(regarding Paul's journal: )
From xkcd - CC licensed -
Jim's Journal
My Podcast Link
09/29/2008 08:54 #45834
The Internet - Rule 3409/27/2008 21:38 #45812
B-52'stinypliny - 10/01/08 22:09
Actually, I don't know the band but the bus got caught in a traffic jam and people in the bus made the most of it by singing along to one of the songs. The lady next to me told me the name of the band. I was a bit hypoglycemic at that point because I hadn't eaten dinner and what with all that sound, I heard her saying "Beat Fit Eat too's" and remember thinking that it was a crazy and weird name for a band!
Actually, I don't know the band but the bus got caught in a traffic jam and people in the bus made the most of it by singing along to one of the songs. The lady next to me told me the name of the band. I was a bit hypoglycemic at that point because I hadn't eaten dinner and what with all that sound, I heard her saying "Beat Fit Eat too's" and remember thinking that it was a crazy and weird name for a band!
tinypliny - 10/01/08 22:04
I heard them as I went past in the bus! :)
I heard them as I went past in the bus! :)
metalpeter - 09/28/08 09:40
Hope you had a great time I thought about going but currenly it wasn't an option Based on cash vs. how much I like them, I also don't know the music of the openers so I hope you liked all the bands.
Hope you had a great time I thought about going but currenly it wasn't an option Based on cash vs. how much I like them, I also don't know the music of the openers so I hope you liked all the bands.
09/22/2008 10:06 #45755
ADD! O RLY?Category: crazy pills
So, I probably have ADD. Thus explaining my inability to sit through meetings and various other detrimental distractibility-related issues, and explaining why I barely graduated from high school and totally failured at making it through college. There is apparently a non-hyperactive form of ADD, and that's what I have, and why it wasn't noticed before.
They're giving me Strattera, and - wow. OK, my brain stopped endlessly churning. When I see my face in the mirror I see a face instead of a mishmash of random details that don't look right. I can sit through a meeting without wanting to stab myself in the eye. When people talk to me about something I'm not expecting I can understand them the first time, instead of asking them to start over a few sentences in. If I get interrupted I can go back to what I was working on without losing my place. I wake up in the morning instantly instead of groggily. Still have yet to see whether it'll help with my planning and juggling abilities, but I'm really hopeful.
If this all works out I'm going to seriously regret not knowing about it 15 years ago, when it would have maybe meant I could have gone to an awesome college. I had the highest SAT score in my graduating class at City Honors, but couldn't make it in structured settings.
I used to think I was lazy, but I do so much stuff - I just do the wrong things, and can't aim my mind where I want it. Despite many years of fighting it, reading self help books, working with counselors on planning skills. And so. It's going to be nice not hating myself in the future if it works. I'm trying not to get too excited yet, just in case. Still: hope - it's nice.
They're giving me Strattera, and - wow. OK, my brain stopped endlessly churning. When I see my face in the mirror I see a face instead of a mishmash of random details that don't look right. I can sit through a meeting without wanting to stab myself in the eye. When people talk to me about something I'm not expecting I can understand them the first time, instead of asking them to start over a few sentences in. If I get interrupted I can go back to what I was working on without losing my place. I wake up in the morning instantly instead of groggily. Still have yet to see whether it'll help with my planning and juggling abilities, but I'm really hopeful.
If this all works out I'm going to seriously regret not knowing about it 15 years ago, when it would have maybe meant I could have gone to an awesome college. I had the highest SAT score in my graduating class at City Honors, but couldn't make it in structured settings.
I used to think I was lazy, but I do so much stuff - I just do the wrong things, and can't aim my mind where I want it. Despite many years of fighting it, reading self help books, working with counselors on planning skills. And so. It's going to be nice not hating myself in the future if it works. I'm trying not to get too excited yet, just in case. Still: hope - it's nice.
fellyconnelly - 09/24/08 07:16
my goodness.... i think this post may have made me think... i try and do 27 projects at once and never finish any of them. i constantly get sidetracked from what i am doing. my mind is always jumping from one topic to another.... i sell cell phones instead of focusing on becoming a videographer, like i went to school for.... seriously, please let me know how this goes for you, ok?
my goodness.... i think this post may have made me think... i try and do 27 projects at once and never finish any of them. i constantly get sidetracked from what i am doing. my mind is always jumping from one topic to another.... i sell cell phones instead of focusing on becoming a videographer, like i went to school for.... seriously, please let me know how this goes for you, ok?
drew - 09/22/08 18:01
are we having quarter-life crises simultaneously?
are we having quarter-life crises simultaneously?
jason - 09/22/08 16:53
"I'm looking at turning 30 next year, and I really want the next 20 years of my life to be more productive then the previous 20. I'm running out of time to brutally force my brain to do things that it doesn't want to do, and I need the help.
