A few years ago we met with a psychic about something that was happening in our lives. During the session he told us a man was walking around our house, very restless, and sitting on the couch in the living room. Our dog was known to have her hair stand up for "no reason" and to stare at the couch. What should we do, we asked? What does he want? He wants to say he's sorry, and to know that you forgive him. Also, do you have any of this person's ashes in the house? We did, we said. Okay, that's part of why he's still here. You need to get those out of the house. Play I Shall Be Released by Bob Dylan first. (I had never heard the song in my life and it didn't relate AT ALL to the person in question.) Then take the ashes to the place you spread the other ones. Okay we said. The next day we flew to Austin, TX. After lunch we were walking down the street and a busker was playing I Shall Be Released by Bob Dylan.
I spent a year working on software for insurance, and I can confirm that there are no follow up questions when people hear "I'm a Product Manager for a supply chain risk management software with a focus on Insurance." You can see them preparing questions when I start with Product Manager... and then by the time I get to insurance, the interest has left their eyes and they have nothing to say.
Counterpoint: Having spent thirty years as an insurance marketer, I keep this information out of social settings. We’re there to have a good time, myself included.
My goodness, no, Jess (sorry if my reply came across as overly serious).
Your post did remind me of something, though: because I *detest* talking about my job in social settings, I get ahead of it by making sure to NOT ask others about their jobs when initiating conversations. But how... what else is there to ask about besides, "What do you do for a living?"
I'd love to see Kevin on The Apprentice. After the idiots introduce themselves as "Tarquin, International vice-president of Marketing for a teapot company in Wigan", Kevin could say, "I'm Kev. I lift heavy shit."
So wonderful to read your words Jess. I had a moment in an acupuncture appointment where my acupuncturist said to me you’re holding back what you want. She left me and then in the midst of nodding off a voice from deep within me said you want to leave your job. I can’t describe how life changing that moment was. I quit my job and never looked back.
Missed your writing, think I might read Sorry I’m Late, I Didn’t Want to Come for the thousandth(?) time now! Can’t wait to see more of your writing soon :)
You’re not insane to believe what the energy healer told you, and surely very brave to share it here! I’ve had various experiences with similar individuals and the only way to explain it is that they’re very gifted. Gifted in a way that might be deeper than what most of us can grasp (and therefore wonder if they’re lying) but so so very real. As they say, it only makes sense when we connect it backwards.. your story came full circle🪴
I too loved the name Clementine for my daughter, but couldn’t bear the closeness of Clem or Clemmie to phlegm! If only one could ban the inevitable shortening…
Same for Olivia (Liv or Livvy didn’t do it for me) and Florence (Flo - no)
I’ve gone for Grace, and I’m at peace with Gracie!
I think if you dislike a nickname you just have to commit to an even catchier and stranger nickname. In this case, perhaps Tiny or Lemen…or something entirely unexpected and unrelated.
This post will now become my daily lunch time gift to myself. Because A) It features a uterus with agency which we all need in the world today. B) Because book stores...duh. And C) I'm your husband and as curious as I am about how (and why) Kevin does nothing but lift heavy shit, if he showed up while I was in front of my computer, that interaction would have lasted 2 minutes, and I would not have remembered his name was Kevin. 🙈
This was lovely, charming and funny. I love a good intuitive person. I could care less whether or not they’re gifted in some metaphysical way if what they say resonates and in this case, it seems to have led you to the next right thing. I’m also sad I can’t lift heavy things haha.
Years ago I was on a magazine staff, and for our retreat (those were the days) we invited along the real-life psychic behind Bruce Willis' character in The Sixth Sense. Several of us volunteered to have him train his predictive laser beams on us and tell us stuff about ourselves that we didn't even know. For my turn in the barrell, he asked me if I carried a pocket knife. Not bad. I did! Then he told the assembled group of my colleagues that my daily carry was a cheap knockoff, not a legit Swiss Army Knife. I saw dead people--him! I'd bought that particular knife in the Victorinox store in the Mall of America! Still angry about that.
