Now some ask.fm Answers

These are actual answers submitted by teens and young adults to questions on Ask.fm I believe that adding positive actions to any situation makes it better so I want to highlight some of the amazing statements given to an anonymous question.

Q. What do you think of all the haters that use Ask.fm? do you pay any attention?

*They all have their own issues they need to deal with. So they take it out on other people. It's like the popular girls at school that are mean to everyone. They're insecure and think little of themselves but come down on everyone else just so they can put themselves up on a pedestal. I on the other hand don't do that. I try to be really nice to other people

Q. If you knew someone was doing wrong and hurting someone, would you reveal their identity

*yes (3)

*Probably (5)

*of course (1)

It's good to know that somewhere out there parents are still raising and taking responsibility for good children who will grow up and be good people.

Kid Rant

I'm so bloody sick and tired of people using the word Bully. I hate it. It's a scapegoat to hide behind, and a poor excuse to escape taking ownership of a lack of parenting.
I think that everything is just to easy now. I was bullied as a child. Like most people. It's a natural part of life to meet with aggression at some points and to learn how to deal with it. Kids will be kids. It's up to parents to be parents.
If your kid is being bullied on the internet, then she needs to not be on the internet. You can't control everyone that your child comes in contact. and you can let them run off on their own to fall on their face all the time. Reason would say that at some point you have to stop letting "your" iPad occupy your children, while the internet raises them and you watch dancing with the stars.
There were on computers when I was born. At some point in grade school we got one, and later on moved onto having the internet and limited internet time. the key word there LIMITED I was allowed to be on the computer for 1 hour.
There is no point in lying, I found some bad stuff on the internet. Natural curiosity is going to cause anyone to go looking for something thought to be taboo, for any number of reasons.  But I was raised actively by two parents who spent time with me. They taught me right from wrong, so when I saw an ad that was bad, seemed like a virus or was just plain lewd, I simply viewed it as a waste of time. vulgarity was always something my mother repulsed. to this day she does not swear and scolds my 27 year old self every time I curse in her presence. I suppose in a lot of ways I had it easy. There was no internet to isolate me. and when there was, my parents had a problem with it.
It bothers me to see parents handing off their cellphone or tablet and letting the child stare, poking a touchscreen the entire time they are in a restaurant.  It is not a tool to allow parents to act as though they didn't choose to become parents. It's a full-time job being a parent. It takes a lot of work. If you want a night off (as I'll be the first to say, any parent is entitled to) get a sitter and enjoy a night alone.  If you want to have family dinner leave all the electronics at home and spend a couple of hours with your kids.  Please don't let the internet raise your kids. It will make them stupid and obese and disappointments to you, and everyone else.
It's a task that I know, myself, I am not up to. I'm not cut out to be a parent at all, and I believe that if more people took that notion more seriously, and assessed if they were or were not able to raise a child properly, and took the proper intelligent, well known, correct methods to protect themselves, we wouldn't have such an over populated social service system, to be so underfunded. We can't increase budgets with money that we do not have. We have to decrease need to lighten the load on everything.

50 shades of rage

I am so infuriated by the society I live in sometimes. women in my society seem to think it's ok to objectify men like they are pieces of meat and then complain about over sexualized women in the media.
People who are so insecure that they worry their partner will be looking elsewhere. It's not about equality for them. It's about ego. How can you possibly hump the furniture over the guy from Republic Of Doyle, then get offended at anyone doing the exact same thing, and keep a straight face?
But you're suppose to be mad about the inequality of it all. Not happy that you get to do it too? There's a select type of person who refers to themselves as a feminist. Except they have no idea what their fighting for. They just need the conflict and excitement in their lives to be happy. These people

This situation gets even worse. Everyone has access to everyone else. Everyone can use Twitter, Facebook, Instagram. The anonymity makes people too bold, and forgetful that the entire world is watching and judging them.There are ridiculous people all over the internet. I picture it looking like a zombie horde just roaming the country side in the wake of the Apocalypse, casually hunting. A friend of my boyfriend's once tweeted "The simple fact you "can" is not meant to be a sign that you "should"." I'm paraphrasing of course, but I thought he had made a very good point. That kind of moral censorship seems to be void in our society.

