Readers!
Last week I had the unfortunate experience of dealing with a mechanic who talked to me like I’m a dumb broad. I won’t get into the details, but he bought the business from someone who my family had been taking our cars to for decades. Apparently he thinks it’s a good idea to alienate existing clients as soon as possible.
So when I went to pick up the car, I squared my shoulders, walked into the office, paid the woman at the front desk, and got my keys. When he got up and walked towards me to discuss the situation, I put my hand up in the direction of his face, and said one word.
“No.”
Then I left.
Someone asked why I didn’t hear him out. I’ve learned so much about being in business for myself, and one is that I will only let someone speak to me that way once. Did I want to do what I did? No. But I wasn’t going give this clown — or an editor who talks down to me, or gives me the runaround on payment, or is mad I won’t sign their terrible work for hire contract, or mocks my work, etc. etc. etc. — one extra ounce of my time.
That’s especially true with misogynists who, as we are well aware of especially right now, are everywhere. They expect women to be doormats, to take whatever they give us, and then apologize for causing all that trouble by daring to speak up. I have long since had enough, and I’m not going to waste any of my time or energy on it, whether it’s in my personal life, my work, or to get back my goddamn car.
(Not the Jeep. She’s fine. But I will never let this guy touch her, or any car I own now or in the future.)
I’m off on a trip, so no newsletter next week (though as always you can follow along on Instagram) If you have a burning question you want me to answer in a future issue, let me know!
Recent Bylines
“Breast cancer case study could inform clinical trials,” Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory
“Imported fish can provide nutrients to food-insecure countries. But at what cost?” Responsible Seafood Advocate
What I’m Reading
- The Lost Apothecary by Sarah Penner. This novel, which goes back and forth between modern day London and a 1791 apothecary shop, is meh. It suffers from the same problem as The Sicilian Inheritance by Jo Piazza, where the story back in time is the halfway decent part and keeps being interrupted by today. But I did learn about mudlarking. I really want to go on my next trip to London, which I hope is next year.
- Hitler’s Scientists: Science, War and the Devil’s Pact by John Cornwell, read by Simon Prebble. I knew a lot of what was in this book from listening to Operation Paperclip: The Secret Intelligence Program that Brought Nazi Scientists to America by Annie Jacobsen and Mengele: Unmasking the “Angle of Death” by David G. Marwell. I liked those better, but this isn’t a bad overview. It’s also has a better recounting of the Nazi purge of German scientists based on racism and bigotry. Gee I wonder why that feels so timely right now. It’s like we learn nothing. On a better note, this was read by Simon Prebble, one of my favorite audio book narrators. He also did Endurance: Shackleton’s Incredible Journey by Alfred Lansing.
What I’m Watching
- Death in Paradise (season 13 and 14) I watched the first few seasons of this British cozy mystery series and then it disappeared from whatever streaming service it had been on. Sigh. But! It’s on Kanopy and Hoopla via the library, so I skipped to the last available season (14), and then went back and watched 13. It’s set in Saint Marie, a fictional British overseas territory in the Caribbean, with the general set up of a pasty, persnickety Englishman coming into the island against his will to serve as detective inspector. As usual with these types of shows, someone dies every week. That’s a lot for a small island! I was relieved to find that in season 14, the persnickety Englishman is the son of a woman from Saint Marie who grew up in England, and is Black. It’s about time. I finished season 13 right before working on a story about someone with a business in the Caribbean, and yes it did play into some of the questions I asked. See? It’s work!
- Aileen: Queen of the Serial Killers. When Aileen Wuornos was arrested for the murder of multiple men, she was portrayed as scum, a violent prostitute who lived to kill. In reality, she was an abuse survivor and sex worker who claimed self defense. But given the political climate at the time, where law enforcement and prosecutors wanted to make an example out who they called a whore, she was swiftly tried, convicted and put to death. It’s a very sad story because we can see now that she was a convenient target for men’s political aspirations. That doesn’t mean she was a saint, but the way she was vilified is disgusting to see today.
- Dino Birds. NOVA documentary hits again! I usually put these on when I’m working. Always a good idea.
Nail Polish of the Week
It’s a Piazza Cake by OPI. This isn’t quite a burn orange. It’s more toasted. Perfect for the tail end of fall. When my manicure kept chipping while I packed and did my pre-trip clean, I slapped on a layer of Glitter All the Way from OPI’s Hello Kitty collection. Sparkle!
Until next time,
Jen A. Miller (she/her)
Notes from a Hired Pen ebook series
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