Wow. Wow. Wow. Endlessly inspired by everything you accomplish even while watching you realize you have a limit.
Now, let's see.. my Fail Lesson du jour is stop trying to decide for other people what is too much or not enough. While it feels like kindness to try to decide for them, more likely than not I am either robbing them of an opportunity to grow or implying that I know what their experience feels like becuase I know what mine feels like... and those are two ways to be very wrong, and unkind.
Happy anniversary! A recent failure of mine was opening a business and spending all my money on inventory, leaving scraps for marketing and promotion. I have tons of manga, but I can't sell it because no one knows about my store! The worst part? It's not even what I wanted to do! I'm primarily a comic book writer who went full-time this year but took this side project to "keep me busy." At least books don't expire, so I'm slowly selling them while I pour myself into my passion: creating comic books. What was I thinking? "comics won't keep me busy enough." Sheesh.
Anyway, I have five invites to the Blue place if you want them for your readers, Kelly. Thanks for sharing your experiences and for this space to vent, haha. It's good for the soul!!
Mazel tov to you and Matt on the anniversary, Kelly Sue! I'm sorry that the Rose City con left you a little ragged - all my hopes that you find the edge of you.
I am so disappointed about X! Twitter helped me so much after my car wreck, and I felt like I had a really nice community there for 15 years. Now, it’s a total poop house no matter how much you try to cultivate your feed (and I get zero interaction there now).
I also feel like I’m taking an L on all my life goals at this point and have to readjust them to “find any job that will hire me” or “brush my teeth”. That may be the depression talking, though.
KS: Congrats on the Anniversary. Just wanted to thank you again for being the only one to respond to my query over at 500 Songs (besides Andrew himself). I still find it odd (in a good way) that you did. I first became aware of you after getting these Dispatches. I suppose I originally signed up because I thought I was getting something from your husband. But then I started realizing that a lot of your recommendations really worked for me. And then I picked up WW Historia and loved it. And then I was surprised to hear you did live original music theatre (which I've done for many years locally). So I guess I became some kind of fan. And then out of nowhere you tried to answer my question on a random but best ever music podcast thread. Thanks for what you do. Maybe you should write about music more? That might help me program my local radio shows. Anyway, take care and keep up the great work.
Aw, thanks Bill. No big deal, I knew the answer and I like to be a helper is all. That podcast is incredible, isn't it?
Are you a metal guy by any chance? I just finished listening to the Audiobook of A History of Heavy Metal by Andrew O'Neill and it's a goddamn delight. (It came out in like 2017 so I'm late to this party, but highly recommend.)
Yes, A History of Rock Music in 500 Songs is absolutely brilliant and fascinating. How many research people does this guy have helping him?! No, not a metal guy. No metal and no opera. But just about anything else. Though I do have a big rule: never completely shut yourself out of a musical genre. So if for instance someone recommended a few metal songs that a non metal person might like, I'd listen. And even though no one asked, a few of my current faves are Ruby and Carlos from James McMurtry Live in Europe (it's a story song so you have to actually stop and listen for 5 minutes but it's worth it), Lankum's The Young People, and Lisa O'Neill's Pothole in the Sky.
Nice to hear from you too, Greg! You're the 6th so all the codes are at least on hold at the moment. If two folks above pass though, you're in. (I'll do this again after I collect more invites.)
X sucks. But alas, you're the 5th to sing this song so all the codes are at least on hold at the moment. If someone above passes though, you're next! (I'll do this again after I collect more invites.)
It's important to mark the achievements on the day you earn them, but you can also defer the celebrations to a more appropriate time. You both have such fulfilling careers as individuals, in addition to your togetherness. Two of those things schedule themselves, so the other one has to take a back seat. But take the time to do it right! Twenty-one years is a big deal, especially these days. Hearty congratulations to you both for all that stuff!
It's the worst, right?! Okay, you got X-hater slot number 4. How do you want me to send you your Bluesky code? (I'm voting for Twitter DMs because I think it's funny, but I'm open to other suggestions.)
