Goin' for Brooks

John Brooks lives two lives. In one life, he is a student at the University of Oregon; he is a political science major; he has a 4.1 GPA; he has a girlfriend whom he plans to marry, all of which, in some way, is linked to his dream of attending law school.

In his other life, however, he is a gambler, a carton-a-week smoker, a stoner, and a bottomless pit that swallows his father’s money faster than a fish swallows water.

Age 21, Brooks stands at a fork in the road. So far both lives have been able to coexist with little discord. Nonetheless, he knows he cannot serve two masters. He knows the time has come to make a choice, to choose one path, one life.

"I cant do this forever," says Brooks as he sits chain-smoking at a video poker machine in a local bar. "Soon my dad is going to cut me off."

Standing over six feet, with a neck like a linebacker and a body as thin as a rope, Brooks looks worried. His father has been giving him money whenever he asks for it, and Brooks has been asking for a lot of money lately. His father will usually give him anywhere between and up to $500 to $1000 a week for food and other necessary expenditures. Brooks considers his necessary expenditures to be weed, cigarettes and a seat at a poker table in the La Center-area gambling den.

"I feel really bad about doing this to my dad," says Brooks. "Two weekends ago, I lost $800, and he payed it off for me. But he said it was the last time he was going to do it."

Brooks says his dad places a lot of hope on him. His father sees him as having the most potential out of all of his siblings and will do whatever it takes to make Brooks successful.

So far Brooks grades have been impeccable, and his father has been relatively content. Nevertheless, he says he has a feeling that soon his father won’t be there for him to stand on.

"Sometimes people ask me why I do it, why I gamble," Brooks says.

Brooks says he is neither gambling for fun nor is he gambling to make ends meet. He says he is gambling because it is in his blood. He has dice and cards floating around in his hemoglobin. He got the gambling genotype from his grandparents.

"They’re gamblers, so they just passed in onto me," he says.

Whenever Brooks visited his grandparents, they would play poker for fun, never for money though. Nevertheless, Brooks says he got his first taste of gambling from them, and ever since, he has loved everything about it, except losing of course.

Lately Brooks has been "losing" almost everything he owns. Last week he "lost" his computer, lost being a loose term meaning anything that was hawked or turned over to compensate a gambling debt. The week before last week he "lost" his I-pod. In addition to losing his most valuable possessions, he lost all his money last time he was at La Center: almost $2,000. One would think that someone who gambles the way Brooks does would not do well in college, let alone be able to function in law school.

"It will all change when I go to law school, unless I become a professional poker player that is," Brooks says.

Brooks fantasizes about being on the travel channel playing with the heavyweights. He says professional poker players have a lot of money.

"When you become a professional poker player, you have millions to blow," he says. "Ill have as many I-pods and computers as I want. Its no big deal."

Even though Brooks has his eyes set on law school, there is another part of him that is seriously considering a career as a poker player. He’s taking classes on game theory, studying such theorists as John Nash, John von Nuemann and Oscar Morgenstern.

"If you understand the odds and how people think in game situations, you have an advantage," Brooks says.

Since Brooks has been taking his game-theory class, he says he has been winning more often than losing. On a couple occasions, he’s gone into La Center with $100 and left with roughly $1,000. It is on those occasions that Brooks feels a little frisson of pleasure; it’s on those occasions that Brooks says he "feels truly alive."

Game theory does not help him with everything. Brooks is trying to work on his self-control. He has difficulty in limiting his gambling money.

"Without self-control, game theory is no big help," Brooks says. "I’m working on knowing when to call it quits."

Brooks knows he needs to stop smoking both tobacco and marijuana, and that he needs to stop gambling with his father's money. Nonetheless, the path of vice is a hard one to get off of when one has already started walking it.

"I think I need a break from school," Brooks says. "I just need a vacation to clear my head and get focused again. I’ve been going to college non-stop for the last three years. I need a break."

Exploring Your Brain: Stress, Trauma, and the Brain

Fight or Flight

The "flight or fight" response originates from the sympathetic portion of the nervous system. During a highly stressful situation, such as possible physical harm to ones self and others, or even when it is psychological in nature, the sympathetic nervous system simulates glands of the endocrine system, most notably the adrenal gland. Once stimulated, it secretes the hormone epinephrine, commonly known as adrenaline. This hormone acts upon the somatic nervous system, changing emotional behavior and stress reactions such as muscles being stronger and reactions being quicker.

The effects of adrenaline and cortisol are significant. Adrenaline and cortisol are secreted from the adrenal glands in stressful situations. When cortisol is secreted, it causes a breakdown of muscle protein, leading to the release of amino acids (the "building blocks" of protein) into the bloodstream. These amino acids are then used by the liver to synthesize glucose for energy, in a process called gluconeogenesis. This process raises the blood sugar level so the brain will have more glucose for energy. At the same time the other tissues of the body decrease their use of glucose as fuel. Cortisol also leads to the release of so-called fatty acids, an energy source from fat cells, for use by the muscles.

