➡I accidentally bought Balut eggs: 2 live ducks! Now a Chat Thread!

[debid]

Thank you for the moral support everyone, truly. I DO have an incredible support system in my family, but right now they are preoccupied with bigger and uglier things regarding certain family members. The middle child syndrome is alive and well.
But seriously, your comments really got the gears turning and helped me through an especially crappy day. Thank you.

For a second I forgot what my goal was. You defined exactly what I’m afraid of, Nutty; being a depressed and bitter vet with no passion for what I do. But being a vet isn’t necessarily what I want.. what I want is to have a slice of land in the country, with some chickens and dogs and two little kids running around. I want to be a badass working mom and show my children the joy that I see in animals; I want them to grow up taking care of them and helping out in a clinic with me and my husband, or with the sick animals that I bring home.
I realize in all this that being a vet ISN’T my goal in life, it’s just one part of a grandiose dream.

Anyway, I realize that I’m talking and awful lot about myself but I didn’t want to leave it on a depressed note. Thank you for letting me reorient my brain mush, chicken friends.

On another note, look what I can take in fall. y’all bouta get learned.
View attachment 1839476

I've already learned on BYC that you can prevent everything with DE and ACV. What will they cover for the rest of the class?

 

[CSAchook]

I've already learned on BYC that you can prevent everything with DE and ACV. What will they cover for the rest of the class?

 

[ShrekDawg]

Thank you for the moral support everyone, truly. I DO have an incredible support system in my family, but right now they are preoccupied with bigger and uglier things regarding certain family members. The middle child syndrome is alive and well.
But seriously, your comments really got the gears turning and helped me through an especially crappy day. Thank you.

For a second I forgot what my goal was. You defined exactly what I’m afraid of, Nutty; being a depressed and bitter vet with no passion for what I do. But being a vet isn’t necessarily what I want.. what I want is to have a slice of land in the country, with some chickens and dogs and two little kids running around. I want to be a badass working mom and show my children the joy that I see in animals; I want them to grow up taking care of them and helping out in a clinic with me and my husband, or with the sick animals that I bring home.
I realize in all this that being a vet ISN’T my goal in life, it’s just one part of a grandiose dream.

Anyway, I realize that I’m talking and awful lot about myself but I didn’t want to leave it on a depressed note. Thank you for letting me reorient my brain mush, chicken friends.

On another note, look what I can take in fall. y’all bouta get learned.
View attachment 1839476

I don’t think that’s grandiose at all Tess! I think that sounds amazing and wonderful and like a fantastic plan and you should totally do it! I know you can. And tbh it kind of sounds like what I eventually want too. You know, minus the whole vet thing, and in addition, way more animals lol especially after watching this TV show “Heartland” HA. Kind of stupid, I know, but God, it’s gorgeous out there. I think they’re out in western Canada. I need a place out there and tons of horses running around haha well, maybe not tons, they’re pretty damn expensive but I want to live somewhere in the country too and have tons of animals. I mean literally tons. Probably every species and breed there is. goats, sheep, dogs, cats, chickens, horses, maybe some rabbits or quail or ducks, maybe some caged pets like parrots or rodents or reptiles or something, like rats or guinea pigs or gerbils, or snakes or bearded dragons, or or or. And at least 2-3 dogs, probably more like 5 I’d say my idea is way more grandiose. especially because I kind of sort of have multiple plans at once.... ?? Like I don’t know if I want to have a farm/homestead/whatever and get super into gardening and canning and own a bunch of farm animals or if I want to just get big into horses and have a ton of horses or if I want to get into dog sledding and have a dog sled team or if I want to get into dogs/dog training in general and run my own training center and/or daycare and/or boarding facility or do all of that or what. I want so many things ha and also close to town still for concerts ha

But eff sorry. This was supposed to be about you not me. So bad at giving advice ha whoops

But anyway, I think you will be a great mom someday Tess. And whatever you decide to do, it will be great because you’re doing it.

I saw this story btw and it reminded me of you especially now after reading this ha sounds like maybe similar to what you eventually want?

https://www.backyardchickens.com/th...me-what-you-got.1280972/page-39#post-21541057

Anyway, I think you will be great at anything and you are great.

Oh and I totally get the middle child thing haha

And oooohhh that sounds interesting.

