In celebration of the anything-but-ordinary citizen data analysts and righteous parents who helped better inform the public and turn the tide against the worst of social contagion.
Alex, your writing is an absolute delight and I was really very humbled to see this come across my inbox today. I got a little misty-eyed because you captured how bizarrely satisfying and humanizing the past year or two has been.
Truth be told, I have every intention of returning to twitter, likely in a few weeks. I needed a breather for my sanity and in order to stay within myself.
Even though COVID-related-insanity seems to be wrapping up, I found myself scrolling twitter just as much, if not more than before, except this time it wasn't to present data or comment on anything of substance. I was mostly logging on to be a dick to the remaining COVID enthusiasts and get some "likes", for doing it. This is pretty outside my character, and really not something that I ever wanted to become. (I do not, however, regret trying to debate Bill Comeau. That windbag needs a good dressing-down.)
Also, announcing my temporary departure felt like it was just asking for pats on the back or kind words. Kind of like a certain Toronto doc that always announces his intent to leave but can never quite seem to pull it off. I am more the kind of guy at the party who, at 11pm, slips out early so he can get a good night's sleep in my own bed.
Anyway, hoping to refresh myself with a break, and come back to feeling more like the guy you describe in this very kind and flattering piece.
See ya in a few weeks.
BTW, definitely going to print this out and show my kids when they're older. It may even make them proud of their dad. Many thanks for that.
It's my pleasure, *redacted*, and it's nice to hear from you. I had a feeling that may be the case, as I've been there myself. It's one of the reasons I've been working to expand my writing of late. I'd rather not be known as "Alex from Twitter," or for dunking on weirdos who kind of deserve it, but who are also often deserving of pity. (Except that dastardly Bill Comeau of course... what a doofus.)
I've been trying to focus on writing the kind of pieces I'd want to read, and watching the outpouring of support for you when you took your break reminded me that I'd wanted to write about Milhouse, and you, and the kind, concerned parents who kept chipping away at the messaging industrial complex, and who harnessed their unique talents and righteous mom and dad strength to help bring about real change -- however belated it often seemed. I'm proud of you guys, and thankful for your efforts, and happy to pay it forward in some small way.
All the best to you and the family. Take as long as a breather as you need! It'll all still be there when you get back, for better or worse...
That's incredibly kind of you Geneviève, and thank you for the support. Many of us owe him a debt of gratitude, and I hope that I was able to pay that back in some small way. I know that he would certainly appreciate your thoughtful remarks.
Geneviève this is wild for me to read and hit me really hard in the feelings. Following you, a seemingly-normal person like myself, inspired me to get vocal and find a way that I could contribute. Your speaking up taught me that we should not be complicit when what's going on around us is so backwards.
I have a hard time wrapping my head around a message as kind and generous as this. I really appreciate and cherish it though. I remember chatting with you at the end of last year, celebrating that we somehow managed to restrict access to PCR in Ontario. What a victory! And about two weeks later we were back in lockdown, haha. Public Health truly never had any plan.
I hope someday we can get a group of us likeminded folk together for a round of beers. If/when you're back up this way, be sure to reach out. I'll have my twitter back in a few weeks.
Haha, well I'm sorry for mistaking you for the other Genevieve. For some reason I thought it was an uncommon enough name to assume you were one and the same.
But thank you, once again, for expressing your gratitude.
Alex, your writing is an absolute delight and I was really very humbled to see this come across my inbox today. I got a little misty-eyed because you captured how bizarrely satisfying and humanizing the past year or two has been.
Truth be told, I have every intention of returning to twitter, likely in a few weeks. I needed a breather for my sanity and in order to stay within myself.
Even though COVID-related-insanity seems to be wrapping up, I found myself scrolling twitter just as much, if not more than before, except this time it wasn't to present data or comment on anything of substance. I was mostly logging on to be a dick to the remaining COVID enthusiasts and get some "likes", for doing it. This is pretty outside my character, and really not something that I ever wanted to become. (I do not, however, regret trying to debate Bill Comeau. That windbag needs a good dressing-down.)
Also, announcing my temporary departure felt like it was just asking for pats on the back or kind words. Kind of like a certain Toronto doc that always announces his intent to leave but can never quite seem to pull it off. I am more the kind of guy at the party who, at 11pm, slips out early so he can get a good night's sleep in my own bed.
Anyway, hoping to refresh myself with a break, and come back to feeling more like the guy you describe in this very kind and flattering piece.
See ya in a few weeks.
BTW, definitely going to print this out and show my kids when they're older. It may even make them proud of their dad. Many thanks for that.
It's my pleasure, *redacted*, and it's nice to hear from you. I had a feeling that may be the case, as I've been there myself. It's one of the reasons I've been working to expand my writing of late. I'd rather not be known as "Alex from Twitter," or for dunking on weirdos who kind of deserve it, but who are also often deserving of pity. (Except that dastardly Bill Comeau of course... what a doofus.)
I've been trying to focus on writing the kind of pieces I'd want to read, and watching the outpouring of support for you when you took your break reminded me that I'd wanted to write about Milhouse, and you, and the kind, concerned parents who kept chipping away at the messaging industrial complex, and who harnessed their unique talents and righteous mom and dad strength to help bring about real change -- however belated it often seemed. I'm proud of you guys, and thankful for your efforts, and happy to pay it forward in some small way.
All the best to you and the family. Take as long as a breather as you need! It'll all still be there when you get back, for better or worse...
That's incredibly kind of you Geneviève, and thank you for the support. Many of us owe him a debt of gratitude, and I hope that I was able to pay that back in some small way. I know that he would certainly appreciate your thoughtful remarks.
Geneviève this is wild for me to read and hit me really hard in the feelings. Following you, a seemingly-normal person like myself, inspired me to get vocal and find a way that I could contribute. Your speaking up taught me that we should not be complicit when what's going on around us is so backwards.
I have a hard time wrapping my head around a message as kind and generous as this. I really appreciate and cherish it though. I remember chatting with you at the end of last year, celebrating that we somehow managed to restrict access to PCR in Ontario. What a victory! And about two weeks later we were back in lockdown, haha. Public Health truly never had any plan.
I hope someday we can get a group of us likeminded folk together for a round of beers. If/when you're back up this way, be sure to reach out. I'll have my twitter back in a few weeks.
Haha, well I'm sorry for mistaking you for the other Genevieve. For some reason I thought it was an uncommon enough name to assume you were one and the same.
But thank you, once again, for expressing your gratitude.