2017.09.04 13:00 - Ain't got no, I got Life

The Guardian for this meeting was Agatha Macbeth. The comments are by Agatha Macbeth. I started off with my usual bitch about the cushions.

Aphrodite Macbain: 's current display-name is "Aph".
Aphrodite Macbain: Hiya Aggers
Agatha Macbeth: Hello Aphie
Aphrodite Macbain: that's cooler
Aphrodite Macbain: Hi TUra
Tura Brezoianu: hi Aph, Ag
Agatha Macbeth: I hate these stupid cushions
Aphrodite Macbain: Hot where you two are?
--BELL--
Tura Brezoianu: Not today, not very much
Aphrodite Macbain watches Aggers change positions and thinks that it would make her hot
Agatha Macbeth: It wouldn't be so bad if they all had the same poses
Aphrodite Macbain: I kinda like the variety
Aphrodite Macbain: although there are some better than others
Aphrodite Macbain: lol
Aphrodite Macbain: Is there anything we should be discussing today?
Tura Brezoianu: I seem to have got lucky today with this one
Agatha Macbeth: How about crap cushions
Aphrodite Macbain: :-)
Aphrodite Macbain: I am not sure what you find wrong
Agatha Macbeth: Screw it

I switch to a generic sitting pose

Aphrodite Macbain: you look good in all of the positions
Agatha Macbeth: Did we finish Max's thingy?
Aphrodite Macbain: yes
Aphrodite Macbain: you have strong stomach muscles
Agatha Macbeth: Hm
Aphrodite Macbain: Normally this is a great time of year for me, but this year, it's awful
Aphrodite Macbain: the weather, the world and the politics are conspiring to make me miserable
Agatha Macbeth: How?
Aphrodite Macbain: and I have finished my 3-year course and am lost for something useful to do
Agatha Macbeth: Oh I see
Tura Brezoianu: what was the course?
Agatha Macbeth: Can't you do another one?
Aphrodite Macbain: There's nothing quite like this one
Aphrodite Macbain: I may take a creative writing course
Aphrodite Macbain: but it's too late to register for the fall
Agatha Macbeth: I thought you were a painter
Aphrodite Macbain: I'm having a near-the-end-of-my-life crisis
Agatha Macbeth: Oh dear
Aphrodite Macbain: I paint but it doesnt occupy much of my time
Aphrodite Macbain: sorry to whine
Agatha Macbeth: Feel free, if you feel better for it...
Aphrodite Macbain: I hadn't expected this would happen
Agatha Macbeth: What, the course would finish?
Aphrodite Macbain: Feeling this way at the end of it
Agatha Macbeth: Hello Mick
Aphrodite Macbain: no plans
Aphrodite Macbain: Hiya Mick
Tura Brezoianu: hi Mick
Agatha Macbeth: You're not off travelling in the near future then?
Mickorod Renard: hiya folks, sorry am late
Aphrodite Macbain: nothing major
Aphrodite Macbain: Going to Mexico for a week in October
Agatha Macbeth: Doesn't sound like you
Aphrodite Macbain: I know
Agatha Macbeth: Ah
Mickorod Renard: hi
Aphrodite Macbain: Hi
Agatha Macbeth: Cactus juice
Aphrodite Macbain: lol
Mickorod Renard: beach hol?
Mickorod Renard: oops
Aphrodite Macbain: no

Agatha Macbeth: Hello Liz
Mickorod Renard: Hi Liz
Aphrodite Macbain: Up in the mountains
Eliza Madrigal: Hiya! Sorry to be late... hurricane shopping
Mickorod Renard: nice
Aphrodite Macbain: ??
Aphrodite Macbain: What do you buy for a hurricane?
Mickorod Renard: ah is it heading your way now?
Agatha Macbeth ponders cut price hurricanes
Mickorod Renard: I have been watching it in the Caribeen
Eliza Madrigal: may be...have to watch closely this week
Agatha Macbeth: Good eyesight
Aphrodite Macbain: what did you buy?
Eliza Madrigal: but never good to wait til last minute
--BELL--
Mickorod Renard: kite?
Eliza Madrigal: so far things like snack bars and power ade, that kind of thing
Aphrodite Macbain: lol
Eliza Madrigal: haha
Aphrodite Macbain: Oh - in case you are trapped?
Eliza Madrigal: lots of scenarios. Have been through 2 major storms where we lost power for days
Aphrodite Macbain: How about a canoe?
Eliza Madrigal: :)

