The Weather and Everyone's Health

Sleep deprivation + lots of caffeine

2009-03-12T20:07:00.001-07:00

(to the tune of Joni Mitchell's Both Sides Now)The search for knowledge, the search for truthSolid like a picture from a photo boothThe underlying cause, the defining proofI’ve looked at science that wayBut there are factors our reductionistic models omitAnd human bias and corruption that make you want to quitAnd phenomena it doesn’t fitScience has limits that wayI’ve looked at science from both

In other news

2008-12-05T16:05:00.000-08:00

I am thinking about joining (as in becoming a member) at the Harvest Co-op where I shop. It's $25 a year, but you get discounts and a dividend of some sort at some (annual) point. I pretty much always shop there unless I need a (highly processed) item of some sort that they don't carry. For example, I had to go to Shaw's to get a refill on Marmite.But they have bulk spices and the widest

Blog: dead?

2008-12-03T16:37:00.000-08:00

Until recently, I haven't had anything to say other than posting an article with a few comments, which is easier to do and finds a larger audience when I do it on Facebook. However, especially given the now-large number of people who can see my profile on Facebook (by Facebook's standards, all "friends," but in real life many acquaintances, several colleagues, etc.) there are some things that

Thoughts on reading Narayan's Ramayan

2008-10-05T20:28:00.000-07:00

Since Diwali is coming up, I went to the library to find an English Ramayan to read. My criteria were: in English, not too long, not too scholarly (emphasis on narrative), preferably by an Indian author/translator, and more-or-less faithful to the canon (i.e. no embellishments, and subtractions only for the sake of length and clarity). The best thing I found that met these criteria (and wasn't

Great Performances at the Met

2008-09-06T18:01:00.000-07:00

Partly, I am posting to see if my title shows up on Billy's blogroll. My god, it might actually lead to people reading this. Which means I might have to actually think about what I'm saying. Which is contrary to the mission of this blog.Oh well.Anyway, I am currently watching the Met's recent production of Verdi's Macbeth, which is being broadcast as a special subseries of PBS' Great

Things I have been saying all along (but it's good to hear them from someone else)

2008-07-10T19:37:00.000-07:00

1. Speaking of Faith Interview with Greg Epstein. Greg Epstein is the Humanist chaplain at Harvard, and I think I will be sending him a (positive) email. In this interview he clearly distinguishes his "New Humanism" from the "New Atheism" of Dawkins, Hitchens, and a third guy. "Most non-religious people are not anti-religious," Epstein says in the interview. Thank goodness someone finally

Things that suck

2008-06-17T21:23:00.000-07:00

1. HWY 880. Any direction, any day of the week, any time of day.2. Tomato salmonella scare and resulting lack of tomatoes in restaurants.Things that is interesting: Study finds depression can trigger diabetes

2008-05-30T10:56:00.000-07:00

So I started wondering if I should get my nose pierced or something. So people would know that I'm Indian. That I own it, that I relate culturally, not just genetically. But I don't like having piercings, and I think having one in my nose would drive me crazy, especially with my allergies.On the other hand, maybe I don't need to. A few days ago I stopped at El Sombrero Taqueria in Berkeley to

Superfoods!

2008-05-27T09:40:00.000-07:00

If you can ignore the initial paragraph of body-hating/weight-loss rhetoric, this article has good information about good foods and is more about nutrition and whole foods than about supplements or gimmicks. All 8 foods are things I like and eat and are all vegetarian, so maybe I just enjoyed a feeling of validation. I like that the article includes suggestions for easily incorporating the

Hey! I must be an athlete!

2008-05-14T13:48:00.000-07:00

I was at the doctor's to ask about allergy medicines and the nurse taking my pulse said "You must be an athlete." I said "Well, I work out; I go to the gym and run a little." She said "What's a little?"Anyway, the point is 60bmp (bp 114/72) and someone mistook me for an athlete. Even though all my working out is not leading to a lot of weight loss.

Your moments of zen

2008-05-14T08:19:00.000-07:00

Cool "behind the scenes" feature about For Better or For Worse. One of the things that surprised me was the use of drawing from posed photos, because Alison Bechdel has talked about doing that too. On the other hand, maybe it's not that surprising since I think DTWOFis pretty much the political, lesbian version of FBOFW. Vatican: It's OK to believe in aliens. Believing that the universe may

Checking in

2008-05-09T12:12:00.000-07:00

Quo sumus nunc? Quo vadimus?In a few months, I'll have two masters degrees and yet never have held a salaried full-time job in my field (unless you count the funded graduate study I begin next year). I feel like I have a clear and consistent sense of direction and a reliable momentum in that direction, but I also recognize that there are many possible endpoints to this trajectory, and many of

Ha! Take that sneering rest of the world.

