Some people say that “other” people have problems. Then there are people who, well, are, uh, kind of, um, well, I’m not sure I should talk about them that way when I’ve never actually met them before. Anyway. Let me introduce you to invisible Al over at Rent A Center on this cold Valentine’s night.

The following is a transcript of the accompanying video (just in case you miss some of the audio, you really need to hear it…). I took this video at 4:00p.m. today in Parkland, WA while waiting for an appointment in my car. I quickly ditched the car and ran into the building. It didn’t help. The rest… is in the video. I let it speak for itself. What you don’t hear, well, I’ll let you work that bit out. SEE VIDEO BELOW

Special Valentines to all my QFC workers, they work so hard. They deserve to relax and kick back, and that’s why I have this promotion going on!

50% off recliners, mattresses, for all my QFC workers, who work so hard.

For most people, they get generic cards, candies, but here you can take the game to another level. Do something special for her, she’s been hinting that she wants a new washer and dryer, but you did not listen. But that’s okay because today we can fix your bad hearing. Today we can fix your bad judgment. Today we can fix that economically because we can fix that for a little over nothing. We have one spot available for delivery today. Who is going to be that special person to take the game on Valentine’s?

Someone is going to be extremely happy with this Valentine’s gift today. Come into Rent A Center and see Big Al and we’ll just that. What we’ll do is get you what you want, what she wants. Whatever that significant other has been talking about, been hinting to you, today you can fix that.

I’ve always believed that having the expansive emotions Bipolar lugs along with it provides a certain super power when it comes to writing, and especially to writing fiction.

I’ve long known known of something that isn’t quit as exciting- the tendency to over-react with extreme prejudice, at least from a typical persons point of view.

I flipped out when I learned I had to wear a CPAP. OMG! Something smothering me, holding me down all night? I’m not breathing when I sleep? Wait, I never sleep. I don’t understand what’s happening. I have questions. So many questions. Always questions. Never answers.

We’re about to leave for thumb surgery. Easy least, right? Sure. Sure. My first knee replacement resulted in two blood clots and a year later the joint actually completely failed and had to be replaced. Fun times. I know, this is different.

Last week, the day after I learned I have the sleep thingie, we saw a doctor about some dental implants. I have the unfortunately powerful genes my father has passed down and my brittle teeth abandoned ship several years ago. To allow me to have any chance at having normal teeth (it gets complicated) I need to come up with $50k. In less than a year. My jaw bone is already almost too far gone to use and I’ll need a bone graft. I’m 56.

Those emotions.

Other people have much worse problems. I know that. I understand that… and yet… I also don’t.

It’s off to see the wizard, to beta brand new bit of thumb. Time to slow down and learn to breathe if I can – no, I will. I must, if I hope to change. If I hope to harness these extraordinary emotions for good I must try to understand them and work always to work with them, rather than trying to suppress them.

Wish me luck and be well my friend.

Robin

You can write me at: Robin.paterson.redux@gmail.com