Exploring Dawn

Expressing My Thoughts

Wed, 21 Oct 2026 15:32:54 -0400

I thought it’d be fun to list how I go about “expressing” myself these days. I’ve seen lots of bloggers talk about why they blog, and I wanted to give it a go, or at least my flavor of it. Here are ways I express my thoughts and the forums I do it through.

First, I have always journaled. I had a diary when I was little, including a cute blush-colored diary with a little latch lock and tiny key. I wish I still had it. I have no idea what happened to it. After that, I kept paper journals for years, and then moved to Day One and finally landed on Apple’s Journal (since I live in Apple’s ecosystem full-time with my tech). Journal entries are personal. They are often deep-felt thoughts that I might not want to share with others but I want to record. I don’t go back and read my journal that often; however, I think the act of writing it down helps me process emotions and situations. Most of my writing, including my poetry and fiction, are ways I process my life. It’s not just a story I’m telling, but something more holistic.

Second, sometimes I want to post something that’s not long form, maybe a shout-out to a friend or about something I like. I usually use BlueSky for that. Now, I do have my Micro.blog entries cross-posted to BlueSky, so this is another way I use BlueSky.

Third, for fun, life, transition-related, reading or things like that, I use Micro.blog. I love Micro.blog. It allows me to be short-winded, long-winded, image-heavy, or just plain old text. I love the customization options for my blog and just the ease of use whether I’m on my iPhone or my Mac. It’s a great service and I keep my fingers crossed it keeps on truckin’! Shout out to Manton!

Fourth, Coupled with Micro.blog is their book tracking (also movies & TV) feature. I use their Epilogue app (or the web interface) to keep track of books I’m reading or have read. I love that it can autopost updates to my blog, or I can write a full entry myself about a book I’m reading or have finished. I also use the Book Tracker app (iOS/macOS) to track all of my reading and like Apple Journal, I sometimes keep my reviews or thoughts on a book private.

Finally, I self-publish some of my writing. I published my first collection of poetry, Becoming, earlier this year. I’m almost finished editing the follow-up to that, which I’m calling Being. I have a few other projects that are in the queue once I get this new collection published.

I hope this was interesting and maybe gives people a few ideas to try on their own.

Tue, 20 Oct 2026 15:30:46 -0400

Finished reading: There’s No Turning Back by Alba De Céspedes 📚

A lovely read. I felt curious and invested in each of the young women’s journeys to self, life, and each other. Even the interplay and inner thoughts of the sisters who run the Grimaldi, where the woman live while studying and preparing for exams and defenses of theses.

I loved looking at the background of each character, how they felt about where they came from, blending nostalgia, tradition, and a hope of something better than simply being transferred as property from their father to their husband. It is amazing that this was written in 1938 and depressing that it still resonates in today’s world.

As for the art, the prose flows smoothly. Both a compliment to the writing and to the fluid translation. Three cheers for Alba de Céspedes and another three for her translator, Ann Goldstein.

Highly recommend.

Sun, 18 Oct 2026 23:44:20 -0400

Watched: Penny Lane Is Dead 🍿 Wow! Second time watching, amazing.

Sun, 18 Oct 2026 21:19:11 -0400

Watched: Bride of Chucky 🍿 I needed this flick tonight. Perfect horror mixed with twisted humor.

Fri, 16 Oct 2026 16:49:56 -0400

One of the rarest sights ever … an empty laundry basket!

Wed, 14 Oct 2026 22:56:53 -0400

Watched: Land of the Dead 🍿

Not quite up to the quality of the original trilogy but still a good watch.

Thu, 08 Oct 2026 22:34:19 -0400

Absolutely fab night with friends old & new tonight. It’s amazing how powerful simple acceptance can be. Doesn’t cost anyone anything but it was like I won all the lotteries all at once. 🩷

Thu, 08 Oct 2026 11:09:03 -0400

Every now and then I come across an article that just adds some joy. Pure geeky, scientific joy. With all that is going on in the world today, it’s nice to have a moment’s respite with something like this.

Leap seconds have helped keep clocks synchronized with Earth’s rotation, but their time may be over – here’s why. (from The Conversation)

Mon, 05 Oct 2026 19:38:01 -0400

Todays’s xkcd rocks! A little bit of old school mixed in with new stuff. Laughed out loud at WKRP.

Sun, 04 Oct 2026 18:07:04 -0400

Finished reading: Trash by Sylvia Aguilar-Zéleny 📚

A fantastic novel with three interesting stories that worked perfectly. The author nailed the landing. So beautiful and powerful.

Many thanks to Laurel for the recommendation!

Sun, 04 Oct 2026 01:33:32 -0400

Watched: Bad Things 🍿 Watched with my love. Wow. Loved the film but the cast made it even more perfect! Worth your time.

