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Yale Food Addiction Scale -- My Survey Answers

Added on by C. Maoxian.

This survey asks about your eating habits in the past year. People sometimes have difficulty controlling their intake of certain foods such as:

-Sweets like ice cream, chocolate, doughnuts, cookies, cake, candy, ice cream

-Starches like white bread, rolls, pasta, and rice

-Salty snacks like chips, pretzels, and crackers

-Fatty foods like steak, bacon, hamburgers, cheeseburgers, pizza, and French fries

-Sugary drinks like soda pop

When the following questions ask about “CERTAIN FOODS” please think of ANY food similar to those listed in the food group or ANY OTHER foods you have had a problem with in the past year

IN THE PAST 12 MONTHS:

0: Never

1: Once a month

2: 2-4 times a month

3: 2-3 times a week

4: 4 or more times or daily


1.I find that when I start eating certain foods, I end up eating much more than planned. [I NEVER GO IN WITH A “PLAN”]

2. I find myself continuing to consume certain foods even though I am no longer hungry. [I NEVER EAT BECAUSE I AM “HUNGRY,” IT’S JUST A HABITUAL TIME-OF-DAY THING]

3. I eat to the point where I feel physically ill. [WHAT? NEVER]

4. Not eating certain types of food or cutting down on certain types of food is something I worry about. [I NEVER WORRY ABOUT ANYTHING, I’M NOT A “WORRIER”]

5. I spend a lot of time feeling sluggish or fatigued from overeating. [NEVER]

6.I find myself constantly eating certain foods throughout the day. [NO]

7.I find that when certain foods are not available, I will go out of my way to obtain them. For example, I will drive to the store to purchase certain foods even though I have other options available to me at home. [YES! THIS HAPPENS: I WILL DRIVE TO LOCAL GAS STATION AND BUY A BOTTLE OF DR PEPPER WITH CREAM SODA AND A BAG OF UTZ DILL-FLAVORED POTATO CHIPS, BUT IF THEY HAVE ONLY REGULAR DR. PEPPER I WILL NEVER BUY IT, AND ANY OTHER FLAVOR OF UTZ CHIPS, I WILL NOT BUY THEM, AND WILL LEAVE THE STORE EMPTY HANDED. FIGURE THAT ONE OUT, DR. GEARHARDT, LOL]

8.There have been times when I consumed certain foods so often or in such large quantities that I started to eat food instead of working, spending time with my family or friends, or engaging in other important activities or recreational activities I enjoy. [THAT SOUNDS LIKE SOMETHING RIPPED OFF FROM THE DSM, LOL. NO, NEVER.]

9.There have been times when I consumed certain foods so often or in such large quantities that I spent time dealing with negative feelings from overeating instead of working, spending time with my family or friends, or engaging in other important activities or recreational activities I enjoy. [NEGATIVE FEELINGS, HEE HEE… THIS IS ALL DSM CRIBBED STUFF]

10.There have been times when I avoided professional or social situations where certain foods were available, because I was afraid I would overeat. [YOU MEAN ATTENDED THEM BECAUSE I WANTED TO OVEREAT?]

11.There have been times when I avoided professional or social situations because I was not able to consume certain foods there. [WHAT? I DON’T HAVE ANY PROFESSIONAL OR SOCIAL SITUATIONS]

12.I have had withdrawal symptoms such as agitation, anxiety, or other physical symptoms when I cut down or stopped eating certain foods. (Please do NOT include withdrawal symptoms caused by cutting down on caffeinated beverages such as soda pop, coffee, tea, energy drinks, etc.) [I DON’T THINK SO, PHYSICAL SYMPTOMS? NAH]

13.I have consumed certain foods to prevent feelings of anxiety, agitation, or other physical symptoms that were developing. (Please do NOT include consumption of caffeinated beverages such as soda pop, coffee, tea, energy drinks, etc.) [PREVENTING “FEELINGS” FROM DEVELOPING? I DON’T THINK SO?]

