We had just finished our dinner at Wendy's, and were on our way back in to work, when I decided to just be direct.
Me: So, how many times do I have to tell you that I'm interested in you before you do something about it?
after blushing and trying to start a couple times she give's her reply: Well . . . I'm sorta seeing someone right now.
Me: Well, I don't see a ring, so you can't be married, are you engaged?
her: basically, we like eachother.
Me: So what you're saying, is to try harder? I'll keep that in mind.
20050828
A Monkey Post
Monkeys Prefer Gambling Risk To Sure Reward
DURHAM, N.C. -- Duke University Medical Center neurobiologists have pinpointed circuitry in the brains of monkeys that assesses the level of risk in a given action. Their findings -- gained from experiments in which they gave the monkeys a chance to gamble to receive juice rewards -- could give insights into why humans compulsively engage in risky behaviors, including gambling, unsafe sex, drug use and overeating.
The researchers, Michael Platt, Ph.D., and Allison McCoy, published their findings in the advanced online version of Nature Neuroscience, posted August 14, 2005. The research was sponsored by the National Institutes of Health, the EJLB Foundation, and the Klingenstein Foundation.
In their experiments, the researchers gave two male rhesus macaque monkeys chances to choose to look at either of two target lights on a screen. Looking at the "safe" target light yielded the same fruit juice reward each time. However, looking at the "risky" target light might yield a larger or smaller juice reward. The average juice reward delivered by looking at either target was the same.
To their surprise, the monkeys overwhelmingly preferred to gamble by looking at the risky target. This preference held, regardless of whether the scientists made the risky target reward more
variable, or whether the monkeys had received more or less fruit juice during the course of the day.
----
Next, we'll be teaching them how to be dealer for Texas Hold 'em . . .
DURHAM, N.C. -- Duke University Medical Center neurobiologists have pinpointed circuitry in the brains of monkeys that assesses the level of risk in a given action. Their findings -- gained from experiments in which they gave the monkeys a chance to gamble to receive juice rewards -- could give insights into why humans compulsively engage in risky behaviors, including gambling, unsafe sex, drug use and overeating.
The researchers, Michael Platt, Ph.D., and Allison McCoy, published their findings in the advanced online version of Nature Neuroscience, posted August 14, 2005. The research was sponsored by the National Institutes of Health, the EJLB Foundation, and the Klingenstein Foundation.
In their experiments, the researchers gave two male rhesus macaque monkeys chances to choose to look at either of two target lights on a screen. Looking at the "safe" target light yielded the same fruit juice reward each time. However, looking at the "risky" target light might yield a larger or smaller juice reward. The average juice reward delivered by looking at either target was the same.
To their surprise, the monkeys overwhelmingly preferred to gamble by looking at the risky target. This preference held, regardless of whether the scientists made the risky target reward more
variable, or whether the monkeys had received more or less fruit juice during the course of the day.
----
Next, we'll be teaching them how to be dealer for Texas Hold 'em . . .
20050826
Google's Instant Messenger
So google finally got an instant messenger, Google Talk. I've been using their email for a while, and I really like it, so I'm expecting great things from it as well. my username on google talk is andrew.custoshonor
20050825
Male and Female Relationships
okay, so I've been talking with a girl at work, she's pretty cute. Here's a dialog she and I had when I went through her line.
As I walk by in the lane behind hers register, her: "What's wrong?"
Me: "There's no candy on this lane, I want a Reese's Big Cup."
Her: "Well, you shouldn't have one, candy's bad for you."
In response, I go and get sixteen Reese's Big Cups (a whole box) and then return to her checkout lane.
Her: "Why do you always come through my lane?"
Me: "We've had this conversation before, don't you remember?"
Her: "We did? I guess I forgot."
Me: "Well, shall I tell you again?"
Her: "Yeah, I want to know."
Me, with a straight face: I always come through your line because I secretly have a crush on you, and I'm hoping that you'll notice."
She then starts blushing, and says, "okay."
As I walk by in the lane behind hers register, her: "What's wrong?"
Me: "There's no candy on this lane, I want a Reese's Big Cup."
Her: "Well, you shouldn't have one, candy's bad for you."
In response, I go and get sixteen Reese's Big Cups (a whole box) and then return to her checkout lane.
