Introduction

Hey friends. So, fun fact about working and taking breaks. My foolish self got so hyperfocused on working that I ended up working over the weekend, despite my best intentions (booo! bad!!!). Turns out, when you don’t take breaks, breaks take you. Meaning, my brain cells went on strike for much of this week since I didn’t give them the weekend off. Lesson in self-employment LEARNED.

Brain cells being on strike means basic important tasks like self-care start to sliiiiide slowly away. So like, I’m not in full nihilism like my bestie Chidi (as shown in the gif above), but I haven’t not thought this week about ordering some chili cans and some peeps and some M&Ms… y’know, just to try it.

Anyway, “productivity” at the expense of rest ruins both the rest and the supposed productivity!! Even medieval European peasants got more rest than current USAmericans! And don’t try to come at me all “nooo that’s been debuuuuunked” NO IT HASN’T.

Point being, my little chili babies, I hope this email finds you RESTING. And if it doesn’t, go pet a soft creature, have a nap, THEN come back and read this. If you want. Or don’t. I can’t tell you what to do.

Long Form Blog Posts

Music, Freedom, and the Teaspoon Brigade

“I was responsible, cheerful, a student professors would hire to watch their children and look after their dogs. I was exhausted and miserable. I knew something was wrong long before I had precise words or available means to resolve it… Musicking was one of the only places I didn't have to hide.”

Micro Blog Posts

Nov 8, 2025

13:28: I’m sitting on my bed, chill in the air coming in through cracked window, my cat snuggled up by my knees. The beauty of this simple moment has me tearing up. I don’t know if people under the spell of oppression-logic understand that people like me fight for a better world out of love for this world.

Nov 9, 2025

[boost of @Sylvhem@eldritch.cafe]

The guy that lives in a police box and talk about the Internet? Ah yes, Cory Doctorwho, I know him.

[boost of @Em0nM4stodon@infosec.exchange]

If your product doesn't use any AI at all,
you will be ahead of the curve.

And you should brag about it.

Nov 10, 2025

19:09: i love my job!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! i love getting to teach!!!!!!!! i can’t believe this is my life!!!!!!!!!!!!

that’s it that’s the post

19:13: it’s so clear to me that regardless of the sociopolitical environs - the current collapse of the old world, or the imminent birthing of the new one - i would be teaching music. if all my material needs were otherwise met, i’d still give my silly little piano and voice lessons.

Nov 11, 2025

[boost of @redsad@ohai.social]

[repost of @raxkingisdead.bsky.social‬]

now that i’ve been a teacher for a good few years i’d like to tell anyone who’s in any kind of class rn: they don’t give a shit if you get it wrong, whatever it is. truly. they aren’t lying when they say they only want you to give it a try

[repost of @kendrawrites.com‬]

Friendly reminder that dishwashers made after 1995 or so are so water and energy efficient that even if you ran them twice fully loaded it would still use less water than handwashing the same load. So many "green" things feel like sacrifices. Dishwashers are not one of them.

Nov 13, 2025

9:39: Following the #bloomscrolling hashtag here on Mastodon was an absolutely superb idea. Like, yes let's remain aware of the state of the world - both the ways in which humans harm each other AND the ways in which new, beautiful things continue to grow.

[boost of @ricci@discuss.systems]

Okay, you're skeptical of AI, but hear me out, what if we produce an entire generation of students who are all the ones who did nothing in the group project?

[boost of @yosh@toot.yosh.is]

Positive visions for the future are so important. You can’t work towards something if all you hear is what not to do.

Posts by Other People

This week, the truly horrifying extent to which the New York Times has propped up oppressive powers has become clear. This sharply written piece focuses on one specific instance - Maybe Don’t Talk to the New York Times About Zohran Mamdani

The latest from Nedra Glover Tawwab is, as ever, a timely and necessary banger - Relationships Require Inconvenience

Y’all know I am a Certified AI Hater, and, I can be convinced of specific, limited use cases. This is one of them - Thread about SkoBots Language Learning

Pudding, the Main Event

Pudding’s fur looks so gorgeous in the sunlight. She is a wonder and an astonishment.

That's all for this week! Thank you so much for reading!

I write and publish stuff because I've been opinionated since birth, and I don't like gatekeeping art or information. With that said: if you happen to have the financial resources and the desire to support my writing, you are welcome to make a contribution via Venmo or PayPal (monthly contribution options forthcoming). Every small bit adds up, helping keep me and Pudding housed and fed!

Additionally, if you know anyone of any age looking for piano or voice lessons, wherever they may live, my studio currently has a great deal of availability. Passing my website along to potential students would be a huge help to me! Thank you!