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October 6th, 2011
11:28 pm - Treatise on Life and Issues
For the last five months, my husband and I have been trying to start our family. While doing this, we've had discussions on a lot of things involving the health and well-being of any child we bring into the world, and these conversations have made me realize something. I have a very complex view of the world and how to raise my child within it.
I believe in the strength of a woman's body. When I do get pregnant, I plan to give birth at home or in a birthing center, with a midwife. I am relatively low-risk when it comes to giving birth, barring my depression. I plan to discuss my options with my midwife when I become pregnant, and do my best to deliver my child in a healthy and safe environment.
I believe in the usefulness of modern medicine. If, God forbid, something happens when I am in labor, I believe that having a back-up OB/GYN to perform a Caesarian is both important and a needed part of giving birth responsibly. I do not plan on killing my child for a Cause, and there are times (approximately 7% of births, according to WHO) when medical intervention is necessary in childbirth. I am grateful we live in a world where C-sections, epidurals, induced labor, and medical interventions exist for times when they are needed.
I believe in the importance of inoculation. Smallpox is gone from our world because of the mass inoculation of the world during the 50s, 60s, and 70s. We have the ability to vaccinate against polio, measles, rubella, mumps, and all manner of horrendous diseases. I also believe that it is of the utmost importance that we use the power of inoculation. Yes, there are risks when it comes to vaccines. The risks are greater when you allow your child to catch these horrible diseases. Those who quote the dangers of Mercury in vaccines do not realize that 1) the human body contains mercury naturally, and 2) vaccines have not been made with mercury (Thimerosal) since at least the early 90s. Those who quote vaccines as the cause of autism have not done their research on the disease itself, as it first presents signs at the same age you inoculate your child for MMR. I have met children who developed autism despite their parents not inoculating for fear of that precise difficulty. The reason we still have polio in our world is because, thanks to the personal choice to inoculate your child or not, we will never be able to eradicate another health risk.
I believe in the phrase "kids will be kids." Children diagnosed with ADHD at the age of three are not ADHD; they are being three-year-olds, overstimulated by the amazingness that is life. Children bored in school are not being taught the way they learn, and medicating them into a stupor will not help them or their grades.
I believe that mental illnesses are not the end of the world. I will never understand why TV portrays mental illness as the worst thing in the world. It is an illness that affects the brain, like bronchitis affects the lungs, diabetes affects the pancreas and body function, and cancer affects your way of life. Mental illnesses can be chronic or acute, like clinical depression or PTSD. But if treated like any other illness, any of these can be lived with. Just like any other illness.
I believe in the power of modern medicine. My husband and I both have diagnosed and confirmed mental disorders. He is bipolar; I have anxiety and depression. I acknowledge that the medication we take for these issues is a lifesaver, and allows us to have a normal life. If, when my child is of an age, they are diagnosed with a similar disorder, we will choose therapy and, if needed, medication to help them live a normal life.
I believe in denouncing the agenda of Big Pharma. Medication is a tool to help combat the realities of disease, regardless of what the disease is. Medication should not be used to correct every little thing that's wrong, from prescribing antidepressants to deal with a death in the family to ADHD medication for a child just being a child. Medication should be affordable, and also should be used sparingly. If one medication does not work, stop using it. Don't throw other medications after it to get rid of the side effects.
I believe that sexuality and existance are not binary. There are men and women in the world. There are intersexed individuals. There is the genderqueer, the bisexual, the homosexual, the pansexual, the heterosexual, the asexual. There is the transgendered. There is the cisgendered. There are the polygamous. There are the monogomous. There are the swingers, there are the loners. There are the kinky and the vanilla. There are more lifestyles out there without a name to them. And all of them have a place in the world. Even if I don't know what that place consists of.
I believe there are more things in heaven and earth, Horatio, than are dreamt of in your philosophy. And I believe all of it deserves thought, consideration, and the chance to be heard without instant rejection, because it is outside the realm of my experience. My Savior sat with the lowest of the low and the highest of the high, communed with them, shared their food, heard their stories, smiled at their laughter.
At the very least, I can strive to do the same.
Current Mood:  calm
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September 17th, 2011
11:33 pm - Feeling a little better about things...
As some of you know, I've been working on a novel with ![[info]](http://l-stat.livejournal.com/img/userinfo.gif?v=92.2) aliasheist for awhile now. It's been slow-going, mostly because the story has been evolving so much since we made certain decisions about it a little over a year ago.
