edwzipper wrote: ↑Tue Dec 17, 2019 9:05 pm
Have you thought about taking youor wife with you? I bring mine sometimes as it is impossible for me to observe my own behavior.
Maybe eventually, but for now it's all about the next two months to see where my head is at.
Definitely feel better now that I have a path and a plan - weird thing is how quickly it went from being something that happened maybe once every 3/4 months to a near constant state of agitation and stress.
But today was better than yesterday. Tomorrow will be better than today.
"beautiful, with an exotic-yet-familiar facial structure and an arresting gaze."
degenerasian wrote: ↑Sun Dec 22, 2019 12:28 pm
Stop watching Spurs would help.
(I know Pruitt is out of town relaxing so all good)
Came home and watched on delay - what a brutral game.
But on a happier note - got to my buddy's cottage - it was him, his partner, another lifelong friend and my wife. In other words, the most supportive group possible.
So I tell these guys what's been going on and it turns out the all 3 of them (other than my wife) are on some kind of anti-depressant for a variety of reasons. Felt a weight coming off my shoulders.
No stress, no issues. What a difference a week makes.
"beautiful, with an exotic-yet-familiar facial structure and an arresting gaze."
Since Syb left an update, I thought I'd do the same.
My issue is an anxiety-related one.
Zoloft is helping, and just knowing there's ativan in my drawer keeps me calm at times.
No recurrence of the worst of it, and my GP has been fantastic throughout - full of good suggestions. The therapist I've seen a few times is helping a great deal. Just have to train myself to look at things differently. What a difference three months makes.
"beautiful, with an exotic-yet-familiar facial structure and an arresting gaze."
brian wrote: ↑Mon Mar 16, 2020 11:36 am
I got on Lexapro at the start of the year. It's made a huge difference. Kicking myself for not doing it much sooner.
I hate the idea that I have to take pills... but I am happy with the results.
"beautiful, with an exotic-yet-familiar facial structure and an arresting gaze."
brian wrote: ↑Mon Mar 16, 2020 11:36 am
I got on Lexapro at the start of the year. It's made a huge difference. Kicking myself for not doing it much sooner.
I hate the idea that I have to take pills... but I am happy with the results.
I did too, but then remembered I'm on Lisinopril for my hypertension and Keppra to prevent seizures, so what's one more pill every day?
brian wrote: ↑Mon Mar 16, 2020 11:36 am
I got on Lexapro at the start of the year. It's made a huge difference. Kicking myself for not doing it much sooner.
I hate the idea that I have to take pills... but I am happy with the results.
I did too, but then remembered I'm on Lisinopril for my hypertension and Keppra to prevent seizures, so what's one more pill every day?
Similar to what my therapist said. I take thyroid medication every day and glucosamine, so what's the big deal?
"beautiful, with an exotic-yet-familiar facial structure and an arresting gaze."
brian wrote: ↑Mon Mar 16, 2020 11:36 am
I got on Lexapro at the start of the year. It's made a huge difference. Kicking myself for not doing it much sooner.
It's gotten to the point that I have a vague memory of being on Lexapro, but it's like a memory of a memory, and I don't remember when or whether it was effective. I used to know exactly when I was on every med, how it worked/didn't work, etc... Last time I switched psychiatrists, I couldn't remember the timeline at all. I ended up googling a list and writing down the ones I was on. For me, they were almost all effective (to varying degrees), but the effectiveness wore off after a few months or years, then I'd switch to something else or combine. Rinse and repeat. Except Effexor, nobody should ever prescribe that horrific drug (though I probably had the best results from it). Side effects and withdrawal are horrible and very common, and if you are late taking a pill, it fucks you up. Not good during my swinging days living in NYC just after law school. Drinking heavily and often not making it home at night.
An honest to God cult of personality - formed around a failed steak salesman.
-Pruitt
Pruitt wrote: ↑Mon Mar 16, 2020 11:34 am
Since Syb left an update, I thought I'd do the same.
