IWSG is celebrating 15 years

https://www.insecurewriterssupportgroup.com/p/iwsg-sign-up.html

🤔 Do I have a favorite character archetype? I enjoy female leads who are a bit different (neuro divergent). 

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1DsRjSEFN9/ I do not have any books for sale. The anthologies I'm in are out of print. Instead, I'll share this post. Dolly Parton made a huge contribution to children's literacy. As writers, we should all be thankful for that effort. 

---

NYT GAMES spoiler from August 27.

Connections Puzzle #1173

 🟨🟩🟦🟪

 🟨🟨🟨🟨 

🟩🟩🟩🟩 

🟪🟪🟪🟪 

🟦🟦🟦🟦

What annoys me about this game is when they put another group of four in there, but it's wrong.

Main characters in the Pokémon tv series. But NO, wrong! 

These were what you were MEANT to think of, ha ha. 😝

Is it just me? I mean, I still play. But that feels like a trick a child would play to try to make you seem foolish. 

AI Bull

 Well here's some 🐃💩

This "no tech pledge" is allegedly what would be required if AI data centers aren't given over rule of the earth, air, water, and all life. 

What year did The Facebook come out? How many AI data centers existed that year?

What year did Netflix expand to streaming? Was it using AI data centers?

Amazon was in the 90s, as was PayPal.

GPS??? The military developed that long before anyone contemplated AI.

I had email and texts in the 90s. My Omnipoint phone came with a required daily texting! (I went with horoscopes because that was one a day, as opposed to traffic, weather, sports, or news which was like 20 texts a day. Texting was FREE! Which was great, because long distance still existed, except during certain night hours. Yeah, olden times.)

Weather alerts? Credit cards? Payroll? 

Honestly, none of those began AFTER or BECAUSE of AI. 

Roman soldiers were getting paid in ancient times, all without artificial intelligence. 

And seriously, customer service is better with a HUMAN than a bot! 

Just because something may have infiltrated and infected our infrastructure doesn't mean it can't be REMOVED. 

We survived without AI. 

Most of this list was never dependent upon an artificial intelligence before, and will be BETTER without it!

IWSG Any Writing Regrets

https://www.insecurewriterssupportgroup.com/p/iwsg-sign-up.html
@TheIWSG and hashtag is #IWSG.
The awesome co-hosts for the August 5 posting of the IWSG are Shannon Lawrence, Diedre Knight, Liza, and Pat Garcia!

Every month, we announce a question that members can answer in their IWSG post. These questions may prompt you to share advice, insight, a personal experience or story. Include your answer to the question in your IWSG post or let it inspire your post if you are struggling with something to say.

Remember, the question is optional. August 5 question - As a writer/author what is something you regret? Or something that you wish you'd done differently in your writing process?

🤔

I don't totally believe in regret, because we make the choices we make with what we have at the time.

(Was that microwave burrito 🌯 the BEST meal choice? No. Was it the the best option at the time, given all restrictions? Yeah. The outcome might be regrettable, but the reasons for the choice were probably solid at the time.) 

That being said...

There was a publication offer from a Canadian publisher in the early 90s. (They no longer exist or were absorbed into a big five or who knows.) I didn't feel the book I was working on at the time was ready. Nor did I appreciate a small press from another country that somehow reached out to me. But maybe I should have. Maybe I would have been moved to a bigger publisher if that place was sold. Or maybe I'd have a legal battle over my work. 

I never published that book. It was a dystopian YA where "marriage" was now two people leaping off a cliff. Survival granted marriage and procreation rights. Most people did not survive. It was actually a government population control ploy. The MC plots to overthrow the government mandate after her love interest breaks up with her and dies jumping with her best friend. (Really a hot take 🍵 on governments manipulating people via religion, using a fictional religion so as not to offend any one group.)

Actually, the first few chapters were published in the PEACE-LOVE-JOY-RAGE zine. So a few hundred people read it. The opening chapters did get good reviews. Probably how that publisher found me. 

