the first 14 days of September

[staxxy]

it's like everybody is in a car on a rollercoaster, currently going up hill. We have no idea if there is track on the other side when we come down. We have no real idea of if we are going to 11 and then coming down, or before/after that. We do know that the track we are on is rusty, and there are holes/spaces in it. We know that when the seatbelt/safety bar came down, it didn't click all the way like it is supposed to. We know that there are other people in our cars, and we do not know them, their motivations, or what they are likely to do at any given moment. We also know that several of the other cars near us have had one or more person start jumping up and down in their seat, and that at least one of the cars seems to have tipped over the edge entirely (losing some of it's passengers).

Everyone I know is feeling stressed. Everyone. No one I know has more than a passing reason for it. None of the reasons are really that new for this time period. They were there a month ago, but not causing this level of stress for most of us. But this week it is even worse.

The news, the papers, everything looks the same. The news reported sounds like people freaking out under too much pressure, and stress.

I don't know if we are all picking up on the freefloating 9/11 anxiety or what.

I am hoping it goes away.

Comments

[burgunder.livejournal.com]

Stax, that's a damn good point. I hadn't even thought of that.

For years, I would deal with massive inexplicable angst around midOctober and finally realized it was the annual anniversary of my grandma's death.

My body has the annual Earth cycle down to a T, and I was definitely traumatized by September 11th last year. As much as I hate to admit it, at least in my case, I bet it's related.

Re: I think it is for a lot of us...

[staxxy.livejournal.com]

and from what I have read in everyone's livejournals, well, no one seems to have noticed the pattern.

I just know that about a month ago there were a lot more posts about happy stuff.

and the SG bored is so screwed up right now that I can't even bring myself to read it more than twice a week. Too much stress and bullshit there. It's like drama distilled. eep.

Re: I think it is for a lot of us...

[m-cobweb.livejournal.com]

I'm boycotting the board myself right now--the way it was enhancing my natural tendencies toward anxiety weren't helping at all.

Re: I think it is for a lot of us...

[staxxy.livejournal.com]

I just don't like petty back biting. It irritates me. and so does sniping.

so, in an effort to continue to like my friends, I am avoiding the board.

Re: I think it is for a lot of us...

[wilson-lizard.livejournal.com]

I noticed too. I was talking to my mom about it yesterday, that everyone I knew seemed to be having huge relationship issues this week. She was chalking it up to just being her B-day.

Re: I think it is for a lot of us...

[staxxy.livejournal.com]

I haven't noticed relationship issues being overly present. No more so than normal. But I have noticed *stupid* things, like people not taking resposibility for their actions in public and at friends homes. I have noticed people having non specific angst more than normal. I have noticed people feeling like they might be going crazy, and like everything gives them anxiety. When 2 weeks ago this was not the case.

I have noticed headlines. And the talk on the bus.

and I have noticed the changes in peoples postures on the street. People are more hunched now, more folded in on themselves. People have stopped making eye contact. They don't smile as much, but when they do there seems to be more of a crazed edge to it.

People give the impression of being more unpredictable than before, and really, I think they are.

take the shoot out downtown today, for example.

When was the last time that happened *here*?

Re: I think it is for a lot of us...

[wilson-lizard.livejournal.com]

Shoot out down town? I hadn't heard about that yet. What I've noticed on the news has been all the kidnappings, and then they catch the person right away. I've also noticed the ads on TV seem to be geared towards "our product will help you forget your stress".

The wierdest example I've seen is those nuns in Klamath Falls last weekend.

Mostly the relationship stuff has seemed to be about heavy evaluation. ..either that or total mis-communication due to anxiety. Myself included here, which is maybe why I'm noticing / projecting / attracting it. heh.

Re: I think it is for a lot of us...

[staxxy.livejournal.com]

ah... recent experiences tend to make us notice one thing or another more than another sometimes.

:D

AMEN SISTAH!

[mspurplepearl.livejournal.com]

I was just telling Heather yesterday that I have decided that the first day of Mirella's school (my second grade daughter) really freaks me out. But, now that you mention it: the trend started long before she went to school. I got it in college too.

By the way: VERY NICE to meet you at long last in the Display & Costume last weekend. Sorry I ran off: we had bajillions of things to do. I would love to get to talk to you more... perhaps this Saturday at the Merc we can run commentary on people's outfits. I am looking forward to the spectacle immensely.

Re: AMEN SISTAH!

[staxxy.livejournal.com]

heh. It was fabulous to meet you, and to be honest, I didn't notice that you had run off cause I was in the midst of stuff myself. Bizzy Bizzy Bizzy like a little Bumbling Bee.