But media outlets such as Radio and Television Stations and  are egging them on. (99.1)HitsFM posted a photo of an over-sexualized, shirtless Alan Hawco, on their Facebook page, and asked fans if they had any questions for him to answer while he would be in their studio. The comments are horrifying to say the least. about half of them are shamelessly throwing themselves at him in the most desperate, pathetic ways.  I'm not saying the man isn't good looking or people should like him. I happen to think he's a pretty good actor and the couple of times I've met him and his lovely wife, they are downright sweet people.
 I just think the media should have a responsibility in the kind of behavior they reward, target, and incite. This was irresponsible and inappropriate for a company that wants to be taken seriously and respected for it's content. You get what you give. and if you're shoveling trash out,  you've got to expect to get some back.

Watch Your Mouth

Yesterday while I was at work, my boss (newly back from vacation) told me a story that I want everyone to know. When I asked my boss how his vacation was, he said that his time in Toronto was amazing. he loved the people, and the shopping and all the things to do. But going to Cuba was absolutely a mistake. He told me that the resort he went to was advertised at a 5 star resort, and he really did his homework on booking and where to stay. when the got there it was more like a 2 or 3. This was upsetting but they made the most of it. the people were nice, the staff were friendly. until going on a bus tour.

My boss is from South Africa. Picture Uncle Jessie from The Dukes of Hazard except He is highly intelligent and speaks perfect English (among a dozen other languages) and keeps himself clean shaven. He always wears suspenders. What I'm saying is this is the cutest dude in the whole world. I want him to be my grandfather 

So when the tour guide asked who was from Canada, and then asked if anyone was from Newfoundland, He decided to keep quiet, in the interest of seeing what the man had to say.

It was not impressive. The man proceeded to talk down about us, mock us and badmouth Newfoundland. Even the other tourists were awkwardly quiet and not at all, amused by the man's remarks. For this my boss was very happy because the man showed no signs or letting up. Newfoundland became the butt of every joke, despite the crowd not being amused.

After the tour was over, my boss approached the man.

He told him that what he had done was a terrible thing, and that he called Newfoundland his home. now and that none of the things he was saying were true. and now a whole group of tourists think a lot of things about Newfoundland that are not true. The man was unapologetic, 

This is so disappointing to me. Newfoundland is my home and I love it here. The idea that someone completely removed from here, who has probably never set foot on our shore, is spreading such negativity about my home is very frustrating. I thought it was worth mentioning for all my friends planning trips down south, to spend their money hard earned in Newfoundland. I probably will go to Cuba at some point. one idiot doesn't speak for an entire area.  But I am much more determined to be the kind of person that will change people's mind about Newfoundland. The sad reality that I believe is all these stereotypes do in fact apply to a number of people here. but not everyone. their dated and closed minded opinions and nobody is going to change them if we don't present ourselves in the way we want to be viewed. 

Bookmark Added.

I just came upon what I think is a fascinating discovery. In very broad terms, this is what happens in every single fight I've ever had with the opposite sex.

I'm pissed off. and even though I'm an intelligent human being who is fully aware that I'm being insecure and am probably blatantly wrong, I don't want the blame right away.
At the moment, that I am mad, I want to feel like it is not my fault. and that everyone sucks except me. It doesn't matter what the issue is. Shut up, I know that was a yield sign. I already feel stupid. I know my friend will be my friend again in an hour. Right now it will make me feel better to hear someone else confirming that She's wrong and I'm right.

I think I realized that we don't need you to fix it. You want to fix it because in your boy brain, that seems to be the best thing to do. As far as instincts go, I personally think it's endearing to want to save or or fix something. But, in reality, when you do try to fix it, it makes us feel like we can't do it ourselves and some of us don't like that, so we get defensive, but you can't figure out why because you're just trying to help.
In our own languages, we both know whats wrong, we just have different ways of helping each other.

Now if only I understood men, this whole puzzle will be a little easier...

Chris Rock know's what I'm talking about

#indiebandproblems

I'm pretty sure that I've talked about this before (at least once) but it bears repeating. In my city there is an amazing music scene. it's diverse, and creative and there is literally something for just about everyone. I'm sure this is also the case with many more cities around the world. I find it very impressive. The thing that frustrates me about creativity is a lot of people think that it means they are entitled to praise, and special treatment and above all else, an audience.
So many Facebook posts, and tweets and passive aggressive comments circulate, all blaming the audience for not paying the money or giving the band their time and attention.

