Cure Worse Than the Disease?, or, Attached at the Right (Left) Hip I first wrote about “phantom cellphone vibration” — the sensation that your cellphone is ringing when you’re standing in the shower, naked — almost 2 1/2 years ago. See, “Where’s the Rest of Me? The Phantom Cellphone Vibration.” As my, uhhh . . . condition...Read More
Jeremy Grantham Nails the Zeitgeist, or “The New Abnormal” The economic environment seems to be stuck in a rather unpleasant perpetual loop. Greece is always about to default; the latest bailout is always about to save the day and yet never seems to; China is always about to collapse but instead teases us by inching...Read More
Straw Horse? How About, Straw Herd?? “Long before Sanford Weill suggested last week that big banks should split up, Bank of America executives and directors considered the idea and then decided against it, said people close to the nation’s second-biggest bank by assets.” –“Bank Breakups: Not So Fast“; The Wall Street Journal (July 29, 2012)...Read More
Two Theories I have two theories about why I saw so many cars pulled over, being ticketed on the side of Twin Cities roadways this weekend: One. With so much road construction — 494 between Penn and Highwy 100 was completely closed today, to pick just one example — once you’re finally free of congestion, you’re aggravated and/or...Read More
Having failed at getting my 7 year-old daughter to: a) diversify her diet beyond macaroni and cheese; and b) use a napkin (instead of her shirt) while eating, my wife and I are seriously considering resorting to Plan C — dressing her in yellow t-shirts that at least camouflage the food stains. 😉 P.S.: Said...Read More
Waiter vs. “Wait-ee” Dear Uptown Coffee Shop barista: If I want to talk on my cell phone while I’m in line waiting to order coffee, it may be rude — but it’s my prerogative (in fact, I make a point of NOT doing that). However, if you’re on your cell phone while you’re making my coffee ....Read More
