Sex, Genes and Rock'n'Roll

A while ago I listened to an interview on ABC Radio National with Rob Brooks, author of the book 'Sex, Genes and Rock'N'Roll: How Evolution has Shaped the Modern World'. The book is about how an evolutionary perspective can give useful and interesting insights into modern issues and problems. Brooks is an evolutionary biologist who works at UNSW. I haven't read the book, but it sounds fascinating and I will buy/beg/borrow it soon.

I didn't know that evolutionary biology even existed as a discipline; now I am absolutely intrigued.  Here are some examples of how it informs modern thinking (these are gleaned from the ABC interview and other interesting material on Brooks' website):

• Statistically, the world's richest people are more likely to have male babies. This may mirror the evolutionary reality that if a female animal is having a bad year or is unhealthy, they are more likely to have female offspring. During the 1960s in China, there was a famine - and a huge increase in the number of female births.
• Many diseases have a genetic basis. Natural selection has not eliminated the genes responsible because few of our ancestors lived long enough to suffer from most cancers or from dementia. Also, some genes that improve our fitness in early life come at a cost later on. For example, a gene called ApoE-ε4, elevates intelligence in early adulthood but it increases the risk of developing Alzheimer's by 5 to 20 times the normal risk. The new field of Darwinian medicine is showing how many common human maladies are a consequence of the inefficient way natural selection worked on our ancestors.
• A study by Face Research Lab has found that women in poor health are more likely to have a preference for masculine facial features. Brooks and some collaborators hypothesised that this could be because in poorer countries where health is more likely to be poor, there is also likely to be greater inequality between the richest and the poorest households. It may follow that women prefer the most masculine men where household income and security depends more on male aggression and status. Upon testing this theory, Brooks and co found that income inequality (the Gini index, often used by economists) is a better predictor of variation among countries in preferences for masculinised faces. He also showed that homicide rate is a promising correlate of preferences – with countries where homicide rate is high also preferring more masculinised faces.
• Evolutionary theory also predicts that a catastrophe is looming in the next decade, as 20 to 30 million more boys than girls come of age in China and India. In many animal species, when males overabound, they often compete so fiercely to court, win and even coerce the few available females into mating that everybody suffers. The same is true when the supply of men on the marriage market exceeds the demand from females.

Are you interested in this type of thing, or does it make you yawn?

Myer Briggs Personality Types

Do you know your personality type? I find the whole science absolutely fascinating. You can learn so much about yourself and others, why people behave in certain ways, and how you can improve yourself and your relationships.

Before I started my current job, I read a book called Do What You Are. It's about choosing a career or job role that suits your personality, and it takes you through the different personality types and how to find your own.

I am an ESTJ, and the profile for this type describes me surprisingly well:

• My primary mode of living is focused externally, where I deal with things rationally and logically;
• I value competence and efficiency, and like to see quick results for my efforts;
• I naturally step into leadership roles. I am self-confident;
• I enjoy interacting with people, and like to have fun. I can be boisterous and fun at social events, especially activities which are focused on the family, community, or work;
• I am generally enthusiastic, upbeat and friendly;
• I can see what steps need to be taken to complete a specific task and am results driven;
• I honour commitments, meet deadlines and am responsible and dependable;
• What you see is what you get. I value honesty;
• I think out loud and sometimes this means sharing half baked ideas;
• I am happiest after a decision is made, I don't like keeping my options open until the last minute;
• I value structure, hierarchy and certainty;
• I am not personally threatened by conflict or criticism. I am interested in resolving conflict rather than ignoring it. 

My weaknesses are also related to my personality type:

• I can be demanding and critical, because I have such strongly held beliefs, and may express myself without reserve if I feel someone isn't meeting my standards;
• I need to watch out for being too rigid, and work on being more open minded;
• I sometimes have to remind myself to value other people's input and opinions and fulfill others needs for emotional sensitivity. I am not naturally in tune with what others are feeling;
• I have a tendancy to always need to be in charge;
• I am impatient with inefficiency and sloppiness;
• I am generally uncomfortable with change.

