Photographic Height

Photographic Height

Traffic

Good interview about traffic:

Hows My Driving? A Q&A With the Author of Traffic - Freakonomics - Opinion - New York Times Blog

I always wear my seatbelt. I don't know why anyone wouldn't!

Backpain Redux

Last night was a great and painless evening. I slept all through the night with no Ibuprofen. I got up and my back was a little twitchy, but not painful.

I went back again today for one more treatment. It is hard to describe it, but my back and hip feel good. Very good.

I was talking to friend about this today. I am an engineer and pride myself on my rational view of life. I cannot explain how this worked, but that does not mean it does not work.

It is OK to be skeptical. It is not OK to be ignorant.

Lawrence J. (Larry) Piette - FSSF - Special Forces - Roll Of Honour

The photo on the right is wrong. And they missed one of his Bronze Stars and all his Purple Hearts:

Lawrence J. (Larry) Piette - FSSF - Special Forces - Roll Of Honour

Backpain and Doctors. Western and Traditional

I am 6’6” tall and weigh something between 215 and 220 depending on the time of day and the amount of food I have recently eaten. Now, you may not think of it too much, but being that tall puts tremendous pressure on your bones. You have a large moment of inertia, which stresses all the fulcrum points in your body. (Or something like that). The result is that you tend to get more aches and pains than more normally sized folks.

I have on and off back pains regularly throughout the year. I don’t worry about it too much, as I usually have some time to stretch out the back (thanks Gus!) and slowly remove the pain. This week, though, it has been tough. Flying to and from New York, and then the planned trip to Rome next week means that I don’t have quite enough time to get myself back in a pain free situation.

So I decided to attack this issue two ways – Western and Traditional. So I had an appointment with my regular doctor this afternoon, followed with my first meeting with an acupuncturist. Following is my story.

I had my meeting with the GP at 2:30. I have been to see her once before, (in 2005!) so I did not need to fill out all the necessary forms. I was taken in the back at about 2:40 (not bad) and had my weight and blood pressure taken. I then explained my symptoms to the nurse, and was told to pee in a cup.

Those formalities taken care of, the doc came in to chat. I explained all my symptoms, and we talked about my pain control regime. (three Costco Ibuprofens twice a day) She said that was fine, and if I needed to do so, I could move up to four ibus three times a day. That seemed like a lot, but I was pretty happy about that. Then she suggested that they take my EKG to make sure I was not having any heart attacks. (don’t ask).

So I got the EKG hooked up, (attached to a PC) was measured and told I was in fine shape. Then I was sent downstairs to have my blood work done and I was out the door by 3:40.

The end result? I am getting old. Take more Ibuprofen if I need. Heart’s fine, blood work will be back before I head off to Rome.

Then I headed off to Dr Wu.

He is located in a small house not far from where we live. I got in and filled out their new patient form. Standard stuff, but it also asked what “Herbal Supplements” you are taking. (I am taking Glucosamine and Chondroitin. He said that was probably doing me no good).

The doc finally took me in a back room (that was furnished in 1980s college dorm room) and asked me what was wrong. I gave him the old song and dance about the back, the hip, and the tingling leg. He laughed and said that I was the sixth man today who had the same problem. He made me strip and looked at me front and back. He noticed my hernia scar that I got when I was probably 12 or 13. He then told me that my right side was in bad shape, which was causing my left side some pain.

He then made me lie down on my right side, and he started hammering in the acupuncture pins. Yes, they get hammered in. They are long pins that are very thin, with a thick part on top. He must have jabbed me about 15 times, left the pins in, and pointed a heat lamp at them. He then told me to lie still for 25 minutes, turned off the light and left.

After 25 minutes the light went off, and I was left lying in the dark. It started to get cold (air conditioning, you know) and I was still there in the dark. I was wondering if Dr Wu forgot me.

He came in about 10 minutes later, pulled the pins and told me to get dressed. He said I should return tomorrow, and he will attach electrodes to the pins. Oh joy!

I dressed and felt no different than when I walked in. Now, I must admit, a couple of hours later, my back feels fine. Coincidence? Who knows?

Additionally, they gave me some “herbal” medicine. You have to take LOTS of them – five each of one (fat and brown) three times a day; ten each of the other (small, round, and black) three times a day. Yum! Pills!

So here I am. I am no stranger to Chinese cures, having undergone cupping in Beijing, but in my mind the jury is still out.

Bananas are dying

Read about the Panama Disease here. And more besides.

The News: York and Haven

We are back from a short vacation to New York City and New Haven, CT.

In New York, we saw two shows, both shows are nominated for various Tony's – August Osage County and Sunday in the park with George.

The first is from the Steppenwolf Theater in Chicago and is a new work. One of Doreen's friend's described as a play that proves that your family is not too bad. The second is a revival of a Stephen Sondheim musical that was originally produced in something like 1980. Mandy Patinkin and Bernadette Peters were in the original.

August ran for 3 hours and 20 minutes. Doreen was afraid to tell me it was so long, as I tend to prefer shorter performances. But even with two intermissions this play simply flew by. It is not a pleasant story, but a great play with outstanding acting.

