IMPT: Read before giving me advice on LJ!
If you do not know me, you should be warned about something, so please read on before you comment on my LJ.
First, if you were not aware, I have been diagnosed with narcolepsy by the head neurologist of Newton-Wellesley Neurology after a diagnostic MSLT. That's a test that says whether or not you have narcolepsy, which is a measurable disorder characterized by regularly entering REM within 3-5 minutes of starting NREM sleep instead of the usual human average of 100-110 minutes. Even if I don't trust the doctor (which I don't), or the lab (which I don't), or the hospital (which I don't), the numbers are the numbers.
All my life, I have had problems falling asleep while trying at work, while trying to listen to a lecture, while driving alone, while operating heavy machinery, and while doing a myriad variety of other normal things where sleep is a bad idea or inappropriate. I am not happy about this. I am doing my best to deal with this.
So, really, I don't zone out or fall asleep because I'm lazy, or because I didn't get enough sleep at night (getting enough helps, but doesn't prevent micronaps), or because I avoid caffeine (which puts me to sleep and interferes with my meds), or because I listen to the wrong kind of music, or because I don't stick my head out the window when driving, or for whatever bizarre bullshit reason you can make up so you can feel better about yourself by offering me useless, bullshit advice.
I do not use LJ primarily as a way to discuss the events of my life with my friends; I use LJ primarily as a diary that I can express myself and achieve catharsis. I'm totally willing to discuss the events of my life with people though, or else I wouldn't post everything unfiltered. Really, I don't mind people commenting on stuff at all, but I'm not soliciting sympathy when I post about things that went wrong, and I'm not requesting advice when I list my current issues and problems. I generally don't mind you posting whatever the heck you feel like, but I have one rather important to note exception. (This is my journal; I'm allowed to do that.)
Now, I consider myself to be a kind person. I help people whenever I can, I care deeply about people I know, and I feel [non-creepy platonic] love for nearly everyone I've ever met. The world continually amazes me with how beautiful it is. Humans continually surprise me with how amazing and wonderful they are, both collectively and individually.
So, please be aware of what I mean when I say that two things someone (even a close friend) can do that will fill me with violent, murderous rage - hurting a friend of mine, and giving me unsolicited advice on how to stay awake.
Please, do not give me unsolicited advice on how I can stay awake. I don't care if you "had the best of intentions" or "were just trying to help." You've just hurt me worse than you can understand (seriously, go get a knife and stab me somewhere non-vital instead - it'll hurt less and I'll forgive you faster), you've made me uncontrollably angry, and I will never again think of you as a friend. You have been warned.
(The same goes for people who hurt a friend of mine (non-consensually), on that note, as long as I have that victim's permission, so don't fuck with my friends either (non-consensually). But, if you're reading this, you're infinitely more likely to do the other thing.)
Thank you for listening.
First, if you were not aware, I have been diagnosed with narcolepsy by the head neurologist of Newton-Wellesley Neurology after a diagnostic MSLT. That's a test that says whether or not you have narcolepsy, which is a measurable disorder characterized by regularly entering REM within 3-5 minutes of starting NREM sleep instead of the usual human average of 100-110 minutes. Even if I don't trust the doctor (which I don't), or the lab (which I don't), or the hospital (which I don't), the numbers are the numbers.
All my life, I have had problems falling asleep while trying at work, while trying to listen to a lecture, while driving alone, while operating heavy machinery, and while doing a myriad variety of other normal things where sleep is a bad idea or inappropriate. I am not happy about this. I am doing my best to deal with this.
So, really, I don't zone out or fall asleep because I'm lazy, or because I didn't get enough sleep at night (getting enough helps, but doesn't prevent micronaps), or because I avoid caffeine (which puts me to sleep and interferes with my meds), or because I listen to the wrong kind of music, or because I don't stick my head out the window when driving, or for whatever bizarre bullshit reason you can make up so you can feel better about yourself by offering me useless, bullshit advice.
I do not use LJ primarily as a way to discuss the events of my life with my friends; I use LJ primarily as a diary that I can express myself and achieve catharsis. I'm totally willing to discuss the events of my life with people though, or else I wouldn't post everything unfiltered. Really, I don't mind people commenting on stuff at all, but I'm not soliciting sympathy when I post about things that went wrong, and I'm not requesting advice when I list my current issues and problems. I generally don't mind you posting whatever the heck you feel like, but I have one rather important to note exception. (This is my journal; I'm allowed to do that.)
Now, I consider myself to be a kind person. I help people whenever I can, I care deeply about people I know, and I feel [non-creepy platonic] love for nearly everyone I've ever met. The world continually amazes me with how beautiful it is. Humans continually surprise me with how amazing and wonderful they are, both collectively and individually.
So, please be aware of what I mean when I say that two things someone (even a close friend) can do that will fill me with violent, murderous rage - hurting a friend of mine, and giving me unsolicited advice on how to stay awake.
Please, do not give me unsolicited advice on how I can stay awake. I don't care if you "had the best of intentions" or "were just trying to help." You've just hurt me worse than you can understand (seriously, go get a knife and stab me somewhere non-vital instead - it'll hurt less and I'll forgive you faster), you've made me uncontrollably angry, and I will never again think of you as a friend. You have been warned.
(The same goes for people who hurt a friend of mine (non-consensually), on that note, as long as I have that victim's permission, so don't fuck with my friends either (non-consensually). But, if you're reading this, you're infinitely more likely to do the other thing.)
Thank you for listening.