Underneath my yellow skin

Gender identity, autism, and barbecue

I don’t watch much TV. The only kinds of shows I really like are what I call gentle competition. Meaning, competitive shows in which the contestants are supportive of each other, rather than “I’m not here to make friends!!!” So, No Cutthroat Kitchen, in other words. I like shows such as Blown Away, Sugar Rush,… Continue Reading

Unmasking and taking off the bra

I don’t wear a bra. Ever. I think I might have autism. Bear with me because I think these two things are related. Tenuously, maybe, but related, nonetheless. I also think I have OCD traits. This, too, is related. Let’s start with the bra thing. I hate clothing in general. It all feels so restrictive… Continue Reading

Underestimating your expertise

I think about the Dunning-Kruger effect from time to time. Probably more often than most people do. Not the Dunning-Kruger effect that most people know (people who are bad at something often underestimate just how bad they are or think they are good at it*.), but the second effect that no one ever talks about.… Continue Reading

Introducing fear

Before my medical crisis, I had no idea what pneumonia felt like. Now that I do, any time I feel anything close to it, I worry. But also, it was such a unique feeling, anything compared to it is lesser. Which is both good and bad. “It’s not walking non-Covid-related pneumonia” is a pretty easy… Continue Reading

Watching the online flounce

There is something that is specific to online interactions that I find fascinating. I call it the online flounce, and it’s when someone in a community announces loudly and at length that they will leave if blah, blah, blah doesn’t happen in the group/community. Yes, in real life, there are people who will take offense… Continue Reading