The Romanian Orphans: The Stress of No Affection

In 1994, scientests conducted an experiment on 60 Romanian babies, measuring their cortisol levels to see its affect on their development. Orphaned due to the repercussions of war, they were given refuge in a hospital that was poorly staffed, though one should understand that hospitals cannot be orphanages and orphanages cannot be hospitals. Nevertheless, the staff of nurses could not devote enough time to the babies to make up for the lack of motherly attention they desperately needed. Isolated, alone, and seen only to provide their basic needs, the babies were relatively devoid of attention and empty of love. Without these necessities, something frightful occurred--the babies ceased maturing. They ceased to develop, stunted both physically, emotionally and psychologically as a result of their high cortisol levels.Their life span was significantly shorter than the average human being, so one must consider whether love should be recognized as being equally important as food, shelter and water to a human being's well being.

Predisposition to Stress

Some of us are more prone to stress because there are a lot of us who are alone. Social isolation is the culprit that leaves some more prone to the debilitating effects of stress. The reason that social isolation is so bad is because it is a constant stressor. In flight or fight situations the cortisol that is released eventually stops being released, because the stressor is gone. An example of this would be when a gazelle finally tires out a cheetah and manages to find safety again. The stressor is gone, and soon is the cortisol. With social isolation, the stress is continuos, constantly releasing cortisol and when cortisol is in the system for a prolonged period of time it has severe negative effects. Some of these affects are increase in blood sugar which in turn stimulates the production of excess insulin (excess insulin leads to body cell destruction and excess fat storage). It also depresses immune functioning, leading to frequent or prolonged sickness. It causes loss of muscle mass, decreases bone density, impairs wound healing, slows thyroid functioning, increases and prolongs appetite, encourages fat storage in the abdomen that may be associated with serious chronic health concerns. It interferes with reproductive functioning as well, not to mention creating feelings of anxiety. It also encourages depression and promotes feelings of anger and frustration.

States of Consciousness: Part II

A man by the name of Ernest Hilgard defined Hypnosis as "an altered state consciousness during which the person's conscious is divided or disassociated." In this state, Hilgard said that people are more suggestible and have a greater ability to control physiological functions such as pain perception.

Others have disputed the above mentioned concept such as Theodore X. Barber, who claimed hypnosis to not be an altered state of consciousness but claimed that certain people are more prone to suggestion and all the effects of hypnosis can be achieved without it. Followers of this belief see the hypnotized as role players pretending to be under the power of hypnosis. Barber also noticed that task-motivating instructions worked almost as effectively as hypnotic induction.

It seems, though, that there is actual research to support hypnosis as a definite altered state of consciousness. Hypnotized individuals were analyzed via PET brain imaging, and researchers discovered an increased activation of the occipital lobe and the frontal lobe, especially in the areas involving language. Also, an area in the cerebral cortex associated with attention showed increased stimulation.

A third definition of hypnosis states that it is a state of focused attention that allows people to relax and learn to control body functions (Olness, 1993). This is a more objective definition focusing on the characteristics and benefits of hypnosis. The research will still continue in hopes of finding a universal definition for the controversial subject of hypnosis.

Those under the effects of hypnosis, with the guidance of a health care professional, exhibit an increased ability to relax and manage pain control. These symptoms are considered real and are used to help individuals control various types of pain, from childbirth to cancer pain. Hypnosis also assists in stress management, such as coping with trauma.

States of Consciousness: Part I

Sleep occurs in a cycle known as the circadian rhythm, which are internally generated patterns of body functions such as hormonal signals, sleep blood pressure, and body temperature. These functions vary over a twenty-four hour period. Even in an isolated environment that prohibits outside indicators such as day and night, windows and clocks, the circadian rhythm still operates and signals when it is time to sleep and time to awake.

In order to maintain circadian rhythms, it is important to be exposed to light. Light has the ability to keep the internal clock in sync. This is most notably observed with people whose profession deals with health care, or people who work as police or as airplane pilots and flight attendants. They usually are working in a profession that requires extended working hours, working through the night, and experiencing jet lag. Light therapy often works to adjust the discomfort of offset hours and correct the errors caused by inattentiveness. Nevertheless, it is important to remember that there is no instant cure for sleep exhaustion.

Jet lag is a phenomenon experienced during flight travel that causes exhaustion and disorientation. A good example of jet lag would be flying from Portland, Oregon, to Santiago, Chile, because the trip takes roughly twenty-four hours to complete. During the trip, sleep is sparse because of flight changes and continuos activity inside the cabin. Upon arrival in Santiago, one would find one's self with little sleep and a circadian rhythm offset by a six-hour time difference. (The difference in hours is dependent upon the time of the year.) It is said that a combination of light therapy and melatonin supplements can help remedy the resulting sleep imbalance.

There are five stages of sleep, which fall into two categories: REM and NREM sleep. When we first fall asleep, we enter the first stage of NREM (non-rapid eye movement) which on an EEG shows rapid but low amplitude brain waves gradually increasing in amplitude and slowing down in frequency. In the stages three and four, delta waves can be seen which are low frequency, high amplitude waves. REM sleep is the final phase (often called paradoxical sleep due to the rigidity of the body during this phase) where dreams are more intense and last a greater duration.

