Tag: washington

• The Sunday Slice- Week of 11/2/2025

  It’s November and shit is not ok. We’re shooting down Venezuelan boats indiscriminately to “stop drug trafficking” (let’s be real- how many drugs do we think are being trafficked on those boats vs. through Mar-a-Lago 👀), the genocide in Gaza is STILL fucking happening and now millions of people across the country are without food stamps because some truly evil motherfuckers decided to slash them using the government shutdown as cover. And just in time for the holidays. It honestly makes me want to throw hands. The problem is…at what? Capitalism? Project 2025? Each and every politician who made this happen? None of that would help (but it sure would feel amazing). For this Slice, I’m going to focus on supply and food distribution efforts you can get involved in (several of which I’ve mentioned previously) but I’m going to put extra emphasis on the fact that we need to be doing something. The government has made it extremely clear that it is ok letting its people starve through the fucking holidays. This just so happens to coincide with the harshest weather of the year, when anyone living outside or in housing that doesn’t have adequate heat is in direct danger. If that doesn’t make you feel ill, I don’t know what can, honestly. I’ll touch on those opportunities later. But quick sideline for Matt updates.

  All of that considered, things are good over here. I started my land use law class which is surprisingly really interesting and engaging??? While legal jargon may not be the most sexy or glamorous thing on the planet, it’s just like learning any other language. Once you familiarize yourself with the bullshit, it starts making sense. And although it’s fascinating to follow along (or reaaaaaally struggle to follow along) with the logic provided by the court on its rulings, it also just reinforces the idea that the courts have, for the vast majority of this country’s history, not been progressive or actively doing anything to promote an improvement in quality of life for folks. Property and money are (almost always) valued over the human experience. While this should not really be a surprise, seeing it so methodically enforced via the courts decade after decade really cements just how psychologically tied to property and money our entire culture is. Interesting, depressing, but also it makes me feel empowered. The legal arena has always been this giant cloud of mystery to me but this course has helped me understand just how these toxic systems of power are perpetuated through our entire political system, and ways to potentially counter them. Anyways if you wanna get real mad, read about Kelo v. City of New London. It made me get those little wavy lines above my head like they show in cartoons when someone is livid! I you can’t tell- mama is caffeinated and activated this morning. I hope you read through to some suggestions on ways we can get involved this November (and beyond).

  Sunday Slice- 11/2/2025

  

  Food Kit Distribution: Food Not Bombs (Milwaukee)

  Food Not Bombs (FNB) is a nationwide mutual aid organization with local chapters in many cities across the United States. I’ve mentioned the Seattle one before (who meets in Occidental Square on Saturdays and Sundays at 5 PM for food distro- check them out!) but today I want to spotlight their Milwaukee chapter. Every 3rd Saturday of the month, FNB meets at Jackson Park at noon to distribute food kits through the community. In addition, they are part of numerous distribution events at Milwaukee-area venues (most recently part of a free resource fair with Reproductive Justice Action at the Beerline Plaza in October). Their Instagram is the most up to date location for upcoming events so please follow so you can be in the know! I’ll be attending their November food kit distro on the 15th- if you’d like to come with let me know 😃

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  Help Keep Our Neighbors Warm: Family Soup Mutual Aid and HeaterBloc Reno (Reno)

  With cold weather approaching, sharing supplies to make sure our unhoused neighbors are able to safely withstand the dangerous temperatures is an urgent need. I’ve mentioned Family Soup Mutual Aid on the blog before (they do critical work distributing food and supplies to folks in Reno) and this month they’re partnering with HeaterBloc Reno to collect cold weather supplies. This can include supplies like blankets, sleeping bags, tents and warm clothing, plus supplies to make heater cores (a much safer method of creating heat sources for folks in tents/other informal housing without access to heat so they don’t need to use propane, which while effective, can be very dangerous). They will be collecting items through November 28th at The Fox Restaurant and Brewery at 124 Wonder Street in Reno. If you’re interested in helping with distribution efforts, please either reach out to either of the Instagram accounts linked above, or meet at the Believe Plaza at 5 PM on Tuesday, November 4th. As a side note- Fox Restaurant and Brewery is also collecting canned food for the Northern Nevada Food Bank. Consider bringing some food too!!

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  Warming Supply Drive: A Will and a Way (Seattle/ Remote)

  Anyone who has been through a Seattle winter knows how dark, wet, and cold it can be. While Seattle may not get below freezing often, the combination of frequent, soaking precipitation and temperatures in the 40’s creates dangerous conditions for anyone living outside and/or in informal housing. A Will and a Way is a Seattle based mutual aid group who has been distributing food, warming supplies, clothing, and housing materials for years. If you’re able to help contribute to their purchase of these supplies, please consider sending money via any of the methods shown on the picture (next to the cat, hehe). Anything helps!

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  Food Distribution: Seattle Community Fridge (Seattle)

  I’ll keep this one short since I’ve mentioned this organization many times on the blog. But goddamnit, now it’s more important than ever to get involved with groups like this providing critical food and resources to our neighbors. SCF recently redid one of the fridges and pantries in Capitol Hill, relocated their Burien-based fridge, and just opened a new fridge in the Central District located at Estelita’s Library! They’re also in the process of locating a new fridge location within the University District, which will be an incredibly helpful resource for the dense population in that neighborhood. If you want to get involved, please submit a form here and let me know (I can message the group and let them know you’re an awesome human 😀). Lets help keep our neighbors fed, y’all.

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  Hope y’all are ready to get involved- any of us with food in our kitchens and a roof over our heads should be. Please, as always, reach out to me if you have any questions or want to talk about what it’s like to get involved in orgs like this. I am very new to all of this still, so there’s so much that I have still to learn, but I’m also happy to share my experience and talk through any hesitations you may have to make sure you find the best way to get plugged in. At the end of the day, we all have so much to offer and are valuable members of our community. Let’s live up to that!

  Sending you all love from this grey November morning in Wisconsin (currently I’m watching the most unhinged squirrel chase another one back and forth across the branches in a giant tree in my neighbor’s yard- those lil fuckers are so crazy. Gotta love em!)

  🧡- Matt

  November 2, 2025

  activism, community, food, harm reduction, Milwaukee, mutual aid, nevada, reno, seattle, supplies, volunteer, washington, Wisconsin

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• The Sunday Slice- Week of 10/12/2025

  Y’all- this week has been pretty amazing, NGL. It started on Wednesday, when I found a VHS copy of The Jungle Book on a “for free, please take” rack on campus (yes, that’s a thing apparently. And they also had a VHS copy of Black Beauty and like 15 different self help books. I only took 5 of them, teehee 😉). I took my first final exam of the semester (crazy right? We had a class that only went for a month, and our professor was absolutely amazing. Hopefully I’ll see ya again Prof. Gast!) I went to Stardew Valley: The Symphony of Seasons on Friday with a couple friends. If you’re wondering what in the fuck Stardew Valley is, don’t tell anyone but your secret is safe with me. (Basically it’s an indie video game started by this guy Eric Barone (from Tacoma-shoutout Washington eyyyyyy) where you play as a character disillusioned with office life and move to the country to become a homesteader and become friends with the local townsfolk and go on journeys and fall in love and plant crops and all this other shit. It’s really wholesome). In addition to creating the first 3 games entirely by himself (coding, design, graphics, etc.) he composed the entirety of the game’s music himself, and there are some catchy tunes! With the swell in popularity of the game, Eric (and others) decided hey, it would be a really cool idea to fully orchestrate the soundtrack and go on tour. So…that’s what they did. It was really cute!

  Besides that, really my life has consisted of so. much. urban. planning. And so much reading. And I love it! Like goddamn my brain hasn’t felt so saturated with knowledge since I memorized the entire elimination order of Rock of Love Bus in 2011 (and yes, I still remember it. Spoiler alert: Gia and DJ Lady Tribe get sent home the first episode for performing some unspeakable acts on top of a bar at an after party while the cameras were rolling). Oh! And here’s a recent photo of me in case anyone wants confirmation that I’m still alive and this blog isn’t being written by a Matt-coded AI (OMG tho could you imagine the homosexual horrors that would unleash on the world?)

  

  Yes, this photo is of me posing in a parking garage. And yes, I’m wearing my favorite vintage red Chevrolet jacket that I got at San Junipero in Mexico City (if you visit you gotta go. Such a cute spot). And YES I finally got my original earrings removed by an actual piercer so I can try out some new jewelry (these were gifted to me by my friend Kenzo at Cascadia- THANKS KENZO THEY FEEL GREAT! Hope you read the blog and see this!!)

