sustainable systems & storytelling
For the last decade, I’ve developed the habit of setting a theme for the year. While tangible goals strong pillars, choosing a feeling or theme offers guide-rails and room for deviation. For 2021, the word I chose was CLARITY: “For several years now, I have feel lost, ill, and devoid of anything resembling energy or... Continue Reading →
Every time my boyfriend visits the farmer's market, the ladies beneath the customer service tent wave and shout, "When is she coming back? We miss her. Don't forget to remind your honey that she looks like Claire Danes!" Prior to the pandemic, we had been going every Saturday morning for years. The workers supporting the... Continue Reading →
Well, 2021 is coming to a close and what a year it has been! I think most of us were hoping the untrained engineer would return to his post and let us off this rickety roller coaster. But, no such luck! However, I keep returning to something author Scott Adams said at the start of... Continue Reading →
Three weeks ago, my gynecologist felt a small lump in my breast and referred me for an ultrasound just to be safe. Thankfully, there is no cancer in my family history, so it would be a precautionary trip. No problem. The day before my appointment, the facility called to schedule my mammogram. "No," I replied,"... Continue Reading →
I currently work out of our multi-purpose room. And when I say multi-purpose, I'm really saying multi-, multi-, multi-purpose room. When you walk in, there is a large desk and bulky ergonomic chair. Next to that, a queen sized bed that has been used twice in eight years and coordinating bedside tables. Beyond the foot... Continue Reading →
Earlier this year, we received a final report stating that "re-occupancy is ill-advised." The thing is, we never left our home. We had recently tested for mold spores, which we later learned stemmed from damage that occurred prior to installing a new roof in 2014, seven years earlier. I believe that biotoxin illness is the... Continue Reading →
It's early December and my mind is bursting with inspiration, gratitude, and hope. I've just emerged from a month-long energy slump and am chomping at the bit to play catch-up. The final month of the year, at least in recent years, has been fraught with tension. Seven years ago this month, my cousin passed away;... Continue Reading →
Happy Thanksgiving to those celebrating today! Whether you're visiting loved ones, sharing a meal with friends, or cozied up with leftovers and a good book, I hope your day is filled with love, patience, laughter, and lots of tasty food! I'm in the latter category. I'm currently home alone today, lamenting immunodeficiency, PEG allergies, and... Continue Reading →
A year ago, I saw the video Kenosha protests footage but I didn't form an opinion. I have watched the entire Kyle Rittenhouse trial, and I'm appalled at the media's mischaracterization of events. Much to my surprise, each of the prosecution's witnesses has corroborated the self-defense argument, including the media's "lone survivor," Gaige Grosskreutz. The... Continue Reading →
Inspired by Hilary Tan's post post on the topic, I thought I would fun to share some of my favorite cheap and amazing everyday workhorses. All have alleviated a recurring pain point in my life, or brought me joy. All are under $25, and several much less. Here we go! Jar Spatula I used to... Continue Reading →
Ten years ago, I was a doe-eyed recent college graduate with a minimum wage job, a second part-time job, an arguably worthless degree, and negative net worth. Today, my net worth is over four times my average annual salary across those 10 years, I am comfortably living within my means, and my largest budget category... Continue Reading →
Hi there! I will soon be joining a book club with my mom, sister, aunts, and cousins. Here's where you come in. We're looking for recommendations. Have you read any knock-your-socks off books recently, particularly one that makes you think or makes for a great discussion? So far, we've seen the below suggestions, but are... Continue Reading →
The other day, I excitedly sent my boyfriend to my favorite bookstore to pick up some early Christmas gifts. I haven't been in years, so I was looking forward to pictures and a rundown of all things books. Upon entering the store, a green-haired employee gave my boyfriend a dirty look. Two twenty-something men behind... Continue Reading →
The other day, my boyfriend showed me the below tweet, which he stumbled upon on the interwebs. It immediately creeped me out, and I can't stop thinking about it. When we first started dating, my boyfriend talked extensively about the Simulation Theory, which hypothesizes that reality is merely an ultra-high-tech computer simulation in which we... Continue Reading →
Hello, friend! How are you? Things have been hectic around these parts. No, that's a lie. My treatment for biotoxin illness makes me sleepy, so the 10 hours of sleep a night is the likely culprit behind my lack of time. In those few extra moments, I've been trying to reread some old books, get... Continue Reading →
existential ergonomics 
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