#amairawrites

I had no idea you were still recovering, sweetie. I'm glad to see you're doing better, but keep taking it easy as you heal. Do you have someone close to check up on you to see how you're doing? Do you have a follow-up appointment with your doctor? I know Dr. Deebs and Dr. Polka-dot are taking care of you! ^^! *gentle hug*

Oh yeah, I have friends who are checking in, and also coworkers. They know if I don’t show up and don’t call in that they need to check on me.

And I didn’t want to give anyone the impression that I’m not still under a doctor’s care! I had a check-in last week where I was cleared for everything except running and heavy machinery, and tomorrow I have a check-in to get cleared for running. “Heavy Machinery” usually means driving, for most people, and since I don’t drive that’s not as much of an issue. 

bonnie131313 replied to your post “Holy shit I am dying, you guys. This morning I was reading about...”

way back (possibly still) all the higher ups had to be able to walk into any McDonalds in their country and do any job in the place. When I was in High School I saw the guy in charge of every McDonalds in the northeast USA mop the lobby because a kid spilled a soda and the rest of us were busy. It was a horrible job but I was kind of impressed by that.

I’m pretty sure it’s still in effect, but I think for corporate particularly it’s not as, uh, strenuous as it used to be. It’s like “Okay, this week you’re going to spend an hour or two each day on the floor” kind of a deal. At least that’s my impression. 

amairawrites replied to your photo “Taking this photo is the last thing I remember doing on January 5th,...”

I’ll be honest that I’m more curious about how the kitties have responded to your concussion than how you’ve dealt with it.

I don’t know that they’ve really changed behavior much, to be honest, perhaps because home is where I’ve changed behavior the least. When I’m at home I’m usually sitting quietly anyway. :D The first 2-3 days they were pretty clingy and concerned, like they clearly knew something was up, but after that they more or less reverted to normal behavior. We’ve spent more time on the bed, because the heating pad helped with my sore muscles from the fall, and they love the bed so they’re quite happy about that. But by and large, home life is not too altered. 

figtreeandvine replied to your photo “Taking this photo is the last thing I remember doing on January 5th,...”

If you haven't already, go see a doctor again. Your word issues sound like a less severe form of my mother's aphasia--she had a stroke almost two years ago. She can speak grammatically but almost all nouns are gone--which makes actual speech...difficult. An MRI might help locate organic damage. Speech and/or physical therapy could also help.

They warned me that I might need therapy if the TBI was bad enough, but the checkup last week said that while it’s clear I’m still having issues, they’re fading about as rapidly as would be expected of someone of my age and general health. After tomorrow’s check-in I won’t have another for six-ish months unless I notice a decline or a stall in the healing, but I should be good to go. 

starkwest replied to your photo “Taking this photo is the last thing I remember doing on January 5th,...”

I feel you on the words issue. I've learned not to talk much in public. I get strange looks or people filling in the words. The meds I have to take make word memory so hard. Image association and deep breath back tracking helps somewhat. Your description of 'six degrees' is spot on. Good luck. I hope it improves for you soon.

What’s so interesting is that it’s only an issue when I’m talking -- when I’m writing, occasionally I’ll mistype a word (”might” for “my” or “attendee” for “attendant”) but I at least have all of them at my command. When I try to connect brain to mouth, something just goes awry. It’s like having a word on the tip of your tongue, like it’s not a NEW sensation, it’s just a much more common one than normal.

mangy-mongrel replied to your photo “Taking this photo is the last thing I remember doing on January 5th,...”

I would now like to put safety corners on all of your furniture

I mean, you’ve seen photos of my condo, it’s COVERED in pillows :D The doctors gave me a four page SUPER CONDESCENDING but understandably-so pamphlet about preventing tripping hazards in the home, and really “not to trip over my own goddamn feet” is what I need more than anything, sadly.

tehnakki replied to your photo “Taking this photo is the last thing I remember doing on January 5th,...”

LAWL. Oh Sam. Welcome to the brain-fucked-up club! It sucks =) Personally I agree with the super blasé emotional acceptance of injury. I've made my mom and friends cry by how casual I am about my death but *shrug emoji* it just doesn't bug me.