More information, and the source of this image here

Do you know your personality type? If so, do you think the profile suits you well?

Odditude and other books

I am using my rapidly diminishing period of unemployment as an opportunity to do some reading. At the moment I feel like reading non-fiction, which is probably because I am not otherwise exercising my brain. I'm also reading a lot of books about psychology / self-actualisation, which is easily explained by my lack of direction!

Here are the books I just ordered from the library:

Do what you are: discover the perfect career for you through the secrets of personality type / Paul Tieger

Sex, genes and rock 'n' roll : how evolution has shaped the modern world / Rob Brooks

Gifts differing : understanding personality type / Isabel Briggs Myers

Odditude: finding the passion for who you are and what you do / John Powers

Junk for Joy! Over 50 projects to inspire you to re-use and Recycle / Sian Berry

 What are you reading at the moment, and do you ever read non-fiction? If so, what subjects interest you?

The Cool Kids Bookshelf: Go the F*ck to Sleep

The cool kids bookshelf part #2. For cool kids, and even cooler adults who never really grew up.

This is an adult's picture book. It is also perfectly suitable for toddlers who can't read, as long as you change the words. This might become problematic once they start being able to read if it becomes a favourite. At this point, you can buy the edited childrens version sans swear words. It doesn't have the same zest but it will serve a purpose. I also recommend you keep it off the child's bookshelf, incase Grandmother or someone who isn't quite as liberal as yourself finds it and awards you the prize for the worst parent in history, in the form of a two hour lecture on parenting.

The book began as a throwaway joke on Facebook, and went viral. It became an Amazon best seller way before it was published, still on pre-order. I agree that it is disgusting, contains way too many swear words and is very controversial. But it is also something ever parent or childminder can relate to, and that's why it has been so successful.

I recommend you buy this book to read to your child after a hard day when they just will not shut the f*ck up and go to sleep. Warning: contains (lots of) expletives.

Here are some of the nuggets that we can all relate to contained in the book:

"The eagles who soar through the sky are at rest / And the creatures who crawl, run and creep. / I know you're not thirsty. That's bullshit. Stop lying. / Lie the fuck down, my darling, and sleep."

 "The tiger reclines in the simmering jungle. / The sparrow has silenced her cheep. / Fuck your stuffed bear, I'm not getting you shit. / Close your eyes. Cut the crap. Sleep."

"We're finally watching our movie. / Popcorn's in the microwave. Beep. / Oh Shit. Goddamn it. You've got to be kidding. / Go the fuck back to sleep."

Tip: There are plenty of read alouds of this book on YouTube, even by celebrities. I like the one by Samuel L Jackson. There is even one by ex Playschool presentor Noni Hazelhurst. In this postmodern world, the most innocent things are butchered. I love it.

Things I'm Loving

I feel like I have been overly negative on this blog lately, and although that is reflective of my current state of mind (and this blog reflects that), I do feel guilty for dragging my readers into it. So, on a more positive note...

#1 Have you heard of 'The Real Hot Chocolate'? This stuff is amazing. It's a block of chocolate stuck to a wooden spoon, that you melt into hot milk for some delicious rich chocolatey goodness. In between mixing, you can lick melted chocolate off the spoon.

They sell at my local IGA for $4.50 each, which is a bit pricey for one drink. They are cheaper if you buy them online (in bulk), eg a pack of 20 posted to Canberra ends up being $3.20 per stick. Still exxy :/ Someone buy me 100?

Melted dark chocolate goodness - lickety lick!