2008-04-29T20:33:00.000-07:00

Sometimes Berserkeley isn't so berserk after all. Many ideas spawned in Berkeley - and roundly mocked by the rest of the country - have taken root and have been adopted by cities everywhere. Among them: police radios, a ban on Styrofoam, health benefits for domestic partners and a switch to biodiesel for city cars.

Jon Carroll nails it yet again

2008-04-22T20:34:00.000-07:00

(though he gets lost in the wormhole of Cartesian dualism in the middle)And yet junkies are human beings. We all contain within us the seeds of junkiedom. If you think you don't have an addictive personality, maybe you just haven't met your drug yet. It starts out, after all, with wanting to feel good. Then some switch gets thrown, and even though taking the drug doesn't feel that good anymore,

Surprise! Whole grains and vegetables in diet reduce vascular disease risks

2008-04-15T06:55:00.000-07:00

CHICAGO - A large study offers the strongest evidence yet that a diet the government recommends for lowering blood pressure can save people from heart attack and stroke.Researchers followed more t han 88,000 healthy women for almost 25 years. They examined their food choices and looked at how many had heart attacks and strokes. Those who fared best had eating habits similar to those recommended

Actual news: KITH touring again!

2008-04-11T08:29:00.001-07:00

Boston, April 17San Francisco May 11Los Angeles May 10What else do you need to know? All new material.

Saw Dentist today

2008-04-08T08:07:00.000-07:00

Was told I am very lucky.Apparently, no wisdom teeth in x-ray. None, nada, zip. Dental technician lady "You were born without them."Dentist said teeth look good, gums mostly good, I should floss every day. I think no matter how much you floss they always tell you to floss more, so that's ok too.

Spiders aren't insects (but they'll side with the insects)

2008-04-07T21:29:00.001-07:00

ALA list of LGBT books...for young readers!

2008-03-15T07:07:00.000-07:00

Mombian reports:Where can children, teens, parents and librarians find new LGBT-themed children’s and young adult books of merit? Starting now, they can turn to the annual Rainbow List published by the American Library Association (ALA), the oldest and largest library association in the world.It can be very hard for kids to discover LGBT-themed books, explains retired librarian and schoolteacher

I knew some of this, but not the full extent...(sigh)

2008-03-14T19:15:00.000-07:00

Is this news good or bad or both or neither?

Oh, hail! (aka, What the sleet?)

2008-03-12T13:01:00.000-07:00

But you know what? It's ok. You all enjoy your California weather. It's fine. Here's why:I have confidence that spring will come again. Or in other words, the desert is beautiful because it is hiding a well.There are a lot more birds now. I hear them in the morning.More help from my old friend Albert Camus: "In the midst of winter, I found there was, within me, an invincible summer."

However

2008-03-10T16:56:00.001-07:00

Daytime high of 38degF and lots of wind feels the same as in February. Though perhaps now there is insult added to injury.

PeepS Show!

2008-03-09T21:05:00.000-07:00

Click the link! Safe for work. My favorites are 2,4,9 and 10 (runners up are 15 and 17).

Signs of Spring

2008-03-08T14:10:00.000-08:00

Spring ahead! (D'oh.)SRSLY it's interesting in a place with the normal 4 seasons because you really do notice a trend in temperatures. I don't think it's been below freezing in almost a week!And it smells different. Rain at 40degF in March smells different from rain at 40degF in February.My local bakery has hot-crossed buns. They go well with tea, though the frosting could be more subtle.

The history of space food!

2008-03-04T12:01:00.001-08:00

Food! In space! Click link for story.

What I mean when I say I feel old

2008-03-01T12:16:00.000-08:00

[copied without permission from Cat and Girl]

Submitted without comment

2008-02-27T10:11:00.001-08:00

2008-02-25T19:57:00.001-08:00

So I took a walk today, for the express purpose of listening to Jerry Springer: The Opera (Act I) on my iPod. And also for getting some fresh air while it was light out and since it was warm today (35-40 degrees). I walked by the park near my house, where I don't go often enough. I assembled a snowman from parts that were lying around (but I didn't make any of the parts). I can't believe I

A trip to the grocery store: untried new products that might appeal to me

2008-02-23T12:37:00.000-08:00

Hi.So I feel like I should post something, just to keep things going here. I was reading through posts from last year recently, looking for one of my Jane Austen posts to share with some friends and I was surprised how many posts had actual content about significant things. Hmm. Interesting.Well, this post is not going to be one of those.Ben & Jerry's Banana Split Ice cream: So I saw this at

Rain and clouds at 63 degrees

2008-02-19T05:07:00.000-08:00

Is a completely different experience from rain at 33 degrees like we had last week. In fact, I am willing to make a deal with The Powers That Be in terms of precipitations:Rain is fine as long as it is above 40 degreesOtherwise, only snow is allowed (32 degrees and below)Also, NO WINTRY MIX DO NOT WANT!I think we have a case. Maybe I'll start a petition.

