Prozac Free and Still ‘Happy’

I took my last 20mg of Prozac over a month ago, and I am proud to report that I am still happy. Having said that… what does it really mean to be happy? Should we always be happy?

Having a range of emotions is part of being human. Am I am beaming ray of sunshine each day? Absolutely not. I have wonderful… optimistic… life is fucking fabulous days, and I have ho-hum… I need to make a change… life is OK days.

In lieu of the sunshine ala pharmaceutical, I now take 1,600 mg of EPA fish oil and 4,000 to 6,000 IU of Vitamin D each day. Here’s my routine…

• Four Trader Joe’s Omega-3 Fatty Acids – 1,200 mg (each softgel contains 400 mg EPA)
• Two CVS Vitamin D3 Softgels – 2,000 mg on Monday, Wednesday and Friday
• Three CVS Vitamin D3 Softgels – 2,000 mg on Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday

The reason that I decided to take softgels, particularly the vitamin D, was because I wanted the ability to spread out my intake over the course of the day. So… I usually take half of the pills at lunch time and the other half at dinner.

You may be wondering why I decided to include vitamin D in the mix. Well, when I had my physical back in January, my doctor suggested a test of vitamin D levels. It seems there is research showing a correlation between low vitamin D levels and depression.

And… the result was… low vitamin D levels… 29 nmol/L. Although my vitamin D deficiency, Hypovitaminosis D, is not severe… it could be a factor in my depression. So… I decided to increase my vitamin D and evaluate again when I return the doctor in May.

At this point, I am thrilled with my progress and have no desire to start taking Prozac again. Still… if I feel I need it… yes, I will started popping the pill again. I have to say though, it feels good to be rid of this chemical crutch.

Emancipate ala Kelis

Lemme tell you what love is
It’s when you meet each other halfway
I’m en route

Look in your own mirror and know who you are
Live your life accordingly the truth is on your arm
And it’s good, baby
You’ve done good, baby

Be just who you are make no apologies
And when it’s said and done who’s really sorry
You’re ok, baby
It’s ok, baby

Dare to be a better you each chance you get
We’re all human and fall short and nothing’s over yet
It’s up to you, baby
Give ‘em you, baby

Life’s too short to waste your time do what you love
Don’t be ashamed it’s better have peace by a dove
Give ‘em you, baby
Give ‘em room, baby 

Like the pheonix from the ashes
Or a sunrise off in the distance
I’ll try again, I’ll try again
I’ll try again, we’ll try again

Emancipate yourself

Bring on the Grammys!

They’re Here!

OMFG! Only 10 Days Until I am at the GRAMMYS!

I have held off on writing about it, but I am about to burst.

I just read that Adele has confirmed that she will be performing at the Grammys, and… YES! I WILL BE THERE!

My flight leaves early Friday morning. Three nights in Los Angeles. A once-in-a-lifetime experience. YES! The Motherfuckin’ GRAMMYS!

I am sure you will be hearing a lot more from me about THE GRAMMYS in the days ahead.

The Who’s Who list for performers at the 2012 Grammys includes:

• Adele
• Taylor Swift
• Katy Perry
• Nicki Minaj
• Rihanna
• Kelly Clarkson
• Bruce Springsteen
• Foo Fighters
• Coldplay
• Paul McCartney
• Bruno Mars
• Jason Aldean

The Results of My First Physical

Today was the day of reckoning… the day to receive the results from the blood work of my first physical.

Up until a few months ago, healthy living was not on my resume of life. I knew I was drinking too much alcohol and eating the wrong foods too often. Knowing this, I cancelled my doctor’s appointment for a physical twice in 2010.

I am happy to report that I am the picture of health. All of my organs are in tip-top shape and my cholesterol levels are great. I am, well, surprised… but pleasantly surprised.

I have never been overweight, but looking back at pictures from six or seven years ago… WOW! Looking at the pic above, from circa 2005, I can see that 180-ish pounds really plumped me up. Maybe I was just retaining water that day.

Making a Sweater from Cat Fur

Yes… I can be a bit kooky. I like kooky.

Case in point… something most would be ashamed to admit, but I am proud to share. I saved my cat’s fur for a couple of years.

Why? To make a sweater, of course.

The way I see it… some people cremate their pets… some even go so far to have Fido stuffed. How is having a sweater made from my dear Patrick’s fur any different?

Before you book my padded room, I should share that I have not saved Patty’s fur since 2010 or so. After accumulating several bags, like the one shown at the top of the page, I decided that my memories were enough. I did not need to wear my cat. As part of my purge, I am letting go of my lone bag of Pat fur.

Do you have any eccentricities to share?

’40 Weeks’ at OnStage Atlanta

As part of my 2012 Agenda, I have decided to “discover/pursue passions”. However, it has been my experience that I can very easily come up with a reason why I shouldn’t do something at the last minute. To help overcome this, I have found that if I commit early then I am more likely to follow through. Maybe this is why I am a bit anal retentive about making plans with people.

Having said this… I bought tickets to 40 Weeks at OnStage Atlanta earlier this month. To sweeten the deal, I scored the tickets for half off. SOLD!

The play ran off Broadway in New York last year; this is the Atlanta premier of the production. You probably haven’t heard of the show (neither had I). It is the first screenplay from Michael Henry Harris, an Atlanta native (yes, they exist).

Thirtysomething urbanites Angie and Mark have been married for several years, and Angie is supportive of Mark as an aspiring writer — that is, until she discovers she’s with child. This new situation throws their whole relationship into question, as former lovers and unfulfilled goals begin to enter the picture.

The description of the play and the tagline from the half-off website (Atlanta Debut of Comedy-Drama About Parenthood) was a bit misleading. The tag from OnStage Atlanta’s site sums it up better… A story of learning to embrace the life you never expected.

Yes… part of the story revolves around Angie’s pregnancy and Mark’s fears of being a father, but the show is much more than that.

I had never been to this venue, so I didn’t know what to expect. OnStage Atlanta is located in Decatur… in a shopping center… next to Big Lots. So, if you have never been there, don’t blink… you might pass it up.

The theater for the show was small, seating only 75 or so. I like intimate performances like this. It allows you to feel more connected to the actors. The audience for the show definitely skewed older. Was this because of the venue? Do younger people go to plays anymore? Was it because Parenthood-themed material draws an older crowd?

I enjoyed the show very much (unlike Frank Scheck of the New York Post). There are four more performances out there, so head over to Decatur, grab some Thai food at Mint 2 Thai, maybe pop in to Big Lots for some laundry detergent and, oh… watch 40 Weeks.