Thursday, April 10th, 2025

Good Morning! 🌞

Not every week is a win. But there’s always something—or someone—worth pausing for. Could be a small breakthrough, a quiet moment, or just getting through the week without falling apart.

Today’s about noticing that. Quietly. No big declarations needed!

Culture

Spike-Detecting Stir Stick

After 12 years of research, a team of Canadian chemists has unveiled a discreet and fast-acting tool to detect spiked drinks. The device, named Spikeless, was developed by brothers Dr. Johan Foster and Andrew Foster at the University of British Columbia. It takes the form of a drink stirrer with a color-changing tip that reacts within 30 seconds when exposed to common spiking drugs like GHB and ketamine.

Designed with portability and ease of use in mind, Spikeless can be carried alongside a phone, wallet, or keys, and is ideal for distribution at bars, clubs, and large events. “Anywhere there’s a bar—clubs, parties, festivals—there’s a risk,” noted UBC master’s student and co-inventor Samin Yousefi. Unlike earlier detection methods such as cups, coasters, or nail polish, this tool is more discreet and doesn’t contaminate the drink it’s testing.

While Spikeless shows promise, it still awaits Health Canada approval, and mass production is not yet underway. Experts like sexual violence prevention specialist Sasha Santos emphasize that tools like this are helpful but don’t tackle the root problem of drink spiking. However, if the price remains accessible, Spikeless could soon become a common safety feature in nightlife venues, empowering individuals to protect themselves with a quick and subtle test.

Culture

Gladiator’s Epitaph Found!

Excavations in the ancient Roman colony of Liternum, located in Italy’s Campania region, have revealed a necropolis containing the tomb of a gladiator, complete with an inscription in his honor. The site, situated in modern-day Giugliano in Campania, dates back to the first century BCE and remained active well into the middle Imperial period. According to the Superintendency of Archaeology, Fine Arts, and the Countryside for the Naples Metro Area, the find sheds new light on Roman funerary customs, which evolved significantly over the centuries. Artifacts such as coins, oil lamps, and ceramics were also uncovered, providing further context to the burial practices of the time.

The necropolis spans approximately 1,500 square feet and is divided into two enclosures, constructed from grey tuff blocks with red accents. The burial methods varied widely and included urns stored in wall niches, large communal ossuaries, and traditional “a cappuccina” tombs—graves covered with terracotta roofing. Among the most notable discoveries were several marble cenotaphs, one of which bore the epitaph of a gladiator. This suggests that some combatants were not only memorialized but also given proper burial in Liternum, indicating a degree of respect and recognition within the community.

“This discovery, following that of the Tomb of Cerberus, is significant,” said Superintendent Mariano Nuzzo. “The well-preserved structures deepen our understanding of the Liternum colony and its sociocultural dynamics.” Excavations at the site are ongoing, with archaeologists aiming to further explore Liternum’s historical role along the Via Domitiana—a major Roman road known for its concentration of necropoli and monumental tombs.

Lifestyle

Living in a Floating Tiny House

Nestled on a river in Portland, Oregon, this charming 550-square-foot floating home proves that small spaces can feel surprisingly open and airy. With a bright yellow door welcoming you inside, the home boasts high ceilings, an open-concept kitchen and living area, and breathtaking views of the water. A wraparound deck on two sides extends the living space outdoors, making it the perfect place to soak in the surroundings.

Inside, the bedroom is a cozy retreat with a built-in desk nook, wall-to-wall storage, and an ensuite bathroom bursting with color. The transformation of this home is nothing short of remarkable—it started as an aging float home in need of major repairs. But once renovations began, it became clear that a full rebuild from the float up was necessary. The result? A beautifully designed, thoughtfully constructed home on the water.

In this video, we take a deep dive into the before-and-after renovation process, learn about the unique construction of floating homes—including how they stay balanced on logs, stringers, and flotation blocks—and hear from homeowner Amy Sedgwick. With years of experience living in float homes in both Seattle and Portland, Amy now sells them and has even written an ebook on the subject.

Would you ever live in a floating home? Let us know

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Mind Stretchers

⁉️

I have pages but no words.
I count days but never speak.
Flip through me and you’ll find time—
Past, present, and plans to keep.
What am I?

Yesterday’s Answers to the Mind Stretchers:

I begin with silence, end with noise.
I hold no thoughts, yet capture yours.
I am flat, frail, and easily torn—
But when I speak, I can’t be ignored.
What am I? — a paper, James Godfrey got this correct! 🌞 

Be the first to send us the correct answer for today’s mind stretcher for a shout-out with the answer tomorrow. Just send us the answer and your name to[email protected]or reply to email.

If you have any uplifting stories and experience you might want to share, send those over to [email protected] for the chance to be featured.