OMG I love this! Can I steal this idea for my own substack?
First I just want to say "Welcome to flyover country!" We're not the cool kids and that is okay with us! Nobody dreams of living where I live and I'm okay with that. Keeps traffic lighter and prices lower.
My list:
1. I graduated high school in a class of 9 people
2. Milk is my enemy. I'm completely lactose intolerant. My husband says I'm lactose militant.
3. My grandmother started doing standup comedy in her 50's and I got to see her perform once. She killed.
4. I'm grateful for people who join the military and raise children because I have no interest in doing either of those things.
5. Every part of my life improved when I moved from the city to the country.
6. I write and produce an audio drama about cats who run a news station.
7. I'm currently growing my red hair out so I can donate it to Hair We Share
8. I have entered my birdwatching phase
9. My resume is all over the place. There were several years I filed five W2's.
10. My favorite kind of book is a memoir about someone's fucked up childhood told with a wicked sense of humor. (See "Acne" by Laura Chin)
Thanks for the welcome Pam! You're absolutely right: Lighter traffic and lower prices are fine by me! Not being the cool kid is better for my bank account.
I love your list! I want to know more about all of them, especially 3, 5, 6, and 9! But they're all so interesting and many of them so funny. I'm so happy to hear you like the idea—definitely post your own "50 Fragments"! 😂 I look forward to reading it.
Ok I LOVE this and feel like all of us on Substack should make a version of it for our readers!! Number 40 hit me hard. My husband and I moved to St. Louis from Oregon last year (and before that, we were in the Bay Area). I’m from St. Louis originally, but it still felt like failing. Turns out I’m in love with the Midwest. I don’t know if you’ve found your love of it yet, but if you haven’t, know that you still might!! 😂🥰
Hi Miriam! Thank you! So glad you like and are inspired by the fragments! I'm looking forward to reading yours at some point.
It's also comforting to hear no. 40 resonated. I, too, am beginning to love the Midwest! We're starting to build a home here and find a community. Seasons are pretty neat, too 😂 I appreciate the kind and encouraging words! 😊 Glad you're here.
Some of these resonate with me, others make me think Wow this guy's an even bigger freak than I am. This one made me smile a little: "I’m an emotional, affectionate, oversharing sober person." Above all, I share your love of the em-dash and consternation over the semi-colon.
Hah! Yes, I feel like I can always hold my own in a competition of being a bit of a freak 🤣. Glad one of these was able to get a smile out of you. And I hope one day to find more use for the semicolon, but I’m just not there yet. Meanwhile, the em-dash remains tried and true. Thanks for being here Jonathan.
What a great list, Nancy! Thank you for sharing! I love the idea of these fragments collecting at the bottom of this post over time.
Out of curiosity, what tattoos did you choose to represent your parents? I, too, aspire to a more plant-based diet (although probably not vegan, but who knows). And what are you writing about these days? I'm still trying to silence my inner critic!
Thanks Jacob! I'm writing about the ways I see my life improving and how the choices I make are what makes me who I want to be! My tattoos will be my planned posts on mother's and father's day, I credit them with a lot of my strength and positivity. I hope you'll follow. 😊
We have a lot in common: I have a boy and a girl, a degree in English (obtained late in life), no tattoos in a family full of them, the tutor job thing, can't play the electric guitar. But I love semi-colons!
Hi Don! That’s so neat to hear we share some things in common. I’d be curious to know what made you decide to get a degree in English (or perhaps you’ve written about it already, and I need to return to your archive!). And the semicolon comment made me smile. I’m still trying to find good opportunities to use them in my own writing; I’ll keep you posted!
Thanks, Jacob. Great to hear from you. I actually have not specifically written about my life-long desire to obtain my degree in English (I dropped out of college three times in my youth), which I finally realized in my late 40s.
Working as a writing tutor in my community college writing center was the lowest-paying and best job I ever had!