Well, I'm really proud of myself this evening, because the first chapter is finally written, and it weighs in at 11,111 words as of right this moment. (That number amuses me, don't ask me why.) That may seem like a lot of words for a single chapter... actually, it is a lot of words for a single chapter. But it flows well, and has been sent off to the beta reader for a glance as I continue to Chapter 2.
This story is taking a long time to write. But I'm really enjoying it.
Current Mood:  accomplished
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February 7th, 2011
08:13 pm - Amusing cat conversations
I'm not sure I've mentioned this here before, but the hubby and I now have two cats. Sierra, who we adopted while living with the hubby's family, and now Simon, a half-Siamese loudmouth black cat I got from a coworker, who we're now thinking is part Maine Coon just because of his size. Enjoy a picture of the giant fuzzball, seen here:
As of right now, he can stand on his hind legs and place his paws on top of our countertops. Because of this, he thinks he rules the roost. Not so much... :3
Hubby: Simon, why did you get in my seat? I just left for a minute.
Simon: **contented blinks**
Hubby: Is it warm, is that why you insist on always stealing my seat?
Simon: **blinky-blinks**
Me: It is time he faced the truth that all cats must face: "I am bigger than you." **picks up Simon**
Simon: **squeaky mournful mew**
Me: Love you too, fuzzball.
Current Mood:  happy
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January 20th, 2011
09:15 pm - A bit of an explanation...
I feel like I really don't use my online journals for anything particularly important. Dreamwidth is full of only a couple private posts, pitas has been defunct for almost six years now, and... well, you can see how Livejournal is. If you look back on my entries, most of them are inane drivel about what's gone on in the last couple days (actually, usually several months) of my life. It's maybe handy for the handful of people who read my journal, but I've never been a true "write what your thoughts are every day" sort of person.
When I write in this thing, I feel like I'm writing for an audience. And to be perfectly frank, I'm not that interesting of a person. No one wants to read about how I'm working on new ads for the hospital I work for, and it's not like I can really talk about work anyway, thanks to HIPAA.
As for my projects, there's not a lot to talk about. The cowrite with aliasheist is going well, but we're looking at publishing it, so snips on the journal is out. Not many of you care about the urban fantasy I write, either.
Since I can't talk about work or politics, how about domestic issues? I could gush about my cats, or that my husband and I are going to start trying to conceive once I finish this BC pack... but then I'm being too domestic, and gushing about things that make people feel uncomfortable.
Probably the big reason on top of everything is the depression. Last year, I was diagnosed with "Major Depression and PTSD." To explain the difference between "major" depression and "clinical" depression, if I'm not on medication, my base mood is what most people would classify as "depressed." Before I'm even out of the chutes, I'm already in the dumps. And if something upsets me, it just gets worse. Generally I'll pass "clinically depressed" fairly quickly and go into "majorly, almost suicidally depressed" within a few hours. I think the only reason I never truly get to "suicidal" is because I'm fucking stubborn. And the hubby would cry. That's about it.
The depression is probably what makes me feel most of what's in the preceding paragraphs, honestly. I feel like I'm a dancing monkey, and I also feel like there's nothing left for me to perform. I prefer not to discuss my views on politics, work has a strict "only talk in the vaguest of terms if at all" policy, I don't watch TV, I barely play video games, and I can't post any of my current projects due to future attempts at publishing.
I apologize for both the bluntness and the bitterness of this post, but I guess it makes sense why I don't post much anymore. I'm not sure if I'll keep trying or not, but at least most people won't be shocked when I go months without updating anymore.
Current Mood:  blah
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January 16th, 2011
10:03 pm - Blargh
"I have nothing interesting to say because, in the end, I'm not interesting." ~R. K. Milholland
Current Mood:  blank
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November 22nd, 2010
06:27 pm - Blogging
It's become somewhat obvious to me that I actually am not that great at updating and maintaining a blog. I guess it's good that I never went into a field that would've required constant journal entries, huh?
Life's been going on as usual. menkure went to the dermatologist a few weeks ago and we're dealing with beating his psoriasis and what's most likely a good bit of eczema into submission. Goodbye, scented anything. I'm not really going to miss you, but I'll miss the option of cheap soaps and shampoos.
