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Celebrating Pride Month As An Intersex Lesbian
As the vibrant colors of rainbow flags adorn the streets and a wave of excitement fills the air, I am reminded that June is not just another month—it’s LGBTQ+ Pride Month! This annual celebration holds a special place in my heart as a married intersex lesbian. It is a time for me to reflect on my journey, embrace my true self, and share the love and pride that have shaped my life. Discovering My Identity Growing up, I always felt different. I questioned my place in a world that seemed to be divided into neat boxes of male and female. It was during my adolescence that I came across the…
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May 2023 Selfies
Thomas Slatin’s May 2023 Selfies (*The last picture of me was taken at Taconic Mountains Ramble State Park by my wife, Amelia.)
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A Letter To My Younger Self
I was recently asked to speak in front of a high school class, and this inspired me to write a letter to my younger self in my diary. I have achieved numerous feats, but there is one particular moment that stands out as the pinnacle of my achievements: being granted the esteemed opportunity to address a high school audience. My dear younger self, it’s with a heavy heart that I must share the harsh realities of life’s journey with you. You are bound to experience heartaches, deeper than what you could ever anticipate. Betrayals will come from the very people you’ve loved deeply, the ones you would have moved mountains…
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My New Tractor
Today was a day I had been eagerly awaiting; it was the day my dream tractor finally arrived at our farm, and oh, what a sight it was! A beautiful green John Deere, gleaming under the sunlight, stood before me, ready to embark on countless adventures in the vast expanse of our land. The moment I laid eyes on it, I felt a surge of excitement and anticipation coursing through my veins. As a woman who has spent the past few years maintaining this land, I’ve spent countless hours tending to the property. Having a reliable and efficient tractor by my side had always been a dream of mine. It…
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Return To Hogback Mountain
Today I returned to an old sight, the 100-mile view from Hogback Mountain, in Marlboro, Vermont. It’s been years since I last stood here, my heart tender and apprehensive. Years, since that pivotal moment that changed my course in the most magical of ways. Today, I felt the echoes of that past reverberate with my every heartbeat as Amelia and I drove up the mountain road. The sights, the sounds, the smells of Vermont—they remain the same. The verdant expanse of the forest under the cool sky, the distant song of the birds, the rustle of leaves whispering secrets to the wind—they all greeted me as a dear old friend.…
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A Pretty Time Of Year
May 2023
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Escaping The Influence Of Others’ Perceptions
A soft, melodic hum threads its way through the complexities of existence, shaping our lives with subtle, almost imperceptible shifts. This tune is the perception we have of ourselves and the world around us, a powerful force capable of altering our paths. In this intricate dance of life, it is paramount to understand that we are not simply marionettes manipulated by these strings of perception. Rather, we are indeed the puppeteers, capable of guiding our own lives, if we dare to seize the power of self-awareness and personal growth. Influences of Others’ Perceptions Imagine, if you will, standing before a mirror, your reflection rippling and shifting in response to the…
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The Labyrinth Of Intellect
Sitting in the sterile, impersonal room, the aroma of antiseptic stinging my nostrils, I felt a gnawing unease. My doctor was once again attempting to convince me to take a new medication. This one purported to calm my racing thoughts and soothe my intellectual unrest. But something deep inside me was on high alert. I was convinced that the drugs they were trying to feed me were damaging my intellect, dulling my cognitive prowess, and slowly but surely feeding the cancer of my intellect. My name is Thomas, and I am an individual with an unusually high-functioning intellect. I have always been voracious in my quest for knowledge, an eager…
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Ira Vermont Fire Department
Ira Fire DepartmentIra, Vermont, United States May 13, 2023
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The Increasing Reliance On Social Media Metrics
Introduction In the early days of the internet, social media platforms were merely digital spaces where users could connect, share, and communicate. Fast forward to the present, these platforms have evolved into a globally impactful phenomenon. In the modern age, social media’s influence has transcended beyond personal interactions and has penetrated almost every sphere of life. One striking manifestation of this influence is the increasing reliance on social media metrics as a measure of success. But is this singular focus on social media metrics healthy, or has it gone too far? The Dominance of Social Media Metrics Social media metrics such as likes, shares, followers, retweets, and views have become…
