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 · 15/06/2026

wow! I’m grateful to be agented now, but I would never have thought to do that.

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

If you’ve read this, are friends with Hiro and me, are local to the Seattle area, and have nothing better to do of a Tuesday night in July, you are welcome to join us in Renton for some cake and champagne. Just let me know so I can order enough for everyone! 7/7

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

I glance at my phone. “That’s a Tuesday.” Another friend volunteers to make the cake. We ask our host if we can gather at her wine bar. She agrees. Elation lights my eyes. Hiro proposed once more, and this time, I’m already happy and thinking about the vows. 6/7

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

Our conversation attracts attention, and one friend interjects: the birthday boy is a registered celebrant. The question arises, “When?” Hiro blurts: “July 7th.” The same day we wed in BC. Makes sense. One fewer anniversary to remember. 5/7

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

I wrench my phone from my pocket to look up the marriage license procedure for Washington. I summarize. “We apply online. At the ceremony, the judge and two witnesses sign. And then we file the license at the Department of Records.” 4/7

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

Assuming Japan finally embraces marriage equality, Hiro reasons that immigration eyebrows might skew askance at our Canadian marriage license. “Neither of us is Canadian.” His logic lands. 3/7

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

“We’re already married.” After three glasses of wine, we are under the influence; his cheeks flush scarlet when I glance his way, but his gaze is steadfast and sober. “Hear me out,” he says. When I retire in 2030, we plan to return home to Japan. 2/7

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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 · 15/05/2026

Eubacteria Archæbacteria Protista Plantae Fungi Animalia

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Brian Watson @iambrianwatson.bsky.social · 09/05/2026

Say a few words from an old TV commercial that some of us will remember: “Shout it out!” “Now that’s a spicy meatball!” “Where’s the beef?”

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Brian Watson @iambrianwatson.bsky.social · 09/05/2026

Today I searched for “at last I am free of a cruel master Socrates quote”.

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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

I entered 1995 thinking I had everything sorted and the universe said, oh, really?

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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

It’s been a long winter. People are *horny.*

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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 · 08/12/2025

To be honest, if I’m unable to nab a spouse visa when I retire, Hiro will set up a company and hire me. That company will be for tourism. So there will certainly be a Tokyo/Yokohama/Kyoto stationery tour option.

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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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