SZbNAhL's Similarly Sibilant (if unpronouncable) Random Banter #223

[factotum]

*Looks up standard US voltage* Hah! 120 V. What's the matter, America, aren't you confident your properly-earthed electrical circuits won't cause fatal electrocutions? Oh wait...

120V will totally still kill you. It only takes a few milliamps of alternating current across your heart to put it into fatal fibrillation. As for the "fork in the outlet" issue, UK sockets are designed to prevent that--there's a plastic shield blocking the live and neutral ports, which has to be opened by the presence of an earth pin before you can access the dangerous bits.

(On a semi-related note, this is why those so-called "child protectors" for sockets are pointless in the UK. Not only do they not provide any additional protection because a child can't reach the live terminals anyway, they can actually be actively dangerous because it's possible to remove the protector and insert it upside down with just the earth pin inserted, thus opening the shield and allowing access to the live circuits).

[FinnLassie]

Also hope that you were able to recover your document you'd lost last time you were here, and were able to get it done.

Well... yeah no didn't find it. Which sucks. But I started a new file. Wasn't able to finish on time, but I managed to write a report and find all related documents to finally get my credits for my last year's internship. Which helps a ton.

[Anonymouswizard]

120V will totally still kill you. It only takes a few milliamps of alternating current across your heart to put it into fatal fibrillation. As for the "fork in the outlet" issue, UK sockets are designed to prevent that--there's a plastic shield blocking the live and neutral ports, which has to be opened by the presence of an earth pin before you can access the dangerous bits.

(On a semi-related note, this is why those so-called "child protectors" for sockets are pointless in the UK. Not only do they not provide any additional protection because a child can't reach the live terminals anyway, they can actually be actively dangerous because it's possible to remove the protector and insert it upside down with just the earth pin inserted, thus opening the shield and allowing access to the live circuits).

Yep, UK plugs are more dangerous than sockets, so wear your slippers.

In all seriousness, there's some minor things that I like about our plugs beside the safety features. Like how we can combine the box of power circuitry with the plug workout any downsides, because the orientation of sockets means you need a very large box to block some off.

But ouch, those prongs hurt.

[Insane Jeenyus]

120V will totally still kill you. It only takes a few milliamps of alternating current across your heart to put it into fatal fibrillation. As for the "fork in the outlet" issue, UK sockets are designed to prevent that--there's a plastic shield blocking the live and neutral ports, which has to be opened by the presence of an earth pin before you can access the dangerous bits.

Its not the volts, its the amps! Or rather, as you pointed out, Milliamps. It is, IIRC, 15 ma for 7 milliseconds. I am not a medical professional, but an electrician, by trade. Part of a class I took, in 2001, was to know the specifics of a GFCI and why.

fun fact: 7 ms = 142.857 hz

[DataNinja]

Well... yeah no didn't find it. Which sucks. But I started a new file. Wasn't able to finish on time, but I managed to write a report and find all related documents to finally get my credits for my last year's internship. Which helps a ton.

Oh no.

I'm glad that you were able to get credit for it, at least. I know how much it sucks having to do work over.

[Anonymouswizard]

Wizard's tip of the day: If a bus is coming down the street it's probably best to cross after it's passed. (I'm fine, but did nearly get ruin over, I think that I might really need professional help.)


Anybody got advice for dealing with those 'I'm worthless, I don't deserve happiness, I don't deserve anybody, even if I found a relationship I wouldn't be able to give anything only take' thoughts, even if they're utterly right? I got stuck on them for nearly three hours earlier today due to being at work and unable to refocus (which is my normal trick, to engage in something that'll either get me to focus on it or that I'll get very angry at).

[LaZodiac]

Well first off, remove that "even if they're utterly right" part, because you're not. No actual person is deserving of any of that negativity.

Look, there's not a lot I can actually give as advice on this one. I have bad days and sink into thinking that stuff to, and sometimes that's just unavoidable. You have to endure it. The best you can do is remind yourself that you don't actually deserve it, that it's the depression talking, that you are worth it.

