Could I ask that perhaps we set this issue aside for a few hours?
There's been an obvious breach of conduct. It's been acknowledged (if not apologized for). Both Susan and Dylan are both clearly very stressed right now. That doesn't excuse the outburst, but surely we can afford to give them a little slack right now to regroup?
The objections have been rightly noted in thread. To hammer away at it more now is just going to put more pressure on them.
I am only suggesting (and nothing more) that we could give them a little space to deal with this without pressing them into a corner.
Well, honestly, the thought that somebody'd be upset about my post for half a day never really entered my mind either, just to use myself as an example again. Not that I try to post annoying stuff and walk away. So to speak.
I may have a knack without trying, though. Sometimes the great ones are like that.
And, yeah, understand fists of rage...and I've been consigned to Hell before, but mostly by people who've known me much longer.
Suzi, if you can find the time to take a quick BART hop into the city, I'd be more than happy to treat you to lunch and just break up the routine a little bit. Just a chance to get away from everything for an hour.
Oh my! That picture of Emmett is wonderful.
As always, I hope that I haven't upset Susan or anyone else with my advice or comments. That said, personal attacks are not acceptable. If a person feels piled on they say so, we discuss it, kiss and make up. I thought that had happened yesterday.
Susan, I'm sorry that you are overwhelmed right now. There aren't many here that haven't been there. Any advice put forth is done so with a desire to be helpful and supportive.
ION, the sweat is dripping off the end of my nose. I think I'm going to sit outside for a bit in the misting rain. The windowless office with 8 computers running is getting rather over warm.
I suggest we all follow DavidS's suggestion and turn the conversation towards something everyone enjoys. Anvils. Or Joss Whedon. Or Ducks.
Hec, that would be so lovely. Just finding the time is the tough thing.
Work is its own hell right now. We have double the workload and are down staff. My assistant has been out since March, was due back in September and that keeps getting pushed. Her next "return date" is November 8th. Maybe if she makes it back, I can boogie out for lunch.
Suzi, take Hec up on the offer if you can. Get a little breathing time. I wish I could offer some concrete help.
eta: inevitable X-post.
Apparently I did a lot of skipping yesterday because I totally missed this:
I did a preview picture of Emmett when I got his costume together.
Emmett looked so awesome!
It's just--I'm bawling my eyes out here, and I've put myself in a position where there is literally no one I can pick up the phone and call and say, "Look, I need a little help here so I can calm down and get back to my life," without it being awkward and weird, because I'm become so dependent on online community that it's all I have.
Susan, I say this in all seriousness, and with the first-hand knowledge that, despite your online fretting, you're a pretty mellow mom. A few months ago, you were considering and/or talking to your NP about anxiety and ways of coping with it, weren't you? (I think you were, but anything that happened while I was pregnant is a weird blur because my brain wasn't functioning right.) It sounds like, between your father's death, the novel, your job hunt, and the normal grind of parenting, your anxiety levels are through the roof again. Can you talk to her again? Maybe see if there are new strategies for coping that will give you a fresh perspective?
Venting helps, but only so much, and after a bit, a body can get in a self-imposed feedback loop of badness. You've had a rough year, you don't have a huge offline support system, and like venting, online support can only help so much, even if you get it 24/7 unconditional.