Yeah, I would think I’m not traumatized because I don’t remember it, but the fall isn’t the scary part for people, it’s the fact that I don’t remember it. But it’s not like there’s a gap, per se, or a blank space. There’s just a seamless transition from “taking a cute picture of Polk” to “waking up and feeling dreadful”. It’s like how you don’t normally remember the moment of falling asleep, only that moment lasted an hour and a half. 

pinglederry replied to your photo “Taking this photo is the last thing I remember doing on January 5th,...”

it’s weird reading about your word struggles bc that level of struggle is my regular adhd baseline. Was your concussion injury to the frontal lobe area?

I honestly don’t know. From the sound of it my brain just got bounced around my skull; they only did the CT scan, so I don’t think they could tell which part was actively bruised. But it would make sense, I clearly fell face-forward, and most of the bruising and scrapes were on my forehead, left cheekbone, left ear, and the area just above my left ear. 

junker5 replied to your photo “Taking this photo is the last thing I remember doing on January 5th,...”

I know you probably don’t feel “lucky” but you really are. I love how you deal with things both realistically and with your patented Sam humor. I’m so glad you are recovering, and so sorry you had such a crazy scare! In January no less!

I do feel lucky in the sense that since it happened I’ve read about a couple of people who fell over while drunk or passed out while high, bashed their head on something, and bled out before they regained consciousness. Living alone does come with that kind of peril. But I also think, you know, I was lucky to survive it and the odds of it happening again are quite low, in theory, so my guardian angel probably isn’t done with me yet :D 

yee-jun replied to your post “Holy shit I am dying, you guys. This morning I was reading about...”

Oh Boy! What A Way To Advertise A Vacancy!

Depends on the benefits. If it means switching medical it better be a very fat raise.

Oh lord, fortunately I won’t have to -- the new place has the same PPO option as where I am now. No dental, but the raise would offset the higher dental cost, at least. 

amairawrites replied to your post “Me: so should I stick with the job I have now and know exactly how to...”

Do you want to stay in an organization that tolerates a toxic environment for long enough that people are looking to leave because of it? Even if the other departments are better, the one being a problem for so long is not a good sign.

Well, that’s the thing -- it’s been a problem for such a short amount of time, relative to how long I’ve been there. It’s been a great place to work for ten years -- it’s just in the past ten months that things have gone downhill, and it’s almost entirely due to two specific people becoming managers. Then again, I’ve thought about how, if I had the power, I would fix what happened, and I honestly don’t see a good way out of it even if I was empowered to fix it. Too much has changed.  

stripedsilverfeline replied to your post “Me: so should I stick with the job I have now and know exactly how to...”

Get out of the toxic environment! Life is short and you already know it's not good there; don't count on it getting better or on outlasting the toxic boss. Free yourself. Do something new and fresh and a lot less stress-making. And that was my unwanted advice, sorry!

LOL well it’s good to have anyway! That’s what I’m leaning towards -- that the anxiety of the unknown is better than knowing I’ll be anxious every day in the place I’m in now. 

selkieinthesea replied to your post “Me: so should I stick with the job I have now and know exactly how to...”

�������� I think these are hugs? I’m trying to send you hugs, not sure if it’s working, but I’m giving it my best shot! Good luck with whichever you choose!

They show up as boxes for me but I accept them as hugs anyway! BOXY HUGS. :D Thank you for the luck. 

daroos replied to your post “Me: so should I stick with the job I have now and know exactly how to...”

*hugs* Dude if you need someone to objectively do the pro con talk with I'm always open

I might do some form of stream tomorrow to talk it out with people. I still have to make my pro-con list. I’m probably going to treat myself to a hamburger while I do it so that I’ll actually do it. :D

katkun1 replied to your post “Me: so should I stick with the job I have now and know exactly how to...”

Make a decision and live with it for a few hours and see how it feels.

That’s really great advice, and it’s something I’ve been doing a bit. I think about leaving, and what that would mean, and what would change and what I’d lose, and then I think about staying and what that would mean, and what I wouldn’t be able to escape if I’d stayed. 

