Qmmunity: Self Care by Southwest

Self-care in the form of bagel consumption (photo by Caitlyn Wilson via unsplash)

All’s Fair in Love and Self-Care

A week ago, I bought a massive bag of bagels. Were I more budget-conscious, I might have gone for the grocery store big boys that taste more of cake than bagel. Instead, I splurged: If you have the wherewithal to get sourdough bagels from Casper Fermentables, you should enjoy the bacteria’s merry dance.

This bag of bagels was self-care. I’m a heinously depressed man because of brain chemicals and also because of the world, my bank account, and the I-35. Getting out of bed represents an enormous struggle: Inside the bed, I’m a cozy cinnamon bun – perhaps a sourdough one? Sad me gives fermented at times – and outside, I’m a sweaty mess. What pulls me from the sheets is, always, breakfast. It was a thought toward myself that made me purchase a dozen bagels: If I have to get up to be a person, then what waits for me beyond the bed ought to be nice. You know what’s nice? A buncha bagels covered in salt, onion, and poppy and sesame seeds.

What can you do for yourself that will make difficult tasks easier? As South by Southwest dominates my email and life for the next week-ish, I’ve been contemplating this question a lot. Bagels can only brighten so much of my day; they’re competing against an inbox filled by randos who call me a different editor’s name and imply I’m a freak because I haven’t heard of the hip new band Blorbo McMorbo. Small self-care steps I take include: using nice instant coffee from Greater Goods when I get in the office; slapping stickers from the Little Gay Shop on my laptop before typing another event listing; and writing out my many, many obligations in a planner. Do these steps make me undepressed? No, not really. But they help. Help is often the best we can all strive for.

In Other Nudes...

Are you a queer artist in Austin? Museum of Human Achievement has officially opened a call for a residency exchange! If chosen, you’ll swap places with Linh Le, a queer artist from Denmark. While she’ll be in Bat City in April hosting open studio hours and exploring our weird city, YOU will be in Copenhagen developing your work over a month in Warehouse9. Eligible applicants will be 21+ years old, not enrolled in an academic program during the residency, and have a “strong professional working history.” Myriad disciplines are acceptable, as long it’s a creative pursuit. Learn more at moha.wiki/UP_MoHA_WH9_Exchange.

SXSW Kick Off Party

Thursday 7, Cheer Up Charlies

Make a splash as South By starts by dropping in for Chups’ “stacked two-stager rager” featuring Blue Tongue, Kind Keith, Gabi Turner, Sydney Wright, Nate Zivin, Wolf Bradley, Saliyah, and Buttonfly.

Coco Cxnts

Saturday 9, Coconut Club

Celebrate cast member Bohemia’s b-day at this special edition of Austin’s fave rooftop drag brunch. Featuring guests like DTX’s Buck Wylde and RuPaul’s Drag Race star Laila McQueen, plus the weekly crew of Arinna Dior Heys, Brigitte Bandit, and Honey Baby. Lavender Thug spins tunes before and after the show.

Horror Hangs With Raven Noxx

Sunday 10, the Austin Eagle

“Your friendly neighborhood tattooed goddess” hosts this interactive horror movie watch party during her b-day month. Enjoy the wild were-antics of Van Helsing plussed up by special call-outs, themed drinks, popcorn, a costume contest, and vendors Kitty Titties, Plastic Dracula, J. Marie Tarot, Hannah Goheen, and JP and DM Creations.

South by South West of Lincoln

Sunday 10, Still Austin

Enjoy Olipop, Still Austin cocktails, and more at this unofficial SXSW hang thrown by Austin neighborhood queer bar West of Lincoln.