We've wined, we've waited, now it's time to celebrate 2016

[rhombusbombus]

I have gotten nothing about TAing - maybe bc im on fellowship my first year. Entomology dept only has to TA twice for the phd program. 

Im psyching myself up to join the powerlifting team to give myself aome accountability. And i kind of want to do roller derby. But i cant skate. 

Soeaking of Lyme disease. Thats the only vaccination my dog is missing. So he needs to get that!

[Neist]

10 minutes ago, rhombusbombus said:

Soeaking of Lyme disease. Thats the only vaccination my dog is missing. So he needs to get that!

You know, there used to be a human vaccine? Apparently, it was removed from the market from a lack of a demand, but the efficacy of the vaccine was also questioned.

If it worked, it's sort of a shame it never caught on.

[janetjanejune]

This girl from my undergrad contracted Lyme disease. She became so sick she had to drop out of college and move cross-country for treatment.

It's apparently rare to get, but once you do, it's hell.

[Danger_Zone]

1 hour ago, rhombusbombus said:

I have gotten nothing about TAing - maybe bc im on fellowship my first year. Entomology dept only has to TA twice for the phd program. 

Im psyching myself up to join the powerlifting team to give myself aome accountability. And i kind of want to do roller derby. But i cant skate. 

Soeaking of Lyme disease. Thats the only vaccination my dog is missing. So he needs to get that!

I want to do roller derby so bad! It looks really fun! But I am so clumsy, ugh. I think I can skate fairly well though.

[pterosaur]

Lyme disease is not usually bad if it is caught and treated early. If you go in to the doctor with a tick bite from an area with the disease (bring the tick if you can!), they will possibly even give you anti-biotics before they get test results back. Because if they don't treat it early, it can become chronic... And THAT is what is rare and really horrible. I have a cousin who's been dealing with it for about 5 years and it's been debilitating. Chronic Lyme is also not recognized everywhere, and there's not approved treatment (since it's rare), so insurance companies also make your life hell.

Moral of the story: if you find a tick that's embedded in an area with Lyme, go see a doctor!

[sjoh197]

Finishing up my latest girly flowery art thing. My bf thinks its too girly. I might like, give it to my mom or something lol. 

[Pink Fuzzy Bunny]

@sjoh197 I wish I had half of your artistic ability... maybe a Mother's Day gift for your mom? It is Sunday

[Danger_Zone]

1 hour ago, sjoh197 said:

Finishing up my latest girly flowery art thing. My bf thinks its too girly. I might like, give it to my mom or something lol. 

That's really good! I love the colours. It would definitely be a lovely Mother's Day gift if you were to give it to your mom!

[sjoh197]

I think I'm going to add the top of an antique white chair in the left background. " Its too boring there" quoting my art critique boyfriend.

[Neist]

4 hours ago, pterosaur said:

Lyme disease is not usually bad if it is caught and treated early. If you go in to the doctor with a tick bite from an area with the disease (bring the tick if you can!), they will possibly even give you anti-biotics before they get test results back. Because if they don't treat it early, it can become chronic... And THAT is what is rare and really horrible. I have a cousin who's been dealing with it for about 5 years and it's been debilitating. Chronic Lyme is also not recognized everywhere, and there's not approved treatment (since it's rare), so insurance companies also make your life hell.

Moral of the story: if you find a tick that's embedded in an area with Lyme, go see a doctor!

I agree!

All of my planned backpacking trips are in areas that are quite low in Lyme. There's plenty of other terrible tick-carried diseases, but they tend to be a little less chronic. 

I probably caught Lyme at one point, but the doctor did the right thing and gave me a course of antibiotics. I say probably because it's pretty difficult to test for in early stages. It often produces false negative test results.

[hippyscientist]

@Neist that's interesting to know about Lyme disease. Not one I would have thought of so thank you.

@rhombusbombus YAY powerlifting  It's happening, don't fight it!

[MarineBluePsy]

Can't remember who suggested it, but I'm reading MWF Seeking BFF by Rachel Bertsche and am now very concerned about my wellbeing.  That research she incorporates on why we have friends, the health benefits, how we make friends, etc tells me that apparently I'm on the wrong track lol.  I admire all the effort she puts forth to make friends, but it also makes me realize what a huge disadvantage I'm at.  I'm amazed at people who have friends from childhood, I don't and can't say I regret that since I outgrew those people.  She also has all these work friends, something else I lack since my time at work is spent with patients and I work independently.  There's other staff, but we don't need to interact to do our work.  And she put out a personals ad type thing seeking friends!  I actually did something similar once, but all those chicks were needy or awful. 

