Ramblings of an Ambiguous Nature

I saw her at a distance at a convention a few years ago and she like... shimmered in a way that made her seem more real than real

I hardly remember taking this picture because of the magnanimity of being in her presence. I wept. Openly and unabashed. Not even when I met her, I started crying the moment I close enough to see her, hear her, realize that oh my g*d here she is, she is really here. When it was finally my turn and I could go up to exchange words while she signed a glossy headshot I could hardly form words I was trembling so much.

This women, and so many other incredible black actors in Star Trek (I'm looking specifically at you Michael, Avery, Whoopi, Levar...) were the reason I could see myself, in all my queerness, blackness, single-parented, autistic-ass complexity out in Space. I really truly believe that if it hadn't been for the relationship me and my father had with ST I would never have earnestly pursued engineering or a STEM career.

In a world made so deliberately hostile to people who looked, and sounded, and thought, and loved like I did their presence in this nuanced and beautiful and diverse future was the only thing that really felt like proof that I could maybe have a future, too.

I think I managed to convey some fraction of my appreciation for her specifically, and her contributions, in my shakey "thank you thank you so much, i cannot explain how important your work is" and whatever else tumbled out of my mouth. She very sweetly thanked me for my time and my words while I gathered myself enough to take the picture. Her manager babbled some stuff at me afterwards about wanting to connect for future events that i did not process, and that signed headshot is my prized possession.

A while ago, some people asked me to explain D&D and other RPGs… so of course I had to make it into an infographic!

This is by no means a comprehensive guide. The game can be as simple or complex as you want, but there ARE some pre-established basics you should know about - and those are best discovered on your own terms!

Some resources to help you get started: 

Watch/listen:

★ Rusty Quill Gaming Podcast - a ttrpg game in the Pathfinder system. Beginner friendly! Learn how to play along with the players!

★ Critical Role - a D&D game played by voice actors - Incredibly famous! Highly praised! Both videos and podcasts available.

★ The Adventure Zone - a TTRPG podcast by the MdElroy brothers

Read/learn the rules:

📚 D&D 5e Player’s Handbook - pdf

📚 Basic Introduction to Character Races - website

📚 Overview of Character Classes - website

How-to and Tutorials:

🎲 Rolling a character - YouTube video

🎲 How combat works - YouTube video

🎲 Being a good player - YouTube video

And last but not least…

How To Play D&D Online! - YouTube Video

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In your 30s, you’re a bombshell.

In your 40s, you’re a vixen.

In your 50s+, you’re THAT bitch.

Sure, if you don’t have Bouncy Leg Syndrome but you want to stim with a fidget toy or something, please do!  It makes me less self conscious about using mine! It makes it seem more “normal” (or commonplace) to other people. We honestly all benefit from sharing resources. It helps neurotypicals/abled people to stop seeing us as Other. 

Johnny & Moira: longtime married, still in love, still sexy for each other, completely understand and support each other.

David & Stevie: Have a brief romance, decide they’re better off as friends, then actually BE friends, in fact be BEST friends, a relationship that is not treated as secondary or less significant in David’s life than his romance with Patrick. 

Jocelyn & Roland: longtime marrieds, totally happy together

Alexis & Mutt: Hot and heavy physical relationship, they come to a mutual agreement that they want/need different things, and part amicably (their breakup scene - accomplished without any dialogue - was the first time I was like “oh, this show is not fucking around”)