For the last 51 weeks, you've listened to me yap about a bunch of not-controversial issues and my takes on them. Today, to celebrate 52 weeks of consistent writing (and then some), I'd love to get to know YOU!
So, please, take the three or so odd minutes you'd have used to read today's issue and tell me about yourself in this thread! Think of it like a Slam Book or a Year Book, and we're signing off after a whole year of being together in your inboxes.
Questions to get you started (you can answer all or just the one(s) you want):
Who are you? You can answer this however you like.
What are you currently reading/watching/listening to?
A random fact you'd like to share (about you/the universe/anything).
Your favourite/least-liked Not Controversial issue.
Three words you'd use to describe yourself.
One piece of advice for me/the world.
How’d you find me/this newsletter? Or as Natasha put it, where did we “meet”?
Substack Grow recommended it, and I took a page out of Theory Gang's discussion thread too. It'll ultimately help me write better and more interesting stuff for you to read, I promise.
I massively appreciate you taking the time to talk to me, thank you very much!
Regularly scheduled programming will be back next week as I discuss comfort zones and suchlike. 👀
Finally, one link before I go (I’ll drop a gift link in the comments so it’s added incentive for you to participate).
Who are you? — Right now, I'm a writer. Other times, I'm a human dealing with an existential crisis in a world that seems both cruel and kind. Mostly, I am Nia.
A random fact you'd like to share (about you/the universe/anything) — Gmail doesn't recognize dots so xyz.abc@gmail.com is the same as xyzabc@gmail.com.
What's your favourite Pokemon? Squirtle, hands down. He's too cool, y'all.
Hi I’m Kez, currently working (read: dying) in Sales. I’m watching (binging) A Business Proposal. Three words to describe me? - lacks self awareness xP
Fav NC issue is the one where she talks about how we should be open about discussions regarding money.
Hi Nia! I'm a software engineer by day and blogger by night. When I'm not either of those, I'm a reader and Kdrama binger.
I'm currently rewatching Falling Into Your Smile and it is making me realllllyy want to start League of Legends again. It's been almost 3 years since I last played and all of my friends have advanced a lot since then but I still feel like picking it up again. Just a little bit, though. If I avoid it, I'm sure the feeling will go away because I genuinely don't have the time to become a gamer.
I found your newsletter through Salonie, I think? I've been following her for a long time and I'm pretty sure I found you through your newsletter announcement or share link.
Three words to describe myself: calm, confident, and creative.
Hi, I am Maria Alejandra. I am a human with a lot of existencial crisis and a film lover. I also love to write and work as a video editor. Currently I am watching the tv show 'Our flag means death's and I am reading the book 'One last stop'. My favorite letter from you is the one about chasing productivity.
Hi hi! I am currently a sentient puddle suffering through a heatwave, living off ice cream. Currently watching Ms Marvel and reading too much (book refs: Plain Bad Heroines if you like creepy/horror, book lovers for romance, the scholomance for dark academia/fantasy and pachinko for slice of life). Fun fact, about 4% of the population (me included) doesn’t have a minds eye and can’t visualise things in their brain, and finally I’m team Eevee (and all the eeveelutions)
Hi, I'm George, a doctoral student in neuroscience. I am currently watching Squid Game. Did you know that the earth isn't actually a sphere? It's flatter at the poles, and this shape is called a geoid, if I remember correctly. My favourite NC issue was the one about how comic books count as literature/books (if I remember correctly?). All your NC issues are cool so there's no 'least liked' one, honestly. Three words to describe myself? Anxious. Curious. Social. Piece of advice (also to myself): be as kind as you can be, consciously, everyday. We met in college lol. I haven't thought about my favourite Pokemon, but off the top of my head, Rapidash.
Hi yall, I’m Catharina, mostly known as Cat. I’m a writer, editor, translator, and veteran in the BTS Army. Find me on Twitter @catharinacheung!
Currently watching Stranger Things S4, reading the English translation of a Chinese novel called Heaven Official’s Blessings, and listening to Hobi’s Jack In The Box on loop ✌️
Random fact: I’m a massive fan of smart / curly quotes (as opposed to straight quotes), so here are the Mac keyboard shortcuts.
