Author Archives: Michael Straus
Seven months in America
“We can’t solve problems by using the same kind of thinking we used when we created them.” – Einstein “It depends on what the meaning of the word ‘is’ is.” – Clinton “Cuz, remember: no matter where you go … there you are.” - Buckaroo Banzai + + + In just over a week, I’ll be … Continue reading
For goodness saké (日本酒)
If you drink saké (Japanese rice wine), you’ve gotta check out my buddy Henry’s new video series. I met Henry in 1996, when he introduced Ciao Bella Gelato to the West Coast, opening their SoMa production facility. If I recall correctly, that was sandwiched between his successful launches of Brooklyn Brewery in New York, and Belvedere Vodka across the world. At the time, … Continue reading
The Chair in the Middle of the Road
Despite repeated visits to the chiropractor, hot packs, cold packs and a random assortment of medications, nothing seemed to help Nigel’s back. Quite the opposite, in fact, and the pain continued to worsen. Then, on December 24, while cruising home to Dixon on Interstate 80 from the SF Ferry Plaza farmers market, a wooden chair … Continue reading
Burma project progress & 3 Cups lessons
Despite Hilary Clinton’s recent headline-making diplomatic meetings in Burma (aka Myanmar), the situation on the ground remains dire. I don’t profess deep knowledge of Burmese politics, but from what I personally observed, I have a very difficult time imagining anything substantive coming from this supposed political ‘thaw’. Here’s a recent report from a friend visiting our … Continue reading
Farm Spotlight: Pie Ranch
Every now and then I like to brag … about my friends, and Jered and Nancy at Pie Ranch have the dubious distinction of being today’s victims. I met Jered back in 1999 at the Eco-Farm Conference, where he was mesmerizing an audience with his photographs of sustainable agriculture in Asia (his adventurous spirit was … Continue reading
Building schools with plastic bottles
Walls made of plastic bottles instead of bricks. Given how mercilessly my nephews harass me (rightfully, regretfully) for my prematurely failing memory, I nonetheless remember clearly the first time I saw this remarkably simple-yet-innovative idea in action. Back in 2008, I was visiting the rainforest hippie enclave of San Marcos, accessible only by boat and … Continue reading
Occupy this moment
The ‘moment’ is infinitely small … no matter how you slice it, it just gets smaller and smaller. And yet, in that briefest flicker of time, since that’s all that there is, infinity exists in each and every moment. What a gift.
Star Trek, Cousin Alfred & Cancer Research
I’m exploring my 95-year-old cousin Alfred’s breakthrough cancer detection research from the 1970s, in which he applied electricity to a drop of blood sitting upon NASA-created liquid crystals, and took remarkable photographs of the resulting color patterns. Here’s Alfred in a 1982 “In Search of” TV episode, hosted by Leonard “Spock” Nemoy: In nearly all test cases, … Continue reading
Faces of Bali
My friend Joel Singer, an American artist now living in Bali, just finished his latest work. For me, it’s a lovely reminder of Bali, a place which I’ll soon be calling home.
Blessed are the cheese makers
Velveeta, Rondele and Laughing Cow. That’s what ‘cheese’ meant to me in the 1970s. Somewhat ironic, given that I grew up on a dairy farm that since has become emblematic of the sustainable, local and organic food movements. Once, I was embarrassed to admit to my city friends that I grew up shoveling shit. Today, farmers … Continue reading
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