Evening All SG people,
It has been a very long time since I have been on the site in any major way do to a lot of life hitting hard. I wanted to drop a message on where I have been and where I am going -
The biggest thing is spending time to take care of my parents. Both of my parents are pretty elderly and are needing real assistance with getting along in life. My father would be considered autistic and almost passed away some years ago. He hasn't ever really came back from this incident and really struggles with the physical limitations on top of his inability to handle emotional/social relationships with anyone else. On top of that, my mother was diagnosed with dementia the first part of the year. She can't drive anymore and is currently having several days in an adult day program where she gets interactions with people. New medications and therapies are tossed around but there isn't too much that we can do.
This has placed me into the role of primary caregiver for them. Some weeks are fine, most are okay, and sometimes things fly apart all over the place. I am very thankful that my sister is now in town and can help them and myself, but she also has her job and a wife. A lot falls on me,leading to me just not being out there so much.
The work front has been so-so - The first part of 2022 I was very hopeful for new job options and growth. Now, a lot was placed on hold with the changes in the economy and trying to figure out where the business is going (I work in the Home Lending Bankruptcy team of one of the biggest banks in the US). Multiple times, there were great new positions that were taken down amid hiring after the business redefined roles or shunted other employees around from other groups. My own team was cut in half when they downsized our group - I survived the cut. I still get to work from home part time, but have taken on so very high level projects that have put me in the spotlight for my department.... we will see if that leads anywhere.
Still fighting depression and anxiety with a great counselor and sometimes medicine. I know that I am doing my best for the family and myself, but there is still a great deal of wear on myself. I've missed a lot of people from both this site and from other sites where I get to interact due to time restraints and my own issues. I've miss talk to people like @kungfury @phianixx @runegalexia @brujaja @penny and hope to talk with people like you and many others again. Had some nice talk with @avrora recently that really helped remind me how good people from here can be.
Hopes for the new year - Ideally with a very deep experience with corporate level work, I can get a major jump into a better position. Get to spend some more time with my friends and get better help with my needs.
I still get to have my good nerding moments with video games and board games. Over the last year I have been a play tester for my favorite game, Arkham Horror : the Living Card Game. My name is listed in multiple products and it lets me do more with my local friends. I also get in some Magic the Gathering time at the local game store with friends and workers there that gives me some real enjoyment. I'd like to get back to tabletop RPGs soon- got lots of ideas and want to start throwing some dice soon.
Sum it up - I'm tired but not gone, still trying to be the best son, brother, and friend that I can be. Thanks to a great community like this one that helps to shore me up. Thank you all for funny posts in the forums, beautiful sets, and good times here. I hope to be able to be more active and enjoying more of what this site brings.
