TIL that one of the best reporters on this app is a Habs fan! (I’m a Canes/CBJ/Pens fan, but my favorite player plays for the Habs.)

The Carolina Hurricanes stress me out, Steve.

The same goes for Sens folks, particularly media members — most of whom traveled from Ottawa to Raleigh for this series. They also deserve their flowers and love for doing the work they’re doing.

Immediately thought of you and your poor voice after all this. Rest up!

JORDAN MARTINOOK REDEMPTION!!!

Canes media members, staff, and fans who’ve been at the arena all day are some of the strongest soldiers the hockey world has right now. This game has gone on for 4+ hours with no signs of slowing down.

Canes OT… what in the world

Staal and Aho registered points together on a goal once this year, Staal's power play goal on March 20. The last time Staal assisted on an Aho goal was Nov. 30, 2023 — a goal with three seconds left against the Islanders that forced overtime.

a hockey player with the number 32 on his back Alt: Sidney Crosby pushing a Philadelphia Flyer’s glove with his stick. Just because.

I think about the human Crosby pushing the Flyer glove often. And I’m not even from PA.

a man wearing a black hat says i don 't like them Alt: Sidney Crosby saying, “I don’t like them” about the Philadelphia Flyers.

Watching Pens/Flyers as the Canes are in intermission (my cat is named after Sidney Crosby, I have some leverage here), and the audible “FLYERS SUCK” chants are taking me out. Let the hate flow through you!

HA. And in North Carolina, Roy Cooper on the record about the Canes. (Hockey and politics have a huge overlap — case in point: these two men.)

My “Logan Stankoven for Conn Smythe” joking prediction becomes more likely every game.

Would Ohio count as a deep red state, or is it not quite there yet? Dems are (seemingly) trying there.

Crosby, a white Siberian kitten, sits nicely in between two pillows.

Crosby, a white Siberian kitten, is loafing.

The kitten mind cannot comprehend playoff hockey.

Logan Stankoven for the Conn Smythe.

Some folks (on this app) who deserve extra thanks before the book’s release:

• @riotsurvivor.bsky.social, my editor, for making this book the best it could be.

• @fodderfigure.bsky.social for her gorgeous blurb.

• @ericmgarcia.bsky.social for granting Autistic Author Wisdom onto me.

Dear reader, As a wise starfish in a Pixar movie once said, “Today’s the day! The sun is shining!” In one day and a few hours, friends, will be that day. Pub day. Bookmas. The day all the pieces fall into place. Or at least, attempt to fall into place. I don’t know how I’ll feel when the tabs reading “pre-order” will read “available now.” But I do know how I feel now. I started writing what would become the earliest drafts of this book during my second hospitalization, reflecting on what got me there. Wondering if I’d ever receive the neuro-affirming mental health support I needed. And after I got my diagnosis, to fight my feelings, I threw myself into writing. Into processing my experiences as an undiagnosed autistic girl existing in a world not meant for her. Being an independent writer isn’t always easy. You have to do the embarrassing and hard things yourself rather than your publisher doing it for you. You’re fighting an uphill battle, always questioning if you’re doing it right. I’m so grateful for everyone who’s pre-ordered, for the people who supported me throughout this process (special thanks to my family, Morgan Page for the beautiful foreword, K.D. Madigan, my editor, @fodderfigure + @lucasgates92 for their blurbs, and @ericmgarcia14 for general wisdom), for the people who’ve talked about the book, who’ve asked their local indie bookstores or libraries to have a copy on hold, who’ve reposted my nonstop posts about this little story that could. This book is primarily about autism, but it’s about other things, too. Womanhood. Queerness and identity. Coming-of-age in your twenties. Religion. The cost of being perfect. Mental health. Addiction. And yes, you sickos, it’s also about hockey’s good and bad sides.

Happy early birthday, Manic Autistic Dream Girl. Happy release day. Happy “no more secrets” day. Happy “welcome to the new” day. I can’t wait for you to read it, even the ugly and embarrassing parts. I hope you feel seen, or at least understand more. I want to finish off with a quote, the last one you see in the book: “I wanted to be free more than I wanted to be safe. And writing was freeing me.” — Laura McKowen. I am free. Love, Kat

Posted this on my Instagram account earlier today — some final thoughts ahead of Manic Autistic Dream Girl’s release on Wednesday. 29 hours until the book I’ve spent so long pouring myself into comes out into the world. I hope you all love it. Thank you always for the support. ❤️

What’s even the rational point behind that??

Chapter Fifteen: “Dear reader, I hope this book grants you the ability to forgive yourself, to give the next misfit girl a little more grace, to forgive her too, to be as kind to her as possible. And know that you too, are worth fighting for.”

Me before interviewing someone.

42 hours.

x3, what a night for the city of Buffalo.

Also, it’s not funny and wildly disrespectful. Player names aren’t a silly joke or a comedic bit. They’re someone’s name. Just because they’re not North American doesn’t mean that they’re inherently less worthy of respect.

I think the roof just came off KeyBank Center. That was LOUD.

Signs of HOPE 24/7 CRISIS HOTLINE: 702-366-164024/7 Human Trafficking Hotline: 702-936-4004Need help? Signs of HOPE is here for YOU. Contact our 24/7

re; VGK’s starting goaltender tonight:

If you are able, I recommend channeling the feelings of hopelessness and anger into donations to organizations like Signs of HOPE Nevada or other orgs supporting sexual assault survivors in the Las Vegas area.

sohlv.org

“Brutally honest, empathetic, and perceptive, Manic Autistic Dream Girl is a memoir that manages to speak to so many of our community’s experiences while remaining true to Whetstone’s unique perspective. What a gift it is to read an autistic story written so autistically.” — Sarah Kurchak, author of I Overcame My Autism And All I Got Was This Lousy Anxiety Disorder.

When one of your writer heroes, much less one you hold admiration for in terms of “writing about autism and pop culture”, writes a blurb about your book, it’s fine to fangirl a little bit, right?

I’ve never been more honored. Thank you, thank you, thank you, @fodderfigure.bsky.social.

Two days.

Juraj Slafkovsky has that dawg in him.

Is anyone else emotional about the Buffalo Sabres or is it just me?

(I love narratives.)

🥹💙💛

The people (me) yearn for Chuck’s playoff picks/bracket.

Have the infamous folding tables (best known for Bills tailgates) made an appearance yet?