And you know what else?  I don't actually like most people.  It's hard to explain, but most people just bug me.  How do you make friends when nearly everyone is irritating in some way?  Great I'm an antisocial nutcase and I'm about to move across the country with an increased risk for hermitude.  Can I be a hermit if I like to go places even though most people at those places annoy me?  Should I be concerned that movies like Her make me really annoyed that I don't have an operating system to befriend because obviously that would be the ideal companion?  I don't even think there's a support group for this level of nuts.....

[hippyscientist]

3 hours ago, MarineBluePsy said:

Can't remember who suggested it, but I'm reading MWF Seeking BFF by Rachel Bertsche and am now very concerned about my wellbeing.  That research she incorporates on why we have friends, the health benefits, how we make friends, etc tells me that apparently I'm on the wrong track lol.  I admire all the effort she puts forth to make friends, but it also makes me realize what a huge disadvantage I'm at.  I'm amazed at people who have friends from childhood, I don't and can't say I regret that since I outgrew those people.  She also has all these work friends, something else I lack since my time at work is spent with patients and I work independently.  There's other staff, but we don't need to interact to do our work.  And she put out a personals ad type thing seeking friends!  I actually did something similar once, but all those chicks were needy or awful. 

And you know what else?  I don't actually like most people.  It's hard to explain, but most people just bug me.  How do you make friends when nearly everyone is irritating in some way?  Great I'm an antisocial nutcase and I'm about to move across the country with an increased risk for hermitude.  Can I be a hermit if I like to go places even though most people at those places annoy me?  Should I be concerned that movies like Her make me really annoyed that I don't have an operating system to befriend because obviously that would be the ideal companion?  I don't even think there's a support group for this level of nuts.....

You know what? Those methods may work for her. We're all different! We all make friends differently. For me, I have about 3-4 close friends, and even they are a struggle at times. I like being a hermit. It's not detrimental to my health - I get social interaction at work and through sport. But I need space. I don't like people either and the ones I like tend to fit in with my outlook, specific interests etc. I get diversity in interactions with others, but they're not friends. 

Who cares? There's only an issue if YOU feel there's an issue. Screw what someone else says, even if they've done research on the topic, they haven't done research with you. So whatever. Do what works for you (as long as it's not hurting anyone that is)

[AP]

19 hours ago, Cat_Robutt said:

 

@hippyscientist Thanks for your advice! I did decide 12 hours was TOO much my first semester, and as @AP mentioned, I think getting involved in other activities will be a boon. What are some programs/activities/things you all would like to do while getting your degree that may not necessarily be coursework?

 

Yes, not only activities but other communities around campus. For example, I have done several workshops at the Digital Scholarship Center and hence I am very familiar with fifth- and sixth-year fellowships. I am also in the Teaching Development listserve. It was through this e-mail list that I found out about a mini grant for teaching, I applied, got it, and used it to bring an off-campus faculty and offer some food for my students. 

So, scout around!!!!  I wish I had taken more advantage of all this in my first year!

[Pink Fuzzy Bunny]

8 hours ago, MarineBluePsy said:

And you know what else?  I don't actually like most people.  It's hard to explain, but most people just bug me.  How do you make friends when nearly everyone is irritating in some way?  Great I'm an antisocial nutcase and I'm about to move across the country with an increased risk for hermitude.  Can I be a hermit if I like to go places even though most people at those places annoy me?  Should I be concerned that movies like Her make me really annoyed that I don't have an operating system to befriend because obviously that would be the ideal companion?  I don't even think there's a support group for this level of nuts.....

If there were a support group, I'd join the hell out of it, because I'm the exact same way. I don't HATE most people, I just find 99% of them annoying. It's the reason why I will be paying significantly more in living expenses just to live by myself, and why after 4 years at undergrad I barely have reached more than "casual acquaintance" status with anyone. And yes, I thought the same thing when watching Her.

[sjoh197]

8 hours ago, MarineBluePsy said:

Can't remember who suggested it, but I'm reading MWF Seeking BFF by Rachel Bertsche and am now very concerned about my wellbeing.  That research she incorporates on why we have friends, the health benefits, how we make friends, etc tells me that apparently I'm on the wrong track lol.  I admire all the effort she puts forth to make friends, but it also makes me realize what a huge disadvantage I'm at.  I'm amazed at people who have friends from childhood, I don't and can't say I regret that since I outgrew those people.  She also has all these work friends, something else I lack since my time at work is spent with patients and I work independently.  There's other staff, but we don't need to interact to do our work.  And she put out a personals ad type thing seeking friends!  I actually did something similar once, but all those chicks were needy or awful. 

