In which it is Labor Day

[rolanni]

One of my friends reminded me that Labor Day is a day when we don't work.

But, yanno?

Historically, Labor Day has been a day when I do work, if by "working" we mean "writing," because the day-job was closed, which meant I had all day to write.

So, I'm a little sorry that I slept the whole Labor Day aspect of the weekend, because it's good to celebrate our own history, and the times that made us who we are.

In writing news, no the penultimate draft is not yet done.  Today, perhaps.

And, apropos of nothing much, save something, somewhere flashed across my radar, and I believe we ought to talk about these things, and not hide them in the corner. . .

A couple weeks ago, Robin Williams died after a long battle with a deadly disease, depression.

Think about that for a minute.  If that last word had been "cancer" or "diabetes" or "ALS" or Insert Your Favorite Killer Disease Here, people would have been praising his life, calling him a "fighter" and "courageous" and "an inspiration."  But the commentary about Williams' death is (mostly) about how he wimped out, how he had "wasted" those years still on his dance card, how he had somehow failed to seek the help that would have saved his life, accompanied by exhortations to those of us who also suffer from the same long-term disease to "get help."

Now, here's the thing.  As I understand it, Robin Williams did seek help for his disease.  He stopped self-medicating with alcohol and drugs; he entered rehabilitation; he sought therapy -- and by these methods he managed to control his disease, until, in the way of Killer Diseases, one day it was stronger than he was, and he died.

To say that Robin Williams "failed" because he finally, after a long fight, succumbed to his disease is like blaming a cancer patient for dying after the tumors outrun the radiation.

So, that.

Here today at the Cat Farm and Confusion Factory, on September 1, which is simultaneously Scrabble's twelfth birthday, and Labor Day --  it is hot and humid, almost a Baltimore day.  We have closed up the windows and turned on the portable air conditioner and the ceiling fans.  The cats have melted in various tried and tested melting spots, most of them on top of things -- file cabinets; bookcase; cat tree -- and the writers are at their desks.

It would be a nice day for a picnic at the lake -- and I hope that at least some of y'all are enjoying that gift.

* * *

Progress on Dragon in Exile

116,600/100,000 OR 116.6% complete

"What," he asked, staring at the screens, "is that?"

"Looks like a cruise ship to me," second board said, which he might have known she would do. 

"Yes, he said patiently, "but what is it doing in orbit around Surebleak?"

"Maybe they need ice."

Comments

[sraun]

<roflol>
I want to know who's sitting second board! If they aren't Korval, they certainly have the mind-set!
</roflol>

[6-penny.livejournal.com]

Yes. Robin Williams fought his disease with great courage. I honor his battle.

Surebleak -ice-snork.

I hope guessing doesn't spoil anything...

[Ани Хачатрян (from livejournal.com)]

My guess is that it's Ren Zel and Anthora. Close to Surebleak, the man being patient and a bit too serious, the woman being witty and playful. Also the "which he might have known she would do" - of course he would, of all people, because they're lifemates, and moreover - dramliz lifemates. :)

[elbales]

Second board's speech pattern reads as Terran to me, though the other speaker could be from anywhere. It'll be fun to see who they turn out to be.

[gareth griffiths (from livejournal.com)]

Well said about depression. Love the snippet. Happy birthday scrabble.

[amm-me.livejournal.com]

Love that snippet!

[bandicoot.livejournal.com]

Big snippet grin ;)

[margotinez.livejournal.com]

re Robin Williams: I agree. Totally.

re the heat & humidity: savor it now, you will miss it this winter. We have only had one triple digit day in August this year in Sacramento, which almost made the drought bearable. We still need lots of rain. Bought two rain barrels, deep blue, and the grandkids are painting underwater and beach scenes on them.

weather and depression

[nocal-kathyf.livejournal.com]

So many people do not seek help for depression because of the stigma that seems to be attached. I'm hoping future generations will do better with knowing the signs, seeking help, and actually getting help that makes life work for them and those around them. It is a disease, not an attitude. Thanks to all those who have been brave enough to share, and to persevere for however long they can.
Thanks for the snippets, as always. This last one is really intriguing. Hope the end work on this one goes smoothly for you, or as smoothly as the characters will allow you to finish this part of their adventures.
Happy birthday to Scrabble as well.

Funny

[--deb (from livejournal.com)]

That snippet at the end made me laugh. My dog may have given me a dirty look for disrupting his nap. Worth it, though.

[joycependle.livejournal.com]

Ice! When you need it, nothing else will do. (Well, maybe an airconditioner.)

At least they talked about it

[aska-kettlingur.livejournal.com]

When I was a child, nobody talked about cancer. Obituaries stated 'died after a long illness.' The stigma about suicide has lasted a lot longer. Obituaries still state 'died suddenly at home,' and unless you cause a big police uproar while doing it, the news media will probably keep mum.

I found it heartening that in all the coverage of Robin Williams' death, there were many who reminded us that people suffering from depression are struggling with a real illness and need the support of everyone around them.

I once had my best friend ask me, "Why can't you just decide to be happy?" My answer really got through to her. "You're a diabetic. Why can't you just decide to keep your blood sugar under control? I do it all day long without even thinking." The thing is that the ones we love don't really understand that depression is a physical illness, not an emotional one.

Depression and the excellent snippet

[capricchio.livejournal.com]

I was glad they said Robin had died of depression, not just committed suicide. Suicide is the side effect of a very real disease. I'd never thought about comparing it to cancer and when the tumors outrun the treatment. Friends who will listen does help but a therapist is better. They are being paid to hear the things that can be overwhelming to friends and family.

On a much happier note< that snippet was great! Maybe they needed ice, indeed. :) They both sound Terran to me but almost like a Val Con and Miri exchange. Almost Daav and Aeilli but not quite. I'd love another set of characters with that style of interchange. Looking forward to this book. :)