Many people are in tune with their bodies, noticing little changes that portend illness or other problems. These sensitive people are probably the descendents of the woman who inspired the story of “The Princess and the Pea”. They are overly sensitive to stimuli. At the other extreme are people who ignore warning signs until it … Continue reading
I just finished reading “Whatever You Do, Don’t Run: True Tales of a Botswana Safari Guide“. This book was written by Peter Allison who has led wildlife-viewing and ecotourism trips for twelve years in Africa, primarily Botswana. I was attracted to the title because I had written an essay a few years ago about my … Continue reading
[A post I wrote for another blog, but appropriate here] I’m continually amazed at the ability of (some) non-scientists to convey science information in a way that is more interesting and compelling than (most) scientists. I just finished reading “A Short History of Nearly Everything” by Bill Bryson, a travel writer. This is a book … Continue reading
[Modified from another blog post published in 2008] As a scientist, I frequently travel to faraway places–sometimes for field work, other times for international conferences. Jet lag, or desynchronosis, is a problem when you need to arrive alert and ready to work. I’ve searched in vain for a way to fool my internal clock into … Continue reading
I wanted to write a post about my most favorite (and least favorite) things in New Zealand. Perhaps I’ll get around to making that list. For now, I’ll mention my favorite sandwich bread. We’ve been eating a lot of sandwiches on this trip because they are easy to prepare and convenient to carry on a … Continue reading
We are currently touring the east coast of the North Island of New Zealand in a region known as Whangarei Heads. Here, the landscape is dominated by a patchwork of pasture, forest, estuaries, and dramatic coastlines with steep cliffs dropping down to pounding surf. We are staying at a fantastic place called Ara Roa; our … Continue reading
Wines and Wetlands 