weird as in: i control my destiny

and other little wishes for the new year

sometimes the things I think are weird about me, are really just things I like and think people won’t understand why I like them. and isn’t that something - that “weird” comes back around so much to what others think. though I admit I think it too - that it’s weird how much I like snails and thus anything with a spiral shape and that includes my dog’s tail so maybe it’s all because of him and his cute little butt that I like snails - but actually I’ve been writing poems about snails for years, excited to see snails in foreign countries because they look just a little different, so who knows why I actually like spirals so much right now, and the way, in my universe, a spiral symbolizes abundance.. so maybe it has more to do with that which I can’t explain, which has so many connections between ideas that are only half related but are entirely entwined in my mind. the more I focus in on my “guiding concept” for the new year/for the now, to “own my weird”, the more I go in circles (spirals?) and the less I even know what weird is.

weird is scrolling through ebay and finding furbies i deem # c u r s e d. weird is making up quotes about being the chickens we want to see in this world with Joce (who, gratefully, gets my specific flavour of weird) as we embark on another month of in surreal life poetry extravaganza. weird is the dancing (read: flailing) and noise-making I do when no one is looking. weird is the way I sit on chairs with my feet not flat on the floor, but “shrimping” as my partner likes to call it, toes all curled under.

I only recently discovered weird has a surprising etymology - now that I have stopped to google it. check out my oversimplification below:

i like this idea of controlling one’s own destiny - leaning into your weird to do so. it makes sense that all which makes you uniquely you is what guides you to your unique and special destiny, yours!! only for you!! YOURS! And the best part is that by owning your weird, letting it out to play, others whose weirds align with yours will make themselves known! YOUR people will appear! So, let your weird guide you to your best fullest life!

Sookïe is my latest All My Strangers character and has a whole write up about owning your weird which you can read on my instagram here. Sookïe is based off a tapir which, weirdly, is an animal I’ve been drawn to since I was assigned to make a big paper painted version of one in school when I was 5 years old. baby tapirs have the wildest patterns. i’m quite excited to spend some time with Sookïe and embody them this year. i hope this little exploration of the concept of weird sparks some fun connections in your mind for you, too, as you move forward in time alongside the rest of us….

i’d love to know about something you think makes you weird (but maybe, just maybe, is also what makes you delightful???) in the comments, if you feel so inclined to share

---

yesterday my step mom asked me what my “goals” are and was adamant that one, if not some, of my goals should include All My Strangers. I tend to agree, and am going to follow some of these goals and see where they take me… maybe something published? maybe something shown? animated…? who knows! the world is our oyster and I’m excited to see where it all goes! THANK YOU for being here to witness and engage with the journey!

i wish lots of delightful weird for you in this gregorian new year. i wish lots of creativity and connection. i wish for you to feel more and more closely aligned with your weird destiny every day, bit by bit, inch by inch.

hugs, katia