Maybe bagels

2008-02-06T20:14:00.001-08:00

Maybe I will give up bagels for lent. But as it is (starting this week, anyway) if I get a bagel I cut it in half and eat half and have the other half for a snack later. Maybe I should give up facebook or some other way that I end up wasting time. But I think some time is needed on those things. Just not as much.Hmm.Or maybe I should add something instead of giving something up.

Turn, Turn, Turn

2008-02-05T12:49:00.000-08:00

Yargh. I cliked on the wrong thing by mistake and now I have the new email interface for my yahoo mail. DO NOT WANT! it's probably better, but I have to figure out how to work it. It seems busier and with bigger ads :-(What should I give up for Lent this year? Blogging?

Where god closes a door, he opens a window

2008-02-01T17:12:00.000-08:00

So Futurama seems to be on every night at 9 on the comedy channel. That balances out the loss of the 6-7 Simpsons. I don't think we get a 10pm simpsons here anyway.Also I found something that looks a lot like crumpets (and is labeled "crumpets") at the grocery store, so we'll see.

Japan to certify cuisine but no 'sushi police'

2008-01-29T18:13:00.001-08:00

This is the main point of the story: "Our objective is to promote Japanese food, not eliminate Japanese restaurants." The campaign when first announced was mocked by some Western media as a futile effort at a time when Japanese food is growing in popularity across the world. To qualify for certification, applicants are required to use Japanese rice and seasoning along with traditional

End of holidays, beginning of semester

2008-01-28T20:06:00.000-08:00

Today IPut new sheets in my planner (though for some reason I can't find the month page for Feb.)Picked up my Feb. transit pass (free...well, $210 for the whole semester, already paid up)Got my watch battery changed ($12.60)Got a bunch of vaccinations so they'll let me back in ($102)Paid 1/3 of my spring fees so they'll let me back in ($I dare not say)Unpacked both suitcases and put them

You might live in the East Bay IF...

2008-01-25T21:20:00.000-08:00

I swear to god I am not making this up!Sikh-Jewish Interfaith Kirtan Yoga fund-raiser for Golden Gate Audubon Society to rehabilitate oil-soaked birds. Price: $15-$45 Time & Date: Sat., Jan. 26, 7-9 p.m. Piedmont Yoga Studio3966 Piedmont Ave.Oakland CA

zomg. Neti's 15 minutes.

2008-01-08T11:24:00.000-08:00

Of all things, the humble Neti Pot was a headliner on Yahoo today. With a link to a story in the New York Times. Because it was featured on Oprah. Well, I'll be damned.The NY Times story isn't too bad, though it's regrettable they chose to end by talking about some jackass who was doing performance art/comedy.(some excerpts)Originally part of a millennia-old Indian yogic tradition, the practice

Preview of future updates

2007-12-22T20:51:00.000-08:00

I have Rabbi Michael Lerner's Christmas/Chanukah message and some other interesting things I've found about Chanukah (now that it's 2 weeks past) and some thoughts/clippings about the "meaning" of "xmas." But that will have to wait, I guess, until a time when I actually have time to edit them into little chunks and comment on the chunks, which may not be until after xmas.In the meantime, today I

I have seen the much-hyped new Joker face

2007-12-19T20:10:00.000-08:00

DO NOT WANT. bleh.

Living the dream

2007-12-19T06:25:00.000-08:00

It's time to clean, pack, visit the doctor, christmas shop and try to figure out what else I need to do before I leave. And how I'm getting to the airport tomorrow. I don't want to walk 10 minutes to the subway on ice with a big suitcase. With a small suitcase I totally do it, because then it's effectively free for me to get to the airport.Today we have snow possible in the morning, rain likely

Jon Carroll hits it on the head. Again.

