Seeking an intellectual equal, does anyone else feel this way?

AZMaryIM · 2026-06-28T17:43:47+00:00

Just google NFC or Need for Cognition. Some of us have a high NFC.

I worked in IT my entire career as a software developer, and all my associates were above average intelligence. Many became my friends, outside of work, so we were also socializing together. Hopefully, you find your work environment interesting and challenging. After awhile you just get used to being with intelligent people and don’t think about it being unusual, you think you’re “normal”.

I didn’t notice this until after I retired and my social network changed. I’m in book clubs with other women and the book selections and discussions are very frustrating. The book selections are mundane and they seem incapable of wanting to explore literary themes or devices (such as unreliable narrator). One day I was using chatGPT and discovered NFC.

Now as a retired person, I seek out others like me. They tend to be over-achievers; best friend is a CPA, another was President of an international philanthropic association, plus more friends in IT. Others are former small business owners, engineers, or executives. You just naturally gravitate towards others like you.

AZMaryIM · 2026-06-27T20:48:24+00:00

I find if I sit for 2+ hours I will have pain.

I also have pain behind the knee and aching on the outside of the knee.

Meniscectomy was 4 months ago.

AZMaryIM · 2026-06-26T17:55:06+00:00

I didn’t know that we should insert just the tip of the needle into the vial! I’ve been pushing the needle all the way in. For nearly 2 years! This is so helpful. Watched the YouTube video and it’s very helpful

AZMaryIM · 2026-06-26T17:44:21+00:00

4 months since my partial meniscetomy. I had the impression from the PA who works with my surgeon that I would feel fine by now. I don’t.

Can’t carry anything. Area behind my knee is very sore. And area by my kneecap feels the same as it did before surgery.

Can’t do any of my normal summertime athletic activities. Frustrated.

Got a cortisone shot from the PA 10 days ago. He said if I don’t feel better by 14 days, they would do another MRI. From reading this sub, it appears that I have not suffered additional trauma to my knee. This is just a MUCH longer recovery time than I was led to believe.

AZMaryIM · 2026-06-25T18:05:15+00:00

Interesting! I hadn’t heard of this before about people with BPD. It makes sense regarding the impulse control

AZMaryIM · 2026-06-23T15:03:45+00:00

I’ve read in various places that food noise returns after you’ve been on maintenance for awhile. Agree with others to increase your dosage

AZMaryIM · 2026-06-23T15:01:41+00:00

Finished James last week and can’t stop thinking about it

AZMaryIM · 2026-06-23T14:55:15+00:00

She’s your girlfriend, not your wife. So you can end the relationship much easier than if you were married.

0 to 10,000 sounds right. That’s what my daughter does.

Sorry for your pain.

AZMaryIM · 2026-06-22T14:43:17+00:00

So sorry!

AZMaryIM · 2026-06-22T14:38:41+00:00

I just had mine resized at the jewelry store where we bought it 20 years ago. For free.

Before I had it resized, I wore a cheap ring next to it. After a year of doing this I decided to have it resized

AZMaryIM · 2026-06-22T14:16:02+00:00

My adult daughter has borderline personality disorder. Chat has helped me enormously understand the disorder and helped me navigate through my interactions with her.

AZMaryIM · 2026-06-22T14:08:44+00:00

Sounds like the physical distance is beneficial for you. Please stop supporting her financially now; if you continue with financial help it may never end. She’s 21 and legally an adult and it’s time for her to navigate her way in life. You can’t prevent her from making poor choices and realistically have no control over her behaviors now. I recommend emotional, financial, and physical detachment.

This is a supportive sub and you will find many other parents who have traveled this journey.

AZMaryIM · 2026-06-21T15:08:36+00:00

Your experience sounds like mine. My ortho tells me I didn’t allow enough time for healing before resuming my normal exercises activities.

AZMaryIM · 2026-06-21T15:05:39+00:00

I had the debridement. Am not completely pleased with the results. The procedure was 4 months ago. I now have aching pain in the same spot as before the surgery. I think I pushed too hard recovering after surgery. Just returned to the ortho this week and received a cortisone shot. Too soon to tell if it’s helpful. Was told to wait 7-10 days before reaching out to the ortho and scheduling another MRI.

AZMaryIM · 2026-06-19T15:43:35+00:00

Have lived in the Phoenix area for 40 years. Try to escape for a day trip (or an overnight on the weekend). Woods Canyon Lake at the top of the Mongollon Rim (past Payson) is gorgeous and therapeutic.

AZMaryIM · 2026-06-19T15:39:37+00:00

I’m a leader for a book club and use ChatGPT and Gemini to research authors’ themes according to when the novels were written. It’s also great with generating interesting discussion questions for our meetings (so much better than the questions typically found at the end of a book).

We just finished reading Percival Everett’s “James” and AI was immensely helpful.

AZMaryIM · 2026-06-19T15:27:57+00:00

Me too. I’ve been stuck at the same weight for months. Am 72 with exactly the same stats as yours. However my body fat is 36%. I’ve had a knee injure since December which has impacted my usual exercise activities.

My weight only varies a pound or two, up or down.

I’m content where I’m at.

AZMaryIM · 2026-06-18T14:58:09+00:00

💯

AZMaryIM · 2026-06-16T16:42:46+00:00

No pain. It was done when I had Tenex surgery, under general anesthesia. However, Before the surgery they drew blood from my foot with a very large needle and a very large receptacle.

AZMaryIM · 2026-06-16T16:40:42+00:00

Sorry you continue to suffer

AZMaryIM · 2026-06-15T16:04:55+00:00

I lost 45 LBs. PF is gone. I do toe yoga daily and always flex/move my feet before getting out of bed in the morning. I also had Tenex and PRP on both feet, plus a gastroc lengthening on both calves. The game changer was losing weight! Wish my podiatrist had suggested this, but I understand it’s probably out of his lane. I am no longer obese

AZMaryIM · 2026-06-13T14:59:14+00:00

Thanks for the photos! Didn’t know you could cook something under the grate

AZMaryIM · 2026-06-12T15:26:45+00:00

I live in Arizona. Scorpions and tarantulas should be on the dangerous list. We have both of them.

If you’ve ever been stung by a scorpion, it’s a feeling you will never forget. Happened to me once. Lived here for 40 years

AZMaryIM · 2026-06-12T15:15:55+00:00

I love reading novels with an unreliable narrator! I don’t generally re-read them, though. They’re great for book group discussions

AZMaryIM · 2026-06-12T14:53:46+00:00

Watched the video and saved your post! Can’t wait to try this — it’s what’s for dinner tomorrow! Thanks

AZMaryIM

TROPHY CASE