substitute one addiction for another

[raerae]

thanks for the info, reformed . if i was a bloke id take the styptic pencil over the pieces of toilet paper every time!

my boyf once tried one of these mysterious pencils but he said it stings baaad. ill check it out next time im at the pharmacy!

[sioned]

This is such a good thread - I'm laughing and crying at the same time! I have this fantastic image of RP's mum hiding in her office playing tetris - I really laughed at that!
And the then the whole being late thing - this is the bit that makes me cry. Sometimes the pain and weariness of battling the same thing day after day after day is just too much. The problem I also have is that I sweat very easily so when I'm rushing to get somewhere cos I'm already late from picking, by the time I'm there my make-up is streaking down my face and I can't concentrate on a thing until I've found somewhere to cool off and re-apply my make-up (which isn't always possible, so then I'm just trying to avoid having people look at me which makes me feel unsociable etc etc aaaaggghhhh!)

As for the computer games - I have to confess I don't even know what half the games you're talking about are! I've always been a bit afraid of playing games because of the addiction thing especially since I once lived with a guy who got completely addicted to final fantasy and it was a nightmare. I mean he didn't even eat, he just slept and played the play station. He went through hell and back though thankfully he's a lot better now. Still I guess as you all say if we're going to be addicted to something computer games are better than picking. I guess the fact they occupy both hands would be good......

[raerae]

hey sioned,

i get that problem too

until i started taking prozac, and now efexor, i almost never used to sweat. but now i easily get really overheated and sweat a lot. it really doesnt take much for this to happen- and it makes me feel self conscious and anxious which makes the whole thing even worse.

i dont really use cosmetics other than concealer, translucent powder, and colourless mascara (for eyebrow shaping). oh, and sometimes a bit of lipstick/gloss. in the ideal world id only ever use powder, mascara and clear lipgloss- im a fan of the real natural look (not the 'natural look' ive seen in magazines that involves tons of cosmetics ).

anyway, even tho' im doing zt and my face is pretty clear i still need the concealer for a dark scar on my forehead. but, as you said, the stuff slides right off if i get too warm. i totally know what you mean about absolutely having to find a cooling off sanctuary or avoiding others gaze. oh... i hate it!!!!

ill let you know if i discover the secret of eternal coolness

rae xxx

ps maybe you already know about this, but when i was little i remember my mum showing me how to cool down quickly by running cold water over the inside of the wrists for a couple of minutes or so.

[reformedpicker]

Sioned I can TOTALLY relate to the overheating and sweating easily- I cannot believe how much we all have in common- all of these little quirky things I thought no one could possibly identify with... so nice to find people who can truly empathize! Although I wish no one had these problems at all, of course Once I FINALLY get my makeup to the point that it's 'presentable' I am always so flustered- running soooo late, trying to hurry- I always end up forgetting keys/ wallet/ sunglasses/ phone/ anything I need before leaving, basically- which leaves me sweating, short of breath (I sound like a large person who never gets up off her butt- but I'm actually very active and thin ) which makes me even MORE self conscious! I hate it because I end up sitting with whoever I have left waiting for me- trying to have a conversation, but unable to concentrate because I am so focused on what state my face is in and what they see! It's awful- I feel so self-absorbed, but it's not something I can help- I find myself so exhausted by this that there are times it is easier to spare myself the situation entirely and just stay home

I drink tons and tons of water (usually 5 liters/day, minimum) and thought that might be part of the sweat issue, but I don't know.

I got this stuff at Origins- it's a little bottle- called Peace of Mind. It's for stress relief- you put a dab on each finger and rub it into your temples, back of your neck (got it to keep in the car-I can't handle traffic ) it's very cooling and has menthol- in a pinch it helps me cooldown in a pinch- you might try it.

So glad to have you all to talk about all of this with! Thanks!
Love
RP

[coolhandluke]

OH. MY. GOD. We have soooooooo much in common!!!!

As for sweating, I know just how you guys feel, although I happen to bet that I sweat more than anyone. Another one of my dad's genetic contributions is the Sweat Gene, also known as hyperhidrosis. He and I sweat sooo easily, even in the wintertime. I am always having to change my clothes (including underwear, since I sweat really bad in the area where my thighs meet my pelvis), always having to reapply anti-perspirant. But worst of all, I HATE having to apply a ton of concealer in the summer!!!!! My face will sweat the second I get outside (and I am truly the Queen of being late; it's not uncommon for me to be late to a class nearly every time it meets; I was almost fired from my job because I was late nearly every shift!), and it causes my makeup to come off, making my face look pink as well as shiny with a strange mixture of pale makeup mixed with sweat, not to mention the blotches on my face.

I never got into video games, since I didn't have the patience for them or the interest (the ADHD again), but my mom is addicted to solitaire, online Jeopardy, online NY Times crossword puzzles, and some Jumble game.

Last year, though, one of my roommates was ADDICTED to Diablo II, and he'd skip class, forget to go to exams, miss work, all sorts of stuff. He wouldn't shower for 2 or 3 days sometimes, and his hair was so oily that when he took off his baseball cap (remember, this is the USA, we love to wear baseball caps 24/7/365), his hair would stick straight up! He and his girlfriend (ironically, she had the worst case of post-cystic acne scars I've ever seen. She was truly one of the ugliest people I knew) hardly ever showered or even brushed their teeth, just sat around during the summer months, watching TV and dirtying up the kitchen.

Here's a really funny story: one time, I didn't know they were home, and I'd previously mentioned to my friend that my roommate's room smelled like dandruff. Well, my friend passed by their room, then got curious and opened the door (the whole apartment was dark, since it was like midnight), and said to me, "Hey! Is this the room that smells like dandruff?" Well, my roommate and his girlfriend woke up and were like, "WHAT?" My friend said hastily, "Sorry! I didn't know you guys were home" and quickly shut the door. We left the apartment, and once outside we started laughing hysterically. It was soo funny! That should teach them to bathe regularly!

Later...
CHL

[jesse]

i think y'all should try knitting. you can do it even in public, at work, at a movie, etc. and its way better than the computer cuz you can actually be constructive and create something. there is always someone you know who knits and wants to show you how.
i pick my fingers so i dont need a mirror and i can do it ALL the time.
lovejesse