#this time last year my mental health was finally on an upswing

[nowandthane]

i am so tired

[rayeim0gen]

My doctors are well aware of my meth use. I didn’t hold back with my reasoning.

My life went completely to shit in the past 4 years to the point where my failing mental health lead me to ending up homeless and losing everything but what I could carry.

I showed up at the hospital a few times, begging for help, unmedicated, and got dismissed and/or treated like a criminal without ever getting help.

At one point I was living in a trap house for a few weeks. I came “home” one day to find my room cleared out of anything of value I had left. Something snapped in my brain, and I’m told I was found by the police walking on the freeway.

That’s the time I was told “getting in isn’t an option for you. There’s nothing the ward can do for you anyways”.

I went back to the trap house. There was a half dozen or so people sitting in the living room passing a meth pipe around.

I had nothing left to live for.

I sat down in the circle, and as the pipe made its way to me, I figured “fuck it” and took a hit.

I felt pure euphoria.

I no longer had any desire to kill myself.

My problems became irrelevant.

Where have you been all my life?

I stayed in the trap house a couple more weeks, and would partake whenever invited to.

I managed to secure stable, safe housing, and spent the first few weeks detoxing and withdrawing hard. But I made it. Without help from the healthcare system.

I met my now girlfriend a month and a half later, and life has been on the upswing since. She’s amazing.

I finally got help back in January of this year, after a particularly bad episode and attempt, but only because my girlfriend and a close friend refused to let them turn me away.

Since then I’ve had a chance to reflect on how truly fucked up everything I experienced at the hands of the health authority actually was.

I’ve gotten noticeably cold and bitter in the past few months.

PTSD attacks the second my mind starts to wander.

I’ve been struggling to stay focused at work, and have been taking advantage of the slow season at work and cutting out whenever I have the chance.

My cheque this week is pathetic.

I was clean almost a year.

Till May Long Weekend this year.

I hate long weekends.

Wow! An extra day to sit around and be reminded of everything and everyone I cared about that cut ties with me because, as one person put it:

>“if you were actually trying to get help, you would have gotten it by now. You need to stop lying to the doctors and those who care about you”.

I started to spiral BAD mentally.

I became actively suicidal.

But this time was different.

I was craving meth.

Then I realized that the last time I was that low was when I was living in the trap house, and the euphoria it gave me.

It took a bit of work, but I got my hands on some.

I felt pure euphoria.

I no longer had any desire to kill myself.

My problems became irrelevant.

(Yes, I copypasta’d that part).

I lived to see the sun come up.

Mission successful.

So I made a promise to myself.

It can’t become a regular thing, but I know that when I start craving meth, I know I’m starting to get bad again.

I have no intentions of humiliating myself in the ER begging for help again.

Can’t rely on the healthcare system.

The mere thought of setting foot in that ER ever again only serves to accelerate the spiralling.

So what can I rely on?

Yup.

Technically it’s less harmful than eating a shotgun or stepping in front of a bus.

Less dramatic and drastic too.

And a good chance I’ll live to see the sun rise.

I’ve had a few more of those nights since then.

Not proud of myself, and I know it can’t be a long term solution, but I’m still alive, aren’t I?

I’ve made it perfectly clear to my doctors that it’s going to take a lot of work with medication and therapy before the ptsd gets to a more manageable level where I’ll be willing to give up Meth.

The healthcare system doesn’t get to ignore my cries for help as long as it did while my life burned to the ground and I lost everything I cared about to suddenly get to shame me for struggling with drugs and alcohol.

When and if I want help, I’ll ask.

But don’t you fucking dare look down your nose at me for the negative coping mechanisms I may have picked up because of the healthcare systems’ own negligence and outright refusal to lift a finger to help me.

[modglobug]

How have you been lately?

Gosh, since I've last answered this question on here?... A semi-rollercoaster to be honest. But overall, its still gradually getting better. Some days have lower moods than others. But this last year has been a big upswing on fixing my mental and physical health despite it all. Gonna use this ask to kinda give an update, hope ya don't mind!

Basic rundown, I got diagnosed with Bipolar Type 2, then had my chest reduction, got custom orthotics for my bad foot, then last week got diagnosed with ADHD- Hyperactive.

As you can see.. it's been a lot. But, to be honest, its all a relief. Finally having answers, and solutions, after 25 years of suffering. Just started ADHD meds last week and.. everything is so clear?? We're still adjusting and increasing slowly, but... I'm starting to feel functional for the first time in my life, and its.. amazing.

Im starting to be able to walk/stand without agonizing pain. I got to see my first concert and stood up the entire show. My chest is smaller, not including the back and posture relief, my gender dysphoria has gotten a bit better. I can try to track and plan around my mood drops and my hypermanic states. I can finally do "simple tasks" that would make my brain error out. Like.. Im taking care of myself, and its not feeling as such an impossible task.

Yet some things have been left behind in the process. Like.. my art. My social medias. I am coming back, but I can't promise its going to be very soon. But I've been prepping something to come back strong. And with it, make a schedule for ALL my comics, including streams, updates, and etc. I understand these last few years I've been coming back in short bursts, and then dropping off the face of the earth again, I know. But.. after finally having answers to why, I feel less guilty and awful about it. And Im thankful that 99% of you have been patient, understanding, and kind to me despite it. Thank you. 💙

[jjshouskeeping]

Cycles

Requested: Nope! Straight from my brain

Warnings: Mentions of anxiety and panic attacks, mentions of weed (Kind of), 

The last few days, you’d been on autopilot.  Laughing when everyone else laughed, drinking when everyone else was drinking.  You knew you couldn’t keep it up for much longer.  

You had been on the upswing for longer than you normally were.  Meaning the downfall was going to hit fast and hard.

Usually, you could hide the symptoms.  Being hungover was your go to excuse.  But it’s kind of hard to be hungover when you’re drinking beers with your friends.  You hoped that nobody noticed your shift in mood.

But JJ did.  He noticed when you would pull your shirt sleeve over your hand to keep you from scratching yourself.  He noticed that you hadn’t looked away from the bonfire since you sat down.  He noticed the tired look in your eyes.

The night went on and nobody mentioned the weird demeanor you seemed to display.  

You texted your mom and told her that you were spending the night at Kie’s house even though all of you were crashing at John B’s. 

Soon everyone started heading inside. Kie and Pope offered to help John B with the sleeping arrangements.  You sat staring into the fire.  No thoughts, just the heat covering you in a false sense of calm.

“You coming inside Y/N?” JJ asked you.

You shook your head and responded “Nah, I think I’m gonna stay outside for a while, enjoy the fire.”

“Okay, do you mind if I stay with you?”

You shook your head and JJ came over to sit next to you.

You tried your best to remain calm at the sudden attention, but flinched when he sat to close.

“Do you want to smoke? You seem kind of tense tonight.” He said nonchalantly.

You tensed up even more at his words.  You had never let anyone see your depressive cycle.  You always had some excuse to not hang out.  But this time it seemed to have come a bit sooner than you’d hoped.

“No thanks, I’m good.” You finally respond.

With the exhaustion that the mood changes cause and the anxiety that JJ might be catching on, you start to feel your body go into panic mode.

You started tapping your fingers on your knee, something your therapist taught you to even out your breathing.

When that didn’t work you tried bouncing your leg up and down.  And when that didn’t work you stood up and walked to the porch hoping that sitting in the swing chair would ground you.

You don’t know how long you were sitting there swinging back and forth very slowly, until you heard a voice.  You were creeping into the depressive episode which made all of your senses tune out.

You felt someone touch your knee and you flinched.  JJ was crouched in front of you.

“Y/N?” He asked again.

“Yea? Sorry I zoned out for a bit. What were you saying?” 

“I asked if you were feeling okay, I can take you home if you want.” He said.

“I’m fine. Thanks though.” You responded trying to sound sincere.

“If you’re fine, why are you crying?” He asked softly.

You reach your hand up to your face and feel the tears running down your cheeks.  You felt numb.  Like nothing could pull you out of the hole that was swallowing you.

“I, um. I-” You tried to get something to come out, anything. But nothing did.

You blinked trying to keep the heavy feeling of a panic attack away.  You could feel it in the middle of your chest.  Like someone was sitting on you, making it hard for you to breathe.

You ran your hand through your hair trying to regain some of your control.  Your mind had a twisted way of letting you suffer on the inside. 

“I need to go home.” You stated, eyes filled with tears threatening to spill. “Can you take me home please?” You asked, voice barely above a whisper.

“Yeah, give me a second I’m gonna go get the keys.”

You nod, not moving from your spot.

JJ returned a few minutes later with the keys and your stuff that you left inside.

“You ready?” He asked as he came out the door.

You tried to nod but you were frozen.  You knew you couldn’t survive a car ride with JJ without breaking down and looking like a huge baby.  So you stayed put, hoping that if you didn’t move for long enough, he would go away and leave you there.

“N/N? do you still want to go home?” He asked coming to sit next to you.

“I don’t know,” You replied, no emotion in your voice.  Almost as if you weren’t here, mind checked out.

“I’m sorry that you’re spending your night babysitting me.  You should be in there having fun with everyone but you’re out here.  Watching me have the worst panic attack of my life.” You stated very calmly.

“You’re having a panic attack right now?” JJ asked surprised as he tried to keep his voice calm.

“I think so.  I’m not sure.” You said.  You looked down at your hands to find them trembling.

“what do you need me to do?  When I have panic attacks it’s just me.  How do I help?”

“Am I really here?  I can’t feel anything.” You state.

JJ hesitantly reached out his hand to grab yours.  You didn’t flinch away, which to JJ was good, but to you meant that you were slipping way faster than you ever have.

“Yes, Y/N, you are here.  And I am here.” JJ said trying his best not to fall apart at the sight of his best friend losing it.

“JJ, I can’t feel anything.” You said louder, sounding almost hysterical.

You start to hyperventilate when JJ thinks about what to do.

“I- I can’t br-” You started, felling lightheaded.

“Shh, Shh, It’s okay, N/N, you’re okay I’ve got you” He said as he pulled you into him.

He held you for what felt like years.  In reality you had sat curled up into his side for 3 hours before you finally fell asleep.  

JJ sat there all night with you in his arms.  Eventually he had convinced John B to help bring you inside so you could lay down in a warm bed instead of a rusty old porch swing.

When you finally got situated in bed, JJ went to leave the room.

But as soon as his lips left the top of your head, you groaned. 

“Please don’t leave me. I can’t be alone right now.” You said with fear in your voice.

JJ climbed into the bed with you opening his arms to comfort you.

“I will never leave you. Not now, not ever.  Just get some sleep pretty girl.  We can talk about this in the morning.” He said as he placed a final kiss to the top of your head.

Even though this was the worst day of your life, mental health wise, it was the first time ever that you had let someone see the absolute most vulnerable part of you.  And you weren’t scared.  Not with JJ next to you.

