Things you do to move forward during tough times.

lastexitlondon

It's odd but not drinking has done absolutely nothing positive for me and that's just honest. If I could find the middle I would gladly carry on. But as we know people like me don't have a middle. And I think that's true with most that have commented here . We are all or nothing people it's why we get in this place mentally 

brianlux

lastexitlondon said:

It's odd but not drinking has done absolutely nothing positive for me and that's just honest. If I could find the middle I would gladly carry on. But as we know people like me don't have a middle. And I think that's true with most that have commented here . We are all or nothing people it's why we get in this place mentally 

It's not uncommon to run hot or cold, that's for sure.  When I was in my late teens and twenties, I was on a tear with drinking and drugging.  The only reason I didn't keep all that up was because I got really sick in my early twenties and lost my tolerance for drink and drugs.  That in turn led me over time to no reasonable choice but to be somewhat substance free.  More than a little to a moderate amount of anything sends me spinning dangerously.  I guess I'm a little bit lucky that way in that it prevents me from being an addict, but it is also a symptom of my autoimmune condition that has its own cluster of troubles and repercussions. 

I wonder, Rob, if although not drinking does not seem to do anything positive for you, does it at least help you have more energy or better general health? 

lastexitlondon

My health has been awful ,off for another scan as I type. Never had more problems. 

teskeinc

brianlux said:

Now that we are living in what Henry Rollins termed "an actual insane asylum", what things do you do to cope?  Naturally, we all want to DO something, but most of us haven't figured out exactly what that looks like yet, so in the meantime, most of us are more focused on coping.  So let's talk about the things you do to keep or get yourself centered.

Back in the early 1980's, I worked at a college bookstore with a young man named Scott  who had a very effective method for blowing off steam.  Just outside the store, there was a mailbox (remember mailboxes?).  When things really got to Scott, he would go out and open the mailbox shoot, stick his head inside, and holler at the top of his lungs.  It worked like a charm.  He came back to work with a smile on his face.  So as his empathetic boss (rush was a bitch!), I encouraged this behavior.  What Scott did looked something like this very crude drawing I included in one of my books (it was drawn spontaneously at that time, so I just kept it and never polished it up).

I highly recommend this therapy but I know it's no longer available to most of us (personally, I medicate with music).  So what things do you do to ease the tension of crazy tough times?

😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂

We All Believe

Still trying to figure it out. I feel like I'm spiraling downward, personally and professionally. I was feeling this way before November 5th. Now, matters are worse.

It seems like ages ago, but it was only this past May that I was in Vegas for my birthday, the 2 PJ shows, and Dead & Co at The Sphere, in a hotel room at the Bellagio with a complete stranger, contemplating mushrooms and a one-night stand.

I'm an incredibly lapsed Catholic, but I actually went to mass a couple of weeks ago, and said some prayers.

Wiping my social media of anything and anyone that isn't music or sports related has definitely helped. Other than my brother and my very best friend, all of my communications have gone silent.

I'm trying to avoid the news, because every time I turn it on, it seems like it's getting worse, as evidenced by yesterday's cabinet announcements.

I have a mandatory vacation coming up. My company requires that our yearly time off includes a stretch of 10 consecutive days. Your access is temporarily disconnected, and if you log on, you're flagged, and the vacation is invalid. I'm going to visit my best friend and my Goddaughters (13 and 11). They always cheer me up and help me put things in perspective.

HughFreakingDillon

teskeinc said:

brianlux said:

Now that we are living in what Henry Rollins termed "an actual insane asylum", what things do you do to cope?  Naturally, we all want to DO something, but most of us haven't figured out exactly what that looks like yet, so in the meantime, most of us are more focused on coping.  So let's talk about the things you do to keep or get yourself centered.

Back in the early 1980's, I worked at a college bookstore with a young man named Scott  who had a very effective method for blowing off steam.  Just outside the store, there was a mailbox (remember mailboxes?).  When things really got to Scott, he would go out and open the mailbox shoot, stick his head inside, and holler at the top of his lungs.  It worked like a charm.  He came back to work with a smile on his face.  So as his empathetic boss (rush was a bitch!), I encouraged this behavior.  What Scott did looked something like this very crude drawing I included in one of my books (it was drawn spontaneously at that time, so I just kept it and never polished it up).

I highly recommend this therapy but I know it's no longer available to most of us (personally, I medicate with music).  So what things do you do to ease the tension of crazy tough times?

😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂

edited

tempo_n_groove

HughFreakingDillon said:

teskeinc said:

brianlux said:

Now that we are living in what Henry Rollins termed "an actual insane asylum", what things do you do to cope?  Naturally, we all want to DO something, but most of us haven't figured out exactly what that looks like yet, so in the meantime, most of us are more focused on coping.  So let's talk about the things you do to keep or get yourself centered.

Back in the early 1980's, I worked at a college bookstore with a young man named Scott  who had a very effective method for blowing off steam.  Just outside the store, there was a mailbox (remember mailboxes?).  When things really got to Scott, he would go out and open the mailbox shoot, stick his head inside, and holler at the top of his lungs.  It worked like a charm.  He came back to work with a smile on his face.  So as his empathetic boss (rush was a bitch!), I encouraged this behavior.  What Scott did looked something like this very crude drawing I included in one of my books (it was drawn spontaneously at that time, so I just kept it and never polished it up).

I highly recommend this therapy but I know it's no longer available to most of us (personally, I medicate with music).  So what things do you do to ease the tension of crazy tough times?

😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂

laughing at a post asking for help coping. you really are a POS. 

I didn't think that's what he was doing but let him answer.

HughFreakingDillon

tempo_n_groove said:

HughFreakingDillon said:

teskeinc said:

brianlux said:

Now that we are living in what Henry Rollins termed "an actual insane asylum", what things do you do to cope?  Naturally, we all want to DO something, but most of us haven't figured out exactly what that looks like yet, so in the meantime, most of us are more focused on coping.  So let's talk about the things you do to keep or get yourself centered.

Back in the early 1980's, I worked at a college bookstore with a young man named Scott  who had a very effective method for blowing off steam.  Just outside the store, there was a mailbox (remember mailboxes?).  When things really got to Scott, he would go out and open the mailbox shoot, stick his head inside, and holler at the top of his lungs.  It worked like a charm.  He came back to work with a smile on his face.  So as his empathetic boss (rush was a bitch!), I encouraged this behavior.  What Scott did looked something like this very crude drawing I included in one of my books (it was drawn spontaneously at that time, so I just kept it and never polished it up).

I highly recommend this therapy but I know it's no longer available to most of us (personally, I medicate with music).  So what things do you do to ease the tension of crazy tough times?

😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂

I didn't think that's what he was doing but let him answer.

fair. I've edited

lastexitlondon

I got rid of social media 10 years ago.  Worth doing for sanity.and real life perspective 

Gern Blansten

lastexitlondon said:

I got rid of social media 10 years ago.  Worth doing for sanity.and real life perspective 

smart move

I had my FB feed set to only let news through a few years ago and that isn't possible anymore. Tons of sponsored shit and posts from pages I don't follow. It's awful.

OnWis97

I dumped Twitter a few days ago.  I am missing out on more bad than good. 

brianlux

HughFreakingDillon said:

tempo_n_groove said:

HughFreakingDillon said:

teskeinc said:

brianlux said:

Now that we are living in what Henry Rollins termed "an actual insane asylum", what things do you do to cope?  Naturally, we all want to DO something, but most of us haven't figured out exactly what that looks like yet, so in the meantime, most of us are more focused on coping.  So let's talk about the things you do to keep or get yourself centered.

Back in the early 1980's, I worked at a college bookstore with a young man named Scott  who had a very effective method for blowing off steam.  Just outside the store, there was a mailbox (remember mailboxes?).  When things really got to Scott, he would go out and open the mailbox shoot, stick his head inside, and holler at the top of his lungs.  It worked like a charm.  He came back to work with a smile on his face.  So as his empathetic boss (rush was a bitch!), I encouraged this behavior.  What Scott did looked something like this very crude drawing I included in one of my books (it was drawn spontaneously at that time, so I just kept it and never polished it up).

I highly recommend this therapy but I know it's no longer available to most of us (personally, I medicate with music).  So what things do you do to ease the tension of crazy tough times?

😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂

I didn't think that's what he was doing but let him answer.

fair. I've edited

It's all good.  My cartoons are generally about giving and getting a laugh.  

Or freaking out as in this case...

mace1229

brianlux said:

HughFreakingDillon said:

tempo_n_groove said:

HughFreakingDillon said:

teskeinc said:

brianlux said:

Now that we are living in what Henry Rollins termed "an actual insane asylum", what things do you do to cope?  Naturally, we all want to DO something, but most of us haven't figured out exactly what that looks like yet, so in the meantime, most of us are more focused on coping.  So let's talk about the things you do to keep or get yourself centered.

