Honestly, I think most people, at all ability levels, fall short from time to time. Of course, this could be a rationalization, much like "I'm not unemployable...I'm Bohemian, damn it!" But that one is a little bit true, too. I have to admit I haven't really found my next Thing yet.ETA: Shir, I don't know... maybe a home run. I know three and a half things about most sports, due partially to having a brother and partially due to lusting after a sportscaster. After a while, stuff sticks, whether you want it to or not...the price of carrots.

I'm sure javachik and Hec would be better at baseball metaphors than I am but if responding to hate mail is "batting practice" then I'd say that once in a while you get hit by the pitcher.

interview~ma to beth!

Cuts to disabled folks are pretty rotten. It's happening in the US as well as the UK. Even before the changeover, actually. I have a friend with MD who's a bit of an activist out of necessity and he's had to take numerous trips to Sacramento on top of the various council meetings, etc. closer to home.

Erika, I hope you find something you like in a city you like.

Interview~ma to beth.

Spidra, how's today treating you?

And ftr, I count thinking (actual thinking - not the stuff some of my classmates count as thinking) as meaningful activity.

This is the point. I'm a research student and (mainly online) campaigner. Much of what I do does not look very active. But it takes quite enough out of me, thankyouverymuch.

Right, this has been a day somewhat lacking in meaningful activity (apart from posting here of course - thanks Shir!) Back to brave the ice and snow. I shall think meaningful thoughts* on the way home.

*probably about The Vampire Diaries and HIMYM. What?

Toast

Interview~ma, beth! Hope it goes really well.

Interview~ma, Beth! I'm sure you'll do great.

Interview~ma for beth!

I still feel kinda weird. Like I need to sneak around to avoid confrontation. Thanks for asking, Shir.

Saw a link today to a story saying that bullying has an actual physical effect on the brain. Sorta explained a bit for me: [link]

Someone on another board I'm on called 911 to get a referral to a crisis hotline. Instead, 911 sent EMTs and cops to his house. The guy has a dog that barks a lot so the cops were immediately put on guard. When he went outside to talk to them, a cop grabbed him by the arm so he twisted loose and went back inside his house. The EMTs left and now it's just cops waiting him out. We're trying to persuade him to deescalate the situation even though he's mad the cops reacted that way. (a) It's crappy that 911 responded that way to his call and (b) what the hell training do police in TX have for dealing with people who are depressed but not certifiable? Apparently they approached the situation in a way where they were going to drag him off to the hospital and commit him.

Well, 911 is not a referral service. They probably presumed a suicide risk.

I agree it wasn't the best move for him to call 911. I believe he tried calling an existing crisis hotline first and that it wasn't answering.