My issue is an anxiety-related one.
Zoloft is helping, and just knowing there's ativan in my drawer keeps me calm at times.
No recurrence of the worst of it, and my GP has been fantastic throughout - full of good suggestions. The therapist I've seen a few times is helping a great deal. Just have to train myself to look at things differently. What a difference three months makes.
Good to hear, Pruitt.
An honest to God cult of personality - formed around a failed steak salesman.
-Pruitt
Johnnie wrote: ↑Thu Sep 10, 2020 6:21 pm
Holy shit. What the fuck, man. He's stuck in that old world, macho bullshit realm like the miliary up until a few years ago. Absolutely disgusting.
He prefaced it saying he'd upset people, so he knows what he was about to say was controversial. Does he get it and just wants to play the asshole on TV to stay relevant and get ratings, or his he just willfully ignorant and actually an asshole?
An honest to God cult of personality - formed around a failed steak salesman.
-Pruitt
Johnnie wrote: ↑Thu Sep 10, 2020 6:21 pm
Holy shit. What the fuck, man. He's stuck in that old world, macho bullshit realm like the miliary up until a few years ago. Absolutely disgusting.
He prefaced it saying he'd upset people, so he knows what he was about to say was controversial. Does he get it and just wants to play the asshole on TV to stay relevant and get ratings, or his he just willfully ignorant and actually an asshole?
Combine the two thoughts to read get ratings and is actually an asshole.
To quote both Bruce Prichard and Tony Schiavone, "Fuck Duff Meltzer."
Johnnie wrote: ↑Thu Sep 10, 2020 6:21 pm
Holy shit. What the fuck, man. He's stuck in that old world, macho bullshit realm like the miliary up until a few years ago. Absolutely disgusting.
He prefaced it saying he'd upset people, so he knows what he was about to say was controversial. Does he get it and just wants to play the asshole on TV to stay relevant and get ratings, or his he just willfully ignorant and actually an asshole?
A leopard can't change his spots, I guess? He's so ingrained to be the asshole for tv he's unable to not spin something for the bad to make people hate him. He goes all the way back to calling Troy Aikman gay and is always dumping on LeBron for stupid shit. I guess it's just his nature to be that way. Not shocking he's estranged from his brother, awesome super duper chef, Rick Bayless.
(In some way this is kinda like the brain of a Trump supporter. How do I spin [X] to own the Libz? as opposed to How do I spin this to get people to hatewatch me?
mister d wrote:Couldn't have pegged me better.
EnochRoot wrote:I mean, whatever. Johnnie's all hot cuz I ride him.
Johnnie wrote: ↑Fri Sep 11, 2020 8:35 amHe's so ingrained to be the asshole for tv he's unable to not spin something for the bad to make people hate him. He goes all the way back to calling Troy Aikman gay and is always dumping on LeBron for stupid shit. I guess it's just his nature to be that way.
Bigotry and assholery have been Bayless's shtick for longer than that.
And his one problem is he didn’t go to Russia that night because he had extracurricular activities, and they froze to death.
I haven't watched more than 10 seconds of him or Stephen A. Smith in well over a decade.
You know, they canceled Crossfire because Jon Stewart exposed it for what it was back in the day. It's pretty telling that ESPN, and now Fox, still get away with trafficking in purely hatewatch TV at this point. I don't mean to insult any of you that tunes into this stuff, but... What the fuck do people get out of watching guys that are putting out fake, manufactured "hot takes" just to get a rise out of people?
It's fucking bizarre, if you really sit back and think about it.
You can lead a horse to fish, but you can't fish out a horse.
It was the Jerry Springer-ification of television across all mediums mixed with the rise of social media "involving" its viewers into the shitiness of it.
Every show is Crossfire. Those shows get ratings.
Everyone loves a food fight. Everyone loves seeing people argue. Everyone likes to see a 'bad guy' vs a 'good guy.'
