What's Your Fucking Problem (WYFP) - The What the Hell am I doing Edition

WYFP is our community's Saturday evening gathering to talk about our problems, empathize with one another, and share advice, pootie pictures, favorite adult beverages, and anything else that we think might help. Everyone and all sorts of troubles are welcome. May we find peace and healing here.
Won't you please share the joy of WYFP by recommending?

Thanks to all that have hosted this party in the past.  And thanks for letting me host tonight's show.  It's an honor.  But, truth be known, I really don't know what the hell I'm doing.

I’ve known a quite some time now that I’d be hosting WYFP tonight.  A little intimidating, because I’m not a diarist.  The diaries I’ve like the most have been thoroughly researched, properly analyzed, well-reasoned, well-written.  I don’t have the time, energy, skill or smarts to do diary-writing on Dkos justice.  I also have the attention span of a gnat.  Or maybe I’m just a perfectionist and understand my diaries would be lacking (whether they really were or not).  Oh, I can post comments.  But they’re usually nothing of substance, and thankfully, they get lost in an ocean of comments at Dkos.  In any case, I consider whatever comments I make to be more like therapy, a simple statement of reflection, blowing off steam, expressing frustration and/or outrage.  Or, like here at WYFP, to express empathy, sympathy, opinion, offer a suggestion, or just to have a really, really good laugh.  

I have the impression, there are a lot of people like me at Dkos.  That’s the beauty of being here.  You're as involved as you want to be.

My fucking problem (yeah, I can say fucking, because I have a fucking potty mouth, so there), is the fucking problem I’ve have since April 30, 2004, and is the fucking problem I will have approaching every April 30, which is the anniversary of my momma’s death.  She was my soul-mate.  Of course, I miss her all the time, but as any of you who has lost someone you’re very close to knows, when you start approaching that anniversary date, it hits you harder.  I’m of the understanding this gets better as time goes on.  I’m certain it’s true. Well, I’m hoping it’s true.

I miss me mommy.  And she'd be so pissed if she knew I was still mourning her loss.  But that's MFP, isn't it.  The world doesn't end, and life goes on.  Another year passes, a little more of the pain is numbed.  I know it won't be long, I'll be able to look back at all those wonderful years, and I'll be feeling more joy from memories than pain from loss.  That's certainly how mom wanted it.

And so, without further ado about absolutely nothing of consequence, please tell us, What's Your Fucking Problem?

•  My fucking problem...

  I have very little motivation to do anything at all.

  by PsiFighter37 on Sat Mar 31, 2007 at 05:04:44 PM PDT

  •  I could respond to this

    But I don't feel like it.  :-)

    by edwardssl on Sat Mar 31, 2007 at 05:34:54 PM PDT

    •  That's a really sweet

      tribute to your mom, edwardssl. I'm sorry for your loss....

      by jetskreemr on Sat Mar 31, 2007 at 05:36:21 PM PDT

  •  Gee, me too.

    I have to write a proposal this weekend, and I've been staring at it for at least 6 hours now.

    I'd rather blog. Or even clean the kitchen. (Didn't have the motivation for that, either, though.)

    Is it time to retire yet?

    by frostyinPA on Sat Mar 31, 2007 at 05:36:47 PM PDT

    •  Go for it. n/t

      by willb48 on Sat Mar 31, 2007 at 05:47:08 PM PDT

    •  Got up at 4 AM today to finish a proposal.

      Been staring at walls and doing mindless blogging ever since I got back from the post office.

      by dirkster42 on Sat Mar 31, 2007 at 06:35:56 PM PDT

  •  Ditto

    The apartment is still a mess, but I've spent all day playing games on the dang computer.

    Weight loss seems to have stagnated -- I'd like to lose at least 2-3 more pounds before I go back and see the doctor next month.

    I've got the beginnings of a novel in my head that I can't seem to get out on paper.

    And I'm hosting WYFP in 3 weeks and have to live up to YOUR example, edwards...good job...

    by Cali Scribe on Sat Mar 31, 2007 at 07:11:54 PM PDT

    •  great widget suggestion n/t

      by newfie53523 on Sat Mar 31, 2007 at 07:23:19 PM PDT

•  i don't think my friend is gonna run

  for office again. it's all about bullshit too.

  that's my FP.