Sun, 04 Oct 2026 01:20:50 -0400

Watched: Penny Lane Is Dead 🍿

Just wow! Fantastic.

Wed, 30 Sep 2026 23:40:55 -0400

Watched: The Deeper You Dig 🍿

Who would have thought a pre-Covid movie could be so dark! Liked Hellbender better but good watch.

Mon, 28 Sep 2026 21:58:45 -0400

Over the past year or so, I’ve never taken so many pictures of myself or had others take them of me. Then again, I never saw myself in those older photos … now I see my inner self smiling back. There is hope. 🩷 🏳️‍⚧️

Snowballing Power

Sun, 27 Sep 2026 18:31:57 -0400

Snowballs. They start small but if you roll them around in more snow or down a hill, they get larger and larger, building upon what they already had. I’ve experienced this as I continue to grow as my true self. This power is amazing and weird. I was always pretty quiet and maybe reserved. I never put myself out there or invited attention. First time I wore a new pair of shoes as Dawn, I was terrified. I thought everyone was staring at me and judging me.

Whether it’s just WTF, I’ve changed inside, or something else, I don’t even blink anymore about being myself in public. Whether it’s a tank top and pretty necklace or capris and a sweater top, I put it on and go out. Makeup is my everyday armor and I don’t hide that I’m accentuating my inner beauty with lipstick, eyeliner, eye shadow, mascara or perfume.

It used to be terrifying and now I’m just me. For others on the same journey, all I can say is just keep going, keep trying to be yourself. Maybe it’s the confidence that shines through. I get looks from some folks but other people don’t even care or notice. I know it’s not the same for everyone or everywhere, even for me. But I’ve been very lucky at just the right moment to help me grow.

Sat, 26 Sep 2026 17:41:29 -0400

There is such power in a bolder red lipstick.

Fri, 25 Sep 2026 16:29:56 -0400

Had a fantastic getaway to two beaches last week. Really need to write up a longer post and include some photos.

Saw a bunch of friends, ate and drank well, bought books from two shops in two states, and went to town on the outlets (wardrobe building!)

Tue, 15 Sep 2026 11:48:06 -0400

This easter egg literally made my day. I so missed Dogcow

Thank you Macrumors.

Moof to everyone! 🩷

The House in the Cerulean Sea 🩷

Mon, 07 Sep 2026 17:55:02 -0400

Finished reading: The House in the Cerulean Sea by TJ Klune 📚

Definitely one of the best books I’v ever read. It started off slowly, epsecially as I’m not as much a fantasy girl, but after the first few chapters, it just turned up to 11 and never stopped. I laughed and literally cried or choked up in parts of it. The trip to the village brought tears to my eyes and the hope that permeated this book brought waves of joy to my heart.

I wish I’d had a book like this when I was a kid. Knowing I was different would have been a little easier with this as a companion. Never underestimate the power of a book to give a person hope and knowledge that they’re not alone, that they’re worthy of love and even of respect. Maybe this is why so many try to ban and burn books, because such books give hope to those they would rather despise, relegate to the shadows, or simply wipe from existence.

I heartily recommend this book!

Today was a good day

Thu, 03 Sep 2026 21:58:54 -0400

It was amazing to shop in two different stores for makeup and just accepted. Love MAC and my first time in Sephora. New eye shadow stick, so excited!

Also picked out new frames for glasses that fit me better on so many levels. New prescription, new frames, new joy.

Fresh batch of my chicken curry with my sweetie’s naan. 👩‍🍳 💋

A very good day indeed

Sun, 30 Aug 2026 21:18:41 -0400

Watched: Europa Report 🍿 An amazing film: the value of knowledge and the primacy of hope.

Wed, 26 Aug 2026 23:00:08 -0400

Imposter syndrome is never greater than the moment you share yourself with a greater audience. I am learning who I am every moment and every moment is a metamorphosis.

I am who I am at this moment and I love who I am. 🩷🏳️‍⚧️

Tue, 25 Aug 2026 17:16:39 -0400

I used to love dystopian movies. But given the times we’re living in, it is too close to the present, eerily close. So, I’ve moved more into horror. It’s a more comfortable place, on many levels.

Wed, 19 Aug 2026 20:09:19 -0400

Finished reading: Girl’s Girl: A Novel by Sonia Feldman 📚

5 stars. A great find. Reminds me a little of my own childhood: a little what is was and a little what I wished it could have been.

RIP Reggie Bannister

Tue, 18 Aug 2026 22:48:58 -0400

I am devastated. Reggie Bannister, from Phantasm series, passed away August 9th. I loved him from the first Phantasm that I saw so long ago. He was perfect as the ice cream man. The first Phantasm was perfect & his role in Ravager was too close to real life. Rest, my friend, safe from the Tall Man.