Saturday Morning Oatmeal

Ron Fernandez

The figure head. A twenty-something adult making headway into the world as he struggles and grapples to find balance between his academic career path, a day job, pursuits for romantic affection, and personal life. At the same time, he finds happiness with his interests and friends and family, and even in the mundanity. However, he also deals with anxiety and depression that leads to a cycle of apathy and inconsistency that serves as a detriment to his being.

R&R

The Rest and Relaxation to balance Ron’s hectic schedule and mindset. His mind moves incredibly fast and he can laugh in any situation, especially when someone’s taking themselves too seriously. R&R’s lightheartedness is infectious and can have an incredibly positive effect on others. He is able to find solace even in the most stressful periods of life as having levity is important to the mental stability of Ron. Whether it is playing video games, working on a small project, much needed naps, watching a video essay based on his many interests, or the occasional marijuana edible or shrooms, R&R assures Ron that resting and relaxing is completely okay.

The Beacon

The Beacon’s deeds are sometimes seen as heroic. He is quick to help those he loves and cares for and those in need. Regardless of physical, emotional, and financial stability, The Beacon is there to help to the best of his ability. That is his motto. The Beacon’s selflessness oozes into Ron and draws admiration from others.

Hanson

The strength and willpower allowed for perseverance and continuing survival despite the odds. He steps up for the sake of others, acting as the shield to give others ease of tension and assure they will be okay. Despite the smaller stature, he serves as a guardian and breaks tension in situations Ron would find himself frozen in fear. Hansen lends his confidence and self-assurance that Ron needs to achieve success and persevere through many of life’s obstacles and hurdles.

Horse

Social interaction is sometimes not Ron’s strongest suit. Despite his age and numerous experiences, Horse steps in and betrays Ron as a naive, yet powerful side meant to cover negative emotions that need to be outwardly addressed under jokes and nonsense. If things become too serious, Horse intercepts and distracts through conversations or questions away from Ron and hides him to keep him processing and churning away fruitlessly in an effort to disconnect and disassociate. Humor and sarcasm are performed to avoid being overwhelmed by feelings and keep others at a distance, perhaps for their own good, assures Horse to a confused and helpless Ron.

The Husk

Empty, reclusive, and flexible. This shell modeled after Ron’s physical appearance operates on an otherworldly source to keep himself running. Others’ well being? Spite? A need to feel wanted and respected? The need to feel useful? It is all The Husk is ever good for. Though exhausted of all energy, a small, ever-dwindling light remains inside to keep the cogs turning. The Husk encapsulates Ron and tells him that he has no choice. The Husk, and by nature Ron, must help all, no matter the toll on the body. The physical exhaustion that forces The Husk to run on fumes. The rapidly deteriorating mental stability that slowly cracks the surface. Must be ignored. That is the principle behind The Husk. Overextension for the sake of others is what matters most, at the cost of Ron’s own being.

Stanley

“Things were fine until they were not. Then he came along. The truth can be cold and unforgiving.” Ron reflected to himself as he circled the drain. Stanley manifested himself to Ron,  whispering and flooding Ron’s head with thoughts of self-doubts that sent him spiraling downward in a rut of negativity. When Ron is put in a position when swamped with emotions, this unfamiliar territory is where Stanley runs amok. Undeterred, Stanley’s presence spikes Ron’s anxiety and depression. A sense of entrapment and powerlessness shatters and undoes the progress Ron has done to better himself. Stanley’s numerous encounters with Ron frazzles him and he engages in overly emotional and irrational behavior. Stanley chimes that there is one way to get him to shut up and that requires something Ron has entertained as time went by.

The Ideal

The Ideal is the picture-perfect embodiment that Ron strives to be. One would think this is what needs to happen. A self-assured, confident Ron whose presence everyone enjoys. Right? The Ideal steps in to build up these walls. They may be what everyone wants to see, or perhaps prefer instead to the true Ron, a flawed, but respectable and valid human person. The Ideal is funny, caring, loveable, goofy, and an overall dork. He can handle things pretty well, all things considered. The Ideal is not vulnerable. Not to be worried about. Not a burden. That can not happen.