Her: "Why do you always come through my lane?"
Me: "We've had this conversation before, don't you remember?"
Her: "We did? I guess I forgot."
Me: "Well, shall I tell you again?"
Her: "Yeah, I want to know."
Me, with a straight face: I always come through your line because I secretly have a crush on you, and I'm hoping that you'll notice."
She then starts blushing, and says, "okay."
20050823
Saying Goodbye
Jimmy Wayne-- Stay Gone
I don't like saying goodbye, and actually, the only time I say those actual words, are when I intend on never seeing someone again. I don't like saying goodbye to anyone, but its especially hard when its someone I consider a friend.
I don't like saying goodbye, and actually, the only time I say those actual words, are when I intend on never seeing someone again. I don't like saying goodbye to anyone, but its especially hard when its someone I consider a friend.
20050820
Classes
Well, it looks like instead of taking classes this semester, I'll be taking a year off. I haven't been able to register for classes thus far, and if I don't get into them this semester, then I would have to wait until spring semester, however, the police academy runs from january- december, and one of the classes are only offered in the summer and fall terms.
This means that I won't be covered by my parent's health insurance, I'll have to get a second job because my parent's aren't going to help me with rent if I'm not in college, and my school loans will become due, though I should be able to differ them.
Altogether it looks like its going to be a fun year . . .
This means that I won't be covered by my parent's health insurance, I'll have to get a second job because my parent's aren't going to help me with rent if I'm not in college, and my school loans will become due, though I should be able to differ them.
Altogether it looks like its going to be a fun year . . .
20050815
I don't update my blog as often as I might. This is mainly due to the fact that I feel that if I don't have anything I feel is worth saying, then why should I say anything at all? If I don't think its important, then why waste my time and yours by writing it down for everyone to read? So obviously, I have something that I feel I should write about.
As I've watched other members of my generation, I see that a number of my friends have families that they are kind of detached from. To me, they seem more like unwanted visitors in their houses, rather than family. Yes, we jest by saying things like, "Friend's welcome, family by appointment," but the sad thing is, too often I see that that's truly how people feel. It's understandable that when you live a good distance away from the rest of your family, that you aren't going to see them as often, and that to some degree, your going to grow into your seperate lives. But the desire should be that you remain close with your family, because they are all you truly have on this earth. Friends come and go, as do boyfriends and girlfriends, sometimes we even lose the people we've married. But you should be able to count on your family, your brothers and sisters, cousins, aunts and uncles, grandparents, you should be able to count on them in times of need. If you don't feel that way, if you don't think that your family loves you, then there's something wrong, and you need to go and make things right and let nothing stop you from accomplishing that goal.
If your mother, father, brother(s) and sister(s), aren't the people you can go to for advice, or when the world turns its back on you, then my heart goes out for you, and I hope that you and your family make things right as soon as possible. If anything, my relationship with my mom and dad has improved since I've moved out. I talk to my mom atleast once or twice a week, and usually more than that. A number of times, I needed advice on how to handle a situation, but usually, we'd talk about nothing important, the important thing is that we talked.
I'll probably write some more about Michael later this week, but for now, I had this weighing on my heart, and thought I should write about it instead.
As I've watched other members of my generation, I see that a number of my friends have families that they are kind of detached from. To me, they seem more like unwanted visitors in their houses, rather than family. Yes, we jest by saying things like, "Friend's welcome, family by appointment," but the sad thing is, too often I see that that's truly how people feel. It's understandable that when you live a good distance away from the rest of your family, that you aren't going to see them as often, and that to some degree, your going to grow into your seperate lives. But the desire should be that you remain close with your family, because they are all you truly have on this earth. Friends come and go, as do boyfriends and girlfriends, sometimes we even lose the people we've married. But you should be able to count on your family, your brothers and sisters, cousins, aunts and uncles, grandparents, you should be able to count on them in times of need. If you don't feel that way, if you don't think that your family loves you, then there's something wrong, and you need to go and make things right and let nothing stop you from accomplishing that goal.