For the first time, I regret giving up my twitter because that would be funny. I have instagram @kris10kristin or TikTok @kristindeb if either of those will work. If not, pass my invite to #5
The hate is real! Okay, you're number 3! How do you want me to send you your Bluesky code? (I'm voting for Twitter DMs because I think it's funny, but I'm open to other suggestions.)
You're number 2! How do you want me to send you your Bluesky code? I'm voting for Twitter DMs because I think it's funny, but I'm open to other suggestions.
I’m here to holler about how X sucks and so does El*n. I host a pub quiz every week and you’ll not be surprised to know it’s always a reliable laugh line to roast El*n. I call him a dumbass pissbaby dipshit and people smile and nod knowingly because it’s true. Anyway, his dumb website is trash. Thanks for the words of wisdom!
I feel like I am also pushing myself up against that edge in life. I just went back to school, at 51, to study computer science. Still writing and keeping the dream alive. Even though the WGA strike is done, I will be out on the picket line with SAG-AFTRA this week coming week. We need all the pieces to play! Oh, I'm stealing that line. "Do less, but better."
Oh my gosh, I'm so excited for you going back to school! DUDE. YOU GOT TO BUY BACK TO SCHOOL SUPPLIES AND YOU DIDN'T HAVE TO PRETEND THEY WERE FOR THE KIDS.
You would think so, but everything is online, EVERYTHING. The books are read through a digital portal. Labs, class lectures, note taking and discussions, all online. Even tutoring is online. It is amazing for ease, sort of.
Obviously there is no travel time. But unfortunately it is all designed to work best on PCs. Being a MAC user this adds another layer of using a virtual PC machine on the MAC, blah blah blah.
So i am learning the basics of computer science, networking, computer forensics while at the same time learning to navigate Windows. Oh and after being out of out all summer I started a new job bartending.(My server job in Hollywood was an early casualty of the strikes and the ripples effects to the local economy. But that is a story for another time.)
So I have been studying a menu and cocktail recipes as well. Like I said pushing my self to my edge. Currently I am falling behind in school. I am going to in-person office hours this week to get instruction on how to set everything up on my laptop. More time needs to be spent studying everyday. It's overwhelming. Sorry to ramble on.
Kelly Sue, your vulnerability is heartening, your ambition is deserved, and you are loved and admired regardless of whether your unmet goals were perceived and noticed or not - in fact, at least for this one gallery-occupant, because you swung hard and didn’t hit your usual home run.
I swung hard eight years ago, making a huge transition in my career from a self-anointed product designer to a job title I’d never had (senior product manager). They offered me all the misfit toys, telling me up front that predecessors had all failed at smaller remote, and somehow I powered through the screening process. Not six months later I disastrously fumbled my roadmap presentation, and two months after that they not-so-politely excused me. I was 13 months out of work after that, and buffeted myself on the rocks of job hunting every week, much to the growing chagrin of my self-esteem.
Not a day goes by I’m not furtively looking over my shoulder, wondering when the relative success of the last six years will vaporise like the illusion I fear it is.
I swung hard, lost the game, and am now supremely *motivated* to succeed at who I am (Frigga’s line “Everyone fails at who they’re supposed to be, Thor. A measure of a person, of a hero, is how well they succeed at being who they are.” sears my brain to a nice smoky flavour.
Wow. Wow. Wow. Endlessly inspired by everything you accomplish even while watching you realize you have a limit.
Now, let's see.. my Fail Lesson du jour is stop trying to decide for other people what is too much or not enough. While it feels like kindness to try to decide for them, more likely than not I am either robbing them of an opportunity to grow or implying that I know what their experience feels like becuase I know what mine feels like... and those are two ways to be very wrong, and unkind.
I love this.
Both trailers were a ton of fun. Amazed at how talented you two are. Happy anniversary; here's to respecting our edges in our 50s.