2007-12-15T12:14:00.000-08:00

At halftime, as we say in Bach Choir circles, I thought: Well, that was a nice thing. Once every decade or so I could do this. So then came the second half. The church was plunged into darkness. From each side, singers emerged from the large doors and walked up the side aisles and then back down the middle aisles, singing as they went, candles burning in a clever portable

Popular TV show seeks to humanize Arab-Israelis

2007-12-13T17:14:00.000-08:00

By Dion Nissenbaum, McClatchy Newspapers Thu Dec 13, 2:31 PM ETJERUSALEM — Amjad is a neurotic Arab-Israeli journalist who desperately wants to fit in. He teaches his daughter Passover songs and wears a yarmulke when he takes his family to a Jewish Seder. He trades in his beat-up old Subaru for a more expensive "non-Arab" car so that he won't get stopped at Israeli checkpoints.ADVERTISEMENTBut

Merriam-Webster's word of '07: 'w00t'

2007-12-11T21:08:00.000-08:00

Wow, a new comic strip to be my friend!

2007-12-04T12:45:00.000-08:00

Dec 1 and suddenly it's winter

2007-12-01T16:55:00.000-08:00

!#$*& It is cold out there. I would be ok if it didn't get any colder than this (high 20s F)I went to CVS to buy more Emergen-C (the electrolytes and B vitamins are pretty helpful for me on a day-to-day basis. at least I think they are) and they were all out. Of all flavors. The whole shelf where they used to be was empty.I should probably see if they're still giving out those free flu shots

Things that need explaining

2007-11-30T17:51:00.000-08:00

Does anyone who reads this blog know enough about economics to answer this question?: How can the US economy possibly depend on domestic consumer actions if that's just a matter of money moving around within the US and not a matter of bringing more money into the US from the larger (worldwide) system?The song "Walking on Sunshine" just came on my radio and I enjoyed it. WTF? But I think it may

School sucks. Let's go to the movies! (aka Holiday Movie Preview Guide Thing)

2007-11-29T14:03:00.001-08:00

Juno Unexpectedly pregnant, a young woman makes unusual choices for her baby. December 5 Depending on who wrote it, maybe. I had to find out Bateman and Michael Cera were in it to lift it into the maybe category.Atonement In 1935 England, a girl's accusation has lasting impact on the lives of two lovers and their families. December 7 Um, probably not. But I hope Roger Ebert will tell me what

Last 5 state quarter designs revealed

2007-11-27T19:24:00.000-08:00

Very sad. I'm still missing a bunch from last year and I think 2003. This was like the most fun EVAR. They should totally do it again. It was something that [sniff] brought us together as Americans and gave us something to celebrate. I'll always look forward to quarters (because I need them for laundry) but state quarters added that extra shiny thrill.The quarters are scheduled to revert

Tradition! (without it, our lives would be as shaky as...)

2007-11-19T18:23:00.000-08:00

So I was thinking about Susan Stamberg's mother-in-law's cranberry relish. It occurred to me that what it would really be good with is LATKES! Someone remind me to try this in December. (though I probably won't use as much sugar as the recipe calls for and I'm likely to use some kind of yogurt--hmm, maybe 2% Greek yogurt--instead of sour cream. but the horseradish stays.)What, are you surprised

Breaking news! Kucinich in 2012 or 2016!

2007-11-18T21:18:00.000-08:00

Kucinich joins annual protest of the School of the Americas.As tempting as it is to make some kind of smug remark about how he doesn't have a chance, I think that the fact that a presidential candidate is taking such a publicly progressive stance on so many issues brings them into the spotlight so they can be discussed (next presidential debate: "Senator Clinton, why didn't you join the protest?

Good news everybody!

2007-11-18T20:07:00.000-08:00

Yes, you can all breathe a sigh of relief now becauseI have figured out what I am going to wear for Thanksgiving.Hey, I am going to be in LA for Thanksgiving. It is supposed to be 70degF and Sunny. bwah ha ha ha!I am probably going to switch to my heavier coat (have been wearing my jacket still) tomorrow. It shocks me as much as it shocks you, I know, but I think I am tired of listening to

Shuffle

2007-11-14T18:36:00.000-08:00

So, I have been listening to my iPod on shuffle a lot lately. I usually listen to it walking to the train, on the train and again on the way home. I am learning a lot from this practice. I'd like to say that I'm learning to accept not having control over things and going with the flow and so forth, and maybe that is true, too, but mostly I have learnedI like most of the songs/tracks on my iPod

Pants. I haz em.

2007-11-12T13:11:00.000-08:00

Back from Old Navy, bringer of pants. 1 pair jeans, very nice; 1 pair dark grey slacks. Pretty much 1-to-1 replacement of items in my wardrobe that have kicked the bucket. Sad news is I was definitely 34 around and not 33 as I am sometimes.They have some fine sweaters at Old Navy. I tried one on, and to my surprise, it actually fit and looked pretty good. Men's small. They also had argyle

You know how Sunday afternoons always suck?

