Get yourself checked out, and don't discount the bloodwork and medical possibilities. There are thyroid conditions that can cause major depression apparently out of nowhere, and it is NOT your fault.

If it's not obviously medical, therapy-type solutions do work, it's possible to re-adjust things without the meds, but it's sometimes a long haul involving painful discoveries depending on what's going on up in your head.

Regular exercise is a fabulous thing to adjust brain chemistry, I highly recommend it. Like any anti-depressant, you need at least 2 months of taking it regularly to know if you're getting a real effect.

Cary: keep on truckin', I'm a long time fan, little too often commenter.

Our house has so many different types and sizes of fixtures that aren't standard. Huge globe bulbs, little candle flame shaped chandelier bulbs, can lights which are actually labeled "do not use fluorescent bulbs in this fixture".

Are replacements available for those? Do I need to do re-wiring?

Are there bulbs that the flicker doesn't give me a headache and the color doesn't make my face look red, splotchy and horrible in the mirror? If you have some brand recommendations, I'd be willing to try, but all I've tried and experienced drive me nuts.

I did buy a "bug light" replacement fluorescent for an outdoor overhead "can" fixture and it barely fits, as it's longer than the standard bulb, and tends to be dimmer, but it's the only one I have that doesn't annoy me.

Suggested response:

"How we met is boring, nothing different than so many other people. What's *really* interesting is that time we ..."

A) Got completely lost exploring NYC, and ended up in a hilarious situation. My BF was so sweet in that he did this wonderful thing for me....

B) Corresponded for so long that when we were actually face to face, I had no idea he had a huge bald spot. But on the other hand, the angels sang, and that spotlight shone in his eyes, and our love was definite.

C) You get the idea.

Or just go for the first date, details at length. Why do you need to answer the question when you can distract them with a related story? As other commenters have said, people just want to peg you. Or they are curious, or are making conversation. People tell stories all the time, it can be nice and romantic to define yours.

And when you are completely flustered, just answer with a question: "Oh, the usual way. How did you meet your significant other?" (insert other conversational question if no relationship is apparent)

More development into "ass physics" for those women gamers who like to see some nice ass movement. Unfortunately, I think those qualities of what makes a nice male behind are a little more subtle than unrealistic breast jiggle as often portrayed.

I am not a writer. But I read a lot, and often the forewards and postscripts to books. And I learn that some of the writers I enjoy got their lucky breaks not by sitting alone in their room mailing out things, but by networking.

Authors I enjoy are part of writer's groups (which as the previous poster said is very useful to hone your craft). You mentioned the university contests, talk with the people you know there for advice on where to submit.

Go to fairs, get out there, write a blog...

Actually, now that I think about it, going about the blogverse and getting involved in that network is one way to pick up a large group of rabid fans who might be able to give you the assurance you need to be confident. Or they will shoot you down. Or both! That will be an excellent time to separate your ego and get some excellent criticism.

I also understand that writers have agents that help them find their way in the publishing world.

All of these people out there are resources to help you figure out if you have talent, often by the process of learning. Try different methods if one has you spinning your wheels and having no growth, no progress. Heck, try a different type of writing, go crazy, write chick lit, vampire lit, non-fiction, poetry.

I had these American Medical Association home health encyclopedia books. They had these cool flow charts that you could follow with symptoms like fever, etc. More than half the time, the flow chart would diagnose my symptoms with a brain tumor or weird disease in which I must "stop and call the doctor immediately". We assumed this was to prevent possible lawsuits. Hence, anything with a "panel of experts" I would wonder if the last line was always "call your doctor".

I think the last time I had women's health issues, I found nice information at wikipedia. And then I found out my health insurance has a free 24 hour nurse line for those of us freaking out about something.