July Ramble Voting Round 2

“Drawn to you both”. You’re good, you’re very good.

(drops pencil) My Hong Kong Phooey/George Jetson fan fic is REAL?!

What if the ramble is about how lonely it is to work at Disneyland?

It's a world of laughter, a world of tears. It's a world of hopes, and a world of fears. There's so much that we share, that it's time we're aware it's a small world after all.

There's an episode of the early 90s Nickelodeon show "Clarissa Explains It All" that I just remembered and tracked down where she starts an advice column and someone who is legitimately depressed writes her and says that Clarissa is the only thing that makes them laugh anymore but even that is getting harder. Clearly the person needs some advice, but she feels way in over her head, and bemoans, "Having opinions isn't the same as having all the answers." Anything she could say might backfire and have a lasting effect on that person. Eventually she writes back but only to point them toward ways of finding help from a professional. The last line is: "Giving good advice isn't a question of having all the answers." Just felt that was relevant. 🙃

Do [low vote] suggested topics die? I haven't kept track.

It's a shame so many miles and situations separate us. We all love Jenny and her work. So we have at least one common thread, a similar sense of humor. I'm know if there was a way we could all meet, the lonely among us would surely find some friends.

These aren't Ramble videos, but Our Hostess *was* the co-author of Friendship Is Witchcraft, a full-on magnum opus where loneliness was a recurring theme. <a href="https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL8cGaJKvM_-5lkA0h_cwWxYrC-fc27apd" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL8cGaJKvM_-5lkA0h_cwWxYrC-fc27apd</a> What does FiW teach us about coping with sadness or loss? First, don't dwell on past misfortune. To the extent Rarity and especially Pinkie Pie concentrate on old events, the worse off they are, <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=682pneYoP0c&index=4&list=PL8cGaJKvM_-4pMmpsjNlkBludtj4UZeVY" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=682pneYoP0c&index=4&list=PL8cGaJKvM_-4pMmpsjNlkBludtj4UZeVY</a> and Twilight is okay until she starts obsessing over Francis again. <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ujt34edYjKo&index=10&list=PL8cGaJKvM_-5lkA0h_cwWxYrC-fc27apd" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ujt34edYjKo&index=10&list=PL8cGaJKvM_-5lkA0h_cwWxYrC-fc27apd</a> Secondly, and I think more important, don't undo the bad; instead, bring in more good. Sweetie Bot thinks her sister is mean, so she finds a better sister; Applejack moves forward and lets productive activities fill her time; and Pinkie Pie overcame her past (or at least got through it) by being kind and helping others, "So, please, children, stop your crying / And just sing along with me." <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CMoFhmD1Yik" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CMoFhmD1Yik</a> And that strategy works. If you don't feel connected to anyone, you can build *some* connections by volunteering to help out someplace (the zoo, a community center, a game shop -- it barely matters), which lets you shake the box of your life, so you become "that guy who helps clean up," and maybe eventually "our friend who we met because he'd always stay and help clean up, and then we realized he was funny and cool, and now he's our friend."

That lonliness suggestion has turned this little comment section into a very poignant read. Too out of place to seem serious, but too real to be a joke, and for a few people here, too real not to at least take it out of their pocket and show it to us, but too out of place to hold out high above their head because that would be attention seeking and attention seeking is bad, or so we were told. For what it's worth here's mine. It seems it will be voted out, like it is in everyday life. The lonelies are welcome among the unlonelies but if they put on the happy mask, so the little black ball of fuzz inside can be safely hidden. In a sea of happy faces and happy masks, it plays dead until it learns to stand bravely, but when shown to another and gazed upon directly, it hides deep in a corner of the lonely's heart, so well that the lonely forgets it's even there, and when alone again, one quick glance and the lonely says : "Oh... you're still here." It cannot be killed, and it cannot be ignored forever, but it can be tamed. Why long for the absence of longing of dead matter and mindless critters? Why not make the little black ball of fuzz your friend? Let it insistently push you in the arms of meaningful companionship if it can, and if it can't, let it at least remind you everyday that you have a heart. Here, a song for the lonelies : <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P-7CJKupDtA" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P-7CJKupDtA</a>

One vote for loneliness. I’m surrounded by people but have never felt lonelier or isolated myself more. I’m down to hear some thoughts on the subject.

