Insufficient Sleep is a Public Health Epidemic according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The Better Sleep Council can help!
The best bridge between despair and hope is a good night's sleep. --Anonymous
SLEEP - Those little slices of death, how I loathe them. --Edgar Allen Poe
Problems always look smaller after a warm meal and a good night's sleep. --Anonymous
It's a common experience that a problem difficult at night is resolved in the morning after the committee of sleep has worked on it. --John Steinbeck
It's probably unrealistic in our fast paced, competitive lives to expect or demand any fixed amount of sleep hours. I think we should strive for quality of sleep. Try to improve factors such as diet, exercise, bedroom environment etc. that improve sleep efficiency, and avoid things that result in poor sleep quality such as excessive caffiene or alcohol, stress, etc.
There are some good sleep tips here at
The Better Sleep Council
What is your secret for a good nights sleep?
Tags:
Sleep Health Sleep Council
Saturday, June 15, 2013
Tuesday, April 16, 2013
Gambling and other Myths
I know someone who ridicules Casino gambling by saying "I've got better things to do with my money". Yet, this same person has bankrupted himself and others through unethical Venture capital schemes. Another eschews the Stock Market as a glorified ponzi scheme, and has invested heavily in Gold as the ultimate protector of wealth. Gold has had a recent record sell off akin to a major stock market crash. The Stock Market has rebounded nicely in recent years thanks to aggressive Federal Reserve policies, but it still hasn't regained a decade of losses. At one time owning a house was as close to a sure bet investment as anything, but we all know what happened in the 2008 financial crisis, and the ensuing melt down in housing prices. All sorts of investment vehicles have been promoted over the years with varying degrees of success. It seems that markets reel from one bubble to the next, with each bubble usually exacerbated by leverage and debt. The famous economist John Galbraith in his book "A brief history of financial euphoria" readily describes the common features and circumstances that have given rise to some famous bubbles including the Tulip Mania of Holland back in the 17th Century. History it seems, has a bad habit of repeating itself.
What is the answer then to creating and preserving wealth? Well, it still comes down to a Vocation that pays, common sense, diversification, and a bit of luck or good fortune in life. You also have to avoid the scammers and get rich quick schemes along the way. Greed and ignorance will generally get you in trouble, although there are many "legitimate" ways to lose money too, as already mentioned.
Don't fool yourself, investing is still gambling, although some bets are better and more informed than others. Sometimes a Casino bet has much betters odds than more traditional investments. There's more than a few Companies that have had their stocks drop to zero value - a few of them have been Dow Index companies. Thus investing, speculating and gambling are all part of the same spectrum. Perhaps a successful professional poker player isn't really a gambler, but a seasoned investor. Things are not always what they appear to be based upon their labels. Good Luck and Good Investing.
Tags:
Gambling Casinos Gold Investing Speculation
Saturday, March 09, 2013
The Pink Haired Goddess
This photo brings back memories of fun times in Vegas a few years ago. My wife and I were playing around with these crazy looking wigs in a novelty shop - right after doing a tacky wax museum tour.
All of that seems like an alternate universe now - gambling too much, comped rooms and shows, arguments with pit bosses, and getting cheated by some black jack dealers. One highlight of those trips was seeing Tiger Woods in 96 playing the Las Vegas Invitational. On one hole, he hit a drive 350 yards that landed just off the fairway, and then expressed his displeasure with the shot by slamming his driver into the tee box turf. That was before all of the majors and millions of dollars, but he's still prone to the odd tantrum now and then. My Vegas visits are less frequent and more pedestrian now, but the curious should see Las Vegas at least once, despite all of the excess, spectacle, and debauchery on display there. You might get some insight into the dark side of human nature - yours and others, and meet a few quirky, but decent characters too. All a part of this whacky journey that we're on. "Bright light city gonna set my soul, gonna set my soul on fire."
