Whitechapel - OPEN MIC -- the Three Act Speakeasy Thread (Closes 8th July)

Whitechapel - OPEN MIC -- the Three Act Speakeasy Thread (Closes 8th July) Wed, 19 Jun 2013 12:26:21 -0700 http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/ Lussumo Vanilla 1.1.4 & Feed Publisher OPEN MIC -- the Three Act Speakeasy Thread (Closes 8th July) http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=10721&Focus=334478#Comment_334478 http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=10721&Focus=334478#Comment_334478 Sun, 17 Jun 2012 15:36:07 -0700 Horrible Warning Si
The THREE ACT SPEAKEASY is here for you to vent, to express, and to learn. This is your chance to perform -- but you're also in the audience, guv, and are expected to behave as such. So your skits at the steely Whitechapel microphone will ALL and ALWAYS be divided into three sections:

1: The Boo. The Get-It-Off-Your-Chest. The "I've-Had-A-Shit-Week-And-I-Need-To-Vent". Your chance to scream silently into the face of Internet apathy, and trepan your pressurized consciousness. Deposit your spleen here.

2: The Huzzah. Wherein you tell us something which goes just a teensy way to mitigating the effects of the psychic turd you just laid on our heads. Perhaps it's a tiny hint of hope in an otherwise bleak situation. Perhaps it's an unrelated Thing Which Happened which made you smile rather than frown. Shit, maybe it's just a silly joke. Show us you can cope as well as carp.

3: The Applause. You will choose one of your fellow whitechapellers, from this same thread. Doesn't have to be the person who posted before you - just someone whose story touched you. And you will offer them a word of advice, or comfort, or support, to help them with their own SECTION 1 Whinge. Doesn't have to be much. A sentence, a word, a bloody emoticon - whatever. Just a paltry donation to the art of Thinking Of Others. And try to avoid schmaltz, please, or the Urethral Maggots will feast anew. Circle of life, kids.

Naturally, the first person to respond here is excused from Stage 3.

Begin. ]]> OPEN MIC -- the Three Act Speakeasy Thread (Closes 8th July) http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=10721&Focus=334483#Comment_334483 http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=10721&Focus=334483#Comment_334483 Sun, 17 Jun 2012 16:06:24 -0700 Paprika
But I got to hear Zane Ibrahim speak about bush radio on Saturday and it was like a wave of warmth and passion washing over everyone. Hearing him speak about how they united their townships under apartheid in South Africa with just a hint of the risks and sacrifices made. Well it was one of those moments that you realise you are in exactly the right place at the right time.

As I'm first I'm going to applaud all of you. Keep being strange, keep standing out, keep your community alive! ]]> OPEN MIC -- the Three Act Speakeasy Thread (Closes 8th July) http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=10721&Focus=334507#Comment_334507 http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=10721&Focus=334507#Comment_334507 Sun, 17 Jun 2012 23:51:27 -0700 dnewling hate shanks!

The Hurrah: We are pretty much set for digital tv, which takes effect tomorrow.

Applause: To Paprika, for escaping pretty much unscathed from the train accident apart from scalding water. ]]> OPEN MIC -- the Three Act Speakeasy Thread (Closes 8th July) http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=10721&Focus=334510#Comment_334510 http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=10721&Focus=334510#Comment_334510 Mon, 18 Jun 2012 00:25:46 -0700 razrangel
Yay: New home away from home is made of cool, clever people. They've hooked me up with way more than a couch and shower. And it's just the way it goes here, people come and go all the time. And one of my "roommates" (another couch surfer) hooked me up with a ton of music. No rationale, it's sharing. I get on other people for such "stealing" but am easily mollified by the idea of giving back to the artist eventually. Just this time I take without repentance. It's hard when we're bunch of people just holding on, trying to make things better and music is a way to light up the darkness till we get there. I haven't gotten a whole album of new (to me) music in almost three years. So pardon me while I float away on an aural cloud of industrial happy yum.

@paprika - sometimes people think they're funnier than they are, and no one dares say otherwise. Sometimes it's perspective, those far from the situation can laugh, those close are in pain. But press on, love, forgive and you'll give yourself everything you need to make it through, as well as your son. Take good care. ]]> OPEN MIC -- the Three Act Speakeasy Thread (Closes 8th July) http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=10721&Focus=334555#Comment_334555 http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=10721&Focus=334555#Comment_334555 Mon, 18 Jun 2012 13:04:20 -0700 Rootfireember
Huzzah: Service dog official papernes is like, all official and doctor signed. :D Now I just have to save up money for the dog.

Applesauce:
@Paprika- sometimes people just don't think. Especially when it comes to people with disabilities of any type- I think they forget that people with disabilities are people, instead of cartoons and such. Also: Are you okay from the hot water burn? ]]> OPEN MIC -- the Three Act Speakeasy Thread (Closes 8th July) http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=10721&Focus=334556#Comment_334556 http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=10721&Focus=334556#Comment_334556 Mon, 18 Jun 2012 13:49:44 -0700 dorkmuffin these days my brain feels a little like this.

Huzzah: Taking photos! For things online! That are real!

Applesauce:

@Paprika, as one person who was definitely making fun of the photo, I'm sorry that came across like that. My intention wasn't to make fun of the kid, but more the idiot who put the photo together without any thought for how the finished product would look. The photo, despite intending to sell a useful product, came across as poking fun at the kid in the photo. However, I know it could totally have come across that I was making fun of the kid, and I assure you that was not my intention. Sadly, I didn't think about how to phrase it in a more careful way, and that's completely my fault. Thank you for the reminder that we all need to be a little more thoughtful.

And here's hoping you have all the burn relief spray you need. Yowch!!

@Roo, oh my god, please post pictures of the lovely puppy when it arrives. ]]> OPEN MIC -- the Three Act Speakeasy Thread (Closes 8th July) http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=10721&Focus=334557#Comment_334557 http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=10721&Focus=334557#Comment_334557 Mon, 18 Jun 2012 13:59:48 -0700 oldhat OPEN MIC -- the Three Act Speakeasy Thread (Closes 8th July) http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=10721&Focus=334585#Comment_334585 http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=10721&Focus=334585#Comment_334585 Mon, 18 Jun 2012 22:32:04 -0700 brittanica
YAY: Put in request for time off in July to go to Aquarium and to Georgia to see the Dark Knight Trilogy in IMAX w/ the fella.
BOO: But it's gonna cost about $140, before hotel and gas and stuff. Holy crap.

YAY: Spent the day w/ Dad, helping out on the farm. He sent me home w/ awesome berries and potatoes and corn.
BOO: But try as I might, I don't like corn. I feel bad; I need to eat better but I just can't make myself like veggies. Still trying though.

YAY: Trying to cut soda consumption to zero. Only had a couple in the past 4 days, so I'm feeling pretty accomplished.
BOO: But fuck I miss soda.

APPLESAUCE:
@roo- Yay about the future doggy! I hope it all happens quickly, I'm sure it's gonna help you a lot.
@razr- Wow, that sounds like a really cool place to stay. And, I'm totally w/ you on the rationalizing music piracy thing, and I'm totally understanding of throwing that aside sometimes.
@paprika- I kinda gathered that the Original Poster (I don't remember who) of the pic was totally unaware of the nature of the product, so I don't think any harm was meant. Doesn't make it any less painful, certainly...
@dorkmuffin- Woah, if your brain's feeling like that video, I think you should have an ehug. ]]> OPEN MIC -- the Three Act Speakeasy Thread (Closes 8th July) http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=10721&Focus=334588#Comment_334588 http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=10721&Focus=334588#Comment_334588 Mon, 18 Jun 2012 23:03:37 -0700 dorkmuffin OPEN MIC -- the Three Act Speakeasy Thread (Closes 8th July) http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=10721&Focus=334598#Comment_334598 http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=10721&Focus=334598#Comment_334598 Tue, 19 Jun 2012 06:52:23 -0700 Fauxhammer
Malo: My dad has the worst puppy on Earth. He goes berserk when people come over, licking and nipping and climbing about like a forty-pound cat. He won't take him to obedience school, I know it.

Noticias para la gente: Kale chips rule.

@brittanica: How do you feel about seltzer water?
@roo: yes please to see dog picture, yuss
@raz: All of the industrials! ]]> OPEN MIC -- the Three Act Speakeasy Thread (Closes 8th July) http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=10721&Focus=334625#Comment_334625 http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=10721&Focus=334625#Comment_334625 Tue, 19 Jun 2012 14:58:25 -0700 Paprika
Scald is almost gone, not so bad, although I think I scored with the woman whose lap I jumped onto holding my laptop aloft. ]]> OPEN MIC -- the Three Act Speakeasy Thread (Closes 8th July) http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=10721&Focus=334628#Comment_334628 http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=10721&Focus=334628#Comment_334628 Tue, 19 Jun 2012 15:54:47 -0700 Argos

that stuff almost physically hurts to see, especially in a place where I thought people were decent enough..

I don't think people here really meant to hurt anyone. I had an incident here myself not too long ago where we were talking about an issue that was very personal to me, and people involved in the debate didn't realize how much some of the things said hurt me, and I had that same thought process where I kind of went "really, in whitechapel of all places???" Anyway, after some some arguing I apologized for having gotten over-emotional and others apologized for having unintentionally been insensitive and things went on. I really don't think you have anything to be sorry about, sometimes we just get hurt by certain people or communities when we expect more out of them but then realize that we have to educate them, as well. I don't think I commented on the photo in question, but I remember scrolling past quickly and thinking "Well that's an odd photo" and then moving on, not having realized what the product was actually intended for. It honestly just did not occur to me because disability is an issue that I personally don't have much experience with. I think your bringing it up is a good thing because we were able to learn from it. ]]> OPEN MIC -- the Three Act Speakeasy Thread (Closes 8th July) http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=10721&Focus=334636#Comment_334636 http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=10721&Focus=334636#Comment_334636 Tue, 19 Jun 2012 17:16:03 -0700 dorkmuffin

It honestly just did not occur to me because disability is an issue that I personally don't have much experience with. I think your bringing it up is a good thing because we were able to learn from it.

What she said. I don't think you overreacted at all. In addition to being entitled to your views on this, you have a different & informed perspective that, as Argos mentioned, not everyone gets exposed to. And b'aww, you didn't come across as though you thought we were bad people, just disappointed at our lack of sensitivity. Valid! ]]> OPEN MIC -- the Three Act Speakeasy Thread (Closes 8th July) http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=10721&Focus=334657#Comment_334657 http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=10721&Focus=334657#Comment_334657 Tue, 19 Jun 2012 22:06:17 -0700 allana OPEN MIC -- the Three Act Speakeasy Thread (Closes 8th July) http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=10721&Focus=334664#Comment_334664 http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=10721&Focus=334664#Comment_334664 Wed, 20 Jun 2012 01:54:39 -0700 Rachæl Tyrell Blooooooo:

I'm feeling the beginnings of the seasonal depression that hits when I'm knocked down from the health downturn of summer. Which sucks. I hate feeling like this. Just kind of stuck in a fog of useless sad.

I wish it were at least sharp. But it's not. It's dull and smothering, with nothing to fight.

Hopefully I'll snap out of it.

But today my arms and legs have been painfully numb and tingly and clumsy all day, and it makes me useless and angry and sad and the past twenty years of fruitless effort and familial denial springs forth in my head and I get a bit anti-social. Because I'm thinky in the ways that nothing can make better.

