For a fuller view of my writing beyond my recent posts, dive in below and peruse as much or as little as you’d like. I write about a wide range of topics from WordPress to Surrogacy to Photography to Mental Health. Don’t follow me if you want to only hear about a certain topic as I write based on what comes up for me in that moment of time. As always, thanks for reading.
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agency
I’m on page 24 of an in-progress google doc as of quickly pausing to write this post from a weekend of Wilderness First Aid training. I still have 20 pages of hand written notes to go through, likely resulting in at least 10+ more pages of notes in the google doc. My handwriting is atrocious […]
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Thoughts on The Song of Significance
I finished The Song of Significance by Seth Godin a few weeks ago after Ma.tt sent a treasure trove of books to me after I asked him for a sabbatical recommendation (he sent 8 books so this is 2/8 write ups). Just as I went to write down thoughts the layoffs happened and my attention shifted. I’m returning […]
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endless loop
I am feeling low, low, low. Perhaps it took two months for me to decompress and have the wave of anxiety and sorrow hit me. I’m not sure but the last week or so I can barely get out of bed in the morning–a solid sign of an emotional crash. Much of what’s rumbling within […]
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always will be
When my Grannie died in 2009, I remember walking her fields in the cold, knowing she must have walked them thousands of times. I walked so far to the edges of them that I didn’t recognize where I was after coming across a private property sign before turning around to retrace my steps. I went […]
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Sabbatical II: 2 months
I came to write a recap of my second month of my second sabbatical but it was hard to write about anything other than the Automattic layoffs first. It’s one thing to experience the extreme privilege of a paid sabbatical and it’s another to do so while 16% of the company is laid off. Since […]
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Learn about those impacted by Automattic’s Workforce Reduction
16% of Automattic has been cut. 281 people across 90 countries. Each person impacted has a unique story and many valuable skills. I can’t possibly tell you about all of them, but after more than a decade at Automattic, I can share what it takes to work here so anyone hiring get a sense of […]
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Thoughts on M Train
I finished M Train by Patti Smith curled up on my apartment’s nook yesterday. I started to read the book but, for some reason, also snagged the audio book version. As soon as I realized Patti Smith herself was narrating the book, I dedicated myself to hearing her words in her voice. Kelly recommended this […]
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Thoughts on Siddhartha
I finished Siddhartha by Hermann Hesse and wanted to jot down a few thoughts. Ma.tt sent this to me after I asked him for a sabbatical recommendation and I nearly gasped out loud when I got to the part where Siddhartha says, “I can think. I can fast. I can wait.” Suddenly, Matt’s X profile description […]
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32
There’s something powerful when you can name that it’s a time to rebuild or rethink. To fully enter and give yourself over to the space of not knowing, being fragile, needing to change, needing input and expertise. It always helped me when coaches over the my childhood years of soccer named a year as a […]
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Sabbatical II: 1 month
Yesterday evening, the sun shone bright through my apartment and I begrudgingly put on my shoes to go on a walk, knowing that I was now back in Seattle and not frolicking around in the land of sun in the southwest US. I originally planned to catch the sunset from the rooftop view of my […]
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preparing for two weeks phone-less and computer-less
My sabbatical starts Feb 1. I will be leaving straight from New Orleans on a work meetup to fly back to Seattle, hang at the airport, and then board a plane to San Diego with my partner. I plan to start the first two weeks both rigidly and free: A pal I met in San […]
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different way
I was on the phone with a childhood friend while waiting for a pal to arrive to Seward Park, one of my favorite parks in Seattle. On a clear day, you get a glorious view of Rainier. On rainy, cloudy days, the path circling the park makes for the perfect slow walk. It reminds me […]
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deeper into my bones
“An honourable human relationship—that is, one in which two people have the right to use the word “love”—is a process, delicate, violent, often terrifying to both persons involved, a process of refining the truths they can tell each other. It is important to do this because it breaks down human self-delusion and isolation. It is […]
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Source of Truth Documentation
Building from my prior post on known gaps to fill after changes to my WordPress Contribution hours, I wanted to take some time to lightly document my approach to creating the Source of Truth to benefit a small crew of folks who are planning to carry this work forward. See it as similar to prior public […]
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Known gaps to fill after changes to my WordPress Contribution hours
My paid contribution hours to the WordPress project have gone to zero after this announcement and I only have a few weeks left until my second sabbatical starts on February 3rd. I’ll then return on May 5th. Until then, I want to document as much as I can things I’ve worked on that I’d love […]
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life I have today
I’m at my parents’ house this week and, with that, comes the shadows and even physical items of former selves. There’s the oversized soccer trophy from a tournament I no longer remember much of that’s stood guard on my built-in desk ever since I proudly brought it home. There’s the bright pink hoodie I’m currently […]
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I wish everyone had a blog
The writer wishes everyone had a blog to share their real thoughts like an interesting Lyft driver they met. They value authentic expressions over curated social media. They see blogs as versatile platforms for personal and shared experiences and hopes for a future with cozy, communal blog networks where people can connect and learn from each other.