I don't know if I still have a copy. Maybe on a 3.5 floppy 💾.     

There was also a scifi YA I worked on three hours a week every week my senior year of high school. I deleted it because someone pointed out my main character was named Leah, and naming a mc who is part human part alien that name is problematic because a more famous scifi story used it. The person said "Star Trek," which I hadn't seen. I deleted all my work and decided to hate Star Trek.

⭐️

Five years later, I learned it's actually Star Wars. And I'm pretty fond of the JJ Abrams Star Trek movies.

And why didn't I just change her damn name? 

🤦‍♀️

---

I'm open to the possibility that my writing could become published and sell enough plus create enough discussion to be deemed classic fiction one day.

I am insecure about publishing because I am disabled and my writing, my creativity, might not be Profitable enough (as determined by my government). I have never sought to write purely for profit. The idea of writing only or primarily to turn a dollar sounds disgusting; I would equate the idea with sex for love and intimacy versus prostitution. (Have I benefited financially from several relationships with someone with which I had sex? Yes. Was the primary function or goal of a sexual encounter an exchange of funds? No. Could published writing result in profit? Absolutely. Is that my primary goal or motivation? No.) 

https://www.facebook.com/share/1EATA78s6x/

I worry that more book bans will result in fewer books purchased by libraries. Several of my WIPs are MG or YA. That's a big target audience to lose! 

I believe this shouldn't be political. School boards, PTAs, and librarians do enough. Politicians, Congressional Representatives, shouldn't have the authority over this. It shouldn't be about politics! Especially not in a nation with Freedom of Speech. 

(And, allegedly, Freedom of the Press. Unless the press reports news that someone then suggests they shouldn't have a broadcasting license for reporting. It shouldn't be a political option-- that's my opinion as a writer who was on my high school and college papers. 📰)

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1K3wnrL4vb

And in Arkansas (bottom of the literacy barrel in the US) they're now putting librarians in prison if children read books! Okay, certain books, like ones with human biology or anything that upsets... certain people in power.

https://www.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=pfbid0cjkEGXrhU2VJUx1SZQ4bQ6k1okTatmFyBXVe3zVzPDhRYnk1NRfP2HgcWR4RXm43l&id=100075618770267&post_id=100075618770267_pfbid0cjkEGXrhU2VJUx1SZQ4bQ6k1okTatmFyBXVe3zVzPDhRYnk1NRfP2HgcWR4RXm43l&mibextid=CDWPTG

I oppose this blanket censorship as a writer. Again, it makes me feel insecure about publishing several of my books. I have a few friends in Arkansas. If I publish and send them a copy, do I risk prison? 🚔 😬 

That's a writing insecurity. 

Volunteering

I'm pretty sure I'll be losing my Medicaid insurance if I don't find 80 hours a month of volunteering opportunities. 

My body will not allow me to be reliable or consistent. The harder I push myself, the more unpredictable breaks I will be forced to take. I have at least five diagnosed debilitating disabilities so far; for which I take a myriad of medications, and sometimes new or additional medications alter my mental status. My respiratory condition is the most serious or noticeable disability, and severely limits my oral communications. (My phone skills are no longer relevant. Anything with phone or video is out because my heavy breathing will terrify normal people, and makes me difficult to comprehend.)

I am also the full-time caregiver for my disabled husband. Which means I am a full-time housewife. I already push to my limitations, but must now do an additional 80 hours a month. And I must be home.

I was a PennState Honors and Scholars student. I was ranked in the 98th percentile of students (for language) in Pennsylvania. I have several publications (poetry and essays in my name, and some ghost writing). 

