BB Social Zone

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Big Blue Table - Right here on the Forums!

replies: 8

Hello to our wonderful forums community! We have decided to run an ongoing Big Blue Table thread ‘Forums Edition’ until the end of October! What is a Big Blue Table? Big Blue Table is Beyond Blue's signature event held during October, Mental Health Month. Big Blue Table encourages people host a meal with their friends, family or colleagues while fighting the stigma that surrounds mental health. So why are we running one here? The reason we are doing this is so people have an opportunity to connect with others and have the experience of sharing their thoughts and feelings over a meal, no matter where they are in Australia. We know Mental Health Month can be a vulnerable time for many and believe this thread could be a safe space for people to be heard and learn from others’ experiences. Our community champions will be here to support you along the way, and our moderation team will be around to answer any questions you may have, as well as to ensure the thread remains respectful and safe for everyone. We encourage you to choose from the following questions to start a conversation: What do you do to look after your mental health? Are you comfortable sharing your feelings and emotions? If not, why? What are you passionate about, and why? Who would be your dream Big Blue Table guest, and why? After you have shared your answers, we would love to hear about what you are eating or bringing to the table. You can even tell us a little bit about your setup and what you can see around you to really immerse us into your world. This is your opportunity to be as creative as you’d like! But remember, there is no pressure or ‘right’ response, whatever you bring to the table will be more than enough. We hope this thread allows you to feel connected, supported, and a part of the Big Blue Table initiative. Now… get cooking!

Welcome to the BB Social Zone - guidelines for posting in this section

replies: 0

Hi everyone, This section of the forum is a little different to the others, as you may have noticed in looking around the threads. Elsewhere on the forums, we discuss some pretty heavy topics: mental health issues, thoughts of suicide, trauma, abuse, relationship breakdowns. Here is the place to come to get away from that and have a bit of fun. Distraction can be an important tool to draw on if you're finding yourself overwhelmed by distressing thoughts and feelings. As this is a section for respite from difficult topics, we will remove posts made in this section that attempt to discuss personal issues. Please use a support thread in the appropriate section for these discussions. Happy posting!

The BB cafe

replies: 20588

The BB cafe is open for business! Welcome all to a new chill and chat place for everyone on the forum. The BB cafe is whatever you want it to be. There are comfy sofas, tables and chairs, coffee machines, a kitchen stocked with everything. There's a pool outside, a bbq area, an annexe with comfy beds for a quiet sleep, tv, dvd, books and whatever else you would like to have here. Most of all, it's a place to meet friends and fellow travellers for a bit of company. Talk over problems, tell jokes, share your day, escape into a world of your making. Grab a coffee and pull up a chair ... So, with a nod to the wonderful Carole King (Hard Rock Cafe) ... Now if you're feeling just a little bit lonely Don't sit at home just mopin' Come on down to where the friendship flows freely You know the door is always open At the BB cafe Come to the BB cafe They will help keep your blues at bay At the BB cafe Important Message from ModSupport: The main intention of the BB Cafe is to encourage light conversation. Please look after your fellow community members by nuturing the BB Cafe as a place to escape some of the more pressing issues in life and save those conversations for personal threads.

