Psychobabble
Since this blog began, every once in a while I get an e-mail from a concerned citizen, diagnosing me with various personality disorders or other mental defects. I know in my heart that these people mean well and are just trying to help. In fact, I've been wondering for a couple of weeks whether I should even write this post or not, because I honestly don't want to offend anyone. However, there are a couple of things that need to be said (publicly).
Volunteering online diagnoses for people you don't know is not right. I'd go as far as to say, it's quite irresponsible.
Need I explain?
I don't think so.
Even a certified professional cannot officially diagnose someone they've never met - and you are not a certified professional.
To tell you the truth, I can take it. It will throw me off balance for an hour or two (Maybe I am actually like that? Maybe it's obvious to everyone in the world but me? Maybe I'm not, but I manage to sound like I am? Which would be more disturbing?), but then I'll get over it and shrug it away with a little smile - fortunately for us both, I guess. You never know when you could be e-mailing someone who can't take it. If you've ever considered doing something like this - please think about it very carefully, and then please decide not to.
For the record - this may come as a surprise to some, but I actually do not suffer from any "special" conditions of this kind. To quote one of my favorite books - Party of One, by Anneli Rufus -
If you enjoy reading my blog because you feel that we're a lot alike - whether or not this leads to the conclusion that you and/or I are living with [insert your favorite personality disorder here] - well, first of all, I'm flattered. Secondly, I strongly recommend that you read Party of One. Actually, I'd recommend it to just about anyone. It could help you understand some things about yourself and/or some of the people around you (or not around you), and besides, it's very well-written and a really fun read.
My last session with my last shrink, whom I saw for a year or so, ended with me being diagnosed as "sane but abnormal" (his words) and a "hopeless romantic" (seriously, his words).
"Sane but abnormal? Is that what you've been writing in that notebook all this time?"
"Did you want me to put something else down?"
"Yeah. Give me a definition. Give me a label. Just tell me what I am. Give me something I can look up on Wikipedia, for Christ's sake."
"I'm sorry to disappoint you, but I don't have one."
"But... but... you must! Look at me! Look how dark and gloomy and complex I am! Look! I'm, like, borderline psychopath or something! Is it something so bad that you don't want to tell me?!"
"You're not dark and gloomy", he said. "Just look at your art." I had brought some beads with me that day, to show him the results of the new hobby I'd been talking about. "Look at them. They're colorful and bright - and happy."
"But I want to be one of those people who creates really dark and twisted art." I think of a girl I wanted to be like in high school.
"Maybe you should just be yourself."
"Whatever." I shrug. "But... hopeless romantic? Seriously? Ummm... can you prescribe me something for that?"
Just read the book. You'll thank me later.
Jeez, Sarah! I'm always so happy to get a notification of a new post because I know I'll be laughing no matter what! I can't imagine someone "diagnosing" you as anything other than a fabulous artist with a wonderful sense of humor and a quirky way of discussing life. I imagine that person is envious of your many talents and needs to somehow put you in a certain group in order to make him/herself feel better!!! Hmmm...that sounds like a diagnosis, doesn't it? It's just a thought, though. Please don't change a thing!!!
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While it is true that we are but poor little indentured shopmonkeys who slave away in the internet mines bringing the world Satake Glass and Satake Glass related accessories, it is also concurrently true that this half of DogmawGlass is a balding, semi-hulking middle aged guy who always seems to spend a majority of his time at the torch making tiny little cartoonish animal beads of the sort that make people who are apt to go "OOOOOOH This is Soooo Cuuuuuute!!!" go OOOOOOH This is Soooo Cuuuuuute!!!
Is this intentional? Not really - it's just what wants to come out. Doing arty breathtaking beads like Sarah would be nice, but whenever I try it, it just... doesn't feel right, or something. Oh, and they also look like crap. So I continue to make little hyper kawaii creatures, cause they sell (sadly, the secret to successful artists everywhere).
You want dark and brooding beads? Bah. The world is already dark and brooding enough, and it seems you kinda do the dark and broody thing in meatspace already. Shopmonkeys think Sarah makes stunning beads of swirly, joyous, heartfelt chaos cause that's what's bouncing around inside Sarah's skull, and your glass just lets it show itself. Also: they sell, so they got that going for them too.
Or, you know. I'm just full of it. Honestly, it could go either way.
Loves and kisses,
Shopmonkeys
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told you!!!!!!
Edward likes you, actually he adores you, and Edward is never wrong.... he is as stupid as a bath plug, and enjoys hunting potatoes - but he KNOWS!!!!!
"sane but abnormal" - love it.... sums things up nicely!!
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Good Lord Sarah, I must suffer from the same things. It just really goes to show that the people who are giving the advice might actually envy your ability to project emotions! I am a lot like you, I think you either "get me" or not at all, and actually I prefer it that way because then i do not have to waste time on the boring and pent up people, just the happy and fun people! is'nt that what life is all about? I can see so much in your beads and your writing, i do not even have to come to Tel Aviv to know you Rock!!!!!
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Nothing like your on-line personality being evaluated haha! isn't sharing so much fun?
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