 

[ShrekDawg]

Oh and also sorry, not to bring it back to me (yet again) or get all depressing or whatever but I have come to the sudden realization today that I have done **** all with my life and especially this year and I REALLY need to get moving. This realization mostly came about cause there were a few things I had seen or read only a few minutes before or at least like under an 30 mins and couldn’t remember which really worried me and I realized it’s probably all the screen time and that I need to work on it and.... well.... that led me to realizing what little else I have done or accomplished, especially the last 6 months, and what a loser I am haha no but really. The garden was soooo late this year going in. For no reason. The chickens I hardly even check anymore other than making sure they have everything. I mostly use BYC and Twitter, watch Netflix, and drive around for hours. ****. According to my phone I spent 42 hours on it last week. FOURTY TWO. And I think that’s low for me cause the daily usage was down from normal and it said total was lower than the week before. So it’s even worse. PLUS. That is only my phone screen time. That does not count all the countless hours spent watching Netflix or just driving around or sitting in Panera or whatever. Probably more like.... my entire life. That’s ridiculous. Wtf. That’s literally a full time job. More than that, it’s like two if you count all the other hours making it my entire life. I could have sooo much more time to get shit done if I just got off the damn screens. And yes, I know you guys have been saying this for forever and I’ve been saying I want to change for forever, but I never really realized just quite HOW much time I wasted before. It is really quite shocking. And I feel like a massive loser ha I don’t even usually do most of the things I want to do and then weeks or months accidentally go by. Literally fly by and I’m like... wait.... I need to get my shit together. And I don’t know if it’s just because I’m being a lazy loser addicted to the phone or if it’s somewhat depression or just negative influences from living in this house (no one else is really productive either) or all 3 or none or what but it’s ridiculous and needs to change. But I just.... don’t really know how hah Also damn.... sorry..... I really know how to bring down the mood. and also I do not mean to take away from Tessie’s actual problem with my extremely fake and made up/self induced problem.

 

[RUNuts]

On another note, look what I can take in fall. y’all bouta get learned.
View attachment 1839476

We will be waiting.

 

[BantyChooks]

Thank you for the moral support everyone, truly. I DO have an incredible support system in my family, but right now they are preoccupied with bigger and uglier things regarding certain family members. The middle child syndrome is alive and well.
But seriously, your comments really got the gears turning and helped me through an especially crappy day. Thank you.

For a second I forgot what my goal was. You defined exactly what I’m afraid of, Nutty; being a depressed and bitter vet with no passion for what I do. But being a vet isn’t necessarily what I want.. what I want is to have a slice of land in the country, with some chickens and dogs and two little kids running around. I want to be a badass working mom and show my children the joy that I see in animals; I want them to grow up taking care of them and helping out in a clinic with me and my husband, or with the sick animals that I bring home.
I realize in all this that being a vet ISN’T my goal in life, it’s just one part of a grandiose dream.

Anyway, I realize that I’m talking and awful lot about myself but I didn’t want to leave it on a depressed note. Thank you for letting me reorient my brain mush, chicken friends.

On another note, look what I can take in fall. y’all bouta get learned.
View attachment 1839476

You go, girl.

 

[littleprairieheartsfarm]

 

[BantyChooks]

Oh and also sorry, not to bring it back to me (yet again) or get all depressing or whatever but I have come to the sudden realization today that I have done **** all with my life and especially this year and I REALLY need to get moving. This realization mostly came about cause there were a few things I had seen or read only a few minutes before or at least like under an 30 mins and couldn’t remember which really worried me and I realized it’s probably all the screen time and that I need to work on it and.... well.... that led me to realizing what little else I have done or accomplished, especially the last 6 months, and what a loser I am haha no but really. The garden was soooo late this year going in. For no reason. The chickens I hardly even check anymore other than making sure they have everything. I mostly use BYC and Twitter, watch Netflix, and drive around for hours. ****. According to my phone I spent 42 hours on it last week. FOURTY TWO. And I think that’s low for me cause the daily usage was down from normal and it said total was lower than the week before. So it’s even worse. PLUS. That is only my phone screen time. That does not count all the countless hours spent watching Netflix or just driving around or sitting in Panera or whatever. Probably more like.... my entire life. That’s ridiculous. Wtf. That’s literally a full time job. More than that, it’s like two if you count all the other hours making it my entire life. I could have sooo much more time to get shit done if I just got off the damn screens. And yes, I know you guys have been saying this for forever and I’ve been saying I want to change for forever, but I never really realized just quite HOW much time I wasted before. It is really quite shocking. And I feel like a massive loser ha I don’t even usually do most of the things I want to do and then weeks or months accidentally go by. Literally fly by and I’m like... wait.... I need to get my shit together. And I don’t know if it’s just because I’m being a lazy loser addicted to the phone or if it’s somewhat depression or just negative influences from living in this house (no one else is really productive either) or all 3 or none or what but it’s ridiculous and needs to change. But I just.... don’t really know how hah Also damn.... sorry..... I really know how to bring down the mood. and also I do not mean to take away from Tessie’s actual problem with my extremely fake and made up/self induced problem.

