Brrraiinss!

3. Migraines 

As I combed through the blog archives, I almost convinced myself to say goodbye to the migraine topic. I wasn't keeping up on the T.H.E.M. page to well (mostly because it's difficult to write with a migraine and recalling them after-the-fact is rather pointless), and I wasn't sure if word was truly getting around.

But it made it's way to New York and back, which might indicate the potential for word-of-mouth awareness. Award-winning filmmaker and co-creator of The Migraine Project Jacki Ochs recently commented on one of the migraine blogs and had this to say: 

"We are so grateful for your support !! Our film will reach millions of people who don't understand the true nature of, or suffering from, the disease Migraine. It's people power that compels increased research dollars, and a world class documentary can generate that momentum. Let us know you're out there, support us if you can, and help spread the word. TheMigraineProject.com."

Her comment served as a catalyst for my next contribution to migraine awareness. I spent a couple of days pondering what to say about migraines. They're potent. They're painful. So what?

Although my T.H.E.M. page is a bit behind, I still take notes of various migraine systems. My latest involves auras. Check out: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/8327869.stm

Auras are essentially colorful blindspots. Ever see the rings around streetlamps and headlights? They resemble those light distortions, but often come prior or during a migraine. Now, mine don't resemble the grey spots you see in many illustrations. They are much smaller and stay colorful. They blind sections are relatively minute. 

2. The Migraine Project

Never before have I demonstrated such candid behavior, but it's time to reveal my association with The Migraine Project, and it's not what you would fathom. 

Let me digress for a moment to illuminate certain key areas of this conversation. First off, if you connect with me beyond this website, such as via Facebook or twitter, there's a fuller story to behold. 

Which leads me to point two: C.M. Humphries was ready to <3 NYC. If you followed along, you learned there were a few key factors to my New York failure. What you need to know of this, is they all related to money.

Unfortunately, this wasn't one of those decisions leading to a pot of gold. Instead, it was because of college loans. I couldn't afford anymore debt. Brings a new meaning to Mark Twain's famous saying, "Don't let schooling interfere with your education."  I can't use my degree until I pay off my degree, in the status-quo viewpoint. In truth, I am using that degree as I type and promote this blog. 

And now we arrive more to the point.

Whilst in NYC, feeling the best I've felt about life in a long time,I embarked on a few interviews, one of which was with award-winning filmmaker Jachi Ochs. 

I had a friend touring me around New York City, so he had to sit in on the interview. Already negative points for me.

Our conversation beings rough, and I can never answer the question, "Where do you see yourself in life?" 

But then she introduces me to her latest project. You can guess which one. 

Magically, the interview flips around, because she happens to bring up the subject of migraines. It's a completely unprofessional moment, in which I glance back at my friend and smirk. 

Then, as she calls it, we had a serendipitous meeting. Our conversation draws long and excited as we both discover how we can help each other. She even brought new forms of treatment to my attention.

(I still say if she can swing an FMRI, I'm in for the film.) 

Can't blame me for that little plug.

In conclusion, I met one of the geniuses behind THE MIGRAINE PROJECT and fully believe in what they are doing. Although I am in no way a member of the crew, interviewees, or other group associated with THE MIGRAINE PROJECT, I voluntarily support it and hope you do to. 

Listen, attention means money. Money in migraine research means treating and/or curing migraines. Do what you can, or spread the word.

 

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1. Neuroscience vs The Novel

OK, I'm checking around news sites, places like Big Think, and a few other blogs, and one of the popular topics is the affect neuroscience advancements could have on fiction novels.

See, no matter what you're reading, novels run on the idea of a character's psychological growth. Certain events trigger certain reactions, and a character either becomes better or worse of than he or she started at the early pages of the novels. Now, they are not necessarily linear as the aforementioned, but the cover the psychological and emotional grounds of a character. 

Neuroscience explores the brain and pinpoints what chemical relates to which event relates to the psychological, emotional, and neurological change of an individual. The more we know, the less inventive fiction writers can be with characters, right?

I don't think so.

Writers like the late David Foster Wallace were quick to update their stories with all the latest science and jargon, but writers can still explore the brain. We are, after all, more likely to enjoy the adventure and the development of a story with the flowery words over scientifically breaking down every experience the character undergoes.