62 Comments
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Elvi Dalgaard's avatar

In Yiddish, "nu?" means "so?"

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Amanda Palmer's avatar

oh my god. would that i could retroactively add that in. but it seems unfair.

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Melissa's avatar

In Icelandic it means "is that so?" a questioning sound

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Mireille's avatar

In Dutch, ' nu' means ' now'. Also a good word for your new self 😊

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Teresa T. (she/her)'s avatar

These days have been so grim, and I had to laugh so badly. "Sonu" brought up a pure, joyful laugh that I didn't think I was capable of right now, and I thank you for that.

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Amanda Palmer's avatar

You're welcome. I was probably supposed to write about abortion this week, but i couldn't. I'm just too fucking tired.

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Aleda's avatar

Amanda, this made me belly laugh and also cry, the combo of which is the best thing in the world these days ❤️

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Amanda Palmer's avatar

<3

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JohnSeawind's avatar

Whichever name you choose, no matter what kind of "aha" moment you may have, you will, at your core, always be Amanda Fucking Palmer, and I'm so glad to be some small part of your life. I love the fuck out of you.

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Amanda Palmer's avatar

goddamn right

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Magnus Andersson's avatar

To add dimensions to your newfound name, in Swedish “nu” means “now”. Seems appropriate some how. And moo is mu also, just fyi. :) Have a fantastic nu!

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Amanda Palmer's avatar

I AM SO NOW I AM THEN

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Munike Ávila's avatar

This was the best writing piece that I read in the last few months. Thanks Amanda, you're awesome!

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Amanda Palmer's avatar

thanks munike! please share it. xx

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Chris Brogan's avatar

I really loved the thought process and the story and the way it wove. I did a sort of <CMD> F to start replacing "Amanda" with "Sonu" in my records.

My oldest kid is the never ending caterpillar: I'm gay. Okay. I'm trans. Okay. I'm trans *and* gay. Sure. I'm non-binary. Fine. New pronouns? I'm furry. FUCK THAT! No! Stop it... I mean, okay, but I'm not feeding you out of bowls on the floor.

Sonu just worked. I love that it starts from that place of "I'm new here," the universal disarmament to people accusing you of things. You're bad. You're messing things up. "I'm so new!"

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SibylleC's avatar

I can totally relate- both, yoga last minute shopping and the surprises that come with, and moving and the vulnerability that comes with. I just moved back to Switzerland after spending 3.5 years non stop in Thailand. Nature, the bike, and me... Feeling like a kitten without skin is even a nice description :) but- the food is great :D and the friends too... love reading your art! and wish you good grownding and joy on the way back home.

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Heather Heddleson's avatar

I and my 5 year old live in the Town of Kingston. If Ash wants a playmate or you are wondering "what's going around for kids" I'm here. Welcome back.

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Nancy Colon's avatar

You know, I totally support this and understand this. I have a “safety” nick name I use sometimes. My name is Nancy but sometimes I use Saylor. Nancy just knows too much sometimes and I need a breath of fresh air. A name that hasn’t experienced all this shit. But Nancy is a bad bitch and I’m just starting to realize that. Nancy really had some fucking guts and without Nancy there would be no Saylor. Amanda may sound typical to you but it’s sweet magical honey to my ears . Amanda is that moment in the streets of Cambridge where everything stopped while this gorgeous lady sang songs and painted new color into our lives/ Amanda is the songs that cut me to my core and gut but also remind me why I love living and feeling so much. Amanda changed my life and I have your signature tattooed on my wrist to be reminded of a version of me that I’m learning to love. I love you Sonu and I love you Amanda.

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Maggie Alexander's avatar

Thank you for this..you have soothed & encouraged my hurting heart right now.

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Holly's avatar

You should totally get the Class Pass app. I have it in Auckland but I reckon New York would have a lot more options. You can book ahead or pick a last minute class from heaps of studios. Great post btw x

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Maree Giles's avatar

Great newsletter but why spoil it by swearing? It’s so passé and crass and ugly and unnecessary and just so plain dumb, really.

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Amanda Palmer's avatar

oh dear.

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Charley's avatar

You must be.... nu.

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Japke's avatar

Thank you Amanda, that was wonderful. Been thinking a lot about you and Ash. Actually about all our young children and how the world has changed so much for us, but is just their reality. And panic inducing and wonderfully simple all at the same time. Take care my dear <3

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David Scott Moyer's avatar

Thank you for giving me the name of the main character in my next novel! And yes, they will absolutely be nonbinary.

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Amanda Palmer's avatar

awwww YAY!!

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David Scott Moyer's avatar

I'm 8 chapters in to the new book now. Sonu is magnificent. Naive, innocent, brave, kind, and wise.

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Jana's avatar

Oh what a roller coaster this was.

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