# IANAShrink.....
**URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ianashrink/607329
**Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share
**Created:** [December 25, 2011, 1:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ianashrink/607329 "2011-12-25T01:17:50Z")
**Posts on this page:** 20
**Page:** 1
### Author:  [@Quasimodem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quasimodem)
#### Post date: [December 25, 2011, 1:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ianashrink/607329/1 "2011-12-25T01:17:50Z")
…but I know some of us have a little difficulty this time of year, so If you need to talk with someone and/or share a laff or two, I’m here. We can set up a temp messenger thing or talk in PM’s, whatever and however you wanna do it. I just don’t want you to be alone and hurtin’ if I can help.
Let me know
Bill
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### Author:  [@SnakesCatLady](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SnakesCatLady)
#### Post date: [December 25, 2011, 1:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ianashrink/607329/2 "2011-12-25T01:23:13Z")
What a great idea! Thank you for thinking of it. I’m not all weepy and depressed or anything, but being alone Christmas Eve and Christmas Day does bite. This is the first season in many years we haven’t had a hockey game on Christmas Day, so I’m bummed about that. Being broke doesn’t help; a fried egg sandwich for Christmas Eve dinner doesn’t cut it.
The bright side is I got the new camera bag I really, really wanted for Christmas. And the cats got their once a year treat of canned cat food, so they’re all full and snoozin’.
Things could be worse.
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### Author:  [@Sticks\_and\_Scones](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sticks_and_Scones)
#### Post date: [December 25, 2011, 1:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ianashrink/607329/3 "2011-12-25T01:27:14Z")
You’re a good man, **Quasi**. Merry Christmas to you and Dondra! 🙂
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### Author:  [@Quasimodem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quasimodem)
#### Post date: [December 25, 2011, 1:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ianashrink/607329/4 "2011-12-25T01:31:39Z")
The kitties are great, aren’t they **SCL**? I know my Mainie, Bert, always seems to know when Dad’s not at his best, and comes and snuggles closer than usual. I know not many guys like cats, but I love them!
Q
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### Author:  [@Quasimodem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quasimodem)
#### Post date: [December 25, 2011, 1:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ianashrink/607329/5 "2011-12-25T01:32:40Z")
> [@Sticks\_and\_Scones](#):
>
> You’re a good man, **Quasi**. Merry Christmas to you and Dondra! 🙂
Thank you and the same to you and your loved ones!🙂
Q
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### Author:  [@chiroptera](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chiroptera)
#### Post date: [December 25, 2011, 1:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ianashrink/607329/6 "2011-12-25T01:36:08Z")
> [@Quasimodem](#):
>
> …but I know some of us have a little difficulty this time of year, so If you need to talk with someone and/or share a laff or two, I’m here. We can set up a temp messenger thing or talk in PM’s, whatever and however you wanna do it. I just don’t want you to be alone and hurtin’ if I can help.
>
> Let me know
>
> Bill
Aww. Bill I don’t “know” you but I think this is very sweet and considerate,
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### Author:  [@Quasimodem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quasimodem)
#### Post date: [December 25, 2011, 1:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ianashrink/607329/7 "2011-12-25T01:48:23Z")
> [@chiroptera](#):
>
> Aww. Bill I don’t “know” you but I think this is very sweet and considerate,
That’s not “know” in the biblical sense, is it?😉
Just checkin’ and _JUST KIDDIN’!!!_:):)🙂
Thanks!
Bill
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### Author:  [@chiroptera](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chiroptera)
#### Post date: [December 25, 2011, 1:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ianashrink/607329/8 "2011-12-25T01:52:02Z")
> [@Quasimodem](#):
>
> That’s not “know” in the biblical sense, is it?😉
>
> Just checkin’ and _JUST KIDDIN’!!!_:):)🙂
>
> Thanks!
>
> Bill
LOL and hell no - I know you’re a committed man!
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### Author:  [@River\_Hippie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/River_Hippie)
#### Post date: [December 25, 2011, 1:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ianashrink/607329/9 "2011-12-25T01:57:00Z")
Good idea for a thread.
The alone part I can handle fine (with the help of my canine and feline housemates) It’s the awkward social expectations and interactions that get me all stressed out at this time of year. One stressful gathering down, one much less stressful gathering to go and then nothing til NYE (stress again).
Not stressed at the moment, somewhat anesthetized.
Thanks for listening.
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### Author:  [@Quasimodem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quasimodem)
#### Post date: [December 25, 2011, 2:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ianashrink/607329/10 "2011-12-25T02:05:18Z")
No prob. I have always hated family gatherings, **River Hippie**. I know it doesn’t seem like it here, but out among people, I don’t seem to be able to function as I should _socially_.
Nothing against my sweet wife, but I have had to just STOP going to ANY of her functions, because I just don’t fit in!
“Heard you bagged yourself a 6 point buck, Zeke!”… and that’s it, except for fishing and “How’bout dem Dawgs!”
So I can relate.
Are you _expected_ to attend these things?
Since I’ve gone batshit and am prone to saying inappropriate things, I’m no longer requested to go and I’m LOVIN’ it!