Stay safe man, and try not to walk out into traffic anymore.

[enderlord99]

I just read AnonWiz's depression-statements and thought to myself "False. False. Non-true. Too vague to be meaningful, but probably false."

[HalfTangible]

Wizard's tip of the day: If a bus is coming down the street it's probably best to cross after it's passed. (I'm fine, but did nearly get ruin over, I think that I might really need professional help.)


Anybody got advice for dealing with those 'I'm worthless, I don't deserve happiness, I don't deserve anybody, even if I found a relationship I wouldn't be able to give anything only take' thoughts, even if they're utterly right? I got stuck on them for nearly three hours earlier today due to being at work and unable to refocus (which is my normal trick, to engage in something that'll either get me to focus on it or that I'll get very angry at).

I get these all the time. Here's some stuff I tried. None of them worked permanently, but they all did a bit to help on their own.

Spoiler

Show

1) Exercise. Go to the gym and pump some iron for about an hour, 3 times a week. The first couple of weeks suck, but you start noticing your gains at around week 4.
2) Find a hobby that you take *very* seriously, and/or find fun. I tried writing a short story, and actually made it to the second draft. Still working on it.
3) Do something to help somebody else. Give a hobo a few dollars, tip a bit more than you would normally, etc. It's amazing how good this feels. Really.
4) As 2, but something social.
5) Read a good book.
6) This one might just be me, but... drink a LOT more water. It's amazing how much this has helped.

Keep in mind, most important of all, I feel: life isn't about who/what you are. It's about getting better. If the HalfTangible I am today is better than the David I was? Then I'm doing good, even if I'm worth less than a HalfPerson.

And some days, I do feel that way. I hate myself and all the good I've done feels like nothing compared to the weight of everything horrible I've said and done.

Others, though? I look back on those things and know that I'm not the kind of person who could do that anymore. And I feel good about that.

[Comrade]

Anybody got advice for dealing with those 'I'm worthless, I don't deserve happiness, I don't deserve anybody, even if I found a relationship I wouldn't be able to give anything only take' thoughts, even if they're utterly right? I got stuck on them for nearly three hours earlier today due to being at work and unable to refocus (which is my normal trick, to engage in something that'll either get me to focus on it or that I'll get very angry at).

Well, for starters, they ain't right, full stop. Don't even lend them that level of validity. That being said I'm really not sure what you could do at work that might serve to keep your mind off those thoughts, since the only thing you can generally do at work is, well, work. There might be broader lifestyle changes that you can make that can help, and that could be anything from making an effort to maintain a healthier diet and hitting the gym to seeking professional help, but it sounds like you're after more specific things you can do when those thoughts crop up at work.

[Durkoala]

I get these all the time. Here's some stuff I tried. None of them worked permanently, but they all did a bit to help on their own.

Spoiler

Show

1) Exercise. Go to the gym and pump some iron for about an hour, 3 times a week. The first couple of weeks suck, but you start noticing your gains at around week 4.
2) Find a hobby that you take *very* seriously, and/or find fun. I tried writing a short story, and actually made it to the second draft. Still working on it.
3) Do something to help somebody else. Give a hobo a few dollars, tip a bit more than you would normally, etc. It's amazing how good this feels. Really.
4) As 2, but something social.
5) Read a good book.
6) This one might just be me, but... drink a LOT more water. It's amazing how much this has helped.

I'm going to add a couple of things to this that I've also found helpful in the past. The usual disclaimer about these not being fixes to the problem and people reacting to different things differently applies to all of these too, of course, but they've helped me in bad times.

Spoiler

Show

4.5 Anything that gets you out and in contact with positive or even neutral people helps. A sports club, book club, volunteering at somewhere, looking for shopping bargins (even if you don't buy anything)... Something to get your mind away from the rut of self hate, working on fresh stimuli and engaging the primal social circuitry.