I'm aware I'm just letters on a screen, but know that if you shared your thoughts on loneliness you'd do me a personal favor.

Make the Loneliness video. It'll be more relatable. Sometimes voters are wrong

Took me literally 10 minutes of scrolling down and sliding on the progress bar to find this, but Jenny brought up loneliness before : <a href="https://youtu.be/g7oSlrFuAuw?t=20m47s" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">https://youtu.be/g7oSlrFuAuw?t=20m47s</a> So half our voters can still get a cookie. You're welcome.

Disney is great, love Disney stories. However how can people not vote for loneliness?! It’s fascinating! Why is it there? Who’s loneliness? It’s like you wake up on Christmas morning and there are a bunch of brightly wrapped presents and one box with skull wrapping paper and a tag that says “Do Not Open till Doomsday”. You open that box first! Curiosity killed the cat, but satisfaction brought him back.

I feel like the image accompanying this post might've influenced the voting somewhat. I'll be happy to hear Disneyland stories but I still went with loneliness because of how different it is from all the other rambles so far as a topic.

But I don't think "Loneliness" was suggested for the July Ramble as a prank or a joke or a goof. Instead, I think the Lonely Suggestor was feeling painfully lonely, with nobody to talk things over with... but then he remembered little quirks about Jenny that implied she really understood how to deal with anxiety and depression, and thus submitted [Loneliness] as a Ramble Topic, not to be mean, but because he thought Jenny would have kind insights to share on how to Overcome Stress.

First thought: it is 100% accurate when the pro-Disneyland folks -- like Michael Cantor, Jane McIntyre, Christopher Lee, Rooty Tooty, and Tom Bowline -- say it's more fun and more healthy to focus on happy memories than on lonely memories. And they are 100% right that obsessing over sad events (actual or imagined, past or present or future) can make people sick if they aren't careful. As such, we shouldn't *carelessly* vote for a sad Ramble topic just to be different or whimsical, since that would mean hours-days-weeks where Jenny has to either think about sad things or nullify the vote.

Awww I was really hoping for a Jenny original creepypasta

I'm not sure what a "loneliness" rant would mean but *shrug*

Hi guys, just a reminder that I will block those being rude to other patrons in the comments section!

It might be an interesting idea to do a little of both, start with loneliness and real talk which may be helpful and cathartic for folks going through those feelings and then moving on to your Disney memories ending on a happier note.

Loneliness is omnipresent in the age of social media. It's weirdly comforting to hear that you're not the only one who is lonely. We're all in this together.

I don't know, Jenny? That loneliness thing is a tough row to hoe. I'm going to go easy on you and vote for funny Disneyland stories. I was George Jetson at King's Dominion for a Summer and I know I have some good yarns.

I don't need any more reminders of the ever-consuming darkness surrounding me thanks, I watch your videos to cheer up.

I am really hoping that it turns out to be a lets play of Loneliness the flash game.

I am shocked by the vote so far. I thought for sure loneliness all the way!

I think every once in a while we should give a warm welcome to darkness, our old friend. I stand with Loneliness.

I don't trust your knowledge of Loneliness. You are surrounded by Porgs, nobody can be lonely like that. So I vote Disneyland.

Next month's runoff topics: famine, the opioid crisis

Loneliness at Disneyland?

I definitely want to hear about Disney. If it's close, maybe just do both? I feel like the loneliness topic is just gonna be depressing. Or, just say-yoi know what a great cure for loneliness is? Going to Disney. And then just launch right in to stories from working at Disneyland

Voted for Disney. Got your back Nicholson.

Hmm... interesting choices. Hearing about your time at Disneyland would be interesting, but a talk about loneliness at a deep dive level could be fascinating. Although that could lead down an interesting path... Next month’s Jenny talk: depression!