Wednesday, March 29, 2017

NO NEWS TODAY... So Let's Talk About John [Evil Grin]

I'm completely one-track on this new project I can't talk about yet (the finish line is allllmost in sight. Aaa!), so today John suggested I share some stuff he got in the mail from you guys instead.

Before I get to that, though, I want to point out that John gets stuff in the mail from you guys. Which is huge. I mean, maybe it doesn't seem that way because I talk about him all the time, but the fact is John's never written anything here on Epbot. This isn't his blog. But you guys still know and love him, because of me. (And am I taking credit for this? HECK YES I AM.) 

When I first started Cake Wrecks it was just me. John was running our faux finishing company, and I was his part-time helper. (Ergo the boredom and starting a silly cake blog.) Then the economy tanked, CW took off like a shot, and in just a few months our roles completely reversed: now John was MY helper, and I became the bread-winner. It was so seamless, though. You'd think there would be bumps in a marriage when that kind of thing happens, but we were just so happy we could still work together - so happy this crazy lightning-in-a-bottle blog thing somehow managed to pay the bills.

I remember the first time on one of the book tours when someone asked John to sign Cake Wrecks. Even without his name on the cover, people knew. That book wouldn't have happened without John, or the one after (hoo boy, especially the one after), or the tours, or even the blog as we know it today. Plus anyone still reading CW knows that John's posts are usually the best ones. :p



(When ARE you doing another stick figure post, John?)

When I started Epbot, again, it was all me. My passion project. My thoughts. But as I went on, it was so blindingly obvious that John is a part of me. You can't split us up. So even though I'm a little more territorial here, and jealously guard Epbot as MY space - and even feel a bit stung when friends call Epbot "Jen and John's blog" - the fact is, John's all over these posts. He's part of every project, every discussion. Whether he's in the background cheering me on, or in the foreground Power Tooling The Things, you guys know: John's as much Epbot as I am. And I wouldn't have it any other way.

Plus he agrees to meetups with both dinosaurs AND readers. 
(This is Aimee, Steph, and Toothy McLunges-a-lot, whose photo-bombing game is ON POINT.)

So yes, John gets stuff in the mail, but better than that, he has this awesome reader squad online now. For all its ups and downs (and obviously the internet has its share of downs), Facebook has allowed John to really see and interact with you guys. He gets to be a part of this community in a way he's never had before, and over this past year I've watched him laugh and cry and make honest-to-goodness friends with folks across the globe and share inside jokes and give advice and just, I don't know, come alive. With all the good and the bad. It's like watching my own journey through internet notoriety on fast-forward, and seeing John deal with the highest of highs ("People like me! Whee!") and the lowest lows ("People hate me, I will never feel sunshine again.") has been, well, a little scary. Sometimes moreso during the high times, because I know they don't last, and I want to protect him... but can't.

But then, just like I've experienced so many times, right at the lowest moment, right when you're convinced none of this online stuff is worth it, and no one cares, and why don't we just pack up and go off grid? - just then a card or package arrives in the P.O. Box. And it's some little handmade reminder that everything's going to be OK, or a note saying what you do IS worth it. And you guys save the day. Again.


The Black Knight, post shoulder surgery, by Cait B. :D

 Here it is in John's man cave, Cait!

John's out of the sling now, btw, about a week into his active physical therapy exercises (as opposed to passive ones), and still blowing away all our recovery expectations. He's merrily building things and using power tools again, so you'd never even know he had major surgery six weeks ago.

One more surgery souvenir: John's new Pony avatar by Tracey S.!

 Complete with a shoulder sling and Epbot cutie mark! Eee!



 And one last one, this time [snerk] from Anna B., who embroidered our names in Gallifreyan!
Or, you know, so she claims. It'd be hilarious if these actually said Up Yours or something.  (Oooh, there's a market for you, crafters: you've heard of subversive cross stitch? Subversive Gallifreyan. It'd be the most niche market EVER.)

Wait, you have to see the back side, too:

How is this so pretty??

