Super affirming electrolysis session this morning.

For some reason, we ended up sharing some kind of dark painful secrets. What's funny is the things we were both sharing are 100% things that we have at other times shared as amusing stories. I mean, I know many/most of my friends know the things I told her. But it was the WAY we talked about it that was so much different and so much more real.

Definitely distracts from when she is working on the corners of my mouth. 🤐

The lip line and up against the nostrils were the worst. I didn't even know that there were options for numbing.

Quote from: Oldandcreaky on March 06, 2024, 12:31:18 PMThe lip line and up against the nostrils were the worst. I didn't even know that there were options for numbing.

Yeah, she's done like 4-5 rounds of laser in that area (including once she did laser up my nose! "Make sure you don't inhale!") and I can take it... because the whole "circuit" is about 20 bursts in 30 seconds and its done. So after the first one, it didn't really stress me.

And now, when she does electro in that area, a few hairs at a time, it's also no biggie.

BUT when we get to the point where she has to spend a full session there? I don't know how well I'll respond. I like to think my pain tolerance is high enough to grin and bear it, but... I'm not looking forward to it.

I think we have several months before we get to that, however, so that is "future me's" problem, not mine.

The telephone game is predictive of most people, but a woman I used to be friends with (lost her in my first divorce) was an exception, and I am sure there are others out there.  I'll call her "M". 

The bad: M could NOT keep a secret.
The sometimes good/sometimes bad:  she always got every detail perfect.  Court Reporters aren't as accurate as she was at offering a transcript of what was said.  The only thing that might possibly be off was the intonation.

When a literal transcription was a positive thing, it was at least good that she didn't adulterate the message.  When you regretted the way you said something it was bad.  Sometimes, incredibly bad.  And, she didn't have an edit function allowing her to soften the blow. 

But, if I wanted to come out to everyone I knew back then, and didn't want to track them all down or have people getting it muddled, I am confident that within a day of telling her, everyone would get the message as accurately as if written in a text. 

Maybe you know someone like M?

Quote from: REM.1126 on March 06, 2024, 10:28:04 PMThe telephone game is predictive of most people, but a woman I used to be friends with (lost her in my first divorce) was an exception, and I am sure there are others out there.  I'll call her "M". 

The bad: M could NOT keep a secret.
The sometimes good/sometimes bad:  she always got ever detail perfect.  Court Reporters aren't as accurate as she was at offering a transcript of what was said.  The only thing that might possibly be off was the intonation.

When a literal transcription was a positive thing, it was at least good that she didn't adulterate the message.  When you regretted the way you said something it was bad.  Sometimes, incredibly bad.  And, she didn't have an edit function allowing her to soften the blow. 

But, if I wanted to come out to everyone I knew back then, and didn't want to track them all down or have people getting it muddled, I am confident that within a day of telling her, everyone would get the message as accurately as if written in a text. 

Maybe you know someone like M?

The concept makes sense Rachel, for sure.

And in fact, I have several friends who are either print journalists, tv reporters, or non-fiction book authors... so they'd qualify in that regard. But much in the way friends complain to me "why aren't you clapping?" When I sit on my hands at a basketball game — because it's just a force of habit from years of "no cheering on press row" — journalists would be almost overly objective and unemotional in sharing the information.

I also have some really gossipy friends who would spread it like wildfire. I know telling them will be like telling much of the eastern seaboard.🙄

But at the end of the day, I want to do the best that I can to control the narrative. So everyone I tell will, in addition to the letter they receive, either be told that they are free to share that letter with others, or be given a second letter which they are free to share with others if theirs is too specific to them.

That's our plan, anyway. We'll see if it comes to pass.
 

It sounds like a fine plan.  Let all
Of us know how it evolves and plays out. 

Cake pops 2.0



Heading to the beach this weekend, for a brunch with the wife's family... and it's always tricky to figure out something to bring that will both a) travel and b) keep for at least 24 hours without refrigeration.

Enter: cake pops!

I think I've got my you-know-what together on this now... last time I think with about 40 attempted pops, I yielded maybe 15. This time, 38 yielded 30. I know if you actually count the ones in that photo (you know who you are!) you'll see 36... meaning, incredibly I only lost TWO. 
However, that back cooling disc, the small one, that is the island of misfit toys. Those will NOT leave the house. Their flaws are beyond "quirks", "character" or "variations"... they cannot see the light of day.

We will, of course, eat them ourselves, to remove all possible traces of evidence. 😋

Have a nice weekend everyone!

Love,
Allie

QuoteWe will, of course, eat them ourselves, to remove all possible traces of evidence.

