Up and Coming Weekly is a weekly publication in Fayetteville, NC and Fort Bragg, NC area offering local news, views, arts, entertainment and community event and business information.
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AUGUST 12-18, 2015 UCW 23 WWW.UPANDCOMINGWEEKLY.COM ADVICE GODDESS A Force to Be Reckoned Whiff My new boyfriend travels a lot for work. Before he left on this trip, he gave me his weird onesie lounging garment. It's this disturbing "As Seen On TV" thing called a Forever Lazy. It's like a fleece blanket, but with legs, a hood and a … umm ... back flap for easy bathroom access. I was hesitant about taking it, but he said, "Take it! It's so comfy! It's the bomb!" Of course, I don't wear this weird thing, but it smells just like him. I've found myself cuddling up with it and sniffing it. Like, a lot. And it's not just about missing him; it's about the smell. I feel like a serial killer! What is wrong with me?! — I'm Weird What seems weird to me is that you're able to have sex with a man who wears a giant romper. What doesn't seem weird is your sniffing Mr. Baby's onesie. This suggests that you two might be a pretty good match, at least genetically — which isn't to say your genes and his have lots in common. Studies by Swiss biologist Claus Wedekind and others have found that women seem to prefer the body odor of men whose genes are dissimilar to theirs. It's a set of immune system genes that matter. They're called the major histocompatibility complex, or MHC. "Histocompatibility" is a mouthful, yes, but it's really just the Greek word for tissue — "histo" — bumming a ride on "compatibility." MHC molecules are basically immune system security guards that sound the alarm on incompatible stuff in our bodies — icky infectious microorganisms that don't belong in our "tissue" (really, our cells). If you and a genetically similar man have kids, your combined MHC genes will only be able to recognize a very similar, limited set of trespassers. But with a genetically dissimilar man, the immune systems of any kids you have will have a much larger force of security guards, able to recognize a much broader group of icky invaders. Regarding your onesie sniffing, the most interesting, relevant finding on MHC is by experimental psychologist Christine Garver-Apgar and evolutionary psychologist Steven Gangestad. Instead of just testing individuals as previous studies did, they tested couples. They found that as the proportion of MHC genes that couples shared increased, women were less turned on by their partner, cheated with more men, and were more attracted to men other than their partner, especially during their most fertile time of the month. Copyright AMY ALKON WEEKLY HOROSCOPES NEWS OF THE WEIRD by CHUCK SHEPPARD Among the health and fitness apps for computers and smartphones are sex-tracking programs to document the variety of acts and positions, degrees of frenzy and lengths of sessions (via an on-bed motion detector) — and menstrual trackers aimed at males (to help judge their partner's fertility but also her predicted friskiness and likelihood of orgasm). Several have chart- and graph-making potential for data (noise level, average thrust frequency, duration, etc.), and of course, the highlight of many of the apps is their ability to create a "score" to rank performance — even encouraging comparisons across a range of populations and geography. (Sociologist Deborah Lupton's app research was summarized in the July Harper's Magazine.) [Harper's, July 2015] We Are Not Alone (1) Scientists from Australia's James Cook University told reporters in June that they had spotted an aggressive fish that can walk on land making its way toward the country from Papua New Guinea. The native freshwater "climbing perch" can live out of water for days and has survived short saltwater treks from PNG toward Australia's Queensland. (2) In July, the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department posted a warning photo of a so-far- rare Texas Redhead — an 8-inch-long centipede with gangly white legs tipped with venom-delivering fangs and which eats lizards and toads. [Business Insider Australia, 6-3-2015] [Washington Post, 7-6-2015] The Continuing Crisis Reuters reported in early July that a big loser in the nuclear pact between Iran and six world powers was (since all negotiators have gone home to sell the deal) the brothel industry of Vienna, Austria, which hosted that final round. With so many (male, mostly) diplomats in town for two stressful months, business had been robust — especially compared to the previous round in notoriously expensive Lausanne, Switzerland. [Reuters, 7-5-2015] ] COPYRIGHT CHUCK SHEPPARD ARIES Ð Mar 21/Apr 20 You're very good at marching to the beat of a different drummer, Aries. But keep in mind that sometimes it's advantageous to follow along with what others are doing. TAURUS Ð Apr 21/May 21 Taurus, you hope that others appreciate what you are doing for them this week. You may not get a verbal thank-you, but expect some to show their appreciation in other ways. GEMINI Ð May 22/Jun 21 Gemini, many people are willing to lend you a helping hand when you need one. Make the most of their generosity, and then give back whenever possible. CANCER Ð Jun 22/Jul 22 Cancer, enjoy the fruits of your labor this week. You worked hard, and now is a great time for you to rest, relax and catch up with some old friends. Good times are ahead. LEO Ð Jul 23/Aug 23 Leo, leave room for others to share their opinions after expressing your own. It never hurts to see another's point of view, and a loved oneÕs opinion may prove enlightening. VIRGO Ð Aug 24/Sept 22 Virgo, a heavy workload may force you to regroup and start over next week when you have more energy and inspiration. This is just a temporary setback. LIBRA Ð Sept 23/Oct 23 Libra, now is the time for a change, however big or small that change ultimately may be. You may benefit from adoptiong a new hobby or changing careers. SCORPIO Ð Oct 24/Nov 22 Your life can't always be a bundle of excitement, Scorpio. Sometimes you have to sit back and enjoy those periods that are not so on-the-go. Relish in the slower pace. SAGITTARIUS Nov 23/Dec 21 Sagittarius, others are looking to you for advice this week. Give any inquiry the thoughtful consideration it deserves, doing your best to take other's concerns to heart. CAPRICORN Ð Dec 22/Jan 20 Capricorn, even if you have a million ideas running through your head, push them aside in favor of some much-needed rest. You need to take some time for yourself. AQUARIUS Ð Jan 21/Feb 18 Aquarius, embrace the coming days as a chance to distinguish yourself at work. Extra work presents an opportunity to put your value to the company on display. PISCES Ð Feb 19/Mar 20 Romance is in the air, Pisces. Enjoy this exciting time and take things slowly at first. Enjoy the slow pace and get to know your new love interest. Amy Alkon Chuck Sheppard