see you in hell, dinner plate.

My mom is really cute. Ever since I finished my undergrad she will periodically ask me during phone conversations, "what is it that you study again?". Neuroscience, mom. It has taken her a while but now she likes to examine my science magazines, and drawing from memory will mutter, "neuroscience. cognitive neuroscience". I can hear her say the words over the phone to her friends. Sometimes she asks me what I like to study, just so she can shoot the words out of her mouth, before I even take a breath. It has got me thinking however, as to why this realm of science is so fascinating. It cannot be merely that science requires an understanding of everything in the universe. It resonates with the fact that our brain is the mechanism by which we acquire these understandings.  What may be habitually overlooked is that the incredible immensity of the world is mirrored inside our own physical bodies, which houses relationships that are no less intricate and complex. Slowly elucidating the functions of the human brain will bring us closer to the ultimate goal. A concrete view of the neural pathways involved in consciousness. Why? Determining the arrangement of conscious thought is the necessary precursor to creating true AI. And what could be better than being intelligent enough to create something even more intelligent that has the ability to do things we could have never even imagined. An infinite amount of time spent on developing new technology could be accomplished in an instant. Answers to questions we haven't even thought of yet. That, or they may choose to kill us all. At least then I would be spared of listening to all of this global warming bullshit.

weekends.

This school year commenced with everyone freaking out about swineflu, and people gave me really dirty looks when I had sneezing fits in the middle of the lab (what, I have allergies). New protocol were put into place, like don't see the school doctors for a regular flu, only swine and you don't even need a doctors note if you miss an exam. Oh yeah, and wash your hands. Well, thats all well and good, but now that we're all distracted by this fluaids stuff, we have left ourselves completely vulnerable to zombies. Luckily, the University of Florida has a legit gameplan. 

The document details response plans, the appropriate Human Resources response of terminating the employee's salary upon zombification, and what action items need to take place:

• Equip all staff offices with "blackout curtains" to prevent identifying worker locations to zombies;
• Equip all offices with easily barricaded doors able to withstand prolonged zombie incursion attempts;
• Equip staff with laptops and ensure IPCC software is installed, tested, and working for staff who may find commuting to work to be difficult;
• Equip all staff with long range (e.g. rifles) and short range (e.g. hand guns) firearms or other weaponry (e.g. chain saws, baseball bats, LPs) for defense against the infected and to dispatch possibly infected co-workers.

But the best parts come at the end. There's page five, which is a form to fill out concerning whom you killed, with what, and why you thought they were a zombie. (This is funnier in light of an actual Florida law that was passed a few years ago that allows you to kill someone simply because "you feel threatened".)

Thanks Ethan.

FINE

 A seemingly natural  execution and implementation of beautifully constructed garments is a true gift, one that I am especially reminded of being back on the east coast. Seeing a matching velour sweatsuit and ed hardy bag today in the lab, devastated me to my core. I almost feel like alerting her to her mistake is on par with telling your best friend she has spinach in her teeth - it is your duty as a human being. Halifax is like a never ending vortex of bad fashion. And not the kind of art-student poor attempts, like thanks for trying shit - just inexcusable poor taste. I suppose one could argue that people are more concerned with more important matters (politics! dinner! babies! barack winning the peace prize?!) but the truth is that these are actual attempts at looking good. Being aware of not trying is completely different to being clueless. 

Tastes like purple!

A girl in my neuropsych class revealed that she is a synesthete. Basically, synesthesia occurs with an involuntary "mix-up" of the senses. Her visual representation of different numbers are assigned a certain colour (two is yellow, three is blue etc.). It can occur in many forms, and is truly a remarkable example of the complexities of the human brain. She mentioned that she has a spatial representation of her mental calendar, which I have as well. It is somewhat commonplace to visualize the 12 months of the year in one way or another with most people picturing - well, a calendar. Twelve months from left to right, or up and down. When I think of a particular date or the year in general, I see it as a loop around me. September to my right, Christmas in front, spring to the left and summer behind. Apparently thats weird, and I did not know until now. Who says you don't learn anything useful in school? I just found this guy who explains it in his own experience, and really fucking coo-ly.