Liquid Trust

Hey guys,
I know it's been awhile since I updated. I'm just beginning to get back into the swing of things with school. However, I have been conducting an experiment over the last week, performed specifically so that I would have something interesting to write about on my blog.

There is a hormone called Oxytocin. "Recent studies have begun to investigate oxytocin's role in various behaviors, including social recognition, bonding, anxiety, trust, and maternal behaviors."-Wikipedia

Last week, I bought myself a little spray bottle of "Liquid Trust."

"Liquid Trust" is a spray sold by VeroLabs. This is what they promise:

The researchers at Vero Labs have developed a formula that combines the potent human hormone Oxytocin with a odorless atmosphere enhancing spray. It is called Liquid Trust.

Liquid Trust is fragrance free and can be used completely discreetly. The spray has a time release effect to make the effects last for hours after being applied to you. The spray has also been created to provide maximum effectiveness, with no side effects.

Just one or two sprays in the morning after showering, or in the evening before going out, is guaranteed to produce a more trusting atmosphere. This recently discovered innovation can give you an edge that very few people have discovered. The Power of Trust.

I ordered the smallest bottle, since I just planned on conducting a test or two. My guess was that it was a sort of placebo effect. You spray Liquid Trust on yourself and it gives you some confidence, so you act more relaxed and friendly and people respond well. You think that it actually worked, but really it was just your behavior that changed.

The instructions say to use two sprays. I sprayed the top of my head (I'm not sure why I picked that spot) and my wrists. The product claimed to be odorless and I didn't smell anything at all. I then went up to my test subject, Brent. I was very careful not to act overly affectionate or friendly, as I wanted to make sure that it was the product that made the difference.

Nothing happened. I thought perhaps he hadn't smelled me yet. I tried to position my head under his nose. He frowned at me and said, "Get your head out of my face, please." I was disappointed, but pretty sure he had had gotten a good whiff.

He still didn't act any different and the atmosphere wasn't any more "trusting" than usual. I thought that maybe his nose was stuffed up. I went into the hallway and sprayed myself 6 more times, all over. I came back in the room and tried to waft the oxytocin towards him.

Brent said, "Why do you keep going into the hallway? What are you doing over there, moving your arms like that?" He looked at me mistrustfully. This was the opposite of the intended effect! He frowned and then got up and went into the kitchen to make lunch.

Thus ended my Liquid Trust experiment.
Conclusion: It doesn't work at all. In fact, I would like to add that it can make people more distrustful of you... especially if they find out you were trying to mess with their hormone receptors to make them like you. Not cool. (sorry Brent)

Resolutions

Sorry it has been so long since I last posted. I was in Germany and on Christmas Vacation and away from my computer much of that time.

It's officially 2009 which means it's time for the obligatory New Year's Resolution post. Up until a few days ago I had all but decided that I wasn't going to have a resolution this year. When it's dark and cold and dreary in January, I feel the least motivated of any time of the whole year. I look outside and think, "Everything's going to hell anyways, screw the resolutions." Also, in Winter you can hide your hideous soul under giant coats, scarves, and mittens. Why aren't there Spring resolutions? Wouldn't it be so much easier to be excited about life in the Spring? Flowers are blooming, it's getting warmer, and the perfect compliment to your Spring wardrobe is a shiny new you.
In the end, I came up with a resolution anyway. I was creating goals for the new semester designed to improve my intellect, and I decided to come up with a goal that would improve my personality as well.
I ran a quick diagnostic on my personality and, to be honest, I was overwhelmed by how overdue on maintenance I was. My check-engine light must have been on for ages. After a more careful analysis of my personality and its strengths and weaknesses I hit upon what I believe to be one of my most major flaws.
Thus, friends and family, you will be relieved to learn that this year I have decided to work on my graciousness. Here is a definition of gracious which explains exactly what I want to strive for: "characterized by charm, good taste, generosity of spirit".
Instead of using anger, I'll use charm. Instead of being demanding, I'll have generosity of spirit. I will still have my values, but I'll exercise them with good taste.
In 2008 my motto was that fantastic line from Veronica Mars, "You want people to leave you alone or better yet treat you with respect? Demand it; make them." I have yet to find a quote to represent 2009. I'm leaning towards "You'll never be a first class human being or a first class woman until you've learned to have some regard for human frailty" from Philadelphia Story, but I'm not sure it's just right. I'm open to suggestions.

I feel as if I finally have enough self-confidence to begin acting graciously. I never realized how much self confidence it took. This will be an extremely challenging resolution, but I'm up for it. Do you have a resolution? Any advice for how I work on mine? Let me know. Happy New Year.