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

"Rumors of my death have been greatly exaggerated."

I didn’t realize it’s been this long since I’ve updated. Time has certainly flew these past few weeks. Anyway, I found something you might enjoy–my obituary. Obviously not my real obituary, but a 100 percent factious one. It was a written assignment given to me during my very first journalism class. And, apparently, I did a good job describing my life and death. I must be a good story teller. I got a A. Enjoy!

The following story is
fictional and does not depict
any actual person or event.
--Law and Order

Hero F-16 fight pilot G.A. Mendoza, 35, died Wednesday from injuries suffered in an auto accident near his Hawaii beach home.

The California native was killed on impact as another vehicle crossed into his path, Police Commander Sergio Diaz said. "It seems he was speeding. He was just going to fast. He had no time to react."

The driver of the other vehicle also suffered injuries, but is expected to survive, Diaz added.

Lured buy the Navy's speedy F-16, Mendoza enlisted in the Navy at 18. "The one thing about him," father Daniel Mendoza said, "he loved speed. He said the Navy was the only place he could fly something fast enough for him."

Within two years, he as acknowledge as a talented pilot. While stationed in Iraq, Mendoza received fame for intercepting an incoming raid by Iran during a routing practice mission. Outnumbered and faced with superior firepower, he proceeded to shoot down 24 enemy planes before returning back to base unharmed.

"He never understood what the big deal was," Longtime friend Jeremiah Lechon said. "He always just thought he was doing his job."

Mendoza was born March 3, 1984 in Los Angeles, Calif., the son of Daniel and Lupe Mendoza. he grew up in Bellflower, Calif.

By the age of 7 he began taking automotive magazine to school and reading them during class time. Childhood friend Joe Herrera recalls Mendoza being named "Mr. Crankshaft."

"He loved cars." Daniel Mendoza said. "If they were low, loud, or especially fast he loved it."

As a teenager he attended Bellflower High School were he played baseball and football. It was here that teachers saw potential in him. "His writing and reading skills were excellent," his high school teacher Karen Johnston said. "I remember asking him if his parents were teachers because I was so impressed.

Mendoza graduated from Bellflower High School in 2002. On month later he joined the Navy. After being honorably discharged from the Navy in 2011, Mendoza attended Cal State Long Beach, where he met his future wife.

Upon graduation in 2016, he went to work as a staff editor for Hot Rod Magazine. It was his dream job, Lechon said.

Daniel Mendoza recalled Mendoza saying, "Were else can I hangout with industry legends, drive prototype cars and get paid for it?" Around the office Mendoza was always polite and respectful, and willing got help others, Lechon said. "Helping people not only makes the one being helped feel good, but it also makes me feel good, " Lechon recalled Mendoza saying.

He eventually worked his way to editor-in-chief of Hot Rod Magazine. A this position he was able to influence trends and introduce alternative forms of power, colleague Sam Lawson said.

"He always saw gasoline price and availability as a limiting factor for the growth of the industry." Lawson said. "He thought the use of other fuels such as bio-diesel, propane, and hydrogen was the only way to keep the industry growing."

In addition to his parents, his wife, daughter, son, and two brothers survive G.A. Mendoza. The funeral will be at noon at St. Anthony's Catholic church in Falls Church, Virginia. The burial will be in Longden Cemetery, Virginia.