Eliza Madrigal: what are you guys talking about?
Aphrodite Macbain: my depression
Aphrodite Macbain: :-(
Agatha Macbeth: Aph in Mexico
Eliza Madrigal: oh :(
Aphrodite Macbain: :-)
Agatha Macbeth: Ay caramba
Eliza Madrigal: Is Mexico the cure?
Aphrodite Macbain: a one-week jaunt wont fix this
Mickorod Renard: was wondering that?
Aphrodite Macbain: but it's an attempt to change patterns
Mickorod Renard: I might need to join you
Aphrodite Macbain: I am so used to my old routine of reading, writing and discussing
Aphrodite Macbain: i wake up and wonder what to do that day
Aphrodite Macbain: waaaa
Eliza Madrigal: a transitional depression? ie what to do 'next'?
Aphrodite Macbain: I realize I try and fill my life with business to detract from it
Aphrodite Macbain: exactly eliza
Aphrodite Macbain: I am trying to think of this stage as positive
Aphrodite Macbain: an oportunity
Aphrodite Macbain: to do new things
Eliza Madrigal: it likely is, in the larger picture
Eliza Madrigal: but the smaller picture can be loud and demanding I guess?
Aphrodite Macbain: yes
Mickorod Renard: would you like to be a nanny?
Eliza Madrigal: :)))
Aphrodite Macbain: Makes me realize how little we/I can change my mood at will
Agatha Macbeth: Mary Poppins
Aphrodite Macbain: lol
Aphrodite Macbain: sure Mick
Mickorod Renard: great, cure 2 probs in one
Aphrodite Macbain: how many?
Mickorod Renard: will be 4
Aphrodite Macbain: eek
Tura Brezoianu: quite the handful
Eliza Madrigal: :)
Aphrodite Macbain: I have 2 cats and they are a challenge
Agatha Macbeth: ^.^
Aphrodite Macbain: y challenge at is to get fi
Aphrodite Macbain: atm
Aphrodite Macbain: fitter
Eliza Madrigal: endorphins always help :)
Aphrodite Macbain: so I plan to go to the YMCA and do yoga and ride a stationary bike
Agatha Macbeth: And Mexican mountains
Aphrodite Macbain: get those endorphens revved
Aphrodite Macbain: yes
Mickorod Renard: I found I am only getting nackered now,,never get fitter
Aphrodite Macbain: What do each of you do to chase depression?
Tura Brezoianu: meditating in the Mexican deserts?
Aphrodite Macbain: yes
Aphrodite Macbain: that sounds blissful Tura
Aphrodite Macbain: but only for 6 days
Tura Brezoianu: never done that myself
Eliza Madrigal: I pull away from social media, but what I feel is more often restlessness and anxiety. If depression hits, it hits just for a day or so.
Aphrodite Macbain: meditating in Mexico?
Mickorod Renard: I think of all those in worse situations than me..........but also I am very fortunate
Aphrodite Macbain: I do that too but it doesnt help much

