http://www.mindhacks.com/blog/2008/07/on_the_brink_of_a_so.html

The Times has a brief article noting the growing influence of social psychology in government thinking and economic policy, mirroring the popular interest in a slew of new books on behavioural economics.

It's interesting that the article lists various ways in those close to the British political establishment are increasingly bringing ideas drawn from empirical social sciences in their thinking, mirroring the murmurings about the Obama team's interest in behavioural economics.

And, as we've noted here, there's now an increasing interest, causing an ongoing controversy, about the use of social scientists in the occupying military forces in Iraq and Afghanistan.

We hear a great deal about interest and initiatives in these areas, but very little about outcome studies (although its possible that the military keep theirs secret) so I wonder whether the success of these approaches will depend on the maturity of the science in terms of how well it actually predicts changes in the real world.

Link to Times article on the 'social psychology revolution'.

My god my mom is a lush and she so makes me one by extension, luckily the liquor has dwindled out of my system since our outing. But we have been kayaking, shopping, to the movies, the arboretum, more shopping,and just making sure this is an easy and comfortable experience for the two of us.

We both were trying to analyze how easily frustrated we get one another, and how we can't pinpoint the source. however, my brusque manner and her inability to listen to me seem to be some of the major factors in our little tiffs usually with me flashing temper. Luckily, it goes away as quickly as it comes in almost all circumstances.

She has always thought I should be a teacher, interesting so many opinions on what or possibly who I was projected to be by those around me.

Me not dating has come up a few times, she seems concerned ... though I see no reason why. Though in the same vein, I am constantly worried about her, her health, her stress, and just her. I might be a hardass much of the time, but I do have extremely strong protective urges towards those I most care about, to the point where I get almost parental (that is not always liked).

I'm finally almost done with The Princess Bride, I think the Kite Runner will be next, having guests has slowed my ability to progress through my various novels.

My family will continue to have an interesting relationship with me, they don't listen, they care but its not enough. So I started walking away some time ago, they are still dazed, but communication has never been a family trait. My case was stated openly many years back but its easy to forget something with which you don't want to partake. 

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Tags: family, friends, me, pics, relationship
Current Location: Rocking out on my new computer
Current Mood: awake
Current Music: "Closer" - Ne-Yo

Erin just called me! There's lots of stuff going on in both of our lives, and it's good to catch up. Wow.

http://decidedlyodd.com/blog/2008/07/18/contra-dancing-in-phinney/

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OH YEAH BABY! I AM THE LASER MASTER!

http://www.passionforpuzzles.com/blog/2008/07/chronotron-online-flash-puzzle-game.html

Chronotron is a nice platform puzzle game in which you have to interact with past versions of yourself.

Chronotron is about a robot that goes back in time for some reason. Use your time machine to interact with past versions of yourself. The game records your movements. When you use the Time Pod to travel back to the beginning of the level, you see a past version of yourself doing exactly what you did before entering the pod. You can create as many copies of yourself as you need to solve the puzzle, but be careful not to change the past too much. If you interfere with a past self's ability to return to the Time Pod, you cause a paradox.

Use the arrow keys or WASD to move, space bar to lift crates and use your time pod. Happy Puzzling!

Tags: Chronotron | Puzzle Game

The weather has been increasingly shitty over the past few weeks. Yesterday it rained pretty hard. Anchorage is usually like Seattle when it comes to rain. It usually only drizzles. But yesterday was damn near torrential. The forecast says it will be raining until Wednesday. Oh well...at least it's been a nice, green summer.

I need to stop procrastinating and start packing. My plan is to have everything ready to be carried out the door on Sunday afternoon. My friend Guy is an angel with a pickup truck. I just buy him dinner at the Bear Tooth and he helps me move things. It's a great arrangement.

Time to go hunt for boxes.

Current Music: Neko Case - Fox Confessor Brings the Flood

Starbucks disclosed the locations of the 600 stores it plans to close by early next year. The list includes cafes in 44 states plus the District of Columbia, with large amounts of closures in California, Florida and Texas. (See the full list of closures, PDF.)

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I just got an email from Steven about the Anchorage Symphony's pops concert in September. I'll be singing the second tenor part in a vocal sextet that will provide chorus and backup vocals for the following numbers:

"Everybody Rejoice" from The Wiz
"Dreamgirls" from Dreamgirls (I assume that it will be just the three women singing this one)
"Ain't No Mountain High Enough" (you know that famous Broadway tune;) )
"Good Morning Baltimore" from Hairspray
"You Can't Stop the Beat" from Hairspray
"Dancing Queen" from Mamma Mia!"
"And the Money Kept Rolling In" from Evita


Lol. This will be fun. And it pays well!

In other news, I just made a very tasty chicken salad sandwich, and Serey is chasing her tail. Lol.