So much in here (btw you look radiantly happy in the hot tub pic 😊 I didn’t want to forget to tell you that)…
Words are so powerful, I learn so much here on the stack. So many generous, kind, articulate folks here. You may not realize it, but those many ‘chunks’ of connection and ‘bits’ of hope inoculate me. With little daily doses I can see my way through some more frustrating news.. and I can better deal with the never ending challenges of daily life without surrendering to cynicism and hopelessness. When I know I’m not alone, and remember that really the only thing I can control is my perspective, I know it’s going to be okay. Things might not turn out the way that I hoped or thought they would, but they will turn out, and I will make the best of what I’m dealt.
Thank you so much for reading and leaving this note. These conversations are keeping me afloat as well. I feel like we're holding each other up from afar and I am grateful ❤️
My high school English teacher had that poster hanging in our classroom. She was a woman from Arkansas who never lost her drawl, even after decades of living in the PNW. She told me that To Kill a Mockingbird was over-rated. And my first salient political memory is her fuming the day after the 1980 presidential election because they'd called the election before polls closed on the west coast, but I knew she was really just so angry about Reagan winning. I now agree with her about TKAM, and I suspect she knew more about the havoc Reagan was setting loose than I could have imagined then. I think of her often now, and I am really limiting my exposure to political news and commentary. I appreciate yours.
I love your memory of this bold Arkansan teacher and how she was genuinely herself down to the drawl. Teachers make such a HUGE impact, especially when you're grabbing at straws to understand adult life. Good for her for sharing her opinions and trusting you would benefit from them. I'm so glad you honor her by remembering what she said.
Oh Eileen I laughed out loud a few times and I *needed* that! It was just what I needed as a matter of fact. We are all losing it in our own ways right now, but it’s so justified because we’re somehow supposed to carry on as if this isn’t utter madness when it absolutely is! But I’m so grateful for amazing people like you on this app, so happy we met and I don’t know. As long as we all have each other we’ll be okay. And if not we’ll pool our resources and start a commune lol. I try not to use “nice” or “just” - unless it’s “just” what I needed or I’m hoping something will be decided in a way that is “just”, so yeah. I also love the Oxford comma in case you want to talk about that. And a single space after sentences, not a double. In case anyone wants to come at me over something like that 😜 Hugs and love.
Ally. GIRL. I NEED this community as much as I need air. I come here when I want to be washed clean of the world of dipshits (pronounced in the style of Coach Walz). This virtual zone is keeping my head attached.
I am totes down with the Oxford comma and single space after the period and anyone who wants to fight you on that is gonna have to go through me. ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
In the vein of “need,” I don’t use “can’t live without.” Seems to always be applied to things one most definitely CAN live without (lip gloss, cashmere socks, chili crisp).
Also loathe the juvenilization (prob not a real word) of normal things. Like sunnies for sunglasses or noods for noodles. It just makes me stabby.
Get offfa my lawn, kids! Yours in election crankiness, LD
Yes to this, LD! "Can't live without" does seem like marketing hype and making regular words cute-ified (def not a word) makes me nuts as well. I have grown ass people at work tell me they have "go potty" and I'm sure my face is quite "WTF?"
Many of us who don’t live in the US are also anxious. I’m also quietly optimistic. Also, after decades of “knowing I NEED to meditate” I’m on week three and it’s going well, I’ve built it up to a whole five minutes a day. Dan Harris short Instagram videos have helped.
Thank you so much - that means the world to me! I hope my posts help people learn something new - and I love learning about other people through their writing and experiences.
Eileen, I kid you not: I woke up this morning thinking about when your next post was going to hit my inbox. (Cue happy dance.) This is perfect. I am such a word nerd, and even though I'm a long ways from having my vocabulary honed the way I wish (sorry, sorry, so damn many sorries!), I never lose interest in how shifting just one word can change the outcome of what we have to say. Layer on your no b.s. approach here, and where can I sign up?!
Can't wait to dig into your recommended Stacks here. Thanks so much!