I am sick of letting other people down and not being able to do things that I want very much to do."
This part of your post hits home big time. I definitely know where you're coming from here, (e:Jim). I hope this new regimen works out for you! Medications scare the death out of me these days, so I don't know if I could make that step. That's really cool of you. Well done.
"I'm looking at turning 30 next year, and I really want the next 20 years of my life to be more productive then the previous 20. I'm running out of time to brutally force my brain to do things that it doesn't want to do, and I need the help.
I am sick of letting other people down and not being able to do things that I want very much to do."
This part of your post hits home big time. I definitely know where you're coming from here, (e:Jim). I hope this new regimen works out for you! Medications scare the death out of me these days, so I don't know if I could make that step. That's really cool of you. Well done.
jim - 09/22/08 10:47
I'm completely unable to work on more then one thing a time, and don't get to consciously 'chose' what that one thing is. Interruptions can kill my focus for hours on end. So it's basically very debilitating. Terrible. I have no control over it. I am not sure if I'll be less creative, but so far (5 days in on the meds) I am not having trouble visualizing solutions to complex problems and don't feel like a different person. Definitely something to keep an eye on, though. I am desperate to fix this, basically, so willing to put up with a certain amount of drawbacks.
Honestly I never took ADD seriously, in general, until it was made clear to me that it perfectly described 100% of my problems. I'm looking at turning 30 next year, and I really want the next 20 years of my life to be more productive then the previous 20. I'm running out of time to brutally force my brain to do things that it doesn't want to do, and I need the help.
I am sick of letting other people down and not being able to do things that I want very much to do.
I'm completely unable to work on more then one thing a time, and don't get to consciously 'chose' what that one thing is. Interruptions can kill my focus for hours on end. So it's basically very debilitating. Terrible. I have no control over it. I am not sure if I'll be less creative, but so far (5 days in on the meds) I am not having trouble visualizing solutions to complex problems and don't feel like a different person. Definitely something to keep an eye on, though. I am desperate to fix this, basically, so willing to put up with a certain amount of drawbacks.
Honestly I never took ADD seriously, in general, until it was made clear to me that it perfectly described 100% of my problems. I'm looking at turning 30 next year, and I really want the next 20 years of my life to be more productive then the previous 20. I'm running out of time to brutally force my brain to do things that it doesn't want to do, and I need the help.
I am sick of letting other people down and not being able to do things that I want very much to do.
drew - 09/22/08 10:39
I'm pretty sure I've got the ADD, too, but have hesitated in getting treatment because I was afraid of losing creativity/quick thinking, which (to me) seems to be a wonderful other side of the coin to being easily distracted/disorganized (which I am). I have been able to be successful in academic settings, but I have done it in ADD-friendly ways.
I look forward to an update on how the ongoing treatment works for you, especially if you find yourself coming up with less brilliant ideas and things like that.
I'm pretty sure I've got the ADD, too, but have hesitated in getting treatment because I was afraid of losing creativity/quick thinking, which (to me) seems to be a wonderful other side of the coin to being easily distracted/disorganized (which I am). I have been able to be successful in academic settings, but I have done it in ADD-friendly ways.
I look forward to an update on how the ongoing treatment works for you, especially if you find yourself coming up with less brilliant ideas and things like that.
09/21/2008 15:10 #45748
Proof Fall Is HereChristmas Decorations on sale!
fellyconnelly - 09/22/08 08:54
i have a feeling that running Christmas lights for 3 months isn't going to be in the budget of many homeowners this year. Does that disappoint me? maayyybe not...
i have a feeling that running Christmas lights for 3 months isn't going to be in the budget of many homeowners this year. Does that disappoint me? maayyybe not...
libertad - 09/22/08 07:32
I just saw some at Lowes.
I just saw some at Lowes.
james - 09/21/08 15:11
ugh, I just threw up a little.
ugh, I just threw up a little.
09/20/2008 10:14 #45737
7 YearsCategory: science!
It occurs to me as I sit here and type, that the underwear I'm wearing is seven years old. It's probably the only pair of boxers that I still own from way back then, but still. Ancient, right?
Science tells us that all the atoms in our bodies are cycled out and replaced, and that it takes about seven years or so to get a complete swap. Essentially, the underwear I'm wearing right now is more permanent than my actual human self, but for the thread of consciousness that weaves the whole dance of molecular this and that together.
I think I'll throw them out, I've noticed a couple holes.
Science tells us that all the atoms in our bodies are cycled out and replaced, and that it takes about seven years or so to get a complete swap. Essentially, the underwear I'm wearing right now is more permanent than my actual human self, but for the thread of consciousness that weaves the whole dance of molecular this and that together.
I think I'll throw them out, I've noticed a couple holes.
Hahaha.. the birth of new net ideas.