You guys look great! Congratulations to Jo for her successful fundraising. ♥️
I love the cover for Brae’s Meteorite. Alexander will end up making a good side hustle with his covers and badges and all. Such talent!
So the cat is out of the bag! What will your colleagues say? 🤣 I badgered almost all my colleagues into subscribing to my newsletter including the CEO. Oops 😬!
Congratulations on your 1 year anniversary here! I hadn't realized that you and I started this journey at the same time from different sides of the world. I'm glad I was able to shame you into outing yourself (a bit anyway)! You and Jo look so happy. I hope you enjoy a lovely holiday at home.
Thank you! Once again, it’s the ones from the heart that resonate most with me. A real pleasure. (And isn’t your Jo a beauty! Admittedly you’re not too bad yourself. Grin.)
Yes, I watch the movie diagonally across from me on the plane, or the one ahead of that. Yes, when I worked I was terrified of workmates working out that my online persona was Me. It’s actually only after I retired that I realised that it doesn’t really matter what anyone else thinks. I adore retirement. And I like myself a lot more these days too.
Good luck finding the best way forward. You clearly enjoy writing. It will be fun to see where it leads. Thanks for another excellent read. Have a lovely festive season my dear. And all the best for the year ahead. 🤗🤗😘😘
Aw, thanks so much Beth. That's lovely. I shall pass on the message to Jo too 🙏
It's also great to hear your perspectives and that nothing really matters about what people think. It's just silly because it only seems to apply in my mind to my workplace.
Glad to know I'm not the only one with the plane seat movie thing ;)
You two are adorable! I hope you're enjoying your time away and have safe, pleasant festivities with the family. May your new year be full of abundance and happiness and success and love from here, from your colleagues, from your loved ones, from strangers. Congratulations on being here almost a whole ass year---yeeeehaaaaaaw!--and for Jo getting the film kickstarted (can I say that even if it's not kickstarter?)! Also, the book cover is hot hot hot. I'll buy four of these at least!
Could one get smorsels dipped in chocolate, one wonders? Happy pre-1 year anniversary, you and me and Nadia all are January babies - it's been quite a ride, glad to be on the bus with you, Nathan. Enjoy England and family and Xmas!
Such wonderful Sorels! Glad I now have a face to no name.😂 And yes, 100%: “Then I did that thing where you watch, devoid of audio, whatever the person diagonally in front of you is watching.” Happy holidays to you and yours!
You guys 🥰 I hope one day to read your thriller novel, ‘The People from Work’.
Congrats on your almost anniversary, Nate. You’ve done so much in that time, it’s inspiring. I so relate to that ‘What if someone finds this?!’ fear, I probably would have started D&B years ago if I didn’t have it. I think pushing against it is probably more beneficial than trying to understand the why of it, so good work with the photo.
Thank you, Nathan. I love a good Sorsel. And I hope you get some decent rest tonight.
The “People from Work” anxiety is totally understandable (and I share similar feelings too), whether it is rational or not.
I suppose, since one does not necessarily choose one’s colleagues and acquaintances, they may be less likely to share the same interests and could be nonplussed or indifferent. That feels like it could be a risk anyway.
They occupy some scarily uncertain valley between friends, who likely do share some of the same interests (and will be supportive anyway), and strangers, who will be here for the same reason (and will just go and read something else, if they are not interested).
I am sure it is unfounded and nobody would actually be rude anyway, of course. Perhaps it is just a fear of unnecessary, awkward conversations in corridors—nobody wants those!
Very astute observations. Definitely agree with these.
Thankfully, the two of us skipped over the colleagues-only category early on and segued into friends. (Otherwise, we might have been writing here unbeknownst of the other's presence!!)
Dec 21, 2023·edited Dec 21, 2023Liked by Nathan Slake
I enjoyed Triangle of Sadness. The ending? The penny dropped, and the boyfriend realized something really, really bad was going to happen between those two women. (The maid did not want to be rescued, not with her newfound place at the top of the pyramid. Could he make it? Not plausibly, it was quite a distance to run. Did someone suddenly open the mountainside door, interrupting the pending act of violence? Did the act end up on the other foot? Was the boyfriend secretly an Olympic sprinter?
Yes! My thoughts were that he heard a noise and was sprinting to get there, or had come to the realisation of what was going to happen. But the slight turn of Yaya's head when Abigail was standing behind her suggested maybe she knew something was about to happen, so maybe the tables turned? I like the ambiguity and what it left to the imagination.
