Couch 250: An August Couch

Oh, and maybe this is worthy of its own thread. But in talking about the therapeutic relationship, Dr. T said how it's complicated because it's not in the natural world. I tried to joke that it made it supernatural. He said it's more like in a laboratory setting, in a way.

I sometimes think about that with L. Am I just a research project for her? Trying out what she's learned, seeing what works, taking notes. She originally was going to do solely research before someone convinced her to work with clients.

"The point was how things can have changed in a relationship, but it doesn't mean it's not worth continuing. Just because it will never be the same."

That hit home for me.

Hi Couch,

How do you deal with the urge to 'save' things?
My favourite podcast started a new season last month, but it's only six episodes.

I'm torn between wanting to soak it up and saving it until I 'need' it.

Arguably, now is the time that I need it most, because it's a resource for survivors of suicide loss.

It's a weird bind.

Thanks for any input,

Lost

Is it possible to listen now and save it to listen to again?
Of course, there is something to be said for delaying gratification - which choice better fits your goals and needs?

Thanks SD,

I can do both...

I don't know where this delayed gratification urge comes from.

I don't usually struggle with this, but the opposite, wanting to do stuff immediately all the time instead of waiting. I usually use things that are significant as a way to motivate myself. Like "if I work out three times a week each week this month, I may build the lego set I bought".

Couch Workout Club day 56

Just a 10 minute workout in my self-care app today.

Being safe enough to feel with R is still so hard.

I'm beginning to think I have some kind of superpower. I bought this umbrella a while back, it's super sturdy, there's videos online of people standing on it with their full weight, won't break. Tried out some things myself, it is really made of fiberglass and you can beat somebody up with it (it's a self-defense tool). Well, I used it today for the third time ever, since it was raining hard. I managed to break the thing... slammed it on the floor to get rid of water droplets, now it won't fully close. I really can break everything that exists.
Honestly, I'm surprised my glasses are mostly okay still after having them for a few months. (Glasses for your eyes that is, don't make the mistake to think drinking glasses survive long with me).

That's sort of impressive. Though I'd contact the company (or store) for a refund if it's supposed to be that indestructible, even if you've had it a while.

CNS, did you check all the rib connectors? They might have gotten jammed or offset. They are little teeny tiny hook and eye type hingey thingies.

...hingey thingies being the technical term

Got back home late monday night, glad to be sleeping in my own bed again. Although my sister's downstairs couch is super comfy. I'm still off work until Sunday, kinda wish I'd have stayed in Missouri longer, but I've been getting some stuff done around my house like cleaning/organizing my office.

Glad you got back safely, Artie.

Hope you had a good time with your family.

*Raises hand * Wtf is a rib connector. I watched some videos involving it but I don't understand what it is. I assume it is the arms of the umbrella? they are all intact, I think I broke off a blocking mechanism.

Oh. A rib connector probably only applies to a fold-up umbrella. But it could be the little arms that extend from the central pole to the vanes.

Im sorry! I wrote my diy book on how to fix an umbrella in the pre internet times!

Also hope you had a good time with your family, Artie!

The proper term is “intercostal.”

No thats a hiway in florida. or was.

RIP Maggie Smith.

When grief and time combine, the result is effing chaos.

Earlier this year (I thought it was in the summer, but my photos app says different) I bought some postcards when I went to see an art exhibition.

We do an exercise with our creative writing students using them.

If the postcard is the middle of the story, what happened just before the picture was taken, and what happened after?

My colleague has a substantial postcard collection, and the ones I bought in the gift shop were supposed to be the start of mine.

I go back to work tomorrow, we're going to do the postcard exercise...and I can't find mine...anywhere.

I know I brought them home, because they were in a brown paper bag.

What I did with that bag is anybody's guess.

I have time to find them (hopefully) before the next workshop, but that's not the point.

Just venting, I guess...too much has happened for me to keep track of that kind of detail.

Quick couch poll. Situation: the cycling world championships are going on right now in Switzerland. Yesterday, a young woman crashed and was brought to the hospital. I tutored a student towards night and she told me about it, since they apparently were rather close friends. Today around lunchtime, she died. What would you do? Reach out to the girl in a bit offering condolences and whatever else is needed? Wait til our next session? Or not mention it until she does? My immediate reaction was to text her, but I so far waited with that so she doesn't find out from a text by me...

Oh CNS thats so sad. Maybe ask her if you can contribute to a go fund me or scholarship or whatever for the girl?

Honestly - I would do nothing until the person brought it up again. I would have been weirded out if a teacher had contacted me unbidden about a personal situation.

“Give me a girl at an impressionable age and she is mine for life.”