Search where?

This Portfolio (charlieabney)

All of Writing.Com

◄ June ► 2020
S	M	T	W	T	F	S
	1	2	3	4	5	6
7	8	9	10	11	12	13
14	15	16	17	18	19	20
21	22	23	24	25	26	27
28	29	30
Archive				RSS

Create New Item

Read & Review

Community

Browse By Type

Browse By Genre

Writing Resources

Wednesday, May. 29, 2024

9:45am EDT

Members: 897

Guests: 1,689

Total Online: 2,586

Are You Listening???

by Charlie ~

Rated: GC · Book · Emotional · #2181458

A journey of self-improvement - or not.

Sup? I'm Char.
You may know me from timeless classics such as

Invalid Item

This item number is not valid.
#2030442 by Not Available.

and

Invalid Item

This item number is not valid.
#1974611 by Not Available.

I blog for things like

Invalid Item

This item number is not valid.
#2146101 by Not Available.

FORUM

30-Day Blogging Challenge ON HIATUS

(13+)
WDC's Longest Running Blog Competition - Hiatus
#1786069 by Fivesixer

FORUM

JAFBG

(XGC)
Because real life isn't always roses and sunshine...
#2094931 by Elisa the Bunny Stik

[Embed For Use By Upgraded+]
Believin' all the lies that they're tellin' ya
Buyin' all the products that they're sellin' ya
They say jump and ya say "how high?"
Ya braindead, ya got a fuckin' bullet in ya head

Show Recent Comments

10 Most Recent Blog Comments:

intuey

Jul 22, 2023 at 8:05am
In response to "Invalid Entry"

Hey Char, It's been a while since I've touched base with you. I'm so sorry for your loss. The last thing people should say is everyone loses their grandparents eventually, or it will get better with time. It's the last thing you want to hear when you're hurting. Death sucks, long-lasting illness sucks! Having to decide to let the person go to keep them from suffering REALLY SUCKS! I think the only ones who can understand truly just how much are those who have had to make that decision. My heart breaks for you.

I'm not religious, but I do have a strong faith in God. I call myself spiritual because I don't agree with all the rules and regulations of religion. I do know I will see my family and friends again, and this is a great comfort. I can only imagine how much more painful the death of loved ones is without this belief. But you're right, it can't be faked. But it is a beautiful thing.

Having mental health issues during times like this makes it even harder to go through. I know what you mean about seeing things that aren't there. I'd walk into a room, and say, "Where's Star?" and she would be sitting right in front of me. When I looked, I swear I saw an empty chair. The mind is crazy. It gives new meaning to a mind of its own

Some time has passed since you wrote this. I don't know when you'll see this but know that you are in my thoughts and prayers, and I'm sending good energy your way. I hope you're doing better. I look forward to hearing from you.

Aiva Raine

Mar 28, 2023 at 9:40pm
In response to "Invalid Entry"

I'm sorry for your loss. I know they are shitty sounding words that don't even attempt to fill or fix, but they're meant in sincerity.

Having lost several people the best advice I was ever given was when life gets too hard- take it at your own pace. If a day is too much- cope with an hour at a time. If that's too much, take it ten minutes at a time. If that's too much- then you deal with one minute at a time. Work through life and grief at your pace. And don't ever feel guilty because you feel sad. And if you can- find one positive in each chunk of time- even if it's something as little as the beauty of sunlight on a leaf or the softness of your shirt. And ask for help if you need it.

Elle - on hiatus

Mar 7, 2023 at 3:29pm
In response to "Invalid Entry"

Aw, Charlie, I'm so sorry. It's a shit thing to go through whether it's sudden or not. And just because everyone goes through it, doesn't make it easier. It also doesn't take into account that you were closer to them than your parents. Nobody says 'Oh, everyone loses their parents eventually' do they? Surely not. And that's what's happened here really. I'm actually glad you've got an appointment with a professional tomorrow, because they might be able to help you with getting through that initial devastation.

