The Homer Neuron

The WSJ reports some neural research finding that there are neurons specifically tuned to fire on concept recognition -- for example, one subject had a neuron that only fired when the concept of Jennifer Aniston was evoked by sensory input (and it wouldn't fire if she was paired with someone else in a photo.)

The story is illustrated by a cartoon of a Simpsonian yellow neuron and a frame of Homer being Homerian. They did find a subject who had a Homer neuron.

Blah Week

Saw South Pacific Saturday night; it was a great production, totally wonderful, despite the understudy for Emile-the-planter who couldn't quite hit his high closing note. As I am very easily affected by musicals and opera, I was often tearing up and hoping nobody noticed.

Had a cold, so missed the Castro Street Fair. Stayed away from the gym Monday. Lost interest in being social. Very little happened during the week.

Today (Friday) I had to fast in the morning for a blood glucose test, then went down to get blood drawn at Noe and Market. Sat on the concrete steps on the Noe side of the gym to chug a protein drink and eat an apple. Paul Lucas, who I haven't seen in months and is most famous for his barefoot hiking group, stopped to chat. Was late meeting a friend to discuss a personal problem. Then went to the gym and did ten sets of leg presses and 450 cal on the treadmill. I actually thought I was going to go home and return for another gym session, but I was woozy on the way home and thought better of that. Collapsed at home, ate lunch at 2:30, ate again at 4:30. Talked to zzbear while he was on his way to Philadelphia. excessor got home later than usual, but we enjoyed cocktails, chips and guacamole while watching the not-very-good Stargate Universe.