My new blog!

Hello! If you’re here, then you probably already know me. Alas, the rules of internet etiquette require me to introduce myself. I’m Rebecca. I am a data scientist, running enthusiast, reader of books, soft pretzel connoisseur, filthy casual gamer, true crime junkie, film buff, podcast lover, wearer of plaid and bright colored earrings…among many other things. I am also sister to Samantha, aunt to Cali Jo and Wells, daughter to Ron and Toni, best friend to Maudie and Kristin. Most importantly, like most ladies throughout history, I am a hot mess. Sometimes I feel like an imposter at my job and sometimes I think I’ll run the company some day. Sometimes I am number one dog mom and other times I think Jerry Lewis’ next telethon (is he still alive? No, right? Current references only!) might be for Maudie. Sometimes I’ve got my shit together and other times I’m ripping apart COVID19 masks to make hair ties or embarrassing myself at work with my clumsiness – slipping on ice in the parking lot, falling backwards out of a conference chair, passing out at the IT desk and waking up with red lipstick ALL over my face – you know, grown up stuff.

Anyway, welcome to my blog. I don’t have any real insightful life lessons to teach you. I believe that the best advice I’ve ever offered a peer was about how life is too short to wear uncomfortable underwear. I also don’t have much experience with blogs – in fact, the only blogs I’ve ever read are a Bayesian Statistics blog by Andrew Gelman and many, many mommy blogs that I can’t relate to – the “tonight we pray for the mom who…” blogs, the inspirational, body-positivity blogs, the blogs written by my very talented and thoughtful friends about their own journeys balancing being a mom and the rest of life. Most of my “mom” stories involve cleaning up dog vomit, and trying to figure out why my “child” won’t stop eating my favorite fuzzy blankets and pulls out the squeaky toys when I’m trying to focus on the cinematic genius of “30 Minutes or Less”. Most of the success I’ve achieved in life has been the direct result of cluelessness. I studied math because it was fun. I went to graduate school because I didn’t know what else to do. I ended up in DC because I didn’t have any better ideas. I started running because I couldn’t afford a gym membership. My life has been a series of dice rolls paired with unbelievable privilege and opportunity, which have somehow, miraculously culminated in a life that makes me feel super content all of the time, and happy and joyful a good chunk of the time. Isn’t that something – isn’t that the American dream? For me, it is. Anywho, what I mean to say is good advice and inspiration are not guaranteed here, but I might make you laugh some, and there may be tidbits of wisdom hidden in all of my gobblety-gook.

I am not sure what this blog will be yet. Who knows if I’ll even be diligent about it or even post more than one time. I love to write, and I think my long Facebook rants about Rachel Hollis, people being mean to each other on the internet, podcasts and books that I love, and HILARIOUS posts about micro-stories in my life may not be appreciated by the masses. But if you’re here, maybe you do appreciate them and think to yourself “man, I need some more of that stupid shit!” So, without further ado, here’s some more of that stupid shit.