Living with Ourselves

[Oaktree]

@Sophia1 

Thank you for your congratulations.

 I am a peer guide for the Veterans forums. I am a Veteran because I served in the Army when I was 17 and I am currently doing the peer work course at Tafe. To be honest we are all peers here, because we all have lived experience. I am not finding being a peer guide much different to being a regular member except it’s more formalised. 

[Appleblossom]

@Sophia1 We have “ talked “ on an off over the years. It was so long ago, that I began that thread, it may have been before you started on the forum. I guess, I sometimes posted from vulnerability, and sometimes to support and become more social. That thread was often the place I retreated when most vulnerable, when I felt stunned into silence, but my fingers could work, or I felt like screaming. Somehow posting helped me empty my crowded brain, if it felt like ex ploding. I tried to self soothe by posting art. Now I reflect and see how it has helped me integrate a lot of disparate parts of myself. I had a lot of uncertainty, and was ambivalent about sharing many things, but also wanted to be fully authentic and not just in caring or coping mode. At the time I began, I really wasn’t that verbal with talking, but so many ideas a words in my brain.  Now I am more connected in real life, and more verbal. It helped me know my resilience and my sensitivity. I am surprised I have survived. Maybe I have been too open, I have sometimes edited myself as I didn’t want to be too self identifying. 

[AlwaysMyself]

A 2.5yo "puppy", that ate my book 🤣 @Sophia1. she does have plenty of toys - and much variety of textures (soft, hard, squeaky, crunchy, ropes, balls...). She loves to nose around and investigate - curious like a cat, which is how she gets into mischief lol. Cardboard boxes are her favourite naughty snack. She also has our other dog (4yo) to play with, and most of the time also can play with my mum's smaller dog (1.5yo) too (we separate the small dog when no one is home though to ensure no fights from sometimes-grumpy-4yo or slap-happy-playful-2.5yo) as theyve only been living together less than 6 months. 

I have a number of Ruth Rendell also. 🙂 many I have not read yet (I used to bulk from second hand charity fetes, and still am working through them). I am also a big fan of Kathy Reichs, Patricia Cornwell, Michael Connelly, Michael Koryta, and Harlen Coben novels.

I have not read Terry Prachett books, but I suspect I would like them too. A number of my family members did.

In terms of satire, I have not read many, but 2 friends each recommended one, and it turned out they were connected books! The first was Catch-22, which is set in WW2 and commentary in round-about ways of the silliness of humanity (in exagerrated ways). The other, which when I looked it up i found was cited as a conceptual-inspiration for Catch-22, is The Good Soldier Svejk which i am currently still reading. It is set in WW1, and comments on the absurdity of war and army, and in an exaggerated fashion also. It was originally a weekly column in a Czech newspaper, then compiled into a book form later. I find it much easier to read than Catch-22, which sometimes was a little more mental.gymnastics to follow the timeline. 

I think the only other satirical I read was The Screwtape Letters by CS Lewis..I do like it too. Very clever and insightful. Written as a Senior Demon to a Junior Demon giving advice or reprimand on their attempts to lead a human astray lol. 

I think its lovely that you are polite to Siri. 😋 its never bad practice to be in the habit of always saying please and thank you 😊. If I were in charge of programming, Id make it not listen unless someone did 🤣 that would be funny.

I do love gelati also. 😊 and im ok with sorbet, but prefer gelati and ice cream usually.

I have tried chilli ice cream also, despite not liking chilli. Caroline reaper ice cream to be precise.

Do you like ice cream and gelati? Favourite flavour(s)?

Or some other preferred treat food?

[Sophia1]

Hello @Appleblossom 

I am not concerned.

We have known one another since before this thread started. You will see that you were tagged in my opening post.

It is good that you have your own space. 

All the best 

Take care

Sophia

[Sophia1]

Hello a lovely lengthy reply @AlwaysMyself 

I feel at home.

I want to take my time to reply when I can read each section, remember what you have said and respond.

There is much in there that interests me. 

I am weary now. Have been on the computer for too long elsewhere not this site.

I research a fair amount and often copy and paste to save.

So when more alert I will respond.

In the meantime enjoy conversations with others.

The good thing about the forums.

Take care

Sophia

[Sophia1]

Oh well done @Oaktree 

A very good cause as well. I have known several war veterans over the years.

In fact I used to work for the federal government dept for war veterans. Looking after veterans from all wars who had concerns, questions etc.

I am sure that you will find the role rewarding. Does it take you anywhere other than the forums?

I can understand your comment about  a peer guide role and not feeling any different.

That tells me that you are actually very good as you are being yourself. This is the best peer guide that you can be.

Will chat when I can. Not always sure what to say.

Sophia

[Appleblossom]

@Sophia1 yes, I looked at the first posts of both our threads. Thank you for the tag. I didn’t often do big tagging, just sometimes, more to generate community, than for my own story. In the fragile thread, I never tagged anyone. I guess it emerged as, a learning to express myself thread. I had always been trained to stifle my feelings, and get on with the job.

It is pretty amazing , reflecting on how long some of these connections have been going. 

[Adge]

Hi @Sophia1 Here is another Meme on Filling out Forms....

Even Cats don't like doing it....

Adge

[Adge]

Hi @Sophia1 I hope you are well & okay.

I just wanted to tell you - Since you were so supportive with your responses Re: Disability Support Pension approval & my NDIS Application.

Today I received a phone call from the NDIS - I was expecting yet another rejection, like my NDIS Application 4 years ago.

Instead I was told that I have been Assessed as meeting NDIS access criteria - Based solely on the severity of my Complex PTSD.

Without any of my other health conditions being used or considered in the evidence.

I will have some sort of Planner meeting (with NDIS) in a few week's time, where I will find out what support, & how much etc.

The news has not really sunk in yet, as it's been a very long & exhausting day.

Adge

[Sophia1]

Oh @Adge 

Well that is more than enough of a substantial reason to be accepted.

Different person, different time assessing.

Their is and possibly never has been any rhyme or reason to how and why they assess.

I say grab it with both hands! Do not question anything! Even if you come across as a nodding clown which I mean with humour. I know that you get my humour so phew quite safe there.

We know that there is so much more that you have endured.

Whatever as my son would say.

You have it and all the best.

Yes there is another stage!  What a surprise.

They have to justify their title and salary.

Yes minister all over.

I can understand that it leaves you with a surreal feeling!  4 years!

Exhausting draining and everything else.

Your new life is starting. 

Rest up and store that vital energy for the big meeting.

It is finally happening.

Keep on sharing if you so wish when you have the energy understandably.

I am very happy for you

Sophia