My health is actually fairly good. I appear to be losing weight, and the meds I was put on for my depression are working wonders. I don't think I've had a true anxiety attack in well over three months, which is awesome!
Fucking anxiety. :P
If you've chatted with me at all, yes, Menk and I are actively considering kids now. We'd like to start trying for them in about six months, once we get all our credit cards paid off. We're both really excited about trying, since we're finally in a home of our own and we're doing pretty well financially, even with credit card bills. :3
It being November, I am in fact writing. Am I actively participating in NaNo? Nope! You see, NaNo sort of frowns on cowrites, which is what the project I'm working on is. aliasheist and I are doing amazingly well on it, and we both enjoy the plotline! We've been trying to get this plot to work for about three years now, so yay for it clicking!
Feel free to ask questions, since I phail at blogging life. :3
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September 5th, 2010
08:24 pm - ...stuff.
Okay, so I've been sort of incommunicado for awhile. This is probably a bad thing, but a lot's been going on.
I've been at my new job for... ten months now. It's been a bit of a rollercoaster, and because of it I actually got some treatment for depression that I'd sort of... ignored... for way too long. Ignoring your mental state is bad, boys and girls. Don't do it.
Anyway, things on the job front are good. I can't talk a lot about it, thanks to HIPAA, but rest assured it's going well. I even got a bit of a raise this last paycheck, yay!
I now have two cats, Simon and Sierra. Sierra's a two-year-old tubgutt whom I love, and Simon's a mini black panther kitty - half Siamese, half black kitty. So cute, and such a little asshole. I'll have to post pics sometime.
Aaron and I are seriously contemplating having kids soon. It comes up a lot in conversation, we just... have to finish with some bills. >.< Damn money problems. However, Aaron is getting his woodworking business off the ground, so hopefully business will be booming soon.
I'm trying to work on my novel again. I'll probably try and write a scene again here tonight. Whee! But as it is, I'm out. Peace, all.
Current Location: Home
Current Mood: calm
Current Music: Promise Me ~ The Birthday Massacre
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July 26th, 2010
12:27 am
...wow, I don't think I've blogged since February. o.O
And it's really late, so don't count this as a blog post. I'll come up with something later. **waves**
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February 2nd, 2010
10:09 am - Adulthood
For the last 24 hours, I have owned a home.
It feels really weird, being an adult and not only being married, but owning the place where I live. (Well, technically. Yay mortgages!) I don't feel like an adult; I feel like I should be worrying about getting to class, or hanging out with my friends, or taking a really irresponsible trip to somewhere cool and awesome for a weekend. Instead, I'm here at my desk, designing materials for a hospital while intermittently typing this post during brain breaks.
The town where I live is small, all things considered. It's maybe the size of where I went to high school, which originally scared me. Let's face it, I don't really have that great of a track record with small towns. :/ But the people here are incredibly friendly, concerned about my well being, and relatively tolerant of my desires to bring change to the office. ^^;;; That's what I get for having plans regarding making this place more efficient, I guess. My boss is amazing, though, and of everything I'm dealing with right now, work is the least of my worries for the first time since I joined the workforce.
We're looking for a church home right now. The one thing that really gets to me in a small town where I don't know many people is a lack of interaction with other people my age. Let's face it, I'm young -- 24 in less than a fortnight -- and just starting out in this place. With a median age of 40, there's not many young adults in the area for Aaron and I to socialize with, unfortunately. :/
Kids have been on my mind a lot, too. I know it was one of the smartest things I ever did, to wait to have children until I'd been married for longer than a few months, but it's kind of hard to keep waiting. We have credit cards to pay off, though, and some savings to build up before we even start trying. And I don't even know if I can have kids or not. :( Given my history, I really have no idea if I can even get pregnant.
But that's a depressing thought. I'll probably see if I can't post some pictures online later, of the house and how we're decorating it now that we own it. It's really amazing, actually owning my home. Now come the trials and tribulations of keeping it in repair, right? XD It may be 95 years old, but it's a good house.
I should probably get back to work on the lipid poster I'm designing. Whee, informational postings! :D I really do love this job.
Current Location: work
Current Mood: content
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December 15th, 2009
04:15 pm - Update!
So. I promised an update, and here it is. Right at the end of the year. Whee!