Yesterday, because I was working from home and not as accountable for being productive, I went through all my work archives, all the files on my network drive, on our cloud drive, and on my hard drive, and I sorted out what could be deleted, what I would want to take with me when I left (nothing confidential, just helpful information), and what I would need to leave for my successor. I went through my project management app and figured out what I’d have to complete and what I’d have to hand off. And the feeling of relief at the idea of not having to do some of those things was really bone-deep. But at the same time, there would be new challenges, totally unknown ones, and lots of new work at the new place, so I’ve got to balance it -- treat it as a reality, not a fantasy.

But man did it feel good to clean and organize my files as if I was leaving. To be able to make all the bullshit someone else’s problem. 

spaci1701 replied to your post “Me: so should I stick with the job I have now and know exactly how to...”

Is there someone above your department you could take it to? Tell them you've received another offer and that, though you feel a lot of loyalty to the organization, you're not sure that the mental health toll of the current environment is worth waiting to see what happens? It might push up your possible future promotion or at least get it guaranteed. A fixed date would do wonders for your stress level. And it might even kick them into dealing with the toxic-ness.

I wish, honestly. The problem is that the two departments -- the one I’m in now and the one I’d be promoted into -- are the same functionary office for two different divisions of the company, so they’re not overseen by the same people. It would be almost like changing companies completely. So there is one person, theoretically, who oversees both, but they are SO high up that they don’t deal in employment issues. And it’s two separate HR departments as well, so I can’t go to their HR department and be like “Hey please list this job sooner so I can apply and get hired.” 

Department two does hate department one’s manager, which is a point in their favor, they just...can’t do anything about it, because they’re so highly separated. 

grrlcookery replied to your post “Me: so should I stick with the job I have now and know exactly how to...”

Whichever choice you make - and it's not easy - we will also always -<3 you

We had a pet stroller for our dog with mobility issues, and it had a little harness attachment so you could sort of clip them in to avoid escapes. Maybe they'd like that? It closes up with mesh, too, and they'd be together.

This sounds like an AMAZING idea and also if I wanted it would mean I could take the cats to the park in a pram like some kind of Victorian nanny. I might have to look into it.  

amairawrites replied to your photo “They had their (slightly belated) one year health check today. I know...”

7 pounds? TINY BABIES. Mine are 10 and 18.

From a fellow dumb human who pack bonds: your city is no doubt replete with pet bakeries, as is mine. Delightful fresh baked kitty confections should be available in the pastry case.

What a good idea! I have no idea where one is near me but I’m sure I can find out. 

winds-wanderer replied to your photo “The Sisters thank you for all your birthday wishes! Dearborn is always...”

These pictures truly capture their personalities, always-ready-for-a-nap Deebs and ever-vigilant Polk

I was very pleased I was able to catch them being so Them on their birthday :D 

ambersnake replied to your photo “The Sisters thank you for all your birthday wishes! Dearborn is always...”

Birthday Eve

It made sense in my head! From now on I’m totally going to celebrate Birthday Eve. 

scifigrl47 replied to your photo “I will not cry about my cats, I will not cry about my cats, I will not...”

You're crying right now, aren't you?

I WAS NOT, IT WAS JUST REALLY HUMID. 

shinyblackbird replied to your photo “I will not cry about my cats, I will not cry about my cats, I will not...”

It’s their birthday today??? Mine too!! I feel like I’ve never been in better company! ����

Aw, happy birthday! Sorry they are not QUITE on your birthday, but their birthday eve is! 

amairawrites replied to your photo “I will not cry about my cats, I will not cry about my cats, I will not...”

Your cats are pi day babies and you didn't name them after pies?

Now I'm curious what this horrible Subway experience was that ruined all of them forever for you.

I mean, how do you describe such terrible food? You have to experience it. But let me see if I can convey a taste...