Back in the early 1980's, I worked at a college bookstore with a young man named Scott  who had a very effective method for blowing off steam.  Just outside the store, there was a mailbox (remember mailboxes?).  When things really got to Scott, he would go out and open the mailbox shoot, stick his head inside, and holler at the top of his lungs.  It worked like a charm.  He came back to work with a smile on his face.  So as his empathetic boss (rush was a bitch!), I encouraged this behavior.  What Scott did looked something like this very crude drawing I included in one of my books (it was drawn spontaneously at that time, so I just kept it and never polished it up).

I highly recommend this therapy but I know it's no longer available to most of us (personally, I medicate with music).  So what things do you do to ease the tension of crazy tough times?

😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂

I didn't think that's what he was doing but let him answer.

fair. I've edited

It's all good.  My cartoons are generally about giving and getting a laugh.  

Or freaking out as in this case...

Is it weird that it took me like 5 minutes to notice he has 3 legs?

teskeinc

Speaking of coping……

Anyone do a well check on @Johnny Abruzzo? Guy was working tirelessly in PA. Knocking on doors, mailers, changing minds. Seems to be MIA.

brianlux

mace1229 said:

brianlux said:

HughFreakingDillon said:

tempo_n_groove said:

HughFreakingDillon said:

teskeinc said:

brianlux said:

Now that we are living in what Henry Rollins termed "an actual insane asylum", what things do you do to cope?  Naturally, we all want to DO something, but most of us haven't figured out exactly what that looks like yet, so in the meantime, most of us are more focused on coping.  So let's talk about the things you do to keep or get yourself centered.

Back in the early 1980's, I worked at a college bookstore with a young man named Scott  who had a very effective method for blowing off steam.  Just outside the store, there was a mailbox (remember mailboxes?).  When things really got to Scott, he would go out and open the mailbox shoot, stick his head inside, and holler at the top of his lungs.  It worked like a charm.  He came back to work with a smile on his face.  So as his empathetic boss (rush was a bitch!), I encouraged this behavior.  What Scott did looked something like this very crude drawing I included in one of my books (it was drawn spontaneously at that time, so I just kept it and never polished it up).

I highly recommend this therapy but I know it's no longer available to most of us (personally, I medicate with music).  So what things do you do to ease the tension of crazy tough times?

😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂

I didn't think that's what he was doing but let him answer.

fair. I've edited

It's all good.  My cartoons are generally about giving and getting a laugh.  

Or freaking out as in this case...

Is it weird that it took me like 5 minutes to notice he has 3 legs?

Not really, although it is a bit weird that he has three legs.  But then, it kind of makes sense in that in the 60's, lots of "long haired hippies" referred to themselves as "freaks". 

 

teskeinc

mace1229 said:

brianlux said:

HughFreakingDillon said:

tempo_n_groove said:

HughFreakingDillon said:

teskeinc said:

brianlux said:

Now that we are living in what Henry Rollins termed "an actual insane asylum", what things do you do to cope?  Naturally, we all want to DO something, but most of us haven't figured out exactly what that looks like yet, so in the meantime, most of us are more focused on coping.  So let's talk about the things you do to keep or get yourself centered.

Back in the early 1980's, I worked at a college bookstore with a young man named Scott  who had a very effective method for blowing off steam.  Just outside the store, there was a mailbox (remember mailboxes?).  When things really got to Scott, he would go out and open the mailbox shoot, stick his head inside, and holler at the top of his lungs.  It worked like a charm.  He came back to work with a smile on his face.  So as his empathetic boss (rush was a bitch!), I encouraged this behavior.  What Scott did looked something like this very crude drawing I included in one of my books (it was drawn spontaneously at that time, so I just kept it and never polished it up).

I highly recommend this therapy but I know it's no longer available to most of us (personally, I medicate with music).  So what things do you do to ease the tension of crazy tough times?

😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂

I didn't think that's what he was doing but let him answer.

fair. I've edited

It's all good.  My cartoons are generally about giving and getting a laugh.  

Or freaking out as in this case...

Is it weird that it took me like 5 minutes to notice he has 3 legs?

John Holmes era?

brianlux

teskeinc said:

mace1229 said:

brianlux said:

HughFreakingDillon said:

tempo_n_groove said:

HughFreakingDillon said:

teskeinc said:

brianlux said:

Now that we are living in what Henry Rollins termed "an actual insane asylum", what things do you do to cope?  Naturally, we all want to DO something, but most of us haven't figured out exactly what that looks like yet, so in the meantime, most of us are more focused on coping.  So let's talk about the things you do to keep or get yourself centered.

