Wow I loved that !! You should have cross posted it. (I’m just learning how to do things on substack) How incredibly difficult that all must be for you and your family! Aww your daughter sleeping on the floor 😢 and all your savings going into the flat and you no idea if you will get it back.
In addition, can you please tell the stories of your ‘handsomely paid medical trials in the UK’ ??
I was thinking of cross-posting but then I got concerned that it would mess up the stats on the original post, like I would be stealing her audience? I wasn't sure about the etiquette. But what I've done is more or less the same, I think. I'm still learning stuff about Substack.
Collaboration is great, for sure - I asked someone the other day if I could do a guest post for them, but they said no! 😭
Maybe I missed my opportunity for cross-posting, it would look silly if I cross-posted now.
I think I’ve complained about this repeatedly (major first world problem, for sure), but I have people commenting on FB and IG and not Substack. I still share there since it’s nice for people to read, but I keep asking them to come to Substack and do it. And a few people respond to the email that goes out with feedback! On Substack, for crying out loud, help me conquer the algorithm!
Honestly, I’m not sure why - they hadn’t posted in a while and we were chatting in DMs and when I offered they were like ‘uh no, that’s okay!’
Yes, we should do one! Start thinking of angles and ideas. My posts are going to be a bit dark and heavy over the next couple of weeks, so I will need something to lighten things up!
Such an interesting piece Daniel. I feel so awful for not really thinking about what it must be like day-to-day, but you brought it home in a really light way. Especially with that picture of little Emilie asleep. And your poor flat - how is it now? Loved the bit about the dry red wine! So many questions.. also about the medical trials!
Thanks, Faith. Nothing to feel awful about, and honestly, for me it’s nothing compared to what my friends are going through every day. Last night was the heaviest night of drone attacks so far. In the early days of the war people were going to shelters all the time (some of them in the underground stations) and I had friends sleeping in bathtubs with their kids. Nowadays, most people are like ‘to hell with it, if I die, I die.’
The flat is still intact, thank goodness, but I suppose it could literally go up in smoke any day. I swear, the only way to cope is to laugh about these things. My next piece is going to be a much lighter look at things, about how terrified I was that the Russians were going to get their grubby hands on my scotch!
I think I’ll share an updated version of the medical trial stories, there’s been some interest (there’s a chapter in the book, btw 😉)
Never shy away from asking - be as blunt as need be! Nothing is off limits (that's the American in me talking, spilling any and all details). I love questions. In fact, I'm always disappointed when someone - often a student - says they want to ask me a personal question, and I anticipate all sorts of possibilities only to be met with 'what do you think of pineapple on pizza?' So deflating.
There is a chapter on my medical trial experience in my book, but perhaps I'll share it here one of these days. I did them in Belfast and in one trial, amongst my fellow trial participants was a former Catholic and Protestant paramilitary. Great times.
Wow, me too! The first time my sister and I came to Vienna, I think it was 2007, just after Christmas and it was freezing and snowy and we were stumbling around Stephensplatz and we found that gem. Back in those days it was super smoky though, but the place always had a reputation for that, as well as being a haunt for journalists and writers (and maybe spies).
Similar story only with my mum (the trip to Vienna was her 60th birthday present) in Spring 2013, absolutely desperate because there were tourists actually queuing for what seemed like miles to get into the more flashy coffee houses that were always full. We coincidentally found this much more low-key place and loved it!
Wow I loved that !! You should have cross posted it. (I’m just learning how to do things on substack) How incredibly difficult that all must be for you and your family! Aww your daughter sleeping on the floor 😢 and all your savings going into the flat and you no idea if you will get it back.
In addition, can you please tell the stories of your ‘handsomely paid medical trials in the UK’ ??
I was thinking of cross-posting but then I got concerned that it would mess up the stats on the original post, like I would be stealing her audience? I wasn't sure about the etiquette. But what I've done is more or less the same, I think. I'm still learning stuff about Substack.
As for life? I'll never figure that out! 😭😂
wtf ??? No way !! 🤣🤣🤣😁
There is no etiquette here, it’s what we are supposed to do! I did it with me write stuff! And it worked out so well! Collaboration is great ! 👍🏻
Collaboration is great, for sure - I asked someone the other day if I could do a guest post for them, but they said no! 😭
Maybe I missed my opportunity for cross-posting, it would look silly if I cross-posted now.
I think I’ve complained about this repeatedly (major first world problem, for sure), but I have people commenting on FB and IG and not Substack. I still share there since it’s nice for people to read, but I keep asking them to come to Substack and do it. And a few people respond to the email that goes out with feedback! On Substack, for crying out loud, help me conquer the algorithm!
Why would they say no !!! That’s crazy 🤪 I’ll do a collaboration with you ! It would be hilarious
Honestly, I’m not sure why - they hadn’t posted in a while and we were chatting in DMs and when I offered they were like ‘uh no, that’s okay!’
Yes, we should do one! Start thinking of angles and ideas. My posts are going to be a bit dark and heavy over the next couple of weeks, so I will need something to lighten things up!
I’m gonna have a think , it can be a bit bat shit shit crazy 😁
Ooh I just seen you wrote about it in your book , well as you know I’ve got your book !
Such an interesting piece Daniel. I feel so awful for not really thinking about what it must be like day-to-day, but you brought it home in a really light way. Especially with that picture of little Emilie asleep. And your poor flat - how is it now? Loved the bit about the dry red wine! So many questions.. also about the medical trials!
Thanks, Faith. Nothing to feel awful about, and honestly, for me it’s nothing compared to what my friends are going through every day. Last night was the heaviest night of drone attacks so far. In the early days of the war people were going to shelters all the time (some of them in the underground stations) and I had friends sleeping in bathtubs with their kids. Nowadays, most people are like ‘to hell with it, if I die, I die.’
The flat is still intact, thank goodness, but I suppose it could literally go up in smoke any day. I swear, the only way to cope is to laugh about these things. My next piece is going to be a much lighter look at things, about how terrified I was that the Russians were going to get their grubby hands on my scotch!
I think I’ll share an updated version of the medical trial stories, there’s been some interest (there’s a chapter in the book, btw 😉)
Loved learning more about your experience!
Thank you for reading ☺️
I always wondered about your accent but didn't want to be blunt enough to bring it up, so thanks for answering that one!
You should definitely tell the medical trial story soon.
Never shy away from asking - be as blunt as need be! Nothing is off limits (that's the American in me talking, spilling any and all details). I love questions. In fact, I'm always disappointed when someone - often a student - says they want to ask me a personal question, and I anticipate all sorts of possibilities only to be met with 'what do you think of pineapple on pizza?' So deflating.
There is a chapter on my medical trial experience in my book, but perhaps I'll share it here one of these days. I did them in Belfast and in one trial, amongst my fellow trial participants was a former Catholic and Protestant paramilitary. Great times.
Café Hawelka was the first coffee house I visited in Vienna!
Wow, me too! The first time my sister and I came to Vienna, I think it was 2007, just after Christmas and it was freezing and snowy and we were stumbling around Stephensplatz and we found that gem. Back in those days it was super smoky though, but the place always had a reputation for that, as well as being a haunt for journalists and writers (and maybe spies).
Cool place, though always jam-packed these days.
Similar story only with my mum (the trip to Vienna was her 60th birthday present) in Spring 2013, absolutely desperate because there were tourists actually queuing for what seemed like miles to get into the more flashy coffee houses that were always full. We coincidentally found this much more low-key place and loved it!