Yesterday, while driving to the store, I saw this kid sitting on the side of the road with a sign. Before I could get close enough, I assumed the sign said "homeless." Instead, it said "Blessed." I had to turn around and go back. He told me he's 19, homeless, and trying to sell his artwork to make enough money for a train ticket to California. He had a lot to say about spirituality, God and life and I realized he had more sense than a lot of people I know who, on the outside, seem to have their lives together. He's not a beggar, he's not lazy, he's not stupid or uneducated or on drugs. He's simply taking an unconventional approach to life that, so far, seems to have worked on his character better than the conventional approach I see working in others.
January 1, 2009 — A biochemist and cook explains that cooking is all about chemistry and knowing some facts can help chefs understand why recipes go wrong. Because cooking is essentially a series of chemical reactions, it is helpful to know some basics. For example, plunging asparagus into boiling water causes the cells to pop and result in a brighter green. Longer cooking, however, causes the plant's cell walls to shrink and releases an acid. This turns the asparagus an unappetizing shade of grey.