  Anyways- before I start talking about myself and my amazing earlobes too in depth, let’s get into this week’s SLICEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE

  Sunday Slice- 10/12/2025

  

  Indigenous Peoples’ Day: Educate, Reflect, Contribute

  Tomorrow is Indigenous Peoples’ Day. I shouldn’t have to explain what it is, or why we recognize it instead of the day honoring the colonizer. A lot of y’all probably have it off. What should you do with your time, money, and energy on that day? If you’re white, you should take time to reflect on the myriad of ways in which the genocide of indigenous people in the United States (and subsequent dishonoring of treaties and confinement to reservations with intentional withholding of resources. One could argue American apartheid) benefitted your ancestors (and through the accumulation of generational wealth, compounding opportunity and access to higher quality institutional resources- you). Think about how it manifests today, including the continued fights to strike down environmentally disastrous pipelines through native land, or the continued dismissal of some tribes’ repeated efforts for Federal recognition (and therefore, due Federal support), or the increased mortality rates of the COVID-19 pandemic on reservations due to limited (and lower quality) available healthcare services. It could be the multitude of highly contaminated waterways that many indigenous communities and forced to deal with, or the systematic neglect and enabling of violence against indigenous women, or the unending cycles of intense poverty and lack of opportunities concentrated on reservation land. If you’re white and live in the U.S.(or Canada- let’s be real)- you owe reparations. Anyways, it’s not up to me to tell you how to do that or how you decide to spend your Monday, but read the fuck up, and pay the fuck up. Here’s a list of (just a few) indigenous organizations you can consider paying (and definitely take the time to read through these and learn what work they do):

  • Native American Rights Fund (Nationwide)
  • Real Rent Duwamish (Seattle)
  • American Indian College Fund (Nationwide)
  • Triban Minds Incorporated (Reno)
  • Partnership with Native Americans (Nationwide)
  • Suquamish Foundation (Seattle)
  • Indian Council of the Elderly (Milwaukee)
  • National Indian Council on Aging (Nationwide)

  Image from the National Indian Council on Aging

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  Attend the ACLU- Wisconsin’s 2025 Annual Meeting (Virtual)

  We all know who the ACLU is, right? If for some reason you don’t, ACLU stands for the American Civil Liberties Union which is a nonprofit civil rights organization founded in 1920. Affiliates are in every state, DC and Puerto Rico. They’ve been putting up legal fights against against the suppressive US legal system to protect the rights of LGBTQ+ folk, women, immigrants, minorities, veterans, and the incarcerated, as well as fighting for reproductive rights, abortion access, decarceration, and upholding the separation of church and state. So, as you can imagine, their hands are extremely full right now. The Wisconsin ACLU branch is holding their 2025 Annual Meeting this upcoming Thursday (10/16) at 6:00 PM CST. In this meeting, Executive Director Dr. Melinda Brennan as she talks about continuing and upcoming challenges (including the continued cooperation of local Wisconsin law enforcement with ICE abductions), as well as how you can get involved. If you’re interested in registering for this remote meeting, register here (it’s free). Must be registered by 5:30 PM on 10/16 to attend. Wisconsin is in a pivotal political position nationwide- if you’re able to attend and get plugged into the work ACLU WI is doing, PLEASE DO SO.

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  Book Banning: What’s the Story? (Seattle)

  Banned Books Week 2025 is here, and its nothing to celebrate per se, but is unfortunately extremely relevant. Pumping out propaganda and controlling narratives is something as American as apple pie (I mean- look at any of our school textbooks hellurrrr) but there has definitely been a concerted shift as of late to censor more literature than before. Because of this, Seattle Public Libraries is hosting a panel on Sunday, 10/19 from 2-4 PM (PST) called ‘Book Banning: What’s the Story?’ In this panel, Rena Priest, Nancy Rawles, and Anna Bálint will discuss the ongoing efforts to restrict access to books and information (I mean- look at any of the government led websites right now like the Census, HUD, etc. Besides being down because of the government shutdown, resources on these sites (and many others) have been taken down during the last few months, including climate data, data on statistics of domestic terrorism incidents, the Kerner Commission Report, and so many others). The panel will discuss parallels to George Orwell’s 1984, as well as how to navigate the troubling waters of the censorship of critical information in the current day. Registration is not required- simply show up to the Seattle Central Library (Level 4, Room 1) next Sunday by 2 PM to be part of the conversation.

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  One other thing I wanted to mention: I know there’s a big 50501 No Kings protest happening next Saturday (10/18). While yes it wouldn’t necessarily be a bad thing to go, just please be mindful of a few things:

  • Consider showing up to protest at a local ICE facility instead. In Seattle, during the No Kings protest in June, several people were sent false court summons to appear that day only for ICE to be waiting for them. My guess is they will try and pull a similar stunt during next weekend’s events. While being in a large protest is fine, showing up in numbers at an actual location where you may be able to prevent people from being abducted and deported is better.
  • 50501 has a history of collaborating with police. Many local law enforcement agencies have been working hand in hand with the current administration to aid in the abduction of people off the street. Just- something to consider.
  • If you go- PROTEST SMARTLY. Cover your face. Remain aware of your surroundings. Try and either leave your phone at home (and go with a burner) or keep it turned off (but leaving at home is better). Wear neutral clothing and cover up any unique/ super recognizable tattoos. Things will be photographed. Things will be filmed. Think about where and how your likeness may be captured and for what purpose.

  Ok now that that’s been said, I leave you today with this fantastic photo: someone in my apartment building must’ve been in a bachelorette party or something, and there is dick confetti scattered ALL AROUND the back of my building. I, of course, had to take a photo. So I leave you with some sparkly dong on this fine Sunday ❤

  

  October 12, 2025

  activism, community, Milwaukee, mutual aid, nevada, reno, seattle, volunteer, washington, Wisconsin

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• The Sunday Slice- Week of 10/5/2025

  Can y’all feel that in the air? No silly, not the crushing despair of our federal government collapsing around us, dragging us all down into oblivion. It’s FALL! The crisp mornings? The beautiful rain of leaves softly drifting to the ground? The light- that I swear takes on the most beautiful golden hue regardless of the time of day? It’s here. And you know what? People who love fall have gotten a bad rap as being “basic” or “boring” or “bloodthirsty practitioners of an ancient sect of demonic Pagan ritualistic sacrifice” and I’m happy to say that only one of those is true! (Guess which one 😉). I think fall is absolutely beautiful, and I’m NOT ASHAMED TO SAY IT. I also LIKE PUMPKIN SPICE. I know, so brave of me to be so vulnerable about something which leaves me open to such severe persecution, right? Anyways before y’all start calling me Breighlynn or Aeighdin or Keiyyghlorre or whatever horrific corn-fed-2020-“I-wear-chelsea-boots-and-a-brown-poncho-and-a-brown-felt-brimmed-hat-with-my-long-blonde-curled-extensions-and-a-set-of-giant-305-falsie-lashes-to-the-pumpkin-patch-with-my-KKK-boyfriend-and-my-daughter-named-Peighsley-who-I’m-convinced-got-autism-because-of-that-one-time-she-was-within-3-miles-of-a-trans-person-although-I’m-not-even-sure-they-were-a-trans-person-but-I’m-just-assuming-that-because-they-had-turquoise-hair-and-a-Free-Palestine-sticker-and-a-nose-ring-so-they’re-obviously-the-radical-autism-causing-Antifa-left” name you can think of, I should probably get to this week’s Slice. Enjoy!

  Sunday Slice- 10/5/2025

  

  Celebrate A New Fridge with Seattle Community Fridge (Seattle)

  Heyo!! If you’re in Seattle and looking for a nice way to enjoy the weather (and yes I am psychic and know that the weather in Seattle today is supposed to be sunny with a high of 64 and by that I mean thanks theweathernetwork.com) look no further than today’s Pantry Party! I mentioned a few weeks ago that Seattle Community Fridge fixed up and added a new pantry onto one of the fridges they maintain in north Capitol Hill. Well guess what- they’ve added some sick new art to it and are hosting an unveiling party today! Come on by today any time between 12:30 and 2:30 to check out the new digs, meet some folks in the org (and maybe even Deacon Steve, the amazing purple-haired deacon for St. Joseph Parish who has been instrumental in helping get this project off the ground), stock up some food and enjoy the beautiful new art on the pantry courtesy of Irene (who I think may also be there??) If you swing by, let them know that Matt sent you and hopefully they won’t throw you out! Hehe I kid, I kid. But seriously- if you’re looking to get involved locally in mutual aid orgs, this would be a great way to start networking (even if you don’t want to be involved directly with this org, folks in the community know other groups and can help get you connected!) The fridge is located behind Saint Joseph Catholic Church on 19th (across from Macrina, by the bus stop).

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  350 Washington Civic Action Team (Seattle)

  While I’ve mentioned 350 Seattle before (the Seattle-focused local version of the overall 350 Movement) I’ve never mentioned 350 WA here on the blog before. While the Seattle group is focused on climate activism at the city and local level, 350 WA is focused on advocacy at the state level. Washington State is lucky in that it has many climate-conscience policies enshrined at the state level, however as we have all seen with the federal government: NOTHING IS SAFE. We cannot become complacent. To keep advocating for climate justice in the State Legislature, 350 WA has a Civic Action Team (CAT) which is a volunteer group made up of everyday people like you and me who maybe don’t have any political (or even organizing) background but who care deeply about our planet, and want to do something about it. During the Washington state legislative session in January-March, 350 WA will send two emails per week with actions you can take to push for essential climate legislation in Washington. CAT volunteers will send the most essential action alerts, tailored with options for how much time you have available (5-20 minutes per week). Every email includes clear information about where important climate bills are in the legislative process, instructions and templates for how to contact legislators about specific bills at critical moments, and optional opportunities to meet with your legislators to take advocacy further. While you can sign up to receive those emails at the link here (which yes, you absolutely should) you can also volunteer to be a volunteer with the team and be involved with disseminating this information to folks who have signed up. If interested, I highly recommend you check out their kickoff New Volunteer Welcome event which will be tomorrow (October 6th) from 6-7 PM (PST) on Zoom. To join, please register here.

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  Restoring Our Outdoors Together with Urban Ecology Center (Milwaukee)

  Urban Ecology Center (UEC) has a simple mission: We connect people in cities to nature and each other. This can be through a number of pathways, including volunteering with removal of invasives and native species planting, educational programming with local schools on topics like science, nature, and sustainability, and connecting city-dwellers with the amazing nature right in their backyards. So many kids don’t have the ability to explore nature, whether it be lack of access to transportation, time/financial constraints, or simply not knowing how or where to go! Organizations like UEC are essential in helping build a lifelong relationship between folks and their natural surroundings. Not only can nature provide some serious mental and physical health benefits, but having a healthy environment means we have access to higher quality resources like water, air, produce, and soil. I don’t think I’m saying anything we don’t already know, but the truth is that SO MANY PEOPLE AREN’T EXPOSED TO THIS. That’s where UEC comes in. If you’re in the Milwaukee area and interested in volunteering for several programs (including their Restoring Our Outdoors Together – ROOT Program) it’s easy to sign up! Simply register as a volunteer here and then check out their calendar of events here. I’m going to be signing up for the Menomonee Valley ROOTS event next Saturday (10/11) which you can check out here.

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  *Pokes face* ya still there? Oh ok, just wanted to make sure you were still on this planet! I know my Peighsley rant went on for a little while but goddamn I will always take a chance to talk shit about someone like Gretchen from the Real Housewives (below is a picture of Gretchen from a confessional look from this season. TELL ME THIS ISN’T THIS PERSON).