  "after the Rapture, we get all their shit"

  It's time: the albany project.

  by lipris on Sat Mar 31, 2007 at 05:05:55 PM PDT

  •  oh, and my other FP

    i posted my diary right before WYFP. that was fucking genius.

    "after the Rapture, we get all their shit"

    It's time: the albany project.

    by lipris on Sat Mar 31, 2007 at 05:10:24 PM PDT

•  MFP?

  I wish I were in Massachusetts.

  by GOTV on Sat Mar 31, 2007 at 05:06:08 PM PDT

  •  MFP?

    I cant afford to continue living in Massachusetts.

    by ablington on Sat Mar 31, 2007 at 05:12:38 PM PDT

    •  Let's swtich.

      What do you think of Michigan?

      by GOTV on Sat Mar 31, 2007 at 05:15:20 PM PDT

      •  Well, its affordable!

        Im a New England gal, though. Freshwater is for wimps.

        by ablington on Sat Mar 31, 2007 at 05:17:43 PM PDT

        •  Oh, yeah?

          Lake Erie circa 1970 wasn't so fresh, nor so wimpy.

          by GOTV on Sat Mar 31, 2007 at 05:19:28 PM PDT

        •  Nauset Beach.... 58 degrees in summer

          bracing.

          by Trim Your Bush on Sat Mar 31, 2007 at 07:09:30 PM PDT

        •  Oh yeah? Ever hear of the Edmund

          Fitzgerald?

          Lake Superior is not to be mocked.

          by Ice Blue on Sat Mar 31, 2007 at 08:27:54 PM PDT

•  Somebody needs a tummy rub

  

  by LAMaestra on Sat Mar 31, 2007 at 05:06:23 PM PDT

  •  oh yeah.

    Look at that belly. Irresistible. So is that pootie the kind to tempt you into a belly rub just so he or she can grab your hand and kick at you?

    by astraea on Sat Mar 31, 2007 at 05:15:13 PM PDT

    •  I can just feel the nails digging into my wrist.

      by CTMET on Sat Mar 31, 2007 at 05:21:34 PM PDT

    •  Maybe he will, maybe he won't!

      He unleashes hell on an intermittent reinforcement schedule, tempting us mercilessly with the prospect that "maybe this time he won't bite me"!  This way he gets the pleasure of a tummy rub everytime, with the added bonus of a horrified shriek each time he chooses to ball up on a hand.

      by LAMaestra on Sat Mar 31, 2007 at 05:31:57 PM PDT

      •  Insidious little bastards, aren't they?

        Mine loves the belly rub. He falls down and rolls over, just begging for it. He latches on, but doesn't draw blood.

        by Trim Your Bush on Sat Mar 31, 2007 at 07:11:58 PM PDT

    •  Can you rub my tummy, too?

      

      by lorzie on Sat Mar 31, 2007 at 09:44:23 PM PDT

      •  Oh I really really want to!

        What a sweetie pie!!

        by LAMaestra on Sat Mar 31, 2007 at 09:50:16 PM PDT

  •  I have his twin!

    

    Same all white underbelly too. Though Chip would never expose it ;->

    by SanDiegoDem on Sat Mar 31, 2007 at 10:02:52 PM PDT

    •  WOW!!

      Just wow!  That's amazing!  

      by LAMaestra on Sun Apr 01, 2007 at 05:45:11 AM PDT

•  Speaking of Pets

  My poor doggie has permanently affixed herself to my leg.  We had some thunder in the area earlier, and she’s really freaked out.

  So I gotta be careful, one wrong move, and I’m going to trip and break my neck.

  The pootie hasn’t been seen for hours.

  Cowards, both.

  by edwardssl on Sat Mar 31, 2007 at 05:06:31 PM PDT

  •  Excellent job, edwardssl...

    Thank you.  I'm sorry about your mom.  

    Good luck with the cowards critters, and watch your step!  :)

    by shermanesq on Sat Mar 31, 2007 at 05:18:37 PM PDT

    •  I mentioned below

      I had written a better diary, but it wouldn't post.

      So this is the abbreviated version.

      But I'm still unhappy about it.