I do believe that we just might be able to make commentary at that. ;)

I will see you saturday lady.

If nothing else, I figured it was good to point it out to everyone that none of us is alone in this feeling and stuff.

[m-cobweb.livejournal.com]

Stax, I think you have some very good points. I've been something of a neurotic mess the last couple of weeks and I've been trying to pin it on events in my life (like the birthday of my grandmother, who died last year). With the onset of fall weather, it's getting better, but for days I didn't know what was wrong with me. I suspect there is a 9/11 component, although I have been denying that it is affecting me. It shouldn't make me feel better to know I'm not alone, but it does...

Re: It's ok.

[staxxy.livejournal.com]

the thing that I have noticed, along the lines of "birds of a feather" is that most of my friends are somewhat sensitive to the general "vibe" that is going around, or just vibes in general. Even if 9/11 didn't affect you personally, I bet it got to a lot of people around you... and *that* is getting to you.

I know it is getting me. There is a really sketchy/edgy undercurrent to the world right now. It's really evident in the news, and with the things people are saying.

People are losing their minds for no reason really. Like the guy that stole the bus and went on a high speed chase in it.

think about the number of sirens you are hearing every day, compare that to the number you heard 2 months ago. I know that it has triple for me.

What should make you feel better, is not the fact that everyone else is stressed, and freaky, but the fact that it may not be *you* that is stressed and freaky, but *you* that is sensitive to the stressed freakyness of the world around you.

It will be ok, eventually. I am hoping for soon.

when I realized it wasn't really *me*. I felt lots better. Now I just have mild free floating anxiety feelings. But I don't let it really get to me. It's like knowing there are birds on the front lawn. You don't have to feed them, and chasing them off is pointless cause they will come right back when your back is turned.

Re: It's ok.

[lawst.livejournal.com]

Fortunately, from where my house sits, it's hard to hear many sirens. Apart from school starting and having a baby, I have a feeling you're right about the 9/11 angst. I've been catching myself peeking at the calander at least once a day thinking about it. Maybe I'll set aside some time that day to meditate on it.

Re: It's ok.

[staxxy.livejournal.com]

light a candle. you'll feel better.

[ozitonaranjo.livejournal.com]

I know for me, when things go wrong it's usually right about this time of year. It was going on long before 9/11 and will likely continue long after. *sigh*

THough, right now taking a day off seems like a fabulous idea.

Re: For me the bad times are 2

[staxxy.livejournal.com]

February ( I used to write on my calanders "don't break up, it's just February"). and June.

they hate me.

I dunno.

they were really crappy this year, and I am hoping they will be better next year. :)

days off help LOTS... none for me for a while.. I just took 2 sick days.

Re: For me the bad times are 2

[dekeboy.livejournal.com]

I don't really mind September. My only Sept concern was my folks, but thats because they are flying. It could be St. Swibbens day, as far as I care, and I'd still be a wreck, because planes are heavier than air.

I'm actually looking forward to next week, because their is going to be a Fri. the Thirteenth. Poppa and I always have a beer and celebrate fri/13 because to him it means good luck, not bad.

It commemorates his Discharge from Vietnam, (The best moment of his life until meeting mom-his words.) Therefore to Dad& Myself it's actually pretty cool.

Not to say I won't do anything for 9-11, or that it had no affect. It did, I guess I just view it like I do the rest of life: Life goes on. Live life to the fullest. Bring it on Fuckers! (aThat last one is my favorite part of my philosophy.)

Re: For me the bad times are 2

[staxxy.livejournal.com]

heh.

Firday the 13th is a good day for me and my mom too. :D

Fook THAT.

[sarmonster.livejournal.com]

Just got back from a 5-day vacation, I'm a little anxious, but it's a good, roll-around-in-it-with-your-toungue-hanging-out kind of anxious. I don't think I've been this happy in years. I run the Tieton River on the 13th. Can't wait, but scared to death. Work is hectic, but I'm not too worried, it'll get done.
TV is aggravating. This 9-11 rehash is causing a lot of anxiety & I get very angry seeing the media capitalizing on it. Like we're gonna forget. Grr. So I'm boycotting all TV ..uh...except animal planet & comedy central. :)

Hugs!
SDS

Re: Fook THAT.

[staxxy.livejournal.com]

I actually didn't pay my cable bill, I figured it would be good for me to have no tv at all for 3 week. I am getting it turned on again a week from Friday.

anything that happens I can find on the internet.

other than that. I do *NOT* want to see it. Bleh.