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April 2025
Nietzsche Said It Best — Laugh It Off!
Why Humor Is an Essential Part of Resilience
Laughter has a way of sneaking up on us when we need it most. April is National Humor Month, and while life isn’t always easy, I’ve come to appreciate how humor can be a lifeline and the best way to process even the most challenging moments. Even the great philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche recognized its strength by writing, “One does not kill by anger but by laughter.” Something about humor disarms tension, reframes perspective, and even gives us a moment of clarity when we need it most. Take my Pilates class from the other morning. I was on the mat, trying my best to follow my instructor’s cues, when she suddenly called me out: “Stop fidgeting!” And just like that, I became hyper- aware of every tiny movement I made. I realized, not just in that moment but in life, I fidget a lot. The realization hit me so hard that I burst out laughing. My instructor, now exasperated, told me to stop laughing. Naturally, that made it even worse! And honestly? It felt great. I could laugh at myself, the situation, and the absurdity of trying (and failing) to be perfectly still. Nietzsche had a lot to say about laughter, and I can’t help but think he was onto something. He wrote: “I should only believe in a God that would know how to dance. And when I saw my devil, I found him serious, thorough, profound, solemn: he was the spirit of gravity — through him all things fall. Not by wrath, but by laughter do
we slay. Come, let us slay the spirit of gravity!” He saw humor and lightness as essential to life, as antidotes to the “spirit of gravity” — the heaviness we carry when we get too caught up in seriousness. He believed that “ not by wrath, but by laughter do we slay. ” There’s wisdom in that. Sometimes, the best way to deal with life’s difficulties isn’t to meet them with anger but to step back and laugh at their ridiculousness. Even some of the most profound literary characters understood the necessity of humor. Take Mr. Bennet from Jane Austen’s “Pride and Prejudice,” who, in a moment of self-reflection, quipped, “For what do we live, but to make sport for our neighbors, and laugh at them in our turn?” He understood that laughter is part of the human experience — it allows us to accept our flaws, embrace life’s imperfections, and connect with one another. Laughter is one of the most natural things we do. We don’t have to learn it — it’s instinctive. Babies start laughing before they learn to talk, and toddlers find the simplest things so hilarious it makes them fall to the ground. I saw this firsthand when I was visiting my grandson in Miami. At the time, he was 3 years old and had just learned a little Spanish. He grabbed his dad’s hat, put it on his head, and ran around shouting, “¡Este es mío!” (“This is mine!”) before dissolving into laughter. He did this repeatedly, cracking himself up each time as if he had discovered the greatest joke in the world. He wasn’t performing, he wasn’t self-conscious — he was just in the moment, experiencing pure joy. That’s the thing about laughter: It pulls us into the present. And in those moments, we’re not overthinking, we’re not worrying about the past or the future — we’re just there. Life can be heavy, and responsibilities will always be there, but we’ve done something right if we can find even one moment to laugh. So, as we celebrate National Humor Month, let’s all find more reasons to laugh — at ourselves, with each other, and at the delightful absurdity of the world around us.
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SCIENTISTS’ SURPRISE: STUDENTS SERVED RADIOACTIVE OATMEAL GOING DANGEROUSLY ROGUE
Students at a state special-needs school in Massachusetts decades ago flocked to join the school’s Science Club, lured by gifts, promises of field trips, and hopes of emotional support from the scientists in charge. What they received instead was a daily dose of radioactive oatmeal. As part of a secret experiment by the Quaker Oats Company and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), dozens of boys at Fernald State School during the late 1940s and early 1950s were fed oatmeal laced with radioactive tracers. The goal was to study their bodies’ absorption of iron and calcium and prove the cereal’s nutritional benefits. Some boys also were injected with radioactive calcium.
10–17 were eager to join the Science Club mainly for the perks enjoyed by members. Boyce, who was sent to the school after his parents abandoned him, also hoped the scientists might intervene on the students’ behalf and report dismal conditions at Fernald, where students, many of whom were mentally disabled, were abused and treated brutally. Boyce and others received no help from the scientists, however, and weren’t even informed they were subjects of a scientific experiment until more than 40 years later.
objections at the time. At the dawn of the Atomic Age, most Americans saw science as a powerful force for progress — the Atomic Energy Commission approved dozens of human experiments with radioactivity. The importance of ethics review boards and informed consent of research subjects was nowhere on scientists’ radar at the time. Not until 1972, when the Associated Press reported on a Tuskegee Institute study in which Black men with syphilis were promised treatment they never received, did Congress finally pass legislation protecting people from unethical research. Scientists later determined the boys at Fernald didn’t suffer serious health effects; one said the exposure was about the same as 30 chest X-rays. For students like Boyce, however, the injuries ran deep. Thirty former Fernald students later sued Quaker Oats and MIT and were awarded $1.85 million in a 1998 settlement.
