"If you blinked, you missed it."

Is love at first sight real?

Everyone has their own thoughts about that and I for one think that lust at first sight is the only think you can count on. Pure, unadulterated physical attraction -- you can get that from looking at someone one time, but not love. Ideally it would be lovely, but not in this world.


Love's such a strong emotion - like hate. Do you hate at first sight? Of course not. You might be turned off by someone initially, but you wouldn't conclude that you hated them until much later. After an experience, a bad memory - something. But that's just what I think. Some geneticists (because I love having scientific back up) have looked into the idea of "love at first sight". . .

According to a study published in the April 2009 issue of the journal Genetics, a team of scientists from the United States and Australia discovered that at the genetic level, some males and females are more compatible than others, and that this compatibility plays an important role in mate selection, mating outcomes, and future reproductive behaviors. " [Source]

The article concluded (after examining the behaviors of fruit flies toward their mating partners) that the female flies in particular cared about the character of their counterpart. In other words, they were attracted to them at first sight and strong feelings were involved that quickly. Hmm. . .it would be the females who would screw up my hypothesis. Read more here.

"Obamas Philosophy on love"

Five Lessons we can learn from the Obamas

I'm all for entertaining news that allows us to sit back and be glad that we're not the ones featured on this blog, but every once and a while I like to throw in some optimism. I also have an unhealthy infatuation with the Obamas and thriving black love. So, for your reading enjoyment here's some dope philosophizing inspired by the one, the only. . .our President of the United States and his lady: Barack & Michelle Obama.

If I believe there's anyone out there who really is engaged in a healthy relationship while still being in the public eye, it's them. The Today show on MSNBC.com has a sex therapist who compiled a list that caught my eye and really made me sit back and admire them. I know we may not know a whole lot about their sex life/relationship, but there are some things you just can't fake when you've got America as a whole watching your every move.

Maintain a sense of surprise- “Sometimes, when we’re lying together, I look at her and I feel dizzy with the realization that here is another distinct person from me, who has memories, origins, thoughts, feelings that are different from my own. . .," says Obama, "Even if one builds a life together based on trust, attentiveness and mutual support, I think that’s it’s important that a partner continues to surprise the other." I think that's ridiculously adorable on so many levels and very true.

Show tenderness- Obama also spoke about how Michelle exhibits a certain level of vulnerability (Imagine that!). I never took Michelle for the vulnerable type, but I also don't think she wears the pants in the relationship. Not all the time, anyway.

Some other ones mentioned were opposites attracting, becoming friends and staying friends, and then my personal favorite: Being a relationship role model.

I honestly don't think they even realize how great of an example they're setting as a couple, color aside, by simply being themselves with each other at all times. They maintain eye contact with one another in interviews, joke like America's not watching, and their whole chemistry just flows naturally - whether the cameras are on or not. Check out videos/pictures where they were not prepped for the paparazzi to see what I mean.

"One plus to texting"

When Texting, Eligible Women Express Themselves Better

Believe it or not, the ridick news has slowed down for today, but I did find this interesting article on ScienceDaily about texting. I know I said texting would lead to nothing but trouble but that was moreso for the youth of America - now I'm talking to you singles and couples out there.

Indiana researchers have found that when men and women text message each other in a public, interactive dating market, it is the women who use more non-standard, expressive language techniques. . .

The study found women used more non-standard language such as abbreviations or expressive insertions that represented characteristics including enthusiasm, sadness, emphasis and individuality. And while women were both more economical and expressive, they also came closer to maxing out, or did max out, on the 160-character message limit more often than their male counterparts." [Source - Science Daily]

This is something that comes as no surprise to me. From personally texting I'll admit that it doesn't matter to me what the limit is - I need to fully express myself. Abbreviations and symbols do help but at the end of the day keeping it concise doesn't really matter to me.