His father was lovingly authoritative, and yet the noise reverberating throughout the son’s mind gave him the impression his father was disappointed. Demonically-derived, deafening whispers of, “You’re not good enough” permeated his soul, and, despite his father’s reassurance, he believed…
2 soldiers. 2 hospital beds. 1 military hospital in Vietnam. Both men lay side by side. One soldier had been the victim of a detonated landmine, which resulted in a below-knee amputation. Other than a missing limb, he appeared well…
We’ve all known “that guy” who we ignominiously refer to as “The One-Upper.” If you ran a 4:15 mile in High School, he ran a 3:45…while wearing Crocs. If you bench press 225 pounds, he benches 315…with one arm. And…
There are often “trade-offs” in biology. One of the classic examples is the sickle cell trait; you might not get as sick if you get malaria, but a bout of dehydration or intense exercise at altitude could easily land you…
When it comes to dietary conversations, it’s popular to condemn “processed food.” However, some “natural” products might actually be lethal (just ask Cousin Dennis about that delicious-looking mushroom that landed him in the hospital last summer). And some degree of…
“Laurie got offended when I used the word ‘puke.’ But to me, that’s what her dinner tasted like.” -Jack Handey Many of you have heard me employ terms such as “garbage,” or “trash” or “not quite useless…but close” when discussing…
One of the things that we teach our kids is to “not yuck another person’s yum.” Rather than offer your unsolicited negative opinion of another person’s food, clothes, or backpack, simply keep your comments to yourself. Better yet, look for…
“Wow, look at that blue jay!” my happy-go-lucky 23 year-old self exclaimed upon observing a cool-looking bird. Expecting my enthusiasm to be met with similar glee, I was instead met with an icy stare from my companion, who was a…
Many of you are aware that my “dance moves” are an eclectic cornucopia of agility drills, spastic gyrations, and assorted plyometrics. Occasionally people will mistakenly think my dancing is “good,” although some athleticism is required to “perform” in this manner…
Oftentimes people will meet me and ask the question, “What is your wife like?” I figure they’re rightfully intrigued that someone would willingly marry The Academic Platypus…and then gladly renew the subscription every year! And then those LUCKY PEOPLE who…