Elizabeth, you were the first person I thought of when I put this together. I love your word nerdery and the world needs more of it! FYI I did write a bunch about “estholes” but it got ranty and went off the rails. May still be usable down the line. Loved your latest post on Chris ❤️❤️❤️
We are doing some serious channeling, apparently. (Or is that only possible w/ dead folks?? 😅) I hope you'll share the esthole post sometime. My guess is I'd be right there with you.
Chris is a gem. He stopped by today to tell me that there was a mistake in the original piece (which I printed for him to read since he doesn't own a computer). He worked as a valet for a memorial service, not a wedding!
Well damn…I use “need” too much! And I “needed” you to call me on it🤣
I think so often I’m in a rush to say what I want to say and therefore thoughtfulness of word choice takes a backseat. I’m so busy crafting a response, that I’m not even listening to what is being said. And guess what?! If I mindfully listened, I’m sure my responses would flow naturally…
I've never had much flow naturally out of my mouth ever, only from my fingers on keys. God doesn't give with both hands, I suppose. But I appreciate your mindful listening takeaway.
You are worthy of shouts from the rooftops! Can't wait for tomorrow's post, missed you last week but breaks are necessary AF and Delilah NEEDS you. ❤️ (correct usage of need)
Good perspective on some overused words and also some good fellow stewardess advice. I’ll remember this when navigating my own communication skills. As always, I laugh out loud in a room alone at your candor. Thanks!
Week 3 is awesome 👏🏻 I’m glad Dan is helpful. He does have an easy going energy, like, hey, just try and it will be ok. In that spirit, I shall also be quietly optimistic 🙏
So much in here (btw you look radiantly happy in the hot tub pic 😊 I didn’t want to forget to tell you that)…
Words are so powerful, I learn so much here on the stack. So many generous, kind, articulate folks here. You may not realize it, but those many ‘chunks’ of connection and ‘bits’ of hope inoculate me. With little daily doses I can see my way through some more frustrating news.. and I can better deal with the never ending challenges of daily life without surrendering to cynicism and hopelessness. When I know I’m not alone, and remember that really the only thing I can control is my perspective, I know it’s going to be okay. Things might not turn out the way that I hoped or thought they would, but they will turn out, and I will make the best of what I’m dealt.
Thank you so much for reading and leaving this note. These conversations are keeping me afloat as well. I feel like we're holding each other up from afar and I am grateful ❤️
"btw you look radiantly happy in the hot tub pic"
I had the same thought! A news break looks good on people.
My high school English teacher had that poster hanging in our classroom. She was a woman from Arkansas who never lost her drawl, even after decades of living in the PNW. She told me that To Kill a Mockingbird was over-rated. And my first salient political memory is her fuming the day after the 1980 presidential election because they'd called the election before polls closed on the west coast, but I knew she was really just so angry about Reagan winning. I now agree with her about TKAM, and I suspect she knew more about the havoc Reagan was setting loose than I could have imagined then. I think of her often now, and I am really limiting my exposure to political news and commentary. I appreciate yours.
I love your memory of this bold Arkansan teacher and how she was genuinely herself down to the drawl. Teachers make such a HUGE impact, especially when you're grabbing at straws to understand adult life. Good for her for sharing her opinions and trusting you would benefit from them. I'm so glad you honor her by remembering what she said.
Oh Eileen I laughed out loud a few times and I *needed* that! It was just what I needed as a matter of fact. We are all losing it in our own ways right now, but it’s so justified because we’re somehow supposed to carry on as if this isn’t utter madness when it absolutely is! But I’m so grateful for amazing people like you on this app, so happy we met and I don’t know. As long as we all have each other we’ll be okay. And if not we’ll pool our resources and start a commune lol. I try not to use “nice” or “just” - unless it’s “just” what I needed or I’m hoping something will be decided in a way that is “just”, so yeah. I also love the Oxford comma in case you want to talk about that. And a single space after sentences, not a double. In case anyone wants to come at me over something like that 😜 Hugs and love.
Ally. GIRL. I NEED this community as much as I need air. I come here when I want to be washed clean of the world of dipshits (pronounced in the style of Coach Walz). This virtual zone is keeping my head attached.