Looooveeeeeee reading this. And thanks for the shout-out 🥺 that lunch we had a couple of years ago (the three of us) felt super special at the time, something was happening, and now it all makes sense 🌹✍️
I was JUST thinking two days ago “ I miss Jess pan’s storytelling. Hope there’s a new newsletter soon”. And yes! Maybe I’m tuned into another frequency too…
She’s back and I love it! I can’t tell you how much I long for these posts Jess. Btw - I was once a PR for a health insurance company. I can assure you no one ever asked me anything about my job. Xx
Re: Kevin, how much did he charge for this 3 minute service? I am amazed someone can earn a living from this but I guess, people need stuff lifted. Did he do it entirely by himself or did Ian assist? How does one person even have the wingspan to get their arms around the thing for enough leverage to lift? Did he just squat and lift? Or did he rock it onto a part of his body first? Ian should have filmed the whole thing for the purposes of study. I cannot understand the physics of one person lifting a dryer that high. I need more information.
Also YES re partners not asking the right questions, or any questions. I thought it was just mine. For example, he'll tell me so and so are expecting. Me: Aww how lovely! When are they due? Him: I don't know Me: Was it planned or a surprise? Him: Didn't ask Me: Do they know what they're having? Him: No idea Me: How are they feeling about it? Him: Fine, I guess. FFS.
Also, what made you go to the energy healer in the first place? I totally believe in all of this stuff. I had a serious 'encounter' when I was about 4-5 that I will need to tell you about in person one day... Might write about it here at some point too.
Welcome back!! Sometimes, being seen - whether via dubious psychic powers or just really good friends - is all we really need. Makes me think about how the times where I was really into astrology, or tarot, or numerology, I was probably just looking for that older-sister guidance. I missed your writing, Jess, your essays always give me the warm and fuzzies when I needed them most.
A few years ago we met with a psychic about something that was happening in our lives. During the session he told us a man was walking around our house, very restless, and sitting on the couch in the living room. Our dog was known to have her hair stand up for "no reason" and to stare at the couch. What should we do, we asked? What does he want? He wants to say he's sorry, and to know that you forgive him. Also, do you have any of this person's ashes in the house? We did, we said. Okay, that's part of why he's still here. You need to get those out of the house. Play I Shall Be Released by Bob Dylan first. (I had never heard the song in my life and it didn't relate AT ALL to the person in question.) Then take the ashes to the place you spread the other ones. Okay we said. The next day we flew to Austin, TX. After lunch we were walking down the street and a busker was playing I Shall Be Released by Bob Dylan.
THAT IS INSANE
Makes ya wonder.
I spent a year working on software for insurance, and I can confirm that there are no follow up questions when people hear "I'm a Product Manager for a supply chain risk management software with a focus on Insurance." You can see them preparing questions when I start with Product Manager... and then by the time I get to insurance, the interest has left their eyes and they have nothing to say.
Hahahaha!!! Now you have the perfect out of a conversation about work.
Counterpoint: Having spent thirty years as an insurance marketer, I keep this information out of social settings. We’re there to have a good time, myself included.
I hope I haven’t offended you, Stephen!
My goodness, no, Jess (sorry if my reply came across as overly serious).
Your post did remind me of something, though: because I *detest* talking about my job in social settings, I get ahead of it by making sure to NOT ask others about their jobs when initiating conversations. But how... what else is there to ask about besides, "What do you do for a living?"
One question I've used is, "What's the best thing that happened to you last week?" It's surprising, and often leads the conversation to a happy, springboarding place. Credit to Hunt Ethridge for this: https://imgur.com/gallery/mensa-bulletin-lets-get-to-know-each-other-better-positive-emotional-questions-are-great-way-to-start-any-relationship-ldwQstV
PS. Not that you need any help talking to people, you are a rock star, but others might : )
I'd love to see Kevin on The Apprentice. After the idiots introduce themselves as "Tarquin, International vice-president of Marketing for a teapot company in Wigan", Kevin could say, "I'm Kev. I lift heavy shit."
Would watch!!
So wonderful to read your words Jess. I had a moment in an acupuncture appointment where my acupuncturist said to me you’re holding back what you want. She left me and then in the midst of nodding off a voice from deep within me said you want to leave your job. I can’t describe how life changing that moment was. I quit my job and never looked back.
they seeeee us!!