"You'll pay $20 at Starbucks, But you won't spend $5 on your local music scene. pretty cool..."

1. Yes. I will absolutely spend $20 at Starbucks because that is what I want. Delicious fancy coffee and baked goods interests me, and I like to treat my coworkers sometimes.
2. I will spend the $5 to see a band I like. Actually I will likely spend at least $50 every time I go out and support my local music scene. I go out, have some drinks, buy people drinks and tip the bartenders well, because I know our awesome time is their bullshit shift cause some bitch called in sick.

If something is happening and I want to see it, I will go out if i can afford to. Like most people I would think. I guarantee you, if people wanted to come to your shows, or see your band, or hear your music, they will. What would stop them? I don't know many people who have a problem spending money when/how they want to.

It's not fair to expect everyone in your life to be your biggest fan just because of what you choose to do. I enjoy the diversity that our music scene has to offer, but nobody ever plays music for themselves. You play for an audience. and if you don't interest anyone, you don't get an audience. that is nobodies fault but your own. You can force anyone on the planet to have a different set of interests. Your girlfriend/boyfriend/best friend/family doesn't have to love your music. It's your choice, not theres. Would you pay $5-$50 to go out and not enjoy yourself? Why do you expect other people should for you?
It's called popular music for a reason. If your music isn't getting anyones attention or any audience after so long. The problem isn't with The Scene. It's probably with whatever your doing. At the end of the day, the reality is you can love your music all you want. Make music for yourself and make it all about yourself. it's totally your call. But unless you're willing to pay cover to see yourself hundreds of times, consider it a hobby. You have no idea about any professional music career.

The Authority On Everything

So I've been having a rough week. Working a lot in a very warm restaurant. I love the summer, especially in Newfoundland. If you've never been to St. John's, NL I strongly suggest you find a week to spend here. I'm so in love with where I live. All the culture and food and nature and history. It's an amazing place. The thing about depression though is how good or bad anything is going around you has absolutely no bearing on your mental health. You could have a seemingly perfect life and be completely unhappy with yourself, and the last thing anyone should ever do, is give their two cents on someone else's situation. 

Seriously.

I'm so sick of being told what is wrong with me, or what I need to do, or having my feelings downgraded by someone ignorant enough to assume its a competition and they have to win. I'm in serious danger of punching a know it all, mouth piece, directly in said mouth, the next time one tries to tell me all about what I'm going through. The worst part is these people are so oblivious to how ignorant they're being. they seem to feel perfectly justified in assuming they know anything about someone else.
My favorite part is when they are so obviously completely full of it. A friend of mine coined this kind of person as an "Authority on Everything" and I can't think of a better description. 

My favorite is when they tell a story and blatantly make up really specific details that no person would ever tell them. It's easy to pick up on habits and patterns like this, because this person is constantly telling foolish stories and anyone (not just people with OCD like myself) can pick up on the patterns.
It's funny how much someone's language and body language change when they are lying. To me this just says that even they know they are full of it, and they are so desperate to seem genuine that they try to add credibility. It's so painfully obvious. As a general rule, if you make shit up, most intelligent adults can tell and are probably mocking you for it behind your back, if not to your face. So knock it off.

That wasn't even the point of this post, but I had to vent. If you don't think you know anyone like this. You are probably one of these people, and you are irritating everyone who has to be around you. If you were secure enough with yourself and being who you are, you wouldn't be trying so hard to prove who you were to anyone else. So come to terms with the fact that you are not as smart as you think you are, because everyone around you already knows. trust me. Your constant correcting of people and complete lack of social graces are speaking for themselves every time you insist on overpowering every conversation anyone tries to have with you.
That really turned into me being a mean girl. I don't like that. But I know a couple people who I hope read this and realize. but they probably wont.

The littlest birds sing the prettiest songs

That was a super lame attempt at a clever title.