Some believe in a simple explanation as to why we sleep saying that we sleep because we are tired and that sleep is a type of remedial function for the body and mind. The only problem with this explanation is that none have been able to describe exactly what sleep remedies. The circadian theory can explain the mechanisms of sleep but not why we sleep and perhaps no single theory ever will. Sleep has far too many functions for a single theory.

Understanding why we sleep might shed a light on the phenomenon of sleep disorders. A very well known sleep disorder, although not very common, is narcolepsy. Those who suffer from this disorder tend to fall asleep abruptly and sometimes at inappropriate times such as while operating machinery. A disorder called sleep apnea is considered to be even more dangerous due to its ability to inhibit airflow into the sleeper for brief moments causing choking and sometimes even death. They say that about one in five people experience this disorder. Another disorder and possibly the most common is insomnia, which is a disorder that aggravates sleeping habits, thus causing the afflicted individual to have problematic sleep or an inability to sleep. Night terrors is a disorder that occurs in NREM, usually stage four, and causes sheer panic and fright from a vague nightmare that can't be remembered upon awakening. Sleep walking seems to be a genetic based sleeping disorder. It occurs, as with night terrors, in NREM level four where the afflicted wander in sleep as if with a purpose.

River of the Falls

Four men are fishing the Deschutes River.

The Deschutes is one of the most beloved rivers in Oregon. Cutting through the Oregon plateau, its emerald waters sparkle under the desert sun, attracting anglers not only from around the country but from around the world. The river’s reputation for fly-fishing excellence is legendary. Bob Shoemaker from the Deschutes Angler Fly Shop says: "Anglers come from all over the world to fish the Deschutes. They come from England, Scandinavia, Italy, Australia, France, South Africa—they come from all over."

The river’s fertile waters nourish eight different species of fish, from the coveted redside to the ignoble squafish. For the purpose of fishing the Maupin area though, anglers are only concerned with two fish: red-side rainbows and steelhead.

Redsides, a sub-specie of rainbow trout, have a thicker body than normal rainbows and their sides, as the name implies, is a deep sanguine. They are aesthetically appealing and they make the common rainbow look just that: common. Best of all—they fight like a pitbull. When hooked, they dazzle anglers with their acrobatic repertoire of leaps, dives and somersaults. It is a true joy to catch one of these fish. Kevin Erickson from Kaufmanns Streamborn Inc. in Tigard, OR says: "These trout know how to use the current. They like to kick it into high gear and throw on the afterburners. They are very fun to fish."

However, catching one can prove to be difficult. Redsides are moody fish that can leave the most talented angler frustrated and morose. The key is to never stagnate by fishing the same fly in the same spot. It is necessary to keep on the move and fish every nook and cranny the river offers.

Anglers should try either a Golden Stone Fly Nymph or a Green Rock Worm Caddis to catch redsides when there isn’t any surface activity. But if the fish are feeding on the surface, it is better to switch over to dry flies and fish under the trees. Dry flies such as the Elk Hair Caddis and Slow Water Caddis work very well. Mayfly and Midge emerger patterns also work well when fished along the river’s seams and back eddies.

But if foot-long redsides don’t make an angler’s body quiver from an endorphin high, he or she can fish for their steelhead brethren. Nothing is more spectacular than having a Deschutes River steelhead torpedo a fly. The effect is explosive. Heart attacks are a common occurrence among unhealthy anglers. But for those top-notch anglers, the robust ones, they all return home with a Deschutes River fish tale. Many anglers prefer acquiring a good fishing story from the Deschutes River than one from any another river.

"I’ve fished the McKenzie; I’ve fished the Umpqua and I’ve fished the Rough, but the Deschutes is my favorite," says Bob Shoemaker from the Deschutes Angler Flyshop. As good as the Deschutes is for catching stealhead, it is common for an angler to return home and sit sullenly in silence wondering where all the fish went. Catching a steelhead can be a difficult task. They are finicky eaters and usually bite only from reflex. Special flies are needed to coax them into biting. Typical flies to use are the Green Butt Skunk, Freight Train, Street Walker and Max Canyon. Remember, though, choosiness is not required when selecting a fly because most patterns work just as well as the next. What matters is that the fly is consistently presented in a way that makes it look natural. It could take all day to catch one but however long it takes, it is well worth the wait. With the warm desert wind combing the tall grass and the ambrosian aroma of sage all around, waiting will be a pleasure.

The Hallelujah Kids: Forlorn Shaun Walters

From Left to Right: Mr. Walters, Jacob Walters & Shaun Walters

I initially wrote a review of sorts for this documentary, which is called "The Hallelujah Kids." It was a feeble attempt at trying to convey how deeply this journalistic masterpiece touched me. I deleted the review so I could just say one thing: Please watch this documentary. It will move you like no documentary has ever done before. Trust me.