If your mother, father, brother(s) and sister(s), aren't the people you can go to for advice, or when the world turns its back on you, then my heart goes out for you, and I hope that you and your family make things right as soon as possible. If anything, my relationship with my mom and dad has improved since I've moved out. I talk to my mom atleast once or twice a week, and usually more than that. A number of times, I needed advice on how to handle a situation, but usually, we'd talk about nothing important, the important thing is that we talked.
I'll probably write some more about Michael later this week, but for now, I had this weighing on my heart, and thought I should write about it instead.
20050813
20050812
work fun vol. 3
here's another fun game you can play at work. It's a bit more involved than the last two. You'll remember a game called Kung Fu Master. Well, this is Kung Fu Remix. Check it out, see if you can save the girl.
20050809
Madame Ellen's Horrorscopes
again the link is here
LEO (July 23-August 22)
This month you can do anything you put your mind to, especially if it involves sitting on the couch and eating an entire can of spray cheese.
VIRGO (August 23-September 22)
The stars align and their message strikes me with the clarity of a thousand voices: "Change your socks!"
LIBRA (September 23-October 21)
"Diego, donde están mis platános?" This Spanish phrase may not seem important now, but soon its relevance will be frighteningly clear.
SCORPIO (October 23-November 21)
This is the month to sweep that special someone off their feet. Slippery floor wax makes it a lot easier.
SAGITTARIUS (November 22-December 21)
If you got a nickel for every time you "borrowed" a confectionary equipment truck in order to set up a pudding factory in the Philippines, you would be getting a nickel pretty soon.
CAPRICORN (December 22-January 19)
You love catching crawdads, but I hate it, so no horoscope for you.
AQUARIUS (January 20-February 18)
Wonder why you’re so in love right now? The stars are wondering the same thing.
PISCES (February 19-March 20)
Hard work and perseverance are the only ways to accomplish anything. That and trained ninjas.
ARIES (March 21-April 19)
This month, I love cup cakes. How that will pertain to your future, I can only guess.
TAURUS (April 20-May 20)
"El diablito" is Spanish for "little devil." But I don’t have to tell you that.
GEMINI (May 21-June 21)
Try to set a good example this week. Remember, people look up to you. Or up at you. Behemoth!
CANCER (June 22-July 22)
Always be careful in matters of love. No one knows when love’s gentle flower will turn out to be an evil poisonous mutant plant from space.
LEO (July 23-August 22)
This month you can do anything you put your mind to, especially if it involves sitting on the couch and eating an entire can of spray cheese.
VIRGO (August 23-September 22)
The stars align and their message strikes me with the clarity of a thousand voices: "Change your socks!"
LIBRA (September 23-October 21)
"Diego, donde están mis platános?" This Spanish phrase may not seem important now, but soon its relevance will be frighteningly clear.
SCORPIO (October 23-November 21)
This is the month to sweep that special someone off their feet. Slippery floor wax makes it a lot easier.
SAGITTARIUS (November 22-December 21)
If you got a nickel for every time you "borrowed" a confectionary equipment truck in order to set up a pudding factory in the Philippines, you would be getting a nickel pretty soon.
CAPRICORN (December 22-January 19)
You love catching crawdads, but I hate it, so no horoscope for you.
AQUARIUS (January 20-February 18)
Wonder why you’re so in love right now? The stars are wondering the same thing.
PISCES (February 19-March 20)
Hard work and perseverance are the only ways to accomplish anything. That and trained ninjas.
ARIES (March 21-April 19)
This month, I love cup cakes. How that will pertain to your future, I can only guess.
TAURUS (April 20-May 20)
"El diablito" is Spanish for "little devil." But I don’t have to tell you that.
GEMINI (May 21-June 21)
Try to set a good example this week. Remember, people look up to you. Or up at you. Behemoth!
CANCER (June 22-July 22)
Always be careful in matters of love. No one knows when love’s gentle flower will turn out to be an evil poisonous mutant plant from space.
20050808
More stuff to help pass the time at work
Okay, so I came accross this: the Kitty Cannon.
What's your highest score? I managed to get 963 feet. I don't know how people get above 2,000 but I think its largely based on luck . . .
What's your highest score? I managed to get 963 feet. I don't know how people get above 2,000 but I think its largely based on luck . . .