Regarding using your real full name, no right or wrong way. I will say, when I began sharing links to Substack on my LinkedIn profile, it was a beautiful reminder that both my professional work and art are two parts of me that can live side by side, or even better, overlap. There was something empowering about it. I want my colleagues to know I write, in the same way I want to know more about them then how effective they are leading a meeting, or building a financial model.
That's really amazing (and inspiring) that you did that. I think I would also like that, but for some reason there's this block there in my mind. Perhaps 2024 will edge towards freeing that up. 🙏
Congrats on a year! You have released beautiful work and I hope this year brings more fulfillment and the ability to spend even more time doing the work that insures you!
Even without a pen name, the writing persona (the more real?) can feel distant to real life somehow. This is why I think the Notes / community of Substack has made so much difference. But I grapple with this and wonder why at times. I think it can feel quite vulnerable, and that’s a good but difficult thing. Good to see you and Jo on the newsletter!
Enjoy your smorsels in the English countryside! Happy holidays ☺️
You guys look great! Congratulations to Jo for her successful fundraising. ♥️
I love the cover for Brae’s Meteorite. Alexander will end up making a good side hustle with his covers and badges and all. Such talent!
So the cat is out of the bag! What will your colleagues say? 🤣 I badgered almost all my colleagues into subscribing to my newsletter including the CEO. Oops 😬!
Thanks, Claudia. Will pass on the message to Jo.
Well, the cat is only out of the bag here in terms of a photo haha. My work colleagues still (I assume!) remain oblivious ;)
Show me ze money Lebowski! 😎 who needs covers? Badges? Bookmarks? Postcards? Calendars? 😅
Congratulations on your 1 year anniversary here! I hadn't realized that you and I started this journey at the same time from different sides of the world. I'm glad I was able to shame you into outing yourself (a bit anyway)! You and Jo look so happy. I hope you enjoy a lovely holiday at home.
Thanks Ben. I'm still a month out, but it felt close enough. That's great about being in rough sync with duration. What a year.
Yes, you definitely helped me think about the whole outing myself thing more. You and Adam both, actually 😊
Thank you! Once again, it’s the ones from the heart that resonate most with me. A real pleasure. (And isn’t your Jo a beauty! Admittedly you’re not too bad yourself. Grin.)
Yes, I watch the movie diagonally across from me on the plane, or the one ahead of that. Yes, when I worked I was terrified of workmates working out that my online persona was Me. It’s actually only after I retired that I realised that it doesn’t really matter what anyone else thinks. I adore retirement. And I like myself a lot more these days too.
Good luck finding the best way forward. You clearly enjoy writing. It will be fun to see where it leads. Thanks for another excellent read. Have a lovely festive season my dear. And all the best for the year ahead. 🤗🤗😘😘
Aw, thanks so much Beth. That's lovely. I shall pass on the message to Jo too 🙏
It's also great to hear your perspectives and that nothing really matters about what people think. It's just silly because it only seems to apply in my mind to my workplace.
Glad to know I'm not the only one with the plane seat movie thing ;)
Have a lovely festive season too x
You two are adorable! I hope you're enjoying your time away and have safe, pleasant festivities with the family. May your new year be full of abundance and happiness and success and love from here, from your colleagues, from your loved ones, from strangers. Congratulations on being here almost a whole ass year---yeeeehaaaaaaw!--and for Jo getting the film kickstarted (can I say that even if it's not kickstarter?)! Also, the book cover is hot hot hot. I'll buy four of these at least!
I'm not sure if it's made the year go by faster (a post a week helps, err, time move fleet(ly)?), but whew how has it been almost a year?!
Same to you my friend. May there be much abundance of joy and all the good things!
Yeah, I reckon Kickstarted is still a good term even if not strictly Kickstarter 😉
Time sure does fly! Thank you so much! Have fantastic celebration of the new year and the accomplishments and the anniversary and all that good jazz!
Could one get smorsels dipped in chocolate, one wonders? Happy pre-1 year anniversary, you and me and Nadia all are January babies - it's been quite a ride, glad to be on the bus with you, Nathan. Enjoy England and family and Xmas!
Sounds tasty.
Thanks, Troy. A ride indeed, and a pleasure to be there on the bus with you too.
Hope you have a great Xmas, too 🎄
Thank you for sharing your sorsels (dipped in melted chocolate for me too please), and such a beautiful photo of you and Jo! Happy holidays.
Thanks Mya!
Happy holidays to you 🎉
Such wonderful Sorels! Glad I now have a face to no name.😂 And yes, 100%: “Then I did that thing where you watch, devoid of audio, whatever the person diagonally in front of you is watching.” Happy holidays to you and yours!
