I need to be completely honest with you all. I don’t like the new block editor. For all of you who don’t blog, you won’t understand, but this affects you because I don’t like to write as much as I used to.
I came across a blog post by Drew at The Tattooed Book Geek that exactly expressed what I was trying to say, so go here to read his far more eloquent words.
I feel like I want to cry when I write. I get frustrated, and this whole block editor thing has taken the pleasure out of blogging for me. THIS is why I like the podcast. But then I hear some of you don’t want to listen to my podcast, which makes me want to cry even more.
I’ve recently felt disconnected from my readers. I’ve also had a few odd negative events in the last few months. Nothing connected to each other. But all in all, they’ve made me feel disillusioned with humanity. My positivity bubble has a hole in it.
I don’t like that.
But I’ve discovered a new blog to read, The Tattooed Book Geek. And you may have one as well. So that’s the good news.
Choke on this
I’ve been a fan of boba tea (also known as bubble tea) for many years. But it’s becoming a fad, which is annoying because I’m hearing boba is becoming scarce.
I blame TikTok.
So my friend suggested we open our own boba tea stand. This is a fantastic idea.
I was talking to Mike about it one afternoon in the car while drinking boba tea.
For those who are unfamiliar with boba tea, it’s made up of tea, milk, ice and large tapioca pearls. The straws are large enough to allow the tapioca to pass through.
So I’m telling Mike about our business, the name of our boba tea stand, and everything else when several of the tapioca that I sucked via the straw become lodged in my throat. I choke. I feel as if I can’t breathe.
While he’s driving, I’m texting my friend, the co-owner of the business, about how we should start a stand selling the STUFF I AM CHOKING ON.
If that isn’t a sign from the Universe, I don’t know what is.
Here is an article explaining boba.
Yeah, tires
Humans are strange creatures. I read something new every day and wonder, “Why do I care about what other people think of me?”
I hate the following phrase, yet I’m going to use it.
I was today years old when I learned that the Michelin stars restaurants use to assess fine dining are the same Michelin that are on your automobile.
I read in an article “this prestigious restaurant rating is from a tire company.”
Car tire and prestige don’t seem to belong in the same sentence, do they?
Here is a brief history.
Amandequin
In the podcast, I revealed that I have a mannequin body part living in my house, to which Mike responded that it wasn’t living at all.
My friend Andrea sent this to me in the mail about a week ago:
You may read about how Amandequin came into Andrea’s life here.
I’ve enjoyed watching Amandequin live her best life over the years. But it was during the pandemic that I realized how much I truly needed Amandequin in my life. Her Instagram account was saving me. Take a peek if you have the time, and don’t forget to follow.
People who will bring a life size mannequin to public places for a photo shoot are my kind of people.
So Andrea sent a piece of Amandequin to me for my birthday. It’s on loan, of course. But silly me, I was supposed to place the hand in specific ways to make it appear as though I had ALL of her with me.
Currently, I have a mannequin hand in my purse, as you do. I need to be prepared for photo opportunities.
Songs
What I’ve been listening to on auto-repeat.
The above song comes off of The Carpenter’s tribute album If I were a Carpenter. You can read about it here.
I love the Weeknd simply because he makes so many songs that sound like 1985.
Thank you, Maddie for reminding me of this one…
books
What I’ve been reading this month…
I’ve never read Eats, Shoots & Leaves, but I’ve always wanted to. I’m so glad I’m finding time.
This book was required reading as a result of my positivity bubble being popped. So far, it is going very well. I borrowed it from the library, but I’m thinking of buying it because it’s one of those books that you can refer to again and again.
links
My Secret to Overcoming the Painful Trap of Perfectionism
Frozen Chocolate-Mint Leaves Recipe | Martha Stewart
The bizarre tale of the world’s last lost tourist, who thought Maine was San Francisco
Science Explains Why Cilantro Tastes Like Soap For Certain People
Jersey City middle-schoolers jam with 1980s rocker Billy Squier
‘The Story of Menstruation’, A 1946 Educational Animated Disney Film Distributed to Health Classes
watching
This is a great documentary following several high school students who were nominated “most likely to succeed” over the course of a decade.
quotes
Unfortunately, I’m ending this month’s tater tot post on a sad note. Back in December, I told you about my friend Tonda, who had a terminal illness and was in a nursing home.
She died last week. She was fifty years old.
Thank you to everyone who took the time out of their day to send her a card last year. I’m sure it meant a lot to her. Because kindness is the one word I would use to describe Tonda.
She was such a kind human being.
This picture was taken right before I graduated high school.
Excuse my narcissistic pink circle. It’s permanently there from another post.
Over winter, I was discussing Tonda with my dear friend Vikki. When I asked her if Tonda attended our last class reunion, she laughed. Then she texted me this picture:
I cried.
My brain, fried from five years of migraine medicines and a shitty perimenopause, had forgotten that I’d sat with her the entire evening.
Once I stared at the picture, I remembered we’d gotten drunk on vodka cokes and had been laughing virtually the entire night. At what, I do not recall, but a huge part of why I’d had such an good time at the reunion was because of Tonda.
