Kansans work hard to debunk the idea that our state is flat. Outsiders like to make fun of Kansas, complaining about the endless seas of grasslands without trees or mountains to break up the view. A Kansan will sputter and argue, usually pointing out the truly beautiful, gently rolling Flint Hills. Even in Wichita, people point out that the College Hill area is “hilly” compared to the rest of the city.
Yet, let the snow fall and we all fold on the issue. Admit it, it’s just too flat here for …

Winter Playground | Photo by Ken Davis

If you are pressed for time (and face it, who isn’t?), you may not have time to read a book a month. But if you want to keep yourself entertained and informed, there are five books you should add to your list for 2010 (if you haven’t read them already):

Freakonomics: A Rogue Economist Explores the Hidden Side of Everything by Steven D. Levitt and Stephen J. Dubner – As someone who doesn’t like math, I think the concept behind this book and its sequel, Superfreakeconomics, is fascinating and even, dare …

My impulsivity sometimes gets me into trouble. Okay, MOST of the time it gets me into trouble. For example, when my friend Allie emailed me on Tuesday and asked if I wanted to do a 5K on New Year’s Day, I impulsively agreed. It wasn’t until later that day when I realized what I had agreed to. I said yes to running in the cold, the day after New Year’s Eve, when I was nowhere near physically prepared to do so. What the freaking what?!?
I didn’t want to let Allie …

I did something different this holiday season: I tried to go to a movie on Christmas. From the moment I walked into the 13th Street Warren, it was clear that I was out of my league. I thought getting there 30 minutes before showtime would give us plenty of time to buy our tickets and get seated. Boy, was I wrong. Every movie for that time was sold out, most likely by people who were smart enough to buy their tickets online.
My companions and I drove home defeated, but I …