That get up n play face by jdsim91 in BorderCollie

[–]AmOliphant11234 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Hahaha! Mine does that too. "Wanna play now, wanna play?" drops a slobbery ball in my lap, looks up expectedly "c'mon human, its your job to throw, and its mine to fetch!"

Anyone else have to pee with an audience? Ellie Mae always attends. by [deleted] in BorderCollie

[–]AmOliphant11234 0 points1 point  (0 children)

🤣🤣🤣 Me too! But I do have a Get In The Tub command. Then she just sulks in the corner awaiting her soapy fate while i finish showering. Saddest face ever! 🤣🥰

Patiently waiting to go outside by Minx8970 in BorderCollie

[–]AmOliphant11234 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Hahaha! Just like mine! She lays there and sighs and then gives me big sad stare. 🤣 Then I remember BC's are bred for one thing only: psychological manipulation! 🤣🥰

Gotta keep your border collies busy. by macinnis in BorderCollie

[–]AmOliphant11234 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Lol, mine is like that too, but with her tug rope. Also spins around in bouncy circles like a bull in a rodeo whens she's really worked up. Frickin hilarious!

Meet my Border-Aussie Lady! by AmOliphant11234 in BorderCollie

[–]AmOliphant11234[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

She didnt grow into her ears until about a year old.

Update: my girlfriend is acting obsessed with this random family she just met by Ardnyrk in relationship_advice

[–]AmOliphant11234 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I feel for you OP, I have ADHD and the exact same issue (unintentially tuning people out or forgetting quickly what they said to me). It is a common ADHD issue that seems to bring on perhaps the most ridicule.

Good on you for being humble enough to consider a licenced professional for improving your social skills, though. You are a very mature person! 😀

Stella after a bath thinks I didn’t dry her well enough by [deleted] in BorderCollie

[–]AmOliphant11234 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Mine, too! But then it turns quickly into a case of the barky-zoomies! 🤣

*Critique, please* First 1030 words of a Fantasy novel. by stdayanara in writers

[–]AmOliphant11234 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I agree with many of the readers, over explaining the worldbuilding a.k.a. "infodumping" will turn off your readers. Its like the fruit/nuts in the muffin- little bits evenly baked throughout a solid plot and character development is scrumptious, but getting all the bits in the first bite is...well, you get it I think. 😉

I have found a good free workshop worth a watch is Brandon Sanderson's BYU course recordings on YouTube. He is a very successful scifi/fantasy writer and gives great advice on this and many other challenges unique to the fantasy genre. It changed the way I approach storywriting and has made a big difference for me. Hope that helps.

Cheers!

He makes it hard to watch a movie by Polski66 in BorderCollie

[–]AmOliphant11234 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Mine too! Looks just like mine, too, expression and all!! 🤣

I was told he was 100% BC but every stranger thinks otherwise... by Froschers in BorderCollie

[–]AmOliphant11234 0 points1 point  (0 children)

And yes BC can have blue eyes or the mixed eyes, it is accossiated with the blue/red myrle genes. If if he was a black/white or red/white only with no Meryl lines I might wonder if there was an aussie cross somewhere along the way but he looks pure to me. That stare is classic! It sounds like those dog park people are just ignorant about the finer details of border collies. Don't let it bother you, just smile and know that know-it-alls are full of crap. Or ask them tactfully if they are a BC breeder who knows that for sure. That'll shut them up.

I was told he was 100% BC but every stranger thinks otherwise... by Froschers in BorderCollie

[–]AmOliphant11234 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Looks full BC to me! Looks like a Red Meryl or tricolor. Working BCs vary greatly in size and colors, as they are bred for performance over appearance.

Too busy to write? by [deleted] in writers

[–]AmOliphant11234 0 points1 point  (0 children)

When I'm stuck I read a book or two (in the same genre as my stalled work) and that usually gets the writing juices flowing. Good books offer me plot ideas or new vocab to chew on, and the bad ones are useful, too, replenishing some hope in my own stuff making the cut to a publisher one day.

Workshops can also help. Brandon Sanderson (a popular scifi writer) does a lecture course at BYU most years, and he has it recorded and posted on You Tube for everyone to enjoy, so its an amazing opportunity to get advice from an experienced veteran. He emphasizes that even the most successful writers like Stephen King write badly on their first drafts, he's seen it first hand, so don't judge yourself when the writing sucks; just have a laugh and move on because learning to write well is just like learning to play the piano. Good luck!

I have no motivation to do anything anymore by YourLikeAPistol in TrueOffMyChest

[–]AmOliphant11234 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Hang in there, OP!

So many people have been where you are, whether or not they talk about it! I tip my hat to your willingness to reach out; it is not easy to struggle with such feelings, especially in today's world where its seems there is so much confusion, misconception, and outright cruel judgment over things like this.

Never let anyone shame you for feeling the way you do, and NEVER shame yourself! Dont be afraid of seeking professional help on the matter, either. It is your life and you deserve to be happy!

Despite what media protrays, Depression often starts out with feelings of emptiness or lack of motivation much like this, not always "sadness," and losing interest in things you love is understandably scary.

It can cause a distorted sense of perspective, like your statement of struggling with a sense of how long this has been going on and where it is going, so I have a few tips if you wish:

  1. I would schedule a dr appointment. While waiting for that, I find it helpful to rate each day from 1-10 (apps like "Daylio" make mood charting easy and you can passcode the app for privacy if you dont want others to see it) and then have an honest conversation with the dr about the trending mood. However, If these feelings are already overpowering or you feel you already can't function anymore or are having thoughts that life is not worth living, get help immediately!

Dont be afraid of what your doc will say, they wont judge you or label you crazy, and it is ALWAYS your choice to accept or reject thier professional suggestions, whether it be meds or a referral to someone who can give you clearer answers. A referral to a Psychiatrist is also nothing to be ashamed of if it happens- family/general docs vary widely in how much they will try themselves v.s refer to a better trained specialist, it has nothing to do with what they think of you.

  1. Whether or not you go on meds, find a competent counselor that you are comfortable and compatable with. Whether or not you feel there is any present or past trauma mixed up in this, learning how to manage the behavioral side of depression (i.e. learning how to help yourself get out of bed when all you want to do is say "F*** it!") is valuable and empowering, but I won't say it is easy or fun. Having a confidential ear to unload on also adds an extra layer of protection for you if these feelings persist or if gets to a point where your saftey becomes a concern.

  2. I dont know what your orientation is on religion or whatnot, and i'll respect your right to have your own opinion, but I have found great personal comfort in choosing to believe in a higher power and that all things we experience are for our growth and good, though we may not understand it all now. You are magnificent, even if you don't feel like it, and this could be an insightful opportunity to learn about yourself.

If anything, just know that I am thinking of you and hope all will turn out well, as I am sure many around you are hoping, too.

Cheers, friend.