Karen Tests Stuff

Me as a tester right now:
"I don't care how it was coded, but it better damn be accessible"

I figured I had better not skip showering again today. My skin was so oily that I started to hear rumblings of US political interest.

All I want for Christmas is hope 🕯️

Dj sitting in a window, overlooking the city

I miss this goofy bastard so much. Last week was a dream. Back to our realities on opposite sides of the ocean 😭

A man walking out of the airport arrival gates

My heart landed in Schiphol this morning 🥰

Also shoutout to us expats who "celebrated" last week with a couple of friends over their first helping of green bean casserole. Despite their confusion during the description of the dish, it went well.

No one here cares 🤣

If you're at the event in person, please PLEASE share photos with me TIA

Black cat perched on a purple sofa near a large window

My heart is in Potsdam this week, but my body isn't 😭

I'll be online for some of the @agiletdzone.bsky.social talks, let me know if you're watching too 👀

Big soft virtual "from the comfort of pajamas" conference vibes 🥰

Liliana is attending as well 🖤

As my next trick, my body has upgraded its light sniffles to full-blown Con Crud symptoms.

That's what I get for having fun 🥺

I also just found out I was featured on the official Ravensburger NL Instagram page 🥹 How freaking cool!

Karen's selfie, wearing an official Ravensburger Lorcana TCG tshirt, in front of empty tables waiting for new players to demo the game

What. A. Weekend.

SpellenSpektakel saw at least 16,000 board and card game enthusiasts on Saturday alone! I volunteered both days to teach people how to play Lorcana at the huge Ravensburger booths.

From adults to very tiny humans, everyone had a blast - including me 😁

Now? I rest...

I have the Engage and Experience 2 models. Engage is good for crowd noise in groups and Experience 2 is great for loud music and things like today's construction noise

Loop earplugs benefit #629 and counting:

Dampening the roaring squeal of the asphalt being cut, just outside my window.

When you have to wear the earplugs indoors, it's gonna be a day...at least we have the utilities turned on today.

Tuesday I moved forward in therapy. It wasn't pleasant, but I'm still here and I'll do it again at the next session tomorrow.

Got my Corona booster today. Took a little nap after, but I'm currently acquiring food and heading to my weekly Lorcana League.

Killing it

I've had a really stellar couple of days, personal improvement-wise.

Managed to do something big that would have drained me totally before. But I completed it in an afternoon, with help on Monday.

Hugs and warm comfy vibes of healing to you❤️✨

I was today-years-old when I finally realized that YOU, one of my favorite old Bird-Site people, is here on this BS site 😍

So good to see you, lovely 🫶

Black cat with yellow green eyes curled up on a crochet blanket

Liliana timeline cleanser

Wanna come loaf with us?

Bring your favorite snacks

Rezz - As The Pendulum Swings Listen to As The Pendulum Swings on your streaming service

New Music Friday hath bestowed upon us a bountiful gift - Rave Mom's full album!

tidal.com/browse/album...

I slept so well last night that I woke up with the strangest thing this morning...Hope 🥰

I've been a bundle of stress and anxiety for so long, it's time for a new leaf to unfurl.

Passing this on as your sign to seize the day and find joy in the small moments.

Sending lots of love from me to you ❤️

Karen standing at the front of a small canal boat holding up two peace signs, wearing a coat with a rainbow oil slick pattern of bright colors

I wore my rainbow coat on a walk for the first time this season (photo for reference)

I saw so many passing strangers smile at the bright colors 🥹

I live for this. For the love of gods friends, wear the wild clothes 💃

"Any way the wind bloooows..." 😭 So freaking good

The tiered stage of Hadestown with instruments, and view over the audience before the show began

Went to see @hadestownmusical.bsky.social in Amsterdam last week for one of their final shows here, and was absolutely hooked from start to finish 👀

What great set design, incredible performers (shoutout to the legendary Muses), and memorable tunes. Well done, folks 👏

"We're gonna sing it again!"

Ahh how frustrating. Sending hopes that today just gets better from here ❤️

Grandson - INERTIA Listen to INERTIA on your streaming service

For anyone looking for a set of "Rage Against the Machine"-esque anthems today, jam this album. Grandson is a whole MOOD 👀

tidal.com/browse/album...

Thanks friend, I will message you 🥰

Therapy was hard today. Still, had some insights. 5/10 - maybe recommend.

A large mowed field in front of a lake with fluffy white clouds in the vibrant blue sky

I'm in Kansas City for the week, and savoring every moment

178 days from asking for help to being accepted by an organization. I cried so hard when the lady told me this was it.

I'll start upon my return from the US later this month ❤️

Thank you for celebrating with me

I am officially on the waiting list for mental health treatment 🥹

Months of trial and error. Months of hanging on just for rejection after rejection. Months of being tossed from org to org via endless referrals.

I have been accepted as a patient 😭❤️