I haven’t been around much because I’m adjusting to my new work routine. Here are some friends I’ve made this month. Prettiest baby boy, sweetest coworker sleeping on the job, dynamic duo who went home together and ball of floof who is kind of judging me.

Back home from Pax. Finkle is happy to see us, the girls are running around playing (I swear they got bigger 😭). I’m exhausted – I couldn’t stay awake at the in-laws’ house or for the ride home. Grateful for a good con. Didn’t realize until today that I didn’t cry or have a meltdown! Victory!

Morning shift for the last day of Pax! Come see me at the Flatout Booth from 10 to 2, especially if we haven’t run into each other somehow?? Though tbh I don’t even know who has been here and not, my brain says nah to retaining that info.

I’m on afternoon shift (2 to 6) at the Flatout Games booth today and tomorrow, so if you don’t see me wandering around (or even if you do!), come say hi! Booth #2643

Starting a new job the week before Pax Unplugged means I am so exhausted that the convention might seem calm and relaxing. 😅 I also have zero time for prep so there may be no cookies. It turns out that having a physical job makes you really tired and unable to do anything. Oops.

Selina Belle loves sleeping in the space between cushions. Washi tucked herself between the couch and my leg and started cleaning herself. She got sleepy, I guess, and left her ear like that. I’m obsessed with these weirdos.

Artoo used to bring his pom toys to bed, so we’d say “no poms in bed!” and throw it across the room, knowing he’d fetch it and bring it back to bed. I’ve missed those forbidden poms. Last night Washi brought her sparkly orange pom to bed. (It’s her showgirl pom.) My heart is so full.

I’m watching the basketball game on mute (usually preferred against UCONN, not gonna lie) and have the news on the second TV showing updates from the plane crash. Going outside is terrifying.

Selina Belle sleeps in some strange positions.

So is now a good time to say Twitch used genAI on my art? 🧵⤵️

I’ve been pretty offline but want to remember to share Selina Belle and Washi content.

Sorry, I’m completely obsessed with these girls and so excited for their quarantine to end and for them to enjoy the upstairs life. They’re going to make a mess of everything, but they are so cute that I won’t be mad.

Barret the foster kitten is running around the living room playing with and carrying a yellow pom. Finkle is watching and singing a song of his people. I feel Artoo’s spirit in this moment.

I have to adjust my kitten cam iPad setup because Washi is obsessed with getting up there to watch it/knock it over. She is definitely the troublemaker of duo.

We have a foster kitten in the upstairs bathroom and these girls have taken over the basement. We found the pair we needed to adopt and I’m already in love. 🥹

Welcome to Louisville sports season where you’ll find me yelling into the void about them trying to not let us have empty reusable water bottles when it’s hot and I want to stay hydrated. 🎉

Taylor Swift and I have both had to watch the trainwreck that is Scott Satterfield so I feel deeply connected to her now.

Football season is upon us so I'm refreshing the hair color and preparing to turn myself into a human that goes out and does things rather than a goblin who stays indoors talking to a cat or visits other indoor places where cats exist. (I will continue to do that, too.)

My first foster kitten, Calum, went back today. Gonna miss this baby and can’t wait for him to find his home. 🥰

Today I noticed a job posting that I really, really want and I’m incredibly qualified for it, too. I’ve submitted my stuff and now I just have to wait and brace myself for disappointment. 😅

Thank you to everyone who donated to my ko-fi post-GenCon. It helped pay myself back for some cookie ingredients, then I donated to the humane society in Artoo’s honor. I’m truly grateful for this community and how you always find a way to show up for people. 💜

We're looking to hire pixel artists for Super Boss Monster 2! Earlier today I posted a recruiting form, but I made the mistake of cross-posting it to X, where it was instantly overwhelmed with spam replies. So here's revised form that I won't post over there! Apply here: forms.gle/tt4tbbCdvQsi...

Six years.

We're ramping up on the last tasks to prepare this game for YOU! Join in now for news on our continued journey into the world of Crime Guys - The Crime Game, and get notifications for when we go live!

I’m so proud of the work everyone at Placeholder Games has done. Come help us make the best game possible! www.backerkit.com/c/projects/p...

The GenCon games haul! This always takes me forever because I want it to be cute. I didn’t include my trinkets and plushes and shirts, that’s another post once I can set that up in an appealing way. 😅

Oh dang, this is part of my brand and I would be trash at it and I absolutely cannot wait.

Who all will be at PAX west? We got a booth this year and you should come demo our Crime Guys prototype!