Aphrodite Macbain: why do you pull away from social media eliza?
Eliza Madrigal: I went to the doctor, and as I am describing a situation, she began telling me about flood victims, and well... I know, but I still need to describe the pain situation :)
Aphrodite Macbain: yes
Agatha Macbeth: 0.0
Aphrodite Macbain wonders why the doctor did that
Eliza Madrigal: Aph, because it pushes my buttons, I become discouraged about the state of the world, and rather than moving me to action it hinders
Aphrodite Macbain: ah
Aphrodite Macbain: For me, social media helps me to connect with others
Aphrodite Macbain: like now
Aphrodite Macbain: I get out of myself
Eliza Madrigal: this kind of 'face to face' SMS is a bit different
Mickorod Renard: I agree totally with you Eliza..I stopped reading newspapers years ago for same reason
Aphrodite Macbain: I am a news addict
Mickorod Renard: theres the prob then
Aphrodite Macbain: I would feel so disconnected with the world if I stopped paying attention
Eliza Madrigal: probably each of us has ways that are more or less productive to interface with information
Aphrodite Macbain: The hitehouse has turned into a stage for a soap opera
Agatha Macbeth: Shitehouse?
Aphrodite Macbain: that i watch with horror and fascination
Aphrodite Macbain: lol
Eliza Madrigal: it is important to realize that... weaponized info and such is meant to stress you out to paralyzation
Aphrodite Macbain: W
Eliza Madrigal: *paralysis
Tura Brezoianu: if I didn't live on this planet I'd just be fascinated to see what happens next
Aphrodite Macbain: Nods
Agatha Macbeth: Paralyzation sounds good
Eliza Madrigal: That is a nice meditation in itself, Tura
Mickorod Renard: yes, this is another form of attachment,,,free yourself Aph and return to what you really have
Aphrodite Macbain: U am interested in the discussions and commentary that comes out of it
Aphrodite Macbain wonders what she really has
Mickorod Renard: wonderful countryside
Aphrodite Macbain: True.:-)
Mickorod Renard: furry animals
Aphrodite Macbain: like bears?
Agatha Macbeth thinks of a Nina Simone song
Eliza Madrigal: you're so genuine Aph :) for one thing... just talking openly about this kind of feeling / struggle
Aphrodite Macbain: which one?
Agatha Macbeth: I got life
Aphrodite Macbain: It helps to talk about it
Mickorod Renard: I thought you painted Aph?
--BELL--
Agatha Macbeth: I said that!
Aphrodite Macbain: I appreciate your listening and commenting
Eliza Madrigal grins
Aphrodite Macbain: I do Mick, but not all the time
Agatha Macbeth: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qBB4ar6cqSs
Mickorod Renard: I used to set fire to mine when I was down..then become like the reserected pheonix
Agatha Macbeth: 0.0
Aphrodite Macbain: I need some kind of on-going project, an opportunity to connect with others, engagement with life
Eliza Madrigal dances in her seat
Eliza Madrigal: Are you still volunteering at the garden also, Aph?
Aphrodite Macbain: no
Aphrodite Macbain: Enjoying the music :-)
Aphrodite Macbain: It took an hour in the bus to get there
Mickorod Renard: I enjoyed baallroom dancing for a while
Eliza Madrigal: nice :))
Aphrodite Macbain: cool
Aphrodite Macbain: "got my liver" :-)
Eliza Madrigal: there are so many things to 'do' but probably it comes back to that 'ability to sit quietly in a room' and be content
Eliza Madrigal: then no matter if you are doing or not, it is fine
Aphrodite Macbain: yes
Aphrodite Macbain: I'm like a shark
Eliza Madrigal grins
Aphrodite Macbain: have to always be moving
Agatha Macbeth: A lone shark?
Aphrodite Macbain: he- yes
Aphrodite Macbain: that too
Agatha Macbeth: Jaws

