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| Chemical Brothers in 2002 |
I've always loved music and have made 'Best Of's' for 25 years. I continue to do them.
I still have CD compiles from most of them and decided to pull out a few to give them a run.
This is great. Thought I should make a YouTube Playlist so others can appreciate just how good 2002 was.
So here they are, starting with the brilliant Aussie track by Sleepy Jackson, with that killer chorus.
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| Sleepy Jackson |
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| Coldplay 2002 |
Disagreeable
What is real diversity? Something superficial like skin colour or is it more complex than that? Or is it mere popularity seeking?
Watch HERE
A range of ideas and viewpoints is the real diversity and seemingly lacking without hysteria and judgement. It's long overdue that we began to accept the views of others. We don't have to agree. Neither do we need to hate. Or cancel.
Stay well. Peace.
Hi,
How do you cope with rejection?
You might be able to relate to this in some other area of your life.
Written back in 2012 when I was writing a lot of poetry and sending it off to various literary journals etc.
Plus a special Coming Soon announcement.
Same time, next night
Another form
rejection email
Like a razor blade
in the dust
And I’m not
supposed to let it bother me
But it does
They come like a
stack of cards
One on top of the
other
And I wonder why I
subject myself to this.
I think about them
And other things
While I’m
struggling with a stubborn back
Through the night
And I piss too
much
Have to get up too
early
And sort out who I
will send to next.
I’m always tired
Always
dissatisfied
And I know part of
the reason
I feel this way
Is because of the
drink
And the dark
overcoat
Which some call
the black dog
And I’m not
supposed to mix the two
Until I get to
that time of day
When a beer fixes
anything
And I’ll take on
those snobby publications
With their
lifeless academic formulas
And pump out a
couple of poems
That I believe in
With life and
history
Of people and
emotion
And at the very
least
They shine with
truth
Without giving a
shit
If the university
graduates
Get it or not
Until those same
folks
Fire their cut and
paste job
And keep me here
at 3.54 am
Thinking I need a
piss.
Many new and positive poems in my new book Us & Them plus many stories.
My unproduced feature length screenplay, Travel Bug, based on some of my travels when I was young.
Misplaced treasures
At 79
One tends to spend
More time looking back
Than forward
(perhaps a sign that I need a new
hobby).
I reflect on key moments
Milestones if you will
And yes,
I did have many successes
In my chosen field
(Or perhaps it chose me)
Yet, there were a plethora
Of setbacks too
Disappointments
(And dare I admit it)
Failures.
Still, it's the lost loves
I keep returning to
(Like my ex wife)
And oddly
The ones I never had
Possibilities
That I let slip by
If only I had done x...
It’s as though
The work
Which I allowed to consume me
Mattered not at all
And was only there to prop me up
While my real life played-out.
If only I’d been more aware of
that.
The only milestone that really
meant anything
Was the moment my only child was
born
Without her
I think I’d be a very bitter
And regretful old man today.
In those days
Parents didn't spend the sort of
Interactive hours
That people do now
And though I do disagree
On other facets of modern parenting
(Like discipline and structure)
I do regret those missing hours.
Those early years especially
Just flew by
I seemed to miss so much.
We have made up for it since
I'm a very doting grandparent
Yet, I can't shake off the notion
That the greatest milestones
Are the ones
I never had.
31.1.21
Drugs are over prescribed
If anti-depressants work, why do so many people still have depression? Why are there more people depressed now than ever? Particularly in an era when more people around the world are medicated than at any time in history.
Part One - The Problems Here
Part Two
Alternatives
In any regard, anti-depressants are really a simple bandaging of the problem. Sure some people with severe mental health problems need to be on medication. Schizophrenia for example. I'm talking about your everyday person. So many more people are on them now compared to even twenty years ago.
There are many things people can do to help themselves.
Exercise. Even basic walking every day can help stimulate endorphins. It's also good to get out into the fresh air and away from the home. Sitting at home can stimulate depression and anxiety. Our bodies need to move. Do something daily, even if it's only stretching at home. I guarantee afterwards you will feel better, even if only 20%. It's better than where you were before.
Diet. I find sugar and coffee can increase mental health problems. Put Crap In, Get Crap Out. Doesn't mean you have to go all natural etc. on some horrendous diet. Just eat decently and avoid too much sugar. That includes drinking enough water too. Avoiding alcohol and drugs is an obvious one. They help short term, for a few hours, but kick your ass in the days afterwards.
