Couch 247: Choose Cheese!

That was smart to do what you did. I'm glad it turned out OK!

I've crossed the street before when I've been suspicious of someone. And did my best to look very aware of my surroundings.

Funny moment as I was leaving Dr. T's office today. I guess I wasn't paying attention when we went to shake hands, or maybe he wasn't, but I somehow ended up with my index finger over his hand instead of just my thumb (I hope that makes sense!) I said, "I don't know what I was doing there." He replied, "Vulcan handshake maybe?" as I was sort of making a "V" with my fingers. We both laughed, then redid the handshake more normally. It was kind of a silly and connecting moment.

Safety should always come over feeling awkward.

Other things I try to do.

No headphones/ earphones or using my phone when outside. I do feel like a pigeon.

I do have the audiobook by Gemma Dowler in my library app.

Haven't started on my poetry yet today. Been doing a bit of journaling, catching up the laundry, etc. I'm 'bout ready to crack open my books again and find a form I haven't tried before and see where that takes me. I need a longer form today I think, that will allow for some wandering about here and there.

I also recommend "The Gift of Fear" if you haven't read it. Think it's by Gavin de Becker. Not sure if you're familiar with advice columnist Carolyn Hax, who writes for the Washington Post (column is syndicated, too), but she often recommends that book. Basically, that one should tune into their body, that sense that things might not be right. But at the same time, if we're always on high alert (like tuned up *too* high), then it can be hard to catch those signals when they are there.

You're absolutely right, LT.

De Becker was a friend of George Harrison's. TW for violence/assault.

New cat and I were watching “Inside the Mind of a Cat” on Netflix earlier. A cat therapist was interviewed.

She lets, even encourages, her clients to sit on her lao during sessions. And I’m all like, “Whoa there! BOUNDARIES!”

I think painting would also be really good for you too.

You can get basic water colour sets or acrylic paint for under £6 from amazon.

Watch a historical documentary on cats in Egypt next. New cat might start to get ideas though.

Thanks LT. I've heard of the book before , but not read it. Will add it to my book wishlist.

Oh, are we doing safety tips? For some reason I'm into stuff like that, even though I've never been a woman who for example gets catcalled. Maybe it's related to my true crime obsession... anyways, some input for keeping yourself safe:

- If possible, walk on the side of the road closer to oncoming traffic, i.e. so that you walk towards driving cars. This way no car can "sneak up on you".

- If you see somebody who makes you feel weird, take out your phone, and get ready to call police. Theoretically, you can go as far as entering the number, not yet calling and putting the phone to your ear. If something happens, you are extremely quick to try to get help. If nothing happens, you didn't dial the number.

- when walking in a area where you feel unsafe, you can take your keys (house keys, car keys...) and make a fist around them, having the long, thin part come out between your fingers (near the middle finger). This will hurt a lot if you punch anyone with it.

- speaking of fists, thumbs go on the outside, do not wrap the thumb with your other fingers. The other way will break your thumb if you actually punch hard.

- you can use your heel instead of your hands to fight back, like step down hard with your heel onto somebodys feet for example.

- if you are in an area where there are people and need help, try to adress specific people. Like don't go "help", but hey lady with the blue hair and dog, can you help me. This goes for all kinds of emergencies.

There's of course more you can do, but I find it makes me feel safer to know what I would have to do. I think I have used all of these tips to some degree at some point, except for actually having to punch somebody or whatever (did some karate a while ago though).

H had a delivery to Los Angelas this morning - he left around midnight. He has a friend who lives like 15 minutes from where his delivery was so they met for breakfast, since they don't get to see each other very often. He's on his way home now, but I still have probably 6 more hours of a quiet house; am writing Kyrielles today. I think I'm going to take myself out to lunch now just because I can.

Kyrielles! Lord, have mercy!

Speaking of Greek stuff, I am heading for Denmark on Monday and need to record a lecture on Plato’s Republic Book 1 before I go.

Oh, Denmark sounds interesting. Hope you have a great time!

what's so funny about kyrielles? sincerely curious here.

p.s. I am referring to the french poetic form.

???

I know it’s the French poetic form. Means “little Kyrie.”

The name comes from the “Kyrie eleison,” part of the Catholic Latin Mass, better known as the “Lord, have mercy.” And that’s why kyrielles have a repeating line or clause, because the Kyrie does too.

I actually did realize what you did there, just after I asked what was so funny.

Sorry for being overly sensitive. I'm still a work in progress.

I knew kyrie of course, but not kyrielles. I thought it was maybe a basketball players daughter or sompin.

Argh -nightmares over the idea of sitting on a therapist's lap. Creeps me out. I wouldn't let my cat near one of those people

I am spending most of my time on a hill in the forest with bicycle guy. The non-dancer college age spawn are living in my cute tiny house that I just bought, and I have a room there for the nights I stay in town. Kind of a win- I get to spend time with them, they save $ on living expenses and still have their independence. Things are pretty fabulous. Just the other day I was thinking, whoa, I haven't felt the least bit of that ugly anxiety for months.

The youngest needed to fill out some paperwork and the oldest wanted help on his math homework, so they invited their dad over. I was leaving and wasn't even likely to run into him and I still got that pit in my stomach, breathlessness, agitated, felt like I wanted to cry. Ugh.

Fuzzy - sounds enchanted! The first paragraph, at least.

@Lemoncake, here is a long lost clip of Baby Niles:

When your toddler is a distinguished gentleman! ??? (?: TT/ gunnertheketokid) - YouTube

No, I think Kyrie is one of the Kardashians.

Now my H thinks he might have gout--lots of pain in his big toe since late Friday night (no known injuries). Anyone have any experience with this? He's going to try to see his doctor tomorrow.

From Dr. Google, I'm suspecting it could be related to his blood pressure med, as it includes a diuretic (combo of an ACE inhibitor and diuretic). He doesn't really have any other risk factors. Doesn't eat much meat (and no seafood) and had only eaten vegetarian since around Monday. He had a few beers Wed. and last night, but from what he read online, it would be within 24 hours that the beer would affect him. He is going to stop beer for a bit (he hasn't drank much at all in the last couple months anyway).

He did have hernia surgery last month. Not sure if that could in any way be a factor?

I have a new love:



LT - Sorry, i have no experience with gout. I think you have to take medicine to reduce it, then watch your diet afterwards.

Living on a hill in the forest sounds lovely! I'm sorry you had to deal with ex-related anxiety...