Not sure if the rant flare is right but I think that's what this is even though it's positive. [TW] mentions of domestic abuse, suicide attempts but not in detail; suicidal ideation in more detail but it isn't violent.

[cross-posted from my blog]

Ouuughhhhh I dropped out of high school so my entire experience front-to-back in school was terrible. Even as a dumb kid I got really sick of being surrounded by dumb kids. Even the weird pushy Christian organizations are nice about it! Don't trust them, but still. People don't instinctively back off when they realise I'm a little too loud or make jokes that don't land—AND most of my jokes do land! People think I'm funny! I fucking love being funny! I get approached and spoken to! Folks don't look at me like I'm crazy when I compliment them or start a conversation! I can ACTUALLY talk to people! I've made friends who are smart and funny and beautiful and I appreciate them so much even though we aren't close yet. They are patient with me and my bad brain. And they are understanding of my occasional oversharing... Because of The Situation

I'm psychologically disabled, brain injury and all that fun stuff, so I have inordinate and large emotions compared to situations. I'm too sweet (as in, when I like you, I remind you often; not that I'm incapable of being or not kind of a dick... LOL.) and most of the people I meet don't treat me like I'm a baby or like I'm obsessive. Like, yeah, I'm a little weird, but it seems like everyone here is a little weird. Which is fucking awesome.

To be candid, my start at WWU was marked by the end of a 3-and-a-half-year abusive relationship with with someone who would have been starting her fourth year here–We had been together since I was 14, living together since I was 16, and she left just before my 18th birthday. I tried to kill myself, was hospitalised. Happened again 4 more times, sans hospital. Horrifying, right? Anyways, I've been miserable, and that's changing. I've made new friends. I get along with my professors. My passion for what I really wanted to do before her has come back. I want to be a teacher. I want to lead and share information and do good in the world. I do not want to be a fucking business owner! I don't! I don't want to be rich! I don't want to be a wealthy lunatic in a pretty house with an infinitely angry woman!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I had a long conversation with one of my professors, Dr. Krause, the other day, and he said something to me that not one person has said to me since this all happened: "You are free to do what you want now." I just cried. I genuinely just don't think I believed it until then. But I am. I am free. It's my life and it's just mine. Not hers, not 'ours', it's mine. I get to do what I want. I get to be what I want. I genuinely don't think I've cried as much as I did that day (I cried more that night) since school started. Among other things, I told him I'd tried to kill myself and almost succeeded, and he detailed why he'd notice if I stopped showing up to class. I realised that he wasn't the only one. it just kept happening. Sure, my friends would notice if I stopped calling, I'd tell myself, But it's just us. We're huddled together in our little corner. Do I matter to the world? Will anyone remember us? No one's gonna tell my family. My mind kept going. Reasons upon reasons why my death wouldn't really matter. And when I talked to him, I realised. All of these people will notice. They'll know. If I kill myself, they will find out. Someone will care.

I unravelled. We talked for some time and then walked to class, and I resolved that I will change things. I will; not I need to, nor I plan to, I will. 

In his Greek literature class that day he talked about ελευθερια [eleutheria], freedom (or liberty). Purely coincidental, but it really solidified what he said to me. I'll probably think about it for the rest of my life.

[end original blog post]

Um. So. Thank you???????? I know I haven't been here that long but I am so fucking excited. You have no idea. Keep being weird WWU... Make waves, even??

i live for a good cig but i know a lot of people are sensitive/hate the smell.

i’m on the end of the fairhaven stacks nearing BT so usually i stand in the arb or wander the service road, but i worry about the smoke wafting up into windows.

what’s the best campus-adjacent spots — preferably in south campus — in your opinion? bonus points if it’s sheltered from wind/rain since i’m usually out very late and get damn cold lmao.

I was wondering where you can go if you need urgent legal assistance? Are there any drop in clinics or advice hotlines in the Bellingham area that reply within the same day or week?

I don’t k ow of this is normal or if the culture at western is accepting of this but is it normal for two friends to be basically fwbs?? Girls? Guys? Cause I have a friend who’s a girl who is friends with me and we’ve been so since elementary but we do things together just as friends. Is this a normal thing??

If I bring my own to go cup, can I fill it while in there and take it to go? I know it may not be like. Allowed, but, like, will they try to stop me? 😭

Hi! My name is Zach and I lost my orange winter jacket. Most likely I left it in Miller Hall in room 138. It was after my club and I left it there by accident, and I’m worried that when someone came into class the next day they took it. Is there any chance someone has seen it? It is an orange and black Columbia jacket that contains my orange hat and black gloves. Hopefully this reaches the right people. Thank you!

Hi everyone! I was wondering if there’s anyone who isn’t using their WTA bus benefit code for winter quarter. I’d be happy to Venmo money for it.

I’m a former WWU student who takes multiple buses a day to commute to work, and since WTA doubled their fares and discontinued monthly passes, it’s become difficult to afford. I don’t have a ton of money right now but I’d be open to negotiating a fair price!

Got confirmation that 11th Hour Audio Challenge received our completed
Legal Horror Audio Drama “May It Please the Court”—we did it!

I am a Bellingham author, former WWU professor of 20 years, and now the writer/director/showrunner for “May It Please the Court” audio drama

International team of volunteers from 6 countries created this full-cast audio drama in a month!

Tale of surreal horror as each court appearance leads to greater unreality in legal proceedings following a bad lesbian divorce.

This Halloween, listen to 24 minutes of legal horror goodness :)

Available on Stories of Magnitude PODCAST on Halloween
(also on Apple Podcasts and Spotify)

Hello wwulings! I’m working on a project for an education class right now and want to include a huge mix of experiences with students resisting harmful and abusive systems.

You can answer any or all questions:
- What was a time you stood up to injustice in an educational setting?
- How did a teacher create an inclusive classroom that made you feel included as their student?
- What was a time you noticed injustice but didn’t know how to react?

Anything would be great! This projects goal is to show youths and students knowledge of the systems around them and how they are willing to resist. Just a few sentences would be great but if you’re willing to write anything longer I will happily include it!

1000% anonymous, thank you so much!

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfkjH_xb3M_HyHkRh3gNhQAVQoh5380dOmw_m9Iqblx8vg_EA/viewform?usp=publish-editor

Pretty self-explanatory….I’m planning to come next fall and I have no idea about dorms, and I don’t want to be completely in the dark when I submit my housing application. Where should I try to go? Is it true that its harder to make friends in a single? I’m going to major in env science so is there a specific building that would help my distance to classes? Literally any info, tips, etc. are appreciated!!!!

Hey y'all!

What's the consensus this year on wearing (non disruptive) costumes to class on Friday? I'm not a party-goer so usually halloween day is my time to have fun in costume, but don't want to look too out of place if people aren't dressing up on the 30th. let me know!

for context: I've got a medieval-type dress I'm wanting to wear!