iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Reposted by Brian Watson

Stone Cold Jane Austen @abbyhiggs.bsky.social · 17/08/2026

What if we kissed at the—

90s news Screen grab states: liberty university gay sex command center

Brian Watson @iambrianwatson.bsky.social · 29/07/2026

Earlier this year, I commissioned a digital portrait from an artist I admire, @xiongbara. I love his work but I had no idea how beautifully the portrait would turn out to be. 謝謝，熊！

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Brian Watson @iambrianwatson.bsky.social · 29/07/2026

My fellowship in the 2026 Lambda Literary Virtual Retreat for Emerging LGBTQ+ Writers begins Saturday. Can I say that I am wildly nervous? I've got so much to do before everything starts, but I'm looking forward to this amazing opportunity and am honored to have been selected.

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Brian Watson @iambrianwatson.bsky.social · 01/06/2026

Tonight, as we celebrate a friend’s birthday, Hiro whispers into my ear: “Do you know what we need to get married in Washington State?” 1/7

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Brian Watson @iambrianwatson.bsky.social · 30/05/2026

An old and dear friend (hey!) sent several photos from our college graduation. Young and beautiful, my impending move to Japan illuminated my imagination, utterly unaware of the closet that awaited me across the globe.

Brian at a college graduation, dressed in a cap and gown over a button-down shirt with a narrow blue neck tie. Around his neck is a lei made from carnations and daisies. In the background, there is blue sky and green trees. Wispy hair peeks out from under the cap and Brian sports a beard but no mustache.

Brian descends from the dais after receiving his college diploma. He’s wearing a cap and gown and around his neck is a lei fashioned from carnations and daisies. Other people are visible in the photograph, including another graduate, following on Brian’s heels, and some parents at the front of the dais waiting to capture the moment their offspring graduates on film.

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Brian Watson @iambrianwatson.bsky.social · 27/04/2026

For five years, I've been applying to Lambda Literary's virtual retreat. This year, I earned an acceptance! I'm excited to attend, but I need to raise money for tuition. If you can help, I'll be eternally grateful. gofund.me/b177c3bac

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Brian Watson @iambrianwatson.bsky.social · 02/04/2026

My partnership with literary agent Alisha has become extra official this week. They shared an announcement to their social media and the agency website now includes me as a client! I’m really looking forward to my journey with them!

A screen grab of Alisha’s post on Instagram.

My author bio on the Corvisiero Literary Agency website.

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Brian Watson @iambrianwatson.bsky.social · 20/03/2026

What better way to celebrate the start of spring than with a signed contract with a literary agent? open.substack.com/pub/iambrian...

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Brian Watson @iambrianwatson.bsky.social · 19/03/2026

I suppose I can count this as a key milestone on my auctorial journey. My first scam! Evelyn Smith (or is it Smith Evelyn?) used a Gmail address to prey on my (nonexistent) insecurities and also failed to realize that my book has yet to be published!

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Brian Watson @iambrianwatson.bsky.social · 16/03/2026

The commemoration of the Tōhoku Earthquake and Tsunami Disasters last week had me thinking about my own brushes with calamity, including two major ones that happened during my decade in Japan. open.substack.com/pub/iambrian...

open.substack.com

Up-Close Disasters

including a manmade one

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Brian Watson @iambrianwatson.bsky.social · 09/03/2026

In lieu of what I hope will be more exciting (and still pending) news, my latest Substack talks about my ongoing adjustments to hearing loss, and some of the ways I find humor in this hard (of hearing) situation. open.substack.com/pub/iambrian...

open.substack.com

Hardware Update

and other otolaryngology news

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Brian Watson @iambrianwatson.bsky.social · 28/02/2026

Japan is a public transportation dream. But renting a car (outside the big cities) can bring more remote areas within your reach. I've created a step-by-step tutorial for the process.

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Brian Watson @iambrianwatson.bsky.social · 18/02/2026

Maybe it’s the Lunar New Year, but it’s always a good time to use my favorite mug. It looks like a mahjong tile and the character means starting or departing. It’s part of the traditional new year greeting, too. 恭喜發財 (good fortune and wealth be yours!)

Photograph of a mug sitting on a brown book. The mug is a shaped like a rectangular pipe and is white with a dark green rim and a Chinese character on the front. The design is similar to that of the green dragon tile in mahjong.

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Brian Watson @iambrianwatson.bsky.social · 17/02/2026

All I can say is my tarot draw for February was spot on. Incredible news and I’m dying to share it with everyone but I have to wait. Ugh!

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Brian Watson @iambrianwatson.bsky.social · 13/02/2026

Rejections, as a rule, suck. And yet… this rejection from an awesome small press demonstrates that readers are picking up what I’m laying down. Last year’s revisions were worth it. Crying in a Foreign Language will find a home, either with an agent or a small press, this year.