Tags:
Las Vegas, Wigs, Travel Pink Hair, Culture, Entertainment, Humor, Sin City
All of that seems like an alternate universe now - gambling too much, comped rooms and shows, arguments with pit bosses, and getting cheated by some black jack dealers. One highlight of those trips was seeing Tiger Woods in 96 playing the Las Vegas Invitational. On one hole, he hit a drive 350 yards that landed just off the fairway, and then expressed his displeasure with the shot by slamming his driver into the tee box turf. That was before all of the majors and millions of dollars, but he's still prone to the odd tantrum now and then. My Vegas visits are less frequent and more pedestrian now, but the curious should see Las Vegas at least once, despite all of the excess, spectacle, and debauchery on display there. You might get some insight into the dark side of human nature - yours and others, and meet a few quirky, but decent characters too. All a part of this whacky journey that we're on. "Bright light city gonna set my soul, gonna set my soul on fire."Tags:
Las Vegas, Wigs, Travel Pink Hair, Culture, Entertainment, Humor, Sin City
Monday, January 28, 2013
Donut Mania
Is it possible that someone could grow up in North America never having tried a donut? Do you know anyone who hasn't eaten a donut?
I don't, but at the other extreme a man named John Haight ate 29 donuts in just over six minutes back in 1981 to claim the Guinness World Record for donut eating. It makes you wonder if he could have eaten the worlds largest donut. It was an American-style jelly donut made in Utica, New York on January 21, 1993 that weighed 1.7 tons and was 16 feet in diameter - if not the donut, maybe he could have finished the hole or the jelly? Here is a whimsical page with a dozen interesting facts about donuts.
Donuts are ingrained in North American popular culture with TV characters like Homer Simpson satirizing your typical donut lover. Police are often ridiculed for hanging out at donut shops a lot, but it's probably not a fair rap since they may be the only restaurants open on late night shifts, and of course in a parking lot most people will spot the cruiser. There's a Tim Horton's donut shop across the street from a hospital in our city that is swarmed by health care workers on evening and night shifts. You might predict that many romances between cops and nurses began over the odd jelly sprinkled donut. Legend has it that dunking donuts first caught on when actress Mae Murray accidentally dropped a donut into her coffee while dining at Lindy's Deli on Broadway in New York City.
How relevant are donuts to the economics of society? It's claimed that in the United States there are over 10 billion donuts made every year - somewhat amazing for a sugary product that has little or no nutritional value. Some economists claim that you can judge the health of the economy by looking at the size of the hole in a donut. The hole is smaller when times are good because more dough is used. Could the shape have some universal appeal as a symbol - a circle - an empty hole - complete - but incomplete all at the same time? It certainly is a numerical symbol as shown by the Donut Abacus, although the donuts are often plastic in that case. In terms of economics, I'd like to see the former Billionaires at Krispy Kreme weigh in here.
Tags:
Donuts, Krispy Kreme, Homer Simpson, Billionaires
I don't, but at the other extreme a man named John Haight ate 29 donuts in just over six minutes back in 1981 to claim the Guinness World Record for donut eating. It makes you wonder if he could have eaten the worlds largest donut. It was an American-style jelly donut made in Utica, New York on January 21, 1993 that weighed 1.7 tons and was 16 feet in diameter - if not the donut, maybe he could have finished the hole or the jelly? Here is a whimsical page with a dozen interesting facts about donuts.
Donuts are ingrained in North American popular culture with TV characters like Homer Simpson satirizing your typical donut lover. Police are often ridiculed for hanging out at donut shops a lot, but it's probably not a fair rap since they may be the only restaurants open on late night shifts, and of course in a parking lot most people will spot the cruiser. There's a Tim Horton's donut shop across the street from a hospital in our city that is swarmed by health care workers on evening and night shifts. You might predict that many romances between cops and nurses began over the odd jelly sprinkled donut. Legend has it that dunking donuts first caught on when actress Mae Murray accidentally dropped a donut into her coffee while dining at Lindy's Deli on Broadway in New York City.