[gildedusurper]

      Such profound vigor had baffled him from the start. His morning routine went as normal with an unusual peppiness he hadn’t felt in an age. As worrying as it should be, drastic change for the positives were warmly welcomed instead, causes chalked up to that of recent good company and a pleasant night’s rest.

     Warmth from a prolonged shower only helped further his good mood, finding himself taking boisterous strides in place of once sluggish movements. It’s when he’s near ready for the day that he begins to question it; the sudden upswing in both body and mind mulled over with a fresh cup of coffee. Was it something he ate? Perhaps a change in his training routine? A gloved finger taps against ceramic, brows furrowed, concentrating on recalling the events of yesterday.

     Nothing truly substantial happened as far as memory served - mayhaps Lady Luck had finally swayed on his side. No matter. There was much to do for the day; shopping, visits to those close, the unfortunate work awaiting in the afternoon hours... Whatever contents were leftover had been dumped into the sink drain and left to be filled with water. A quick stretch has the decadent Monarch making way for the front door before giving pause when his own gloved hand extends for the handle, reminding him of unequipped wears. Silly him.

      It wouldn’t be the first time he’d almost walking out the front door lacking his proper attire. An easy fix; he’d simply need to open his inventory, seek out his wonderful armor--

“ WHUAAUH?! ”

    Rodents scatter in an instant as their owner recoils from the doorway, stumbling backwards with hands catching the edges of a kitchen counter top to keep himself steady.

     Armor... Ar-mors?! ARMORS...

     Six of them, in fact. Lined up side by side, filling once empty spots and leaving him bewildered and terrified by the suddenness of it all. Curiosity calms the waves of nausea - they weren’t there before, perhaps he’d been imagining...? 

     Battery Brigandine had been his first test. The strong sight of green-blue tint would surely break him from this spell were it all true. Confirmations come in the form of shining wears starkly different than normal painted golds. It’s with a wary chuckle that he unequips to try another -  Vestments of Vigor - burgundy hues soon adorned with the ever slight increase of excitement bubbling within.

     Akin to a child who’d been given a world’s worth of toys, he falls into a frenzy. Examining every last item within his inventory, yanking them out into his hold as though to confirm that this was no mere illusion. Dueling Glove, Turn Coat, Bubble Frog, Healing Hammer, SCORCHING SABER... All the pieces fall into place as the warmth radiating from the hefty burning claymore overwhelms. His vigor, strength, health and weaponry, gear and more! Years upon years of struggles with so few now to be gifted all. His heart flutters - sings with such glee that he’d hardly the chance to contain himself. Bursts of laughter echo in empty halls as his only audience begins to crowd around him. Bundles of curious rodents, many of which had left the comforts of nests made inside the walls, had gathered to investigate, watching with beady little eyes as their owner loses himself to the eruption of emotion.

     Such strength had long since been forgotten after his arrival; magic tied to his physical health having had it’s burdening weight lifted free, after so long. So very long... Powers buried deep in the confines of his memory now resurfacing with each passing second.

     The last remains of energy only allow for very few spins before he staggers into a nearby chair with rapid breaths. He’s beside himself despite every ounce of joy flooding in his chest. Smile wavering for all but a moment before it falls completely. Everything was back - he’d long since confirmed that much - but... For what reason? For as long as he’d remained here and elsewhere, in his five years of torment in this prison, what use had they spare fleeting occasions? Burdened by his newfound blockade, he leans further back against the chair, entirely helpless. No thoughts come to mind, left to stew in an odd mixture of both euphoria and bitterness while fingers brush against an affection seeking rodent curled on his lap...

     ...One of many loyal servants. A wonderful sort, despite their oftentimes grating flaws. Soft furs do well to soothe, clearing his mind of worries. Heirlooms and Armor might not be of use now, however, the future itself was always unpredictable. Though he had to admit, he’d entertained the idea of laying waste to several portions of this cruel city seconds after leaving the front door. After all, they’d made the biggest mistake of a lifetime; both gifting him his full arsenal and for taking granted just how long he was capable of holding a grudge.

     Fingers abandon his pet in favor of drumming rhythmically against the table. With no Enchantress and no Monarchs in this modern era, how would he come to lay claim over a portion of this city? How could he make certain this city paid for its crimes against him? He’d need a plan - one that would take far longer than those made once before. No errors nor pests to get in the way of him and his goal; to conquer and rule as he’d rightfully deserved. The name King Knight would carry fear once more, no matter how long, how many failures or deaths harbored him from the end. He’d a goal, a newfound means to wake up in the morning beyond that of simply surviving.

      All the cards would fold in his favor. Years of playing submissive paying off in stacks of gold. Who would expect  p o o r   l i t t l e   h i m  to overtake what was now rightfully his?

     Satisfied, he rises from his seat and once more opens his inventory to equip familiar wears. A trip to the store for quill pens and papers swiftly added to a mental to-do list... Just below another addition, one that was a little more self-indulgent than the rest.

                                     After all, he did have some showing off to do!

[[ RANK UP :: SUPERGIANT --> HYPERGIANT ]]

// WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOW HOLY SHIT 5 YEARS ALREADY PASSED??? I AIN’T GOT NO WORDS EXCEPT WHAT THE FUCK AM I STILL DOING HERE FSYHJGSDGD. Jokes aside, I would so like to thank everyone for still having interest in my dumb golden boy, I would have never expected to still be here with his muse for this long, but god am I so glad I stuck with him despite the hardships.

To friends new and old and soon to be met, I hope you’ll still stick around and rp with lil ol me and me boy for however long we stay! And also a big thank you so so much for your support and friendship; y’all are amazing, fantastic writers and I so wish I could compare to some of y’all’s skills. aNYWAYS... HERE’S TO ANOTHER 5 YRS EVEN IF I JEST ABT HATING THIS BOY BEING MY MAIN MUSE!!! LOVE YOU ALL!!!!!! THANK YOU FOR MAKING ISOLA (and even c*tta) SUCH A WONDROUS EXPERIENCE!!!!!!!!! HECKO!!!!!!!!!!

[tinybreadbrain]

So last year things really were on an upswing. I started my apprenticeship in a dental lab (which is still ongoing and very fun and rewarding).

I finally got a diagnosis and meds for my adhd (man i wish I had those in university. that would've saved me a lot of grieve and depression).

I moved to an entirely different town and started a relationship with an awesome person.

In general my mental health is really improving.

Just December was a total bitch. First I fractured one of my fingers, which is very shitty for working in the lab.

Then four days after Christmas I trip and do a faceplant (or rather chin-plant) onto the cobblestone. It hurt and bled like all hell, but luckily it didn't knock me out, so I could call the ambulance myself. After a CAT-scan it was clear that both my jaw-joints were fractured. But the surgeon told me I was super lucky because nothing got dislocated or broke away. So I don't need surgery but have to stay on a non-solid diet for three weeks.

It really sucks to sit this out because I'm losing time in the lab and in school.

Also got strep throat on top of that... not the best end and start of a year. But in general I am in a much better place now.

[pisati]

I saw my psychiatrist for presumably the last time today. I’m sad she’s leaving, since she’s the first psychiatrist to actually try with me. to take a look at all the meds I’ve tried, pinpoint what was making me sick, and avoid that. the first medication she picked has been working just fine for me. it’s maybe not ideal, I could probably be doing better, but it’s leagues better than where I was before. powering through it on sheer willpower alone just so I could get through school, because I didn’t have the time or energy (or money, frankly) to get good mental health care.

we talked about my job briefly, traded cute animal pictures-- her dogs and some of the clients at my clinic. she mentioned that she was leaving the practice because, despite the pay, it just wasn’t where she wanted to be. she had to take a step for herself. I just did that myself-- it’s nice to know we’re on the same wavelength as far as self-awareness and being attuned to our needs. I’m going to miss her, for sure, but I’m glad she’ll be feeling better going back to school and teaching. 

I forget how it came up, but we mentioned the future as well. ah-- she went on kind of a tangent saying how, since I’m doing so well in and enjoying being at the clinic I could maybe move up and do office-manager-type work in a clinic one day, and I said, well, maybe. right now I’m not sure I want to stay in the animal medical care industry (though it makes a lot more money than other avenues, depending what jobs you have). but the experience is absolutely invaluable, especially since they’re cross-training me as a vet assistant too. 

but this is what’s hitting me like a hard slap to the face: I went on to say that I could still see myself in animal care. this medical experience would be hugely beneficial for me, especially if I stayed in something like sheltering. and I could see myself doing that. I could see myself moving up in a shelter environment; I could see myself doing something like our shelter director does (though I’m not entirely sure what her job is-- but it’s certainly not all office work). I told her that I couldn’t see myself just being in an office again. 

I’ve talked about it before. how I just knew, somehow. in my 5th grade yearbook, in that little “about me” section we each had under our pictures... mine said “future career: veterinarian”. I used to know myself so much better, before the fear set in. but this feels like a slap in the face because it’s really the first time in at least 5-6 years that I’ve said anything about my future with any kind of conviction. I’ve thought about going into psychology, maybe even counseling; some of those netflix docuseries had me considering juvenile detention counseling too. but even after I read up on the job descriptions and what those things entail... I’m just not sure. I could maybe see myself at a practice somewhere, maybe even in a school, but I just don’t know. I can’t imagine a future for myself without animals, whether that’s just as pets or whether I make it my job. 

I think I even mentioned when I was still at my last job, that if money were no issue, I’d be working at an animal shelter, no question. I think now I’m becoming less afraid of the financial consequences of that decision. it would be nice to have a supplemental income, maybe even a partner with a second income to contribute to rent costs, but... I don’t know, ya know? I think we’re all struggling, and society’s gonna collapse because nobody’s making enough money to live. might as well do something that makes me feel good.

it makes me sad to think about all the time I spent in linguistics. I’ve never not loved it. but I can’t blame myself for being afraid, and for not knowing better. 

but this really feels like something I could do. my confidence is lacking a little; I think I’d need to get better trained with animal behavior, definitely. one thing that’s holding me back is how intimidated I am by fearful and aggressive animals, but that’s also because I don’t have the kind of training that many people in my clinic have. there’s one tech in particular who’s specifically trained in behavior and she does happy visits with some dogs who are literally too afraid to let the vets touch them. she’s been working with this one dog for months and he finally reached the point where they did an exam, and I think they just did his first rabies vaccine the other day. but I’ve seen cats screaming and hissing and swiping; I watched a cat try to bite while it was getting blood drawn, even with the cone we put on him. I’ve seen dogs whimper and flinch away from needles; I haven’t witnessed a bite or a near-bite yet, but I know some have to be muzzled during procedures just because the potential is there. I don’t know how to handle things like that, and you have to be confident with yourself and your ability to handle the situation when you’re working with animals like that. you have to keep a cool head. and I’m not at all confident. but here’s the thing-- I feel like I could definitely get there.

