The Overshare #17

Matilda, 2023 bookish things, and the not-so-easy task of popping to the shop

Hi everyone, happy holidays and last Overshare for the year! Yes, we still exist (or at least I think we do?) though the newsletter now operates outside the space/time continuum. This is my first December in a long time not being on some sort of book deadline, so I am surprised by how much I am enjoying it and not surprised at all by how exhausting it still is. The heatwave/storm/humidity situation is a bit of a sensory nightmare, but on the flip side, the tree smells amazing, I have sourced gluten-free mince pies, and thanks to online shopping and an incredible bestie who has picked up my click-and-collects, I haven’t had to go to the shopping centre once. ‘Tis the season indeed.

The Overshare is broken up into seven sections: Listen Up–for all things auditory and musical, All The Feels–for sensory gadgets and neurodivergent products we are loving, Off The Shelf–bookish things including what we are reading and upcoming events, Uh Oh–life disasters, bloopers and social mistakes, Leaving The House–pretty self explanatory, Who Put Me In Charge–challenges in parenting, executive functioning, and life admin, and Scratch Pad–to share new writing bits and pieces. Let’s do it.

Listen Up

Kay: I randomly watched the Tim Minchin episode of Australian Story recently, not knowing that much about him other than ‘comedy festival person’ and something about Matilda the Musical?? Anyway, as my autistic brain is wont to do, I have since gone down the rabbit hole of Matilda the Musical, in anticipation of the Christmas Day Netflix release of the film adaptation. The soundtrack is incredible! The choreography is top tier! We also re-read Matilda over the last few bedtimes, and plan for a relaxing afternoon watching the new movie after all the big family social events are over. I have a feeling it will be the highlight of my day.

Anna: Along the same lines, we have have non stop Hamilton love in this house. My nine year old is obsessed with, specifically, the first half. At that point it becomes too sad and she will only listen, not watch. The love extends to every youtube clip about Hamilton too - the best 10 songs, the best rhymes, the fastest raps… you name it, we’ve seen. There’s something about people bursting into song in musicals that feels more true to experience. I grew up watching everything from Seven Brides for Seven Brothers (not sure how that’s aged) to every Julie Andrews musical available. The downside to this new favourite thing is my daughter quoting Hamilton at school. For example, she’s interested in the colonial relationship between America and Britain with lines like: King George sings, “And when push comes to shove / I will send a fully armed battalion to remind you of my love!” And Hamilton raps that, “Britain keeps shittin' on us endlessly”. Slightly awkward.

All The Feels

Kay: As understanding of neurodiversity and sensory needs broadens, something I have noticed is that shops like Target and Kmart are starting to stock well-priced versions of previously prohibitively expensive products. Weighted blankets are now everywhere, as are fidget toys, noise-cancelling headphones, and seamless clothing. Well, maybe not everywhere but they are definitely more commonly available. Ethical production is another aspect of this conversation, for sure, but for people to be able to access tools and products they wouldn't otherwise be able to, I think it’s wonderful. Anywayyyy, a friend recently sent me the link to this ‘foam comfort pod’ from Kmart. We had already ordered a smaller and more expensive one through NDIS for A, but now I desperately want this version for myself.

Anna: Absolutely agree on the increased availability of sensory equipment. One gift I’ve chosen for the kids is a balance ball trainer in an attempt to reduce the number of yoga balls flying around the living room. The base lies flat, and the handles provide resistance options that I’m sure will entertain and satisfy sensory needs. During this time of over-stimulation I’d recommend finding the best ways to de-stress (reduce overload to senses) for yourself and your children or family. Comfort snuggles, water, quiet, deep pressure or time with animals. There’s so much change in routine with school ending or work winding up. All the exciting toys are more enjoyable if there’s also been downtime.

Off The Shelf

Kay: I am thrilled to be speaking on a panel at the Yellow Ladybugs 2023 Conference, alongside the most incredible lineup of inspiring humans. The conference is for teachers, parents, allied health professionals, and autistic individuals who want to gain a better understanding on how to support the learning and wellbeing needs of autistic girls, teens and gender diverse students, who often have internalised or hidden needs. The conference will be May 2-4, with both online and in-person events. Tickets are available now.

Anna: Wow, that’s exciting! I’ve had the joys of reading game lore in the new expansion of World of Warcraft. I can’t say I pick up on all the main story line, but the little side quests are wonderfully entertaining. The writers have really enjoyed themselves. Little walruses who have lost their toy boats, to finding someone their favourite rock. You catch snippets of conversations between non player characters unveiling the rich inner life of the Dragon Isles. Living the fantasy reader dream and being part of this world has been a wonderful distraction from the real world.

Uh Oh

Kay: I recently dipped my toe back into the waters of publicity with two interviews, one for a podcast set to launch in 2023 called Differently Brained, and another for a magazine. I came away from both thinking ‘oh my goodness, I talked about myself and my books so much. I didn’t even get to ask that much about the interviewer’ and ummm… yes that is how an interview works. I know that, but I still have this inner voice that screams at me not to talk about myself too much (I think this is partly a masking thing, ‘now ask about them, ask about them’, and partly gendered as well) but I don’t think it’s going to be too helpful next year when I do actually need to talk about my new book. So, to try and quieten that inner voice that shames me for talking about my work, I have signed up for one of Kate Mildenhall’s Talking The Talk online seminars. Kate is one of the hosts of The First Time podcast, and a wonderful speaker. Kate does a great job of talking about her projects, and I have never once thought ‘gee, she talks about herself a lot’. So let’s see if I can figure out how to talk about my work and my process without wanting to curl into a ball and hide.

Leaving The House

Anna: I have news! I popped to the shop. Doesn’t that make it seem easy? I popped and bought Christmas food for our traditional “putting up the Christmas tree day” with the grandparents. Casual trips to the shop since Covid have been few and far between. The idea of running into people I know frightens me because they might expect to stand and talk. I’d want to stand and talk. My heart doesn’t agree. Standing still for 10-15 minutes is dangerous for my health, as I’ve said before, but there’s no polite way to exit conversation at the shops. I feel even less capable as an autist who may have wanted to escape even without the heart condition. Not because I don’t like the person, because shopping centres are loud and busy, and my focus has to remain on what I went in for. This is extremely difficult with ADHD! I’ll go in for some ginger cookies and come out with a packet of feta, two punnets of blueberries, a bamboo straw, and an air fryer. No cookies. If we add in a conversation? All hope is lost! Back to where I started; I did pop to the shop, and I did buy many other items. I also remembered the Christmas treats, and they were well enjoyed. I hope every one of our readers has a tradition that gives them joy too. Aww 🎄

Who Put Me In Charge

Kay: End of school year and holiday time.

Anna: Does any more need to be said, Kay? I’m tired but happy.

Kay: Ha! I was actually going to write something there, but the birds and the sun mean we are waking somewhere between 3.30am and 4.30am each morning and my brain is mush. Tired but happy is exactly it.

Scratch Pad

Kay: I thought this was an important piece by Eliza Hull for the ABC, about disability and birthing. There are currently no national guidelines for identifying disabled people during the birthing process, so how can any research be done if the stats just aren’t there?

Oh, and I will have something very exciting and book-ish to share on January 10, so I will send out a special edition of The Overshare to (over?) share that with everyone. I really can’t wait! It’s been a weird, hard year and I hope everyone is keeping well. What are you doing that helps you get through this time of year?