6.01.2009

Left-Handers Facts Pt.6

Did you know that Kermit the Frog from The Muppet Movie is left-handed, just like his creator, Jim Henson? In fact, all of the banjo playing in the movie is left-handed and most of the other Muppets are lefties, as well.

A recent study from Britain found that left-handers are significantly better than right-handers at remembering images that involve direction, such as which way the queen is facing on an English pound. Perhaps this ability keeps lefties from getting lost!
(This is pretty amazing, for spatial memory is my best. I pay attention to more detail and always notice which people are left-handed or not. I also have a great sense of direction.)

Australian researchers recently published a study that found left-handed people can think quicker when carrying out tasks such as playing computer games or playing sports.

Born on this date [May 21st] and dubbed a “celebutante” by Newsweek magazine during her club kids days, Lisa Edelstein went on to be an award-winning actress and playwright. Among her numerous television guest roles, this lefty has played George Costanza’s frustrated girlfriend on Seinfeld, a transsexual on Ally McBeal, a sex-obsessed artist on Frasier, and a high-priced call girl on The West Wing. She currently stars as Dr. Lisa Cuddy on the critically acclaimed drama House. [If you haven’t noticed at least three people of the House cast are left-handed, Wilson, Foreman, and Cuddy.]

A pioneer of “surf rock,” Dick Dale’s guitar-playing techniques influenced future guitarists as varied as Jimi Hendrix and Eddie Van Halen. Since Dale was left-handed he was initially forced to play a right-handed model, much like Jimi Hendrix would do a few years later. However, he did so without restringing the guitar, leading him to effectively play the guitar upside-down (while Hendrix would restring his guitar) and often plays by reaching over the fretboard rather than wrapping his fingers up from underneath. His song “Misirlou,” featured in the film Pulp Fiction, was nominated for a Grammy in 1994 and effectively launched a comeback for Dale within a small but devoted audience.


Also, today, June 1st, is the birthday to two left-handers: Morgan Freeman and Marilyn Monroe.

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