Life

From today’s NYTimes: Researchers have found a correlation between drinking diet soda and metabolic syndrome — the collection of risk factors for cardiovascular disease and diabetes that include abdominal obesity, high cholesterol and blood glucose levels — and elevated blood pressure. Because metabolic syndrome is such a catch-all, lots and lots of Americans have it. …

I’m switching to tea at Starbucks.  Passion flavor, to be specific.

Perhaps by posting it here, I will get rid of the black cloud hanging over my head. As I walk by an office building in my neighborhood that says "Office Available" out front, I decide to investigate.  First I come across the painters who don’t speak any English.  No problem, they point me upstairs.  I…

As you may have heard, Starbucks is discontinuing their breakfast sandwiches.  You may remember me extolling their virtue in the past.  Apparently the problem is the smell: By the end of fiscal year 2008, discontinue warmed breakfast sandwiches at our North American storesWe made this decision because, in short, the scent of the warmed sandwiches…

I remember, about 17 years ago, having the bizarre experience of being the organizer of an anti-homophobia rally in Lafayette, IN.  (Purdue)   The hatemongers had come to town to present their entirely unscientific basis for the scourge of homosexuality on society.  The presentation contained no science, but a few passages from the bible combined with…

Which of these statements is not true? Really nice 4 star hotels have: a multipage menu available 24 hours a day. have an LG plasma tv in the room. have cleverly placed outlets next to the bed, so you don’t have to unplug a lamp to use/charge your laptop while sitting up in bed. can…

So I had my annual physical this week.  I expected this meeting consisted of me going into the doctor with all sorts of data about the top ten things that kill American white men aged 40 and asking to be tested, and him refusing.  This being a new doctor, I was ginger about how I…

New Year’s Eve was quiet.  I contracted some version of a stomach bug and put myself on the couch for 2 days.  Still got it but thanks to modern medicine, I’ve alleviated the symptoms and have been working since the 2nd! I asked a few of you by e-mail about the online experts you follow. …

I’ll make a small exception to my rule of talking about grief in order to coin a new concept.  Sarah, the pilot light of my oven, has a lot of experience with grief.  She lost her dad many years ago, and perspective given with time and the loss of several of her friends parents in…

I don’t really need to conduct my grieving in public, so this is the last word.  On my next trip home I’ll be scanning old photos of my mother and family to go into my perpetual flickr archive, as insurance against degrading media.  If you subscribe to my photos, you will see the ones I…