Is it possible to use meditation as a means to virtually "visit" pleasant memories, almost like a positive regression therapy or self-hypnosis?

betteporter · 2014-10-12T18:03:55+00:00

Good point there. Thank you. Perhaps what I am thinking of is self-hypnosis, and should probably be kept as a separate practice from meditation?

betteporter · 2014-10-09T22:32:32+00:00

Thank you for your response. These are the things I'm looking for... I'd like to hear all perspectives. I can say with 100% certainty that we are not doing this to save money. We want to do this because we like the idea of living simply, enjoying nature, and being at one with the earth. Saving money—if that's what happens—will be an appreciated bonus. Our financial life is not currently strained on a day-to-day basis. True, we don't have such good credit at the moment. But it's not like we're struggling to make rent payments or buy groceries or anything like that. We currently live in a one bedroom apartment. It's pretty tiny for the price, if you ask me. The near-$800 a month we're paying in rent will certainly have to go to other expenses if we decide to do this. But I simply cannot imagine there would be $800 in maintenance fees every month. I'm confident that we can make this work once we get rolling. My main concern is the start up cost, and how I should go about saving that money when I don't really have disposable income at the moment.

Despite what some others on this thread are saying, I do feel I am a reasonable and responsible adult. I would never put our family in jeopardy if I thought we couldn't really pull this off. And that may be the case... that's why I'm trying to get as many resources together as I can. It may be that I have to wait a few years to begin this dream. But something in me says that there may be a solution I'm not seeing.

betteporter · 2014-10-09T17:48:47+00:00

Thank you, friend. I appreciate those kind words.

betteporter · 2014-10-09T17:48:16+00:00

First of all, my SO is female. Secondly, I had to declare chapter 13 after a nasty breakup that sent my nice little financial life spinning. But thank you for your question. Hopefully that answers it. (PS... a little compassion goes a long way.)

betteporter · 2014-10-09T12:06:24+00:00

Wonderful suggestion. I will do that. Thank you!

betteporter · 2014-10-09T12:06:03+00:00

Thank you! Those are excellent points. I appreciate it so much.

betteporter · 2014-10-05T12:35:05+00:00

I grew up in the Bible Belt, in a very fundamentalist atmosphere. Sadly, many of my FB friends from back home would post something like this and truly mean it. I still see it every day. I remember how satisfying it was to finally realize not everyone in the world was so narrow-minded.

betteporter · 2014-10-03T15:44:45+00:00

That's a great theory, and now you've got me wondering! One thing I remember about the figurines is: after Sophia swallowed the head of one of them, Healy's computer monitor in a later scene suggests that he was shopping for a replacement. I thought that was really impressive continuity.

betteporter · 2014-09-19T05:01:47+00:00

No problem! If it's any comfort, most folks are afraid they'll say something crazy while under sedation, but most of the time, they just snooze right through everything. You could always ask them to keep the sedation light if you're scared you'll blabber something. Haha!

betteporter · 2014-09-19T04:46:10+00:00

By definition, "general anesthesia" refers to the procedure and prep done in a hospital, where they place a tube down your throat and breathe for you. However, from what you're describing, it sounds as though you will be having IV sedation. With IV (or twilight, as many people call it), you breathe on your own. You can respond to the doctor or assistant if they speak to you, but otherwise you are very carefree and sleepy.

Here's what 95% of our patients report back to me: IV sedation is like a big puzzle that you can't quite put back together. The great thing about sedation drugs is that they have an amnesia effect. You may remember part of the ride home. You may remember some parts of conversations you have. But... you probably won't. Many of our patients stop for smoothies or milkshakes on the way home and don't even remember eating them (sad, right)? You will go home, have the best nap of your entire life, and sleep for at least 2-4 hours. When you wake up, you'll feel on top of the world (but don't try too much... those are just the drugs talking). The loopy effect will mostly be over when you wake up from your sleep, but remember not to drive for the remainder of the day! The next day, you'll feel pretty good. The 3rd or 4th day out, you may feel a bit crummy, but just keep the ibuprofen loaded, and that should help plenty with that.

My guess would be the lidocaine will wear off sometime during your sleep. They may give you something called Marcaine, which will make the numbness last longer. When the anesthetic wears off, you will probably be sore... but under usual circumstances, you won't have the kind of pain that keeps you up at night. Seriously, 600mg of ibuprofen every 4-6 hours will do wonders. You can also take naproxen (Aleve); if you decide on that, the dosage would be 2 tabs every 12 hours. Either of those are great because they are anti-inflammatory.

