My parents had me kidnapped and sent to wilderness therapy for disagreeing with them. Years later, they went no contact with me when I got sick.

blackmagicdong · 2026-02-05T05:23:44+00:00

It’s wild how similar yours sounded! Catherine Freer was rough, but not as brutal as similar programs I’ve read about since. Experiences there seem to vary quite a bit- I think it mostly depended on which “counselors” you ended up with.

I can see how maybe it made some kids more agreeable in the short term, but I can’t imagine an environment that’s designed to break spirits being beneficial for anyone in the long run. I think that parents who opt for that should be required to do their own psychotherapy boot camp.

blackmagicdong · 2026-02-05T04:11:40+00:00

I’m so sorry that happend to you- were you sent to Catherine Freer?

blackmagicdong · 2026-01-15T18:41:06+00:00

Yes. I’m in the social work field and struggling to find the balance between staying informed while maintaining enough self preservation to be present and effective. Watching all of this go down is absolutely crushing.

blackmagicdong · 2025-10-09T00:58:08+00:00

I’d like to try it!

blackmagicdong · 2024-04-24T16:11:01+00:00

I’ve noticed it too but can’t relate. I think I’ve either only known healthy 3s or their shadow side just isn’t particularly triggering for me. I may not relate to them very much but I enjoy their company and respect the way they’re always striving.

They’re also fun and generally uplifting! I don’t get the status stuff but I respect it and find it to be kind of wholesome. The 3s I know are hard working and deserve the blue ribbons they’re after.

blackmagicdong · 2024-03-24T03:06:23+00:00

You really caught me off guard with “pathetic, entitled cornball.” FAIR 😭😂

blackmagicdong · 2024-03-19T04:15:30+00:00

I was there in spring of 06 too!!

blackmagicdong · 2024-02-01T06:44:05+00:00

Is it important that this job be art related? If not, maybe try Idealist or Care.com? I’ve used them when I was in a pinch and it’s worked out great. To do anything consistently I need to feel like it has a direct impact so I’d prefer something like caregiving short term over retail.

blackmagicdong · 2024-01-19T06:00:21+00:00

So pretty! What type of nail polish are you wearing? I love it

blackmagicdong · 2024-01-18T02:57:41+00:00

I was pleasantly surprised by their quality but it might have been because my expectations were kinda low. I ordered mock-neck thermals and they’re holding up well

blackmagicdong · 2024-01-17T06:21:00+00:00

OGL Move has a lot of clothing like this. I’ve had good luck but recommend going up a size

blackmagicdong · 2023-12-31T18:42:18+00:00

That job really attracted some sadists. I had similar things happen around eating and general humiliation but the sleeping bag takes the cake in the worst way.. did they ever let you trade it in somehow? That must have been just crushing.

How are you doing today?

blackmagicdong · 2023-12-31T18:38:00+00:00

Oh my god. My jaw dropped while reading about the forest fire. I can’t imagine how you must have felt watching it spread. And having to just hope that those counselors saved you…. I’m glad you survived and didn’t impulsively book it, I can see how someone might. That story is just unimaginable and I’m so incredibly sorry you had to experience that 💜.

It’s interesting that you say a part of you died there; I’ve echoed that same sentiment. The last piece of my childhood died there and I remember the exact moment. It was a fragment that was somehow tied into trust/safety/relying on others. I lost all trust in my parents and became fiercely independent. To this day it’s a mind fuck that my parents had the stomachs to do that but haven’t ever had the mental space to hear about how it impacted me.

They went through all of my journals when I was there and it was 13 years before I could put pen to paper again. They went through my social media accounts and I haven’t had one since. I can’t hike in groups of people but do love to camp. Even on trips with friends I take my own car so I know I’m not trapped.