I was writing a post about my twitter and how you guys should follow me. But the danger with smoking pot is what it does to your attention span. and appetite :s

But I digress (it's to be expected really) My focus shifted to the song I quoted in the Title. An absolutely perfect song by a band called The Be Good Tanyas.
The first time I heard it was in the opening credits of an artistically optimistic independent film. I Claudia was brought to my theatre class during our "One Man Show" studies. Self reliance and interacting only with an audience. It would have been more aptly titled as "you need to love yourself way too much for anyone else to matter to you at all"
But Charlie Thomlinson was a guest professor. A truly brilliant person that I have huge amounts of respect for. That was my third year of theatre school I believe. Easily the happiest time of my entire life. In hindsight I really feel as though I let him down. I wasn't committed to being an artist. I had no integrity. I'm favirly sure it was apparent to him back then. Wish he'd clued me in. He just kept trying to teach me. The one with no emotions or feelings at all. bahaha... theatre school. It's only now that I can look back on that part of my life with fond memories. It takes a really long time to get past your own mistakes something. Charlie has this amazing Dog named Luca. She was the smartest animal I've ever seen. I miss walking Luca.

Again with the digression. I told you to anticipate some of this, in all fairness. If I ever learn to do it right, I'll be able to get back on track without you even realizing I'd made the error in the first place. but not today.

The Littlest Birds by The Be Good Tanyas makes me feel the same way that I felt back when I found it. My third year at Grenfell, pursuing a. idealistic (read: disillusion) career path. But it's a truly lovely song so here it is. Click on that little picture to see the youtube video and look them up on iTunes 000Oh right...yeah, If you're on Twitter follow me @TheWonderWords

Social Calls

I can't decide if I'm behind in the times or if our society has yet to develop social expectations for new behavior. I was out with a number of friends a few nights ago. (8-10 people I would estimate) and I found it very difficult to carry out a conversation. Most people talking were limited to jokes and one liners about something on the television, or commenting on others statements. Nobody was asking anyone else questions, or making any effort to converse with each other. I'm awkward enough on my own, so I often rely on asking questions to get other people talking, while I obsess about what to say, without looking weird or silly. Social Anxiety is a real treat, let me tell you.

On this particular occasion, I noticed a great deal of something that I find to be very offensive. Everyone there was on their cellphone.
A couple people were actually taking part in the same conversation on Facebook with other people. and commenting to one another about THAT conversation, and not even talking to anyone who made an effort to be the in the same room as them.

Several people spent the entire gathering texting, to make plans with other people and actually left to go spend time with THAT person, and other people were checking Facebook, Twitter, or looking at photos. Things I do to occupy myself while bored in the doctors office or when commercials interrupt a favored television show.

Am I the only one who finds this unbelievably offensive? I would have been perfectly content to stay at home and play Skyrim all evening. It was a gathering for a Pay Per View UFC event, which I have little interest in, but I went to socialize with my friends which we rarely get to do anymore. I found myself feeling very hurt that most people there would rather be having conversations with other people who DIDN'T even make he effort to spend that time with them. I even volunteered to be the designated driver, even though I had beverages sitting in the fridge, from the night before, and drove two other people there.
I found myself sitting alone, watching a barbaric sport that I have little interest in, making comments and trying to be observant, and start a conversation, to no avail.
"the little guy really seems to have the technical advantage there"
nothing. Asking questions about sponsorship and what an MMA Fighter makes were also met with dead air more often than not.
I talked more with strangers that I wasn't even introduced to, and introduced myself. They at least asked questions and seemed to want to make small talk with me.. I would have thought that kind of appalling social etiquette would be considered taboo.
More often than not, I can look around a social group I thought I was a part of, to see everyone on their cellphones. For a long time everyone with an iPhone played games together on their phones, while sitting in the same room. I have a Blackberry and don't play games on my phone, ESPECIALLY when I'm in a room and attempting to spend time with other people. I cannot comprehend any way that this kind of thing is not thought to be rude, or disrespectful.
A friend told me that I should have left and gone to do something that was fun for me, although I know this would still have resulted in judgement upon ME, and a complete lack of consideration of their own behavior. I even went so far as to say
"Guys, there are people in this room, who made the effort to spend time with you"
multiple times, and was completely ignored. Is this just another aspect of our technological society for me to be bitter about, or poor manners?
I was told about a party where the host placed a basket by her front door for people to put their cellphones in when they enter her home. I know full well that anyone who walks into my house will ignore that, even though I would love to give it a try in the future.
I want as many opinions as possible on this. I need to understand it, even if it is me that needs to get over it and accept that this is how our society works now. What do you think?

amazing photo find!! Love this! share it!

happy ending?

