Tag: writing

and so a chapter ends

by Midnight Demon, posted in Bipolar Disorder, blogging, chronic physical pain, depression, mood disorders

And so the chapter ends

I woke up really early in the morning and had a difficult time getting back to sleep. It made me not want to get out of bed when it was time to get the Zipcar. It was warm and I wore jeans instead of shorts. I was sweating really bad by the time I got to the car and quickly put the AC on. I went to Starbucks for my espresso and left.

There was traffic on the highway but I didn’t care. I had enough time on the car and my therapist wasn’t specific about me being there on time. When I got to her town, I went to Walmart to buy some PJs and some shorts. I wanted to find Sox hats for my friend’s kids but they didn’t have them. I will have to look at another store.

As I drove to her office, I thought about this being the last time I would be out this way, that this would be the last time taking route 9. I also thought about all the sessions I had out there and on the phone. I wondered how many boxes there would be after 16 years of therapy. I brought a dolly just in case there were a lot. Turns out there were two, a heavy one that I guessed was my journals and books and a lighter one that had my stuffed bears.

I took the highway home and there was traffic. The Mass highway had taken down the tolls so it was just lanes anywhere they could put them, which made for hazardous driving. The speed limit was 55 mph all the way, sometime lower in some areas or if you got behind grandma Moses.

Luckily my niece was home so she helped me bring up one of the boxes so I didn’t have to make several trips. I opened the boxes when I got home and things that I had forgotten about where there. It brought back memories of the beginning, middle, and end. I had given her a lot of my writing, including a book that I was published in by the Boston Public Library back in high school. I also had given her “The Gus Chronicles”, which is about an abused kid going through the foster system. I had to read it for one of my psych classes in college. I was wondering where that book went to. Now I can read it again.

I am glad I have my stuffed bears back. One is a 3 foot bear, not kidding. He took up half the hospital bed with me when I had my first surgery 16 years ago. I had to put him on a chair so I could sleep comfortably. The other two are smaller ones that Starbucks had put out. They are called Bearistas. I was collecting them until they stopped putting them out. It was fun.

I came home with a half hour to spare to return the car so I rested a little bit. The driving was not good for my Achilles and I was sore. I was kind of shaking and realized I hadn’t had anything to eat all day other than my espresso. I decided to return the car, drop something at the post office, and then have some pizza at my favorite place. I put $5 in my pocket with my phone, which was a mistake. I pulled my phone out and the money went bye-bye. I had to stop at the ATM for some cash. It was no big deal as I needed to go to the ATM anyway. I want to get a haircut tomorrow.

I walked home from the pizza place and got hit with allergies. I started sneezing really bad. My allergies have been bad all day as the post nasal drip has really irritated my throat and my nose keeps running. I hate allergy season.

A not so perfect ending to a bad week

by Midnight Demon, posted in Bipolar Disorder, blogging, chronic physical pain, depression, mood disorders

A not so perfect ending to a bad week

I went to my workshop today. I got there okay and I forgot there was a Barnes and Noble on the street, which was tempting to spend my last few dollars after the workshop but I resisted and didn’t step foot in the door. That took great will power because I love bookstores. I got there an hour early so I had time to have my espresso and write in my journal without being rushed.

The class was pretty boring. It wasn’t engaging to keep my head in the game, so to speak and they emphasized using Twitter more, which I already use. They wanted just 5-10 tweets per day. I know I post most than that, including retweets. But they are not just book related. I can’t remember the last time I posted a link to my book. They also wanted to utilize Facebook groups to get the word out there. That I can see myself doing though it will take some doing. I did get some pointers as to getting on mental illness sites and organizations to help promote my book. That is probably the only thing I got out of the workshop. I brought up my blog and they encouraged making a page so I will work on that sometime this weekend. WordPress doesn’t “publish” so I might make it a blog and then post it as a page. BE ON THE LOOK OUT! I just don’t know what to say on the page yet. I wish I remembered what I write but I don’t. I also wish there was some traffic on my blogs that there are chapters in my book. That would be easier to put the link to my book and maybe get some sales.

They did say that the market is always changing and book selling is hard, especially for self-publishers like myself. I already knew that from my first book as it was hard just trying to get reviewers for my book. I think I gave away more books and got zero reviews. I don’t think I am going to take another course at this place. I just don’t feel it is helpful and this is my third time going to the place.

After the course, it took me a while to get to a train station that I could easily go home from. I walked really far from the place and my ankle was not appreciative of the journey. I got my exercise for the day, that is for sure. I did pass a McDonalds on my way to the T and was tempted to get a big Mac but I really didn’t want to stop as I knew it would be hard to get moving again. I got on the train and there was a person with schizophrenia on the train as he kept on saying the evil spirits took his money and his socks. He was really loud and scary. No one was paying attention to him, though I think a lady did engage him to try and calm him down, but it didn’t work. That just agitated him more. I felt really bad for him.