In the 90's, there was this college student. He was a good student, and got into a top tier college. He also happened to be motivated. When he wanted something, nothing stood in his way. He wanted a degree in a certain difficult subject. Unfortunately, the college department for that particular thing was terrible. Classes didn't even run for the upper level, and the teachers were ancient and burnt out or young druggies. He didn't turn around and find an easier degree. He went before the board and singlehandedly convinced them to run classes for him. He overcame the rubbish teachers and got that degree. Moral of the story? If you want something, get up and go get it.

Your brain is a tool. It's a complex, thinking, feeling tool, but it's still a tool. Like all tools, they rust if left in the rain, and then when you try to use them, you give up, because they don't work; you say it's too hard, and you'd be right. Brains rust from inactivity. We are not wired for laziness, we are wired to learn. Even your phone addiction proves this. Humans are so keen on avoiding boredom that we invent tasks, such as reading our entire Twitter feed, and we do it. It also happens to be another form of rust, but that's a derailment from the point. My point is that you already have the ability to stick to a task. Change it to an active task that will grind the rust off instead of adding to it. Your brain is currently addicted—yes, addicted—to the slow drip of dopamine that social media gives you. Getting out of that and finding the same joy in the struggle to achieve won't be easy. In fact, I'd argue it will be harder than the actual thing itself you set out to do, even if the 'thing' is rocket science.

I forget where this quote is from, but I liked it. "If information were the gatekeeper to success, we'd all be billionaires with perfect abs." Obviously it's reductionistic and not the entire truth, but it rings true for many cases.

I have never struggled to find a goal I wanted, but I did have to learn that I was responsible for getting it, just like everybody else. I am naturally an obsessive person. Take horses, for instance. I must have been five or so when that fire was lit. I read as many books on them as I could find; I collected models from yard sales; I begged my parents for a horse at least monthly. That fire never went out, it only flamed higher. In high school, I read studies on their biomechanical functions. I helped out at a local farm, got riding lessons, and enjoyed every second. I memorized entire books on them so well that I could nearly quote the breed descriptions word-for-word. I still love horses to this day. I'd have one if common sense didn't tell me I still need to wait for better land. As I grew, I added passions, not subtracted them. Music. Art. Engineering. Most recently, chickens. Even in adult life, there's no reason at all why you can't find something; I've found plenty. All of those things required incredible amounts of study and practice and money to become proficient in them. I don't recommend being quite as much of a nutter as me—it did take its toll, and I'm pretty sure a shrink could've given me a list of psychiatric diagnoses as long as my arm at some point. I'm no stranger to that side of the world, so I truly do know what you mean about thinking your mental health might play a part in your trouble. Get help for it. If you persist in saying it's not a big deal, it'll fester and get worse. Trust me. But find your fire, and then fan it.

I think you've said that you already went to college. What did you get a degree in? Can you use it to find a real job? Walking dogs doesn't count unless you're making at least what minimum wage for a full time job would earn you. Even if your degree isn't going to help, college isn't something you need to be successful. You can get plenty by pulling on your own bootstraps. Maybe more, even, since you won't have student debt to pay off. Honestly, it's criminal what they charge these days. Do you mind working in management? If not, maybe take a few classes at your community college, and find a shelter or training centre or something nearby. I don't know exactly what places are around, that's the kind of research you should do. Don't worry about starting your own or getting an important position. Just find somewhere. Then work your way up over the years. It's harder getting a job that involves puppies, because everyone wants that job. But it's possible, as long as you have realism about it. "You can accomplish anything you set your mind to" isn't exactly true, but at the same time, determination will get you a long way and certainly a lot further than you are now. I don't know what the employment scene in your area looks like so it's hard to help there. Find something, though. Trade schools are a good option as well if you want to get large salaries. There's a lack of people that are willing to do the work that comes along with it. I didn't go for that option, but I thought about it.

