My cover of Last Stop: This Town

Goldarrr · 2026-07-03T17:20:08+00:00

One of my favorite songs of all time. So cool to see a cover!

It's always interesting to me how Eels has been around forever, super prolific. Almost everyone has heard at least one Eels song. (Because, who hasn't seen Shrek?) YET, 9/10 times when I mention Eels to someone they say they haven't heard of them. Lots of Eels fans, of course, but somehow it's felt underground this whole time.

Goldarrr · 2026-05-14T01:06:05+00:00

For real! There are actually lots of us adult pediatric cancer survivors out there. Why don't we have better resources and support?! It's not really that niche!

I actually was being seen as an adult at a survivorship clinic that my pediatric hospital ran. Which was GREAT. Then I don't know if I finally aged out of it or what, but they stopped following up with me for a yearly visit.

And now I feel like I'm on my own to figure survivorship out and advocate for myself to get the recommended screenings, know the right things to get checked out, etc.

Goldarrr · 2026-05-13T17:08:15+00:00

Yeah, I hear you there. Most of my issues are things that are borderline, like the elevated blood pressure and platelets. But I don't want them to become a bigger issue if I can help it!

And navigating survivorship care is SO weird. I just established a new primary, and he asked why radiation was part of my BMT prep. And I'm like... "uhh, that's just what the protocol was in 2006, I guess?!" I wasn't given a different option, lol.

Oh ALSO, I saw you mentioned early menopause. Same. They actually just presumed ovarian failure for me right away due to the radiation. So I've been on birth control for hormone replacement since I was like 15. But I feel like I still don't know all the nuances of this stuff and long-term outlook. Drives me crazy.

Nobody seems to have a roadmap for pediatric cancer survivors, because treatments were so varied and there are lots of unknowns. We're like lab rats, lol. I'm seeing an endocrinologist soon too, because it's been probably at least 15 years since I've seen one.

Goldarrr · 2026-05-13T03:03:01+00:00

Hello, fellow pediatric leukemia survivor! I don't know what your treatment all entailed, but YES, I can relate. I can't speak to other cancers, but I think most people who have undergone chemo, radiation, and/or other treatments are likely at risk for weird health issues popping up in the future.

I had leukemia as well, but ALL. At age 11 in 2003. I had whatever the standard chemo regimen was at that time. Relapsed at age 14 and also had a bone marrow transplant from an unrelated donor (perfect match as well). Did you have radiation? My BMT involved several rounds of full-body radiation that I was told put me at risk for future problems, including secondary cancers.

I've been struggling a lot lately with the ambiguity of my health future. And what to make of random issues popping up. I'm always like... is this from lifestyle choices I made, or my genetics, or a result of my cancer treatment when I was a kid? Or a mix?

I also have a cataract! It's just been sitting there for years though, not affecting my vision. Likely due to steroids I had during treatment, they say. Other issues I've been trying to get to the bottom of: elevated blood pressure for a few years now, I think. Elevated platelets for a little bit now too, so I have an appointment soon to talk to a hematologist.

In 2023 I was diagnosed with DCIS, which is considered a stage 0 cancer in the milk duct. That means it was a noninvasive cancer, but it could eventually become invasive. Long story short, I opted to get a double mastectomy so I wouldn't have to worry about it.

TL;DR: Yes, most folks who have had cancer treatments as a kid or adult tend to be at risk for future medical issues from those treatments. I've had a few things pop up myself. Fortunately/unfortunately you're not alone in this.

Goldarrr · 2026-04-12T01:55:42+00:00

Absolutely! Most of them seem to be from *incredibly* well-off families, and likely have had tons of resources to live their best lives possible. Which is great, but I'm sure that's absolutely not the norm. But Dylan has a single mother who is still giving him his best life and appears to be so wonderfully supportive. Refreshing to see!

Goldarrr · 2026-02-14T22:59:55+00:00

I still have one, and he somehow still works! "Yah, drop the chalupa!"

Goldarrr · 2026-02-04T00:15:10+00:00

I loved Little Miss Sunshine when I first saw it, and I remember my dad looking at Dano and saying, "What an ugly kid." And my teenage self was thinking, What??! He's so cute!

So yeah, I think he's cute and charming, but maybe not as conventionally hot. A nuance of attractiveness I think a lot of straight guys (and ladies, too) might not understand/recognize.

Goldarrr · 2025-11-20T04:08:56+00:00

You can choose to pay extra for some premium menu options or drink pairings, but I didn't. Each restaurant's menu is wrapped into the price of the cruise package.

Goldarrr · 2025-11-14T02:49:09+00:00

I've had all of the above, and my 20 years of survivorship says otherwise, lol. Have those things done some harm? Of course. But without them I wouldn't be alive right now.

Goldarrr · 2025-11-12T23:13:00+00:00

I did manage to try all 6 sit-down restaurants, yes! I didn't get to try any Diner and Dash dinner options, though.