7.If there's a park, forest, public garden or similar near you, take a walk through it. Being around green things has been proven to make people happier. If you feel like combining this with 4.5, you could look for walking clubs or groups or see if you can bring a friend or two along.

8. It's Difficult (that capital letter is important and deliberate), but try to keep up with your personal hygine and cleanliness. Going to the effort to look presentable and have clutterless space can help get you in the mindset to face down the other problems.

Edit to add: I saw it written down on the internet somewhere that depression and anxiety attacking you 'is your brain making up conspiracy theories about yourself', which is a good thing to remember.

[Teddy]

Anybody got advice for dealing with those 'I'm worthless, I don't deserve happiness, I don't deserve anybody, even if I found a relationship I wouldn't be able to give anything only take' thoughts, even if they're utterly right? I got stuck on them for nearly three hours earlier today due to being at work and unable to refocus (which is my normal trick, to engage in something that'll either get me to focus on it or that I'll get very angry at).

People with more experience than me have already said very good things, and I would just end up collating, but I never the less want to stress this:

Well first off, remove that "even if they're utterly right" part, because you're not. No actual person is deserving of any of that negativity.

Do your absolute best to resist the urge to trash-talk yourself or "prove your lack of worth". Not only does it create an unhealthy focus on all things you dislike about yourself while laying smokescreens before the positives, but it also creates situations where people contest you, and you'll feel the urge to "prove them wrong" and substantiate your claim with "evidence". I hope I don't need to point out how destructive that is.

[Fyraltari]

Anybody got advice for dealing with those 'I'm worthless, I don't deserve happiness, I don't deserve anybody, even if I found a relationship I wouldn't be able to give anything only take' thoughts, even if they're utterly right?

These are lies. That noise is what is keeping you down. They are absolutely not right. The other Playgrounders allready gave tons of good advice so I can jut reiterate that you should take care of yourself and do things you enjoy. Try talking to friends or relatives, people you trust. If you don't talk about your situation to someone these thoughts will only fester and become worse. Maybe you think that your problems ought not to be as bad as you make them and you feel guilty for having them and shouldn't bother anyone with them? That's a trap. The people who care about you will listen to you. They will help you.

A couple years back, I was basically where you are now, I couldn't deal with the fact that the girl I loved didn't love me back, I thought I was going to be alone forever that I couldn't do anything back and that I was utterly worthless. I felt like **** even for feeling like **** because some part of me recognized that it wasn't true and I didn't know how to deal with that. I did seek help from a psychologist and I cannot begin to tell you the good it did me. It wasn't quick but it happened and once it got going it kept going faster (with the odd setback truth be told).

You have a hard and painful road ahead of you, man, but the simple fact you are asking for help tell me you are already going in the right direction. Be brave, be strong and remember that you have worth, that you have qualities, that you are beautiful and eventually you will feel better. Time and courage heal all wounds even if right here, right now you feel like you are stuck.

Wish you the best, man.

[FinnLassie]

Oh no.

I'm glad that you were able to get credit for it, at least. I know how much it sucks having to do work over.

Yeah. Not happy with the situation... but I'll manage. I decided I'll dedicate this autumn, alongside with working on my thesis, to finish two courses that still have a couple of lingering assignments. Then, next semester after I finish my thesis, I have a couple of months to finish two required courses. Then I'm done.

[2D8HP]

...due to being at work and unable to refocus (which is my normal trick, to engage in something that'll either get me to focus on it or that I'll get very angry at).

The being at work part makes it tricky, though sometimes taking the stairs instead of the elevator at work helps (and sometimes I'll even bring the toolset up by elevator, hide it in a closet, go back down, and then take the elevator), otherwise (and this will sound horrible) go "duty calls" and find someone wrong on the internet and correct them, as being a little cranky feels better than sad.

[Anonymouswizard]

Thanks for the advice everybody, hopefully I'll walk into less trafic today!

