Not a pet peeve, but annoyance

Line up etiquette

Sometimes, I'll be in line to get my afternoon coffee at Tim Hortons and the person behind me seems to think I am not there. Either that or they really like how I smell. But basically they seem to have no sense of personal space, their own or mine. I can almost feel these people breathing down my neck and it is very disconcerting. I can't even turn to look to my side without bumping into them. What is the purpose of this? Whether they stand 5 cm from me or 2 feet away, they will not get served any earlier. Nor will someone else take their spot unless they are standing somewhere completely different. Why do people do this? What happened to respecting someone's bubble?

Floss Floss Floss

I am not entirely sure why I am blogging about this but it was something I wanted to write about. Flossing. Here is a poem:

Floss Floss Floss your teeth
Gently between grooves
Merrily merrily merrily merrily
Life will be a hoot!

You know how people don't believe in something unless they experience it themselves or it happens to them? Well flossing is that something for me. I was never a big flosser. Not something I grew up with. When I did learn about it, I guess I didn't really understand how food would get between our teeth. Surely our teeth are set so that such a thing doesn't happen.

But recently I've been getting some dental work done and I have gotten in the habit of flossing. In fact I floss about 2 or 3 times a day now. Why? I have seen the light. Once I started flossing, I noticed what menaces lay between those hard food mashers. Every time I floss, I noticed things in there. And I imagine...these are the things that remain between out teeth and let those pesky bacteria eat away at our tooth leading to cavities. We all know how cavity forms. But flossing has made me realize how real this eminent threat is.

So, I implore everyone to practice good oral hygiene and floss!!! For the love of a good smile...FLOSS!!!!!!!!!

What not to say to a depressed person by THERESE J. BORCHARD

This is an article I came across and I had to share it. I am always on the look out for articles that talk about what NOT to do. Many people do exactly what they shouldn't be doing in many circumstances. I like to learn to avoid these situations myself. Read on this article:

1. Snap out of it!

Your loved one hasn’t left the house in what seems like days. Should you tell him to pull himself up by his bootstraps and just snap out of it?

Don’t say it.

You may be tempted to tell someone who’s depressed to stop moping around and just shake it off. But depression is not something patients can turn on and off, and they’re not able to respond to such pleas. Instead, tell your loved one that you’re available to help them in any way you can.


2. What do you have to be depressed about?

In a world full of wars, hunger, poverty, abuse, and other ills, you may feel impatient when someone you love feels depressed. So do you remind him how lucky he is?

Don’t say it.

You can’t argue someone out of feeling depressed, but you can help by acknowledging that you’re aware of his pain. Try saying something like “I’m sorry that you’re feeling so bad.”

3. Why don’t you go for a nice walk?

Exercise is a known way to lift your mood. Is it a good idea to suggest that your loved one with depression go out and enjoy some fresh air and activity?

Say it — but with a caveat.

By definition, depression keeps you from wanting to engage in everyday activities. But you can show your support by offering to take a walk, go to a movie, or do some other activity with your loved one. How about: “I know you don’t feel like going out, but let’s go together.”

4. It’s all in your head.

Some people believe that depression is an imaginary disease and that it’s possible to think yourself into feeling depressed and down. Should you tell your loved one that depression is just a state of mind — and if she really wanted to, she could lift her mood with positive thoughts?

Don’t say it.

Suggesting that depression is imagined is neither constructive nor accurate. Although depression can’t be “seen” from the outside, it is a real medical condition and can’t be thought or wished away. Try saying instead: “I know that you have a real illness that’s causing you to feel this way.”

5. Seeing a therapist is probably a good idea.

You think your loved one could benefit from talking to a mental health professional. Should you say so?

Say it.

Reinforcing the benefits of treatment is important. Encourage the idea of getting professional help if that step hasn’t yet been taken. This is especially important if your loved one has withdrawn so much that she is not saying anything. Try telling her, “You will get better with the right help.” Suggest alternatives if you don’t see any improvement from the initial treatment in about six to eight weeks.

For other suggestions on what to say and what not to say, check out Everyday Health’s post.

Also, see our list of the worst things to say to someone who’s depressed.

[Strapya World Presents] Doughnut To-Go!!!!!!

This is the worst invention ever! Unitasker, as the unclutter blog puts it

Prozac Nation

I recently watched Prozac Nation (2001), a movie about a young girl battling depression. Christina Ricci plays Elizabeth, a first year Harvard student who has been showing signs of depression all her life. At Harvard, she slowly spirals out of control, pushing everyone away. The movie resonated very well with me since mental illness really interests me. The movie nicely displays all the dysfunctional thoughts going through her head and the audience is able to see her condition progress. I definitely recommend this movie to anyone interested in the issue of depression.