      I wish it would tell you what the posting problem is so that you can fix it.

      by edwardssl on Sat Mar 31, 2007 at 05:27:56 PM PDT

      •  I know, I've had that happen too

        it used to tell you in the old diary editor-- now it is harder to make a mistake, but when you do make one you have to pore over the whole thing trying to figure out what it is.

        by renaissance grrrl on Sat Mar 31, 2007 at 05:30:13 PM PDT

      •  It's fine and we thank you!

        And I'm sorry about your Mom.  I know what you mean about anniversaries.  March 26 was my dad's birthday, and even 11 years since he left us, I felt compelled to call my mom, who knew automatically why I called.  Those days still suck.

        by LAMaestra on Sat Mar 31, 2007 at 05:40:30 PM PDT

  •  Poor puppy

    Sympathies on the loss of your mom, edwardssl; April 30 is the anniversary of my dad's death--he died when I was a year old, so obviously it's been a while, and I can't really miss him personally, since I don't remember him. But of course, that in itself is a different kind of pain...

    by Zoskie on Sat Mar 31, 2007 at 05:23:36 PM PDT

    •  My mom's mother died when she was five.

      My mom hardly knew her, only remembers one thing about her, yet missed her mom her entire life because she missed out.

      So I know very well what you mean.

      by edwardssl on Sat Mar 31, 2007 at 05:37:55 PM PDT

  •  You under the tornado watch, too?

    I'm pissed my alert radio didn't go off when they posted it. Sounds like there's some thunder grumbling on the horizon here, too, just now.

    by musing85 on Sat Mar 31, 2007 at 05:42:41 PM PDT

    •  If we were under a watch, I didn't know it.

      I haven't had the TV on. But I don't think so.  Rained like hell, though.

      by edwardssl on Sat Mar 31, 2007 at 05:46:50 PM PDT

      •  Details

        available here, courtesy of the Storm Prediction Center.

        by musing85 on Sat Mar 31, 2007 at 05:57:47 PM PDT

        •  Oh. Thanks.

          I guess I should pay attention.  That's definitely in my area.

          by edwardssl on Sat Mar 31, 2007 at 05:59:56 PM PDT

          •  You know this is the best block party

            I've been to in the middle of a thunderstorm in quite a while.

            by llbear on Sat Mar 31, 2007 at 07:37:36 PM PDT

            •  Except

              I don't have a drink.

              by edwardssl on Sat Mar 31, 2007 at 07:51:21 PM PDT

  •  One of the neighborhood pooties

    chased my pootie back into my apartment about an hour and a half ago.  Growling, claws, scrambling balls of fur for about a minute until I got to the scene and chased the other pootie out.  Then I cleaned up the pile of fur they left behind.  I think that was a little more excitement than my cat had been counting on today.  She's napping it off now.  I didn't find any real scratches on her, so I think she's fine.

    by dirkster42 on Sat Mar 31, 2007 at 06:44:37 PM PDT

    •  That can be stressful.

      for everyone.

      My stepfather's cat actually invites his pootie friends into the house, because my stepfather keeps the back door ajar in nice weather.  He has the kind of kittie feeder that loads from the top, so it always stays full.  Or at least, SHOULD always stay full, except all the invited "guests" clean it out.

      by edwardssl on Sat Mar 31, 2007 at 06:57:39 PM PDT

  •  edwardssl: Same storm - different pet.

    

    And the bad news is it is raining buckets right now. Thunder, too. Kinda hard to type with Jack laying in my lap.

    by llbear on Sat Mar 31, 2007 at 07:00:38 PM PDT

    •  Mine is now at my feet.

      I'm using her as a footrest right now.

      Just wait until the thunder starts again, she'll be wrapped around my head!

      by edwardssl on Sat Mar 31, 2007 at 07:05:42 PM PDT

      •  Mine was under mine 3 hours ago--

        during the storm in Central Time Zone.

        by gazingoffsouthward on Sat Mar 31, 2007 at 10:01:44 PM PDT

•  MFP

  I’m going to be without the internets for a few weeks.  We’re moving into a smaller place to save some money, and Roadrunner will probably be down here within a few days.  So, I won’t get to spend much time with you fine people – and it is a bummer.

  Anyway – I’ll be back before too long.  It will be nice getting a breath of fresh air, so to speak.  I seem to have to move one way or another every year around this time.  

  Once this hectic April is over the BF and I will be in much better shape.  Just in case anyone wonders where I am, though... that’s the story.