14.I have found that I have elevated desire for or urges to consume certain foods when I cut down or stop eating them. [NO]

15.My behavior with respect to food and eating causes significant distress. [TO WHOM? LOL …]

16.I experience significant problems in my ability to function effectively (daily routine, job/school, social activities, familya ctivities, health difficulties) because of food and eating. [MORE DSM DRUG ADDICT STUFF, NO]

IN THE PAST 12 MONTHS: 0-NO 1-YES

17.My food consumption has caused significant psychological problems such as depression, anxiety, self-loathing, or guilt. [CHICKEN AND EGG THING WITH THE SELF-LOATHING, LOL]

18.My food consumption has caused significant physical problems or made a physical problem worse. [IT HAS CAUSED A SIGNIFICANT GUT TO DEVELOP]

19.I kept consuming the same types of food or the same amount of food even though I was having emotional and/or physical problems. [THE EMOTIONAL PROBLEMS ARE WHY I CONSUME JUNK FOOD]

20.Over time, I have found that I need to eat more and more to get the feeling I want, such as reduced negative emotions or increased pleasure. [MULTIPLE BAGS OF MICROWAVE POPCORN NOW REQUIRED? LOL… NAH]

21.I have found that eating the same amount of food does not reduce my negative emotions or increase pleasurable feelings the way it used to. [I DON’T THINK ANYONE CONSUMES MORE AND MORE OF SOMETHING TO REDUCE “NEGATIVE EMOTIONS.” THEY CONSUME JUST ENOUGH THEN STOP]

22.I want to cut down or stop eating certain kinds of food. [OH HELLZ YEAH. DR PEPPER WITH CREAM SODA AND UTZ DILL-FLAVORED POTATO CHIPS SPRING TO MIND]

23.I have tried to cut down or stop eating certain kinds of food. [OF COURSE]

24.I have been successful at cutting down or not eating these kinds of food [ABSOLUTELY]

25.How many times in the past year did you try to cut down or stop eating certain foods altogether?1 time 2 times 3 times 4 times 5 or more times [DUNNO, ONCE A MONTH?]

26.Please circle ALL of the following foods you have problems with:

Ice cream [I ONLY EAT JENI’S, IF IT’S NOT JENI’S, I WON’T EAT IT]

Chocolate [NOT A CHOCOLATE GUY]

Apples [TRICK QUESTION TO SEE IF YOU’RE REALLY READING]

Doughnuts [I WILL HAVE A DOUGHNUT ON OCCASION, BUT IT’S RARE]

Broccoli [TRICK QUESTION TO SEE IF YOU’RE REALLY READING]

Cookies [NOT A COOKIE GUY, UNLESS THEY ARE HOME MADE]

Cake [DITTO, NO CAKE, AND WE ONLY HAVE CAKE ON BIRTHDAYS]

Candy [SEEMS OVERLY BROAD, DR. GEARHARDT. YES, I EAT CANDY, BUT ONLY SPECIFIC BRANDS AND TYPES]

White Bread Rolls [I DON’T THINK I’VE EVER EATEN A “WHITE BREAD ROLL” IN MY LIFE]

Lettuce [TRICK QUESTION TO SEE IF YOU’RE REALLY READING]

Pasta [I DON’T EAT MUCH PASTA]

Strawberries [TRICK QUESTION TO SEE IF YOU’RE REALLY READING]

Rice [I EAT RICE DAILY, BUT NEVER A LARGE AMOUNT]

Crackers [NOT A CRACKERS GUY, THOUGH I WILL EAT PLAIN GOLDFISH ON OCCASION]

Chips [I LIKE POTATO CHIPS BUT NEVER BUY THEM EXCEPT WHEN EMOTIONALLY BINGE EATING AFTER DRIVING TO GAS STATION TO BUY THEM]

Pretzels [I NEVER EAT PRETZELS]

French Fries [CAN’T REMEMBER THE LAST TIME I ATE FRIES]

Carrots [TRICK QUESTION TO SEE IF YOU’RE REALLY READING]

Steak [I ONLY EAT FILET MIGNON (NOT JOKING HERE LOL) AND IT HAS BEEN AWHILE]

Bananas [TRICK QUESTION TO SEE IF YOU’RE REALLY READING]

Bacon [I RARELY EAT BACON … RECENTLY DISCOVERED PEDERSON’S BACON, WHICH IS GOOD, BUT I MIGHT HAVE TWO STRIPS ON THE WEEKEND, NO MORE THAN THAT]

Hamburgers [WE NEVER EAT HAMBURGERS AT HOME, WOULD BE A RARE CHOICE WHEN EATING OUT]

