Episode 5: Back-to-School

0:00 -- Babble about me
I commit to irregular podcasting, and divulge my back-to-school resolutions:
1) loose weight
2) work efficiently
3) spend less

7:30 -- Contest Info
I am offering a copy of the Yarn Harlot's Free Range Knitter. To be eligible, please leave a comment with your back-to-school resolution. I will draw at random on September 20th!

8:40 -- On & Off my Needles
I have finished the Imagination Cowl, a pair of vaniall socks, and the Rivolo lace scarf! Pics on Ravelry, where my name is purlhussy. I also updated on the Deep Breath Sweater (almost done), and admitted to farming out this ugly beast of a cardi-coat for finishing:



17:45 -- Musical Interlude
Matthew Barber
"Modern Woman" (mp3)
from "Ghost Notes"
(Outside Music)

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21:30 -- Mate Selection
I wrapped up this first series on mate selection, by talking about a study that demonstrate that like attracts like:
Narcissism guides mate selection: Humans mate assortatively, as revealed by facial resemblance, following an algorithm of "self seeking like".
Alvarez, Liliana1; Jaffe, Klaus1
Evolutionary Psychology. Vol 2, 2004, pp. 177-194
Theoretical studies suggest that mating and pair formation is not likely to be random. Computer simulations suggested that sex among genetically complex organisms requires mate choice strategies for its evolutionary maintenance, to reduce excessive ...
Journal Pages: 177-194

and one demonstrating that we approach those of similar physical attractiveness:
Physical attractiveness and dating choice: A test of the matching hypothesis.
Berscheid, Ellen1; Dion, Karen; Walster, Elaine; Walster, G. William
Journal of Experimental Social Psychology. Vol. 7(2), Mar 1971, pp. 173-189
Examined whether the failure of previous studies to support the hypothesis, that individuals chose to date those whose "social desirability" level is similar to their own was due to minimization of possibility of rejection. 2 experiments with 347 and ...
Journal Pages: 173-189

Finally, I talked about a study that marries the evolutionary & social exchange approaches:
Integrating evolutionary and social exchange perspectives on relationships: Effects of gender, self-appraisal, and involvement level on mate selection criteria.
Kenrick, Douglas T.1; Groth, Gary E.; Trost, Melanie R.; Sadalla, Edward K.
Journal of Personality and Social Psychology. Vol 64(6), Jun 1993, pp. 951-969
Two studies examined which traits males and females desire in partners at various levels of relationship development in an attempt to integrate evolutionary models (which emphasize sex differences) and social exchange models (which emphasize ...
Journal Pages: 951-969

41:45 -- Inspired Pattern: Smitten

45:30 -- Ending music
Matthew Barber
"Easily Bruised" (mp3)
from "Ghost Notes"
(Outside Music)

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Episode 4: Out of My League

0:00 -- Babble about me
Adult matters; life insurance, health insurance, the good, the bad, & the ugly re the NHS.

9:30 -- Sock Summit Envy. My plans to stalk Brenda Dayne on the plinth.

12:00 -- On My Needles: Rivolo
This is my first attempt at lace knitting, or knitted lace, I'm never sure which. Anyway, I haven't got very far (yet):

This pattern is designed by Anne Hanson of Knitspot.com.

It's knit on 4mm needles, and uses fingering-weight yarn. Great beginner project!

18:15 - musical interlude
Rachael Sage
"What If" (mp3)
from "Public Record"
(MPress Records)

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23:00 -- Mate Selection.
I talked about Social Exchange, and mentioned these references:

Eckland, B. (1968). Theories of mate selection. Social Biology, 15, 71-
84.

Huston & Burgess, 1979 ***oops, can't find full ref anywhere!***

37:30 -- Inspired Pattern: Humbug cushion

43:10 -- Ending music
Rachael Sage
"Bravedancing" (mp3)
from "Public Record"
(MPress Records)

Buy at iTunes Music Store
Buy at eMusic
Buy at Napster
Buy at Rhapsody
Stream from Rhapsody
Buy at Puretracks
Buy at mTraks
More On This Album