I am infatuated with this new dance craze. It’s sort of a marriage between break dancing and the Charleston. A friend of mine – a dance teacher – says he could teach it to me, but it would probably take more time than I have left for dancing.

You may be wondering why I’m wasting your time on full-grown men having a shoving contest in diapers. Like many, my first impression of this sport was something between astonishment and disgust. But as a student of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu for more than 20 years, I’ve developed an appreciation for grappling – especially the Japanese forms.

What you’ll see in the video is Takanoyama Shuntaro, a Czech (born Pavel Bojar), defeating Japanese opponents twice his size. What is less obviously amazing but is super-cool for anyone that understands grappling, is the extreme level of the techniques used by Takanoyama in achieving these victories. (The  techniques are called “kimarite,” and the Japan Sumo Association recognizes 82 types of them.)

The word Sumo means “to mutually rush at,” and the goal is to push your opponent to the floor or outside of the ring area (known as the dohyo).

Originating in Japan more than 2000 years ago, Sumo is heavily traditional but surprisingly inclusive. Participants come from all over the world, including the United States.

So now… meet Takanoyama Shuntaro.

This is a chapel that BB, one of my partners at Rancho Santana, built for the Rancho Santana community. He designed it himself. The style, as you can see, is very simple and mostly traditional. It’s quite beautiful, and sits on top of one of the higher hills on this side of the property, so you can see it from many vantage points.

Nicaragua is very Catholic. And there was some discussion of whether this should be a Catholic church, too. But my partner is not Catholic. I think he considers himself an Episcopalian, which, as I understand it, is one of the more ecumenical of the Christian religions. The decision was to make it non-denominational. But as MN, another partner who is Jewish, pointed out, if it’s got a cross on top, it’s not really non-denominational.

BB has been planning on building it almost since we first bought this land, 23 years ago. It was commissioned about three years ago and is barely a year old. But it’s already served the community well and frequently – for religious ceremonies, for weddings and baptisms, and for funerals. And just last week, it served as a refuge for more than a dozen families whose homes were flooded after the hurricane.

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This comes to me from a very bright and accomplished person I know that is a PhD in Clinical Psychology at the Mayo Clinic. I’m not sure why he sent it to me. Nor am I sure why I’m sending it to you. Perhaps you will understand after you’ve seen it.

One of the social media rabbit holes I occasionally go into might be called “Amazing amateur piano players surprise others in shopping centers and malls!”

I know. Can this really be a class of entertainment? Yes. On YouTube it is. There are literally hundreds of them.

Here’s a good one: The amateur player tricks two young classically trained pianists into helping him play a rudimentary song.

My father was a bright, well-educated college professor with a clever, sophisticated sense of humor. In his seventies, though, I noticed that his wit degraded noticeably. He delighted in what we, his children, called “Old Man Humor.”

I just had my 70th birthday and a friend, a coeval, sent me the following. I thought they were all very funny, but I am pretty sure that my children wouldn’t think so. And I know K wouldn’t. (I just asked her.)

Is this a condition that can be reversed? Or is it nature’s way of making it easier for your children to accept your departure when the time comes?

It happens very rarely in today’s hyperconnected world, but when it happens it’s fun to read about. Click here.

I enjoyed watching this. It proves the if you are a dog and your owner puts you on the right diet and exercise program, you can lose a lot of weight and regain an active life. Of course, if you aren’t a dog and don’t have a master it’s going to be a tougher challenge.

Bubble wrap was invented in 1957 by two engineers who were trying to create a textured wallpaper.

Great photos of unusual places! Here