- Last month, I started a new position at a county hospital. My official title is “Media Outreach Assistant,” and I do everything from printing brochures to writing testimonials to taking photographs to creating ads for newspapers. Pretty much everything I’ve done before now in a job, I now do here. Which is pretty awesome, when you think of how many skill sets I’ve had rusting in my head since January.
- My husband and I are now in the process (literally, we’re bringing over a load of stuff each trip) of moving to the town where my work is. We got the keys to a nice little two-bedroom bungalow last week, and with my commuting, it’s cheaper to simply take stuff each trip than hire a U-haul. Yay for moving in increments!
- The deal with our previous apartment has finally been dealt with. Granted, it involved settling, but at least I no longer have to say the words “The Pointe” without thinking of evil apartment companies. Big yay!
- Ummmmm… I’m still married, with a wonderful husband and a slightly crazy cat, and will soon be out of my in-law’s house. Not that I don't love them, but the hubby and I are ready to be out of the house and on our own. Double yay!
I think that’s everything. Feel free to prod me if I’ve forgotten anything.
What’s up in the World of Everyone Else?
Current Mood:  bouncy
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November 24th, 2009
11:04 pm
I guess that last post's been up long enough. So.... I got the job!
I now work at a county hospital as one of their Outreach personnel. I'll update in more detail later!
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September 9th, 2009
12:34 am - o.o
I just submitted two projects for consideration to a possible employer.
Freakout in 3... 2... 1...
Current Location: home
Current Mood:  anxious
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August 14th, 2009
02:48 pm - Random Girly TMI and other things.
( Random Girly TMI. YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED. )
In non-TMI news, I've had an interview at a county hospital here in Iowa... and they want me to come back for a second interview! This time, it'll be one-on-one with the woman who'll be supervising me if I get the job!!!
So! Excited! EEEEEEEE!
Current Location: work
Current Mood:  cheerful
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July 20th, 2009
01:42 pm - **frets**
...wow, it's been a long time since I updated. Guess I should get to work on doing that, huh?
I've been applying to a lot of out-of-state jobs recently. I've had a bite on one; I was given an interview for a position in Minnesota, and am currently waiting for the results from that. I'm also sending out resumes to places in Kansas, California, some other Minnesota companies, and Ohio. I'll probably send resumes to some other states as well.
Iowa's economy is just really sucking, if I'm honest. I've applied for positions here, but there aren't many positions to choose from in the full-time and publishing-journalism-media categories. So I guess this means moving far away... which the folks aren't too keen on, but they understand why the hubby and I are looking into it.
We're in the process of fighting The Pointe and that debacle as well. The collection agency claims it's a valid debt, though they don't have all the information and are completely ignoring Iowa law. We'll see what happens with that, but I hope it finishes soon.
As for an update on Sierra the TerrorCat, she's doing wonderfully. She's been fixed, and we also finally got rid of the worms she had, so she's bulked up to a health 10-12 pounds or so, and has grown a couple inches in length. She's also rowdy as hell; the in-laws have nicknamed "Rumbledy-Thumps the WereCat" when she runs around upstairs, and it's a fairly accurate nickname. She's probably going to be ticked at me this evening, since I've been gone all weekend.
So what's going on in all of your lives? I wanna know!
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May 4th, 2009
03:59 pm - First post!
Work is very slow at the moment, so I guess I'll go ahead and post while I have some down-time.
So far, Dreamwidth is shaping up to be similar to Livejournal, save that there are fewer options and it's in open beta testing. Pretty cool, honestly, as it took me a bit to get in on Livejournal back when I got mine several years ago.
Life's been pretty good lately. I got hired less than a month ago at my current job, as a receptionist and data entry person for the local CW broadcast station. Meaning I get to enter orders and, when I'm not doing that, answer phones/watch TV in the lobby. It's a little slow up front today, so whee, Dreamwidth blogging.
The new cat is doing excellently. She had her shots last Friday, and I'll be heading down to pay the rest of her bill at the end of the week, when I get paid. It's nice, having a pet again, and even better to have a cat that I can handle without my sinuses exploding. Hopefully, I can develop a bit of a tolerance to other cats by owning one that doesn't trigger me as badly.
Not a whole lot else is going on, so I'll go back to surfing Yahoo for a bit. Those of you who know me from Livejournal, feel free to friend. I may use this as more of a writing journal. Dunno yet. But at the very least, this one will most likely stay open to the public for now.