And if you've met the average American, you wouldn't be surprised.
mister d wrote:Couldn't have pegged me better.
EnochRoot wrote:I mean, whatever. Johnnie's all hot cuz I ride him.
Johnnie wrote: ↑Fri Sep 11, 2020 8:35 amHe's so ingrained to be the asshole for tv he's unable to not spin something for the bad to make people hate him. He goes all the way back to calling Troy Aikman gay and is always dumping on LeBron for stupid shit. I guess it's just his nature to be that way.
Bigotry and assholery have been Bayless's shtick for longer than that.
I'm reminded of that Chris Rock joke about racism where he said "you people wouldn't trade places with me, and I'm RICH!"
I totally don't get hatewatching anything. I have a list as long as my arm of things I'd want to watch, why waste time getting yourself angry?
My avatar corresponds on my place in the Swamp posting list with the all-time Home Run list. Number 45 is Paul Konerko with 439.
Johnnie wrote: ↑Fri Sep 11, 2020 9:21 am
It was the Jerry Springer-ification of television across all mediums mixed with the rise of social media "involving" its viewers into the shitiness of it.
Every show is Crossfire. Those shows get ratings.
Everyone loves a food fight. Everyone loves seeing people argue. Everyone likes to see a 'bad guy' vs a 'good guy.'
And if you've met the average American, you wouldn't be surprised.
I think that was a trend that has passed, honestly. I get it, I was right there in the middle of it. Howard Stern was once the king of it, now he's known for being one of the more thoughtful and insightful interviewers on the planet.
Is it a youth thing? Like, the younger generation wants the adrenaline rush of some assholes on TV/radio hashing out some bullshit for their amusement.
On a related note, I think it's pretty telling that the wave of Howard Stern wannabes has pretty much run its course. There are a few conservative assholes hanging on, but the brand of dickhole shock jocks have pretty much run their course. And Maury Povich is pretty much the only one left doing the dickbag TV bullshit you reference.
I think arguing about sports is the last vestige of this bullshit. Good riddance.
You can lead a horse to fish, but you can't fish out a horse.
Johnnie wrote: ↑Fri Sep 11, 2020 9:21 am
It was the Jerry Springer-ification of television across all mediums mixed with the rise of social media "involving" its viewers into the shitiness of it.
Every show is Crossfire. Those shows get ratings.
Everyone loves a food fight. Everyone loves seeing people argue. Everyone likes to see a 'bad guy' vs a 'good guy.'
And if you've met the average American, you wouldn't be surprised.
I think that was a trend that has passed, honestly. I get it, I was right there in the middle of it. Howard Stern was once the king of it, now he's known for being one of the more thoughtful and insightful interviewers on the planet.
Is it a youth thing? Like, the younger generation wants the adrenaline rush of some assholes on TV/radio hashing out some bullshit for their amusement.
On a related note, I think it's pretty telling that the wave of Howard Stern wannabes has pretty much run its course. There are a few conservative assholes hanging on, but the brand of dickhole shock jocks have pretty much run their course. And Maury Povich is pretty much the only one left doing the dickbag TV bullshit you reference.
I think arguing about sports is the last vestige of this bullshit. Good riddance.
I recently listened to a neuroscientist explain this on Rogan's podcast. He was talking about a study where they stimulated various sections of the brain and allowed people to choose where they received the stimulation. For some reason, people preferred triggering the anger response over everything else, including happiness, sexual arousal and other positive. I never understood the appeal shows you mentioned other than Stern, but that was more for sexual content and shock value when I was in middle school and high school and he had his TV shows on WOR and E. OTOH, I was addicted to hate listening to Right Wing shock jocks when I used to spend a lot of time driving in pre-podcast or satellite radio days. I told myself it was important to understand what the Right was preaching in order to argue against it, but I do think there is an addiction-like need for a hit of anger. It's similar to the dopamine draw that gets people hooked on playing app games and checking their likes or mentions on social media.
