Last night I felt like garbage. I am prone to depression, you might not believe. Autumn especially seems to provide one or two week long bouts. So when I was feeling crummy last night for no apparent reason I thought I had one coming on. I spent the evening in bed doing homework and passed out around 11, not a normal evening for me when I am feeling well.
Over the years I have developed a number of strategies for dealing with my depression. For one, I no longer deploy my 'drink' strategy, as that only works for about an hour. But exercise is one that has been in repertoire for a little over a year. Feel like shit? Go for a jog. Want to lock yourself in a New York hotel and write poetry? Do some squats.
So this morning I pulled out onto Elmwood on my bike to go to work when I get stuck behind the dreaded bus. Getting stuck behind the bus is hell, and this is doubly true for cyclists who have to breath in the exhaust. So at Bidwell I decide I am going to pass the fucker and beat him to Allen. Ten minutes later I was laughing at the bus still stuck at Summer. HA!
When inconsequential things can put your mood in a long funk, you need little victories to keep your spirits high. So now I am off to conquer the world and have a kick ass day. You do the same.
James's Journal
My Podcast Link
10/09/2008 09:34 #46013
Little Victories10/08/2008 20:30 #46002
GoodreadsHowdy,
A friend invited me to a social networking site last week called GoodReads. It is like Last.FM but for books. So far I have gotten a few good recommendations from checking it out, but more interesting is that I get to see what my friends like to read.
So, if you are on there just comment with your user name.
Mine is MunchingZombie
A friend invited me to a social networking site last week called GoodReads. It is like Last.FM but for books. So far I have gotten a few good recommendations from checking it out, but more interesting is that I get to see what my friends like to read.
So, if you are on there just comment with your user name.
Mine is MunchingZombie
tinypliny - 10/08/08 20:41
Interesting! 5 years back, I would have jumped in and probably been devouring books, but the literary poverty in my grad life is more crippling that the economic meltdown of the 20s now. I hardly read any non-journal stuff for leisure any more. My mind is constantly in literary oblivion.
I envy you, munching zombie. I wish I could at least forage for some shreds that you are feasting on. But I can't :(
Interesting! 5 years back, I would have jumped in and probably been devouring books, but the literary poverty in my grad life is more crippling that the economic meltdown of the 20s now. I hardly read any non-journal stuff for leisure any more. My mind is constantly in literary oblivion.
I envy you, munching zombie. I wish I could at least forage for some shreds that you are feasting on. But I can't :(
10/08/2008 10:55 #45992
Shugo TokumaruCategory: music
I used to love Japanese music. Acts like Malice Mizer, Der En Grey, Gackt, and most horrible of all, X Japan. Oh, just thinking about them makes me want to curl up into a ball of shame.
But I recently stumbled upon an act I really like, Shugo Tokumaru. His songs are layered really nicely. With lots of goodies going on beside the melody.
Take a listen
and this, I just can't get enough of this video. Katamri without the ball.
But I recently stumbled upon an act I really like, Shugo Tokumaru. His songs are layered really nicely. With lots of goodies going on beside the melody.
Take a listen
and this, I just can't get enough of this video. Katamri without the ball.
10/08/2008 09:34 #45989
Chunky MonkeyI have been giving advice to John McCain all week. Mostly in the format of yelling at boxes of text and images on my computer screen. But last night I got to him in all of his animatronic glory on TV. And here is my two cents.
Get a suit that fits.
Get a suit that fits.
10/07/2008 12:51 #45977
Today's PSAJust a reminder
Genesis used to be a great band.
It is just too bad thatPhil Collins someone other band member is a douche bag even though he is a great drummer instrumentalist of some sort.
That is all.
Genesis used to be a great band.
It is just too bad that
That is all.
tinypliny - 10/07/08 22:31
What I want to know is what does Prostate Specific Antigen have to do with anything???! Kindly illuminate.
What I want to know is what does Prostate Specific Antigen have to do with anything???! Kindly illuminate.
jason - 10/07/08 15:36
Damn, I didn't know you liked Genesis! You know who used to be great are The Police. I've had "Spirits in the Material World" on my playlist a BUNCH lately.
Damn, I didn't know you liked Genesis! You know who used to be great are The Police. I've had "Spirits in the Material World" on my playlist a BUNCH lately.
joshua - 10/07/08 14:50
Are you saying that you have no appreciation for Invisible Touch? Hehe. I'd hate to touch off a vigorous argument between the prog rock purists and the people who liked the mainstream stuff. Common theme amongst fans of prog rock bands.
It is wild to see such an early video of the band. PG looks a baby! He hadn't fully developed as a singer yet either.
You are right about Phil Collins but it must be said that, in my opinion anyway, his solo work was awesome. Except for covers of Motown... that is like Pat Boone singing Sam Cooke tunes! In terms of commercial, poppy, radio-friendly stuff he was the king for a long time. I give him credit for being a great and soulful singer. Genesis lucked out on that front after PG left.
As I illustrated in a previous journal entry, he has paid BIG for his personal failings, to the tune of $84 million. I gave him macabre credit for being a pioneer and an innovator in the use of technology to dump your spouse (he did it via fax).
Are you saying that you have no appreciation for Invisible Touch? Hehe. I'd hate to touch off a vigorous argument between the prog rock purists and the people who liked the mainstream stuff. Common theme amongst fans of prog rock bands.
It is wild to see such an early video of the band. PG looks a baby! He hadn't fully developed as a singer yet either.
You are right about Phil Collins but it must be said that, in my opinion anyway, his solo work was awesome. Except for covers of Motown... that is like Pat Boone singing Sam Cooke tunes! In terms of commercial, poppy, radio-friendly stuff he was the king for a long time. I give him credit for being a great and soulful singer. Genesis lucked out on that front after PG left.
As I illustrated in a previous journal entry, he has paid BIG for his personal failings, to the tune of $84 million. I gave him macabre credit for being a pioneer and an innovator in the use of technology to dump your spouse (he did it via fax).
drew - 10/07/08 14:45
Janelle loves Phil Collins (still). You should delete this post if you want to remain her friend.
Janelle loves Phil Collins (still). You should delete this post if you want to remain her friend.
hodown - 10/07/08 12:53
Awesome. Thank you!
Awesome. Thank you!
Dealing with depression is really hard. My son battles with it sometimes and, though it’s not good for his skin, he says going tanning occasionally really helps lift his mood - I think it’s the light. I’m going to look into buying him one of those light boxes that is specifically designed for people who have problems with seasonal affective disorder. They’re pretty expensive but if it will help him, it would be worth it. I went through a bad bout of depression myself after I quit smoking. The chemical change seemed to mess me up. Then the post-smoking gain of 40 lbs. didn’t help either. I tried medication but it didn’t seem to make a difference, so I stopped. Though, I started to feel better with the spring and working in my garden. Maybe my body just had to adjust to the change. Body chemistry is so weird.
Sign on IM a sec if you get this.
I am having a pretty crummy day at work. But god damn it, I still feel good and I know I get to bike another three miles to get to school.
So now I drink when I am happy and run to keep that way. It is working pretty well.
Of corse, you can combine the two and go dancing. Which is the ultimate happy.
Thanks for posting that. I've been feeling that way on and off for the past few weeks. I've been employing the "drink" strategy and I know it's not the answer. You just gave me the inspiration to go for a run!
I'm sorry, hope you feel better tonight :)
Love you!