November 10th, 2024
It’s been said by people way smarter than I am that we should “find community” this week and be with each other. Twin Cities Con couldn’t have happened at a better time.
(A special thank you to the peerless TCC gang who make this show one of my favorite weekends of the year, every year.)
I am so blessed to be a part of this community. I sincerely don’t know why you tolerate me, but I’m filled with gratitude for that, and for you. You get me and that is no small thing. The number of people who checked in on me for the pair of posts I made the day after the election was unexpectedly sweet (but I’m fine, I’m totally fine, do I not sound like a person who is fine?).
Living among them, it’s interesting how artists seem to have a similar set of beliefs, at least from my experience. It’s not political or religious, and it isn’t a common background; our experiences and personalities are as different as our work.
It’s our empathy. More specifically: that we have way too fucking much of it.
When the artists are telling you to be concerned about something, you should be concerned about it. They know. The artists always know, and they’ve always known, since the beginning of humanity.
We know because of that empathy. It’s how we make sense of everything. It’s how we create your favorite songs. Write words that make you laugh or cry (or both). Punch you in the gut with emotional revelations (and pick you up after). Draw and paint and act and move in ways that move you in ways you can’t explain, but somehow make this life worth living.
I just appreciate being able to sit next to all of you.
Thank you.
If you’re tearing up thinking about us, too, then you’re probably an artist. And if you’re wondering “why is this blubbering bitch getting emotional over a bunch of nerds?” then it’s likely you’re not. And if you’re wondering why I would ruin a post like this with that last sentence, then you don’t know me at all.
Look: things don’t look or feel great right now. But I, for one, am ready to be a listener and a leader. I have your backs just like you have mine. What’s coming might really suck and be really bad, but you know what won’t suck or be bad?
Our community, and our art. We’re going to create the best work of our lives, and it’s going to save you, me, and everyone we know. We’ve gotta believe that. Right?
Because right here, and right now, we’re the only ones who do. Who believe, who dream, who act, who care, who know.
Love you guys.
Let’s go.
The Den 