Mystery Meat
During my son’s freshman year at Colorado State University, I had several occasions to visit him and eat in the dorm cafeteria. Among the various foodie temptations were a carvery, a pizza counter, a burger grill and both sushi and salad bars. As for desserts… don’t get me started. Things have changed since my first […]
Group Hugs
“Can we all get along?” This famous line (often misquoted) was poignantly spoken by Rodney King. He was appealing for calm after the verdict in his police brutality trial that triggered the ’92 Los Angeles riot, a rampage that cost the city over $2 billion dollars. If you think anyone listened, just Google “Ferguson, Missouri.” […]
Taking Pictures
There are certain elements of technology that have saved my butt in tense situations. Example: We are at some sort of family gathering/vacation/dinner/graduation/party /wedding/ etc. when my wife turns to me and says, “You brought the camera, right?” A “yes” answer would, at the very least, postpone a dirty look until the film was taken […]
PancakeBot to the Rescue
One of the most important skills you must have in order to be a good parent has nothing to do with diapers or shoelaces; we’re talking about pancakes here. When our kids were growing up, it was absolutely essential that I produce “Mickey Mouse” pancakes. The taste, color and texture were secondary; the most important […]
High Jumping in Kenya
Most of us in this country take for granted how richly blessed we are. We have clean water, indoor plumbing, and a very high standard of living compared to the rest of the world. When we don’t like something about our government, we are free to complain without fear of being thrown in jail. Our […]
Apple’s Grasp of the Obvious
The U.S. Patent system is founded on an elegantly simple process for encouraging innovation. You come up with a unique idea that is not obvious to someone who is familiar with the subject area. You describe it in sufficient detail that others can duplicate it. In return for doing so in writing, the government will […]
Death, Taxes and the Speed of Light
We take great comfort in knowing that some things never change. The sun always rises in the morning and sets in the evening (except at the North Pole in June). Water always flows downhill (unless you are a scientist at the University of Rochester). And every week the Internet will have a new party-photo of […]
Technology Requires Sacrifice
You have to give up something in order to get something else. The evidence of this is all around us. Building a retirement fund may require postponing a new car, losing weight could mean passing up that piece of cherry pie, and the many joys of becoming a parent involve giving up some freedom. Freedom […]
If Only I Knew Me Better
If a question comes up that no one can answer, the present-day solution is “Google It.” Back around 600 B.C., inquiring minds turned to the Seven Sages of Greece who were widely known for their “pithy and memorable dicta.” Sample dicta from the Seven include the memorable “Nothing in excess”, “Too many workers spoil the […]
The Coping Point
Once upon a time, as I waited my turn for some minor surgery (major for me, minor for everyone else), my doctor stopped by the gurney and asked how I was doing. “Fine”, I lied, and then added “More importantly, how are YOU doing?” His simple reply -“Balanced.” Hospitals have really good drugs, and the […]
