Don't Take Any Placebos

Dear Dan,

I’ve read a lot about the placebo effect. Does that mean it won’t work on me?

—Marco

It turns out that placebos operate to some degree outside of our awareness—which means that even when we know a particular medication is a placebo, we can still benefit from it. So don’t worry about knowing too much. Just take two placebos and call me in the morning.

Coffeeneuring #7

Completed the challenge, two years in a row!  After a clarification of the rules by the Chief Coffeeneur, the 47 mile Magnolia>Alki>Leschi loop qualifies as the 7th in the series.  A crisp, cold day, a hot mocha, homemade PB & J, and a chance meeting with a Cascade Group on the Magnolia Bluff made for a great day in the saddle.

The 6th ride was on Veteran's Day, a 24 mile jaunt to Golden Gardens, with a stop at the Phinney Ridge Starbucks to sip a 2x Americano and admire the destruction caused by a runaway truck that plowed through the guard rail and into the plate glass window.  When asked about the incident, the barista, obviously tired of being questioned, said no one was hurt and the driver got away.  Such is life in the big city.

Coffeeneuring #5

Leisurely 28 miles today down the Burke Gilman Trail and around Magnolia, with a stop at the Magnolia Starbucks for coffeneuring.  This particular Starbucks attracts a number of riders who make the circuit on the bluff for the views and the climbs.  The double tall mocha hit the spot and provided enough spark to get me back up to the Chittenden Locks and then a return trip on the north side of the ship canal while the sun was still out.  In November, those of us in Seattle need to grab the warm and dry while we can!

Coffeneuring #4

We're getting into serious autumn up here in the Great Northwest, but it was dry this morning and the BGT beckoned with another coffeeneuring adventure to be had.   This time, a traditional counterclockwise North Lake Washington Loop took me around the top and down into Kirkland.  There Caffe Ladro served up a terrific double-short latte.  There's plenty of room inside and out, bike, dog and kid friendly, a good stop about a third of the way on a 40 mile circumnavigation.  A fine ride and made even finer as the rain held off until I made it home.