You have a hard and painful road ahead of you, man, but the simple fact you are asking for help tell me you are already going in the right direction. Be brave, be strong and remember that you have worth, that you have qualities, that you are beautiful and eventually you will feel better. Time and courage heal all wounds even if right here, right now you feel like you are stuck.

Yep, sometimes I wish I could go back to feeling like I'm unattractive, because in many ways the thoughts that my only plus is being pretty are so much worse. But I should be getting some professional help in a little under five moneths now, so I just have to struggle through and avoid wild mushrooms until then.

[Mith]

Thanks for the advice everybody, hopefully I'll walk into less trafic today!



Yep, sometimes I wish I could go back to feeling like I'm unattractive, because in many ways the thoughts that my only plus is being pretty are so much worse. But I should be getting some professional help in a little under five moneths now, so I just have to struggle through and avoid wild mushrooms until then.

Hey, you made it through University, yes? That shows intelligence as well.

[SZbNAhL]

Sometimes I wish I could go back to feeling like I'm unattractive, because in many ways the thoughts that my only plus is being pretty are so much worse. But I should be getting some professional help in a little under five moneths now, so I just have to struggle through and avoid wild mushrooms until then.

You also have a good sense of humour. That's an attractive quality.

[Anonymouswizard]

Hey, you made it through University, yes? That shows intelligencebrute force and ignorance as well.

Fixed it for you

You also have a good sense of humour. That's an attractive quality.

Considering I'm still laughing at the years old topical jokes in the old episodes of Mock the Week on Netflix, my sense of humour might be a bit too broad to be good.

As for who's sense of humour I want to copy? How about Princess Monaco of Kent?

[factotum]

As for who's sense of humour I want to copy? How about Princess Monaco of Kent?

Think you possibly mean Princess Michael of Kent, given that she exists and whoever you just mentioned doesn't?

[SZbNAhL]

Considering I'm still laughing at the years old topical jokes in the old episodes of Mock the Week on Netflix, my sense of humour might be a bit too broad to be good.

As for who's sense of humour I want to copy? How about Princess Monaco of Kent?

Think you possibly mean Princess Michael of Kent, given that she exists and whoever you just mentioned doesn't?

He was referencing an old joke on Mock the Week, thus demonstrating his earlier point.

[Anonymouswizard]

He was referencing an old joke on Mock the Week, thus demonstrating his earlier point.

I considered going for Jack went strawberry, but that's probably harder for most people to place.

[SZbNAhL]

I considered going for Jack went strawberry, but that's probably harder for most people to place.

Hey, that's my favourite children's book!

[Anonymouswizard]

Hey, that's my favourite children's book!

Why doesn't America have panel shows? They're some of the funniest shows on TV/radio, and tend to avoid 'cringe comedy' even when it should be uncomfortable.

[SZbNAhL]

Why doesn't America have panel shows? They're some of the funniest shows on TV/radio, and tend to avoid 'cringe comedy' even when it should be uncomfortable.

I imagine it's for the same reason they don't have universal healthcare, teapots, electoral spending limits, functional public transport, etc. etc.

[LaZodiac]

Hey now, they do have tea pots.

[SZbNAhL]

Hey now, they do have tea pots.

Then why are they always brewing in the cup?

[Tvtyrant]

Then why are they always brewing in the cup?

Out of respect for the past we can't have tea parties anymore. We had one really good one and retired the concept.

[Anonymouswizard]

Out of respect for the past we can't have tea parties anymore. We had one really good one and retired the concept.

It can't really be called a tea party if the tea's that dillute. I mean, really, it's more of a water party.

[enderlord99]

Hey now, they do have tea pots.

Then why are they always brewing in the cup?

British people use "kettle" to mean "thing that you boil water in" and "teapot" to mean "totally necessary{~} middle step between the kettle and the cup."

Americans use "teapot" to mean "thing that you boil water in" and "kettle" to mean "a certain type of popcorn."