January 12, 2006
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Thanks for cheering me up. I knew everything you said was true but I was still in a funk. Your comments did move me beyond the day and past my silliness. I was mostly just so mad at myself. I lost $800 today and all because I did things wrong. But it taught me several important lessons about investing. And I’ve forgiven myself. We’ll see what happens in the weeks to come but I feel sure the stock will rally.
Tonight I went to a class on relieving stress. I couldn’t believe that there was only one other person in attendance — A third person showed up toward the end — in a town where everyone is depressed because of the rain. Well, not everyone, probably. But these classes are free and they bring you hot tea and the place is so cool.
So it’s me and this really annoying guy. I’ve been thinking about him ever since I got home, about why he was so annoying and I’m worried it’s because he reminded me of myself. I really think that’s it.
She asked him a very simple question — “She” being the naturopath giving the talk — and he went on and on with this inane personal story about how he couldn’t find something in his filing cabinets and ended up breaking two pieces of china. One was something he made, so I guess that’s not china. Anyway, on and on he went about what the broken thing looked like, how he decorated it, how he was breathing heavily — That’s all she wanted: his physical response to stress.
The other thing I didn’t like was his diatribe about meditation and this whole philosophy that sounded like one big cliche. Even though I agreed with it all. That was the most irritating part, that he was right. But, OMG, how self-absorbed. And that’s where I think I related the most. Here I sit, night after night, telling you all how I feel. Gag me. Yeah, it’s fuck me and gag me. And just in case you’re thinking about making any suggestive comments, please don’t. I’ve been known to delete them:)
He kept referring to his comfort zone, how that was stressful to leave it. I said not knowing how to do things, that was stressful to me. It’s the same thing. Me with my special teas and perfect outfits. The woman probably saw two identically neurotic fifty-five-year-olds sitting there whining.
On the way home, though, I started thinking about some of the cool things I learned and maybe some of the nice things he said. He went to England with his mother (no surprise there) over the summer and he was talking about finding magic when they went exploring.
She had us write down what we did for fun, when we wanted to unwind. Then she had us list what we liked to do on vacation, the idea being that we should look at that vacation list and integrate some of it into our regular week. I thought that was a really good idea. And I want to go exploring. New places open up all the time.
One of the questions was how we felt when we were relaxed. At the end she said we should write that on a piece of paper and tape it to the bathroom mirror or the fridge so we remember to feel it.
And she talked about laughing, how it releases seratonin and how we don’t get enough of it. Then I remembered how Bridget (dog) makes me laugh and how much I appreciate my kids and friends because they are all funny. My favorite people are all very funny and maybe that’s why, because I have that need to laugh, so busy thinking and worrying all the time. Actually, I’m not as much of a worrier as I used to be. But, yeah, I could stand to laugh more. What makes you laugh?
Comments (25)
Sleep and laughter…natural antidepressants
My family makes me laugh. My husband has a great sense of humor and he gets me giggling. My kids seem to have gotten their humor genes from him, which is a good thing. I laugh all day at my cats. The youngsters are a riot. And the dogs, too, of course. Oh! One more! The Daily Show with Jon Stewart. Hubby has gotten me hooked
I would love a class like that! Nothing in our town is free except the library ,and not that when you are forgetful…..I was thinking about what you said about being self absorbed,and I think your being a little hard on yourself. What is more natural then reflecting about one’s life…and when you blog about it it helps people like me for different reasons, Some of us see ourselves in some aspect of your personality. or our circumstances in yours , or we learn about things like herbs etc….I do not think you are self imvolved…just thoughtful and honest…..
Vacations and stress relief……try Santa Fe, NM. You will enjoy!
And just in case you’re thinking about making any suggestive comments, please don’t. I’ve been known to delete them:)
Damn, girl, you take away all my fun!!
Self-absorbed seems more in line with forcing someone else to listen to you (or not noticing they’re not). You’re writing for you. You’re letting us read. We’re reading for us. Now if you stood next to me at a cocktail party having a one-sided conversation (well, it’s really not a conversation then is it? Okay, holding forth with a monologue), not listening, not paying attention to body language, not thinking about the other person, never asking a question…THAT would be self-absorbed.
RYC: Lake Oswego
Gosh, ellen234, says exactly what I was thinking, so now what do I add? Pru, we all take looks at ourselves to see what could be different, if we don’t then that is a problem, not the vice versa that you describe. You are simply sharing and we get to learn from your observations, just like we hope you learn from our perspectives and views of life. There I said it…marilyn
Laughter (and water) is the best medicine ever! SHAME on you for more of this self-disgust. I write about myself ALL THE TIME, and I’ve decided to stop worrying about it non-stop. Man, I really want to go to Colorado and do some hiking. I think that’s my “vacation” stuff, just walking around anywhere with a view and some fresh air. Thanks for the idea! Ooh, and I love tea
Pretty much everything makes me laugh.
