Hormonal Manipulation

This BBC story details how a recent study found that a snort of the hormone oxytocin increases trust in test subjects, "even after they were betrayed." You can read all the gory details yourself, but basically a nasal spray is being developed to help phobics -with the terrifying aspect of this development being what it could do in the wrong hands. Am I being a little too James Bond about this, or do you too picture a bald man stroking a cat and purring, "Yes, yes. Soon, my pet. Soon they will bow to our bidding. Even as we speak, the hormone is seeping into their brains, rendering the amygdala defenseless"?

This is your brain on drugs

Another aspect of this article that leaves me uneasy is that I recall learning in PSYCH 201 that oxytocin is the "cuddle chemical," that creates mother-child bonds or makes a girl crazy after she sleeps with a guy (or girl?). That's what I hear, anyway. It's a dangerous substance. The phrase in the article about it increasing trust after being betrayed really terrifies me as well, especially in regards to relationships. I don't like the idea that a substance can impair your judgement or change your behavior (I mean, besides crystal meth, but that's different, that's cool).

Now, if someone could just create an oxytocin inhibitor, then that'd be good news.

I Got More Records Than the KGB

Please draw your attention to the virtual jukebox to the right. I'm going to try to add some more songs later, but for now enjoy a brief selection of oldies and other songs I've had going through my head lately. Suggestions welcome.

Maybe the Sun Will Shine Today

I'm weak.

I wrote my last entry before I decided to quit facebook, and due to a combination of my mom's dismay and the fact that I won't be on the 'book all day, I've decided to come back. Besides, I really like writing these.

Life goes on. I continue writing medicore flap copy for Chronicle. At my other job, Brainwash customers are a never-ending source of amusement (yesterday a beret-wearing Woody Harlson look-alike offerred me a job chaufferring his limosine "because I like to smoke joints in the backseat"). I went to Queer Night last night and waltzed with a creepy guy to Backstreet Boys. I've been doing a lot of watercolor and collage, and trying to care about the fact that I'm getting fat by doing ballet in my room to Bollywood music.

I'm still not sure where I'll be two months from now. My temporary job finishes at the end of this month, and while I'll still be working at Brainwash, it's not enough to keep me here. Presently the options are hearing back from one of the multiple jobs I've applied to at Chronicle (doubtful), staying here and trying to find something else, moving home and saving some money, moving to New York, moving to Portland...money is the brick wall I keep running into. My attitude toward money has always been disinterested at best, but the last year has taught me how lack of it can really detract from your quality of life and limit you from what you really want.

(My title is from the Wilco song, "Either Way" --> listen to it)