Missed your writing, think I might read Sorry I’m Late, I Didn’t Want to Come for the thousandth(?) time now! Can’t wait to see more of your writing soon :)
You’re not insane to believe what the energy healer told you, and surely very brave to share it here! I’ve had various experiences with similar individuals and the only way to explain it is that they’re very gifted. Gifted in a way that might be deeper than what most of us can grasp (and therefore wonder if they’re lying) but so so very real. As they say, it only makes sense when we connect it backwards.. your story came full circle🪴
I too loved the name Clementine for my daughter, but couldn’t bear the closeness of Clem or Clemmie to phlegm! If only one could ban the inevitable shortening…
Same for Olivia (Liv or Livvy didn’t do it for me) and Florence (Flo - no)
I’ve gone for Grace, and I’m at peace with Gracie!
I think if you dislike a nickname you just have to commit to an even catchier and stranger nickname. In this case, perhaps Tiny or Lemen…or something entirely unexpected and unrelated.
This post will now become my daily lunch time gift to myself. Because A) It features a uterus with agency which we all need in the world today. B) Because book stores...duh. And C) I'm your husband and as curious as I am about how (and why) Kevin does nothing but lift heavy shit, if he showed up while I was in front of my computer, that interaction would have lasted 2 minutes, and I would not have remembered his name was Kevin. 🙈
This was lovely, charming and funny. I love a good intuitive person. I could care less whether or not they’re gifted in some metaphysical way if what they say resonates and in this case, it seems to have led you to the next right thing. I’m also sad I can’t lift heavy things haha.
Years ago I was on a magazine staff, and for our retreat (those were the days) we invited along the real-life psychic behind Bruce Willis' character in The Sixth Sense. Several of us volunteered to have him train his predictive laser beams on us and tell us stuff about ourselves that we didn't even know. For my turn in the barrell, he asked me if I carried a pocket knife. Not bad. I did! Then he told the assembled group of my colleagues that my daily carry was a cheap knockoff, not a legit Swiss Army Knife. I saw dead people--him! I'd bought that particular knife in the Victorinox store in the Mall of America! Still angry about that.
Looooveeeeeee reading this. And thanks for the shout-out 🥺 that lunch we had a couple of years ago (the three of us) felt super special at the time, something was happening, and now it all makes sense 🌹✍️
I was JUST thinking two days ago “ I miss Jess pan’s storytelling. Hope there’s a new newsletter soon”. And yes! Maybe I’m tuned into another frequency too…
I had the same thought! Love your writing, Jess!
I missed you. Please write another book!!! I love everything you write.
watch this space!! xx
Always am!! 👀
She’s back and I love it! I can’t tell you how much I long for these posts Jess. Btw - I was once a PR for a health insurance company. I can assure you no one ever asked me anything about my job. Xx
Hahaha!!!!!
🤣🤣🩷
SO many things in this.
Re: Kevin, how much did he charge for this 3 minute service? I am amazed someone can earn a living from this but I guess, people need stuff lifted. Did he do it entirely by himself or did Ian assist? How does one person even have the wingspan to get their arms around the thing for enough leverage to lift? Did he just squat and lift? Or did he rock it onto a part of his body first? Ian should have filmed the whole thing for the purposes of study. I cannot understand the physics of one person lifting a dryer that high. I need more information.
Also YES re partners not asking the right questions, or any questions. I thought it was just mine. For example, he'll tell me so and so are expecting. Me: Aww how lovely! When are they due? Him: I don't know Me: Was it planned or a surprise? Him: Didn't ask Me: Do they know what they're having? Him: No idea Me: How are they feeling about it? Him: Fine, I guess. FFS.
Also, what made you go to the energy healer in the first place? I totally believe in all of this stuff. I had a serious 'encounter' when I was about 4-5 that I will need to tell you about in person one day... Might write about it here at some point too.
Welcome back!! Sometimes, being seen - whether via dubious psychic powers or just really good friends - is all we really need. Makes me think about how the times where I was really into astrology, or tarot, or numerology, I was probably just looking for that older-sister guidance. I missed your writing, Jess, your essays always give me the warm and fuzzies when I needed them most.
Yes! Being seen is very powerful stuff.
Missed ur writing!!!
I know, I've been gone awhile!!! Back now!!