Infernal Pastimes of a Sunspot Mind

laughingsquid: Hovertrax, A Handleless Electronic Transporter...

Sat, 18 May 2013 14:44:58 -0400

laughingsquid:

Hovertrax, A Handleless Electronic Transporter Controlled By Shifting Your Weight

Food brands with wagons circled

Sat, 18 May 2013 14:34:49 -0400

Food brands with wagons circled

There is so much sodium in things to eat—even in non-prepackaged...

Thu, 11 Apr 2013 07:26:36 -0400

There is so much sodium in things to eat—even in non-prepackaged foods that are otherwise acceptable in terms of fat, carbs, and other nutrition data. I was already having trouble meeting the 2,300-2,400mg recommendation for “normal” people, and then I read that folks with high blood pressure should only consume about 1,500mg daily.

Do you know how easy it is to get to 1,500 milligrams?

I guess Genoa salami is out of the question…but what really, really hurts is giving up my nova salmon (lox) in the morning.

theswinginsixties: Brigitte Bardot and Billy Mumy in ‘Dear...

Thu, 11 Apr 2013 07:17:50 -0400

theswinginsixties:

Brigitte Bardot and Billy Mumy in ‘Dear Brigitte’, 1965.

priceless look on that boy’s face

littlebigdetails: iOS 6 - the night time weather summary shows...

Wed, 10 Apr 2013 10:55:11 -0400

littlebigdetails:

iOS 6 - the night time weather summary shows the correct phase of the moon.

/via Ross Burton

Like.

The Unbearable Lightness of…Lightness

Wed, 10 Apr 2013 08:04:00 -0400

So I bought rice cakes.

I had been reading a list of sample meal and snack ideas on a website about how to eat when you have diabetes, and I laughed at the inclusion of these “truly tasteless jokes.” Low salt, even.

But when I decided, after getting some eye-opening lab results upon a long overdue check-up, to throw the switch and start on a path aimed towards maintaining and sustaining existence, I went whole hog (er, meaning the exact opposite, pretty much). You know how I do. Ergo, I bought the low-salt rice cakes.

I’m just a few days into it. One way I am choosing to keep from falling back into established habits is to use this space for blogging about my myriad petty indignations at having to make some of these changes. I am aware that I may come across as woefully oversensitive about a relatively minor event. I’m just getting that out there.

Kitchen scents have always been tantalizing, but now they take on the attractive power of a Golden Triangle opium den. Don’t be surprised if I just wander in while you’re cooking something good. Don’t worry: I just want to smell.

No, that’s not true. I want to eat the fatty, salt-laden victuals. With extra potatoes and all the cheese. But I will restrain myself. Also with the beer and spirits. (The latter, or rather the lack of enthusiastically indulging in them, comprise fodder for many an epic rant. More on that later.)

Weird thoughts go through one’s head when caloric intake is drastically reduced.

What if you left a rice cake out in the open desert for days? How could it possibly be different?
What, exactly, is in “Mrs. Dash”? I mean, besides lemon peel and sawdust?
Am I flying? Floating? Right side up?
Etc.

Thanks for coming on this journey with me. I’ll end this inaugural installment with a relevant tune from an underrated early 90s band.

Beautiful and rather tranquil place…

Wed, 27 Mar 2013 11:58:24 -0400

Beautiful and rather tranquil place…

My beautiful wife with a nice lunch

Tue, 26 Mar 2013 13:19:04 -0400

My beautiful wife with a nice lunch

Giant Squid Captured on Video for First Time : Discovery Channel

Tue, 11 Dec 2012 07:44:13 -0500

Giant Squid Captured on Video for First Time : Discovery Channel:

Paging @laughingsquid…

Prepping for surgery.

Sat, 08 Dec 2012 16:14:27 -0500

Prepping for surgery.

(via Farewell, USS Enterprise : NPR)

Sat, 01 Dec 2012 06:42:52 -0500

(via Farewell, USS Enterprise : NPR)

Homemade Natural Cleaning Products : Recipes and Cooking : Food Network

Sat, 24 Nov 2012 12:07:10 -0500

Homemade Natural Cleaning Products : Recipes and Cooking : Food Network

newyorker: Cartoon by Paul Noth. For more from this week’s...

Thu, 22 Nov 2012 17:36:28 -0500

newyorker:

Cartoon by Paul Noth. For more from this week’s issue: http://nyr.kr/TTAMi6

Happy Thanksgiving! Doc Watson (ft. Bryan Sutton) -...

Thu, 22 Nov 2012 08:40:02 -0500

Happy Thanksgiving!

Doc Watson (ft. Bryan Sutton) - “Whiskey Before Breakfast”

Today’s theme song, naturally.

Tue, 06 Nov 2012 07:53:50 -0500

Today’s theme song, naturally.

Thanks to a little Halloween magic by my sweet wife, Gangnam...

Tue, 30 Oct 2012 20:58:26 -0400

Thanks to a little Halloween magic by my sweet wife, Gangnam Bart lives.

Get your coffee, and some headphones. And study up on your...

Thu, 25 Oct 2012 07:41:41 -0400

Get your coffee, and some headphones. And study up on your circle of fifths. ;)

I remember the 1991 “Union” tour that tried to blend Classic Yes with YesWest (the latter being the Trevor Rabin-led group of the 90125 and Big Generator era). I was just catching up to the older stuff, since “Leave It” was the first Yes song I knowingly heard, in 1983. I had a cassette with Fragile on one side and Close to the Edge on the other.

I didn’t know this song by its name at the time, but I remember its live performance having a profound effect on me. Singer Jon Anderson is 68 today. This is (reportedly) his favorite Yes song. It’s definitely one of mine.

Who is Merlin Miller?

Sat, 20 Oct 2012 19:54:36 -0400

Who is Merlin Miller?

Now this, campers, is not to be butt-chugged.

Fri, 19 Oct 2012 20:05:34 -0400

Now this, campers, is not to be butt-chugged.

npr: Today, NASA scientists presented findings that prove water...

Thu, 27 Sep 2012 22:34:07 -0400

npr:

Today, NASA scientists presented findings that prove water once ran across the surface of Mars. Though the rocks have yet to be analyzed, scientists say the photographs clearly indicate that these rock formations were smoothed and shaped by water. The next step, says NASA, will be drilling into the rock for evidence of carbon deposits. — rachel

Photo: NASA

I love these updates.