Are You Okay?

I've written about my depression and my panic attacks.

Hell, I've written about them numerous times.
 
I've also written about the importance of a supportive partner and about my low self-esteem. I've also written about the exhaustion of being mentally unwell.

So, I am damn proud of my friend, Zoe, for writing about RUOK? Day. It takes a hell of a lot of courage to open up about that shit, especially when your blog is adorable and the go-to place for cute kitten photos, crafting, and general Aussie awesomenes.

Here's Zoe's brave post: http://agiraffeinascarf.wordpress.com/2011/09/15/are-you-ok/

Please, take the time to check it out. Someone you love, or someone you've never met, could be at risk for all kinds of awfulness, including self-harm and suicide. All they might need is for you to ask if they're okay.

That's all I needed.

It's not very much to ask, and it does save lives.

Victorian Show & Tell

Yesterday, my prof brought in a few items for a sort of Victorian Culture Show & Tell. I love when profs do that - especially when it's kinda creepy stuff that I also love. My favourite was one of these:

Source

It's a jar that was used to apply leeches to the skin and to collect blood in. Luckily, I wasn't having that procedure done today. Also, not so much luckily as hurrah-for-medicine: local anesthetic is loverly. Yep. I wish I could get some of that for my brain. And also wish that the brain-lidocaine wouldn't be terribly addictive and wreck my entire life, all Repo: The Genetic Opera. Watch it. It's a great horror musical starring Anthony Steward Head (you know.. Giles from Buffy). Seriously - watch it.

And now, a few of my favourite Etsy items in the same vein.

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I can barely believe that I found this scarab beetle bracelet. I'm going to email the link to my prof, since the novellas we're reading this week are part of A.S. Byatt's collection Angels and Insects. We're reading Morpho Eugenia, which I have been having trouble putting down, for it is so well crafted and researched. This bracelet definitely speaks to the unique fascination that Victorians had with insects and artifacts from overseas. In the upperclass, this would have been seen as a fashionable piece of jewelery without much thought being given to the scientists and other people who risked their lives to retrieve these specimens.

And, here's a brooch that reminds me of Zoe's contemporary work over at her Etsy store. You can also find her and some cute cats at agiraffeinascarf.wordpress.com.

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 Here's the vintage brooch that I found. I'd love to receive a similar one (hint, Zoe, hint) as part of the Pay it Forward awesomeness that I'm a part of. The Pay it Forward link'll show you how to get free loot from me, such as:
 - a handmade tote bag
- a personalized handknit scarf
- a half-dozen mug cozies to keep your beverages warm
- a wool hat

..or whatever we collaboratively decide on. Seriously. Free stuff. You just have to pass on the love in an awesome non-STI kinda way. Yep. Because I can't afford to buy you a scarab beetle bracelet, and I want to hoard all of the vintage and contemporary broaches for myself. I'm greedy like that. But after today's run-in with the medical system, I don't feel the least bit guilty. And.. well.. I just offered you free stuff.

Pay it Forward 2011

Ooh, I am excited about this.

Caren over at http://www.teachickadees.com was kind enough to give up her spot in Zoe's Pay it Forward so that I could be fortunate enough to receive one of Zoe's fine works. You can check out some of Zoe's stuff over at her Etsy shop. Buy something, eh? She puts a metric tonne of time and effort into the cross-stitched items, and I'm sure she's just as particular about the other items she makes, too. Caren's a sweetheart, too, so if you're looking for something vintage, make sure you check out her Etsy shop. She's currently on vacation, but will be restocked soon. I found the perfect gift for my partner there. Yep. Perfect.

So, the first five people who comment on this post will receive handmade items from me sometime in 2011. You may request whether you'd like something knit or sewn, and we'll combine our efforts to find something you like and something that I can make. I'm good with anything knit - as long as it's not a huge garment - and I'm decent at square things that are sewn - tote bags, placemats, pillowcases, etc. We'll figure something out.

The catch is that you have to Pay it Forward and commit to either posting this on your blog, if you have one, or using some other type of lottery system - perhaps Facebook or Twitter or a banner outside of your house or something. Whatever you like.

Oh - and Caren is also getting a handmade gift from me for being so sweet, regardless of whether she comments or not. Because she's just that kind of awesome. Also awesome = Jackson Creek Press in Peterborough. But that's another blog post.. It's in the works. I pinky swear.

Ready? Set? Go!