They may not be your idea of a culinary thrill, but mochi cakes are tres popular in Japan, especially at New Years. Made of the aptly named glutinous rice (it’s gluey), they are gluggy globs of gelatinous glup. I happen … Continue reading →
Years ago when I was in college, I took a class where I learned about sickle cell anemia and sickle cell trait, as well as thalassemia major and minor. They seemed awesome examples of the way heredity works: inherited defects … Continue reading →
Commenter “Lizzy” writes: I’m thinking it’s no coincidence that women have recently expanded their definition of sexual assault and out-of-bounds male behavior to include things like morning after regret, the unwelcome male gaze, and “slut-shaming.” So women still expect expressions … Continue reading →
This just may be the most depressing non-political news I’ve had so far in 2015: just how easy it is to reach a grand total of 2000 calories at most restaurants. An example: Considering that I gain weight if I … Continue reading →
[BUMPED UP] Now, how did that happen? The last year I remember noticing as a big transition was the year 2000. We had entered science fiction territory, and 2001 was similar because of the Stanley Kubrick film. But after that … Continue reading →
Here it comes again, folks, New Years Eve. The night it’s obligatory to have a rollicking good time. Why, I’m not so sure. Perhaps because the passage of the years can be depressing, especially after the age of forty or … Continue reading →
Here are the things on that list I’ve done, and those I have yet to get around to: ”“bought a new car A lot of people thought I’d surely done this. But no. Probably never will, either, although about four … Continue reading →
I was looking for something else last night and instead came across this post from early in my days as a blogger, nearly ten years ago. It was written in answer to one of those memes that used to be … Continue reading →
Enough of this sorrow and pain—now for something completely different, something for the holidays. It’ll help you gain your requisite .81 pounds and then some. Those of you who’ve read this blog for a long time are probably familiar with … Continue reading →
When I was a child—which was not all that long ago—the supermarkets used to close at 5 PM. You could also get almost anything delivered, too: meat from the butcher, fish from the fishmonger, vegetables and fruits from the man … Continue reading →
I’m way past the child-rearing age, although I remember it well. But it seems to me that political considerations are now huge for parents, at least parents on the liberal end of things, and I don’t remember this being true … Continue reading →
This link at Drudge caught my eye: “Scientists discover ‘off-switch’ for pain.” That would certainly be something to be thankful for. But then I thought, “Well, I bet it doesn’t apply to neuropathic pain.” I have a special interest in … Continue reading →