Hi, newbie here

by ChimpGirl 40 Replies latest jw friends

  • ChimpGirl
    ChimpGirl

    Hi y'all from ChimpGirl in the UK. Have been posting on Support Board for exJWs for a year or so now and someone there pointed me in your direction. Glad I found ya!

    Well, this is just by means of an introduction. Potted history follows: father was CO when my mother fell pregnant with me and they had to settle down. He has been PO of any congregation we've been in. Moved to Ireland in 1973 to convert the evil Catholics before Armageddon. Strangely, I found more evidence of Christian behaviour amongst the Catholics than I did in the congregation.

    Started asking way too many questions after 1975 came and went, started noticing the hypocrisy and backbiting, the rivalries and snobberies. It didn't help when a (rather cute) married MS snogged me at a party. I was 14. An elder tried to get off with my mother and the teenagers were involved in all sorts of 'loose conduct'. I didn't judge anyone,but somewhere along the line my mind just flipped out. Started truanting from school, smoking, stealing, sniffing glue, drinking, cutting myself...my mind couldn't cope with it all, I was just exploding.

    They DFd me when I was 15, basically because I knew too much about the corruption that was going on, but I didn't care coz I wanted OUT! What followed was years of excessive behaviour followed by bouts of deep, suicidal depression and incandescent rage. I'm bipolar by the way - manic depressive - but they didn't realise that then.

    Left home at 16, living in Cork, Ireland, and was largely looked after by the gay and theatrical communities there. Had a hoot, actually, but also did a lot of things I regret. Moved to London when I was 19 - met a boy in a band that was touring Ireland and it was lust at first sight - and got into the whole drugs and occult thing. REally it was alternating between still looking for truth, and seeking oblivion. Very into the Blake thing of the path of excess leading to enlightenment, etc.

    Gradually calmed down a bit over the years, on and off anti-depressant medication and tranquilisers, got married four years ago to an incredibly kind and patient man, and between therapy, self-help and medication, have more or less come to terms with the past. Have some contact with parents, who live in hope of me returning to the cult, but I try to appreciate what we do have together rather than mourning what we will never have.

    Was a bit of a career girl, working in Mayfair as creative director of a marketing and publishing company, but had a mental breakdown last year, then got hospitalised earlier this year, and they finally sorted my dianosis out properly. Am now busily informing myself (and others!) about bipolar and have been accepted for voluntary work in the mental health sector. Do bits of freelance editing work, but not a lot - overload too easily.

    Used to be a music journalist and continue to be possibly obsessively keen on music. Drink too much beer but manage to stay slim. Favourite passtime is bar room philosophy. I paint and draw, write sometimes, although the creative writing urge kinda died when I was doing it for a living.

    I'm a Christian now, to my utter amazement, having taken every opportunity possible over the years to attack Christianity as The Enemy. No particular denomination, although I attend an Anglican church. It's got a really easy-going attitude - I turn up in jeans and t-shirt and my big hair extensions and no-one bats an eyelid - and full of love and energy and spontenaity, in the way that the dreaded Kingdom Halls never were. It's across the road from a KH and when we spill out around the same time on a Sunday, the contrast is something to behold; we're all giggling and laughing and headed for a pub lunch, wearing all sorts of motley clothing, and they're in their suits and stuff looking miserable. Poor sods.

    Isn't it amazing the way you can spill your guts on the internet to a bunch of total strangers? Still makes me feel a bit nervous, though! Think I'll shut up now - just wanted to introduce myself! Thanks for listening. xxxxxxxxx :-)

  • individuals wife
    individuals wife

    Hi ChimpGirl - good to see another UK face here! Welcome!

    Don't be nervous about talking here - we not that intimidating are we?!

    It sounds as though you have had a bit of rollercoaster ride so far - glad to see you are coming through the other side of it. Looking forward to reading more of your posts and experiences, I can see that you will fit right in here!

    I attend an Anglican church. It's got a really easy-going attitude - I turn up in jeans and t-shirt and my big hair extensions and no-one bats an eyelid - and full of love and energy and spontenaity, in the way that the dreaded Kingdom Halls never were. It's across the road from a KH and when we spill out around the same time on a Sunday, the contrast is something to behold; we're all giggling and laughing and headed for a pub lunch, wearing all sorts of motley clothing, and they're in their suits and stuff looking miserable.
    That sounds more like it - where can I sign up?!
  • Simon
    Simon

    wow ChimpGirl - that's a hell of a life story!
    Hope you enjoy your visit here

    (us UK'ers are taking over aren't we )

  • SixofNine
    SixofNine

    Hi Chimpgirl, welcome.

    I remember coming across the words of Chimpgirl on another board. I was impressed enough to save them and forward them to some friends. Under the name of Chimpboy. That was a joke. Just the "chimpboy" part was a joke. The saving and forwarding part is true.

    You seem very evolved, except for that Christian part , even bonobo like, I'd say.

    Enjoy your stay.

    *powerful writing skilz can be used by the dark side*

  • CornerStone
    CornerStone

    Hello CG,

    Welcome to the board!

    Interesting story. Please continue you Christian walk. Looking foward to your post.

    CornerStone

  • radar
    radar

    Chimpgirl

    Welcome.

    By your credentials, you will fit in just fine here.

    Look forward to future posts.

    Radar

    All that we see or seem/ Is but a dream within a dream.

    -Edgar Allen Poe

  • Mindchild
    Mindchild

    Hey Chimpy!!!

    Cool to see ya here. I posted over on Tishie's old board (now Randy's) as Imaginal Bud. Great to have you join the party. This is a nice site with a lot of way fun people and a few grumpy ones as well but what the hell.

    Oh yeah, and we have Fred Hall and You Know here but they are bad boy celeberties and add a little spice now and then, so that's cool.

    Well, catch ya later babe.

    Skipper

    All great deeds and all great thoughts have ridiculous beginnings--Albert Camus

  • Celtic
    Celtic

    I know you, you ole balmpot, must come and see you again soon in London, will be up there around the 23rd of this month. Good to see you here and please read my post 2 up from this one, I think from a counselling perspective you'll like it.

    Giving Chimpie a big hug that sweeps her feet off the ground whilst shaking hands with her boyfriend at the same time - nice to see you matey once more!!

    Big hug and peace

    Mark in Cornwall (celtic)

  • Ranchette
    Ranchette

    Welcome to the board Chimpgirl!

    I'm glad you "spilled your guts."
    We all do it from time to time and it's wonderful to have a place like this where we can get so many viewpoints.
    Hope you like it here.

    Ranchette

  • Abaddon
    Abaddon

    Hi Chimpy, good to see ya on Simon's board!

    Glad thing are better for you; Mark2 is here as Celtic, and other from Tishie's board drop by.

    Catch you soon...

    Keep on rocking in the free world...

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