My first job was as a receptionist for a chiropractic office. I then did telephone research for a radio station and later for Dun&Bradstreet. Back when I wasn't fighting against disabling conditions, I regularly worked 120-hour work weeks as the manager of a busy retail store in Philadelphia. Then I was a receptionist at an ad agency. I held six simultaneous positions at a tele-retail newspaper business. Finally, I became a forklift operator at a massive warehouse. (Which is when my disabilities began.)

In high school, I was a very active volunteer. Most notably was over 600 hours at St Luke's Hospital Bethlehem. I was part of Nickelodeon's The Big Help. 

https://youtu.be/kKZjKyTLnFg

I did volunteer years ago on the campaign for Democrat Norma A. Cusick. She wasn't in my district, but I knew two of her kids from high school, and I recalled how passionate and dedicated she was as a parent volunteer. She ultimately didn't win the seat. While I do support the Democratic party, and vote twice a year, that's the only political campaign experience to my name. (I've had to switch to voting by mail because of my declining health. And I'm a Democrat.)

I have experience with mass mailing, but would need someone to deliver and pick up supplies. I have experience running typed-only multi-player rpgs. I have a deep passion for books, letter writing, and movies. 

I volunteered as a Municipal Liaison for the Lehigh Valley NaNoWriMo writers. (The international organization has since suffered catastrophic issues, which is why I was among the thousands who left.)

So, that's who I am. That's my strengths and weaknesses. I didn't know if you have a use for me. I don't know if there's something I could do for 80 hours a month with your organization. 

I mostly function in the dead of night (1 to 4am), though occasionally am able to accomplish a small task between 6pm to 8pm.

Defense Flaw

https://www.facebook.com/share/17WeNPgppa/

😮‍💨

Fighting fair, boom to 💥 boom, will never produce results. 

If any enemies ever pick up the last 6 years of newspapers, however, the massive hole in security will be easy to spot. 

Too many people in the United States will not take any precautions about spreading germs. And the current leader will fight for the rights of bio warfare. The health secretary is rallying against vaccines. Seriously, the lack of defense against germs is at an all time high. 

Missiles? Nope, the US will never be outdone.

Sneezing? Take out a million people without a peep from leadership. 

😔

Health Care is a military issue. The Department of (Defense) ... military stuff... should be funding research to get the best immune systems for absolutely every living being in the United States. 

But... nope, going the other way.

If enemies ever think small, microscopic, they'll completely annihilate the US in a few months. 

A parasite on lettuce is defeating us right now. Can't shoot it. Practically defenseless. 🥬 Thousands infected. 

Seriously, if some other country wants to take the US down, and glances at how much we're struggling with a simple parasite, it'll be catastrophic. There's no pan or epidemic response team to deal with such a situation. And the guys in charge won't even believe it's real! Seriously. They not only won't defend against it, they'll pretend such an attack is fake. On the microscopic level, the United States is extremely vulnerable. It shouldn't be. But it is.

(Comments turned off. There's really nothing to say. It's a sad state of affairs, but here we are.)

Brain Game

I thought this would interest you. You can take the MindCrowd memory test to discover how your brain compares with others like you and help scientists find ways to delay memory loss as we age. Check it out! Here is the link: https://mindcrowd.org

(I know the one I missed in verbal. I mixed up "food" with "eat." 🍎) 

Pleased I did well. Fun to take part. 

They are nearly at their goal of a million people. They're trying to learn about memory and dementia and such. 

It's totally free. It's not sharing your private information.

Please contact the Study Coordinator at crc@tgen.org to withdraw from the study.

If you have any questions, concerns or complaints about this research, you may contact Dr. Matt Huentelman at mhuentelman@tgen.org or 602-343-8653 (24 hours

Fake Surveys

It looks like just a survey. Seems like a legitimate company. 

Nope! It's a Republican ad. To spread rumors and manipulate voters. 

The Republican Candidate referred to in this question is not holding criminals accountable and has voted to increase the fraud spending. He is a useless puppet who ignores the desires of his constituency. There have been protests outside his office nearly every month. 

