NOTE: THE "4 YEARS" THING IS NOT POLITICAL. It's just a meme going around somewhere and it seems as reasonable a snapshot period as any other.
Many things and many people in life suck, and I don't need to issue a laundry list on that topic to name them.
Some things however do not suck. I won't list a general, "applies to everyone" laundry list here either, because I don't know everyone and I don't know what applies and what doesn't, or what sucks and what doesn't for most people, for that matter.
But if the plights of millions of disenfranchised people are worth discussing (and they are!) then that discussion ought to be balanced out. So, here are a few things from my life, that do not suck.
1. My family - more stable, and happier now than it was 4 years ago.
2. My Job - I have gone from a job dealing with whiny rednecks and their broken computers all day, to a job where if I am having a bad day I can walk outside to blow off frustration and take in some scenery, and depending on the week, I will either see this:
(https://dl.dropbox.com/u/1715856/pugetsound1.jpg)
Puget Sound waving hello and smelling remarkably nice
or this:
(https://dl.dropbox.com/u/1715856/archthing.jpg)
Not sure what this is, I think it's a leftover prop from the Friends series
3. My health - not as good as it should be (I'm one of those Horrible Smokers they tell you about in class) but I have insurance that I didn't have 4 years ago.
4. My Religious Extremist parents live in Wisconsin, where they can't harass my kids for their (lack of) religion or the critical thinking my wife and I have instilled in them.
5. PDCOM.....? Well, you can't win them all. TAKE THAT SPAGS.
Good to hear.
I am at this moment having a bit of a rough time, but the last 4 years have been pretty damn good to me (I consider myself to be absurdly lucky in this, given 2008).
And now a bunch of my friends are being sucked back into Tucson. I believe this has happened so that I don't have to endure the afterlife alone.
So, yeah, things are good.
Fuck.
Four years ago, I was blissfully unaware that my cocksucking husband was running around behind my back.
I had a house.
I had a job.
I had a dog.
I was pretty sure I knew where my life was headed.
I was wrong.
Quote from: Luna on September 07, 2012, 09:43:41 PM
Fuck.
Four years ago, I was blissfully unaware that my cocksucking husband was running around behind my back.
I had a house.
I had a job.
I had a dog.
I was pretty sure I knew where my life was headed.
I was wrong.
:sad:
Quote from: The Good Reverend Roger on September 07, 2012, 09:45:49 PM
Quote from: Luna on September 07, 2012, 09:43:41 PM
Fuck.
Four years ago, I was blissfully unaware that my cocksucking husband was running around behind my back.
I had a house.
I had a job.
I had a dog.
I was pretty sure I knew where my life was headed.
I was wrong.
:sad:
Fuck, I'm in a pissy mood.
Okay. Snap out of it.
Four years ago, I don't think I'd even been introduced in passing to Richter, or to Suu.
Four years ago, the guy I'm not seeing was a bittersweet memory. (No TARDIS involved, we dated, briefly, years ago, but it was just bad timing, and didnt' work out.)
I'd never heard of this place... File that under whichever column you like.
I've lost a good twenty pounds since, then, and am in better shape...
I've done a lot of tearing down who I was when I was with the douchebag, and trying to figure out what's under there. Slow project, but, I've got time.
Four years ago I was married, earning 100k/year and had health insurance.
Now: betrayed, divorced, perpetually behind on my mortgage and can't afford to see a dentist. Got charity care at OHSU to have a hysterectomy, as of today there seems to be something wrong with my incision and I'm waiting for a call to find out whether I have to go back in.
My grants were cut so financial aid isn't picking up the slack like it was meant to.
In short; goodie for you. You "balanced things out".
Fuck this thread. What is this shit, a "count your blessings" thread? Or a "things aren't so bad!" thread? Or a "well, at least I'm better off than YOU" thread?
It just seems like it's here for bragging rights.
Well, so much for trying to pull my mood back out of the shitter.
Thanks, Nigel.
Fuck it.
Quote from: A Very Hairy Monkey In An Ill-Fitting Tunic on September 07, 2012, 10:08:28 PM
Fuck this thread. What is this shit, a "count your blessings" thread? Or a "things aren't so bad!" thread? Or a "well, at least I'm better off than YOU" thread?
It just seems like it's here for bragging rights.
On the other hand, Nigel, you are going back to school to do what you really want to do, which wasn't happening in 2008.
Quote from: A Very Hairy Monkey In An Ill-Fitting Tunic on September 07, 2012, 10:08:28 PM
Fuck this thread. What is this shit, a "count your blessings" thread? Or a "things aren't so bad!" thread? Or a "well, at least I'm better off than YOU" thread?
It just seems like it's here for bragging rights.
It's not intended to be that. It is intended to be a "things aren't always shitty" statement, and I intentionally was talking only about myself because I don't want to talk for anyone else. There are plenty of things I could complain about, but I don't want to complain today. Sometimes life
doesn't shit on me, and I suspect sometimes it doesn't shit on you, too.
