The Simpsons are Left-Handed

I never realized this, and I’m not sure how many others have either, but Ned Flanders is not the only left-handed character on “The Simpsons.”  Many of the show’s other recurring characters are also lefties, including Bart, Moe, and Mr. Burns.

Some people believe this unusually large number of left-handed cartoons is due to creator Matt Groening being left-handed.

Unfortunately, Homer is not left-handed.  So this picture doesn’t make much sense.

 

Info came from Simpsons wiki page.

Left Hander's Mouse

Some companies make left-handed computer mice and keyboards.  These are mostly for lefty computer gamers.  The left-handed mice are only convenient for those that prefer the left and right click buttons, while the number pad on the keyboard is on the left side instead of the right.

I have a laptop and do not have any trouble using the touchpad mouse with my left hand.  But for those that are frustrated with the right-handed computer keyboards and mice, here’s the solution.    

Left-Handed Words

On a standard keyboard, 1,447 English words can be typed with the left hand alone, while only 187 words can be typed with the right.

Just from looking at my keyboard, some of the more common consonants, “R,” “S,” and “T,” are on the left side.  However, more vowels are located on the right side of the keyboard.

Some sample words:

• Age                
• Cart         
• Date
• Exact    
• Free          
• Great           
• Qatar
• Rest
• Stew
• Tread
• Vase
• Water
• Zeta

OCD Hell

Clipping your fingernails sucks.  I don't care if you're a righty or a lefty, it can't be done cleanly.  Good luck if you have OCD.  (This also applies to nail polish and anything else that demands that you switch hands to apply.)

The nails that you cut with your dominant hand look neat and even.  As for the dominant hand, it looks like it's been through hell.  With the hangnails and the chunks of missing nail, it's painful.

The only ones that don't know this sort of pain are the ambidextrous.  Congratulations.

Left-handed Knives

As I was looking for something to post on today, I came across left-handed knives.  I never thought that it really mattered which hand I hold a knife with.  But it depends on the type of knife you use.

After searching for the difference between left-handed and right-handed knives, I found that there is no reason a lefty can’t use a right-handed knife.  This is because western cooking knives can be sharpened to preference.  However, in other parts of the world (I kept finding particular references to Japanese cooking knives) the blade of the knife can only be sharpened on one side.

So you don’t have to go out and buy a whole new set of cooking knives if you use regular ones.  But if you prefer a certain style of cooking knives make sure you get the correct set because it may matter. 

Lefty App Fail

Anyone that has an IPhone or IPod Touch or really any new Apple product knows that the devices are unlocked by a slide from left to right.  

This feature does not have a left-handed option, though.  However, the app “Slide to the Left” can be downloaded at pwncenter.com to fix this problem.

Pwncenter to the rescue, right?

Judging by the comments left on multiple tech sites and forums, I’d say no.  Complaints from frustrated lefties range from “still able to unlock from left to right” to “[expletive] thing doesn’t work at all.”

This particular app is a disappointment.  If a more successful app is created or found, I will report on it.

As for me, I am content with using my IPod the left-to-right way right now.

Inauguration Day

Today was Inauguration Day.  It marked the beginning of President Barack Obama’s second term in office.  For those of you that do not know, President Obama is left-handed.

I did some research to find out just how many presidents have been left-handed.  To date there have only been eight known left-handed presidents: James A. Garfield, Herbert Hoover, Harry S. Truman, Gerald Ford, Ronald Reagan, George H. W. Bush, Bill Clinton, and Obama.

Garfield and Reagan may have been ambidextrous, though.  It is said that Garfield could write with both hands at the same time.  Reagan’s dominant hand was supposed to be his left, but he was forced to write with his right hand in school.

President Obama and former President Clinton,
the last two left-handed presidents.

The exact number of lefty presidents cannot be found for two reasons: 

1. For centuries people were taught to write only with their right hands
2. The invention of photography did not happen until the later half of the 19th century

Congratulations to President Obama on his second term. 

Fun Fact Friday: Lefty Babies

I am designating Friday trivia day.  I thought it might be a fun way to welcome the weekend.  I’ll try to post interesting facts, even though some may already know them.

Babies can show favoritism toward their dominant hands before they can even hold anything.  If you place them on their stomachs, right-handers will always turn their heads to the right.  But left-handers will either turn their heads to the left or show no preference.

I think the only sure way to tell which hand is the dominant one is by waiting until they are old enough to hold things.  But this is still a cool observation and is more than likely true most of the time. 

Why the Name?

I thought I should give some background information on the name of my blog and how it is relevant to being left-handed.

My favorite band in high school was The Academy Is...  Unfortunately, the band broke up last year to pursue other interests.  But the lead singer was (and still is) a lefty.  “Awkwardly reversed” is a lyric, which rhymes with “lefty curse,” from the first single off the band’s sophomore album, Santi.  

You can listen to the song below.

Intro

Hi,

My name is Caitlin and this is my first blog on this website.  I am left-handed, so I intend to highlight interesting things designed for left-handed people and any crazy left-handed stories that I come across.  If you have any suggestions about possible items or stories I should look into, feel free to comment.  Hope you enjoy.

Caitlin