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Lacking motivation to write

replies: 8

Hi all, this is a bit of a tricky thing to attempt I think but I'm going to give it a go. So, I have a huge passion for writing, doesn't matter about what, for what, or how (computer, tablet, phone, pad & pen), If I start writing it can get hard for me to stop (I hate the 2500 limit here sometimes hahaha), but recently this site has held about 90% of my writing effort, last couple months I think. Now, don't get me wrong this isn't the problem, my problem is I have unfinished works I procrastinate picking up.. Granted I'm not always procrastinating there are SOME legitimate causes lol. But I've never really sought help with working on my creations and I'm thinking I need to.. A big issue I have is I don't like talking about the work I've already done, bit paranoid when it comes to that area of my life... Referencing this site again, probably contains the largest record of my writing (next to the internet police's lol) I mean I even scrub my facebook every once in a while. Up until last year I still kept ALL my writing material on a floppy disk HAHAHAHA Because who still owns a floppy drive... Right??? Ive upgraded it to a usb with encryption software now lol, its a pain in the bum to get in and out of... ANYWAY.... My whole idea.... Im thinking maybe some other people have a similar need for like.. A sounding board? A bit of background collaboration/creation... And really... The poke we all need sometimes to pick up the notepad and jot down a few notes to a scene or verse or what have you, that ultimately turns into half hours writing or something (if your anything like me, your few notes become a story a few pages long that's really the notes to a whole chapter...) Now the problem for me lies here in... Details... Ill say one of my stories is a fantasy, so magic dragons etc right, but details... What are the dragons like? How do people use magic or accomplish certain things? I wont tell......... So this is a convo with me - You:"How did they do that, I might be able to think of something less complicated" Me: "Magic" You: "Yeah but, energy, spell, potion, how?" Me: "Magic...." but I DO have it all written down...... My reasoning? I would NEVER take other peoples ideas, but others do. If someone got their hands on my work (Approximately 4 years over 3 novels and a multitude of short stories and poems... Like the potential I've created... Its PRICELE$$ lol Just need help moving.. If the thread dies oh well at least I tried

Renaming the Community Board and expanding the cafe

replies: 12

Hi everyone, Since the opening of the Cafe thread earlier in the year, this whole section has really come to life as a place to socialise and get away from the heavier topics around living with anxiety and depression. Given that 'Community Board' is a bland name for a section, how would you all feel about the Community Board section being renamed to BB Cafe? That does leave the question of what to do with the original cafe thread, but I'm sure you will have ideas around this too. What do you think?

My workmate

replies: 2

I'd been discharged from the defence only one year. The paranoia towards homosexuality reached a level whereby if you played cards with mates all of you were required to keep one foot on the floor. And that's an order.! We lived in an era of cowards bashing gays any chance they got. I didn't but I laughed with them. Just as guilty. Then at a freight company in Melbourne 1977 I worked alongside "Rick". He was a singer in a band, to me he was outrageously gay and curiously loved by any female he met. That bit I was jealous of. I owned a convertible car and gave Rick a lift home one night. Driving through Footscray he turned the volume up of the song Crocodile Rock as he stood up and sang the song. He was hilarious... He was drugged and he was sad. I was admittedly homophobic. I had been programmed. Rick related to the gay movement in Sydney so folded his band and left work. About six months later there was a protest march on TV news. At the front of the group was " Rick" chanting "gay rights- now". Ricks mother visited our company a short time later informing us that Rick had overdosed on drugs. He was 25yo. He was found with a note in a dark alley, alone and penniless. The women in our office told me much more about the Rick I didn't know. He volunteered for soup kitchens, loved his nephews 3&4yo and adored jewellery. Suddenly any homophobia left in me vanished. I am often reminded of Rick. Even early 2015 TV had a flashback of the early days of the Mardi gras and subsequent clashes with police and up comes that clip with Rick leading the charge. Rick is immortal thanks to TV. And its sad. We have bronze statues of Lords, architects, adventurers and busts of politicians but none of heroes like Rick. Rev Martin Luther King made one of the greatest speeches if all time " I have a dream". I remember a photo taken of 3 black children holding hands against the spray of a water cannon. It took scenes like that for change. The gay protedt movement towards basic rights, the rights the straight community has always enjoyed...has been going too long. Too long because society in all its glory hasn't taken that one final leap to allow this minority but large group, rights it should have automatically. RIP Rick Tony WK

Home......