Back in the early 1980's, I worked at a college bookstore with a young man named Scott  who had a very effective method for blowing off steam.  Just outside the store, there was a mailbox (remember mailboxes?).  When things really got to Scott, he would go out and open the mailbox shoot, stick his head inside, and holler at the top of his lungs.  It worked like a charm.  He came back to work with a smile on his face.  So as his empathetic boss (rush was a bitch!), I encouraged this behavior.  What Scott did looked something like this very crude drawing I included in one of my books (it was drawn spontaneously at that time, so I just kept it and never polished it up).

I highly recommend this therapy but I know it's no longer available to most of us (personally, I medicate with music).  So what things do you do to ease the tension of crazy tough times?

😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂

I didn't think that's what he was doing but let him answer.

fair. I've edited

It's all good.  My cartoons are generally about giving and getting a laugh.  

Or freaking out as in this case...

Is it weird that it took me like 5 minutes to notice he has 3 legs?

John Holmes era?

Good guess but, no, it's 1990's Ryebread Production era published in this obscure 2014 anthology:

pjhawks

Take a nice walk with some background music.  Fresh air, free mind, soothing and or loud music.  Works wonders

brianlux

pjhawks said:

Take a nice walk with some background music.  Fresh air, free mind, soothing and or loud music.  Works wonders

Totally agree, pjh. Getting outside and walking is supper helpful.

PJ_Soul

I don't watch TV news, besides weather abd traffic. I haven't for some years now.

josevolution

PJ_Soul said:

I don't watch TV news, besides weather abd traffic. I haven't for some years now.

That’s what I’m doing! I’ll come here check in on the MAGA contingency to see what crap they believe their savior will do for them! 

josevolution

Ignore the testy dude! 

cincybearcat

Honestly, I think many of the knee jerk reactions are well past the point of being extremely overly dramatic.

Now - in this specific case, trump winning re-election....there are some really big red flags (other than his personal ones) like several of his nominations (Defense, Intelligence, Attorney General...) that make me understand a little better why people have some serious concerns.  Not to mention giving a baby/child billionaire like Musk any power in the government....

Coping - for me stepping away (watching less news, reading less political posts)  is what would work in the short term if I needed it.  But you cannot stay away from that forever unless you truly want to go apathetic. 

I do think that instead of focusing in on all the bad...and by the looks of it there will be bad...I think it's always important to have an open mind and see reality and there usually (and this trump 2nd term might be the outlier) is some good as well.  

It is tough when the people in power are making extreme generalization of an entire sex (specifically in regard to women in combat...which also translates to knowing they truly think there are other jobs women do not belong in) though.  Those are the things that concern me the most.  Since I have a daughter about to go to college soon, I will be maintaining a laser focus on that issue moving forward.  I will likely need to scream at my TV/computer and get a drink from time to time to cope

Gern Blansten

We know the magats are willing to ignore a lot of (what should be) red flags. This whole thing with Musk stating that he will donate funds to help remove republican lawmakers if they don't fall in line is extremely disturbing. Are magats really ok with billionaire/trillionaire people making statements like this?

After seeing all of this bullshit about Soros over the years and never hearing a fucking word from the guy you would think this would bother them but it doesn't. The ignorance is just amazing.

And now we learn that trump has suggested getting rid of the electric vehicle tax credit...why? Musk says that it won't hurt Tesla but it will hurt other auto makers...he's saying it right out in the open.

brianlux

cincybearcat said:

Honestly, I think many of the knee jerk reactions are well past the point of being extremely overly dramatic.

Now - in this specific case, trump winning re-election....there are some really big red flags (other than his personal ones) like several of his nominations (Defense, Intelligence, Attorney General...) that make me understand a little better why people have some serious concerns.  Not to mention giving a baby/child billionaire like Musk any power in the government....

Coping - for me stepping away (watching less news, reading less political posts)  is what would work in the short term if I needed it.  But you cannot stay away from that forever unless you truly want to go apathetic. 

I do think that instead of focusing in on all the bad...and by the looks of it there will be bad...I think it's always important to have an open mind and see reality and there usually (and this trump 2nd term might be the outlier) is some good as well.  

It is tough when the people in power are making extreme generalization of an entire sex (specifically in regard to women in combat...which also translates to knowing they truly think there are other jobs women do not belong in) though.  Those are the things that concern me the most.  Since I have a daughter about to go to college soon, I will be maintaining a laser focus on that issue moving forward.  I will likely need to scream at my TV/computer and get a drink from time to time to cope

As you say, there have been a lot of highly dramatic responses to this last election.   One could argue either way although I'd say entering the most dysfunctional period in American history might qualify as reason to be dramatic.  That being the case, it might not be unreasonable to take screaming at the TV to the next level.