Happy anniversary! A recent failure of mine was opening a business and spending all my money on inventory, leaving scraps for marketing and promotion. I have tons of manga, but I can't sell it because no one knows about my store! The worst part? It's not even what I wanted to do! I'm primarily a comic book writer who went full-time this year but took this side project to "keep me busy." At least books don't expire, so I'm slowly selling them while I pour myself into my passion: creating comic books. What was I thinking? "comics won't keep me busy enough." Sheesh.
Anyway, I have five invites to the Blue place if you want them for your readers, Kelly. Thanks for sharing your experiences and for this space to vent, haha. It's good for the soul!!
Awww BUDDY!!
Mazel tov to you and Matt on the anniversary, Kelly Sue! I'm sorry that the Rose City con left you a little ragged - all my hopes that you find the edge of you.
I am so disappointed about X! Twitter helped me so much after my car wreck, and I felt like I had a really nice community there for 15 years. Now, it’s a total poop house no matter how much you try to cultivate your feed (and I get zero interaction there now).
I also feel like I’m taking an L on all my life goals at this point and have to readjust them to “find any job that will hire me” or “brush my teeth”. That may be the depression talking, though.
KS: Congrats on the Anniversary. Just wanted to thank you again for being the only one to respond to my query over at 500 Songs (besides Andrew himself). I still find it odd (in a good way) that you did. I first became aware of you after getting these Dispatches. I suppose I originally signed up because I thought I was getting something from your husband. But then I started realizing that a lot of your recommendations really worked for me. And then I picked up WW Historia and loved it. And then I was surprised to hear you did live original music theatre (which I've done for many years locally). So I guess I became some kind of fan. And then out of nowhere you tried to answer my question on a random but best ever music podcast thread. Thanks for what you do. Maybe you should write about music more? That might help me program my local radio shows. Anyway, take care and keep up the great work.
Aw, thanks Bill. No big deal, I knew the answer and I like to be a helper is all. That podcast is incredible, isn't it?
Are you a metal guy by any chance? I just finished listening to the Audiobook of A History of Heavy Metal by Andrew O'Neill and it's a goddamn delight. (It came out in like 2017 so I'm late to this party, but highly recommend.)
Yes, A History of Rock Music in 500 Songs is absolutely brilliant and fascinating. How many research people does this guy have helping him?! No, not a metal guy. No metal and no opera. But just about anything else. Though I do have a big rule: never completely shut yourself out of a musical genre. So if for instance someone recommended a few metal songs that a non metal person might like, I'd listen. And even though no one asked, a few of my current faves are Ruby and Carlos from James McMurtry Live in Europe (it's a story song so you have to actually stop and listen for 5 minutes but it's worth it), Lankum's The Young People, and Lisa O'Neill's Pothole in the Sky.
Hate X. Love to hear from you, Kelly.
Nice to hear from you too, Greg! You're the 6th so all the codes are at least on hold at the moment. If two folks above pass though, you're in. (I'll do this again after I collect more invites.)
Hollering about X as well! I read they’re training A.I. with user’s data so it’s time to eject. RIP Twitter 🪦 💀
X sucks. But alas, you're the 5th to sing this song so all the codes are at least on hold at the moment. If someone above passes though, you're next! (I'll do this again after I collect more invites.)
It's important to mark the achievements on the day you earn them, but you can also defer the celebrations to a more appropriate time. You both have such fulfilling careers as individuals, in addition to your togetherness. Two of those things schedule themselves, so the other one has to take a back seat. But take the time to do it right! Twenty-one years is a big deal, especially these days. Hearty congratulations to you both for all that stuff!
Thanks, Chuck. <3
I’m here to holler how I hate when finding my edge means I have to give up something I love doing, like X!
It's the worst, right?! Okay, you got X-hater slot number 4. How do you want me to send you your Bluesky code? (I'm voting for Twitter DMs because I think it's funny, but I'm open to other suggestions.)
For the first time, I regret giving up my twitter because that would be funny. I have instagram @kris10kristin or TikTok @kristindeb if either of those will work. If not, pass my invite to #5
Instagram won't let me message you because it's a private account. Trying TikTok, one sec... THAT WORKED! I just messaged you your code on TikTok.