#2 The smell of freshly baked goods on a cold morning, and biting into a still warm chocolate chip cookie when the choc bits are still gooey... Baked using cute and colourful baking tools - this little guy has suction feet so it stays upright (I want one!):

#3 Playing with sparklers and evoking memories of a carefree childhood:

#4 Elaborate cakes that are pieces of art (this one spotted at Bread Top in South Yarra):

#5 Books that uplift and inspire - This is my favourite creative book of the moment. A more in depth review to follow :)

#6 Animals.... 'nuff said

The Cool Kids Bookshelf: Different Like Coco

The cool kids bookshelf part #1. For cool kids, and even cooler adults who never really grew up.

This sweet little picture book is perfect for the budding fashion designer. It is nicely illustrated and classed as a childrens book, but is also a true biography of Coco Chanel.

Putting on my nanny / child psychologist hat, I do not think this is an ideal picture book for children. It certainly wouldn't win any awards for coaxing developmental milestones or reactions, and it isn't particularily engaging except perhaps for children who have long grown out of picture books but yearn for simpler times and bedtime cuddles from Mum and Dad.

With my fashionista hat on, I say that this is a must have for any cool kid's bookshelf. If you gift this, it will be as much a gift for the Mother as for the child. If you buy it for your own, it might be your princess's very important first exposure to the world of fashion design. If you are a Chanel fan, or you have a dog (or child) called Coco (Courtney Cox Arquette does, don't laugh) then it is a must buy.

Most importantly, it brings some glamour into motherhood and child rearing. It also amazingly provides some insight into today's fashion industry, for example why models who look like unshapley stick insects strut on the catwalks.

About the book (courtesy of Amazon.com): A poor, skinny orphan, she brightened her colorless convent childhood by sewing dresses for her dolls. She also dreamed big dreams. Coco couldn't afford to dress like the corseted ladies of high society and she was never going to be shapely. There was no point in trying to be like them. Instead, she tried to be different.

Once she was on her own, she turned her tailoring talent into a career as a dress designer. Coco, who was sticklike rather than shapely, designed dresses for figures like hers. Soon, her clothes were being snapped up, and thanks to her enigmatic personality and sense of style, she became a celebrity.

As Coco herself said, "In order to be irreplaceable, one must always be different."

Pop Culture Indulgences - November 2011

What I'm reading

You Deserve Nothing by Alexander Maksik

Set in Paris, at an international high school catering to the sons and daughters of wealthy, influential families, You Deserve Nothing is a gripping story of power, idealism, and morality. In Maksik’s stylish prose, Paris is sensual, dazzling and dangerously seductive. It serves as a fitting backdrop for a dramatic tale about the tension between desire and action, and about the complex relationship that exists between our public and private selves.

and

Vogue Australia Magazine

What I'm watching

Modern Family Season 3

and

Bridesmaids on DVD

What I'm drinking

Strawberry up & go - not healthy, but super convinient for breakfast

and

Vanilla Coke Zero



What I'm eating

Kitkats

and

Juicy Fruit gum

Review: Beyond Q Bookshop & Cafe, Curtin

I bought a Livingsocial voucher for 2 coffees and 2 cakes at Beyond Q, a place that advertises itself with the phrase "bookshop | bar | barista". I was super excited to check it out because Beyond Q also hosts a lot of live music, and I always enjoy music gatherings.

A quick google revealed this news article featuring the bookshop, which is unsurprising given the crazy beaurocratic world that is Canberra: Breaking News - Military police raid Beyond Q bookstore in Canberra, seizing 'classified' manuals *rolls eyes*

Today, we had a lovely outing there. It is a cosy cave of wonderment, located "underground" and filled with all sorts of weird and wonderful books, both old and new. The cafe area is cute and funky, with super friendly and attentive staff who take an interest in their patrons. The coffee was good, the cake okay (it tasted a little bit dry, if it was fresher it would have been delicious) and the atmosphere lovely. We were treated to piano and guitar performances by other patrons (there is a free for all piano and some guitars).

