My doctor's nurse called me up and said I had a high liver enzyme.
"What does that mean?"
"You can't drink alcohol."
"But what's going on with my liver?"
"I don't have the details, you'll have to talk to the doctor."
The doctor moved away before I could get in to see her.
I called her partner.
"New patients are six months out."
Six month's later: "Sorry the doctor moved away."
Pick a random doctor in the phone book.
"New patients are six months out."
Six months pass. I miss the appointment.
"I want to reschedule."
"Sorry, the doctor won't see patients who miss their first appointment."
I'm trying to get in to the next doctor. So far I have no idea what's wrong with my liver.
Among other problems, it turns out our local health care group was bought out by venture capitalists. Their mismanagement is part of why so many doctors are leaving.
It IS perverse. You're having your eyes groped by strangers, all trying to get you to do what you have no desire to do. You just want to get what you came for and leave, but no, everywhere you look something is trying to block your path and distract you from your goal. And it's not even honest: you already know that none of these extraneous, unwanted come-ons you're seeing is anything close to true. In some cases, it's a full-on mental assault.
It's vile. I used to leave some on, but now there's not even such a thing as "acceptable ads" anymore just because of the sheer numbers involved. So now I don't just block: I go full extermination mode. I'm usually on desktop so if it's a one time thing, like a single ad on YouTube that managed to sneak by all of my walls and filters and I can't just pass it by because it's stuck in my field of vision, I'll actually do an "inspect element" and delete it on the spot. But otherwise, if I can't block 100% or very close to it, I find a different site or source, or shut down altogether.
I genuinely don't think our minds were made for this level of constant information onslaught and never-ending manipulation campaigns, and I don't think it's healthy or life-affirming to subject oneself to it without limit. So I don't. People get angry about it, but hey, more for them to enjoy if that's how they wanna roll.
It's funny to consider "love of country" to mean "the food, certain people, and beautiful landmarks", while simultaneously condemning the actions of its government, and like half of the citizens who live there.
Not that I'm criticizing, mind. I struggled with this myself for a long time before finally coming to the realization that this country is like a problematic family. You're told that you should love it even if you don't like lots of aspects of it very much. Like an abusive parent.
I'm in my 40s now, and I've finally realized that that's bullshit. I don't love this country. I used to, but I've realized that I only ever loved the idea of this country while the reality has been a profound disappointment.
Happy birthday man...
Sorry I'd love to write a convincing and uplifting message but sadly today I don't fee tool great.
Haven't really celebrated my birthday since I was 18...
31 now and I hang with people like once a year, my 30th was at home alone.
Lots of anxiety and depression...
Hope you feel better soon though, message if you want, I'll want to listen! I can assure you I'm not too busy socialising instead! ;)
Sounds boring and typical, bit go for a walk somewhere you haven't been... Give you some fresh stimulation, and you'll feel a little less trapped being stuck indoors.
Would write more, but... I'm not feeling perfect, so I gave my best reply I could now.
Stay well! :)
This might not be an answer but my worked also requested us come in 2 days a week. So I ride my bike in around 11am and back home about 1pm. WFH the rest of the hours. I’m all about malicious compliance.
[Outdated, please look at pinned post] Casual Conversation
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