That's been my entire morning...

Anyway, thanks to editor @dianapho.bsky.social and @erewhonbooks.bsky.social/ @kensingtonbooks.bsky.social, Hard Times are coming to your town. In 2027!

[Twenty minutes later: There are times when in the moment you have to say to yourself "Self, you are in a room…three black nerds yelling about time travel stories (namely, your hatred of them). Yeah, you’re doing alright." Spoilers, I came around on the idea of time travel stories.]

Spoilers: I beat Giovanni! Not that we explained to Jordan why me and Wayne were high-fiving.

Wayne: Are you ready?
Me: Um, yeah, but…
Wayne: What is it?
Me: I have a big Pokemon battle to do. I found Giovanni.
Wayne: Pokemon Go? I’ve only been playing on the console. Okay, I’ll run in and tell them I need to go to the bathroom. Will that give you enough time?
Me: Yup!

A couple years ago, Wayne picks me up from the hotel to drive us to MonkeyPaw Productions so that we can pitch Jordan Peele. Once we pull into the driveway, here’s what happens:

I'm doing good to get deep, loving reviews!

I was asked when did I find community with what I do. My answer was when I found my community of creatives. After a momentary flutter of imposter syndrome, they reminded me that I belonged on that panel. (But the whole weekend has been surreal!)

Rodney Barnes has been my blueprint for how to move in these spaces I find myself in. D.M.C. What? Run-D.M.C. was first (cassette) I ever purchased.

This panel gave me life. Look, these creatives have meant a lot to me. The wisdom and passion of Asia Simone (illustrator of Marvel’s Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur: Wreck and Roll) and Tony Weaver Jr (I can’t keep his book, Weirdo, on our library shelves).

We also did a panel Wayne had pitched to NYCC, Young, Gifted, and Whack, a deep-dive conversation exploring the intersection of hip-hop, fantasy, comics, and improvisation. This panel would have been my answer to the last time I fanboyed (on the inside, I kept it professional. Mostly.)

Then Wayne and Jonathan Mangum did Nerdvana, their improv show. Someone asked Wayne when was the last time he fanboyed over someone. He said an hour ago when we met Veronica Roth.