I found this page in that book I mentioned, A Year of Positivity:
Be kind.
Happy May, my friends.
A Grace Full Life 
Geez for someone frustrated using the block editor, this was one of the longest I ever read on wp compared to other people that hate the block editor (I am not one of them, I got used to it) well if ya stop blogging but pour all of your creativity into your podcast it could get better, I hope it does šš
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Aww, thank you. I should say that it took me a month to write this post. That is embarrassing in itself.
It’s just very clunky if that makes sense?
I hope it gets better.
Worst case, I will go back to Blogger. GAH. š
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Aww ok, wow aonth. Makes me glad I am primarily a visual blog, the editor isn’t as complicated for me.
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I think it will be one of those things that the more I work with it, the better it will get. I think. I hope. Or maybe not. I just needed to get it off my chest. LOL.
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I was being selfish and bummed, that I just found you on wordpress, I would hate to see you jump ship.
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You’re very kind. I’m not planning on going anywhere. š
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yay š
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š
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I havenāt been here in a while but I wanted to let you know that you and your blog mean a lot to me. I feel like you needed to hear that.
Iām sorry youāve had some negative things happen. I feel like itās overflowing from last year.
I remember you talking about your friend. I am so sorry, Kari.
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Oh Nadine, I’ve missed you. I definitely needed to hear that. Thank you.
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Well I hope that when you Googled *I hate the block editor* my blog came up. One of the most read posts on it is the one from last fall wherein I called out WordPress on the BS. Not that it changed a darned thing with them, but I tried.
I remember reading Eats, Shoots & Leaves and being totally charmed by it. In retrospect it seems quaint now, which is lovely.
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I need to look for your post then! I am glad I’m in good company because I feel like so many have no problem with it. Then I began to question myself. Gah.
It is very quaint. š
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I despise the new editor….. but find it slightly less annoying on my phone, so that’s where I do most of my posting now. Boba tea? Nope, not for me. But random body parts scattered throughout your house? Tons of fun!
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I am feeling less alone and that makes me glad I mentioned it. I will try on my phone, thanks for the tip.
I had to take her hand out of my purse when I went to Target the other day. I was afraid I’d get in trouble for “stealing”. š
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I am so sorry to read about your loss and yet I am so happy that you have that photo and now another fun memory to keep in your heart.
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Me too. She is such a precious friend. Iāve thought of so many memories of our childhood that have come up just this week. Those are gifts. ā¤ļø
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First…love everything here. Second…this is where being simple really helps: the block editor doesnāt bother me at all because I donāt do anything. Finally…being simple works in my favor. Next…the year of positive thinking is the exact type of book I love!!
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You bring up an excellent point. Maybe this will change how I write in a good way. I might simplify my posts going forward? Which is something I thought of doing anyway. I may end up getting used to it but you should have heard the swear words Iāve used over the past month…
It is a great book! I recommend it. ā¤ļø
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Put it on the list. Do you think itās better in print or as an ebook? Those books that I read a page a day I tend to like in physical format
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I’m not a big e-reader, so I can’t say but this is supposed to be read as a daily read; a positive affirmation for the specific date. I read several pages per day but I would love a book like this to reference here and there for days where you just need a lift.
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Excellent. I read Shakespeare for every day of the year and simple abundance. They get me going
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Youāre intriguing. Iām so grateful for finding you this year.
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I like the thought of being intriguing….thank you!
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š
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I’ve always written outside of WordPress, and copied the text in – even before Gutenberg came along. Have you tried Evernote, Google Docs, or Notion? They all work pretty well. Hell – Google Docs even does basic grammar checking as you type.
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That was mentioned in the Tattooed Book Geekās comment section! Iām glad you mentioned it too! I am using Google Docs for writing my book, so thatās what I will try!
Thank you, Jonathan!
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I have no idea what block editor is but I am sorry you are struggling with it. But mostly, I’m so very sorry for the loss of your friend at such a very young age.
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Thank you, Gigi. š
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Aw, Kari. There are such good reasons to be feeling disconnected and off. I’ve been having some of that, too. Block editor hasn’t really bothered me (of course, I’ve hardly had to use it), but I suspect that’s because my posts are about as simple as they can be. Mine aren’t media-heavy. I’m guessing the loss of your friend has more to do with your feelings. That’s a big one. I find myself feeling sad/nostalgic/something more and more when I think of my childhood and the past and things that are gone and not coming back. I clicked on that Cranberries version of the the Carpenter’s song because that music takes me back to my childhood–early elementary school. That time seems so sweet to me now. I think I miss my innocence. I for-sure miss people I loved then. I know that plenty of things in the world were effed up in my past (OMFG that period film, with it’s admonishments to stand up straight and powder our noses and SMILE), but sometimes I long for a world without TikTok and Facebook and 24-hour news cycles. We are living through such a time right now. So much change, so much fundamental change. It’s no wonder we feel the ways we feel (all of us, in all our different responses).
Hope you can take care of yourself. I follow a therapist on Instagram who reminds me often that my feelings aren’t a thing to be fixed. They are information about what I need. It’s really helping me be more OK with them. Because so often I can’t really fix them. I just have to wait for them to pass.
(PS: I loved Eat, Shoots, & Leaves when it was published.)
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Itās definitely a lot harder for me to be tater tottering than it was before. But maybe thatās not such a bad thing. Maybe change is what I need. I told myself this year I wanted to look change in the face more and here I am running in the opposite direction of it. Old habits are hard to kick.
This past month was good and yet not so good. I got vaccinated and got to hug my parents. That alone made birthday month better than last year. I am so grateful for the both of them. For their health and for their existence.
But the death of my friend, the other things I referred to just kind of shook my foundation a bit. Iām able to ride those waves better than I used to.
I am taking care of myself. Iām reading a really great new book called The Art of Simple Living and it is exactly what I needed. Living more in the moment, taking in less social media and trying to be outside more. Keep on swimming. ā¤ļø
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I found this post on Word Press Reader. As a relatively recent blogger, I also hate the new block editor. And I love tater tots! Looking forward to following your blog.
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Welcome to my blog, Sally! Iām glad to have you here.
I can only imagine how frustrating block editor must be for new bloggers! Sending you a big hug. š
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Love this post, but sorry you hate your block. I’m keeping it simple over at blogger. Switching would be way too complex for me, so I don’t really get the block – but I’ve been frustrated here and there in life, so I get THAT. Hoping you adjust.
It’s late and I have to get to bed. I was at the zoo again today so everything else in life was put on hold. I love the ‘I’m Free’ song. You are so good with music. You remind me of a girl on my floor freshman year of college – she just found music. Played around with new tunes. That ‘Golden’ song – so pretty. Not something I would ever stumble upon, since I’m not that adventurous. Just more of a boring listen to what’s on the radio type.
Love the books. The quotes are awesome. I want to watch the documentary following the most likely to be succeed people. We started the Blockbuster documentary and we’re really enjoying it. For most people it’s probably a watch it one sitting – Coach has an early bedtime. I’m laughing at you having a hand in your purse. Oh, and I literally thought when reading about your drive and discussion about the tea – that if there was something in the tea and a big straw someone is going to choke. Called it! Ha.
So sorry about Tonda. So very sad.
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I feel like the block editor is going to force me to write less media-heavy posts, which isn’t necessarily a bad thing. It is going to take me a while to get used to. I just don’t love change and it is so much different than the old one.
I’ve always loved music. Remember when we talked about “love languages” a few months ago? Music is also mine. I just love music so much. I should have been a disc jockey. I find those unusual songs on Spotify; I love that platform for offbeat and new music.
I’m glad you’re enjoying the Blockbuster documentary! I think you’ll like this month’s documentary too.
Thank you, friend.
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You know, before I said I didn’t know what boba tea is, but I do know what it is. I’ve never had it, but I’ve heard about it and now I don’t want it since it tried to kill my friend.
Occasionally I have issues with block editor. Only sometimes, usually when I’m trying to add a link. But honestly, I wish I could come over and help you because I feel like you might be making it too hard. Just write all your words for a paragraph. When you want a pic, add a pic.
Are you giving me the finger?
I really never thought about the Michelin thing. Maybe I knew it? Maybe I learned it today?
I remember watching Most Likely To Succeed a few years ago; very good.
Hearing Tonda’s story makes me so sad. Life is just not fair for some people. This is what makes me truly wish that there is a life after this and THOSE people can get another chance to really live it up.
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It is so good but I havenāt been back since it tried to kill me. Maybe thatās a good thing?
I wish you could come over! We would have so much fun.
I might be giving you a finger. You just have to guess which finger. š
I like to think someone is learning something by reading my blog.
Yes. Thatās what I wish for life. At least thatās what I hope. I was just talking to my friend Rebecca today about my thoughts about people who just donāt live long enough. Thatās kind of what I felt too.
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For some perspective, you hated the last major block update they did a few years back and then you got used to it, so there is a light at the end of the tunnel. You’ll get there.
I’m sorry that your positivity bubble was popped, and I am so sorry about your friend Tonda. My heart pours out to you.
I’ve been deflated for a while, that’s one of the reasons I started the cleaning TikTok. I needed an outlet that was productive. It’s been helping, but really it’s giving me a routine that I have to follow and that is keeping me tethered. Sometimes that’s all we can be. You are writing and you have a supportive group here that is reading, and that is so important. You are here, and we are here with you. For now, I hope that helps.
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Thatās good perspective that I really needed. Although I need to tell you, I didnāt use it. I stuck with the classic editor this entire time until this post. š¤£ But I am now getting used to it. Iām making my posts more concise and adding in pictures after I write the text and that seems to help. But I need to be concise as I have the damn book I need to finish.
Thank you, friend.
Your cleaning TikTokās have helped me. They are soothing and inspiring. Theyāre also the reason I finally gave in and bought a Scrub Daddy. And Dawn Powerwash (it hasnāt made me cough yet).
I am so glad youāre here. Watching your TikTok makes me feel like Iām closer to you. Like Iām in your kitchen cleaning alongside you. š
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