So this may be the last post in my job search. I applied at a natural health food store and was basically given the job on the spot. A lovely woman owns the place and found herself pregnant and unable to work the foolish amount of hours that she puts into her store. As a pale kid who is allergic to outside, and a lot of things inside, this store is right up my alley. It's in a great strip mall with a lot of other interesting and unique shops, as well as right next to a coffee shop and a restaurant my friends and I often frequent. Is this the reward for the stress of how my corperate headache ended? or some divine being guiding me to somewhere I will be truly happy? Who knows. But in the fall Denise is going to have a beautiful baby, and no time to work at the store, and I hope to fall into place as her replacement, and make her proud by adding to the value of her store and her client base.

I really have to say this store has everything. Along with acupuncture (a friend of mine swears by this, so im trying out her girl) I am looking at treating my anxiety naturally, and getting off of all medication except my claritin (again, about the allergies). They have great animal products that they cannot keep on the shelves, as well as cooking and food items. Lots of natural shampoos and cleansers and vitamin and health suppliments for just about every ailment. I already learned that Black Cherry is really good for gout! and I was only there for an hour. After my official interview, I ended up staying there to chat with Denise. She's a lovely, warm, easy going woman. Very comforting to be around. Adorably pregnant. This is the polar opposite of the experience I had while working for a big aggressive sales company, and I absolutely love it. I'm not sad that I took that chance. I got a provincial certification that I will always have. I can always go back to doing that if I want to. But at this point in my life I really really don't want to. The future is looking a lot more optimistic. My ear infection is (very) slowly going away and I can almost hear out of my left ear again. So that's exciting, and I get to go watch softball tonight! everything is coming up Millhouse!

stand by your man(ipulation)

I don't understand how the concept of avoiding responsibility is anything but disgusting and pathetic. If you don't want to take responsibility for something that you've done, it is obviously because
YOU KNOW ITS A SHITTY THING TO DO,
if your actions are something that you don't want anyone to know you're doing, then why do it?!
I'm not saying we should all be in church or living this amazing morally sound path. humans by our very nature are flawed. We all make mistakes, but taking responsibility for those mistakes is how we learn, grow and progress as a species. Taking any accountability out of the equation causes us to regress and become stagnant. I have such a bleak outlook on my generation, and the ones that follow us.
All the good found in the invention of the magical internet and our global village is sadly far outweighed by the negativity that comes from lacking the moral fiber, intelligence and basic humanity necessary to utilize it in the most efficient way.
I added an app called Honesty Box to my Facebook when I was in University. I thought this was an amazing tool. There were people that I had a lo of respect and admiration for and I liked that I could let people know how awesome they were without it being about me. So if i knew someone in my class was having a bad day, I'l write an anonymous message to show them that someone noticed how hard they worked, or what a good person they were. But all anyone else used it for was to hate on people. I was so disappointed at the mean and hateful messages left for me. Nothing good or positive just people being needlessly rude, or idiot guys trying to be sketchy (I was in a relationship at the time, but they didn't seem to be bothered by that)
years later I added the app again, to try once more as an adult. THIS time the guy I was dating at the time tried using it to bait me. sending me messages about me being hot, and saying how it was too bad I had a boyfriend. Trying to set me up, or catch me doing something that I've never done in my life. Granted, that person had a lot of issues and I still wonder about him today and if he is any happier, but people come into your life, and leave again, for a reason. So I choose to chalk it up to an awful, awful experience that taught me a lot in a very short year.
I guess the point of this rant is to express how bleak our future is if we continue to use anonymity as a tool for negativity, to feed insecurity, instead of building others up or doing good. No actions are justifiable if they hurt someone else, and your not willing to man up and admit responsibility, and It's not really a good deed if your not willing to do it without getting credit.

Shopping tips for Cars, Shopping online and buying in St. John's!

I've been distracted. I bought a new car this week. Buying a new car takes a surprising amount of time, and hustling. I'm so street that it wasn't an issue but here are some tips for buying a new car

1. Don't commit to anything.
2. Be honest. Don't try to play games or have a bidding war. thats just stupid
3. When you find a car that you like, Get a print out of your estimate.
4. Do not commit to anything. Tell your salesmen that you have some research to do and you need time to think about it
5. Show your estimate to EVERYONE. I brought mine to my dad, my boyfriend and a friend who's dad is a car salesmen. All people who knew far more about buying new cars than me.
6. Tell your salesmen the truth. For me it went a lot like this. But I'm an actor and over dramatic so it was practically work-shopped first...
"Well i brought my estimate to some people who were more knowledgeable than i am, and they seemed to think it was really high. I have a problem now because I really love this car, but knowing there are more affordable ones out there, that would budget better, puts me in a tough place"

The car started out being 27, 000 paid over 7 years at 2% financing.. I paid 24, 008, over 5 years with 0% financing by the time I drove my new car home. but like I said. I'm a hustler
I also got $500 off the actual car price, and a $500 gas card from North Atlantic/Petrol Canada.