How relevant are donuts to the economics of society? It's claimed that in the United States there are over 10 billion donuts made every year - somewhat amazing for a sugary product that has little or no nutritional value. Some economists claim that you can judge the health of the economy by looking at the size of the hole in a donut. The hole is smaller when times are good because more dough is used. Could the shape have some universal appeal as a symbol - a circle - an empty hole - complete - but incomplete all at the same time? It certainly is a numerical symbol as shown by the Donut Abacus, although the donuts are often plastic in that case. In terms of economics, I'd like to see the former Billionaires at Krispy Kreme weigh in here.
Tags:
Donuts, Krispy Kreme, Homer Simpson, Billionaires
Sunday, December 30, 2012
Holiday Hangover Remedies
Here's the Holiday Hangover therapy list back by popular demand for the 2012 season, and hopefully in time for New Year's Eve.
James Bond can drink martinis ad nauseam, and vanquish the villains without slurring a word. After a few drinks, I'm more likely to make an embarrassing faux pas, but both of us would appreciate advice on Hangovers.
There's probably no such thing as a hangover "cure", but there are some methods to help you fight the toxic effects created by a bout of drinking.
Disclaimer:
There's sporadic scientific evidence for the remedies suggested here, but please consult any appropriate health experts before adhering to these methods. I will stake claim to a suggestion listed here. If you have a hangover, then do some mild exercise after hydrating yourself. For me this works as well as anything, but I haven't seen it mentioned elsewhere.
In the spirit of the season here is a list of hangover remedies for your holiday party survival:
If you can enjoy the holidays without drinking - Congratulations! It's questionable whether anyone should drive with a hangover, but don't drink and drive!
Tags:
Hangover, Health, Christmas, Alcohol, Humor, New Year's Eve
James Bond can drink martinis ad nauseam, and vanquish the villains without slurring a word. After a few drinks, I'm more likely to make an embarrassing faux pas, but both of us would appreciate advice on Hangovers.
There's probably no such thing as a hangover "cure", but there are some methods to help you fight the toxic effects created by a bout of drinking.
Disclaimer:
There's sporadic scientific evidence for the remedies suggested here, but please consult any appropriate health experts before adhering to these methods. I will stake claim to a suggestion listed here. If you have a hangover, then do some mild exercise after hydrating yourself. For me this works as well as anything, but I haven't seen it mentioned elsewhere.
In the spirit of the season here is a list of hangover remedies for your holiday party survival:
- Drink lots of water before and after sleep (unless you are on medically prescribed fluid restriction). Sports drinks (not energy drinks) may
be a good alternative as well since they contain sugars, and
needed electrolytes.
- Take a shower or bath after a drinking bout.
- Ingest sweet foods that contain fructose (helps the body metabolize alcohol).
- Do some mild exercise, or take a brisk walk (stimulates the
circulation etc).
- Vitamin B complex tablet (within recommended daily dose).
- Cysteine (within recommended dose) as it counteracts
acetaldehyde - a by-product of alcohol metabolism. - Vitamin C for its antioxidant effects.
- Be wary of headache pills as some (tylenol/acetaminophen) can
increase the risk of liver damage in conjunction with alcohol,
and some (ibuprofen, aspirin) can cause gastric irritation.
- PRAY.
If you can enjoy the holidays without drinking - Congratulations! It's questionable whether anyone should drive with a hangover, but don't drink and drive!
Tags:
Hangover, Health, Christmas, Alcohol, Humor, New Year's Eve
Monday, December 24, 2012
Santa Makeover
The present version of Santa hasn't been around all that long now, and he's really more of a commercial department store invention than a true icon. Santa seems to be less popular now than in years gone by - appearing in fewer commercials and TV shows etc. Let's face it he's becoming a dud, and is in sore need of a makeover!
First off, a new opening line would be in order since "HO HO HO" might be taken the wrong way in some circles. In these days of health awareness the extra weight should go - no more cookies and milk after a chimney run, and he needs a good exercise program. Perhaps he should start with a spa package in Alaska, then get the elves to build an exercise room next to the Reindeer stables? A spa visit that includes a beard trim, pedicure, manicure and hair coloring would be in order for a younger, more hip look. His suit is looking pretty gaudy too, and there are some eager and ready New York fashion designers hoping to craft Santa a new, updated costume. Heck, they could even add an invisibility cloak, so awakened little tots don't spot him in the house. Throw in a new hat, belt, and boots, and he'll be ready to fly. After the makeover, there'd be new corporate sponsorships on the horizon. If so, he'd need to get hooked up with a new P.R. firm, and be prepared to put a few logos on the new suit.
