The official off-topic thread

CantThinkOfAny wrote:And I assure you that you won't have mercury poisoning from porn.

no mecury poisoning, thats right. not keen on watching it though, sorry.

Camelidae wrote:whats mercury poisoning?

yeah, right. defective sixth sense then. maybe she was projecting or something.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mercury_poisoning

impairment of the peripheral vision;
disturbances in sensations ("pins and needles" feelings, usually in the hands, feet, and around the mouth);
lack of coordination of movements;
impairment of speech, hearing, walking; and
muscle weakness.

heres a list of mercury levels in certain fishes.

http://www.mercury-poison.com/fish_list.htm

Thanks. I eventually ended up looking it up myself before I read your reply. I guess I´m a bit lazy so I ask first before I try to find out about something myself..

I feel good today. Sort of calm and peaceful.. how awkward.

Camelidae wrote:Thanks. I eventually ended up looking it up myself before I read your reply. I guess I´m a bit lazy so I ask first before I try to find out about something myself..

I feel good today. Sort of calm and peaceful.. how awkward.

That's good. Hope it stays that way.

Me too, thank you.

When on my phone on this forum there's an add at the bottom, but it takes up like a third of the page, it hard to click off, but you have to to read the page, then when you click on a link/thread a new one comes up, taking up a third of the page, and hard to click off.

Very annoying for a forum!

It's not on when I'm on the computer either, even though it wouldn't be as bothersome...

373 wrote:When on my phone on this forum there's an add at the bottom, but it takes up like a third of the page, it hard to click off, but you have to to read the page, then when you click on a link/thread a new one comes up, taking up a third of the page, and hard to click off.

Very annoying for a forum!

It's not on when I'm on the computer either, even though it wouldn't be as bothersome...

Can you even have pop-up blockers on phones?


My AA sponsor and out-patient counselor keep telling me I need to start talking to people. I don't think I'm explaining that when I talk to people my brain goes blank, and I don't think to or can think of responses to small talk convos. I'm like I'll say hi to some people, but that's likely as far as it's going to get.

Anyone wanna help me brainstorm? Some dude was telling me about a job he had and told me if didn't have insulation so it would get like 10 degrees F(I think about -15 C) in the winter and 110 degrees F ( 43 C) in the summer. All I could think of to say was that's cold, or that's hot. Are there any answers or questions I'm missing that I could have used? He told me where he was, why he was there, and what he was doing. I couldn't find anything to ask.

No idea about the phone. Mine has no internet connection. I only use it to call people -- which means I never use it.

zausel wrote:My AA sponsor and out-patient counselor keep telling me I need to start talking to people.

Or what..? Are there any consequences if you don´t do as he says?

I don't think I'm explaining that when I talk to people my brain goes blank, and I don't think to or can think of responses to small talk convos. I'm like I'll say hi to some people, but that's likely as far as it's going to get.

Do you think this is strictly AS/ADD related? If not, it may be helpful to think of what exactly may cause your mind to go blank.

Anyone wanna help me brainstorm? Some dude was telling me about a job he had and told me if didn't have insulation so it would get like 10 degrees F(I think about -15 C) in the winter and 110 degrees F ( 43 C) in the summer. All I could think of to say was that's cold, or that's hot. Are there any answers or questions I'm missing that I could have used? He told me where he was, why he was there, and what he was doing. I couldn't find anything to ask.

I wouldn´t have been able to think of comments any wittier than yours really. What else is there to say, right? So it´s hot/cold. Whatever.

I don´t think there is any use in thinking about what you could have replied, since I don´t think he will ask you the exact same question or tell you the exact same thing again. Instead you could go over topics that could come up in the future. You said you "come with a warning". Use that to your advantage to think of as many possible scenarios as you can and think of what you´d say in that situation.

Since that´s tiresome, it seems like a better idea to let them do the talking. Try to get yourself involved to the point where you are in the position to navigate the conversation, if you can. A good way of doing so is by asking questions (e.g. What do you do in your spare time?), preferrably ones they cannot answer by simply saying "yes" or "no" but ones that require their opinion or an explanation. Then they will answer your question (e.g. I play card games.).

Unless you are interested in or familiar with what they are talking about, there really is not much you can say. Still it is your turn, as conversation means taking turns. Simply nodding your head, saying nothing or giving one word replies (e.g. Cool.) will make the conversation come to an end rather fast.

So.. ask another question (e.g. What card games do you play? What do you like about them in particular? Where did you learn to play them? How are the rules of that game anyway?). It is good and more enjoyable for you if you are interested in their reply, but you don´t really have to be. If you already know the answer to a potential question (say you already know the rules of the game), but you cannot think of anything else to say, ask anyway. This way you demonstrate interest and while they are busy replying you have time to think of what you could say next.

