gdp's Comments

Clever Manka : Friday Open Thread

Fri, 13 Jan 2017 21:48:09 +0000

Heh, I agree that not counting chickens is v sensible, it's my unshakeable feeling that a malevolent force is going to decide to take away the chickens if I speak too fondly/optimistically about them that might be a little less sensible. Oh and I forgot: my beloved grandma was Japanese and 4 is unlucky in Japan. She was strongly anti-4. And then she died on February 4th. And now I also superstitiously avoid 4. Sometimes I try to be cool and accept a 4 in my life but part of me is always thinking ".... but WHAT IF??"

Clever Manka : Friday Open Thread

Fri, 13 Jan 2017 20:43:17 +0000

Ooh, I'm also very much in the "don't count your chickens before they hatch/don't tempt fate" superstition camp - actually kind of relieved to see I'm not the only one. Like, Mr. Fiddlergirl and I have been talking about having kids and I CAN.NOT. bring myself to say "when we have kids ...", it has to be "when AND IF we have kids" because I know infertility and miscarriages and etc are things and just. Yeah. I don't believe in ghosts but I don't... exactly NOT believe in ghosts, either, you know?

Clever Manka : Mid-week check-in

Wed, 21 Dec 2016 18:14:58 +0000

Ooh, I would love to write that piece! I'll keep it in mind as I go forward on this.

Clever Manka : Mid-week check-in

Wed, 21 Dec 2016 18:02:06 +0000

ALSO my BFF had her baby last night, a month early and unexpectedly, but it sounds like everyone's fine and there is a gorgeous photo of them on facebook and it's just making me FEEL ALL THE FEELS. I don't know what to do with this (as they are many states away) except go down to the bookstore tonight and buy that kid my favorite childhood book (Bread and Jam for Frances).

Clever Manka : This is a Story of Moderate Weight Loss

Wed, 21 Dec 2016 17:15:26 +0000

This is a wonderful, personal piece. Thank you for sharing it.

Clever Manka : Mid-week check-in

Thu, 1 Dec 2016 16:32:35 +0000

Just wanted to voice additional support for setting boundaries to avoid perpetual outrage. I'm figuring that out for myself, too, and it's a work in progress, probably will be for a while. But I've done the perpetual outrage thing before and like you, I couldn't function and it didn't lead to anything good or healthy or productive, for myself or those around me or any of the causes I care about. Engagement and self-care are both important. Good luck to you! <3

Clever Manka : Mid-week check-in

Thu, 1 Dec 2016 16:23:44 +0000

I've also been trying to ditch (or at least moderate) my avoidant tendencies and do the eye contact with + maybe even smile at + be kind to strangers. Connection feels so important after the election and this is a change for me but it also feels like something I'm capable of, for maybe the first time. Metalsmith/forging workshop sounds so cool!!

Clever Manka : Mid-week check-in

Thu, 1 Dec 2016 16:17:34 +0000

congrats on reclaiming music! I'm in the same process, or have been for about 2 years since returning to music as a serious hobby/creative outlet, and I agree, it is glorious. yay music! (also congrats on the reading tests!)

Clever Manka : Mid-week check-in

Wed, 16 Nov 2016 21:06:31 +0000

Our training session this week (coincidentally, planned months in advance) was on suicide prevention and crisis counseling and it was surprisingly cathartic and grounding, in addition to being super informative and helpful as a trainee. ALL THE FEELS.

Clever Manka : Mid-week check-in

Wed, 16 Nov 2016 20:59:47 +0000

:D <3 <3 <3

Clever Manka : Mid-week check-in

Wed, 16 Nov 2016 20:57:29 +0000

yes!!!! I was so happy about the election results listed in that buzzfeed article. Plus I donated a little cash to some of those women (I'm not in their states but I got a few emails to the tune of "split a $25 donation between these 6 gun sense candidates") so that was extra exciting. I totally agree re: early 30s. It's weird, even as a child I looked forward to turning 30 - it sounded like an age at which one could finally feel ~*~powerful~*~, having gotten through one's 20s. And for the most part I do feel that way! (not knocking people in their 20s, it's just how my personal journey has been. my 20s were successful but also a bit of a hot mess) But with great power comes great responsibility, etc...

Clever Manka : Mid-week check-in

Wed, 16 Nov 2016 18:39:54 +0000

Hope the forum went well! I've also been going to forums and rallies and vigils that I always shied away from in the past. Honestly, the results have been mixed, but I'm thinking it is good to see what kinds of conversations are happening, as you said, and I want to show up and show support even if there are some troubling things or it seems not super productive in any literal concrete way. Happy impending birthday!! <3 My birthday was on election day and I also turned 31.

Clever Manka : Friday Open Thread

Sat, 5 Nov 2016 16:38:04 +0000

Awesome! Wearable electronics are so cool! For a long time I had vague plans to make a tiny camera to sew onto my running jacket or visor so I could take photos during long runs. I never followed through though. I'm actually a physicist-turned-quasi-electrical-engineer for my job - I make fast-framing x-ray cameras. I've helped Mr. fiddlergirl with some projects on his electric guitar, haven't done any fun projects of my own but love hearing about the cool stuff other people do. Circuits are fun!

Clever Manka : Friday Open Thread

Fri, 4 Nov 2016 19:24:34 +0000

ooh, what kind of projects are you working on? (electronics geek reporting for duty!)

Clever Manka : Friday Open Thread

Fri, 4 Nov 2016 19:23:21 +0000

Clever Manka : Friday Open Thread

Fri, 4 Nov 2016 19:04:14 +0000

this is the recipe I'm using - a friend made it years ago and it was amazing... hopefully my results live up!

Clever Manka : Friday Open Thread

Fri, 4 Nov 2016 18:46:39 +0000

EEEEE TOTES AMAZE new plan for the weekend: listen to my shot on repeat

Clever Manka : Friday Open Thread

Fri, 4 Nov 2016 17:51:33 +0000

let's see if I can gif right... JESUS apparently not. anyway, image the regina george "I know, right?" gif here.

Clever Manka : Friday Open Thread

Fri, 4 Nov 2016 17:42:34 +0000

It's a weirdly packed weekend here. Tonight: nachos and a friend's birthday party. Tomorrow: making apple butter I think, then going to a show about 2 hours away. Sunday: a different friend's all-female sci-fi/action-themed a capella concert. Been trying to summon the courage to do some election phone banking, never done it before and am kinda terrified. We'll see.

Clever Manka : I Wrote My Way Out

Fri, 4 Nov 2016 15:06:31 +0000

I just got around to reading this and it's wonderful. As someone just starting to carve out time and energy for creative work, reading this was inspiring and energizing. Thank you. (now back to work for me!)