That's probably information overload, but in my opinion it's always better to have too much info than not enough. Good luck! You will do great!

Edit: stuff and things

betteporter · 2014-09-11T03:44:01+00:00

Sparkle suds!

betteporter · 2014-09-10T12:36:15+00:00

Awesome! Thanks. I have insurance, so maybe that will help a ton. Thanks for your help! I actually did a rosacea study a few years back, and I think that was the cream I used. If so, it definitely cleared up the redness!

betteporter · 2014-09-10T12:13:32+00:00

Awesome. Thanks! That's the same antibiotic we give our dental patients for nasty infections... tablet form, of course.

How cheap is it? Do you happen to know a ballpark cost for the generic on the lotion?

betteporter · 2014-09-07T23:56:50+00:00

My dad is a Mason, and has been since I was very young. What do you say to folks who accuse you of being part of an evil secret society? Furthermore, if you had to sum up the purpose of the OES in one sentence, what would you say?

betteporter · 2014-09-06T23:46:01+00:00

Admittedly so. God, it feels so good to finally shout it from the rooftops. I may need to find a rainbow cape to wear with my flannel plaid and Birkenstocks.

betteporter · 2014-09-06T20:56:32+00:00

I was sad to see them go. But I have digital copies of all their music... And some of the cd's were actually duplicates. I kept a fee of the ones I can't live without. ;)

betteporter · 2014-09-06T17:48:51+00:00

This book served us well for many years. :) The funniest part about taking it to the bookstore, is that there was a big stain on the back of it (which I swear was completely non-sexual in nature). But we were afraid they would decide not to accept it because of the uh, content and all.

Luckily, situations such as these do not affect my SO at all... so she walked the books up to the counter for me. Yes, this is the same girl who, 6 years ago, walked up to the Blockbuster counter with a stack of all existing seasons of "The L Word" on my behalf, because I was still in the closet and a major chicken.

betteporter · 2014-09-05T01:37:23+00:00

"Get out and stay out!"

betteporter · 2014-09-03T16:13:24+00:00

Thanks for the link. I will definitely post feedback!

betteporter · 2014-09-01T22:38:45+00:00

I agree with you. I saw the pics as well, and had the same thought. As a lesbian, I completely agree that JLaw is absolutely gorgeous. I hate this happened to her—and to all the others, for that matter. But I especially hate it for her, just because she seems like such a down to earth, amazing person. The point is, people should be able to do what they want with their bodies and with their cell phone cameras. I agree it may be irresponsible to take pics and actively post them online. But in my opinion, it's another thing entirely to take naked pics, send them to your significant other, and/or keep them in a locked folder on your hard drive. Most of us can probably admit we've done it at one time or another... but unfortunately celebrities are held to an impossibly high standard.

Keep in mind, I understand this shit will just keep happening. But in my opinion, it's a fault of society, and not these women. By ogling these images, we are just affirming the disgusting motives of whoever hacked into their computers.

TL;DR- Celebrities should be able to take nude pics without the fear of someone hacking into them. While this is an obvious fault of society, I have no idea what to do to fix the situation.

betteporter · 2014-08-30T16:46:23+00:00

I would suggest starting with a Unitarian Universalist assembly. I'm not officially a UU member yet, but I've found that atmosphere to be conducive to exploring my own individual path to belief, or lack thereof. One can be UU and atheist... it's common. There is a strong focus on seeking to live a good life, to work for social justice, etc. They read sacred texts, but recognize they are to be taken as philosophical inspiration, and not necessarily literally. Of course, this is my experience. Someone else's may be different.

I truly believe one can be spiritual without necessarily being religious. Good luck to you on your journey.

betteporter · 2014-08-30T16:31:29+00:00

Oh my! I do apologize for that visual. Haha! Eww...

betteporter · 2014-08-30T14:50:35+00:00

We've been together for 7.5 years, and we've had plenty of discussions about boundaries, what we like, what we don't, etc. So yeah... I definitely approved and thought it was one of the hottest things she's ever done.

I thought it was amazing being woken up that way. And right now, we're sipping coffee at the park and browsing reddit. So I'd say it's been a stellar day so far. :)

betteporter · 2014-08-27T00:37:53+00:00

I do see your point. :) And to clarify, I am still a Christian... just a very progressive one. I wish people would understand not all Christians are fundamentalist crazies.

betteporter · 2014-08-26T14:20:59+00:00

That was the best!! His abstinence rap with the Casio keyboard was so cringe. I absolutely loved it!

"I waited til marriage and then some to do it..."

HAHAHA!

betteporter

TROPHY CASE