I realized something. It was pointed out to me that the Mayo Clinic no longer takes Medicare. Now that the pre-existing condition clause no longer applies to commercial health insurance, it seems that Medicare is far less appealing to high end medical centers. It's just not worth the hassel, comparatively. Now, a few weeks ago I'd questioned why my case was turned down at the fancy doctors at The Chiari Institute, and I was told they'd review my file. The thing is, they'd already sent me back my MRIs. Any review they did would have been just looking at my list of symptoms (nearly all of which I have) and my insurance. Which is Medicare. And so they called and told me that due to the "new protocol" they couldn't help me. This year, for the first time ever, The Chiari Institute has started taking commercial health insurance.

I'm on new medications to help my weight and hair and hormone issues, and now my hair has started falling out again. I've been eating a lot of spinach and carrots, as per the diet I'm trying (and failing) to stick to, and now the skin around my nose and mouth have started to go yellow. These, and the aforementioned limb numbness, seem to be hypothyroid symptoms. It seems Hashimoto's Encephalitis causes specifically right sided badness, so... that fits. Ugh.

Hoooooorah:

I'd applied for some Social Service corrections, and now they will be taking less money out of my disability, which means I'll have enough money to slowly pay off my $2000 of bills at $15 a month after I pay rent, which is an amazing feeling.

A friend of mine has a mother who is a pituitary adenoma specialist, and she wants to meet me when she visits next week. It's been mentioned as a possibility in my MRIs, and it'd totally explain the crossed eyes and possible hypothyroidism. I have the mad hope that if it IS the case, then getting it removed and going on proper medication could rid me of the joint pain and brain fog that has been a constant in my life since I was a teenager.

Also, sometimes they put people with pituitary adenomas on human growth hormone!

Clap clap clap clap:

@dorkmuffin - thank you for that song. It's really fucking perfect right now.

@brit & dorkmufin - make the kale chips, don't buy them. (so expensive!) Also, for diet drinks, try making your own sodas out of seltzer and juice, or even using splenda based syrups (like the sugar free vanilla at starbucks). Keep in mind that sugar doesn't only do terrible things for your weight control, but your emotional control as well! The sugar high results in a mood crash, and that sucks.Also, to like corn on the cob, try boiling it like you normally would, but then use mayonaise instead of butter, and coat it in sprinkle cheese and pepper. Mmmmmmm! As far as dieting in general goes, you've got to figure out what it is that draws you to certain foods. Is it the sweet, the salt, the texture, the crunch, the tactile feeling, the hand to mouth activity? I need crunchy snacky food constantly, which is my downfall, and the hardest to battle when trying to live low-carb. ]]> OPEN MIC -- the Three Act Speakeasy Thread (Closes 8th July) http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=10721&Focus=334672#Comment_334672 http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=10721&Focus=334672#Comment_334672 Wed, 20 Jun 2012 06:29:46 -0700 flecky
I had a meeting yesterday at the treatment centre I attend about my application to go into rehab; I did my usual honesty thing, which seems to help, but I did lay it on a bit thick. Because I thought they might want to hear it, because it's the sort of thing human fuck-ups usual utter, I said, "If I relapse again I reckon that's it, I can't take it any-more, I reckon I'd rather be dead than live like that!"

You know, the usual sort of self-obsessed, self-pitying junkie shite. Thing is, though, it's sorta true - I got a bit of my confidence back, I've been interacting with people and sharing at meetings, going out and putting on a front that I'm OK-ish, even though I'm usual consumed with gut-churning fear and anxiety. I don't like it, but it's better than being on my knees craving crack and smack like some feral atrocity. Fuck that! Anger, fear, and desperation can be useful tools if you use them to your advantage.

Anyway, I got the call later, funding has been approved... and I'm shitting myself! I did a hardcore rehab when I was twenty. It was real one-minute-late-out-of-bed and you had to brush an already clean floor for hours stuff, sitting in massive groups screaming at people you hardly knew and threatening to kill them over tea-bags, having your ego dismantled to rebuild it, dressing up as bastard I-don't-know-what, having the windows blacked-out so you didn't know if it was night or day, mad fuckers getting infatuated with each other because they couldn't help it (I did it)...that sort of thing. To be honest, I loved it; I even got a job there. Ha!

But I'm not a young git now, and I'm not as tough. Things have changed, and so has rehabilitation, but people are still people; and addicts are crazy, like little children with the strop. Sometimes, us older ones can be more immature than the younger ones. The place I'm trying to get in takes druggies, alcoholics, gamblers, sex addicts etc. Reckon I'll smuggle in some whisky, a deck of cards, some porn, and have myself a par-tay!

They've also informed me that I'm not going into The Max Glatt Unit in Ealing beforehand, but instead to a place in the west end called City Roads, which is meant to be rough. Street-shit! I got no time for street-shit!

Suck-it-up!:

I get to visit the rehab, to check-it-out. I've really no idea when this could happen, but it's going to be soon-ish. I guess I've blown all chances of ever going into politics by baring myself here - a mate from the Prime Minister's family once called me a "militant bastard", so you never know. Even though I'm shitting it, I realize that the only constant is change, and through pain and suffering comes growth. Shit, I sound like a hippy Peter Parker going on about bastard responsibility. I also know I'm one of those irritating people who are hard to be around, but who you actually miss when they've really gone. Double-Ha!

The Empathoids:

@oldhat: I was sorry to read that about your brother, and I admire you for bringing it up to support Paprika.
@Rachael: Even though I'm getting around without using a cane at the moment, my legs are numb and tingly. Some days are better than others, so I feel for you.

Sorry about my grammar and shit word construction thingy. ]]> OPEN MIC -- the Three Act Speakeasy Thread (Closes 8th July) http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=10721&Focus=334678#Comment_334678 http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=10721&Focus=334678#Comment_334678 Wed, 20 Jun 2012 09:14:58 -0700 Rachæl Tyrell TENS unit? It might help get your legs going. They are awesome tiny boxes of electrical joy. Also! When I was on the psych floor of a ghetto hospital in NJ, they gave me the room all the way at the end of the hallway that had it's own bathroom. Before I moved in, that room had been where the crew of latinos had been sneaking cigarettes. When I took residence in there, I continued to let them do so, which endeared them to me. We had a party in my room one night, pretending the one grimy menthol butt we took turns with in the bathroom was a joint, that our juice cups were 40's of beer, that our cookies were made of hash. PAR-TAY indeed! ]]> OPEN MIC -- the Three Act Speakeasy Thread (Closes 8th July) http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=10721&Focus=334723#Comment_334723 http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=10721&Focus=334723#Comment_334723 Wed, 20 Jun 2012 19:32:57 -0700 brittanica Seltzer water, by itself... that's like what comes out of a soda fountain when the syrup runs out, right? Ick. I've definitely been thinking about ways to experiment, and I've been drooling over that Sodastream contraption ever since I found out about them. Not something I could buy now, but I might pick up some seltzer... I do have black raspberries I was thinking of making a syrup out of anyway... hmmm...
Kale chips. Terrified of them. I'm never quite able to put my finger on the reason I don't like vegetables, but it's probably mostly texture. That, and that weird cold mouth-feel stuff like lettuce has, ugh. BUT I will give it a try, honest.

But, yes! Inspiration! Thank you all! ]]> OPEN MIC -- the Three Act Speakeasy Thread (Closes 8th July) http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=10721&Focus=334728#Comment_334728 http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=10721&Focus=334728#Comment_334728 Wed, 20 Jun 2012 20:47:24 -0700 dorkmuffin @brittanica, yowzers. We need to figure out a way to get you to like veggies. I mean, you like plain berries, right? Being that your folks grow berries and all? As for seltzer, it's just water with bubbles in it. If you're really trying to eat healthier, you could start by transitioning to homemade seltzer that you sweeten with Crystal Light or some equivalent, but I've got to second what @Rachael said a while back there:

If you can cut sweets and salts out of your diet for a while, you don't crave them the same way. Especially sugar: sugar has a pretty addictive character, as far as foods go. I go through phases where I'm a total sugar FIEND, but it's only ever brought on by myself. If I cut sugars out of my diet, I don't actually want them.

As far as the veggies go, getting them fresh helps. However, if you find that you really hate the taste of veggies, I'd start by hiding them in foods. Thanks to overactive mothers with internet connections, there are a whoooole wealth of recipes out there that have hidden vegetables. Zucchini bread, especially if you can cut some of the oil and refined sugar out by using unsweetened applesauce, is probably a great place to start. Do you like spice breads, muffins, and cakes? They're perfect for hiding veggies in, and you can add whole grains. Think carrot cakes. OOOH OOOH also soups if you don't like cold veggie textures. Or stuffed green peppers! That might be pushing it but I love stuffed green peppers.

Also, while it may take a while and you may never fully love vegetables, I find that making things with fresh ingredients can go a long way. Taking a while to prepare something that is healthful and flavorful can be pretty rewarding.

I forget, do you live with your fella? Because if so, he may be really valuable support in a quest to eat more healthfully. Hell, he may even do it with you (best case scenario). I mean for me eating healthier food is never just about maintaining a good weight, it's primarily about treating my body really well and feeling truly satisfied after I finish a meal without feeling like I need to sleep for a week.

I say all this cuz I have crazy food allergies that were diagnosed a few years back, and while I was raised in a pretty healthful house, having to eat around the food allergies made me pay attention to what I actually put in my body in ways I never would have otherwise. Maybe you can give yourself short-term goals? Like "no x" for a week and "eat x servings of vegetables a day." Change up the challenges weekly or monthly. Or maybe start introducing one or two healthful meals into your weekly meal plan.

WOW sorry, I totally wrote you a novella.

EDITED TO ADD: If you're interested in pulling sweets out of your diet entirely (I don't know if you are, but I find that it's pretty satisfying), artificial sweeteners are good as an intermediary but they don't eliminate the cravings for sweets. They just don't. So scaling back on those will end up being important. ]]> OPEN MIC -- the Three Act Speakeasy Thread (Closes 8th July) http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=10721&Focus=334729#Comment_334729 http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=10721&Focus=334729#Comment_334729 Wed, 20 Jun 2012 21:01:39 -0700 oldhat OPEN MIC -- the Three Act Speakeasy Thread (Closes 8th July) http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=10721&Focus=334731#Comment_334731 http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=10721&Focus=334731#Comment_334731 Wed, 20 Jun 2012 21:13:15 -0700 Argos OPEN MIC -- the Three Act Speakeasy Thread (Closes 8th July) http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=10721&Focus=334732#Comment_334732 http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=10721&Focus=334732#Comment_334732 Wed, 20 Jun 2012 21:16:07 -0700 brittanica
And I'm serious, guys, thank you. I'm hitting the usual upswing I get right after I crash emotionally, where I want to change everything about my life, so maybe I can actually start out w/ some small steps for once and not fall back into my old habits! ]]> OPEN MIC -- the Three Act Speakeasy Thread (Closes 8th July) http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=10721&Focus=334733#Comment_334733 http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=10721&Focus=334733#Comment_334733 Wed, 20 Jun 2012 21:23:03 -0700 oldhat
Also if money is tight, shopping for vegetables in a market is SO CHEAP. The cost of the ingredients for yesterday's meal was $5 and we have PLENTY left over for more.

And yeah, if people want to give the advice of this stuff on there, I'm for it! ]]> OPEN MIC -- the Three Act Speakeasy Thread (Closes 8th July) http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=10721&Focus=334740#Comment_334740 http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=10721&Focus=334740#Comment_334740 Wed, 20 Jun 2012 23:24:07 -0700 Rachæl Tyrell OPEN MIC -- the Three Act Speakeasy Thread (Closes 8th July) http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=10721&Focus=334750#Comment_334750 http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=10721&Focus=334750#Comment_334750 Thu, 21 Jun 2012 01:33:31 -0700 JP Carpenter
Still feeling exceptionally sluggish. I've fallen out of the cycle of exercise that I had got into, and have just been getting the bus everywhere. As a result, I'm feeling really fat and heavy and slow. And then that carries over into everything else. Next week, I'm going to have to try and break out of that. Well, I might be forced to Friday, because there's a bus strike in London. Have also been feeling like a complete shabby mess in terms of dress sense, so there's a fair bit of work to do on that front. Mood wise, I've just been tired and flat as opposed to bleak and angry, so that's an improvement, I really, really want my focus, my energy, and my concentration back.

