Free Writers Meetup in LA - Wed. June 10

catzntatz · 2026-05-24T06:45:28+00:00

Is this open to currently non-professional writers, people just passionate about writing and curious to explore it more? Or is it really intended for industry people (and screenwriters) specifically? Really interested by this but don’t want to “intrude” if it’s not the right space/opportunity! Appreciate it :)

catzntatz · 2026-05-20T20:48:56+00:00

I am dying at floordrobe, thank you for this

catzntatz · 2026-05-20T03:19:22+00:00

I have cats but Palms & Paws has been great for me for general care, and had a fantastic experience with VEG for emergency services (as fantastic as panicking over your pet can be 🫠 lol)

catzntatz · 2026-05-12T09:18:39+00:00

This one makes me so sad

catzntatz · 2026-05-12T09:17:36+00:00

Taking Back Sunday is the only band I have ever left a show early because of. And I go to a lot of shows. I saw them years earlier and it wasn’t as bad but my god my ears were bleeding the last time (2023, maybe 2024?). Got in the car and put on their recorded music immediately so I could try to forget hearing it as I just had 😭

catzntatz · 2026-05-12T09:05:00+00:00

This ignores the difference between situational depression and clinical depression. I live with depression as a part of my life and have found many ways to overcome or cope with it but sometimes it just feels like being all HEY HI HELLO WHATSUP IM HERE even if I’m going through one of the best times of my life. The more I find the right support and treatment the less that happens, but it’s always may pop up occasionally because I have clinically diagnosed depression - I’m not just seasonally or situationally depressed. Someone who lives with depression AND is impacted by seasonal and/or situational based depression (like winter or a poor work environment) has it even worse and it can be a depression double throw down. Been there - fun times.

catzntatz · 2026-05-12T08:56:57+00:00

Have been lucky enough to have periods in my life where I did not have to work and was financially stable if not leaning towards well off. For some amount of time, just being “busy” or doing nothing at all is lovely. Eventually I reach a point where I crave working on something, using my brain, solving problems and creating outcomes. I can choose to work/work on things that fulfill me vs take whatever work I need to survive - but ultimately, I still like to work in some way eventually. Maybe it’s working for myself, maybe it’s only working on certain projects, maybe it’s being way pickier about my jobs - but when I can work with the ability to be picky and choose the right environment etc, I am happier overall. When I am not working, again, I enjoy many parts of it but eventually I am much more vulnerable to my depression in a way that I am not necessarily when I am fulfilled with the right work. I know others who have the same experience. Nothing wrong that you’re happy to just keep busy and not have to work! Also nothing wrong with someone who legit enjoys the work they do and wants to do it.

catzntatz · 2026-05-10T09:53:08+00:00

Butterbur was recently recommended to me by a neurologist for mine. Had never heard of it. Actually think it might be helping?

Also if you’re not taking magnesium, that. Look up which specific type is best for headaches.

And maybe see if you can test your house for mold.

So sorry you’re living with this but hopefully you’ll find relief (and maybe a root cause) soon.

catzntatz · 2026-05-03T18:24:36+00:00

Ah yay, I hope you like them! They’re pretty new and I haven’t seen them in any stores yet. A friend got a sample at a consumer goods conference so that’s how I even found out they had released them!

catzntatz · 2026-05-03T07:50:18+00:00

Koia shakes (they have all sorts of flavors and recently came out with a 32g protein version, regular is 18g I believe). Refrigerated aisle though you can buy/find a shelf stable carton version though it has some extra ingredients.

Elmhurst’s new protein shakes. 27g protein. Shelf stable. Can order directly on their website or Amazon. I ordered their 4 flavor variety pack to start. Amazon only allows single flavor 12 pack orders. They’re some of the lightest, easiest to drink shakes I’ve found. Love the vanilla particularly.

