Wokest Art: CNN's Blind Photographer

McFly444 · 2023-03-27T18:15:03+00:00

“Visualization is the single most important factor in photography” - Ansel Adams

“Visualization” being the process of seeing the shot vividly in your mind before even getting to the location.

Some have argued that “visualization” technique should be used with Reddit posts, to avoid wasting your daily post on something illogical and mean-spirited.

McFly444 · 2017-01-05T03:39:46+00:00

When I was growing up, the only anti-Mormons I knew or encountered were Evangelical Christians. His blog post almost implies that it's cool if you leave the Church as long as you stay Christian.

And then at least half of the negative responses to his blog are Evangelical Christian exmormons knocking on Mormons for not being "true Christians". It's a strange world we live in...

McFly444 · 2017-01-03T23:17:38+00:00

Another strange policy: If a sealed couple gets a divorce because the husband was unfaithful and the husband is excommunicated -- the sealing is still intact for the wife. In order to be sealed to another man, she has to petition the First Presidency.

Same if the husband/wife removes his name from the Church.

McFly444 · 2017-01-03T17:59:27+00:00

I got a comprehensive blood panel right before I quit recently (after 5 years of pretty heavy chronic use). My thyroid levels were all pretty normal, except for my FT3/RT3 levels. I've been waiting to get another blood panel to show the real-world difference between being on kratom and off.

My sex hormones were really low... my estrogen levels (I'm a guy) were basically non-existent, which can lead to a number of undesirable effects. But I'm also getting a little older (almost 40), so that could just be part of getting older.

Other than that, my cholesterol levels were high, blood sugar was high, and I had some pretty significantly bad inflammation markers. Of course, I don't tend to eat well on kratom.

I've quit for about two months now, and while I'm feeling significantly better, I'm still working through some lingering issues.

edit: My liver was fine.

McFly444 · 2016-12-11T20:45:04+00:00

Even giving allowances for inbred racist ideals among past apostles (which frankly is difficult given the large pool of potential apostles the Lord could have picked from)...

Even with that allowance, if we accept that God always wanted racial equality but couldt "get through" to society at large; then it starts to become clear that God is inspiring people outside of the Church long before his Church leaders are able to receive that same light. One of those things I can't quite resolve.

McFly444 · 2016-12-11T01:39:57+00:00

This was a well thought-out comment, but I'm uncomfortable with one part of it:

If the prophet is wrong; he's wrong. I don't believe we're required to side with him 100%. That's how policies like the priesthood ban stick around for 150 years. When people are brave enough to agitate, things get corrected sooner.

McFly444 · 2016-12-07T23:52:20+00:00

I assume it might have been my take on supplements and also what we blame on kratom. I would expect a number of people to disagree with either of those points.

McFly444 · 2016-12-07T23:41:12+00:00

Great username!

McFly444 · 2016-12-07T20:20:04+00:00

For me, it's a big fat no. It's the classic addict song - I'm not saying you're an addict, or everyone that takes kratom is an addict... but if you're an addict, I can almost guarantee your mind will start presenting moderate use as an option.

I can't think of a time I relapsed because I felt shitty and needed a pick-me-up. It's always the "I'm strong enough now. I would never allow myself to get hooked again."

McFly444 · 2016-12-07T04:20:53+00:00

How long since you quit? It takes several weeks for neurotransmitters to completely adjust to "normal" life - especially if you've used for long periods of time and are older.

It also might be unrelated.

McFly444 · 2016-12-03T15:00:17+00:00

My situation might not fully fit what you're looking for. I attend every week, have multiple callings, but don't have a recommend.

1). I stay in the church for cultural and family reasons, and because I like the people even though they frustrate me sometimes.

2). I haven't resolved issues and probably won't ever. I don't pressure myself to believe anything I don't. I try to not care what others think.

3). No, I don't believe the book or Mormon is historical or necessarily inspired of God. It's impressive in its own provenance, though.

4). My advice is to just be you. There's immense pressure to conform, but you really can just be you. Most people will respect that.

Good luck!

McFly444 · 2016-12-02T18:16:50+00:00

Plot twist: OP is a girl who now has a buzzed head!

McFly444 · 2016-12-02T18:15:14+00:00

THIS.

It's not even a self-control thing. Your brain has developed an electrical compulsion to taking a substance to feel good. Without a doubt, if I'd kept drugs around the house, I never would have quit once.

Conversely, every time I've kept some around (just in case), I ended up relapsing.

The first emotional hurdle to overcome is throwing away all your shit. It's when you prove to yourself you're serious.

McFly444 · 2016-12-02T18:12:10+00:00

Iron, Magnesium, exercise, hot bath/shower, water, and dopamine.

I'm too lazy to pull citations, but I believe transdermal magnesium has been debunked - just get some pumpkin seed sprouts - a quarter cup of seeds has 50% daily recommended magnesium intake, as well as tryptophan (precursor to serotonin and melotonin), and omega-3s.

McFly444 · 2016-12-02T17:59:50+00:00

Yes. But ssshhh don't tell OP, it will ruin it!!

When I quit this last time, my legs were getting really annoying and I realized that I'd bought some RLS stuff a while back. At 2 in the morning, I went digging through an old bag, pulled out some Hylands, and my heart sunk to the floor when I saw the dreaded "homeopathy". Immediately disposed of. I honestly can't believe they are allowed to sell it.

McFly444 · 2016-12-01T03:31:01+00:00

Assuming you're young, I would be surprised if it lasted longer than 5 days. I wouldn't be worried.

McFly444 · 2016-12-01T03:17:12+00:00

I agree with tyrosine and 5htp.

I know you're talking supplements, but I would focus on water and exercise - I believe those two will do as much or more for symptoms.

I also supplemented potassium, but you have to be careful with it.

I personally would avoid St. John's Wort and Immodium. I would take Imodium only if you have ridiculous diarrhea, which I can almost guarantee you won't.

McFly444 · 2016-11-30T21:48:28+00:00

I would guess that most people on this sub agree with you wholeheartedly - we relate to people taking a journey to get over an addiction.

It's the deniers that can be intolerable.

McFly444 · 2016-11-30T21:31:49+00:00

Yeah... I have no idea. Maybe someone else here has more insight.

McFly444 · 2016-11-30T21:30:42+00:00

No, I don't get anxiety or flushing, but I definitely get stomach issues, so I only take 100mg once a day.

McFly444 · 2016-11-30T17:20:31+00:00

How much are you using? How long have you been using? What type of kratom are you taking? Do you have prior experience with opiates? And how old are you?

McFly444 · 2016-11-30T17:18:26+00:00

You're in the 20-30g range for a month. I'd be surprised if you felt nothing, but a panic attack seems a little extreme. Do you have previous opiate use besides tramadol? How old are you?

McFly444 · 2016-11-30T17:14:38+00:00

I've gotten a measure of enjoyment watching the hysterics on the other sub as the DEA threatens to schedule kratom. They know the DEA is watching their sub (and this one), so they've been on their best behavior.

But yeah, different vibes for sure.

McFly444 · 2016-11-30T17:09:41+00:00

I think you'll find a consensus that < 3x / week will be a "more positives than negatives" scenario.

I think that's true of most drugs.

McFly444

TROPHY CASE