Cheeseburgers [DITTO, I DON’T THINK OF HAMBURGERS AND CHEESEBURGERS AS BEING SEPARATE THINGS]

Pizza [NOW THAT MY SON IS IN COLLEGE, WE NO LONGER ENJOY THE EXCELLENT HOMEMADE PIZZA HE WOULD MAKE EVERY SUNDAY]

Soda Pop [I NEVER DRINK SODA EXCEPT WHEN BUYING A BOTTLE OF DR. PEPPER WITH CREAM SODA AFTER DRIVING TO GAS STATION TO BUY IT. I WILL ALSO DRINK A BOTTLE OF MEXICAN COKE ON OCCASION. DR. GEARHARDT, YOU SHOULD NOTE THAT IF I AM OFFERED REGULAR DR. PEPPER OR REGULAR COKE, I WILL NEVER ACCEPT THEM.]

None of the above [I LIKE THIS CHOICE LOL]

27.Please list any other foods that you have problems with that were not previously listed: [LET’S TALK ABOUT HARIBO GUMMIES. I WILL EAT WHOLE BAGS OF THESE THINGS. KIT KAT BARS. THEY NOW HAVE KING-SIZED KIT KAT BARS, OF COURSE. LAY’S CLASSIC POTATO CHIPS, I CAN EAT AN ENTIRE “FAMILY SIZED” BAG IN ONE SITTING. I CAN EAT NOT ONE, BUT MULTIPLE BAGS OF MICROWAVE POPCORN IN ONE SITTING. BUT I’VE BEEN A GOOD BOY RECENTLY. BREAKING ALL MY FOOD ROUTINES BY GOING TO EUROPE FOR A FEW WEEKS THIS SUMMER HAS BEEN REALLY GOOD. I HAVEN’T DRIVEN TO THE GAS STATION TO BUY JUNK SINCE I’VE RETURNED. DR GEARHARDT, I THINK IT’S ALL ABOUT ROUTINES, YOU SHOULD FOCUS ON THAT.]

65 Quintessential Things

Added on by C. Maoxian.

I was watching an interview with Jerry Seinfeld and he mentioned a book called “Quintessence,” so I borrowed a copy through inter-library loan. It was written by Betty Cornfeld and Owen Edwards (whom I assume is gay) and published in 1983. Edwards writes: “this is a book about … things that offer more to us than we specifically ask of them and to which we respond more strongly than is easily explained.”

What follows is their list of 65 quintessential things from over forty years ago … it’s interesting to see which ones are still around:

  1. The Ace Comb

  2. The American Express Card

  3. Barnum’s Animal Crackers (recipe has changed since my youth, now awful)

  4. Bass Weejun Loafers

  5. Bayer Aspirin

  6. The Brown Paper Bag

  7. Budweiser Beer

  8. Camel Cigarettes

  9. Campbell’s Tomato Soup (1200 mg of salt, 20 g added sugar per can)

  10. Cartier Santos Watch

  11. The Checker Cab

  12. The Cigarette Hawk Speedboat

  13. Coca-Cola (in glass bottle)

  14. Coppertone Suntan Lotion

  15. Crayola Crayons (big box no longer has built-in sharpener)

  16. Dom Perignon Champagne

  17. El Bubble Bubblegum Cigar (now made by Tootsie Roll, another “quintessential” candy one could argue)

  18. The English Bull Terrier

  19. The Faber Mongol #2 Pencil (made in Mexico now)

  20. Fox's U-Bet Chocolate Syrup (never heard of it)

  21. Frederick's of Hollywood Lingerie (multiple Chapter 11 bankruptcies)

  22. The Frisbee Flying Saucer

  23. The Ghurka Express Bag No. 2 ($2,695)

  24. The Goodyear Blimp

  25. Green Giant Peas (no longer available in a can?)

  26. The Hamilton Beach Model 936 Drink Mixer (pdf of old user manual)

  27. The Harley-Davidson ElectraGlide Motorcycle ($27,000)

  28. Heinz Ketchup (in glass bottle) (squeeze bottle a great leap forward)

  29. The Hershey's Chocolate Kiss (awful chocolate, but I agree the foil packaging with tail is genius)

  30. Honey Bear (hard to find example with nipple on head)

  31. Ivory Soap

  32. Jockey Briefs (purely a boxer briefs man now)

  33. Johnson's Baby Powder (discontinued, $9 billion lawsuit settlement (cancer))

  34. Keds High-top Sneakers (not Converse?)

  35. Kleenex Tissues

  36. The L.L. Bean Maine Hunting Boot (only good if lined)

  37. Lacoste Polo Shirt (early status symbol, later overtaken by Liftshitz polo pony)

  38. LePage's Mucilage (looks like it’s no longer made)

  39. Levi's Jeans 

  40. The Louisville Slugger Bat (good thing for home defense)

  41. M&M's Chocolate Candies (peanut-filled was a good brand extension, peanut butter was pushing it)

  42. The Märklin Electric HO Gauge Model Trains (expensive hobby for adults only)

  43. The Martini (60 ml gin and 10 ml dry vermouth)

  44. The Milk-Bone Dog Biscuit

  45. Monopoly Board Game (awful game when you think about it)

  46. The Mont Blanc Diplomat Pen (does anyone use a fountain pen now?)

  47. Nathan's Famous Hot Dog (never had one)

  48. Ohio Blue Tip Matches (now owned by Diamond?)

  49. Oil Can

  50. The Oreo Cookie (authors lament advent of “Double Stuf” which ruins the Oreo’s quintessence, they say)

  51. The Peanut Butter and Jelly Sandwich (rarely had one of these as a kid, considered a great luxury junk food)

  52. The Polaroid SX-70 Camera (sold out of course)

  53. Ray-Ban Sunglasses (Aviator Classic the pair they mean)

  54. Silly Putty (played with as a kid, great stuff, esp. the smell)

  55. The Slinky (played with as a kid)

  56. The Spalding Rubber Ball (looks like Spalding no longer makes these)

  57. Steiff Teddy Bears (the ancient Steiff teddy bears in my life were too valuable to play with and therefore useless to me)

  58. The Steinway Piano

  59. The Stetson Hat

  60. The Swiss Army Knife (Victorinox sole manufacturer now?)

  61. Timex Mercury 20521 Watch (the 20521 is no longer made, but I’ve linked to the Marlin, which is a re-issue that appeals to vintage lovers)

  62. Tupperware Containers (not a fan of plastic food storage except for the lids)

  63. The Volkswagen Beetle Car (we had one when I was a kid)

  64. Wedgwood Plain White Bone China (plain white a little boring, but they have a point)

  65. The Zippo Lighter (I collect Zippo Armor lighters, love them)


Unfortunate typo of the author’s name on the cover page … Cornfeld not “Cornfield”

Personicx Classic Segment Names

Added on by C. Maoxian.

“Personicx Classic Refresh is the household-level segmentation system that places each U.S. household into one of 70 segments based on similar demographic, socio-economic and consumer behavior.”

01 -- Summit Estates

02 -- Established Elite

03 -- Corporate Clout

04 -- Skyboxes & Suburbans

05 -- Sitting Pretty

06 -- Shooting Stars

07 -- Lavish Lifestyles

08 -- Full Steaming

09 -- Platinum Oldies

10 -- Hard Chargers

11 -- Kids & Clout

12 -- Tots & Toys

13 -- Solid Single Parents

14 -- Career Centered Singles

15 -- Country Ways

16 -- Country Single

17 -- Apple Pie Families

18 -- Married Sophisticates

19 -- Country Comfort

20 -- Dynamic Duos

21 -- Children First

22 -- Fun & Games

23 -- Acred Couples

24 -- Career Building

25 -- Clubs & Causes

26 -- Savvy Singles

27 -- Soccer & SUVS

28 -- Suburban Seniors

29 -- City Mixers

30 -- Spouses & Houses

31 -- Mid Americana

32 -- Metro Mix

33 -- Urban Tenants

34 -- Outward Bound

35 -- Solo & Stable

36 -- Raisin’ Grandkids

37 -- Cartoons & Carpools

38 -- Midtown Minivanners

39 -- Early Parents

40 -- The Great Outdoors

41 -- Truckin’ & Stylin’

