Amazing! I will be having my pictures published on suicide girls! I am floored!

This week marks Mental Health Awareness week. This campaign is set to fight the stigma associated with mental illness, and support those who do have debilitating disorders.

On December 11th, 2001, I was diagnosed with bi polar disorder II. I lived through the depressive phases of my disorder, mainly for 9 years. In August of 2009, I was re-diagnosed with bi polar disorder I. I had experienced several episodes of manic behavior, which resulted in my diagnosis. The constant reminders of my brain “not being like everyone elses” was found in the cocktail of medication’s I have to take. I am a strong advocate of fighting the stigma against mental health. My government needs to take action as well. I used to find it embarrassing having to explain  why I took so much medication, why I took days off of work, why I needed to always go to the doctor. It’s an illness like a heart problem, kidney problem, this is a problem with my brain. There has been challenges in my life, because of this. This disorder has cost me a diploma in Law and Security, this disorder has cost me relationships, this disorder has cost me jobs, and it’s also cost me money! Bi polar disorder derailed my life. I was fresh out of highschool, my first year of college and I was manic depressive? It all resulted in a breakup from a long-term boyfriend, something “snapped” inside of me, and to this very day I haven’t been the same. Everything spiraled out of control. Upon further exploring my roots, I found out I had a genetic disposition to this disorder, as my grandfather had the gene. I knew it wasn’t my fault, I didn’t cause it. It’s something I cannot control. It’s apart of my life, and I can’t change it, no matter how much I try. Bi polar disorder is apart of who I am. I cannot change it.

I have coping mechanisms to control my moodswings, thanks to years of therapy. Bi polar disorder is not a character flaw, it’s a disorder, and serious health problem like any other. The stigma against mental health  needs to stop! Nearly one in five Canadians is affected by mental illness, yet a persistent stigma prevents millions from getting the help they need. The continuing theme of Mental Illness Awareness Week – Face Mental Illness – is designed to change that. I intend to face mental illness head on with everything I got, and I support those who also face the daily challenges that I face.

So today I put my photos in for the Bobcaygeon Fair photography exhibit. I have to wait until Saturday to get the results, as my family will be going to the fair then. I’m just sitting here waiting and waiting. AHHHHH!!!!!!!!!! Stay tuned….

~S

So, as a concerned Canadian, privacy is important to me. It’s the right I have as a Canadian, thanks to the Privacy Act of Canada. Please show your support by signing this petition! Your privacy counts on it!

-S

Today is World Suicide Prevention Day all over the world. Most recent information available, in 2007 3,611 people, between the ages of 10-90+ die by suicide in 1 year in Canada.

To see statistics for children for under the age of 10 is disturbing. I lost someone dear to me due to suicide, and it is the most confusing, complex, scary of situations. The most scariest thing I ever had to do was tell someone’s parents, that their child was suicidal. I was only 16 at the time,  and Iwas in no way a counsellor. I was dealing with the spectrum of Life and Death, as my mother was terminally ill with Cancer. Confusing that my Friend wanted to die, and my mother wanted to live. My friend was only 15 years old. He had his whole life ahead of him, he was intelligent, good looking, he could have done anything if he put his mind to it. Everyone has their ups and downs, sure. But when they get to the point where you no longer want to live TELL SOMEONE, keep a dialogue going.

If you are reading this, and you’re suicidal, please tell someone. Put your pride aside, and if you need to break down - DO IT. Get it all out, and it will make you feel better. Your life is worth living! I have seen what kind of grief a family goes through because of this. You do not want to do this to your family! Think of them, think of your friends, think of the future. But please, contact a distress centre, or even the kids help phone at 1-800-668-6868. You need to let someone know before it’s too late. You can get help, you can live a normal life.

Some links that will help you along your journey:

• Symptoms of Depression

• Suicide First Aid Guidelines

• Durham Region Distress Centre

• Ontario Association For Suicide Prevention Inc.

Hello!

I decided it was time to get rid of those abrasive animated hearts. Introducing version Starstruck! I decided to use a splash of purple. Anyone who knows me, knows I’m a huge space nut!

Coming up:

• ♥End of the month; Bobcaygeon fair submissions for the photography category – Big hopes for this one.
• ♥The Divided Line photoshoots; candid band practice shots
• ♥Constantly updating Treble Reviews - busy, busy with that!

I hope to post some of those photos, and hopefully a photo of the first place ribbons!

Until then!

~S

Hello!

I posted some photos in the Galleria. I forgot about these photos, when I uploaded my works. Oh well, it’s up now. I’ve also made a step to officially redirect the site from a windows server, to linux. I work better in Linux, and it hasn’t failed me yet. So, you will see the temporary url, while I get the redirection working properly.

It’s the small victories that count….

Well, here I am again…. this is what I’ve done:

• ♥Added a much prettier header – it’s animated, ya’ll!
• ♥Added a better flash player for the galleria
• ♥Added a very sexy plugin for pop-ups.
• ♥Added my web portfolio!
• ♥Added my links!

….we’re almost converted over….

What’s left to do:

• Figure out how to get hearts beside what I’m playing; better yet, how to get my loved tracks listed.
• Get Ryleigh back into bed.

I like a challenge…. So, I started out with a little generated theme, which turned into this…. I’m still pissed off at the “last tunes played” not in pink. I’m pissed off that I can’t adjust the width of the sidebar. I can’t find the code for the life of me. I mostly did this hard-coded, and with no dream weaver. I’m kind of proud, because I miss dream weaver so much on this computer, so I know I can swim if I need to.

I really should have taken this shit in school, I could better understand it. I’m beginning to understand PHP a LOT more. I was more or less excited I could add a time, to the date. Also CSS, without CSS my nightmares would be constant. I have a few things in mind about my last.fm feed. So, my next attempt? To build an online store, entirely out of wordpress. Yes, Lylas.ca will become a wordpress site, once I get the hang of this. Carrie wants to be able to update it herself, without having to get me involved with changing stuff. Yeah, I could do that….. watch me.

So, on that note, it’s 5:21 am, and I’m still working on this? I think it’s time for bed, I’m starting to clinch my jaw, because this has become frustrating. More tomorrow. I want to re-design this place, so I can utilize it to my fullest potential. It’s all experience for me, and the more I “murk” this shit, the better techninja I become.  A co-worker had designed his site in wordpress, but it got me thinking…. I can do this shit, why am I so afraid of wordpress?  I’m going to own it. Mark my words…

Testing testing