  

  Like you just KNOW she has done that EXACT photoshoot with her Hitler Youth family. Anywayyyys before I get sued (ALLEGED Hitler Youth family, ALLEGED) I think I should stop here hehehehe. If you don’t hear from me (at least for next week’s blog) then you know the Ozempic Mafia has found me and I’m at the bottom of Lake Michigan, but until then- I hope you have a FANTASTIC week coming up. Stay strong. Stay bonded. Stay grounded. Keep looking out for each other. Mwah!

  • Matt/Vel/Breighlynnnneh

  October 5, 2025

  activism, community, Milwaukee, mutual aid, seattle, volunteer, washington, Wisconsin

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• The Sunday Slice- Week of 9/28/2025

  Hellloooooo my little chickadees!! I hope you are all slaying, playing, praying (for our continued existence lmao) and sauteing some bomb ass food (I know I could’ve used a different verb here but who ever rhymes slay with saute? No one. That’s who. So you’re welcome.) Anyyyywhozerz, it’s almost October. Which is rad!! We love the fall. NGL I’m kinda scared for my first winter here so I’m like, cautiously happy about fall (bc I know it leads to several months of hunkering down under several animal pelts and a bonfire in my living room to remain thawed). My terror of the future aside, Wisconsin has been fucking glorious. The late summer is beautiful, with just a whisper of fall colors on the trees. The nights are crisp, the days are golden and warm (for the time being). The cheese curds are CURDING. And the custard, well, it is indeed CUSTARDING. To be real with y’all- last week I didn’t post because I was feeling super overwhelmed with school, and feeling homesick, and feeling mad imposter syndrome and depression. You know, that thing that humans are so good at doing: overthinking things and being unnecessarily critical on ourselves. After giving myself some grace and time to feel the feels, I’m back. And BITCHIER than ever. And so, so, SO ready to dive in to today’s post. So please- drink your aperitif, put your napkin on your lap, and get ready for an extra delicious SLICE🔪 🔪🔪🔪

  Sunday Slice- 9/28/2025

  

  Support a Community Coalition: Reclaiming our Neighborhoods (Milwaukee)

  This past week I got connected with this amazing Milwaukee-based organization- Reclaiming our Neighborhoods (RON). Here’s the deal: Milwaukee is a city that is decreasing in population, has an old housing stock, has wide swaths that have been actively neglected by the city and state, and has pretty harsh weather. As a result, there are significant parts of the city whose housing is in bad shape. Now let me just say- this in no way reflects on the people living there. More often than not, it’s due to absentee landlords who can’t be bothered to fix their properties, or it’s homeowners who simply don’t have the capital to work on costly repairs. RON is a neighborhood-led coalition that seeks to inventory Milwaukee’s housing stock to determine properties that need repairs, but more importantly it gets to know the folks living in that housing to determine what support they can get set up with. It can be everything from connecting people to Habitat for Humanity (which does a lot of major housing repairs pro bono), working with families to ensure they get connected with city services to help with pest problems, heating and cooling issues, utility outages, landscaping, or everything in between. And finally, RON helps renters get the (sometimes legal) support they need to deal with landlords who actively let their properties decay. If you’re interested in reading their 2022 Housing Report, check it out here. So here’s the deal: this org needs help. It is undertaking an absolutely massive task of inventorying hundreds of thousands of properties to provide essential help, and is fully non-profit. If you find yourself in the Milwaukee area, please let me know and let’s do some volunteer outreach together (I’m planning on getting started sometime in October). If you’re not, you can still help. If you’re able/interesting in helping, please consider donating some cash via their online platform here. Housing is essential, and having a house with working heat in the winter in Wisconsin can be life or death. Please consider getting involved!

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  Help Fund Family Soup (Reno)

  Ah, Family Soup. It’s hard to argue that providing food is one of the most immediate and critical forms of support we can provide to our neighbors who need it. Food distribution is also one of the easiest ways to dip your toes into the water of mutual aid. I’ve mentioned Family Soup on the blog before, and here’s the cliff notes: Family Soup is a mutual aid group distributing free food at the Believe sign in downtown Reno every week, rain or shine. In addition, they’re involved in many harm reduction efforts through the region (including this year’s Save a Life Day, which I meant to post last week.) That being said, they need help. Regularly purchasing, preparing, and sharing food takes time, money, and energy. If you’re interested in donating your time and/or energy, I highly recommend reaching out to their Instagram page (linked above in this paragraph). For details on how to donate food/get involved, check out their Instagram story providing details here. They’ll even pick up food from your house! If you’re in a place to donate money, that’s extremely helpful as well! The best way to do so is via their Venmo, linked here (and handle shown in the graphic next to this paragraph). If you’re not a Venmo person, hit them up on Instagram- there are most likely other ways to support monetarily! If interested- I highly recommend also checking out the mutual aid groups that were part of Save a Life Day. I’ll be regularly checking their pages and will post any upcoming opportunities with them on the blog.

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  Fall Clothing Swap: Queer The Land (QTL) (Seattle)

  Who doesn’t love a clothing swap??? (If you answered no, you’re a hater and/or have never been to one or you went to one and didn’t find anything cute and to that I say sis, let’s work through that trauma together). Well, there’s one happening (checks watch) in about an hour! Queer The Land (QTL) is a Seattle based collaborative project centered in queer, trans, indigenous, and POC self-determination and collective land ownership and labor. They’ve done some amazing things, including establishing a safe space of transitional housing for QT2BIPOC individuals facing housing insecurity in Seattle. They also host defense classes, community gardening, and mutual aid events. And oh, did I mention they’re hosting a clothing swap?? (Cause they are). If you’re free today, please come by with some of your closet items you don’t find yourself wearing anymore! It goes without saying (but I’m gonna say it anyways): make sure your shit is clean and in good condition. Also please be aware that this is being hosted in a safe space for QT2BIPOC folks so if you’re cis/hetero/white, please just be aware of that and don’t act a damn fool (don’t think I need to say that to anyone on the blog but I’m still going to because people will always surprise you!) If you’d like to come, please RSVP here. They will provide the event address after RSVPing (but know that it is on Beacon Hill!) Show up, show out, and help support an amazing organization. If you’re not able to attend this (very last minute) event (sorry about that ) don’t worry- they have a pop up market in October that I’ll post way further in advance. And hell even if you can’t attend today but want to help support this group’s awesome efforts, check out their website here to see ways you can help support!

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  Was that as good for you as it was for me? *smokes cigarette* *coughs uncontrollably because I haven’t smoked a cigarette since that one time I was extremely drunk outside of R Place in Seattle in 2019 (RIP R Place you will be missed ♥)) In a pained, hoarse voice cause it was greaaaat for me!

  Anyways- keep it pushing, keep it popping, keep it gushy, you’ll need some mopping!!! LOL sorry that was random but just came to me so I needed to put it in here. That’s most of my blogging experience, TBQH (that means to be quite honest ya goober). But for real- love y’all, stay right and tight and keep your people close. Beso!

  • Vel/Matt/Menace to Society

  September 28, 2025

  activism, community, Milwaukee, mutual aid, nevada, reno, seattle, volunteer, washington, Wisconsin

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• The Sunday Slice- Week of 9/14/2025

  Y’AAAAALLLLLLLLLLLL

  2 weeks of grad school down and my brain is leaking out of my ears!!! And I didn’t have much brain to spare in the first place!! Say bye bye to the last 2 cells *bye brain celllssssssss*

  Goes without saying that this week has been crazy, including the school shooting at Evergreen High School in Colorado (why is this still happening???! Jesus fucking Christ). The older I get and the more desensitized to this, the sicker I feel. How rotten are we as a society when we allow THIS to be so normalized that our politicians barely even mention it? Was Sandy Hook not fucking enough? It makes me even angrier when hearing what’s his face white supremacist asshole got shot and became fucking martyred including federal mandates that flags be flown at half staff. I honestly just fucking can’t anymore. If this wasn’t our reality it would honestly be funny (and sad) with how absurd and vile it all is. Anyways, I’m shouting into the void right now but I know y’all must feel the same way. Here *holds out hand*. Take my hand, let’s all take in one really deep breath together. Hold it for 5 seconds. Think about puppies, and kittens, and Pedro Pascal. Then let it out. We got this. We got each other. We got Pedro. Let’s get into this Slice.

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  Sunday Slice- 9/14/2025

  

  Virtual Session with Stop The Sweeps: How to Help (Remote/Seattle)

  Stop the Sweeps is a Seattle based mutual aid group helping provide necessary services for unhoused folks (as well as advocating for the unhoused community in political spheres). They frequently host virtual events helping introduce folks to the concept of mutual aid (it can be daunting getting started!) and how to get involved (As a note: regardless of our capabilities, schedules, special skills, etc. we all have something valuable to contribute to help.) Tomorrow (9/15) they’re hosting a virtual session from 7:00 – 8:30 PM PST! If you want to know how to help your neighbors experiencing sweeps and homelessness as well as how to plug into existing mutual aid groups, I highly recommend you sign up for this! If interested, they ask that you DM their Instagram page @stopthesweepsseattle for access to join remotely. If you don’t have an Instagram but want to join, please let me know and I can reach out to them (I still have a little hidden account I never use for reasons like this hehe).

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  Homegrown: A Night for Social Housing (Seattle)

  I’ve talked about House Our Neighbors (HON) on here before but here’s the TL;DR: they are an organizing and advocacy group working to advance social housing initiatives in Seattle. They were the group behind the successful Prop1A initiative earlier this year, which secured a funding mechanism in King County for the voter-approved social housing developer. And they’re throwing another event! On Thursday (9/18) they are hosting Homegrown: Social Housing Activator Membership Launch. I know what you’re thinking- oh, this is an event just to get people to sign up to donate money. While that is somewhat correct, it’s not solely about that! You don’t have to sign up as a member to join this event, and there will be speakers present and opportunities to connect and engage with housing advocates throughout the region. Did I mention there will also be food from Off The Rez– one of the best cafes/food trucks in Seattle?? If you do feel so inclined to become a member, that’s awesome! HON is doing really important work right now to push for alternative methods of building critically needed affordable housing in the area (and is going up against serious resistance in Seattle’s city council and mayor, which, let’s be real, isn’t surprising. When have they ever seriously wanted to confront the housing unaffordability crisis?) Whether you are able to/want to donate or not, I highly recommend checking out this event as a way to get connected with folks working to make Seattle a more affordable city for everyone. Oh- and did I mention it will be at El Centro de la Raza? Which is an awesome space too- check it out!

