The One About My Head

Apparently, I have something wrong with mine. I’ve been out of work for about a month now just getting more and more behind. I’ve been to the ER and to see a doctor twice. Now it’s time for the specialists. I was referred to a neurologist.

I don’t want it to be something serious. But honestly, if I’m seeing a neurologist what percentage of their patients have something small wrong with the old brain?

I always expected I’d go out in a car crash or, in helping someone else, make a miscalculation and fall to my death.

Fucking cheery thoughts, yeah? Not in a cheery place, so beat it, ya looky-loo.

Another One About Sirens

After a long car ride I made it to Colorado. My friend Rosemary and I braved the highways together and more the merrier for it. Now that I’m here though, I’m hiding behind my screen in the guise of writing. Now, of course, I am actually writing, but I’m hiding from people that I haven’t seen in over a year. What if they don’t remember me? What if I forget their names? What if I’m a big old goony mess?

I already know the answer to that.

It won’t matter. My Sirens Sibs are the best. They’ll forgive me my faux paus and misremembered names. We’ll bond over the books we read and the sheer joy of being out in the world again.

So I’m about to kick my ass downstairs to revel in the time I have here.

But first… I’m going to finish this page. Anything else would be a rook mistake.

The One About Decreasing Distance

It isn’t like we’re not all hyperaware of the plague that is COVID. We have this mask and that sanitizer – unless you’re one of those idiot anti-maskers. If that’s so, move on. I don’t want your eyes on my words. But we can finally see a glimpse of the future that includes people not in our household. And that’s where we’re going to have to be patient.

Some of us will be touch starved. The hugs, the arm squeezes, the hand holding. They’ll be so ready to feel that human connection. And then there’ll be others that have lived happily all this time without someone invading their space to get a quick hug.

I live in both worlds. I’m lucky enough to have a partner that I can literally reach out and touch whenever I want. And so I do. When I get lonely for the world, I go bother them for a few minutes and get my fix of touch then move on with my day. However, I’m not a receiver. I don’t like being touched unless you’re in the secret inner circle of my Evil Overlord Club. (If you’re not sure if you are, then just ask. I’m happy to tell you.)

My fear is that the givers are going to overwhelm those that do not receive touch well. So.. keep that in mind as we move forward. Givers don’t place your needs above the receivers. Cause if you do, that’d be a rook mistake

The One About COVID

OK, look. I was locked out of my account for months. I don’t know why, but here we go…

It’s real. I don’t care what your weird ass pastor says. I give two shits about your opinion.

Sit your motherfucking ass at home.

Get stupid with your masks. Wear all of them at once. Just fucking WEAR them.

People are DYING. Are you resisting the death rate or contributing to it?

Am I bored? Am I stalking and researching anything and everything online? Am I trying to find the energy and motivation to work out? Am I gaining weight instead?

Damn straight.

You dicks that won’t follow CDC guidelines are keeping me at home. You’re contributing to my boredom and weight gain. This makes me rage. When I rage I bake. Fuckers, you’re going to kill me over here.

DO you want me to have to go to the VA? Fuck you then. If I can come home from the shit, then you assholes cannot kill me at home.

Also – trim your beard.

TLDR; Shut up and wear your mask. Anything else is a fucking stupid bullshit excuse for a selfish piece of shit. That ain’t a Rook Mistake

The One About Opening Up

So, I’m a fake extrovert. According to all the personality tests, I’m equal parts extro and intro. This month is a full on test of those results. I’ve co-paneled HORROR 101 and spoken on an actual stage in front of people I didn’t even know for PTSD: Triggers &Lies. Next weekend is reserved for Sirens packing and the utter meltdown I’ll have when I can’t fit my metaphorical banjo into the literal suitcase.

The PTSD talk gave me the feels. It wasn’t just me typing to an invisible audience who might or may not even exist. I could see them. They listened and asked questions. I felt “normal” while doing it.

After proving to myself that I can do this, I think I’d like to do it again and hit the character developing/writing angle a little harder.

If you have the chance to attend Writers in the Field next year, do it. It was a fantastic experience. If you were there, thanks for attending.