Better to give healthcare than to let people die. 

July 5 2001 Chemical pesticide exposure

Ha!!! I found my original discharge papers from the emergency department 🏥

Vindication! 

Granted, no one knew I was exposed to CT-511 that day. (It was a year later that I found out.) 

But ha! Proof I was seen at the emergency room. And given three prescriptions. 

IT HAPPENED 

Proof I keep better records than the hospital 😬

Pack rat. 

We're cleaning our closet. I've thrown out several 30-gallon trashbags of stuff. Some which brought me great joy, but I'm throwing out because that way someone else won't have to some day when I'm dead. 

Stuff I kept for the life I thought I'd have.

Hope. Dreams. 

Tossed out! 

And copies of old bills and stuff. The junk you're supposed to keep for a decade before shredding. Well, it's going out now! (Far more than a decade.) 

Gone. Gone. Gone. 

It's hot as hell and I'm in unbearable pain.

Oh look, here's papers that remind me WHY.

Publishing Changes IWSG, Graduation Segregation, and Bans

https://www.insecurewriterssupportgroup.com/p/iwsg-sign-up.html
My apologies to IWSG Substack bloggers.https://uniquelymaladjustedbutfun.blogspot.com/2026/07/iwsg.html(Posted prior to the rule rewrite.)



I wish it was easier to get representation for diverse books. 

And there's no writers guild for indie authors who are putting in the TIME but haven't hit the requirements in sales.

 https://authorsguild.org/membership/faq/
Okay, maybe there is. I just want to be able to have health insurance come January. AFFORDABLE health insurance. With affordable prescriptions. 

😔

It's exhausting fighting to live. Sorry. 

Here's a writing punctuation meme instead:

Here's why indie can be equal to Big 5:

---

In June, my Facebook feed filled with posts of graduation 👨‍🎓 ceremonies. Several posts were by friends of mine who don't know each other, but had a family member (child, nephew, cousin, etc) who graduated from the same high school as I did.

The graduation robes this year were a combination of the school colors, blue and white. 

The new blue& white robes!

My senior year, back in the late '90s, there was a BIG DEAL. First, in homeroom, we were all given a survey asking if we wanted a blue or white robe for graduation. I didn't know there was a choice. White gets dirty so easily, and I'm ridiculously pale (though I had been trying to get a tan, because it was the '90s and people still did stupid crap like lay in the sun for hours with SPF 4 tanning oil on), so I picked blue.

Weeks later, I was issued a white robe. 

🤔

The boys got blue, the girls got white. Period.

Me at graduation--
in all white

One girl (who, frankly, I'm shocked isn't a major politician today) refused the segregation and graduated wearing fluorescent green. 

We were friends. Not close, but friendly enough, so I'm kind of surprised I didn't know about the protest in advance.

As I scrolled on Facebook in June 2026, I saw young people who graduated from high my high school. The robe featured both colors. No segregation. And it seems that the solution didn't harm anyone. Didn't change the celebration of commencement. 

Why the hell did it take so long to sew two different colors of fabric together? 

See what happens when logic rules instead of hate? 

---

There are currently three bills in the US Congress calling for book bans. (Including medical textbooks in college libraries. Should a doctor learn anatomy?)

And three bills that counter those with the statement that literacy matters and school libraries should be funded. 

Not politically aiming for any message here. Just discussing with fellow writers that books are in danger. Classic books, non-fiction textbooks, new books, maybe your own books. If you decide you have feelings about the topic of books, and have Congressional Representatives, you may desire to research this yourself and contact them. 

I know my WIP would be banned. I'm insecure about bothering to pitch it to agents right now because all three of the proposed bans would aim at my book. It has diverse characters, and a teen girl gets pregnant by her teen boyfriend. So MY BOOK would absolutely be banned. How do I put that in a query letter? "Here's a YA that'll be nearly impossible to sell because it's guaranteed to be banned." 