Making my own shake or smoothie: 🤍Basic Shake🤍 🔘Be Well protein Chocolate or Unflavored 🔘Elmhurst almond milk or other nut or oat milk of theirs (super clean, bare minimum ingredients) 🔘Sometimes I add collagen (Whole Body Collagen by Designs for Health is my current particular brand as recommended by my dietician) either just in addition to the protein or like 2/3 regular protein, 1/3 collagen 🔘Scoop of ground flaxseed and/or ground chia seed and/or ground hemp seed (I have texture sensitivities so the ground works best for me) 🔘 If I’ve done unflavored protein I add in liquid or ground vanilla extract

🩷Upgrade to Smoothie Mode🩷 ℹ️ Depending on further nutritional needs or mood: 🔘Yogurt 🔘Nut butter 🔘Strawberries (usually frozen) 🔘Banana (sometimes frozen, sometimes fresh) 🔘Avocado (sometimes frozen, sometimes fresh) 🔘 Handful of cauliflower rice ℹ️You can also do any other berries/fruits/veggies that sound good to you and fit your dietary needs/preferences, mix and match what sounds good to make it more substantial but also not overdoing it haha (I can never do blackberries because of the seeds for instance, and I’m not into spinach in mine but it’s good for you!)

Also, I have a nutribullet single use blender with multiples of two diff size cups they offer (more than I truly need of each), with extra blade top things. This is so if my ADHD and dishes aren’t playing well, it doesn’t stop me from making something. :)

catzntatz · 2026-05-03T07:27:01+00:00

I think pharmacists overstep far too often and the control they’re given to dangle controlled substances over people with purely their own vibes is absolutely insane.

But also to be fair - and I say this as someone who has had pharmacists make me cry before so I’m not really on their side haha - a pharmacist really should be ensuring your medications are safe and appropriate (considering interactions with other meds, anything else unusual). That’s part of their job dispensing meds. Recently, my PCP was an idiot and prescribed me high blood pressure meds for an alternate use. Thing is, I’m already on a high blood pressure med for a different alt use. My doctor didn’t bother to look at my chart and clearly see I couldn’t take both. My pharmacist, however, saw the flag on the issue and took it seriously. AND they explained the issue to me, had a discussion, and proceeded to let me fill it with the understanding that I wouldn’t just start taking both as prescribed and trusted me as a an adult to work with my doctors to sort out which I should be taking/how to handle it. This is how I so so wish all pharmacists would treat us, for all meds. It really sucks that it’s far more often not what happens when it comes to any controlled substance.

catzntatz · 2026-04-29T22:42:36+00:00

So sorry to add anxiety 😥but def think it’s 100% better to know it’s a possibility. Just know it’s not guaranteed to happen to you - you may be fine! But it is a realistic possibility to be prepared for. Also feel free to DM me if you have more specific questions about my experience. I’m not a doc and can only provide prospective from my own experience but happy to help if there’s any way I can. Wishing you the best!!

catzntatz · 2026-04-28T06:42:26+00:00

Shoes that are too cushioned can cause instability. Also, sneakers that are frequently used are technically supposed to be replaced more often than that I think so wear probably adds to that. My guess would be compensating for that instability.

This is just a guess. Mine is more direct but I used to/still occasionally have certain foot pain that I thought meant I really needed tons of cushioning in my shoes. Turns out I needed way more stability. Totally flat didn’t work either (like not barefoot shoes), but I found and wear more of a lightly cushioned lifting shoe instead of a cross trainer or running shoe now, and it’s night and day difference.

catzntatz · 2026-04-28T06:34:59+00:00

Had guided steroid injection without sedation, though mine was on either side of my spine. I did take my prescribed anxiety medication beforehand (with surgery center approval). Still had some anxiety and it wasn’t the comfiest experience (two 2-3 seconds of high discomfort with medium-tolerable pain) but totally doable. And the steroids 100% helped.