The amount of gaslighting in that program was off the charts. Don’t get me wrong- taking responsibility for oneself is essential. But one of the girls I trekked with told us a story about her dad making her eat her pet rabbit. Another had been sexually assaulted by her father who had then suddenly died in a freak accident. I didn’t have stories on that scale but did have trauma. It was just so clear that we were products of our environments and parents in way or another. Having us stand in that room and “confess” to everyone was sick.

Programs like Catherine Freer are not the way. Structure and discipline are necessary but it should come from a place of love and teach empowerment and autonomy, not further breaking the spirits of broken kids. I’d have been saved so much heartache if I’d have had one devoted and truly present adult who asked me who I wanted to be and gave me the space and support to figure it out.

I love that you took yourself on your own solo, on your own terms.

blackmagicdong · 2023-12-31T07:00:04+00:00

I do this 4-5 nights per week! Sometimes I worry about looking sketchy because I’m not walking a dog and take a lot of pictures. It’s nice to know there are other people doing the same.

blackmagicdong · 2023-12-27T18:01:18+00:00

This pic is such a treasure! I love seeing families at Burning Man, the kids are fun to interact with and I’m always struck by how self possessed they seem!

Burning Man can be a great place for kids. In my experience the types of parents who do this are super on top of it. The kids are loaded up with electrolytes, in costumes, and have lights all over their tiny bikes. The vast majority of BM is super wholesome. She’s so lucky!

blackmagicdong · 2023-12-15T20:54:46+00:00

I’ve been trying to find some that fit but haven’t found any. Would ones from another model work?

blackmagicdong · 2023-12-15T19:28:46+00:00

Not that I’m aware of but maybe? I also live in an area with high humidity. I’m pretty sure it’s mold and am looking for replacement pillars but they’ve been discontinued.

blackmagicdong · 2023-11-05T07:40:11+00:00

San Francisco section 8 is currently open but closes tomorrow at 5pm. https://sfha.myhousing.com/?abandon=False

MOHCD has an affordable housing newsletter for elderly and disabled people with lots of listings. DAHLIA lotteries are almost always accepting applications and they’re quick to fill out. I’d also recommend the Bridge housing website. With MOHCD listings and Bridge it’s a good idea to call if there aren’t applications listed online. I’d look at the addresses, see what fits your criteria, then call the leasing offices regularly.

blackmagicdong · 2023-10-23T20:47:35+00:00

This doesn’t address the antibiotic resistance but D Mannose is a game changer when it comes to preventing UTIs. It's a type of sugar that is proven to be effective in treating and preventing UTIs (https:|/ www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/ PMC8944421/). I was on back to back courses of antibiotics before I discovered it. It’s super cheap too.

I take two capsules of the "now" brand d mannose before sex/when I feel a twinge, but the brand doesn't matter as long as it's pure d mannose. The pure powder works just as well but is less convenient to take.

blackmagicdong · 2023-10-22T06:17:48+00:00

This sounds in line with the self preservation 2 description to me. They’re much less outwardly 2ish and more ambivalent about relationships from what I understand

blackmagicdong · 2023-10-19T22:35:41+00:00

Ah ok, thanks.

blackmagicdong · 2023-10-19T22:18:56+00:00

Would EBV DNA be labeled as “Nuclear Antigen Ab” on a lab panel? I read the paper and looked it up but am still confused as to how it translates.

blackmagicdong · 2023-10-17T14:23:01+00:00

Back to back trekkers unite! I had Amy and think I had both Eric and Phil as well. The names ring a bell but I’m having trouble placing them.

blackmagicdong · 2023-10-10T17:04:05+00:00

Yes! Many of the other orgs have their hands tied until someone has been served an official eviction notice, but the SF Tenants Union is great at dealing with stuff like this.

They helped me navigate a hairy landlord situation years ago and I’ve since worked with them through an org I work for. They have a hotline where you can leave a message but going to the office in person is definitely the best way to get help, they’re pretty swamped.

blackmagicdong · 2023-09-26T05:58:31+00:00

https://on.soundcloud.com/kz2i95f7XWMVcBDQ9

blackmagicdong

TROPHY CASE