I'm mentioning this not for political reasons, but as an author who is absolutely targeted by these bills. And the other WIPs? They all meet that criteria. Heck, I have a chunk of a YA story on this blog (April 2021) that would be banned. So I feel I have a duty to mention that there are 6 bills (3 for bans, 3 opposed) in the US Congress debate right now. Care or don't, that's up to you. But the bills aren't headline news, and writers ought to know, even if you don't do anything with the information. 

PA Medicaid

https://www.facebook.com/share/1UYhrBYMVT/

Hoping not to lose my insurance.

Throwback 90s Memory Box

I was cleaning the closet. In a memory box storage bin were a few treasures I'll share here. 

Poetry Hall of Fame

Best Poems of 1996 win

Who's Who American High School Student 

My final report card from high school 

Caricature of me

The day I reached my goal of 600 hours volunteering at the hospital 🏥 

My college essay 

Camera Roll and Saved Images RANDOMNESS

Sleepy Cat winery cheese platter.
CAT BUTT and 2 grapes 🍇 left
😹

Words to replace WTF

Interesting Food Facts
Not as fun as that episode of "Adam Ruins Everything" but similar points

Wordle birthday week

I won the Wordle badge

I don't think convinced felons belong in office, especially those convicted of fraud or sexual crimes. Wait... sex crimes aren't felonies? Well, maybe THAT needs fixing too.

There exist people with expertise in these areas. They weren't consulted. They were fired. When people with no damn clue are put in charge, it doesn't matter how much money is spent, it turns to shit! This is why we do environmental surveys and stuff first. Test things. This is why smart people get paid. But hey, the goal was to funnel money, not fix anything. SWAMP.

 

Leftward Progressive

https://www.pewresearch.org/politics/quiz/political-typology/

I found this Pew Research survey. They broke down the current political climate of the US into not two or three groups, but nine political typology groups.

I scored as a Leftward Progressive. The description feels accurate for me. I do want government to be something that serves all people, and is especially devoted to helping those who need extra support (impoverished, disabled, cast-outs from the hatred of others). Not sure that I view myself as "younger," as my health puts me decades older than my planetary time, but whatever. 

Not sure why the flag drawing has only 22 stars. 🇺🇸 I support statehood (and, more importantly, REPRESENTATION, for everywhere the US taxes, like Puerto Rico and Washington DC), so that'd be MORE stars, not less. 🤔

Anyone else take this? 

The Force be with my Coffee

 What I'm drinking:

Star Wars Mandalorian and Grogu coffee. (The drawing looks more like Yoda to me. Baby Yoda has bigger eyes. 🥹 And is more adorable, imho.)

This special edition coffee from Bones is good. It's very much like one of my favorites:

Coconut Caramel Crunch Flavor is more affordable (free shipping on Amazon Prime, no shipping at the grocery store). 

But

It's special edition so I tried it. No regrets.

But will I buy another box? No.

I prefer the Kauai. 

(Yes, I know the arguments that coffee from Hawaii can be problematic because the state is running out of fresh water because corporations suck and environmental regulations are as gone as the East Wing of the White House.) 

Book Bans or Protections

 

Please SUPPORT 

The Books Save Lives Act (HR 8235)

The Right to Read Act (HR 6440)

The Fight Book Bans Act (HR 7691) 

Diverse books are important and should be in school libraries. 

Federal Funding must be given to increase LITERACY, as it is the building block of all civilized cultures. Libraries should be extremely well funded! 

OPPOSE HR 7661 until the language of the bill is more clearly defined. While children shouldn't be sexualized, the wording excludes everything, including biology and health textbooks. It is a hate weapon against some children rather than a shield of protection against pedophiles. 

HR 8705 and HR 2616 are equally problematic as they target elimination of all books where race and gender are mentioned, thus banning most history books and causing prejudice rather than promoting equality and harmony. 

