while it’s still friday

I’m writing from PDT this month, but still cutting it closer than I’d like. I’ve got three announcements and two recommendations—let’s get on with it, while it’s still Friday!

I’m going to VCCA!

This fall, I’ll be an artist in residence at the Virginia Center for Creative Arts, cooking up something spooky and transgender at Mt. San Angelo. I’ll have more to share as my residency approaches, but for now I’m excited to be able to share this news with you all!

Queer Author Salon at MoCA Arlington

On June 11th at 6:30pm, I’ll be reading with several other queer authors from the DMV at the Museum of Contemporary Art Arlington. Grab a (free) ticket here.

Queerly Written Panel at Reston Regional Library

On June 16th at 6pm, I’ll be on a panel with even more queer DMV authors at the Reston Regional Library in Fairfax County. You can register (for free) here.

Though I didn’t expect May’s news to have a theme, the theme appears to be Virginia.

Allow me to recommend …

reading “Lol I’m trying to tell you how it feels for me” by Harriet Armstrong. I came across this short essay a couple months ago and haven’t been able to stop thinking about it. What do you really mean when you type ‘lol’? A multitude of things—very few of which even come close to laughter. Two especially striking quotes: 

1)

The ‘lol’ is a way of asking for something – attention, reassurance, care or even love – while pretending not to ask for anything.

2)

I am saying that, for some reason, this is important to me, but I don’t want to burden you or make things heavy. I just want to tell you what it’s like for me and to know what it is like for you.

listening to Landmark by Hippo Campus, one of theeee canonical late spring / early summer albums. It’s the perfect soundtrack for a long walk, some sunbathing, some people-watching … I associate it with the relief and exuberance felt when you go to the park and everyone’s got their shorts on and you’re certain that this time, the warmth will stick.