Blog

mostly personal anecdotes where I sometimes try to be humorous

(maybe not always, Not everytime, but sometimes)

  • 2023: That’s A Wrap

    As I sit here typing, I realize that as much as I try, I won’t find the right words to wrap up my 2023 in a way that’s satisfying to me. My words won’t quite capture everything that’s happened (and in some cases, if I’m honest, didn’t happen) and also be relatable? meaningful? enjoyable? See,…

  • Rick,

    Well shit, dude. Sorry for the language, generations of ancestors just recoiled starting with my Mom, but just shit. When I foot-in-mouth texted (a new thing now) and called you out for “ghosting me,” I imagined several quick-witted, sassy retorts except the one I received. “This is Heather using Rick’s phone. I’m so sorry to…

  • Homework

    “My therapist suggested…” should be the start of every story. I mean, think of the endless possibilities – all the genres it could easily cross. At least that’s what I think at this moment. I mean, I am the author (supreme overlord of my story), and it works for the purposes of my universe (today…

  • Wanted: Middle-Aged Dragon Riders

    Write. Right. Right. A few weeks ago (or really about five months ago), I read this great piece from a blog/blogger I enjoy where the gist of it was encouraging people to write more. I took it to heart, gave it some thought, imagined myself doing it, and then… well… there were a ton of…

  • Poking Bears: Please Tell Me What I Believe

    When it comes to topics for posts, I tend to steer away from certain subjects. Posting about work, while arguably cathartic, can also be a career-limiting opportunity. Calling people out and using their full names while on a rant can result in your Jr. High bully contacting you and asking you to stop being mean.…

  • More Orchestra Stuff

    As I’ve mentioned before, I joined an orchestra last year. Before I really get into that, I want a share a small piece of my background. I started playing in 6th grade. Now, in my city, sixth graders went to their own school because we were considered to be a bit too old for elementary…

  • Raison D’être

    I’m not much of a pacer. This doesn’t mean I’m judging my pacer friends/family who enjoy a good power walk from A to B to A to B to… (you get the idea – you all know what pacing is.) It’s just that pacing isn’t my particular go-to stress move. Personally, I prefer internalizing the…

  • Inspiration

    I know. I know. I know. I’ve been absolute garbage at writing. I could offer up many reasonably sounding excuses (just ask – I’ve been trying them out, standing in front of a mental mirror and practicing, and, I don’t mean to brag here (I totally do), but quite a few of them seem somewhat…

  • I Don’t Know, It Depends: Wisdom from an Unwise Person For Lori

    I have a Facebook page for The Big Blue Mess, which I don’t really go around advertising since it just mirrors my normal Facebook page and is mostly there to say, “Look, friends who read this thing. I made words with my hands again!” And if I’ve done my job and the FB algorithm gods…

  • Wisdom

    For as long as I can remember, I wanted to be wise. I wanted it more than I wanted to be a ballerina, a cheerleader, an architect, a mythologist (which my cousin once informed me wasn’t a job, thus dashing my pre-tween dreams – I’m looking at you, Tonya!), a star on Broadway and a…

  • Lucy!

    Fact. I live in the longest-running I Love Lucy episode. And since we’re talking about an episode(s) and it’s my episode and I’m a Beth rather than a Lucy, I’m starting with a flashback. Two and a Half Months Ago FADE IN INT. STEP-MOTHER’S BATHROOM – DAY An over-engineered pristine, porcelain, walk-in contraption resembling a…

  • 2022 in Review: Reflections from a Mess

    When I originally conceptualized this post, I toyed with the idea of reviewing the high and low points of the year – a tapestry of words that conveyed “yay, I got to do this thing” to “boo, this happened” and the more I thought about it, the more I realized it could come off as…

  • The Out of the Darkness Walk Speech

    Today, despite casually researching flights out of Austin the night before to make an escape, I stood in front of the Texas State Capitol and addressed a crowd on behalf of the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention and delivered the following speech: Good Morning everyone. My name is Beth Doughty, and I am the team…

  • Every Year…

    Every year she comes back and asks us to donate to AFSP. Blahblahblah. Hand outstretched yet again. We get it. Your husband died. But that’s your cause that ain’t mine. “Please donate to our walk.” “Please help end the stigma associated with seeking help for mental health.” “Please help end suicide.” I’ve heard that request…

  • The Jay Walker’s Silent “Let’s Get Loud” Auction

    I NEED YOU! This year the Jay Walker’s are all about trying something new, stretching their wings a bit, going out on a limb, and any other similar idiom you can think of that means all of that. But for new to be successful… I NEED YOUR HELP! This year, we’re trying out a Silent…

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