I'm good at explaining things if I understand them myself, designing rituals, and making veggie food that my most carnivorous friends devour with enthusiasm.
I am good at entertaining small children. This is all kinds of wrong because I am also good at being a grumpy spinster. I might be good at ethnohistory or writing, but I am not so sure about these things today.
it's funny you mention that, I was just telling @morselya.bsky.social that I now really feel like an imposter in these parts because, finally, two of my photography teachers, the one that I went to Nepal with and the one that taught me Astrophotography, are now here on Bluesky
I feel I really levelled up after my trip to Nepal with Peter, and after my astrophotography course with Bryan. I plan on taking another course with Bryan next year in the Smoky Mountains, if all goes well
1. My job. Not just the coding part but also the understanding why we do things the way we do and what makes it accessible. And then explaining that. And also asking questions.
Morning Fran (just afternoon here)....
1: Trying to be kind at all times (and sometimes failing, but that's life I guess)
2: Not taking myself too seriously
🦋🦋🦋🦋🦋🦋🦋🦋🦋🦋
1) diabolical laughter, mad-scientist style. I practiced it when I was younger.
2) eating hot (temperature) food. Just because it's too hot to hold doesn't mean it's too hot to eat!
1) Learning how to do something I've never done before
2) Getting the air out of a ziploc bag of food before freezing it. If there was an Olympics in this event, I think I could medal.
1. Last-minute soup. Twice in the last week I've thrown together a freezer/pantry soup that was great for friends in need.
2. Dialog. That's the one I got for free.
"the one I got for free" - ah, I remember that formulation, and I think it applies to a lot of writers and would-be writers. And I think you totally have it.
I was on a retreat with another writer who got the opposite things for free, and that person was complaining that they had gotten to the point in their scene where they HAD to write dialog, and I was laughing because I had gotten to the point in my scene where I COULDN'T get by on dialog.
Some skills that I didn't get for free but learned as an adult:
1) Give a decent presentation on less than 24 hours notice
2) Moderate a meeting, and keep it on task and on topic - also on less than 24 hours notice.
3) Cook a tasty dinner for 10 people with incompatible food restrictions.
I honestly *like* short deadlines. Less time to stress and second guess, and more working with that nice adrenaline boost! I realize this is very "no accounting for taste" and am glad there are people who can steadily and happily plug away to complement my surges.
1) Thinking a lot, then acting intensely in short bursts.
2) Endurance walking. I'll never be the fastest, but I'll get there in the end.
3) IKEA assembly.
Thank you for that. It took me all day to do it, but I'm glad I did.
Academic papers and time management (I am in my last month of grad school and I've already finished the paper due tomorrow & am cracking on the one due next Monday)
(1) Fitting things in cars. I can turn a car boot into a bona fide TARDIS.
(2) Logic puzzles. I guess (1) is a really just a spatial extension of (2)?
(3) Fucking up social events. Because people aren't logical, and don't fit in category (2).
Remembering obscure things about obscure stuff at critical times. Making a dependency list without resorting to software. And forgetting people’s names.
I can organize anything, I'm pretty funny, and I don't take shit, on my behalf, or anyone's I keep in my orbit on purpose (my nickname is The Captain. For reasons. 😆)
1. My attention to detail. I see all the things. The small things.
2. Leading with empathy but kicking ass when need be. Hard balance.
3. I think I’m good at being funny 😂
1- Threading needles.
Even with my diminishing eyesight, I can always get it on the first try.
2- Worldbuilding.
I'm pretty good at worldbuilding in my writing. I usually get "the world building was great but [lack of plot, lack of conflict, no resolution, no character arc, etc.]"
I am quite good at breaking down very complex concepts into a series of explanations that people not versed in the technical details and jargon of a subject can understand. I use a lot of analogies.
I also can make an outstanding cheeseboard suited to almost any theme.
Remembering stuff I learned when I was twelve. For example:
1. Pi to 20 decimals places.
2. The books of the Bible.
3. The Big Mac jingle (forwards and backwards).
4. Many others.
1. Making things with yarn/ fiber.
2. Finding the good spot to scritch on a kitty.
3. Spelling words for friends. It occurred to me the number of times people ask me how to spell something is probably more than average.
Comments
2. I am a good listener.
3. I am a good friend.
I’m damn good behind a grill.
I roll a mean joint.
2. Hosting/Facilitating/Emceeing
3. Making meals from whatever happens to be in the cupboards/fridge
Managing money.
Giving model rockets nice shiny finishes.
2)translating that need into actions with choices
Giving teammates a pep talk
Tolerating almost anything but intolerance
Kitchenwitching
- Begging for more Luna pics
- Luna!!!