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Brian Watson @iambrianwatson.bsky.social · 03/02/2026

First of all, how was this eight years ago? Siri shared a remember of a tasting event my husband (the event’s photographer) and I attended, and of course I sought out the photos of my beloved friend Karl, may he rest in eternal power. I miss him so much…

My friend, Karl Reyes, in 2018, doing a food tasting event for his Filipino cuisine concept restaurant, Sampalok. Karl’s head is bald and a pair of glasses adorn his bearded face. He’s wearing an indigo blue chef’s coat, with a single plastic glove on his right hand. This photo captures him mid-explanation.

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Brian Watson @iambrianwatson.bsky.social · 14/01/2026

This is sixty! It’s traditional to wear red for this particular milestone birthday in Japan and I asked my husband to make the vest for me. He delivered!

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Brian Watson @iambrianwatson.bsky.social · 08/01/2026

Are you free? Are you safe? None of us is. Not for a long time now. 1/2

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Brian Watson @iambrianwatson.bsky.social · 03/01/2026

2026 marks the completion of my zodiacal cycle. I was born 60 years ago (on January 14th) in the year of the Fire Horse and that year has at last returned. I (together with a whole host of family and friends — お陰様で！) raised my new child self, ready to marvel at the wonders of my next zodiacal cycle.

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Brian Watson @iambrianwatson.bsky.social · 24/12/2025

I’m so grateful that my husband will photograph me whenever and wherever. I promise my Santa belly rubs were consensual. 😉

Me (in a Nintendo Christmas sweater and a red rain jacket) sitting beside a statue of Santa Claus in Leavenworth, Washington.

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Brian Watson @iambrianwatson.bsky.social · 21/12/2025

It’s not Christmas until Hans Gruber falls from Nakatomi Tower!

A recreated poster for the movie, Die Hard, showing Alan Rickman as Hans Gruber, holding two bars of C2 explosives in his outstretched hands, and Bruce Willis as John McClane, barefoot, wrapped in a fire hose, and dangling in the background.

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Brian Watson @iambrianwatson.bsky.social · 21/12/2025

Do any of my Bluesky connections still play Pokémon GO? If you’re looking for another friend to play with… Let's be friends in Pokémon GO! My Trainer Code is 035084857354!

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Brian Watson @iambrianwatson.bsky.social · 18/12/2025

A custom bracelet for a high school friend. She told me her wife’s favorite stones were moss agate and snowflake obsidian. I added gold spacers to add some light. I sent it with a self-addressed stamped envelope in case it needs to be resized.

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Brian Watson @iambrianwatson.bsky.social · 17/12/2025

The view from the restaurant in Leavenworth, yesterday, was mystical. I love the interplay of clouds and pine trees.

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Brian Watson @iambrianwatson.bsky.social · 13/12/2025

Earlier this week, we picked up dinner at our local Katsu Burger place. I love their tōfu burgers and although you can’t see it, the slice of pineapple I asked for was perfect. Sure, they are a little expensive but this is two meals for me.

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Brian Watson @iambrianwatson.bsky.social · 22/11/2025

In 2006, we decided to stop renewing Hiro’s student visa, and to move to BC. That summer, before the move, we traveled back to Japan. Hiro stayed longer than I did, but I can very clearly remember how humid it was that June. The exhaustion on my face is incredible.

Photo of the author, dressed in white slacks and a red and blue, aloha shirt, wearing a brown cap, sitting on a bullet train platform in Japan in 2006, surrounded by small bags, and with a look of utter exhaustion on his face.

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Brian Watson @iambrianwatson.bsky.social · 14/11/2025

I’m working on a new essay and, of course, need another creative project or two to let me think w/o writing, too. The first photo is a rock crystal daruma bead with rose quartz and red Japanese glass beads. The second is aventurine and silver.

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Brian Watson @iambrianwatson.bsky.social · 09/11/2025

I looked across the table at my husband the other night and fell in love with him all over again. Hit send.

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Brian Watson @iambrianwatson.bsky.social · 15/10/2025

My inbox betrayed me, hiding an invitation for several weeks. Long story short, if technicalities can be resolved, I'll be reading an excerpt from my manuscript on Thursday, 16 October, at 7PM EDT, 4PM PDT, to mark the launch of Stone Canoe's 2025 issue. DM me for the link!

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Brian Watson @iambrianwatson.bsky.social · 12/10/2025

Attending the 1987 March on Washington for Lesbian and Gay Rights didn't destroy my closet. And in retrospect, I was glad to be in that closet for many years after. Can't come out yet? Your queer elders and siblings love you no matter what. open.substack.com/pu...

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Brian Watson @iambrianwatson.bsky.social · 04/10/2025

Today’s issue of Out of Japan discusses two steps forward and a kilometer of steps backward. Japan has just embraced its far-right demons and welcomed corruption back into its government. iambrianwatson.subst...

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Brian Watson @iambrianwatson.bsky.social · 29/09/2025

Tuesday morning, one of my dream literary agents requested my full manuscript. (She knew it was in revision and asked for as much as was ready.) in between a cancer screening (I’m fine!) and recovery, and all weekend long, I finished everything. The complete MS is on her desk!

