A long rave

[eth]

Hi to you too @Faith-and-Hope Hoping life is rolling along smoothly for you.

@Mazarita @Sophia1 @greenpea and others here - some of the bands I saw at the festival :  Shellie Morris and Dhapanbal Yunupingu with a backing band that included violin and double base - very special;  Bunun  choir from Taiwan with B2M from Bathurst and Melville Islands - a real highlight;  Blekbala Mujik;  Tjupi Band; Black Rock Band;  Skinny Fish Sound System including many community bands from all over the Territory doing short sets; Saltwater Band including a set with a beautiful tribute to Dr G Yunupingu, a minute's silence, dancing by 2 of his daughters and singing by his son and nephew - probably the most special of all of it; B2M doing their excellent set without the choir (check them out on YouTube!).  The 2 I missed and had most wanted to see were Yirrmal and Caiti Baker (both also on YouTube).  And another highlight was the daily Bungul which is displays of traditional dancing and songs also from communities all over.  The theme this year was the 30th anniversary of the Barunga Statement (google it) and a new agreement about creating a long overdue treaty now.  I'll see if I can find and link some of the YouTube stuff.

[Mazarita]

That sounds awesome with all the music and cultural events, @eth. Such great memories to have. How many times have you been to that festival? I seem to remember you going to it when you were up north at least one time before. Or maybe that was a different festival. Glad you were able to minimise trouble with your mum, while seeing her plenty (despite her protests, which do sound a bit unreasonable give the duration of your trip). 

Hi @Faith-and-Hope, how are you today? 

[Sophia1]

@eth @Mazarita

The Rake series are on netflix....is brilliant as goes back to series one episode one...so we are watching back from the beginning...

There is another british programme about an older couple in Halifax West Yorkshire....which is so entertaining...if you think that your relatives are dysfunctional...you should watch this...parts are sad but mostly side splitting for me...

when I was in the UK ...I bought a small wooden plaque from one of the local town businesses...."Remember as far as everyone knows we are a nice NORMAL FAMILY"...I just look at it every day...have it hanging with my keys....very reassuring and makes me smile..

[Sophia1]

@Mazarita

That is an excellent approach....so vital to have that feeling of a strong...trusting connection with your psychiatrist...

Mine is very similar...in fact lets me run the show so to speak...I have been seeing him for about the same time....

We are in different states so can't be the same one laugh...

Symptoms cannot be predicted...most carry exactly the same warnings...everyone has a different metabolism and sensitivity..your other condition would also determine your symptoms too I imagine...

Sounds as though it is all coming together in the way that you feel confident  about...which at the end of the day is how it should be...

will keep an eye out for your progress...if I remember...foggy head...

[eth]

B2M  :   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ndinCZ6FJAI&list=PLZEY2AFvtuxefofaZw9rp-y0W3B561rlU

Yirrmal :  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ndinCZ6FJAI&list=PLZEY2AFvtuxefofaZw9rp-y0W3B561rlU

and :  https://://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ndinCZ6FJAI&list=PLZEY2AFvtuxefofaZw9rp-y0W3B561rlUhttps://www.youtube.com/w...

Caiti Baker :  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pxl6GoZ1hXs

@Mazarita @Sophia1 @Faith-and-Hope @greenpea @outlander @Appleblossom @CheerBear @Zoe7@The-red-centaur

[eth]

@Sophia1 I read all the posts you tag me in - sorry that you feel I'd stop reading part way through.  I appreciate your thoughtfulness and empathy  and also follow your recovery progress.

[Faith-and-Hope]

Somewhere in the back of my mind I know Inam really tired @Mazarita ..... but I am feeling okay, thanks for asking 😊

We are in a relative lull @eth.  A lot has happened for us while you were away, at the level of our son stabilising somewhat with phenomenal support from the uni, daughter considering going back to study (part-time, or maybe a single unit) with improvements in her health, and she also embraced the search for a new psych when hers announced she was leaving .....

Mr.F&H has had a breakthrough in his understanding about mental health ..... which I am still gobsmacked about because the discussing came out if

the blue ..... but it’s exciting in that it might roll forward into some insight, and maybe ....  maybe ..... recognising that he would benefit from talking to someone ......

[eth]

Another excellent one by Caiti Baker (from Katherine I think) :  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W4KAP8pqLDI

[Mazarita]

@eth, thanks for the links. May come back to them. Not in a video watching state of mind just now. 

@Sophia1, I don't take any meds at all now for my Crohns disease. I was told I was in remission some time ago but was always have big problems with pain and trouble anyway. But over the past couple of months it really has improved to the point where I actually feel like I'm in remission for the first time in decades, maybe the first time ever really. Not completely symptom free, but with far less pain and trouble and much more managable. 

The psych med I've been transitioning to so slowly over the past couple of months has, I believe, stabilised. However I have noticed it's not as good at managing my tendency to 'rapid cycle', particularly in relation to sleep patterns. It is better for managing depressed moods though, and I am feeling that, which is great. 

@Faith-and-Hope, it's great to hear some good news with your family. It must bring such feelings of relief and optimism in you. 

[Sophia1]

@eth

That sounds magical....what a festival..

a minute silence out of respect for Dr G Yunupingu...dancing and singling by family members...so spiritual out in the heart of their land....

I saw a programme on SBS ....I meant to ask @Appleblossom about it...a choir of indigenous women who came together under the american conductor...they sang original german songs...travelled over as a group to the german town...who greeted them with open arms...a special ceremony where they sang and then sang with the german people....the conductor's wife was a landscape artist....a very moving story...my mind does not retain names these days...