Category Archives: Life
Why the Bacon Brothers should friend me
A few months ago, I landed on the Bacon Brothers’ facebook page and sent a friend request. They have almost five thousand friends, I reasoned. They can’t know them all. Why did I want to be friends with the Bacon … Continue reading
A world without lies?
I’ve been thinking about lies and liars since reading an article in the New York Times, about software scientists are working on to detect lying in speech. Though I abhor a liar, I have to admit to having lied in … Continue reading
Incursions into the bureaucracy
Like most other incursions into the bureaucracy here, acquiring a driver’s license in Costa Rica can be an adventure. My first encounter with the Ministerio de Obras Públicas y Transportes, (MOPT), was not horrible, if you don’t count getting lost … Continue reading
NaNoWriMo Two
It’s that time of the year again when writers all over the world drop everything else and write a novel in thirty days. It’s National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo). Last year, the first year I participated, there were 200,530 participants, … Continue reading
A Return to the Dark Ages?
In the last several days, The New York Times has published information about the new constitutional amendment on the ballot next week in Mississippi. This amendment, which is gathering momentum in six other states as well, would prohibit abortion, even … Continue reading
The Big Box
When we made the decision to retire in Costa Rica, I did my homework. I researched the requirements for residency, and had the application process well in hand before leaving the States. The requirements are onerous, seemingly designed to induce … Continue reading
Stop Bitching and Start a Revolution
Back in 2005, on a trip to Washington DC, I bought a sweet little tank top from a smiling young man. Emblazoned on the front were the words: Stop Bitching and Start a Revolution. I’m not a revolutionary, but neither … Continue reading
I Want to Believe: An Open Letter to the Democrats in Congress
Lately, I’ve heard a lot of people saying that there are no differences between Republicans and Democrats; in fact, I’ve heard myself saying it. I desperately hope that’s not true. Like Fox Mulder, I want to believe in Democrats, starting with Obama. Continue reading
Don’t Hurt Me!
“Republicans are talking about class warfare,” said Jack, yesterday. “They’re right,” I said. “Isn’t it obvious? The middle class has been under attack since Reagan.” “No,” he said. “The Republicans think the middle class is attacking the wealthy.” In my … Continue reading
DNA Damage
“DNA damage,” said my dermatologist, in response to my question, “Why is this happening?” With increasing frequency, I’d found new itchy bumps on my face, not unlike the one that turned out to be a basal cell carcinoma a few … Continue reading
