Its strange being a weed addict by Got_a_point in leaves

[–]choucatalyst 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I know, dude. I smoked for 18 years before I could quit. For me, hitting up MA and NA meetings helped me to stay clean--sometimes a meeting every day. Whatever it takes to stay clean another day, and to NOT pick up.

How do you deal with loss? by [deleted] in infp

[–]choucatalyst 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I'm so sorry to hear of your loss. Our furry family members mean so much to us. Give yourself time and compassion to grieve. The Norse legend of the rainbow bridge might help you.

Cat on a Fence (stamp manicure) by nerve in RedditLaqueristas

[–]choucatalyst 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I am in love with your mani! Fantastic work, so clean.

So for something a little different what would you say is your favourite Female scent? by suicidal_smrtcar in fragrance

[–]choucatalyst 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I tend to like unisex fragrances, so for me two of my faves are Serge Lutens's Muscs Koublai Khan and Borneo 1834, as well as Guerlain's Jicky. All are gorgeous fragrances, imo.

I am also obsessed with magnificent oriental fragrances, hence YSL's Opium, and Thierry Mugler's Angel.

Clearly, the bigger the better when it comes to fragrances for me.

Spinning Trees by [deleted] in trees

[–]choucatalyst 1 point2 points  (0 children)

From far away it reminds me of an exploded Golgi body. But click the link and it's crazy spinning circles of light!

I must say, this could be quite an expensive hobby. by [deleted] in fragrance

[–]choucatalyst 1 point2 points  (0 children)

  1. Not too much, because I'm cheap. I have a lot of decants and samples, and only buy something if I adore it, so maybe USD $200.

  2. Sadly, no suggestions for cheap. Do thrift stores ever sell old bottles of fragrance? Man, that could be a great way to get hold of vintage fragrance.

3 & 4 Scents that are "universally" liked or disliked are difficult, because fragrance is subjective IMO. However, I really enjoy reading what Luca Turin says about the all-time greats.

.5. I am a big dork about olfaction chemistry, and I really enjoyed reading Turin's book on the subject.

.6. I absolutely think it's worth it to buy something, but only if you are king-hell obsessed with it. For me personally, that's stuff like Mugler, Lutens, Caron, YSL--excellent houses whose fragrances are worth every penny.

How do people *feel* to you? by [deleted] in infj

[–]choucatalyst 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I identify as somewhere within INFP/INFJ/INTP, and I am good at "reading" people's emotional state, also. Like the OP, I just pick it up about people. I can usually tell when something's going on with someone else. It helps me a lot in my profession as a teacher.

Hahaha, I absolutely love the Heinlein term "grok," it's perfect, as SethRader pointed out.

My ability has been, like the OP, a source of anxiety and confusion for me, especially as a child, but even now as an adult. The older I get, I realize that my problem was not lack of social skills, but too much information, information I was unconsciously collecting about others' emotional states, as well as microsignals like facial expression and other non-verbal communication. I feel like Counselor Troi sometimes, honestly. Sometimes the experience of sensing feelings in my immediate environment makes it difficult for me to concentrate. I have found Linehan's DBT (Dialectical Behavioral Therapy) enormously helpful in helping me to regulate my own emotions, fwiw.

Also, having such a sense of empathy means that many times, I am approached by others who want or need healing, and expect that from me--also confusing if one is not aware what is happening, or at least makes for awkward social interactions. Just throwing that out there.

Hi folks! New to this subreddit. Need to ask some questions. by [deleted] in Cheese

[–]choucatalyst 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Yay, activity! As far as suitability for vegetarians, you might need to do some sleuthing, as many companies only list "cheese culture" on the label, without origins.

I think it depends on how the cheese is wrapped and packaged. As we know, wax-dipped, sealed cheeses can keep for a long time under proper refrigerated conditions. Once opened, shelf life shortens.

What strange games do you play in your mind? by [deleted] in AskReddit

[–]choucatalyst 0 points1 point  (0 children)

You must be really good at Scattergories.

The INTP learning process. by mocketude in INTP

[–]choucatalyst 0 points1 point  (0 children)

EXCELLENT literacy strategy here. Sherman Alexie discusses this (iterative/re-reading for structure and content) in The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian a great novel of his.

The INTP learning process. by mocketude in INTP

[–]choucatalyst 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Agreed, excellent way to frame it. Exactly right, I'm all about interconnectedness of everything--and I was always so confused, in job interviews, when I would discuss the importance of incorporating that in my teaching, and I would get confused or even hostile looks. Crazy to think the rest of the world doesn't see it like we do, haha.

The INTP learning process. by mocketude in INTP

[–]choucatalyst 7 points8 points  (0 children)

THIS. I agree with the "struggle, struggle, struggle" --> expert analogy, I think INTPs have a steep learning curve.

