What is on your mind

[Bèsame*]

[Reach *BANNED*]

I had to cancel My camping trip which should have started yesterday. My sister and I just have too much going on this week to make it happen. Thankfully I was able to get a partial refund.

We talked the other day and decided to see what we could put together for September - possibly coinciding with My birthday.

[Stone-Butch]

Waiting for my concert on Sept 10, got my tickets printed out and paid for and room rented. I can hardly wait. My brother and I are going together.

[Reach *BANNED*]

The weekend of My birthday and what will hopefully take place around that time.

[Bèsame*]

Maybe you didn't ask for this chapter of your story, the one that feels like a winding road with no end in sight. Yet. Here you are, with fortitude. Showing up for e very turn in the path.

Like a river curving and carving along the edges of the bank. You are a force to be reckoned with. Here to become who you really always meant to be.

[BullDog]

That I deserve to be loved with as much commitment, passion, focus, and intensity that I love. Its one of the things that has been on my mind a lot lately. I have been loved and treated very well but I haven’t experienced that kind of love. I thought I did once but it didn’t last. I have been single for a long time and probably will remain so but if I were ever to be in a relationship again I know what I need and deserve. I also know that kind of love takes time and continues to expand and deepen over time. It’s not instant.

[Stone-Butch]

Back on the date search. Last one did not work out at all. Life is like that eh.

[Bèsame*]

[Bèsame*]

[clay]

Very happy to finally know a diagnosis......very saddened to hear prognosis

Just thinking about options, mulling Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville...my wife...

[Orema]

This, this, and this but mostly getting my knee joint replaced. I have an appointment with the surgeon in a couple weeks. I passed the stress test, though I may still need another cardio approval, and I think all my ducks (insurance, co-pay, after-surgery care, etc) in a row. Am looking forward to being on the other side of this.

[GeorgiaMa'am]

Calculating the precise amounts of Benadryl, dextromethorphan, guaifenisin, codeine and Jim Beam that will keep me from coughing and dry out my lungs without making me hallucinate. This is an everchanging calculation that shifts throughout the day and night depending on how I feel.

Why don't I just follow the instructions? Nah, that never works.

[Kätzchen]

Will you-know-who and all his co-conspirators get the comeuppance they fully deserve, and will it include wearing prison garb??? Will DOJ actually carry out justice on behalf of The People??


<<<<<<~~~ fingers crossed. x4cazillionwishescometrue

[nina03]

I hope this is not out of place in this thread.

Content note: discussion of suicide and mental illness. Protect your well-being as needed.

This is really long, but it's important, so please read it if you are able.

So I found out that a performer I've really loved, Stephen “tWitch” Boss, died by suicide this morning. It really hit me hard for a couple of different reasons. First, his joy was infectious. Watching anything he did just made me smile every single time. He was brilliant, talented, and seemed so kind. His death is a loss for a lot of people. (Yes, depressed people can both have infectious joy and still have depression. Depression is an illness, not just a feeling.)

The second reason it hit home is how he died. I have struggled with suicidal ideation since I was a child. I don't usually talk about this because there is so much stigma about mental illness, but I live my life out loud about pretty much everything else, so it's time to talk about this, too.

There are a few different reasons I'm still here. The first is that I have an amazing community of love and support. I've had friends who have shown up for me in a myriad of ways. You may not even know that you've done something that has helped me in any way, but chances are you have. Friends and a great spouse aren't enough, though. They can listen, but they aren't qualified to make a treatment plan or help me adhere to it.

The other reason I'm still here is because I am privileged enough to have access to excellent mental health care. I have a therapist who works with me every week. I see a psychiatric nurse who helps me with medication, and I'm working with a naturopath to make sure I'm looking at all possible causes and treatments. Depression is not just a made-up thing that can be fixed by doing a yoga, eating more kale, or walking in a forest. All of those are great and important in a balanced life, but they are not enough. We wouldn't tell a type 1 diabetic to think themselves into producing insulin. Likewise, people with clinical depression can't think ourselves into healing the imbalances in our bodies. We need help. There are many avenues to getting that help, and this is not a statement on the validity of any of them. I just know what has helped me so far.

There is no shame in asking for that help. No shame in needing it in the first place. The real shame is that not everyone has financial access to the kind of care I have, and even for some people who need it and can afford it, they don't know that they can ask for it. The thing about depression is that it's a big fucking liar. It can convince the depressed person of all kinds of things that aren't true, like we're worthless, or a burden, or nobody will miss us. Those voices can be way louder than any of our loved ones telling us anything else, and sometimes those voices win and the rest of the world bears that loss.

I guess all of this is to say, if your brain is telling you lies about how you don't matter, and you shouldn't be here, reach out to me. Let's find a way to get you some care. You matter. So do I.

Also, here's an article from NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness) that can give some insight into this issue. If you've got it to spare, throw them a donation. They do important work. https://nami.org/Blogs/NAMI-Blog/Dec...cidal-Ideation

[Gemme]

Originally Posted by nina03

I hope this is not out of place in this thread.

Content note: discussion of suicide and mental illness. Protect your well-being as needed.

This is really long, but it's important, so please read it if you are able.

So I found out that a performer I've really loved, Stephen “tWitch” Boss, died by suicide this morning. It really hit me hard for a couple of different reasons. First, his joy was infectious. Watching anything he did just made me smile every single time. He was brilliant, talented, and seemed so kind. His death is a loss for a lot of people. (Yes, depressed people can both have infectious joy and still have depression. Depression is an illness, not just a feeling.)

