sj, that's so horrible! I'm sorry. Much ~ma to all the family.

Teppy, I'm glad to hear things getting sorted out, in a better way than you feared. Seeing your insight into yourself is also very helpful to me, as I have a tendency to do the same psychological self-sabotage things you do. And then to withdraw, as Tom Scola does. (Tepscola! Now caffeine-free.)

One thing I learned, a life-changing epiphany for me at the time, was that wanting to help someone didn't necessarily mean that I *could*, or even that I had to. You're not the only ones god can send that young man to help him. Sometimes you're not the one they need help from. Sometimes you see the human trainwreck coming and you just have to get out of the way!

Lots of ~ma.

I'm back on an actual computer! The place where we stayed in Florida was supposed to have wifi, but it never worked, so all my computing for the past week has been from my Droid. But the beach and the sun (most days) and the other fun Florida stuff made up for it.

Except for the mysterious rash on my back. It's covering almost exactly the parts of my back that are exposed by my bathing suit, so my best guess is that it's a reaction to the sunscreen, but I used the same sunscreen on the rest of my body and have no other rash. Is there anti-itch spray? Applying anti-itch cream to my own back is involving some interesting contortions.

Hil, can you take Benedryl or Zyrtec?

Urgh. I just totally broke down crying uncontrollably talking to my sister, and then my roommate.

Aw, sweetie. I'm so sorry you're so stressballs after doing something so awesome. Doesn't seem fair!

Tep, I am glad that you're able to vent here and it sounds like The Boy is in line with what you are already thinking. I imagine that must be a relief.

SCOLA: you are wise to consider Teppy a hero, but I must say you are pretty awesome in your own right

sj- god, I am so sorry. I can't help but to be angry about the 8 page suicide note and all that though. Suicide tragedy always makes me angry. Is that horrible of me? Probably.

In my own little corner of reality, I am feeling so socially overwhelmed and am fairly convinced that no one here likes me. Well, they all probably like me fine but I can't Be Awesome and Funny and Whatever It Is That Forms Social Bonds. Like, I asked someone via text message about St. Patrick's Day plans and got a (likely drunken and silly) response of "What are you, stupid?" I made a judgement call about something last week that turned out to be a bad idea and, and, and... ugh.

I just feel stupid and blah. Ugh.

Come visit me in San Francisco, Nora! I love hanging out with you.

sj peace as comes

and rest, smonster.

and peace for you to Nora

and Teppy, sounds like you and Tim are on your way. something will work out -- and I have a couple of ways mom might help. 1) is of course money for lawyer/space/place for son and the other is a home for son's dog. Getting the dog to Texas might be a relief for all involved if she is willing. It sounds like she care about her son.

I do a lot of worst case senarios in my head. and then I have a couple of plans just in case.

It took me a long time to learn this, but I believe that the forgiveness God asks us to demonstrate to other people is not a matter of protecting them from the natural consequences of their actions. I believe it is a matter of choosing not to do or wish any harm to them beyond those consequences. In many cases, protecting people from the consequences of their actions is more harmful to their own moral and spiritual development. Mercy and forgiveness may call us to assist such a one in taking steps to improve his or her life after natural consequences have been endured or satisfied.

This is so beautifully said Andi, it should be published. Perfect.

sj- god, I am so sorry. I can't help but to be angry about the 8 page suicide note and all that though. Suicide tragedy always makes me angry. Is that horrible of me? Probably.

Yeah, I'm angry too. Did I mention that he blames a lot of people in the note for what he did. Plus, he was living back with his parents, and he took pills before bed knowing his elderly mother would be the one to find him in the morning. There is plenty to be angry about.

Nora, I wish I was there so I could go hang out with you RIGHT NOW. Soon, precioussss, soon...

I am feeling better after having written off the day. Polished nails, took a shower, and now i want to go get takeout and hit my favorite bar, my little slice of NOLA away from home, but I think this guy I met at the fundraiser has a crush on me and I think he got the wrong idea when I happened to be at his workplace buying tools and asked if he was there. AWKWARD. I will not let him chase me away from there, though. I'll just be honest.

Sj - that's awful. ~ma to all the family and friends, and may they find some measure of peace as quickly as possible. How inexpressibly terrible for his mother.

in slightly related news, i find myself (at work) wondering what i could possibly say to callers who find a deceased loved one or aquaintance that is even slightly comforting without being intrusive or rude. I'm often the first person they talk to, and after getting all the information i need(location, medical triage info, etc) often they want to stay on the phone with me until help arrives (which i would never begrudge someone in that situation.) I usually fill up that time asking questions about the scene, when they arrived, if anything was out of the ordinary, etc etc trying to sound procedural yet caring (if that makes sense) and keep their minds on concrete, solid facts that require minimal processing. But really most of the time all i want to do is reach through the phone and hug the poor distraught person. For thems what might have been there, is there ANYTHING that would be reassuring to hear from a total stranger in a time of great distress?