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Thinking of buying someone a Swiss Army knife for Christmas? Why not get them a Giant Swill Army Knife?

A friend pointed out that trying to use the pointer would be quite an interesting exercise. I told her, people would probably be more focused on the thing she was holding!

Hmmm…come to think of it, imagine trying to use any of those tools!

I think there’s a fine line between practicality and completeness. This knife has crossed that line, but if you are collector it would make a great addition to your collection I guess.

You can tell your grand kids one day, “Back in my day a knife was a knife and this is what I call a knife!”, as you whip out your Giant Swiss Army knife.

“But grandpa, I’ve got one and it has a kitchen sink as well!”

It was the hottest day in Melbourne in 53 years, with the mercury hitting 42.1°C. Luckily we had organised a weekend getaway down the coast. The golf fanatics stuck with their golf. The rest stocked up on booze and spent the day sipping beers, while soaking in the cool sea. It was hard work. We gave it our best shot. I think we succeeded.

After two days of this, we were quite exhausted so decided to head back early - before the rush. As it turned out, everybody else down the peninsula had the same idea…

On top of that, a bushfire had cut off part of the highway for a period of time, so traffic was banked up for miles. It was great fun waiting in mid-30°C heat. But that’s just part of the holiday tradition. Half the fun was the journey. We’ll have to do it again soon.

Related: Ten Top Barbecue Places

I had to post this spectacular photo of the Space Shuttle Discovery streaking across the sky over Daytona Beach last Saturday. The location was about 80km north of the Kennedy Space Center. Amazing colours. Surreal imagery.

Photo: Daytona Beach News-Journal, Nigel Cook/AP

Have you ever seen the film Pulp Fiction? Found it hard to follow the plot? Still clueless as to what the movie was about? Maybe this short clip might help clear things up…

Pulp Fiction in 30 seconds, re-enacted by bunnies. Angry Alien Productions.

…or maybe not.

Mia: Don’t you hate that?

Vincent: What?

Mia: Uncomfortable silences. Why do we feel it’s necessary to yak about bullshit in order to be comfortable?

Vincent: I don’t know. That’s a good question.

Mia: That’s when you know you’ve found somebody special. When you can just shut the fuck up for a minute and comfortably enjoy the silence.

Pulp Fiction (Directed by Quentin Tarantino, 1994). See Pulp Fiction in 30 seconds.

There is a lot of misunderstanding with the terms introversion and extroversion. Carl Jung brought us the concepts of extroversion and introversion when it comes to the study of personality types.

Introverts prefer the inner, subjective world of thoughts, ideas, and emotions, while extroverts prefer the outer, objective world of things, people, and actions. In other words, introverts tend to draw their energy from within, while extroverts need the stimulation of things around them to be energized.

Extroverts are energized by people, and often seem bored by themselves when alone. Leave an extrovert alone for a few minutes and they will reach for their hand phone. In contrast, after an hour or two of socialising, introverts need to time out to recharge.

When introverts want to be alone, it does not on it’s own mean they are depressed. It might just mean that they either need to regain their energy from being around people or that they simply want the time to be with their own thoughts. Being with people, even people they like and are comfortable with, can prevent them from their desire to be quietly introspective. It drains them.

Being introspective, though, does not mean that an introvert never has conversations. However, those conversations are generally about ideas and concepts, not about what they consider the trivial matters of social small talk. This does not mean introverts aren’t capable of small talk, it’s just that they have to actively think in order to chitchat. This tires them. People tire them.

Introverts tend to think and mull over ideas in their mind before talking (making them good writers), whereas extroverts instinctively think by talking.

Extroversion is seen as normal and desirable in Western and particularly US society, where fast talk and snap decisions are valued over listening, deliberation and careful planning. This may not be true in other societies, for example Japanese culture places great value on quietness, contemplation, reflection and self-control.

Are introverts normal?

While only about 25% of the general population are introverts, they make up about 60% of the gifted population. Which makes them a little abnormal. But don’t worry, it doesn’t hurt. Really.

Some famous introverts include:

Not all introverts are brilliant scientists and metaphysicians, but there are some things most have in common. Focus/concentration, love of pets and modesty are typical of most introverts. Shyness is not an introvert trait, as can be seen from the list above. It is a totally unrelated condition.

In an extroverts’ world, the etiquette is to fill silence with small talk. Maybe one day, moments of silence and reflection will not only be acceptable, but encouraged.

Articles:

• Personality Types
• Ask Yahoo!
• The Tyranny of the Extroverts
• Being an Introvert
• Caring for Your Introvert

Wishing everyone a safe and Merry Christmas!

I hope you have had a good year and may the following year be even better!

Happy New Year!