It would be really interesting to read about that journey at some point. A colleague of mine recently taught me the term “college stopout,” which I had somehow never heard of. It sounds like we were both stopouts at some point along the way. That’s so neat you worked at a cc writing center. That job changed everything for me, and I certainly never thought I’d be helping to run one someday. It would be great to read about your experience with that too! Of course, I’m obviously biased here with these subjects 🤣
And I would be curious about your story as well, Jacob!
Next week I have an interview coming out on Matthew Long‘s Beyond the Bookshelf. It is a little more autobiographical, about my love of books. But this conversation makes me realize that a short biography would probably be a good addendum to my homepage.
Thanks for the kind words Rick! And thank you for these honest and compelling fragments. Your birthday is close to my mother’s (Dec. 20), and I too would describe myself as “too emotional” although I’m trying to figure that one out more and more these days (as in what I mean when I say that about myself). I’d love to know more about the teacher comment. For what it’s worth, although I haven’t ever been directly called a failure by a teacher, I had a few who more or less said so as I was failing out of high school. Anyway, thanks again for your comments!
I don't really study, but my marks are okay. My 10th results were above average and that landed me on a school that takes studies too seriously. My marks quickly deteriorated there, so the teacher called my parents. My father went. He made me and my father sit on the other side of his table. He gave me those comments there. Yeah, the lunch that day was awkward.
Yeah, I can imagine that being an awkward lunch indeed. I suppose now it’s about how you move forward from it or, at the very least, how you think through it in your writing (as has been my experience). Thanks for being here!
This is so fun… choose your own adventure. What a great way to get to know you.
1. I am *terrified* of gorillas.
2. I, too, love the em-dash.
3. I moved back to my incredibly small Canadian hometown a year ago (our two young kids promoted the move), after a decade living on the west coast (California and Washington). The move has also made me feel like a failure.
4. Writing is the best thing in life.
5. I’m fascinated by people, culture and learning.
That’s all I have for now. Thanks for the fun read :)
Hi Jacob, I thought I had already subscribed, but apparently I hadn't. I have now! Here are my 10 in no particular order:
1. Purple is my favorite color and I am incredibly obvious about it.
2. I thought I had a boy and a girl, but apparently I had 2 boys. It's been quite a road, but it's now amazing.
3. I went to Kenya with a group when I was 15 and met a guy who was sweet but super annoying. 31 years later we started dating and he is currently the love of my life.
4. I am a Type A recovering perfectionist. Putting that down was the best decision I ever made.
5-6. I have been sober since 1996. Never had a problem, aside from I didn't like how alcohol made me feel. The more I practiced yoga, the less I wanted to drink. So I stopped. Still practicing yoga, it's been almost 30 years.
7. When I was a kid I wanted to be a ballet dancer and a doctor. I became a yoga instructor and an acupuncturist (and a modern dancer in my 20s).
8. I am only 5'2" but I carry myself much taller. People are always amazed that I am so short because they see me as much taller. I say I am like a TARDIS, I am bigger on the inside.
9. I am an introvert, but I know how to extrovert. I just need recovery time by myself.
10. I'm glad I spent my 20s in NYC. It was amazing. I am currently grateful to live near a pond in Central Massachusetts, surrounded by trees. Vermont is my happy place and I hope to land there in the next few years.
OMG I love this! Can I steal this idea for my own substack?
First I just want to say "Welcome to flyover country!" We're not the cool kids and that is okay with us! Nobody dreams of living where I live and I'm okay with that. Keeps traffic lighter and prices lower.
My list:
1. I graduated high school in a class of 9 people
2. Milk is my enemy. I'm completely lactose intolerant. My husband says I'm lactose militant.
3. My grandmother started doing standup comedy in her 50's and I got to see her perform once. She killed.
4. I'm grateful for people who join the military and raise children because I have no interest in doing either of those things.
