Couch 171: Scams R Us

That’s her.

Many people report nightmares or sleeplessness after first reading it.

Still the piece the New Yorker has received the most reader reaction to (mainly critical).

Reading the reviews on that opener is strange--love it or hate it. These type did seem counter intuitive to me at first, but once you get past that, they make so much sense (though I have an older Kuhn Rikon that I bought at TJ Maxx without any instructions attached and NO ONE has ever been able to figure out how it works.)

I think many years ago I watched a made for TV movie called the Lottery. Assuming it was based on her short story.

I think I used to have a can opener but never replaced it from years ago.

I finally got around to shredding the leftover wedding announcements for 2ex and me.

It wasn’t anywhere near as satisfying and mood-boosting as I hoped. Have been on a slow downward spiral the past week or a bit more that seems to be accelerating.

@@ maybe you can do some nice things for yourself. Watch a comedy? Make yourself a wholesome meal? Take a little walk in the sun tomorrow? I know it sounds so generic and textbook but sometimes those things do help.
Just be kind to yourself. Hugs.

I took a hot bubble bath with a tumbler of whisky beside me.

In strutted junior cat like an Old West gunslinger.

I believe you all can guess what happened next.

Smart brainy expanse of sky.

My guess is that it is something entirely different that he's not facing.

Like what, CE? You mean something w him? Or about me? I'm curious about your perspective.

Since h doesn't want to hear about my worry, you guys get to. (He's ignoring me anyway) I'm worried that t is going to be mad at me tomorrow when I tell her I can't commit to 2+ more months right now like she asked me to, even at a reduced rate. I am afraid h would make good on his threat to leave. Maybe it's going to happen anyway but I'm not prepared to force matters. I never should have called to ask for my pictures. Why couldn't I have just left well enough alone???

Well I did realize something anyway. See my latest dear t. But I'm not ready to do anything about that, either.

Can I just go hide in a cave for awhile??

What the hell am I doing?

My sibling is in a situation where he and his spouse cannot figure out how to part even though she holds him in contempt and both are miserable.

I wuv her. Watching her sleep may calm me. I hope.

If she’s mad at you, art, eff her. (And you can tell her I said so.)

Maybe it’s the whisky talking, but stopping worrying about other peoples’ feelings (as much as possible, my mom being the major exception) was one of the best things I did for myself.

As for your dear t post, can I say that as someone who stayed too long in not one but two relationships that a factor in leaving IS the recognition that being trapped in a bad relationship just because I’m too stubborn to admit I made a mistake and too scared to try it on my own IS the rest of your life?

You know, about a year ago I decided to cut out the fwb and casual pickups I’d been doing to feel less alone. Another good thing. I learned being alone, even if it lasts the rest of my life, is not a scary thing. In fact it’s very liberating.

I know you can’t just stop worrying, but when you are able to you will discover that is immensely liberating too.

Give me liberty, I won’t take (a living) death.

Eta: Aah, I am tipsy enough I accidentally hugged SD. Removed out of respect.

I suppose for me the immense unknown of what would happen if he left, and knowing I failed at marriage, is a scarier prospect than staying together and maybe or maybe not working it out.

Thank you for this. I needed to hear all of it.

One more cuz she is so sweet!

2ex and I broke up once for about a year before getting back together and marrying. One of my major motives for getting back together was I didn’t want to admit I failed at the relationship.

That worked out well for me.

Last session Piaf and I got into a discussion about what we have nothing to fear but fear itself really means. It doesn’t mean fearing fear, but fearing that fear that will keep us from taking action.

Damn the torpedoes. Full speed ahead.

Eta: I love how singlemindedly cats sleep.

I need a drink of whatever you're having...

Night couchies. Thanks for listening.

Parn me, but WHAT immense unknown? You do all the heavy and light lifting in this marriage, AFAIK. Theres no snow to shovel!

As for failing at marriage, who exactly is keeping score? And what are they scoring? If i had had half a backbone, i woulda left the first time either one suggested something shady - why is it always car insurance they have a problem with?! That is not part of the marriage vows and probably negates them.

Animals are so cute when they do that whole paw-over-snout thing.

*pushes whisky tumbler down the bar to art*

You’d better finish it—I just remembered I took a xanax earlier and no alcohol with that. (Total accident.)

Junior cat was obviously trying to save me from myself. He’s my knight in shining armor.

Huh. With 2ex it was home insurance. Weird.

They are shading their eyes?! So smart!

I think it’s like hiding their faces from the paparazzi.