still pandas at many zoos in Europe and other parts of Asia. The Atlanta panda family are the last ones in the US currently. The cubs are now 6 years old! Covid restrictions made returning pandas kind of tricky.
The DC pandas only went home last November, but I believe they are working on a new loan contract, after some much needed renovations get done at the panda house.
We are all very excited about the pandas coming back to PanDiego sometime this year. Rumors are that one of the pandas will be a grandchild of Bai Yun, but we don't know who that is yet.
Sorry, this was kind of a long pandasplaining...pandas are kind of my thing!