Field notes from an unusual vantage

I started a new category on my blog a few months ago called “Field Notes from an Unusual Vantage” because I’m starting to fully grasp just how differently I’m existing in the world versus how the majority of people do. My intention was to write about some common everyday experiences that I have a different internal view on. Maybe things about parenting, learning, things I’m good at, or things I’m struggling with. But each time I finish a draft I’m struck by… how unimportant it is? Not that my experiences are…

Recently I’ve been met with paired astonishment, me at them and them at me, when I under-indicated my skills in conversation. It doesn’t matter what skill in question. Taijiquan, writing haiku, or software development. My perspective is that I’m a beginner, maybe advanced beginner if I’m being generous. Not impressive. Theirs is the opposite. I’m flabbergasted at the praise and they seemed incredulous I don’t get it. It’s not a new occurrence but with it happening twice in quick succession, once with my taijiquan…

This month’s Indieweb Carnival is on “Masks, Identities & Cosplay” and this post is a response to the prompt “I invite you to consider what masks and cosplay mean and how they interact with identity, for you.” The Mask In the Mirror I don’t have many mirrors in my house. It never occurred to me to have a bunch, a simple one in the bathroom and a longer one somewhere to see outfits seems plenty to me. My teenaged daughter disagrees. One reason not to have them is they make me uncomfortable. Not in a “I don’t like…