I am totes down with the Oxford comma and single space after the period and anyone who wants to fight you on that is gonna have to go through me. ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
In the vein of “need,” I don’t use “can’t live without.” Seems to always be applied to things one most definitely CAN live without (lip gloss, cashmere socks, chili crisp).
Also loathe the juvenilization (prob not a real word) of normal things. Like sunnies for sunglasses or noods for noodles. It just makes me stabby.
Get offfa my lawn, kids! Yours in election crankiness, LD
Yes to this, LD! "Can't live without" does seem like marketing hype and making regular words cute-ified (def not a word) makes me nuts as well. I have grown ass people at work tell me they have "go potty" and I'm sure my face is quite "WTF?"
It’s so fucking surreal watching from afar. And from the other hemisphere. Like it’s happening on another planet. But it’s not 😭
Agreed. Hopefully we will have good news soon 🔜
Many of us who don’t live in the US are also anxious. I’m also quietly optimistic. Also, after decades of “knowing I NEED to meditate” I’m on week three and it’s going well, I’ve built it up to a whole five minutes a day. Dan Harris short Instagram videos have helped.
i love you, Eileen! And you don't look tired at all; you are RADIANT. Keep venting, please, to make the rest of us feel less alone.
Future venting request APPROVED! I love and appreciate you so much 🥰
Thank you for including me in your post - and for calling out how brutal that word 'just' can be! Also lovely to see your smiling face in a photo!
I learn so much from your posts, it was a pleasure to include you. ❤️
Thank you so much - that means the world to me! I hope my posts help people learn something new - and I love learning about other people through their writing and experiences.
Eileen, I kid you not: I woke up this morning thinking about when your next post was going to hit my inbox. (Cue happy dance.) This is perfect. I am such a word nerd, and even though I'm a long ways from having my vocabulary honed the way I wish (sorry, sorry, so damn many sorries!), I never lose interest in how shifting just one word can change the outcome of what we have to say. Layer on your no b.s. approach here, and where can I sign up?!
Can't wait to dig into your recommended Stacks here. Thanks so much!
Elizabeth, you were the first person I thought of when I put this together. I love your word nerdery and the world needs more of it! FYI I did write a bunch about “estholes” but it got ranty and went off the rails. May still be usable down the line. Loved your latest post on Chris ❤️❤️❤️
We are doing some serious channeling, apparently. (Or is that only possible w/ dead folks?? 😅) I hope you'll share the esthole post sometime. My guess is I'd be right there with you.
Chris is a gem. He stopped by today to tell me that there was a mistake in the original piece (which I printed for him to read since he doesn't own a computer). He worked as a valet for a memorial service, not a wedding!
I love that Chris has no computer. What a life.
Well damn…I use “need” too much! And I “needed” you to call me on it🤣
I think so often I’m in a rush to say what I want to say and therefore thoughtfulness of word choice takes a backseat. I’m so busy crafting a response, that I’m not even listening to what is being said. And guess what?! If I mindfully listened, I’m sure my responses would flow naturally…
Thanks for the shout out ❤️🔥
I've never had much flow naturally out of my mouth ever, only from my fingers on keys. God doesn't give with both hands, I suppose. But I appreciate your mindful listening takeaway.
You are worthy of shouts from the rooftops! Can't wait for tomorrow's post, missed you last week but breaks are necessary AF and Delilah NEEDS you. ❤️ (correct usage of need)
She could not be pleased today 🤣
I did see her “I’m hella dejected” pic.
Good perspective on some overused words and also some good fellow stewardess advice. I’ll remember this when navigating my own communication skills. As always, I laugh out loud in a room alone at your candor. Thanks!
Glad you caught a laugh. I'll see you on the 5th for whatever may come. Please bring Kleenex, potato chips, and hard drugs.
Week 3 is awesome 👏🏻 I’m glad Dan is helpful. He does have an easy going energy, like, hey, just try and it will be ok. In that spirit, I shall also be quietly optimistic 🙏