I didn't know you had an MBA!
There isn't much evidence for it, but I do have the diploma somewhere, I am pretty sure
Mal: He calls back, you keep them occupied. Wash: What do I do, shadow puppets?
'The Message'
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.
-t - Oct 01, 2026 8:39:45 am PDT #14170 of 14508
I am a woman of various inclinations and only some of the time are they to burn everything down in frustration
-t - Oct 01, 2026 9:26:53 am PDT #14171 of 14508
I am a woman of various inclinations and only some of the time are they to burn everything down in frustration
Ooh, we apparently have hired someone named Maximov. I'm assuming the whole company is joining the MCU
Steph L. - Oct 01, 2026 9:29:40 am PDT #14172 of 14508
It's actually been a really hard year, when you stop and do the math. Eliot would cry, too, if it didn't take him seventy minutes of therapy, two cocktails, and a Sondheim medley before he can experience a human emotion through the haze of his PTSD.
Ooh, we apparently have hired someone named Maximov. I'm assuming the whole company is joining the MCU
Let us know when we can buy an action figure of you!
Steph L. - Oct 01, 2026 9:51:26 am PDT #14173 of 14508
It's actually been a really hard year, when you stop and do the math. Eliot would cry, too, if it didn't take him seventy minutes of therapy, two cocktails, and a Sondheim medley before he can experience a human emotion through the haze of his PTSD.
So, because science is awesome (not sarcasm), we know a lot about neurotransmitters, and how certain things affect them. What I recently learned is that taking opioid pain meds, even at a low dose for 2 weeks, tinkers with neurotransmitters enough that when you stop the pain meds, serotonin and dopamine just totally flatline for a little bit while all the various receptors in the brain get their act together and start behaving normally again. It's not super fun.
My medical nerd side is fascinated with how opioids/opioid receptors interact with neurotransmitters. The side of me that is the actual guinea pig experiencing this medical journey is less fascinated and more stabby. Though it does honestly help to know that what's happening is a stew of chemical nonsense in my brain and not a relapse of depression.
A continued infusion of MASH episodes is also helping (I'm on season 10), although I am back to working part time this week, so I am also experiencing Sherman Potter withdrawal.
-t - Oct 01, 2026 9:59:13 am PDT #14174 of 14508
I am a woman of various inclinations and only some of the time are they to burn everything down in frustration
Oh, yikes! Good to know, but eep
Steph L. - Oct 01, 2026 10:31:07 am PDT #14175 of 14508
It's actually been a really hard year, when you stop and do the math. Eliot would cry, too, if it didn't take him seventy minutes of therapy, two cocktails, and a Sondheim medley before he can experience a human emotion through the haze of his PTSD.
Oh, yikes! Good to know, but eep
Right? Annoying that things that are helpful can also have downsides. I want all upsides!
Oh, since I'm oversharing about my medical deets, it's been almost 2 weeks since I started HRT, and my hot flashes have improved dramatically. I was having about 10 a day, and now I have like one a day, and some days I don't have any at all. That's freaking miraculous right there.
-t - Oct 01, 2026 10:36:37 am PDT #14176 of 14508
I am a woman of various inclinations and only some of the time are they to burn everything down in frustration
Annoying that things that are helpful can also have downsides. I want all upsides!
So true! Tradeoffs bite.
Hooray for HRT! That sounds amazing!
Jessica - Oct 01, 2026 11:51:59 am PDT #14177 of 14508
And then Ortus came and said "It's Ortin' time" and they all Orted off into the sunset
My medical nerd side is fascinated with how opioids/opioid receptors interact with neurotransmitters. The side of me that is the actual guinea pig experiencing this medical journey is less fascinated and more stabby. Though it does honestly help to know that what's happening is a stew of chemical nonsense in my brain and not a relapse of depression.
I feel this every month with the power combo of PMS+perimenopause. (Isn't it so interesting that the chemicals in my brain are creating these meaningless feelings of TOTAL HOPELESSNESS and THINKING EVERYONE HATES ME and I need to QUIT MY JOB or MOVE TO A DIFFERENT COUNTRY wow science is so amazing (SOB))
-t - Oct 01, 2026 12:55:41 pm PDT #14178 of 14508
I am a woman of various inclinations and only some of the time are they to burn everything down in frustration
Knowing there is chemical nonsense driving the bus is good, but it's still a bumpy ass ride
Laura - Oct 01, 2026 1:04:42 pm PDT #14179 of 14508
This too shall pass.
My medical nerd side is fascinated with how opioids/opioid receptors interact with neurotransmitters.
It is a likely good thing that I can't take any of the opioids, or any type of HRT either. Really every med I ever had to take didn't agree with me so I avoid them as much as possible. I take child dosages of those I need.
so I am also experiencing Sherman Potter withdrawal.
Understandable.
My big excitement for the day was having the luminary removed from my nails. They have been coated for 3 years and needed to take a breathing break. They are pretty sad and will be generously doused with coconut oil for a couple months while keeping them super short. They grow like weeds so I hope to go back to polish by Christmas.