Sunday is a story about George Seurat's painting “A Sunday Afternoon on the Island of La Grande Jatte” which is currently hanging at the Art Institute in Chicago. It uses very clever (and non-intrusive) computer techniques to make some points about his technique.

For food, we ate at Eleven Madison Park, a Danny Meyer's restaurant. Oh, it was quite good. I won't go into detail here, since I did not take notes. But the food and wine were great, and the service was outstanding.

We also ate at The Spice Market, a Jean-George restaurant. We have eaten there once before, and it was (and is) a very nice Asian Fusion place.

Finally, with Doreen's friend Susan who is a big deal at Chase Back, we ate at Etc, Etc before the one of the shows.

We went to New Haven for Doreen's Yale Reunion. I will let her write about it and post photos if she wants. If she does, I will link to them.

Quinn's Graduation

We went to my nephew Quinn's high school graduation today. He graduated from St Thomas High School here in Houston. We are very proud that he did. He told us that he had to take only two finals! His grades were good enough that he only had to take his tests in English and Government. Good for him.

The keynote speaker was an old priest. (He is one of a Bazillion priests there. That is a lot of priests) His speech was based on the short fable called The Tiger Who Would Be King by James Thurber. It is a cautionary tale about picking fights for no good reason, and while you may win, it would be a Pyhrric victory. Very apt for our country at the moment.

Ree and Rex were there, along with Quinn's little girlfriend Brenda. Afterwards we went out to eat at Teala's restaurant. IT was quite delicious.

Cat Thinking

more graph humor and song chart memes

BLT on Sunday Night

This evening we made Bacon Lettuce and Tomato sandwiches, accompanied by Becky's World Famous Three Bean Salad. The bread was homemade, the bacon was locally smoked, and the tomatoes were hothouse. IT was all outstanding:

Sunday Morning Houston

Today was a beautiful day in Houston. It was crisp, in the 50s this morning when we got up to walk the dog. We took an extra long walk and then got home to our usual Sunday morning routine.

This routine revolves mainly around reading the paper and preparing for the week to come by roasting coffee and baking bread. This morning was no different. But since the weather was so nice, we sat on the front porch when we were reading the paper.

After I roasted our weekly coffee, and kneaded our weekly bread, we went back outside to enjoy the rest of the paper.

About 20 minutes after we returned outside, we heard Blaze making all sorts of noises in the bushes. Now, this I not too much of an unusual circumstance. She chases small animals and tries to divert herself. But after a lot of ruckhousing, she heard he yelp. This is definitely unusual.

I jumped up, and Doreen jumped with me. We went to the bushes and told her to come out. She reluctantly did, and when she did she had a bloody nose. This was not good.

Doreen went in and got a wet rag to wash her nose, and some antibiotics we used once before to clean up her bloody nose. We applied it and hoped for the best.

Now, you need to realize that we are in a rather urban neighborhood.

So when I came back outside and saw Blaze dancing around something in the yar, I was anticipating the worst. I thought she may have caught another baby possum. But no. This time, I was able to see the last gasp of a foot long rat.

It was wet, it was bloody, and by the time I got my shovel to administer the coup de grace, it was dead.

Rat terriers have nothing on Blaze. She doesn't like rats. She kills 'em when she sees 'em.

What do The Rich drink?

All cats are black in the dark:

The Rich Drink Better Beer, Not More - Freakonomics - Opinion - New York Times Blog

Feast

We have wanted to try Feast, a new place down the street from us, since it opened about two months ago. It has gotten great reviews, (here and here) but both times we tried to get there in the past, (admittedly on Sundays for lunch) they were closed. So when I received an e-mail from them last week mentioning their tasting dinner, I called Doreen and we decided to go. She was able to convince some friends to join us, and we headed down to that old house on lower Westheimer.

We arrived shortly after 6:30, and were shown to the back room. Our friends were already there, as were three other tables with four people each. The room decorated in sort of English Pub, all wood furniture and wood floor. It got to be sort of loud when everyone in the room was talking. That didn’t bother us so much, and we set back and added to the cacophony.

It turned out they were pouring wines from a small wine importer who does not deal with retail outlets. (but since Feast does not serve hard liquor, they can sell wine retail. Liquor laws are such a mess). We had the option to pick up any of the wines we liked at a very modest markup. (We have too much wine at home, but Brad and Peggy got some)

The first wine was a pink wine from Provence – a Bieler Rose. As our amuse bouche we had a set of three crostini on homemade bread: Russian Salad (potatoes and peas in mayonnaise) topped with white anchovies; Pork Rillettes (braised pork); and steak tartare. They were all good, but perhaps not transcendent. The bread was especially nice, and the rose (a nice, dry, pinkie) complimented them nicely.

