I usually request a phone date before I meet someone from an online dating site, which usually weeds out the crazies before I waste putting on my good makeup. My red flags usually deal with misogyny (not respecting what I do for a living, interrupting or mansplaining, etc.).

Same with my last relationship, except he was 43. Couldn’t understand how I could be so staunchly childfree in my mid-20s, and here I was frustrated that a man in his 40s couldn’t make up his own damn mind already. He seriously believed he had all the options still available to him. Well, I guess he does, considering…

Does anyone else get really annoyed when someone says that they’re having an unplanned pregnancy but didn’t use any forms of birth control? Because I happen to think that playing “baby Russian roulette” still counts as planning to have a child—albeit a terrible, horrible, no good, very bad plan to those of us who’d…

What: Mason jar gifts

I was doing so well, but completely burnt out this week and I feel like crap for it. Only have 22K words, and I wasted too much of today online. Sigh...as long as I beat my personal best of 30K, I won’t consider myself a complete failure :(

Old-school organizers, let’s talk life planners! Every year I usually buy a basic black planner from Office Depot, but I’ve been doing some research on the high-end stuff for 2016. Has anyone bought planners from Erin Condren, Plum Paper, Inkwell, etc.? Were they worth the price? How was your customer service…

I know that the focus of this (excellently written) article is on women in actual technical positions, but I’d just like to point out that the discrimination is just as bad—and often worse—for non-technical women like myself in tech companies.

Amen! I joked with a friend that I want my headstone to read, “Well, at least I’m not pregnant!” because that’s an accurate depiction of how I rank my worst fears, no matter how I kick the bucket!

1. In front of a TA after she handed me my midterm that I failed because I misread the directions like an idiot and only turned in 1 page instead of the required 4. I noticed she had given me a D, but felt bad for me and crossed it out to write C instead. I must have looked so pitiful, because she gave me extra-extra…

Congrats! Having babies easily when you want them and avoiding having them when you don’t is all anyone ever wants! And glad to hear I’m not the only super-cautious one doubling up!

This is my worst nightmare, full stop. People may think I’m paranoid for insisting on condoms while on BC, but until I get my tubes tied, I’m not taking any chances. A former gynecologist said I was “like Fort Knox down there,” and I have to say that’s one of the nicest compliments anyone’s ever given me lol

Thanks for the suggestion, I’ll look into it!

As a woman in CA who dated a man in TX long-distance for two years, I’m not lying when I say that THIS was one of my top 3 reasons why I refused to be the one who moved. Literally, like #1: won’t leave friends/family, #2: won’t sacrifice career in Silicon Valley, and #3: reserves the goddamn right to get an abortion…

You don’t suck, that’s crazy awesome that you’ve been participating for over a decade! #lifegoals

You can do it! Last year I had nothing and now that blank page has turned into 100 pages of the first story I’ve written that I don’t despise! Just tell your inner editor to STFU and keep pushing!

Aw thanks for the positive thoughts! Just the inspiration I need. And don’t worry about being rusty! I like this quote from Stephen King to keep me going, but goodness knows I’m shoveling a lot of shit this month! :)

Ha, I just made my own NaNoWriMo comment as well! I’m continuing my novel from last year. 3rd year participating and hopefully my first win!

Apologies if this topic has already been brought up, but anyone doing NaNoWriMo?! I’m writing like a maniac this weekend to catch up—currently at 8,500 words and hoping to get back on track by reaching 13,000+ before Monday.

I liked the book a lot! Great insights. I know it’s a shameless plug, but you can read my review here: http://bookclubbabe.net/2015/10/22/boo…

I started with a 401(k) at my first job after grad school when I was 23 (3 years ago), then opened a Roth IRA last September. I briefly put my contributions on hold to pay off the car I bought last month, but will resume investing 15% of my income come January.