Sleep. Without good quality sleep, life is shit. Let's face it. Prioritize trying to get enough hours to sleep. Don't stay up all night. Whatever you need to do, aim for eight hours. Get a routine going. Get up at a certain time, even if you didn't get enough sleep. That night you will be extra tired and sleep much better. It's crucial for your mental well being.
Reduce stress. Again, whatever you need to do, walk away from stressful situations. Let go of things that you have no control of. Which is most things in life, for us all. Simplify your life. It definitely helped me. Stress on it's own is a killer.
Tech/Social Media. Get off the tech. It's an obvious one but our obsession with our phones etc. is making us depressed. It gives us a quick fix perhaps but studies have proven that people become envious of others and their 'great lives' (a misrepresentation) and ultimately lowers our self-esteem. It's also cutting ourselves from real life connections in lieu of 'catching up' electronically. Many, if not most, spend more time with their phone than any one real person.
Meditation. This works for some. Even some deep breathing exercises, (there are many good ones on YouTube) can help. Try sitting for ten minutes once a day, if not several times, and just concentrate on your breathing. Let go of internal negative thoughts.
Counselling. It's often hard to pinpoint the problem. Or you know the problem but don't know how to fix it. Either way, talking with someone can help you get to the core of your issues. They can also provide good coping mechanisms to suit your particular needs.
Other people. Being with others can be difficult, though just one or two good friends can be of benefit. Being alone is often sought when depressed but having company can lift us. A sympathetic ear is often all we need. Not advice.
Distractions. There are many techniques to get out of your own head. A good distraction can really help. Some do exercise. Binge watching TV isn't a great one as you're inactive, which can exacerbate the problem. Journaling can help you get feelings off your chest. Get outdoors. Do something. Start a craft. Something physical with the hands. Even doing household chores can help.
Gratitude. There are good things in life, even if it's hard to see. Write down a few of them and repeat them over every day. You'll be surprised what's already right in front of you. You just have to get them through to your subconscious through repetition. Write them down every day, or at least, read them back every day.
Purpose. We all need it. Without it, we stagnate. What's yours? Don't have one? Find one.
Journaling. Writing your feelings down can help you sort out where the problems are. It's a healing process in and of itself and incredibly beneficial. The act of using hands and contemplation alone is good. Practice that gratitude especially.
Don't forget this resource. Coping Techniques A to Z | The Withdrawal Project Even if not withdrawing it has many great techniques for mental health problems.
Summary
These suggestions are not enough on their own. It's a multi faceted approach. All of them working together will help with a large proportion of problems, if not more. Being out in nature alone is good for the mood. Even a park. We did not evolve living in concrete. Neither is a pill a magic solution. There are none.
Some problems can be lifelong. Mine certainly have been. Over forty-five years. However, if I knew even some of those suggestions when I was young my life would have been much better. My mother took me to a doctor as a teenager. I was told I had Hypoglycemia and to avoid sugar. They were clueless. I ended up self medicating when I discovered alcohol from 16 onwards. After a few close calls, assaults, accidents, overdoses, it wasn't until my late 30's when I was prescribed anti-depressants. They helped. Briefly. A few years perhaps. When they stopped working, that's when I tried to come off. And the horror began.
I am not a health professional so seek your own advice, though be careful with doctors as they are the vessel with which drug companies pass. Seek counselling before a doctor. Unless of course, you're considering self harm and are in desperate straits, in which case a pill may help short term. I'm merely saying there are alternatives that should be explored in addition to, or in place of medication.
Mental issues are bad enough but having to deal with horrendous, possibly permanent withdrawals/side effects from drugs can make your life a living nightmare, which some people never recover from.
Peace.
Drugs are not a magic solution, yet are being over prescribed
If anti-depressants work, why do so many people still have depression? Why are there more people depressed now than ever? Particularly in an era when more people around the world are medicated than at any time in history.
