//...Vladimir Donatovich Orlovsky...// (1842-1914)

Zamarada Geometer Moth (Zamarada sp.), family Geometridae, Bukit Lawang, North Sumatra, Indonesia

photograph by Nicky Bay

"You're everything! You're rose petals and vanilla and soft candles and clouds! What a joy to know you! To have been afforded a chance to know you and to have taken it! To indulge and be indulged! How joyous indeed!"

The registration schedule for Othercon 2023 is up!

What is Othercon? It's a virtual alterhuman convention that takes place on Discord on the 2nd weekend of August. This will be our 4th year running!

⏳Staff: March 1st - April 30th

⏳Artists/dealers: May 1st - June 30th

⏳Panelists: June 1st - June 30th

⏳Attendees: July 1st - Aug 6th

⏳Convention dates: Aug 11th - 13th

If you are a panelist, then we advise not waiting until the window opens to prepare! It's best to plan ahead and have your idea ready to go so you don't miss any deadlines.

If you are an attendee, set your calendar! Lots of potential attendees are sad yearly from missing registration.

30 Day Fictionkind Challenge

Day 14: What are shifts like?

There isn't a way to say it that doesn't sound poetic. They're difficult to describe in all actuality, and I've noticed how the feelings have changed as time has gone on. Allow me to use a vehicle analogy. The first shifts felt as though the wheel was being taken from me while I controlled the gas and brakes, but now it feels as if I am still in full control, only taking driving directions from a close and trusted friend.

A shift feels like moonlight scattering across a landscape, like incense or candle smoke permeating a room, like rose petals and love notes. Wholly unique, yet simultaneously ubiquitous.

30 Day Fictionkind Challenge

Day 2: Do you experience dysphoria? How so?

I experience it from several angles, gender of course being a factor for me. I don't typically experience a lot of kin dysphoria, I actually notice more experiences with euphoria. Shoes that add to my height, clothing that drapes over my shoulders or trails down my back, wearing my antennae out in public. Clothing as well - though I can't rule out the gender euphoria aspect, especially here, I find joy in more formal clothing, collared shirts and high-waisted pants.

Very rarely, I've experienced something akin to phantom limbs, feeling exact spots on my back where my wings would have been. It isn't often, but it's at least memorable.

Thinking about my love for categorization in terms of my altar, all my gemstones and incense and candles and how they all must mean something to me

Something I'm thinking about that I feel is greatly appealing to me most is the idea of "one soul, multiple iterations". Cut from the same cloth and passed forward.

Yes, the hilarious karmic backlash of forcing a non-human misanthrope to live as a human, with every trait that could fit into humanity being carried along with him. The pain running down the length of my back where my wings had been, the hypermobility with joints that break far more easily, cold blue blood translating to dysautonomia, and for it to be so isolating. Something of a fitting punishment, I suppose.

Thinking of making a more well-rounded introduction once I can tell that my blog is showing up in the tags

Maxfield Parish (United States 1870-1966). Lull Brook /Winter Peace at Twilight 1945.