Okay, How does this work

I hope my blog shows up. I'm nervous with anticipation. I've never done blogs before.

I just got back from New York City where I was visiting my family. I swear my ancestors are in a few history books as famous drinkers. Drinking with my grandfather requires stamina and a little athleticism. My uncle took us to a Brooklyn restaurant where we could all celebrate my upcoming birthday, and before I knew it everyone at the table had about 4 different cocktails (one for each brain) in front of them. Wine glasses we elbowed off the table, wives and girlfriends told their partners to be quiet, the wait staff was tipped well, and this morning I drove home with my body feeling like Phelps' after a swimming event.

I'm only sharing this brief story because as I was driving on 78, my girlfriend fell asleep, leaving me to my thoughts, which led me to the side of the road for a second (an example from Tart).

GF (waking up when the car shakes violenty on the rumble strip) - "What are you doing?"
Me - "Driving. Sorry."
"Do you want me to drive a little?"
"No, I'm ten and two."

I'm sure the next time I am driving a long distance I'll remember this instance and I'll start thinking of a d-SoC and a d-ASC, and Tart's right, I will think of myself as clever for applying his analysis to my own life, which will inspire a hypnagogic state, which will lead me to the side of the road, which will...

I'm curious to know if d-SoC and d-ASC are recognized by doctors who have to write out an Aderall prescription for an ADHD patient. What I gather is that in order to maintain a d-SoC, one must constantly do an internal balancing act with their brain(s). "A d-SoC is a dynamic system," so how many times must a person "learn" not to slip into a d-ASC. Can these things be fixed, or are the two at a constant battle internally. It also seems that ASCs are essential for a bit of variety in all our lives.

I hope everyone had a nice holiday.

Altered States

There is a Jonathan Swift quote that I read in a book entitled, "A Confederacy of Dunces," saying, "When a true genius appears in the world, you may know him by this sign, that the dunces are all in confederacy against him."

Throughout the first chapter I kept thinking of this quote as it applies to science and how creativity can at many times be looked at as "illusions and delusions," thus making a creator look foolish. "Although transformation is mysterious and 'wonderful' it is also unsettling." We have such high praise today for certain creative individuals such as Van Gogh or Twain, that we often fail to recognize that they were not as appreciated when they were living as much as they are now. Newtonian physics was at one time thought of as having paranormal qualities until others proved proved discoveries later.

I'm not sure if Hughes was conjuring a metaphor when he wrote that in order for a work to be deemed creative and have impact it must pass through a series of authorities and signatures- wha-? I was unaware that anybody could place value on creativity. Wait, yes I was, but shouldn't we be concerning ourselves with "talent" as well. Perhaps talent will be addressed in class.

Miles Davis once said something about music being his "blessing and his curse" (something like that cliche, but phrased with colorful, clever language). We want personal creativity as part of our everyday life to ressurrect ourselves from our everyday routines, yet there are correlations of mental illness found in many people who can't help but be creative whether they want to be or not.

- Before I forget. Ask about creativity deriving from boredom. Then ask about drug taking and boredom. Then discuss both together at the same time.

"Many artists mythologize their activities and their ways of working for numerous and often conflicting reasons, emphasizing the mysterious other worldly nature of their vocation."
-or they just don't care about it. It just might be a boring question artists hear all the time and get tired of answering. "No Direction Home" showcases some classic interviews with Dylan where he refuses to give straight answers. Is it because he was being creative, or just got bored.

On Chapter 3, and brains, and brains, and brains.

I mentioned the multiple brain thing to uncle on Saturday night, telling him we may have as many as four brains.

Uncle- "What?"
Me- "I don't know. I read it."
"In what?"
"My textbook. I forget the explanation now, and I don't feel like reading you a textbook."

Brain hemispheres, again, seem as if they have close ties with a d-SoC and a d-ASC.
Scientists believe that linear thinking is over-valued and leads to pathological states. Makes sense to me and my lack of scientific knowledge.
Altered-state experiences rely on the right hemisphere and are "pleasant and rewarding." In fact these experiences are so incredible, words cannot describe them. I'm going to have to re-read this passage because I'm a little unclear as to how this may be. However, I find it intriguing. I talk an awful lot (I'm in therapy for talking too much, which is weird because therapists encourage their patients to speak, but not me). I don't know how my brain(s) would react to something that defies words.

Alright, enough, enough. Goodnight.