Did you ever read "The Lovely Bones"? If not, the dead protagonist commits the perfect murder, killing a serial killer of children with an icicle. It's perfect because the murder weapon melts.

Yeah, your cake pops cover-up reminded me of that.

Quote from: Oldandcreaky on March 08, 2024, 01:27:08 PMDid you ever read "The Lovely Bones"? If not, the dead protagonist commits the perfect murder, killing a serial killer of children with an icicle. It's perfect because the murder weapon melts.

Yeah, your cake pops cover-up reminded me of that.

Ooh I've actually never read it, but it's always been on my list.

Regardless, I appreciate you now loading up child murder and cake pops in my brain. That's going to stick for some time... 😂

By the way... should have shared this pic instead


That's them all wrapped up.

In the background you can see the large bowl and piece of floral styrofoam I got. I'm going to cut that to fit the bowl, and then "plant" the pops in the bowl.

I'm guessing, O&C, that that image conjures something you read about genocide in the Congo? Let me know so I can not sleep tonight. 😘

Hi Allie

The beach you say?  "What about me!" [1]  I would have loved to come, especially after a couple of days in the bush.

I like the sand between my toes, but not there!

Have a wonderful weekend with your wife and family.

Love and Hugs
Sarah B
PS I wait to hear your success in telling friends and family with abated breath.
PSS Stunning effort on the wrapping
[1]  Moving Pictures "What about me"

Love the pics.
I think I gained 10 pounds just looking at them.
YUMMY!

Hi Lori

Quote from: LoriDee on March 08, 2024, 02:00:16 PMLove the pics.
I think I gained 10 pounds just looking at them.
YUMMY!

Yeah I like this ^^^^^^^^^

Love and Hugs
Sarah B

Sarah & Lori - many thanks!

Sarah - looks like we might have a bit of rain at the beach, although we should be able to get a nice walk by the ocean in tomorrow if we get down there earlier enough.  Doing so on Sunday seems iffy at this point, however. So it probably would not be worth the, what?, 24 hour flight for you to join us? So ... maybe it's for the best you sit this one out. 😂

And Lori - 99% of cake pops are made by adding frosting to cake until it will hold together well enough to form pops. And then coating THAT with chocolate.

I have learned a method that does all that WITHOUT the frosting - so it's really dense and moist (hate the word) but not hat on a hat sweet the way most cake pops are.

Why am I telling you all this?

Well because, technically, yes, were you looking at normally cake pops perhaps you'd gain 10 lbs. But with mine it's more like 6-7.  Although honestly you can easily eat more of mine so it probably is a wash.

Forget I said anything. 🤔😉

Do you mean that tray is not a single serving? 

Quote from: LoriDee on March 08, 2024, 05:47:29 PMDo you mean that tray is not a single serving? 

In your blog I offered to help you with some nutritional info/advice - so this question REALLY paints me into a corner 😬😂

I was always taught that calories only count if you consume them in your own house.

Love always -- Jess

Quote from: Jessica_Rose on March 08, 2024, 07:38:59 PMI was always taught that calories only count if you consume them in your own house.

Love always -- Jess

100% true.

Also,  food eaten while standing up has no calories.  Nor does food eaten off of someone else's plate, or any food where you have, right before eating it, declared either "I'm just going to have a taste, bite, or nibble."

And guys don't understand when we say we aren't hungry, then steal their French Fries. 

So I am going to stand up and nibble my dinner----------

Today was a crappy day all around.

I mean, it started with a walk on the beach, and brunch with family... all that was wonderful.

But found out this morning that my cousin passed. We were told Friday night it was any time now. His battle with Parkinson's was at an end. Despite having a big family, we only have three cousins. We didn't see them a lot, and our aunt and uncle were kind of jealous of our parents so they seemed to pit them against us in weird ways... but whenever it was just us, we all got along just fine.

And with their parents aging (and one having past) they had been reaching out more in recent years to do group gathers and such. It was nice. So like I said, sad.

But, and it's just a little thing, but it's also disheartening for me. Every time I think I'm making progress in my struggle against being a serial people pleaser, I take steps back. I get sucked into someone else's drama... let them take up all the oxygen in the room, and do nothing but try to solve their issues, remaining silent on what is happening in my life.

My therapist talks about how important the status of things are prior to transition as predictive of success during transition. Because my relationship with my wife and son was so strong, it made it more likely they would be ok with things. But my not being able to stop doing this, I think could get magnified if I don't nip it in the bud.

I keep thinking I'm doing a good job working on it. Instead I'm simply working on it.

Love,
Allie