So, the bread was crispy on the outside but wet in the middle, kind of gluey? I think it was both under-baked and stale. It was a meatball sub, so the meatballs were really the star, but they were hot on the outside and cold in the middle, which combined with an unusually watery sauce conveyed the feeling of eating something someone had already eaten once, and which had at some point encountered a sponge. The cheese was melted at points, but also at points it was that kind of dry, oil-less cheese you get when you leave good brie out for too long. 

Sam, did you already have that rug or did you get it just for the artful posing background it gives them?

I already had it! I got it on my last Ikea run. Totally worth it too, it’s super thick and comfy, I understand why the kittens love it. 

drivemetogeek replied to your photoset “I always worry that when I offer to show people pictures of my cats –...”

So tiny! It looks like Polk has the same amount of orange but it was concentrated in her tiny little kitten self and became more diffuse and muted as she got bigger.

Part of it’s the lighting -- she has always been very dilute, but I think it has faded just slightly as she’s gotten older. But her head markings have gotten more visible!

lacylu42 replied to your post “It’s time to confess that for a long time I didn’t know where the...”

I'm still not sure I 100% understand what yeet means.

Despite having a very firm origin (a vine where a girl drinks a soda, yells “This bitch empty! Yeet!” and throws it into a crowd), it originally had a bunch of different meanings. At this point, the most common primary definition is “to throw away from one forcefully”. 

tyrannosaurus-trainwreck replied to your photoset “Meringue-walnut rugelah, from this recipe. It’s super delicious but...”

The only things I use my full-sized oven for is frozen pizza (usually too big to fit in the convection oven) and broiling. Countertop convection ovens *rule*.

That was a feature of mine, that it fits a 12″ (standard freezer size) pizza. I tested it and it’s true! 

batbetbitbotbut replied to your photoset “Meringue-walnut rugelah, from this recipe. It’s super delicious but...”

Those look awesome! So, you already don't use the built-in hob (at least not often) and now you don't use the built-in oven either. Is it possible to get that entire module of your kitchen removed someday? Sounds like it's now just taking up space.

Yeah, the hob I actually removed completely and replaced with a custom-cut chopping board to increase my counter space. I do want to keep a range and oven in the kitchen for resale value, but I probably will get rid of the current unit, put an eye-level oven in, and put a separate range on the counter. 

junker5 replied to your photoset “I always worry that when I offer to show people pictures of my cats –...”

Brilliant! I love that you first saw them asleep in their litterbox, and when you got them to the Speakeasy, your first photo is in/near the litterbox lol T

They still love their litterbox, the little filth monsters. They like to excavate in it early in the morning and then come shove their stinky fur in my face.

amairawrites replied to your photoset “I always worry that when I offer to show people pictures of my cats –...”

Have you ever had someone recognize them as the same cats from your tumblr?

I did once, yes! 

kissmeagainarthas replied to your photo “Sleeping head to butt means everyone has a pillow!”

AND it looks like they're each touching their human too, which is Extremely Desirable.

One of my favorite things in the world is when both of them curl up together in my lap, even if it gives me leg cramps occasionally :D

nightshadezombie replied to your photo “Dearborn and Polk hope you all have a super chill Saturday!”

Alas, I would want to pet the belleh and hope I would not cause offense or lose any fingers.

Hey friend! Fancy seeing you outside of Discord. xD

Kel:

To Be By His Side - starticker @starticker

19k. (Teen).

Prince Takashi of Shirogane must marry to inherit the throne, and his spouse must be determined by eligible candidates competing in a series of competitions known as the Royal Games. Complications arise when Shiro’s bodyguard, Keith, goes missing weeks before the Games begin, and then again when a mysterious suitor shows up to compete. What has happened to Keith? And who is the Red Knight, the challenger who seems determined not just to win Shiro’s hand but also his heart?

Lost and Found - avidbeader @avidbeader

3k. (General).

A visit to a second swap moon yields unexpected results.

Deep Down - Kalira @kalira9

18k. (Mature).

Shiro returns from a long mission to find that something has happened to Keith while he was away … and this new, feral Keith needs him more than ever.

Alex:

Chocolate - Pholo @mighty-trash

5k. (Teen).