Had more big chunks of the garden devastated by molluscs, which is really annoying. And what the molluscs didn't get, the appalling weather did. So far this year, the sum total of my crops has been four radishes, about a pound of chard that survived from last year, and handful of lettuce leaves. If I'm lucky, we'll get some peas and strawberries.

And, yeah, first world problems, but I'm having technology frustrations. My laptop keeps randomly crashing, also the power socket is screwed yet again, I need to take the whole thing to pieces to put another shim in the socket to stop the plug falling out. My phone has a broken USB socket so can't put any music on it, it also keeps randomly crashing. Or failing to receive e-mails. Or even calls. I had to reboot it five times today. I've ordered a new one, as my contract was up, but they're delayed, and I've no idea when it will arrive. Somebody up there is telling me to read books instead.

The Green

I had an absolutely awesome weekend. First of all, my magazine won an industry award on Friday night, which was really great. Then on Saturday I went to my friends 40th birthday celebrations in Brighton. We went out and amazing Chinese meal, then on to the pub, and then on to Simon Price's Spellbound. "80s night for people who hate 80s nights", even though we had to wait 40 min to get in. It was bloody fantastic, loads of really good music and I gave myself blisters from dancing. I got a day off work today, my partners going for her 20 week scan, and if, fingers crossed, everything is okay, we're going to go to lunch together, which will be nice. And then there's only one more day to go until the weekend.

The Other Colours of the Rainbow

@Flecky - good luck and hoping that it all works out well for you
@Britt - I found the book 'Potatoes not Prozac' pretty useful, to try and acknowledge and tackle the effect that sugar has on me. I did manage to cut it right down for a bit, now I'm less stalinist about it, but do know that I have to avoid sugar binges like the plague otherwise bad things happen to my head.... Have also found wasabi peas quite useful in avoiding sugary snacks/chocolate etc, as you can graze on them pretty slowly...
@Rachael - hope the seasonal blues don't hang about ]]> OPEN MIC -- the Three Act Speakeasy Thread (Closes 8th July) http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=10721&Focus=334756#Comment_334756 http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=10721&Focus=334756#Comment_334756 Thu, 21 Jun 2012 04:07:24 -0700 nelzbub At the beginning of this month there was a serious fire in the building three doors down from the hostel/coffeeshop where I work.
My colleague, who was working at the time, managed to evacuate the hostel rapidly and the fire brigade were able to prevent the fire spreading from the 250yr old building, which stands cheek by jowl with its neighbours.
Unfortunately two people died, one of them by jumping from a window- which was a pretty unpleasant thing for my guests to have to witness as they stumbled into the street.
I arrived after the fire was out and had to spend twelve hours behind the cordon, trying to find alternative accommodation for all the guests and negotiating with an endlessly changing cycle of police officers to allow folks to collect their belongings from the hostel. Many of them had to spend the day in pretty much their pajamas, but people had died, and they were mostly just thankful that my colleague had been so quick to get them out of any danger.
It took a couple of days for the emergency services to recover a body and make the building safe, during which time the street remained closed off and our business shut.
I didn't really know the folk who lived there, they'd only moved in a few months ago, but they used to pop in my shop for papers and the odd joint and they seemed like nice people.
A proper bummer all round.
In other shit news, our lovely dog, Monster, had to have an operation on his elbow last week. The op went well, but for the next three weeks he must rest as much as possible to allow the best chance of healing. Now because he is a bulldog cross, it is not in his nature to let a little bit of pain stop him charging and leaping about the place which has meant that he has spent most of the past week tied to a radiator and looking at us accusingly. He just doesn't get it, and my girlfriend especially is feeling very bad about it.

Some huzzahs-
I have become an uncle.
I couldn't be more chuffed for my big bro and his missus whose son was born on father's day. I will be flying over to meet the wee man very soon. I'm looking forward so much to being the big hairy Uncle who comes by and does cool stuff with him.

My girlfriend has become a magician's assistant and next month will be going to the world magic championships in Blackpool. She's very excited and I think it's very cool. Although as she is Dutch, my Debbie McGee jokes are falling pretty flat.

The coffeeshop side of my job has been going very well and for the first time this month we passed our sales targets and hence made bonus money. This is doubly good news as not only does the extra cash go a long way, it also confirms that the efforts we have made in recent months to turn the business around are working. If we can continue until the end of the year in this manner I will be very happy. Beyond that, things are very much out of our hands as we wait and see how the new laws regarding coffeeshops will be implemented or indeed, if they will be implemented at all.

A smattering of applause-
@ Flecky- was so pleased to read elsewhere that your rehab request has been approved. I wish you all the best with it- Have you got plenty of books to take with you?
@ Britt-re learning to love veggies- I have a lovely recipe for candied carrots that I'll share on the food and cooking page- I've converted a few folk with them. I also know of secrets to make brussel sprouts edible but let's not run before we can walk eh!
@ JP- sympathies for your slug problem, we have them real bad in our garden too. This year we have had some success using copper wire around our raised beds and pots - the bastards don't like it under 'em! ]]> OPEN MIC -- the Three Act Speakeasy Thread (Closes 8th July) http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=10721&Focus=334758#Comment_334758 http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=10721&Focus=334758#Comment_334758 Thu, 21 Jun 2012 04:32:25 -0700 flecky @Rachael: Thanks to you too. I've never tried the Tens unit thing, so I'll have a look at that. What you shared cheered me up, as I woke up pretty sick today.

Anyway, sorry to break format, but it's great to see everyone helping each other out. I think it's brilliant!

I'm glad your feeling better, Britt. Small steps are the best :)

EDITED TO ADD: Cheers to you too, nelzbub. I've got a bit of reading material, but I could always do with more. I'll hopefully keep you lot informed of my adventures in rehab, and let you guys know where it is. ]]> OPEN MIC -- the Three Act Speakeasy Thread (Closes 8th July) http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=10721&Focus=334874#Comment_334874 http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=10721&Focus=334874#Comment_334874 Fri, 22 Jun 2012 16:54:07 -0700 Greasemonkey
Fat! I bought a bathroom scale two weeks ago, having tried and failed to fit into my tailored suit, and it turned out I've gained sixty pounds during my stay in Canada. Have started a strict diet and exercise regimen, and now I'm hungry and tired all the time. I've lost large amounts of weight in the past when necessary, so I know the drill, but I'm not looking forward to the next few months.

BROWN SUGAR -

I was a social worker in a public housing area in the late 80's, providing the local kids with alternatives to binge drinking and taking drugs. We took groups of kids camping, fishing, out to the beach, and just generally hung out with them on Friday and Saturday nights at the community centre. Highlights included breaking up drunken fights, taking people to hospital when they overdosed, chasing off a Lebanese gang, and being visited by outlaw bikers (their president came to thank us for taking care of his son while he'd been in jail). Anyway, I received a couple of Facebook messages from the guys this month, saying thanks for keeping them out of trouble when they were kids. I'm stoked.

SYMPATHY FOR THE DEVIL:

@Flecky: Hang in there mate. ]]> OPEN MIC -- the Three Act Speakeasy Thread (Closes 8th July) http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=10721&Focus=334877#Comment_334877 http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=10721&Focus=334877#Comment_334877 Fri, 22 Jun 2012 17:37:29 -0700 dorkmuffin
FLECKY

GOOD LUCK! WE ARE ROOTING FOR YOU. ]]> OPEN MIC -- the Three Act Speakeasy Thread (Closes 8th July) http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=10721&Focus=334880#Comment_334880 http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=10721&Focus=334880#Comment_334880 Fri, 22 Jun 2012 19:15:47 -0700 chris g
Zah: After weeks of fluctuating back and forth between 181 to 184lbs the scale finally told me I'm an even 180, better than when i was at 187 earlier in the year. Got to keep it up! Also after that little warning to find new work I got online and reach out to every damn contact possible to see if anyone needed a cartoonist. Nothing concrete but I am trying to make comics/cartooning/art my new job (HA!) ughhhhh. I guess I could also try another furniture store. If the assholes that have been let go before could find new work why can't I right? arghhh.

Sauce: Britt - good luck with your diet! I got lazy with exercising but I just watch what I eat instead and it has helped me drop weight little by little. Mine is some weird poser-veggie diet where I avoid beef, bacon, candy, or deep fried variations of those things, basically anything delicious. Also I quit drinking in February. So it's mostly lots of soy based food, whole wheat breadz, 100% carrot juice and protein shakes. Mostly inspired by CM Punk and Daniel Bryan for the diets cuz I'm a big mark. ]]> OPEN MIC -- the Three Act Speakeasy Thread (Closes 8th July) http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=10721&Focus=334883#Comment_334883 http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=10721&Focus=334883#Comment_334883 Fri, 22 Jun 2012 19:49:31 -0700 allana Thumbs down: The two-week period in which I'm doing double shifts. And how tired I am. And how much I want to be at the beach. And how much my relationship is suffering. And how dirty my apartment is. And how messy and unliveable it will be when my new roommate arrives.
Thumbs up: My new roommate arrives on June 30th, during Pride weekend.
Thumbs down: I'm working pretty much all Pride weekend.
Thumbs up: All the volunteering I'm doing. Climbing trees, carrying home cherries.
Thumbs down: How many of those cherries will probably rot before I get to them.

One week, for serious. One more week. (And two days.)

@britannica, man, I wish I had advice to offer. I have the sort of metabolism that FREAKS OUT if I don't have a salad every few days. I do a lot of active stuff, but I still eat a ton of shit... I definitely love veggies, and trained myself to reject grains in favour of them (e.g. meat on salad instead of meat in a bun).
You'd have to itemize your eating habits for a week for us to see what and how we can improve. My mother is eating crazy healthy and working three jobs right now, and it's taken her a year to lose 30 pounds and get herself below 200. So ... as much as I want to say it's a lifestyle thing, it's probably more of a body-type thing. But the difficulty rating shouldn't throw you off, because a healthy body is worth it no matter what.
If it helps, you can punch me a whole bunch for having it easy. ]]> OPEN MIC -- the Three Act Speakeasy Thread (Closes 8th July) http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=10721&Focus=334934#Comment_334934 http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=10721&Focus=334934#Comment_334934 Sat, 23 Jun 2012 21:37:41 -0700 Rachæl Tyrell Hooray!

I have an idea, and even if it doesn't work, it will be worth the effort.

Drat!

It has been over ten years since anyone claimed to be in love with me or claimed to be my significant other (and she was fucking crazy, didn't like to kiss me, and physically attacked me). Since her, I dated one fellow for three months, had a weird and terrible situation with a fellow I lived with for two years, ended up a few years with the guy who (insisted that we were just friends and) broke my heart two years ago, and then eventually dated a fellow for about a month until he started avoiding me without explanation. I don't remember what it'd be like to be physically affectionate and comfortable with someone anymore. I'm growing more awkward and apart from understanding human interaction than I already was. Am I going to have to actually seek out and pursue people? Scary.

ENCORE!

@Flecky - If you send us your address, Flecky, can we mail you things? I'll mail you things.

