shit i did since last Thursday

Writing this update on a silly little notebook pc I picked up for 20 bucks from freegeek this afternoon (I also did groceries to get stuff to make a dense bean salad for the weekend, and stopped by my weed friend to get an ounce of weed. Lots of good errands). I feel like I’m sliding into treating it like a shelter cat. “Yeah, the battery isn’t phenomenal, and it’s pretty small. Crashes sometimes. It was 20 bucks. I’m gonna name it the Stablet. It’s gonna hang out in bed with me. Just a little guy”. This is a massive improvement over my old writing setup, I promise. Anyhoo, taking the Stablet on a maiden voyage for the long overdue “how was last week” and basically last week was fucking insane.

me and the bestie :3

(an intermission of several hours)

That’s as far as I got before I went to smoke a joint with kenny, and then the chinese got delivered insanely fast. I guess I’m doing like, softcore goofball gonzo journalism, lol. We finished the joint (the new weed hits like a truck), we gorged ourself on chinese food, we watched an episode of pokerface, which led to us watching Michael Clayton, and then split another joint, slam some episodes of harvey birdman, and I finally feel relaxed. Maximally smoothed out.

Anyways. Last week.

I don’t think I went to anything till like, friday. We had that incredible show at the pillar, and I dragged so many people to it successfully. I pulled my hair back kinda, and did a like, trans flag mad max look that had me looking completely fucking unhinged. Every act was incredible! Snake world had a giant stuffed animal snake crowdsurfing around, and a truly lethal cover of a 100 gecs song. Critterthing’s set was such a perfect exercise in crowd work, in managing the energy of a room full of people, of building to something shaking and riotous. Kyrie Nova played a muuuuch angrier side of their repertoire than they’d shown off at 7th street, still with that honed musicality we’ve all come to expect from them. Doll Chaser did what they do best. A bunch of us (including the lovely and talented C on stage) ditched our tops during the last set to help combat the truly oppressive heat in the crowded venue. To have a place for all of us to go, on the fucking shit ass 4th of july in this genocidal evil country that has all these incredible trans bands, to fill a venue wall to wall with mostly trans people, and to mosh and jump and shout and scream and clap and cheer and boo and flirt between sets and take our tops off… to be out in community…

(I know, I need to take less selfies and put more photos of the band, I’m sorry but this is my website and it’s gonna have my tits on it ok)

I talked to a lot of people who were there that evening actively having a healing experience, a life changing experience. Touching something electric and alive and vivid and potent and almost white hot. It was one for the books.

(Hey if you weren’t there I’m not trying to gloat or rub it in your face. If you missed this one, keep August 1st clear. This one will be a little less loud and a little more weird but it’s kinda the next absolute facemelter on my schedule).

Anyways. Saturday night I spent in, getting a bit of a classic punk education from the aformentioned g4gp4pt4tls, which was really lovely. We got stoned and laughed and she helped me change my mind about the ramones (my mom exposed me to lethal dosages growing up, but only from like the first 10 years of their career, after which they apparently learned more than 4 songs). Kenny went to see J-Mo and the J-Lighters blow Shaw’s away, and since it’s not my adventure to wax poetical on, I’ll just say that I understand his evening after the show ran pretty late :3

Sunday afternoon I went to a queer crafting event, and sewed two patches on a vest I’m working on. It feels like a moment I can still kinda step into of I cross my eyes just right. Listening to all my friends share skills and offer help and materials, make weird jokes that only make sense if you’re all going thru the same shit, shoot friendly flirty lines at each other for the joy of the sport, fight over control of the playlist on the living room speaker, sweating on the couch, nursing the glass of ice and liquor from the supply the gorgeous bon vivant host sets out each time, cooing each time someone shows off the next phase of their project, catching up with people I haven’t seen in weeks, laughter and the smell of smoke coming in from the porch or the patio. A little polaroid where the sun caught all these little summery dust motes in the air and we were all mid laugh that I can kinda put in my pocket. Or something.

After I left that I caught a dungeon synth show at Zhora Darling, and Holy Shit folks, we have a new genre we’re covering on the blog. First of all, if you ever EVER get the chance to see Jenn Taiga, do it with zero hesitation. One of the most like, intense acts I’ve ever seen? I’m a complete and true believer. I spent a truly embarrassing amount at the merch table (perfume from a beautiful transexual dungeon synth artist on tour? A thing I obviously must own. A gorgeous patterned black handkerchief? You know I have been meaning to flag for hardcore s/m). Also, I think in general that genre is pretty fucking fun to dress insane, get high, and wiggle to. Also Zhora Darling is a really slick venue, I’m excited to find excuses to go back.

Monday was spent enthusiastically with a partner. Tuesday was spent enthusiastically with a fun exciting new hookup.

Wednesday my sister came down from Duluth and I took her and a partner to go see Ezra Furman at the Amsterdam.

Ezra Furman was spectacular, really incredible energy. I hadn’t really listened to her much at all before the concert, but both Kate and my partner were big fans. The big takeaway for me was how little the crowd was moving. People, you gotta fucking wiggle more when you’re out at shows, just let your body stim a little. It’s good for you. The other takeaway, I think, is how excited I am for the people I’m seeing right now to get their moment. I truly feel like the talent I’m seeing week to week is absolutely ready for whatever that next rung up of success looks like, if that’s something they’re seeking. Ezra seemed like she was having fun, by the end of the night.

And now tonight is Thursday. A wild few days. A lot of time on the right side of the veil. A life that is fundamentally so much bigger and brighter and weirder and wilder than I ever would have known to ask for. The bounty I have right now is greater than anything I knew I could ever hope for. Tomorrow, I get to see Melpomene again. Saturday I go to a kinky pool party, beat the hell out of some cuties, maybe get beat on a little, eat a dense bean salad and some hot dogs, run home, shower off probably, and then scrape myself off the couch so I can see Watches at the eagles 34. What a crazy fucking life.

(PS, fun recurring bit, two different insightful people close to me who’s opinions I trust have watched me sit down and have turned to me as if finally sliding a piece into place mentally and gone “Do you know that old Alison Bechdel comic, ‘Dykes to Watch Out For?’ You look like you’d be a character in that”. Which has just filled me with glee and elation both times it happened. And you know what? You should fucking be watching out for me, motherfucker.)

(PPS if all is working right you should be able to leave comments now. Be civil you fucking ghouls)