And you know what else?  I don't actually like most people.  It's hard to explain, but most people just bug me.  How do you make friends when nearly everyone is irritating in some way?  Great I'm an antisocial nutcase and I'm about to move across the country with an increased risk for hermitude.  Can I be a hermit if I like to go places even though most people at those places annoy me?  Should I be concerned that movies like Her make me really annoyed that I don't have an operating system to befriend because obviously that would be the ideal companion?  I don't even think there's a support group for this level of nuts.....

I don't like most people either. I find that a lot of people (especially down south) are very close minded, and generally not open to new and positive experiences. Also, I don't drink. Or party. Or do drugs. My idea of a good time is watching kids movies with popcorn, or going to the zoo or something. 

Rather than seeing yourself as an antisocial nut, just realize that you have different interests than most people... and just keep doing your own thing. Eventually you will find a couple people who like to do whatever it is you're doing in life, and then you hold on to them. 

I managed to find someone else who doesn't like people, and now we sit and dislike people together. 

[Pink Fuzzy Bunny]

I second what @sjoh197 - the only person I was ever able to stand for long periods of time was my boyfriend (now ex). I could spend hours with him without being all like "Can I go hoooome nooowwwww?!?!" You'll find that too one day (whether in an S/O or a friend). I especially think that in graduate school it will be more likely - at least I'm hoping! Plus, college girls are such a wild crazy bunch, and LOUD.

[hippyscientist]

Are we all anti-social dislikers of people? Maybe it's a grad school thing! I like my space, just had a friend stay for 3 days and I'm exhausted now. 

[Need Coffee in an IV]

8 hours ago, MarineBluePsy said:

Can't remember who suggested it, but I'm reading MWF Seeking BFF by Rachel Bertsche and am now very concerned about my wellbeing.  That research she incorporates on why we have friends, the health benefits, how we make friends, etc tells me that apparently I'm on the wrong track lol.  I admire all the effort she puts forth to make friends, but it also makes me realize what a huge disadvantage I'm at.  I'm amazed at people who have friends from childhood, I don't and can't say I regret that since I outgrew those people.  She also has all these work friends, something else I lack since my time at work is spent with patients and I work independently.  There's other staff, but we don't need to interact to do our work.  And she put out a personals ad type thing seeking friends!  I actually did something similar once, but all those chicks were needy or awful. 

And you know what else?  I don't actually like most people.  It's hard to explain, but most people just bug me.  How do you make friends when nearly everyone is irritating in some way?  Great I'm an antisocial nutcase and I'm about to move across the country with an increased risk for hermitude.  Can I be a hermit if I like to go places even though most people at those places annoy me?  Should I be concerned that movies like Her make me really annoyed that I don't have an operating system to befriend because obviously that would be the ideal companion?  I don't even think there's a support group for this level of nuts.....

Totally claiming the suggestion . I don't have many friends and I think thats common for a lot of people. I think it helps that emotional engagment wears me out so I don't get stressed out by my social life. I have 2 best friends from grade school, a couple from undergrad, and maybe future ones from grad school? I feel like paris from gilmore girls and larry david and i would be a perfect trio

[sjoh197]

Just now, hippyscientist said:

Are we all anti-social dislikers of people? Maybe it's a grad school thing! I like my space, just had a friend stay for 3 days and I'm exhausted now. 

I find that the higher up the education ladder you tend to go... the more introverted the people become. Social events exhaust me. Being in the wilderness with my s/o makes me feel invigorated. I'm not good at small talk, and I'm tired of trying to impress people that I don't know. 

I have thus far been described as "frank" "blunt" "forward" and my all time favorite "scary and intimidating." 

As you all can tell, my cat loving, flower painting, card making, disney watching self is very scary and very intimidating. 

[hippyscientist]

Just now, sjoh197 said:

I find that the higher up the education ladder you tend to go... the more introverted the people become. Social events exhaust me. Being in the wilderness with my s/o makes me feel invigorated. I'm not good at small talk, and I'm tired of trying to impress people that I don't know. 

I have thus far been described as "frank" "blunt" "forward" and my all time favorite "scary and intimidating." 

As you all can tell, my cat loving, flower painting, card making, disney watching self is very scary and very intimidating. 