@Greasemonkey - It's awesome ro feel appreciated. ]]> OPEN MIC -- the Three Act Speakeasy Thread (Closes 8th July) http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=10721&Focus=334941#Comment_334941 http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=10721&Focus=334941#Comment_334941 Sun, 24 Jun 2012 00:15:25 -0700 Dextra
Huzzah - Started a new job this week. So far it's good. Mentally challenging, since I've been working as a barista (and effectively NOT using my brain so much) for the last several months. But that's also a good thing. I had quit the old job a couple weeks back, due to it being a problem for my poor destroyed skin. So I did a limited run of commission offers, and ended up having to turn people away. As it is with the new job (and the stress of dealing with the fire) I'm having trouble finding the time to get them done now. But I will.

Applause - @chris g - I don't know what you're looking for as far as jobs go, but seeing as you were in a customer service related job, that can actually carry you to a lot of other even slightly related fields. I'm going into insurance myself. I applied to the job just to feel like I accomplished something one day, and they called me a few days later, and now I'm in. So don't let lack of experience deter you. But if you're really wanting to make it a go with art, ODesk is supposedly a good place to start. I have a friend that's been using it for a while and has gotten a few freelance gigs that way. ]]> OPEN MIC -- the Three Act Speakeasy Thread (Closes 8th July) http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=10721&Focus=334955#Comment_334955 http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=10721&Focus=334955#Comment_334955 Sun, 24 Jun 2012 09:27:31 -0700 flecky
Crap, I was meant to have been greeting people on the door for an NA meeting down Portobello Rd earlier, but I couldn't get my shit together. It's no biggy, as they probably can't remember me volunteering for it. They'll understand, as I've been feeling pretty rough these past few days. I hate to say I'm going to do something and not see it through, though; in the past it was my downfall, as I used to let people put unrealistic expectations on me, and when I couldn't do something I'd let them judge me as unreliable. Which is not good, nope! Shit, when I was a workaholic I held down five part-time jobs at the same time, from barman in a cool bar to wiping arses in an old folks home! I now see some of these people as utter control freaks (not customers in the bar and old folk - supposed mates and some family!) I can handle people giving me advice and suggestions, even when it's tough to accept, but I despise control. Hate It!

I'm keeping an open-mind about maybe relocating after rehab, as there are too many entrenched memories where I live in London, and none of them are good. Shepherds Bush has got a bad rep, and the police seem to be scared of White City. They seem more set on stopping random cars on the main road than going in there. I don't know, maybe they just think they'll create a vacuum for the new scum if they clean-up the present. There's nothing I can do to about all that, though; just accept the bad and protect myself from it, even if it gets to me at times.

SNEERING AT THE MADNESS

I have to laugh, or else I'd cave-in. I'm experiencing emotions and sensations I've not felt for fucking years, and they feel just the same as when I was a kid. Except my hardware, my body, is wrecked. I'm listening to new music and getting the same buzz from it as if I was a teenager. I hope this isn't a sign of senility, but if it is I can live with it. I burst into a woman's only meeting the other day by accident. Women addicts with their kids. I didn't even notice as I said, "I'm here for the meeting, where's the toilet, I'm dying for a piss!" Women addicts and their kids tend to look at me weird sometimes, like then. I told 'em I'd return when I'd changed my sex. I think they felt sorry for me. I walked home laughing uncomfortably, looking at normals with miserable intent...bastard mundanes!

WHEN I GROW UP I WANT TO BE LIKE YOU

@Dextra: That wildfire sounds heavy, and I hope your OK.
@Greasemonkey, Dorkmuffin: Thank ye kindly, good people.
@Rachael: Cheers! If it's cool to, I'll put the address of the place on here when I know. ]]> OPEN MIC -- the Three Act Speakeasy Thread (Closes 8th July) http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=10721&Focus=334958#Comment_334958 http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=10721&Focus=334958#Comment_334958 Sun, 24 Jun 2012 10:08:21 -0700 Steve Toase
The boo. Got a mate around to look at my motorbike engine as it hasn't been running right. After a few tests looks like the engine is shot. Compression has gone on one cylinder so it will either need a complete engine rebuild or a new engine. With a baby on the way and having just forked out £2000 on a new boiler and new flat roof this isn't probably going to be happen anytime soon (But I'm not going to be getting rid of any of my bikes just because we have a kid on the way, neither is my wife who has two motorbikes), but has knocked me a bit because as a work at home freelancer I was looking forward to having some transportation back on the road.

The yey. I've just finished 80,000 words of my novel. I started on the 31st March with a short story and have got myself motivated everyday to sit down and work to a word count. The story isn't complete, and there is lot of editing to do, but I'm really chuffed to have the words on the page, and learnt a lot in the process.

@JP Carpenter good luck with the exercise. I've found that when I get a disruption to the day it knocks me out of my exercise pattern, and need to get that routine set back up.Hope you can turn that on its head and use the disruption to get the exercise back in to your day. ]]> OPEN MIC -- the Three Act Speakeasy Thread (Closes 8th July) http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=10721&Focus=335004#Comment_335004 http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=10721&Focus=335004#Comment_335004 Sun, 24 Jun 2012 20:08:29 -0700 trini_naenae I'm really fucking tired. My feet hurt. My dad pulled the "my one wish as a father is that everyone in the family has faith in Jesus" crap during our belated father's day meal, which just made me want to scream at him about all the different ways his faith in Jesus has made his family's life really messed up. Yesterday I went to a event about a medical missions trip to the country of my birth, mostly out of curiosity. And while the speaker acknowledged that he went to the poorest ghetto of the country, he wouldn't stop talking about how bad things were in the country. Five minutes of yep this country is actually well developed and actually even kind of wealthy and very educated etc, and an hour of OMG cold water showers and violence and the fruit could make you sick and I didn't get to have proper milk in my cereal, blah blah blah. Cue eyerolls from my mom and I. The fruit is perfectly fine. Most people have hot water in their showers. If he had gone to the supermarket and bought his own milk, he could have had proper milk. You were in the fucking ghetto, of course it is violent. You are from small town Wisconsin, this is a country of 1.5 million. Why the hell did I go? If I had managed a post last week, I would have ranted about a friend/co-worker who cannot believe that yes indeed I am tired all of the time, and no I do not know why, yes I have tried to find out, no eating your special diet isn't going to fix it, just because I don't have a disease beyond depression doesn't mean it isn't real. Granted, this is coming from someone who doesn't believe in psychiatry/psychology but does believe in astrology. And prone to arguing. I'm probably going to miss the most important day of the family reunion that my mom is planning. I have a shitton of cleaning to do. Did I mention how tired I am?

Good:
Idiot friend seems to have realized that I really am tired all of the time, and is willing to agree to disagree on some things. Met with my therapist on Friday, who gave me good pointers in dealing with him. The reason I'm so tired is because I got a second job (that pays more per hour than my first job) and I now work Saturdays and Sundays every other weekend, which means actually putting money into savings instead of taking money out. And hopefully replacing my netbook. Granted, I had to work two weekends in a row, but bills should be less daunting.

Other People Are Quite Interesting:
@razrangel: It sounds like other people's problems are wearing out your love for theater. That sucks. Glad you've got some cool people to hang out with. :)

@Rootfireember: I hope you're able to get the dog soon.

@brittanica: Most other people are significantly more clever with veggie hiding than I am, but I can most certainly second the idea of doing meat with stir fried veggies and a delish sauce. You can be super lazy and get frozen veggies mixed for stir fry. I am usually a lazy cook.

@Fauxhammer: I suppose there isn't a way to sneak the puppy into obedience school. Also, Hah, blessed virgin's cleavage? Must be something special.

@Rachael: I hope the pituitary gland specialist can help you. Is there anything in particular that makes summer so hard for you? I wish I had information on how to make it better.

@flecky: Kudos for keeping on. Best of luck with rehab.

Augh I think my brain is done for now. Hopefully I'll manage responding to page 2... sometime. ]]> OPEN MIC -- the Three Act Speakeasy Thread (Closes 8th July) http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=10721&Focus=335027#Comment_335027 http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=10721&Focus=335027#Comment_335027 Mon, 25 Jun 2012 02:24:41 -0700 sneak046
I do not read thru WC posts/threads particularly diligently so I have only just realised there was an issue to address.

There is contact info in my profile so if *anyone* ever has a problem with something I have posted then please feel free to contact me directly with your issues and I will do my best to assuage your concerns, as I do not feel that back and forth posting on the forum pages is necessarily the ideal place for such discussions. I do not bite. ]]> OPEN MIC -- the Three Act Speakeasy Thread (Closes 8th July) http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=10721&Focus=335191#Comment_335191 http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=10721&Focus=335191#Comment_335191 Wed, 27 Jun 2012 05:58:08 -0700 ErikCJones
Huzzah- I have an amazing girlfriend who makes me very happy after a shit week at work.

Applause- @Brittanica, I haven't had a soda since February and literally have dreams about drinking Dr. Pepper, then wake up feeling like a filthy addict. To quell my craving for something sweet, I usually have a vitamin water now. Not exactly the same, but it's different from water or unsweet tea, which is all I usually drink. ]]> OPEN MIC -- the Three Act Speakeasy Thread (Closes 8th July) http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=10721&Focus=335195#Comment_335195 http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=10721&Focus=335195#Comment_335195 Wed, 27 Jun 2012 08:30:37 -0700 Vornaskotti
The move is almost over, I spent the whole day yesterday cleaning up the old apartment, carrying the last of my stuff out, feeling feverish and having a bad allergic reaction to something. Today I'm sick at home, feeling mentally totally drained, and I just found out that I've overdrawn my Visa again because of the moving costs. The last three weeks, in addition to the last couple of years, has totally sapped me of strength right now. Now even the thought of going to work makes me cringe. Feels like every anchor point in my life has been dug up, which certainly gives me ambivalent feelings.

YAYBALLS:

On the other hand, the move is almost over now, it's just a matter of handing over the keys and such. I have two days of work, then three weeks of paid holiday, which I sorely need. I love the new apartment, I just got more plants here, and almost all the shit has been shelved, sold or otherwise stored so this feels like a home, not "work in progress". I'll be totally broke for the first two weeks of the holiday, but fuck that - I'll just sleep in, read books and comics, and do a bit of writing and gaming.

GO GO GO:

@flecky - Keep up the good stuff. ]]> OPEN MIC -- the Three Act Speakeasy Thread (Closes 8th July) http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=10721&Focus=335205#Comment_335205 http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=10721&Focus=335205#Comment_335205 Wed, 27 Jun 2012 10:53:53 -0700 oldhat
- Problems with the ad caused a few breakdowns/freakouts/murderous rampages. Won't go in to boring detail, but will just say that it's dealing with a company with too many people and people who always seem to be out on lunch break and never get back to anyone all day.

- Been neglecting the gym. There are some good reasons and bad excuses. Need to fix that as I feel ze flab.

- Intense, -doubled-over-in-pain-on-the-floor-screaming stomach pains have been going on. If they persist it's to the doctor with me.

FUCK YES:

- Can't express how happy I am hanging out and talking with reunited friend again.

- Ad problems from above? DONE. SORTED. Celebrating with either a drink or a cup of gelato. Either way FUCK YES.

- Been getting some surprisingly deep, restful sleeps lately. Weird to wake up and feel rested.

- Some people were so impressed with me at the Session 99 Craft Beer Festival (though I'm stumped as to how I got on the train to go home), that I've been asked by two people to be interviewed. One is for another beer blogger and another is for a geek podcast. Exciting!

- Had to purchase it, but I'm getting my first TV appearance as The Thirsty Wench delivered. Youtube videos may happen.

FUCKING YAY:
@flecky GOOD LUCK!!!!! ]]> OPEN MIC -- the Three Act Speakeasy Thread (Closes 8th July) http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=10721&Focus=335212#Comment_335212 http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=10721&Focus=335212#Comment_335212 Wed, 27 Jun 2012 12:41:32 -0700 JP Carpenter My eldest daughter is being bullied at school. Persistently, and it's been going on for some time. A cabal of girls, not all in her class is ostracising her, threatening her, galvanising other kids and even dinner staff against her, and on occasion physically hurting her - she was dragged along a wall grazing her leg and has been shoved around a few times. The school appears to be doing bugger all, even though she's spoken to the teachers about it, and we've previously raised concerns about how she's integrating. She's really upset, a lot of the time, has lost enthusiasm for many things and has gone really introverted.