After all of this, he'll look pretty snazzy when he drops that lump of coal into Donald Trump's stocking.
Tags:
Santa, Christmas, Makeover, Humor
First off, a new opening line would be in order since "HO HO HO" might be taken the wrong way in some circles. In these days of health awareness the extra weight should go - no more cookies and milk after a chimney run, and he needs a good exercise program. Perhaps he should start with a spa package in Alaska, then get the elves to build an exercise room next to the Reindeer stables? A spa visit that includes a beard trim, pedicure, manicure and hair coloring would be in order for a younger, more hip look. His suit is looking pretty gaudy too, and there are some eager and ready New York fashion designers hoping to craft Santa a new, updated costume. Heck, they could even add an invisibility cloak, so awakened little tots don't spot him in the house. Throw in a new hat, belt, and boots, and he'll be ready to fly. After the makeover, there'd be new corporate sponsorships on the horizon. If so, he'd need to get hooked up with a new P.R. firm, and be prepared to put a few logos on the new suit.
After all of this, he'll look pretty snazzy when he drops that lump of coal into Donald Trump's stocking.
Tags:
Santa, Christmas, Makeover, Humor
Monday, October 01, 2012
Get your Speed out!
We just returned from Vegas. It was actually a relaxing vacation this time. Unlike prior past trips, I actually slept well. The key is to pace yourself. No all night gambling sessions, and not over doing the dining and drinking. We saw the Cirque du Soleil Beatles show "Love" at the Mirage and it's spectacular. The Strip always seemed to be packed with tourists, but it's easy to find alternate walking routes through the shops and casinos. The most exciting activity for me on this trip was a visit to Exotics Racing School at the Las Vegas Speedway where I drove five laps in a Ferrari 430 Scuderia accompanied by a professional driver who guides you through the track. This is a top notch facility that's run by courteous and safety conscious staff ensuring a fantastic experience. You can run the cars past 100 mph on the straightways, and the cornering is a blast. This is something I plan on doing again, as there are few opportunities for such an experience in my neck of the woods - short of buying a Ferrari myself. My wife and I had cooled to the idea of returning to Vegas again, but the City still has some pleasant surprises, with many more hotel and casino venues built since our last trip in 2003. My wife says the shopping in Vegas has improved a lot too, and the Visa statement will back her up on that one! Not too many Elvis sightings anymore, and you have to dig around to find a good Rat Pack show, but Vegas still shines for entertainment.
Tags
Ferrari, Driving, Vegas, Cirque du Soleil
Monday, January 30, 2012
Road Raging
Are you a Road Rager?
Some disturbing aspects of driving that many of us overlook would be lethal or disabling accidents, pollution, and rampant burning of fossil fuels. However, something that anyone who drives is likely to encounter regularly would be rude, selfish, and occasional psychotic behavior from other drivers. Unfortunately we may be as likely to dish out the rudeness while driving as we are to receive it. Obvious explanations for this rash behavior are often cited - such as the impersonal reality of commuting anonymously along side other strangers in their vehicles, and instinctive responses to perceived physical threats ( the *#$!!# idiot who just cut you off) etc. However, these explanations or excuses do not address the core problem with selfish, angry driving, and that is a basic lack of respect for your fellow humans on the road. Driving courteously, without getting angry, and respecting the rules of the road could be one of the greatest personal, and spiritual challenges that an individual could set for themselves. Instead of arriving at our driving destinations exhausted, frustrated, and angry we could finish our road trips refreshed in the knowledge that we did not react to other drivers' boorish behavior, and we may have actually put a smile on someone's face by letting them into our lane. It's likely that drivers could add years to their lives, and enjoy better health by staying calm and courteous in traffic. The road ragers are on a self destructive path that unfortunately may injure others as well. We can't control others, but we can be responsible for our own behavior, and since driving is often the most dangerous activity on our daily schedule why don't we start there? The idea of using a SORRY sign to appease a potential road rager doesn't appeal to me, but it may have some merit as well.