42 -- First Mortgage

43 -- Work & Causes

44 -- Community Singles

45 -- First Digs

46 -- Home Cooking

47 -- Rural Parents

48 -- Farmland Families

49 -- Devoted Duos

50 -- Rural Retirement

51 -- Family Matters

52 -- Resolute Renters

53 -- Metro Parents

54 -- Still Truckin'

55 -- Humble Homes

56 -- Modest Wages

57 -- Collegiate Crowd

58 -- Young Workboots

59 -- Mobile Mixers

60 -- Rural Rovers

61 -- Urban Scramble

62 -- Kids and Rent

63 -- Downtown Dwellers

64 -- Rural Everlasting

65 -- Thrifty Elders

66 -- Timeless Elders

67 -- Rolling Stones

68 -- Pennywise Proprietors

69 -- Pennywise Mortgagees

70 -- Resilient Renters

Mosaic USA Segment Description Changes

Added on by C. Maoxian.

2013

B07 Generational Soup

C11 Aging of Aquarius

C13 Silver Sophisticates

D18 Suburban Attainment

E19 Full Pockets, Empty Nests

G24 Status Seeking Singles

H26 Progressive Potpourri

H27 Birkenstocks and Beemers

I30 Stock Cars and State Parks

I31 Blue Collar Comfort

J34 Aging in Place

K38 Gotham Blend

M44 Red, White and Bluegrass

M45 Diapers and Debit Cards

O51 Digital Dependents

O54 Striving Single Scene

P61 Humble Beginnings

Q62 Reaping Rewards

Q64 Town Elders

Q65 Senior Discounts

R66 Dare to Dream

R67 Hope for Tomorrow

S68 Small Town Shallow Pockets

S69 Urban Survivors

S70 Tight Money

S71 Tough Times

2019

B07 Across the Ages

C11 Sophisticated City Dwellers

C13 Philanthropic Sophisticates

D18 Suburban Nightlife

E19 Consummate Consumers

G24 Ambitious Singles

H26 Progressive Assortment

H27 Life of Leisure

I30 Potlucks and the Great Outdoors

I31 Hard Working Values

J34 Suburban Sophisticates

K38 Modern Blend

M44 Creative Comfort

M45 Growing and Expanding

O51 Digital Savvy

O54 Influenced by Influencers

P61 Simple Beginnings

Q62 Enjoying Retirement

Q64 Established in Society

Q65 Mature and Wise

R66 Ambitious Dreamers

R67 Passionate Parents

S68 Small Town Sophisticates

S69 Urban Legacies

S70 Thrifty Singles

S71 Modest Retirees

Dr. Handerson

Added on by C. Maoxian.

Report of Independent Investigation: Allegations of Sexual Misconduct Against Robert E. Anderson — 240 page pdf document

“Dr. Anderson’s misconduct ranged from performing medically unnecessary hernia and rectal examinations on patients seeking treatment for wholly unrelated issues, to manually stimulating male patients and causing them to ejaculate, to quid pro quo arrangements in which he provided medical services in exchange for sexual contact.”

“The most common form of misconduct patients described to us involved Dr. Anderson conducting sensitive examinations (i.e., hernia and/or genital, prostate and/or rectal, and breast and/or pelvic examinations) that they perceived as unnecessary.”

“Almost immediately after Dr. Anderson arrived at the University, rumors about him performing inappropriate and unnecessary examinations of a sensitive nature started circulating on campus. The names by which student athletes referred to Dr. Anderson included ‘Dr. Balls Anderson,’ ‘Dr. Drop Your Drawers Anderson,’ ‘Dr. Handerson,’ ‘Dr. Jelly Fingers,’ ‘Goldfinger,’ ‘Handy Andy,’ and ‘Nutsy Anderson,’ among others.

Social Determinants of Health Screening

Added on by C. Maoxian.

Why was I asked these questions before an upcoming appointment with my doctor? Can anyone explain to me?

  • Within the past 12 months, you worried that your food would run out before you got the money to buy more.

  • Within the past 12 months, the food you bought just didn’t last and you didn’t have money to get more.

  • In the past 12 months, has lack of transportation kept you from medical appointments or from getting medications?

  • In the past 12 months, has lack of transportation kept you from meetings, work, or from getting things needed for daily living?

  • In the last 12 months, was there a time when you were not able to pay the mortgage or rent on time?