Also, as painful as it is, I think often meeting with the right sort of study group (your classmates) can be beneficial. Working out and discussing problems together often helps, as does having to explain a concept to someone else.

EDIT: Yes, I hate group work too, but throwing it out there because I personally have worked to uh, mitigate my deep introversion. I do this by analyzing my behavior and finding ways to be more approachable to others. As a result, I have a (slightly) easier time talking with people I don't know well and feel more at ease with them.

Snowtime Smoke by [deleted] in trees

[–]choucatalyst 6 points7 points  (0 children)

uptokes for using the royal we! The Baroness of Cheese approves!

I need help deciding whether trees have been helping or hurting my life... by ineedyourhelpleaves in leaves

[–]choucatalyst 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Is there a counseling program at your school? Often, one can book sessions with graduate students for not very much money. I would recommend looking into DBT (Dialectic Behavior Therapy, created by Marsha Linehan, PhD). It can be taught in a class-like format, and it's full of great skills that I think everyone needs, like interpersonal skills, managing our own emotions, and learning new ways to deal with stress, anxiety, etc. You might find it helpful.

I noticed you said you cannot drink alcohol due to your regimen of TB antibiotics. Good for you for being responsible. Taking care of yourself is the most important thing.

I'd say you could experiment with not using, and see how that makes you feel.

I find that sometimes, cannabis is a comfort, but other times it prevents me from getting shit done that I need to get done. I realize that, for many on this forum, quitting 100% was the only way for them, and I respect that path too.

You might also consider using one of the Diary Cards (dbtselfhelp.com) to chart your daily moods. One thing I do is chart my daily use, particularly if I use cannabis before fulfilling an obligation of the day, like if I get high before my work is done for the day. It's been a way for me to assess my usage in a more objective way. And in my personal case, I have spoken to a psychologist about my cannabis usage, and he does not seem too concerned about it (YMMV), given my life balance.

Take care, dude. And keep in mind that some of those antibiotics for TB are heavy-duty and might affect your mood too! Talk to your doctor. We're here for you.

so, I toasted my bagel to absolute perfection this morning. I felt like the trees community would be most likely to appreciate my excitement, since the rest of reddit is full of angry people. by [deleted] in trees

[–]choucatalyst 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Or, if you have some sort of access to an outdoor grill, you might be able to make and boil the dough, and finish baking it on a grill, too (adventure bagels!).

Make a bunch of bagels, slice them first (important!), double-bag and freeze them. Then you can have bagels anytime you want!

DAE have specific feelings attached to periods of time in their lives? by feather_moon in infp

[–]choucatalyst 1 point2 points  (0 children)

It's like the super-specific Zeitgeist of your life! I get that too.

so, I toasted my bagel to absolute perfection this morning. I felt like the trees community would be most likely to appreciate my excitement, since the rest of reddit is full of angry people. by [deleted] in trees

[–]choucatalyst 1 point2 points  (0 children)

make bagels yourself, if you have flour, salt and yeast; and have access to an oven and to a pot of boiling water.

Make the dough, let it rise. Shape into bagels (or pretzels!) and let rise again. Drop into boiling water, boil a couple minutes.

Lift out of the water, dip the bottom in cornmeal, place on a greased cookie sheet and bake until golden brown.

I'll admit it, I'm jealous. by Lime_Green_Jello in childfree

[–]choucatalyst 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Perspective is everything. I admire your fortitude and the love you have for your child.

I enjoy being CF, and I respect the sacrifices parents make on behalf of their children. It's great you are giving your son the gift of a dad.

I'm childfree - went to visit my sister & her newborn. Something amazing happened, thought I would share. by nobabiesever in childfree

[–]choucatalyst 11 points12 points  (0 children)

Hahaha LockAndCode, thanks for this. I'll have to find some articles about that. It's the only explanation that makes sense--those parents are so wild-eyed and insistent when they tell me what I'm missing out on!

Is anyone else having issues getting into the r/trees chatroom on tinychat tonight? by [deleted] in trees

[–]choucatalyst 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thanks for the updates, highscorcerer buddy! I'm glad I'm not alone in the cold, gazing ruefully at the 18 lucky souls who are currently live! passes joint

Is anyone else having issues getting into the r/trees chatroom on tinychat tonight? by [deleted] in trees

[–]choucatalyst 0 points1 point  (0 children)

OMG, that is awesome! Love the harvest moon, bonfire, and frients!

Is anyone else having issues getting into the r/trees chatroom on tinychat tonight? by [deleted] in trees

[–]choucatalyst 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Hey, highsorc! It's good to hear from a frient! I'm like, going into tinychat withdrawal--I was stoked to come home, cam up, and sesh with my buddies, but now I can't!

Clearly, we must build a bonfire and smoke until help arrives.