The old and young alike find this place charming

 

In terms of the books, there are rows and rows of them. They aren't bargain priced compared to some places (for fiction novels, you pay between $5 - $15 per book) but they have an excellent range and if you're looking for something in particular you're bound to find it. They have lots of old, antique books as well as best sellers and all sorts of reference books.

A cosy nook for reading between the shelves

This little piggie went to market...

I think you go to Beyond Q more for the atmosphere than anything, it's a comfortable place to meet a friend and have a heart to heart or catch up over a yummy coffee. I'm happy to have discovered this bohemian slice of Canberra, and I'll be back!

The Funniest Book Ever & Other Childhood Gems

My friend and I were op shopping when she came up behind me and exclaimed “Look at this disgusting book I found!” I was intrigued; she is not the type of person who would generally call things ‘disgusting’, and it’s an unusual term for a book (let alone a childrens book!) We are forever sharing funny op shop finds (the type that you laugh about but don’t buy). This one, I had to buy. For $1, it was too amusing to pass up.

It all starts innocently enough, with interesting facts such as “Silver tabby cats usually have good temperaments” (not sure how this assumption rests on colour, but anyway) and lovely vintagey artwork:

And then things start hotting up:

It goes on to show the birthing process in graphic detail.

Even a picture of a tongue is made somewhat raunchy, with the “cross section” featured on this page (I was like, what on earth is that thing!?):

Whoever said that children weren’t educated about the birds and the bees in the 70s clearly had not seen this childrens book. I don’t think I’ll show it to Bub, because she is liable to describe it at daycare to the poor unwitting ladies there (and even the other children) but I have no doubt her reaction to this book would be hilarious.

I really really need to get my hands on Purnell's Lifecycle Book of You - the version about people.

This all got me thinking about my favourite books when I was a kid, those childhood gems which hold lovely memories.

(1) Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day - Judith Viorst

"I went to sleep with gum in my mouth and now there's gum in my hair and when I got out of bed this morning I tripped on the skateboard and by mistake I dropped my sweater in the sink while the water was running and I could tell it was going to be a terrible, horrible, no good, very bad day." 

(2) Clive Eats Alligators - Alison Lestor

While Frank eats muesli for breakfast and Rosie enjoys eggs and bacon, Clive prefers to eat alligators (alligator shaped cereal). Follow a delightful group of children through a day as they discover and celebrate their individual differences.

(3) The Faraway Tree series - Enid Blyton

 I have lovely memories of having a chapter read to me from one of these books every night in bed.

What are your favourite books from your childhood?

Do you ever buy just because it's cheap?

I did that yesterday; I bought 3 books from Basement Books only because they were $1.20 each. Afterwards I was like, why did I do that!? More unecessary clutter. I suppose I can try to read them and donate them to charity afterwards. The books are:

And the total cost? A whole $3.60 for all three including shipping. I just had to do it.... 
I've been feeling cold lately, only because we had such warm weather last week. Now it's back to winter (as it should be) and I need to re-acclimatise!


Last night was eventful at our place, as we discovered a beautiful Bengal kitten on the patio. It sat there meowing to be let inside for hours and hours. Eventually at 10pm we let it inside and made a bed for it in the laundry- the poor thing was cold and scared. It's obviously someone's indoor pet and it escaped and got lost. Such a cute breed, I really want a Bengal kitty now! Bubnamed him 'Tom' (an ugly name, but for some reason she calls every cat Tom and sometimes pretends to be a cat called Tom... not sure where she gets it from).

This morning M let Bengal kitty outside and took Bub to her gymnastics lesson, upon their return he had dissapeared :-( I think we should have kept him and taken him to the vet for microchip scanning, I'm sure such an expensive breed would have a microchip. Oh well, maybe Tom will return tonight if he's still lost in the area. He looks a lot like this:

Photo credit: Bali Hai Bengals

Only 3 and a half weeks until I'm back in Perth for a visit, and performance appraisals at work this week... a few things to look forward to!