The first course was the highlight of the evening – Scallops St Jacque (Scallops on the shell with mushrooms, cream, and Brandy). I thought I had died and went to heaven. This was accompanied by a Portuguese white – Feital Alvarinho/Trafaduro “Auratus”. It had a richer, heavier body that most Spanish Albariños I am use to drinking. An excellent pairing. We asked for bread to sop up the excellent sauce. I could have eaten many more of these little fellows.

An observation: Both the pours and the “little dishes” were quite generous. For $65/person this was an outstanding bargain. Nobody walked away hungry, or sober (if they chose to finish all the wine! Luckily my wife drove the short six blocks home)

Next up was a beautiful paella – shrimp, chorizo, and chicken served with a White French Burgundy from Meursault. (Fichet Bourgogne Blanc). I though the shrimp were just a tad overcooked, but the rice, chorizo, and chicken were great. I like paella, and this is why. All the flavors meld together nicely. And it is just so cool to look at.

We then graduated to the meat dishes, first Pork Cheeks, Pierogies, and Red Cabbage served with a Descendients J Palacios Roble “Petalos Del Bierzo” from Bierzo Spain. Another braised pork dish. I just cannot get enough of them. Nice, tender, tasty cheeks. The Pierogies were also great. (I think someone’s grandmother made them). Big, bold, dark wine. I have not had it before and enjoyed the new taste sensations.

Following the pork was Braised Beef with Chocolate, steel cut oats and roasted root vegetables. Served with an Altos del la Hoya Monastrell. Anything with root vegetables and chocolates can’t be bad. And the wine was even bigger than the last one! Inky black.

Finally we ended with Rhubarb Crumble with Custard and Elio Perroine Moscatoe D’Asti “Sourgal” from Piedmont Italy. A great end to an excellent meal.

Sort of horrifying

This article:

Human Nature : Human Liquid

I find rather horrifying.

But then again, I worked in a cemetery as a youth.

The States

The States : Frank Chimero : Illustration & Design

Oslo, May 2008

Just back from a PGS Board Meeting in Oslo. We had to approve the Q1 earning release. It was a spectacular quarter, and I am really happy to play any part with that company. We also held the Annual General Meeting, where I was reelected as a board member. That is gratifying.

These meetings are brutal because of the travel. I left Houston at 7:10 on Monday evening on a Continental flight to Amsterdam. It got in at about noon, and then I had a flight from Amsterdam to Oslo at 2:45 that got into Oslo about 4:30. I had to take the train into the city (Normally very efficient, on this trip they had signal problems and it took close to an hour) and then shower, unpack, and get to a board dinner that started at 7:00 PM and lasted until about 9:00. During this board dinner we discussed things like, “Where are oil prices going” and “Why has the Chinese stock market dropped by 50% in the past year”. It is always fun, and the wine is good. But I had been up for many, many hours. I try to be witty and nuanced. I hope I don't come off as boorish and banal.

The next day we started with the Audit Committee meeting at 8:00 AM (yipes!) and then the AGM (above). The Board Meeting itself started at noon, and lasted until after 5:00. Then I have to go out to dinner with the other American (who is stuck in Oslo for the night just as I am. She can't fly out to Chicago until the next day either).

Then my flight out is at 6:30 AM (!) so I have to get on the 4:39 train to the airport. (I hate even cutting it THAT close!). Today was bad, in that there was a donor conference being held in Oslo and all those UN diplomats were flying out (business class) on my plane. The plane was even delayed so these jokers could get there.

Then I had a flight out from Amsterdam at 10:10 AM which got me home at about 1:00. (I watched the moved I Am Legend on the flight. It isn't very long, but I like Will Smith. Plenty of unanswered questions, I guess it would help if you had read the comic book. I didn't understand the Zombie rules. Also, they played a lot of Bob Marley, so that was good. They even played Redemption Song. Doreen's favorite Bob Marley tune) I had a great time through customs and immigration and was home (to some much distressed client calls) by about 1:40. That is about 65 hours out of the house. About 22 hours in an airplane, add about 4 to cover the rest of the travel time.

But I am home tonight!

Garrison Keillor on Travel

A Prairie Home Companion from American Public Media:

Money Quote:

"We are good travelers, we middle Americans, and when Northwest opened a route to Beijing, everybody and their cousin talked about going there, and this spring the direct Minneapolis-Paris route opened, a beautiful idea to us as we scrape the ice off our windshields. We don't actually go, of course—we go to work—but we could go on any given day, could write 'Au Revoir, Ma Famille' on a paper towel and leave it on the kitchen table under a salt shaker and drive to the airport on the bank of the Minnesota River, abandon the car in a snowbank, flash the plastic, board the plane, and wake up in Paris, like Lindbergh."

(I am posting this from Oslo, Norway, at 1:30 in the morning. I am flying back to Houston tomorrow via Amsterdam on KLM)

How much tax do the rich pay?

FactCheck.org: What percent of taxes does the top 1 percent pay and what percent of the income do they make?

Cats and Engineers

A must for anyone who loves cats.

Or Engineers:

Heartbreaking

If this:

BBC NEWS | Magazine Monitor

doesn't bring tears to your eyes and fill you with outrage, I would guess you are less than human.