  • In the last 12 months, how many places have you lived?

  • In the last 12 months, was there a time when you did not have a steady place to sleep or slept in a shelter (including now)?

“For more immediate support related to food, housing, transportation and other social services, call 2-1-1.”

I had no idea this existed, but I do pay 38% of my income to the tax man….

My Experience Buying Legal Weed

Added on by C. Maoxian.

Last week a legal pot shop opened near where I live, the first of its kind in the area, so I visited it yesterday and bought some pot, legally.

Outside the front door stood a large young bald man who asked me for identification. This large old bald man gave him my driver’s license which he duly scanned with an iPad, so now I’m included in some pot smoker’s database kept by the state, even though I don’t smoke pot.

You could smell pot outside the store, and the young bald door checker was certainly high. There is a second set of opaque glass doors that you have to pass through to reach the inside, which gives you the feeling that you’re doing something illicit. There was an older security man standing inside against a wall; he gave me a hard look but didn’t say anything

This shop is brand new and completely unadorned, just a plain floor and walls with glass cases holding the merchandise. I have no idea what any of the new stuff is (various “pens” and other things); I was there to buy flower.

A friendly young man (totally stoned) came over and asked me what I was looking for and I said I wanted the lowest THC flower they had in stock. I explained that I hadn’t smoked weed for 30 (!) years and was not prepared for the various nuclear varieties that have been developed during that time. (Louis CK has a great bit about this which I’d find and link to but I can’t be bothered).

He said that the lowest THC flower they had in stock was “Cinderella 99 HV” which is grown by High Falls Canna located in High Falls, NY (Ulster county). All the products sold in New York state pot shops must be produced in New York state, which is a good thing I suppose (vertical integration of sorts).

As you can see from the packaging above, it’s an eighth of an ounce (3.5g) with 15.33% THC (153.3mg of THC per gram) and 1.3% CBD. I don’t know what the 99 HV part of the name means. HV means “Hudson Valley,” maybe? 99 is the 99th variation on the strain? [Update: friendly potheads have written in to inform me that the strain is named Cinderella 99, that is the full name, so “HV” must stand for Hudson Valley … this is sun-grown weed.]

It cost $50 plus 9% state excise tax ($4.50) and 4% local excise tax ($2), and then they rounded it up to $57 total since they didn’t have any coin change, which I didn’t notice at the time. This is a cash-only operation. The cashier was also very friendly and very stoned. Everyone I encountered was high as a kite except for, I assume, the security man who gave me a hard look.

Here is the back of the package below which instructs one to enjoy the product in your favorite smoking device. This made me laugh and I wasn’t even stoned yet.

I walked out of the shop and went on my merry way. The bag has a zip lock seal within, after tearing off the top, and even before you open it, you are hit with that strong pot smell which some people find unpleasant, but I can tolerate it. This is what a bud looks like:

Cinderella 99 HV

I weighed the contents on a kitchen scale which rounded up to 4 grams, so there was definitely 3.5 grams of flower within. My state-sanctioned dealer did not shortchange me.

My “favorite smoking device” is what we called a “bat” thirty years ago, also known as a one-hitter. This is the one I use:

I had one puff of Cinderella 99 HV using this device and regret to say that I didn’t keep track of the amount of time that elapsed before I was hit with the sensation of being stoned, but I can say that it was a strong sensation when it arrived and was probably within three to five minutes. I felt flush and had some odd physical sensations that weren’t entirely pleasant, but they passed quickly. Then I was high, which means I was having unusual thoughts and bizarre ideas, which I enjoyed. I also experienced time distortion, but it wasn’t too bad.

I watched some of the old Hitchcock movie, The Trouble With Harry, and was amused by all the bawdiness, the constant sexual double entendres … Hitchcock really was a dirty-minded old bastard (and great filmmaker).

I also had one deep insight that I remember (I had many other deep thoughts which I can’t remember), which is that pot smoking ideally is a shared experience, not something you do alone. Not that there’s anything wrong with being alone with your own stoned thoughts, but ideally you are sharing them with another person (or people) who are similarly stoned. This seemed deep at the time at least. :-)

The high was pretty intense for me and there’s no way that I would smoke pot regularly, or even irregularly. It will take me many, many years to finish this 3.5g of flower, which cost $57 including tax.