08/09/2026

Summer's End

Howdy, I got three acceptances for my work! First was a movie horror anthology. They paid me $20. The next was for a trauma nonfiction story. The last was for a new local magazine. The last two were unpaid but it still validates me. I've gotten four acceptances for my writing this year! Work is kicking my butt and reading and writing at the pace I was is still tough but I'm getting back into it. I feel like I'm actually progressing as a writer and being recognized for it. I have to find people who will write me letters of recommendation now and then I'm probably good for the MFA application. It's a low acceptance rate and I'm not sure I'll do it but just getting accepted would validate me.

I'm still learning Czech. Right now, I'm playing Resident Evil 7 but all the text is in Czech. This has led to some hilarious situations where I'm screaming item names while Jack Baker tries to kill me with a shovel, but I 100% feel that my ability to quickly read the letters is improving. I'm also still working on rolling my R's. There is a class coming up for A1 Czech. I want to take it but the issue is surgery. I hate feeling like things are in a holding pattern and I'm scared because surgery has fallen through so many times before that it will not feel like this is going to happen till I wake up after the procedure.

Aralise is progressing. I'm also looking at a call for Feminist Noir that I've not quite figured out and a lunarpunk call that I'm going to do a microscopist story for. I'm shooting for 500 words a day at lunch and then some reading before bed. It's not like super badass but its enough to call it progress. Also, I got a new phone and it has no audio jack, so I can't listen to music when I drive. That is when I often think about my stories and characters, so it really sucks. I also just hate smartphones? I hate that I have to have one to function in today's society.

Finally, I've been working hard to build community in my city and sometimes that just lands on me. Like, the groups I've gotten going are part of the reason people are sober. There are people with serious mental health problems and we're their primary support. I've had to sit down and make multiple safety plans with people. Like, it's terrifying to actually step back and see what is in the balance. It also hurts like hell because so often, I'm basically deciding who I think I can help and who is beyond help and just like triaging and shoving the pain down. I hate that the world has come to this but I won't be callous.