I’m still thinking about grad school. maybe something to do with animal behavior. I’ll have to see, and I’ll have to see if there are any prereqs. I’m sure I missed out on a lot of classes I’d need for that kind of degree. 

it’s scary, looking forward like this. not being sick over it; not wanting to die at the thought of all this time I still have to drag myself through. I’m not 100% confident that this is where I want to go, but it’s a much surer foot I’m putting forward than it has been in the past. I really need to sit down and ask myself if this is what I want. if this really is the path I want to go down. I want to have a game plan. I want to know what I want out of it first. part of me wants to see where it takes me, but part of me also wants to plan ahead. I’m not doing grad school without having goals, but it’s hard to have goals when you’re still pretty new to the field. 

I looked at my wrist today, and I had one of those moments that was like.. oh. you’re still there. sometimes it’ll hit you after you’ve gotten a tattoo that, wow, this shit’s really there forever. this one on my wrist is going to be 7 years old this winter, and it’s really gonna be there when I’m old and wrinkly. just thinking about these 7 years and how it’s still there.. I don’t know how to describe the feeling. forever becomes so much longer when you realize you’ve barely gotten through a fraction of it. it’s been a long 7 years, but also... only 7 years? I got it when I was 18. it’s still here at 25. it’ll still be there at 30. at 50. at 80. there’s so much time, and it’ll still be there. that’s pretty wild. 

those kind of things just remind me how much time I [theoretically] have left. how many experiences I have the potential to pack into my life. maybe one day I will be able to open the record store of my dreams, and run a rat rescue, and have a little craftsman-style house and a lavender farm. maybe I won’t. but it’s comforting to think about a possible future in animal sheltering. what doors that might open for me. maybe if I get more confident in my crafting skills I’ll finally start selling my projects for money; maybe that’ll go somewhere. 

I don’t know. maybe it’s the antidepressants, maybe it’s that I’m finally on the upswing from period week, maybe it’s everything. I’m feeling so much better than I used to. I was sitting on the train this morning, listening to some playlist of something or other, and a sad song came on. and I remembered my past self almost embarrassedly. why did I just perpetuate my sadness? didn’t I know that by listening to such sad music all the time I wasn’t allowing myself to get better? I don’t think that was necessarily the case. I might just not be as inclined to listen to that caliber of sad music lately because I don’t feel like I need a companion in my sadness anymore. that kind of thing was comforting to me in the past. maybe it kept me in some dark places, but it was nice just to feel like someone else ached like me at some point. it was the closest thing I had to company. 

anyway. it’s nice to be out of that for a little. now I think it’s time to maybe start thinking about the future. baby steps.

[shinwhoohoo]

In staying true to every fiber of my being, I wanted to update with a bit of word vomit (lol sorry-- even in my semi-depressed state I can’t change).

I really was/(am?) surprised at how much CNU’s enlistment affected me. I knew it was coming-- shit, I thought it was coming back months ago when he first shaved his hair!-- but I think what just upset me the most was the fact that this wasn’t necessarily done on his terms, instead him just having to go along with the draft notice he received (much earlier than most 91-line idols, I might add) which just... sucked. This, in combination with the timing in general-- A3 seemed to finally be on a bit of an upswing emotionally, gaining some momentum back that we hadn’t seen in a while. And then this. I guess after seeing their rise and being on that journey with them for over 7 years, it just broke my heart to see this being the outcome. Not that this is the end-- I know that. But B1A4 deserved better circumstances, regardless.

I don’t really talk too much about my personal life, but I’ll just add that this also all happened at the same time that I was dealing with some pretty major family drama with my sister and her family, along with my father going through some bad health scares. Work has also been a bit mentally exhausting, and it’s all just really been a lot for me. I guess I’ve always been better at listening and talking about other’s problems and thoughts more than I have been with my own.

Thank you so much to those that reached out to me, through asks or DM’s or otherwise; as selfish as it may sound, I need to be truthful and admit it’s really, really nice and reassuring to receive such kind messages of support. I really and genuinely appreciate it all, and it’s so nice knowing I have such wonderful friends on here~

I went through a slump last week where I just wanted to legitimately take a step back, but having put a few things in perspective, I think instead I’ll just try to ease myself back into my normal updating routine. Especially since I still receive asks from you guys pretty regularly about the whole situation, I guess I could never have been away for too long anyways~ 😄

Thank you all again for being so understanding! 🌱

♡ Britt

[pink-lightsabre]

so yesterday was the six year anniversary of the last time i tried to kill myself and i... didn’t do anything. i woke up at the ass crack of dawn, went to my first job, came home, took a nap, made some coffee, and then went to my second job. i spent most of yesterday mourning everyone we lost at Pulse two years ago, but for the most part it was an incredibly average tuesday which wasn’t weird to me until i checked my calendar when i got home from work today.

you see, six years ago i had just finished my sophomore year of high school, which was undoubtedly the worst year of my life to date. i was fourteen, terrified of my own shadow, my parents, my extended family, and the world around me in general. i had one solid friend who, even tho i didn’t realize it at the time, was more of a hindrance than a help to my mental health. i had finished my first AP class and was positive that i was going to get the first F of my academic career. i was convinced my parents would finally to decide to make good on the threats that i had heard all school year, that they would take me out of the high school i loved and throw me to the wolves of the american public school system, a fate that they had made out to be worse than death.

so i decided that i would rather be dead than face the wrath of my parents and the horror of an F on a final report card and i snuck into my parent’s medicine cabinet and got exactly four sleeping pills, which i thought was enough to overdose with since i had never taken them before. i swallowed them with a glass of water, went to sleep, and fully expected to never wake up again. obviously i did wake up again, and i had to spend that whole day pretending everything was fine. what was probably a week or so later i got my final report card for the year and almost passed out when i saw that i hadn’t, in fact, failed the college level history class i took as a fourteen year old. i hadn’t known then that that night would be the last time i had tried to kill myself, until six months later, a couple of weeks before my fifteenth birthday and halfway into my junior year of high school i realized i hadn’t had a suicide attempt since june.

at the time six months was the longest i had gone without an attempt in about three years the first time i tried to kill myself i was in eighth grade jesus and i told myself that was something to be proud of, that it was impressive to have gone that long and that i couldn’t break that streak now, and besides things in my life were finally finally starting to be some semblance of good. i celebrated my one year and two year anniversary’s alone. i told one of my current best friends shortly before my three year anniversary and my other current best friend shortly before my four year anniversary. and even tho my life has been on an upswing since june 12th six years ago, i spent years wondering what it would be like to have the day pass me by like any other day, and convinced that it would never happen.

june 12th two years ago was particularly brutal because of Pulse and because i had dropped out of college and was aimless and unsure for the first time in four years. but this time last year i had found my footing and privately celebrated that i had found direction again, but i still spent the whole day incredibly and privately aware of what it signified. and this year, yesterday came and went and i didn’t even notice until this afternoon.

so if you’ve actually stuck around this long and have read all of this, first of all kudos you’re pretty dope and also wow, but i want to say to you, if you are going thru a rough patch, and if death seems like the best option, i want to tell you i am living proof that you are tougher than your hard times, and you will come out it and you will be happy you did. and maybe one day your anniversary will pass you by and you’ll celebrate the fact that you didn’t have to celebrate, you could just live. 

[wineanddinosaur]

Will the Low- and No-ABV Movements Survive Covid-19?

If it seems like everyone in your social media feed is drinking more right now, they probably are. According to IWSR data shared with VinePair, retail alcohol sales during Covid-19 have hit double-digit growth, mirroring “holiday-type” volume and value spending.

Of course, any current data should be examined with the caveat that on-premise sales have plummeted, and many are replacing those purchases with stay-at-home Quarantinis. There’s also stockpiling to consider, though IWSR figures signal that the bulk of this took place during a two-week period in March, and sales since then have remained strong.

But just as our interactions with the physical world are largely confined to the views from our windows, we should not overlook the subjectivity of social media feeds. Put simply: Not everyone is drinking more right now.

“If anything, I’ve seen this kind of outpouring of, ‘Here are all the ways that I’m taking care of myself,’ and lots of people doing yoga and meditation,” says Sam Thonis, co-owner of Getaway, an alcohol-free bar in Brooklyn. Opened in April 2019, the bar has become a brick-and-mortar signifier of the growing low- and no-alcohol movements.

Prior to Covid-19, these movements had started gaining significant traction, with coverage reaching national media. By the end of last year, publications such as The Washington Post and The New York Times had devoted significant column inches to the popularity of lower-ABV spritz cocktails and hard seltzers, and the growing interest in the “sober-curious” lifestyle. While it was harder to back the “trend” with sales data, low- and no-ABV drinks had by then entered the cultural lexicon.

But like everything else right now, the future of the low and no movements feels delicately poised. Convincing drinkers that it might be a good idea to lower their alcohol consumption is difficult enough at the best of times, let alone in the midst of a global pandemic. And looking forward, there’s the dark cloud of recession looming on the horizon, which is likely to impact consumer spending. That could be a particular challenge for the zero-proof category, whose products have been priced at retail similarly to the boozy libations they were designed to replace. To boot: The non-alcoholic botanical “spirit” Seedlip sells for around $30 for 700 milliliters, while a slightly larger bottle of Bombay Sapphire gin sells for $25. These issues raise the question: What does Covid-19 mean for the future of the nascent low- and no-ABV movements?

Drinking Habits In a Global Pandemic

For Thonis, there’s no question that the zero-proof scene was gaining traction prior to Covid-19. After Getaway opened, it received significant press. While skeptics could argue it seemed like a niche “New York” concept, multiple operators around the country reached out to Thonis and told him they wanted to emulate his model.

Sales, too, seemed to indicate that the city that never sleeps was willing to take the occasional night off from booze. “Before March, when everything changed, the two normal months of 2020 were our best months yet,” he says. “We were on a serious upswing.”

Sadly, those sales have now crashed to nothing. Unlike some New York cocktail bars, Getaway hasn’t pivoted to takeaway or to-go options. And when stay-at-home orders are finally relaxed, Thonis realizes his bar’s offerings might be deemed as a luxury by some. “[Non-alcoholic cocktails] are not human necessities, unlike food and arguably alcohol,” he says.

Lifestyle writer Ruby Warrington has noticed contrasting attitudes on her social media feeds. In 2018, the New-York-based British author wrote a book on alcohol abstinence titled “Sober Curious.” Some have even credited the work with popularizing the no-ABV movement. Warrington also hosts a podcast of the same name and interacts via social media with a community of people who choose not to drink.

Many of those interactions have included people speaking about how glad they are that they don’t drink right now and don’t need to navigate hangovers in the midst of a pandemic. But when she opens her Facebook feed, which has a lot of people from her “pre-sober-curious life” in the U.K., she notices some friends repeating the kind of statements that could double as a quarantine meme, such as “How early is too early to start drinking?” and “Drinking alone doesn’t count in a crisis.”

