Preemptive Strike; the Moon and Stars

This morning I attempted a preemptive strike against the panic attacks I've been experiencing. Although I'd gotten a prescription for Xanax a couple of weeks ago, I only had three tablets left. The two times recently when I've had major attacks have been when I didn't have anything to take. AND I was very much aware of the fact that I didn't have anything. This is literally akin to having a panic attack about having a panic attack. Very nasty indeed!

It also occurred to me that I had no idea which clinic would be open during the holidays. And I certainly did/do not want to look forward to a trip to the emergency room. My trip is late August was downright conuterproductive and expensive. I'd hoped they could tell me why I was having problems. Instead they did some testing, gave me a couple of prescriptions and said go home.

So off to the doctor I went this AM. As one would expect, the waiting room was crowded, but the through-put was fairly rapid. My discussion with the doctor was very beneficial. He indicated that Xanax is quick-acting but does not stay in the system for long. He suggested a combination of Clonopin, which stays in the system longer than Xananx, on an on-going basis. Plus Xanax to block the onset of an attack.

I also asked him about local programs that deal with panic attacks, and his immediate suggestion was a self-help book. Tomorrow when I go out, I'll look for it. He also said there were some psychologists he was willing to recommend if it came to that.

Quite possibly the worst aspect of depression and anxiety is that it robs you of the resolve to make an attempt at seeking a remedy. I know that many times, I've told myself that I must do something, but then I don't do it.

Both places are owned and operated by the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians. Every time I visit the reservation, I'm amazed. The two casinos are very spashy productions. Golden Moon is in the shape of an arc of a helix that starts at ground level and curves up to 28 stories. At the top is a spherical part that at night looks very much like a golden moon. The only other building in the world of this style is in Saudi Arabia.

The ground floor is circular with shops, hotel access and restaurants on the outside. Inside that is the gaming area. And inside that is a round bar/lounge surrounded by a series of ribbed vertical panels over which water trickles. They really need a couple of shots of the lounge on the web site.

I rode up the outside glass express elevator to the sphere which holds a restaurant on one level and a lounge on the next. The actual skin of the sphere that you see from outside resembles a geodesic dome comprised of giant exposed metal struts and what appears to be canvas panels. The sphere is about three feet out from the windows of the restaurant and lounge. My immediate thought was that I felt like I was in the rigging of the sails of some giant clipper sailing vessel - a most unexpected sensation.

Alas, I drove over a little too late in the afternoon, so I spent most of the trip home blinded by the setting sun. I also made the mistake of taking what I thought was a short cut. Well, it was, I guess, but it certainly full of twists and turns.

PAX!