hadriel | 010 [Text]

[Lance doesn't typically post to the network within a few weeks of a previous post, partially because talking to so many people is exhausting and partially because he usually doesn't have anything to say so soon after. But this time he has two brief announcements that happen to be time-sensitive, so here goes.]

Hello everyone. The list of who is available and willing to teach particular skills is now available, and I'll continue to make changes to it as requested; it isn't too late to volunteer, if you'd like to. Where possible I've provided references to the initial responses, so be sure to look at the details of what someone is offering.

[And that's the main announcement. The second one he's still nervous about, even though he's been set on doing it for awhile, and it's part of the reason this is text; it's easier both to choose his words and not back out if it's through text.]

I'm also going to be taking a brief break from non-emergency counseling. This will only be for a few weeks, and if a situation is very pressing or serious I'm still available to meet; please don't hesitate to contact me, and don't second-guess yourself about whether it's serious enough to warrant doing so. The last thing I want is for someone who really needs help not to get it because I decided to take a vacation.

[And he really, really means this; the entire idea is making him nervous all over again about the decision to take a break, because if something happened to someone because he wasn't available to meet with them he's not sure he would forgive himself. But people here survived a long time without a psychologist around, right? Surely everything will be okay.]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Which part?

[He thinks he knows, but still.]

You know. Taking a break is good. Afix your own oxygen mask before you help with someone else's, right?

You're the second person to use the same metaphor, which is causing me some concern about how I've been coming across to people.

[He's not on a crashing plane, guys!!!]

It's a useful metaphor. And you come across as a guy who'll work himself into exhaustion to help people. It's laudable, but there are limits.

[He's normally not so bad about this sort of thing at home; he might overwork a bit, but then balances it out with other things. But here he realizes she's probably right, and also that he's been using focusing on helping other people as a way to distract himself, which is not fair to anyone involved.]

Yeah, there are. I'm going to see if I can find them.

[Some limits are a good idea.]

I'm glad to hear that.

It's too bad we can't book you a spa day here.

[It might sound like she's joking but she's not.]

[That makes him laugh a little, even if it can't be heard.]

I appreciate the sentiment anyway; I'm not sure I'd be well-suited to a spa day though, so it might be for the best.

Are you kidding? Everyone's suited for a spa day. That's it, if we ever get the resources for it, you're getting cucumbers to the eyes and that's that. I will allow no argument.

[He will totally put up an argument if such a thing occurs, but he's pretty sure they'll never have the resources and so no need to say that. Besides, he's way more interested in--]

Wait, is cucumber on the eyes a real thing? I thought that was just on tv or whatever.

[Lance obviously knows exactly nothing about this subject.]

Sometimes, yeah. At certain places. We could also give you a pedicure and a facial.

I know this is supposed to sound relaxing, but it's actually just a little frightening.

[He's joking of course, but this is part of why he said he'd not suited to a spa day; none of that sounds super appealing. Although--]

Aren't spas really quiet though, with relaxing music? I'd be okay with that part.

Uh-huh. And you can customize your relaxing spa experience if you're not into some things. Gotta go for the massage, though. No one dislikes a massage.

[As long as they're daydreaming about things currently unavailable.]