What causes an itch?

Thinking about the fact that out skin is comprised of millions of skin cells that are forever flaking off and then being replace, what is the real cause of an itch? I'm not talking about itches with other reasons, fungus, dandruff, etc. I mean just a regular itch. I have no idea about this one. Help anyone?

Why don't we look more closely at word origins?

I have been making connections in my mind about words. Lately, not because I'm perverted, I've been thinking of the word masturbation. I've been thinking about the root "turb" because the only other words I associate with that root are disturb, perturb, and bioturbation. So I looked at the word root, "turb" comes from the root which means, "disturb, confuse, turmoil or crowd." Interesting. Also part of the word is: stuprare "defile" (oneself), from stuprum "defilement, dishonor."

So something that the world seems as normal and acceptable, taking the actual word apart shed some light on the actual repercussions of that action.

Word origins... informative.

Why do some people take offense when others don't like the same things they like?

This question applies to me. But the times that it bothers me most is when I ask someone, "do you like such and such?" and they reply with " I HATE that!" I take that personally because the word hate is so strong, and I feel that if people hate something that I love, by extension, they hate me.

I don't think I'm the only person like this. I often feel disappointed when someone criticizes or dislikes something that I love or appreciate. But we just need to remember that it's just taste.

The reason I bring this up today is the whole Harry Potter craze going on. I like the Harry Potter books; but I am better without them. They really have a negative effect on me. But that doesn't mean that I disrespect people who like it.

Anyway, I feel this is a valid question.

Why do mustaches look so hideous on younger "men?"

I go to school at BYU-Idaho (holla!). And we have a certain "code" with which to live our college lives. One rule is that the only facial hair men can have on campus is a mustache. And the more I see these younger guys with mustaches, the more I question WHY?

On another hand, I know several professors with mustaches, and they look great with them.

Is it an age difference? Is it a maturity thing?

All I know is, I've never yet seen a mustache that enhances a younger guy's face.

EWW.....

Why do we close our eyes to hear better, but don't plug our ears to see better?

I close my eyes often when trying to tune my cello; just focusing on one sense at a time helps me to tune more accurately. But we don't do that with any of the other senses. We don't plug our ears to see better, we don't plug our noses to hear better. Weird...

Can something MAKE you happy?

I got out of an orchestra practice today and I was beaming. I thought to myself, "Music makes me happy!" Then I pondered further on that phrase, can something really make you happy? Or do we choose to be happy?

I love music; it's a part of me, and it helps me emote better than most other forms of expression. But does it MAKE me happy? No, because sometimes I get sad when listening to or playing music.

I guess that question is really about emotions. Are they something that can be chosen, or are they that easily swayed by external stimuli? Or is it some mixture of both? More than likely that is the answer; seldom are things so black-and-white as we think of them.

Yet, it's still a question I have. But I'll continue to enjoy music. I'll always love it. And I hope that happiness is always an emotion that accompanies many musical experiences.

What is the difference between Retro, Vintage, and old/tacky?

Now, many words have similiar meanings, but have different connotations. But what I'm talking about is, what makes something old and boring or old and awesome? The vintage era is upon us, and has been for quite some time. "Ugh, that's so seventies!" vs. "This is awesome! Does it fit?"

Two of my brothers are into vintage clothing and shoes and they look dang good! But there must be a fine line between retro and tacky. Some of the old-time-y architecture and furniture is amazing! But some of those fabrics...blegh!

Where is the line? Is it a taste thing?

Where does this:


(Which I see as the epitome of awesome vintage)

Become this:


(Which is just on the line, to me)

Then finally, it becomes this:


And this:


No, just...no.