If all life ever does is shit on people, then why go on living at all?
Quote from: The Good Reverend Roger on September 07, 2012, 10:11:13 PM
Quote from: A Very Hairy Monkey In An Ill-Fitting Tunic on September 07, 2012, 10:08:28 PM
Fuck this thread. What is this shit, a "count your blessings" thread? Or a "things aren't so bad!" thread? Or a "well, at least I'm better off than YOU" thread?
It just seems like it's here for bragging rights.
On the other hand, Nigel, you are going back to school to do what you really want to do, which wasn't happening in 2008.
I was headed back to school when my ex and I split up and my school plans got derailed. I lost a term's tuition.
BUT WHATEVER, SORRY, HERE'S A NICE PAINTING SO WE CAN ALL SMILE AND FORGET THAT THE WORLD IS IN A SHITTY PLACE:
(http://cdn.fd.uproxx.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/06/thomas_kinkade_oil_painting.jpg)
Quote from: A Very Hairy Monkey In An Ill-Fitting Tunic on September 07, 2012, 10:15:10 PM
Quote from: The Good Reverend Roger on September 07, 2012, 10:11:13 PM
Quote from: A Very Hairy Monkey In An Ill-Fitting Tunic on September 07, 2012, 10:08:28 PM
Fuck this thread. What is this shit, a "count your blessings" thread? Or a "things aren't so bad!" thread? Or a "well, at least I'm better off than YOU" thread?
It just seems like it's here for bragging rights.
On the other hand, Nigel, you are going back to school to do what you really want to do, which wasn't happening in 2008.
I was headed back to school when my ex and I split up and my school plans got derailed. I lost a term's tuition.
BUT WHATEVER, SORRY, HERE'S A NICE PAINTING SO WE CAN ALL SMILE AND FORGET THAT THE WORLD IS IN A SHITTY PLACE:
(http://cdn.fd.uproxx.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/06/thomas_kinkade_oil_painting.jpg)
Okay. Sorry to hear that.
TGRR,
Hasn't got enough ass left to be the whipping boy.
Sorry, the OP just rubbed me wrong. It was a little too "Hey, you downer mcdownytons! Here are the reasons my life is great!"
Since I'm kind of struggling along to keep my chin up and my sense of humor running as I develop some hematoma, it was kind of the last straw.
Hematoma?? How soon can you get in???
Good and bad here.
Overall, I'm doing a LOT better but some things are still fucked up. Four years ago was the tail end of a major hell cycle. Some awesome things have happened since then and I know some awesome people (long distance, every last one of 'em, but it means a lot) and I'm not punching a cash register anymore, but I wouldn't wish Seguin on anybody. Or if I did, somebody'd call "Godwin's Law".
Quote from: A Very Hairy Monkey In An Ill-Fitting Tunic on September 07, 2012, 10:19:13 PM
Sorry, the OP just rubbed me wrong. It was a little too "Hey, you downer mcdownytons! Here are the reasons my life is great!"
Since I'm kind of struggling along to keep my chin up and my sense of humor running as I develop some hematoma, it was kind of the last straw.
1. S'okay. I'm overreacting a little myself, today.
2. WHAT?
4 years ago, I had no good friends. Now I have a few.
4 years ago, I had no self-confidence whatsoever, and did things I didn't enjoy to fit in with people I didn't like. Now I try to do as many things I enjoy as possible, only moderated by my need to earn money and get through school.
4 years ago, I was completely unable to communicate with most of the female half of the population, and was completely terrified just at the thought of having to talk to strangers. Now I'm considerably more comfortable about that, and I try to have treating people as people as a starting point.
4 years ago, I was quite stupid. I like to believe that I'm less so today.
4 years ago, I got bullied, and soon realized that pacifism doesn't work in the schoolyard. (Hmm. I think Jesus got homeschooled.)
And I could go on forever. My life isn't really that fabulous at the moment, but I was in middle school then (8-10th grade in Norway, ages 14-16), and middle school was hell.
I'm in the same chaotic, but safe divorced Norwegian middle class family situation, with new step-parents and step-siblings being introduced to my life at regular intervals, but now I'm 18; not 14, and from next June, my calendar is empty into infinity. I have a feeling that doing this again in 4 years will be interesting.
Four years ago, Ban-Ki Moon was not spamming my email address demanding my bank details.
On balance I can't complain too much. I have an awesome job that has brought some pretty sweet opportunities and has allowed me to help out more people in my community and state. Also my son was born within the last 4 years and I can't imaginr life without the little guy.
Though, we also lost a pregnancy before him, and that was a pretty shitty time. I often wonder what kind of kid he/she would have turned out to be.
But I agree with the spirit of vex's thread. Yeah, there is tons of shit that happens in this world, but we need to be able to celebrate the victories as well, no matter how small they may seem to be in any goven time.