For now—right now, not later, or some years in the future—work on getting out of that dopamine hold. I know you say you need your phone, so, keep it, then. What you need to eliminate is scrolling without a purpose. That does nothing at all. Turn decisions into binaries. Yes/no, black/white. Do I sit here or do I get up and finish a task? Two choices. You're forced to choose one. No more indefinite "I'll do something later"s. Your future is what you make of it, and you won't have your parents' house to live in forever.

Not everybody is going to agree with all the points I have made here, but I have proven them true to myself in my situation with my background and my goals. Your mileage may vary.

 

[RUNuts]

In the 90's, there was this college student. He was a good student, and got into a top tier college. He also happened to be motivated. When he wanted something, nothing stood in his way. He wanted a degree in a certain difficult subject. Unfortunately, the college department for that particular thing was terrible. Classes didn't even run for the upper level, and the teachers were ancient and burnt out or young druggies. He didn't turn around and find an easier degree. He went before the board and singlehandedly convinced them to run classes for him. He overcame the rubbish teachers and got that degree. Moral of the story? If you want something, get up and go get it.

Your brain is a tool. It's a complex, thinking, feeling tool, but it's still a tool. Like all tools, they rust if left in the rain, and then when you try to use them, you give up, because they don't work; you say it's too hard, and you'd be right. Brains rust from inactivity. We are not wired for laziness, we are wired to learn. Even your phone addiction proves this. Humans are so keen on avoiding boredom that we invent tasks, such as reading our entire Twitter feed, and we do it. It also happens to be another form of rust, but that's a delineation from the point. My point is that you already have the ability to stick to a task. Change it to an active task that will grind the rust off instead of adding to it. Your brain is currently addicted—yes, addicted—to the slow drip of dopamine that social media gives you. Getting out of that and finding the same joy in the struggle to achieve won't be easy. In fact, I'd argue it will be harder than the actual thing itself you set out to do, even if the 'thing' is rocket science.

I forget where this quote is from, but I liked it. "If information were the gatekeeper to success, we'd all be billionaires with perfect abs." Obviously it's reductionistic and not the entire truth, but it rings true for many cases.

I have never struggled to find a goal I wanted, but I did have to learn that I was responsible for getting it, just like everybody else. I am naturally an obsessive person. Take horses, for instance. I must have been five or so when that fire was lit. I read as many books on them as I could find; I collected models from yard sales; I begged my parents for a horse at least monthly. That fire never went out, it only flamed higher. In high school, I read studies on their biomechanical functions. I helped out at a local farm, got riding lessons, and enjoyed every second. I memorized entire books on them so well that I could nearly quote the breed descriptions word-for-word. I still love horses to this day. I'd have one if common sense didn't tell me I still need to wait for better land. As I grew, I added passions, not subtracted them. Music. Art. Engineering. Most recently, chickens. Even in adult life, there's no reason at all why you can't find something; I've found plenty. All of those things required incredible amounts of study and practice and money to become proficient in them. I don't recommend being quite as much of a nutter as me—it did take its toll, and I'm pretty sure a shrink could've given me a list of psychiatric diagnoses as long as my arm at some point. I'm no stranger to that side of the world, so I truly do know what you mean about thinking your mental health might play a part in your trouble. Get help for it. If you persist in saying it's not a big deal, it'll fester and get worse. Trust me. But find your fire, and then fan it.

