Power’s out open thread

October 30, 2012 By 84 Comments

(Update: Aaand we’re back. That was brief.)

If you’re reading this, it means the power is out at Slacktivist world head quarters here in Chester County, Pa. (I’ve set this up to post automatically, just in case, due to the way Hurricane Sandy is blowing the trees around here.)

Consider this an open thread for anyone with electricity to discuss whatever you like — stormy or sunny — here in comments.

Filed Under: Uncategorized 84 Comments
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  • http://mistformsquirrel.deviantart.com/ mistformsquirrel

    (;_;) Eugh that sucks.  That’s actually one of the things I was terrified would happen with my SSI app… but they seem to actually be following through on it so far so… there’s hope… maybe.

    That’s also *precisely* why I held off on applying for SSI for years – fear of rejection and the fact that I have stretches where I do extraordinarily well; so I kept thinking “Wellness is just around the corner, so why start a long process that I’ll just get rejected from because by the time it’s done, I’ll be fine?”

    I can only speak for me but it turned out to be a nasty trap in my case, since every time I’d think I was getting better I’d inevitably hit a brick wall and sink back to the bottom and have to start all over again ><

    That said, hopefully in your case it's a full fledged recovery and there's no need to worry with it (^_^) (Well heck, I hope that in mine too!)

    So sick and tired of being sick and tired.

  • http://mistformsquirrel.deviantart.com/ mistformsquirrel

    Yeah, that one was a real shocker when it came down.  The weird part is, the price to see the psychiatrist *didn’t* go up.  I don’t know what the deal is there. (Not that I’m complaining!)

  • VMink

    A hundred times, this. :(

  • MaryKaye

    It may help to know that when you start an SSRI drug or switch among them, it can take a while for things to stabilize–up to two weeks.  My doctor cited this as evidence for “We don’t know how SSRI drugs work” as the serotonin-reuptake-inhibition effect reaches its maximum in a day or two.

    I am so sorry that you’re being asked to change drugs based on insurance issues.  None of the SSRI’s are interchangeable.  (My son has been on just about all of them, so we are painfully aware of this.)  In a better world you would always be on the one that seemed to work best, but that’s not what we have in the US.

    If you would find it helpful to chat offline, I am mkkuhner at eskimo dot com.

  • rizzo

    The storm a couple months ago that dumped 5 inches of rain in two hours was worse than this in NEPA; everything but the wind gets a solid ‘meh’ from me and I only give the wind special mention because it made me rescue my garbage can…

  • Jessica_R

    I guess Romney got jealous that Ryan hogged the “pretend to care about poor people gaffe photo op” http://www.dailykos.com/story/2012/10/30/1152540/-Romney-lines-everybody-up-to-give-him-stuff-the-Red-Cross-says-it-doesn-t-want

  • http://apocalypsereview.wordpress.com/ Invisible Neutrino

    I swear it’s like they want the super-powered drills from Tengen Toppa Gurren Lagann when they dig holes deep enough to jump in and keep going.

  • Mathbard

    (((((Hugs))))) We’re here for you.

  • renniejoy

     Hugs if you want them, my dear.

    I wish you all the best. :)

  • renniejoy

    I saw a post on tumbler a while ago about using texting for a crisis (suicide?) hotline, for people who hate talking on the phone.
    I couldn’t find that post again, but I found a couple of others…

    The Love Line
    tumblr/crisis-hotline

    Hope this helps.

    Hugs to anybody who wants them. :)

  • http://www.facebook.com/jrandyowens Randy Owens

    I guess my point is – I feel like I don’t know who I am or what I’m even supposed to be anymore.

    FWIW, I don’t believe in the concept of “what one is supposed to be.”  There’s what/who you are, and what/who you can be, and what/who you hope to be.  Granted, people with other theological views than mine will differ with this, but that’s my take.

  • http://www.facebook.com/jrandyowens Randy Owens

    Incidentally, I only just found out that a bisexual woman is one who is
    physically attracted to both men and women–which makes
    me–yes–bisexual. Who knew?

    If you don’t mind my asking, what did you think it meant before?  Or were you unaware of the existence of bisexuals?  Were you thinking of it in the biological sense?
    (Apologies in advance if this is already answered downthread where I’m headed now.)

  • http://www.facebook.com/jrandyowens Randy Owens

    Realize, according to the wonders of supply and demand, that’s exactly what the prices are doing.  “Mental health is important” = demand, prices (specifically not costs in this case) go up.  Now, bow and scrape before the majesty of the Invisible Hand of the Free Market!

  • EllieMurasaki

    Don’t make me get out the megaphone with which to shout SINGLE-PAYER FOR ALL. I don’t actually care about health care prices if it’s on the government’s dime, though if the government’s paying more than 110% of cost for any given health care service (number out of ass, admittedly, but that seems reasonable) then we need to replace the relevant government officials with people who are less stupid.

  • AnonaMiss

    Just going to chime in on the not-hating in case my lack of chiming be taken as a sign of hate. /teasing

  • Kiba

    Hugs! Lots of hugs!

    I don’t hate you and as a fellow sufferer of depression I hope you are O.K. And I can completely sympathize with being sick and tired of being sick and tired. Between my back problems (I can’t even lay on my back now with out my entire left arm going numb), hip problems, and an untreated thyroid condition it sucks when you are in pain and can do nothing about it. 

  • http://hummingwolf.livejournal.com/ Hummingwolf

    I have a very difficult time with people in RL and on the phone; I’m not sure why it’s just… eugh.

    More folks have trouble with phone calls than is generally acknowledged.  I’ve had phone-fear a few times in my life, not having any good explanation for why but quickly learning that I was not alone.

