Despite being out of work, I've been as busy as ever. I chalk that up to the time job-hunting takes. I also have more bandwidth to tackle personal projects that require more of my full focus. I'd still like to keep blogging and working on my personal webpage more, but I find those easier to … Continue reading June, July, August Round-Up: Job hunts, Bigfoot merch, MCR
Afflicted: Game Demo
I've been working on a Twine game recently, and I wanted to go ahead and post the demo for folks to play. There are still some kinks to work out, but I'm really proud of how Chapter 1 has come out so far. I'm using Twine 2 (Harlowe 3.2.3), and I'm making graphics in Procreate. … Continue reading Afflicted: Game Demo
Big News, New Shops!
Hey y'all! I'm trying my hand at some print-on-demand stuff, and I also have some more big news coming later. I'm super excited, but I don't want to say anything quite yet. For now, feel free to check out my online shops! One of my design examples is the banner of this post. 🙂 You … Continue reading Big News, New Shops!
April Round-Up: Tortuga Twins, Landmark Diner, Gender Affirmation
I went to the Dogwood Festival in April, and checked out some lovely art. I also ate an apple beignet, and some cinnamon apple bread pudding. They were both delicious. The next week, I headed out to the Renaissance Fair. I actually have some huge beef with the GA Ren Fest specifically. There was something … Continue reading April Round-Up: Tortuga Twins, Landmark Diner, Gender Affirmation
Activist Burnout? Work burnout?
Is there some way to write your way out of activist burnout? Or work burnout? Can you draw your way out of these things? Create your way out? Or do you just have to change your circumstances in such a way that removes the cause? I write, I draw, and I make stories. But I … Continue reading Activist Burnout? Work burnout?
Online prose RPG Case Study: Sappho’s Revenge
I've run a number of discord roleplay servers throughout my life, and I wanted to finally do a write-up on the birth and demise of the one dearest to me. There are numerous reasons that contributed to her death, and I'm interested in cataloging how and why. Sappho's Revenge (SR) was a discord RP that … Continue reading Online prose RPG Case Study: Sappho’s Revenge
I can help you workshop your Dungeons and Dragons character!
One of the things I enjoy doing most is workshopping characters with people. I love interactive roleplay games of all kinds, and I've found that one of the biggest stumbling blocks for people is character creation. I don't mean the character sheets and stats, but the act of crafting the fictional person. Sorting out their … Continue reading I can help you workshop your Dungeons and Dragons character!
Funny Little Birthday Boy Diary Update
I turned 26 this year, and I broke my birthday curse. Starting in 2019, a tragedy happened every single year on, or very close to my birthday, and it's made me wary of the day ever since. This year though, I had planned a party to watch Saw III with my friends (we've been doing … Continue reading Funny Little Birthday Boy Diary Update
You are a Product to Consume (Sorry)
Capitalism has created a few new beasts to contend with. One of them is hustle culture: a culture where career comes first, and every aspect of your life is geared towards increasing profit and status. As an artist, I find that many of my peers are swept up in this mindset. They feel obligated to … Continue reading You are a Product to Consume (Sorry)
X: More like this, please.
This is a casual, spoiler-free review. The only possible spoiler is the mention of one joke included in the script. I really, truly enjoyed the film X (2022). Many parts of it were love letters to classics like Texas Chainsaw Massacre, and many parts of it felt original and fresh. It spent a lot of … Continue reading X: More like this, please.
Video Games, Children, and the Science of Play
Numerous studies have been published about how children use toys to develop their imagination, social skills, and emotional skills. For ages, children have acted out complex narratives, engaged in creative play, and developed friendships through the use of dolls, Legos, and other imagination-based toys. I believe that children use video games in similar ways. While … Continue reading Video Games, Children, and the Science of Play
Red Dead Redemption 2: The Game You Don’t Want to Finish.
Warning: Spoilers for all chapters of Red Dead Redemption 1 AND 2 ahead: When I was a kid, I read a book called There's a Monster at the End of this Book. It was about the beloved Sesame Street character, Grover. In the first pages of the book, Grover exclaims that he's afraid of getting … Continue reading Red Dead Redemption 2: The Game You Don’t Want to Finish.
Should you really be reading this blog post?
What part of being human makes us want to share our thoughts with others? Is it searching for kinship? For attention? For validation? What part of us makes us want to cross the barrier that prevents something from being a diary, and turning it into a blog? Do some thoughts belong in a personal journal, … Continue reading Should you really be reading this blog post?