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  Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) Cultural Potluck (Milwaukee)

  OMG my first Milwaukee-based event I can’t believe it (and I’m not sure if anyone in Milwaukee even reads this? Anyways, I wanted to share this regardless). The Milwaukee DSA advocates and organizes to fight for a better world that empowers working people (and not the hoarders at the top! Who we hate!) To connect with folks and foster community building, Milwaukee DSA is hosting a cultural potluck and movie night on Friday the 19th at 5:30 PM (CST). The potluck is centering BIPOC, first generation, and immigrant folks to share your favorite meal. Afterwards, its movie time, and this month’s movie is “Let the Fire Burn”, a 2013 documentary about the events leading up to and surrounding the 1985 standoff between the black liberation group MOVE and the Philadelphia Police Department (an action by the Philadelphia PD which destroyed 61 houses, left 250 people homeless, and killed multiple people). Oh! And where is this happening, you may ask? It will be at the Zao MKE Church, next to the UWM campus. Come by to meet community members, share food and experiences, and learn about some important history.

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  As we move into fall, enjoy these last few weeks of summer. The warmth. The Vitamin D. The vitality of the world. And get ready for this beautiful next season (like come on I know it’s tired at this point to even say that loving fall is basic so if you still feel that way just shut up). The nights are starting to get cold and crisp. Some leaves are just now beginning to change colors. It’s exciting. Seasons changing is exciting. The world, even through all of this darkness, is exciting and beautiful. Let’s not ever forget that 🥰

  Love y’all! Hug your friends and your neighbors and your pets and your parents and your damn self! You deserve it.

  Sincerely, (LOL just wanted to add that bc it’s so sterile and silly and is my gmail signature and it kinda makes me cackle seeing it)

  • Matt/Vel/Bitch

  September 14, 2025

  activism, community, homelessness, Milwaukee, mutual aid, organizing, seattle, social housing, volunteer, washington, Wisconsin

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• The Sunday Slice- Week of 9/7/2025

  Guys so we all have intrusive thoughts right? And usually they don’t win……right?? Well, ya know since I’m in a new place and like trying to build connections and whatnot (and not completely freak people out but also is that authentically me??) I’ve been barely keeping the lid on that boiling pot of water. Well, I might have already fucked that up. So I get to class on Thursday RIGHT when class starts (ya know people say Milwaukee traffic isn’t a thing but I would like to say otherwise bc it was a bitch that day!) and the only seat is in the front row right next to the professor. I put my phone on my desk bc I wanted to pull up the class syllabus. Thank SATAN I remembered to have my phone silenced, bc this next part would’ve been even worse. My good friend….I’ll say their name is Shmelsie…calls me during class (heyyyy Shmelsie I love ya!!) and obvs I couldn’t answer, but a: her name in my phone is saved as Shmeegmorg, and b: her contact photo is absolutely DERANGED. For context we were all drunk, feral, and on shrooms at her wedding when this photo was taken. So as her call comes in, everyone around me heard my phone vibrate, looked down and saw her contact photo and name. The way I see it is that these folks will know soon enough the demon within so its whatever, but damn I figured I’d at least have had like….a few weeks of the facade holding up?

  Anyways- class has been great!! I feel like I’ve already learned so much. I’ve definitely been reading more than I have since….ever? And mama let me tell you- the notetaking skills have gotten rusty in the time since I was a little twink in undergrad. But I’m just so excited to be here, and ready to sponge up as much knowledge as possible, and am realizing I may need a coffee machine for my apartment (if anyone wants to sponsor me in purchasing one I’d be very down LMAOOO write that shit off on your taxes). Oh! And I’m making friends! With real humans! With pulses (I think)! And let me tell you- folks from Milwaukee are so proud of their city, and honestly I’m understanding why. This place has been through fucking hell and back from a planning standpoint (thanks mid-century government planning policies i.e. being racist as fuck) and is now really throwing elbows into the 21st Century to try to rectify its wrongs and make this place an awesome place to live. It’s honestly really inspiring. Budgets might be tight, and it may feel like a huge uphill battle, but people are motivated as fuck to make change. And it’s making ME motivated as fuck to join.

  I hope that wherever you are reading this right now (bed, toilet, car, gloryhole) you’re having an amazing Sunday and are ready to be served up a nicey lil’ slicey!

  Sunday Slice- 9/7/2025

  

  Rally for Social Housing: Seattle Comprehensive Plan Updates

  Ok so it’s crazy because we are literally deep diving comprehensive plans in class right now and this opportunity to get involved came to me! As a quick TL;DR- comprehensive plans are the general roadmaps that jurisdictions use to influence decision-making for the next 20 years. There are typically frequent amendments and updates that are made throughout that period, all of which require public engagement opportunities. And this is one of them! House Our Neighbors (the group responsible for the wildly successful Yes on Prop 1A campaign earlier this year) is organizing to meet up for this week’s City Council public hearing regarding like 100 amendments to the comprehensive plan. It is critical that we, as the public, voice our opinions and concerns at these meetings as these can directly impact the development of long-ranging city planning decisions (like building social and affordable housing!!) There are options to be heard! If available, you can meet at Seattle City Hall at 1:00 PM this Friday (9/12) to voice your opinions in public. Sign-up for providing public comments during this meeting opens at 2:00 PM, and public comment begins at 3:00 PM. And did I mention there will be food provided?? If you’d like to come in person, please RSVP here. If you can’t make that in person (which-understandable) you can sign up for virtual comment the morning of. This should open at 8:30 AM on the 12th, with virtual comment beginning at 9:30 AM. Seattle is in a unique position to make social housing a core component of tackling the affordability crisis, and we can all be a part!

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  Donate to the Real Change Legal Defense Fund

  Have you ever heard of Real Change News? They are a non-profit, independent newspaper advocating for economic, social, and racial justice. And they’ve been around for 31 years (which is impressive AF). In addition to journalism rooted in local stories and issues, Real Change runs a vendor program, in which they offer low-barrier work opportunities selling papers for folks that do not require an ID (and people can start earning income only after a brief orientation). Each year, over a million dollars go directly to a network of 400 vendors throughout the Seattle area. For many, it can be a lifeline of stable, accessible income. In addition, Real Change established a Legal Defense Fund, which is a pooled source of money that goes towards immediate legal, financial, and emotional support for Real Change vendors and their families in case of ICE abduction. Last month, two Real Change vendors were detained by ICE, and (to the best of Real Change’s knowledge) are being held at the Tacoma ICE detention facility. Real Change has partnered with a private Seattle immigration law firm, as well as contacted representatives for Alexis Mercedes Rinck (Seattle city council member) and Pramila Jayapal (Washington Congresswoman) for support, which they have both pledged. If you are able to, please consider donating to this fund here to try and help continue the fight to get these folks returned home.

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  Voice Your Concerns Regarding Increased Surveillance with Seattle City Council

  Another day, another way Seattle PD is abusing their inflated budget to target folks. City Council and Mayor Harrell are seriously considering the proposal to drastically increase the number of police CCTV cameras throughout the city (and notice- most are proposed to be installed in neighborhoods with large BIPOC and LGBTQ communities). This is in opposition from both the community, the Community Surveillance Working Group and the Office for Civil Rights. If you’d like to look more into this (and I recommend you do) please check out this recent blog post from Stop Surveillance City. And wouldn’t you know it- there’s ANOTHER City Council meeting we can show up at to be annoying! There will be a full council vote this Tuesday (9/9) at 2:00 PM at Seattle City Hall. In person sign up opens at about 1:45 PM. Can’t make it in person? You can also voice your concerns remotely. Sign up opens 1 hour before the meeting (1:00 PM)- you can sign up here. In addition, you can email your council member here (or directly, if you know their direct email address!) Annoy them. Annoy the shit out of them. Increased surveillance, especially in the hands of police, is extremely sinister right now as it plays right into supporting ICE abductions (and other terrible things! 😃) And let’s be real- does SPD reallllly need 1.5 MILLION ADDITIONAL DOLLARS just to surveil us all more? I think the fuck NOT.

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  Thanks for sticking around, y’all. Times continue to be fucking scary. And they might continue to get worse. We have to keep applying as much pressure as we can to our elected officials. And being there for each other, grounded in community. I’ll say it once and I’ll say it again: KNOW. YOUR. NEIGHBORS. Make it an effort. Hang out on the sidewalk outside your building and chat with folks that walk by. Make eye contact and say hi. It can be insanely awkward and outright painful, but even that can lead to building meaningful connections with those around you. And goddamnit we need those right now.

  Anyways, before I go, I just need to say one final thing.

  Hugs, kisses and all that stuff ❤

  • Matt/Vel/AnonymousVers45 (on Grindr)

  September 7, 2025

  activism, city council, community, housing, seattle, volunteer, washington

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• The Sunday Slice- Week of 8/31/2025

  The Slice is baaaaaaaaaaaack! *holds for applause* *continues waiting for applause* *continues waiting for applause in complete silence, staring down at my imaginary watch to see how much time has elapsed* *gets self-conscious and plays this clip* And this time, it’s coming at you from Central Standard Time!!!! *airhorn*

  Guess what folks- this week it’s Labor Day!!! The holiday where we’re all gaslit into thinking that the US gives a single fuck about its’ workers!! Remember- this is the same country where Missouri voters passed a proposition expanding paid sick leave to approximately 780,000 people across the state, then their GOP-backed legislature said “nah” and repealed it. Missouri is the first state to repeal a voter approved sick-leave law (what an honorable distinction) but I venture to say it won’t be the last. This is the same country who has fought tooth and nail against any kind of workplace improvements since the beginning (hence why unions exist- at least for the time being…) But it’s ok, because (some of us, mostly in white collar jobs, of course) get tomorrow off! If you find yourself feeling conflicted with having the day off, there are plenty of things you can do to contribute to labor causes across the country (including continuing to annoy the shit out of your elected officials to voice your disgust at Missouri’s actions and continue demanding workplace safety and quality of life legislation). On the flip side- if you’re not feeling conflicted about having it off, honestly don’t?? Enjoy the day off lol this weekend most likely has the best weather you’re gonna have all year (for most places in the US) so like, go outside and throw your phone in the lake.