The latest thing is that a group of them have all written to the teacher about her complaining that she's doing all the things to them that they're doing to her; clearly bullshit as a single small , slight nine year old can't really tyrannise a dozen...

My partner told me that tonight - I've not had much sleep all week and am running on empty on all levels, but that's knocked me for six. I had years of that shit, years of it. As did my partner. If you're a bit different, or don't fit, the pack turns on you. So the idea of my girl going through what we did has made me angry and upset beyond belief, I can hardly speak I'm so fucking upset and hurt. I don't want her being crushed like I was, and I just don't know what to do - she's pleading with us not to kick off because she's petrified that it will make things worse and I'm scared she's right. I can just see years of emotional pain and physical fear for her and I want to protect her from it but I don't know how.

On top of that, I'm angry with both my daughters' schools. Yesterday, American Evangelicals visited to talk about Jebus. Yeah - fine, they're Church of England schools, I accept that, what I don't accept is a seven year old being given a bookmark which says pretty much 'you're a sinner and only we can save you'. Listen America, these are YOUR pigfuckers, keep them over there yes ?

Also lost my phone on the train Monday - it was on the way out, cranky and with a faulty usb socket - but I didn't want to lose it... Insured, so if it doesn't make its way to the railway lost property I'll claim, but bloody hell, did I feel like I'd lost a limb until its replacement turned up, it's frightening how much of a sucker I am...

And finally, despite several hours of work on it on Saturday the power socket on my laptop has died so the battery won't charge properly.

HOORAY AND UP SHE RISES
I got a new phone... Samsung Galaxy S3, love it so far... Managed to get a 20% discount on line rental through work, so am paying less than I was before, which is pretty cool. Also have ordered a new laptop - found a place selling Lenovo X201 tablets for about a quarter of what they were a couple of years back, I'd planned to upgrade in a couple of years, but nobody seems to be making high end convertible windows pcs any more at any kind of price I can afford, so bit the bullet now. I was going to buy suits and fix the car, but fuck it, that can wait, there's always gaffer tape and mending fabric...

Also got holiday booked, so we'll actually go away this year, I'm pleased about that - although daughter wanted to go abroad, we can't afford that but it's pretty good we'll get a proper holiday

WHAT SHALL WE DO WITH THE DRUNKEN SAILORS?
@Vorn - glad the move's over, hope you can enjoy settling in and chill out during your time off... I'd kill for a three week break...

@Steve Toase - thanks - I've made the effort this week to eat less and exercise more, and DO STUFF, which is paying off already...
@Dextra - congrats on the job, hope it works out...
EVERYONE ELSE - stay cool ]]> OPEN MIC -- the Three Act Speakeasy Thread (Closes 8th July) http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=10721&Focus=335216#Comment_335216 http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=10721&Focus=335216#Comment_335216 Wed, 27 Jun 2012 13:40:22 -0700 dorkmuffin
If you wanted to start a thread, I would gladly contribute some stuff to it. If she doesn't want to talk about being bullied, would it help her to get in touch with people with similar interests who can give her a bit of mentorship/encouragement? I know you guys are probably doing a ton of amazing stuff for her, but sometimes non-parental adult encouragement can go a long way.

Seriously though, that sucks a ton. Let us know if we can do anything. I can think of at least three people on these boards who would draw pictures of her as a superhero... It may not help her immediate situation, but at the very least, it might lift her spirits. ]]> OPEN MIC -- the Three Act Speakeasy Thread (Closes 8th July) http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=10721&Focus=335225#Comment_335225 http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=10721&Focus=335225#Comment_335225 Wed, 27 Jun 2012 15:51:40 -0700 dnewling
@The Hurrah: I think I need smelling salts - I made it to Bleedingcool for the very first time!

@JP Carpenter: I'm so sorry to hear your daughter is being bullied. I had bullying problems at school too, though never as severe as that.

Well, the first thing I'd do is take your daughter out of that school and get some counselling for her. If you can afford it, homeschooling her might be the thing. Have you spoken to higher authorities, such as the school governors or education officer, or even the police? Somebody even went as high as the Pope when her son was bullied in a Catholic school. And wouldn't you know it - the Pope was the only person who did something for the boy; the others couldn't care less!

And if the school isn't being effective in tackling the problem, how about asking your local newspaper to run a feature on it? Some months ago the local paper ran articles on bullying problems in my old high school and the difficulties the school was having in tackling it. Those articles aren't running now, so perhaps they did the trick.

And your daughter can't be the only one to be suffering, so perhaps you and other parents of bullied children could get together to form a support and action group. A group would be more effective in getting action than individual parents. ]]> OPEN MIC -- the Three Act Speakeasy Thread (Closes 8th July) http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=10721&Focus=335234#Comment_335234 http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=10721&Focus=335234#Comment_335234 Wed, 27 Jun 2012 16:42:18 -0700 trini_naenae OPEN MIC -- the Three Act Speakeasy Thread (Closes 8th July) http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=10721&Focus=335239#Comment_335239 http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=10721&Focus=335239#Comment_335239 Wed, 27 Jun 2012 17:45:26 -0700 Dextra
Huzzah: I'm just thankful that we're all safe, and I'm getting out to go stay in Denver with some loved ones this weekend. I just need to get away from the smoke.

@JP - I went through something similar as your daughter when I was her age. We ended up having to get the authorities and protective orders in place to finally get it under control. Schools won't do jack.

Also, we Americans don't want the pigfuckers either, but they keep multiplying... ]]> OPEN MIC -- the Three Act Speakeasy Thread (Closes 8th July) http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=10721&Focus=335252#Comment_335252 http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=10721&Focus=335252#Comment_335252 Wed, 27 Jun 2012 21:17:23 -0700 dorkmuffin The Boo:

I'm shopping for my own dishes & cutlery. For those of you that DON'T know, I have celiac disease which means that very small amounts of gluten, a protein commonly found in most foods (well, grains), gives me fucking awful stomach aches. Even very tiny amounts. It also does other things like damage my small intestine, make me unable to absorb nutrients, and maybe be infertile and get cancer if left unchecked, but you know, stomach aches.

And the boyfriend and I don't have a dishwasher.

This means that once in a very very very blue moon, I get a stomach ache from one of us not having washed a dish properly. One such day was tonight, when, after finishing dinner I got a horrible stomach ache and almost wanted to vomit and am now feeling lingering effects that could last up to a week.

Therefore, I'm buying myself a set of bright red dishes, a colander, and separate cutlery to be washed with a separate dish brush/sponge. The boy is VERY good about washing but there's only so much one can do without a dishwasher. We basically already have separate pots and pans, so this is the next logical step. But still, fucking OY. DO NOT WANT TO SPEND THIS MONEY.

The WOOOOOO!

My college friends are getting married this weekend. This will be a really really fun time. And I might have an illustration gig short term.

The Apple Compote:

The above, and the YES DEX IS OUT OF HARM'S WAY! ]]> OPEN MIC -- the Three Act Speakeasy Thread (Closes 8th July) http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=10721&Focus=335270#Comment_335270 http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=10721&Focus=335270#Comment_335270 Thu, 28 Jun 2012 02:22:24 -0700 chris g Also thanks for that advice, I will do what I can with it.
I've stopped going to my job and have been stuck at home this week being a damn bed potato. It feels fucking miserable because in back of my head I'm thinking "Fuck, I wanna get out and work!" and I'm all worried and nervous a lot because money won't be coming in aside from waiting on my ebay listings to sell. Now I feel even crummier b/c my mom gave me a new digital camera the other day which I don't feel I deserve, but she thinks I do and maybe that was supposed to motivate me or something, but I don't know. Anyway, I just started painting each day to give myself something to do and take my mind off of my situation. I really hate this and it feels like I've wasted the last five years of my life and I'm back to square one, only older and with less time to do what I really want. UGH! Guess I've just got to hang on to that little bit of positivity I've got left because it's not the end of the fucking world. At least my cat still likes me but even cats can tell when you are going through a crappy time =\

@JP - Sorry about your daughter, bullying is shitty and pretty serious.
@Dorkmuffin - Wow, I wasn't aware of celiac disease. Sounds pretty serious if you need your own separate dishware to avoid it! ]]> OPEN MIC -- the Three Act Speakeasy Thread (Closes 8th July) http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=10721&Focus=335273#Comment_335273 http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=10721&Focus=335273#Comment_335273 Thu, 28 Jun 2012 02:50:34 -0700 Steve Toase It's understandable to be upset and feel the school is against you, especially if you feel your daughter is not being listened to, but given half a chance the school will work with the family to stop these types of issues.
Go in, keep calm, agree a course of action and give that course of action time to work.
Not a teacher, but there is one in the family. ]]> OPEN MIC -- the Three Act Speakeasy Thread (Closes 8th July) http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=10721&Focus=335278#Comment_335278 http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=10721&Focus=335278#Comment_335278 Thu, 28 Jun 2012 04:13:17 -0700 flecky
@Dextra: I'm glad your out of harm's way also. Damn! ]]> OPEN MIC -- the Three Act Speakeasy Thread (Closes 8th July) http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=10721&Focus=335283#Comment_335283 http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=10721&Focus=335283#Comment_335283 Thu, 28 Jun 2012 05:16:54 -0700 Steve Toase
Also the school should have an anti-bullying policy in place. Here's an example from one of our local education authorities.You should be able to get hold of it either directly from the school or the LEA. If things don't change after the first meeting you can then calmly point out where the policy has been contravened and which steps you feel they should be taking next.

York anti bullying policy

Seriously good luck with sorting this. ]]> OPEN MIC -- the Three Act Speakeasy Thread (Closes 8th July) http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=10721&Focus=335338#Comment_335338 http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=10721&Focus=335338#Comment_335338 Thu, 28 Jun 2012 14:05:26 -0700 dnewling
@Daddy Si: Can you keep the sticky on this thread a while longer so we can continue to offer JP Carpenter advice and support? ]]> OPEN MIC -- the Three Act Speakeasy Thread (Closes 8th July) http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=10721&Focus=335339#Comment_335339 http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=10721&Focus=335339#Comment_335339 Thu, 28 Jun 2012 14:31:30 -0700 Osmosis OPEN MIC -- the Three Act Speakeasy Thread (Closes 8th July) http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=10721&Focus=335351#Comment_335351 http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=10721&Focus=335351#Comment_335351 Thu, 28 Jun 2012 16:13:14 -0700 dnewling
Henry the cat

]]> OPEN MIC -- the Three Act Speakeasy Thread (Closes 8th July) http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=10721&Focus=335452#Comment_335452 http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=10721&Focus=335452#Comment_335452 Sat, 30 Jun 2012 04:41:05 -0700 texture OPEN MIC -- the Three Act Speakeasy Thread (Closes 8th July) http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=10721&Focus=335455#Comment_335455 http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=10721&Focus=335455#Comment_335455 Sat, 30 Jun 2012 05:15:15 -0700 JP Carpenter
We're following the process - we've written a letter to the teacher copying in the head detailing the issues and asking to come in and discuss. I think it's now got to the point where only two girls in her class aren't ostracising her, literally turning their backs on her if she tries to speak to them... I don't think she helps herself an awful lot, as she keeps trying to reach out and be friendly to girls who seem to take pleasure in rejecting her, nasty little toerags. She's also hyper competitive and I can imagine she might wind people up, but this isn't helping her learn to do things right

It just hit me really hard on Weds to know how bad it had got - we got her out of one situation where she was being manipulated and hurt by two other kids at her last school, and I'd really hoped she was through that. I think when you see your child hurting like that and you can't physically protect them, especially when you've been through it yourself, it cuts very deeply...