“Forget the chocolate shake,” Shiro says. “If someone managed to find me a bar of chocolate, I would marry them on the spot.”

Keith’s brain short-circuits.

It’s like the fuse for an entire city blew out. The conversation goes on around him, but the words are barely radio fuzz at the back of Keith’s head. He’s stock-still on the couch, rigid like a plank of wood, his whole world reduced to five words:

 Marry them on the spot.

Life Is Like A Box of Magnetic Blocks (It’s What You Build) - captnstarshine

5k. (General).

Shiro finds Keith’s hand and squeezes.

“I never thought,” Shiro’s breath catches, a little, “I never could’ve imagined our family might get bigger, after everything. I never thought I’d have this. You. We’re so fucking lucky to have you.”

Cattitude - palavin

8k. (General).

Keith gets turned into a cat. Shiro struggles to cope. Set sometime before season 3.

“I just — ” Shiro tries, unable to encompass all the  feelings  he has about how adorable cat Keith is.

Keith glares up at him in a way that clearly says:  sleep with one eye open, Shirogane.

“Look at his ears,” Shiro finishes lamely.

Pidge smacks a hand over her face. “Okay, so you’re useless right now.”

Not Kitten Around - Cobrilee

5k. (General).

While Keith is grateful for the friends he’s made in his new apartment complex, a kid and a cat were not what he hoped. An adult relationship would be nice, too.

He gets one, courtesy of the kid and the cat.

Cas:

in quiet proclamations - redluxite (wordstruck) @redluxite

1k. (Teen).

“Hercules.”“Hm hmm.”“Corona Australis.”“Mmmm.”“Takashi.”“Mm.”“I love you.”

Or, Keith’s a mechanical engineering student with a love for space, Shiro’s captain of the uni football team, and Mondays are warm.

Before We Fell Apart - EchoResonance @echoresonance

3k. (General).

Contrary to popular belief, Keith wasn’t much of a scrapper. He was in the Garrison on sheer good graces and talent; one wrong move would lose all of that. He had a thick skin, he ignored most of the jeers thrown his way. So when Shiro found him in the middle of it all, all his easy objectivity was gone. Shiro jerked him out of the fight by force, scowling down the other cadet until he ran off with his tail between his legs before dragging Keith after him with every intention of finding out what finally lit his fuse.

Wingin’ It - wolfsan11 @wolfsan11

1k. (General).

An accidental encounter on a flight reunites Keith with his college best friend and old crush, Takashi Shirogane, giving them the opportunity to connect, and put a name to the bond between them while they’re at it.

Sam:

hello, i love you, won’t you tell me your name - perzimon

12k. (Teen).

Keith’s human enough to have wisdom teeth and unlucky enough to need them extracted. The team despairs.

Toast the Snow That Fell - p0rth0s

31k. (Explicit).

Keith leans forward a little further, puts his weight on his arms and kicks his socked feet in the air a few times, like paddling water. “I’ll be your friend, Shiro.”

Shiro pauses where he’s bent over the couch, meets Keith’s gaze dead-on and stares. “Aren’t you generous.”

“I’m so good,” Keith chirps.

“So drunk,” Shiro mumbles. He’s not wrong.

TL;DR a first meeting, a snow in, a Holt, and two lonely boys

closer than my hands have been - arahir @arahir

5k. (Teen).

Keith and Lotor hit it off. Shiro isn’t ok with this reality.

“Well they’re both part Galra and have a really questionable relationship with their swords. I mean, I’m just spit balling but that’s probably part of it.”

It doesn’t help, because Lance is right. Lotor has been here for two days in a tentative alliance that’s looking like it might it shake out to something permanent. Shiro should be overjoyed. This is their chance, their edge against Zarkon, but—

Across the room, Keith says something soft, and Lotor smiles down at him, bright eyed and genuine.

Shiro can’t breathe.

Glory - razielim

13k. (Explicit).

Shiro tries to find ways of coping with his growing depression and plummeting levels of self-worth that are made all the worse by his sexual and romantic inexperience. He finds himself self-medicating in a certain… establishment.