2007-11-11T17:02:00.001-08:00

It's true. Not a modern phenomenon, either: you can find references in literature e.g. Bellamy's Looking Backward (1836?)I have a guaranteed way to take the suck out of them. Have Monday off.w00t.Also, I was going to be pissed that there was football instead of Simpsons, but football finished and Simpsons started, so all is right in the world.

Happy Diwali!

2007-11-09T15:05:00.000-08:00

A couple of weeks ago I scoured the internet for a summary of the Ramayan, but I couldn't find an appropriate one to link to. So, pictures:

Thought of the day/year/decade

2007-11-08T12:29:00.001-08:00

"Emancipate yourself from mental slavery; only ourselves can free our minds."~Bob Marley.

News from the world of religion

2007-11-05T20:10:00.000-08:00

[Hey, this is my 402nd post! w00t.] Sermon prompts tips that leads to arrestThe Subway sandwich shop at the True Bethel Baptist Church in Buffalo was robbed at gunpoint on Friday night, but the crime was recorded on the store's surveillance video.what really sticks in my mind is the fact that this church as it's own Subway. I'm still boggling. Did I read that right? I've seen mega-churches, but

Things that make a place feel like home

2007-11-04T09:55:00.000-08:00

Clock radioBedside lamp I just boughtTeabags and place to store themWhen you have to go to a third new place and then come back and it's a relief.In other news, I am having trouser troubles. When I moved here, I had to my estimation, 4 pairs of trousers:1 pair of jeans1 pair of grey slacks1 pair of dark brown corduroys1 fancy pair of grey trousers for if I need to get dressed up, but they are a

Back from Tx

2007-11-03T22:21:00.000-07:00

I tell you whut, if you have to fly, here how to do it:Have a great tailwind and leave the gate 5 mins early so you arrive 30 mins early altogether.Have the flight be half empty so you get a seat to yourself and all the crying babies fall asleep.Have a window seat and fly up the East Coast on a clear night and see all the cities hanging on the night like a jewel on an Ethiop's ear.Have your iPod

Sleep deprivation is fun!

2007-11-01T15:56:00.000-07:00

So I caught the end of a Voyager episode this afternoon (long story, don't ask). It was one in which Vorick is having his pon farr and is all into B'Elanna, who of course is not into him.Some observations:Vorick is a poor example of a Vulcan, really, but he's amusing in his own way.I swear there must be several episodes where we deal with his pon farr, but they're only supposed to get it every 7

Dennis Kucinich, National Hero

2007-10-30T16:21:00.000-07:00

I guess that's the nice thing about trailing in the polls--you're free not to pander. PHILADELPHIA - Democratic presidential candidate Dennis Kucinich questioned President Bush's mental health in light of comments he made about a nuclear Iran precipitating World War III."I seriously believe we have to start asking questions about his mental health," Kucinich, an Ohio congressman, said in an

So, my library

2007-10-28T17:46:00.000-07:00

Is a pretty good library in terms of amenities. It has good study furniture in different shapes depending on whether you need to sit up straight and write things, or slouch and read things; it has scrap paper in the right places; it has lots of computers and printers and outlets for laptops and things like that. AND I found out this week that it also has free feminine hygiene products in its (

Snack Find of the Week

2007-10-24T17:17:00.000-07:00

So, I shop at Shaw's, which is like Safeway, mostly because the location is convenient to public transit and between where I live and where I work. Usually I even walk home with my groceries. Anyway, I have mixed feelings about Shaw's, but for now it's there and it gets the job done; to its credit it, it has a 2-3 aisle "organic ghetto" where you can find Amy's products, etc.Anyway, I was in

Saw a poster for this

2007-10-20T21:41:00.000-07:00

(click link to see what. Safe for work) Thinking about going.But wait, will it be uncool like Beatlemania? Or, even worse, like We Will Rock You?But even if so, it would probably be a step toward coolness for me and I might have fun at it and get out of the house on a Sat night?I mean, for me the all-ukelele version of Ziggy Stardust was a definite move toward some kind of hipness.

So much to say, so little time

2007-10-16T11:01:00.001-07:00

For example, I have at least two posts that are only partly done over in saved drafts.But I thought I would take some time to focus on the important things.In a cafe, you can eat and study, but you can't keep people from talking (and sometimes you can't turn off the awful piped-in muzak). In a library, you can study and give people dirty looks if they talk much, but you can't eat. Is a

You know what I don't like?

