TOP 5: 1 YEAR PANNY LYFE
WELP. Here we all are, it’s March again. 1 year into our pandemic lives. Of course said with all of my privilege, I’m fucking hella greatful for the onslaught of changes that that this uninteded veil pull has brought to bow. I just opened my first solo show in years, 44+ IS THE LONELIEST #, I have my own namesake website, BRIEKOLE.COM, I’m finally investing full time in myself and thus my creative work. It’s not always easy, but riding the waves, catching nature's rhythm, tapping into self, has proved to be more helpful than I could have imagined BC [b4 COVID]. The results are far more fruitful and fulfilling than before, and this feels like just the beginning. I’m kicking off my Fool’s journey...leaping and I’ve never felt so sure, so free. I think this year has solidified and verified that I’m a BOSS, Bitch. So imma HARD LEAN into that strut! Some things that I’m branging with me in my [IRL ever present] fanny pack with love from Le Pannie:
1. ALOK & #DeGenderFashion [ya fucks!]
Their soosh meeds & writing ::this particular article, chef’s kiss::
The simple fact that existing, living your truth can be and too often is a death sentence for Trans and non binary people is utterly untenable! Alok writes with the blood. A voice that I don’t know if I would have found if not for the Pannie. A voice that now is in my head & inspo activist tool box forever more. Alok has become an embodiment of what it looks like to live truly and boldly in whatever skin you’re in. Speak UP & Speak Out, we will not be idle about the fierce injustice that has raged against Trans and non binary humans ANYMORE! Ever grateful for the voice you bring to this movement, Alok.
2. 44+ IS THE LONELIEST #
This show is everything. It’s such a milestone for me personally and for my creative career. Sustainable. Activist driven. Abstract. Full of Life. I tapped into the universe with this one for sure, and I’m not sure that would have happened so naturally without the Pandemic. #SERIOUSLYNEVERGOINGBACKAGAIN
This show has given my career and work so much meaning and fulfillment personally. Tune into my conversation with comrade, Angela Galecki for a deeper look at the show’s many facets. I could gush about this all damn day! See it masked & in person at The Barley in Steamboat Springs, CO until end of April 2021. Or online.
3. PLAYING WITH THE “BLOOD!”
Mozart in the Jungle fans? Anyone? Bueller? I’ve like always known this about myself, but this past year really cemented it for me. I play with the BLOOD, I put my everything in. My work actively vys for justice for the marginalized, it’s environmentally conscious, accessible, impassioned. There’s just no other way for me. Ideally myself and my work function to be representative of investing in yourself, belief in yourself and the bigger picture of humanity, community, accountability. Igniting a fire of self empowerment.
39.7684° N, 86.1581° W | 44+ IS THE LONELIEST #
4. RALLYING IN MY LANE
I learned a hard and too valuable lesson this past year. Activism has always been part of who I am and what I do. But this past year I learned that being an activist has lanes, and I needed to recognize that my lane isn’t BIPOC and that shift of perspective is imperative to being an activist from here on out. Staying in your lane as an activist looks like rallying your people, for me that’s white people, not coming at things as if I’m in the ranks. I can be a warrior for justice more efficiently if I’m hyping up other white people, that’s where the fundamental change needs to happen, duh right? It took me most of the past year for that to click and sink in so I could shift. #nevergoingbackagain
3 OF SWORDS | TAROT OF THE DIVINE | YOSHI YOSHITANI
5. TAROT CLUB / SOUL CARE
I went through too many therapists the past year. That multiple recounting of personal traumas was a lil traumatic. This is not to say I have it covered on my own, but it is to say sometimes a little self reflection and investment can go a long way. You after all, already know your traumas. Enter Tarot or oracle cards, not future tellers, not basing huge decisions on the cards -- but a tool. A way to self explore with some loose structure. The space and time the panny has forced on us...welp #nevergoingbackagain. Based on the above, I now make time, space & bandwidth for self exploration. It doesn’t look the same everyday, sometimes I’m put off by intense Tarot card pulls, sometimes that time turns into a houseparty chat with a pal. The point is to choose yourself. Ya gotta help yourself before you can help [show up for, etc.] anybody else. Special thanks to my Tarot Club and member, Gabrielle for a super helpful read of 3 of swords, it’s really deepened my appreciation for the tool of tarot.
6. BONUS: BOARDGAMEARENA.COM
Anyone who is my pal has likely gotten a text from me asking if they like board games. For my social game player fever BGA has been a SAVING GRACE! It’s also made for excellent opportunities to [re]connect with pals near and far. Virtual vid chatting and gaming the night away with friends in Bahamas, Florida, Philly and more has been such a balm to sate my socializing/entertaining proclivities. At $4/month for prem membership (access to more games) or FREE.99 for basic (still A LOT of games) I may never setup/score/put away IRL games again! Being able to learn and try out 1,000’s of games, right at your fingertips is so fucking RADDDDDD! Get @ ME if you wanna play! I’m GAME for most anything! & I’ve played over 200 different games on there, so I can help direct you to some good ones. We’ll (by we’ll, I mean Bb) teach you too!
Here’s some games I can’t get enough of at the mome:
