Hello, internet.
It’s been 577 days since my last blog post. Here’s what has happened since then…
- I got pretty involved with the indie comics scene, connected with some awesome creators, and had a few short one-shots I wrote get published in some small press anthologies. I really love writing comic scripts and collaborating with artists, colorists, and letterers. Just a really fun medium to work in.
- I also started a few other creative projects which, sadly, didn’t come to fruition for one reason or another. These projects included co-writing a few long-form comic series, joining the “writer’s room” for an audio drama podcast, and landing some small voice acting gigs. I still have hopes that a few of these will work out, but 2016 seemed to be a rough year for almost everyone.
- My job situation got to be pretty stressful, resulting in 12+ hour workdays. That, plus a growing sense of loneliness after living on my own in a tiny town in the middle of nowhere, pushed me to start looking for a new job.
- In June 2016, I came to terms with the fact that I was queer and sank into a months-long depression as I agonized over how my family would respond.
- I spent most of my free time on a LGBT+ internet forums finding support, making friends, and exploring what it meant for me to be queer yet Christian.
- I came out as bisexual to my older sister (and brother-in-law) on August 13th, to my brother on September 5th, and to my parents on September 11th.
- One of the aforementioned internet friendships became my first full-fledged relationship (albeit a long distance one) as I fell for a woman who lived 2,000 miles away. She supported me through my awful work situation and as I navigated what it meant for me to be out to my family; and I supported her as she struggled with gender dysphoria and the loss of a dear friend from suicide.
- My uncle passed away.
- My grandma passed away.
- My niece was born and I became a first-time aunt.
- I visited my girlfriend on two separate week-long trips — once in March and again in May.
- I got a new job in a different city, so I ended up buying and moving into a new house with my sister, brother-in-law, and newborn niece.
- My girlfriend and I broke up two weeks after I had moved and three weeks before she left for a life-changing surgery out of the country. We ended things on good terms and with the intention of remaining friends; we still had love for each other, but ultimately wanted different things in life. But unfortunately, that didn’t spare me from the utter heartbreak at the loss of what we had.
- I am slowly creeping out of my introvert cave, exploring what this new city has to offer, and feeling a bit more free to live as myself.
All in all, the past year and a half has been an absolute rollercoaster. There have been amazing highs and devastating lows. But, hey, that’s life, isn’t it?
It feels good to be back. I hope to return to posting somewhat frequently, now that things seem to be settling down.
Here’s to the next 577 days! They may bring joy, they may bring pain; but whatever may come, I’ll just keep moving forward…
Wise the Simple 