  Oh! And quick life update- ironically (lol cause bitching about labor) I have secured a (paid!!) internship with the city of Brookfield as a Community Development Intern (hell yeah) and classes start on Tuesday. I’m continuing to look for additional part time work cause life be lifing. But honestly, the unemployment the last month has been prettttty nice not gonna lie. Anyways- enough about me being a submissive little slut for the capitalist system- enjoy this week’s Slice!

  Sunday Slice- 8/31/2025

  

  Labor Day: Workers Over Billionaires (Seattle)

  Do you hate Palantir? You should if you don’t. It’s the company co-founded by Peter Thiel (yes- the Peter Thiel who has his hands all in Project 2025) and is being used to surveil all of us extensively, including immigrant workers (and that data is then funneled to ICE). Pretty fucking vile, right? Tomorrow, MLK Labor is hosting Seattle Labor Day: Workers over Billionaires at Cascade Playground in SLU. For a bit of context (from the MLK Labor Website): MLK Labor exists to unify all labor organizations in King County to build power and strength for all workers. We support local unions and affiliated organizations to strengthen and grow as the best way to improve workers’ lives and our communities. Composed of (currently) 150 unions representing 220,000 workers, MLK Labor is a council with delegates elected from each union (based on size). The council’s purpose is to unify union communications, strategies, demands and organization. Numbers = power. Anyways! About the event- MLK Labor will have information about their organization, as well as the dangers we currently face and that lie ahead in this era of fascist surveillance. There will also be food, drinks, and activities for all ages. If nothing else, come by from 11 AM – 1 PM to enjoy some free activities and learn about current labor activities happening in King County. **As a note- there is also scheduled to be a protest at this location that is linked on the 50501 Movement website. This is a separate event. Please note that due to this, there may be an increased police presence in the area, and 50501 has a history of working alongside police so….do with that information what you will).

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  Denny Blaine Labor Day Nude-In (Seattle)

  For anyone on the blog who doesn’t know- Denny Blaine Park is a lakeside park and beach in Seattle that for (checks notes) ever? has been a clothing optional beach. It’s also been a safe space for so many people in the Seattle queer scene as a place where everyone is welcome and no one bats an eye (which let’s be real, is SO important to have because the body dysphoria one can experience at so many beaches is depressing as hell). Over the years, a new neighbor of the beach who is a complete douche has done several underhanded things to try and change the park fundamentally so that it can no longer remain this space (petitioning City Hall and donating a shitload of money to have a playground installed, filing numerous complaints with Seattle PD about folks at the beach, etc.) Earlier this year, Seattle PD harassed a trans woman who was simply laying out at the beach minding her own damn business. It’s been a consistent, bullshit fight involving a queer friendly place being attacked by people who equate body positivity and queerdom with perverseness (very 1950’s coded if I do say so myself). Anyways- if there’s one thing I know we’re good at, it’s being obnoxious for a cause! And tomorrow, we’re doing just that! Come by Denny Blaine Park anytime between 3-6 in solidarity with those fighting to keep Denny Blaine the safe space that it is. Let me bold this next point: YOU DO NOT HAVE TO BE NUDE. YOU NEVER HAVE TO BE NUDE AT A NUDE BEACH. IT IS YOUR CHOICE TO WEAR AS MUCH OR LITTLE CLOTHING AS YOU WANT. Hopefully that sank in. There will be a potluck, and art, and music, and there should be amazing weather too! So come through, show support for Denny Blaine, and (maybe, if you want to) take your top off for justice.

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  Some Good News! New Pantry- Seattle Community Fridge

  We all love some good news! This last week, Seattle Community Fridge did some major work on one of their fridge locations to build an enclosed pantry! This will contain a variety of items, including shelf-stable food, hygiene products, menstrual products, Narcan, and so much more. They also added some awesome art, including messages from everyone in the group (even though I had already moved by the time the build party happened, they added a message from me to the fridge 😭If you visit and look hard, you can find it!) This fridge is located behind St. Joseph’s Parish Catholic Church in north Capitol Hill (the corner of 19th and Aloha). If you’d like to get involved, please let me know and I’ll get you connected! In addition to doing regular runs to food banks to stock the fridges (and pantries!), we’re working on expanding the current network of fridges to include a full mutual aid pantry at Estelita’s Library (currently almost complete!) and are looking to add a new fridge in the University District and other parts of town (Ballard would be awesome!). If you like doing business/community outreach and would be interested in helping to communicate with local spaces that would be interested in potentially hosting a fridge, please let me know and I will get you connected to the right people. Let’s continue to celebrate the wins as we can, and remember to keep on showing up for people!

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  Thanks for continuing to stick around, y’all. And I’m so happy to be back with you all on this fine Sunday! I know this Slice (TM) was very Seattle heavy but I have some Reno (and Milwaukee!!) options in the pipeline for future weeks. Now that I’m settled in as a Midwestern boi (TM) we should be back on our regular Sunday posting schedule 😀 I miss y’all!! Please come visit. We can get cheese curds. And go bowling. And go to the lake. And listen to the death and mating shrieks of the cicadas (still can’t tell them apart? Are they the same thing?) I’m gonna head out and do a little hike while the weather is still nice here- pray with me that I don’t get lyme disease!!!

  Un beso de queso,

  Vel/Matt/Your Midwest Princess (plz don’t sue me Chappell or do lmao imagine her suing a drag performer lololol)

  August 31, 2025

  activism, community, food security, labor, labor day, mutual aid, outreach, seattle, volunteer, washington

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• Like A Pioneer Woman, I Crossed the Rockies and Plains for a New Life (in my Honda CRV).

  “Okay, the woman’s ripe mouth and long legs had triggered more than one erotic fantasy inside his head. And yes, he had to erase the lingering memory of her body ensnared with his during that idiotic kiss on the sidewalk outside NYU. He wasn’t making excuses for himself or her. Wasn’t questioning his own instincts. But….
  Christ! Who the hell was he kidding? Everything in him wanted OMEGA Control to come back with incontrovertible evidence that Victoria Talbot was exactly who she claimed to be.
  Striding to the bathroom, he wrenched the faucets with barely controlled savagery and doused his face with ice-cold water. Three minutes later, he rapped on her door.”

  The Shakespearean passage you just read was an excerpt from Merline Lovelace’s novel Double Deception: Codename DANGER- a riveting tale of two special agents (codenamed Rebel and Blade) who are tasked with uncovering and saving a priceless Russian artifact from ruthless bounty hunters, all while dramatically stripping off each other’s clothes in numerous steamy exotic locations (like inside of a historian’s office. No joke). What, you may ask, does this tantalizing and titillating tale of trickery and tits have to do with me moving to Milwaukee? *chuckles* Oh, you sweet sweet summer child. Soon you shall find out.

  I want to start off firstly by saying that I apologize for the lack of posts as of late! I forgot how fucking hard moving is, let alone cross country. There’s so many things to figure out like parking, and utilities, and hanging up photos, and familiarizing yourself with your neighborhood, and unpacking furniture, and trying (and failing) to set up your bidet, and making friends with your hilarious Serbian handyman. All of these things have in fact happened! Rest assured that as I slowly and surely start to get my shit figured out here, a stable posting rhythm will return. But in all honesty- WHO LIKES STABILITY?? NOT ME!! Exemplifying this was the path my friends and I took to get here. It was a chaotic ass multi-leg roadtrip spanning from the Pacific Northwest to the Ohio River and (partially) back again. But I got to share it with some of the most important people in my life (and we didn’t kill each other!) It truly felt like the most magical way to transition between chapters in life, and I’m so grateful for them ❤ Here’s the breakdown in itinerary:

