Popping in to vibe Sean and S. Sorry you're going through more medical drama.

You too, Lee. I don't suppose alcohol would help?

And I want to give belated regards to Hec and JZ, after a crisis weekend. I'm so glad to hear your Halloween baby will be alright.

Speaking of drama, my craxy-ass roommate has put me through enough of hers. Since I'm now a) employed, and b) refunded by SSDI, I'm in a position where I can move. I'm checking out a discount hotel -- a nice one, from the looks of it -- near my place of work. Hoping I can pass their credit check.

(Hi to everyone else!)

Bridget, good luck! Hope the credit check is a piece of cake.

Chocolate cake.

From the Handshake article: "The conscious mind recognizes negation in speech ("Don't do X") however the unconscious mind pays more attention to the "X" than the injunction "Don't do". "

I think this is why little-little children tend to do exactly the thing you just told them not to do. Their conscious controlling mind isn't as developed as their unconscious mind, and what they hear is the positive aspect, not the negative aspect. "Don't pick that up. Don't pick that up! What did I just say?!" And the kid, who's just picked the thing up, stares at you in blank incomprehension. My sister's kids - notoriously contrary - used to do this.

Hypnosis is apparently very "zen". Interesting article.

CUPCAKE!

Chocolate cupcake! More better, more icing per cubic cake.

"The conscious mind recognizes negation in speech ("Don't do X") however the unconscious mind pays more attention to the "X" than the injunction "Don't do". "

Yeah, we're told not to do or describe the wrong thing when teaching, even if it's a mistake everyone's about to make. I still do, but I try and make it very conversational so the X doesn't stand out too much. Some of the other instructors repeat "NEGATIVE DEMONSTRATION" a couple times before doing the wrong thing.

It's insane what people latch onto. Makes you very self-conscious when you're teaching physicality with your body and your words.

Good luck, Bridget!

Also, I just finished the last of the iced chocolate cupcakes. Tomorrow I go back on the low-carb diet. Goodbye, chocolate cake. We'll meet again someday.

You know, a red heifer isn't that hard to find. Just pop down to the livestock market and pick up a Red Angus.

BB AS - Love Danielle - wish she would have realized that putting up Will right now would be good, but since Season 6 has dominated so much, I guess Kaysar was a good second choice.