Native French speakers in Seattle?
17-Feb-09
Can anyone connect me to a native french speaker in Seattle?
Hud’s First Pass
17-Feb-09
Via roissy
The Threat of Loneliness
17-Feb-09
A talk with John Cacioppo
Loneliness also seems to impair people’s self-control, including their ability to stick with a task. In one extraordinary test – in which subjects were asked to taste as many cookies as necessary to rate their flavor – those who were told no one wanted to work with them ate twice as many as those who were told everyone wanted to work with them. Being primed for loneliness also seemed to make the cookies taste better. (The lonely, by the way, eat a fattier diet even outside the lab, although they also substitute pets and computers for human connections.)
Loneliness Associated With Increased Risk Of Alzheimer’s Disease
Lonely individuals may be twice as likely to develop the type of dementia linked to Alzheimer’s disease in late life as those who are not lonely, according to a study by researchers at the Rush Alzheimer’s Disease Center. The study is published in the February issue of Archives of General Psychiatry.
Happy Valentine’s Day
14-Feb-09
Via shanmonster.
Splitting hairs about the meaning of the word “voluntary” makes Reid look like an idiot. Does he think that people watching this don’t see through his equivocation?
The thing is, Reid could’ve made a rational argument for why the income tax is voluntary in the common meaning of the term. He could’ve said that the U.S. was like a giant home owners association. Whether you choose to join or stay with an HOA is up to you, a voluntary choice. But as long as you stay in the HOA, you’re obligated to pay HOA fees.
Likewise, you can always give up your U.S. citizenship and move to another country. But as long as you stay here, you’re subject to U.S. taxes.
Of course, there are problems with the argument too. (For example, even if you give up your U.S. citizenship, the U.S. used to require requires you to pay income tax for 10 years after you leave.) But at least it doesn’t make you look like an evasive ninny.
How the stimulus package will be spent
12-Feb-09
Condition 1 weather in Antarctica
12-Feb-09
Via carrie.
Build Your Own Gypsy Wagon
12-Feb-09
Via Tiny House Blog, the Portownsend School of Woodworking is offering a course on building your own gypsy wagon:
In this week-long class we will explore how the late 19th century, English-made “Living Wagons” (called “Vardos” by the Gypsies)—were designed, built and used. Then you will discover how modern design and construction techniques can be used to create a wagon that will be enchanting and cozy, yet roadworthy for travel at today’s highway speeds. In the balance of the course you will learn the techniques and practice the hands-on skills that you’ll need to return home and build a Gypsy Caravan for yourself.
Casa Batllo : The House of Bones
11-Feb-09
Casa Batllo : The House of Bones
Restored and remodeled by the Spanish modernist architect Antoni Gaudi in the years 1905–1907, Casa Batllo is now one the most overlooked buildings by the tourists who visit Barcelona.Although Casa Batllo is a museum now, Gaudi designed it for for a wealthy Barcelona Aristocrat.
The local name for the building is Casa dels ossos (House of Bones), and indeed it does have a visceral, skeletal organic quality.
Your Religion is False – BIL conference
10-Feb-09
Via savorie.