2007-10-03T17:07:00.000-07:00

Those commercials for The Saw movie. Even the first time I saw it/them I knew it was just some new edgy marketing thing, but I still don't like it. I wish it were for something stupid like doritos or a new razor or hi-def radio, but even then I wouldn't like it, but at least I could feel contempt for it.I mean, if I *wanted* to be creeped out, I would go to a creepy/gore movie, but since I

Austeniana

2007-09-30T15:16:00.000-07:00

Hello Gentle Readers,Thank you for your patience. As you know, it has been a busy time. I put my MSc dissertation in the mail on Friday, so that's one monkey off my back. But perhaps mor importantly, I have finished reading the works of Jane Austen (at least for the first time).I had been wondering what I'd do with myself when I finally finish the novels. the short works, juvenilia, and the

The Discworld Cake

2007-09-25T20:44:00.001-07:00

Yes. It is a CAKE. Of Discworld. OMFG. Click the link for the "making-of," which is also pretty amazing.

I haz bed

2007-09-14T21:06:00.000-07:00

Check it out:Futon (frame & mattress, and extra cover, all only 1 year old): $100Nightstand (great condition) and file cabinet (needs a little oil, but works): $35This is the only bad part. Rental truck (advertised at $20): $20 + $10 insurance + 60cents/mile(*10 miles)-->$6.00 + $10 refilling the tank (1/8 tank) + ??fees and taxes and crap = possibly $50. :-(Still, I budgeted $200 and I'm under

Good things that happened today

2007-09-13T16:30:00.000-07:00

Very good sandwich at lunch, and part of a combo that came with a drink and chips. What I especially liked about it: thin sliced cucumber and tomato, but lots of slices. This is good sandwich construction technique. Also, the multigrain bread had flax seeds, looked dark and full of fiber, yet was able to bend instead of breaking. Another sign of good sandwich construction. And the bread

More things

2007-09-11T20:29:00.000-07:00

Will try to focus on more positives so no one worries.My hostility to things is now only intermittent and is somewhat alleviated by the food we are givenFor example, box lunch yesterday (decent), continental breakfast this morning (very nice), pizza this evening (ok, the pizza was bad, but it was still there and free. The thought was good). There is also breakfast on Friday. The word

More blog vomit, aka Welcome to Boston II

2007-09-10T18:35:00.000-07:00

Regional food variation: there is something called a bulkie roll. Apparently (based on Wikipedia description) it is what in the UK is called a bap. I don't recall such an item having its own special name in the midwest or CA.Anyway, orientation was today. I was online this morning about 7 or 7:30am trying to find the schedule for the week and then I finally found it about 8am. Oh look! It

So

2007-09-09T18:41:00.001-07:00

Here I am. ie, I am here.There are too many undergraduates and their parents around the campus, and the area around the campus is really busy. This appealed to me when I was younger. Not so much now. At least the parents will be gone this week.Orientation and registration is tomorrow. I wish I could again-find the schedule for this week that I had previously printed and left on HB's desk ie

Hitchens, Obama and Mother Teresa

2007-08-23T16:19:00.000-07:00

Christopher Hitchens, I think you can also be added to my People Who Can Shut Up Now list.Barack Obama, unfortunately because of your Pakistan statement I have to give you a yellow card. Anyone without your record would have gone straight to the List (see above). You know and I know that what you are really about is transcending binaries and getting to the underlying truths of the matters and

Interesting Things for today

2007-08-06T14:05:00.000-07:00

Temping again this week. That's not the interesting part.Had lunch near 24th and Potrero, which gave me an opportunity to:Remember the name and location of this place, St. Francis Fountain, where I once enjoyed a half-order of Nebulous Potato Thing (that's what it's called on the menu). (This quote from citysearch sums it up: "a retro dream come true, a picture-perfect old-school soda fountain

Kirk Cameron: You can shut up, too

2007-07-24T21:15:00.000-07:00

If you're saying that Jesus wants us to carry out his instructions, don't you think the discussion should at least include the instructions such as loving your neighbor, loving your enemy, turning the other cheek, etc. instead of just the part about spreading the faith ie converting people? In completely unrelated news, tonight I saw the Simpsons episode in which Homer is sent to an outsourced

News from the real world

2007-07-20T13:42:00.000-07:00

Was woken up by my biggest earthquake to date last night at 4:40am: 4.2 on the richter scale, 2 miles from Oakland, lasted about 10 seconds. No damage, cats were not impressed. Why do I feel like I'm trudging through Chamber of Secrets? Started this morning and am 2/3 through. The dueling scene seemed contrived, and the mandrake-repotting unnecessary. What's wrong with me? OTOH I do have a

Bits of things/Current events

2007-07-20T12:06:00.000-07:00

Apparently K.T. Tunstall has a new album out, because they played a song from it on KFOG this morning. That's good; I like her voice and look forward to hearing more of her on the radio. The new song was pretty good, too--an interesting minor key bass line.So the new Harry Potter, the last one is coming out this weekend? Oops, I'm behind on my reading. I was debating with myself whether to just

Did you ever wonder if your diet is making you produce too much mucus?