When my dad lost his mother, he really struggled with his own lack of religion. As you say, there is some comfort in believing they've gone to a better place, been reunited with loved ones, that you'll see them again, and so on. For most of my life, Dad would say 'Religion is a crutch for the weak', but I definitely saw him struggle with the finality of it when he lost his mother, the person he was probably closest to.

My thoughts are with you.

1 Like

~Minja~

Mar 7, 2023 at 3:21pm
In response to "Invalid Entry"

Crazy stuff, grief. If you want to talk about it, message me always.

1 Like

QPdoll

Mar 7, 2023 at 6:21am
In response to "Invalid Entry"

I understand what you mean about wanting to tell your grandmother something. I did the same thing after my grandmother passed. I was at home and the first thing I thought was to call grandma. I picked up the phone and realized that she wouldn't answer. It's so tough losing your grandparents, especially as close as you were. I don't have any magic words, but take care of yourself. It's what they would want.

1 Like

Robert Waltz

Mar 6, 2023 at 10:31pm
In response to "Invalid Entry"

Take care of yourself during this difficult time.

1 Like

Anni Pon

Mar 6, 2023 at 9:06pm
In response to "Invalid Entry"

I know it doesn't help any, but I'm so sorry for your loss. I can't imagine much worse than losing a parent or parental figure. They represent stability and safety, you grew up with them, and you've relied on them for most, if not all, of your life. You're right, the initial devastation will fade and things won't feel so fresh. But, as you know, grief never really goes away. It just becomes a permanent part of you.

It's horrible that you only got a couple days worth of bereavement! That's not even long enough for the shock to wear off enough to START grieving. I hope you have the support of someone else in your life to help you through this dark time. Take it easy on yourself in the mean time, that's all you really can do. Taking care of your physical self, eating and sleeping, is critical. Sleep deprivation and hunger will make things feel a million times worse than they actually are (which, for the record, is already pretty bad).

1 Like

Harlow Flick, Right Fielder

Mar 6, 2023 at 8:56pm
In response to "Invalid Entry"

This is such a very human thing, isn't it.

“I think there is nearly an overwhelming sadness to the human predicament.” - Skinny Boy Hill

BOOM! This ain’t no whipped cream pie I’m tossing.

1 Like

Cinn

Feb 20, 2023 at 9:34pm
In response to "Invalid Entry"

I actually pretty much love this one. Nice, man...

Cinn

Feb 19, 2023 at 11:07am
In response to "Invalid Entry"

I'd say that more freedom for participants would attract more people. One obvious example that I've never understood is fiction vs poetry. If it's an activity, not a contest, why not allow people to explore whatever the theme of your activity is with whatever type of writing that want to do?

I've actually written for countless contests/activities over the years but never entered... because they inspired me, but I don't fit within the guidelines. Max rating too low, items required (book entries only over here), no poetry accepted, etc.

I know well why people restrict writers' freedom, but they're also restricting the number of participants they'll get. I still just take the inspiration where I can get it.

June 2, 2020 at 8:21pm

#984877

Radio Silence from Constitution Warriors

Artist: Rage Against The Machine
Song: Killing In The Name Of
[Embed For Use By Upgraded+]

"JAFBG" Prompt: What current rules, restrictions or guidelines do you disagree with or chafe at, and why?

Yeah, I know this prompt was written for coronavirus rules. Don't give a fuck, let's go.

Let me tell you, when this shit all started going down last week, I was looking at it from the frame of mind of someone who has been isolated for 3 months, doing everything fucking possible to avoid getting ill or passing the virus onto other people. I only go to the grocery store twice a month. I wear a mask any time I'm outside of my house. The preservation of human life couldn't be more important to me and when I see over a hundred thousand people dead in 4 months and I see massive amounts of people gathering, all I could think was fuuuuuuuck.

I'm saying that to add color to what I'm about to say which is... holy shit. Way to make me flip the script. When you have someone who has been quarantined for 3 months changing their mind on mass group gatherings during a global pandemic, you sincerely fucked up.