Okay those words you just used are very commonly used to describe me too. I mean admittedly my hobbies are scarier - martial arts and powerlifting. But I also am one of the world's biggest hippy people, think projecting love is important (although I do have resting bitch face - I'm sorry!), can't sleep without my cuddly toys, and love disney too. In fact I might even cry at a few disney movies. 

Socialising is great, and I love it in small doses. I'm pretty good at schmoozing, but I hate small talk. Meeting people is a lot of fun, but then I need to go home and recharge and veg out. Also you're right that academia seems to correlate with introversion. I look at my current department and hope upon hope I keep a little bit of my personality in tact and don't end up as odd as them! 

[sjoh197]

2 minutes ago, hippyscientist said:

Okay those words you just used are very commonly used to describe me too. I mean admittedly my hobbies are scarier - martial arts and powerlifting. But I also am one of the world's biggest hippy people, think projecting love is important (although I do have resting bitch face - I'm sorry!), can't sleep without my cuddly toys, and love disney too. In fact I might even cry at a few disney movies. 

Socialising is great, and I love it in small doses. I'm pretty good at schmoozing, but I hate small talk. Meeting people is a lot of fun, but then I need to go home and recharge and veg out. Also you're right that academia seems to correlate with introversion. I look at my current department and hope upon hope I keep a little bit of my personality in tact and don't end up as odd as them! 

OMG... i have 6 stuffed sheep that I sleep with every night (along with being suffocated by my cat) My daughter really loved sheep before she passed away, and I try to collect them... but believe it or not, it's really hard to find cute stuffed sheep. 

I never understood why people thought I was intimidating or scary. With all self honesty... I'm a pretty friendly person. I may be a "no nonsense" kind of person... and I'll point out if what you're doing is wrong or rude or whatever, but I'm not mean about it, I'm just honest. I think that everybody has their own struggles and deserve as much empathy and understanding as possible. I was always very helpful to my class mates, and research partners. I was never a gossiper.

I think it was more that I was reclusive about my personal life and people didn't have any kind of digs on me. Might be the same for you?

 

[hippyscientist]

2 minutes ago, sjoh197 said:

OMG... i have 6 stuffed sheep that I sleep with every night (along with being suffocated by my cat) My daughter really loved sheep before she passed away, and I try to collect them... but believe it or not, it's really hard to find cute stuffed sheep. 

I never understood why people thought I was intimidating or scary. With all self honesty... I'm a pretty friendly person. I may be a "no nonsense" kind of person... and I'll point out if what you're doing is wrong or rude or whatever, but I'm not mean about it, I'm just honest. I think that everybody has their own struggles and deserve as much empathy and understanding as possible. I was always very helpful to my class mates, and research partners. I was never a gossiper.

I think it was more that I was reclusive about my personal life and people didn't have any kind of digs on me. Might be the same for you?

 

The White Company are amazing and do the softest toys. I just looked at they have a lamb (http://www.thewhitecompany.com/the-little-white-company/toys-and-books/soft-toys/lara-lamb/). That's so lovely that you try to collect them. My teddies are so important to me and they're from key events in my life and anyone who's not okay with them is not okay with me! 

I agree. I'm honest. I don't like bullsh*t and I would much prefer someone be honest to my face. Criticism is just a learning opportunity. I'm helpful to a point, and then I get frustrated when people don't help themselves. I have very little tolerance for lack of common sense and apathy, and I think that pushes a lot of people away. It's okay though. I'm happy with a few close-knit friends, a collegiate and amicable rapport with colleagues and a pleasant glancing interaction with acquaintances. 

[Pink Fuzzy Bunny]

I think I just realized why moving tomorrow is going to be such a pain... everything I own is HIGHLY NECESSARY FOR MY EVERYDAY EXISTENCE, RIGHT?! Especially my couch full of stuffed animals (and soda cans), RIGHT?!

[Neist]

4 hours ago, hippyscientist said:

The White Company are amazing and do the softest toys. I just looked at they have a lamb (http://www.thewhitecompany.com/the-little-white-company/toys-and-books/soft-toys/lara-lamb/). That's so lovely that you try to collect them. My teddies are so important to me and they're from key events in my life and anyone who's not okay with them is not okay with me! 

Ever own a Gund brand stuffed animal? As the parent of a three year old, I can attest their snuggliness.

Also, looking at their website, they sell these. I need these for my daughter.  

Edited May 4, 2016 by Neist