Interesting study

People who go to church are fatter

So this study discovered that religious, church-going people are more likely to be obese and have cardiovascular disease.  It's interesting to think about why--the article says that maybe religious people marry earlier, and that common knowledge is that many people gain weight after they marry.  Or, they suggest, the time people devote to religious activities takes the place of physical activity.  Overall, an interesting thought-provoking article.

Pharmacy

So I've had a bad sinus infection and today I went to the Columbia health clinic (and got the same bitchy doctor as last time), and got a prescription for antibiotics.  But instead of going to the Duane Reade, I went to the little Hartley Pharmacy on the corner of 120th and Amsterdam.  And the pharmacist there was really nice and we were complaining together about having difficulty swallowing large pills.  Anyway, I just like supporting the little shops.

Walkie Talkies

So in my lab, the facility is so big and we have to be doing simultaneous things in different locations so we use walkie talkies.  And this has actually made the whole research thing a lot of fun.  And I got to thinking, why are walkie-talkies so fun? If we compare them to cell phones, they're very similar.  They're mobile, small, 2-way, etc etc.  The only thing I can think of is that walkie talkies are associated with "cool" people -- FBI agents, secret agents, Secret Service, security of all sorts.  When you use one, you feel kind of important and unique and like your work is special enough to deserve walkie-talkies.