#NerdsUnite: Pursue with Courage (one nerd's journey through chemo & cancer)
Life Jen Friel Life Jen Friel

#NerdsUnite: Pursue with Courage (one nerd's journey through chemo & cancer)

I got a new tattoo (my second real one… it’s a lot more common 1) “these days”, and 2) in Hawaii where everyone runs around half-naked and covered in colorful, usually meaningful, art work). Mine is a key (to Sean’s heart… he has a locked up heart tattoo) with a whale tail (a Hawaiian humpback of course!) surrounded by a pink ribbon. It’s on my wrist where I can cover it for work. But if I don’t have to, I leave it out. I’ve gone back to work on the boats and between the tattoo and the new hair, I have had some questions from some very curious women (so far it’s always been women, the observant sisterhood they tend to be). I had someone outright ask, “What kind of cancer?” and later another woman said, “Ah, I saw your tattoo…” and I even got, “So, what’s the story behind your hair?”

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#NerdsUnite: Ask That Nerdy Chick (how do you know when to end a date?)
Dating, Life Jen Friel Dating, Life Jen Friel

#NerdsUnite: Ask That Nerdy Chick (how do you know when to end a date?)

IF, however, I am super into the guy, instead of calling it a night I will suggest a change of location. You never want to be "stagnant" on a first date. When you're first getting to know someone there are only so many things you can ask them (as you want to maintain surface level conversation. NEVER EVER get into politics, religion, or anything negative.). Creating a change of scenery will give you more of an organic refresh on the conversation and keep things fun and upbeat. Anytime I pick a bar for a first date, I will also make sure there are cool "plan b and c" bars nearby for alternative points of discussion.

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#NerdsUnite: Ask That Nerdy Chick (I want one thing and my parents want another)
Life Jen Friel Life Jen Friel

#NerdsUnite: Ask That Nerdy Chick (I want one thing and my parents want another)

Your parents will ALWAYS want what they THINK is best for their daughter, or their son - but who are you? That is the only thing in life you ever have to solve for. It's terribly difficult breaking free from that and becoming your own person, but remember, it is all a step by step process. (And a jug of water gets filled one drop at a time.) I completely lucked out with having parents that apparently knew from when I was just a few days old that "this one was different." (I have an older brother who was apparently quite the good baby. I, on the other hand, was a terror from the womb.) My parents embraced my weirdness and told me that with hard work and my mind set to something I could accomplish ANYTHING. (Mother and father, you were both very right.)

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#RealDeal: You're killing me smalls (30 day dating detox)
Life, NSFL Jen Friel Life, NSFL Jen Friel

#RealDeal: You're killing me smalls (30 day dating detox)

I'm going to now Miyagi the shit out of my life and focus on self in the hopes of that changing my energy and the kind of people I am attracting into my life. In Buddhism they teach you that peace comes from within, and you cannot seek it. I am "seeking" a partner when I am really looking to fix something within myself. I don't know what that "lack" is yet, but I know by kicking my own ass I will definitely find ... something.

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#ThatAwkwardMomentWhen: You get accosted by a dude with a mullet
Life Jen Friel Life Jen Friel

#ThatAwkwardMomentWhen: You get accosted by a dude with a mullet

<tangent> BTW I am the WORST person to ever get in an argument with. I will never ever ever fight back or sling an insult at someone. It's just not my scene. Instead I remain extremely calm and start asking neutral questions to negate the scenario all together. It's the fastest way to piss someone off more sometimes, but if you can execute it correctly you will also be able to just remove yourself from the scenario which is always the best thing to do anyway. Never EVER take anything personal in life, nerds. I learned that from reading The Four Agreements after getting hit in the head with the brick.</tangent>

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