Holiday Hangover Remedies

Here is the Holiday Hangover therapy list back by popular demand for the 2009 season, and hopefully in time for New Year's Eve.

It doesn't take much alcohol to make me goofy. That admission can elicit snickers from those who have more macho tendencies. James Bond can drink martinis ad nauseam, and vanquish the villain nary slurring a word. After a few drinks, I'm more likely to make an embarrassing comment. This probably explains why I only have occasional social drinking bouts these days.

There's probably no such thing as a hangover "cure", but there are some methods to help you fight the toxic effects created by a bout of drinking.

Disclaimer:

There's sporadic scientific evidence for the remedies suggested here, but please consult any appropriate health experts before adhering to these methods. I will stake claim to a suggestion listed here. If you have a hangover, then do some mild exercise after hydrating yourself. For me this works as well as anything, but I haven't seen it mentioned elsewhere.

In the spirit of the season here is a list of hangover remedies for your holiday party survival:

1. Drink lots of water before and after sleep (unless you are on medically prescribed fluid restriction). Sports drinks (not energy drinks) may
   be a good alternative as well since they contain sugars, and
   needed electrolytes.
   
2. Take a shower or bath after a drinking bout.
   
3. Ingest sweet foods that contain fructose (helps the body metabolize alcohol).
   
   
4. Do some mild exercise, or take a brisk walk (stimulates the
   circulation etc).
   
5. Vitamin B complex tablet (within recommended daily dose).
   
6. Cysteine (within recommended dose) as it counteracts
   acetaldehyde - a by-product of alcohol metabolism.
7. Vitamin C for its antioxidant effects.
   
   
8. Be wary of headache pills as some (tylenol/acetaminophen) can
   increase the risk of liver damage in conjunction with alcohol,
   and some (ibuprofen, aspirin) can cause gastric irritation.
   
9. PRAY.

If you can enjoy the holidays without drinking - Congratulations! It's questionable whether anyone should drive with a hangover, but don't drink and drive!

Tags:
Hangover, Health, Christmas, Alcohol, Humor, New Year's Eve

Domestic Blunders

Our homes are sanctuaries that protect us from the harsh realities of life, but running a household is a complex undertaking. I'm proof that a supposedly capable person can make domestic gaffs that make Mr. Bean look like a genius. Even the brilliant Albert Einstein could be forgetful around the house, so what hope is there for the rest of us?

The "take home" lesson is this: Treat your home with respect, and don't expend all of your brain power at work - you need some for household duties too.


MY SHORT LIST OF MISADVENTURES AT HOME:

1. Tried to cook pancakes on a George Foreman Grill. You know - the one with the sloped surface.
   
   
2. Used regular liquid soap in an automatic dish washer. Try it if you want to see wet soap suds bubbling out of the dish washer all over your kitchen floor.
   
   
3. Activated the home security system for motion detection prior to a walk forgetting about the house cat. Came back home to blaring alarms and a terribly traumatized cat.
   
   
4. Locked myself out of the house on numerous occasions while tending to the yard. Good opportunity to learn meditation skills.
   
   
5. Forgot about a lit candle that was in a flammable, plastic holder (or was this my wife?). The candle holder caught on fire, but fortunately we were able to extinguish it right away.
   
   
6. A ladder slipped out from under me while I was trying to put Christmas lights on the eavestrough (This is a classic). Luckily, I was able to grab a part of the ladder while hanging onto the trough thus averting disaster. This is similar to a ladder scene involving Chevy Chase in the movie Christmas Vacation.
   
   
7. Forgot about some pita bread I was grilling in the oven - yes it caught on fire. The fire remained confined to the oven, but the oven door was permanently charred and discolored. Try explaining that one to the wife.
   
   
8. Tried to get rid of bags of dated pasta by throwing them in the garburator. This created a kind of starch super glue that completely clogged the garburator throughout every orifice (actually my wife did this).
   
   
9. Left a closed spray nozzle attached to a garden hose on in the spring. It burst after a few freeze/thaw cycles dumping thousand of gallons of water into the yard. Coincidentally our sump pump gave out and the basement flooded. Realized the outdoor faucet was still on days and dollars later.

I could describe various scientific theories about human error and why it occurs in different situations, but that isn't the point. All of us can be Dumb, Dumber, or Dumberer at times. I'm sure many readers can relate to their own silly gaffs at home. If you would like to come clean about any of your domestic blunders, then please tell us your story by leaving a comment below.

