Archive for 2020

The average American who works in an office watches 25 hours, 56 minutes of television per week. Meanwhile, the average American who works remotely watches 27 hours, two minutes of television per week. It’s true. If you’re working from home, you’re probably watching more television. This means that you’re either using the time that office…

As I paid for our round of golf, Charlie sat down on a bench a little ways away. When I returned a couple minutes later, he was examining a plaque affixed to the bench. “What’s this?” he asked. The plaque read, “In memory of…” then listed a man’s name and his years of birth and…

At the end of each month, I report on the progress of my New Year’s resolutions (or lack thereof). Here are the result through the end of July. PERSONAL FITNESS 1. Don’t die. Still alive! The coronavirus is still out there, trying to infect me, but happily, I live in Connecticut, one of the most…

Repetitive negative thinking is tied to cognitive and neuropathological markers of Alzheimer’s disease, a longitudinal study showed. Patterns of repeated rumination or worry were associated with subsequent declines in global cognition, immediate memory, and delayed memory. “This study identifies a novel and potentially modifiable psychological process – repetitive negative thinking – that is associated with…

On episode #101 of the Speak Up Storytelling podcast, Matthew and Elysha Dicks talk storytelling! In our follow up segment, we discuss upcoming shows and workshops, all online! STORYTELLING SHOWS 2020 August 22: Speak Up at the Connecticut Historical Society (7:00 PM) (virtual) September 12: Solo show at MOPCO Improv Theater (8:00 PM) (virtual) September 26: Speak Up…

Fascinating news: Archeologists have used ground-penetrating radar to map a vanished Roman city, according to a new paper published in Antiquity. Falerii Novi was one of the 2,000 cities in the Roman Empire, appearing about 31 miles north of Rome in 241 BCE and becoming abandoned around 700 CE. I read this and immediately wondered two…

I bought a tube of Pillsbury biscuits. It wasn’t easy. I had never purchased this product before. Elysha added it to our shopping list, which meant I needed to make a reasonable guess as to its location as I planned my path through the grocery store. I don’t mess around when it comes to grocery…

I believe in the act of creation. Whether you are baking bread or growing a vegetable garden or knitting a sweater or finger painting, I respect and admire the act of creation immensely. I think everyone should try to be creative. Make something. Take the stuff of the world and turn it into something new.…

I don’t understand either one of these bumper stickers. Anyone?

Earlier this week, Florida Republican Congressman Ted Yoho confronted Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez on the steps of the Capitol Building, calling her “disgusting,” “dangerous,” “crazy,” and under his breath as he walked away but within earshot of the press, a “fucking bitch.” After Yoho offered a non-apology on the House floor, Ocasio-Cortez responded before the House.…