Loosely Speaking

By Ciel - About Me - E-mail this page - Add to My Favorites - Add to Blog List - See other blogs in Everything Else

Saturday, October 4, 2014

About those leg cramps...

http://www.aarp.org/health/drugs-supplements/info-01-2013/drugs-that-can-cause-leg-cramps.html?cmp=NLC-WBLTR-DSO-TEST2-100314-F2-419638&encparam=Cdry5rr/Cv2Op2QYHHnUnwmBtUZ7ytzmw8AVzH/tu5A= Several of the drugs listed are on my daily meds menu. Tried statins but that didn't work out, so now I take fish oil capsules, and eat more salmon and tuna. Sign in to see full entry.

Wednesday, September 10, 2014

Ever hear of Quora?

People ask and answer questions there--some worth reading and writing, some not so much. Recently I was asked to respond to a question regarding the end of the Mongol Empire. This is how I responded: http://qr.ae/WbPvx Sign in to see full entry.

Friday, September 5, 2014

It's about civilization

The world is wondrous varied in its human populations, and humans in our particular approaches to solving life's problems. Difference of perception and opinion are, on one hand, the very source of wonder and interest; on the other, they are the foundations of competition, confrontation and war. The first problem of civilization is how to bring large populations with all their diversities together in close association, and yet maintain the peace so that there can be commerce, shared learning,... Sign in to see full entry.

Monday, August 11, 2014

So sad...

Probably by the time you read this, it will be old news that Robin Williams has died, apparently by suicide. He was 63. So many funny people who make the world laugh and heal its aches, suffer from depression, known only to those closest to them. The headlines say "commedian" and "comic" which is hardly fair to him. They should read: Comic, Dramatic Actor and Philanthropist. He was a kind of hero to some of us, courageous in speaking up for tolerance and generosity and common sense. I'm so... Sign in to see full entry.

Tuesday, August 5, 2014

Do you chat?

Once upon a time, conversations were simple, face-to-face affairs that began with a greeting, and ended with a farewell. Telephones didn't change the format: one answered the call with some version of Hello, and ended it with some variant of Goodbye. Now, we have chat. Not everyone uses online chat, but many do, and I have noticed among my friends with whom that is a primary manner of communication that while a chat begins with a greeting, very often, there is no concluding remark to say the... Sign in to see full entry.

Wednesday, July 30, 2014

I blame the 'educators'

and the tolerance in this country for dumbing-down basic education. I heard a so-called journalist today, speaking of adding an 'asterick.' And neither journalists nor writers of screenplays have the basic understanding of when to use I/we, vs me/us; amateur writers always give themselves away with their improper use of commas, quotes and exclamation points. https://www.youtube.com/watch?list=RD8Gv0H-vPoDc&v=8Gv0H-vPoDc Sign in to see full entry.

Tuesday, July 22, 2014

Dog Days

It seems to happen every year around now, that posting and reading decline here in Blogitland, with just the few anchor-folk who are never far off, who still post often--but maybe a few times a week rather than every day. I know when I get hot, or when summer activities come on busy, I have less inspiration for writing, and less time for it. I suppose that's how it is for many of us. I read, but the flow of comment and response is just plain sluggish. Even when there are things I want to share,... Sign in to see full entry.

Thursday, July 17, 2014

The sin of helping

You are so patronizing! Who is and how do we know? What does it even mean? I think I finally have it figured out: When one offers help on the assumption that someone else needs it... that's patronizing. Especially, if the assumption is made on so unconsciously, that the one offering assistance is not even aware that they have judged the other as incapable, inadequate, ignorant... possibly even stupid. Many of us who are helpers by nature are so surprised when our offer of aide is answered by a... Sign in to see full entry.

Wednesday, July 16, 2014

The most common dog in America

http://www.esquire.com/features/american-dog-0814 If you have opinions about pit-bull terriers, this article is worth the time to read it. Adnohr will surely find no surprises in it, and Naut is bound to appreciate it, too. It gave me more to consider, to revise my own opinion. Sign in to see full entry.

Saturday, July 12, 2014

Another one for the doggie--especially the black ones!

http://www.slate.com/articles/health_and_science/science/2014/06/black_dog_syndrome_are_people_racist_against_black_pets.html My daughter Marika sent this link. I personally like my black dog. Sign in to see full entry.

Headlines (What is this?)