Try to think of at least a few things that could add a personal note to what you are saying or to explain why you ask the questions you do so they won´t think they are being interrogated (e.g. Isn´t that the game where you...? I used to play that one with friends a lot.). If you do give an actual reply instead of asking a question, try to put some information into it so they can pick up on it if they want to (e.g. Yes, my friends and I play games together a lot too.).

This will probably make them ask questions too though (e.g. We also do *activity*. What do you do/do your friends do/blabla/...?).

I don´t know if this is of use to you, but that´s what I try to do (even though I´m usually tempted to end the conversation as fast as possible because I tend to feel uncomfortable the minute they say Hi).

Camelidae wrote:No idea about the phone. Mine has no internet connection. I only use it to call people -- which means I never use it.

zausel wrote:My AA sponsor and out-patient counselor keep telling me I need to start talking to people.

Or what..? Are there any consequences if you don´t do as he says?

I don't think I'm explaining that when I talk to people my brain goes blank, and I don't think to or can think of responses to small talk convos. I'm like I'll say hi to some people, but that's likely as far as it's going to get.

Do you think this is strictly AS/ADD related? If not, it may be helpful to think of what exactly may cause your mind to go blank.

Anyone wanna help me brainstorm? Some dude was telling me about a job he had and told me if didn't have insulation so it would get like 10 degrees F(I think about -15 C) in the winter and 110 degrees F ( 43 C) in the summer. All I could think of to say was that's cold, or that's hot. Are there any answers or questions I'm missing that I could have used? He told me where he was, why he was there, and what he was doing. I couldn't find anything to ask.

I wouldn´t have been able to think of comments any wittier than yours really. What else is there to say, right? So it´s hot/cold. Whatever.

I don´t think there is any use in thinking about what you could have replied, since I don´t think he will ask you the exact same question or tell you the exact same thing again. Instead you could go over topics that could come up in the future. You said you "come with a warning". Use that to your advantage to think of as many possible scenarios as you can and think of what you´d say in that situation.

Since that´s tiresome, it seems like a better idea to let them do the talking. Try to get yourself involved to the point where you are in the position to navigate the conversation, if you can. A good way of doing so is by asking questions (e.g. What do you do in your spare time?), preferrably ones they cannot answer by simply saying "yes" or "no" but ones that require their opinion or an explanation. Then they will answer your question (e.g. I play card games.).

Unless you are interested in or familiar with what they are talking about, there really is not much you can say. Still it is your turn, as conversation means taking turns. Simply nodding your head, saying nothing or giving one word replies (e.g. Cool.) will make the conversation come to an end rather fast.

So.. ask another question (e.g. What card games do you play? What do you like about them in particular? Where did you learn to play them? How are the rules of that game anyway?). It is good and more enjoyable for you if you are interested in their reply, but you don´t really have to be. If you already know the answer to a potential question (say you already know the rules of the game), but you cannot think of anything else to say, ask anyway. This way you demonstrate interest and while they are busy replying you have time to think of what you could say next.

Try to think of at least a few things that could add a personal note to what you are saying or to explain why you ask the questions you do so they won´t think they are being interrogated (e.g. Isn´t that the game where you...? I used to play that one with friends a lot.). If you do give an actual reply instead of asking a question, try to put some information into it so they can pick up on it if they want to (e.g. Yes, my friends and I play games together a lot too.).

This will probably make them ask questions too though (e.g. We also do *activity*. What do you do/do your friends do/blabla/...?).

I don´t know if this is of use to you, but that´s what I try to do (even though I´m usually tempted to end the conversation as fast as possible because I tend to feel uncomfortable the minute they say Hi).

Prob has to do with that I don't necessarily care about what they say so my mind ends wandering even if I'm trying to listen. I try my best to listen to them,but in the back of my mind I really don;t care to much, so I guess my mind just wanders on it's own even if I try not to not let it.

consequences? sorta. They will think I'm not serious or trying if I don't. They "suggest" things, but their actually requirements. Then I'll get a bad report for court, and I'm not entirely sure what would happen then. Nothing good I can assume.

I've tried thinking of questions when they say stuff, but when I think of questions, I don't listen to them, so I end up losing track of what they say, or if I listen I forget what they say and can't remember the questions to ask.

When he got to a friend of his who lived in Columbia during Pablo Escabar's rain, I was fine. When that ended I was back to what did you say? or I have no response.

zausel wrote:Prob has to do with that I don't necessarily care about what they say

consequences? sorta. They will think I'm not serious or trying if I don't. (...) Then I'll get a bad report for court, and I'm not entirely sure what would happen then. Nothing good I can assume.

If that isn´t motivating I don´t know what is, to be honest.