Maybe a 'parenting' thread might be cool, as I'm sure I'm not the only one with spawn-related issues good or bad?

In HUZZAHS,

got new laptop, new phone, am now SELF FACILITATED MEDIA NODE ROAD WARRIOR. And bloody hell do I love Android so far, coming from a dysfuntional symbian phone that needed rebooting every ten mins.

APPLAUSE

@Dextra, for not being incinerated... ]]> OPEN MIC -- the Three Act Speakeasy Thread (Closes 8th July) http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=10721&Focus=335582#Comment_335582 http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=10721&Focus=335582#Comment_335582 Mon, 02 Jul 2012 09:14:39 -0700 flecky
I'm not laughing at the moment, as this day has floored me. Yesterday, I woke up to find the hot water supply in my flat fucked, and I was hoping it was a temporary thing. I called on my neighbor today, to see if she had any problems with it, only to find out she has turned into a crack head. Some bitch-skank-gash-cunt from the next block (that's nothing compared to the horrible things I've been saying in my head), has been getting her into it. My neighbor, who is an OK person at heart, was letting a dealer into her flat as I called on her. The little shit walked in as if he owned her place, and I felt like smashing his face off a wall and throwing him over the balcony. I told her not to mention my problem to him, and I came back home full of fury. For a microsecond, bullshit desire was telling me to score, which filled me full of nausea and helplessness. Then the lady who's been helping me to get into rehab rang me, and the signal on my piece-of-shit phone kept going on and off.

I went to the chemist to get my tiny dosage of buprenorphine, looking for an excuse to kill. I tried to cash a cheque, only to find it one-day-expired - more bullshit! I'd not even had a coffee by then, and when I got back indoors my head was rinsed with a cluster-fuck headache and a horrible static hiss. My jeans felt like grease on my legs, and all I could hear was the stereophonic wail of sirens from the street; fucking sides of my torso aching, as if dwarves have been kicking me in my kidneys as I slept.

I dreamt I was in some foul Italian horror film last night, all stupid-seventies-cannibal-crap; being stuck in a pit with strange pygmy-people smashing in the heads of explorers, me riding on the back of this ox-thing which decided to get into a fight with a horse with cardboard false teeth...I don't know what Freud would say, but fucking Hell!!

BUTTERFLY PIXIE GOTHIC CHICK...ATTACK!!!

I suppose days like these are what is called real life, and I'll have to get used to them. Saturday was good, sitting in Kensington Gardens, absorbing rays with the New York mate and the Portuguese lithium kid. I got a bag of cheap comics, too!

On Thursday I'm travelling to Weston-super-(night)Mare. Someone is going to meet me at the station for my appointment at the rehab, so I don't have to run around in a strange place like a nutter.

LV42666

@JP: I'm glad you sound a bit better, and that your following the process and have written a letter. Hoping it all gets sorted out.
@dnewling and texture: Nice cats!
There are a few people I miss seeing come on here, and I hope the're OK. ]]> OPEN MIC -- the Three Act Speakeasy Thread (Closes 8th July) http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=10721&Focus=335589#Comment_335589 http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=10721&Focus=335589#Comment_335589 Mon, 02 Jul 2012 09:49:37 -0700 Horrible Warning Si OPEN MIC -- the Three Act Speakeasy Thread (Closes 8th July) http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=10721&Focus=335593#Comment_335593 http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=10721&Focus=335593#Comment_335593 Mon, 02 Jul 2012 10:16:06 -0700 sellmeyoursoul
The Bad - Right after I got said raise my car started acting up and then the check engine light came on. $600+ of repairs later, it's fine. But um... at what point is it more cost effective to replace the car? Doesn't matter, that bastard's going to last at least another two years.

The Awesome - @Flecky - Hang in there mate. Hopefully rehab will be all sorts of helpful and at least give you some time away from the crack dealers of the world.

@JP - Sucks about your kid being bullied. I don't really have any advice since mine's not old enough for that yet, but I've been giving some of this a lot of thought lately. You never want to see your kid suffer, but looking back, I wouldn't be half the man I am today without all those worthless shits who picked on me growing up. I'd still walk past them with nothing more than a little chuckle if I saw them bleeding in the street, but I do owe them. The problem is, that shit either makes you tough or completely breaks you. I have no idea how to help your daughter choose tough, but I suspect a supportive dad doesn't hurt. Does she have a constructive outlet for her emotions? If not, perhaps you could help her find one? ]]> OPEN MIC -- the Three Act Speakeasy Thread (Closes 8th July) http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=10721&Focus=335611#Comment_335611 http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=10721&Focus=335611#Comment_335611 Mon, 02 Jul 2012 13:36:55 -0700 JP Carpenter
Re cars/raises... yeah, money has a habit of doing that. I got a raise and a reasonable bonus this year, and immediately the boiler packed in, I had to pay for the conservatory to be fixed, my phone packed in and my laptop died.

@flecky - good luck man, the dealer next door sucks, but well done for walking away. ]]> OPEN MIC -- the Three Act Speakeasy Thread (Closes 8th July) http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=10721&Focus=335635#Comment_335635 http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=10721&Focus=335635#Comment_335635 Mon, 02 Jul 2012 18:50:53 -0700 Rachæl Tyrell
@ dorkmuffin - Egad, I'd no idea celiac could be so sensitive and dastardly!

@ JP - I think it's fabulous that you are as concerned as you are. I was utterly friendless for years when I switched schools for the 5th Grade. However, quite honestly I think that to go through this really crappy time at an early age saves a person from later hurt. It gives a person the understanding that people can be utterly shitty, and that they can't always be trusted, and that real friends are hard to come by and to be cherished. It really never ever occurred to me that parents and teachers could have any effect on that kind of situation. Kids are often just cruel. Because they are people. And people are cruel. But then, I was an only child, so perhaps being alone was easier for me to understand? ]]> OPEN MIC -- the Three Act Speakeasy Thread (Closes 8th July) http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=10721&Focus=335655#Comment_335655 http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=10721&Focus=335655#Comment_335655 Tue, 03 Jul 2012 03:48:26 -0700 dnewling
@JP Carpenter: I'm really proud that your daughter is now determined not to let the bullies beat her. ]]> OPEN MIC -- the Three Act Speakeasy Thread (Closes 8th July) http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=10721&Focus=335701#Comment_335701 http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=10721&Focus=335701#Comment_335701 Tue, 03 Jul 2012 14:03:17 -0700 dnewling OPEN MIC -- the Three Act Speakeasy Thread (Closes 8th July) http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=10721&Focus=335707#Comment_335707 http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=10721&Focus=335707#Comment_335707 Tue, 03 Jul 2012 15:10:42 -0700 Argos
It was just weird, but also very unpleasant. That was when I started getting very self-conscious about myself and developing somewhat of an inferiority complex (though there is more to that. My sister is not the easiest person to live with, and depression & anxiety just run in my family), BUT, I did eventually get over it all. Middle school was much better since I found actual friends there. High school was good because I also had actual friends there, including some who went to my first elementary school with me.

Hopefully once your daughter moves on to middle school she can find a decent social circle, but until then it might not be a bad idea to do what Dorkmuffin mentioned, getting her in touch with people who were also bullied but then came out of it alright. I'm afraid I don't have much advice as far as actually dealing with the bullying as it's happening. As I said, I never told anyone about it because it wasn't THAT bad, and it was over relatively quickly, in the grand scheme of life. I would suggest maybe finding some after school activities for her to get into where she can find some other friends who she will genuinely get along with, so that she doesn't feel lonely and like a complete outsider while this is happening (and so she learns that nothing is wrong with her so much as something is wrong with the bullies). It could also be an activity that helps her get more self-confidence, too. If she's getting physically bullied, why not enroll her in a defensive martial arts class? ]]> OPEN MIC -- the Three Act Speakeasy Thread (Closes 8th July) http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=10721&Focus=335711#Comment_335711 http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=10721&Focus=335711#Comment_335711 Tue, 03 Jul 2012 16:02:13 -0700 Greasemonkey OPEN MIC -- the Three Act Speakeasy Thread (Closes 8th July) http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=10721&Focus=335732#Comment_335732 http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=10721&Focus=335732#Comment_335732 Tue, 03 Jul 2012 22:07:09 -0700 dnewling OPEN MIC -- the Three Act Speakeasy Thread (Closes 8th July) http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=10721&Focus=335733#Comment_335733 http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=10721&Focus=335733#Comment_335733 Tue, 03 Jul 2012 22:10:55 -0700 Rootfireember OPEN MIC -- the Three Act Speakeasy Thread (Closes 8th July) http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=10721&Focus=335777#Comment_335777 http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=10721&Focus=335777#Comment_335777 Wed, 04 Jul 2012 12:33:53 -0700 JP Carpenter
Big progress, the teacher came out to see my partner today after reading the letter - apologised and said how sorry he was that he hadn't seen that this was going on (guess she never said as much to staff as we thought she had). He's promised to sort it, has told her to stay away from the girls giving her grief and will phone us weekly to let us know how she's doing at school and that we can phone him any time if she says anything else has happened. Proof's in the pudding, but they seem to be taking it really seriously. Which leaves us to sort out her behaviour at home as she's using my partner as a bit of an emotional punchbagbut and causing a great deal of stress - can understand why but can't let that go on.

I really like the idea of blogging - that's really nice, she really wants to be a writer (she's apparently reading at the level of a sixteen year old already), so I'll see if I can set something up.

@greasemonkey - don't think we're quite at the wire stage yet, but will keep that in the back pocket...

Think the worst thing about parenting is probably Other People's Children, and Other Children's People... ]]> OPEN MIC -- the Three Act Speakeasy Thread (Closes 8th July) http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=10721&Focus=335784#Comment_335784 http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=10721&Focus=335784#Comment_335784 Wed, 04 Jul 2012 13:59:16 -0700 dnewling That's Life! magazines). Fingers crossed that the bullying problem will soon be sorted out. ]]> OPEN MIC -- the Three Act Speakeasy Thread (Closes 8th July) http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=10721&Focus=335789#Comment_335789 http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=10721&Focus=335789#Comment_335789 Wed, 04 Jul 2012 14:27:37 -0700 Steve Toase
Hope it gets sorted ]]> OPEN MIC -- the Three Act Speakeasy Thread (Closes 8th July) http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=10721&Focus=335801#Comment_335801 http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=10721&Focus=335801#Comment_335801 Wed, 04 Jul 2012 16:35:09 -0700 Greasemonkey OPEN MIC -- the Three Act Speakeasy Thread (Closes 8th July) http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=10721&Focus=335805#Comment_335805 http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=10721&Focus=335805#Comment_335805 Wed, 04 Jul 2012 17:07:50 -0700 flecky
In a few hours I'm off to Western, UK capital of rehabs. I'm sitting in a messy flat with no hot water, doing this when I should be all prepared for tomorrow. The council, who are pretty shite, said they'd have contacted me by now to repair it, but they aint. Wankers!

I spoke to the woman who's meeting me at the station. She asked, "Can you give a description of yourself?" I replied: "Yeah, tall, long grey hair - fookin' cross twixt Gandalf and Elric, pet." It's bound to be love at first sight, the beginning of something beautiful and sweet when we meet; I can hear the orchestra tuning-up already. I've not even got an alarm to wake me up, just a trashed old mobile with a ringtone from 1949. Bugger! Someone from NA London (Gor blimey, Guvnor!), is ringing me up mega-early so I can secrete my carcass out of my pod. It's all, "Fuck this shit!" when I wake-up nowadays; coffee and fags and wailing me soul out. I can do a good impression of Steptoe-Fagin, malevolent monster with a hard-on for death.

