Queer Intro
Welcome to the Gay in the Bay Blog! I am Josie, a queer writer and videographer that loves to document what I see around me. This started out as a writing blog but has grown to include events that more people should know about.
This post is for the week of March 5 - 11.
Do you have a live event that needs filming? I’m a videographer! Please check out the Sweeney Media on your way to the About > Contact page. I look forward to working with you.
Writing
Writing has been difficult only because of depression and the constant dread known as Atmospheric River Bob looming over us. That simile of the cloud hanging over someone has been a bit too literal. But I’m not letting this keep me from gettin’ them words down!
I found a note-taking method that really surprised me and immediately picked up. The Zettelkasten Method will seem complicated at first, especially when trying to incorporate this into a digital platform such as Notion. So far this works pretty well with the my Notion. I'd like to expand upon this in a later post, as it deserves its own space for explanation; plus, there appear to be a million videos on it.
I did it. I quit social media. Let me explain.
Last week I wrote about my friend being arrested by police after voicing her opinion about an anti-drag bill. Early on in the week I just couldn’t take all the news (partly why the post was short). I took this manic time to essentially sign out. The only exceptions were to respond to messages on Instagram or Facebook (the two socials left, unless you count LinkedIn). I’m on Twitter, but that’s only watch that empire fall.
I’ve checked them once or twice today to send messages. There were a couple of videos that I watched, and an update on my cousin’s pregnancy (she’s doing great, thanks for asking). Otherwise I had no interest in seeing anything else on there. And I kinda want to keep it that way.
I want to continue this. I feel like some of my attention span has come back. Well, as much attention as someone with ADHD can have.
Even More Expensive Headphones!
Move over, expensive computers! Step aside, American-made headphones! France now has the most expensive headphones yet. I really wonder how much Parker Hall got paid to say nothing but good things about the Focal Bathys Headphones.
Why do we need to keep making expensive headphones. Yes, many of us are audiophiles now, thanks to the like of Apple, Bose, Sony, and other companies. But France wants to beat them to our wallets.
I’m personally pretty worn out with “ultimate headphones” and similar descriptors. We’re just reinventing the wheel at this point. I think Wired is going for a younger audience than me, because I’ve heard the exact same marketing since I got into Walkmans (I’m a 90’s kid, for reference).
I know I’ve successfully made this sound like an auditory conspiracy. But I’m just glad I can focus on smaller things, such as the $800 price tag for this pair of headphones. I’ll save up for a new computer or gaming system for that much. Not headphones.
Local News
Court rejects religious exceptions for Covid vaccines. Even now, after three years have elapsed, some still believe that they get religious exemptions from everything. Well, not today.
Missouri News
Missouri Republican attempts to use a Bill to prohibit the acknowledgement of “sexual orientation” from being mentioned in schools. Her bill is then torn apart by another Republican because of the Bill’s language. It seems she believed that sexual orientation did not apply to a man and a woman.
“She knows full well that the intent of this bill is not to protect kids in a classroom. It is just to discriminate against the LGBT Community, and to parade her Christianity all over the place… She is incapable of keeping her Christianity to herself.”
Color Coded Calendar
Each week I keep track of events so you don’t have to! This is amazing since I’m neurodivergent. But below are events that I really think you’ll enjoy…
Each week The New Parkway Theater in Oakland has a variety of events. The two that I love the most are Drinks & Dragons (Wednesdays) and Trivia (Thursdays) respectively. I am officially a new Game Master, and want to help make D&D more fun at the New Parkway. Check out The New Parkway website for further information on these and other events. You cannot go wrong no matter what day you show up.
Local Events
Queer Bedtime Stories is hosted at Milk SF this Thursday at 8pm.
Poetry Slime is hosted at Milk SF this Saturday at 2pm.
Pop Culture
Each week I include media that I’ve enjoyed. If you’re a creator of any kind, please email me to be included in this list. I love discovering new artists; from singer-songwriters to upcoming directors, and beyond.
A friend mentioned a YouTuber in a discussion: Jenny Nicholson. She talks about theme parks and other things. I couldn’t get enough of her video on Evermore (and that’s a big video).
I found a new way to take notes today (Thursday). It’s called the Zettelkasten Method, and you can learn about it from this video here. I’m already implementing it to compile my research for video essays.