More Shopping tips! Buying online is nothing to be scared of. but no matter where you buy, big or expensive purchases can be very intimidating. Here are some general tips I've learned along the way

1. THE MOST IMPORTANT THING IS KNOWING YOU DO NOT KNOW EVERYTHING!!!
The internet is an amazingly powerful tool. WHEN BUYING ANYTHING you should research the hell out of it. Use Google, use Ask.com, and any other site that has a search bar!
2. Look for Consumer reviews. Websites like Angie's List and Amazon Canada has a lot of customer reviews. If there is anywhere that passive aggressive hate will be shared. it's usually pretty clear in reviews to pick up on trends.
HOWEVER
One person complaining or giving something a bad rating doesn't mean its bad. It means that person wasn't satisfied. If you've ever worked customer service in your life you know what idiots leave a store, and go home to rant like a big man, on the internet. If you see a lot of people complaining about an issue, it may be a problem.

3. Compare brands and read labels. DO YOUR HOMEWORK.
Marketing is designed to be deceiving in some cases, for companies to remain competitive, and salespeople are paid via commission. they are working for you, so don't let them bully you. Be direct and don't be rushed into buying anything. It's their job to get you excited about your product so you cant say no. It's your job to get them excited about the sale, so they can't say no. Their time is an investment they have to make. This is coming from a salesperson. I sell life insurance and I do very well. But there are people who do a lot better, by being a lot less honest. I'm happy to take the pay cut and have integrity.

the last thing I have to share is that this salesperson, who sold me my vehicle was very very good. His name is Tom, at Hickman Motors on Kenmount Road on St. John's NL. He put me in a beautiful new Chevy Sonic with all the features I wanted and I left with a great price, for a great term and a very satisfying experience. I also have $100 Chevrolet gift cards available for anyone in the market for a new car, that you plan on buying at Hickman. Great service and amazing customer attention. I'm easy to contact, but I think I only have 3-5 tags for the giftcard!

Ask.fm: What do men talk about when there are no women around?

Who cares? The worst thing to ever happen to us as Women, is our preoccupation with Men, and vice versa.

Ask.fm: Paul McCartney said: "If slaughterhouses had glass walls, everyone would be a vegetarian." What do you think about it?

I think Paul McCartney is an uninformed jackass. I thought he made that clear a few year ago when he showed up in the wrong province to boycott the seal hunt in Newfoundland, with completely wrong information. Oh you didn't hear about that? Check it out.


Danny Williams debates the Seal Hunt with Sir Paul, and Heather Mills McCartney on CNN

god problems

Everything In It's Place

In a lot of ways it helps economy to have a local scene. Bars pay Bands. Bargoers like to see Cover Bands or a certain genre of music. Therefore there is a place for every person, and every genre and as long as there is an audience for your art, then you will be successful. If you do not have an audience. you need a new plan. It's just that simple. Performing music is not about yourself. You want an audience to come and enjoy your music. Doesn't that immediately make it about what THEY want to see. You can't make people like you. You can make music that they want to listen to. I don't get why this is so hard for people to understand. The perfect most ideal situation in music is making music that you love that is accepted and celebrated by other people. The more the better. But this is not the most common situation. Bands get upset when nobody comes to their shows. You're choosing to make noise that they don't want to listen to. That's what it comes down to. They don't make you listen to shit that you don't want to. You know how that whiny friend who is always negative and complaining and having a pity party. nobody likes being around that friend. So don't be that friend.

Ask.fm/hundredthousand

Question: How do you handle stress and anxiety?


well the short answer to that would be "not very well"
I've struggled with depression and anxiety for most of my life. Unbeknownst to everyone, including myself up until a few years ago. When things get overwhelming I find it best to be in a quiet place. I don't like for anyone to make physical contact with me at all so that's completely out of the question.I focus on my breathing and slowing it down as much as possible, as that is usually 90% of the problem.