I think you've said that you already went to college. What did you get a degree in? Can you use it to find a real job? Walking dogs doesn't count unless you're making at least what minimum wage for a full time job would earn you. Even if your degree isn't going to help, college isn't something you need to be successful. You can get plenty by pulling on your own bootstraps. Maybe more, even, since you won't have student debt to pay off. Honestly, it's criminal what they charge these days. Do you mind working in management? If not, maybe take a few classes at your community college, and find a shelter or training centre or something nearby. I don't know exactly what places are around, that's the kind of research you should do. Don't worry about starting your own or getting an important position. Just find somewhere. Then work your way up over the years. It's harder getting a job that involves puppies, because everyone wants that job. But it's possible, as long as you have realism about it. "You can accomplish anything you set your mind to" isn't exactly true, but at the same time, determination will get you a long way and certainly a lot further than you are now. I don't know what the employment scene in your area looks like so it's hard to help there. Find something, though. Trade schools are a good option as well if you want to get large salaries. There's a lack of people that are willing to do the work that comes along with it. I didn't go for that option, but I thought about it.

For now—right now, not later, or some years in the future—work on getting out of that dopamine hold. I know you say you need your phone, so, keep it, then. What you need to eliminate is scrolling without a purpose. That does nothing at all. Turn decisions into binaries. Yes/no, black/white. Do I sit here or do I get up and finish a task? Two choices. You're forced to choose one. No more indefinite "I'll do something later"s. Your future is what you make of it, and you won't have your parents' house to live in forever.

Not everybody is going to agree with all the points I have made here, but I have proven them true to myself in my situation with my background and my goals. Your mileage may vary.

Preach it, Sister!

 

[ShrekDawg]

Thank you very much @BantyChooks. That is very helpful and I am planning on replying later (I already read it all) but right now I need to say something/kind of need an opinion. Got this text and still haven’t responded yet because I don’t know what to do. I’ve just been sitting here sobbing off and on/somewhat uncontrollably sometimes for like an hour and also about had a panic attack in the store when I first read it haha I didn’t but came close ha definitely had/have bad anxiety about it. The reason this is causing so much anxiety and turmoil is because note the part where it says “still” as if they already asked but I am pretty positive they did not. I would have remembered something like that. And I have no texts about it or anything. They could have said something about it in person I guess but I am pretty positive they did not. Again, I would have remembered something like that. And I wouldn’t have made plans if they did. It’s not in my calendar or texts. And I have this concert/festival thing Sunday that I have been looking forward to for months. It’s all day but I don’t really like most of the bands except the 3 main ones so I could just go at night but even then, it’s like an hour and a half, 2 hours away, so I’d have to leave earlier to be there. But anyway. I don’t really want to say no because I need the money but at the same time, it’s really last minute and I have plans. My parents think I should either say no or at least say I can’t do Sunday but can do Monday or Tuesday but I don’t really want to do that either. And it makes it more complicated because they are family friends and have been really good to me and I’ve watched their dogs several times and love them and they always ask in advance and are good about paying so I’m sure they did not do it on purpose and just thought they asked but maybe forgot to or something but still. I just don’t know what to do because I need the money and don’t want to say no but at the same time, I have been looking forward this concert for months and already have tickets. There is one in Pittsburgh the next weekend though that I’m thinking maybe I could just skip this one and go to that one instead but it’s kind of stupid to go all the way to Pittsburgh and spend all that money when I already have plans and tickets to this one. And I guess it’s not really fair of them to ask so last minute but I just hate to disappoint and hate to say no/hate conflict of any sort even though I am positive there would be no conflict because they are so nice. But I hate letting people down and they seem to think they have asked me so I don’t know what to do because I have plans but then that’s why I’m so upset and crying so much because I keep telling myself maybe I should just stop being such a child/loser/irresponsible and take the job and the money and skip the damn concert/festival which I probably should but at the same time, I’ve been looking forward to it for so long, love a bunch of the bands on it, and honestly kind of need a break. And also I’m already doing DB & FSIL’s dogs on Saturday (day before it) because they asked. I think it’s just in the morning not all day but still. So anyway, I don’t know what to do. I have plans but I keep telling myself I should just drop/cancel them because they’re family friends and I need the money and need to be “responsible.” I have been tearing/beating myself up over it and sobbing nonstop for over an hour and keep being extremely indecisive. And now have a migraine and snotty nose from all the sobbing I’ve been doing. I know this is really stupid but this is how much of a loser I am..... sobbing over something so damn small. Also I don’t even know why I’m posting cause I know you’re all just going to say to cancel my plans and take the job anyway and stop being such a baby.