🔻Each of us is both dignified and fragile 🔻
Everyone I know is reading every article they can about pandemic-related depression. We’re all burned out, but it’s bigger than that. The pandemic disrupted our lives. That giant shake-up led to many smaller ones and now we’re collectively questioning all the things we want to change for our futures. The subject line of this newsletter comes from an essay by Jonathan Malesic on how the future should mean working less. He writes: “Because each of us is both dignified and fragile, our new vision should prioritize compassion for workers, in light of work’s power to deform their bodies, minds and souls.” I've been feeling that way—both strong and resilient and dignified, but like I could break apart at any moment for the smallest reason.
I’m good at having compassion for others, but when it comes to having compassion for myself, that’s another story. I tend to work too much and then blame myself for all the projects I still didn’t finish. In September, I took time off from my job at Reveal and traveled to Berlin. The official reason I went to Berlin is because I was invited by the International Literature Fest to give a talk about Guantanamo Voices, but also I was very excited to hang out on busy streets with friends, drinking coffee and not attending any Zoom meetings for two whole weeks. Berlin makes me feel like anything is possible in the world. I was there during the national elections and they not only have a Leftist political party, but a Green party, an Animal Rights party, a Pirate party, for Chrissake. Being there gave me time and space to think about how much of my daily life is work. How has work deformed my brain, body, and soul? Our whole culture is geared around forcing us to make life choices based on fear: quit your job and you’ll lose your healthcare, take time off work and you’ll wind up homeless. But what would it look like to make decisions not based on fear, but on what I want? What is it I actually want to spend my time doing?
A campaign sign for "The Left" political party in Berlin.
Upcoming Events
Art of the News Exhibition and Book Signing - Pages from Guantanamo Voices and the In/Vulnerable series I worked on are going up on display in an actual museum, thanks to the University of Oregon. The Art of the News exhibit on comics journalism is at the Schnitzer Museum in Eugene from now until January 16th. Wonder of wonders, I’m doing a book signing with my comics journalism hero Joe Sacco (!!!!) this Saturday. October 16, 11am, in-person at the Jordan Schnitzer Museum of Art
Bitch’s Birthday Party - Feminist media nonprofit Bitch is turning 25! I was the online editor and podcast host at Bitch for four of those 25 years. The current crew is hosting a fundraiser birthday party online, featuring a bunch of extremely cool guests (like Roxane Gay, who is doing a reading!). I’m going to lead a super quick comics drawing activity. October 21, 5pm PST, online, get a ticket here.
Creative Mornings - I’m doing a talk about comics journalism for the design-oriented early risers of Creative Mornings. Wake up, grab some coffee, learn how to fold a zine, and listen to me talk about the power of comics! October 29, 8:30am PST, FREE!, online, register here
Stuff I Made
Lots of zines - I’m making a zine most days in October. This one about how Instagram is bad for you really blew up!
A comic about paid family leave - I wrote and drew an “explainer” comic about how Americans don’t have paid family and medical leave… and why that’s a huge problem.
Halloween decorations - I realized I haven’t painted anything for fun in a really long time. It felt great to paint this very emotional ghost.
Stuff I Love
Reservation Dogs - I love every damn moment of this new series from Sterlin Harjo and Taika Waititi that follows the lives of indigenous teenagers in Oklahoma. It’s funny, it’s surprising, it’s moving, and all I want is more, more, more. It's streaming on Hulu and is on FX on real-TV.
Sex Education - I straight-up cried during several episodes of this wonderful show’s third season. They mix vulnerable moments with the awkward angst of being a teen so beautifully, and allow the characters to change and grow. It's streaming on Netflix.
Fall wreaths - My talented flower-growing friend Katelyn makes these gorgeous wreaths. If you’re in Portland, you can get one!
Queer As All Get Out - I got to read an advance copy of this new queer history comic by my favorite Texas cowpoke-drawing artist Shelby Criswell. It’s so charming! Please buy it for any teens you know.
Special Topics in Being Human - Annnnd another illustrated queer book coming out this month is this sweet, tender advice guide from S. Bear Bergman and Saul Freedman-Lawson.
Reyna Tropical - These days I’m listening to this band on constant repeat.
Dolly Parton Zine - I ordered this charming anthology zine from Liz Yerby that tells Dolly Parton’s life story through a series of comics. I love seeing all the different perspectives on Dolly’s life!
These Berlin-made notebook - While I was in Berlin, I finally found the perfect notebook. It’s just what I want in every way. Unfortunately, now I have to to get new ones shipped from Germany.
This recipe for gnocchi - Who knew you could pan-fry gnocchi?? Not me. This extremely quick recipe hits all the salt/fat/acid/heat notes and is legitimately the most delicious meal I can make in under 20 minutes. I make it without the cheese to keep it vegan.
USPS stamps - There are so many good stamps out right now. Are we living in the golden age of forever stamps? We’ve got adorable monsters, we’ve got star-studded ravens, we’ve got OTTERS IN SNOW!!
What I’m Reading
We Had a Little Real Estate Problem - I didn’t know what to expect from comedy historian Kliph Nesteroff’s book about the overlooked history of indigenous stand-up comedy in the United States and Canada, but was immediately captivated by both the story telling and the depth of research involved. The title comes from a Charlie Hill punchline: "My people are from Wisconsin. We used to be from New York. We had a little real estate problem."
The Hardest Thing Isn’t Leaving - This is the book I’m currently reading and all I want to do is spend all my waking hours immersed in it. Lauren Hough’s memoir of growing up in a cult, joining the Air Force, and finding community as a gay woman in the early 2000s is gripping and moving in the way only honest stories are.
Burning Down the Haus - I listened to this history of East German punks in the 1980s before going to Berlin in September. It was the perfect book for helping me appreciate the landmarks of the city, from Zion Church to Alexanderplatz to the Stasi headquarters, and for understanding how resistance to communism grew from within.
An Empire Called Memory - I bought this sci-fi book from great Berlin feminist bookstore She Said and devoured it all too quickly. If you love stories about languages, cities, and space bureaucracy, this is your thing.
Something to Do
Support abortion access in Texas…
… and other states where it’s very difficult to get an abortion. I made a zine listing a couple groups that help Texans cover the many costs of having to travel to get an abortion (Frontera Fund, Buckle Bunnies, and the National Network of Abortion Funds, to name just three), plus I’m excited about Plan C, a nonprofit group that offers resources on how to get abortion pills by mail and safely use them. You can download, print out, and distribute the zine if you want!
P.S. The last time I sent out a newsletter, Twyla was a baby puppy. Now she is a full-grown dog. Look how bored she is as I write this!
I'll send out another update soon. In the meantime, you can follow me on Instagram and Twitter. You can also support my work on Patreon and receive wonderful things in the mail. The archive of past newsletters is right here.