  • Day 1: Seattle to Ennis, Montana. Pit stops at the Columbia Gorge, George (yes there’s a town in Washington called George, so George, Washington. So camp), Spokane, Alberton (small lil’ town in Montana. We love her!), and Butte. Only took about….15 hours more or less? But who’s counting 🙃 Also: shoutout to Anna at the Riverside Motel & Outfitters. They are the kindest human and their motel is so cute!! Anna: I PROMISE I WILL MAIL THE KEYS BACK THAT WE TOOK WITH US. I pinky promise.
  • Day 2: Ennis, Montana to Deadwood, South Dakota. Pit stops in Billings (aka the fucking worst, most cursed patch of Earth in the entire universe), Lame Deer (another small lil’ town in Montana), Ashland (another another small lil’ town in Montana), and Broadus (another another another small lil’ town in Montana). This was the most remote stretch of the trip, but passed through some of the most beautiful countryside. Southeastern Montana is really fucking pretty. Only spent about…10/11 hours in the car?
  • Day 3: Deadwood, South Dakota to Sioux Falls, South Dakota. Pit stops in Deadwood (cause duh- its a cool ass town), the mountain with old white guys with fake teeth, the Crazy Horse memorial (which is currently under construction but will be absolutely MASSIVE once completed. Also- the story of the man who started this project is insane??? Korczak Ziolkowski worked on the sculpture for 36 years, many of them by himself, in which he built all of his own facilities. Craziness. For more information about the backstory of the memorial including Crazy Horse himself, check out this page on the memorial’s website.) We also stopped in Wall, South Dakota (the town which you will see advertised literally hundreds of times on Interstate 90) and Badlands National Park. Now- when I tell you that I was fully and completely gooped & gagged by the sheer beauty of this place, that is an understatement. Seeing millions of years of geologic history stretch in front of you in stunning hues of coral, tan and red as storm clouds roll across the distance was a sight I will never forget. Also there were turkeys there???! Absolutely breathtaking- the pictures really do not do it justice).
  • Day 4: Sioux Falls to Milwaukee!!! (airhorn airhorn airhorn). With pit stops in Rochester, Minnesota (more on this later 😈), La Crosse, Wisconsin (featuring a stunning crossing of the Mississippi River) and Madison (also more on THIS later). And finally- MILWAUKEE!!! Lord I cannot tell you how good it felt for all of us (and for my car) to finally get here. Vivi (my 2007 Honda CRV) was a true BEAST and hauled that big ass UHaul like it was nothing across more than 2000 miles. She is a national treasure!! Everyone- wherever you are right now reading this- please say a THANK YOU for Vivi for getting us all here safely.
  • Day 4 Part 2: Ok so we gotta talk about Rochester. While there eating some bomb ass noodz for lunch, my friend accidentally left their bag with like, all of their important documents in the restroom. Which is terrifying! Especially cause they were flying home. The especially shitty part was that we didn’t discover this until we were like….3 hours past Rochester and coming up close to Milwaukee. Luckily they called the Noodz store, confirmed the bag was there, the Noodz employees didn’t steal anything (which is good cause Vivi woulda stomped them) and we made plans to figure out how tf we were gonna get it. Now here comes into play Madison. After brainstorming for like 15 minutes (so so so impressed with us as a group for problem solving so effectively and quickly in some random ass empty gas station) we came up with Attack Plan Alpha (just made that name up now). Here’s how it went: we drive to Madison where we pick up a rental car at the airport. We all drive to Milwaukee, where we pick up the keys to my apartment and unload as much as possible. Then 2 of us take the rental car eaaaaaarly in the morning all the way back to Rochester (3 plus hours one way) to grab the bag and turn around. The other two of us stay behind, finish offloading everything from the UHaul, drop the UHaul off, drive back to Madison to meet up, and then immediately drive to Cincinnati (like 7 hours away). At this point you’re probably like ummmm what Cincinnati?? Hold please, I will get there. After crafting Attack Plan Alpha we executed Attack Plan Alpha quickly and effectively. And by that I mean we did the things listed there ^^^ (it’s just way more fun to call it Attack Plan Alpha).
  • Day 5: Milwaukee to Cincinnati by way of Madison. Ok so now to explain Cincinnati: my friends were already planning to go there after Milwaukee because they have family there. I decided last minute to latch on like a barnacle to a beautiful, sexy whale and join them. Because why tf not?? When else would I ever go to Cincinnasty? The answer is never. Truly, never. BUT! It is an amazing city with really cool architecture! (Gallery linked here.) So! After meeting back up with friends in Madison and making it to Cincinnati it was about…..2:30 AM? But we secured the purse! And got some really good falafel on the way.
  • Day ??????: After spending a few days in Cin City, I left my friends (wahhhh 😭) and drove back to Milwaukee, stopping in and saying hi to my brother and his girlfriend (hi brother and girlfriend!!! They read the blog. Or should I say- they BETTER be reading the blog 🔪). And then the next day I was finally home! I truly felt like that meme of the girl from Arthur with the huge bags under her eyes looking absolutely deranged. This one.

  So- what did we learn on the trip? In short- absolutely nothing. But we had so much fun!! And saw so many stunning areas of the country that really get overlooked. Some standout spots for me were:

  • Driving through the Crow and Northern Cheyenne reservation lands in southeastern Montana. Such a quiet, remote part of the world but filled with so much astounding natural beauty. There was this one segment of US 212 we drove between Lame Deer and Ashland that was especially beautiful with some really incredible geologic formations off the side of the road. And shoutout to the people (and multiple dispensaries) of Ashland, who were so kind to us all!
  • The Black Hills of South Dakota- WOWOWOWOWOWwoahwoahwubzy these were magnificent. The forests. The sheer cliffs. The winding roads through verdant meadows. The dramatic rock outcroppings. The wildflowers. Must return at some point to frolic.
  • Seeing a fox (and narrowly avoiding hitting it with Vivi) outside of Ennis, Montana at like 1 AM.
  • Deadwood- what an awesome town! So much cool architecture. Cons included the number of really weird billboards plastered along Interstate 90 appealing to all of the bikers going to Sturgis saying to not hate Jews?? It was truly bizarre. They were like, comparing how much people like riding their bikes to stopping hate against Jewish people. Like what is the connection? Are they there bc they’re assuming that everyone going to Sturgis is a nazi (which, I mean…..is a possibility)? But also like….with the genocide in Gaza nazis are now (kind of) supporting the Zionists? And I know that being Jewish does NOT equal being a Zionist in any way shape or form, but like, what other connection is there?? I dunno- nothing makes fucking sense anymore.
  • The Montana skies. They are captivating, vibrant, and truly massive. No wonder its called Big Sky Country.
  • Badlands National Park- 10/10. Literally ate every single crumb on the plate, vomited them back up and then ate them again. It was truly majestic, and we only saw a tiny fraction of the park. I want to go back one summer and camp there for multiple days and explore. Who’s down to join?
  • Sunset over the plains of South Dakota as a thunderstorm rolled by in the distance. South Dakota is honestly SO underappreciated. What a breathtaking corner of the world.
  • Alberton- just a cute lil’ town tucked away in the mountains of western Montana with an adorable main street with a historic bookstore, a dive bar called Trax (where everyone was super kind to us) and some gorgeous mountain scenery.
  • Rochester- the noodz were good and they didn’t steal my friend’s stuff.
  • Billings, in a bad way. This city is seriously just the dumping ground of everything toxic (literal and figurative) in this country. Not only is it surrounded by several huge oil refineries, it just has an air of evil. It’s cursed. Dark-sided. Heteronormative. If you need more evidence of Billings’ hateful spirit, read my previous blog post from an experience there I had with some other friends in 2024. Seriously I could dedicate an entire second blog post to talking shit about Billings but I won’t because I’m better than that. I’ve been to therapy. I don’t let nasty, petty bitches take up space in my mind anymore. Billings can’t hurt me anymore. BILLINGS ISN’T REAL (wipes away tears).

  If you’ve gotten this far in the post and are still wondering what tf Merline Lovelace’s book has to do with this trip, it has everything to do with it. We found this novel in a little free library in Ennis, almost as if it was sent to us as a divine gift. Merline’s encouraging, arousing passages accompanied us on the long, lonely drives across the plains. Without hearing about how Blade seduced an NYU historian, or how Rebel used to do covert operations in Moscow in a past life and knows fluent Russian, or how the Amber Room in Saint Petersburg is a real thing I don’t think we would have made it. Merline’s words kept us sane, safe, and seduced the whole way to Milwaukee. And to her we say: thank you queen. (Also please do yourself a favor and search Merline Lovelace online: you will get to see pictures of the queen herself and several of her titles. Just incredible).

  Cross County: Rockies, Plains, Midwest- August 2025

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  August 24, 2025

  architecture, Black Hills, Great Plains, Idaho, Milwaukee, Minnesota, Montana, nature, photography, road trip, South Dakota, summer, travel, United States, washington, Wisconsin

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• Goodbye, Seattle🧡

  As I look around my apartment in various states of being packed I can’t help but think: what a wonderful journey this has been.

  Perspective is a really interesting thing. Day to day, you may find yourself wondering why life can be as monotonous as it is. Each day feels like a clone of the last- marked only by the bookends of sun rise and fall. It may feel like walking through a dense, uniform forest. Each breath feels much like the last, the scenery a cloned tapestry, the feel of damp needles and moss on your feet unchanging. What we fail to notice is a very faint upwards gradient in the earth- so minor in fact that it’s truly imperceptible. After enough time, we need to take a break (maybe for water, perhaps a nice lil pee, even a snacky or two). As we stop, we steal a glance behind us. Stretching back before us is that same forest. But now, it’s so much more. The crowns of what were the tallest trees at the start of our journey are now mere pinpricks on the distant horizon. Meadows, valleys, and ridges sprawl beneath us. A river- previously unnoticed- meanders through the dense greenery. Life may not hand us many of those metaphorical snack breaks but when we’re lucky enough to steal one- be sure to take it. Pay attention. Marvel at how far you’ve come! Reminisce on how the worries of teenage you are (oftentimes) now so minor and laughable that they now seem like a distant dream (nightmare?) Celebrate your resilience as an adult human navigating this fucking nyquil fever dream shitshow circus that is the world. Acknowledge your changes that have inevitably happened: “Was that mole always there? Why do my knees hurt when I bend like that now? When did I stop trying to impress strangers at the club? Shit- when did I stop going to the club altogether?” We are the most wonderful, complex, messy, irrational, heartfelt, confused, intentional, awkward creatures and we are all just trying to figure out how to figure it all out (well most of us. Not Ted Cruz. And others like him. They can fucking choke). I say this all because Seattle has taught me this. Seattle has helped me understand how to show up for myself, and others. Seattle has helped me be kind and gentle to myself- when I have been pretty brutal to myself for most of my life. Seattle has helped me find my voice- and I mean MY voice (not me trying to force the square peg of someone else’s words into the triangle hole of my mouth. Ok that’s a really awkward analogy that sounded better in my head but just go with it. Also kinda sexual? I mean, how can you type the word ‘peg’ and not giggle. Ok I’m done). Seattle has freed me from my self-imposed shackles; I’ve truly never felt better equipped to tackle life.