Tags:
Humor, Comedy, Culture, Stupidity, Domestic Blunders, Home Accidents, Gaffs, Absent Minded

Bikeology

Natural Antidepressant = Ride a Bike!
I bought a brand new, cheap mountain bike three years ago, after years of not riding. It was exhilarating and liberating, like releasing a long forgotten passion buried in the past of fading childhood memories. At first, I didn't respect the bike as a machine. I rode it without regard for maintenance, or respecting its mechanical wonders. Of course this attitude finally caught up with me. After a long beautiful fall ride through the river valley parks with my wife - the chain snapped at the low point of a steep hill. After pushing the bike to the hill top it occurred to me that one should be prepared for mechanical break down. I bought some basic tools - started regular pre-ride inspections, and made some basic adjustments to the derailleurs, brakes and other bike parts. The chain was repaired at a local do it yourself bike establishment. A nonprofit community organization in Edmonton dedicated to low cost commuter cycling. A few people who are trying to promote and support the bicycle as a healthy and ecologically sound mode of everyday urban travel. Rubbing shoulders with these folks who depend on their bikes to get around in all seasons was humbling for a recreational rider like me. For a nominal fee you can use their tools and work stations to maintain and repair your bike. Often there are volunteers and fellow riders present to educate and assist you with most repairs. Community in action! It's not about competition or expensive equipment and bikes. It's about healthy transportation and interacting with like minded individuals. Don't be complacent and forget about safety though. This bike safety page discusses a variety of potential traffic collision situations and how you can avoid them. I prefer sticking to bike paths and trails for the most part.

It's amazing how different a city looks from a bike, and of course you can access areas that are out of bounds for the four wheeled cages. You are immersed in the sun, wind, and sights and sounds, along with the rhythm of your bike. Love it!

Tags:
cycling, bicycles, transportation, recreation, health, depression, vitality, commuting

Life Graph

The North American path to so called success is challenged in a Postmodern world. We have abundance leading to "happiness", and addiction to the material path no matter what the consequences. True happiness and awareness are ever elusive beneath the temporary forms.

Tags:
Life, Happiness, Consumerism, Success, Greed, Wealth, Awareness, Buddhism, Mythology, Postmodernism

Promise Fountain

A sense of Calm. Serenity. Renewal. Negative(Positive) Ions. A return to the Source. The Circle of Life. Baptism. Clarity. Flowing, fresh water in all of its forms. A Promise of Renewal. Why do Fountains evoke these thoughts and feelings?

There are many Famous Fountains in the world including the choreographed, technical marvel of the Bellagio fountains in Las Vegas (a rare oasis of relative peace in Sin City). Find your Inner Fountain.

Tags:
Fountain, Promise, Source, Origin, Spring, Birth

Batman vs. Superman

Superman is a hero for bright eyed children and true blue optimists, but Batman is the real deal. He's far more human than Superman - well actually he is human and Superman comes from the planet Krypton, so he's actually an alien. As a human Batman doesn't really have any powers, unlike Superman whose powers are so fantastic they become unbelievable and comical at best. Batman has to deal with his human limitations and fragile vigilante psyche in order to mete out his vengeance on the bad guys, but Superman is never really at risk. He can crush the criminals with trivial use of his powers, and not even break a sweat. The only trait they really share is that of extreme loneliness. One torn asunder from his native plant and fellow beings by a planetary cataclysm, and the other driven into isolation and paranoia as a child by the untimely death of his parents at the hands of street thugs. What's the point here? Stick with Batman. He's complex and conflicted like the rest of us. He's estranged from others and alienated from society, but still wants to right the wrongs and make a difference. Superman is just cleaning up the bee hive.



Tags:
Batman, Superman, Superheroes, Humor, Comics

Stock Market Madness Reloaded

Back in January of 2008 while stock markets were plunging I brazenly posted an article titled Stock Market Madness that predicted a probable market recovery by year end. As this New Year begins it's obvious that I was far too optimistic in trying to predict a softer landing for the U.S. Economy, and didn't anticipate the ensuing ferocious Bear market. Unlike many "expert" financial pundits which I'm definitely not - I'm quite willing to scarf down some humble pie, and admit to some hubris in early 2008. At least I didn't call a bottom, but I did express faith in the basic fundamentals of U.S. markets, and their ultimate recovery by year's end. What I didn't anticipate was the level of greed, dishonesty, and corruption tearing away at the fabric of U.S. and global financial institutions. All of this highlighted more recently by the fifty billion dollar Bernie Madoff ponzi scheme scandal. Of course predicting stock markets in the short term is a shell game, and we tend to under estimate the wide spread effects of excessive leverage risk as it unwinds. Collectively we are far too trusting of investment firms in general, and companies that are publicly funded by common stock offerings. Despite these sobering thoughts, none of this has deterred Warren Buffet - perhaps the greatest investment guru in history - from making some significant late 2008 purchases in firms such as General Electric, and Goldman Sachs. If history is any guide post, Buffet will likely be proven right over the next few years by sensing that this harsh sell off has offered up some tremendous bargains in stocks. There are still honest, diligent, and profitable Buffet like companies out there that have been caught in the global down draft, and they may be poised for significant gains when recovery takes hold. It's up to individual investors to find them, or do everything possible to make sure that their financial advisers are doing the same on their behalf. It's one thing to argue about regulating the level of risk that investment banks, and similar entities can underwrite. However, there can be no debate about the need for more oversight and regulation of investment firms - to scrutinize their accounting and transactions, so that individual investors won't be fleeced by corporate psychopaths and con men. Unfortunately, as John Kenneth Galbraith so eloquently illustrates in his book "A Short History of Financial Euphoria" these huge speculative bubbles are prone to recur again and again as they are firmly entrenched in human psyche and the behavior of crowds.

