As an experiment, I’ve recently been investigating Bitcoin and itscharacteristics as a form of money. I’m not a fan of the use of Bitcoin ineveryday transactions; clearing is far too slow for real-time use, and theconcept of a fixed pool of circulating currency with diminishing returns on‘mining’ is…

When the sun came up in Saratoga Springs, New York, on May 15, 2009, it looked like a great morning for a bicycle ride: clear and sunny with temperatures forecast to be in the low 70s—perfect conditions for Bike to Work Day. On the corner of a park downtown, tables serving fresh fruit, yogurt,…

01/16/2013 The Guardian obnoxiously asks, “Can vegans stomach the unpalatable truth about quinoa?” » “Protein-packed” Apple Cinnamon Quinoa Muffins from Chocolate and Chou Fleur.The title of Joanna Bl

Photograph by Frederik Broden I hate the gym. At least, I hate “the gym” as imagined by the modern American health club: the mindless repetitions on the weight machines, halfhearted crunches, daytime TV during the treadmill. Such a sad, unimaginative excuse for a life, when I could be out…

The 14th of August, 2003 was an interesting day in many ways. I’d just taken the family down to Toronto to spend a day there and pick up our newly minted passports at the Dutch embassy. We had some fun in the city seeing the sights, visited Niagara Falls and were on the way back on a sunny August…