Things I Learned over the Weekend

 

June 9, 2026

 

I learned some fascinating things this weekend.

 

First, there are bacteria that live in fog. Really. And they consume atmospheric pollutants. 

 

Who knew?

 

Second, McDonald’s is trying to keep customers interested in buying their food. They’re considering upscale menu items, fancy drinks, and new playgrounds to lure customers.

 

“They might try improving the taste,” I thought, as I was reading the part of the article on Page 1.

 

When I turned the page, lo and behold, their global chief people officer (that’s what she’s called in the article) is talking about giving employees the chance to try food that’s prepared exactly by the book. “Leaving a hamburger on the grill for 30 extra seconds—it may not feel like much, but once you can taste that difference, people will be much more motivated to deliver according to our standards,” she says.

 

Amen to that.

 

How Much Worse Can It Be?

 

May 27, 2026

 

Have you ever wondered why restaurants will serve you food that’s high in fat and/or deep fried in grease,

 

And then refuse to salt the fries because salt is bad for you?

 

I'd Do It for Half that Price

 

May 22, 2026

 

The state-run Police Board that governs the St. Louis Police Department was looking for $300,000 to do a pay study. It’s already established that the pay for officers is too low to keep the city department fully staffed, so that part of the study is unnecessary.

 

If by “pay study” they mean looking at other departments in comparably-sized cities in regions with comparable economic factors, I imagine that they could just hop on the internet. After all, isn’t that what the officers are doing in order to find the better-paying jobs? And don’t sites like LinkedIn and other job sources tell people to do just that?

 

But, if the Board insists on having a study, I’ll take on the job for only $150,000. I’ll have to pay a sub-contractor to actually use the internet, but I’ll still come out ahead. And so will the Police Board.