u/sazerac-swill

The insane rain in my area has increased my portion of the utility bill by $60 this month due to waste water. $60 doesn’t seem like much, but when it wasn’t in my budget, I lost my only source of income, my ex boss still hasn’t issued an ROE after two months (preventing my ei application from going through), & I was already in a tight spot from being laid off in June, $60 feels like the tipping point.

How are we supposed to live when we’re one bad week away from being completely screwed? I live with roommates, and we have a payment plan set up for utilities, but that doesn’t change the amount I have to pay.

I’ve been on the phone with EI all morning, and with a temp ROE, I can hopefully get payments starting Friday, but even then, I’ll only get some of what I need by the end of the month. I have no idea where the rest of it is supposed to come from. I have nothing to sell, no job prospects, and seemingly no way to come up with the missing $500 within two weeks. If I had more time, maybe, but even if I found a job (and I’m applying), the chances of getting interviewed, hired, then enough hours in the pay period seems so impossible.

I dunno. It’s just frustrating. I’m tired, like I’m sure we all are. We’ll be getting creative in the pantry the next couple weeks, I’m sure.

I had my first ever plasma donation appointment today. I went with my sibling, who had gone a myriad of times and recommended it to me.
I was nervous— I’ve never loved needles or blood, and have had fainting spells before.
Lo and behold, at around the 430ml/900ml mark, I pass OUT. I think it was right about when the cuff released.
My lovely phlebotomist had told me beforehand, if I feel any issue, raise the arm not hooked up and call out. I start to feel woozy. I know damn well what it feels like when I’m about to faint. I raise my arm immediately and BAM, I’m gone.
I was enjoying my dreamlike slideshow when I start hearing voices beckoning me back, gentle shoulder touches, and a firm but painless sternum rub.
I was out for maybe 30 seconds (as I was told), and it took me a minute to come back. I think I said “Oh fuck!” out loud as I was coming back and realized where I was. I also recall being a bit irritated because they were trying to keep me awake and alert, but I was TIRED.
Got to have THREE whole juice boxes and lounge with some ice packs on, though.
All this to say, the first time wasn’t all smooth sailing, but I’ve never come out of and recovered from a faint with such care, lol. The staff were so kind.
I DID feel terrible for the clearly nervous looking, barely 20y/o girl sitting across from me who had to witness all that, though.

I will be completely honest. I haven’t yet decided if I’ll go back. I’d LIKE to, but I really hate the feeling of fainting. Though I haven’t fainted in about 4 years, today was a reminder of YUCKY it feels.
Also, I’ve just been kind of vaguely nauseous the rest of the day. Which sucks.
That being said, if anyone has any tried and true meals and hydration levels that keeps them safe from any icky feelings, I’m open to hearing them! I can probably be convinced to go back. But MAN I don’t wanna faint again.
Also, any squeezing/flexing tips! I think I freaked myself out because the machine told me I wasn’t squeezing properly, and I was like “oh awesome the Bloods going to Go In Wrong”