Open single quote: Option + ]
Close single quote: Option + Shift + ]
Open double quote: Option + [
Close double quote: Option + Shift + [
Advice: Learn ALL the foreign languages as young as possible!
Hi! I'm Bandhuli, a doctoral fellow in French and Comparative literature. I am currently reading Dostoevsky's The Brothers Karamazov (and desperately trying not to get lost in the labyrinth of Russian names). And I am currently on the fourth season of Schitt's Creek! (So loved the meme hehe).
A random fact: I love hunting for (and smelling) tattered copies of old classics in second-hand book shops.
Favourite Controversial issue: "Have you read the classics?"
A piece of advice: Never stop writing! And maybe share with us sometime (in greater detail) your journey of becoming a writer.
I had met you seconds after walking into college on our very first day, and well, the rest is history. :D
Woo! Love this thread and love all the cool people hanging out here.
Who are you? You can answer this however you like. I substack, therefore I am.
What are you currently reading/watching/listening to? The Bear on Hulu is very good, we just finished Barry. And I'm reading The Netanhayus which is making me literally LOL which never happens with books.
A random fact you'd like to share (about you/the universe/anything). My son just started wanting to hold my hand when we walk and there has never been a better feeling.
Your favourite/least-liked Not Controversial issue. I like the one about TV watching becoming a job lol
Three words you'd use to describe yourself. Just a guy
One piece of advice for me/the world. It all works out
How’d you find me/this newsletter? Or as Natasha put it, where did we “meet”? Substack Grow
What's your favourite Pokemon? Squirtle that guy is a freak
Hi! 👋🏼 I'll kick it off so you're not alone here:
Who are you? — Right now, I'm a writer. Other times, I'm a human dealing with an existential crisis in a world that seems both cruel and kind. Mostly, I am Nia.
A random fact you'd like to share (about you/the universe/anything) — Gmail doesn't recognize dots so xyz.abc@gmail.com is the same as xyzabc@gmail.com.
What's your favourite Pokemon? Squirtle, hands down. He's too cool, y'all.
As promised, a useful link for all those who check this discussion out: 7 Gmail Tips to Try (https://twitter.com/TessaRDavis/status/1546435834580189184) 💌
Hi I’m Kez, currently working (read: dying) in Sales. I’m watching (binging) A Business Proposal. Three words to describe me? - lacks self awareness xP
Fav NC issue is the one where she talks about how we should be open about discussions regarding money.
Who are you?
Mom. Educator. Accidental journalist. Novelist, when circumstances allow.
What are you currently reading/watching/listening to?
Just finished Stranger Things. In the middle of Everything Everywhere All At Once. Eagerly awaiting Ted Lasso and desperately missing Schitt’s Creek.
A random fact you'd like to share (about you/the universe/anything).
Cloud eggs are a thing, and they’re delicious.
Three words you'd use to describe yourself.
Passionate. Objective. Ambitious.
One piece of advice for me/the world.
Go slow to go fast, and try not to get frustrated in the meantime.
How’d you find me/this newsletter? Or as Natasha put it, where did we “meet”?
Substack Grow 🌱☺️
Happy to be here :)
Aww thanks for the shout-out!
*who am I? I'm a neuroscientist, podcaster, writer!
*Random fact: volleyball coaches now discourage the use of the term "bump" and prefer "pass"
*Favorite issue: stop chasing productivity!
*Me in three words: Bold, creative, fun
*Advice: only thing constant is change. Learn to adapt!
*Where'd we meet? Substack grow!
Hi Nia! I'm a software engineer by day and blogger by night. When I'm not either of those, I'm a reader and Kdrama binger.
I'm currently rewatching Falling Into Your Smile and it is making me realllllyy want to start League of Legends again. It's been almost 3 years since I last played and all of my friends have advanced a lot since then but I still feel like picking it up again. Just a little bit, though. If I avoid it, I'm sure the feeling will go away because I genuinely don't have the time to become a gamer.
I found your newsletter through Salonie, I think? I've been following her for a long time and I'm pretty sure I found you through your newsletter announcement or share link.
Three words to describe myself: calm, confident, and creative.
Hi, I am Maria Alejandra. I am a human with a lot of existencial crisis and a film lover. I also love to write and work as a video editor. Currently I am watching the tv show 'Our flag means death's and I am reading the book 'One last stop'. My favorite letter from you is the one about chasing productivity.