If you ARE expected, just grit your teeth and smile knowing that right here, on THE DOPE, are the folks who DO understand you and care.
Don’t sweat the small shit. (and you know the rest of that, right?)
Bill
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### Author:  [@Rushgeekgirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rushgeekgirl)
#### Post date: [December 25, 2011, 2:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ianashrink/607329/11 "2011-12-25T02:15:24Z")
I’m having an especially hard time this Christmas but several people I’ve never even met face-to-face have made it a lot cheerier. It’s helped more than they could ever know.
Tonight my girls and I drove around a bit and looked at lights. We came home and made peanut butter cookies and my little one is just about to leave out Santa’s cookie and get to sleep. I’m not really a drinker but I’m having some cheap raspberry vodka and coke for my holiday nightcap.
It’s not so bad, really. I’ll be okay.
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### Author:  [@Quasimodem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quasimodem)
#### Post date: [December 25, 2011, 2:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ianashrink/607329/12 "2011-12-25T02:22:34Z")
Cool! What’s that old Glen Campbell tune? [GLEN CAMPBELL - Christmas Is for Children (1968) - YouTube](http://youtu.be/dZ_RJjdMyCE)
And yup, **Rushgeekgirl** , we’re all kids tonight, so I hope this little tune will help you sleep right along with your little ones tonight!
Vodka and **COKE!!!**
OMG!!! :)🙂
Your pal
Bill
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### Author:  [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)
#### Post date: [December 25, 2011, 2:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ianashrink/607329/13 "2011-12-25T02:30:49Z")
I’ll come back later to help cover the night shift. I’d like to spend Christmas with just my wife, but she likes people.
Dopers never have to be alone. As long as you’ve got a computer, you’ve got the rest of us.
ETA: And thanks for starting this great thread **Quasi**!
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### Author:  [@Quasimodem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quasimodem)
#### Post date: [December 25, 2011, 2:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ianashrink/607329/14 "2011-12-25T02:33:11Z")
That’s my new buddy, **TriP** , and thank _you_, sir!😉
Q
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### Author:  [@River\_Hippie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/River_Hippie)
#### Post date: [December 25, 2011, 2:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ianashrink/607329/15 "2011-12-25T02:40:04Z")
“Are you expected to attend these things?”
The NYE party is by a couple that I truly like, an old friend from a previous job and his wife. He (they really) have made a bigger effort to maintain a relationship than I have. It means a lot to me. But really, I don’t want to go out on NYE. I feel like I should. The ideal NYE for me involves renting a movie and drinking a few beers at home.
I already RSVP’d so I’m in.
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### Author:  [@Quasimodem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quasimodem)
#### Post date: [December 25, 2011, 2:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ianashrink/607329/16 "2011-12-25T02:43:33Z")
Then they’re honoring you and you honor them by going, and I can’t think of a better reason to go, **River Hippie**.
Enjoy, enjoy, enjoy! (and quaff a few for me, because the 31st is my birthday, and you’d be paying _me_ an honor too!)
Thanks
Bill
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### Author:  [@loshan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/loshan)
#### Post date: [December 25, 2011, 3:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ianashrink/607329/17 "2011-12-25T03:52:21Z")
> [@Quasimodem](#):
>
> Then they’re honoring you and you honor them by going, and I can’t think of a better reason to go, **River Hippie**.
>
> Enjoy, enjoy, enjoy! (and quaff a few for me, because the 31st is my birthday, and you’d be paying _me_ an honor too!)
>
> Thanks
>
> Bill
So, the whole world parties for your birthday? Musta sucked when you were a kid. Mine is on the 28th and I hated it when I was younger.
Thanks for the thread. I am not alone, but we are having a low key, just us, Christmas and the SO is glued to the bowl game.
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### Author:  [@Quasimodem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quasimodem)
#### Post date: [December 25, 2011, 3:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ianashrink/607329/18 "2011-12-25T03:57:27Z")
Yeh, **loshan** , it did.
“Now this is for Christmas AND your birthday, Billy, okay?”
Mommyfriggers.
🙂
Q
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### Author:  [@lel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lel)
#### Post date: [December 25, 2011, 4:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ianashrink/607329/19 "2011-12-25T04:04:30Z")
> [@Quasimodem](#):
>
> The kitties are great, aren’t they **SCL**? I know my Mainie, Bert, always seems to know when Dad’s not at his best, and comes and snuggles closer than usual. I know not many guys like cats, but I love them!
>
> Q
I have a co-worker who has 9 or 10 cats, can’t get an exact number from him. I just call him the crazy cat gentleman!
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### Author:  [@loshan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/loshan)
#### Post date: [December 25, 2011, 4:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ianashrink/607329/20 "2011-12-25T04:06:12Z")
My mom let me pick a day for my birthday when I was about twelve and I chose the dead middle of summer so I could have a pool party. It was fun, but it wasn’t really my birthday, so we never repeated it.
Plus, in addition to the “Happy Birthday/Merry Christmas” presents, I was sick with the flu or a nasty cold damn near every birthday until i was 20.
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