Mickorod Renard: I was going to foster children, but that got shelved
Aphrodite Macbain: have notiong much to lend though
Aphrodite Macbain: Oh?
Eliza Madrigal: Oh, so you've been prepping for these kids a while, Mick :D
Agatha Macbeth: You're a glutton for punishment Mick
Aphrodite Macbain: why Mick?
Mickorod Renard: why what?
Mickorod Renard: shelved?
Aphrodite Macbain: yes
Mickorod Renard: I have been overran by my sons children
Aphrodite Macbain: aww
Aphrodite Macbain: aren't they enough?
Mickorod Renard: I would have got paid to foster rather than the oposite
Aphrodite Macbain: You must have a big house
Mickorod Renard: yes, actually they are,,but if I had the time I would have fostered
Mickorod Renard: I did the course
Agatha Macbeth: You have to take a course?
Eliza Madrigal: that's lovely Mick
Aphrodite Macbain: there's a course on child fostering?
Mickorod Renard: its a worthy form of torture
Aphrodite Macbain: chuckles
Aphrodite Macbain: the course or the children?
Mickorod Renard: there is a process that includes doing training
Aphrodite Macbain: There are a lot of keds who need a home
Aphrodite Macbain: kids
Aphrodite Macbain: more and more
Mickorod Renard: exactly
Mickorod Renard: are you tempted?
Eliza Madrigal: Is the Mexico retreat with friends Aph? or a silent retreat?
Aphrodite Macbain: with 2 friends who live there half the year
Aphrodite Macbain: I dont plan to be silen
Aphrodite Macbain: t
Eliza Madrigal smiles
Mickorod Renard: I saw many folk retire there as its cheaper cost of living
Aphrodite Macbain: Yes- that's what they ahve done
Aphrodite Macbain: Banff, Alberta is expensive
Mickorod Renard: good climate and cheap
Aphrodite Macbain: people house sit their place
Aphrodite Macbain: They are both in their 70s
Aphrodite Macbain: and the weather is good for them
Mickorod Renard: I wondered whether to rent out here and then live in india cheap
Aphrodite Macbain: she studies spanish, he plays golf
Mickorod Renard: perfect
Aphrodite Macbain: where would you live in India?
Mickorod Renard: I doubt I will
Aphrodite Macbain: In the foothills?
Mickorod Renard: would have to research it
Mickorod Renard: like darjeeling?
Aphrodite Macbain: I have toyed with the idea of moving to Italy but it seems a huge enterprise to do it on my own
Aphrodite Macbain: Yes = where the tea grows and the DLama is
Mickorod Renard: many places cheap in italy,,at the mo
Aphrodite Macbain: Oh?
--BELL--
Aphrodite Macbain: I thought maybe I could learn Italian and translate Italian literature ...
Aphrodite Macbain: Maybe Siea
Aphrodite Macbain: Siena
Eliza Madrigal: sounds like a worthy adventure
Mickorod Renard: healthy diet possible there
Aphrodite Macbain: I like the idea of living in a village where people know each other and gather each evening in a taverna or bar and chat with eachother
Aphrodite Macbain: yes- and eat tomatoes, olives and cheese!
Aphrodite Macbain: Sort of like an English pub
Aphrodite Macbain: Do they still smoke in pubs Aggers?
Mickorod Renard: that could work,,but I found , when I lived in France,,that the locals were weird,,and I made freinds with french from outside the area
Aphrodite Macbain: huh
Aphrodite Macbain: how were they wierd?
Mickorod Renard: no, you can barely smoke anywhere in England now, without making yourself unpopular
Mickorod Renard: glad I packed up
Aphrodite Macbain: nods
Aphrodite Macbain: same in Canada
Mickorod Renard: they are often scathing of being taken over by forieners
Mickorod Renard: who push house prices up and are weird
Aphrodite Macbain: are they? I wonder why they are being taken over by foreigners
Mickorod Renard: foreigners have money and buy the houses but only live in them seasonaly
Aphrodite Macbain: Yes- economics seem to fuel racism
Aphrodite Macbain: It's understandable
Mickorod Renard: local kids then cant afford them
Eliza Madrigal: and politicians deflect the blame to marginalized groups
Eliza Madrigal: happens here in Miami too
Aphrodite Macbain: So when you said weird, you meant nasty Mick?
Mickorod Renard: they favour their own, and to be fair I might do the same
Aphrodite Macbain: Nods.
Mickorod Renard: and the driving in italy is crazy
Aphrodite Macbain: In Vancouver they fine people from "off shore" who buy condos and then leave them empty
Agatha Macbeth: :P
Aphrodite Macbain: They are good but very fast drivers.
Aphrodite Macbain: and come right up to your boot
Eliza Madrigal: I'm getting depressed, lol
Aphrodite Macbain: if you drive at the speed limit
Eliza Madrigal: (kidding... but I need to go.... finish shopping :))
Aphrodite Macbain: aww
Agatha Macbeth: Aww
Mickorod Renard: you might have to wear high heals again and walk with an attitude too
Agatha Macbeth: Snap
Aphrodite Macbain: :-)
Eliza Madrigal: nice clothes are up there with endorphins :)
Aphrodite Macbain: I will keep a look out for hurricanes Eliza
Eliza Madrigal: even just seeing others dressed up makes me feel better
Eliza Madrigal: :)
Aphrodite Macbain: I know. Shopping therapy
Mickorod Renard: think of all those butterflys wings fluttering
Eliza Madrigal: thank you.... won't hit until the end of the week but during the week am driving a lot
Aphrodite Macbain: hugs
Eliza Madrigal: so good to do most today
Eliza Madrigal: hugs <3
Aphrodite Macbain: buy a canoe
Mickorod Renard: keep us updated on huricanes Eliza, take care
Agatha Macbeth: Harder to hit a moving target
Aphrodite Macbain: see you on THursday
Eliza Madrigal: canoe would take up whole apartment
Eliza Madrigal: hahah
Aphrodite Macbain: lol
Eliza Madrigal: See you then I hope! bfn
Aphrodite Macbain: put it on the roof
Agatha Macbeth: ♥

