The Champs, Semiconductor Stocks, and The Voice in My Head Today

This well-known tune by The Champs provided the rhythm for my entire day yesterday - I walked to it, I loaded the dishwasher to it, I did everything to this beat in my head . By mid-morning, my ten-year-old and I were singing the notes aloud together, our tongues tapping against the roofs of our mouths like percussive instruments. One of us would start, and the other couldn't help but join in, our voices rising until we annoyed the rest of our family. We replaced "tequila" (the only word) with "arriba", because I didn't even remember the word *was* "tequila". Of course, "arriba" means "up" in Spanish, which is exactly the effect the song has on you :-). For a flash to the past that shows the original feel-good-ness of this creation, click here: https://youtu.be/Uyl7GP_VMJY.

I heard (on NPR) several days ago that there's a shortage of semiconductors. This particularly affects the automotive industry, because semiconductors are used in every computerized thing in our world, and things like smart phones take priority over cars. Apparently there has been "a vigorous rebound in demand," and semiconductor manufacturers can't keep up. "Orders for chips that run computers, cars and many other internet-connected devices are swamping the industry, which mostly relies on just a handful of factories in Asia." Semiconductor stocks like QualComm have dipped as a result; but, if you ask me, this rebound and increase in demand can only benefit their profits in the long run. I have conflicting feelings about the stock market, but that doesn't mean my Roth IRA isn't heavily invested; so I looked up semiconductor companies and bought a couple.

#VoiceInMyHead Today (in the tone of a matron):

Above all, you mustn’t be sedentary. Bend down and touch the floor while you are waiting for your coffee to heat, do a yoga chair position while removing laundry from the washing machine, reach your arms to each side while watching Netflix. There are plenty of opportunities to use your muscles instead of letting them succumb to gravity. 

Bath Bomb #4: My video of the day reflects the beauty of a (donut-shaped) bath bomb in a hot bath on a cold day. It looks like the dissolution of a planet or star in a strange universe and reminds me of the beauty and wonder that is all around me, whether or not I determine to notice them.

Note that clicking on the underlined/colored words above will take you to the links where I got my information.

If you missed my last blog post you can read it here: http://www.melissarooneywriting.com/blog/2021/02/mac-miller-shorting-stocks-and-population-growth/

If you feel the remotest inclination, please leave comments and suggestions below. I love hearing/reading from people :-)

Melissa Rooney

Melissa Bunin Rooney is a picture-book author, freelance writer and editor, 2nd-generation Polish-Lithuanian immigrant; Southerner (NC and VA); Woman in Science (Ph.D. Chemistry); Australian-U.S. citizen; and Soil and Water Conservationist. She provides hands-on STEM and literary workshops and residencies for schools and organizations, as well as scientific and literary editing services for businesses, universities, non-profits, and other institutions. Melissa also reviews theater and live performances for Triangle Theater Review and reviews books for NY Journal of Books.

https://www.MelissaRooneyWriting.com
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Edelweiss and Remembering for Both of Us (ReadAloud)

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Mac Miller, Shorting Stocks, and Population Growth