As always, I hope none of this comes off unbearably braggy. I mean, a LITTLE braggy is fine, because look at this cool stuff, but I promise it's only in the spirit of sharing some happy, and to remind you guys that every positive thing you do or say - every "attagirl," every "me, too," matters. Not just to me and John, but to everyone in your life.

Sometimes it takes 100 positives to cancel out a single negative. Sometimes it takes an avalanche of assurances to bury one cruel dig. Remember that. Remember the person across from you is constantly weighing her own worth, and too often, comes up lacking. Remember how much you are needed in the little things, as well as the big. Remember how far a few words and single moment of your time can go. Remember you hold more power in your hands than you can ever imagine, and you are more seen, more valued, and more effective than you know.

And, of course:


Sorry. Couldn't help myself.


Right, the Project awaits. Hope your week's going well, peeps!

33 comments:

  1. Damn it Jen! You made me laugh AND cry, again!

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  2. Jen & John - You guys are amazing! I've never seen a husband & wife so attuned to each other, their cooperative projects and both having superb senses of humor! You both do Cake Wrecks fantastically! - You each have your own style, which makes the posts more interesting. No one can ever get tired of Cake Wrecks, because it is always fresh, funny, and tweaks your reader's intelligence!

    EPBOT is a wonderful counterpoint to Cake Wrecks. It make us fans feel special to have Jen talking to "us"- It's like having a wonderful & fascinating friend. Sharing her point of view about all kinds of things and showing Jen & John's incredible projects! We get to root for you in a personal way, that is a special connection.

    It's so cool that Fans of Epbot is an outlet for wonderful thoughts, photos & ideas of John's. We fans are seeing other fun parts of John's persona (other than Cake -related, and second hand from Jen). We have a deep appreciation (and admiration) of both of you!

    Now if you could only invent a negativity filter for comments that evil trolls make, so you wouldn't even see them - that would be great! And so much better for your mental health! Or even better- invent a virus for trolls' computers, that when they start to bad mouth people, they'd get a shock through their keyboard! (Like those anti-bark shocking collars - that are so evil to put on an animal, but a lot of humans could learn some empathy, or at least not to spew their venom everywhere!) Sorry for writing so much... <3

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  3. Epbot is my to go to place when I feel down. There is never any negativity here, never any mean things about others. You (and John) brighten up my and many others days all the time, so it is only fair that we try and do the same for you guys! :) So don't feel like it is bragging telling us about things you have gotten from fans/us.

    Also, so happy to hear that John is doing so well! I hope his speedy recovery continues to go great.

    Many hugs and thank yous from an anxity ridden Swede on her way to the docotors for more investigation to find out if she has ADD/aspergers. Wish me luck! :D

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    1. Good luck! Either yes or no, sometimes it's a relief just to get an answer. Either way, I bet you're an awesome creature Atera!

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    2. Ooh, luck, virtual hugs, & extra sprinkles for you! I hope it goes well!

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    3. Thanks! The tests made me so tired, my brain feels like mush. I have one more round to go, but as you say, just knowing will be a relief!

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  4. I'm introverted enough that even commenting online is a bit scary for me, but I love your work. And know that for every snarky idiot troll there are a thousand like me, quietly loving and appreciating what you do. Thank you for doing it, even on the days it doesn't feel worth it.

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  5. You and John are good, no make that awesome people!

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  6. Your fans who send goodies are so talented!

    *Small voice* What's Gallifreyan?

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    1. The written language of the time lords on Doctor Who.
      -Me

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  7. Tracey S.'s pony is adorable! Please tell me she has an Etsy shop...

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  8. You all are amazing and brighten my day! I'm glad that this is such a positive community that we can all brighten each other's days and YOUR (Jen and John!) days, too!

    In the words of the Vlog Brothers, DFTBA! (Don't forget to be awesome!....even though you guys already are!)

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  9. Has John ever though of starting a Companion (see what I did there) blog? It would be fascinating to see his perspective on the projects, trips, media, and struggles you two share. I know my husband would be fairly interested in reading something like this.