2007-07-18T17:14:00.000-07:00

Note: I'm not sure if I believe all of this, but it certainly seems plausible. Highly entertaining, at any rate! And if you lean towards naturopathy, I think this article, does too.This is the funniest part:Let’s look at an antibody soap opera. Antibody X must seek and demolish Microbe Z, a bacterial bad guy, responsible for an irritating cold. The body is tracking his position, Agent X has

Life in Oakland

2007-07-17T09:02:00.000-07:00

This really happened. To me. This morning.Me: [getting on a bus I've never taken before, speaking to driver] Do you go to BART? Fruitvale BART?Bus driver lady: Uh-uh, no.Me: You don't go to BART?Bus driver lady: [exasperated] Yes I go to BART!Me: Sorry, I didn't hear you the first time.Bus driver lady: [no trace of humor, joshing, etc] I said no the first time, but I go to BART.Me: Ok thanks! [

Breaking news!

2007-07-16T15:38:00.000-07:00

Saw these at the grocery store yesterday. Good thing I was already in the checkout line, or else I might have been tempted to buy them. I like Raisinets, but I find I don't enjoy milk chocolate much anymore and often find it cloying, so I was happy to see these! I know that mainstream cheap candy versions of dark candy (e.g. dark m&ms, dark kit kat, dark kisses) are going to be lower cocoa

Stop the presses!

2007-07-11T08:57:00.000-07:00

Ok, so late last night we were driving by the Oakland airport, and as we made a left turn to get back on Hegenberger out the right side window I SAW IT. In the moonlight and fog, resting gently on the ground. Or did it touch the ground? I swear we were as close as 50 yards from it. I didn't have a camera and we didn't have time to go, but maybe that's for the best. The magic, mystery and

What's happenin' in Oakland?

2007-07-10T21:58:00.000-07:00

The bookstore that closed down in the Dimond district is now a Peet's coffee.There appears to be a new(!) AC Transit bus line, the 1R which is a rapid bus. But I don't know where and where it goes between--I will have to find out. On that note, all the AC Transit busses I've been seeing look new and in good condition. Yay!Ongoing something or other between the SEIU (union) and Farmer Joe's. I

Dear Pope Ratzinger:

2007-07-10T12:25:00.000-07:00

Shut up already. You know, yesterday with the Latin mass thing I stuck up for you because I thought maybe you were trying to heal a rift within the church and that your main goal wasn't to introduce the part about praying for the conversion of Jewish people (though even Rabbi Michael Lerner wasn't happy about that), but today after this whole "non-Catholic churches aren't real churches" thing I

Rhythms Del Mundo: Rocking my world?

2007-07-08T15:07:00.000-07:00

Right, so last week I was in a restaurant in central London and a song came on. I said to myself "Hang on a minute, is that a...latin jazz cover of....Coldplay's 'Clocks'?" Which it appeared to be from every way I could tell. What really amazed me about it was how well it worked--if you said to me someone did a latin jazz cover of a Coldplay song I would probably shrug it off as some kind of

2007-06-29T01:16:00.000-07:00

1. Outrage over Indian Muslim and Israeli player teamed for doubles. Outrage by whom? Where? The fact that the kind of people (i.e. extremists on both sides) who would care about this have enough media savvy and access to make it seem like it's a big deal is what's the problem. (Also the fact that whoever is writitng these stories didn't bother to specify exactly who is upset and to put that

Wait a minute!

2007-06-27T01:38:00.000-07:00

Amy Winehouse isn't black??? I always pictured her looking like Macy Gray.There was bad news about aspartame (Equal, Nutrasweet) and cancer in rats but I don't have a link right now.

"To make injustice the only measure of our attention is to praise the Devil."

