Monthly Archives: March 2012

There is snow on them there hills.

Growing up in Florida, I was always curious about snow.  Intellectually, I understood it, but experientially I did not.  I went to the Northeast in part because of that curiosity. Four years of Massachusetts winters cured me.  I left Wellesley … Continue reading

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Justice v. Process

Recently I was watching a fascinating documentary on PBS, “Slavery by Another Name,” about forced servitude of African-Americans in the post Civil War South.  The program covered convict labor, and how men would be arrested mainly to have their labor … Continue reading

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Into the woods

A few months ago I went to Muir Woods.  For those of you who are unfamiliar with Muir Woods, it is a National Monument, one of the best preserved remaining stands of virgin, old-growth redwoods. It was a beautiful day.  … Continue reading

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That didn’t go badly.

[No, this is not the most scintillating of posts.  I am a bear of very little brain this afternoon, at least now, probably because great nervousness takes a lot of concentration to hold in check.  I was better earlier.  I … Continue reading

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Whining.

There is so much to write about.  But after 48 hours which included one six hour ER visit (kid’s okay; nothing lasting), an emergency dentist appointment (another kid, is okay), a badly pulled rib muscle (me — I was on … Continue reading

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It wasn’t that much of an exaggeration.

Today the Red-Headed Menace and I went to lunch following his doctor’s appointment.  I introduced him to my favorite pizza, the deep dish “Untouchables” at P’izza Chicago in Palo Alto. It is a wonder, with barbecue sauce, red onions, cilantro, … Continue reading

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Heh. Nothing to see here.

Okay, here’s the deal.  There was this post.  I was not ready to make it public, because I questioned whether it was fair.  (Yes, believe it or not, those considerations do matter to me.) I accidentally published it. Well, not … Continue reading

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A stranger shore.

I must down to the seas again, for the call of the running tideIs a wild call and a clear call that may not be denied…                                 … Continue reading

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I hate knowing less than the kid.

Me: It’s cold out here.Red-Headed Menace:  No, it’s not.Me: You ate, what, 4000 calories yesterday?*Red-Headed Menace: I prefer to measure it in joules. *He is in track — he runs middle and long distance, and throws discus.  He can run … Continue reading

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Yes, I’m being lazy. Sue me.

I write a lot about political matters.  Sometimes, such as in the last post, I don’t link to the actual decision or bill.  (Where I am referring to a news item, I link to the article.)  I sort of assume … Continue reading

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Politics makes strange bedfellows: anti-Kelo legislation.

I have written about my feelings about the SCOTUS decision in Kelo v. City of New London.* Citizen’s United and Ledbetter v. Goodyear notwithstanding, Kelo is the worst Supreme Court decision of the last decade, at least. The House of Representatives … Continue reading

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I feel… well, maybe not pretty, but respectable.

So, on Friday, with the help of a nice young woman who acted as an assistant, I put together a small interview/work wardrobe.  Enough to carry me a couple of weeks at a business.  Then, with my first paycheck I … Continue reading

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Oh, no!

A transformer blew in spectacular fashion outside our backyard last week.  (At 3 a.m., no less.)  Ever since then, the wireless in the house has been spotty, and it died for good today.  The Rocket Scientist is out of town, … Continue reading

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Both of my younger children (and my elder, as far as I know) are incensed about ACTA.  Railfan went so far as to email both his parents, his brothers, and his teachers, telling us to Google it immediately, and take … Continue reading

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Passing the Test.

The Bechdel Test is a very handy measure for assessing the status of women in the eyes of the entertainment industry. But like most measures, the devil is in the details: what can be useful in assessment of the general … Continue reading

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