Mental Illness Has Benefits!
Dr. Nassir Ghaemi, who runs the Mood Disorders Program at Tufts Medical Center in Boston, Massachusetts USA, has published a book that links strong leadership ability, especially in times of crisis, with mental illness. Equally remarkable is the hypothesis of A...
The Booth at the End
Last weekend I discovered the web series The Booth at the End. Only five episodes were made, shown exclusively on HuluPlus this summer. As I watched episodes one through four, I wished the series went on forever, but when I heard the final line of episode five, I...
I Look Great
Disclaimer: since I've become properly obese, I re-read these old posts and see my body dysmorphia and obsession with food and weight. It's sad to me now. Previous post on fatness. The ten pounds I put on between Mother's Day and Father's Day has finally started to...
Borderline Personality Disorder Now Has a Face
Patty Duke and Kay Redfield Jamison have written books about living with bipolar disorder. Famous people who have spoken about their struggles with chronic depression include Sheryl Crowe, Jim Carrey and Owen Wilson. But the mental illness that fascinates me the most...
Yay, Summer Is Almost Over in the U.S!
Okay it isn't, but I'm trying to cheer myself up by focusing on the return of Chicago's cold weather when: 1. People will stop arguing loudly outside in the middle of the night. 2. No one is in danger of dying of heat-related problems. 3. Our upstairs neighbor's air...
Thank a System Administrator This Friday
This Friday, July 29 is System Administrator Appreciation Day. A system administrator, or sysadmin, is the person who (from the http://www.sysadminday.com/ website): ...plans, worries, hacks, fixes, pushes, advocates, protects and creates good computer networks, to...
The Blue Zones: How Much Can You Do?
The "blue zones" are parts of the world where people commonly live past age 100. They are called that because the researcher who originally studied these zones, used blue ink to circle them on his map. So much for mystery.According to Dan Buettner’s The Blue Zones,...
Cutting the Cake
That cake was so good (yellow cake with lemon filling). I've decided that all my birthday cakes for the rest of my life have to come from Central Continental Bakery in Mt. Prospect, Illinois USA. I had to make that long drive just hours after a record-breaking...
Today is My Birthday
Today I am 45 years old! I'm very happy about this because I've been looking forward to 45 for a long time. In my 20s, I found life to be challenging and confusing, and I figured 45 was a good age to expect to have found some balance and confidence. It just sounded...
If You Could Be Any Age for One Week
I've heard people asking other people, "If you could be any age for a week, what age would you be?" Think about your answer for a moment. Okay. So far, everyone has answered with an age they've already been (often childhood). I do not answer with an age I've already...
Saying the Right Thing
Let's say your name is Chris and you have a friend named Rita. Let's say you see her right outside of your usual coffee shop, while she's carrying her latte out and you’re on your way in for your morning pick-me-up. You say, "Rita, what's up?" She steps out of the way...
“You Don’t Look Like You’ve Gained Weight”
Previous post on fatness. Disclaimer: since I've become properly obese, I re-read these old posts and see my body dysmorphia and obsession with food and weight. It's sad to me now. People think this is a nice thing to say and I'm sure it is for most people. I'm sure...