One of the cool things about having children around is you're in touch with all the current “hot toys.” You know, the must-have gifts at birthdays and Christmas. What’s old is apparently new–and very popular in toys these days. I refer to “Little People,” a toy series introduced by Fisher Price in the 1960s. These diminutive plastic figures come in a wide variety of characters. Farmers, animals, boys and girls. You'll find “Little People” versions of these. But you can also find licensed versions of movie figures, like popular Disney characters. They are all now under the Mattel name, since they…
Bitter or Sweet?
Do you prefer your coffee black? Do you like the taste of bitter herbs? Then—caution! You might be a psychopath! A recent study published in the journal, Appetite!, suggests that a fondness for bitter food and drink may well indicate a connection with what psychologists define as “malevolent personality traits.” You heard me correctly. Your enjoyment of a raw endive salad or—for that matter—most any bitter food or drink has been shown to correlate with psychotic behavior. Those who took part in the study were asked to identify how much they liked food ranging from bitter to salty to sweet. …
Luxury Homes
In the market for a new home? I saw some interesting listings in the Wall Street Journal. Trump Park Avenue, a 32 story condo development by presidential candidate Donald Trump, is offering a penthouse unit for $35 million. That's more than twice the price of a 4,200 square foot 27th floor apartment that features oak floors, handcrafted Italian brass doorknobs, and views of Park Avenue. Perhaps you hanker for a quieter life and a warmer clime. Then consider another $35 million dollar listing, this one from Christie's International, in Paradise Valley, Arizona. The five bedroom “main house” offers…
Jesus Loves Even Me
Frankly, I felt ambushed. I was minding my own business attending church in Arizona with my wife and our friends, Charlie and Kathy, when of all things, we were led in singing an old Sunday School chorus, “Jesus Loves Even Me.” Words splashed on the screen, but few in the crowd needed them: I am so glad that our Father in Heav’n Tells of His love in the Book He has giv’n; Wonderful things in the Bible I see, This is the dearest, that Jesus loves me.” The chorus goes on to testify: I am…
What’s Inside?
Demolition has gone high tech. Gone are the days of the giant bowling ball swinging from a crane cable. Today's demolition teams are powered by hydraulic claws resembling a four-fingered fist that can clench, wrench and rip. All of that controlled by a digital joystick. In downtown Chicago, I watched as the demolition operator yanked an impossibly thin piece of metal away from a building wall (like a robot with refined motor skills) before plowing into brick, steel and wood. I've also gawked as these grippers pinched a massive chunk of cement, squeezing it into powder. As I stared…
Remembering Eloise
The chair is hers. But she no longer occupies it. The cash register that was hers still takes money. But death has taken Eloise. For decades, Eloise worked in Food Service at Moody Bible Institute. She was one of a kind. When you showed up with your $4.50 sandwich, she would announce the price to you as “Four hundred and fifty dollars.” When our son was very young, he helped himself to a few candies without paying. Upon discovering his heist, we made him stand in line, apologize to Eloise and hand her the money owed. Eloise looked after me. …
Disturbing Stats
My “Happy New Year” frame of mind was jolted to a depressing reality when I read a column in The Week—a favorite news magazine. An article in the “Poll Watch” section reveals the following: 69% of Americans are convinced that America is heading in the wrong direction. A whopping 72% now believe our country is not as great as it once was (Bloomberg Politics). 59% believe the economy is doing poorly (CNN/ORC) with 47% saying their family is scraping by, making only enough to pay the bills and other obligations. 19% say they cannot afford some basic expenses (NBC News). …
A Closing Window
The view is a gift. Spectacular at times, really. Every morning upon arriving at my downtown office, I usually glance out an east-facing window toward the 100-story John Hancock Tower, the Chicago skyline and beyond. For more than two decades, I have relished a city view of sunrises, sunsets, lightning and snowstorms. Better than that, I have seen the lake. Amazingly, through two office moves, I have managed to hang on to a sliver of the nation's third largest body of water. There is never a time when Lake Michigan is less than awe-inspiring. I will miss it. The rumble…
Not into the Christmas Spirit
“I just don't feel in the Christmas spirit.” Have you ever said that? I have. But where did we ever get the idea that we are supposed to feel a specific sentiment? Is there some Department of Christmas Inspiration that has issued guidelines for what sort of emotions one ought to feel every 25th of December? Kidding aside, I “get” feelings. I can be a downright emotional sort, especially for a guy. Nor do I think it's wrong to expect that Christmas might induce a unique set of emotions. Where I think we run into trouble is when we demand…
Facebook or Foodbook?
It blows my mind. On Facebook, we share not only where we are, who we are with, but–increasingly–what we are eating. Especially during the holidays! Facebook has become “foodbook!” I've scratched my head trying to figure out why we're so big on sharing what's for dinner. All I can point to is the perfect recipe of improved camera optics and a tangy combination of fidgety phone folks with a penchant for sharing too much information. Restaurants have wised up. According to an article in the Associated Press, the restaurant chain, Chili’s, now spends $750,000 annually on an egg wash…