  I ♥ dKos!

   

  by Dion on Sat Mar 31, 2007 at 05:07:53 PM PDT

  •  We will

    miss you, hurry back.  I'm saving your place.

    by mango on Sat Mar 31, 2007 at 05:16:08 PM PDT

    •  Thank you.

      Everyone here has been really great to this n00b and I appreciate it.  I'm lucky to have found this community.  I won't be gone any longer than I have to be.

      by Dion on Sat Mar 31, 2007 at 05:55:12 PM PDT

  •  asdf

    I predict that when you return to DKos in a few weeks, we'll be breathlessly following a new Bushco scandal and saying "This time, they're finally going down!"

    Just like we said during the previous 32 scandals.

    by saucy monkey on Sat Mar 31, 2007 at 05:29:05 PM PDT

  •  What a cute pupster!

    by edwardssl on Sat Mar 31, 2007 at 05:38:41 PM PDT

•  My Other FP . . .

  . . . pointless mindless ranting that's nothing more than an emotional rehash of last week's pointless mindless ranting.

  by GOTV on Sat Mar 31, 2007 at 05:08:06 PM PDT

  •  I don't care that you care!

    And you don't care that I don't care!

    by PsiFighter37 on Sat Mar 31, 2007 at 05:09:08 PM PDT

    •  I am not listening

      I am not listening. LA LA LA LA LA LA LA

      by saucy monkey on Sat Mar 31, 2007 at 05:30:11 PM PDT

  •  One of these days Im going to compose a rant

    cut and pasted from other rants and see if anyone notices.

    by ablington on Sat Mar 31, 2007 at 05:13:26 PM PDT

    •  Planned Plagiarism?

      Isn't there an organization for that ... ?

      It isn't easy being green.

      by emeraldmaiden on Sat Mar 31, 2007 at 05:21:25 PM PDT

      •  Joe Biden is the CEO. n/t

        by saucy monkey on Sat Mar 31, 2007 at 05:31:00 PM PDT

    •  Just make sure the styles match

      buhdydharma + BTD + MSOC = someone might notice.

      by renaissance grrrl on Sat Mar 31, 2007 at 05:22:49 PM PDT

      •  I think my computer would start smoking.

        by edwardssl on Sat Mar 31, 2007 at 05:39:28 PM PDT

    •  That's it...we need a DKos version

      of Turnitin.com

      You must be stopped...

      either that or we need a panel that has to approve rants before they are posted...lol...peer reviewed ranting.

      by Elise on Sat Mar 31, 2007 at 05:34:35 PM PDT

      •  That's a very fucking trenchant comment

        Have a fucking pony.

        by GOTV on Sat Mar 31, 2007 at 05:59:22 PM PDT

        •  Wow...

          I feel special! I know you don't just give those away to anyone :-)

          by Elise on Sat Mar 31, 2007 at 06:07:48 PM PDT

          •  That's true

            Not everyone can be as judicious with their ponies.  Some give them out so often, it's become as pointless as ranting.  

            by GOTV on Sat Mar 31, 2007 at 06:36:07 PM PDT

    •  Now that would be brilliant.

      by GOTV on Sat Mar 31, 2007 at 05:59:50 PM PDT

      •  Not anymore. I just gave my idea away publicly.

        Stupid public forum.

        by ablington on Sat Mar 31, 2007 at 06:09:31 PM PDT

        •  We won't tell anyone...

          we promise :-)

          by Elise on Sat Mar 31, 2007 at 06:32:58 PM PDT

    •  You could get away with it

      and have a lot of fun, too.

      call it Homage to Rants I've Read

      by llbear on Sat Mar 31, 2007 at 07:03:44 PM PDT

    •  rantcycling? n/t

      by newfie53523 on Sat Mar 31, 2007 at 07:26:12 PM PDT

  •  yeah but..

    ....at least this month's pointless mindless ranting is different than last month's pointless mindless ranting. I think.

    by justalittlebitcrazy on Sat Mar 31, 2007 at 05:36:41 PM PDT

•  MFP...

  Standard Problem...

  I'm a Union rep...
  Working for an oil company...
  During the Bush Administration.

  Additional Problem(s) This Week...