Quote from: TEXAS FAIRIES FOR ALL YOU SPAGS on September 07, 2012, 10:20:49 PM
Hematoma?? How soon can you get in???
Good and bad here.
Overall, I'm doing a LOT better but some things are still fucked up. Four years ago was the tail end of a major hell cycle. Some awesome things have happened since then and I know some awesome people (long distance, every last one of 'em, but it means a lot) and I'm not punching a cash register anymore, but I wouldn't wish Seguin on anybody. Or if I did, somebody'd call "Godwin's Law".
I finally got a call back from the nurse and after answering 101 Disgusting Questions, her conclusion was that I don't need to go in because A. it's only leaking a little, B. it's not pushing the stitches open, and C. I don't have any symptoms of infection.
Of course, the problem is that it's Friday night and any of the above could be appended with "yet". But I got the after hours number just in case things go south from here.
Quote from: A Very Hairy Monkey In An Ill-Fitting Tunic on September 08, 2012, 12:33:21 AM
Quote from: TEXAS FAIRIES FOR ALL YOU SPAGS on September 07, 2012, 10:20:49 PM
Hematoma?? How soon can you get in???
Good and bad here.
Overall, I'm doing a LOT better but some things are still fucked up. Four years ago was the tail end of a major hell cycle. Some awesome things have happened since then and I know some awesome people (long distance, every last one of 'em, but it means a lot) and I'm not punching a cash register anymore, but I wouldn't wish Seguin on anybody. Or if I did, somebody'd call "Godwin's Law".
I finally got a call back from the nurse and after answering 101 Disgusting Questions, her conclusion was that I don't need to go in because A. it's only leaking a little, B. it's not pushing the stitches open, and C. I don't have any symptoms of infection.
Of course, the problem is that it's Friday night and any of the above could be appended with "yet". But I got the after hours number just in case things go south from here.
I always hated getting nurses on the phone:
"My kid is sick and he has a fever. 101 degrees."
"Give him baby tylenol and ginger ale and call us back if it gets up to 104." :x :x :x
They need to LOOK at it, anyway. Fuckers.
Quote from: TEXAS FAIRIES FOR ALL YOU SPAGS on September 08, 2012, 12:50:56 AM
Quote from: A Very Hairy Monkey In An Ill-Fitting Tunic on September 08, 2012, 12:33:21 AM
Quote from: TEXAS FAIRIES FOR ALL YOU SPAGS on September 07, 2012, 10:20:49 PM
Hematoma?? How soon can you get in???
Good and bad here.
Overall, I'm doing a LOT better but some things are still fucked up. Four years ago was the tail end of a major hell cycle. Some awesome things have happened since then and I know some awesome people (long distance, every last one of 'em, but it means a lot) and I'm not punching a cash register anymore, but I wouldn't wish Seguin on anybody. Or if I did, somebody'd call "Godwin's Law".
I finally got a call back from the nurse and after answering 101 Disgusting Questions, her conclusion was that I don't need to go in because A. it's only leaking a little, B. it's not pushing the stitches open, and C. I don't have any symptoms of infection.
Of course, the problem is that it's Friday night and any of the above could be appended with "yet". But I got the after hours number just in case things go south from here.
I always hated getting nurses on the phone:
"My kid is sick and he has a fever. 101 degrees."
"Give him baby tylenol and ginger ale and call us back if it gets up to 104." :x :x :x
They need to LOOK at it, anyway. Fuckers.
Surgical nurses tend to be a little different. At least I have access to the after-hours hotline if I need it. I'll just have to find someone to drive me there. I'm currently minimizing the situation with the local friends I told about it; last thing I need is people worrying about it.
Four years ago, I was at the tail end of four years of sexual assault by my stepfather.
Four years ago, I was still living in the same apartment as him, and had to put up with his obnoxious mannerisms on a daily basis.
Four years ago, I was in high school. The sheer number of students made the experience hellish; I may have mentioned it before, but I think I have social anxiety.
Four years ago, I was friendless.
Four years ago, I was a humorless atheist.
Four years ago (maybe five), I was in a "CREW" doing the Melbourne shuffle.
Now LMFAO and SoCal stole my act.
Quote from: Uncle Wallified on September 08, 2012, 04:41:50 AM
Four years ago, I was at the tail end of four years of sexual assault by my stepfather.
Four years ago, I was still living in the same apartment as him, and had to put up with his obnoxious mannerisms on a daily basis.
Four years ago, I was in high school. The sheer number of students made the experience hellish; I may have mentioned it before, but I think I have social anxiety.
Four years ago, I was friendless.
Four years ago, I was a humorless atheist.
Wally, it is my opinion as your spiritual advisor that you should probably take 3 years off to go bugfuck. I took 10 years off for that reason, and it made me the man I am today.