I can not mess this opportunity for a new life in the off-world colonies up, oh no! Anyway, I'm all Higher-Powered-Super-Killing-Machine-Spiritualistic-12Step-Recovery- Mad, so nowt can stop me when I got the scent.

WAKE-UP! TIME TO DIE!

I'll stop moaning, as it's only the assessment thing. I guess it will be like a perverted job interview, and my CV is absolutely brilliant. :)

CARROT CAKE WITH TRIPLE CHOC MELTED FUDGE OOZING WITH DEPRAVITY

@JP: That sounds better. I hated bullies at school, and I tended to punch 'em in the head. Or put itching powder in their underpants, that sort of thing. There were some girls who were harder than the lads, and getting picked on by them was crap; because your not meant to hit a girl...even when they're built like a monstrous brick house. Anyway, bullies are cowards who usually get what's coming.
@dnewling: I'm glad they didn't have to reactive Charlton Heston to save you from the earthquake. Still, it must have been scary. I hope your all OK. ]]> OPEN MIC -- the Three Act Speakeasy Thread (Closes 8th July) http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=10721&Focus=335810#Comment_335810 http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=10721&Focus=335810#Comment_335810 Wed, 04 Jul 2012 17:42:26 -0700 oldhat OPEN MIC -- the Three Act Speakeasy Thread (Closes 8th July) http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=10721&Focus=335812#Comment_335812 http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=10721&Focus=335812#Comment_335812 Wed, 04 Jul 2012 17:54:05 -0700 dnewling
Why is Lizzy in a tizzy
On the way to school?
She makes such a fuss upon the bus
And acts just like a fool!

The bully actually burst into tears and begged them to stop, but they didn't until the bus reached the school. After that she sat quietly and humbly on the bus and didn't bother anybody.

Note: I'd use this method with caution as it can become a form of bullying in itself.

@Flecky: thanks for your concern. Yes, we are okay. but the quake has the capital realising that it could be cut off for four months if the Big One does hit. ]]> OPEN MIC -- the Three Act Speakeasy Thread (Closes 8th July) http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=10721&Focus=335817#Comment_335817 http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=10721&Focus=335817#Comment_335817 Wed, 04 Jul 2012 19:20:25 -0700 dorkmuffin OPEN MIC -- the Three Act Speakeasy Thread (Closes 8th July) http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=10721&Focus=335819#Comment_335819 http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=10721&Focus=335819#Comment_335819 Wed, 04 Jul 2012 20:43:36 -0700 Morac OPEN MIC -- the Three Act Speakeasy Thread (Closes 8th July) http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=10721&Focus=335913#Comment_335913 http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=10721&Focus=335913#Comment_335913 Thu, 05 Jul 2012 14:07:35 -0700 JP Carpenter her... apparently she scared the living daylights out of two girls by telling lurid and quite graphic ghost stories ahead of the school sleepover, and has had a total bollocking in her own right.

I despair, I really do... pity the poor teacher who has to sort all this out. ]]> OPEN MIC -- the Three Act Speakeasy Thread (Closes 8th July) http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=10721&Focus=335923#Comment_335923 http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=10721&Focus=335923#Comment_335923 Thu, 05 Jul 2012 15:45:19 -0700 Horrible Warning Si OPEN MIC -- the Three Act Speakeasy Thread (Closes 8th July) http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=10721&Focus=335925#Comment_335925 http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=10721&Focus=335925#Comment_335925 Thu, 05 Jul 2012 15:48:57 -0700 dnewling
Pity we couldn't unleash some urethral attack maggots on these bullies. ]]> OPEN MIC -- the Three Act Speakeasy Thread (Closes 8th July) http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=10721&Focus=335935#Comment_335935 http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=10721&Focus=335935#Comment_335935 Thu, 05 Jul 2012 20:00:14 -0700 dnewling OPEN MIC -- the Three Act Speakeasy Thread (Closes 8th July) http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=10721&Focus=335989#Comment_335989 http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=10721&Focus=335989#Comment_335989 Fri, 06 Jul 2012 13:14:29 -0700 Rachæl Tyrell
I've recently gotten an email from the source-of-my-last-heartbreak-fellow. My own fault for poking at his cage, and he poked back. Not in an unpleasant way, mind you. But I get the impression he may not be doing well. And I'm not sure if it's manipulative, or legit, or both. And I'm worried. And I'm not sure what to do about it. I'll always be there for anyone I've truly cared about, regardless of how they hurt me. Maybe that's a fault of mine. And maybe that's dangerous. And maybe I just want what I can't have. And maybe he's the exact same way, and without a reason to stop, we'll both just keep poking at each other. Because as long as we can want someone that we feel we can't possess, we will, because if it's too easy and willing, it doesn't keep our interest and we feel smothered. Ugh. How awful.

Yaaaay?:

I've been hanging out with an old friend of mine. A lot. Doing that talking-until-long-after-dawn thing fairly often. This is filled with dangerous footing. He is one of my very favorite people, and has been since I first met him over a decade ago. I even had a crush on him, and he on me. We'd remained friends. For the past ten years we'd hardly seen each other due to physical distance, but he remained one of my favorite humans. And now... we live walking distance from each other. So, there have been many many many hours of hanging out and talking. Gosh, I really do love the guy. He's really awesome and one of the coolest people I've ever known. But he'd be a person for keeps, you know? And I've still no idea about how I feel about my previous fellow. But we laugh. We laugh so much.

Goddamnit, why do women (like myself) end up so drawn to emotionally unavailable moody types, instead of leaping at the awesome fellows?

HEY YOU GUYYYYYYS!:

JP Carpenter - Telling awesome ghoststories isn't really comparable to being ostracized and physically bullied, is it? Damn, that girl needs a blog! Or maybe she can start making her own auto-bio comics!

Flecky - Remember to send us your address if you can, and we can send you goodies to keep you afloat! And if that's not allowed, then, well, know that we'll be wishing the best for you! ]]> OPEN MIC -- the Three Act Speakeasy Thread (Closes 8th July) http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=10721&Focus=335995#Comment_335995 http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=10721&Focus=335995#Comment_335995 Fri, 06 Jul 2012 16:40:37 -0700 dnewling
The Hurrah: The cold virus is finally clearing. So now I am going to have a nice quiet time with that Sergeant of Arms & Black Rod challenge.

JP Carpenter: I agree with Rachael. New energy channels for your daughter will help the problem and restore her confidence. It sounds like she is a creative person and needs channels to express it in. And if she becomes a well-known writer, she will have the final laugh over the bullies. Er, if you do set up the blog, can you point it in our direction, please? I'm sure everyone here will want to come and see it. ]]> OPEN MIC -- the Three Act Speakeasy Thread (Closes 8th July) http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=10721&Focus=336000#Comment_336000 http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=10721&Focus=336000#Comment_336000 Fri, 06 Jul 2012 21:16:16 -0700 Rachæl Tyrell OPEN MIC -- the Three Act Speakeasy Thread (Closes 8th July) http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=10721&Focus=336002#Comment_336002 http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=10721&Focus=336002#Comment_336002 Fri, 06 Jul 2012 21:43:52 -0700 dorkmuffin
However, if she does feel like a little encouragement from adults, it's nice to know that people here are interested in offering it. ]]> OPEN MIC -- the Three Act Speakeasy Thread (Closes 8th July) http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=10721&Focus=336010#Comment_336010 http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=10721&Focus=336010#Comment_336010 Sat, 07 Jul 2012 00:16:35 -0700 dnewling www.thebullyproject.com. ]]> OPEN MIC -- the Three Act Speakeasy Thread (Closes 8th July) http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=10721&Focus=336050#Comment_336050 http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=10721&Focus=336050#Comment_336050 Sat, 07 Jul 2012 13:06:32 -0700 oldhat
Advice I can give is to give your daughter some after school activities to help her get out of a funk that she's in and to channel her depression in to something productive for her. Parents and other adults can do wonders with confidence boosting but, in my case anyways, the opinions didn't much matter because my parents were "supposed to say those things". Getting her to work on something she loves doing will do wonders for her self-esteem and will also give her something to dump all that mental garbage out that won't be harmful. For me I had reading, writing and my parents took me to Karate.

In regards to a blog, I may have to suggest putting it to private or something for the first little bit. Only because bullies today are a crafty lot, what with their internets and may use that against her somehow if they find it. If/when she gets to a point where she doesn't give a toss if people see it, then put it public.

Also, although I am a HUGE advocate of fighting back, watch she doesn't cross that fine line and uses her powers to bully.

Best of luck. ]]> OPEN MIC -- the Three Act Speakeasy Thread (Closes 8th July) http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=10721&Focus=336054#Comment_336054 http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=10721&Focus=336054#Comment_336054 Sat, 07 Jul 2012 13:40:53 -0700 dnewling OPEN MIC -- the Three Act Speakeasy Thread (Closes 8th July) http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=10721&Focus=336058#Comment_336058 http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=10721&Focus=336058#Comment_336058 Sat, 07 Jul 2012 14:07:23 -0700 JP Carpenter
I think what gets me about all of this that my girls going through is it's just so devious, I'm sure the ghost story thing was calculated to get her into trouble. I don't think the physical side of it's been so bad apart from a few incidents, but the deliberate and coordinated isolation and conspiring to make things difficult for her has been really hurtful.

Anyway, thanks for all your advice, if she does end up doing a blog (and first we've got to find her a computer she can use), will make sure that it's anonymous and pretty limited, I don't want her getting jumped on in cyberspace as well. I'm hopeful that the school will jump on it now and get it sorted. Re after school activities - She does go to Brownies, with her sister, and I think she has friends there, so that's good. I'm sure she'll come through it fine, she's a pretty tough cookie.

In added boo, my partner's father is back in hospital on the cardiac ward now, his emphysema seems to be going a new and quite nasty direction. Just doesn't seem to bloody end at the moment. ]]> OPEN MIC -- the Three Act Speakeasy Thread (Closes 8th July) http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=10721&Focus=336162#Comment_336162 http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=10721&Focus=336162#Comment_336162 Sun, 08 Jul 2012 19:17:13 -0700 Fishelle I feel like I've treated every other guy like a complete tool for the last 2 years because I had my hopes up for this idiot. And now I just don't even know what to do.
Also, my ex chose a pretty peculiar time to tell me he's decided he wants to be a dad after all. (Disagreement about wanting children was our main reason for ending it.) We've had a few good conversations over the last few weeks. Being friends again has been really good for both of us. But that decision combined with the fact that I'm still not quite over him just yet and the silent treatment from the other boy that made me sort of unavailable in the first place... Well, someone should probably just remind me of how shitty my ex was a few months ago. Now is not the best time for him to be so nice, because if he gives me a chance, I might do something stupid because of it.

On the bright side, my meeting with that museum director is finally happening Tuesday. And friends have good things happening to them, so I can smile on their account.

@JP: That's a tough thing to deal with, but it's so wonderful that she was willing to come to your partner and talk about it. I dealt with similar situations in my youth, and I never told my parents. They were the last ones I wanted to know about it.
@Flecky: Best of luck, good sir!
@Everyone Else: You are wonderful and I love you. ]]> OPEN MIC -- the Three Act Speakeasy Thread (Closes 8th July) http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=10721&Focus=336163#Comment_336163 http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=10721&Focus=336163#Comment_336163 Sun, 08 Jul 2012 19:17:15 -0700 Fishelle OPEN MIC -- the Three Act Speakeasy Thread (Closes 8th July) http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=10721&Focus=336172#Comment_336172 http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=10721&Focus=336172#Comment_336172 Mon, 09 Jul 2012 00:12:34 -0700 dnewling
In the age of the Internet, one person can really make a difference. This morning I read about a lady who set up a Facebook dedicated to the choco-ade, a Griffin's cookie that was popular in the 1980s but Griffin's stopped making it. The Facebook was "sort of just to see if anyone else remembered." And wouldn't you know it - the Facebook got so many likes that Griffin's conducted an official vote on whether or not to bring back the choco-ade. And today the choco-ade came back on sale! There was even an item about it on tv. It looks like the choco-ade is going to be a hot seller.

