Category Archives: Health

Urgent care that isn’t

I needed some relatively minor medical care, and wanted to get it done today rather than wait for an appointment to see a doctor.  It wasn’t serious enough to require a trip to the emergency room, so I drove to … Continue reading

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Placebos finally available over the counter

Years ago, Steve Martin described the great new drug he was taking, “placebos”. Starting June 1, you’ll be able to buy them too, under the Obecalp brand name, though medical experts don’t think it will work.  [h/t Monday Evening]

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Dealing with suboptimal urban wildlife

The birds nesting in the trees near my bedroom window wake me up earlier than I’d like in the morning, and at night they keep me awake, singing past 2 AM. I’ve taken to sleeping with earplugs, but then my … Continue reading

Posted in Gadgets, Health, The Suboptimal Way | 1 Comment

How many people have seen their own heart…

while it is outside their body? I’ve only seen mine on an ultrasound, and that’s as close as I hope to ever see it.

Posted in Blog/website/news comments, Health | 6 Comments

Natural mosquito repellents

I know I’ve seen various mentions in the press of natural mosquito repellents more effective (and less unpleasant to humans) than products with DEET. I couldn’t remember what they were, but a web search turned up several. Catnip (Nepeta cataria) … Continue reading

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The suboptimal way to get a good night’s sleep

I’ve been practicing sleeping for over forty years now, and I thought I’d gotten fairly proficient at it, but last night suggested otherwise.  Here’s the suboptimal way to get a good night’s sleep: get exhausted during the day drink way … Continue reading

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Smoking ban

I’m opposed to complete bans on smoking in restaurants and bars, as we now have in California and Colorado, even though I’m a non-smoker and find cigarette smoke very irritating. It should be sufficient to have designated non-smoking areas, with … Continue reading

Posted in Freedom and liberty, Health | Leave a comment

Flu shot

I’ve never gotten a flu shot before, and I probably wouldn’t have this year, but my employer arranged for a nurse to give the shots to employees on-site. I figured I might as well give it a try. One of … Continue reading

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Domestication

The common automobile (Ipsomobile sp.) has coexisted with humans for over a century, and is generally considered to be fully domesticated. However, should the opportunity arise, they have been known to exhibit wild behavior. Note that the occasional playful nip … Continue reading

Posted in Car, Health | 2 Comments

Don’t try this at home (or anywhere else)!

On the way to lunch with my coworkers this afternoon, I somehow managed to slam the tip of my left middle finger in the car door. It happened so quickly and hurt so much that I can’t recall the details … Continue reading

Posted in Car, Health | 3 Comments