20050803
Not All Myths Are Fantasy
It was about nine o’ clock on an autumn night when Michael and Michele finished watching The Order. It was about time for Michael to leave, to go back home, but neither really wanted to say goodbye just yet. Michael loved the country, and he loved to spend time with his friend Michele. They had a good friendship, despite the fact that society dictates that a guy and a girl can’t be just good friends. For Michael, he hadn’t let his mind wander down that particular path. To him it wasn’t much of an issue, it isn’t right for a guy to date one of his friend’s ex-girlfriends, and even if he had been interested, in his heart, he knew that it was too soon after the ending of their relationship to give it any real consideration. No, Michael was happy to just be Michele’s friend, even if her other friends didn’t really see it that way, because Michael didn’t have too many friends. He had only just recently come to the realization that life’s difficulties are much easier to get through with the support of friends.
The night was relatively young yet, at least it was for Michael, because he was usually up until three or four in the morning reading or playing video games. Michele usually tried to go to bed before midnight, but Michael couldn’t visit very often due to the large distance between where they both lived, and so she was willing to go without a few hours rest if it meant that they could hang out and have fun. So they decided that they would go for a walk, even though the sun had gone down a few hours previously, and it was a dark night.
“I’ll grab the flashlights, you go ahead and get your shoes on,” Michele said. “The roads out here aren’t well lit, so its pretty dark outside.”
“We don’t really need any flashlights,” Michael replied. “Besides, I prefer to use night vision to see in the dark anyway.”
Michele figured they’d be alright without the flashlights, and Michael decided to bring his cell phone just in case they did get into some kind of trouble. They put on their shoes and walked out of the apartment complex. Michael took a deep breath, enjoying the country air, something he could appreciate due to living in the city. He then poked Michele affectionately in the side and pulled the hair band our of her hair, causing it to fall out of the pony tail she had pulled it back into. He then trapped the hair band in his hand by closing his hand around it. Michele immediately tried to get the hair band back, grabbing a hold of his hand.
“Aw, how sweet of you, wanting to hold my hand,” Michael teased. Michele immediately let go, insisting that she only wanted to get her hair band back.
“oh, you know it its really because you can’t resist my charming and sexy self,” he teased again.
“Yeah, I just can’t seem to keep my hands off of you,” Michele replied sarcastically. It was part of a game they played often. They would flirt with each other, both understanding that it was all in good fun, though they had played it down a bit around her roommates and friends, because they were getting the wrong ideas about his intentions.
They crossed the street, and headed down another road that seemed darker than the others, but it was the back way onto a local play ground. Unlike in the city, trees in this area were plentiful, and they made the road they were on even darker.
After progressing a little ways, Michael noticed that night vision wasn’t very effective if there wasn’t enough light for him to see by. So he opened his cell phone with the idea of using it like a flashlight.
“Hmm,” Michael said. “Now I understand what it meant.”
“Understand what what meant?” Michele asked.
“Well, in a book I was reading, one of the character’s has a magic staff with a crystal ball that lights up on it, which they use when in dark caves or at night, but the author always described it as making seem darker, rather than lighting the area effectively,” Michael answered. “I never quite understood how that could be the case until just now, as I’m trying to use my cell phone to light the way.”
“Maybe its because the light isn’t strong enough to light this area, but its enough to make your eyes focus on it, thus making the darkness more apparent to you,” Michele suggested.
“You could be on to something there,” Michael replied. They continued to walk down the road, talking about anything that came to mind, when Michael suddenly stopped.
“What is it?” Michele asked.
“I thought I heard something,” Michael answered.
They both stood quietly, listening. Michael held the cell phone up again, having already forgotten that it made the darkness seem worse, rather than helping. As he gazed around, he though he saw something move. Feeling somewhat freaked out, they both took off running back the way they had come, only stopping when they got to a well lit area.
“I don’t think there was anything there, but I could have sworn I saw movement,” Michael informed Michele.
“I didn’t get too freaked out until you said you thought you heard something,” Michele told him.
Having decided it was nothing, they decided to head back down the road again, as they walked, Michael told her about a similar event that happened in his childhood.