First and foremost, the best thing you can ever do is talk to your doctor. or any doctor. I cannot tell you how important this is. If your having trouble sleeping, eating, or keeping focus, Stress and anxiety may be a more serious problem then you realize. Ever have a ear ache, but you ignore it instead of going to your doctor? It doesn't go away. It gets so much worse right? So you have a brain ache. TALK TO YOUR DOCTOR
Talk to your loved ones.They can probably tell that something is going on with you, and are probably worried because you're not yourself. The absolutely last thing, and the worst thing you can ever do is keep it to yourself. It will never get any better by doing that. Doing things that you know will make your loved ones worry about you is just about the most heartless, inhumane thing you could do to a person. The people that choose to be in your life are there for a reason. they care about you. they are not there to play the head squire in your quest for attention.. (Blatant steal from Nick and Norah)

The most important thing you can do is love yourself. and respect yourself. and always make sure your choices make you happy and healthy.

Family

The reason that I have 2 brothers is entirely too complicated. Well one just came from the regular way. that shouldn't be too difficult to get your head around. He's 3 years younger than I am and he's awesome. It has to be related to DNA or something.
It doesn't make sense to a lot of people, but my family are very warm, community oriented people. They don't value things, but people. and the value they add to your life, for having them there. If it isn't already obvious, I was raised by hardworking but idealistic hippies. I'm so grateful for that, you really have no idea.
When I was 10, New neighbors moved in next door. An adorable young couple, expecting their first baby in 7 or 8 months. (a fetus that would become one of the two loves of my life).
He made friends with my dad. Doing dad things, fishing, going to the cabin, and the like. I would go over and hang out with her. Help her with the baby. He was beautiful. right from the first moment everyone saw him.
She and my mom got along but were not really on the same level. She was a little younger than my mom. A passionate and lovely native Woman. My mother being a fearless, strong Newfoundland woman, I think she was just a little too emotional or dramatic for my mother to really relate to her. But they were both so sweet and lovely that they always remained friends.
So after years of this family friendship. The kids growing, New Years spent watching fireworks, Bbq's in the back yard. Funny memories made that are still shared today, my phone rings at 9 am. The young dad was suddenly faced with his time to leave this world. By that time, I had come to realize that the young boy who grew up in my back yard, relied on me for a lot of things. I found myself so proud of the young man he was growing into. Smart, and Careful. Quickly becoming an inspiration for a whole group of people, and giving them a voice. He was a member of my family and I had a hand in the values that he had, and how he viewed himself. So when people are who he is, this beautiful, tall native boy, standing next to pale kid me, I tell them he is my little brother. Sometimes I'll feature pieces by him. He's a fantastic, opinionated writer and he stirs the pot quite nicely. My family and friends are everything to me. If you disrespect them, we probably wont have much interaction. the most important people in that group are my brothers.

Jersey Bore

Entertainment has become too foolish, for me to not write about it.
Maybe it can be attributed to our love of pushing boundaries and progressing, on some level, but we lost the wheels on that excuse 20 years ago.
I am sure someone wants to quote some stupid newspaper about Elvis being risque, and how we progress as a species, but we've allowed shows like Jersey Shore and Honey Boo Boo to get on television and experience wild success. That's not progress, and we should be ashamed of ourselves. This is the only post that makes me want to curse. Thinking about this gets me all "fired up" as a dbag on Big Brother Canada would say

I don't get what his problem is. Settle down Alberta. guys like you always leave BB half way through. They run out of steam and blow up on some mom/sensitive person. Fucks their whole game. So chill. it's not about ratings, Alberta.

This has to be said (and shared hint!hint!)

Jersey Shore
If you actually enjoy this show, you may have brain damage. If you relate to the characters, or the situations, or anything that anyone says on this "program", you may qualify as mentally retarded. Whats worse is people who enjoyed watching those poor, useless puppets, in a way that they think is ironic and clever.
Newsflash ya douche bag.
If you weren't threatened by people in your life, you wouldn't be so insecure to need to compare yourself to anyone else. You're dumber and worse off that the morons that enjoy the program. Because if you were as smart as you believe you are, you wouldn't have any need to look down your nose at anyone. So (Wo)man up and make the improvements that you need to be happy in your own life, you're not better than anyone and that attitude make you a loser.