I started blogging six years ago with two primary goals. First, to monetize the site, make a gazillion dollars, and retire early. Second, to be a guest on one of the late-night talk shows. Well, at this point, my agent has not been able to find a time that works with my schedule to appear … Continue reading Is My Blog About to Pay Off? $$$
Category: Teaching and Education
Send in the Clowns!
Clowns, for some reason, seem to have gone out of style. Sure there were always a few kids creeped out by a clown, but I think, for the most part, clowns used to have a good reputation. That is no longer the case. Everyone seems creeped out by clowns now. Well, not everyone. I like … Continue reading Send in the Clowns!
First, It Was Cutting Out Soap. Now, It’s Cutting Back On Showering?
Back in September, I wrote a post about a small but seemingly growing number of people who have stopped using soap and other such detergents, believing that such products have harmed our skin microbiome. Such harm could lead to an increase in inflammatory skin diseases such as eczema and acne. Sandy Skotnicki, a Toronto-based dermatologist … Continue reading First, It Was Cutting Out Soap. Now, It’s Cutting Back On Showering?
If You Knew You Had Less in Savings Than Your Neighbors, Would You Start Saving More?
Researchers in the Netherlands wanted to find out whether people with a low savings amount would start saving more if they knew they saved less than others in their neighborhood. Providing such info is referred to as a social norm nudge. Such nudges signal appropriate behavior and are classed as behavioral expectations or rules within … Continue reading If You Knew You Had Less in Savings Than Your Neighbors, Would You Start Saving More?
I’m a Big Boy Now
Four weeks ago, I broke both my wrists. A week later, I had surgery on both of them. Last week, I started physical therapy. And today, for the first time in four weeks, I was able to get completely dressed all by myself. My wife, a pre-k teacher, quickly put an end to my bragging … Continue reading I’m a Big Boy Now
Should Star Athletes and Other Influencers Have Early Access to the COVID-19 Vaccine?
It’s an interesting question posed by reporters Louise Radnofsky and Ben Cohen in a story they have written for the Wall Street Journal. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s distribution playbook deems communication efforts essential but doesn’t prescribe how they should be handled. A spokeswoman for California’s public health department said: “We have not yet … Continue reading Should Star Athletes and Other Influencers Have Early Access to the COVID-19 Vaccine?
Is This My Chance to Finally Be Charismatic?
According to a recent Wall Street Journal article by Ray Smith, in face-to-face meetings, physical charisma often goes a long way in helping someone get noticed and advance in their career. More reserved or shy types are often at a disadvantage. But physical charisma can be more challenging to replicate online—creating a potentially different pecking … Continue reading Is This My Chance to Finally Be Charismatic?
Get Your Hand Santa-tizer Ready for the Big Guy
Will he be wearing a mask? Will he be using hand sanitizer as he goes from house to house? Will he have to quarantine himself before he starts his journey? Will he have to get a special exemption to be able to fly? I’m sure parents are getting a whole new set of questions about … Continue reading Get Your Hand Santa-tizer Ready for the Big Guy
Thanksgiving Fun Facts: TV Dinners and Mr. Potato Head
In a strange coincidence, I heard two origin stories today, both related to the Thanksgiving holiday. The first has to do with a comment my oldest son made about the creation of TV dinners. According to the most widely accepted account, a Swanson salesman named Gerry Thomas conceived the company’s frozen dinners in late 1953 … Continue reading Thanksgiving Fun Facts: TV Dinners and Mr. Potato Head
Oxford Dictionary’s Word(s) of the Year
Every year since 2004, Oxford Dictionary has announced its choice for Word of the Year. According to Wikipedia, the Word of the Year need not have been coined within the past twelve months but it does need to have become prominent or notable during that time. There is no guarantee that the Word of the … Continue reading Oxford Dictionary’s Word(s) of the Year
Borden's Blather 