Books are too important. And getting real reading material into the hands of children has never mattered more than it does in this digital age. We must do better!

Neighborhood AI Data Center letter

Copy of my letter to my local government:

2401 W Emaus Avenue, Allentown PA is a TERRIBLE location for a data center. 

The Wynnewood Greens Apartments across the street has a plumbing disaster already. The sewer and water here has been in desperate need of repair for years. A data center? That's just asking for a serious problem! 

How will Allentown save the people who live here? Hundreds of people are going to be in serious trouble if that becomes a data center. Are there emergency resources ready to deal with this situation? 

Data Centers are getting national, even global, attention. Which means all eyes of the press will be on Allentown PA as the residents suffer from the effects of a data center. Is the local government ready for that level of embarrassment and scrutiny? 

Stop this BEFORE it happens. 

I urge you to send a qualified engineer from the Office of Water & Sewer Compliance to verify the poor conditions. Check the records of the water main break at Wynnewood Greens Apartments less than five years ago. To be informed and prepared is vital! Does a professional from that office honestly believe this area could sustain the needs of residents, businesses, and a data center? 

Has anyone looked into how the HUMIDITY in Pennsylvania is going to impact the machines in a data center?

https://ultrapureus.com/humidity-control-in-data-centers/

Water cooling is not synonymous with humidity tolerance when it comes to computer equipment. That warehouse was not built with climate control in mind. The building will require a massive overhaul to house a decent data center. The site isn't designed for such a purpose! Has anyone taken a thermal imaging device to 2401 W Emaus Avenue to see if the building is capable of properly retaining the cool air needed for the equipment? Especially the side with over 40 dock doors. Are they Energy-efficient sectional doors? The National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) estimates that the cooling necessary to protect sensitive data center equipment can represent as much as 40 percent of its total utility costs. Has the building been tested for the International Energy Conservation Code? 

I-3 zoning requires significant buffering from residential areas. Except there are apartments ACROSS THE STREET. There's no buffer there. It is a residential community. And Camelot For Children is across the street, and the KR Early Learning Center and The Lehigh School Academy of Early Education Inc are less than two miles away. There are retail establishments, including restaurants, next door. How is the planning and zoning commission allowing such a hazardous danger in this neighborhood? 

I am one of the over 3,000 signers of the petition opposing any data center at this location. https://www.change.org/p/no-data-center-at-2401-w-emmaus-ave 

- Jamie 

🫡🇺🇸

(Note: I'm an American. I'm not Chinese. The government of China is not paying me. NO ONE is paying me. I am aware of the problems with data centers. I worry for my own poor health, mainly. I am concerned for the health and wellbeing of children in the area. And the lives of all living beings in the area as well. That is why I raise concern. 

Certain government officials are demanding the FBI investigates everyone opposed to data centers, saying we're anti American for choosing life over profits. 🙄 Obviously, they were voted in by money and have cash dollars as constituents. 🤦‍♀️ But, I'm uselessly adding this disclaimer anyway. Not that it'd matter. 

Where's the dumpster 🔥 fire emoji? We need one!)

IWSG my Maladjusted Hat

HATS 

(Wait for explanation)

I have a question. HOW does one comment on Substack blogs in the IWSG without creating an account on that platform. OBVIOUSLY it can be done, because it's right there in the rules, so I know there has to be a way. I can't figure it out. Is it because I'm using my phone? 📱

Anyone? Because when I click "post" it wants a profile and sign up thing. And I haven't found the work around. 

HATS

See, I put together the above yesterday.

Maladjusted 

It's another word they used in the early '90s. Gen X people were not neuro divergent or autistic or have ADD / ADHD. (Gen Y, they stood in lines at the nurse for their pills 💊, Gen X just got blamed and yelled at, like all generations before us.)

Seventh grade, we got new school planners. In addition to being a requirement to put homework assignments in them, they also listed school rules.

