Happy Kelly Clarkson Album Release Day to all who celebrate.
I accepted a long time ago that there is nothing particularly hip about my devotion to lesbian singer-songwriters, 90s gay synth, showtunes, and Kelly. Love is love.
I’m always here for Kelly—but especially feeling this Stevie Nicks era.
I woke up to multiple messages of Kelly’s Manhattan adventures yesterday: videos of her singing in the subway station and gossip reports of her surprising fans at karaoke. Thank you, dear friends, for knowing what will bring me joy on this gloomy Friday morning.
If the number of times you’ve seen an artist perform live is any kind of indication of anything, please know my current Kelly Clarkson live concert count is seven. Am I unapologetically delighted that she is moving her family here and her show to 30 Rock? Yes I Am.1
The only artist I’ve seen more is the Indigo Girls. (I’m overdue for a recount; they are sitting far ahead at 17ish shows.) I know at least two people who will likely read this email are going to see Amy and Emily in San Francisco Sunday. Can’t think of a better way to spend the Last Sunday in June. 🏳️🌈
I’m acutely homesick for the Bay right now and NYC is giving its best performance of an SF summer with overcast skies, cooler temps, and fog-like moisture hovering above. (Update: rain!) I’ll greet the blue skies when they arrive but currently feel comforted hiding under this hoodie. Wishing I could click my heels and be in Dolores Park for the Dyke March tomorrow and Stern Grove on Sunday…
💪🏽 CREATIVE REPS
Working on this theory that more creativity might fuel even more creativity. I believe this is counter to productivity hacking advice, but know thyself. I’m always a yes/and, more is more kind of heart.
I’m building an indpedent creative consulting business through working with two excellent and very divergent clients. The briefs couldn’t be more different but are equally tapping into my long, windy, atypical career. I’m loving every minute; it has been a long time since I’ve enjoyed my professional work this much. Incredibly grateful for the opportunities and my stellar collaborators. Sometimes your friends see your potential before you do.
I’m publishing this newsletter, WEEKLY, now on Fridays! (Thanks for those of you who weighed in on day of the week. Hope you enjoy…)
I’m writing—unhurriedly—a book proposal for a memoir about queer fatherhood. To get those reps in, I joined in with Jami Attenberg’s #1000wordsofsummer community. Every day, Jami sends out an encouraging email with words of advice from other writers to just. keep. going. Since Saturday I’ve written over 7000 words, most of which is a jumble, but I’m digging at something deeper.
And I’m drawing! Daily! Surprising even myself. Every morning I sit in the same spot in my living room and draw for at least 10 minutes. Alone, but in community with WendyMac’s Grown-Ups Table. We’re on a 30-day daily drawing sprint right now. This week’s focus is blind contour selfies. It’s a poetic practice to face your face before fully waking.
Yesterday, I attended an end-of-the-year share in my daughter’s classroom. She read me her adventure story and then proudly produced her “sloppy copy.” Here’s to showing the work behind the work. To not suppressing the imperfect.
🗑️ ABANONDED DREAMS DOMAINS
Spinning in the back of my brain at all times is the question of what to call this new creative consulting business. What’s a smart, memorable, easy-to-spell, specific but not restrictive, SEO-friendly, not-cringey, ownable name?2
And then, what’s the domain? The business checking account was a big milestone, but this isn’t going to feel really real until I have that business email. Turns out I’m confident in giving advice to others, indecisive advising myself.
As I meditate on those list of favorites queued up for consideration in Google Domains, an moment of silence for my former endeavors.
an incomplete list of domains I’ve owned and abandoned
thinkradical.org
queerspawn.com
paperwarp.com
designstrategy.org
re-rw.com
rinseandwash.com
✊🏽 ARKSANAS VICTORY
There’s so much bad news—let’s take time to celebrate the victories.
Judge Strikes Down Arkansas Law Banning Gender Transition Care for Minors
Thank you Chase Strangio, the ACLU, and especially to Dylan Brandt and all of the families who stepped up to challenge the law.
“My mom and I wanted to fight this law not just to protect my health care, but also to ensure that transgender people like me can safely and fully live our truths. Transgender kids across the country are having their own futures threatened by laws like this one, and it’s up to all of us to speak out, fight back, and give them hope.”—Dylan Brandt, 17
happy pride!
xx Kyle
Who is going with me to see Melissa Etheridge on Broadway?!
Raise your hand if you want to volunteer yourself for my ongoing unscientific focus group.
"Jami Attenberg’s #1000wordsofsummer community. Every day, Jami sends out an encouraging email with words of advice from other writers to just. keep. going."
I felt that. Thank you for the recommendation!
🙋♂️