It’s New Year’s Eve! I’m home with the pups. They’re totally sacked out beside me on the couch. Ahhh it’s dinner time I need to feed them!

Fed!

I got the hold taken off my money today, so I donated to the Ontario and Federal NDP, UNRWA, Doctors without Borders, and Na Me Res here in Toronto. I’m hoping it helps with taxes next year.

Next year is almost here! Hours away!

I’m reflecting on the last year and the year ahead. I made a post on my Instagram about all the work I did this year and the work I’m doing next year. I finished a short film, started work on a new video game, finished another pass at my feature script, applied for a few different things, got a residency at Western in London. Taught my first university class. Taught a video making workshop to Indigiqueer youth in English and Spanish. I learned how to use Interpreter settings in Zoom and I learned a bunch of new things in Unity, especially around animating. I consulted lawyers when things got rough professionally. I felt supported by my community overall which was nice. I learned some things about myself and about other people.

I also submitted my paperwork for bottom surgery, continued taking testosterone, had my fallopian tubes cauterized, had a lot of hookups. Learned some things about hookups. Sometimes it just felt like “Wow this is totally a character study” and I would just get to know these people over an hour or two and it was fascinating. I don’t think I fell in love this year. There’s some old love that is hanging around for a couple of people. And then all the non romantic love, it’s just a different type of love than I tend to acknowledge. Which is a shame I should celebrate my friends and family more.

Next year the Union Docs publication “They Say There Are No Spirits Here” which is a reader about my work will be released and for sale. So check that out here.

That reader… well it’s a long story but I am very happy with it. Vika Kirchenbauer, Michelle McGeough, Sky Hopinka, and myself are in it. So it’s pretty cool.

I am also in a solo show at Doris McCarthy Gallery in January and it opens on the 18th at 2pm. There are other events along with it. There is information here! It is curated by Wanda Nanibush.

I’m also continuing this residency at Western, and this next semester I am teaching a studio course, so that will be fun. And I will continue making my video game. And also waiting to hear about some funding/fellowship opportunities.

I also need to do some research into MORE funding things just because that’s what being a full time artist is about.

I’m still considering teaching more after this school year is done. I don’t think I could do a commute again. But there are a few universities and colleges in Toronto. I really don’t want to pursue it so badly I would move away from Toronto though. At least not at this point in my life.

I’ve got the TV on and they are showing the London (UK) Fireworks display and it’s giving me a headache ha ha.

I remember when I was leaving Vienna for Toronto, we had a stop in Amsterdam and when the plane took off it was already night time and I could see street fireworks going off all across the city. It was about as beautiful as you can imagine. I ended up landing in Toronto around the same time and there was NOTHING! I was shocked, I’m always hearing fireworks go off in my neighbourhood around holidays. But no Toronto just was lit up like a normal night.

OMG how long do these London fireworks go on for?

Ha ha ok I should get offline or something. Definitely not continue writing up my life.