Monthly Archives: February 2009

While shopping at REI, I overheard the following exchange between two employees: Gal: You were in a frat!? Guy: Oh yeah, I’ve done it all….

Editorial Note: As I’m traveling this week, the posts will be a bit shorter than usual. Hopefully, they’ll still prove somewhat diverting. Today is not “President’s Day” in the United States. Today is, technically, Washington’s Birthday, i.e. a holiday named … Continue reading →

The U.S. Congress recently passed a large debt and spending plan ostensibly intended to “stimulate” the U.S. economy. Let’s take a look at the final vote, and the political implications thereof.

Having a day devoted to romantic love is like having a day devoted to winning. Everyone knows it’s good, it’s celebrated constantly, and it’s really its own reward. All that said, I hope you have a good one. Thanks for … Continue reading →

You’ve got to feel bad for the folks behind the new movie “The International”. (Pretty decent Ebert review available here.) It seems promising, sporting Clive Owen, Naomi Watts, and Armin Mueller-Stahl, each of whom is fun to watch, and directed … Continue reading →

From Calvin Coolidge: If you see ten troubles coming down the road, you can be sure that nine will run into the ditch before they reach you. … and from Lawrence of Arabia: Colonel Brighton: Look, sir, we can’t just … Continue reading →

The scientific method was a great discovery (or invention – your choice) and has done much to advance knowledge and facilitate the creation of wealth. That said, its abilities are limited, and it’s all too easy for charlatans to advance … Continue reading →

Last week, I found myself looking at the box pictured below. I knew, more or less, what the product contained in the box was (a gelatin, or pudding, or custard, or mousse – something like that), but found it surprisingly … Continue reading →

It seems to me that “the end” is largely a creature of fiction. In life, more often than not, things just stop. This distinction is important, because an unrealistic expectation of “closure” can prevent one from moving on with one’s … Continue reading →