  I moved to Seattle with some truly wild aspirations for the future. Making the drive up in 2019, car fully loaded with all of my worldly possessions and bestie by my side I knew this was the beginning of something magical and exciting. What 25 year old Matt could never foresee was the accompanying heartbreak, guilt, self-loathing, shame, and hopelessness that came along with these highs. My first year in Seattle was an absolutely wild ride: living in a house with a bunch of my best friends, partying harder than Matt has ever partied, exploring a brand new place with a huge gay and drag community, and doing it all living paycheck to paycheck. Pretty quintessential 20’s- amirite? I like having the benefit of perspective now, because I can look back on this time fondly (and shaking my head- what messes we were LMAO) while also realizing what an absolute disaster my mental health was. I was constantly questioning my worth- whether as an entertainer, as a friend, as a lover, or even just as a person. I was investing time and love into relationships that weren’t being reciprocated in the way I thought I needed. I was constantly beating myself up (often metaphorically, sometimes literally) over my appearance. And the substance use absolutely wasn’t helping. It’s strange looking back at pictures from this time because they are filled with so much joy (and don’t get me wrong- this time WAS filled with so much joy) knowing that there was also so much pain beneath the surface. I would go for long late night walks contemplating life, love, and what it would be like to disappear. I would write my thoughts in my phone’s notes app- although these are now long since lost (shoutout changing carriers from Verizon to T-Mobile and losing a bunch of my shit lolol). In some ways I felt trapped- feeling like I had no agency over my life, needing to consistently push myself to regularly perform, stay out drinking and socializing, working longer hours, burning the candle at both ends (also what a weird saying? how tf can you burn the bottom of a candle? Am I missing something? Am I dumb? (don’t answer that)). When I wasn’t performing, working, socializing or cleaning I was beyond burnt out. I knew this wasn’t sustainable, but felt like taking a step back meant defeat (gotta love trauma responses 💖). And then BAM!!! March 2020. Need I say more?

  The COVID panda-panini-Panasonic lockdowns were a huge turning point for me (I mean wasn’t it for everyone? Shit was wild). While living through it was obviously terrifying (especially never stopping working outside the house- gotta love being an “essential worker” amirite?) I strangely/selfishly/with mix emotions-ly look back on this time with so much gratitude. It took the world shutting down to save my life. I moved out to my own place, stopped drinking and taking substances altogether (not entirely, but I would maybe drink wine once every 3 months?) and was forced to sit alone with my thoughts without feeling the constant FOMO I had in 2019 when I wasn’t out partying. I vividly remember hanging out at home one day playing Mario Odyssey on the Switch (banger of a game might I add) and realizing that “relevance” is a stupid, made-up, subjective concept that truly only means as much as you let it mean. What benefit is there to being “relevant” besides feeling an inflated sense of ego? It doesn’t make you a better person. It doesn’t clear your mind to aid in better decision-making. While it does often give you more soft power through a larger sphere of influence, that oftentimes comes with a foggying of your own self purpose. Being “irrelevant” can be a gift.

  Coming out of lockdowns, I had a new mindset for my relationship with drag (and life overall too, but tbh drag WAS my life at this time). It was around this time that I started noticing that maybe I didn’t quite fit into this post-2020 drag scene. I would always hear the phrase “it girl” thrown around in the drag scene and lemme tell you- what an exhausting, hollow concept that is. It’s a currency whose value is determined by Instagram follower counts, number of recurring gigs, and who has the best coke plug. Many of these “it girls” had #BlackLivesMatter in their Instagram bio but would openly mock people looking for help through mutual aid requests. Or would still frequent clubs who treat black and brown patrons like trash (aka- why I don’t fuck with Queer Bar). Or would ONLY book black performers in February and not regularly the rest of the year. Being an “it girl” is just as flashy and meaningless as crypto. While I feel like this performative activism was pretty widespread in this era, the drag scene felt like a microcosm of some of the most toxic cultural characteristics. I was unhappy. But I was also luckier than most. I have white, male, cis, and pretty (hehehe AGREE WITH ME) privilege. I had the opportunity to carve out my own special space at several bars (hello Sunday Service and Sunday Fungay- we love a brunch gig). I had a roof over my head, and created/strengthened amazing friendships, and had food in my fridge, and made incredible memories. But before long, I found myself feeling similarly to 2019- aka the burnout was very real. Being older and (debatably) wiser, I realized that this time I probably (hopefully) wouldn’t have a global pandemic to help make this decision for me and I Bendelacreme’d myself from the scene (if you’re a straight and have no idea what I’m talking about, please watch the linked video). And let me just say- I never felt more free. This might sound like I don’t have love for drag, or the Seattle drag community and you couldn’t be more wrong. Drag has always- and will always- be a light for me (and tbh for everyone) in what sometimes seems to be an increasingly dark world. Seeing a bitch do a number dressed as a giant bottle of poppers performing Breathe, or a Voldemort burlesque number, or performing to Sandstorm (by Darude- of course) will ALWAYS get me cackling. Seeing a good ol’ fashioned pageant ballad will lock my eyes from start to finish. The way rhinestones shimmer under stage lights is a direct shot of serotonin to the synapses. And the performers here?? I mean c’mon- top notch. I’ll list a few below and link their instagrams- please show them some love/ go to their shows (and these are just a few!!! There are truly too many to mention):

  • Estella
  • Kida Rarity
  • Kenzie The Kween
  • Queen Andrew Scott
  • Chance Hazard
  • Cali Colby
  • Amora Dior Black
  • Sid Seedy
  • Moscato Sky

  Since leaving drag (omg this sounds like I left the Mormon church or Scientology or something LMFAO) it feels like life has truly opened up for me. I think for so long I placed these self-imposed guardrails regarding what I could/should do with my time and since turning 30 I’ve decided that’s really stupid! Life is way too fucking short to be trying to force yourself into a certain idea of what you think your life should be instead of just…..living. Photography has been the most amazing joy to rediscover after putting down the camera for so long. Cartography is back in my life after years apart (hello free online Arc-GIS account). Getting involved with community orgs has helped ground me and opened my eyes to how much need there is for mutual aid. Giving social media the big ol boot (and starting this blog!) has helped me redefine the way that I want to express myself in a digital space (and tbh I find this way much more fun. More challenging, for sure, but also more fun -I mean imagine if this whole post was an Instagram caption lmfaoooo.) Life may always be stressful, especially right now (I mean look around…fuck) but I feel at peace with myself- which is something I don’t know I’ve ever been able to honestly say. I’m lucky enough to have the most amazing community of people around me, to have some BOMB ass SSRIs, to have the ability to go to grad school to pursue life long dreams, and to have this amazing ass to help get me out of trouble hehehe (or into it 🤡)(sorry)(actually I’m not because it’s true)(if you have a problem with it then you have a problem with asses and that’s a you problem).

  Ok damn not me writing a whole fucking college thesis about the last 6 years. I guess what I mean to say is: THANK YOU. To my irreplaceable friends who have helped me navigate possibly the most tumultuous period in my life. To drag for helping me fine tune my creative vision and for humbling me. To Seattle for the blacked-out Saturday nights, the hungover Sunday mornings, the miserable Mondays and the pussy poppin’ Tuesdays. And for this (absolutely not) comprehensive list of some of my favorite things:

  • The way that Seattle’s crows hop around on one foot, looking absolutely adorable and goofy as fuck
  • The sunset over the Olympic mountains on clear days. Nothing will ever compare to those summer evening views.
  • The waves of bluebells that take over every plot of open soil in the city from April through May.
  • SEATTLE DOGS (I mean that both as the fur babies and the dawgs with the cream cheese and sauteed onions. Especially the stand next to the gas station on the corner of Broadway and Pike. Yes- THAT gas station. I know its chaotic- that’s why I love it).
  • Doing molly at brunches at Lost Lake at 3 in the afternoon in 2019.
  • Watching sunsets over downtown from the back patio at Captain Black’s.
  • The back room at Rose Temple. Both during the drag brunches cutting up with the other performers and taking shots or hanging out there out of drag…..cutting up with other performers and taking shots.
  • The ball pit at Club Hellfire (RIP Club Hellfire mama misses you so much).
  • Taking the Link and busses. I will always have love for the 2 and G lines ❤
  • The sound of the ferry horns as they leave (and enter) port.
  • Falling down the stairs from the dressing room at Kremwerk and having everyone in the club hear it.
  • Living across the street from a cat cafe in the height of COVID and getting some much needed serotonin seeing the little babies hanging out in the window.
  • Hearing the Fremont Bridge blast its horn every time she needed to open for a ship to pass through (and then complaining about how stupid it is that one person’s little boat holds up traffic for so many people. Ah- road rage 💕)
  • Living in an ABSOLUTELY haunted house with a bunch of friends and comparing creepy ass paranormal experiences (and WATCHING a box fan turn itself off- including the dial turning- that was wild).
  • How the light reflects off of the skyscrapers downtown in late afternoon onto the sidewalks, streets and other buildings- making a beautiful kaleidoscope of reflections.
  • The big snowstorm in 2021 watching Capitol Hill completely shut down as people built snowmen in the middle of the street.
  • Watching Shmelsie get her hair buzzed in the middle of the street in the middle of a party.
  • Living above a music school and hearing kids (and adults!) in their piano lessons.
  • Watching the summer sun rise over Union Street at 4:30 AM on acid with no cars or people around. Just pure, peaceful beauty.
  • Writing on a car blocking us in our driveway on Halloween night with dry erase markers with Shmallen, Shmileana, Shmizzy and I think someone else? Shmeronika?
  • FERNS. EVERYWHERE. They are so magical and Jurassic and fucking amazing. Watching them start to unfurl in the spring is a magical time of year.
  • Spending summer days along Lake Washington at Madrona Beach (or with buns out at Denny Blaine teehee)
  • Getting locked INSIDE my apartment with Shmamira for like 30 minutes in the morning because we were drunk the night before and locked the hidden second lock on my door that I never used and forgot doing it (gotta love vintage doors with all kinds of weird locks on them).
  • The DOGS (furry baby version): Molly, Monty, Stevie, Yani, Skadi, Porter, Penny, Ash, Betty, Reese, Olie and Dagnar (RIP my babies ❤), Auggie, Pepper, Cheddar, Betsy and Woody (and so so so many more). Thank you for helping to keep me sane and always showing me the most unconditional, wholesome love.
  • Going to R Place (may she rest in peace) multiple times a week to watch the drag shows (and because I knew at least one of the bartenders and could get cheap drinks heeheeheehee). That place was my home and I miss her every day.
  • Climbing onto the roof of my apartment with neighbors and watching the sunset. The view from the Palamar’s roof was truly stunning.