“It almost feels like there’s a lot of bravado, a ‘let’s drink our way through it’ sort of attitude,” she says. “With my sober-curious goggles on, it does seem like underneath there’s a lot of fear.”

Her evaluation is backed by psychological science. “It makes a lot of sense that people are drinking more during this time: They want instant relief from anxiety, boredom, depression, and just not wanting to feel their feelings — alcohol offers a solution to that,” says Lindsay Hayden, a New York-based licensed mental health counselor who specializes in addiction.

Hayden warns that without the structure and routine of normal life, those who are using only alcohol as a coping mechanism could soon be facing more serious issues. “Not everyone who is relying on alcohol will come out of the pandemic with an alcohol addiction, but it is definitely something people should be watching out for,” she says.

Drinking Habits During a Recession

While the “new normal” of quarantine life is unprecedented to all experiencing it, at least some of what comes after Covid-19 is not without parallel. By many accounts, the world economy is headed into a long and potentially deep recession. The IMF predicts the coronavirus crisis could knock as much as $9 trillion off global GDP over the next two years. If previous recessions are benchmarks, that doesn’t spell good news for the low- and no-ABV movements.

During the eight-month 2001 recession, whose economic impact lasted for several years, alcohol volume sales grew year-over-year, totaling a 4 percent increase between 2001 and 2004, according to IWSR’s chief operating officer, Brandy Rand.

While alcohol sales growth was somewhat flat during the Great Recession of December 2007 to June 2009, that was only because of declining beer sales. “[U]nemployment rate at the end of 2009 was 10 percent, yet there was still an upward consumption trend outside of beer,” Rand explains.

The purchasing habits from both of the most recent recessions indicate that when economic times are tough, consumers turn to the bottle. Amid the uncertainty, and with less cash in their pockets, they also favor higher-ABV beverages to leverage more bang for buck.

Lisa Laird Dunn, executive vice president of Laird & Company, predicts a similar trend this time around. Founded in 1780, her family runs the oldest licensed distillery in America. In its 200-plus-year history, Laird & Co. has survived more than 30 recessions, two world wars, and even Prohibition.

While known for its Applejack, the distillery’s portfolio contains a broad range of products, priced from high- end to value brands. Laird Dunn confirms that the company’s lower-priced value brands typically sell best during a recession and expects to see a repeat of this trend following Covid-19. “I think you’ll find that there will be more price shopping versus just brand shopping,” she says.

But national sales statistics and the experience of recession-defying distilleries paint just part of the picture.

In January 2013, the University of Buffalo published a study on alcohol use during the Great Recession. Polling more than 2 million Americans between 2006 and 2010, the study uncovered notable increases in heavy drinking (3.9 percent) and frequent binge drinking (7.1 percent), but also found a slight increase in abstention from alcohol (0.8 percent). Put more simply: Not everyone decided to drink more. And there’s more than just anecdotal references to prove the same thing is happening right now.

On Thursday, global research firm Wine Intelligence published its first Covid-19-related consumer analysis report. Based on data collected at the end of March and beginning of April, the report found that, on average, wine consumption has remained stable during lockdown. But once again, this trend only tells part of the story.

“We’re seeing an increase in frequency of wine consumption amongst more engaged wine drinkers,” says CEO Lulie Halstead. “So those who were already drinking wine at higher frequencies are increasing that frequency.”

On the flip side, younger drinkers who were just discovering wine are now drinking it much less frequently than before, she adds. While this finding is based on data collected in Australia, Halstead says early examinations of international data appear to show a similar trend in other markets.

Hope For the Low- and No-ABV Movements

During previous recessions, those who opted not to drink were limited to sodas, seltzers, and water. But this time around, the market is already awash with interesting alcohol alternatives. From no-ABV beers to zero-proof spirits, there are a number of non-alcoholic options that taste just like the real thing (or pretty darn close) without the alcohol and with fewer calories. If consumers can get past price concerns, the compelling flavors and low-calorie appeal of these products could help keep the low and no movements humming along.

As one notable example, Scottish brewery BrewDog has reported strong demand for its range of alcohol-free beers this year. Compared to the last four months of 2019, volume sales on its e-commerce platform have surged more than 350 percent between January and April of this year.

“Just last week, we had our strongest day of online sales ever with the launch of our newest NA beer: Ghost Walker,” says CEO Jason Block. Demand from wholesalers has been stronger still, with volume growth reaching quadruple digits during the first four months of 2020.

The thirst for no-ABV spirits appears to be similarly strong. Ritual Zero Proof, a non-alcoholic beverage brand that offers gin, tequila, and whiskey alternatives, sold its entire six-month inventory in just five weeks when it launched in September last year. Despite the current global pandemic, March 2020 sales were up 16 percent over February, and April sales are on track to double that.

“Spirit alternatives like Ritual are today what veggie burgers and almond milk were a few years back: New, easy to knock, and so broadly desired there are now sections in the grocery store dedicated to them,” says founding partner Marcus Sakey. “Almond milk did $5.3 billion in 2018.”

Support from internationally acclaimed bartenders has given these alternatives further credentials. At Bar Kumiko in Chicago, partner and director Julia Momose curated an extensive “Spiritfrees” cocktail menu. The bar is currently offering five of these drinks as part of a temporary to-go menu.

One of the most vocal supporters of low- and no-ABV cocktails has been Derek Brown, owner of Washington D.C.’s Columbia Room. In February, Brown authored a high-profile article on embracing “mindful drinking” and detailing his own complicated relationship with alcohol.

Brown believes zero-proof cocktails can be just as delicious, interesting, and thought-provoking as those with booze. While he’s also noticed an anecdotal increase in alcohol consumption, he doesn’t think that will harm the low and no movements. In fact, Brown believes our current situation might serve as a wake-up call for many. “A lot of people who went into this wondering whether they had a drinking problem will come out of it knowing the answer to that,” he says.

For those who do, there’s never been a broader range of alternatives and support to help change those habits.

The article Will the Low- and No-ABV Movements Survive Covid-19? appeared first on VinePair.

source https://vinepair.com/articles/coronavirus-impact-low-no-alcohol-movements/

[johnboothus]

Will the Low- and No-ABV Movements Survive Covid-19?

If it seems like everyone in your social media feed is drinking more right now, they probably are. According to IWSR data shared with VinePair, retail alcohol sales during Covid-19 have hit double-digit growth, mirroring “holiday-type” volume and value spending.

Of course, any current data should be examined with the caveat that on-premise sales have plummeted, and many are replacing those purchases with stay-at-home Quarantinis. There’s also stockpiling to consider, though IWSR figures signal that the bulk of this took place during a two-week period in March, and sales since then have remained strong.

But just as our interactions with the physical world are largely confined to the views from our windows, we should not overlook the subjectivity of social media feeds. Put simply: Not everyone is drinking more right now.

“If anything, I’ve seen this kind of outpouring of, ‘Here are all the ways that I’m taking care of myself,’ and lots of people doing yoga and meditation,” says Sam Thonis, co-owner of Getaway, an alcohol-free bar in Brooklyn. Opened in April 2019, the bar has become a brick-and-mortar signifier of the growing low- and no-alcohol movements.

Prior to Covid-19, these movements had started gaining significant traction, with coverage reaching national media. By the end of last year, publications such as The Washington Post and The New York Times had devoted significant column inches to the popularity of lower-ABV spritz cocktails and hard seltzers, and the growing interest in the “sober-curious” lifestyle. While it was harder to back the “trend” with sales data, low- and no-ABV drinks had by then entered the cultural lexicon.

But like everything else right now, the future of the low and no movements feels delicately poised. Convincing drinkers that it might be a good idea to lower their alcohol consumption is difficult enough at the best of times, let alone in the midst of a global pandemic. And looking forward, there’s the dark cloud of recession looming on the horizon, which is likely to impact consumer spending. That could be a particular challenge for the zero-proof category, whose products have been priced at retail similarly to the boozy libations they were designed to replace. To boot: The non-alcoholic botanical “spirit” Seedlip sells for around $30 for 700 milliliters, while a slightly larger bottle of Bombay Sapphire gin sells for $25. These issues raise the question: What does Covid-19 mean for the future of the nascent low- and no-ABV movements?

Drinking Habits In a Global Pandemic

For Thonis, there’s no question that the zero-proof scene was gaining traction prior to Covid-19. After Getaway opened, it received significant press. While skeptics could argue it seemed like a niche “New York” concept, multiple operators around the country reached out to Thonis and told him they wanted to emulate his model.

Sales, too, seemed to indicate that the city that never sleeps was willing to take the occasional night off from booze. “Before March, when everything changed, the two normal months of 2020 were our best months yet,” he says. “We were on a serious upswing.”

Sadly, those sales have now crashed to nothing. Unlike some New York cocktail bars, Getaway hasn’t pivoted to takeaway or to-go options. And when stay-at-home orders are finally relaxed, Thonis realizes his bar’s offerings might be deemed as a luxury by some. “[Non-alcoholic cocktails] are not human necessities, unlike food and arguably alcohol,” he says.

Lifestyle writer Ruby Warrington has noticed contrasting attitudes on her social media feeds. In 2018, the New-York-based British author wrote a book on alcohol abstinence titled “Sober Curious.” Some have even credited the work with popularizing the no-ABV movement. Warrington also hosts a podcast of the same name and interacts via social media with a community of people who choose not to drink.

Many of those interactions have included people speaking about how glad they are that they don’t drink right now and don’t need to navigate hangovers in the midst of a pandemic. But when she opens her Facebook feed, which has a lot of people from her “pre-sober-curious life” in the U.K., she notices some friends repeating the kind of statements that could double as a quarantine meme, such as “How early is too early to start drinking?” and “Drinking alone doesn’t count in a crisis.”

“It almost feels like there’s a lot of bravado, a ‘let’s drink our way through it’ sort of attitude,” she says. “With my sober-curious goggles on, it does seem like underneath there’s a lot of fear.”

Her evaluation is backed by psychological science. “It makes a lot of sense that people are drinking more during this time: They want instant relief from anxiety, boredom, depression, and just not wanting to feel their feelings — alcohol offers a solution to that,” says Lindsay Hayden, a New York-based licensed mental health counselor who specializes in addiction.

Hayden warns that without the structure and routine of normal life, those who are using only alcohol as a coping mechanism could soon be facing more serious issues. “Not everyone who is relying on alcohol will come out of the pandemic with an alcohol addiction, but it is definitely something people should be watching out for,” she says.

Drinking Habits During a Recession

While the “new normal” of quarantine life is unprecedented to all experiencing it, at least some of what comes after Covid-19 is not without parallel. By many accounts, the world economy is headed into a long and potentially deep recession. The IMF predicts the coronavirus crisis could knock as much as $9 trillion off global GDP over the next two years. If previous recessions are benchmarks, that doesn’t spell good news for the low- and no-ABV movements.