2. Writing stories
3. Making sure my college daughter doesn’t starve
4. Making lists
1. I am good at making cranberry sauce
2. I am good at connecting people to books
2) eating chocolate
3) dressing myself
1. Listening without being judgmental
2. Cooking
3. Hugs
2. I can always find something in common with most anyone.
2. Learning languages.
3. Cooking, I think.
1: Trying to be kind at all times (and sometimes failing, but that's life I guess)
2: Not taking myself too seriously
🦋🦋🦋🦋🦋🦋🦋🦋🦋🦋
2) making muffins
3) sorting and organizing Pokémon cards
I am good at knitting hats, keeping rabbits happy, and picking up new hobbies. 😂
2) eating hot (temperature) food. Just because it's too hot to hold doesn't mean it's too hot to eat!
Organization
2 I am much better at cooking than I ever thought possible
2. Doing character voices
3. Finding locations in the city of Tulsa, Oklahoma
• Editing a video
• Making good choices with my fingers*
*Not true, but after 45 years I have a tuned piano and have started practicing again, so I’m hopeful for the future.
Keeping a master mental list of what people do and don’t like to eat
Willingness to try anything
Pattern matching dresses
Making people welcome
1. Valuing people for who they actually are
2. Explaining difficult concepts in simple, easy-to-understand ways
3. Listening
2. Yeah, I'm out
Also performing onstage & making connections with live audiences.
baking
photography
Writing
Being an awesome aunt
I didn't realize it would be so difficult to come up with three things. I go between being confident in each one and completing doubting myself.
2) Getting the air out of a ziploc bag of food before freezing it. If there was an Olympics in this event, I think I could medal.
Board games (I was on fire at ludo with my grandson yesterday!)
Making stuff up and writing it down
2, Sleeping in, then doing absolutely nothing for at least a couple hours
2. Dialog. That's the one I got for free.
Assessing musculoskeletal problems.
Cuddling dogs cats and children
1) Give a decent presentation on less than 24 hours notice
2) Moderate a meeting, and keep it on task and on topic - also on less than 24 hours notice.
3) Cook a tasty dinner for 10 people with incompatible food restrictions.
2) procrastinating
3) taking an awkward situation and turning it into an absurd joke
1) making ppl feel included
2) standing up for friends when they're not around to do it themselves
Validating.
Making school lunches.
2) Endurance walking. I'll never be the fastest, but I'll get there in the end.
3) IKEA assembly.
Thank you for that. It took me all day to do it, but I'm glad I did.
Proofreading/editing
Fighting for my autistic kiddo
💕
2) revisions
3) bullet journaling
2. Knowing when people are pregnant, sometimes before they do
3. Holding a grudge
(2) Logic puzzles. I guess (1) is a really just a spatial extension of (2)?
(3) Fucking up social events. Because people aren't logical, and don't fit in category (2).
Badminton
Kinda witty jokes
1. Making shortbread.
2. Coming up with character backstory with only a few details/a drawing of the character.
3. Keeping house plants alive.
Writing
Reading murder mysteries.
Sewing
Mixing cocktails
2. Longing for sleep
3. Waiting
2. Boatin’
3. Raisin’ lil fellas.
- inventing ridiculous folk magic.
- insulting the dogs
2. interacting with dogs
3. encouraging friends
Quizzes
Listening (sometimes known as nothing to say)
2. I'm good at sculpting/drawing anatomy
3. I'm good at knowing random animal facts
Programming film festivals
Fitting my zine creation into any available time slot
2. Having patience
3. Listening to my kids
Illustrating.
Gardening.
Painting
Advocacy
1. My attention to detail. I see all the things. The small things.
2. Leading with empathy but kicking ass when need be. Hard balance.
3. I think I’m good at being funny 😂
Even with my diminishing eyesight, I can always get it on the first try.
2- Worldbuilding.
I'm pretty good at worldbuilding in my writing. I usually get "the world building was great but [lack of plot, lack of conflict, no resolution, no character arc, etc.]"
2) finding patterns
3) being a goober
2. Putting things away where I can find them again
3. Driving a stick shift car
I also can make an outstanding cheeseboard suited to almost any theme.
1. Pi to 20 decimals places.
2. The books of the Bible.
3. The Big Mac jingle (forwards and backwards).
4. Many others.
2. Spotlighting tiny things in life to celebrate
3. Connecting people
2. Finding the good spot to scritch on a kitty.
3. Spelling words for friends. It occurred to me the number of times people ask me how to spell something is probably more than average.
2. Buying books.
3. Coming up with ideas.
2. Making bespoke book recs
3. Internet research