The lingering guilt of the fast food fix

What’s the secret sauce to this diet-busting joint? Photo: trent_garverick/Pixabay

Desperation can make ordinary people do extraordinary things. And if you’re desperate for something to eat, you might sate your hunger any way you can. Even if you’re supe... Read More

Flowers in bloom have given our columnist a heady case of spring fever. Photo: Image by Hands off my tags! Michael Gaida/Pixabay

Coastal Commuter

Springing forward

By Michael Snyder

I have spring fever. I’m almost certain of it. Sure, it could be a variant. There’s some sneezing involved. But that means it could also be allergies. In fact, it̵... Read More

The historic Castro Theatre will soon be more music palace than film paradise. Photo: Arnaudh-French Wikipedia.

Coastal Commuter

The cinema vanishes

By Michael Snyder

From all indications, discerning San Francisco movie lovers were less than pleased by the recent news that the venerable and elegant Castro Theatre was being sold to the Bay Area ... Read More

Sometimes one plus one equals love, but sometimes it’s the sum of misery, Photo: pixel2013/Pixabay

Coastal Commuter

Obsess at your own risk

By Michael Snyder

Every time I see or hear the word “obsession,” I think about one of three things: the Calvin Klein fragrance for discerning women and men; the gritty, lurid early-care... Read More

Stormy weather, keeps rainin' all the time . . . Image: cromaconceptovisual/Pixabay

Coastal Commuter

Whither the Weather

By Michael Snyder

Everybody talks about the weather, but it feels like the only people who do anything about it are James Bond villains who want to control all meteorological phenomena and blackmai... Read More

It’s time to get your Glögg on and start celebrating, Photo: Lovini/Pixabay

Coastal Commuter

Holiday cheers to the extreme

By Michael Snyder

If I had to venture a guess about the extent of alcohol consumption in the United States between late November and early January, I’d call it… considerable. How consid... Read More

The day before Thanksgiving, the parade floats are inflated, Photo: Rhododendrites

Coastal Commuter

‘Twas the night before Thanksgiving

By Michael Snyder

For all the fuss we Americans make over Thanksgiving with its mandatory knee-jerk-cozy gatherings around a stuffed bird and side dishes of questionable taste and nutritional value... Read More

Coastal Commuter

The trick of treats

By Michael Snyder

With Halloween coming up, I’ve got candy on the brain. And I am not alone. As a society, we crave candy so much that we have embraced and perpetuated the October 31st ritual... Read More

The weather, it is a-changin’, photo: Free-Photos/Pixabay

Coastal Commuter

Autumn’s allure

By Michael Snyder

I can feel it in my soul. Autumn is in the air . . . somewhere. The calendar may have flipped to September, but the California coastline isn’t giving up much evidence of the... Read More

In-home bicycling can be a great way to stay fit in the comfort of your own home, Photo: blickpixel

Coastal Commuter

Getting healthy on the bicycle to nowhere

By Michael Snyder

Being health-conscious is more than a trend. It’s a necessity after a year-plus of plopping down in comfy chairs and gobbling snack-packs while streaming binge-a-thons, and ... Read More

There are a multitude of flavors available for those who love ice cream, gelato, and frozen yogurt. Photo: udra

Coastal Commuter

The guilt and the glory of ice cream

By Michael Snyder

I scream. You scream. We all scream for … low-fat yogurt. Well, some of us go for the ’gurt, because ice cream is filled with loads of artery-congesting butter fat, and no... Read More

Sometimes dogs and children are best experienced at a distance, photo: Free-Photos

Coastal Commuter

Housebreak the children, curb the dogs

By Michael Snyder

“Any man who hates dogs and children can’t be all bad.” Lately, I’ve begun to feel a certain kinship with that description — a jape levied at W.C. Fields when he was int... Read More

Uncle Sam wants you . . . to pay your taxes. Photo: Library of Congress

Coastal Commuter

A taxing situation

By Michael Snyder

As we find ourselves in the midst of what’s known in the United States as tax season, I tried to think of something amusing about taxes. This is the best I could do: In o... Read More

What treasures have you been collecting over the years?

Coastal Commuter

The joy and burden of collecting

By Michael Snyder

Your passion might be Playbills or Russian nesting dolls or Tyrolean hats. It could be classic cars, coasters with craft brew logos, vintage polka-dot dresses, or matchbooks. Let&... Read More

Looking at this photo might be as close as you get to hugging someone until the pandemic is over. Photo: Pexels

Coastal Commuter

A year without hugs

Thoughts for a pandemic Valentine’s Day

By Michael Snyder

We’ve seen a lot written and said about the impact of the pandemic on society, the economy, and personal welfare. People have lost their jobs, lost their homes, and in the very ... Read More

Coastal Commuter