The LW needs to find another way to think about the creative process. This will sound trite, but you have to do the work for the work’s sake, not for public acceptance or acknowledgement. You have to want to create even if no one will ever see it.

The whole idea of the “manic/depressive” artistic mindset is unproductive and I think this is hindering the LW. He writes about being manic when he is creating art but then depressive when it is “rejected.” Some artists will go through a manic creative phase and become depressed when the work is done, simply because it is completed. In those cases it has nothing to do with rejection. I think that if someone, who is not clinically bipolar, works in this manic/depressive way they will find the depression to counterbalance the manic phase, no matter what the reason. One doesn’t have to be manic in order to create, one only needs focus. I’m reminded of Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi’s work “Flow” about optimizing experience.

Another problem is with the LW’s definition of success, which is pretty narrow.

But it has yet to pay off with true success: representation by a gallery, which is the equivalent of getting an agent and all that that would hopefully bring.

In the eyes of many artists and non-artists the LW has had great success. I think what this LW is showing is that we always want more. Once we achieve a level of success we want to move up to the next level.

Dear LW,

What Cary said.

Find a support group.

I'm with Holly on this one. AND, once all those men ruling in the Vatican can get pregnant, then let them decide who should be allowed access to abortions.

The article is talking about national politics. I don't what local politics is like around the coutry, but in my little pond there are quite a few women holding powerful elected positions.

Think Progress (thinkprogress.org) has this item from a interview Hewitt did with Snow:

HEWITT: Are there any other resignations upcoming, Tony Snow?

SNOW: I think that probably…as Josh said the other day, he thinks there are probably a couple coming up in the next month or so. […]

HEWITT: Your intention to go the distance, Tony Snow?

SNOW: No, I’m not going to be…I’ve already made it clear I’m not going to be able to go the distance, but that’s primarily for financial reasons. I’ve told people when my money runs out, then I’ve got to go.

P.S. enjoy time off, Glenn.

Wow, the LW is painfully concerned that her longtime friend, whom she claims to love, won't tell her about a 6 month relationship but not the least concerned that they've barely talked in the past year. The LW's priorities are all screwed up.

The friend doesn't want to discuss it for whatever reason. Respect your friend and move on to shore up the friendship in ways that she will appreciate. Be a friend! Not just someone looking for the dirt. When and if she's ready to talk about it, she will.

The irony burns.

While I understand the reasons for wanting to add more video, I sure hope it won't decrease the printed word content. I don't bother with the videos unless it's of an official saying something from long ago, i.e. Cheney's 1994 vid.

It seems, based on the original letter and the LW's follow-up, that the real issue is that s/he just doesn't know what she wants to do with her life. I think that's a reasonable and expected problem at that age. I'm 50 and still can't tell you what I want to do with my life. But in the meantime I got a good college education and have worked in several jobs/careers over the years. Being bright and inquisitive helps, as does having good communication skills (both oral & written). I've had creative jobs, technical jobs and now work in one that combines them both.

I think that an important issue is to not put yourself into enormous debt over an education you're unsure of (or,IMO, any education). I'm not suggesting she ignore her education, just find a good balance when it comes to paying for it.

As for medical school, if can't get the grades you're not going to be admitted to a US medical school. I've worked for a med school and have seen transcripts, applications and recommendations for the people who apply. These are 4.0 students, with myriad interests and backgrounds, though many direct their summer work etc into the medical/scientific fields. And they aren't all offered admission.

I'm sure this wasn't Larry Craig's intention, but his scandal sure knocked the Attorney Generals' resignation off the radar. I don't think I've heard about it or read about it since this popped up last week.

If only we could just hit the "reset" button and clear the books and offices of all the damage done by this administration. What a bunch of thugs.

Thanks for the run down of new shows. Wow, I had no idea there were so many coming up. Not many look interesting to me, but I will watch the Viva something once just to see Hugh Jackman. And I've always enjoyed that Arkin kid, so I'll try his show. And Swoosie Kurtz is usually worth watching. As for Bionic Woman, maybe one episode for laughs. It was horrible the first time around in the 70s.

Good god, all the usual names highjacking the thread.

Thanks for the article, Rebecca. I enjoyed learning a bit more about the upcoming TV season. I don't watch much these days, but I like to at least know what's on for those times when others talk about it.

I saw this vid on the IFC channel last night. I was surprised & pleased. Looking forward to the movie also.