This is how things happen.

Write like someone wants to read it.

It's not about that.

Cordless? What’s a cord?

"Our culture teaches us to focus on personal uniqueness, but at a deeper level we barely exist as individual organisms. Our brains are built to help us function as members of a tribe. We are part of that tribe even when we are by ourselves, whether listening to music (that other people created), watching a basketball game on television (our own muscles tensing as the players run and jump), or preparing a spreadsheet for a sales meeting (anticipating the boss's reactions). Most of our energy is devoted to connecting with others."

From the book The Body Keeps the Score: Brain, Mind, and Body in the Healing of Trauma by Bessel van Der Kolk, M.D. Page 80.

Paying.
Pain.

"I was alone a lot, but I was never lonely. You hear that? It's quiet. You can hear your thoughts. You can hear what it is that's so important."

Said by Robin Roberts in her episode of Oprah's Master Class.

"I pull up to Coachella,

in boots with the goose feathers."

From the song Before I Let Go by Beyoncé.

If an elephant never forgets + Maya Angelou's quote about always remembering how people made you feel = Girl, bye

Daunt.
Don't.

Being an adult is running into someone on the street you haven't seen in a while and saying hi, but not once suggesting to hang out to catch up.

You sound old and out of touch.

"And no matter what I do,
I feel the pain,
with or without you."

From the song Tearin' Up My Heart by *NSYNC.

Frozen vegetables sold at supermarkets now commonly come in bags that can be directly steamed in the microwave.

This has been an absolute game changer for me. It's technology at its finest, folks, and I'm totally here for it.

The weather outside right now is perfection. It's 63° here in New York, which is warm enough to feel great without it feeling too hot out. I just came from sitting for a bit in the NYC AIDS Memorial Park at St. Vincent's Triangle, and people are definitely out basking in the sun. The park was filled with revelers, from a guy staring directly at the sun as he squinted and ate his bagel with cream cheese cut in half, to an older woman parading around in a mammoth black fur coat with a sable hat to match. It was glorious all around. Happy Friday!

Do you ever feel like you're just scrolling your life away?

"11:30pm in New York and people are leaving the party. Honey, they must be depressed."

Said by Grace Jones in her documentary Grace Jones: Bloodlight and Bami.

ADD. VICE.
Add vice.
Advice.

The past few weeks or so.

Word.

World.

Tidy.

"How do you control yourself in front of all this stuff?"

Asked by Action Bronson in the show F*ck, that's Delicious. Season 3, Episode 7.

Real moments.

Always have episodes of Ina Garten's Barefoot Contessa downloaded and ready to watch on your phone for emergencies.

Corner piece.

"We're on a night flight.
Set the controls to star light."

From the song Night Flight by Franc Moody.

Yes, I'll play the game.

The weather here in New York has gotten warmer, and winter now is officially dunzo. I definitely won't miss feeling smothered in the subway by everyone's large coats and puffy jackets, so goodbye freezing temperatures and hello spring.

I recently just got a Spotify account and my world has been turned upside down from it. I also just got my hair permed after more than a decade of always having a short fade, and that's been a much needed change as well. I stopped getting hair cuts back in November and just let it grow for a few months. It felt funny to feel it down to the tops of my ears, but for the first time in my adult life it didn't bother me. It was nice though to get a trim this past weekend when I got my perm. The perming solution smell from the salon is faint but still there.

"I may know the word,
but not say it."

From the song I May Know the Word by Natalie Merchant.

Give me a life without the bells and whistles, for even its proclamation brings a commitment I no longer see having value.

Is it 2031 yet?

"I don't think clay has any nationality, right? Because it's a material that has been used for thousands of years by people before there were even nations."

Said by ceramic artist Carlomagno Pedro Martínez in the show Craft in America. Episode Neighbors.

"My work came out of a question of, 'what are you bringing to the table?'"

Said by ceramic artist Gerardo Monterrubio in the show Craft in America. Episode Neighbors.

That's so funny.

It doesn't have to be anything.

Discussed.
Disgust.

"You were,
all I could see."

From the song Seven Years by Natalie Merchant.

"How did I love you?
There was no measuring."

From the song Seven Years by Natalie Merchant.

Numbers numb.

I was on the front end of the subway platform early yesterday evening waiting for the train, when two baby rats closely following a parent suddenly appeared on the lower track. They were so cute, and while seeing a rat by itself is no big deal, something about the three of them together made me think aww. It also became the conversation starter from the only other person there who saw it, a friendly grandpa nearby. He eventually ended up saying how much he regretted not taking a photo of it.

I'd like to write a 6,000 word profile on that person, please.

Self-help vs Motivational

Thrown.

Spring in March

AC on the Subway is the first of the season,

like hotels near the seas in,

tropical weather that gives a good reason,

to be somewhere you won't freeze in.

Because on the train there's no ease in,

just make room and squeeze in!

It's gorgeous at 5:30pm on a Sunday.

Cure. Rage.
Courage.

"With love, with patience, and with faith,
she'll make her way."

From the song Wonder by Natalie Merchant.

"Girl, you are rich,
even with nothing."

From the song It's Only Love That Gets You Through by Sade.

Give me a NO, and I will turn it into something beautiful and electrifying.

Write now.

Write on!

Keep writing x 100.

Good morning, world.

I’ve been thinking about what you said...

"I knew that I was on the right path."

Said by Mashama Bailey in the Netflix show Chef's Table. Season 6, Episode 1.

"I found that the heart of many relationships are surrounded by a meal. It really cemented what I think life is and what I want out of life."

Said by Mashama Bailey in the Netflix show Chef's Table. Season 6, Episode 1.

"I've gotta be me."

Said by Sammy Davis, Jr in an episode of PBS' American Masters titled Sammy David, Jr: I've Gotta Be Me.

Gone.
Gon’.
Gun.

"This isn't the time to pipe whipped cream. This is the time to just slather it on."

Sad by Ina Garten in the show Barefoot Contessa: Back to Basics. Season 13, Episode 5.

"Just, like, get all of the caramel from the pan. You don't want to leave any behind."

Said by Ina Garten in her show Barefoot Contessa: Back to Basics. Season 13, Episode 4.

"By the time the night is over, whatever was bothering me, I'm feeling great."

Said by Phelicia in the HBO documentary United Skates.

A word.
Award.
Uh, weird.

Put cash in the tip jar when no one is looking.

Today, I turn 36.

The way a person celebrates their birthday is always a good indicator of who they are, and where they're at in their life for that year. I feel like for me, my annual observances have just gotten quieter with time. They fade more into the background as the responsibilities of everyday living have piled up. I'm not into calling any big get-togethers because the dedication those require are put aside for those milestones of a new a spouse, child, or mortgage. But I'm totally fine with that. Because I'm more interested in seeing most of my friends throughout the rest of the year, when catching up isn't just about a birthday, but the other important things that happen between each one. You know, because of my lack of spouse, child, mortgage, and all.

"Can I get a falafel with hot sauce, a side of baba ganoush, and a seltzer, please?"

Said by Mary in the movie Party Girl.

Your void runneth over.

The journey of a word.

Dear friends,

Please check out a story I wrote for Condé Nast's LGBTQ magazine called them.

My story is titled: This Trans Woman is Changing the Face of Queer Nightlife in Korea

"Hae-mi: Then are you a writer?
Jong-Su: Not officially. I'm trying to become one."

From the movie Burning.

It shows.