Here is an excellent discussion on dealing with stress and pressure in the vehicle.
Tags:
Road Rage, Driving
Thursday, January 05, 2012
Tomorrow Lives
Tomorrow: Do something you've never done before.
Tomorrow: Make friends with someone.
Tomorrow: Come to terms with an enemy.
Tomorrow: Start a new life path.
Tomorrow: Kiss someone you love.
Tomorrow: Exercise your body.
Tomorrow: Don't worry about the past or the future.
Tomorrow: Invent something.
Tomorrow: Be yourself.
Tomorrow: Is whatever you want it to be.
Have a great day!
Tags:
Tomorrow, Inspiration, Spiritual, Philosophy, Awareness, Harmony, Peace
Monday, November 07, 2011
The Secret to Life (Encrypted)
If you solve this cryptogram please leave your answer as a comment below!
Tags:
Philosophy, Wisdom, Awareness, Key, Zen, Paradox, Cryptogram, Cryptology, Encryption, Cipher, Puzzle, Humor, Spirituality, Sense, Consciousness
Monday, October 24, 2011
The Spider Effect
Do you believe that trivial events can sometimes have far reaching consequences? If so, you may subscribe to the butterfly effect. While this could occur on a global scale, it probably happens many times in our own lives.
This hit home for me recently while having a bath. It would have been a non-event, but I stupidly chose to use my smart phone while bathing. This created the necessary conditions for a bad outcome, but it required a catalyst. The culprit in this case was a tiny spider hanging from a tiny thread directly over the tub. I waved it away a few times, but then it suddenly appeared inches from my face. In mock panic I swung at it with my left hand that held the phone. On the follow through, the phone got submerged. My mind blanked for a second before it hit me. I yanked the phone out of the water, but the damage was done. I did everything you're not supposed to do when trying to save a phone from water damage. You should keep it turned off and buried in rice for a day to try and dry it out, but really the damage is done (here's some advice for resuscitating a water damaged phone). If you're fortunate enough to get it working again, internal corrosion will likely take its toll in a few months and the phone will be toast anyway. My phone miraculously recovered for a short window of time that allowed me to backup its data, but soon thereafter it went dark.
So, where's the Butterfly (Spider) effect in all of this? Well, who would expect a harmless, tiny spider floating on a thread above a bath tub to wreak so much havoc in one's life? This episode has convinced me to get Psychiatric counselling for cell phone addiction. The panic I experienced shows that my life has sunk to an unnatural dependence on having a smart phone.
Tags:
Butterfly Effect, Spider, Wet Cell Phone, Bathing, Phone Addicts
This hit home for me recently while having a bath. It would have been a non-event, but I stupidly chose to use my smart phone while bathing. This created the necessary conditions for a bad outcome, but it required a catalyst. The culprit in this case was a tiny spider hanging from a tiny thread directly over the tub. I waved it away a few times, but then it suddenly appeared inches from my face. In mock panic I swung at it with my left hand that held the phone. On the follow through, the phone got submerged. My mind blanked for a second before it hit me. I yanked the phone out of the water, but the damage was done. I did everything you're not supposed to do when trying to save a phone from water damage. You should keep it turned off and buried in rice for a day to try and dry it out, but really the damage is done (here's some advice for resuscitating a water damaged phone). If you're fortunate enough to get it working again, internal corrosion will likely take its toll in a few months and the phone will be toast anyway. My phone miraculously recovered for a short window of time that allowed me to backup its data, but soon thereafter it went dark.
So, where's the Butterfly (Spider) effect in all of this? Well, who would expect a harmless, tiny spider floating on a thread above a bath tub to wreak so much havoc in one's life? This episode has convinced me to get Psychiatric counselling for cell phone addiction. The panic I experienced shows that my life has sunk to an unnatural dependence on having a smart phone.
Butterfly Effect, Spider, Wet Cell Phone, Bathing, Phone Addicts
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