During the eight-month 2001 recession, whose economic impact lasted for several years, alcohol volume sales grew year-over-year, totaling a 4 percent increase between 2001 and 2004, according to IWSR’s chief operating officer, Brandy Rand.

While alcohol sales growth was somewhat flat during the Great Recession of December 2007 to June 2009, that was only because of declining beer sales. “[U]nemployment rate at the end of 2009 was 10 percent, yet there was still an upward consumption trend outside of beer,” Rand explains.

The purchasing habits from both of the most recent recessions indicate that when economic times are tough, consumers turn to the bottle. Amid the uncertainty, and with less cash in their pockets, they also favor higher-ABV beverages to leverage more bang for buck.

Lisa Laird Dunn, executive vice president of Laird & Company, predicts a similar trend this time around. Founded in 1780, her family runs the oldest licensed distillery in America. In its 200-plus-year history, Laird & Co. has survived more than 30 recessions, two world wars, and even Prohibition.

While known for its Applejack, the distillery’s portfolio contains a broad range of products, priced from high- end to value brands. Laird Dunn confirms that the company’s lower-priced value brands typically sell best during a recession and expects to see a repeat of this trend following Covid-19. “I think you’ll find that there will be more price shopping versus just brand shopping,” she says.

But national sales statistics and the experience of recession-defying distilleries paint just part of the picture.

In January 2013, the University of Buffalo published a study on alcohol use during the Great Recession. Polling more than 2 million Americans between 2006 and 2010, the study uncovered notable increases in heavy drinking (3.9 percent) and frequent binge drinking (7.1 percent), but also found a slight increase in abstention from alcohol (0.8 percent). Put more simply: Not everyone decided to drink more. And there’s more than just anecdotal references to prove the same thing is happening right now.

On Thursday, global research firm Wine Intelligence published its first Covid-19-related consumer analysis report. Based on data collected at the end of March and beginning of April, the report found that, on average, wine consumption has remained stable during lockdown. But once again, this trend only tells part of the story.

“We’re seeing an increase in frequency of wine consumption amongst more engaged wine drinkers,” says CEO Lulie Halstead. “So those who were already drinking wine at higher frequencies are increasing that frequency.”

On the flip side, younger drinkers who were just discovering wine are now drinking it much less frequently than before, she adds. While this finding is based on data collected in Australia, Halstead says early examinations of international data appear to show a similar trend in other markets.

Hope For the Low- and No-ABV Movements

During previous recessions, those who opted not to drink were limited to sodas, seltzers, and water. But this time around, the market is already awash with interesting alcohol alternatives. From no-ABV beers to zero-proof spirits, there are a number of non-alcoholic options that taste just like the real thing (or pretty darn close) without the alcohol and with fewer calories. If consumers can get past price concerns, the compelling flavors and low-calorie appeal of these products could help keep the low and no movements humming along.

As one notable example, Scottish brewery BrewDog has reported strong demand for its range of alcohol-free beers this year. Compared to the last four months of 2019, volume sales on its e-commerce platform have surged more than 350 percent between January and April of this year.

“Just last week, we had our strongest day of online sales ever with the launch of our newest NA beer: Ghost Walker,” says CEO Jason Block. Demand from wholesalers has been stronger still, with volume growth reaching quadruple digits during the first four months of 2020.

The thirst for no-ABV spirits appears to be similarly strong. Ritual Zero Proof, a non-alcoholic beverage brand that offers gin, tequila, and whiskey alternatives, sold its entire six-month inventory in just five weeks when it launched in September last year. Despite the current global pandemic, March 2020 sales were up 16 percent over February, and April sales are on track to double that.

“Spirit alternatives like Ritual are today what veggie burgers and almond milk were a few years back: New, easy to knock, and so broadly desired there are now sections in the grocery store dedicated to them,” says founding partner Marcus Sakey. “Almond milk did $5.3 billion in 2018.”

Support from internationally acclaimed bartenders has given these alternatives further credentials. At Bar Kumiko in Chicago, partner and director Julia Momose curated an extensive “Spiritfrees” cocktail menu. The bar is currently offering five of these drinks as part of a temporary to-go menu.

One of the most vocal supporters of the low- and no-ABV drinks has been Derek Brown, owner of Washington D.C.’s Columbia Room. In February, Brown authored a high-profile article on embracing “mindful drinking” and detailing his own complicated relationship with alcohol.

Brown believes zero-proof cocktails can be just as delicious, interesting, and thought-provoking as those with booze. While he’s also noticed an anecdotal increase in alcohol consumption, he doesn’t think that will harm the low and no movements. In fact, Brown believes our current situation might serve as a wake-up call for many. “A lot of people who went into this wondering whether they had a drinking problem will come out of it knowing the answer to that,” he says.

For those who do, there’s never been a broader range of alternatives and support to help change those habits.

The article Will the Low- and No-ABV Movements Survive Covid-19? appeared first on VinePair.

Via https://vinepair.com/articles/coronavirus-impact-low-no-alcohol-movements/

source https://vinology1.weebly.com/blog/will-the-low-and-no-abv-movements-survive-covid-19

[apartyofone]

The answer is...

It’s time for my yearly assignment. 

This milestone is inspired by a politician. Oh FUCK no - not the one who is infesting the Oval Office. He only inspires disgust.

No it was a campaign line uttered by the previous low-bar occupant in the WH - Ronnie Raygun himself. In a debate with the well meaning but inept incumbent Jimmy Carter, RR turned to the audience and asked: “Are you better off today than you were four years ago.” America said a loud and resounding “no” a few months later in the November electoral massacre. Reagan revolution, trickle down bullshit, Iran Contra…..yes, we were MUCH better off with the actor.

But I digress:

For my personal use, I’ve modified this to: “Am I better off today than I was a year ago.”

And the answer is…..complicated.

2017 had amazing highs and resounding lows. We’ll start with the good stuff:

This is the year I went to Paris for the first - but certainly not the last time. And I was able to share it with my children. It was magical. Even a simple Uber drive across the city through this one of a kind city became the stuff of my dreams many weeks later. Yeah, I’m way late to the party on Paris, but most Oregon kids travel west in their youth. How many of my 2.7 readers spent 6 weeks in the outer islands of French Polynesia? 

That was the highest of the highs. A life long dream. And a new direction to be pursued. I’m going to live there - I know a lot of people just say that - but I mean it. The clock is ticking. 4.25 years.

Must learn french. Or find a french maid. Or both. Am taking applications. 

Other travel highs - spending a week in a flat in London for a book show, and returning to my favorite museum on earth - IWM. I’ll be back there soon! Spent time in So Cal with long lost relatives. Was in Portland a few times with my Mom helping her to get established in her new digs. Found an amazing hotel in - of all places - St. Louis that merits a return trip or 6. 

Another high was a low - in terms of my weight. I lost a ton of it. On my March birthday I weighed just about the same as when I graduated from college. It took a huge amount of work - thank you Nutrisystems. I knew I could do it. And I know I can do it again. Sigh. More about that below.

Other health issues pluses - I found great relief from my chronic asthma with a drug called Nucala. I was able to get off that killer drug Prednisone for the first time in years. (Although that too had side effects - see below.) And with an even better drug just released this month I’m finally on my way to a life of normal breathing. Found a way to get relief from the four broken bones that I walk around with. Lesson learned was that I need to spend time and effort to research on my own. Modern medicine works for those who work at it. 

Career wise this year was an all time high. My self publishing company continues to grow by leaps and bounds. We’re moving into new offices at the beginning of the year. My boss - with whom I have a true love/hate/despise relationship - has mostly gotten out of my way. 

I hosted our brand’s first conference for indie authors in November. Was a huge success and I did a pretty good job with my ‘stand up routine’ as the opening keynote speaker. All told I spoke at 12 book shows around the US and Europe in 2017, including BEA and London Book Fair.

I have a weekly email that goes out to 150K of our author community that allows me a chance to converse and interact. And late in the year we hired a PR firm that’s going to get some of my posts hopefully into Forbe, Inc. and other reputable outlets. 

Financially - I’m finally out of the burden of alimony. Still paying off her crazy credit card debt but almost there. By end of next year I’ll be basically whole from the divorce. Can’t get those lost years back but…. How much do flats cost in Paris?

On the family front: At year’s end both my kids are doing well. S is entering her last year at Temple and thriving. C has been through a rough year in his transition, living with X and the hillbilly drunk ex cop. But as related a few days ago he’s moved in with me and so things are ending on a high note. 

My Mom’s doing well in her transition from southern Oregon to Portland. My brother remains an asshat so status quo.

Let’s see what else is good: The Eagles don’t suck. Oregon is on its way back even after its brand new coach deserted the squad for FSU. 

I met some new and interesting people late in the year. Lots of first dates with people who chose not to send me recent/real photos of themselves. Sigh. Others were more truthful. More to come of that I hope.

And finally - I learned the joys of Suis Vide cooking. I’ll never just grill again.

And one more huge positive must be noted. Addition by subtraction. I parted ways with D in the middle of the year. I just found an old draft of a post that I started back last summer but never completed and posted. It’s a few entries down for context.

We had a mostly very fun 19 month run. We had lots of unique common interests. But that alone couldn’t hide the other major differences we had over a range of issues. Now looking back five months, it was the most significant event of the year - and a change for the better. Sanity has prevailed.

 OK, now to the lows:

If D was addition by subtraction….it can go the other way too. There was subtraction by addition in my career life. I forced out the guy who had inherited my job as Chief Marketing Officer - he was doing a miserable job. So in the middle of this year I had to take over his duties. The result has been about 25% more hours spent either at the office or working from home.

My quality of life suffered terribly through the summer and fall. Most of these 2.7 readers know that biking around Bucks County and the Delaware Canal has been a yearly passion of mine. I’d take 20-25 trips out a summer at minimum.

My biking trips in 2017: 0

I either didn’t have the time or energy. It probably didn’t help that D bought me a brand new bike for my birthday and looking at it was a buzzkill. I think I’m going to sell it off and start fresh.

Another reason for my lack of bike rides was all the progress I made on my asthma. Yes, it’s good that I don’t have to depend on the drug to allow me to breathe. But it also masked something else all these years - an incredibly painful arthritis condition that I wasn’t aware of. It made the simple act of going up/down stairs a torture. I’m getting a bit of relief now but that’s going to be my focus on 2018.

And that weight I lost early in 2017? Yeah, most of it’s back. I’ll get back into the routine that gave me success early last year and I’ll be back down in a couple of months. Cross fingers and hold the croissants. 

My son C scuffled the entire year. Yes, he’s with me now and on the upswing. But wondering just what in the fuck was going on in his head for the first 9 months of it was a real mental anchor. As to his future? It’s a priority for me to help him - not lead, direct, dictate of course. I can give him options. He has to pull  himself along; my days of pushing are over.