“When I was about five or six,” Michael started, “My mom had sent me to the local Boy’s Club of America, as being a single mom, she couldn’t come get me right after school. Well, during one summer, they Boy’s Club and the Girl’s Club had a sort of summer camp where they would go to a camp ground during the day, and then head back home a little later. It was here that I met my childhood girlfriend, indeed, she was the first girl other than my mom that I kissed, and I kissed her on the lips. Well, one of the traditions was for the older boys to take the younger kids to a really wooded area, and make up a story about a hermit that lived at the top of a hill, who would kill people. The goal was to get as close as you could to his house before he noticed you, and then run back down the hill and draw a circle in the dirt, and get inside the circle. If you drew a circle in the dirt and were inside of it, you’d be safe.”
“Well, one time I went, my girlfriend Amanda came with me, and she stayed at the bottom of the hill while I went up to the top. After a certain amount of time, some said that the guy had seen them, and so we all ran back down the hill to draw our circles. Amanda had drawn a heart, and told me to come stand with her inside of it, which I of course did. I still sort of miss her.”
“That’s kind of sweet,” Michele replied.
It was about this time, that they came to a corn field, having passed the back entrance to the playground. They had stopped speaking for the moment, and they both heard a slight rustling near where they were standing in the corn. Michele jumped, which in turn cause Michael to jump as well.
“I don’t think we should hang out here any longer,” Michele said.
“Hmm, part of me thinks it’s just nothing but a little animal,” Michael told her. “However, as I recall, in scary movies, the jock usually ends up getting killed because he thinks that the evil scary homicidal thing that made the noise that the girl heard was only the cat that came running into view from where the noise came. So I’m kind of torn as to what to do.”
They both heard the noise again, this time a little stronger, and this time, Michele immediately grabbed onto Michael’s hand. They both took off running, this time Michael stayed back a pace from Michele as they raced the full way back to the area where they first crossed. They then proceeded back to Michael’s car. It was a silver 1990 Ford Probe GT, turbo charged. He like it okay, mostly because of the turbo charger, but what he really wanted was a truck. He and Michele hugged, knowing it was close to time for him to leave, both still wishing to delay the actual moment of departure. Michael leaned back and sat against the edge of his car, holding her hands in his, this time she didn’t pull her hands away
“You know, I couldn’t help but notice how you grabbed my hand when you got spooked,” Michael half teased.
“Yeah, I’m not sure why I did that either,” Michele told him. “I guess I feel safe when your around, that if it came down to it, you’d do your best to keep me safe.”
Michael was touched, no one had said anything like that to him before. They talked for another hour or two, and by the time Michael hugged Michele for the last time, and then got into the car and left, it was close to two in the morning.
The night was relatively young yet, at least it was for Michael, because he was usually up until three or four in the morning reading or playing video games. Michele usually tried to go to bed before midnight, but Michael couldn’t visit very often due to the large distance between where they both lived, and so she was willing to go without a few hours rest if it meant that they could hang out and have fun. So they decided that they would go for a walk, even though the sun had gone down a few hours previously, and it was a dark night.
“I’ll grab the flashlights, you go ahead and get your shoes on,” Michele said. “The roads out here aren’t well lit, so its pretty dark outside.”
“We don’t really need any flashlights,” Michael replied. “Besides, I prefer to use night vision to see in the dark anyway.”
Michele figured they’d be alright without the flashlights, and Michael decided to bring his cell phone just in case they did get into some kind of trouble. They put on their shoes and walked out of the apartment complex. Michael took a deep breath, enjoying the country air, something he could appreciate due to living in the city. He then poked Michele affectionately in the side and pulled the hair band our of her hair, causing it to fall out of the pony tail she had pulled it back into. He then trapped the hair band in his hand by closing his hand around it. Michele immediately tried to get the hair band back, grabbing a hold of his hand.
“Aw, how sweet of you, wanting to hold my hand,” Michael teased. Michele immediately let go, insisting that she only wanted to get her hair band back.
“oh, you know it its really because you can’t resist my charming and sexy self,” he teased again.
“Yeah, I just can’t seem to keep my hands off of you,” Michele replied sarcastically. It was part of a game they played often. They would flirt with each other, both understanding that it was all in good fun, though they had played it down a bit around her roommates and friends, because they were getting the wrong ideas about his intentions.
They crossed the street, and headed down another road that seemed darker than the others, but it was the back way onto a local play ground. Unlike in the city, trees in this area were plentiful, and they made the road they were on even darker.
