What’re you into, what’re you looking forward to, what’re you happy about?
Please
I am feeling terribly self-harmy in advance of my birthday next week
I got to the point of making a pros and cons chart
give me something to be vicariously happy about or something to look forward to, please
I did have fun writing it! I rarely get the opportunity.
Its actually not that bad, once you understand there are very clear signs and its easy to read their body language. Their modes being so distinct is really helpful, like knowing if they are hungry and want to eat, feeling scared, or if they are just exploring and checking out their surroundings.
I love all reptiles! I especially love how diverse snakes are as a group, and how easy they are to care for though. You can really find a species that works for you, and I love that. I actually have another snake, a corn snake who is so chill I can hand them off to anyone and know it won’t be an issue. There are lots of cool lizards, I’m a big fan of the argus monitor, everyone I’ve heard talk about them has talked about how personable they are (plus they look so cool!). A dream reptile for me. One of my favorite trips was when my family went to an alligator farm, and they let me hold some of the babies. One of them was like three feet long (quite the baby, lol). Now that I think of it, I have a lot of fond memories of reptiles at zoos and such.
Aw thank you, that means a lot. I’m glad I did a good job, it felt long winded.
That’s unfortunate
I’ve never had to deal with motion sickness thankfully, but from what I’ve been told it sounds really awful. I know you didn’t necessarily ask for advice, but I know on PC there’s a view bobbing setting, and I’ve heard turning it off can help with motion sickness a lot (and honestly I can see why, its a little much for me too). Maybe that’s worth a try, if you haven’t already? (also I find the default sensitivity is really high, but again maybe you already played with that/and I don’t really understand what actually causes motion sickness) Glad your husband can play at least, I remember when I was younger (well and still now, I suppose) how special minecraft was and how much I loved doing that kind of thing with my parents so I’m sure they appreciate it.
No you are awesome! Your enthusiasm has really made my day. Thanks for listening! You are such a good listener! Your family is really lucky.
I’ve gotten motion sickness ever since childhood. I remember being able to read while laying in the floor on a some road trips in early elementary school, but I had to stop by the time I was 9-10, and eventually got to the point where I needed to keep my eyes on the road to make the data from my inner ears and eyes agree, or I’d be miserable the whole time.
San Francisco Rush was the first video game to cause it and make me stop trying to play it, and I couldn’t even watch my brother play Descent for more than a couple minutes, let alone play it myself. Multiplayer stuff is a lot easier; I can play Mario Kart with the family just fine, but I get very sick if I solo.
I don’t usually actually throw up, it just feels terrible (overwhelming nausea, hot and cold chills, dizzy, eventually my whole body feels heavy and I have to lay down) and lasts for a while after the stimulus stops. Dramamine helped when I was a kid but even the non-drowsy kind knocked me right the fuck out, so I haven’t tried it in a long time.
I just do my best to avoid situations that would cause it 🤷 it’s nbd. Watch other people play dizzying games from far enough away that there’s enough “standing still” in my periphery to keep my eyes and ears in agreement, watch the road carefully when I’m in a vehicle, avoid spinning carnival rides, etc.
SEE! I can talk, too! 😂
Now I’m gonna go look up “Argus monitor” and find out what they look like! Do you have any thoughts about why they’re so personable?
Edit: I looked them up! 🤩
What a cutie!!
😎
fun things I learned from their Wikipedia article:
😂 Large adult sons indeed!! Would you want a male or female?
omg 🤩😍🥰
Better stay swole! 😂
You totally need a mating pair! It’s for conservation!!!
That’s so interesting and weird, especially how some games effect it more then others. I’ve never felt anything like that. At least you are still able to drive! Has it always been this way for you, or did it get worse/better with time?
I think its because of their intelligence. Monitors as a group of some of the smartest lizards. Apparently they can count and know their name (not impressive by mammal/dog standards I know but for reptiles, that’s something). And yes they are so cute! I really love their long necks, they look like a dinosaur. Monitors are also a group that hasn’t changed much with time, like crocodilians.
I’d rather a male, if I had space. They are actually very lean and have big tails, so I don’t think a four foot lizard is actually quite as big as it might sound. A side note, for snakes the sexual dimorphism is the opposite! Lizards tend to have big males, and snakes almost exclusively have big females. Something to do with if males have to fight to reproduce.
Yes the tripoding is so cute
and they do it so much too. Just stand up and have a look around.
Mostly small rodents and large bugs, but transitioning and losing my strength is an actual concern of mine for this reason
They obviously couldn’t actually kill/eat me but I’d hate for my love of reptiles, especially larger ones to put me in a bad spot post hrt. Maybe I’ll end up with a female, haha.
Reptile, and animal populations in general are in such a grim place. So much habitat loss.
I’d love a mating pair! One potential problem is most reptiles don’t like being kept together, so you end up needing basically double of everything.
I’m sorry to have taken so long to reply! My problems with motion sickness have unfortunately only gotten worse as I’ve gotten older, and like most of my fun little bodily quirks, it got worse after carrying a child. I’m actually calling this morning to try to see a doctor finally about it all, because I think it might all be Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, which would explain some otherwise very strange occurrences in my family’s medical history. And it would mean that actually my generally pretty good luck didn’t actually take a horrible turn in my 20s, it has been fine, because being pregnant with EDS could have killed me and so could have several other issues. Happy to discuss more in DM if you’re curious, but yeah, I keep dodging the reaper somehow. 💃
I had no idea that any lizards were capable of counting! I know beardies are supposed to be smart and personable too, but it sounds like monitors are smarter? That is so cool. Huge and smart – lizard puppos? 😍😂
I knew that transitioning causes women to lose strength and bone density, but I hadn’t really thought about how that would affect their ability to participate in their established hobbies, even though it’s obvious. 🤦
Do you have the time and resources to do strength training to help? I have enjoyed the little bit I’ve done, but I’m a little worried that some of the things I do are making some of my joints worse, and if I do have EDS, it’s a really stupid thing to be doing to myself. And that’s why I need a doctor and an approved exercise program! How do you feel about exercise? Which kinds do you like?
Do you have a doctor that you like? Do you find talking to medical professionals as dreadful and terrifying as I do?
I’ve even been excited for my son to gain strength and maybe even a little height as he transitions (we think/hope he started early enough to help with height), because then he can help me reach and lift more things! 😂 Obviously I love seeing him become more himself, and I know he’s having challenges too, but it’s only been a few months he’s already over half an inch taller and his voice is changing, and I’m really looking forward to him patting me on the head someday and calling me his smol mom 🥰😍 and then getting that thing out of the cabinet on top of the fridge for me! 😂
How did your reptile fascination start? Do you have the opportunities and resources to do any related volunteer work? I’m from a rural area and wished very badly to be closer to a big city when I was little so I could volunteer at a zoo or aquarium. Do you have any interest in doing anything with reptiles professionally?
I have loved talking to you and appreciate your kindness and brilliant distractions very very much. I’m doing better now, and you have very much helped. Please don’t feel obligated to keep entertaining my questions, but also please know that I love and appreciate it. You’re a wonderful person with fascinating interests, and you generously and patiently share your knowledge and enthusiasm.
You’re an absolute delight.
Thank you so much for your time and care.
I think discussing in a DM would be a good idea, I’d feel a lot more comfortable talking about myself there too.