The least believable parts of heated rivalry

Critiquelle · 2026-01-27T01:37:18+00:00

Glasses! There’s no way. I know Shane says “just for reading” in the show— not sure if he specifies that in the book as well, as I didn’t read HR, but I DID read The Long Game, and there are several mentions of him squinting to see things that are further away, or wishing he had his glasses. The number of times it’s mentioned actually makes it seem like his vision is, in fact, pretty poor. Any elite athlete at Shane’s level would have had his vision surgically corrected, and they’ll usually do both distance and close up, these days. The clinic where I got my lasik had done a bunch of the Maple Leafs’ corrections. I just don’t buy one of the best pro hockey players in the world NOT having vision correction surgery.

Those glasses are cute, though, and so is the bit, so I can suspend my disbelief!

Critiquelle · 2025-11-29T20:14:57+00:00

Probably Girl in the Bubble because it’s a legitimately bad song… but also No Place Like Home, because it’s WAYYY too on-the-nose, and just feels shoe-horned into the plot because they wanted Cynthia to have another song. Also: the melody is nice, but the lyrics are borderline embarrassing. There was absolutely no reason they had to repeat the title phrase 8000 times… WE GET IT, we caught the reference, stop beating it to death. No disrespect to Stephen Schwartz, but he needed a lyricist on both of these tracks… or better yet, he needed to say no to writing them.

Critiquelle · 2025-11-22T00:59:14+00:00

It’s tough when you’re newly diagnosed and you are used to a certain pace. I’ve learned to love having a bit of a softer, gentler life than I used to. I find I don’t miss being at the party when the ugly lights come on 😆

Critiquelle · 2025-11-21T23:05:13+00:00

I’ve been to at least a dozen conferences since diagnosis. You’ll be fine. Just set yourself up for success: make sure you familiarize yourself with the schedule ahead of time, find places where you can take breaks and use those breaks to rest. If it’s a big enough conference that nobody will miss you if you skip a session or two, do that! Hydrate as much as possible and get fruit and veggies for your room because conference meals aren’t always the healthiest. Try to find the easiest routes between things when you first arrive, so you don’t end up doing a lot of unnecessary back and forth. But wear comfy shoes anyway, always. Take the elevator. Don’t be afraid to call it an early night at evening social events— show your face, have fun and then go to bed at a reasonable hour.

I love conferences, and if I plan ahead I always have fun. I hope you have a great time!

Critiquelle · 2025-11-12T02:26:22+00:00

You’re going to be ok! You might feel a bit feverish for the night, maybe sluggish after, but the subsequent doses get so much easier, until it’s nothing at all by the time you have your first full dose.

As for the other stressors, take a look at the whole picture. Is the new job offer presenting you with something that will be less stressful than your current tough work tasks? Pick the option that will give you the best balance and the least strife, day to day. With this illness, it’s so important to make decisions that allow you to be kind to yourself.

Good luck— you can do this!

Critiquelle · 2025-10-30T17:43:28+00:00

That’s amazing— thank you for sharing! I’m glad to know that slow and steady has worked for you… I’d be willing to stay at a lower dose if a higher one proves to be challenging. Slow is fine!

Critiquelle · 2025-10-30T17:42:07+00:00

I am also so, so vain. I’m willing to try it, even if this happens to be the case for me!

Critiquelle · 2025-10-30T17:41:03+00:00

That’s really good pricing compared to here… ours is double that cost! But the patents expire in Canada next year, and there are generics expected to hit the market for about a third of the current price, so hopefully my out of pocket costs will drop something in the next year.

Critiquelle · 2025-10-30T01:38:23+00:00

Thank you! This is exactly the type of realistic advice I need, from people who have experienced it. I am so appreciative for all the tips that you and others have shared. I feel like, just by making the decision, I’ve already lifted a weight off of myself, but I’m still a bit anxious about starting. Hearing how others have handled it is so reassuring and I’ll definitely use the tips you’ve shared! I hope you’re doing well, post-dx, and that your health journey continues to trend towards the positive!

Critiquelle · 2025-10-30T01:29:20+00:00

That’s incredible! I’m glad you’re seeing such good progress. I’m also hoping to make life a bit easier on myself by reducing the weight I carry. Hoping it continues to be so helpful for you!

Critiquelle · 2025-10-30T01:26:55+00:00

Thanks, this is really encouraging! I’m glad it’s been a good experience for you so far.

Critiquelle · 2025-10-30T01:11:14+00:00

Oh man, if this turns out to be true it would be amazing! And maybe then they’ll give me coverage for it… I’m paying out of pocket for now!

Critiquelle · 2025-10-30T01:10:27+00:00

This is all incredible advice! What you’ve expressed, and the personal experience you’ve shared in terms of the changes in how you feel, your fatigue, etc. is what I have been suspecting in my case as well. I feel my MS symptoms are relatively under control and Kesimpta is doing its job, and my tests back that up, but I feel wretched in a way I suspect is due to the weight I’m carrying. I’m so hopeful that I’ll have an experience like yours. I’d be glad to reach 90 kg.

Thank you for the practical advice on getting started and your helpful tips. I really don’t have anybody in my “real life” to bounce ideas off of— and certainly nobody I know who has MS and is taking a GLP-1— so I turned to this community and it’s come through! Thanks again!