HATS MUST BE WORN INSIDE THE SCHOOL. Upon passing through the entrance, all hats and head coverings (including, but not limited to, baseball caps, scarves, wigs, etc, unless medical exceptions have been given prior approval) are to be removed and must be stored in the locker or closet for the duration. 

🤔 If you're normal, that rule didn't get your attention.

If your brain 🧠 has been training, you see a typo. (If you're an informed activist, you see that a Klan member wrote it to screw with certain people.) 

But if you're maladjusted (note the name of my blog), you'll understand what I did.

I went to the office to ask for a hat. 

🥺🧢 I didn't bring one. I didn't know about the new rule. 😭 

"What are you talking about? Go to class!"

If you're normal, you'd think I'd shut up about it. My friends begged me to shut up about it. 

But I was disobeying a rule! And, umm... not totally sure how to obey the rule. Which, by the way, EVERYONE was breaking! We're supposed to remove them and then wear them while storing in lockers or closets. Our lockers were freaking small, the slender ones that barely held a backpack 🎒. How were we supposed to store ourselves? 

I eventually ended up in the guidance counselor's office about this. 

Who, eventually, realized I wasn't trying to be a little shit. 

I was genuinely upset because I felt I was breaking a rule. There had to be some way for me to obey this rule! The fact that the other 500 people in the building were breaking the rule didn't matter to me. I WAS BEING BAD. And I desperately needed to be able to obey the rule. I wasn't being an asshole. This was a genuine breakdown of a good kid who didn't understand.

He took my planner and grabbed a red pen. ^NOT 

"Better?" 

I stopped crying.

"What about everyone else's planners?"

"If they notice, I'll fix it. If you see something like this again, please come tell me."

"Okay. So I'm not breaking a rule?"

"Nope. Look at what it says now. See? You're behaving. Okay?" 

I'm better as an adult.

But

It isn’t as if I'm on medication for this. Or have any actual professional help.

So

Sometimes 

Like a splinter in the mind

I get obsessed over a rule.

And feel there must be a way for me to obey that rule. 

(Do not take me to a Bible study. You will find out how many contradictions are in there.) 

(I'm diabetic and have stage 3 chronic kidney disease. The food plans contradict themselves. And omg you don't want to know about my meltdown trying to figure that out, because the Internet has a whole trash heap of more information. Including a very trusted site that says I should eat CANDY 🍬.  And my doctor had to explain that's for stage 5 people who can't get calories from anywhere else and.... you DO NOT want to know.)

Maladjusted 

I'm not normal. (I'm not perfect. I make mistakes and typos.) And sometimes I get obsessed with the dumbest things that don't matter to ANYONE and have zero impact on the world. And sometimes it takes a friend to shake me out of a meltdown. 

But see how well I recall that hat story? 

Because it still bothers me a little.

I know fully right well that it was a typo. I'm a grown-up, I know.

But it's still in my head. I haven't thought about it in years. 

But trying to figure out how to comment without creating an account on that platform, it derailed me. 

And my brain 🧠,  all maladjusted, was 100% certain that everyone else in the group knew how to do it. That I was failing. AND I FELT INSECURE (as a person, not just a writer).

And, yeah, probably other people just skipped those or made accounts. I'm probably, no, I am definitely, the only butt nugget who obsessed over this. 

It's me. 

It's just me.

And I know that. 

Because I am maladjusted. 

But I'm an adult so I have to just get over it.

Except my brain is forever going to try to work this out. Even though it doesn't matter.

IT DOESN'T MATTER.

It does not matter.

The hats don't matter.

The inability to comment with creating an account doesn't matter. 

This has no impact on my life, on the world, on absolutely anything.

It doesn't matter. 

Unimportant.

Please don't contradict that.

It's the mantra. 

I have to keep telling myself that it doesn't matter. I'm maladjusted, that's why it matters to me. But it doesn't actually matter. It is not important. 

And I will NOT bring it up again. 🤐🙊