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if none of this is true
A lot can happen in a year so if none of this is true, take hope that you’re a dreamer and creator, for yourself and others. More good will come your way. More magic is left in this life yet. You can also create your own. Never forget it. The above landed in my email […]
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local walks
I was gearing up for a trip to Tokyo, Japan this week when I fell sick last Sunday and had to make the decision not to get on a plane on Tuesday. I made the decision I wish more people would make when they can around travel to prevent from getting more people sick and […]
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Insights from Grief Recovery Sessions
Automattic recently started offering a new benefit: Grief Recovery sessions. Having read and thought a lot about grief in the last five years, I was a bit skeptical as it felt like the intent might be to help one process grief in order to get back to full productivity. What does “recovery” from grief even […]
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what a relief
I’m continually amazed in working with folks at Automattic and in the broader WordPress open source project how things that drain me, confuse me, and frustrate me instead bring others to life. While I’m quick to jump in to help move something forward, even if it’s not my forte or might drain me, I’m also […]
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Uniting WordPress YouTubers: Going deep on WordPress Playground on December 4, 2024
Per usual, more notes around the next Uniting WordPress YouTuber call. Thank you to everyone who joined! I used Quill to power most of these high level notes (another continual quest to find the perfect AI notetaker). Recording AI summary powered by Quill Resources: WordPress Playground Features Demonstration In Short: Demonstrated extensive functionality including version control, plugin management, […]
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Uniting WordPress YouTubers Part III on November 19th, 2024
The recent Uniting WordPress YouTuber call highlighted WordPress 6.7’s launch and the introduction of a new design library before diving into an AMA with Matías Ventura. Key topics included a discussion on the future of themes, enhancing the Gutenberg zoom out view, improving roadmap communication, and addressing community learning resources and imposter syndrome.
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cocooned
I’ve been craving the feeling of being out in the woods, the trees close and the mountains large. I’ve been getting by with city nature escapes on bike rides and, more recently due to a back injury flare, only walks. Today though, I found out that I can sit by a river with an umbrella […]
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Chronic Comrades Chronicles Volume 1
For the last 3-4 months, I’ve convened a group of loves ones together to talk about chronic conditions. We jokingly call our group chat “Chronic Comrades” and, after today’s call, I thought it would be meaningful to lightly document some notes, partially so we can collectively remember and partially to bring others with us. The […]
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Mental health resources after 2024 US Election
In light of the election results, I wanted to share some resources for folks, in particular because I’ve started seeing the 988 number thrown around. I won’t get too deeply into the inner workings of 988 but, at a high level, it’s a number you can call that connects you with local hotlines. In order […]
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15 minutes
December 9th, 2023 was the last time I played soccer. Since COVID, when I no longer could play with others for a long stretch, I’ve often had the same conversation before going to play about how thankful I am that I get to go out there, how quickly it could all change, and how I […]
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New location for the 6.7 Source of Truth
Breaking from tradition is my favorite past time and this WordPress 6.7 release created a great opportunity to do so once more. To help reach more folks and offer a more logical location, I’ve moved the Source of Truth for WordPress 6.7 to the Gutenberg Times site! Birgit was kind enough to offer it to […]
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Some notes from Uniting WordPress YouTubers dinner @ WCUS 2024
In the excitement of meeting each other and catching up, I’m afraid to admit that, beyond my initial notes, I didn’t get many notes in turn from others. If you are reading this and were there, comment below with your notes! Attendees For anyone interested in seeing photos, here’s a dedicated post where I shared […]
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Montana magic and memories
After spending a summer slowly desensitizing myself to sleeping outside, I put my growing comfort to the test with a camping trip in Montana. We went just to the edge of town to the Rattlesnake (what a name!) and only three miles in to accommodate various ailments, mine included. As we openly joked about bears […]
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