Heh, to my delight it seems that many people do the same 😁
Happy holidays to you too! 🎉
You guys 🥰 I hope one day to read your thriller novel, ‘The People from Work’.
Congrats on your almost anniversary, Nate. You’ve done so much in that time, it’s inspiring. I so relate to that ‘What if someone finds this?!’ fear, I probably would have started D&B years ago if I didn’t have it. I think pushing against it is probably more beneficial than trying to understand the why of it, so good work with the photo.
Thank you, Nathan. I love a good Sorsel. And I hope you get some decent rest tonight.
Haha, 'The People From Work'. Definitely a horror film!!
Thanks Chloe! Much inspiration has come from so many here, including of course your elegant words of avian wisdom.
May rest wing its way fully this evening. 🪽🛌
The “People from Work” anxiety is totally understandable (and I share similar feelings too), whether it is rational or not.
I suppose, since one does not necessarily choose one’s colleagues and acquaintances, they may be less likely to share the same interests and could be nonplussed or indifferent. That feels like it could be a risk anyway.
They occupy some scarily uncertain valley between friends, who likely do share some of the same interests (and will be supportive anyway), and strangers, who will be here for the same reason (and will just go and read something else, if they are not interested).
I am sure it is unfounded and nobody would actually be rude anyway, of course. Perhaps it is just a fear of unnecessary, awkward conversations in corridors—nobody wants those!
Very astute observations. Definitely agree with these.
Thankfully, the two of us skipped over the colleagues-only category early on and segued into friends. (Otherwise, we might have been writing here unbeknownst of the other's presence!!)
Thank goodness for The Witness!
Hah, yes!
The way Harrison Ford protected that Amish woman and her son by solving all those line-based puzzles—very inspiring!
I like Sorsels, it reminds me of snirtle, a much underused word.
Hah, I didn't know that term. That's a great word that I'm now going to try and utilise in conversation over the weekend.
I enjoyed Triangle of Sadness. The ending? The penny dropped, and the boyfriend realized something really, really bad was going to happen between those two women. (The maid did not want to be rescued, not with her newfound place at the top of the pyramid. Could he make it? Not plausibly, it was quite a distance to run. Did someone suddenly open the mountainside door, interrupting the pending act of violence? Did the act end up on the other foot? Was the boyfriend secretly an Olympic sprinter?
Yes! My thoughts were that he heard a noise and was sprinting to get there, or had come to the realisation of what was going to happen. But the slight turn of Yaya's head when Abigail was standing behind her suggested maybe she knew something was about to happen, so maybe the tables turned? I like the ambiguity and what it left to the imagination.
Yep, the head turn was a pleasing moment, suggesting that the younger woman was alert, and had a preparedness to rise to the occasion.
Will the real slim Slake please stand up? ;) Enjoy the great outdoors, catch some fish and think of meteorites!
Haha. Now that's going to be stuck in my head.
Mission accomplished. :)
Nice cover design. Love it!
Thanks Ben!
Yes!! I love this step forward into confidently revealing your hidden writer within xx 🥰
I will remember this Christmas as the Christmas when I accidentally got you to pay for your own Christmas present.
Haha 😉
🤗 one step at a time
Regarding using your real full name, no right or wrong way. I will say, when I began sharing links to Substack on my LinkedIn profile, it was a beautiful reminder that both my professional work and art are two parts of me that can live side by side, or even better, overlap. There was something empowering about it. I want my colleagues to know I write, in the same way I want to know more about them then how effective they are leading a meeting, or building a financial model.
That's really amazing (and inspiring) that you did that. I think I would also like that, but for some reason there's this block there in my mind. Perhaps 2024 will edge towards freeing that up. 🙏
Congrats on a year! You have released beautiful work and I hope this year brings more fulfillment and the ability to spend even more time doing the work that insures you!
Thanks my friend. I hope so too, and I wish you the very same!
Sorsels ha!
A year?! Wonderful. Congrats 🎉
Even without a pen name, the writing persona (the more real?) can feel distant to real life somehow. This is why I think the Notes / community of Substack has made so much difference. But I grapple with this and wonder why at times. I think it can feel quite vulnerable, and that’s a good but difficult thing. Good to see you and Jo on the newsletter!
Enjoy your smorsels in the English countryside! Happy holidays ☺️
Thanks Kate. (11 months, so close enough...)
Yes, I think I agree. The vulnerability is what can make writing so real. Or more real, maybe.
Thanks for the well wishes. Hope you're having a great holiday time too.