TL;DR: It’s a good day, but now I need endorphins and a nap. Opening up is part of the recovery process for me. Anything less would be a rook mistake.

The One About Civil Disobedience

I am having a problem with anger lately and I’m pretty sure it’s going to get me in trouble. But why so angry? Well, let’s see

AT THE BORDER

• 11,000 children separated from their parents
• 1,400 children “lost”
• sexual abuse of children
• 6 dead children

IN DC

• Refusal to pass election security bills
• Connections to actual child trafficking and sex rings
• Open racism
• Open hostility towards American cities
• Federal death penalty reinstated
• Being anti fascist = terrorist
• President lying about 9/11

IN CALIFORNIA

• 6 people dead
• another white guy shooter
• WHAT THE FUCK, people?

This is by no means the end of my list of why I’m angry, it’s just what’s on the top of my head at the moment.

TLDR: You should be mad if you’re paying attention. Share my rage. Anything less is just a rook mistake.

The One About Trying Again: VA 2 Electric Boogaloo

Still haven’t seen a therapist. Still having paranoia and the sleeping habits are getting weird again. I’m not even tired until about 2 or 3 and by that time I’m mentally strung out and having almost waking dreams. It sucks. It also leaves me little energy to do things around the house or to write or – you know – take a shower. Yeah, I know when my hair starts getting greasy I’ve got a problem. As vain as I am about the silver fox moniker, I cannot bring myself to wash it. Fuck, fuck, fuckity fuck. Maybe that’ll happen before I try out the VA again.

Yeah, you heard me right. I’m going to the VA on Thursday to see if I can take it. I’m not sure if I’m testing myself or I’m honestly seeking help. Maybe I’m testing them. Whatever.

It’s like I forget how to people. I don’t want to be around anyone. When the sig-oth comes home, I fake it til I make it. I don’t want his company. But then I enjoy being around him. But all I really want is to be alone.

I mean, what can the VA do? Give me more medication? Take this feeling of defeat and that I am a fucked up waste of resources away? Sure. That’s why we read about all their success stories, right?

TLDR: I need to seek help again. To continue to pretend it’s not happening would be a Rook Mistake

The One About Finding a Therapist

I have a psychiatrist who recommended I see a therapist. She even gave me some people to call. This means I’ve been making it on meds and the home-spun wisdom I created. Today I went to a therapist.

It took about 45 minutes for a 15 minute consultation to see if she was a good fit. I should have saved myself the time when I saw the rah-rah feel good decor in the lobby. Yeah, I know positive in creates positive output for lots of people. However, when it looks like someone’s grandma got a free shopping spree at Mardel’s – I’m out.

Let me saw that I am not opposed to God or church, but I’d like for that to stay in a religious environment. I am not looking to God to fix my anxiety. I don’t want to kumbaya the pain away. I’m looking for therapy and a therapist that doesn’t ask me to pray with her.

TLDR: Check out the therapist before you go. Anything less is a Rook mistake.

The 72nd One About the VA

I am done. SO fucking GODDAMN DONE

The One About home defense

Fuck all if it isn’t just the most complicated concept. Are you protecting yourself from armed robbers intent on stealing everything you have and murdering you in your sleep? Or are you playing Jigsaw with cameras and multi-phased detainment and elimination setups?

Or are you just afraid of the other. The other that doesn’t look like you – that doesn’t speak your language – that doesn’t worship as you do.

People will tell you to stop being a racist piece of shit, right? Does that suggestion ever work? Does it actually make a person rethink their ideas and do the work to see why what they’ve said/think is racist?

I don’t know.

What I do know is that if you speak to people, they become human to you and not an object to navigate around. Maybe you work with someone who isn’t like you and you’ve never really given them a thought. Try it. Talk. But think about what you say before it comes out of your mouth. Let’s not focus on color or race or religion in that conversation. Let’s just say hello and move on from there.

Try it. And maybe you’ll feel as though you have one less person to defend against. Maybe you’ll realize that no one is trying to steal your way of life.

TLDR: Know what you’re up against in yourself and find the solutions. Anything less would be a rook mistake.