All I've got is one question— Where the fuck are the Constitution warriors? Where ya guys at? You were flipping the fuck out a few weeks ago about small businesses being closed, not being able to get haircuts, and the government telling you what you can/cannot do. Where the fuck you at now? I saw some of them even here on WDC, posting in the newsfeed about how unconstitutional it is to tell people that they can't operate a business during a global pandemic.

Where you at?

Haven't seen one fucking word about the President of the United States threatening to unleash "thousands and thousands" of military forces to "dominate" the streets across America.

That's not stepping on your constitutional rights? Curfews at 1pm isn't stepping on your constitutional rights? Being refused your first amendment right to peaceful assembly isn't stepping on your constitutional rights? Your fellow countrymen are being physically attacked at peaceful protests every day. You cool with that?

Almost makes me think ya'll aren't so concerned about the Constitution. Almost makes me think you're protecting something else. Wonder what it could be??

Did people not see the peaceful protestors in DC physically attacked so that Trump could have a photo op after declaring war against his country's own citizens? Don't turn a blind eye. Here is a 50-page document

full of shit. Don't have time for 50 pages? What about 2 minutes

?

There is no excuse. There is nothing that anyone can tell me that is going to change my mind. If you support our president, if you support him declaring war on his own citizens, if you support police brutality, you are anti-American and no friend of mine.

I've had days to think about this as shit has been raging on in my own backyard. It's hard when you have opportunists taking advantage of a chaotic situation to go destroy businesses and loot shit. Your first reaction when this is happening outside of your window is just.make.it.stop. I think that's a natural human reaction to a distressing situation. But there's no way to prevent these advantageous criminals, just like there's no way to stop the spread of coronavirus at this point. It's too late. And the consequences of that are likely going to be devastating. I hate the timing of this. I think it likely couldn't be a worse time for this to be happening. And I'm furious about it. I'm furious about it because we've been down this fucking road before and nothing changed. Why is it so controversial to end racism and police brutality? How is this even a polarizing issue between political parties?

Now during the middle of a global pandemic, we have to have all these people out in the streets shoulder to shoulder with each other, screaming, coughing from tear gas, etc. It's a complete and utter nightmare that could have been prevented, just like George Floyd's death could have been prevented if even 1 of the 4 police officers present with power would have made the absolute minimum amount of effort to preserve human life. Instead, we get to watch Trump fully launch the dictatorship he has been building up for years and we get to see what the police truly think of the citizens that they're allegedly supposed to protect.

What we've seen in the past few days is a police state and a government that is infringing on its citizens rights and declaring war against them. The amount of peaceful protestors vs. the rioters is not even comparable. I have seen and heard so many times where people are peacefully protesting and are attacked at random by an insanely aggressive, militant police force. How embarrassing.

And all I've been waiting for is the people who were all for the re-open protests a few weeks ago who claimed that the government was infringing on their rights to show their faces now and stand up for the rights of their fellow Americans who are being brutalized for exercising their first amendment right. Where are they? Or does the first amendment right only apply to things that they agree with?

I was against the re-open protests because I thought it was too dangerous and too soon to open given the opinions of epidemiologists, scientists, and doctors. But over my dead body would I have suggested tear gassing them, shooting them with rubber bullets, or beating them with batons. Like, what in the actual fuck. They stormed a state house open carrying weapons and the police didn't do anything because of their first amendment right. But we have people peacefully protesting with no weapons, just the shirt on their back, and we're cool with them being slammed to the ground, pepper sprayed, tear gassed, just so the president can hold a bible up for a photo op?

If you're not actively coming out against this brutality and infringement of constitutional rights at this point but were willing to come out to defend re-open protestors' rights, you're fucking twisted.

And with that, here is a list of places

needing donations to support the cause. You can do this safely from your house. There are also cleanup efforts in almost every major city and it's easy to social distance while attending, so check those out in your area.

Now you're under control
and now you do what they told ya.

11 Like • Comment • View 10 comments

Printed from https://www.writing.com/main/books/item_id/2181458-Are-You-Listening/day/6-2-2020