Brane is a mathematical term for surface. Which is interesting because the reason our brains fold and wrinkle the way they do is because all of the work a brain does happens on the surface. And the only way to increase surface area and still fit into a skull is to start folding. 

Alternatively, in a zombie apocalypse, they (the zombies) stagger about and moan "brrraaaaiiins". I am kind of a zombie at the moment, but I am still amused at the confluence of branes and brains. 

Neurons do the thinking, in the spaces between themselves. Synapses are where neurons come close, but don't actually touch. All the things that we think of, and about, and all our reactions, happen in the spaces between. 

The Sketchbook Challenge this month is Close Up. Look at something very closely, and show what you see.

I was thinking about secrets, and pink things and the brain seemed the most mysterious of all the private things the body holds. The brain carries who we are and most of our dreams and thoughts and learning. It keeps, or doesn't, the secrets we have, both ours and other people's. 

These are not the neurons that you think with, they are different brain cells. I saw an excellent poster of brain things, and these had a pleasing regularity to them. 

I would like to point out that the canard that we use only 10% of our brain is dead wrong. For a while, doctors only understood what 10% of it did. Which is a very different statement. As we learn more about brains, we understand what more different parts are doing. So – please, the next time someone suggests we use only 10% of our brains, set them straight!

a moon over water, and a migraine

honestly, I should just post haiku for this month!

sunrise, and a pine tree

Slept badly, woke waaay too early, saw this amazing sunrise against the back yard trees. 

Felt is not eactly the right material to demonstrate the hardness and shine of a shell, but I approve of the background, and will try something different on it. 

Anybody know any pink fish?