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    1. John toyed with the idea of starting a blog a few years ago - mostly just a spot to share his favorite internet finds, and all family-friendly stuff, so kids & parents could watch/read together. Blogging is a HUGE commitment, though, and I think he prefers being on the non-writing end. That said, maybe in the future? He's definitely posting more on FB, so that could be a warmup. ;)

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  10. This is all just so very, very awesome.

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  11. I can't remember when or how I found Cake Wrecks, but I was already a fan when you announced you had another blog - EPBOT - and I have loved it from launch. I spend way more time here than I do at CW, although my girls and I love to look at both the "Missed Marks" posts and the Sunday Sweets. Through EPBOT I have really come to care for both Jen and John like good friends, and if I ever spotted them IRL I would probably cry like I was meeting a celebrity.

    That John pony is adorable, and I love the idea of having names and things in Galifreyan, but I don't love Doctor Who, so it would feel like I was some kind of poseur if I did.

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    1. Go ahead and do some Gallifreyan crafts! Pintrest has a number of tutorials and and the Gallifreyan alphabet.
      -Me

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  12. THAT MLP! WOWWOWWOW!
    ahem.
    i love seeing the partnership and love you and john share. fantastic to witness. you are both appreciated!

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  13. I didn't send anything; I didn't receive anything, and yet, I am sitting here with a warm, fuzzy glow. That, Jen, is your talent.

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  14. Gigglesnorts. I love you two. ( and that lion king snip) I cannot tell you how much having a fun place to check in to has helped. Cake Wrecks helped during postpartum, Epbot keeps me smiling and now the fb group keeps my feed enjoyable. I love that you two share so much with us all. So Thank you.

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  15. I preface this by saying I am happily and faithfully married. That said, I have an internet crush on John, the husband of Jen, and I have for years. FoE on FB only solidified that he's one of the good ones, one of the best ones. Thanks for sharing him with us all these years!

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  16. Does John post exclusively on the Epbot Facebook page or does he have his own page too?

    Love your updates, love this site! :)

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    1. He actually only posts on FOE (Fans of Epbot), the fan FB page. It's a great group over there, and since I don't run it, easier to be just one of the gang. :)

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  17. I absolutely love these posts about the two of you! You are such an amazing couple! Mr. Toothy is my favorite part of today's post. Mesozoic photobombs are the best!

    No pressure, but I'd be really excited if John would start a blog -- even if he only updates once a week or every couple of weeks. I totally understand if it's too much of a commitment right now. I keep thinking about starting a blog, but then chicken out at the last minute.

    -Zippy

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  18. I'd LOVE a tutorial on the creation of the backside s of those hoops! Beautiful!

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  19. Every time I start to get at my H.S.actors, I take a deep breath and remember this:
    15 years ago I wrote an actress a note on closing night (can't remember what I wrote) but it is on her dressing room mirror for every performance she does. You are a smart woman to know who has your back and why. John is lucky to have you and vice versa.

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  20. a) I'm glad to hear John's doing better!
    2) Sweet post, love updates about both of you. :) You're both so inspiring!
    last) Thanks to a MAJOR procrastination spree last quarter (and a bit more just now), can confirm the Circular Gallifreyan... x) (Left picture is "Jen Yates", right picture is "John Yates".)

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  21. Not at all braggy, just so ya know. And FWIW (and I hope both of you take this in the way it is meant) while John is undoubtedly an indispensable part of the team I always talk about Epbot as Jen's blog. As in "you should see the unbelievable cool thing on Jen Yates' blog today!!" to my 14 year old proto geek.

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  22. I heart both of you so very much. But as others have said--I've never thought of this as anything but your blog. You two are an amazing team, and I always enjoy the posts when you talk about John, but the voice here is yours. The perspective is yours. And I so appreciate the way you talk honestly about cramps and bras and so on. This is an amazing spot in the Interwebs and I'm so glad you share it with us.

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  23. Jenn I just saw these instructions for a crocheted AT-AT pop up in my FB feed... thought you might like it.

    http://www.boredpanda.com/star-wars-atat-walker-crochet-kamila-krawczyk-poland/?llid=A6J3n&utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=link&utm_campaign=liquidsocial

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