🏡 From Loch Ness Lovebirds to SEAL-Style Hide-and-Seek

Good evening, agents! 🌓 Real estate is full of surprises — from love-struck buyers to clients who vanish like trained spies. In today’s podcast, discover the lessons behind the chaos and how to stay sharp, strategic, and always ready for the unexpected.

Let’s dive in! 💰🏡

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🏡 FROM LOCH NESS LOVEBIRDS TO SEAL-STYLE HIDE-AND-SEEK

You’ve been nose-deep in contracts, comps, and commission negotiations all week… so let’s switch it up. This one’s for all our hardworking real estate pros who could use a mental vacation.

We’ve gathered five of the most unexpected, offbeat, and downright fun stories from science, history, tech, and legend. They’ve got nothing to do with listings—but everything to do with sparking your curiosity.

Read (or listen) to all five. Then tell us: which one’s your favorite?
Because you deserve to think about more than housing data every once in a while.

1. Concrete That Heals Itself? The Romans Did It First

Imagine building something that lasts not just for decades… but for thousands of years.

In 2023, scientists finally cracked the code behind the stunning longevity of Roman structures like the Pantheon and aqueducts. The secret? Self-healing concrete. Yep, 2,000 years before modern chemistry labs, Roman engineers were mixing magic into their mortar.

Researchers discovered tiny white chunks in Roman concrete called lime clasts, made from quicklime. When cracks form and water gets in, the lime reacts and creates calcium carbonate, re-sealing the crack naturally. No patchwork, no crumbling infrastructure—just good ol’ Roman genius.

Imagine if we used this in today’s roads, bridges, and buildings? Fewer repairs, less cost, and infrastructure that doesn’t fall apart after a few winters.

The Romans weren’t just ahead of their time—they’re ahead of ours.

2. A Cereal Whistle That Hacked the Phone System

In 1971, a toy whistle found in Cap’n Crunch cereal boxes accidentally became the most powerful hacking device of its time.

That little plastic whistle emitted a tone at exactly 2600 Hz—the same frequency used by AT&T’s long-distance telephone system to indicate an open line. Blow it into a payphone, and you could manipulate the phone network and make free calls anywhere in the world.

Enter John Draper, a.k.a. “Captain Crunch,” who used the whistle to explore the entire phone system. He built “blue boxes” that mimicked those tones—devices that a couple of curious college kids named Steve Jobs and Steve Wozniak later copied and sold… before they founded Apple.

What started as a breakfast toy sparked a whole subculture of phone phreaks—early hackers who played with the system and ultimately shaped tech history.

A whistle. A dial tone. A revolution.

3. Loch Ness Monster Sighted—With a Plus One?

Nessie’s back—and she brought a friend.

In early 2025, longtime Nessie watcher Eoin O’Faodhagain spotted an unusual disturbance on a webcam overlooking Loch Ness. A dark shape kept surfacing and submerging, just like in the classic stories. But in a twist, recent footage suggests there might be two creatures living in the loch—possibly even a mating pair.

In fact, one September 2024 video from a different webcam showed two separate humps creating large wakes in close proximity. O’Faodhagain believes they weren’t isolated sightings, saying, “There are obviously two creatures taking up residence in this area of the loch at the moment.”

More than 1,100 Nessie sightings have been recorded since 1933, and despite sonar scans and DNA tests, no definitive answer has ever been found. But maybe Nessie—and Nessie Jr.?—are more than just a myth.

Whether you’re a believer or a skeptic, one thing’s clear: the legend lives on.

4. Parrots That Video Call Their Friends

Here’s a headline you probably didn’t expect to hear: Parrots are using tablets to make video calls… and they love it.

In 2023, researchers taught pet parrots to initiate video calls with other birds. The study, conducted by MIT, Northeastern, and the University of Glasgow, gave the parrots a choice of friends on a screen. Ring a bell, pick a buddy, and start squawking—just like FaceTime for feathered friends.

Some parrots bonded so deeply that they kept calling the same bird over and over. They shared toys, mimicked sounds, and even developed friendships across state lines.

Why does this matter? Parrots are incredibly social and intelligent animals, and many become depressed in captivity. Giving them a way to connect—even virtually—boosted their well-being.

It’s sweet. It’s smart. And it might be the most heartwarming use of tech since the dancing robot dog.

5. How to Win at Hide-and-Seek—Navy SEAL Style

If you thought hide-and-seek was for kids, meet Nick Hays, former Navy SEAL and master of stealth. He recently shared elite-level hide-and-seek strategies that turn this childhood game into a tactical art form.

Here’s how to dominate like a SEAL:

• Blend in: Match your clothing to the environment. One tip? Use the same fabric as the couch.

• Scout your spots: Find hiding places with multiple exit routes.

• Create misdirection: Make noise in one direction, then sneak the other way.

• Control your breathing: Stay calm and still—movement gives you away.

• Use decoys: Toss a blanket or prop to trick the seeker’s eye.

Whether your kid wants to win the neighborhood game—or you just want to outsmart your nieces and nephews this holiday season—these tips bring next-level intensity to a timeless game.

Because why not learn how to disappear like a Navy SEAL?

Which Story Was Your Favorite?

Was it the Roman concrete that heals itself? The cereal whistle that accidentally created hacking culture? The possibly mating Nessies? The FaceTiming parrots? Or the Navy SEAL’s tactical hide-and-seek?

Tell us which story you liked best—we want to hear from you.
And if you're a full-time real estate warrior, let this be your friendly reminder: it’s okay to not think about real estate all the time.

Curiosity keeps us sharp. Creativity keeps us sane. And storytelling? That keeps us connected.

Until next time—keep it weird, stay curious, and don’t forget to call your parrot.

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AND THAT'S A WRAP!

Your trusted mentors in real estate and community leadership,

—Tim & Julie Harris
Harris Real Estate Daily

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