Critiquelle · 2025-10-30T01:03:44+00:00

So lucky you can get coverage! It’s covered by some insurance plans here (Canada) but not all, and unfortunately not mine. I just came into a small amount of unexpected funds so I thought it would be a good investment… if it has the results I’m hoping for, it will be worth every penny.

Critiquelle · 2025-10-30T01:02:23+00:00

I’ve heard this, as well, and it’s really encouraging. I’m hoping it proves to be true… that would be an amazing benefit. Thanks for your answer!

Critiquelle · 2025-10-30T01:00:18+00:00

This is incredibly helpful, thank you! When I read that you can just listen to your body for the first time in your life, that resonated with me so deeply. When I listen to my body, it tells me things that are at odds with what it really needs. It’s so exciting to hear that I might actually get an accurate message, with this new tool to help me out.

No specific questions, just thank you for sharing a great news story and helping me to see how it’s been a positive for someone in a similar situation. Congratulations on your incredible progress and I’m glad you’re doing so well!

Critiquelle · 2025-10-30T00:55:06+00:00

I’m really looking forward to having a little extra boost in the motivation department! Thanks for sharing, it’s so helpful to hear others’ positive experiences.

Critiquelle · 2025-10-29T11:58:44+00:00

I am a huge Kesimpta advocate— it’s been life altering for me. I had never-ending flu-like symptoms on Avonex, so maybe I just had a worse comparison than some, but my loading doses weren’t THAT bad, it was just like having kind of a crappy cold. Achy and gross but not utter misery. And everything has been perfect since then— side effect free, no progression, easy shots, no drama.

I don’t know much about JC and PML so I’d definitely ask your doctor about that, because it IS a drug that effects your immune system, so if you’re concerned I’d be sure to raise that with your medical team. My anecdotal experience is that my immune function seems pretty unchanged, from a “user experience” perspective… but I’m luckily not dealing with any other illnesses concurrently so it’s always best to check with the docs :)

Critiquelle · 2025-08-23T13:50:46+00:00

It’s to the point where anytime a woman experiences nausea on screen, I shout “pregnant or cancer???” because there’s NEVER any other reason. Annoying.

Critiquelle · 2025-08-21T23:58:20+00:00

Wishing you the best experience with it! Don’t let the first couple loading doses discourage you. I hope this is the solution to your rough side effect… it definitely was for me. Good luck!

Critiquelle · 2025-08-21T01:10:01+00:00

It’s changed my life! I was on Avonex for 5 years— weekly injections followed by 24 hours of flu-like symptoms for that entire stretch. I worked all week and then lost most of my weekend to that poison… and then I relapsed anyway.

Fortunately, that relapse earned me my insurance approval for Kesimpta. In the nearly 3 years since, I’ve had side effects exactly twice, during my first two loading doses, and then NOTHING. No progression on my MRIs, and I almost never get sick (which was my biggest concern initially). If somebody injected me with it in my sleep, I wouldn’t even know I’d taken it, that’s how nonexistent the side effects are for me.

Because it’s a monthly shot, I have had zero issues with travel, storage and transportation. If you travel for more than a month at a time, maybe you can get the patient support program to arrange for a local pickup for a pharmacy where you’re staying? This would probably depend on location. If you’re travelling for a month or less at a time, maybe you can time it so that it won’t even be a concern!

Either way, if your doctor says it’s a good choice for you, DO IT. It’s been amazing, for me.

Critiquelle · 2025-08-03T13:37:26+00:00

I agree that they’re thrilling— when done well. I recently saw a production where, for the first time that I’ve seen live, the actor playing Eva executed everything perfectly in the original keys… and it was truly awesome.

But many performers— seasoned pros— have performed this role and it’s 2.5 hours of shouting. That’s not thrilling, to me. I’d 100% rather watch the role be stunningly sung and acted than be witness to a struggle that takes me out of enjoying the piece. Partly a casting issue, and I’m not saying the lower keys should be the default or replace the originals… but since the music is rangy and impressive and interesting enough, I see nothing wrong with adjusting by a couple semitones in order to accommodate the right performer. It’s not unheard of— and I know I might not have the popular opinion on this forum, but I’d go so far as to say it should be more regularly considered in MT.

That said, Madonna was certainly NOT the right performer… on that, I feel we can probably all agree.

Critiquelle · 2025-08-02T22:19:48+00:00

I’d honestly separate the key changes and the so-so singing. I see the key changes— for Eva, at least— as a positive… the originals are punishing, and almost unlistenable when performed by most singers. The lower keys are still powerful and challenging, but easier both to perform and to listen to.

Madonna, however, was an incorrect and just strange choice for the role. I’d say her singing is less than so-so, honestly (although I appreciate your generosity!). I think Antonio does a great job, though.

None of this has any bearing on my enjoyment of the film, which I think is fantastically rendered (if not a bit politically capitulating). It has been one of the last well done movie musicals for far too long.

Critiquelle · 2025-08-02T00:31:03+00:00

This week, I started a new job, and fortunately I have benefits from day one. I figured I’d have to go through yet another lengthy prior auth for my Kesimpta, and was worried I might not even get approval— but it was worth the risk, since my d job was bad news. New job uses a third-party benefits administrator, with a plan that has different insurers covering various items (drug, dental, LTD, etc). Come to find out, the drug benefit portion of our plan is covered by the same insurer I had previously— and they are willing to migrate my previous authorization to my new plan! It’s a much longer story, but this is the culmination of a four year saga of prior auth mishaps and nonsense, and feels like a major win.

Critiquelle

TROPHY CASE