    Anyway, I don’t post here much, but I do read, and I am someone else who does not hate you.

  • P J Evans

    there were explosions at two separate ConEd facilities

    I saw video of at least one of them. It was quite impressive.

  • Fusina

    I was raised semi fundy–started out Lutheran (and the particular congregation had enough neuroses to fill several books, from which I did not escape unscathed) Mum took us from there to an AG church–and again there were a lot of neurotic people who injured me–the real question is why I am still self identifying as a christian, really–and then bounced from denom to denom before landing with the episcopalians. All of which is to explain that I didn’t understand that not everyone had “lustful” thoughts about the occasional female. By which I mean, I enjoy the sight of a well built woman like a guy–but also enjoy the sight of a well built man. All of this is trying to explain that I never really thought about it this way til recently.

    I’ve had the occasional gay friend, and from that I extrapolated that they were just people, and from there I became less inclined to go along with the familial judgement that they were evil. My best friend is bi fem. And I don’t know how to explain how I knew–I just am. Attracted to women, that is. And men. But not dogs and although I love cats, I don’t want to marry one.

    One of the times I recall was taking an aerobics class, and one of the women in the class was particularly enjoyable to watch–and apparently straight women don’t? But I did.

  • hidden_urchin

    Yeah, I can count three separate occasions when I should have gone to the ER after sustaining a head injury and chose not to because I couldn’t afford it…and that was with insurance.  Between the copay and the 20% of costs that I would have had to cover it just wasn’t going to happen.

    That’s the one thing people forget to mention about insurance around here.  Even if you can afford the coverage you might not necessarily be able to afford anything else.

  • P J Evans

    Prozac I can get for 8 dollars a month.

    I get the generic version of Celexa. About $20 a month.

  • Trixie_Belden

    I’m sorry you’re having such a bad time – I know I associate your name with thoughtful comments.  If it helps, perhaps we can think that the person who typed the comment that upset you has some of their own issues that they’re not dealing with very well.

  • pinksponge

    I’m only a lurker who seldom posts, but I don’t hate you, mistformsquirrel, and I enjoy your posts and wish you well and hope that you will come out of this okay.

    Also, I love that the Slacktivist commenting community is made up of awesomely awesome people who will reach out with words of kindness and wisdom at times like this. Kudos, y’all.

    Best wishes to Fred-n-family, too.

  • SisterCoyote

     {hugs}

    I definitely don’t hate you, and I am very sorry if I’ve ever given any indication otherwise.

  • http://apocalypsereview.wordpress.com/ Invisible Neutrino

    mistformsquirrel? In line with what  Trixie_Belden said, I also associate your comments with lovely emoticons. (^_^)b

  • Nenya

    @mistharm:disqus  I, too, have got positive associations with your name. :-) I don’t know you well but your name makes me smile every time I see it, and I’ve learned to expect that the words next to the name will also be worth reading. 

    I’ve also been depressed, and grew up fundie, and turned out bisexual…and yeah, the combination can to wonky things to one’s sense of identity. That doesn’t surprise me at all, particularly the part where it isn’t always easy or quick to sort it out. 

    Look around you at all these kind Slacktifolk, eh? We consider you one of us. That’s gotta say something good about you, right? 

    In lieu of any better advice I offer a cuddly virtual blanket and your comforting drink of choice. 

  • http://mistformsquirrel.deviantart.com/ mistformsquirrel

     D’aww (~_~) thank you again all.  I went and took a loooong nap (like as in nearly 12 hours of nap!) and I’m feeling a lot better now. 

    @Invisible_Neutrino:disqus  – Hehe, I’m glad you like the smilies ^(^_^)^ I sometimes get flak for em hehe; but I can’t help it, they express my feelings better than just plain text – and they fit my personality better too; since I’m kind of a goofball when I’m not feeling all miserable (>_.<

  • http://www.facebook.com/people/Riastlin-Lovecraft/100000678992705 Riastlin Lovecraft

    While I suppose you don’t feel like you need to hear it anymore atm, I just wanna say: I don’t hate you, and in fact, I daresay I think you rock.
    EDIT: Oh, and *tacklehugs*

  • http://mistformsquirrel.deviantart.com/ mistformsquirrel

     Gah! (@_@) hehehe, thank you >_< Believe me, it's always good to hear that!

  • http://www.facebook.com/jrandyowens Randy Owens

    For the angle brackets, try (this will be difficult; I may be editing iteratively): &lt;~_~&gt; for <~_~>

  • http://www.facebook.com/people/Riastlin-Lovecraft/100000678992705 Riastlin Lovecraft

    *Bows* I live only to serve. And do add me to the list of people whom you can contact if you wanna talk with someone from here outside the blog (pretty sure my nick links to my Facebook profile), although you’ll probably rather speak with someone whose experiences mirrors your own. (While I too am bisexual, I grew surrounded by very open minded people, and don’t think I’ve ever spoken to a fundie IRL)

  • http://mistformsquirrel.deviantart.com/ mistformsquirrel

    Interesting (o.O) I was unaware you could do that!  Probably too much work for just typing smilies though; but I appreciate it just the same!

  • Diona the Lurker

    You probably don’t need this comment by now, but anyway, I don’t hate you. I can’t imagine why I would, honestly; you haven’t done anything in the least hateworthy. Oh, and as someone who experiences it herself: depression sucks. :(

  • http://mistformsquirrel.deviantart.com/ mistformsquirrel

     Believe me, even though right now this minute I’m fine; knowing I can always come back to this thread and show myself “People don’t hate you, you’re safe here”… that’s a big, BIG deal for me (._.)m I much appreciate the concern; and I wish you didn’t have to live through it too (;_;) Crappy disease!

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