HughFreakingDillon

cincybearcat said:

Honestly, I think many of the knee jerk reactions are well past the point of being extremely overly dramatic.

Now - in this specific case, trump winning re-election....there are some really big red flags (other than his personal ones) like several of his nominations (Defense, Intelligence, Attorney General...) that make me understand a little better why people have some serious concerns.  Not to mention giving a baby/child billionaire like Musk any power in the government....

Coping - for me stepping away (watching less news, reading less political posts)  is what would work in the short term if I needed it.  But you cannot stay away from that forever unless you truly want to go apathetic. 

I do think that instead of focusing in on all the bad...and by the looks of it there will be bad...I think it's always important to have an open mind and see reality and there usually (and this trump 2nd term might be the outlier) is some good as well.  

It is tough when the people in power are making extreme generalization of an entire sex (specifically in regard to women in combat...which also translates to knowing they truly think there are other jobs women do not belong in) though.  Those are the things that concern me the most.  Since I have a daughter about to go to college soon, I will be maintaining a laser focus on that issue moving forward.  I will likely need to scream at my TV/computer and get a drink from time to time to cope

won't ever reach the drama of J6

teskeinc

HughFreakingDillon said:

cincybearcat said:

Honestly, I think many of the knee jerk reactions are well past the point of being extremely overly dramatic.

Now - in this specific case, trump winning re-election....there are some really big red flags (other than his personal ones) like several of his nominations (Defense, Intelligence, Attorney General...) that make me understand a little better why people have some serious concerns.  Not to mention giving a baby/child billionaire like Musk any power in the government....

Coping - for me stepping away (watching less news, reading less political posts)  is what would work in the short term if I needed it.  But you cannot stay away from that forever unless you truly want to go apathetic. 

I do think that instead of focusing in on all the bad...and by the looks of it there will be bad...I think it's always important to have an open mind and see reality and there usually (and this trump 2nd term might be the outlier) is some good as well.  

It is tough when the people in power are making extreme generalization of an entire sex (specifically in regard to women in combat...which also translates to knowing they truly think there are other jobs women do not belong in) though.  Those are the things that concern me the most.  Since I have a daughter about to go to college soon, I will be maintaining a laser focus on that issue moving forward.  I will likely need to scream at my TV/computer and get a drink from time to time to cope

won't ever reach the drama of J6

Trump rape fantasies and J6 lives rent free in AMT posters minds. Can we add Project 2025 yet also? Not all radical leftists post that yet or was that only a media scare tactic line in the Hitler and fascist boogeyman name calling?

cincybearcat

HughFreakingDillon said:

cincybearcat said:

Honestly, I think many of the knee jerk reactions are well past the point of being extremely overly dramatic.

Now - in this specific case, trump winning re-election....there are some really big red flags (other than his personal ones) like several of his nominations (Defense, Intelligence, Attorney General...) that make me understand a little better why people have some serious concerns.  Not to mention giving a baby/child billionaire like Musk any power in the government....

Coping - for me stepping away (watching less news, reading less political posts)  is what would work in the short term if I needed it.  But you cannot stay away from that forever unless you truly want to go apathetic. 

I do think that instead of focusing in on all the bad...and by the looks of it there will be bad...I think it's always important to have an open mind and see reality and there usually (and this trump 2nd term might be the outlier) is some good as well.  

It is tough when the people in power are making extreme generalization of an entire sex (specifically in regard to women in combat...which also translates to knowing they truly think there are other jobs women do not belong in) though.  Those are the things that concern me the most.  Since I have a daughter about to go to college soon, I will be maintaining a laser focus on that issue moving forward.  I will likely need to scream at my TV/computer and get a drink from time to time to cope

won't ever reach the drama of J6

Hmmmm it’s different kind. But we will see if the same level

brianlux

An obvious choice on the topic at hand is to not give your energy to people who get their jollies giving you shit, spreading disinformation, misquoting or twisting your words, or bullying (the first response of a coward).  People like that are not worth your time. Use your energy to better purposes.

Another thought:  Use you anger in useful ways:

"Anger is an energy.

Don’t view anger negatively, don’t deny it – use it to be creative.

There’s always hope, and that you don’t always have to resort to violence to resolve an issue. Anger doesn’t necessarily equate directly to violence. Violence very rarely resolves anything.

Using that supposedly negative energy called anger, it can take just one positive move to change things for the better.

Anger is an energy. Unstoppable."

-John Lydon

OnWis97

They're waiting to pounce. Your use of the word "cope" in the subject line probably got some posters rubbing their hands together.