Cindy falls down a lot (ear problems as a child did lasting damage to her balance), and several times I have been right beside her when–there she went, sometimes injuring herself. And that’s what I fear more than anything: seeing Cindy or a loved one falling in a way that is sure to cause serious injury or death–and there I am, reaching, but too late. It appears in my dreams and wakes me up, heart pounding.
Deron, can you say what it is about possums that frightens you? Is it their ugliness? Is it all those teeth? Is it the fact that they are basically identical with creatures who shared the earth with dinosaurs? Is it their defensive technique of blowing spit bubbles?
Here’s a mildly intriguing realization that just came to me: The only other person whom I ever knew to express a fear o’ possums was, like yourself, born in Tehran.
I think it’s to do with the eyes, but there is a textural thing about it too which I can’t even begin to think about putting into words. Some association they have for me that borders on synesthesia.
For years on end I was Afraid of the Dark. Seriously Afraid of the Dark. Then sometime in my mid-twenties it struck me that I was no longer Afraid of the Dark. I’ve no idea what happened to break the spell.
I fear anxiety attacks. The first of mine came in college.
Most often they’re brought on by being in places where, if I were to have a personal emergency, I can’t immediately get up and take care of it. Being in the middle of a long row of theater seats, being by the window on an aircraft or being stuck on the tarmac while being told to keep my seat.
I compensate by knowing where bathrooms are at (nearly) all times, by getting aisle seats. If all else fails, I try to mentally go to some zen-like place. I close my eyes, lay my hands in my lap and try to see how relaxed I can make my hands. If I’m lucky and it often works, my hands melt into my thighs.
Thankfully, anymore, it hardly ever happens. Still the feeling nags.
I’m like REALLY afraid of dropping/breaking/submersing my iPhone. I take everything out of my pockets in bathrooms so I can SEE where the iPhone is. I grip the phone pretty hard when walking over gratings big enough to fit a falling iPhone. It’s ridiculous- it becomes like an obsession when I am moving to make sure the iPhone is okay in my pocket.
Gosh. I actually am finding this a hard question. For a long time I feared failure but I have “failed” so many times in the past few years that it has become an old hat. I now view it as a strength, almost a thing to strive for: I tried, I failed.
I also used to fear not knowing but after a number of years of trying to know everything about everything I realized that was an impossibility and I have found that liberating.
Now I think I simply fear losing my freedom in any.all aspects from mundane political to serious relationships.
Kris: understandable, but before long that “fear” is one of the best things that will ever happen to you. Just have patience and an open mind. And enjoy the ride.
I am intensely afraid of limb loss. It is a sever phobia — though I don’t know what the name of it is — and… gah. I can’t handle it. I can’t even write more about it.
I still find myself afraid of the dark after all these years (i’m 23). Recently i discovered i’m especially afraid of seeing a door in the dark with light coming in the the sides, like the twilight zone.
Dying. Not death. Just the part that happens right before it.
Cindy falls down a lot (ear problems as a child did lasting damage to her balance), and several times I have been right beside her when–there she went, sometimes injuring herself. And that’s what I fear more than anything: seeing Cindy or a loved one falling in a way that is sure to cause serious injury or death–and there I am, reaching, but too late. It appears in my dreams and wakes me up, heart pounding.
possums.
and chalk.
Failure and the pool drain.
Deron, can you say what it is about possums that frightens you? Is it their ugliness? Is it all those teeth? Is it the fact that they are basically identical with creatures who shared the earth with dinosaurs? Is it their defensive technique of blowing spit bubbles?
Here’s a mildly intriguing realization that just came to me: The only other person whom I ever knew to express a fear o’ possums was, like yourself, born in Tehran.
I think it’s to do with the eyes, but there is a textural thing about it too which I can’t even begin to think about putting into words. Some association they have for me that borders on synesthesia.
For years on end I was Afraid of the Dark. Seriously Afraid of the Dark. Then sometime in my mid-twenties it struck me that I was no longer Afraid of the Dark. I’ve no idea what happened to break the spell.
Possum: old uncle with a moldy coat–and gummy bears matted in the pockets.
I have a fear of cloth napkins. Especially if I’m eating something with my hands that is greasy.
Also: I’m afraid of walking over a grating in the street when I have my keys in my hand.
Being stuck in a dead end desk job for 20 years.
I fear anxiety attacks. The first of mine came in college.
Most often they’re brought on by being in places where, if I were to have a personal emergency, I can’t immediately get up and take care of it. Being in the middle of a long row of theater seats, being by the window on an aircraft or being stuck on the tarmac while being told to keep my seat.
I compensate by knowing where bathrooms are at (nearly) all times, by getting aisle seats. If all else fails, I try to mentally go to some zen-like place. I close my eyes, lay my hands in my lap and try to see how relaxed I can make my hands. If I’m lucky and it often works, my hands melt into my thighs.
Thankfully, anymore, it hardly ever happens. Still the feeling nags.
the disapproval of women.
I’m like REALLY afraid of dropping/breaking/submersing my iPhone. I take everything out of my pockets in bathrooms so I can SEE where the iPhone is. I grip the phone pretty hard when walking over gratings big enough to fit a falling iPhone. It’s ridiculous- it becomes like an obsession when I am moving to make sure the iPhone is okay in my pocket.
An accidental needlestick during biopsies and procedures. One rushed move or misplaced syringe and my career is over. Yipes.
I also don’t like clowns or horses.
Mary,
Have you thought of buying a case or rubber pouch thing for your iPhone.
http://store.apple.com/1-800-MY-APPLE/WebObjects/AppleStore.woa/wa/RSLID?nnmm=browse&mco=MTYzMzg&node=home/shop_iphone/iphone_accessories/cases
Gosh. I actually am finding this a hard question. For a long time I feared failure but I have “failed” so many times in the past few years that it has become an old hat. I now view it as a strength, almost a thing to strive for: I tried, I failed.
I also used to fear not knowing but after a number of years of trying to know everything about everything I realized that was an impossibility and I have found that liberating.
Now I think I simply fear losing my freedom in any.all aspects from mundane political to serious relationships.
long tailed cats in a room full of rocking chairs
The new baby.
Kris: understandable, but before long that “fear” is one of the best things that will ever happen to you. Just have patience and an open mind. And enjoy the ride.
I’m afraid of slipping from delightful eccentricity into full-blown psychosis.
phobia guide
(ain’t nuthin sceers me)
I am intensely afraid of limb loss. It is a sever phobia — though I don’t know what the name of it is — and… gah. I can’t handle it. I can’t even write more about it.
the government
[...] Warning: This clip may be too intense for Deron Bauman. [...]
I still find myself afraid of the dark after all these years (i’m 23). Recently i discovered i’m especially afraid of seeing a door in the dark with light coming in the the sides, like the twilight zone.
oh also i am deathly scared of horror movies.
earthquakes and wind that makes the roof groan