  When I first moved to Seattle- I marveled at how big the skyscrapers downtown were and how they rose into the sky. As I leave- the skyscrapers may look a little smaller now- but I will still continue to be filled with marvel. Thank you for everything, Seattle.

  Seattle- Summer 2025

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  August 9, 2025

  blog, life, love, mental-health, pacific northwest, photography, road trip, seattle, thoughts, travel, washington, writing

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• The Cascades: It’s like poppers, but nature (and minus the brain damage).

  I want to start this post by telling a little story. So sit down, grab a nice cool beverage (hopefully something casual like the blood of 1000 virgins on the rocks) and enjoy:

  When I first moved to Seattle, I lived in a house with 6 of my friends. The house was a big ol’ 3-story red bitch built in like 1902 that had farmhouse vibes, so we (maybe unsurprisingly) named her Red Barn. Please don’t let the innocent name fool you though- this home was truly a den of hedonism the likes of which have never been seen before. I joked that if the walls in that house could talk, they wouldn’t. They would scream. Bloody murder. Anyways!! One night after getting absolutely obliterated together on Capitol Hill, me and a few of my friends who lived there (I’ll name them Schmallen and Schmileana (and maybe Schmizzy? I can’t remember if Schmizzy was there) -we want to maintain anonymity obviously) decided to bust out the poppers, bc why the hell not. *Insert record scratch* ‘Hi- it’s me, Matt the narrator voice. For anyone who unknowingly stumbled upon this blog or has lived their whole life in Des Moines, Iowa and who doesn’t know what poppers are, they are an inhalant drug historically used within the gay community to increase sexual pleasure by inducing feelings of euphoria, muscle relaxation, and arousal. Commonly called VCR cleaner at sex stores (nice lil legal loophole used to continue selling them)- they have since been co-opted by the straights bc what else do straight ppl do, amirite? Anyways, truly deranged people will do them casually just because their lives are empty, hollow shells which require inhaling dangerous chemicals to feel anything *points at 2019 self*. Enter me and my friends. Let’s return back to the story‘. Anyyyywho, as we were very drunk, Schmallen proceeded to knock over the bottle of poppers, which proceeded to spill onto the kitchen counter and seep into the porous material underneath (it was a cheap, old laminate and there was a section peeled up which exposed the particleboard. That is where the poppers spilled). For anyone who hasn’t experienced poppers before- I cannot describe to you how intensely powerful the fumes are. Imagine nail polish remover combined with concentrated eucalyptus and bleach. Now imagine this, in an enclosed space, for days. It was HORRIBLE. *Mom and dad reading the blog- stop reading here* My asshole was loose for DAYS (this is what poppers do). *Mom and dad- feel free to continue reading* Anyways, we eventually were able to air out the kitchen and clean up the mess however the smell lingered for several days. It was like everytime you walked into that kitchen for a week after the incident you were walking into a Troye Sivan concert. I bring up this rock bottom (emphasis on the bottom) moment of my life to say that the feelings of euphoria that poppers bring are much like the feelings that nature bring me. Minus the nausea. And brain damage. And litany of other health side effects. Ok so the connection is weak at best- I reallllly just wanted to share that story on here because it cracks me up. It is something that truly trauma bonded Red Barn together for life (I love y’all so so so much #RedBarn4Life).

  Onto the nature of it all!!!

  Ahhh, the Cascades. Try and find a more magical corner of the globe- I dare you. Whether its the early morning light angled through whispering layers of moss dangling from the trees, or the sound of light rain dancing on several layers of fragrant evergreen needles overhead in the canopy- the mountains never disappoint. Being a mountain-born person myself (yes- Reno counts as being in the mountains) I have always felt deeply comforted with peaks rising around me. I can’t describe it, but I feel embraced by them. It’s a familiarity that feels ingrained in my DNA (lowkey think the flatness of the Midwest will be a challenge for me- I’ll report back later). Summer is especially lovely in these rugged ranges. Vibrant orange Columbia lilies line the alpine trails- brilliantly marking the path like lanterns. Undulating waves of cobalt lupines move in the wind- mimicking deep Pacific waves. Patches of fiery Indian paintbrush contrast with delicate lacy spiraea and sunny goldenrod. Vibrant lilac asters pop through underbrush- eager to show their summer best. Flamboyant columbine shoot up on narrow stalks like neon fireworks. I cannot stress how incredible the high-alpine summer blooms in the Cascades are. Each year dense carpets of life wait to spring forth from their snowy cocoon and if you’re lucky enough to witness the show, it makes the strenuous hike completely worth it. I threw a couple dollar bills at them and yelled “YASS QUEEN”. It made the other hikers on the trail uncomfortable.

  But I would be amiss to not talk about the biggest baddest bitches of the Cascades themselves- the mountains! Of course you have Rainier- the one member of the friend group who is the Type A overachiever that plans everything out for the group and wears the title of ‘group leader’ like a badge of honor and is lowkey annoying as fuck. Every friend group has one (if you don’t know who it is in your group, it’s probably you.) Then there’s St. Helens, the group fire sign who is messy as fuck, loves to drink, and always talks to you at length about their current toxic relationship. There’s Adams- the silent king who knows their worth but doesn’t feel the need to walk around all haughty like Rainier does exclaiming it (but is also definitely severely depressed and doesn’t seek help- ahhh toxic masculinity). And finally there’s Baker- the fuckin’ sensitive bitchass crybaby of the group. But why should these 4 just get to stomp around like a giant while the rest of the mountains try not to get smushed under their big feet? The Goat Rocks are just as cute as Rainier, right? Mount Gilbert is just as smart as Rainier, people totally like Dragontail Peak just as much as they like Rainier, and when did it become okay for one person to be the boss of everybody because that’s not what the Cascades are about! We should totally just STAB RAINIER! *Matt Reider had cracked* (And yes- that’s a Mean Girls reference. How 2010 of me, I know). But to compare these majestic peaks to a 2004 Lindsay Lohan comedy is a disservice to them (no shade LiLo but also kinda shade). In all honesty, these mountains leave me speechless every time. Their sheer size, prominence, slope, and massive icefields are something so beautifully unique to this corner of the world. Where else can you be in the city and look out on a massive 14,000 foot tall technically active volcano? Maybe Mexico City? I mean literally, where else??

  Recently I did some backcountry hiking in the Gifford Pinchot National Forest (south of Mt. Rainier National Park) and was treated to a corner of the state I’d never visited (or even heard of??) before. From Walupt Lake, trails snake deep into the ridges and valleys of the Goat Rocks wilderness. The rugged peaks of Mount Gilbert, the Goat Rocks and Old Snowy Mountain tower above the aforementioned verdant summer meadows. Massive groves of red cedar, Douglas firs, western hemlock and spruce carpet the steep mountain slopes while exposed patches of sheer rockfall are interspersed with low brush and flowering scrub. The hum of insects was constant- accompanied by the occasional squawk of an ornery magpie and the melodies of wrens. And suddenly- a loud CRACK. Something big was moving in the woods. Whipping my head to the sound I lock eyes with a black bear. An ACTUAL BEAR. This was literally my first time seeing bears in the wild (not counting the countless bears spotted at Folsom Street Fair, of course). And when I say bearS plural, I mean bearS plural. I saw two!! They were happy lil guys just scratching their backs on wood (honestly- so relatable). As cute as they may have been my ass was not going to be the idiot human who obliviously stands around snapping photos of large wildlife that is not having it. Respecting their space, I turned and walked away slowly- letting them continue to backscratch in peace. Beyond the amazing mammalian finds- there were also some awesome amphibian friends in these woods. At the end of Nannie Ridge lies the small, picturesque Sheep Lake. Along the shores of its calm waters were droves of juvenile Northwest salamanders!! These lil guys are SO CUTE. Still exhibiting the frilly gills of their not-fully-developed-awkward-middle-school form, these aquatic cuties drift lazily along, snatching bugs from the surface of the water and overall just VIBING HARD. I legitimately stood watching them for like 15 minutes just living their best life. I have never seen a salamander in the wild, and seeing so many in this lake was such a treat!! Amphibians are so misunderstood (so many people see them as gross, slimy weirdos….which hey I can relate) and unfortunately they are being decimated worldwide as they are very finely tuned to their niche habitats which climate change and water pollution are wreaking havoc on. Seeing so many in one place just happily living their lives was peak serotonin, and I’m so grateful I got to stumble across them (and in such a beautiful location too). Y’all- love on some amphibians. Find a frog in your neighborhood and hug it (please don’t actually, just metaphorically do so). Amphibians are really in danger right now and we all need to be looking out for our slimy brothers and sisters.

  When I first moved to Seattle back in 2019, one of my reasons was wanting to explore the incredible natural wonders right outside of the city limits. Unfortunately for many years, I did that thing that people do where life starts lifing and I said “oh, there will be time to do all of that! I’ll do it later”. Well, flash forward 5 years later and I had done very little of that. When I took a step back from drag it opened up so many other pathways of self expression and discovery which included returning to my love of exploring the outdoors. Growing up I always hiked solo in the mountain ranges in Nevada behind my family home and would get lost in the groves of ponderosa pine, fragrant juniper and sagebrush (lowkey miss the desert too- so underrated and so beautiful). It has always been something so important to me that I unfortunately had fallen out of touch with in my 20’s. Since entering my 30’s and starting this new chapter of my life- it has been such a beautiful rediscovery of the things that make me happy. The late summer blooms. The feel of icy cold mountain stream water. The whistle of wind through the trees. I am going to miss these mountains something fierce. The Cascades have helped me find myself again, and for that I will always be so grateful to them. Oh and one last thing: PLEASE DO NOT DO POPPERS. They are truly not worth the damage they cause. Mentally, financially, emotionally, spiritually. Just don’t do it. This has been a Matt PSA.

  Central Cascades – June & July 2025

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  July 31, 2025

  cascades, gay, hiking, humor, mount-rainier, mountains, nature, pacific northwest, photography, travel, washington

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