Couch 231: Live Long and Prosper!

I wonder if "tchotchkes" and "kitsch" come from the same root?

That's nice that he checks in. My T lets me email when he's away (he'll be away for like 6 days Labor Day weekend), and he'll respond, but he'd never initiate a check-in I get how it's a boundary of his, but it would be nice at some point if he said, "Hey, hope you're doing OK, remember, it's fine to email" or something. But, again, i know it's a boundary of his, so it's fine.

Maybe just give a brief reply to the check-in? (At one point, Dr. T said if he replies to a client's email, and they don't say, "thanks" or something back, then he feels a bit offended. But he's weird like that, so... Yet I always make sure to say "Thanks!" or something. Unless I'm annoyed at his reply. Then it's just like "thanks").

The standard response is a mitten. Have you ever seen a Vulcan wearing mittens?

Hey Scarlet, hope you heard from L and got through today OK.

Unofficial Couch Poll:

If you were me, would you go to Disneyland this Saturday?

I already have the non-refundable ticket. But then you know, Delta variant. I'm vaccinated and I can wear a mask. I'm just not sure how risky it is. I still remember when Disneyland had that outbreak of measles!

I like him better now too, since he was on Big Bang Theory. Plus I discovered he deals with anxiety and depression and had panic attacks as a kid, so I was really impressed how "out" he has been about these struggles.


Wil Wheaton’s Journey of Anxiety and Depression

I could still get sick, though not as bad as the unvaccinated. If that were the only worry I might go. The problem is that I might become infectious and not even know it. Then I could infect my entire circle.

So no.

I got a girl from Lower Peninsula.
I don't mean to boast
but I know she's the toast
of Lower Peninsula.

I personally wouldn't go, but I'm also pretty risk-averse, not just with Covid, but in general. If it was the off season and likely not to be crowded, maybe? But I imagine lots of people are on vacation there, so it's people bringing germs from around the country/world.

Im more like the Croissanwich tm.

Thank you, LT!

I did get to talk to L this morning and we also had our session at 12:30pm. We talked a lot about how to make it to my next check-in tomorrow morning. We set the goal of cleaning the hedgehog's cage as my accomplishment goal, and taking a shower as the self-care goal. I already cleaned Tails' cage, so that's good. Right now, I'm trying to work on crocheting. I'm making a blanket for my sister and nieces. I have 18 weeks left until Christmas, and 23 rolls left of yarn. So my goal is two rolls of yarn a week. It's hard to concentrate when I feel so distraught.

But I made it through last night which was a biggie.

We also talked about future plans. I'm going to get tested Friday, and if that comes back negative, then I get to do in-person next Tuesday. We will wear masks the whole time except when we're sitting on couches opposite sides of the room for eachother. She said we can still do hugs, and we can still handhold just we have to use hand sanitizer. This will probably go on for a month to make sure H or I don't get it. I'm okay with all of this. It sucks, but it's a lot better than no in-person or no touch.

Thursday, I'll see T on telehealth. I could have seen her in-person. I'm still hoping she might have some advice for L and I.

Burger King Breakfast Sandwich.

If the pluses outweighed the minuses, I'd go. In your case, if it will help your mental health, I'd go. Definite benefit to mental health outweighs potential infection that might not happen in my mind. Why I swim even though the gym is a risky place.

I'm in the "try to live as normally and as well as possible, just be careful" camp. And you can always turn around when you get there or leave if it doesn't feel right.

Thanks for the update, Scarlet. Glad that L was helpful and that you'll still be able to see her in person next week (assuming you have a negative test, which I hope you do!). Setting goals like that is a good idea (and something that I've been working on with T). Sorry you have to see T on telehealth, but hope she'll still be helpful.

I don't mean to boast
But I know she's the Croissan'wich
of Lower Peninsula.

That's a good point about being able to turn around and leave. If the ticket isn't refundable anyway, there's not really a loss to change your mind, aside from the time lost going to and from, I guess.


And that's how I handled some things earlier on, post-vaccine and pre-delta, when I was unsure about eating inside restaurants. Where I might step in, consider it, not feel comfortable, then ask for a table outside. I would *not* feel comfortable eating inside right now (not judging anyone who does, just my personal comfort level). But again, much of that for me is having an unvaccinated child at home--I'd like likely handle things a bit differently if I wasn't a parent or if she were old enough to be vaccinated.

Also, at some point, I read that indoor pools are relatively safe.

I’m not worried so much about the pool itself as the walk to the pool through the gym with no one wearing masks, the locker room, and then the pool room itself, which is warm. And not sure how well ventilated any of those spaces are. This is a new gym since I returned, and the pool is pretty small, 20m length. It’s more like a pool in someone’s basement than the Y-style kind of indoor pool.

But I just wear a mask up till I get in the water and keep moving when I’m outside it. I’m mentally healthier when I swim and I feel pretty crappy right now, so it’s worth it.

Oh good lord

Now now, SD, don't you know ex-hankster is a modern-day Socrates?

Yeah! Its called showing your work in the new math. Its proof that my very old brain is capable of forming spontaneous associations between old and new shyte. Im firing on all cylinders, baby! Or do the new cars even have cylinders? Or sparks? Im on a roll here!

Ive been skipping my prozac because my pharmacy doesnt deliver anymore. Hmm...

I interviewed in-person at 2 companies recently. One let me know Saturday that they were moving on to other candidates The other called me at 8pm Saturday but I missed the call because I was working at my Dad's daycare. They didn't leave a message. They called from their main number and it's a huge company so I have no specific number to call; no specific person to call; no email. Initially, I thought whoever it was would call back within a day but now it's Tuesday evening and still no call. I'm anxious to stop working daycare.

Edited to add: When they set up the initial interview it was a lady from another location who called me to set it up so I'm not sure how involved she is. Then the person who was supposed to interview me was busy so I was interviewed by a sub.

Classes haven’t even started yet and I just got my first student who’s covid-positive (they emailed me).

(Either that or they’ve figured out covid is an excellent excuse for missing the first day of class.)

Sounds so frustrating. I feel like if the therapist struggles with that part of their job, or has too many different kinds of paperwork regarding billing (not clinical notes) then hire someone to do the administrative tasks.

He shouldn't be using your session time for you to actually teach him ugh. Can't he use Google? Not hard to Google how to create the signature as an image file then put it in.

I did that in 5 minutes on a whim one day at my old job because I got irritated with 20 people having to print out forms, sign them, bring them to me to counter sign, then I had to scan it back in and digitally file those forms.

ETA: whoops, just scrolled down and realised I missed a bunch of posts. My T's clinic has software that automatically generates invoices. No idea about insurance paperwork as I'm not insured for therapy. Very few insurances here cover for therapy, but I know some do as the clinic website mentions one can use insurance.

I'm supposed to pick a "shame target" to process in my upcoming therapy session. That's proving really hard because I feel like most of my very personality is marinated in shame.

Called my doctor's office today to see if they had the results from my diagnostic mammogram and ultrasound yet. The front desk person said that it has been taking 2 to 3 weeks to get results from the imaging center lately and that they will give me a call when they have them. So I guess it's just wait tight for a while longer. I'm not overly concerned but it's been a week and I thought they would get the results by now. I guess some aspects of medicine is slow.