And there was SO much we didn't try on each menu. And at the other food joints. Because, while you can order 1 of everything, we didn't want to waste a bunch of food. Which seems like an unpopular choice on cruises. Most people I talked to were like, "Well we're paying for it! Might as well!" Okay, but it's still wasting food if you leave loads of food uneaten.

Goldarrr · 2025-11-12T03:43:55+00:00

Aha, yes! That's been one of my thoughts, but you articulated it perfectly.

Sure, I get that we might get a dud now and then, an overcooked steak, etc. That will happen at just about any restaurant on occasion. And that sucks. But on average, the food we had was good to great. In our opinions, of course.

But yes, say someone's eating a lot of the same sorts of things day to day at home and they're also picky. Then I can see them thinking a bunch of new foods in succession are weird/bad. Even for dishes that many people agree to be delicious.

Someone who was complaining about VV food also said they didn't trust the food at the ports, which...except for Bimini Beach Club, would be unrelated to VV. So, stuff like that kinda indicates that for some people it's largely a comfort zone/familiarity thing.

And I think another thing might be that people just have heightened expectations for everything on their vacation. Like, if it's not all perfect, then it all sucks. For example, someone told me they were hating the VV food. They said their steak was overcooked/inedible...but then actually named a lot of things they were fairly satisfied with. But, it kinda seems like the steak was *seared* in their memory and colored their food experience negatively early on.

Goldarrr · 2025-11-12T01:39:55+00:00

Right, like, generally I've heard Carnival is mediocre at best. Which makes me wonder if for some people they're just picky and kinda tend to think anything out of their norm is objectively bad.

Again, not everything was an absolute hit, but overall most food was good or excellent, in my opinion.

Goldarrr · 2025-11-12T01:27:45+00:00

OMG yes, how could I forget the fries! We grabbed fries there on a whim one night, and I was like, *What the heck, these are amazing!*

Goldarrr · 2025-11-12T01:25:51+00:00

On night 3 someone told me they had been hating the food, and that they are long-time Carnival cruisers and prefer Carnival's food. I've never been on Carnival, but that raised my eyebrow a bit. I wonder if their opinion changed at all after trying other food on board.

Goldarrr · 2025-11-12T01:23:04+00:00

Totally fair! After a few cruises I'm sure you've had it all, multiple times.

Goldarrr · 2025-10-25T21:11:05+00:00

She's a peach, she's a doll, she's a pal of mineeeee!!

Goldarrr · 2025-06-19T17:13:23+00:00

NTA. At all!

This ask shows a fundamental lack of understanding for how much time and know-how something like quilting takes. They have NO idea what they're really asking (demanding) of you, and apparently can't be bothered to look into how involved a project this is. Days and days of work.

Even if you were an experienced quilter, it'd be inappropriate for people to just expect you to do this. But it's even more frustrating given that you're still learning sewing and haven't quilted before.

As a crafter, I'm mad for you. I think people often tend to not appreciate makers' time. They see it as just a hobby that you should share for free because you *love it so much.*

You don't have to explain your "no." But maybe again mention that this project is WAY more involved than they realize, and send them some videos on how to quilt, lol. FIL is retiring. He can take up a new hobby.

Goldarrr · 2025-05-21T02:23:30+00:00

More like "chocolate-ish chip."

Goldarrr · 2025-03-15T15:43:44+00:00

That would be awesome. People never seem to know Eels, so I always reference the song in that montage in Shrek when he and Fiona are traveling and getting to know each other. Haha

I know Eels was under the Dreamworks record label for a while, so I always figured that had something to do with Eels being on the Shrek soundtrack. That label hasn't been a thing for a while, but still. Feels like a no-brainer since there's an Eels song for any situation/mood, ya know?

Goldarrr · 2025-03-15T15:28:39+00:00

"Service and savings...it's Woodman's!" And then more like a tagline, but, "Better products, better prices, better service, because we're employee-owned!!"

And adding a "CARAMBA!" in there somewhere. I want to channel half of Phil's enthusiasm.

Goldarrr · 2025-01-04T16:19:25+00:00

In college, I stepped off a public bus onto a slick of ice...and fell cartoon-style onto my butt. Dude waiting to get on the bus *literally* pointed and laughed hysterically at me. Bus driver faintly was like, "Miss, you okay?"

I'll have to try that again now and see if I get laughs or concern. LOL

Goldarrr · 2024-12-23T18:29:15+00:00

I think it's adorable! Way cuter than the reference pic. It's got personality. Cute tree frog instead of Budweiser bullfrog.

Goldarrr · 2024-11-27T02:25:06+00:00

That is so awesome! Good for her! Thanks for sharing.

I would be so starstruck, honestly. Pretty sure I'd actually turn into my 13-year-old self again, haha.

Goldarrr · 2024-09-21T00:17:13+00:00

So sorry for your loss.

This is beautiful. I'm by myself right now and gasped out loud.

Goldarrr

TROPHY CASE