After progressing a little ways, Michael noticed that night vision wasn’t very effective if there wasn’t enough light for him to see by. So he opened his cell phone with the idea of using it like a flashlight.
“Hmm,” Michael said. “Now I understand what it meant.”
“Understand what what meant?” Michele asked.
“Well, in a book I was reading, one of the character’s has a magic staff with a crystal ball that lights up on it, which they use when in dark caves or at night, but the author always described it as making seem darker, rather than lighting the area effectively,” Michael answered. “I never quite understood how that could be the case until just now, as I’m trying to use my cell phone to light the way.”
“Maybe its because the light isn’t strong enough to light this area, but its enough to make your eyes focus on it, thus making the darkness more apparent to you,” Michele suggested.
“You could be on to something there,” Michael replied. They continued to walk down the road, talking about anything that came to mind, when Michael suddenly stopped.
“What is it?” Michele asked.
“I thought I heard something,” Michael answered.
They both stood quietly, listening. Michael held the cell phone up again, having already forgotten that it made the darkness seem worse, rather than helping. As he gazed around, he though he saw something move. Feeling somewhat freaked out, they both took off running back the way they had come, only stopping when they got to a well lit area.
“I don’t think there was anything there, but I could have sworn I saw movement,” Michael informed Michele.
“I didn’t get too freaked out until you said you thought you heard something,” Michele told him.
Having decided it was nothing, they decided to head back down the road again, as they walked, Michael told her about a similar event that happened in his childhood.
“When I was about five or six,” Michael started, “My mom had sent me to the local Boy’s Club of America, as being a single mom, she couldn’t come get me right after school. Well, during one summer, they Boy’s Club and the Girl’s Club had a sort of summer camp where they would go to a camp ground during the day, and then head back home a little later. It was here that I met my childhood girlfriend, indeed, she was the first girl other than my mom that I kissed, and I kissed her on the lips. Well, one of the traditions was for the older boys to take the younger kids to a really wooded area, and make up a story about a hermit that lived at the top of a hill, who would kill people. The goal was to get as close as you could to his house before he noticed you, and then run back down the hill and draw a circle in the dirt, and get inside the circle. If you drew a circle in the dirt and were inside of it, you’d be safe.”
“Well, one time I went, my girlfriend Amanda came with me, and she stayed at the bottom of the hill while I went up to the top. After a certain amount of time, some said that the guy had seen them, and so we all ran back down the hill to draw our circles. Amanda had drawn a heart, and told me to come stand with her inside of it, which I of course did. I still sort of miss her.”
“That’s kind of sweet,” Michele replied.
It was about this time, that they came to a corn field, having passed the back entrance to the playground. They had stopped speaking for the moment, and they both heard a slight rustling near where they were standing in the corn. Michele jumped, which in turn cause Michael to jump as well.
“I don’t think we should hang out here any longer,” Michele said.
“Hmm, part of me thinks it’s just nothing but a little animal,” Michael told her. “However, as I recall, in scary movies, the jock usually ends up getting killed because he thinks that the evil scary homicidal thing that made the noise that the girl heard was only the cat that came running into view from where the noise came. So I’m kind of torn as to what to do.”
They both heard the noise again, this time a little stronger, and this time, Michele immediately grabbed onto Michael’s hand. They both took off running, this time Michael stayed back a pace from Michele as they raced the full way back to the area where they first crossed. They then proceeded back to Michael’s car. It was a silver 1990 Ford Probe GT, turbo charged. He like it okay, mostly because of the turbo charger, but what he really wanted was a truck. He and Michele hugged, knowing it was close to time for him to leave, both still wishing to delay the actual moment of departure. Michael leaned back and sat against the edge of his car, holding her hands in his, this time she didn’t pull her hands away
“You know, I couldn’t help but notice how you grabbed my hand when you got spooked,” Michael half teased.
“Yeah, I’m not sure why I did that either,” Michele told him. “I guess I feel safe when your around, that if it came down to it, you’d do your best to keep me safe.”
Michael was touched, no one had said anything like that to him before. They talked for another hour or two, and by the time Michael hugged Michele for the last time, and then got into the car and left, it was close to two in the morning.
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