Current Location: work
Current Mood: cheerful
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January 21st, 2009
11:25 pm - Unemployment sucks.
It's my first full day being unemployed, and I'm already really sick of it. My husband and I have had to wrestle with our apartment complex (They want almost four months' worth of rent in notice and fees! WE CANNOT AFFORD THIS.), we've been calling Iowa Legal Aid and I've tried to get enrolled with the Iowa Workforce, we're still completely unsure of when we're moving, and good luck trying to get a job where we currently live. GAH, so annoying!
Since the hubby and I can't do anything about anything until Monday, when we tell the apartment complex they're welcome to try and get blood out of a turnip, but turnips still don't bleed, we're currently at his parents' place. I've decided that having no hobbies and focusing entirely on work is not particularly healthy for my sanity, and thus may pick up crocheting sometime soon. Still looking for work, anywhere is preferable at this point.
Though I must say, it was very strange not worrying about the shift I was originally supposed to cover for the night. :D
Current Location: Des Moines
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January 20th, 2009
07:29 pm - Inauguration Day... and other things.
Today, the United States and most of the world watched in wonder as the first African-American was sworn into the highest elected office in this nation. It was riveting, and exciting, and no one will forget where they were when it happened.
I know I won't. I was waiting to find out if I still had a job.
This afternoon, at 2pm, ClearChannel radio terminated my position at the local AM radio station, along with three other workers. My position was the most expendable on the AM side; while I did do board operator work, my main role was as a reporter, which ClearChannel no longer needed as they are weeding out local news coverage. I was given my last three weeks' worth of pay, and a nice severance package for the next couple pay cycles.
Tomorrow, while millions of people wait to see how Obama's first full day in office goes, I will be speaking with my apartment complex, packing boxes, and trying desperately to find employment in an economy already drained to the dregs. My husband and I will be moving in with my mother-in-law, and trying to get our feet back underneath us.
I'm actually rather excited about the prospect. My previous job was the only thing holding my husband and I in the area, and now that it's gone, I see several doors opening. But that doesn't mean anything in the next couple months is going to be easy.
Current Location: home
Current Mood:  indescribable
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December 28th, 2008
02:52 pm - The Death of Freedom of Speech - yoinked from cipherpunk
The mere existance of such legal idiocy as this makes my soul cry.
This story is so patently ridiculous that I can only hope these idiots learn from it. Otherwise.... I think the label of humans being the most intelligent species on the planet is going to default to the dolphins.
Current Mood: horrified
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December 23rd, 2008
09:23 pm - Whee, baking.
Since I'm currently the only person in the apartment, I've gotten very bored. Bored enough to try some baking.
I'm making cherry bonbons. Probably not the best thing for me, but they feel pretty festive. I could probably take them to work tomorrow or something.
Merry Christmas, everyone!
Current Mood: bored
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December 11th, 2008
03:34 pm
I have done the unthinkable.... I joined Twitter.
**winces as people start throwing things at her**
But! If you, my friends on ze Internet, also have Twitter, and don't mind seeing my madly twittering updates, feel free to go watch me here: http://twitter.com/llynquennel
Or you could just, I dunno, reply to this and I'll add you. Up to you. ^^;;;;
Current Location: the radio station
Current Mood: productive
Current Music: Sean Hannity.... eeeew.
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November 28th, 2008
05:24 pm
Your rainbow is strongly shaded green and white. What is says about you: You are a contemplative person. You feel strong ties to nature and your mood changes with its cycles. People depend on you to make them feel secure. Those around you admire your fresh outlook and vitality. Find the colors of your rainbow at spacefem.com.
Doesn't surprise me at all. :D
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November 24th, 2008
07:13 pm
Am experimenting with new layouts for my LJ. My previous one was great, but a bit hard to read on darker monitors, so I got tired of squinting at work and decided to do something about it.
First temp shift at the new job tomorrow. **eeps!**
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November 14th, 2008
10:59 pm - mmmmmmmm... coookies....
It's the holiday season. I just made white chocolate chip cookies. For no other reason than I thought we'd need some.
My apartment now smells like cookies. It's awesome. :D
Current Mood: accomplished
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October 30th, 2008
07:01 pm
Go read this.
It really makes you think.
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October 29th, 2008
01:59 am
I just applied for an Interactive Features Reporter position at The Gazette.
Wish me luck.
**crosses fingers. And toes.**
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