Beer+Cognac=Health?!?

I know my last few postings of my stimulus check and the alcohol were slightly off-topic as it relates to the health topic we voted on...but worry not..I'm currently working and researching my first post. I'm mired in the origins of dualism, so far I've skipped like a smooth stone off the Cartesian-era, bounded through early Greek philosophy and am deciding whether or not to chase the rabbit down the hole any further than Zoroastrianism...any thoughts...should I take it easy? :)

I'm thinking we could tackle the sub-topics roughly this way...physical health (1-2 weeks) mental health (1-2 weeks) and social well-being (1 week) with any extra stuff serving as a nice bookend. (Is bookend one word or two?)

The reasons for my getting into dualism are probably obvious to you already. It's hard to discuss physical health without talking about mental health, and vice-versa. Mental health can drag down a thoroughbred (...I should know...) and certainly while fat people seem happy sitting on the couch covered in a fine coating of grease and powdered sugar...would we say they are the sanest among us?

So...I'll keep digging through on-line sources...but until then...a nugget...what's more important: Physical Health or Mental Health? Does one trump the other? Or are they working truely in unison?

Also, any experiences where one affected the other for you personally? Do they seem to falter at the same time, or does one always lead the other? Cart vs. Horse? (Which one is which)

Happy thoughts...

International Flavoring

Due to the kindness, grace, and warm-heartedness of a pair of friends, I have had the distinct pleasure to imbibe on some international alcohol recently. I thought I would share the photographic evidence with you and some brief comments. A student in my Tuesday and Thursday, 10am adult female class has traveled to Hokkaido, the northern Japanese island twice within the past few months. Each time she has not missed the opportunity to bring her teacher (me!) back three cans of Japanese beer. Suffice it to say, it makes its Korean counterpart taste more like the piss water that it is. Her husband must be relatively beer-savvy as she has given me a balanced variety of cans, the three on the left were from her first trip, the three to the right are fare from her most recent. Each can has been refreshingly crisp and leaves a pleasant, brief, not overwhelming aftertaste. Note the most recent batch had a lager, and ale, and a stout. Yummy!

Stella, my Kyrgyzstan friend, (her grandparents, at least her maternal grandmother I believe originate from modern-day North Korea) was kind enough to bring with her a bottle of Kyrgyz cognac last night. We drank the entire bottle, again, yummy!! With my limited knowledge, and my all-too-brief research...all I can say is, reportedly Kyrgyz cognac is quite sweet...but renowned. And after the third glass...who the hell really cares anymore...

Enjoy the photo, and share some of your tastes from the four corners of this blessed Earth...

History of the Stimulus

Posting about my check from Uncle Sam got me thinking...how often has the federal government shelled out some hard cash to re-energize the economy. What's the success rate? Is it only for individuals, or do company's get a break as well? When was the first time?...

Check out this article if you happen to be wondering any of the same...(note the boxes on the left-hand side, they spell out chronologically the historical tax offerings.

http://www.usatoday.com/news/washington/2008-01-23-economicstimulus_N.htm

Sounds like the results have been varied...slightly varied between a total waste and an opportunity not to fu@$ up like the last several times.

Reassuring, ain't it?

Stimulation

Actually...the first letter to reach me, and this was the case at my previous apartment as well...is a letter from the IRS. I was floored to have randomly checked my mailbox at the apartment mom and dad visited two years ago and find my name on something. This time was nearly equally surprising for two reasons. Still having not filed my 2004 returns, I thought it'd be like a library book you never returned, you can't check out another one until you pay your fine. Guess not! And my own family didn't have my address for this apartment yet...I guess when they want to find you, they will!!

Anyhow...here's proof that the government's stimulus package is well off-target. Anyone taking odds on how much the US economy will improve with me having this money here in South Korea? Dad, does anyone see the stimulus plan helping...?

Got yours?

Health-A Wiki(d) definition

Ok...here's the 'holy-grail' that we ought to aspire towards...

Health is a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity.[1]

This definition, which was ratified during the first World Health Assembly, has not been modified since 1948 [1].


Working under this premise (safe to assume we all accept it?) what can we do to improve our health, individual, collectively, and heck..humanity-wide as well.

Thoughts...

Some sexier shots...

Fun with rocks

Here's an exciting action-sequence of our assault on a rock...