I Love Jack Black
This obsession started in 2018, when I was reintroduced to Tenacious D in the Pick of Destiny (2006). I had watched it in my sophomore year of college, and had a fun time, but hadn't returned to it since then. For some reason, I decided to put it on again. I enjoyed it, and then … Continue reading I Love Jack Black
Virtual Reality versus Reality
It's fascinating to see many journalists state things like "The Metaverse might be interesting, but using a VR headset for work meetings and social life isn't feasible." They're correct. Headsets are uncomfortable, can cause motion sickness in many people, and sometimes present technical difficulties that create too high of a barrier for usage. For your … Continue reading Virtual Reality versus Reality
The Truman Show as a Trans Narrative
Peter Weir's 1998 film, The Truman Show, was on TV while I was recovering from top surgery in January. Unconventional trans narratives were fresh in my mind at the time, and the film spoke to me. While it's clear that this wasn't the intention of the film, I'm happy that I can find new, unintended … Continue reading The Truman Show as a Trans Narrative
Why use Astrology to Hurt Others?
I’ve seen this a few times before in both queer and socialist spaces, as well as expressed by (thankfully) only a few leftist individuals. I’ve heard people first say “we all need solidarity” and then in the same breath, say “- except for earth signs.” It’s annoying and disingenuous. It feels like people are leaning … Continue reading Why use Astrology to Hurt Others?
Live, in Person
I will preface this with saying that while I miss live events, far too many cannot be enjoyed safely right now. Going to an unsafe live event during the pandemic is never worth the lives it could cost. Seeing live events is so special to me. There’s something about seeing a person in front of … Continue reading Live, in Person
Lower the Barrier for Creation
Art is a human act. It’s natural to how we exist. Even though not everyone considers themselves an artist, I believe that we are all capable of creating something. Creation is a joyful and satisfying act that has been disrupted by a profit-driven society. I see too many people who feel like they’re not good … Continue reading Lower the Barrier for Creation
You’re a Good Man, Arthur Morgan
I'm so glad I picked up Red Dead Redemption 2 during a time when I have some evenings to really focus on it. I've always loved Sergio Leone's work, and the cinematic nature and extreme detail of this game appealed to me. I love a good anti-hero protagonist, and I'm so happy with how Arthur … Continue reading You’re a Good Man, Arthur Morgan
All Work and No Play Makes Jack a Dull Boy
Capitalism makes us all feel like we're never doing enough. We might be in debt, and we might be one lost paycheck away from disaster. We might have some meager savings, or maybe we're doing pretty well, in spite of everything. Regardless, capitalism really gives people the urge to turn every act of rest or … Continue reading All Work and No Play Makes Jack a Dull Boy
Meat Loaf
I'm really sad to see the passing of Meat Loaf. Since I didn't know him personally, this post is going to be all about me, and how I felt about him growing up.I remember first hearing the song Paradise by the Dashboard Light, and being drawn to the flamboyance and zest with which Meat Loaf … Continue reading Meat Loaf
Top Surgery!
I've been super busy traveling for and recovering from top surgery! I had been waiting six months for it since I scheduled the surgery date, and I'm so thrilled that it's finally done. The waiting, the paperwork, and the sending money to pay for it were more painful and difficult than the actual surgery. The … Continue reading Top Surgery!
What We Do in the Shadows, Psychonauts
I had some time to rewatch the film What We Do in the Shadows, as well as the entire TV series (I was recovering from top surgery!). This series & film are just so near and dear to my heart. Me and my partner were rewatching the film for the 10th time, and the series … Continue reading What We Do in the Shadows, Psychonauts
Half-life: Alyx
I really, really love this game a lot. I waited over ten years for the next Half-life, and Valve definitely delivered. It's a fantastic survival-horror game, and it's everything I ever wanted from a game all about Alyx. They put so much thought into the game design, it's unbelievable. I really look forward to HL3, … Continue reading Half-life: Alyx
Horror Zine
I'll have some time for some more creative work soon, and I'm currently in the thumbnail stages of a narrative zine. I hesistate to call it a "comic" since I dislike how limited that format makes me feel. (I know that there aren't really any comic "rules" people HAVE to follow, but if I don't … Continue reading Horror Zine
Transgender Horror Film
This blog and site is still under construction! For now, I'll leave you with one of my favorite recent video essays: Transgender Horror: A Visual HistoryI watched this a few days ago, and it really stuck with me. I really love Logan's attention to detail when considering which films to include. I've seen plenty of … Continue reading Transgender Horror Film