Though on a different issue, I can oh so very very very much relate to the above. Very nearly brought me to tears. You've put it so well. Thank you.

On the over-the-top consumerism and total overkill of stimuli? Oh.so.yes. Though I must admit that when hypomanic, I'm prone to get caught up. Would so much like to have that money back. It may seem to others to be small potatoes in terms of the culture here, but it's definitely been out of control in terms of my economic world. And ridiculous things? Yeah. But in a relatively normal state of mind? I just don't get it. It's just TOO MUCH! And has a very big tendency to bring out the worst in people. It's so damn pervasive and in-your-face, not "believing" in it can make me feel like a freak. There are of course others who see it too, but by the very nature of things, it's not as obvious that this is so.

(Heh. Cleaning before the cleaner comes? You'd be surprised how many people do that. I used to do cleaning as a business. Just me. Tendencies to Monk-ish ways made sole proprietorship pretty much a given, lol. And trust issues, but that's not an lol.)

Always a pleasure to see you on the BP forums, NuckinFutz!