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Brian Watson @iambrianwatson.bsky.social · 20/09/2025

I drew a tarot card, the World, at the start of the year. And although the 2025 has yet to finish, I’ve been astounded by that card’s power. Deeper friendships, many celebrations, lots of writing, successes at work, and love, love, love. Gratitude doesn’t begin to describe it.

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Brian Watson @iambrianwatson.bsky.social · 15/09/2025

Last night, I attended an awards dinner. It’s the annual Pacific Northwest writers Association conference this weekend, and I submitted the first 12 pages of my memoir’s manuscript back in April for their annual unpublished book contest. Last month, I was named a finalist. 1/3

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Brian Watson @iambrianwatson.bsky.social · 13/09/2025

My Alaskan cousin and her mom, my godmother from Indianapolis, were in Seattle last night before embarking on a cruise this morning. The four of us had a blast, sharing memories. Hours of nonstop love.

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Brian Watson @iambrianwatson.bsky.social · 06/09/2025

The red pen edits are complete. Most pages were lightly touched, some got more attention (and yes, Oscar Wilde was Victorian at his peak, not Edwardian), but I get to work on the computer version now. Is the manuscript going to be better as a result? Certainly.

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Brian Watson @iambrianwatson.bsky.social · 06/09/2025

The official anniversary won’t be until September 14th, but I’ve (gratefully) already taken delivery of the award that recognizes my first decade of full-time employment (after nearly another decade of contract employment) at Nintendo. I’ve met so many amazing people here.

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Brian Watson @iambrianwatson.bsky.social · 30/08/2025

Taking advantage of the holiday to review my memoir’s manuscript again. Looking at: Verb tense consistency. Places where end notes are needed. Visual cues for other characters. Potential plot holes after earlier revisions. Errant spelling errors 300 pages. I’ve got this.

A clear cased fountain pen atop a coil-bound manuscript, sitting on a pile of books.

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Brian Watson @iambrianwatson.bsky.social · 24/08/2025

James Dobson has gone to his damnation, but his legacy affects all Americans. Queer couples can arm themselves for the next wave of judicial prejudice, though. Learn more at open.substack.com/pu...

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Brian Watson @iambrianwatson.bsky.social · 24/08/2025

Thank you, Jennifer, for this boost.

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Brian Watson @iambrianwatson.bsky.social · 21/08/2025

My many thanks to the memoir category judges at the Pacific Northwest Writers Association. My manuscript, Crying in a Foreign Language was named one of five finalists for the 2025 Unpublished Book Contest. Winners will be announced on September 13th.

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Brian Watson @iambrianwatson.bsky.social · 15/08/2025

Is it AIDS I run from when I move to Japan in 1988? Or is it anxiety, grief, and even joy? Crying in a Foreign Language reunites all of me, weaving narrative and flashbacks with historical research on AIDS, queerness, and Japan. #QueerPit #A #MEM

The author during his first year in Japan, visiting a historical recreation village.

The author during his fourth year in Japan, meeting former prime minister Takeshita.

The author during his fifth year in Japan with the man he fell in love with.

The author and his husband returning in 2023 to the Kobe shrine that first united them in 1993.

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Brian Watson @iambrianwatson.bsky.social · 13/08/2025

A film that Hiro and I worked on the translation for (together with my friend Manako and her daughter Hana) is coming to Apple TV on September 1st. It’s an amazing story about a Japanese automotive family, and I’m honored that Hiro and I were involved.

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Brian Watson @iambrianwatson.bsky.social · 09/08/2025

Meta’s rollout of location sharing within Instagram is criminal. And attempts to deactivate that within Instagram’s settings are being reported as ineffective. Your location is still visible. Stop it at the source. On your iPhone, open the Settings app. 1/3

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Reposted by Brian Watson

Meg Pillow @megpillow.bsky.social · 31/07/2025

My essay is up at @literaryhub.bsky.social about the late, great Lana Clarkson and other promising young women whose lives have been derailed or destroyed by men. It’s also about my childhood sexual abuse and how I have tried, and failed, to reckon with it. lithub.com/on-promising...

lithub.com

On Promising Young Women (and the Nameless Men Who Get in Their Way)

“The woman is a footnote in the man’s history.” –Rebecca Hazelton * There’s this photo of Lana Clarkson that I think about often. She’s outside, backed by a blue sky, the green and brown spotted hi…

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Brian Watson @iambrianwatson.bsky.social · 01/08/2025

Hiro and I have been friends with Tom and Dennis for a long time. When they visited us in British Columbia back in the day, people mistook us for each other. So we had a lot to laugh about when we reconnected last night after 5 years apart. I love our friendships.

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Brian Watson @iambrianwatson.bsky.social · 26/07/2025

Washington place names continue to make me laugh. Driving to Fife this morning and passed a sign for Surprise Lake. “Oh! There’s a lake here! Surprise!” ワシントン州の地名は時に馬鹿すぎる。100年前の白人開拓者がその場所に湖の存在でびっくりした？看板を見た瞬間で車でクスクス笑った。

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Brian Watson @iambrianwatson.bsky.social · 26/07/2025

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