I truly hate X. For many reasons including that I color coordinate my phone apps and it has ruined my Home Screen!
The hate is real! Okay, you're number 3! How do you want me to send you your Bluesky code? (I'm voting for Twitter DMs because I think it's funny, but I'm open to other suggestions.)
Haha I’m open to a DM! @coreyrenee
SENT
I'm here to yell about how much I hate X! It totally sucks!
You're number 2! How do you want me to send you your Bluesky code? I'm voting for Twitter DMs because I think it's funny, but I'm open to other suggestions.
Twitter DM works, lol
@wzeiders
Thank you!
Looks like you’ll have to temporarily follow me on Twitter or change your settings -- I can’t DM you.
Okay, try now
Sent
I’m here to holler about how X sucks and so does El*n. I host a pub quiz every week and you’ll not be surprised to know it’s always a reliable laugh line to roast El*n. I call him a dumbass pissbaby dipshit and people smile and nod knowingly because it’s true. Anyway, his dumb website is trash. Thanks for the words of wisdom!
AGREED, Gerald. You're the first, so how do I get you your Bluesky code? Twitter DM? I hope so, because that's rich.
Twitter DM is fine, and poetic! @gerladdudely is me.
Kinda like the old days of using Internet Explorer only to download Chrome or Firefox lol
SENT.
NOICE. See you on there!
Hey, Kelly Sue
I feel like I am also pushing myself up against that edge in life. I just went back to school, at 51, to study computer science. Still writing and keeping the dream alive. Even though the WGA strike is done, I will be out on the picket line with SAG-AFTRA this week coming week. We need all the pieces to play! Oh, I'm stealing that line. "Do less, but better."
Oh my gosh, I'm so excited for you going back to school! DUDE. YOU GOT TO BUY BACK TO SCHOOL SUPPLIES AND YOU DIDN'T HAVE TO PRETEND THEY WERE FOR THE KIDS.
You would think so, but everything is online, EVERYTHING. The books are read through a digital portal. Labs, class lectures, note taking and discussions, all online. Even tutoring is online. It is amazing for ease, sort of.
Obviously there is no travel time. But unfortunately it is all designed to work best on PCs. Being a MAC user this adds another layer of using a virtual PC machine on the MAC, blah blah blah.
So i am learning the basics of computer science, networking, computer forensics while at the same time learning to navigate Windows. Oh and after being out of out all summer I started a new job bartending.(My server job in Hollywood was an early casualty of the strikes and the ripples effects to the local economy. But that is a story for another time.)
So I have been studying a menu and cocktail recipes as well. Like I said pushing my self to my edge. Currently I am falling behind in school. I am going to in-person office hours this week to get instruction on how to set everything up on my laptop. More time needs to be spent studying everyday. It's overwhelming. Sorry to ramble on.
Oh buddy, I'm sorry. That's rough.
Kelly Sue, your vulnerability is heartening, your ambition is deserved, and you are loved and admired regardless of whether your unmet goals were perceived and noticed or not - in fact, at least for this one gallery-occupant, because you swung hard and didn’t hit your usual home run.
I swung hard eight years ago, making a huge transition in my career from a self-anointed product designer to a job title I’d never had (senior product manager). They offered me all the misfit toys, telling me up front that predecessors had all failed at smaller remote, and somehow I powered through the screening process. Not six months later I disastrously fumbled my roadmap presentation, and two months after that they not-so-politely excused me. I was 13 months out of work after that, and buffeted myself on the rocks of job hunting every week, much to the growing chagrin of my self-esteem.
Not a day goes by I’m not furtively looking over my shoulder, wondering when the relative success of the last six years will vaporise like the illusion I fear it is.
I swung hard, lost the game, and am now supremely *motivated* to succeed at who I am (Frigga’s line “Everyone fails at who they’re supposed to be, Thor. A measure of a person, of a hero, is how well they succeed at being who they are.” sears my brain to a nice smoky flavour.
Go be who you are.
I love that line. Thanks, Mike.