Brian Blum

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Brian Blum is a freelance writer, journalist and editor. He works for an eclectic mix of newspapers, online magazines, universities, non-profit organizations and public companies. "This Normal Life," his personal blog, has appeared weekly since 2002. A former hi-tech entrepreneur, Brian moved to Jerusalem from the San Francisco Bay Area in 1994 with his wife and three children. More at Blum Interactive Media

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TEQUILA SHOTS: Well earned.

'We cursed the Houthis and toasted one another': Fine dining with Houthis in Jerusalem - opinion

‘IT’S NEVERTHELESS hard – nay, impossible – for me to imagine actually taking such an extreme step.’

Living with cancer means asking: When do you stop the fight? - opinion

UNCERTAINTY PARADOX: Is there a way out?

Actually, I did die: Living with survivor's uncertainty - opinion


How much should you push yourself? Reconnecting with vitality - opinion

The body produces dopamine when it’s engaged in something pleasurable. Going out to eat releases dopamine, which, in turn, increases joy, happiness, and satisfaction.

An illustrative image of four friends hiking.

More than a village; a lifeline - opinion

'During the six weeks I was hospitalized – and the months before and after – I needed Jody. And Jody needed the Village.'

Keep in mind this is no cliché, says the writer.

A coma of denial: A cancer patient's struggle with facing mortality - opinion

The six weeks I was hospitalized represented for me a kind of “coma of denial,” in that I had been denying the gravity of my story without even knowing that my story was as grave as it was.

A man sticks his head in the sand in denial (illustrative)

Cloudy with a chance of missiles: A cancer patient's bad diagnosis during war - opinion

If it is my misfortune to have to be hospitalized when missiles from the Middle East come a-calling again, I only hope that by then, my CRE will have resolved.

 IRON DOME near Ashdod fires an intercepting missile.

This is your brain on magic mushrooms: My first experience with psilocybin - opinion

To my surprise – and initial disappointment – there were no hallucinations forthcoming. I was definitely in an altered state, just not what I’d anticipated. And then I couldn’t shut up.

 An illustrative image of psilocybin, also known as magic mushrooms.

Could consciousness last forever? - opinion

Compare consciousness to a radio. You can smash the radio and the music stops, but that doesn’t mean the music came from the radio.

 Composition of human head and fractal colors to serve as a supporting backdrop for projects on mind, dreams, thinking, consciousness, and imagination.

Words matter: How we speak about cancer can hinder healing - opinion

"Nearly every conversation – be it in person, via WhatsApp, or other types of Internet communication – is not really about me. It’s about consoling you."

 Blocks spelling out "its all about me/you"

The full Monty: When dog and owner are both battling cancer - opinion

For both of us, a sinister countdown had started.

 Celebrating Monty on one of his anniversaries.

To pee or not to pee: A cancer patient's experience with a nephrostomy - opinion

I’m looking forward to when my cancer is entirely gone, the nephrostomy is no longer needed, and I can pee like the rest of humanity again. 

 An illustrative image of kidneys.

Indulging in TV: A cancer patient's escape - opinion

I’d much rather be outdoors hiking or having fun beyond the telly – I hope that will come back. In the meantime, TV it is.

Man Watching TV