My Owner's Manual

I don't have brain enough for an actual entry....

1. How can I tell if you are angry?
I snap at people around me, I yell, I throw fireballs (an energy thing).
2. How should I behave around you if you're angry?
If you know me well, you can try to talk me down; otherwise, stay the hell away.
3. How do you want me to behave when you are hurting emotionally? (How is it best to comfort you?
Let me vent, but recognize that it's emotional venting. Snuggles and hugs are also good.
4. Are there things we should ~not~ discuss?
If I'm upset, poking me about the things that are upsetting me is probably not a good idea.
5. How should I treat you if you are physically ill?
General ickiness - put me in a flannel shirt and give me a comfy place to lie down with my squishy down pillow; possibly some hot tea.
Depression - let me come out of it on my own.
Mania - let me clean; remind me to call my doctor if it lasts more than 2 days.
Fibro flare - pain medicine, pain patches, heat, hot bath, much flannel.
Migraine - don't say a word. seriously. catch me if i start to fall down, make sure i lay down someplace quiet and dark. get mer. if she's not available, find my zomig.
6. What makes you happy, that's in my power to grant as a friend?
Good food, good company, time alone, snuggles with my cat, flannel, hugs, snuggles, kissing
7. How would you like us to recognize your birthday?
Good wishes in my general direction are more than sufficient.
8. Are there any standing categories of presents that would be appropriate or unwelcome?
Don't give me sex/kink toys in the presence of my relatives. Flannel is always appropriate.
9. Are there times of the year that are difficult for you? Please explain if you are comfortable.
September is always bittersweet for me. I've had a lot of life-changing events happen in September, most notably my hospital stay. It's not a difficult time per se, but one of reflection.
10. Are there important anniversaries that we should recognize in your life?
Again, September.
11. Who are the most important people in your life to whom we should defer when making plans on your behalf?
fuzzybutchkins and bunnyjadwiga

Copy/answer/paste into your journal and save it as a public memory as "My Owner's Manual". It will make understanding each other perhaps easier? A stepping off point at least for our friendships, maybe?

End of Year Meme

1. What did you do in 2005 that you'd never done before?
Traveled for business (Phoenix and Orlando) presented at a sex workshop; had issues with self-confidence regarding sex; took a pilates class; saw a rheumatologist; gained a sister; saw Amy Ray in concert; got sucked into a non-Whedonverse fandom (Veronica Mars)
2. Did you keep your New Year's resolutions, and will you make any more for next year?
I didn't stick to the low-carb thing or FLYing, and I will be trying those again this coming year. Stay tuned for a post about the interesting office weight-loss plan soon.
3. Did anyone close to you give birth?
Big yes to that. I gained a sister and a second cousin, with another cousin set to pop any day now.
4. Did anyone close to you die?
My maternal grandfather died in February. A good friend Mike died a month or so ago.
5. What countries did you visit?
None other than the one I live in. States? New York, New Jersey, Delaware, Arizona, Florida.
6. What would you like to have in 2006 that you lacked in 2005?
Better health, enough confidence in my muscular ability to have sex on a normal basis.
7. What dates from 2005 will remain etched on your memory, and why?
October 13 - the day my sister was born. 4Q at work, when we pulled off several major projects at once, successfully. (Still finishing that one.) Jenne's laureling. Amy Ray singing Happy Birthday to me at the show.
8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?
Getting through everything at work without getting completely burned out or unstable.
9. What was your biggest failure?
Not keeping as on top of healthy eating, money, and house stuff as I wanted to be.
10. Did you suffer illness or injury?
The usual stuff - fibro flares, back pain, a migraine or two. Oh, and the brain tumor scare.
11. What was the best thing you bought?
I really can't say.
12. Whose behaviour merited celebration?
Mer, for putting up with me, especially through all this craziness at work; me, for coming through the year relatively unscathed.
13. Whose behaviour made you appalled and depressed?
No comment.
14. Where did most of your money go?
Bills, paying off debt, quilting supplies, dinners at Max & Erma's, DVDs
15. What did you get really, really, really excited about?
My sister; Jenne's laureling; Amy Ray concert; Serenity
16. What song will always remind you of 2005?
Firefly theme song, Veronica Mars theme song
17. Compared to this time last year, are you:
a) happier or sadder? happier
b) fatter or thinner? fatter, but not by much.
c) richer or poorer? about the same.
18. What do you wish you'd done more of?
Spent more time with friends up home
19. What do you wish you'd done less of?
Work.
20. How will you be spending Christmas?
I'll be working on Yule unfortunately. Christmas Day will be spent running between my dad's family, my mom's family, and my out-laws (Mer's family). But, I have several days off around the holiday where I don't have to travel, so I'll probably be watching Buffy.
21. Did you fall in love in 2005?
More in love with Mer every day.
22. How many one-night stands?
None, unfortunately.
23. What was your favorite TV program?
Currently airing? Veronica Mars, Good Eats, CSI.
On DVD? Firefly and Buffy.
24. Do you hate anyone now that you didn't hate this time last year?
No.
25. What was the best book you read?
There is no way I can remember everything I've read in the space of a year. Re-reading the Callahan's books was definitely a highlight, though.
26. What was your greatest musical discovery?
Boy Style by Booty Olympics, and the cover of I Will Survive by Cake.
27. What did you want and get?
Wireless networking.
28. What did you want and not get?
A house.
29. What was your favourite film this year?
Serenity.
30. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
We went to see Amy Ray at the Northstar, and she sang Happy Birthday to me. *big fucking grin*
31. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
See above comments about sex.
32. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2005?
Trying to dress more on the business end of business casual at work as my responsibilities changed. Off-work? Flannelbutch, of course.
33. What kept you sane?
The wonderful snuggles of Boo and Meredith; the fact that the inner workings of my head actually work properly most days.
34. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?
Well it's sort of obvious that I have a hard-on for Amy Ray, now isn't it?
35. What political issue stirred you the most?
I still haven't gotten over the reelection of W.
36. Who did you miss?
bunnyjadwiga, juergen, maziemaus, Topher, and several old friends that I'm not in close contact with anymore.
37. Who was the best new person you met?
My brand new sister, of course. Plus lots of new people at NOLOSE.
38. Tell us a valuable life lesson from 2005:
Shared pain is lessoned; shared joy is increased. A lesson re-learned.
39. Quote a song lyric that sums up the year:
And I don't know just how you show such gentle disregard
For the ugly in me that I see
That for so long I took so hard
But I truly believe that you see the best in me
I'm enough for your love and that thought sets me free
~and~
Believe me if you can
I've finally come back to the House at Pooh Corner by one
What do you know - there's so much to be done
Count all the bees in the hive
Chase all the clouds from the sky
Back to the days of Christopher Robin
Back to the days of Pooh