Bread

As mentioned a few weeks ago, I had been using the Carl’s starter mix. Well, I managed to deal it a crippling blow after stirring in milk and started anew. One theory, which is actually kinda scary, is the antibiotics in the milk wiped out my yeastie beasties. This recipe is a light sourdough from […]

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How airplanes fly

About nine years ago I started flying as a way to blow off steam from the stresses of work. As with anything I do, once I got past the initial learning hurdles, I pursued the hobby very aggressively, eventually earning an instrument rating, a commercial certificate (land) and a private pilot certificate in seaplanes. (NB:

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Grade inflation

USA Today writes on Princeton University’s effort to curb “grade inflation” by rationing As to, you know, “preserve academic integrity.” Grade inflation “correction” is based on the theory that people will naturally fit into a bell curve, and that a C (or maybe a B) should be average. If you accept that Princeton is a

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tooth fairy

My oldest has had a loose tooth for a few months. She’s been very worked up about this, despite coaching from one of her neighborhood friends and assurances from her parents (both of whom are over 30) that she’ll survive. Last night the tooth fell out. Our daughter was picking through dinner for the soft

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One of my many paradoxes is having a blog under my real name, but going to extremes to filter out spam, spyware, virii, cookies, scripts, pop-ups and ad banners. All my efforts have been gradual, and I didn’t realize how much cruft gets filtered until I was surfing in the library the other day. I

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Cell phone jamming

In this morning’s New York Times, Sam Lubell writes about cell phone jammers that can be used in environments where one doesn’t want to hear cell phones ringing. There’s some question on the future legality of the devices, which of course means you can find them on eBay. I’m a bit concerned about the concept

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Radioactive Mushrooms

I received my semi-annual proof of auto insurance cards yesterday. As is custom, inside the envelope is a sheet of addendums to the coverage. This one contains two specific policy exceptions that seem juxtaposed: fungi and radiation. I could joke that this means I’m no longer covered by automobile losses caused by radioactive mushrooms. Radation

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