I have no talent, I am only passionately curious. Albert Einstein

It began as mental floss; a way of channeling my inquisitiveness into some sort of psychological relaxation to soothe my Type A personality.

It started out simple. Armed with a background in supporting grade school science projects, I was confident that I could test a hunch I had, analyze the data and see if a theory was evident. That’s how my scientific experiments began.

My first hypothesis was the observation that perception would outweigh reality. When Big A* was 11 years old, the fashionable traits he inherited from his mom began to present themselves in the form of snubbing any clothing that was not expensive. My only tool a thin marker, I carefully changed the $19.99 sale price of a pair of Nike sneakers to $79.99. The resulted affection and care I observed spurred me to continue this practice until I could no longer get away with it.

Confident now in my abilities, I set out to seek evidence that even a small, swift personal connection in an urban environment would create a positive reaction. On city streets I would do nothing more than smile at the person passing by me. For the most part, it was exhilarating to observe their countenance change right before my eyes as their face brightened. I then added the variable of a daily practice with mixed results. In Chicago, it resulted in friendships (read “Why a Stranger Isn’t Strange To Me”), but in New York, my subjects simply crossed the street.

Now it was time to take my analysis to the next level. Could natural methods combat anti-aging? Was there an alternative to being nipped, tucked and injected? I conferred with skin care specialists and decided to focus on a face lifting massage. In an effort to stimulate blood and lymph flow, detoxify, firm, lift, fight gravity and glow, I apply avocado oil to my face and follow a daily regimen as instructed by a YouTube video. It might just be my imagination since the trial is still in progress, but I sense beneficial results.

If you’ve ever hesitated, trying to remember a fact or a name, you share my concern. Hoping it to be a result of brain overload, would the polyphenol in pomegranates be the antioxidant superpower I was seeking? After reading about a preliminary 2013 study at UCLA conducted on a small group of older adults with age-related memory complaints, I was intrigued. Resulting in increased verbal memory performance and functional brain activity after one month, drinking eight ounces of pomegranate juice a day was a no-brainer.

Detecting Mr. Wiz’s* skepticism, I decided to perform a side, cause and effect procedure on him. While watching television one evening, I corrected him on the name of an actress. I then recounted her date of birth, birthplace, parents’ names, career history and marriages all in one breath, suggesting it was due to the second day of intake of my new magic elixir. Of course, none of the information was true, but it certainly got his attention.

I must confess, I sometimes find it hard to drink down an entire dose of juice; it’s too sweet for me. Unfortunately, suggestions sent to the company to consider a pretzel flavor have gone unanswered. As research continues, I rationalize the price of this study with the fact that, if all else fails, I could always add vodka to the liquid in question at Happy Hour. Or, I could paint the interesting shaped POM brand bottles and use them as vases, thus resulting in another study: time analysis of learning methodology on non-craft minded individuals.

Overall, my dabble in the scientific has been a win-win; it’s enhanced my sense of wonder, while redirecting my focus, soothing my kinetic energy levels and calming me down. Just remember, there’s a bit of the mad scientist in us all; be the catalyst for your curiosity! And if you do see me walking down the street smiling at you with a shiny, avocado-oiled face and pomegranate juice stains on my shirt, please don’t cross the street.

*Who’s who? See “Cast of Characters” on the “About” page.