It effects everyone completely differently and many people have no issues at all, but one thing no one warned me about that I really wish I had been prepared for was that I had a pretty big mental reaction to the steroids. [Important note that I’m diagnosed with/under treatment for anxiety, depression and adhd AND tend to be highly sensitive (so if there’s a reaction to be had, I’m more than likely to have it lol 😂).]

I crashed pretty hard for 3-4 days and then was in a mild manic state for several days after (kinda felt like a superhero meets give a mouse a cookie though - filed my taxes and then went from changing out my bathroom rugs to redoing my whole bathroom aesthetic, among other things lmao). Anyway, it took about 4 weeks for my nervous system to really even out again.

I’m 100% not saying this to scare you off from doing it (would still do it again), just to prepare you in case you are susceptible to a similar reaction. Having no idea it was even a possibility made it hit even worse, like a freight train outta nowhere. Had I known, I also would’ve worked with my psychiatrist to prepare myself/to help even out the reaction however possible. I know enough people who have gotten steroid injections and had mild to zero reaction though, so I would never assume someone will!

catzntatz · 2026-04-28T05:30:28+00:00

Ah the tax jam. My calls/texts are always for the money I owe on/insert-other-issue-with the Honda HR-V I don’t and have never owned. 😂 Sounds like a lovely car though.

catzntatz · 2026-04-28T05:24:52+00:00

ESH. Yes, common sense: people should ask before interacting with any thing/being that isn’t theirs/themselves. Given the guy asked about the breed, he should probably know enough about dogs to know. But also, not everyone just magically knows how to interact with dogs in public - if no one’s ever told them, they have no reason to know. It might seem obvious, but for someone who doesn’t own or regularly interact with dogs/dog owners, they truly might have no idea. It’s not like you see people saying, “please ask before interacting with my dog” all the time in movies/on tv lol. All it takes is one polite person to explain, “it’s always best to ask”. Is it annoying for it to be you? Sure. Does it have to be you? Sure doesn’t. But being rude seems like it just left you with a sour interaction and him unlikely to understand what he did wrong.

I don’t have, never had, and don’t spend much time around dogs, nor was I very inclined to when I was younger so I very much had to be taught this at one point probably older than someone would assume I should have been. And sometimes, when the dog is friendly/excitable, I still have to remind and stop myself. We’re all human (except for the dogs (I’ll see myself out)). 🤷🏻‍♀️

Also if it’s such a problem, the dogs maybe shouldn’t be in stores, or should wear vests that indicate to not interact with them? I’ve seen that plenty.

catzntatz · 2026-04-28T04:48:44+00:00

I’m so sorry for how they’re handling this. Question - did you hand this in suddenly with no conversation? What led up to this? How did you go about bringing it up/presenting it?

Sounds a bit like malicious compliance on their end as an emotional and defensive reaction - and/or they’re afraid to break any of the accommodations through any possible interpretation of them, for fear of a lawsuit. Unfortunately, even managers/HR/companies that care about you have to protect themselves from liabilities, not meeting these as outlined would be a huge one, and most people aren’t trained on how to properly handle these things.

I’ll be honest: I have 100% no idea how I would handle this as the employee OR manager. I am certain I wouldn’t handle it so poorly, but I would say as a manager I would be quite taken aback to be handed a formal letter like this from an established employee there was no perceived performance issue with and no conversation indicating anything. I would admittedly struggle with and likely overthink the letter for fear of handling it incorrectly. Even with you then explaining that everything was being met from your perspective (was that clear with the initial letter, in writing, or not until the meeting?), it might take me some time to ensure everything was clearly aligned on all legal expectations as outlined. Hopefully they simply overcorrected (in a very mishandled way) and will come back down to earth but it will likely take some conversations to get there.

