Spring 2026
A lot’s happened since the last time I checked in.
Career Opportunities
I finally landed a job. Well, I landed 3, but they were all seasonal part-time, and two of which were at stadiums, so they were rarely consistent and my hours would have been low. So I quit those two to focus on the one that gave me the most hours. I won’t go into it too much, but it’s at a museum, and the culture has been really nice. Everyone who works there seems happy, and most of the customers are happy to be there. It doesn’t pay the best, but it’s been a relief after 10 months of looking.
I’m going to have to start looking again, but for the moment I’m pretty happy.
The “aw fuck I have to go to work” feelings came in quick though lol
Fests
I managed to get into the Reed Zine Fest! I was excited to table again, talking to people and meeting other zine makers, and really, other small artists in the area. I even met an artist I’ve been following forever on Tumblr and Bluesky (she even recognized my name, which was nice lol).
Sales wise, it was a bust. I sold more to my friends than anyone else, though honestly, I’m grateful that my friends care and want to be supportive. The joke about small artists passing around the same $20 bill is so accurate. What little sales I made were nice too. But the trades with other zine makers afterward made the whole experience worth it, and it’s honestly the thing I look back at the most fondly. I got so many cool zines, and I’m slowly but surely working through them.
The day after, the zine meetup happened, and it felt so good and relaxed, and I really felt like I had found the community I’ve been hoping for.
Definitely going to try to get into the Portland Zine Symposium this fall. I need that rush again.
The Year Of Analog Hobbies
I reread the Great Gatsby for the first time since high school out of spite. I’d heard a really vapid review of the book -- basically that all of the characters were dislikable and that the paragraphs were too wordy, and it just made me so mad. So I read the book and I was floored. Hey, you guys ever heard if the Great Gatsby?? Did you know about this??
I was absolutely blown away. The prose was so elegant and often beautiful, and funny! I had forgotten how funny the book could be! And I came away from the book feeling fantastic, like oh hey, Literature! Who knew! I’m hoping to read more, especially now that I have a commute again.
Everything Else
Lightning round, I guess:
- I haven’t drawn in weeks, other than my comic and some anatomy practice. I need to get on that again.
- Project Hail Mary was fantastic. My partner have been marveling over how much thought and care went into the movie, including the special effects. Rocky was a puppet! Incredible.
- I’m stressed out about the future. But like, 2026.
I hope you’re well. I hope you keep going.
-kosmo