Now, here’s a couple of things: uh, it’s YOUR Xanga, and YOUR life, and YOUR related experiences. Of course you are gonna talk about YOU! Now, stop with the gagging and the fucking yourself. Or not, however you are inclined.
Also, I have this new thing, which I haven’t really articulated yet, and I hesitate to here, because it will be on the fly and not so thought out, but that’s how much I likes you. I’m gonna give it to you. I say “I gonna do blah” , or “Blah really interests me”, but that’s as far as it goes most times cause I am a busy gal. Well, no more. I wanna? Then I’m gonna. And now I find that I am much more thoughtful about what it is I really want, and how I want to spend my time. The mystery of what the hell Patti will be doing next, or finding out more about myself, in this very proactive way, is a marvel.
Life is quick, and dirty at times. I wanna experience the dirty too. I feel like I am gagging myself and fucking myself at times too, but it’s a part of the dirty.
I’m rambling (new high octane coffee). No worries, girl.
A little ganja cures all that
As far as stocks are concerned…everyone expects them to keep googling upwards, but a good business takes time to build
Wait til you see tomorrow’s post
A shame you choose not to display profile pics next to your comments. I would show you me wearing clown nose. Now THAT would make you laugh!
I laugh like a kid when Jeff acts like a kid and the tickling crap starts. I don’t like to be tickled, but his actions and his own laughter are infectious.
Whose Line is it Anyways? That show keeps me in tears, all improve. Years back I’d go to the locak standup clubs.
Course along with laughing I think people need to regularly cry to release those chemicals too. For that, I always watch Steel Magnolias…I always cry…oh, and laugh:)
RYC on the cheesecake: NEVER!
My kids and my dog make me laugh. Yesterday, my dog successfully caught his tail after about ten minutes of trying, and then he didn’t know what to do with himself, so he walked around the room with his tail in his mouth. That was funny.
If you can’t vent in your journal, where can you vent? Isn’t that what a journal is for?
How did you come to decide to buy Home Depot? I looked at them a while back but decided not to bite.
got behind catching up on my reading love your posts very interesting hope you do well in your investments
johnny in south carolina
I think that it’s because we share our lives that blogging is such a wonderful place for writers. We get to know each other in ways we couldn’t possibly otherwise. A direct entry into our inner worlds perhaps. It’s quite wonderful and you should not feel self-absorbed… it’s about sharing. xo
ryc People give in different ways…I don’t tithe , or volunteer.or give money to charity…this is just a way that works for me….
I agree with Ellen. But I understand what your saying too. Everytime I post, I wince at what I must sound like, how narcisistic I must seem. But I lay it to rest because I know when I come to you that I enjoy hearing (reading) about everything you have to say. I wouldn’t care if it were one line for three thousand. It’s our choice to come here and it’s a damn good one for me anyway. And that class sounded cool. I am very interested in your teas. I used to make my own concoctions. But with time short, I’ve had to go the way of boxes not leaves. I need to investigate that more.
Oh, I laugh at too much! Tragedy + Time = Comedy I suppose. Have a great weekend, I look forward to catching up when I return. Sheesh, I wish I had a good joke to tell you!
This is in response to your post on my blog:
Don’t get scared off by the numbers. The important thing is to understand sound investing concepts. There is nothing wrong with using website resources to calculate your numbers for you. You are learning a hard lesson with your loss on DNA. Two of the hardest things to do are to sell something at a loss and to know when to sell something for a gain. Our natural instincts tell us that the loss will reverse itself and that the gain will multiple.
I never really know what to say when people are in a funk… but I somehow knew you weren’t the type to stay wallowing in misery. I am glad that you’re not as in a “fuck me” attitude about it now…
I didn’t hear anything specific about HD – I was just curious about them because they are a company that I have researched in the past. You only find out about share buybacks from reading press releases from companys. Most companies are doing buybacks to some degree, but most of them are issuing stock options faster then they are buying back shares. I hate companies that are overly generous with the stock options.
You are correct that it is very difficult to make money in the short-term. It’s almost like gambling if you aren’t disciplined in how you invest. If you are a longer term investor, you won’t have to check your stock prices hundreds of times a day. I trade my stocks myself through Scottrade.
Can I make a suggestion for you? Instead of spending so much time looking for new companies to invest it, spend some time learning more about how to do successful investing. If you spend your time watching Mad Money and reading the Motley Fool newsletter, you are learning about new investment opportunities, but you haven’t learned how to analyze whether those companies are really safe investments. Does that make sense?
RYC: I don’t need an agent. I have an entertainment attorney.
I don’t feel journaling is self absorbed and often in teaching others how to do something we find the answer ourselves, Judi
I was trying to think about what made me laugh. I know I do. A lot. Often here at this screen. I decided to see what others had to say and found myself LOL at buyit‘s comments by the third line. So I guess I like witty without the mean that often accompanies it.
Interestn point about the annoying guy being annoying because he reminded you of some of yoru owm traits. Very true. I thought about this for a while. This is true in many cases. We can learn from this.