Hi hi! I am currently a sentient puddle suffering through a heatwave, living off ice cream. Currently watching Ms Marvel and reading too much (book refs: Plain Bad Heroines if you like creepy/horror, book lovers for romance, the scholomance for dark academia/fantasy and pachinko for slice of life). Fun fact, about 4% of the population (me included) doesn’t have a minds eye and can’t visualise things in their brain, and finally I’m team Eevee (and all the eeveelutions)
Hi, I'm George, a doctoral student in neuroscience. I am currently watching Squid Game. Did you know that the earth isn't actually a sphere? It's flatter at the poles, and this shape is called a geoid, if I remember correctly. My favourite NC issue was the one about how comic books count as literature/books (if I remember correctly?). All your NC issues are cool so there's no 'least liked' one, honestly. Three words to describe myself? Anxious. Curious. Social. Piece of advice (also to myself): be as kind as you can be, consciously, everyday. We met in college lol. I haven't thought about my favourite Pokemon, but off the top of my head, Rapidash.
Hi Nia and friends, I am the newsletter manifestation of a New Yorker who likes reading and talking about books, but my friends call me Mike.
I am currently reading 'The Secret Lives of Church Ladies' and watching 'Ms. Marvel' but not listening to anything new.
One of my favorite editions of your newsletter is the one about comic books as literature. I think I first 'met' your newsletter through Twitter.
I am on Team Snorlax.
Hi yall, I’m Catharina, mostly known as Cat. I’m a writer, editor, translator, and veteran in the BTS Army. Find me on Twitter @catharinacheung!
Currently watching Stranger Things S4, reading the English translation of a Chinese novel called Heaven Official’s Blessings, and listening to Hobi’s Jack In The Box on loop ✌️
Random fact: I’m a massive fan of smart / curly quotes (as opposed to straight quotes), so here are the Mac keyboard shortcuts.
Open single quote: Option + ]
Close single quote: Option + Shift + ]
Open double quote: Option + [
Close double quote: Option + Shift + [
Advice: Learn ALL the foreign languages as young as possible!
And my favourite Pokémon is Ditto lol
Hi! I'm Bandhuli, a doctoral fellow in French and Comparative literature. I am currently reading Dostoevsky's The Brothers Karamazov (and desperately trying not to get lost in the labyrinth of Russian names). And I am currently on the fourth season of Schitt's Creek! (So loved the meme hehe).
A random fact: I love hunting for (and smelling) tattered copies of old classics in second-hand book shops.
Favourite Controversial issue: "Have you read the classics?"
A piece of advice: Never stop writing! And maybe share with us sometime (in greater detail) your journey of becoming a writer.
I had met you seconds after walking into college on our very first day, and well, the rest is history. :D
Woo! Love this thread and love all the cool people hanging out here.
Who are you? You can answer this however you like. I substack, therefore I am.
What are you currently reading/watching/listening to? The Bear on Hulu is very good, we just finished Barry. And I'm reading The Netanhayus which is making me literally LOL which never happens with books.
A random fact you'd like to share (about you/the universe/anything). My son just started wanting to hold my hand when we walk and there has never been a better feeling.
Your favourite/least-liked Not Controversial issue. I like the one about TV watching becoming a job lol
Three words you'd use to describe yourself. Just a guy
One piece of advice for me/the world. It all works out
How’d you find me/this newsletter? Or as Natasha put it, where did we “meet”? Substack Grow
What's your favourite Pokemon? Squirtle that guy is a freak
Hi, I'm Jes 🙋🏻♀️
What are you currently reading/watching/listening to? --> A k-drama, obviously. 😂 Two actually - Extraordinary Attorney Woo Young Woo and Why Her.
A random fact --> Uluru in Australia has the best view of the Milky Way on Earth.
Your favourite/least-liked Not Controversial issue. --> The "Teenage girls make superstars" one, loved it!
Three words you'd use to describe yourself --> Full time procrastinator
One piece of advice for me/the world. --> Keep writing!
How’d you find me/this newsletter? Or as Natasha put it, where did we “meet”? --> Best friend benefits
What's your favourite Pokemon? --> None, haven't watched it 🤷🏻♀️