Let’s see, what else sucked about 2017. My decrepit cat is still alive. 

Oh yeah, Trump. He is every bit the man I thought he would be. FUCKING. TOLD. YOU. SO. DEPLORABLES! I spent the first three months of this year in a dark cloud - the posts on this blog reflect it. My creativity was sapped. I couldn’t write/think/say anything without that idiot on my mind. And the damage he is causing this country by the hour is almost more than I can bear to think about. I’m not over it - I’m just looking ahead to 2018 when we can torch the GOP and scrub the stain out of the Oval Office.

Ah, but let’s end on a positive and high note here. 

Am I better off today than I was a year ago?  An unnqualified yes. 

Arrows are up in all the most important ways. Family, if C continues his trajectory. Health, if I keep working at it. Career, if I can find a new marketing guy I trust. And personal life because the four poster iron bed is tightened up and ready. : ) 

[drferox]

Could you do an evaluation on German Shepherds?

I knew this question would come. German Shepherds are so notorious from a health perspective. They are also extremely common and a well-loved breed with many devoted enthusiasts, and I’m bound to offend somebody by not being suitably approving of their favorite breed. So let me start with this disclaimer:

Now, with that in mind, let’s talk specifically about German Shepherds.

“Anything that can go wrong, will go wrong… in a German Shepherd.” - Veterinary Pathologists

Many a vet student wizened to the fact early in their studies that if they were presented with a question like “Name a breed in which X occurs”, there was a better than 50% chance that ‘German Shepherd’ would be one of the right answers. That should tell you an awful lot about the breed.

Now, I have to tell you this because I find it really interesting, most dog breeds have multiple different types of Macro Histocompatability proteins (MHC for short). Most dogs will have two different sorts, and in any given breed you might find individuals with all sorts of different variations of the MHC proteins. Certain breeds have a reduced diversity, and may only contain two or three types of MHC proteins in their population. The German Shepherd breed only contains one type of MHC protein.

The significance of this is not immediately obvious, but this is evidence of a lack of genetic diversity within the breed, and is likely linked to an increased incidence of allergy, auto-immune disorders and cancer. Personally I find genetics intensely interesting, but that’s not what you came to ask me about, now is it?

I’m not going to talk about everything. It would make it seem like this breed gets every single possible ailment for dogs under the sun, but I will let you judge that instead by looking at the list of concerns for the breed in the Inherited Disorders Database. I’m fairly sure it’s the longest. You can find more information there, but I’m going to restrict this post to only the things I see most commonly. 

Skeleton.

Lets briefly skim over the fact that ‘show dogs’ are being bred for such a bizarre sloping back that prize winning dogs are now basically walking on their hocks instead of their toes.

(Above a winner from Crufts ‘16) (Below a US National Dog Show winner ‘15)

Dogs normally stand on their toes. Standing on their hocks is extremely abnormal and deeply unsettling for me to see, because I usually associate it with a electrolyte disorder, but these dogs are being bred for ‘that look’.

Hip dysplasia and elbow dyslasia are sill major issues in the breed, and is it any wonder why? Single view hip screening does widely take place, but this has clearly been ineffective because there has only been a 1% improvement in hip dysplasia rates across the breed. Keep in mind that many breeders of many breeds will simply not send Xrays in to this database if they know the dog has bad hips, and the problem is probably worse than that.

Degenerative myelopathy is relatively common in this breed, if they live long enough, but it’s reasonably common in many larger breeds of advanced age, so I’m not convinced it’s a specific German Shepherd thing. It is something that I can’t do anything to treat, and one of the more common non-traumatic reason for euthanasia.

This is a breed highly prone to anxiety. It angers me in particular when owners know their dog is anxious, but like it that way because they wanted a dog who was ‘vigilant’ or would be ‘a good guard dog’ and don’t give a damn that there dog is perpetually on the cusp of panic. These are the sorts of dogs that will snap without warning, or will lick their skin down to bone. I believe indiscriminate breeding, especially backyard breeders who throw any two nice looking dogs together, are to blame for the psychological instability present in many of these dogs. Socializing and proper training is not an adequate fix for many of these dogs, and I have had to euthanize some in the past that simply became too dangerous and unpredictable despite their owner’s experience and dedication.

German Shepherds are the ‘classic’ breed for the clotting disorder Haemophillia, but they also get von Willebrands disorder. Haemophillia seems to be less common because it is well understood genetically, but von willebrands has been harder to eliminate. I’m hopeful that its incidence could be reduced over the next 10-15 years, but I will wait to see what happens.

They are also the ‘classic’ breed for splenic haemangiosarcoma. So much so that they are the only breed where I have wondered about whether it would be worth doing  prophylactic splenectomy. (It’s still probably not). I think this is related to the inbreeding and the reduction in genetic diversity as evidenced by the MHC protein situation rather than deliberately selecting for it, but first generation German Shepherd crosses also present for this more often than other breeds in my experience. (And from shifts in an emergency clinic, this is not a rare occurrence).

Realistically, any time I know a German Shepherd is on its way in with a big abdomen, my first thought is haemangiosarcoma. My second thought is Gastric Dilatation Volvulus (Bloat). The deep chest of this large breed makes them anatomically prone to this condition. It’s not really genetic so much as anatomical, but is something all owners should be aware of. If it happens there is only a short window of time in which the dog can be saved.

One of the more interesting conditions this breed presents with (I find diseases interesting. It’s a useful trait in my profession) is Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency. Basically the pancreas, responsible for the majority of the dog’s digestive enzymes, stops doing one of its two most important jobs, namely producing all of those digestive enzymes. Affected dogs can eat as much as they like but will still functionally starve to death without ongoing treatment, as they simply can’t digest their food. It’s very interesting, but also rather unfortunate.

And finally at the tail end of the dog we might find perianal furunculosis (I recommend you do not google pictures of this if you are squeamish). It is a painful, irritating, itchy lesion around the anus that seems to respond to immunosuppresive therapy, but some dogs need a huge bucket-load of immunosuppressives to get anywhere. They’re just awful to deal with, for the human and the dog. It’s like having a semi-permanent abscess next to your anus, and for some reason the majority (80%+) of cases are in German Shepherds and their mixes.

I have a theory that certain breeds who have historically suffered a sudden upswing in popularity become indiscriminately bred for a short while to meet demand, and their mental stability and health as a breed deteriorates as a result. Cocker Spaniels (Lady & the Tramp) and Dalmations (101 Dalmations) would be examples of this. I think German Shepherds have had this going on for an extended period of time due to their lasting popularity.

Despite it all there are some people, vets included, that are completely devoted to this breed. There is no denying though that it has many, many issues. It would also be naive to say that all of these issues are confined to just show lines, or just particular bloodlines. Many of them are universal across the breed, and in the future we may well find that the German Shepherd in its current form is unsustainable without crossing to related breeds who have not suffered the same problems.

[isaiahrippinus]

Will the Low- and No-ABV Movements Survive Covid-19?

If it seems like everyone in your social media feed is drinking more right now, they probably are. According to IWSR data shared with VinePair, retail alcohol sales during Covid-19 have hit double-digit growth, mirroring “holiday-type” volume and value spending.

Of course, any current data should be examined with the caveat that on-premise sales have plummeted, and many are replacing those purchases with stay-at-home Quarantinis. There’s also stockpiling to consider, though IWSR figures signal that the bulk of this took place during a two-week period in March, and sales since then have remained strong.

But just as our interactions with the physical world are largely confined to the views from our windows, we should not overlook the subjectivity of social media feeds. Put simply: Not everyone is drinking more right now.

“If anything, I’ve seen this kind of outpouring of, ‘Here are all the ways that I’m taking care of myself,’ and lots of people doing yoga and meditation,” says Sam Thonis, co-owner of Getaway, an alcohol-free bar in Brooklyn. Opened in April 2019, the bar has become a brick-and-mortar signifier of the growing low- and no-alcohol movements.

Prior to Covid-19, these movements had started gaining significant traction, with coverage reaching national media. By the end of last year, publications such as The Washington Post and The New York Times had devoted significant column inches to the popularity of lower-ABV spritz cocktails and hard seltzers, and the growing interest in the “sober-curious” lifestyle. While it was harder to back the “trend” with sales data, low- and no-ABV drinks had by then entered the cultural lexicon.

But like everything else right now, the future of the low and no movements feels delicately poised. Convincing drinkers that it might be a good idea to lower their alcohol consumption is difficult enough at the best of times, let alone in the midst of a global pandemic. And looking forward, there’s the dark cloud of recession looming on the horizon, which is likely to impact consumer spending. That could be a particular challenge for the zero-proof category, whose products have been priced at retail similarly to the boozy libations they were designed to replace. To boot: The non-alcoholic botanical “spirit” Seedlip sells for around $30 for 700 milliliters, while a slightly larger bottle of Bombay Sapphire gin sells for $25. These issues raise the question: What does Covid-19 mean for the future of the nascent low- and no-ABV movements?

Drinking Habits In a Global Pandemic

For Thonis, there’s no question that the zero-proof scene was gaining traction prior to Covid-19. After Getaway opened, it received significant press. While skeptics could argue it seemed like a niche “New York” concept, multiple operators around the country reached out to Thonis and told him they wanted to emulate his model.

Sales, too, seemed to indicate that the city that never sleeps was willing to take the occasional night off from booze. “Before March, when everything changed, the two normal months of 2020 were our best months yet,” he says. “We were on a serious upswing.”

Sadly, those sales have now crashed to nothing. Unlike some New York cocktail bars, Getaway hasn’t pivoted to takeaway or to-go options. And when stay-at-home orders are finally relaxed, Thonis realizes his bar’s offerings might be deemed as a luxury by some. “[Non-alcoholic cocktails] are not human necessities, unlike food and arguably alcohol,” he says.

Lifestyle writer Ruby Warrington has noticed contrasting attitudes on her social media feeds. In 2018, the New-York-based British author wrote a book on alcohol abstinence titled “Sober Curious.” Some have even credited the work with popularizing the no-ABV movement. Warrington also hosts a podcast of the same name and interacts via social media with a community of people who choose not to drink.

Many of those interactions have included people speaking about how glad they are that they don’t drink right now and don’t need to navigate hangovers in the midst of a pandemic. But when she opens her Facebook feed, which has a lot of people from her “pre-sober-curious life” in the U.K., she notices some friends repeating the kind of statements that could double as a quarantine meme, such as “How early is too early to start drinking?” and “Drinking alone doesn’t count in a crisis.”

“It almost feels like there’s a lot of bravado, a ‘let’s drink our way through it’ sort of attitude,” she says. “With my sober-curious goggles on, it does seem like underneath there’s a lot of fear.”

