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On this episode of tokyoterri’s rebellion, I’m sharing my story of diving into TikTok’s live streaming feature and finding unexpected connections along the way. Inspired by the legendary Good Trouble and Nick—yes, that weird gecko guy—I decided to give it a shot, and it turned into something truly special.

Join me as I share how live streaming can lead to real, heartfelt conversations. We talked about communicating with people who have totally different views.

My takeaway: Social media can bring us closer, help us find common ground, and tackle bigger issues. Of course, social media can be the source of human’s worst impulses. But it can also be a tool for our best. The folks I admire lead on social media focused on connection, empathy, and a bit of rebellious hope.

Editor’s note: yes, this show used to be called hello human show. But I went into a long hiatus. Recently I decided to restart and to rename it to the same name as my newsletter. And to pick up my mic and start again. I’ll publish at least weekly. But sometimes, more.

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(originally published 7/13/20)
three early life stories

welcome to hello human.

I'm Terri, also known as tokyoterri. I'm a native New Yorker living in Japan for a very long time. I say that I've lived approximately a thousand lives; I raised and nurtured lives instead of children. And that's more than fine with me.

Here are three early ones.
One: tiny child scaring my mother with my curiosity about the mangled mouse corpse on the gray patio of our tiny house. My cat Bingo probably did the deed.

Two: Running away with Danny of the massive Afro living in a rider truck for three days till my common sense sent me drooping home to my distraught parents and my cool jazz uncle Leon.

Three: Playing entirely inept group hooky refusing another drop of that celebrated wretchedly, nasty long Island ice tea. Then taking a bus to a verdant park, making out with Fausto the fascinating against a scratchy tree trunk.

Now, church is woven in and out of these early lives. Earnest gray basement with that odor of wet cement and florid confessions; long heated discussions and daddy's study. I snuck down the rickety steps to eavesdrop.
sometimes with his rabbi friends
sometimes with neighborhood teens
sometimes the family

my daddy never told tales, but the stress led to him getting irritated and doing what we in the family called singing in soprano.

I loved them.
I miss them.

Crawdaddy evenings at my cousin's trailer with more kids and their stories, which aren't mine to tell.

So in hello, human I'll interview awesome folks whose art I love and cook up motivation for you, especially if you're a late blooming artist like me.

Expect it to be published on Tokyo Mondays, which is Sundays in many places, and Tuesdays in others.

Thank you.

Enjoy.

Stay well.
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