Archive for the ‘health’ Category

East African Plains Apes

Wednesday, December 10th, 2008

I was just standing in my kitchen, eating a banana, listening to Economics 113: American Economic History, from University of Berkeley, taught by professor Brad DeLong.  When he said:

In its native state, if you are relatively poor, the climate of Northern New England is none too healthy.  For us, because we are, after all, East African Plains Apes, designed to live in a place where it’s ninety degrees at noon full-time year round.  We’re not supposed to be wearing suit coats, let alone winter coats and gloves.  We’re supposed to be frolicking around in the grasslands, using our height to look at small animals we can hunt and plants we can eat.

This is what I’ve been saying!  Monkey Diet!

Posted in Gorillas, food, health | 6 Comments »

BJJ –> Save Game

Saturday, October 25th, 2008

I just had a chat with my BJJ friend Tran Nguyen from London. He just received his purple belt (Congratulations!) and he mentioned how it was nice to receive it so that he could “save his game” like a video game.
That is exactly how I feel. I don’t really want a new belt for a new belt’s sake. I’m more concerned with getting to the “purple level” in the Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu game. That way I can save my game and if I move, or get injured, I can come back to the game and start from there, instead of spending another couple of years as a blue belt. I don’t need the strokes from the higher graded belts, but I would like the insurance policy.

In other news, I started boxing this week, which I am really enjoying. I started because I am trying to drop a couple of kilos for the South American BJJ championships next month. I think this is the magic bullet. A friend of mine, Sergio, who is an American who has been living in Porto Alegre for a long time, is helping me train, and it is incredibly hard work. My back is pretty sore, but it is really fun.

Posted in BJJ, Boxing, health | 3 Comments »

Dentist in Porto Alegre

Friday, October 26th, 2007

I just went to the dentist in Porto Alegre today. It was a really good experience.  I mean, not too many people like going to the dentist, but this was alright.  She had small hands, which is my first requirement for any dentist.

A dentist in California had given me a crummy filling and I got a cavity under it.  The dentist here replaced the filling and fixed the cavity.  I looked at the filling and I have to say, she is a craftsperson.  It is artistic.  You can tell she takes pride in her work and likes doing a good job.

If you are ever in Porto Alegre and you need a dentist, fire me an email and I’ll give you her details.  I need to check with her first, of course.  Also, if you are in America, need some dentistry, don’t have insurance and are planning a trip to Brazil…  well… wait.  I mean, I’m not a dentist and am not offering you medical advice, but I think the dental work here is less expensive and from what I’ve seen, higher quality.

Posted in Brazil, Porto Alegre, Travel, health | No Comments »

My Life = Country Song.

Monday, August 6th, 2007

I have a broken leg, my wife is in South America, I have no home, and now I have a cold.

At least my truck ain’t crashed and my dog ain’t dead. Of course, I don’t have a truck or a dog…

Posted in BJJ, Judo, Travel, health, injury, poopculture | No Comments »

Are you in the shower?

Thursday, March 22nd, 2007

I watched a really good Google Video called Mindfulness Stress Reduction And Healing
Following one of the suggestions, I stopped and checked to see if I was in the shower last time I took a shower. Turns out I wasn’t.

Also, I finished a really good book, Special Topics in Calamity Physics

I am going to the Google London Headquarters on Thursday, I’ll try to take some pictures of the wide array of snacks that they have.

Posted in Books, Google, health | 2 Comments »