Gratitude Attitude
Thanks for being here. There are so many places on the internet you could be, but you’re here!
What does it even mean to be “online” anymore
I’ve removed Instagram (and all social media) from my phone — it’s been about a year now. It means that doing the social media aspect of my work (the admin tasks like posting, reposting, sending DMs, etc.) takes a little more work when I sit down to do it. However, it also means I don’t suddenly find myself 20-30 minutes deep into doom-scrolling when all I wanted to do was check the time or reply to a message.
In the interest of staying informed, but not informed through the rage-inspired and corporate-controlled algorithm, I’ve put myself on *so many* mailing lists. This has become its own new problem — now I must open my email app with some care, because I could find myself trying to reply to a work email and instead find myself elbow-deep in understanding the latest hourly horror. Nothing I’m saying is new: this is the struggle with wanting to be an informed, attentive citizen and finding a balance that also leaves space for some mental health breaks. Community-building and change-making is a marathon, not a sprint, and so striking that balance is key to having the stamina and resilience to be engaged.
I’m not *trying* to go back to a world where when it was time to “go online,” we had to sit down at the library or family computer and log on. I’m just trying to capture that spirit a little bit, because it means I’m not always available just because there’s a tiny computer in my pocket. I know we all feel this. So, making it so I can only engage with specific content or specific labor by sitting down at my ipad and making it feel like “work” has been my solution.
Holiday Season is Pressing Down Upon Us
Our Halloween Party was fantastic! The vibes all day were amazing, and we gave out so much candy to local families as well as clients and friends. We’re definitely doing it again next year, so save the date now! (And honestly — if you saw something on the flash sheet from that day and you still want it, message us! Happy to honor the flash still. It’s always Halloween at Commonground.)
I don’t know about y’all, but after Halloween, the calendar year feels basically over. We slide from day to day and week to week without any direction except towards the year’s end, and all scheduling is just one big mush. I personally try my best to enforce *some* sort of regularity to my schedule this time of year, but it feels like swimming upstream.
And since it’s that end of the year celebration holiday time — it’s Gift Card time! $100 or more towards a tattoo at Commonground! Message us here to purchase one for a loved one!
She went places and she did things
Since my last substack missive, I’ve traveled a bunch! I spent the end of September at Folsom Street Fair where I tattooed at the 20th Anniversary of The Playground, the queer playspace of the fair. I also had the pleasure of beginning a big sleeve while up there.
I also got to enjoy some desert tunes at the Nood Ranch, courtesy of the deejay collective Noodle House. I highly recommend this camping rave experience. I had a lovely 5am morning where I rolled out of bed, layered up, made myself some espresso, and danced as the sun came up. DJ Amante built a set for that sunrise that really just *hit*.
Then, since I was already in the desert, I popped over to Unfurl Collective in Yucca Valley for a guest spot. Y’all, this shop is adorable and so well curated and also queer and kind and sweet. I definitely plan on going back, so keep your peepers peeped, my desert sweeties!
Make culture, take culture, break culture?, shake culture
I got to see Guillermo del Toro’s Frankenstein in theatres and it was so worth it. I highly recommend it. It’s visually stunning. Jacob Elordi is the hottest monster I’ve ever seen. Monster smash.
Speaking of monsters, I recently finished the sapphic-monster romance The Maiden and Her Monster. It was *okay*. I recommend it on the basis that it’s a unique story, but it needed another edit if you ask me. Or a trim. But, still a fun ride. Romance fantasy adventure can be its own whole thing so I’m giving it a wide berth.
I’m currently reading Endling by Maria Reva — I found out about this book through this article on Lit Hub, where Reva discovers that she and another author on an entirely different continent were both inspired to write fictional narratives based off of my hero Ed Yong’s writings about the last Hawaiian tree snail. So far it’s very good and very funny and dark. (If you don’t know Ed Yong’s work, I basically recommend everything he’s done. I learned about him at the start of Covid, as he was one of the few humans writing about the science and the socio-political intersectionality of the whole situation. His book An Immense World dives deep into animal senses.)
Next up I’ll be cracking open a rec from my client S, who always has *the best* book recommendations, How to Become the Dark Lord and Die Trying. It’s going to be the book I bring, along with Endling, home for the Thanksgiving holiday week.
On the Horizon
It is straight-up weird to be talking about 2026 but that’s… how… time works, so here we are discussing 2026.
Third Place will return! I just needed to focus on all the running around and travel for the last half of the year.
We’re gonna have another intro to D&D QueerQuest! Stay tuned for that announcement.
There are THREE (3!) Friday the 13th dates in 2026, so get ready to slamma-jam some freaky flash! (February 13, March 13, and November 13!)
Speaking of flash…
I’ve been trying to post new flash as often as possible, and do so by alternating my IG grid between recent tattoos I’ve done and new (or refreshed!) art. Here’s what’s up lately! And remember, as Substack subscribers, you actually get first dibs on anything you see!
Thanks for reading, True Believers. I’ll see you at the studio or out in the streets!
Ahhhh we were in San Francisco at the same time!!!