The Wheel of Time

 Yesterday my copy of "The Eye of the World" arrived, and I have been enjoying it since. I saw a clip of a critic of the series saying the Robert Jordan was too verbose. His descriptions long, taking forever to get to action. But so far, I am finding the way he sets the scene and goes in depth into the characters he is describing to be all for the good. The Wheel of Time is a significant time investment at 14 long books, but I needed a world to dive into after having finished Martin's "A Song of Ice and Fire".

My plan was to read Shakespeare and some English history but I just found I craved the fantasy world and the journey of diving into and finishing a long fantasy saga. The Wheel of Time is a classic, and heavily reviewed on Goodreads besides, so I picked this one up.

So far I am having no trouble following the plot. The language and literary style seems easier than George R. R. Martin. There are some friends in a village who receive ill-tidings about the happenings in far off places. And right now they are just deciding what to do about it. Some new mystical terms are introduced but basically Jordan write to immerse the reader, with vivid descriptions interlaced with the narrative.

I'll have more to say about this series as time goes on, but I'm on day 2 and so far it is doing exactly what a good book should be doing - immersing me in the story and keeping my interest.

Substances, and med changes

 I have recently decided to try different substances. I was strictly against this behaviour for a long time, but have changed my tune slightly. The lucid clarity of total sobriety was enticing, but adjusting that pathology somewhat has made for some interesting twists and turns, as well as some pleasure here and there. I have sort of discovered that boredom makes people want to drink and use substances. I delt with my boredom in many ways before I have shifted into someone who drinks and uses other substances, but I don't really recall which lifestyle I prefer. I have the blog articles that I can go back and read as a way of probing into the past.

It seems the fate of myself, a mentally ill person, to undergo med changes from time to time. Lately I have been going through a pretty rigorous one, and I hope this will be the last for the foreseeable future. I have a new psychiatrist, which is something that I wanted because I had not had one following me for quite some time.

In any case, the goal of lithium is to provide a blood level that is therapeutic, so, this doctor is increasing this medication to get to that level. I will just say, I find that the mental repercussions of this are aggravating and alarming. I am just waiting it out until my body fully absorbs the new medication regimen and I am comfortable on the new dose. I have been working with this particular individual for several months now, and it has involved appointments and bloodwork, and taking a lot of pills at night.

The Next Chapter

 We all go through life like a leaf in the wind (thanks Forrest Gump), and we all have to recognize when a new chapter is starting and an old one closing. It takes strength to face that change, and to recognize that we too must change accordingly.

I used to be a spoiled kid, living in a dream world provided by my parents (or more specifically, my mom). I have graduated to adult, living in the mental health system and below the poverty line. At least I can somehow form my identity around blogging, which I enjoy.

But the thing is, I have escaped whatever life I had before and am embracing the new one. I have freed myself from servitude and the chains of being an adult child and now have something of a life in this new and strange system. I have been blessed to have someone navigate this life with me, and we can share our experiences.

I just don't relate to people outside of this life, the "normies" as they're sometimes somewhat derogatorily called. It has taken a while but I have been able to embrace my moments of solitude and cherished the moments when I'm with someone I like, love, or admire.