I'll be fine. I'll be your bounty, Jubal Early. And I'll just fade away.

River ,'Objects In Space'


Natter 78: I might need to watch some Buffy for inspiration

Off-topic discussion. Wanna talk about corsets, duct tape, butt kicking, or physics? This is the place. Detailed discussion of any current-season TV must be whitefonted.


Laura - Jun 11, 2026 3:02:07 pm PDT #12996 of 13081
Our wings are not tired.

Oh, poor noggin'! Yikes on the staples. I wouldn't be pleased either.

I fainted a few times as a teen. I always knew when it was going to happen so mostly just sat down woozy. I only remember 2 clearly. One was on a first date waiting in line for a movie. I told the dude a couple times I needed to sit because I was going to faint, but he didn't believe me. That relationship didn't last. Then I told a gym teacher in no uncertain terms that if she made me do a handstand I would faint, and yeah, they took me out of the gym on a stretcher. Didn't really want to be right, and yet.


erikaj - Jun 11, 2026 5:35:57 pm PDT #12997 of 13081
"Somewhere in this building is our talent." Toby Ziegler, my spirit animal

Big news... I found out that EQ wants me to write a blog post about the story that will be coming out for the next issue.I'm excited about doing it, even though maybe the old one about the rare book had, you know, a less-expected backstory. Kevin from publishing still hasn't clocked that I'm a disabled person or he wouldn't be all "SO sorry we can't pay again," People tend to think we are like Keebler elves without the hollow tree in general. I could get used to being treated like a pro, but maybe I shouldn't. But my personal blog has maybe one post in reader triple-figures...the readership potential is exciting for me, even if it means I can't end with "Fuck that guy," *quite* so much. And with so many guys to say it of. Not gonna do a *process* post because inspiration struck most recently while I was heaving.(Although part of me thinks that would be like when that couple from "The Corner" turned up in Vows...subversion, if not demystification. I loved that article.)


erikaj - Jun 11, 2026 5:40:33 pm PDT #12998 of 13081
"Somewhere in this building is our talent." Toby Ziegler, my spirit animal

honey-nut cheerios(just cause they're Omar's fave...I had "no honeynut" as a password for a minute) Don't doubt that getting one's head stapled would be a little upsetting.


P.M. Marc - Jun 11, 2026 5:43:11 pm PDT #12999 of 13081
So come, my friends, be not afraid/We are so lightly here/It is in love that we are made; In love we disappear

I passed out a couple of times as a teen from standing up too fast. No injuries, but my parents laughed at me. (Mom being an ER nurse, she knew it wasn't anything to fret about.)

I also scared myself into a faint in 2016, which gave me that whole summer of medical testing, being over 40 when it happened and all! Good times.


Atropa - Jun 11, 2026 6:38:17 pm PDT #13000 of 13081
The artist formerly associated with cupcakes.

The appointment with the previous doctor, the one who referred me to today's person, was in March. That was a consultation. Today's appointment is another consultation. Look, people, you have all my goddamn MRIs, why can't you give me some sort of treatment *today*?

"Have you tried PT? Oh you have multiple times, and it didn't help? Here, have another prescription for PT. Oh goodness, no, I don't want to give you steroid injections, they could be dangerous, but I'll prescribe a course of oral steroids. Oh, the times you've been on steroids for other issues it didn't help your back pain? Well, try them again. Pain management? Hmmm, just keep taking Tylenol. And a different version of the gabapentin you take for sleep and anxiety. You're on Wegovy? Good, maybe losing weight will help."

I'm pretty sure I'm running into the fat women who claim to be in pain are overreacting bias, because this doctor really didn't want to listen to me. Or to Mr. Loomycakes, who was there as my backup.

Time to do some research into other possible back specialists in the area.


lisah - Jun 11, 2026 7:23:34 pm PDT #13001 of 13081
Punishingly Intricate

Fuck, Atropa. Wish you could come see my back people. They’ve been all about giving me shots.


-t - Jun 11, 2026 11:17:10 pm PDT #13002 of 13081
I am a woman of various inclinations and only some of the time are they to burn everything down in frustration

Ugh, Atropa!


Laura - Jun 12, 2026 6:49:42 am PDT #13003 of 13081
Our wings are not tired.

Huh, apparently FB is down.

I'm sorry you are dealing with this, Atropa. You really need a different provider. My ortho and my PCP are both awesome. You need someone who hears you.


Laura - Jun 12, 2026 9:45:18 am PDT #13004 of 13081
Our wings are not tired.

Woot! Scaffolding going up to fix the signage on the Kennedy Center.


Calli - Jun 12, 2026 12:27:12 pm PDT #13005 of 13081
I must obey the inscrutable exhortations of my soul—Calvin and Hobbs

Congratulations, erikaj!

I’m sorry about the medical frustrations, Atropa.