Questions bipolar version #10

Iceland or Hawaii

If you could go to any New Year’s Eve bash in the worlds, which one would you go to.

Oh. Difficult question. Well, my husband doesn't fly because he gets panic attacks on airplanes, and I have no desire to leave the USA, so if we're going to pretend that my husband doesn't have a flying phobia and I could take a week long trip with him, I'd like to visit Ogden, Utah again. When my husband and I were in college we went there for a writers workshop (he pretended he was a writer so he could go. Lol) and we had a really good time, and it was beautiful! The mountains! I'd love to go back there with him sometime, but sadly I don't think it's going to be happening. He's too afraid of flying. And I'm too afraid of driving.

What are your hopes and dreams for 2024?

Just to tell you @raspberrytorte, my good friend overcame his flying phobia after a great many years and traveled to Europe with his kids to meet his wife's parents in their home country. I think he used Valium. I can ask him what he used. He ultimately greatly enjoyed the trip.

My hopes are to:
- develop a consistent sleep/wake cycle and stay employed
- pay off personal debts from a long time ago
- save money (this depends on being able to stay employed which in turn depends on having enough waking hours during the day)

My dreams are to:
- restart my memoir writing after a break of more than five years and send many important letters to reconnect with important people in my life before it is too late
- enjoy a variety of physical exercises and become stronger
- read physical books and not just listen to audiobooks

Q: which of your long term hopes and dreams do you see yourself realizing in 2024?

@Tart Cherry Jam

Unfortunately my husband is resistant to taking meds of any kind. He won't even take Tylenol. I've mentioned to him the idea of going to the doctor and asking about a benzo for the plane ride, or for giving him one of my diazepam, but he absolutely refuses.

Or even a ****ing gabby! But he won't take that either.

Getting my novel published! Writing another novel. Getting some flash fiction and short stories published. Writing even more flash fiction and short stories! I have great writing goals I hope to realize for this coming new year.

Same question.

I know such people. I know such people personally and I know people who have family members who resist taking meds of any kind, too. It is very frustrating (and quietly infuriating) to me, but what can we do?!! @raspberrytorte

Would I be right in assuming it's the old "I don't need no help! I don't need no crutch!" argument? Despite the fact that a crutch, literally and metaphorically, is there to take the weight off what hurts, what's bothering you.

I've met more than a few people like that, including some who would rather make their situation irreparably worse in order to prove to the world that they "don't need no crutch."

I'm with Tart Cherry Jam. It's frustrating, infuriating and befuddling in equal measure!

Finding a measure of financial stability is the absolute first step. If I can get that, I'd jump into paying down a relatively small, but large enough debt I owe directly to my university.

Once that's done, I'd reenroll for classes and finish the last three courses of my degree. Its incredibly frustrating to be so close, but unable to cross the finish line!

In addition to that , I'd get a plan going on some home repairs. I had a burst pipe situation a year and a half ago cause some damage in my kitchen. Everything's still standing now, but I need to get going on solid fixes or that will change.

Beyond that, who knows?

Same question again: What are your hopes and dreams for 2024?

To enjoy work or at least have classes that are bareable

What are you not looking forward to in 2024?

This sucks and is really unfortunate, but I have to see my surgeon again about my hernia repair surgery because I'm pretty sure I ruptured a suture or something because part of my intestine is poking out above my bellybutton again. So I may have to get hernia repair REPAIR surgery? I don't know. I may just ignore this problem because I don't feel like dealing with it though. And I AM NEVER GETTING SURGERY AGAIN.

It's either that or my daughter starting middle school (!).

Same question.

What are you LEAST looking forward to in 2024?

Work. Still hate it. Never win the lotto lol.

What’s your idea of the ideal holiday destination? Glamping or roughing it up camping?

Definitely glamping. I hate camping! Bugs, dirt, nature, yick! I like nature from a distance. Lol.

What is your favorite type of music 🎶?

Who is your favorite band?

💯 % Imagine Dragons. More specifically Demons.

Same question.

That's one of my daughter's favorite bands.

Right now my three favorite bands/musicians are Purity Ring, Sleep Token and God is an Astronaut.

Do you like sushi?

Yes, very much. I quite like raw fish, when extremely fresh. I even often make salmon and tuna tartare when I can get my hands on fresh stuff.

Have you ever been stalked, spied on, or followed?

My ex 2nd husband follows my Yelp reviews (which are numerous but he selects those of interest to him), and has been for years. He follows other activities of mine. But that is legal. It is just creepy and shows that he is obsessed. I do not know if it counts as being stalked, but it counts as being followed online, right? @Soupe du jour

@Soupe du jour I would like your salmon tartare recipe. I have a weird taste: I love raw salmon but not raw tuna or other raw fish.

Q: if you eat fish, do you prefer raw, grilled, baked, fried, smoked, or made into soup?

My ex 2nd husband follows my Yelp reviews (which are numerous but he selects those of interest to him), and has been for years. He follows other activities of mine. But that is legal. It is just creepy and shows that he is obsessed. I do not know if it counts as being stalked, but it counts as being followed online, right? @Soupe du jour

@Soupe du jour I would like your salmon tartare recipe. I have a weird taste: I love raw salmon but not raw tuna or other raw fish.

Q: if you eat fish, do you prefer raw, grilled, baked, fried, smoked, or made into soup?

@Tart Cherry Jam, I think it counts as a mild form of stalking, but hope the harm is reserved to him just looking. With social media, such behavior has become common, and not always harmful. I bet most of us have googled a person of interest, at one point, but continuing to do so would seem too much, in my view.

One of my old therapists (from 6 years ago), still looks at my blog. A few times she's left comments. Other times, I see a "like" from her. I suppose harmless, but unusual. There had been countertransference.[Not sure the exact source.] I experienced transference with her in the past, as she acted and looked a lot like my late mother. Unlike her, I don't look her up. I have, however, contacted my old psychiatrist on rare occasions. He has sometimes responded, but there's nothing concerning about it.

See Salmon Tartare Recipe | Epicurious My husband likes it a lot, too. I always put the salmon in the freezer for about 15 to 20 minutes before cutting. It's easier to cut up that way, and stays chilled for serving. I also prepare all of the other ingredients in the serving bowl first, except the cilantro, before cutting the salmon.Then I mix it in with the cilantro. I believe this a better approach than the recipe's.

I most like salmon raw or cooked (baked, pan cooked, or grilled). I'm not fond of it smoked or as lox, but my husband likes all ways. I enjoy some fish smoked. For example, smoked whiting or trout. I dislike smoked mussels, but enjoy them steamed.

Same question that Tart Cherry Jam posed.

Thank you @Soupe du jour: I will prepare this dish when my son visit. He likes raw salmon.