Carl Pettit is a writer and editor with interests ranging from international relations and political humor to the arts and modern media.
Carl Pettit
10 Extreme Christmas Trees
Most people are familiar with the massive, and very impressive, Christmas tree that graces New York City’s Rockefeller Center every year. This tree has come to symbolize the holiday season for millions of people, and is something of national icon, appearing as a backdrop in countless movies and television specials.
10 Turkey Facts You Might Not Know
These days, most of the turkeys people gobble down are fattened up on farms. They’re only pale (under their feathers) imitations of the lean, mean turkeys roaming through the woods of North America. Regardless of the kind of turkey you’re planning on serving for dinner this year (domestic or wild), you might like to read about interesting turkey facts you probably weren't aware of, and perhaps gai
5 Strange and Colorful Local Thanksgiving Traditions
The holidays can bring out people's stranger sides, and Thanksgiving is no exception.
5 Thanksgiving Myths Debunked — Pilgrims Didn’t Wear Buckles? (And More)
Thanksgiving, which we've been celebrating in America for centuries now, is a time of family, food and, especially, tradition. Even so, many of the stories we take as gospel about this wonderful holiday—wonderful if you’re not endlessly bickering with your relatives, that is—aren’t true at all. Myth, legend and wishful thinking play into a lot of the misconceptions surrounding Turkey Day.
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5 Fun Facts About Turkeys — Yes, They Can Fly (and Change Color)
Thanksgiving is almost here, which means we start seeing turkeys everywhere—on TV, in our children's school drawings, running through our dreams every single night while we sleep ... you get the idea. And eventually these poor turkeys will be inside many of our overstuffed stomachs as well.
5 Creepy Urban Legends to Spook You This Halloween
Ah, Halloween: the one time of year when it’s completely appropriate to scare the fecal matter out of loved ones and friends. If your goal is to make sure children can’t sleep at night, a disturbing urban legend is just the ammunition you need.
Halloween’s Strange Origins — 5 More Things You Might Not Know
If you still haven’t had your fill of Halloween trivia, we have a few more fun and eyebrow-raising spooky holiday facts for you. October 31 is a day—and especially a night—full of spine-tingling surprises. With a bit of Halloween knowledge under your belt, you can impress your friends, as well as the ghost and ghouls wandering around your neighborhood, with your detailed knowledge of jack-o'-lante
Halloween’s Strange Origins — 5 Things You Might Not Know
These days Halloween is all Naughty This and Sexy That, but the roots of our spookiest holiday's traditions—from pumpkins to trick-or-treating—run deep, their origins reaching back thousands of years to pre-Christian pagan festivals and superstitions. These quirky bits of trivia about the history of Halloween should help you better appreciate all the ghouls and witches wandering about (and your ho
10 Spectacular Mountain Biking Destinations in North America
Mountain bikers in North America have an embarrassment of riches when it comes to beautiful environments and striking trails to explore. We've gathered 10 of them for you to take a look at.
How to Build a Volleyball Court in Your Backyard
If you love volleyball and just can’t get enough in, why not consider building a proper volleyball court in your backyard?
5 Stunning, Futuristic Concept Cars You Might Be Able to Buy Someday
Car designers are hard at work coming up with some incredible, futuristic-looking automotive designs, some of which may be racing down your street in the years ahead.
5 Extreme Garden Ornaments to Spice Up Your Backyard
Sometimes a small fountain or fishpond just isn’t enough when it comes to giving your garden that extra kick you need to make it one-of-a-kind. If you want your children and friends to applaud your audacity and imagination in the home-and-gardening sphere, an extreme garden ornament just might be that elusive item you’re in search of.
5 Careers That Are Quickly Dying Out
Getting a solid apprenticeship or a college education is almost always a good idea for anyone traveling down the career path. The problem arises when you have to decide between several different options. While anyone with a strong skill set (blue- or white-collar) should be fairly employable, it’s just a basic fact that some vocations are more in demand these days than others. It often depends on
5 Strange Federal Tax Deductions You Might Not Know About
Tax season comes and goes every year, to the dread and relief of many a taxpayer. Even if you’ve taken care of your taxes this year, that doesn’t mean you shouldn't be mindful of potential tax deductions you can claim for your next round with the government in the year to come.
5 Highly Unusual Restaurant Experiences You Won’t Forget
There are all kinds of strange eateries out there, ranging from opera-themed bistros to cafes swarming with cats, as well as diners built inside of the fuselages of old airplanes. While we understand that some people just want a simple, peaceful meal when they head out, others like a little something extra special.
5 Unusual Animals That Make Great Pets
Cats and dogs, while extremely lovable, are not the only choices out there when it comes to selecting a household pet. There are quite a few unusual animals in existence that actually make good, even great companions for their human owners. We’re not talking man-eating tigers or wild boars here—there are some limits to just how exotic you should go.
5 Foods You Thought Were Healthy, but Actually Aren’t
For a country as obsessed with weight and food production as ours is, there tends to be a lot of conflicting information, health-food fads and dietary gimmicks circulating about what and how we should eat.
5 Simple Health Tips That Just Might Help You Live Longer
Life is an amazing gift when you stop and think about it. Out of all the things that are living, you get to be you—which is a lot better than being a sea slug, for example. In order to ensure that you get the most out this life and as many years as you possibly can, you need to take good care of your body—that vessel that lets you breathe air, eat food, meet your friends at restaurants and get abo
5 Everyday Items That Can Be Turned Into Jewelry
Some people don’t mind handing over their hard-earned cash for some very expensive jewelry. While we have nothing against treating yourself to pricey ornaments on occasion, there are more economical ways to go about procuring a vast inventory of fashionable accessories.
10 Best Dog Breeds For Single Guys
When you're a single dude -- no matter how popular you are with the ladies -- there will always be downtime. When your female companions are busy with work, need to head home, do some wash, or are just sick of being referred to as “friends with benefits,” you may find yourself a little lonely. If you won’t “put a ring on it” as Beyoncé advises, you might want to consider adopting one of man’s tru