I’ve deleted my Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook accounts for good! It feels great, and I’m less depressed. I’m currently working on developing Tumblr, so you can find me on there:
https://photosbyrocco.tumblr.com/
And I’m also on LinkedIn and Good Reads.
I found this podcast to contain a good balance of information. Give it a listen if you are able:
Podcast: Learning to live with the Coronavirus
Quick summary: The virus should not be equated to the common cold or flu. It spreads real fast and it’s no fun to get – even if the symptoms are “mild”. So the media’s suggestion to isolate early is inline with the severity of the virus.
Imagine if the hospitals experience what we’ve seen at the grocery stores in the past few days. Isolation is a good way to reduce the load that the hospitals will face.
Friends, do the math, 2009 was 10 years ago and that means I must enthrall you with a tale of that year from my prospective as a modern day internet writer. Here’s what you need to know:
Continue reading “2009 time hop!”
Cover image by Viergacht
I just finished reading “First, We Make the Beast Beautiful” by Sarah Wilson. It’s the first book I’ve read, maybe ever, in which I was frantically taking notes while reading it. My spouse and I have been struggling with anxiety lately, and this book really got to me. I found the words and exercises very helpful, and I figured I’d share my rather unfocused notes with you. Maybe they’ll spark your interest and you’ll read the book too! I should note that I’m also seeing a therapist to help with my anxiety and depression. I wouldn’t want you to think that reading alone is a viable treatment for anxiety.
Continue reading “Making the beast beautiful”
I just finished up a week long vacation in which I built a greenhouse in my backyard. I love DIY projects, the adventure, the problem solving, all of it! And I usually make a lot of mistakes. For example, the stone walk-way I built last year was dug too low, and I’ll have to raise it up this year. I’d love your opinions / critiques of my greenhouse-building process.
Continue reading “Backyard Greenhouse”
It’s been about a year since I started a serious attempt to quit smoking. When I wrote this blog post, I had no idea of what the following nine months would look like.
Continue reading “Quitting Smoking: 1 year later”
I heard something pretty sad today from a mother whose son suffers from severe depression. She said that mental illness is a “no-casserole” disease. If you or a loved one is sick, chances are someone will visit and bring gifts and food. But if you or a loved one needs to be hospitalized for mental illness, folks keep their distance.
If you know someone who has mental illness, bring them a casserole. Or a book.
Cover image by KlarEm
As of today I am no longer smoking cigarettes. I’ve been a smoker since I was 17-years-old. In that time I was able to stop smoking for 4 years! I’m trying to quit again starting today. Wish me well.
I smoked my last cigarette in my car this morning, parked in a supermarket parking lot, drinking Dunkin’ Donuts cold brew and listening to NPR. I don’t remember the show, or it’s content – just a mellow male voice underscored with peaceful music.
The final smoke was passing by unremarkably, until I felt the presence of a ghost.
Megan and I hiked up Mt. Mansfield. We parked at Underhill State Park, hiked up the Lara Cowles trail, and down the Sunset Ridge trail. The ascent and descent took 3 hours each. We hiked at a fairly slow pace taking time to catch our breath, rest our legs, and snap some photos. Here are some of my best snaps from the journey.
