2.25 February Log
pit stops and sights from the past month: things purchased, experienced, read etc...
I survived. I survived February. That may not seem like a huge feat given it is the shortest month of the year, but there was so much unearthed this past month I still feel a bit dizzy. The universe [or whatever you believe in] dealt me some really tough cards this month—and I don’t want to say I fought my way through them because I do not have fight in me. I moved through them. Some with tears, some with fury, some by leaning in, and I couldn’t be more proud of how I navigated everything.
There highlights of February are so beautiful and I have shared a lot of them—and I will bask in their goodness as we move into March! I look forward to March despite the absolute hit my allergies are already taking, spring is right around the corner! More sun, more time outside, less seasonal depression. There is also a Venus retrograde this month and for most might seem scary but I was born during a Venus retrograde so I am hoping this moment of alignment offers me some sweetness, some intimacy, and maybe even some romance! [my kind of romance please].
Also, a huge huge update for February—I have over 1k subscribers here. I published some of my favorite pieces ever. I cannot say thank you enough. Things do have a wild way of aligning. I have never been more ready to be seen, to be witnessed. Ah okay I am getting teary-eyed, but thank you. Little me, teen me, young adult me, and me now thank you for seeing me and being here.
🎨 ART
I did not experience enough this month tbh. Maybe that says something about this past month—or the fact that most of my weekends were pre-emptively booked before February even started! But I did have the honor of press previewing Crescendo at Asian Arts Initiative! This is in incredible exhibition highlighting not only Asian art and artists of the 80s and 90s but the connection and collaboration with the Black jazz and Black arts movements of the time!
📖 BOOKS
A Strange and Stubborn Endurance by Foz Meadows An incredible story of endurance, survival, love of self and others, and what a fantasy queer-normative world could look like. I think some of my favorite elements of this story weren’t the fantasy pieces, but the so wonderfully human moments. Seeing someone overcome their trauma and grief without pressure to put it down, or being asked to forget. That love of self and others can develop at the same time. That you are not broken after something harmful impacts you. I will be reading the second book in this duology!
Little Rot by Akwaeke Emezi I will always love the way Emezi showcases some of our most human relationships and experiences through what we the reader may view as absurd. There is not one simplistic character, decision, or concept within this book. It challenges your black and white thinking about so many scenarios that you leave the book a bit turned upside down. The ending is the one “simplistic” piece of this story and that’s because it’s framed in a way as life continuing on, just like our everyday lives. [pre-order the paperback]
Big Swiss by Jen Beagin Not unpacking other than, painfully racist. Do Not recommend.
🛍️ PURCHASES
COWBOY CARTER TICKETS!
I am broke now.
🎟️ ACTIVITIES
Beyonce Night with some wonderful people I am continuing to get to know!
Palentine’s Dinner hosted by one of my dearest friends, Chanae, at this delicious restaurant Bolo. It was such a fun evening connecting with people I already know and some I am still developing relationships with!
Palentine Date with my friends Courtney! We went to a hand building clay workshop and then had delicious pizza and espresso martinis! One of the most “us” Palentine’s. Love her!
This month’s QueerBooksPhilly book club meeting was about Little Rot! Easily one of my favorite meetings have had since our inception June 2024!
I launched a huge work project I have been doing 98% on my own for the last few years. It happened! I am proud—and exhausted.
I noticed I did not do something on my own this month! I like to take myself to an activity or event alone at least once a month. I am already remedying this for March!
☕ PLACES:
Baby’s PHL finally opened and though they were out of food when I went for my first visit the coconut match is divine!
🏅 SPORTS
February is the last full month of bowling which is such a bummer!
I am looking forward to PICKLEBALL this spring!
🎧 MUSIC
Today’s earworm—a lot of this album. Musically it’s not new but, pop is pop for a reason and she got me with this one. BECAUSE I LOVE A SONG ABOUT A CRUSH!
I have been keeping with my weekly Routine Refrains! If you want to see what I have been listening for the last month. I want to “uh uh” in a sportscar now…
💖 THINGS I LOVE
This space tbh. Thank you substack.
Whew, what a month! See you at the end of March!