Category — Real Crazy Crazy

Do you have the August Complaint? This has been one of the hardest August’s of my life. I have 2 very significant positive things- my dad’s cancer has improved so much, and it is looking really good right now- miraculously but not without a good attitude and healthy lifestyle; and; my brother’s wedding is coming up. That’s 2 big wonderful family things.

And then there’s the August Complaint. It’s not just an old-wive’s tale about bodily function.

I lost a cousin to suicide, and left behind him is one of my childhood friends and their three children. That alone is a huge toughy. And then there is other stuff, some of which I’m not comfortable personally disclosing, and there’s a young girl who got brain cancer in my community, and it just all plain SUCKS. So much. A big pile of poo. Explosive diarrhea suck.

That’s what the August Complaint started out as, a civilized way to say that you’re likely to get diarrhea in August. But, alas, it’s turned out to be a metaphor for this month of trying times. I am optimistic, and I have a lot to be thankful for, but part of me wonders if life isn’t playing a cruel trick on my mind and the minds of others close to me.

A good friend said something like this, “I still believe there is a God, but that’s about it.” It’s not that there’s nothing to work towards, or to be happy about and/or proud of, it’s just that D$%N these are some difficult times to live in in this society. I think.

I’m not sure. I’m not even experiencing any sort of normal going-back-to-teaching/school anxiety-depression combination. I’m just sort of bewildered.

And that’s my August Complaint.

Blog, Help Me! You’re the Only One Out There!

I just mad stalked facebook for a few hours while watching a TERRIBLE show on E! about celebrity plastic surgery jobs. Wow, what a way to spend time, right?!

And then I continued to facestalk, and I just refreshed a few times, and I noticed…..

….you ready for it?….

…..not one of my nearly 500 friends had put up a status update in the last hour……I was in shock.

I couldn’t believe it. Surely my internet must not be working right, or, more likely, facebook isn’t up to speed on all of those tasty status updates I’m missing out on.

And then I realized what a fool I’ve become. My last status update only got 1 like, and comments from my mom. I had to delete it (no offense, mom!).

I will readily admit that I’m going through rough times (read breakup reality setting in). And then, I will not admit anything- hello! I am a happy, funny person. And that’s not funny, because it’s obvious I’m being spasmodic.

In conclusion, I am so happy that spasmodic is a word, and even though the idealist, perfectionist side of me screams “your blogging skills have sucked hard lately, you’re falling into the ‘Never before have so many people with so little to say said so much to so few’ demotivator category”, and another part says, “hey, this is my life right now, telling myself i do need to go out elst i’ll have a terrible evening by myself obsessively refreshing FB for new pics? new quotes? new links?” this is me. i capitalize sometimes, and many times i don’t. depends on how fast i want to put this blap out there.

love you, readers. this is life, it has its ups and downs, baby.

Yesterday morning, I thought I had a lot to do. I was extremely happy I didn’t have to go to jury duty (yay!), and I had planned nothing because I thought I’d have to do that. And I decided to drive from near Philly, PA to near Detroit, MI, all by myself!

It was mostly because there was the perseid meteor shower and it was going to be stormy/cloudy out in PA and it looked like a clear weather forecast in MI.

So at 2pm I thought about it, and was gone by 4pm! Craziness.

Funniest part? I got in and some clouds had come in! But we did see a couple, and I’m about to head out right now because it’s more clear tonight and I think there will be a few. Keepin the fingers crossed!

I also went for a 6 mile run with my mother- I‘m exactly 100 days out from the Philly Half-Marathon! And I am happy with my training, even if it’s completely all over the place and not exactly following just one plan That’s just how I am!

Celexa, or Citalopram, is “an antidepressant (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor or SSRI) used in the treatment of depression in adults. It works by restoring the balance of natural chemicals (neurotransmitters) in the brain, thereby improving mood and feelings of well-being. Citalopram should not be used in children or teenagers due to lack of proven effectiveness in treating depression in children. Also, there have been reports of hostility and thoughts of suicide or self-harm occurring in some children using the drug.” (source)

That last part about hostility and suicide make it especially unnerving. Take a look at this article on a study that found that one third of children with autism in the US. And it was found less effective than a placebo, and with plenty of negative harmful side effects. Are hostility and suicidal tendencies something a child with autism needs to add to their plate?

I went ahead and checked out the other side effects. This drug boasts quite a list. I think I’m going to start a new section in my blog about all these vile prescription medications. Just take a glance at these side effects, I’ve bolded some of the most offensive:

SIDE EFFECTS: “Nausea, vomiting, lack of appetite, diarrhea, drowsiness, dizziness, trouble sleeping, dry mouth, muscle/joint pain, fatigue, or yawning may occur.
If any of these effects persist or worsen, notify your doctor or pharmacist promptly.
Tell your doctor immediately if any of these serious side effects occur: changes in sexual ability/desire, increased sweating, persistent nausea/vomiting, uncontrolled movements (tremor), unusual or severe mental/mood changes, weight changes.
Tell your doctor immediately if any of these unlikely but serious side effects occur: black stools, change in frequency of menstrual periods, “coffee-ground” vomit, confusion, easy bruising/bleeding, fast heartbeats, seizures, vision problems.
Males: In the unlikely event you have a painful, prolonged erection (lasting more than 4 hours), stop using this drug and seek immediate medical attention or permanent problems could occur.
A serious allergic reaction to this drug is unlikely, but seek immediate medical attention if it occurs. Symptoms of a serious allergic reaction include: rash, itching, swelling, severe dizziness, trouble breathing. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist.”