So if there's some favourite from your childhood that you haven't seen for decades, you never know what a Facebook might do!

If anyone's wondering, a choco-ade has a biscuit base, an orange marmalade filling (hence the -ade bit), a dark chocolate top, and it looks like a little chocolate tart. People love to eat the biscuit base first, then pull the biscuit apart to lick the jam from the chocolate. ]]> OPEN MIC -- the Three Act Speakeasy Thread (Closes 8th July) http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=10721&Focus=336205#Comment_336205 http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=10721&Focus=336205#Comment_336205 Mon, 09 Jul 2012 12:11:54 -0700 Rootfireember Been having a lot of nightmares of late, our (mom's) oldest dog died on the 5th due to her heart giving out, and my car had a tire die on me. It's my first flat and I had no clue what to do. You can laugh at me wanting to fix it with duct tape. Anyhow- went out this morning without sunscreen to help deal with that and took the car to the shop to get it looked at and a new tire ordered. Which caused the return of the Dreaded Itchies. Also I work this monday, which is boo 'cause it's Monday, but huzzah cause work=money.
Huzzah:
I will have about 1/3 of the money saved up for my service dog (dog itself) by the end of the week (I hope).
Also some gooofy scribbly blob comics I did on BC seem to be a bit of a hit. People apparently LIKE being reduced to gumballs.
Applesauce:
dnewling: I will have to try those chocolate orange thingies when they are out in my area.
Hatter: physical bullying sucks as much as dealling with the verbal and mental crap. My bullies would wait until I was on the way home, and on the other side of the street from the school to beat me up, in view of the teachers. The teachers would say they couldn't do a thing about it because I was off school property. Damn I hated being a kid. ]]> OPEN MIC -- the Three Act Speakeasy Thread (Closes 8th July) http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=10721&Focus=336206#Comment_336206 http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=10721&Focus=336206#Comment_336206 Mon, 09 Jul 2012 12:15:33 -0700 trini_naenae OPEN MIC -- the Three Act Speakeasy Thread (Closes 8th July) http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=10721&Focus=336210#Comment_336210 http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=10721&Focus=336210#Comment_336210 Mon, 09 Jul 2012 12:37:25 -0700 Argos OPEN MIC -- the Three Act Speakeasy Thread (Closes 8th July) http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=10721&Focus=336212#Comment_336212 http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=10721&Focus=336212#Comment_336212 Mon, 09 Jul 2012 13:19:42 -0700 sellmeyoursoul and won!!! If it were possible, I'm more frightened of her now than I was before. If/when we meet, I think I may need to ply her with beer to stay on her good side. But I am universally a coward, so I'd probably do that with most of you lot. pleasedon'thurtme ]]> OPEN MIC -- the Three Act Speakeasy Thread (Closes 8th July) http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=10721&Focus=336219#Comment_336219 http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=10721&Focus=336219#Comment_336219 Mon, 09 Jul 2012 13:40:45 -0700 Rootfireember
-obviously this is where my paranoia of authority figures comes from. :P It's part of what makes the current anti-bullying mindset so amazing to me-- even with 0 tolerance, it's more of an acknowledgement that that shit isn't normal or good for kids, than I went through, where such actions were condoned. Things ARE slowly getting better; but it's a much faster pace than I ever expected to see.

@Sellme-
Childhood Horrors & Trauma should totally be a Spinning Yarns topic. ]]> OPEN MIC -- the Three Act Speakeasy Thread (Closes 8th July) http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=10721&Focus=336231#Comment_336231 http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=10721&Focus=336231#Comment_336231 Mon, 09 Jul 2012 15:25:21 -0700 dnewling encourages bullying because it's a school that believes in toughening kids up. So much so that the uniform is nothing but shorts, even on winter days.

I appreciate your interest in the choco-ade. Here is the link to its Facebook. ]]> OPEN MIC -- the Three Act Speakeasy Thread (Closes 8th July) http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=10721&Focus=336238#Comment_336238 http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=10721&Focus=336238#Comment_336238 Mon, 09 Jul 2012 18:46:12 -0700 flecky
I got to my appointment at the rehab the other day on time, and they did their assessment number on me (which was quite easy.) I perceived (important word, that) the place as being really controlling and strict. Still, it's a rehab; what did I expect?!

After the assessment, they did the obligatory introducing me to a couple of residents thing. Hoping it would be a couple of mad, twisted punk-bitches with guitars and a look of naughtiness in their eyes who would entertain me with stories of epic barbarity, I Instead ended up smoking roll-ups and drinking coffee in a scabby garage with two of Somerset's good ol' boys...fucking rednecks...justified ancients of the Church of Ciderville...Rudolf ze red-nosed "Oi loik ah bit of si-dar!" yellow-rain dears; lads looked like they were breastfed on the teat of the gin-drenched-whore of Hangoverton, they really did.

Don't worry: I'm really not a sexist with a bad view of people who live in the sticks.

Whilst sitting in the staff office, this mad looking skinhead wearing typical crap tracksuit, white trainers and carrying a massive clear bag of tat with "I've obviously just got out of prison: fuck-off!" scrawled on it in invisible ink, was being admitted. Knowing my luck, I'll probably end-up having to share a bedroom with him (if I go!)

Later, having a few hours to kill before catching the train back to the city, I went for a walk on the beach and examined the wildlife - donkeys!! I would have gone for a ride on one, but they already looked miserable enough. I have to admit, it was nice to see people walking around actually looking at their environment instead of having their eyeballs glued to a IPhone or whatever.

I'm going into treatment with no support from family and friends, apart from a few people from meetings. I come from the typical dysfunctional family who were never really there for me as a kid, and they now live all around the world. When I made the decision to sort myself out, I had to ruthlessly drop ALL the people I used to hang around with. They weren't really friends at the end of it all, more just "using-buddies", or sick twats that would rather see me in a fucked state instead of being myself. God, I really hate some of them now. The woman I was into is too much of a victim, and that's dangerous for me. I have to struggle with not being a victim all the bloody time, so I don't like seeing other people do it.

FAIRIES WEAR (HUGE PARA) BOOTS

As I said, I could only rely on my frazzled ego and perception to give me a first impression of the place, and I really don't trust some of the judgments that come into my head. I'll probably go there, because if I get too picky I could end-up travelling around the country looking for an ideal of rehab which doesn't exist in reality. I'm definitely going into the detox place in London for a few weeks, but I'm not really worried about that bit, what with only being on a wee amount of buprenorphine now and that being the easy-ish part.

PARA (TALKING ABOUT YOU) NOID

@Rachael: Yep, I'll put the address up of where I go to. I don't think they'll let me use a laptop or computer for a few months, so if anyone wants to drop me a card, a drawing, a letterbomb, all their comics, pets, cakes, toys, WMD's etc, then I won't mind.
@Fishelle, oldhat, Morac, dorkmuffin and all: Thanks for the kind words. It means a lot.
@Bullies: Like lots of things in life, it's sometimes not what happened but how you feel about it that really matters. I had to endure some bullying at school, probably because I'm tall and smaller people may have found me a threat or something. Getting jumped on and having to fight back as a kid was not as bad as, say, when the teachers were giving me shit for things I'd not done. I've seen some extreme cases of bullying in my life, and wouldn't wish it on anyone decent.

Kafkaesque bullying; the worst! ]]> OPEN MIC -- the Three Act Speakeasy Thread (Closes 8th July) http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=10721&Focus=336245#Comment_336245 http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=10721&Focus=336245#Comment_336245 Mon, 09 Jul 2012 20:08:41 -0700 dnewling That's Life! magazine the school just told a bullied girl that she was a 'sook' and she could stop the bullying if she took out her Bible and prayed hard. She was also taken away. And there was a case in the newspaper where a student kept getting death threats, but the school just told him that this would toughen him up. Hmmph, I suppose the police also think death threats toughen people up?

In general: Despite efforts to have zero tolerance for bullying and change old attitudes towards it, kids who suffer, or even commit suicide because of it still continue, and magazines are still filled with true-life bullying stories. One reason is that schools have become more violent. Increasing numbers of pupils also makes it more difficult to control. Changes in technology have enabled bullying to go technical, with cyber-bullying and posting videos of people being bullied on the Internet. Stress from the recession is probably another factor; the newspaper has reported that it has increased instances of animal cruelty.

But enough of that; time for some hurrahs:

I have entered a short story competition, just about recovered from my illness, got the dishwasher and fridge fixed, and looking forward to having dinner out tonight and what the next R&R challenge will be.

@Rootfireember: congrats on the success of goofy scribbly blob comics! ]]> OPEN MIC -- the Three Act Speakeasy Thread (Closes 8th July) http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=10721&Focus=336253#Comment_336253 http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=10721&Focus=336253#Comment_336253 Mon, 09 Jul 2012 20:43:46 -0700 Rootfireember @Flecky - good luck in your rehab. Been about the sticks a fair bit growing up and know exactly the type of person you mean (Sadly: it's the type I think my coworkers are morphing into. EEK!). ]]> OPEN MIC -- the Three Act Speakeasy Thread (Closes 8th July) http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=10721&Focus=336255#Comment_336255 http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=10721&Focus=336255#Comment_336255 Mon, 09 Jul 2012 20:46:57 -0700 dnewling OPEN MIC -- the Three Act Speakeasy Thread (Closes 8th July) http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=10721&Focus=336256#Comment_336256 http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=10721&Focus=336256#Comment_336256 Mon, 09 Jul 2012 20:51:43 -0700 oldhat
I don't know. It fucked me up, and dealing with a lot of people who pretended to be my friend and intended on betraying me later left me with some pretty deep trust issues, but I'd like to think the experience made me stronger. ]]> OPEN MIC -- the Three Act Speakeasy Thread (Closes 8th July) http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=10721&Focus=336260#Comment_336260 http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=10721&Focus=336260#Comment_336260 Mon, 09 Jul 2012 22:05:35 -0700 dnewling OPEN MIC -- the Three Act Speakeasy Thread (Closes 8th July) http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=10721&Focus=336263#Comment_336263 http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=10721&Focus=336263#Comment_336263 Mon, 09 Jul 2012 23:17:04 -0700 trini_naenae
It fascinates (and saddens) me how many people on this board have been bullied. Then again, an online space where bullying isn't tolerated would be appealing to those who have had to deal with it. Also, it makes me aware of how mild my own bullying was - most of it was being excluded more than anything. I'm all so aware how much my experiences have broken me (and made me stronger/more empathetic), and mine were so... not that bad. Sad world we live in, I guess. The psychology of bullying fascinates me, but that's just my tendency to want to pick things apart and understand every element of it so it won't hurt so much. Anyway, depressing shit.

In other news, now that the family reunion/crazy work weekend is over, I can focus better on things I'd like to be doing. I slept from 6pm to midnight, which was amazing, and am soon to go back to sleep. Sleep: so wonderful!

@flecky: I have been reading, and I hope that whatever choice you make turns into a helpful experience and a good rest. Rest is nice.

@everyone who has been bullied here: Wow, you all are amazing. You survived some nasty shit and just wow. I've always thought the people on here are pretty cool, but having gone through what you've gone through on top of that...impressive. ]]>