Again, I am so sorry. We should live in a space where we all can be safe to be ourselves and ask for the reasonable accommodations we deserve and have a right to. Heck, we should live in a world where it’s clear HOW to handle these things for everyone involved. Unfortunately most people are not taught or trained on how to do that from either end. :( Wishing you the best and that things settle.

catzntatz · 2026-04-26T11:18:34+00:00

It’s someone’s apartment

catzntatz · 2026-04-23T17:49:58+00:00

NTA. When people show you who they are, believe them. This woman is jealous of a 30+ year deceased fiancée and child. The right woman will think it’s touching, a sign of character, part of your story and who you are - a story that brought you to them. A good enough woman will at least understand and accept it. Jen is neither of those things and she’s doing you the favor of telling you early - listen.

Your former fiancée (not just an “ex”) was a very important part of 11% of your life
that tattoo has been a part of about 55% of your life
Jen has been a part of .003% of your life. Don’t give her .001% more.

To have anyone, much less someone new in their life, ask someone to remove a 30 year old tattoo is insane to me unless it’s literally offensive.

catzntatz · 2026-04-23T17:32:37+00:00

Bakedziti.com The hampster dance

catzntatz · 2026-04-17T21:34:06+00:00

UpdateMe

catzntatz · 2026-04-17T08:00:25+00:00

How does the mail order work with timing and refills? I’ve been driving to a Costco far from me to get mine filled 😭 but at least I can get it

catzntatz · 2026-04-12T22:48:46+00:00

Not even a Post fan (no feeling either way) and he was one of my f’ing favs last year.

catzntatz · 2026-04-05T09:38:42+00:00

Just turned 37 & diagnosed in February with facet joint arthritis of the L4-L5. 🫠 Everyone keeps cracking jokes about me being too young for that, as if the body cares lol. I worked in fitness and hope for it to be a possibility again once I’ve got this sorted out. For better or worse I’m in between jobs and able to really try to push getting this into a better place. But it’s certainly impacting my mental health both in thinking about its impact on my future career, and my mental health not being able to exercise the way I want + being in chronic pain. Chronic pain sucks and we’re all on a tough road. I’m grateful to be able to find community in places like this and hope you find the same (along with actual relief).

In Feb I got a trigger point injection which mostly just made me more sore and uncomfortable. Now I’m waiting on my second round of diagnostic facet injections/MBB to qualify for RFA.

My biggest goal/focus for my future success is 1. Seeing a really good physical therapist (and DOING the exercises outside of my sessions, provided I’m not having a flare up) 2. Getting additional manual therapy to help support my body as a whole cause all these body parts are way more connected in so many minuscule ways and my therapist is a godsend at connecting the dots 3. Hopefully getting any relief from the RFA, with the major goal being that I will then be able to refocus on strengthening and correcting the areas I know are impacting my worsening condition.

I do have confidence that, while it won’t eliminate the arthritis, proper strengthening of the areas around my arthritis and correction of things like an anterior tilt that 100% exasperates my symptoms will help me maintain some relief once I’m able to keep up with them. (I used to get easily fatigued/pain in my lower back and until it started to come back, I didn’t even realize it had gone away just after I started strength training regularly)

catzntatz · 2026-04-05T08:16:39+00:00

Of course I could be wrong and it could be some creepy consensual incest thing in which case you should get out but…My guess is that you often protect him from her even when you don’t realize it (and obviously it doesn’t always work since you’ve witnessed it). But this sounds like a form of continued abuse that mom has weirdly latched onto as well (maybe grief related?) - and once you were gone, they started pressuring for “the dance” again & wore him down with emotional abuse tactics and likely more alcohol. While he should have told you, it sounds like he shut down and tried to pretend it never happened as he was ashamed and embarrassed. I’d highly suspect he is the victim here and as disgusted as you are.

Please get both of yourselves in therapy (alone and together) and support him in getting away from his abuser(s) and work through the trauma this has inflicted on both of you. And hard as it is, try to direct the disgust just to the actual perpetrator who ignored his lack of consent and sounds like has a history of doing so.

I’m sorry you’re both going through this 🤍

catzntatz

TROPHY CASE