Every time I hear someone say that they are a thought leader, I just wanna be like, "So... you're an Ideas Guy?"

A purple bearded iris in the foreground, with some red roses blurred in the background

The thumbnail isn't showing, but pretend there's a pretty picture of a flower!

Issue 0: What’s going on here? Adding to the Noise

Do you ever think to yourself, "I need a new newsletter to read"?

Well, you're in luck! I just started a professional-ish newsletter on product, leadership things, and being queer.

No AI involved, so all hallucinations are my own.

eliseisoverthinkingit.beehiiv.com/p/issue-0-wh...

Given how often I have to tell Claude to cut to the damn chase and just answer the question... feel like I'm getting a decent approximation for how folks feel when they ask me a question.

So, uh, apologies for that.

I'm not going to improve myself.

Presa Canario running frantically with an incredibly silly facial expression.

Presa Canario running frantically with an incredibly silly facial expression. This shot is zoomed in on her face.

...she has a very derpy face

(photos taken literally seconds apart)

Presa canario, standing gracefully in the light, looking almost like she's pondering her regality.

She's beauty, she's grace...

"No notes"

A+

Me:

Me:

Me:

Me:

Me: Wait, holy shit, I have a PhD? Who let that happen?

Honestly, 1% might be an underestimate in my case.

Data people: have you ever worked in a product operating model? (E.g. x-functional team, coordinated by a PM, building outcome-oriented tech products - a la Marty Cagan.) What was your experience? What were some hangups and how did the product team overcome operational challenges?
#dataBS

Holy yikes that fucking blows... I'm so sorry.

If you see it, do it (if you'd like)

Nickname:
Pronouns: She/Her
Height: 5'10"
Sexuality: Lesbian
Smokes: Nope
Piercings: 4 - two in each ear lobe
Tattoos: 2, hoping to add more this year
Fave Color: Purple
Fave Drink: COFFEE.
Fave Food: A solid pizza
Fave Animal: DOGS.

Absolutely this.

Oh that looks like exactly it!

A collection of small, dainty flowers that look wispy thin

I adore these little flowers.

Related, I probably should have paid more attention to where the drip irrigation system was running before laying on the ground to take this shot.

A mastiff, clearly trying to sleep, with a thousand-yard stare, looking off camera.

I call this one, "Dog Seriously Considering Breaking her Owner's Camera when Said Owner Leaves."

I bet learning that lesson felt like a gut punch.

Picture looking up at the flowers of Bluebells

Switching to a fixed 35mm lens made these a lot more fun.

Although, our dog gets VERY CONFUSED when I start laying on the ground.

Up close picture of what I think are flame azalea blossoms

Very thankful to have a yard where dissociating from work is easy.

God, if only responding to emails and Teams messages was this cozy...

Writing, "Per my last missive..." in big swirling cursive might actually take the edge off.

they're just like me fr

"I want to work on something MEANINGFUL! ...well, ok, but maybe not like THAT meaningful, you know?"

Them: Wow, I don't know how you got so comfortable talking with senior leaders.

Me: I'm distinctly lacking in a sense of self preservation.

Them:

Me:

Them:

Me: haha, I mean, practice!

HEY YOU - Do you know of any teams or orgs doing cool product-related work? Is that your team?

I'm trying to connect with and learn from cool product teams, so I'm looking for suggestions!

#product #productmanagement #productstrategy

Forever and always, trans rights are human rights.

On the left, labeled 2024, a bearded person with short hair and masculine clothing and glasses smiles at the camera. On the right, labeled 2026, the same person smiles at the camera, but she no longer has the beard, and her hair is much longer. She is wearing feminine clothing and a collection of jewelry

Happy Trans Day of Visibility!

I posted something a bit more thoughtful on LinkedIn, but here, I'm just going to post my latest transition timeline pic because it makes me happy.

#trans #transgender #TDOV #LGBT #LGBTQ

Close up of azalea blossoms on a bush.

Close up of azalea blossoms on a bush, wrapped around the post of a porch.

Little purple flowers called "Wild Blue Phlox". Three are centered close up, with many more out of focus in the background

A mastiff outside, looking studiously away from the photographer. In the background, some yard art and bushes are visible.

I've been using my lunch breaks to wander out into our yard and take photos of whatever catches me eye.

It's been a solid use of my time.

#photography #plants #photos #touchgrass

Mastiff awkwardly grabbing a small stick in her gigantic mouth, looking directly into the camera.

Marsha was only briefly willing to be photographed today after being bribed with a stick. Marsha loves sticks.

Mastiff has her large head smooshed against the Doc Martens of a woman typing on her laptop.

Wife snagged this photo of Marsha and I, and I absolutely CANNOT 🥹