Her evaluation is backed by psychological science. “It makes a lot of sense that people are drinking more during this time: They want instant relief from anxiety, boredom, depression, and just not wanting to feel their feelings — alcohol offers a solution to that,” says Lindsay Hayden, a New York-based licensed mental health counselor who specializes in addiction.

Hayden warns that without the structure and routine of normal life, those who are using only alcohol as a coping mechanism could soon be facing more serious issues. “Not everyone who is relying on alcohol will come out of the pandemic with an alcohol addiction, but it is definitely something people should be watching out for,” she says.

Drinking Habits During a Recession

While the “new normal” of quarantine life is unprecedented to all experiencing it, at least some of what comes after Covid-19 is not without parallel. By many accounts, the world economy is headed into a long and potentially deep recession. The IMF predicts the coronavirus crisis could knock as much as $9 trillion off global GDP over the next two years. If previous recessions are benchmarks, that doesn’t spell good news for the low- and no-ABV movements.

During the eight-month 2001 recession, whose economic impact lasted for several years, alcohol volume sales grew year-over-year, totaling a 4 percent increase between 2001 and 2004, according to IWSR’s chief operating officer, Brandy Rand.

While alcohol sales growth was somewhat flat during the Great Recession of December 2007 to June 2009, that was only because of declining beer sales. “[U]nemployment rate at the end of 2009 was 10 percent, yet there was still an upward consumption trend outside of beer,” Rand explains.

The purchasing habits from both of the most recent recessions indicate that when economic times are tough, consumers turn to the bottle. Amid the uncertainty, and with less cash in their pockets, they also favor higher-ABV beverages to leverage more bang for buck.

Lisa Laird Dunn, executive vice president of Laird & Company, predicts a similar trend this time around. Founded in 1780, her family runs the oldest licensed distillery in America. In its 200-plus-year history, Laird & Co. has survived more than 30 recessions, two world wars, and even Prohibition.

While known for its Applejack, the distillery’s portfolio contains a broad range of products, priced from high- end to value brands. Laird Dunn confirms that the company’s lower-priced value brands typically sell best during a recession and expects to see a repeat of this trend following Covid-19. “I think you’ll find that there will be more price shopping versus just brand shopping,” she says.

But national sales statistics and the experience of recession-defying distilleries paint just part of the picture.

In January 2013, the University of Buffalo published a study on alcohol use during the Great Recession. Polling more than 2 million Americans between 2006 and 2010, the study uncovered notable increases in heavy drinking (3.9 percent) and frequent binge drinking (7.1 percent), but also found a slight increase in abstention from alcohol (0.8 percent). Put more simply: Not everyone decided to drink more. And there’s more than just anecdotal references to prove the same thing is happening right now.

On Thursday, global research firm Wine Intelligence published its first Covid-19-related consumer analysis report. Based on data collected at the end of March and beginning of April, the report found that, on average, wine consumption has remained stable during lockdown. But once again, this trend only tells part of the story.

“We’re seeing an increase in frequency of wine consumption amongst more engaged wine drinkers,” says CEO Lulie Halstead. “So those who were already drinking wine at higher frequencies are increasing that frequency.”

On the flip side, younger drinkers who were just discovering wine are now drinking it much less frequently than before, she adds. While this finding is based on data collected in Australia, Halstead says early examinations of international data appear to show a similar trend in other markets.

Hope For the Low- and No-ABV Movements

During previous recessions, those who opted not to drink were limited to sodas, seltzers, and water. But this time around, the market is already awash with interesting alcohol alternatives. From no-ABV beers to zero-proof spirits, there are a number of non-alcoholic options that taste just like the real thing (or pretty darn close) without the alcohol and with fewer calories. If consumers can get past price concerns, the compelling flavors and low-calorie appeal of these products could help keep the low and no movements humming along.

As one notable example, Scottish brewery BrewDog has reported strong demand for its range of alcohol-free beers this year. Compared to the last four months of 2019, volume sales on its e-commerce platform have surged more than 350 percent between January and April of this year.

“Just last week, we had our strongest day of online sales ever with the launch of our newest NA beer: Ghost Walker,” says CEO Jason Block. Demand from wholesalers has been stronger still, with volume growth reaching quadruple digits during the first four months of 2020.

The thirst for no-ABV spirits appears to be similarly strong. Ritual Zero Proof, a non-alcoholic beverage brand that offers gin, tequila, and whiskey alternatives, sold its entire six-month inventory in just five weeks when it launched in September last year. Despite the current global pandemic, March 2020 sales were up 16 percent over February, and April sales are on track to double that.

“Spirit alternatives like Ritual are today what veggie burgers and almond milk were a few years back: New, easy to knock, and so broadly desired there are now sections in the grocery store dedicated to them,” says founding partner Marcus Sakey. “Almond milk did $5.3 billion in 2018.”

Support from internationally acclaimed bartenders has given these alternatives further credentials. At Bar Kumiko in Chicago, partner and director Julia Momose curated an extensive “Spiritfrees” cocktail menu. The bar is currently offering five of these drinks as part of a temporary to-go menu.

One of the most vocal supporters of the low- and no-ABV drinks has been Derek Brown, owner of Washington D.C.’s Columbia Room. In February, Brown authored a high-profile article on embracing “mindful drinking” and detailing his own complicated relationship with alcohol.

Brown believes zero-proof cocktails can be just as delicious, interesting, and thought-provoking as those with booze. While he’s also noticed an anecdotal increase in alcohol consumption, he doesn’t think that will harm the low and no movements. In fact, Brown believes our current situation might serve as a wake-up call for many. “A lot of people who went into this wondering whether they had a drinking problem will come out of it knowing the answer to that,” he says.

For those who do, there’s never been a broader range of alternatives and support to help change those habits.

The article Will the Low- and No-ABV Movements Survive Covid-19? appeared first on VinePair.

source https://vinepair.com/articles/coronavirus-impact-low-no-alcohol-movements/ source https://vinology1.tumblr.com/post/616288664749834240

[maxihealth]

How the Coronavirus and Technology Are Reshaping Home-Work, -Life and -Health

As people conform to the #StayHome lifestyle to #FlattenTheCurve of the coronavirus pandemic, technology is transforming peoples’ home lives for working, playing, and socializing.

The Consumer Technology Association has conducted the COVID-19 Impact Study assessing the use of technology at home, exploring U.S. households’ changing behaviors for consuming content, stocking the pantry, engaging with social media, and using online health and fitness tools.

This research surveyed 1,004 U.S. adults 18 and over in March 2020 — early in the U.S. pandemic’s national “curve.”

U.S. consumers’ top five technology purchases in mid-March 2020 were for smartphones, laptop computers, TVs, and headphones/earbuds.

These become the tech-platforms for people working, living, socializing, and accessing health care virtually at home.

It’s useful to consider peoples’ new normal-at-home in terms of Maslow’s hierarchy. Here’s a great illustration of the hierarchy by urban designer/civic specialist  Mallory Basches which graphically portrays the hierarchy with symbols for each level of need — at the base, physiological basic needs (food, water, warmth, rest); above that, security and safety; third, the need for socialization and connection (intimate relationships, friends); fourth, approval and recognition; and finally at the apex, the need for self-actualization and personal achievement.

For living in the COVID-19 era, the most basic needs in Maslow’s hierarchy have dealt with grocery shopping and filling the pandemic pantry as Nielsen has coined the phenomenon. Consumers have increase their use of online services for ordering houeshold items, CTA’s poll found.

As people practice physical distancing, they’ve amped up their use of ecommerce platforms for shopping for household items, food, and other goods for cocooning at home. Amazon and Walmart as shopping platforms, and grocery delivery channels such as Instacart and Peapod, are working overtime to address the demands of online consumers.

Demand for subscription meal-kits have also grown in this #StayHome life, and many consumers also ordering from take-out services their local restaurants offer to stay in business as essential services in communities that have locked-down retail and other brick-and-mortar services. Nearly one-fourth of U.S. consumers are using online ordering more often, and half of people using it about the same amount.

For entertainment, 1 in 2 U.S. consumers are watching live TV more often, 1 in 2 watching online streaming video more often (such as Disney+ and Netflix), and one-third are playing online video games more often as well as listneing to online streaming music (like Apple Music or Spotify).

One in four people are using a new streaming video service for the first time, and 14% a new streaming service that offers live TV (e.g., Sling TV, YouTube TV).

Gaming is up: Twitch and YouTube Gaming, for example, are benefiting from rising demand for online gaming, and Xbox Live and PlayStation Plus are gaining new adopters.

For socializing, the uptake in using social media more often has clearly attracted new users and more intense use by existing users. Grandparents, physically separated from beloved grandchildren, have become “Baby Zoomers” with Boomers adopting Zoom, Skype and Facetime for virtual meet-ups with family members. [At this Easter and Passover spring season, we’ll see virtual meals and Seder get-togethers happening over the tech platforms to be a new-normal for now in helping families convene with loved ones sharing rituals].

Social networks facilitate virtual cocktail hours, work groups, and religious communities to come together, bolstering one of Maslow’s key human needs: the need for connections to avert isolation and loneliness, risk factors for mental health, exacerbating dementia, and other physical health conditions.

For health and fitness, the most-recommended physical activity has been walking outside — being mindful about keeping 6 feet apart through social distancing. But technology is also playing a role inside the home for supporting online health and fitness.

11% of people are using health and fitness services online more often, and 43% about the same. Affluent houesholds drive this trend, CTA found: 1 in 4 affluent folks are using online health and fitness services more often. [Sidebar: this has been a criticism of a digital health divide based on socioeconomic status for some time].

Other research such as this report from Kaiser Health News identified the quick adoption of telemedicine services in the COVID-19 pandemic. Some consumers experienced several hours’ wait times for telehealth company services in “virtual waiting rooms.”

CTA summarizes that, “the coronavirus outbreak has simply accelerated an existing uptrend [of technology adoption at home]…this could be the catalyst that pulls in millions of new users…for the time being, Americans are relying on these tech solutions to stay safe, but the convenience and value they offer might help them stick around long after the crisis.”

Health Populi’s Hot Points:  As people increasingly adopt digital life-styles across their daily life-flows, their personal Maslow Hierarchies morph into digital needs from basic through self-fulfilment needs. Here’s how Dentsu Aegis characterized this updated hierarchy in their study on the 2019 Digital Society Index.

The CTA study revealed a snippet of health consumers’ adoption of online services for health in the COVID-19 era. There are many flows for healthcare and wellness underneath these consumer statistics.

In the physiological and safety needs for COVID-19 consumers, the demand for cleanliness, hygiene, and self-care is bolstered through ecommerce channels. Amazon quickly suppressed sellers who were gouging consumers seeking masks, gloves, Lysol and other products for managing the pandemic at home. The hoarding of toilet tissue became a normal in most markets, with ties to Maslow’s basic needs clearly explained in this TIME essay.