One lesson that life seems to mete out time and again: Do your homework, and be wary of chasing that elusive "easy buck".

Tags:
Stock Market, Investing, Bear Market, Speculation, Ponzi Scheme, Finances, Bernie Madoff, Warren Buffet, John Kenneth Galbraith

Tomorrow Lives

Tomorrow: Do something you've never done before.

Tomorrow: Make friends with someone.

Tomorrow: Come to terms with an enemy.

Tomorrow: Start a new life path.

Tomorrow: Kiss someone you love.

Tomorrow: Exercise your body.

Tomorrow: Don't worry about the past or the future.

Tomorrow: Invent something.

Tomorrow: Be yourself.

Tomorrow: Is whatever you want it to be.

Have a great day!


Tags:
Tomorrow, Inspiration, Spiritual, Philosophy, Awareness, Harmony, Peace

A President for the Century

The upcoming American Presidential election will be the most significant turning point in recent history. The United States can choose to look back and succumb to irrational fear, or choose a new path and future with an inspirational leader. Barack Obama wants to restore faith in America at home and abroad. He wants to be an agent of positive change for Americans and the world at large.

He's not a perfect man, and he won't be a perfect President as he readily admits, but he'll always try and do the right thing. That's the way he was raised, and his Senate record speaks for itself.

His economic and taxation plans may need some tweaking. His foreign policy beliefs especially as they concern Afghanistan may need adjustments. His energy policies may not be totally realistic. These should not be deal breakers for voters. You can feel it in your heart and soul. This man is what America and the world needs now. The politics of division and fear have had their day. We can't blame the present Administration for all of the world's woes, but they certainly fanned the flames of war and economic despair. Why would you continue with the status quo of a John McCain?

One man's opinion from the Great White North.

Tags:
President, Barack Obama, Presidential Election, Politics, United States

Vegas High Roller Suite

A few years ago my wife and I stayed in some large, complimentary, luxury suites at the Paris Hotel courtesy of our "Old Style Vegas" casino host - lavish digs despite the fact I'd only been a moderate high roller. There are huge decked out suites available for the "whales" or million dollar gamblers with wrap around views of the strip and every amenity, but that would have been too much for us anyway. Our Vegas days are likely over for various reasons, and this has been chronicled in prior posts on this site, however it occurred to me that a few readers might be interested in seeing what the inside of a "High Roller Suite" looks like. This Suite had multiple rooms, and was lavishly appointed with a fantastic view of the pool area. Of course when you're a gambler you don't spend much time in your hotel room anyway - kind of a shame in this case.

Disclaimer:

The author is not presently involved in any gambling activities, and this site is not intended to promote such activities. The author has no direct or indirect financial interest in any gaming sites or casinos, either as a participant, employee, or owner.

Tags:
Las Vegas, High Roller, Paris Hotel, Casino Host, Hotel Suites, Vacation, Hotels, Sin City, The Strip

Lifehacker?

Are you a fan of Lifehacker.com?

It's a clever site with special emphasis on advice for tweaking software apps and information technology - all in an effort to get you more organized in today's complex world of data overload. You can find a myriad of tips to tweak your e-mail settings, perform superior google searches, get in on early beta applications, incorporate widgets, and recommendations for a gazillion firefox extensions.

All of this raises the question:
Are we trying too hard to organize Chaos by using too many programmable devices and software applications? Some of us are spending more time organizing and tweaking when we should be deleting. Lifehack No. 1: Delete any technology or activity that doesn't enhance YOUR life.

For example, If you have paper, web based, cell phone, and PC versions of your TO DO list - YOU are over organized, and I'm willing to bet none of those lists are synchronized. Of course the technology is out there to do that, and you can spend a few more unproductive hours trying to synchronize your lists to all of your devices. Hmmm... using only one paper TO DO list is sounding even better. Then you might have the time to actually do something that's on the list.



Tags:
Lifehacker, Organizing, Chaos, Productivity, To Do List, Culture, Luddite, Information Management, Postmodernism