5. Every part of my life improved when I moved from the city to the country.
6. I write and produce an audio drama about cats who run a news station.
7. I'm currently growing my red hair out so I can donate it to Hair We Share
8. I have entered my birdwatching phase
9. My resume is all over the place. There were several years I filed five W2's.
10. My favorite kind of book is a memoir about someone's fucked up childhood told with a wicked sense of humor. (See "Acne" by Laura Chin)
Thanks for the welcome Pam! You're absolutely right: Lighter traffic and lower prices are fine by me! Not being the cool kid is better for my bank account.
I love your list! I want to know more about all of them, especially 3, 5, 6, and 9! But they're all so interesting and many of them so funny. I'm so happy to hear you like the idea—definitely post your own "50 Fragments"! 😂 I look forward to reading it.
Ok I LOVE this and feel like all of us on Substack should make a version of it for our readers!! Number 40 hit me hard. My husband and I moved to St. Louis from Oregon last year (and before that, we were in the Bay Area). I’m from St. Louis originally, but it still felt like failing. Turns out I’m in love with the Midwest. I don’t know if you’ve found your love of it yet, but if you haven’t, know that you still might!! 😂🥰
Hi Miriam! Thank you! So glad you like and are inspired by the fragments! I'm looking forward to reading yours at some point.
It's also comforting to hear no. 40 resonated. I, too, am beginning to love the Midwest! We're starting to build a home here and find a community. Seasons are pretty neat, too 😂 I appreciate the kind and encouraging words! 😊 Glad you're here.
Some of these resonate with me, others make me think Wow this guy's an even bigger freak than I am. This one made me smile a little: "I’m an emotional, affectionate, oversharing sober person." Above all, I share your love of the em-dash and consternation over the semi-colon.
Hah! Yes, I feel like I can always hold my own in a competition of being a bit of a freak 🤣. Glad one of these was able to get a smile out of you. And I hope one day to find more use for the semicolon, but I’m just not there yet. Meanwhile, the em-dash remains tried and true. Thanks for being here Jonathan.
I love this! Here's my 10:
1. My greatest blessing is two sweet grandkids.
2. I adore elderly people and I want the whole world to adore them too! And not just say it, but live it by helping them and visiting them!!
3. I have a tattoo on each arm, in remembrance of my parents, one for positivity and one for perseverance.
4. The trees I know whisper great advice and I'm learning to be still and listen.
5. I care about my health, but don't walk the walk as much as I should.
6. I'll always be a country girl in my heart.
7. I'm finally trying my hand at writing. And trying to silence the inner critic.
8. I'm not yet vegan, but it's my plan to be one within a month.
9. I am getting better at calming my anxiety about my Essential Tremor.
10. I like myself, more all the time.
😊
What a great list, Nancy! Thank you for sharing! I love the idea of these fragments collecting at the bottom of this post over time.
Out of curiosity, what tattoos did you choose to represent your parents? I, too, aspire to a more plant-based diet (although probably not vegan, but who knows). And what are you writing about these days? I'm still trying to silence my inner critic!
Thanks Jacob! I'm writing about the ways I see my life improving and how the choices I make are what makes me who I want to be! My tattoos will be my planned posts on mother's and father's day, I credit them with a lot of my strength and positivity. I hope you'll follow. 😊
What a great idea for posts to be shared on those special days! I'm looking forward to reading and following your work Nancy! 😊
I love lists like this and seeing what we choose to include and how connections and overlaps emerge. Great to see this.
Thanks Amy! Yeah, it’s always fun to see what folks include and prioritize 😊
We have a lot in common: I have a boy and a girl, a degree in English (obtained late in life), no tattoos in a family full of them, the tutor job thing, can't play the electric guitar. But I love semi-colons!
Hi Don! That’s so neat to hear we share some things in common. I’d be curious to know what made you decide to get a degree in English (or perhaps you’ve written about it already, and I need to return to your archive!). And the semicolon comment made me smile. I’m still trying to find good opportunities to use them in my own writing; I’ll keep you posted!
Thanks, Jacob. Great to hear from you. I actually have not specifically written about my life-long desire to obtain my degree in English (I dropped out of college three times in my youth), which I finally realized in my late 40s.
