so long, and thanks for all the fish

saw in our daily arriving mail preview email that my new social security card will be arriving today, and

1. wow that was a fast turnaround!! less than a full week to arrive, even over a weekend? incredible. thrilled with the SSA for this one
2. I was absolutely not prepared for how powerful I would feel upon seeing my full chosen name printed on a piece of first-class government mail for the first time ever. I am unstoppable

autistic friend: I don't use conditioner after shampooing; I've never been big on it [for xyz autism reasons]

me: aha! an opportunity for me to practice my empathy. rather than have a knee-jerk "what the fuck is wrong with you" reaction, I will tell my friend that I understand where they're coming from-- as I also struggle with time management, habit-forming, and many other symptoms of autism and executive dysfunction-- before I encourage them to try it out and maybe offer some tips on how I manage my own executive dysfunction and inability to form new habits

other autistic friend, while I'm typing and before either of us can respond: (gif indicating a horrified reaction at the mere thought of not always using conditioner in one's hair)

me: god damn I love my dumbass neurodivergent friends so much

forced myself to do the one big important career move that I've been poking around and hesitating on all summer long (text a complete stranger like "hello I got your number from mutual colleagues of ours; please consider strengthening our professional connection for both our benefit but mostly for mine"). considering spending the rest of day in bed to recover from this immense effort; thank you for your patience and understanding

you know what's nice though? I'm not dreading having to answer the phone as much as I used to, now that my voice is actually mine. my voice used to be too high and full of trickery but now it is deep and manly and mine, and that honestly removes a lot of my social anxiety around phone conversations. maybe I can use this newfound strength in additional ways throughout my life. maybe one day I can even make a call... the power..,

forced myself to do the one big important career move that I've been poking around and hesitating on all summer long (text a complete stranger like "hello I got your number from mutual colleagues of ours; please consider strengthening our professional connection for both our benefit but mostly for mine"). considering spending the rest of day in bed to recover from this immense effort; thank you for your patience and understanding