What’s Hotter Than Being Hot?

Prompt: If the average outdoor temperature of Dallas, TX stays at 106 degrees with a heat index of 116 over the course of a month or more, what metaphor can accurately describe your body’s condition?

Answer: None. The very concept of a heat-related metaphor/simile is lukewarm and, therefore not up to the assigned task.

Prompt: What is less interesting than opting out of a creative writing prompt for the sake of contradiction?

Answer: Your mom’s uninteresting.

Prompt: If the brain atrophies through disuse and misuse, kept functional through a codified dictionary of active verbs and key phrases, how long will it take until all creative expression dissipates like (for example) drops of sweat on a sizzling sidewalk?

Answer: As a goal-oriented content writer with proven success highlighting the unique value propositions of professionals across industries, I will not stand for this slander.

Prompt: Go outside.

Answer: I CAN’T.

Recent Gigs

Since my last update I’ve had the privilege of providing additional voices for the following projects:

• Reign of the Seven Spellblades: Episodes 4 & 5

Guys, if you haven’t been keeping up with this show, it is a wild time. My walla mates and I got to contribute to one of the bloodiest scenes I’ve seen this season - in addition to several of the children being mauled, you can hear me for a SPLIT second as one of the wolf-creatures doing the mauling at 0:35. Huge thanks as always to Jonathan Rigg for letting me stretch!

Consume!

Read fiction by queer writers, folks, especially when they’re as ambitious as this.

Inspired by the author’s personal experience, old paperback copies of The Babysitters’ Club and Sweet Valley High, and the real-life stories of women throughout history, Margaret and the Mystery of the Missing Body effortlessly skips between matter-of-fact fantasy and muddy, messy realism. Milks attacks their opportunities to draw the reader in through 90’s nostalgia and unabashed vulnerability, resulting in a mesmerizing tour through the mind (and body) of a teen trying to follow the rules of girlhood…even when the rules are meant to destroy them.

CW: Eating disorders, internalized transphobia and sexism

Performance of the Week

I’m working through my media backlog and finally caught up on Why Raeliana Ended Up at the Duke’s Mansion, a stand-out from the recent Spring season of anime releases. This was an outstanding dub overall - struck a nice, moody chord with some subtle, realistic performances throughout - but I want to pay a compliment to the duo of Emi Lo and Michael Stimac as Heika Demint (young) and his hapless head priest Wade. I would honestly watch a whole show based off this poor guy trying to raise money for his rapidly-failing church and this childlike incarnation of divinity who simply could not give less of a shit.

Wishes During an Interminable Summer

…to find and plug the hole of the wellspring I’ve been filling and filling.

…for the strength to have people over at my tiny apartment and trust that they will enjoy themselves.

…for curiosity and the joy of discovery that sparks a chain reaction.

…for a lasting breeze.

…for my cat to nap in my bedsheets in comfort.

…for a win.

…for a loss.

…for trust in a future filled with new and growing connections.

…for time spent well.