Questions bipolar version #10

A quadrophonic, 8 track stereo system (I'm dating myself). I bought it with the cash I'd saved from my paper route. Quadrophonic sound consisted of four speakers through which different sounds came out of each speaker if you bought special quad 8 tracks. The only problem was there were four speakers, but we have only two ears. It was great in theory, but not so much in practice.

We're pretty much half way through true summer. Is there anything you look forward to as autumn approaches? Explain.

Cooler weather! Besides the usual psych med heat intolerance I'm on another med that has even worse heat intolerance and so I'm pretty much stuck inside when it's hot. I can't wait for cooler temperatures.

Did you ever have a Trapper Keeper (a type of binder that was very popular in the 80s, with designs like a horse or a kitten)? If you had one what was on it? I saved up for weeks to buy mine.

I can't remember what one I had! I know I saved my allowance for it and I know where I bought it but I can't remember the picture.


What was your favorite activity at age 10?

Horseback riding with my dog and reading fantasy and sci fi.

Bipolar takes a toll on the brain, do you feel you’ve lost brain power over the years?

In some ways, but in others not. I do think my medications play a small part in it, but of course the illness (past episodes), too. My long-term memory is still quite good, especially for all years prior to my worst episodes. What is the worst "damage" in my view is how I no longer seem capable to handle the heavy schedule, stress, and multitasking I could before those worst episodes. Meaning, a challenging job plus home type work, socialization, hobbies. I remember a while back taking online college courses. That was the first time since before my worst episodes that I could handle such extra work, showing some "healing". But only one course at a time. I wondered how in youth I was once able to take 21 credits, successfully, all at once and do much more. This is an outstanding question, Nammu! One more than worthy of a thread of its own, if you feel inclined.

What was the last class (college, other) you took?

Humor in healthcare. Obviously the lightest course of my master's. I needed one last class and that one was offered on 2 weekends and sounded easy so I took it. And it was easy and even a lot of fun. They tried to teach us juggling. I didn't succeed in learning. No coordiatnion and that was before I had APs to blame.

Can you juggle?

No coordination I can’t even juggle two things. 😂

Did you at some point or another think about being a performer
.

When I was young and naive, I considered being a performer. I had the lead role in two musicals when I was in high school, and even tried out for a musical when I was attending my mega-university. I almost made the final cut (there were about 100 people who tried out), but finally decided I liked smoking weed more than juggling acting and academics.

What was the first record album or CD you ever bought. What possessed you to buy it?

The Black Eyed Peas- Elephunk. It had the song "Where Is the Love?" on it which I was obsessed with

Are you currently in therapy? What are you currently working on?

I only visit my therapist as needed. When it really hits the fan I'll call to make an appointment. We've been working together for more than a decade, however, so she's really covered all the bases where crisis management is concerned. I occasionally need.a review session...and I'm grateful I've been able to seek guidance from the same therapist for as long as I have.

If you've ever had pets, do you have a favorite? Describe what was so special about this pet.

I’ve had a few. The one that is most special is my first dog. Snoopy( I know how original) she was a mutt, half old English sheepdog and half setter. But she was the best dog around. Training her was a breeze she could learn almost anything and did it for a kind word or a pet. She even won my mum over. She was the last of a free liter and was priceless. She herded all the dogs in the neighborhood, up the ditch down the ditch though the fields. She was the bests dog ever.

Good question! If you had a pet did you have a favorite?

My current Abbycat is my prize winner. I feel sort of guilty about other great pets but she's amazing. She's a cat and has actually been trained for some somewhat complex things. She has never scratched my furniture and if she thinks about it throwing a toy stops her. If she gets into something just saying "use your scratcher" makes her stop. She's pretty amazing.

Have you had a dental cleaning for your pet? My vet says she needs one but it is so expensive.

Our vet just checked our chihuahua's teeth and said his teeth need cleaning. It will be a bit expensive, but I guess that breed is noted for having dental issues.

What would you say is highest on your "bucket list"? Why?

Perhaps your little doggie needs to cut down on his coffee consumption .

As for my bucket list, I look forward to the day when I know where to settle long-term. I want it to be a place where I again feel more myself. Feel free. I haven't felt that way for a while, including when still in the US. As for places to visit, Hubby and I want to see the fjords of Norway as a post 25th anniversary gift. After that, Greece is on my list.

Do you have a green thumb when it comes to raising plants? How many plants do you have in your abode?

I did plant flowers outside mum’s house and did pretty good with them. But now I’m in a tiny apartment with only two windows and no good place to put a plant. But I do have fake leaves on top of Sirs scratching post that look real and a very real looking wild flower arrangement. That will have to do as I’ve never been good with indoor plants.

Speaking of bucket lists is your realistic?

All I can remember is some awful college math class where we had to learn about logarithms.

Are you currently in an episode, either depression or mania?

Negative. I have been even moods since I got my sleep apnea machine. I really think that's the key to this whole bipolar puzzle.

Do you feel like you are taking too many meds?

Hi. Yes! Oh my ****ing God I'm a walking pharmacy! I'm surprised I haven't turned into a big pill at this point.

Do you live in an apartment, house, duplex, etc?

I live in an apartment over my garage. Technically I think it's a house but it's a very tiny house. I live next door to my mom on her property.

Do you have a special soap you like to use or just anything will do?

I use only soaps that will not give me a skin reaction, so nothing with harsh perfumes or other unneeded chemicals. I like pump bottle dispensers over bars of soap.

How often do you take a bath in a bathtub?

I like the dove soap bar that has the little exfoliating balls in them.

Do you see movies in theaters?

Any chance I can! The atmosphere you get with a full theater and a new release is hard to beat!

The Person Below Me finds a good night's sleep eluding them.

I take Trazodone and Klonopin before going to bed, but lately I've only been getting about three hours a night. I'm not speedy, so it's not hypo, though. I hope I get on track soon.

What was the last movie you saw at the theater (please don't tell me it was Barbie!). Play film critic & give it 0 to 10 stars. Why did you rate the movie this way?

Last movie we saw was Mummies. It's a kid's movie (went to it with daughter). It's also an old movie, but in the summer they have kid's weeks. I'd rate it a 7. I liked it. I love animated movies.

What's your #1 goal in life at this moment?

I want to get passed the whole inheritance stuff with my sister in a way that's equal and just. The b-i-l is fighting to screw me over. I can't wait for this to be over, yet I won't give in to his bullying. Unlike my older sister, at this juncture of my life I don't tolerate that.

What in life has made you stronger?