2021-01-28 - Dear Iggy #12 -- (Groundhog's Day)

Questionable Advice Column
- Ignacio deSantos
Where I'm not licenced to solicit advice, I'm just paid to

Happy Groundhog’s Day, Neighbors.

It’s been a minute hasn’t it? It’s been about a year since my last update due to that bus accident and I wanted to unpack that and thank each and every one of my readers for the cards and the support and the overwhelming effort to come together and make things a little less difficult, and really make me believe that I can do this for me and for all of you.

In other good news I’m going to be celebrating being a year clean of pain killers from years and years of corrective surgeries. It’s not something I’m proud of but I think what is important is not to look down on one another for having a struggle but to normalize being human instead of villainizing it. It’s okay to struggle, but it’s asking for help and not letting our pride get in the way. Chances are pretty absolute that the person offering you help is doing it because they know what it’s like to struggle with their own battles.

So speaking of helping one another out, let’s see what burning questions you have for me this week

Dear Iggy,
So the other day, I managed to come across Grey Harbor's
titan of commerce, Byron Thorne, out and about wearing the winner's
tank top from the Gyreworks Beach Battles. (Picture Included).
I was really proud to put that event together and bring some light-hearted
fun to the town. I'm curious if you've got any ideas from the people about
more events the town would love to participate in?

Don't forget, Karaoke will be resuming at the Poorhouse in a little over a week!
Hope to see you there!
-Leon Gyre

Leon,
You know I’m going to be there buddy. Whether you will regret me doing so is another matter. Also, bang up job on the summer games! It got me out of the house for a while and I, for one, really enjoyed it.

Do I have other ideas for city events? You know what there are tremendously creative people in this town and if they have ideas of things they like to see? Email me here at the paper or swing by the Pourhouse and let the Gyreszsis there know what’s up. Though I will say Painting with a Twist at the Pourhouse would be super cool. I like a good beer as much as I like good company and your tater tots. Also a tater tot bar or a tater holiday I’d totally be in for.

Yes it's Pourhouse here in this column. I'll fight ya over the tater tots about it.

Dear Iggy,
Do you think there is possibly such a thing as too much tuna?
How do you feel about man-sized tunas? How do I get the
person who feeds me to turn back into a tuna?
Signed,
Paws on Piers

Heyo Paws,
Well I can tell you for one communication is key. Turning your roommate into a fish and eating them is still cannibalism and is illegal. I checked. When you lie with birds, rodents and a cat it’s good to be very clear on the roommate agreement. For food? I’d say just add it to the grocery list. You can’t ask someone to change for you though. That’s unhealthy for any relationship. This may be a great time to evaluate your needs and perspective for yourself and your situation. Couples run into hangups all the time. My life’s not perfect either. Sharing a space is also about meeting a middle ground and aiming for that goal.

Also not eating your roommate.
Super important.

Dear Iggy,
Glad you are back and doing better, and congrats on the kid’s show.
I’m glad that’s doing really well. Out of curiosity I was wondering
why you think bad things happen to good people ? The shootout
At the Foggy Bluffs Garden Expo was terrifying.
-Curious and Concerned

Hey C+C (say hey to the Music Factory for me plz! Big fan),
I won’t lie, I have family that got pretty hurt in that. I’m glad they’re getting better and a shout out from myself (and the editor. -Ed.) to the EMTs and citizens and responders that stood up and helped one another in these trying times.

To answer you, though, CC, I think bad things happen. Life, even outside of the Harbor, is one big under construction zone and we need to wear a hard hat for that. Life’s a work in progress and some people tear through this proverbial construction site. Good people aren’t getting punished, we as a community just tend to notice because we can’t just say ‘oh, karma’. Like Mr. Rogers 1. Said ‘in times of troubles look for the helpers’. And in times of plants getting trampled in a shootout garden stampede, look for August Roen at Branch & Bole about the plants.

Dear Iggy,
It's not bad to want to share your love of fan fiction, is it?
Fan fiction won a HUGO. I'm a writer too, in a way.
-An Apprentice-in-story-telling

Hey there fellow author,
You know I got my start on AO3. Heck yes!! And you know it’s not bad unless you’re holding an audience hostage to read Twilight to them Clockwork Orange style. I promised my family I wouldn’t do that again. (Ully, you’re not in the clear yet, pal!) I’m not Cllive Barker, but I’m proud of the work I have done and that’s only been possible through others who have done it telling me what I’m about to tell you:

Love what you love. You can do great things with it. And your editor is not your enemy. Sometimes feedback is hard and we’re not in an emotional place to be receptive to taking that productively. And sometimes we want to send the money we pay our editors with in a large box of pre-paid priority shipping boxes of loose change instead of HeyPaling them their fee. This is surprisingly normal! (also sending your editor loose change is a way to make them mad, not to win a moral victory. Don’t ask me how I know this). You’re going to try things, and fail, and learn from it, and grow. Stick with it, work with your team, and know Iggy believes in you, pal.

That’s it for this week. Keep the questions coming in. I am usually found at Espresso Yourself where between 6-8am you get your early bird coffee to get you going at half off. You can put a card in the box, or email me through the link here (@mail). All names are kept anonymous. Unless you are Leon or Ully.

Until next week, be good to each other, and contact the Harbor Relief Team at City Hall if you would like to help volunteer on the cleanup effort or upcoming city events.

Stay classy, Gray Harbor.
Iggs out.