The win streak continues -- because of me.

A couple of weeks ago the Dodgers were on a losing streak. I had no one to blame but myself. I was watching almost every game, and they were losing. Something had to change.

What was I doing different? Well, I thought, may be I should give them a break. Let's see what happens when I don't watch them.

So the next game I didn't watch them on T.V. I patiently waited until the next days morning paper. The next day, I nervously opened the paper. They won! Hmm. I told myself, "Well, lets see what happens tomorrow."

They won again!

So now it's been 7 games. And it's been 7 wins.

Because of me!

(I probably just jinxed them *sigh*)

http://www.flickr.com/photos/jeremihad/535524354/

Exactly what was said

I almost never do interviews by email. But, they gave me a contact that was expecting an email, so I did so.

What kind of interview did I get? Well, I one that gave more than I asked for. Which, is good.

Email interviews give me a written record of what was asked and said. Yet, the interviewee ALSO has a written record of what was asked and said. They can easily forward this email, post it on their blog, or do as they please with this electronic transcript.

Nothing bad has ever happened. It’s just always in the back of my mind.

Still, I will always prefer the old standby, and Adrianne Flynn said it best.


"I get on the horn and call the sources for my stories and ask them all kinds of stupid questions until I understand what they're talking about." -- Adrianne Flynn

http://www.flickr.com/photos/grusia4ever/527392892/

Pee on bees revisited!

I believe I've finally found the answer to those animated bees plastered on men's water less urinals. Apparently, they call the use of the animated bees "choice architecture." While listening to NPR, Richard Thaler, economist and coauthor of "Nudge: Improving Decisions about Health, Wealth and Happiness," had this to say.

"The urinal example is a nice illustration of what we call a nudge. So, the picture of the housefly that has been etched into the urinals, the men notice it. Most of the men actually think it’s real. So they aim. So they pay attention to a task they normally don’t, and as result they do it more successfully.”


So I was partially right. The bees indeed give the urinator an object to aim, improving accuracy. But I still think it is just fun to pee on bees!

And thanks to MDG. Apparently, the word bee in Latin is "apis."

Recovery

Monday I had a laparoscopic cholecystectomy (try saying that five times fast) to have my gallbladder removed. I've already had two attacks because of gallstones, so the doctors said I was time for the gallbladder to go. I complied.

Monday night was the worst. I couldn't find a pain-free position to sleep in. Even with Vicodin I was up most of the night delicately and painfully moving around in my bed. Eventually, I found the best position was sitting up in bed, but that’s not the worst part.

It hurts to laugh! So I've been avoiding any comedy on television and conversations with my friends. Yet I've been able to master a new, less painful laugh. I smile, hold my breath, and slowly let breaths with a slight chuckle. It sucks, but I will manage.

Fathers

While listening to the radio one evening I heard Ira Glass, the host of "This American Life," say something that just struck a cord with me, made me laugh with realization.

While interviewing a guest of about his childhood life, the guest, an orthodox Jew, said that as a child he recited his prayers with great resentment. The guest hoped there wasn't another "father" in heaven because the overbearing father he had at home was certainly enough for him.

With laughter Glass replied that he never really thought of it that way.

“My image of god is exactly the image of my father--but bigger. Which is, he is usually not around. Sometimes he'll take an interest. He means well. Mostly he is kind of like, ‘You're own your own,’ ” Glass said.

I laughed because this exactly describes my relationship with both "fathers.”

I must say however, however, my real life father has taken more interest my brothers and my life, especially my brothers who now have families of their own. And I would not be where I am now without my fathers help. I love him dearly for that. Still, I can't help and agree with what the host said.

To me, in many ways the father down here seems to be like the father up there.

http://www.futureofthebook.org/mitchellstephens/archives/evolution/
http://www.thislife.org/
http://www.myspace.com/thisamericanlifespace

Listen. Digest. Pursue.

Close my eyes. Clench my teeth. And slowly shake my head.
I do this every time I hear this speech.
There is and will never be another person like Robert Kennedy. You do not have to watch the video--just listen. Please listen.

“Believe nothing of what you hear and only half of what you see.”

Being users of Blogger, some of you probably already use Google News. Indeed, it is a very useful tool. But, what I consider its best feature is its ability to let experts comment on issues presented in stories. It still has its flaws. Apparently, bloggers can be experts on anything they wish. Yet, stories do receive comments from credible doctors, attorneys, professors, policy makers, and other experts. As always, “Believe nothing of what you hear and only half of what you see.” Interested on what policy organizations recommend the government do to get the economy out of its suspected slump. See what Robert Greenstein, executive director of the Center on Budget & Policy Priorities has to say.

The Four Pieces of Effective Fiscal Stimulus

How about living the real life “Day After Tomorrow?” See what Dan Bloom, director of Polar Cities Research Institute said.

Polar Cities in the Future


How about a needed (in my opinion) change in the NCAA postseason football system. See what the NCAA president says.

NCAA President Myles Brand Statement on Postseason Football