I'll be playing Goats & Goblins with Sam on my Twitch channel on Thursday, August 7 for stream! This game will be in its last hours on Kickstarter. Come hang out and check out the game! twitch.tv/Banzainator KS page: www.kickstarter.com/projects/bag...

When my friends’ cat passed away, I gave them art of their girl. They gifted us with this. I love our new tradition, but also I don’t want to do it again any time soon. 💜

I was unable to acquire my thyroid medication for a few weeks pre-convention, so my exhaustion levels were through the roof. Powered through for GenCon, but now I can’t stay awake as part of recovery from depleting all resources. 🙃 (I have been able to get my meds again, it’ll just take time.)

Babysitting the niece today and I’m still exhausted from GenCon weekend. We already played Mooki Island, though. She’s 4 so she loved picking what was prettiest, then helping count at the end of the game. Thanks @hachettebgusa.bsky.social for the demo copy! We love that someone named one Fart. 🤣

This will air before tomorrow's podcast. My thoughts should be pretty obvious, but just in case...

If you have coins to spare and enjoyed a convention cookie, here is a page where you can learn about me, save the recipe, and donate to the cookie fund. I’ll be donating a portion to the Kentucky Humane Society in Artoo’s honor because he was part of this community, too. msha.ke/alonechark

Sometimes people can be on the side of Good and also be horrible. Spreading important messages is good, but harassing and targeting and spreading lies about people is bad. Keep that in mind as you amplify their messages because unfortunately you’re amplifying that hatred, too.

Allies: If you’re worried about seeming performative, just stop. It’s better to do good than worry if you’re cringe. Doing nothing is worse than doing anything at all. Need a better solution? CREATE ONE. Trans people aren’t always gonna tell you want to do. We need you to act upon your values.

New convention record: I didn’t cry at the con! Instead I cried on the drive up (emotions about leaving Finkle for the first time since Artoo passed). I did get misty-eyed in the hall at the con, but again, it was Fink related. I have amazing friends who took good care of him.

I’m not ready for it to be the last day of GenCon. 😭 There is never enough time. If you need goodbye hugs (or hello and goodbye hugs), the easiest way to find me today is 10 to 2 at the Flatout Games booth (400). It’s the blue side, not the AEG side. You’ll see me. I’ll be the one being extra.

Now recruiting more members of Board Game Bangs Club. I have a few stickers at GenCon if you wanna join! Rules: first, no TERFs or jerks. Do you like board games? If yes, have you had bangs ever or at least not told people to not get them because we let people like what they like? If yes, congrats!

Today I encountered @425suzanne.bsky.social and @theonetar.bsky.social in different moments and both yelled in my face upon seeing me. I don’t think this was a coordinated effort and I’m just so dang delighted by it.

Kid loves calico kitties so tried her with Calico (with a few rule adjustments and allowances). She asked to play again first thing this morning 😻 @flatoutgames.bsky.social

✨Plz share for visibility!✨ If you’re going to GenCon, consider taking one of my mini painting classes! There are still tickets left for all sessions! Learn the secrets of glazing, or try my signature 4 color/easy color scheme class! bit.ly/daggersclass #minipainting #miniaturepainting

ATTN: GenCon friends who like me and/or cookies. I didn’t make a cookie list for this one, so let me know if you’ll be at the show and where you’ll be and I’ll try to get one to ya. Also hugs (the physical act, not candy).

I had a different dental hygienist today and I miss my usual person, but I did love that this one commented several times on how perfect my teeth are. Thank you, Invisalign.

We played board games with some folks last night, then today we had a board game day with other folks. It was just what I needed.

In the last month I’ve had to grieve the loss of a nearly decade-long friendship and the loss of a pet of 15 years. I couldn’t sleep and the sleepy swiftie playlist was particularly sad and powerful so my mind wandered and my heart hurt and I remind myself it’s OK for that to happen.

Protect trans kids! 🐐🏳️‍⚧️ [ #cuteart #trans #sketchbook ]

I don’t think I’m gonna have post-con crash this time, just “I miss being around people elsewhere instead of being at home where it’s too quiet without Artoo.” Makes me miss the post-con crash.

There are some crumbs of food and treats under my desk that are left from trying to get Artoo to eat and I need to clean them up but I haven't because I have ADHD and also it's sad so double roadblock.

We now have review copies of High Tide 🌊🐚 ready to go for reviewers and critics!! DM me! Anyone interested in a free copy of the game and able to make a review/impressions video before Gen Con? (USA only, sorry!) 🎲✂️ Open to influencers on Youtube or TikTok! boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/43...