Long time lurker, first time poster. Had no intention of ever posting and just made the account so I could see the receipts (hence the rubbish username) then some of your posts were just too good not to like/react to but since
@GrunkaLunka (I think) so nicely asked how we all the new people found this thread I wanted to reply.
So I first discovered Jack when she was first being featured in the guardian and A Girl Called Jack came out (let’s be honest I’m a fairly middle class young female lefty who was a student around the time so basically her target market). I got her first book (there were no memorable recipes in it). Followed her on twitter since (until I unfollowed during the pandemic due to her behaviour) but never really actively engaged with her.
Up until a few months ago I only considered her to be ‘a bit melodramatic’ and rolled my eyes a fair bit at her many many medical conditions that were oh so very significant but not very consistent and soon forgotten about. Was slightly irritated when she went from being ‘vegan’ to suddenly eating animals again (she was never vegan, she was plant-based for a few months if that). At the beginning of the year when she was posting those singing videos I’m ashamed to admit that I was taken in (in a bad way though-I actually pitied her and I even messaged some encouragement to her). At the beginning of the pandemic I was vaguely aware of her throwing tantrums at JO but was very BUSY at the time (triangulate that I work for the NHS
) so didn’t pay much attention & didn’t watch DKL at the time.
I found you guys probably at about thread 34 (it was a couple of threads after she’d shown up-I then grunkad thread 31 onwards) and have avidly lurked, liking posts since. I must admit I found you because of a combination of my years of eye-rolling at her and the fact that I’m a nosey cow who found it very strange that she suddenly stopped mentioning ‘Mrs J’. I expected you all to be a bit bitchy and below the belt (dare I say it I also thought you’d all be right wing, possibly transphobes etc) & had no intention of spending hours reading your posts.
But I found that you cabal of haus fraus are the best. I’ve followed along for the various dramas Jack’s created over the last few weeks. I’ve laughed out loud (literally) at some of your posts, have loved your insightful, analytic thoughts on class, food, Jack’s purchases and everything else you’ve discussed. I was taken by how bloody kind you all are. Jack’s tweets are so bloody triggering at times and the kindness you’ve all shown to each other, the addition of spoilers etc have really touched me. I’ve been eye-rolling at Jack’s tweets for years and down-right appalled by her behaviour lately (you guys have really helped me see it as I’m not nocturnal so have previously missed them all and just found the ‘this tweet is unavailable’). Thank you for all your receipts, for making me laugh, making me think & for generally making her debacles less triggering and more amusing!
For triangulation purposes: I’m middle class (& not ashamed of it unlike Jack). Probably lower middle class, dad has WC roots. Still renting despite having worked a damn sight harder than Jack has & that’s fine. Sorry this was longer than I expected <insert gif of grandpa Simpson yelling at cloud>.