Aphrodite Macbain: I hope I didnt depress any of you. :-(
Agatha Macbeth: Fiddler on the roof
Aphrodite Macbain: while rome burns
Mickorod Renard: yes, you made me want to move to italy
Aphrodite Macbain: OK Mick
Mickorod Renard: :)
Aphrodite Macbain: I'll meet you in Tuscany
Agatha Macbeth: Move to Italy while Rome burns?
Aphrodite Macbain: :-)
Agatha Macbeth: Bad timing
Aphrodite Macbain: I'll find a place with a lake
Mickorod Renard: I was thinking of a roadtrip through italy
--BELL--
Aphrodite Macbain: Have you seen the movies with those English guys wo do trips to Italy and France and Spain- so funny. They will make u want to go there, The last one is through Spain
Agatha Macbeth: Not Jeremy Clarkson?
Aphrodite Macbain: No
Mickorod Renard: no?, I wonder what they are called?
Agatha Macbeth: Hm
Aphrodite Macbain: Forget their names. One is a journalist the other a foodie
Agatha Macbeth: Foo D
Aphrodite Macbain: They are well known in England
Aphrodite Macbain: look up Trip to Spain
Agatha Macbeth: I probably never heard of them then
Mickorod Renard: I worked out if I did 3000 mile I would need £600 in fuel alone
Aphrodite Macbain: Steve Coogan and Rob Bryden
Agatha Macbeth: Told you I never heard of them
Mickorod Renard: mmm not seen them
Aphrodite Macbain: hmm ok
Aphrodite Macbain: worth seeing
Agatha Macbeth: :D
Aphrodite Macbain: very English sense of humour
Aphrodite Macbain: dry, clever
Agatha Macbeth: My knowledge of TV ended with the last century
Aphrodite Macbain: Now showing
Aphrodite Macbain: They are playing in movie theatres
Aphrodite Macbain: anyway
Agatha Macbeth: To be or not to be
Mickorod Renard: I will look out for them
Aphrodite Macbain: I suppose I should feed myself some lunch
Agatha Macbeth: Bon appetit Aphie
Mickorod Renard: ok my dears, I suppose i should socialise
Aphrodite Macbain: Thanks for your support. :)
Agatha Macbeth: Glad it fits :p
Mickorod Renard: take it easy Aph
Agatha Macbeth: Get the tequilla ready
Aphrodite Macbain: :-) great idea
Mickorod Renard: yum
Agatha Macbeth: Just another tequilla sunrise
Aphrodite Macbain: <3 <3

Agatha Macbeth: I'll start whistling that now
Mickorod Renard: anyway, its a good move cos soon usa and n korea are at it
Mickorod Renard: :)
Agatha Macbeth: Hm
Mickorod Renard: I would go further south, maybe patagonia
Agatha Macbeth: The old Patagonian express
Mickorod Renard: they speak welsh there
Agatha Macbeth: I hear Tierra del Fuego is just like the Shetlands or Orkneys
Agatha Macbeth: Yeh
Agatha Macbeth: And the sea is *rough*
Mickorod Renard: yes, never bean, but sounds good
Mickorod Renard: bean??
Agatha Macbeth: S America sounds an interesting place
Mickorod Renard: yes, sort of uncharted teritory for many brits
Agatha Macbeth: Tianhuanaco and all that
Mickorod Renard: I went up amazon I think last year
Agatha Macbeth: And Nazca
Agatha Macbeth: Yes I remember
Agatha Macbeth: Ever been up the Orinoco?
Mickorod Renard: as far as u could get an ocean liner
Mickorod Renard: yes, that too
Agatha Macbeth: Well it's a big river
Agatha Macbeth: Wonder what happened to Col. Fawcett
Mickorod Renard: I tell u what tho, went fishing and u aught see the pirahnas
Agatha Macbeth: Little buggers
Mickorod Renard: prob noshed by pirahnas
Tura Brezoianu: "Let me sail, let me sail, let the orinoco flow..."
Agatha Macbeth: They never found him did they?
Mickorod Renard: u dangle a bit of line and they are there in the thousands
Agatha Macbeth: Just don't dangle yourself
Mickorod Renard: I dunno
Mickorod Renard: locals stand up to their knees in the river fishing
Mickorod Renard: but they are weird of course
Agatha Macbeth: Like the French? :p
Mickorod Renard: yeh
Mickorod Renard: ok,,must go
Agatha Macbeth nods
Tura Brezoianu: goodnight folks
Agatha Macbeth: TC Tu
Agatha Macbeth: You are still sitting Mick?
Mickorod Renard: nite nite all,,gud 2 c ya
Agatha Macbeth: And it's goodnight from her...