2007-06-26T13:48:00.000-07:00

Normally I don't click on ads. Because then you get a pop-up ad, right? And I try not to pay attention to the ones I'm supposed to watch to read Salon. However, today apparently someone's market research has allowed them to target me accurately, because I not only clicked on the ad, but am now thinking of actually paying for an advertised product.Of course, before making a rash decision I've

Dates and Deadlines

2007-06-23T03:56:00.000-07:00

I promise you I only went there looking for the release date. Which is July 27, 2007.The last Harry Potter book comes out July 21, 2007.Therefore, we can infer that the deadline for my dissertation to be written up (at least a first draft) will be July 20, 2007. Logic prevails, once again.So I guess I will re-take the GRE in August.

More of the same

2007-06-21T09:56:00.000-07:00

Research is now showing that five spices we've long savored just for their flavor are also nutritional powerhouses. Courtesy of yahoo. Today I saw/heard the Kaiser Chiefs' "Everything is average nowadays"--I was surprised, because based on this song I would say I liked their music, but based on "Ruby" (which has gotten so much airplay this year!) alone, I wouldn't. But the video to "Ruby" is

Ever wonder how much caffeine is in stuff?

2007-06-21T01:08:00.000-07:00

Here's a chart where you can see! Highlights: Coffee 135g, Tea 30g, Coke 46g, decaf coffee 5g.

Spoonful of cinnamon helps blood sugar stay down

2007-06-20T14:36:00.000-07:00

NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Adding some cinnamon to your dessert may temper the blood sugar surge that follows a sweet treat, a new study suggests.Researchers at Malmo University Hospital in Sweden found that adding a little more than a teaspoon of cinnamon to a bowl of rice pudding lowered the post-meal blood sugar rise in a group of healthy volunteers. [click title for full story]I think

2007-06-19T13:36:00.000-07:00

Ok, for a number of reasons I'm not going to get into right now, I think my next big thing is going to be a focus on anti-inflammatory foods and practices. I have felt for some time now that my various health...well, I wouldn't call them problems, but my health thingies...that they are somehow different symptoms of a systematic issue.The good news is that what I have to do is what I'm already

Why your kids expect to be rich (from MSN money)

2007-06-17T06:06:00.000-07:00

Our whole society, and our economy, is built on the idea that "money will make you happy," said attorney Jon Gallo, co-author with his wife, Eileen Gallo, of the book "The Financially Intelligent Parent." "It's part of our cultural ethos. . . . These teenagers are just epitomizing that."In reality, money doesn't add much to people's happiness once they're raised above the subsistence or poverty

Why do gyms play such crappy music?

2007-06-17T04:24:00.000-07:00

That is the title of a recent article/blog post on Salon (click the link above to read the article). This is an issue close to my heart, but I was surprised as I read the article. You see, some time ago I reconciled myself to the fact that music that's good for working out to is usually music that I would hate in any other part of my life. In fact, I find myself more and more often switching

Journey

2007-06-16T08:22:00.000-07:00

I am listening to Ali Akbar Khan's crossover/world/fusion album, Journey on my iPod right now. It is a revelation.In 2004, at Northern Public Radio's CD/Album sale in DeKalb Il, I was startled to find a copy of this album on CD and snapped it up for $5. If I recall correctly, I uploaded it to my laptop (was using RealPlayer then. because I didn't know better!), burned a copy for myself and

Let's talk about sitcoms

2007-06-15T08:42:00.000-07:00

Canada's Muslim sitcom answer to Goodness Gracious Me: Little Mosque on the Prairie. Some excerpts from the interview on On The Media (gotta love that show):BOB GARFIELD: [...] Since January, the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation has been airing Little Mosque on the Prairie, a comedy about a small Muslim congregation in rural Canada rubbing elbows with the local Christians, where

Dear Senator Lieberman,

2007-06-15T04:29:00.001-07:00

Please shut up already. Why don't you and Senator McCain go off and form your own "centrist" party? You could call it the Spineless Reactionary Buttkissing Party.The only thing I'm afraid of is that you'll succeed.

The world is full of interesting things

2007-06-14T09:52:00.000-07:00

And you can find out about so many of them in the Chron!For example:Grand opera gets grander with state-of-the-art screens. Summary: screens to improve the view up in the balcony, include close-up shots, etc. Commentary: Hey, sounds like a good idea to me--not only simulcasts, but opportunity of a new way of experiencing it while you're in the hall. And if you prefer the old fashioned way

It's official: this country is spiritually bankrupt

2007-06-06T21:49:00.000-07:00

Real actual commercial:Woman, contemplating buying her husband a TV (for father's day?): Hmm, do you think he'll like it?Talking blue light bulb: No. He'll LOVE it! And he'll love you. Nothing says love to a man like a hi-def TV. And it might even get you something from over there (indicating jewelery counter).I swear this was an actual commercial I saw today. I don't remember the store, but