Postcards from the couch...
 

The Dream: <BR>The houses all look the same. I am walking down the street but I don't look at anyone. In this neighborhood, we keep respectable distances from strangers. There is a new development. … a new neighborhood on the edge of mine… Scary and unfamiliar. Before, I was comfortable here. It was all so uncomplicated. No one bothered me and I was able to conduct my daily routine without a hitch. And then, Europe is broken off into France and Italy and oh my god, how will I know which direction to walk when I open up my door in the morning? <BR> <BR>The Struggle: <BR> I run frantically looking for the people who are familiar. Where will I find them? There's a lot of other people running around too, confused, bewildered. A lot of people are yelling. I think it's the American Europhiles, because they have really loud voices. A petition is formed and by god, by golly gee, we express ourselves and say, hey, this is not what we had in mind. There is the sound of feet stomping, banners waving and then a petition is formed. <BR> <BR>Reality: <BR>And then the forum is miraculously restored and we are oh, oh, oh so grateful. We say Danny, Danny, Danny oh Danny you are the boy, you are the man of the moment. You are real. You listen man. We love you. We must send some token of our appreciation. Some one to present to you, in real life and in real time, a token of our appreciation in the form of a red bottle of wine. Some one who "lives in or near NYC" was the request as I dimly recall. A moment of frozen, embarrassed silence…somebody with a bird name is insistent that this be done in person. Oh my god, it's me who steps forward. <BR> <BR>There's a party on Friday the 13th. A slice of Italian life smack dab in the middle of Park Ave., 10th Floor, and I swear, if there had been any more than an hour and a half lunch hour, we would have been dancing down the corridors. And then everyone is calling me "Dr. Betty" and I think they must believe me to be some kind of Dr. Ruth . So I play up to them and have them all laid out like genoa salami on their fold out couches. <BR> <BR>Hot off the press I'm reading Fodors's Europe 2001. In the Vienna section, I read that the Freud museum is minus the famous couch. Well, you can imagine my surprise when I enter Fodor's waiting room and see an old, thread bare, worn Victorian divan in the corner. I have my suspicions. <BR> <BR>And after that, it's all a blur. But I'm sure you get the picture. <BR> <BR>Dr. Betty <BR>

teehee <BR> <BR>

Oh, Dr. Betty. Your post has caused so many conflicting emotions to bubble forth from deep within my soul. I am beginning to feel so left out. You see, I have never had a significant problem in my life, and I have never sought psychological help. No support groups at all. Not even a basic 12-step program. <BR> <BR>For years, life has been pretty decent. I travel now and then, and everything goes fine. I have nice parents, nice kids, nice in-laws, and even a nice puppy. I am faithful to my husband, and I pretty much believe him when he claims he is faithful to me. <BR> <BR>When, oh when, will I ever become a part of the psychologically downtrodden? I came so close once. When the forums were split up, I began to hyperventilate and become a little concerned. I began to sleep only 7.5 hours each night instead of 9. But before I could work myself into a good froth, it was all over. Dr. Betty, how can I earn just one good ride on your couch? Please help me.

Dear Cindy: <BR> <BR>Seek the couch within. In the final analysis, it's your own honest self-analysis that really counts. It's a common misconception that one needs to be psychologically downtrodden to seek the couch. Sounds like things are going well in your life, so why not analyze that? <BR> <BR>It's like looking at the travel talk home page and noticing the wonderful developments. Fodor's logo of the person in flight against the blue circle, or the shade of blue that comes up with a gentle arc on the front page are things that I am only just beginning to notice. Wouldn't it be great if we could notice and comment on the good changes instead of just the one's that feel like a threat to our sense of sameness? <BR> <BR>Dr. Betty <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR>

...and to think that all this started with a simple question about how to have a good trip with two youngsters...

ttt

There must be some reason you saw fit to top this ancient post but it really does escape me.

"...let's do the time warp again...it's just a jump to the left and then a step to the right...put your hands on your hips...and then pull ytour knees in tight...

Sorry, I have to go take an Alka Seltzer now..I am feeling quite nauseaus.