In America anti-depressant use rose from an average of 10.2% in 2009/10 to 13.2% in 2017/18. (https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/products/databriefs/db377.htm)
In Australia, 17.7% of the adult population filled a mental health related medication in 2020/1. (https://www.aihw.gov.au/mental-health/topic-areas/mental-health-prescriptions)
Alarmingly, the amount of children prescribed medication for ADHD in Australia, more than doubled from 2014 to 2020 and in some cases, tripled. (https://cchr.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/Numbers-on-drugs-for-ADHD-2020.pdf)
Usage per country https://www.statista.com/statistics/283072/antidepressant-consumption-in-selected-countries/
(All sources are from official Government sites).
Are people suddenly far more depressed than they were just a few years ago? With technology obsession on the rise and more people isolating from others, possibly, (which tells you part of the problem) but it's clear that doctors are doling out drugs at a terrifying rate, rather than offering alternatives. Many receive kickbacks from pharmaceuticals for new 'subscribers.'
Anti-depressants ruined my life. You can read about it here. Basically I have to come off very slowly now and I suffer from some permanent side effects ever since I went cold turkey, not knowing what would happen. Permanent tinnitus in both ears. Dizziness. Increased anxiety (ironically). Heart palpitations and more.
I'm now three years into a four year taper. My only hope is that once I'm free of it, my body can begin to recover. But it may never. I'll have to wait and see.
Sure they're a short term fix for some but it's a bit like bandaging a leg that's broken and continuing to walk on it. If you're not addressing the cause of the depression or anxiety then it's only going to resurface. I learnt this the hard way.
Many people who find themselves suddenly depressed go to the doctor, often under pressure from others, rather than addressing what the problem is. A lot of depression is situational. Short term depression from problems is normal.
Anti-depressants are ultimately harmful
The problem with anti-depressants is that they are very addictive and can lead to major, possibly life long or life ending problems when attempting to come off. Read my story here. They ruined my life. I just didn't know what I was in for.
Many of these drugs haven't been around long enough for the proper assessment of the negative aspects. And where do people go if they are experiencing problems? Back to the doctor who gave them out in the first place, who often increase the dosage. There's just not enough research being done on the side effects, mostly because pharmaceuticals companies are suppressing the information and many general practitioners are literal sales reps for these drug dispensers. I've had doctors tell me it's all in my head while I've found a couple who knew about the problems.
Not all drugs are bad. I've been on several that were easy enough to come off. (They didn't do anything to help either). And not all people suffer from withdrawal but many do and it's horrific. And avoidable.
I'm a member of a Facebook Group, Cymbalta Hurts Worse with 35,000 members, and that's just one of many groups regarding this particular drug, Cymbalta/Duloxetine. We all have the same problems (though to varying degrees). This drug is nasty, make no mistake. People have taken their own lives. Many give up, unable to ever come off. More details on my original post.
From a 2021 Medical Review;
Go to Part Two for Drug Alternatives that work
Peace.
I am not a medical professional. Seek your own advice. However, get in touch if you have questions. anthonyjlangford@yahoo.com.au
Hi,
How do you picture retirement?
I had a discussion with an old friend a couple of years ago. We were both single and we got talking about post retirement and then... well, it's all in the video.
A Torch for the Porch
Watch on YouTube HERE
Full text plus the real life sequel below.
A Torch for the Porch
For some reason
I imagine retirement
As being immersed
In books, films,
Music
And a rocking chair
On a porch
With half a decent view
Of trees and a valley
With a shotgun
To ward off real estate
And insurance agents.
They smell the decaying flesh
Of the old
Better than a
Starving Hyena.
Them and the kids.
I don’t need a partner
Just an old friend
I can trust
And maybe a sex doll
As friends and fondling
Never ends well
And I can always
Toss the doll
Out of bed afterwards.
2020.
Epilogue
Ironically my friend, who had been single for 8 years after a very turbulent marriage and post drama, met someone later that year. He had never been on a dating app. I said it's mostly a waste of time, as I had met plenty of people over a few years, and far too much texting with others, but it's worth having a shot.
He joined on the Friday. Matched with a lady on the Saturday. Met her on the Sunday. Deleted the app on the Monday.
Now they're planning to get married. That just doesn't happen! He deserved it too after what he'd been through.
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| Stock image |
My unproduced feature length screenplay, Travel Bug, based on some of my travels when I was young. Not for the feint of heart!
More Video Poetry
Novels, Short Films, Free Downloads and More HERE
Hi,
Whether you're single or not, I think you can relate to this.