The second reason it hit home is how he died. I have struggled with suicidal ideation since I was a child. I don't usually talk about this because there is so much stigma about mental illness, but I live my life out loud about pretty much everything else, so it's time to talk about this, too.

There are a few different reasons I'm still here. The first is that I have an amazing community of love and support. I've had friends who have shown up for me in a myriad of ways. You may not even know that you've done something that has helped me in any way, but chances are you have. Friends and a great spouse aren't enough, though. They can listen, but they aren't qualified to make a treatment plan or help me adhere to it.

The other reason I'm still here is because I am privileged enough to have access to excellent mental health care. I have a therapist who works with me every week. I see a psychiatric nurse who helps me with medication, and I'm working with a naturopath to make sure I'm looking at all possible causes and treatments. Depression is not just a made-up thing that can be fixed by doing a yoga, eating more kale, or walking in a forest. All of those are great and important in a balanced life, but they are not enough. We wouldn't tell a type 1 diabetic to think themselves into producing insulin. Likewise, people with clinical depression can't think ourselves into healing the imbalances in our bodies. We need help. There are many avenues to getting that help, and this is not a statement on the validity of any of them. I just know what has helped me so far.

There is no shame in asking for that help. No shame in needing it in the first place. The real shame is that not everyone has financial access to the kind of care I have, and even for some people who need it and can afford it, they don't know that they can ask for it. The thing about depression is that it's a big fucking liar. It can convince the depressed person of all kinds of things that aren't true, like we're worthless, or a burden, or nobody will miss us. Those voices can be way louder than any of our loved ones telling us anything else, and sometimes those voices win and the rest of the world bears that loss.

I guess all of this is to say, if your brain is telling you lies about how you don't matter, and you shouldn't be here, reach out to me. Let's find a way to get you some care. You matter. So do I.

Also, here's an article from NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness) that can give some insight into this issue. If you've got it to spare, throw them a donation. They do important work. https://nami.org/Blogs/NAMI-Blog/Dec...cidal-Ideation

I felt the same way when I found out about tWitch.

Excellent article.

As for myself, my thoughts are a wee bit too jumbled to untangle tonight but the ole noggin is just a'hummin' away.

[GeorgiaMa'am]

It's the 18th of December and I have not watched one single, solitary Christmas movie yet this year. At some point, I will make time for the following:

• The Nightmare Before Christmas
• It's a Wonderful Life
• Auntie Mame

although I may take until New Year's to do so. No, what I'm talking about is a good old-fashioned Hallmark Channel movie. A rom com. Something that gives me all the good feels about Christmas.

Any suggestions?

[FireSignFemme]

Celebrating Christmas. Not wanting to do it. Thinking about how to bow out gracefully. Fantasizing about faking illness, pretend coming down with some nonexistent croup but knowing I won't. Bah! Humbug!

[Gemme]

Originally Posted by GeorgiaMa'am

It's the 18th of December and I have not watched one single, solitary Christmas movie yet this year. At some point, I will make time for the following:

• The Nightmare Before Christmas
• It's a Wonderful Life
• Auntie Mame

although I may take until New Year's to do so. No, what I'm talking about is a good old-fashioned Hallmark Channel movie. A rom com. Something that gives me all the good feels about Christmas.

Any suggestions?

Auntie Mame is my FAVORITE!!!

[Orema]

Originally Posted by GeorgiaMa'am

It's the 18th of December and I have not watched one single, solitary Christmas movie yet this year. At some point, I will make time for the following:

• The Nightmare Before Christmas
• It's a Wonderful Life
• Auntie Mame

although I may take until New Year's to do so. No, what I'm talking about is a good old-fashioned Hallmark Channel movie. A rom com. Something that gives me all the good feels about Christmas.

Any suggestions?

Here are some you may like, though not all will be found on the Hallmark Channel:

• The Preacher's Wife with Denzel and Whitney and it's a remake of...
• The Bishop's Wife with Cary Grant and Loretta Young
• The Perfect Holiday with Morris Chestnut and Gabby Union
• While You Were Sleeping with Sandra Bullock and some great character actors
• The Apartment with Jack Lemmon and Shirley MacLaine
• The Shop Around the Corner with Jimmy Stuart and Margaret Sullavan
• Holiday Rush with Romany Malco and Sonequa Martin-Green

On my mind:
Christmas falls on a Sunday this year and churches will be packed, COVID or not

[GeorgiaMa'am]

Originally Posted by Orema

Here are some you may like, though not all will be found on the Hallmark Channel:

• The Preacher's Wife with Denzel and Whitney and it's a remake of...
• The Bishop's Wife with Cary Grant and Loretta Young
• The Perfect Holiday with Morris Chestnut and Gabby Union
• While You Were Sleeping with Sandra Bullock and some great character actors
• The Apartment with Jack Lemmon and Shirley MacLaine
• The Shop Around the Corner with Jimmy Stuart and Margaret Sullavan
• Holiday Rush with Romany Malco and Sonequa Martin-Green

Thanks Orema, Holiday Rush was the ticket! And it was conveniently on Netflix. I'm feeling more Christmasy already! It was a really cute movie, and Sonequa Martin-Green did not disappoint!