“We didn’t know anything at the time,” Boyce told Smithsonian magazine.
“We just thought we were special.”
The study at Fernald,
originally named the Massachusetts State School for the Feeble-Minded, was led by an MIT professor of nutrition. No one raised
A student named Fred Boyce and about 70 other boys ages
Please Don’t Be Used Against Me in Court Dear Diary,
Many of us have fond memories of writing in diaries or journals throughout our youth. We would share our thoughts and feelings in a book we would keep hidden from friends, family members, and others. It was our sanctuary where we could be ourselves without worrying about judgment or embarrassment. You may even remember the feeling of rage or hopelessness when you spotted your brother or sister holding your diary. Thankfully, there usually wasn’t anything too incriminating in our teenage diaries, and some of us have continued the practice well into adulthood. However, a recent news story proves we should be cautious about the information we share in our private journals.
incident and looking into Vanessa Guerra, a suspect in the case, a law enforcement officer allegedly found her diary. He flipped through the pages, looking for any information that would catch his eye, when he stumbled upon an entry from Aug. 12, the same day a 2004 Ford Freestar van was stolen and resold at an auto salvage business. “Totally stole a car today! Something I never thought of doing,” Guerra allegedly wrote in her diary. Guerra was charged with receiving stolen property and theft, although she claims she didn’t know the vehicle was stolen. However, workers at the auto salvage business informed law enforcement they recognized Guerra as the seller of the stolen vehicle.
Most people will probably not blab to others about crimes they have committed, especially if they are currently unsolved. This case reminds us to be just as cautious about what we write in private journals. While your diary may be your safe place to share your innermost thoughts and feelings, your entries could come back to haunt you if you’re involved in a criminal case, especially if you blatantly admit to the crime.
Last year, a Minnesota woman was arrested for auto theft. While investigating the
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Unpack Parenting’s ‘Mental Load’
BRAIN GAMES
Finding Peace in Modern Parenting
Parenting is a labor of love, but let’s face it — sometimes, it just feels like labor. The mental load of raising kids and running a household creates a constant to-do list in your head: planning parent-teacher conferences, organizing meals, managing schedules, and worrying about everything in between. With nearly half of parents saying their stress is overwhelming, it’s clear we’re carrying more than we can handle. But the good news is that you don’t have to carry it alone. Forget the Instagram Fantasy We’ve all been there — scrolling through picture-perfect family photos on social media and wondering how everyone else makes parenting look so effortless. But let’s get real. No one’s life is as polished as their posts. Instead of measuring yourself against unrealistic standards, focus on what makes your family happy and healthy. Spoiler alert: It’s not homemade Pinterest lunches or spotless playrooms. Find Your Village (and Use It!) Parenting wasn’t meant to be a solo sport. Whether it’s friends, family, or other parents, building a strong support system can make all the difference. And if you have a
SOLUTION
partner, open conversations about sharing the workload can lighten the load for everyone. Remember that asking for help isn’t a sign of weakness; it’s a superpower. Perfect Is Boring — Be Real Instead Let go of the idea that you need to be the perfect parent. Perfection is overrated and impossible.
Classic Fish Fry Inspired by FoodNetwork.com
Ingredients
• Vegetable oil • 2 lbs fresh cod • Salt and pepper, to taste • 1/2 cup all-purpose unbleached flour • 2 large eggs
• 2 tbsp water • 2 cups plain bread crumbs • 1/2 tsp mustard powder • 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper • Lemon wedges
Life throws curveballs, and part of raising resilient kids is showing them how to handle challenges without losing your cool. Be kind to yourself, and embrace the “good enough” mindset. You don’t need to do it all, and your kids don’t need you to be flawless — they need you to be present. Go From Overwhelmed to Empowered The mental load of parenting will never disappear entirely, but it doesn’t have to weigh you down. When you ditch unrealistic expectations, lean on your village, and embrace imperfection, you can find more balance and joy in the chaos. Parenting is messy, exhausting, and sometimes downright hard — but it’s also beautiful, rewarding, and full of unforgettable moments. So, take a deep breath, give yourself some grace, and remember: You’re doing a great job. You’ve got this.
Directions 1. Pour 2 inches of vegetable oil into a large skillet over medium-high heat. 2. Cut cod into 4 servings and season with salt and pepper. 3. Place flour into a pie tin. Whisk egg and water in a second pie tin. Combine bread crumbs, mustard powder, and cayenne in a third pie tin. 4. Coat your fish in the flour tin, then the egg tin, then the bread crumb tin. 5. Set coated fish in hot oil and fry for 5 minutes on each side. 6. Serve with lemon wedges and enjoy!