Yes, I know these are “just possible side effects”, but read up. They’ve happened to someone out there, and a lot of them are adding unnecessary pain and suffering to the lives of children with autism. Boo.

Drinking Wine Adds 5 Years to Your Bla-Bla-Bla Life

Sure, we’ve all heard of the numerous health benefits associated with a modest one glass of wine per day.

But how about all the other factors they’re not taking in- Dutch people? They definitely do things that are a lot more healthy than Americans.

Whatever.

I’m mostly proud of this dog right now.

Dog Chews Off Feet, Walks Again

If the dog can do it, not only I, but a lot of other people have the capacity to do it too.

Lastly, I only had enough time to look at this to know that they’re all completely awesome except for collection number 14 (which still has its own merits): 25 strangest collections on the web

m and i went on a really long walk. since i got injured, i’ll be able to upload some photos (need to do more of that for this long walk post) and tell some good sticky-”tic”-y temp. ‘o! times!!

(does “sticky-”tic”-y temp. ‘o!” remind anyone else of the “ricky-ticky-tembo-no-sarembo-etcetera story?!)

well, at least i have a nice car to transport my injured self in.

it wasn’t totally due to stupidity, the other part was the fault of the stick- that was attacking me!

that’s us near tanamend park. here is mrak at the churchville train station:

we didn’t think it was in use, but someone brought a cat out of there. we’re not sure if it’s a vet, or if someone lives there?! after about 10 miles, we made it to the Churchville Reservoir!

and boy were we tired. i was complaining. and then, boom, stick-hit:

it’s way worse than it looks, oh the bruising and complaining! not gonna lie, it was partially my fault oh well!

So there I was, hanging out at my house which may or may not be in Jenkintown, and suddenly I smell something weird. And I go outside and look and it smells worse, and I see smoke.

House on fire, at the corner of Greenwood and Walnut St. Let the gawking begin!

People started flocking outside and don’t worry, I got pictures of them too, I just have to go get my wire and upload the pics in a few hours, but first I wanted to write about it to get it up there.

Now we’re chillin’ in the afterglo and enjoying the rest of the nice day outside – now that there aren’t billowing clouds of smoke and some ash!

It was pretty awesome, and yes I admit to being one of the worst perpetrators of gawking.

If you’re thinking about taking Abilify for whatever among the many symptoms they give that it can “help cure”, THINK AGAIN!

I once wrote a song called Abilify the Themesong and I think it sort of gives one a glimpse into the horrific possibilities that lie within the drug.

There could exist a sliver of use in it, but I think it’s widely over-prescribed (like many rx’s these days), and it’s a money-making scheme that ruins lives.

A side effect that could occur as soon as after 6 months of use is tardive dyskinesia: look at this discussion where several people say they got TD from taking abilify – it’s sad, and disgusting. If you searched I’m sure you could find hundreds more cases.

And rarely does Abilify really help anything. I’m not yet at a personal liberty to discuss my nightmare with abilify and how it destroyed all my abilities and made me nearly lose my mind, but all I can say is if you or your child is given a suggestion or prescription for it- do your research, and talk to real people (not doctors and drug companies).

It’s amazing and awful that so many prescription drugs give people the things the drug claims to help, especially when they are mis-prescribed (which in my opinion is way more often than not).

It makes me sick. I was just remembering how loathsome Abilify is, and wanted to share it again.

A quick search I just did to let you know again about the permanent physical troubles it could cause : “Abilify can cause tardive dyskinesia, a condition marked by involuntary movements in the face and body, including chewing movements, puckering”

I need to write my book!

I highly recommend watching yourself some FOUND FOOTAGE FESTIVAL. Just amazing. Basically the best thing ever. I can’t even explain how good some of the footage is: random old home videos, awkward instructional vids, tryouts, horrors and horrors.

Take a gander at this promo:

And here’s one example I really liked:

It’s from “Stairway to Stardom” – a show that features tryouts that every single person should watch.

I cannot urge you more to watch them. DO IT!

i decided to get a nice sandwich for dinner from a healthy restaurant = $$ and decided it would last longer if i took a pic:

what i dint know was what was contained somewhere within:

(look carefully- you can see it moving)

other than that excitement and calamity, i talked with my niece on the phone, and my older niece and mother were laughing in the background and then she was laughing and i was laughing from making her laugh, it was amazing. if you love to make a child laugh that you know/love, then you’ll know what i’m sayin.

supposedly madlib is going to make a collabalbum with melvin van peebles entitled “Brer Soul Meets Quasimoto”, but maybe that was a rumor going around in 1995. man 1995 is old ago!

here, let this photo touch your heart:

it doesn’t? well, you’re obviously not me.