An honest to God cult of personality - formed around a failed steak salesman.
-Pruitt
Johnnie wrote: ↑Fri Sep 11, 2020 9:21 am
It was the Jerry Springer-ification of television across all mediums mixed with the rise of social media "involving" its viewers into the shitiness of it.
Every show is Crossfire. Those shows get ratings.
Everyone loves a food fight. Everyone loves seeing people argue. Everyone likes to see a 'bad guy' vs a 'good guy.'
And if you've met the average American, you wouldn't be surprised.
I think that was a trend that has passed, honestly. I get it, I was right there in the middle of it.
Hard disagree. The most popular shows on TV are people watching people that are more fucked up than they are and laughing for sport. Argument commentary TV is no different. This is what sells Coke. This is what moves ad spots. It's why there's no such thing as journalism on TV anymore. "Trump said X today, let's bring in our two wildly different commentaries so we can certainly find some middle ground here." It's bullshit and people eat it the fuck up.
When I walk the neighborhood with the dogs in the evenings, half the houses have large TVs that you can see from big picture windows in the front of the house. 60% of them are tuned to FOX, MSNBC, or CNN. People love this shit and advertisers/TV people know it.
Johnnie wrote: ↑Fri Sep 11, 2020 9:21 am
It was the Jerry Springer-ification of television across all mediums mixed with the rise of social media "involving" its viewers into the shitiness of it.
Every show is Crossfire. Those shows get ratings.
Everyone loves a food fight. Everyone loves seeing people argue. Everyone likes to see a 'bad guy' vs a 'good guy.'
And if you've met the average American, you wouldn't be surprised.
I think that was a trend that has passed, honestly. I get it, I was right there in the middle of it.
Hard disagree. The most popular shows on TV are people watching people that are more fucked up than they are and laughing for sport. Argument commentary TV is no different. This is what sells Coke. This is what moves ad spots. It's why there's no such thing as journalism on TV anymore. "Trump said X today, let's bring in our two wildly different commentaries so we can certainly find some middle ground here." It's bullshit and people eat it the fuck up.
When I walk the neighborhood with the dogs in the evenings, half the houses have large TVs that you can see from big picture windows in the front of the house. 60% of them are tuned to FOX, MSNBC, or CNN. People love this shit and advertisers/TV people know it.
I've noticed the same thing with TV channels. Your post also made me realize how many TV shows are "reality" shows based on manufactured conflict and drama. Crap like the 10 different Housewives shows, the Bachelor and those types, Kardashians, it's all meant to trigger the anger response and people watch because they love to hate the horrible people on these shows.
An honest to God cult of personality - formed around a failed steak salesman.
-Pruitt
Bobp mentioned this - maybe on the Ginsberg thread - and, I note here - for my own mental health, I am going to avoid almost all news and have strongly curated my twitter feed to try and get just sports. Otherwise, if I have to be up to date every minute on the collapse of democracy then I don't know that I will make it through this - or what comes next.
tennbengal wrote: ↑Wed Sep 23, 2020 1:05 pm
Bobp mentioned this - maybe on the Ginsberg thread - and, I note here - for my own mental health, I am going to avoid almost all news and have strongly curated my twitter feed to try and get just sports. Otherwise, if I have to be up to date every minute on the collapse of democracy then I don't know that I will make it through this - or what comes next.
Yeah, if I wasn't so addicted I'd try that. But mostly I'm just relying on temporary muting. Like I guess it's time to mute "Breonna" for 24 hours.
And his one problem is he didn’t go to Russia that night because he had extracurricular activities, and they froze to death.
tennbengal wrote: ↑Wed Sep 23, 2020 1:05 pm
Bobp mentioned this - maybe on the Ginsberg thread - and, I note here - for my own mental health, I am going to avoid almost all news and have strongly curated my twitter feed to try and get just sports. Otherwise, if I have to be up to date every minute on the collapse of democracy then I don't know that I will make it through this - or what comes next.
