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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MAY 10-16, 2017 UCW 31 WWW.UPANDCOMINGWEEKLY.COM WEEKLY HOROSCOPE ADVICE GODDESS by Amy Alkon Don Yawn I'm a 40-year-old man who can't seem to keep a relationship going for more than a year. There's never bitter fighting or betrayal. I just gradually lose interest. I can't blame my girlfriends — most of whom are pretty exciting people. I'm the problem, but why? And can I change? — Frustrated In the happiness research world, the psychological shift behind this is called "hedonic adaptation" — "hedonic" from the Greek word for pleasure and "adaptation" to describe how we acclimate to new stuff or situations in our lives. They rather quickly stop giving us the buzz (or bite) they did at first, and we get pitched right back to our baseline feeling of well-being. But there's an upside. Psychologists Timothy Wilson and Dan Gilbert explain that hedonic adaptation is part of our "psychological immune system," helping us recover from all the kicks in the teeth and boys' bathroom swirlies of life. You may be more "sensation- seeking" than most people. Research by psychologist Marvin Zuckerman, who coined the term, finds that this is a personality trait with origins in genes, as well as experience, reflected in strong cravings for novel, varied, and intense sensations and experiences. Research by psychologist Sonja Lyubomirsky finds that three "intentional activities" help keep hedonic adaptation from overtaking a relationship — appreciating, injecting variety, and incorporating surprise. Appreciating simply means regularly reviewing and "savoring" what's great about your partner and what you have together. (Even better if you also express it to them). Bringing in variety and surprise means filling the relationship with "unexpected moments" and "unpredictable pleasures," big and small. Be honest with women about your befizzlement problem. When you find one who's up for the challenge, get cracking with her on keeping the excitement alive. Be sure to do this both in romantic day-to-day ways and, say, with the perfect romantic weekend for a guy like you — one that starts with the valet at the spa opening the trunk, removing the hood over your head, and cutting the zip ties so you can go take a sauna. Copyright 2017 Amy Alkon NEWS OF THE WEIRD by CHUCK SHEPPARD Robotic models of living organisms are useful to scientists, who can study the effects of stimuli without risk to actual people. Northwestern University researchers announced in March that its laboratory model of the "female reproductive system" has reached a milestone: its first menstrual period. The "ovary," using mouse tissue, had produced hormones that stimulated the system (uterus, cervix, vagina, fallopian tubes, liver) for 28 days, reaching the predictable result. Chief researcher Teresa Woodruff said she imagines eventually growing a model from tissue provided by the patient undergoing treatment. [New York Times, 4-4-2017] Chutzpah! Henry Wachtel, 24, continues in legal limbo after being found "not criminally responsible" for the death of his mother in 2014, despite having beaten her in the head and elsewhere up to 100 times — because he was having an epileptic seizure at that moment and has no memory of the attack. A judge must still decide the terms of Wachtel's psychiatric hospitalization, but Wachtel's mind is clear enough now that, in March, he demanded, as sole heir, payoff on his mother's life insurance policy (which, under New York law, is still technically feasible). [New York Post, 3-30-2017] Epic Smugglers: In February, federal customs agents seized 22 pounds of illegal animal meat (in a wide array) at the Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport. Among the tasty items were raw chicken, pig and cow meat, brains, hearts, heads, tongues and feet — in addition to (wrote a reporter) "other body parts" (if there even are any other edible parts). In a typical day nationwide, U.S. Customs and Border Protection seizes about 4,600 smuggled plant or animal products. [WFAA-TV, 2-10-2017] And a Partridge in a Pear Tree: In February, a pet welfare organization complained of a raid on a home near Lockhart, Texas, that housed more than 400 animals (and, of course, reeked "overpowering(ly)" of urine). The inventory: 86 snakes, 56 guinea pigs, 28 dogs, 26 rabbits, 15 goats, 9 doves, 8 skinks, 7 pigs, 6 pigeons, 4 gerbils, 3 bearded dragons, 2 ducks and 1 tarantula — plus about 150 rats and mice (to feed the menagerie) and 20 other animals whose numbers did not fit the above lyric pattern. [San Antonio Express-News, 2-22-2017] Copyright 2017 Chuck Sheppard ARIES - Mar 21/Apr 20 Accept that sometimes things will not go your way, Aries. However, you can learn to adapt and find balance in any situation you find yourself in. TAURUS - Apr 21/May 21 Discovering all of the answers need not be your goal all the time, Taurus. Keep in mind that the journey can sometimes be more rewarding than the destination. GEMINI - May 22/Jun 21 Gemini, don't hesitate to let others know how much they mean to you. Such simple gestures will be appreciated and help you maintain strong relationships with those you love most. CANCER - Jun 22/Jul 22 Cancer, when in doubt, speak with someone who has more experience than you. It's a big person who can accept help when it's needed, and others will be willing to help. LEO - Jul 23/Aug 23 Next week may be a better time to make a big decision, Leo. Coast along for a little bit longer and get a feel for the lay of the land before making your decision. VIRGO - Aug 24/Sept 22 Coming across memorabilia or old photographs may have you thinking about those who came before you, Virgo. It is a good week for introspection and reminiscing. LIBRA - Sept 23/Oct 23 Libra, don't let any opportunity pass you by this week - even those that may seem like they won't yield much reward. Everything is a learning opportunity. SCORPIO - Oct 24/Nov 22 Obsessive thoughts will not make the solution to a problem come any easier. It's better if you clear your head and then maybe the ideas will arrive when you least expect. SAGITTARIUS - Nov 23/Dec 21 ink of something you can do that will be a big risk and out of character, Sagittarius. It may give you a rush of adrenaline this week and pave the way for new interests. CAPRICORN - Dec 22/Jan 20 Capricorn, look at yourself in the mirror and tell yourself that you can handle whatever comes your way. You are the only one who can derail your plans. AQUARIUS - Jan 21/Feb 18 Someone you wouldn't normally look to for advice provides some invaluable wisdom in the days ahead, Aquarius. Heed this advice and express your gratitude. PISCES - Feb 19/Mar 20 Pisces, instead of focusing on all of the little details, look at the bigger picture. is will prove to be the inspiration you need to stay motivated. Amy Alkon Chuck Sheppard FREE Community Papers Because sometimes the world is... ...right where you live. "74.4% of Community Paper Readers Make Their Buying Decisions from Free Paper Advertising and Editorial Content." 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