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INSIDE THIS ISSUE
1
The Serious Benefits of Not Taking Life Too Seriously
A Chilling Tale From the Annals of Science
2
When Your Diary Becomes Evidence
Classic Fish Fry
3
The Mental Load of Parenting: You Don’t Have to Carry It Alone
A Pizza Delivery Nightmare in Florida
4
When Delivery Disputes Go Too Far A $2 TIP TURNS VIOLENT
What started as a birthday celebration for a 5-year-old girl quickly took a dark turn when a Florida delivery driver stabbed a woman multiple times over a bad tip. According to court documents, the December 2024 incident occurred at a Central Florida motel where the victim, her boyfriend, and daughter were staying. The Incident After placing a $33 delivery order from Marco’s Pizza, the victim, Melinda Irizarry, tipped the delivery driver $2. Dissatisfied with the tip, the driver, 22-year-old Brianna Alvelo, reportedly returned to the motel with an unidentified male. Alvelo and her accomplice allegedly forced themselves into Irizarry’s motel room, brandishing a revolver. The attackers forced Irizarry’s boyfriend into the bathroom, and Alvelo produced a pocketknife before rummaging through the group’s belongings. Irizarry turned
to shield her daughter and reached for the motel phone when Alvelo allegedly began attacking her with a knife, inflicting multiple stab wounds to her legs, arms, chest, and abdomen. The attackers fled the scene, and Irizarry was taken to a local hospital. In addition to 14 stab wounds, Irizarry suffered a ruptured lung during the attack. While receiving treatment, she also discovered she was pregnant. Alvelo was later arrested and charged with multiple counts, including attempted murder, kidnapping, and home invasion with a firearm. Her accomplice remains at large. Unusual Nature of the Case This case stands out not only for its brutality but also because it flips the typical narrative involving delivery drivers. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, delivery drivers are more at risk of assaults
than other professions. While disputes over tips are not unheard of, they rarely lead to violence. However, reports of assaults among delivery workers, particularly in the gig economy, are surprisingly common. Studies show that 1 in 5 food app workers are assaulted on the job, and over one- third of delivery drivers feel unsafe. Regardless of who is on the receiving end, cases like these underscore how everyday activities can lead to life-altering events with serious consequences for all involved. Always be vigilant.
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Navigating Nevada: Is It the Right State for Your Business Incorporation?
As businesses explore the possibilities of incorporating in various states, Nevada often emerges as an attractive option. However, the decision to form a corporation or limited liability company (LLC) in Nevada isn’t a one-size-fits-all solution. In this article, we’ll explore scenarios where incorporating in Nevada might not be the best choice and delve into situations where it makes perfect sense. If your business lacks physical ties to Nevada, such as a brick-and-mortar storefront, office, or owned real estate, it may not be practical to incorporate in the Silver State. In such cases, businesses typically need to file or register
in the state where their physical assets are located. Avoiding the additional complexity of dual registration may lead business owners to opt for their home state or another state with tangible connections. Despite the aforementioned scenario, Nevada offers significant advantages that make it an appealing choice for businesses operating out of state. Let’s explore five situations where incorporating in Nevada might be the right move.
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1. Physical Connection to Nevada If your business has a physical presence in Nevada, such as a storefront, office, or real estate ownership, it makes practical sense to incorporate there. This ensures alignment between the business’s legal structure and its operational footprint. 2. No Physical Presence Anywhere Nevada is an attractive option if your business operates without a physical presence in any state. This lack of ties allows you the flexibility to choose your incorporation location, and Nevada’s business-friendly environment makes it a compelling choice. 3. Tax Strategy Nevada can play a role in a tax strategy, especially for businesses operating in multiple states with varying tax burdens. By strategically dividing business activities between states and incorporating in Nevada, businesses can manage tax liabilities effectively. 4. Management Liability Protection For businesses anticipating a significant number of investors or owners, Nevada’s incorporation laws offer robust tools to limit personal liability for managers, officers, and directors. This can be a crucial factor in decision-making, particularly for those seeking
provides a legally sound mechanism to shield assets from creditors. This can be a compelling reason for businesses seeking a secure and domestic alternative to offshore options. In conclusion, while Nevada might not be the right fit for every business, it certainly holds appeal for those looking to leverage its unique advantages. Whether it’s the absence of physical ties, a strategic tax approach, or robust asset protection, Nevada offers a range of benefits that can contribute to the success and security of your business. If any of the scenarios discussed resonate with your specific business situation, it’s advisable to consult with legal experts who specialize in Nevada business law. They can provide personalized guidance and ensure your decision aligns with both your operational needs and long-term business goals.
investor participation. 5. Asset Protection
Nevada stands out for its exceptional asset protection laws, especially concerning LLCs. The Nevada Domestic Asset Protection Trust
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