Working as a writing tutor in my community college writing center was the lowest-paying and best job I ever had!
Great use of the semi-colon there! 😅
It would be really interesting to read about that journey at some point. A colleague of mine recently taught me the term “college stopout,” which I had somehow never heard of. It sounds like we were both stopouts at some point along the way. That’s so neat you worked at a cc writing center. That job changed everything for me, and I certainly never thought I’d be helping to run one someday. It would be great to read about your experience with that too! Of course, I’m obviously biased here with these subjects 🤣
And I would be curious about your story as well, Jacob!
Next week I have an interview coming out on Matthew Long‘s Beyond the Bookshelf. It is a little more autobiographical, about my love of books. But this conversation makes me realize that a short biography would probably be a good addendum to my homepage.
Looking forward to reading it! I’m always a fan of short biographies, especially on homepages or about me pages.
Great post. These would be my ten fragments:
- I was born on 15th December
- I stutter
- I'm too emotional
- I cry a lot sometimes
- My teacher called me a failure
- Apparently, all I can be is an Uber driver (I don't know why it's so specific)
- They don't believe I can make money out of writing
- I have depression, anxiety, GAD
- A headache is refuging to part ways from me for two years
- I want to be happy.
Thanks for the kind words Rick! And thank you for these honest and compelling fragments. Your birthday is close to my mother’s (Dec. 20), and I too would describe myself as “too emotional” although I’m trying to figure that one out more and more these days (as in what I mean when I say that about myself). I’d love to know more about the teacher comment. For what it’s worth, although I haven’t ever been directly called a failure by a teacher, I had a few who more or less said so as I was failing out of high school. Anyway, thanks again for your comments!
I don't really study, but my marks are okay. My 10th results were above average and that landed me on a school that takes studies too seriously. My marks quickly deteriorated there, so the teacher called my parents. My father went. He made me and my father sit on the other side of his table. He gave me those comments there. Yeah, the lunch that day was awkward.
Yeah, I can imagine that being an awkward lunch indeed. I suppose now it’s about how you move forward from it or, at the very least, how you think through it in your writing (as has been my experience). Thanks for being here!
This is so fun… choose your own adventure. What a great way to get to know you.
1. I am *terrified* of gorillas.
2. I, too, love the em-dash.
3. I moved back to my incredibly small Canadian hometown a year ago (our two young kids promoted the move), after a decade living on the west coast (California and Washington). The move has also made me feel like a failure.
4. Writing is the best thing in life.
5. I’m fascinated by people, culture and learning.
That’s all I have for now. Thanks for the fun read :)
Hi Jacob, I thought I had already subscribed, but apparently I hadn't. I have now! Here are my 10 in no particular order:
1. Purple is my favorite color and I am incredibly obvious about it.
2. I thought I had a boy and a girl, but apparently I had 2 boys. It's been quite a road, but it's now amazing.
3. I went to Kenya with a group when I was 15 and met a guy who was sweet but super annoying. 31 years later we started dating and he is currently the love of my life.
4. I am a Type A recovering perfectionist. Putting that down was the best decision I ever made.
5-6. I have been sober since 1996. Never had a problem, aside from I didn't like how alcohol made me feel. The more I practiced yoga, the less I wanted to drink. So I stopped. Still practicing yoga, it's been almost 30 years.
7. When I was a kid I wanted to be a ballet dancer and a doctor. I became a yoga instructor and an acupuncturist (and a modern dancer in my 20s).
8. I am only 5'2" but I carry myself much taller. People are always amazed that I am so short because they see me as much taller. I say I am like a TARDIS, I am bigger on the inside.
9. I am an introvert, but I know how to extrovert. I just need recovery time by myself.
10. I'm glad I spent my 20s in NYC. It was amazing. I am currently grateful to live near a pond in Central Massachusetts, surrounded by trees. Vermont is my happy place and I hope to land there in the next few years.