I had a message when I checked my phone after the course from the lady I met the other day about the chronic pain group. I returned the call when I got home and she told me I would be accepted in the group on the condition I have a therapist for at least three months. I got annoyed. It might take me three months just to find a fucking therapist. I didn’t say anything and just blew her off, thinking it was a lost cause. I then called my psychiatrist because she wanted me to touch base with her. We talked and she is looking for a therapist for me. She also wanted to know more about my pain so we talked about that. She also said that my PCP is a nice guy but doesn’t know me so is not sure how to take my pain needs. She tried conveying how I was as she has known me for so long. She said he might see me more but I haven’t heard from the office and I don’t see him for three months. So we’ll see if the guy will change his mind about being on a longer acting pain med. The rate I am going with my strong pain pill is not getting better. I am using it more because the regular pain meds are not as effective anymore. I have to pick and choose what I think will work best now.

It was good talking to my psych. I honestly think I would be up the creek without a paddle if I didn’t have her. We didn’t talk about my suicidality and I didn’t bring up my plan and how it’s ready to go during my next flare up. I took a strong pain med when I came home because I knew that is what I needed. I am feeling the effects of it and am wicked tired from all the walking I did. I am feeling discouraged about the chronic pain group. I think that would have been a helpful thing for me to be a part of and also give me the support I need about my pain. I know I post to social media about my pain but when it’s late at night, I don’t usually get a response. I know that is because most people are sleeping, like “normal” people will be doing.

It was really cold today. I don’t think it got above 30 degrees as the wind was horrible. My feet are cold now despite being under the blankets. Going to have to put on thermal socks on soon. I am so glad I bought them. Best purchase I ever made. They work better than regular socks and are so warm.

Rest Day 2

by Midnight Demon, posted in Bipolar Disorder, blogging, chronic physical pain, depression, mood disorders

Rest Day

I spent the day resting my ankle and foot. I wanted to sleep but never did. I just had dinner and now my ankle is acting up. I never can win. But I needed a day to do nothing as tomorrow is going to be a little stressful. I have a course I am taking on how to promote your book. It’s in a part of Boston that I don’t go to regularly but the T station I have to get off at is old and doesn’t have elevators. I have to go up the stairs and that part is stressing me out more than walking to the building where the course is held. Least there is a Starbucks at the corner of the street so I can get my fix before the class starts.

I didn’t make coffee today. I had wanted to but I never got around to it. It’s too late now to make it. I will be up most of the night and I got to get up early tomorrow as the class meets mid-morning. I need to take a shower tonight so this pain that I am feeling now better skedaddle. Pain isn’t too severe but I can’t take any more of my regular pain meds until later tonight.

things on my mind

by Midnight Demon, posted in Bipolar Disorder, blogging, chronic physical pain, depression, mood disorders

Things on my mind

I’ve been in a down mood all evening. A Daughtry song has been running in my head the last few days. I didn’t know the name so I had to go down the list to find it. I listened to it and it just made me think about my therapist. I almost started crying. She has been on my mind a lot this week. I still can’t believe it is over.

I have been trying to get in touch with a new therapist but she hasn’t returned my calls or email so she might not work out. I feel sad about this. It has me doubting if therapy is really for me. I have seen so many therapists over the years. Granted most of them have left for reasons that had nothing to do with me. But it still hurts. You learn to trust someone and then when they leave you are just feeling empty and alone.

I feel really tired. I have been sleeping most of the day because I woke up very early and went to bed really late. Pain has really been bad but so far it has been okay. I want to take some Neurontin but I got to get up early tomorrow because I have an early appointment with my psychiatrist. I really want to cancel it. I’ll see how my night goes. Sometimes my pain will get worse as the night goes on.

My lip and corners of my mouth have been so dry they are cracking and hurt really bad. I have been using different lip balms but none seem to help. I think I am going to have to get some Vaseline and see if that works. It’s the only thing I haven’t tried. I wish they sold it in like a small tube for the lips but they don’t. Just big jars of the stuff. I will get it tomorrow when I go out. My mother wants me to use zinc oxide but I hate that stuff. It’s just messy.

I got a call from a friend that I hang out with at least once a month. My adopted nephew called him to say he is having another band concert in March and wanted to know if I wanted to go. I won’t be going because it’s too much for me physically. I just am drained and it takes me at least a day to recover. Then he tells me he can’t get my book at Barnes and Noble. WHAT?? So now I will have to give him a copy. He will pay me for it. But I am disappointed that a bookstore wouldn’t order it for him. I’ll have to check my settings, maybe I did something wrong in the distribution part. Not like my new book is selling like hotcakes. I have sold more as signed copies than I have online. I am disappointed but I haven’t been promoting either. It’s hard.

I just got an ad for a workshop on how to promote your book through this writer’s organization that I have taken classes at before. The workshop is in March so I will try and get into it next week, if I remember. It might prove to be worthwhile.