Yeah, if I wasn't so addicted I'd try that. But mostly I'm just relying on temporary muting. Like I guess it's time to mute "Breonna" for 24 hours.
That too. off to the mutes (Breonna and Louisville and police sent to the twitter phantom zone). That Atlantic article that keeps getting pushed into my timeline on faithless electors etc was the last straw. I cannot read horror think pieces 24/7.
tennbengal wrote: ↑Wed Sep 23, 2020 1:05 pm
Bobp mentioned this - maybe on the Ginsberg thread - and, I note here - for my own mental health, I am going to avoid almost all news and have strongly curated my twitter feed to try and get just sports. Otherwise, if I have to be up to date every minute on the collapse of democracy then I don't know that I will make it through this - or what comes next.
Yeah, if I wasn't so addicted I'd try that. But mostly I'm just relying on temporary muting. Like I guess it's time to mute "Breonna" for 24 hours.
That too. off to the mutes (Breonna and Louisville sent to the ether). That Atlantic article that keeps getting pushed into my timeline on faithless electors etc was the last straw. I cannot read horror think pieces 24/7.
I'm sort of here as well. Watching Social Dilemma helped kick me in the pants re: this.
Until everything is less insane, I'm mixing weed with wine.
tennbengal wrote: ↑Wed Sep 23, 2020 1:05 pm
Bobp mentioned this - maybe on the Ginsberg thread - and, I note here - for my own mental health, I am going to avoid almost all news and have strongly curated my twitter feed to try and get just sports. Otherwise, if I have to be up to date every minute on the collapse of democracy then I don't know that I will make it through this - or what comes next.
Yeah, if I wasn't so addicted I'd try that. But mostly I'm just relying on temporary muting. Like I guess it's time to mute "Breonna" for 24 hours.
That too. off to the mutes (Breonna and Louisville and police sent to the twitter phantom zone). That Atlantic article that keeps getting pushed into my timeline on faithless electors etc was the last straw. I cannot read horror think pieces 24/7.
I'm torn by the need to know conflicted with knowing there's next to nothing I can do about it.
tennbengal wrote: ↑Wed Sep 23, 2020 1:05 pm
Bobp mentioned this - maybe on the Ginsberg thread - and, I note here - for my own mental health, I am going to avoid almost all news and have strongly curated my twitter feed to try and get just sports. Otherwise, if I have to be up to date every minute on the collapse of democracy then I don't know that I will make it through this - or what comes next.
Yeah, if I wasn't so addicted I'd try that. But mostly I'm just relying on temporary muting. Like I guess it's time to mute "Breonna" for 24 hours.
That too. off to the mutes (Breonna and Louisville and police sent to the twitter phantom zone). That Atlantic article that keeps getting pushed into my timeline on faithless electors etc was the last straw. I cannot read horror think pieces 24/7.
I'm torn by the need to know conflicted with knowing there's next to nothing I can do about it.
I agree. But, once I know the story, then I have to get away from all the redundant discussion.
Unless it's good news.
But, it's never good news.
Do you guys ever think about unfollowing some redundant accounts?
To use a less annoying example, when the NBA All-Defense teams got announced this week, I had about nine NBA reporters tweeting them out (some multiple times because it was a list of the first team, then later the little graphic listing both teams or the league's announcement) in the span of about two minutes. I still choose to follow them all because they rarely do this outside of award season/other releases from the league, but you may be able to reduce the sources of mainstream news that you follow without being less informed and lessen the negative impact.
“The running, the jumping... a celebration of life.”
I haven't read any news or dipped into the politics threads for a couple weeks (minus the RBG one for a bit). Gonna delete my personal fb account when I get around to it. Now if I could only mute that one toxic family member...
I've dipped into the political threads here less and less as the summer dragged on. It's nothing with the guys posting in there, it's all about what folks are saying in this thread.
I'm exhausted.
You can lead a horse to fish, but you can't fish out a horse.