  Just getting over the world's worst flu...
  And I'm pretty sure the Phillies are gonna break my heart again this year.  Ever hear of a bullpen, guys?

  by Savage on Sat Mar 31, 2007 at 05:09:17 PM PDT

  •  Well your FP could be my pennant race

    by CTMET on Sat Mar 31, 2007 at 05:14:56 PM PDT

  •  I'm excited...

    ...for the Fightins.

    When was a year when we didn't have questions?

    I'm tempering my expectations as I know Philly Sports.  

    by ebradlee10 on Sat Mar 31, 2007 at 05:36:34 PM PDT

    •  I Sure Hope So...

      I love the line-up and the starting five, but if they don't get some arms in the 'pen, I foresee a lot of late inning 12-10 losses....

      by Savage on Sat Mar 31, 2007 at 05:42:20 PM PDT

      •  That's life

        If Manuel keeps the cranial-rectal inversion to a minimum we should win a majority of those.

        April & May are HUGE.  

        by ebradlee10 on Sat Mar 31, 2007 at 05:58:00 PM PDT

•  MFP is getting attacked for defending myself

  against bullies and arrogant people.
  Why is it when I try to defend myself against people who insult or bully me, other people jump down my throat and claim that I'm the one that’s out of line?  I’m so fucking sick of this, I really don’t know if I can take it anymore.  What is it about me that atracts these kinds of people?  They’re so ready and willing to defend people who don’t need defending, yet so quick to attack innocent people who are just trying not to let others get away with treating them like shit.
   In the most recent case someone accused (insulted) me of not knowing what I was talking about regarding a technical issue in my profession.  When I (somewhat snidely) included in my reply that I had 20+ years of experience in that particular industry, and therefore had some idea as to what the issues were, someone else responded that I was the one who out of line for making that comment.
   Seriously, I’m at the end of my rope, because this happens to me all the time!!!!  If I don’t defend myself, the bullies think they can get away with it all the time.  If I do defend myself, other people attack me.  I can’t seem to escape being treated like a pariah no matter what I do.

  by FoundingFatherDAR on Sat Mar 31, 2007 at 05:09:44 PM PDT

  •  I like you n/t

    by mango on Sat Mar 31, 2007 at 05:18:45 PM PDT

    •  Moi aussi! nt

      by Radiowalla on Sat Mar 31, 2007 at 05:23:55 PM PDT

  •  Are you talking about in person

    or online? My problem with e-mail is I don't always interpret the tone correctly. I'm especially bad about this at work, primarily because I feel more challenged there. I remember one time an in-house client was giving me "grief" about a project we were working on together. E-mails went back anf forth for a while. Eventually I stormed up to her office ready to let her have it. To my surprise she was grinning when I walked thru her door. Now, she could have made a quick recovery because I showed up, but I like to think I misread her tone. Anyway...I hope you work it out.
    Ready for saccharin? "It always works out in the end. If it's not worked out, it's not the end".

    by madgranny on Sat Mar 31, 2007 at 05:33:30 PM PDT

    •  Both. And some of the e-mails

      are virtually impossible to misinterpret; the comments are pretty straight forward attacks/put downs.

      by FoundingFatherDAR on Sat Mar 31, 2007 at 05:41:29 PM PDT

      •  The thing that keeps bullies going is

        if they can see that they're getting to you.  One possible answer, when one says something insulting, is to say, sincerely:  

        "I can see that you take this very seriously."

        As they're trying to figure that out, to see if it works out to be a compliment and then challenge you about it, say:

        "No, really, I can see this is important to you.  That's fine.  We all have our own points of view.  I don't happen to share yours, but I respect your right to have it."

        Refuse to tell them yours, put everything on them, from a positive point of view.  

        Give them nowhere to go.

        It's how you take your back power with bullies.

        Good luck.

        by jhritz on Sat Mar 31, 2007 at 06:04:30 PM PDT

        •  typo - power back, not back power :Oo

          by jhritz on Sat Mar 31, 2007 at 06:05:22 PM PDT

  •  Solutions

    Ether-and-tonic.

    Brisk walk in the morning.

    Choose a sig. line such as "Pray for Peace" and post pictures of your hamsters.

    Play soothing music on your xylophone.

    By the way, you have a lot of mojo.  Enjoy it.

    by willb48 on Sat Mar 31, 2007 at 05:54:42 PM PDT

  •  two comments