The new basic need underpinning these are broadband and connectivity. Without connection to the N of 1, not just the “last mile,” that health consumer or caregiver with the slick new smartphone can’t access WiFi if it’s not available where they live and/or they can’t afford their data plan. The FCC is working to solve this challenge, which has been a long-overlooked social determinant of health for several years.

Searches on Google and WebMD have grown for topics from understanding the general C19 virus to self-care, the use of acetominophen vs. ibuprofen, or the Rx for hydrochloroquine which has not yet been approved on-label for the coronavirus, spurring a shortage of the medicine for on-label use for patients with lupus, malaria, and other conditions.

I’m with the CTA’s forecast as the #StayHome ethos permeates our work lives, social lives, and health-lives. This is telehealth’s moment to shine, as my colleagues in the field concur, with the ability to help people — both health consumers and caregivers, and providers — manage the risk of spreading the virus.

For now, in this COVID-19 moment with our local viral curves on the upswing, we’ll continue to physically distance while remaining close socially via virtual networks. Here’s the rationale from our most-trusted public health leaders: Dr. Fauci, Dr. Birx, and Dr. Adams. Stay well and stay home! Let’s #FlattenTheCurve, together.

The post How the Coronavirus and Technology Are Reshaping Home-Work, -Life and -Health appeared first on HealthPopuli.com.

How the Coronavirus and Technology Are Reshaping Home-Work, -Life and -Health posted first on https://carilloncitydental.blogspot.com

[vdbstore-blog]

New Post has been published on Vintage Designer Handbags Online | Vintage Preowned Chanel Luxury Designer Brands Bags & Accessories

New Post has been published on http://vintagedesignerhandbagsonline.com/model-adwoa-aboah-in-2017-there-is-more-than-one-way-to-be-beautiful-%e2%80%8band-cool-fashion/

Model Adwoa Aboah: 'In 2017, there is more than one way to be beautiful ​and cool' | Fashion

Adwoa Aboah is ridiculously beautiful, but that is not what makes her the most in-demand model of the moment. Sure, the razor-sharp cheekbones and the blown-glass lips don’t do her prospects any harm. But there is something in her gaze to camera that makes her beauty seem as if it’s not the most compelling thing about her. It is this that has raised Aboah – face of a new Gap campaign, muse to Donatella Versace, booked for the catwalk by everyone from Christian Dior and Chanel to Marc Jacobs and Alexander Wang – above the modelling rank and file.

My first appointment with Aboah is cancelled because she hasn’t yet got out of bed. So far, so supermodel. But when we finally speak, it becomes clear that this Linda Evangelista moment is about as far as Aboah goes in terms of conformity to the modelling tradition of aloof, enigmatic beauty. After our interview, she has a busy day ahead. First, a meeting with Dr Lauren Hazzouri, a psychologist specialising in young women’s mental health. After that, it’s off to Gurls Talk, the online platform she founded to enable discussion about mental health, body image and sexuality, to plan an upcoming event. Forget castings and go-sees: Aboah is changing the rules of how a modern model makes it big.

In Gap’s new Bridging the Gap campaign. Photograph: Douglas Segars for Gap; gap.com/bridgingthegap

Earlier this year, Aboah stepped up from being the insider’s favourite face on the catwalk to being a major industry player when she appeared on the March cover of American Vogue, one of a lineup of seven models of differing skin tone and body shape. It is easy to mock this as a virtue-signalling Vogue stunt – the strategic placement of a hand that appeared to shield the Vogue readers’ delicate sensibilities from Ashley Graham’s size-14 thigh was a bit of an eye-roller – but the weight of glossy magazine history stands as proof that Vogue’s group model covers are markers for cultural shifts in the industry. Peter Lindbergh’s portrait of Naomi Campbell, Linda Evangelista, Tatjana Patitz, Cindy Crawford and Christy Turlington for the January 1990 edition of British Vogue was the image that consecrated the supermodels’ status as the goddesses of their age. The 2009 American Vogue gatefold cover of nine young models, with a coverline that read “the Real Lives of Models: Boyfriends, Babies, Closets, Catwalks, Diets, Dramas” made official the modern obsession with off-duty models. And this year’s cover, which placed Aboah and Graham alongside Gigi Hadid and Kendall Jenner – “The Beauty Revolution – No Norm is the New Norm”, read the text – signalled the moment the mainstream aesthetic finally embraced diversity.

The American Vogue cover matters because, until recently, fashion industry voices speaking up for diversity tended to be filed under “alternative”, and therefore sidelined. Things are changing. Today, Adwoa is on the line to talk about an advertising campaign for Gap in celebration of the white T-shirt, in which she stars in a video directed by Edward Enninful, the superstylist who will take the helm of British Vogue in two months’ time. The film is remarkable for the fact that, in an industry where diversity can often mean one token black model, non-white faces outnumber white in a studio full of models, actors and singers, including Yara Shahidi, Alek Wek and Wiz Khalifa. The message is serious but the mood is light, verging on silly, as the cast sing along to Sunny by Boney M. Diversity, says Adwoa, was explicitly the point. “There was something powerful in having a group of people on set with such different backgrounds,” Aboah says. “On set it was an incredible energy, a camaraderie that came from the idea that we are all fighting for the same cause.”

With best friend Cara Delevingne. Photograph: Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images

Aboah has known Enninful for years. As the daughter of uber-agent Camilla Lowther, she is fashion aristocracy – Cara Delevingne is her best friend – but the campaign was the first time she had collaborated professionally with the stylist. “It was an amazing experience. He’s just lovely to be on set with, because he’s still got that excitement about what he’s creating.” Aboah is excited to see what changes Enninful will bring to Vogue. “I love Vogue, and I have huge respect for the team there. But, as a magazine, it doesn’t represent what the country is now, or only a very small part of it. And I hope that Edward is going to make it something that represents all the amazing things about Britain. Vogue should be about giving a voice to all different cultures. In 2017, there is more than one way to be beautiful, and more than one way to be cool. And when you put an image on the cover of Vogue, that means something that goes beyond fashion.”

Aboah has a deep, gravelly voice and talks slowly with a self-assured seriousness. No end-of-sentence upswing, none of the girlish faux-intimacy endemic among young female celebrities. I notice this, and then I check myself for noticing it, because it makes me realise how unusual it is to engage with a 25-year-old woman who does not feel the need to temper having a strong opinion with being adorable, whose instinct on facing a camera is to tilt her chin upwards and issue an indomitable glare rather than a winning smile. Aboah, wise beyond her years, is passionate about the very real diversity problem still highly visible in the fashion industry (among the seven models who booked the most advertising campaigns this season, only one, Mica Argañaraz, was non-white). “People can get so lazy with their casting,” she sighs. Is it just laziness, I wonder, or something more pernicious? “Sometimes it is worse than laziness. Sometimes I think people just don’t care.”

In 2015, the year she appeared on her first Vogue cover, shot by Tim Walker for Vogue Italia, Aboah founded Gurls Talk. The following year, during which she was prominent on billboards in adverts for Calvin Klein underwear, she spoke openly about overcoming addiction, and about a history of depression that began in her early teens and reached its nadir with a suicide attempt in her early 20s. With her disarming frankness, she is the poster girl for a generation all too aware that life isn’t always pretty.

At the age of 13, Aboah started boarding school. Lonely and isolated, she began a teenage experimentation with drugs that escalated into addiction to ketamine. At university, depression led to what she has described as “self-medicating” with drugs, and her deeply concerned parents sent her to rehab in Arizona when she was 21. But, on her return to London, the intensity of her rising profile as a model, combined with continuing struggles with depression, fuelled the addictions and led to another stint in rehab, during which, in October 2015, she attempted suicide. She spent four days in a coma. Since then, treatment for depression, bipolar disorder and addiction have helped her find equilibrium. Recently, as part of the therapeutic process, she and her mother made a powerful film about the experience, and about the challenges of communication about mental health even within a loving family.

Because Gurls Talk is founded on the principle of open communication, Aboah felt that honesty about her own problems was essential. “I didn’t have loads of followers when I started Gurls Talk. I had no idea I would ever be doing as much modelling as I am now. Would I still have been so honest if I’d known that I would be in this position? I hope so. I think that honesty is why Gurls Talk works. I see on the site how one girl being really brave and honest leads to someone else opening up. Girls need that connection and it has to be authentic.” It is impossible to avoid the A-word in conversation with any woke millennial. Authenticity is a huge deal to Aboah’s generation, yin to the yang of Instagram, “this fake life that we try and project into the universe”.

Among diverse models for Gap’s Bridging the Gap campaign. Photograph: Douglas Segars for Gap; gap.com/bridgingthegap

Instagram is a central issue for Aboah. Gurls Talk is striking for being an attempt to use social media to project positive, affirming, accepting messages about female identity, in the context of an environment where much of the visual culture of social media promotes a narrow and unrealistic ideal. Aboah has become a spokesmodel for racial diversity, but her rise in the industry is not simply about skin colour. She also represents a broader shift – to the mainstreaming of alternative aesthetics, of a burgeoning sense that young women are starved of representational variety in fashion media.

It was when Aboah shaved her head, several years into her modelling life, that her career really took off. “It was a kind of a fuck-you to the industry, even if I wasn’t conscious of that at the time. I didn’t warn anyone, I just walked into my agency one day with all my hair shaved off. But they loved it. I love it, too – I’m definitely in no rush to grow it back.” She talked about the haircut experience in Teen Vogue: “I’ve learned to appreciate looking unique, and not having long, blond locks … at last. That in itself is the most important achievement,” she wrote. At 1.72m (5ft 8in) she stands out as several inches shorter than models with whom she shares a catwalk. With her red-tinted buzzcut and freckles, vintage-Portobello-mixed-with-Adidas wardrobe, Aboah’s look is in direct opposition to the lash-fluttering date-night sex appeal of model tradition. She can do the chameleon-model thing when required – see her April cover of Vogue Mexico, all sultry poise and Sade eyebrows – but it is remarkable how often her personal off-duty style, with its streetwear influences, makes it into her editorial photos. Even in American Vogue, Aboah appears in a Rodarte mesh T-shirt whose sporty vibe is close to her own off-duty look, accessorised with the same piles of brassy gold curb chains she often wears in her Instagram shots. She embodies the way designers Alessandro Michele of Gucci and Demna Gvasalia of Vetements and Balenciaga have used their catwalks to broaden definitions of beauty and cool to include a new celebration of outsider chic. The geek, the goth, the nerd and the misfit are fashion’s new muses.

Even with the power that comes with being as in-demand as Aboah is, modelling can be tough in that “it is a life where you are always on standby. You have no control over your schedule, which makes it really hard to have balance in life, to see your friends or have a boyfriend.” But it gives her a platform, “and there’s no way I could not use that. It’s not about having an opinion on every single thing just for the sake of it. I know what my causes are. And I care about them, so I’d rather get out there and talk about them than just play it safe.”

Source link