Michael's Blog

Stupid, funny things.

15 April 2005

Pavlov was a genius.



I am sure you have heard at some point during your education about Pavlov. Pavlov was the guy who did the experiments with dogs. You remember, he would ring a bell and then give the dogs food. He did that everyday for a while and then one day he rang the bell but didn't give the dogs any food. Pavlov found that the bell induced the dog to salivate even if there was no food around. This was later called conditioning.

We all know about conditioning. We all are reminded of people or places when we hear a certain song on the radio, or when we smell certain smells.

When I was little, I had a Nintendo. One of my favorite games ever was Super Mario Bros. 2. I would come home from school, put my favorite rap tape in (Mc Lyte) and start playing. I did this everyday for a long time. Years later, I went to pick up my girlfriend from her house and there it was -- a Nintendo with my favorite game. She wasn't ready yet, so I asked her little brother if I could play for a minute. As soon as I turned it on and started playing, I could hear the MC Lyte tape in my head. I could sing every word from memory. I hadn't listened to that tape for years and right now I couldn't say more than a few lines.

I had another girlfriend who used to wear Dr. Pepper lip balm everyday. When I say everyday I really mean it. It was quite nice because if I was ever in need of some tasty lip lubricant, I could count on the fact that she had some.



We dated for a long time. It is the longest relationship that I ever had. We would kiss and I could always taste the Dr. Pepper lip balm.

I love kissing. Kissing is probably the one most enjoyable thing ever. Something I doubt I will ever get tired of. I love the way it makes you feel; the tingles up and down my spine, the affection and love that is shown and received. It's wonderful. If you haven't had the chance to do it then I would suggest you find someone and give it a try. I promise you will not regret it.

I was on my mission, in the MTC when I receive a care package from my now ex-girlfriend that I left behing to go serve. When you ask what someone needs on a mission you naturally think of what you would wish you had. Included in the package was Dr. Pepper chapsick.

As a missionary you don't want to be reminded of the pleasures of home nor do you want to be distracted from the work at hand. I promptly put the lip balm away in a little box and vowed not to use it.

Later when I had a few months left on my mission. My ex had wrote me a dear john about a year and a half before. One day during scripture study, I had my little box of pens out and was reading. The little box also contained the Dr. Pepper lip balm. While I was reading and pondering, I noticed my lips were chapped and I wished I had some chapstick. I looked up into my box and saw it. I thought to myself, "Will it really be that big of a deal? I haven't even seen her in years now. Plus my lips are chapped." Thus I justified breaking my promise that I wouldn't ever open it.

I tore open the wrapping and applied the lubricant. The sweet taste of the lip balm triggered a physical response in my brain that turned on all of the "kissing" feelings. I shivered and shook and goosebumps travelled up and down my spine. I felt just like I was kissing her again. I could smell her and had a vivid image of her in my brain. I exhaled.

I felt kind of guilty. Thankfully, that was the closest I got to kissing someone on my mission.

Pavlov was a genius.

Links about Pavlov...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ivan_Pavlov

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Conditioning

3 Comments:

Blogger Michael said...

Thank you Maria.

October 07, 2005 12:04 AM  
Blogger fishie said...

Dinner Bell" by They Might Be Giants - Apollo 18

I've been leaving on my things
So in the morning when the morning bird sings
There's still dinner on my dinner jacket
'Til the dinner bell rings
Experimental dog
Salivating dog
Good dog
Waiting for the dinner bell to do the bell thing (waiting for the dinner bell)
Dinner bell dinner bell ring

I've been leaving on my things
So in the morning when the morning bird sings
There's still dinner on my dinner jacket
'Til the dinner bell rings
I don't want a pizza, I don't want a piece of (experimental dog)
Peanut brittle, I don't want a pear.
I don't want a bagel I don't want a bean I wouldn't like (salivating dog)
A bag of beef or a beer or a
Cup of chowder, corn, cake, or creamed cauliflower cause I'm (good dog)
Waiting for the dinner bell to do the bell thing (waiting for the dinner bell)
Dinner bell dinner bell ring

Shoulder, bicep, elbow, arm
Forearm, thumb, wrist, knuckle, palm
Middle, pinky, index, ring
Dinner bell dinner bell ding
I don't know whether I'd rather be having a bottle of vinegar (experimental dog)
I don't know whether I'd rather be having an egg.
I don't know whether I'd rather be having an order of bacon (salivating dog)
Or whether I'd rather be having a basket of garlic bread.
I don't know whether I'd rather be having some pie or (good dog)
Saving my appetite 'cause I'm
Waiting for the dinner bell to do the bell thing (waiting for the dinner bell)
Dinner bell dinner bell ring
I've been leaving on my things (I've been leaving on)
So in the morning when the morning bird sings (the morning)
There's still dinner on my dinner jacket (on my)
'Til the dinner bell does the bell thing
Dinner bell dinner bell do the bell thing
I'm waiting for the dinner bell to do the bell thing (waiting for the ding)
Dinner bell dinner bell ding ding ding
Waiting for the dinner bell to do the bell thing (waiting for the ding)
Dinner bell dinner bell ding ding ding
Waiting for the dinner bell to do the bell thing (waiting for the ding)
Dinner bell dinner bell ding


"Brian Wilson" - Barenaked Ladies - Gordon

Drove downtown in the rain nine-thirty on a tuesday night,
Just to check out the late-night record shop.
Call it impulsive, call it compulsive, call it insane,
But when I'm surrounded I just can't stop.

It's a matter of instinct, it's a matter of conditioning,
It's a matter of fact.
You can call me pavlov's dog.
Ring a bell and I'll salivate. how'd you like that?
Dr. Lendy tell me you're not just a pedagogue,

Cause right now i'm

Chorus
Lying in bed just like brian wilson did
Well I'm lying in bed just like brian wilson did.

So I'm lying here, just starting at the ceiling tiles.
And I'm thinking about what to think about.
Just listening and relistening to smiley smile,
And I'm wondering if this is some kind of create drought
Because I am

Chorus

And if you want to find me I'll be out in the sandbox,
Wondering where the hell all the love has gone.
Playing my guitar and building castles in the sun,
And singing 'fun, fun, fun.'

Chorus

I had a dream that I was three hundred pounds
And though I was very heavy,
I floated 'til I couldn't see the ground
I floated 'til I couldn't see the ground
Somebody help me, I couldn't see the ground
Somebody help me, I couldn't see the ground
Somebody help me because i'm

Chorus

Drove downtown in the rain nine-thirty on a tuesday night.
Just to check out the late-night record shop.
Call it impulsive, call it compulsive, call it insane;
But when I'm surrounded I just can't stop.

February 10, 2006 10:26 AM  
Blogger Lori said...

Mi ke - That was practicaly pornographic.
Lori

February 11, 2006 4:38 PM  

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