• Writing takes a holiday

    I’ve spent some time away from the computer lately. It’s been too painful to look at the screen for extended periods of time (especially after I do it for eight excruciating hours at work). My sinuses have been acting up again, I had to give up caffeine because my heartburn was acting up, and the two put together adds up to a bit of quiet time in the dark.

    I haven’t given it up completely though.

    A few rounds of antibiotics haven’t done squat for the ‘ole sinuses, but they sure have done a number on my stomach – prompting the caffeine stoppage. I’ve tried all the old remedies. I’ve done the drugs. I’ve done the nasal spray routine. I even tried nasal irrigation again- both the spray and the neti pot method (it didn’t help much, but it was a funky experence). Now the doc has me on steroids.

    The good news is my hair doesn’t seem to be falling out as much.

  • I win some and I lose some

    This weekend we had family over for dinner on a night when I was trying something new, which is about as adventurous as I get these days. The food and wine were consumed with enthusiasm, and I felt really good.

    It turns out we were fortunate to have leftovers. I tried something new again this evening, this time with just the wife and kids, and it was almost a complete disaster. The only one that liked it was me.

    Note to self: Cheryl and the kids HATE balsamic vinegar.

  • Humans’ DNA Not Quite So Similar

    Newsvine – Study: Humans’ DNA Not Quite So Similar

    People are less alike than scientists had thought when it comes to the billions of building blocks that make up each individual’s DNA, according to a new analysis.

    “Instead of 99.9 percent identical, maybe we’re only 99 percent (alike),” said J. Craig Venter, an author of the study — and the person whose DNA was analyzed for it.

    I was just telling my daughter the 99.9 number the other day. Looks like she picked the wrong week to ask me about genetics.