pamela @pamela@bsd.network

I wrote this up for curious members of the lovely weirder.earth instance who also use them, but since they're our house emoji set, I should share here, too. Took me awhile to illustrate. ​

[The flan] do have some secret lore. ​ they are from a watery world where they learned to sail ​ swim like jellyfish in the water ​ and like to zoom around being curious ​ and investigating everything they come across. ​​ They're about the size of a hamster and are really enthusiastic about food ​​ and trying new things, ​​​​ and if you let them in your attic they will very shortly have everything out to play with ​ and start putting on skits ​​​​...and when when anyone is sad, they all come running to help. Just nice little friends rooting for each other, and you.

So Dave Navarro has long covid:

"So yeah, I'm one of the ones who came down with the 'long haul covid. Been sick since December and supposedly will be back to my old self in… nobody knows how long. If there are any of you who are still suffering long after your negative results, I'm just saying you aren't alone. The fatigue and isolation is pretty awful but try to spend your time with the ones you love and stay creative. That's how I'm trying to get through this thing. Also lots of spiritual practices, meditation and yoga have been very helpful. I'll be OK, just don't know when."

I've been down since Jan and honestly it's not surprising how few personal experiences you read, because it's exhausting and it's isolating and besides, we're gonna be fine tomorrow, right?

I've been writing about it across two alts, because I've been able to write pretty coherently and know some folks really want to hear about it, but recently realized I've locked nearly every post. (And Dave here has removed his; I pulled it from a news article). I don't want to inflict whining and fear on people who aren't consenting, and I absolutely do not want to invite "try this homeopathic bullshit" or "mind over matter" or "long covid is a vaccine reaction" and have to waste my time suspending accounts. And there is certainly much worse that can come out of these infections.

But, like, I do want to say that dear lord this is absolutely wretched, it is absolutely happening to people you know and hollowing them out, and if you're feeling like trash because of it and want some company, please DM me, because it has really been helping me to hear from others and I care about your experiences and would love to help cheer for your recovery. This may still be my only fully public post about it, but if you're doing this alone, please don't.

(what I imagine a job interview would be like today)
Me: here's my CV
Them: this is an ostrich emojo
Me: as you can see, I went to an engineering school
Them: you're getting glitter on my desk

#reintroduction
Hi, I'm Pamela! I live by Lake Ontario. I like animals and have a pet turtle and cats. I love to learn and make stuff, including these cutie flan emojos for bsd.network!

I like ecology, #STEM (I studied marine evolution), #gameing, #openbsd, hobby electronics, books and nature, and I'm a microworker.

I write about #agoraphobia under CWs. I love to paint and hike and my goal is to try both those things on another continent someday soon.

People are insecure about things you wouldn't even imagine. They're afraid you are judging them based on things you haven't even noticed. They secretly believe they're dull or untalented even as you sit in awe of their skills, insight or accomplishments.

Accept them for who they are. Listen to their fears and doubts. Then show them precisely what it is about them that shines so brightly and fiercely that you can't look away.

Hey, fediverse (and bsd.network!)
I want to hear about your formative tech years!

What did you love in years past? What made you think "if we have something like *this* today, the future is certain to be amazing?"

stared blearily at fedi long enough to figure out why we are talking about goose value

is that goose appreciation appreciation

look I know it's unreasonable to expect diagrams of the underworld if I search for "tartarus" and click "maps" but I still think it should WORK