replies: 2

Hi Guys I am back and what a lovely day it was to welcome me home. You don't know how good life is until you witnessed problems other people in other countries faced. I am a migrant by marriage to this beautiful country. Although, if I haven't been married to an Aussie, I would have been able to migrate here on my own because of my profession. It was much in demand then and probably now as well. Stopping over in country of birth, I came to realised why I left it so many years ago, swearing that I would not return except to visit family members. For many years, I kept my promise but as one matures in age as well as in outlook, I became 'soft' and was lulled into thinking hey, perhaps over time, circumstances change, but not so, as I soon came to realise a few weeks ago. However, it wasn't till I was physically there, that it brought to home that as a member of a minority group, which I and others refute, in the sense that the Chinese people think the government downplay the percentage of Chinese population in cob, that we were never accepted on equal terms, not as long as the present political party insisted on remaining in power. Power corrupts and after fifty plus years of independence, this country is still ruled by one party. The opposition is ruthlessly crushed and 'quietly' assassinated. So, there you have it. I told my niece about Australian politics and the ousting of Tony Abbott. She said that in her country, if you dare to dsagree, she then used her hand to form the shape of a pistol, 'bang'. End of story. Her hubby is a taxi driver. He chooses to be self employed because he couldn't stand offce politics. However, there is no holiday and sick pay. He recently injured his foot and was not able to work for a week. Pressure soon mounted as bills kept coming in and there s no Centrelink to the rescue. Luckily, for them, I was able to lend a helping hand by giving them some money to settle their bills. It just made me aware how fortunate I am, firstly, to be able to help them and secondly, to call Astralua home. Although, it does make me sad as well as guilty, to think that when depression visited, I found it hard to count myself fortunate. How to share with these people, including niece and her hubby, that depression does not respect 'fortunate' people. It strikes rich and poor alike except, it is better to be 'rich' and depressed. Not sure where I am going with this except to say that for today, I am grateful to call Australia home.

Have you ever felt this way?

replies: 165

"Well, oh well I feel I'm in decay" The first line of a popular Midnight Oil song and I think a description most apt, for some people experiencing depression. Have you ever felt this way? One of the biggest dilemmas I've faced in "depressive-illness land" is the one of being alone and having no viable means of changing that fact...let me explain... My depression causes me to be apart. I feel different from others. I find it very hard to mix with people who are "alive and well". So, I remain alone bundled up in a safe but miserable cocoon. Have you ever felt this way? I know what I need. I can feel the loneliness, an ache inside. In my mind's eye I see a ghostly parade of familiar faces, old friends, all gone now. Still, I need people, people to talk to, to communicate with, maybe God permit, a laugh! Have you ever felt this way? But I can't escape what I'm in, so I must wait for it to pass...weeks...months...years. I'm reminded of a quote by Charles Bukowski regarding his drinking/literary lifestyle. I think it fits depression too. "And as my hands drop a last desperate pen, in some cheap room, they will find me there and never know my name, my meaning nor the treasure of my escape".

What Makes You Laugh?

replies: 9

One thing we all need in our lives is a bit of laughter. I find I can get through a day better if I can find things to make me laugh. I have found one of the old tv shows with a character Milo Kerrigan. What a laugh. I started watching videos of the show the character came from. Anytime I need to laugh I'll just watch the videos again.Milo was played by Shaun Micallef. I like to watch stand up comedy.We have some great comedians here.And I watch comedy movies too. What makes you laugh?

Beyond-Blurovision Song Contest

replies: 39

Hello everybody, It is nearing the most exciting day on the calendar, Eurovision. To celebrate we are going to have our own contest, Blurovision. Your hosts tonight are me the stunningly handsome and humble Gruffudd, and Kazzl who is looking resplendent in a long red sequinned dress and is being kept cool by her husband who is reluctantly waving an enormous feather fan. It will work like this: First we need some entries for the finals of this years Blurovision. To enter make a post with the name of your Nation (preferably made up and ridiculous), Submit for us your song title and perhaps some of your lyrics, and describe any costume or dance moves that you feel bring that special bit of character to the performance. We then need to vote. You may vote early and often if you like and are not required to have submitted a song in the finals. The traditional system of voting for Blurovision is for each nation to give your favourite nation 12 points, the next favourite 10 points, and the third will get 8 points. Next weekend on the 15th of May, we shall send everyone to the blue room to wave their flags and listen to the mystery interval act (the real Eurovision with commentary from everyone on this thread who feels like it) during which time the adjudicators (me or Kazz) will add up the total score using the most unreliable mental arithmetic possible. It is possible that one of us will host, enter, and win, but unlikely as you are all so talented. So good luck, and let the competition begin...

Best place in Australia!

replies: 26

Good evening Just wondering what peoples thoughts are on the best places to work and raise a family in Australia? By best, I'm referring to localities that provide a good framework for staying well, healthy, as well as ability to source good employme... View more

Some appreciation

replies: 5

Hey all, So, these words may get lost in translation between posts and threads but I would just like to say thank you to everyone on here. I have been in this miserable place of sand and fog, and you all have shown support to me. I feel closer to you guys than to the people who are around me in my day to day. So much so that I wish I could share with you the things that aren't allowed on this site, like links to my photo blog (I am somewhat of a photography enthusiast - as some may know). So, you may or may not hear this enough, I certainly have not said it enough; thank you and I appreciate you. For listening to and understanding me (at least trying to), showing me support and care and most importantly, for helping me and acknowledging my voice at a time when I feel like it cannot be heard and I do not exist. Thank you

BeyondBlue Theme Song

replies: 28

So, I've been going through a bit of a time lately, and I've been focused on that misery so much. Coming back on these forums was definitely a good idea, where you can be heard and listen to others, I can't explain what it means to me. Anyway, I thought I would start a lighter thread, just to be a little less focused on misery I guess. I was on a run (or for what passes as a run for me), and I was thinking, what phrases or bits of songs that could pass for a theme song for BeyondBlue, in relation to how they/you helped me. I came up with the following: Charlie Puth; One Call away: "I'm only one call away. I'll be here to save the day. Superman got nothin' on me. I'm only one call away..." Rudimental; Lay It All On Me: "All alone as you look through the door, nothing left to see. If it hurts and you can't take no more, lay it all on me. No you don't have to keep it under lock and key..." Lupe Fiasco; The Show Goes On: "So no matter what you been through, no matter what you into, no matter what you see when you look outside your window. Brown grass or green grass, picket fence or barbed wire, never ever put them down you just lift your arms higher. Raise 'em 'til your arms tired, let em' know you're there, that you struggling, survivin' that you gonna persevere yeah. Ain't no body leavin', no body goin' home, even if they turn the lights out the show is goin' on." Eminem; Not Afraid: "I'm not afraid (I'm not afraid) to take a stand (to take a stand). Everybody (everybody), come take my hand (come take my hand). We'll walk this road together, through the storm, whatever weather, cold or warm. Just letting you know that you're not alone. Holler if you feel like you've been down the same road." Sara Bareilles; Brave: "Maybe there's a way out of the cage where you live. Maybe one of these days you can let the light in. Show me how big your brave is. Say what you wanna say And let the words fall out. Honestly, I wanna see you be brave with what you want to say and let the words fall out. Honestly I wanna see you be brave." These are just a few. Music lets me feel a lot of what I'm already feeling, but also gives me a safe outlet for it. What do you think? Any suggestions? I hope this isn't a stupid idea...

Big Blue Table - Right here on the Forums! replies: 8

Welcome to the BB Social Zone - guidelines for posting in this section replies: 0

The BB cafe replies: 20588

Lacking motivation to write replies: 8

Renaming the Community Board and expanding the cafe replies: 12

My workmate replies: 2

Home...... replies: 2

Have you ever felt this way? replies: 165

What Makes You Laugh? replies: 9

Beyond-Blurovision Song Contest replies: 39

Best place in Australia! replies: 26

Some appreciation replies: 5

BeyondBlue Theme Song replies: 28