Cory Tschinkel
I started today on March 8th, 2024 and ended it on January 3rd, 1980.
Alright let's get started. I’m gonna do my absolute best to write this in my voice. We all know tone and intention can get misunderstood in text, but here goes nothing. Hopefully I won't bore you with excruciating details, I'd rather take you through my day, my brain, my experiences. Perhaps some silly stories, a few witty remarks, and a picture here and there.
I’m going to start exactly when March 8th begins because, yes, I was awake at midnight. I made the possibly unwise, but unregrettable decision to stay up and listen to Ariana Grande's 7th studio album “Eternal Sunshine” (Take a shot everytime I bring that up in this essay and boom you’re blacked out) She is my mf GIRL so I had to hear the album asap. And OOOOOO shameless plug but give it a listen cuz i am moving and grooving and sobbing all at the same time.
Once the first run through was up I listened to it again. Yes, and what about it? I have free will.
After the second listen, THEN I went to bed.
As I was falling asleep I couldn’t help but wish I could recall my dreams so that I’d have something to share with you in the morning, but alas I can never seem to remember them. Please reach out with tips on how I can start to. I really want to know what wacko stuff is going down. I believe that I’m actually psychic and I’m living in the future in my dreams. My brain blocks me from remembering them. Sometimes when my real life plays out its very deja vu idk.
Now we fast forward to the morning. Typically getting out of bed is a struggle #relatable. I set alarms for every ten minutes and lay there until I like actually really need to get up or imma be late. Today I had to get up EXTRA early because I had an event right at the ass crack of dawn (9am) . So my ass had to be out the door by like 8.
Everyday I put on my gay little outfit and do my gay little tasks. Then I performed my rigorous skin care routine and the other steps in a morning routine. Here's today's fit. Super cutesy for you. I often dress like woodland fairy that made a wish to become human and today was no different.
Ran out the door and hustled my ass to the trolley stop (where my 34 girls at? Lets make some noise for route 34!!!)
Whenever music comes on I have this uncontrollable habit to dance and lip sync. So during my commute to work I was putting on a show for everyone around me. Music playing, yes you guessed it, Eternal Sunshine- take a shot. My favorite 3 at this point are supernatural, boy is mine, and we can’t be friends (wait for your love).
I got off at 19th street trolley station (my personal favorite for reason I shall not name) and strut my way to Suburban Station where I work. I like to believe I roam the street like Carrie Bradshaw does in Sex and the City. I think I'm Miranda with Carrie tendencies. What are you?
Once my colleague Maria arrived we then head to the El from 15th to Spring Garden.
(I do not ride for the El anywhere as close as I do for the trolleys. The gworls avoid the El as much as we can)
During this period of time I misread Maria’s button which I thought read “More Trans for more people”. It did in fact say Trains, but I’d argue my version is better.
Okie, so i'm NOT a directions type of person so we got a little lost once we exited transit, but eventually we found our way. And BOOM here we were at the International Women's Day event. Yay women!
We ate breakfast.
We did the event. Speaking to any goer about what we do at WOAR, providing them with the resources that are available at their fingertips for free. And swag, gotta love swag.
Everyone was super nice and we were received in a very positive light.
WOAR is Philadelphia’s Center Against Sexual Violence, a helping hand to anyone who has experienced sexual violence. Check out the website for the full list of services. The 24 hour hotline is available for anyone who may need it 215-985-3333
We also were given a catered lunch and FUCK it was so good. I ate a salad, mac and cheese, meatballs, and jerk chicken wings. IDK who catered or else I'd give them a shoutout.
At 1pm another advocate came to take over for Maria and I.
Before I left I had to stop at the Mazzoni Center table not only to pick up their resources and speak with their representatives about everything available there, but I also grabbed some stickers and I really like these two.
I also came across this bench that you weren't allowed to sit on. Which is similar to a turtleneck crop top- what exactly is the point???
Once we left, Maria and I made the plan to in sync listen to eternal sunshine (yall sick of me yet, I would be) and walk back to the office (regular walking time 45 minutes, gay walk 30).
During the first part of our journey we stopped at Race Street Pier to bask in the warm glow and dance with the seagulls.
The album finished and we trekked on gabbing and yapping through various topics. We stopped for Insomnia Cookies. (The horrors persist, but so do the sweet treats).
I think the worker was flirting with me, but he was also just very energetic and friendly. He complimented me and during my purchase 'Girls in the Hood" by Megan Thee Stallion came on and we had a moment. He also gave me a free topping on my ice cream. Maybe I’m reading into his actions too much, but I am feeling myself today so narcissism is gonna win this one.
My work day was thus finished. I went back to West to sit in Clark Park and read Walk Through Walls by Marina Abromovic. Shes fucking insane but im obsessed. If you're unfamiliar she's a performance artist. At this point in the book she is traveling across Europe with her boyfriend making art anywhere they can. Some pieces include their naked bodies running and slamming into each other for an hour. Another being sewing your mouth closed and having the audience ask questions and your partner responds for you as you. Enough about this. Read the memoir. Today is about me, not her.
My music library is full of so many songs. Over 7,000 to be precise. I’ve been on a mission these past few months to listen to every song in my library and get rid of ones I don't like. I’m on the letter S specifically Su. So I vibed out to some music. These were my faves from today.
I got home and ate edamame as I watched Superstore.
I was majorly tired so I laid down for a cat nap. Very much needed.
Around 7 or so I got up, got dressed, and took pictures of myself wearing the gay uniform (a black tank top) and felt so gorgeously sexy. Threw on my Positions by Ariana Grande sweatshirt. Said hi and bye to my roommate Clare and head out the door.
Recently, Dhalak has been hosting Drag Race viewing parties. So a few friends and I met up there. Richelle and I are the capricorns so we got there 10 minutes ahead of 8. Jacob, a curly headed cutie, arrived at like 8:15. Andoni, we became friends over Grindr, was stuck on transit and arrived a little later. And my coworker Maria makes a return as they came through too.
The next hour and a half was full of gossip and our critique. My current top 3 are Sapphira (for the win), Nymphia, and Plane Jane.
Sapphira Cristal won the political anthem challenge as deserved! Philly Baby!! Get into it!!!
I REALLY wanted to go out dancing so through little effort I convinced Andoni to come to Tavern on Camac with me. LUV U (heart emoji)
The club is bumping, the boys look good, the alcohol is flowing. There's so much pain in the world, but not in this room. Andoni and I body rolled in the center of the dancefloor.
Taverns DJ’s can be hit or miss. Like you got me moving when you play only girl in the world, till the world ends, and everytime we touch, but you LOSE me during the club remix of love story. You slightly get me back when you play Believe by Cher, then I leave because IDK what music was happening after that.
On our way out I opened the door to head downstairs and there was Alejandro. If you know Alejandro, then you know. I was very happy to see him. He also lives in West Philly. (I love how life consistently puts people I know exactly where I need them, when I need them)
So the three of us walked out of tavern and towards Market Street. I said goodbye to Andoni so he could get on his bus home.
Alejandro and I wait in the 13th street stop and contemplate going to Bike Stop LOL. This pit stop would have solely been for attention and affection. Alejandro shares his excuse of “having to do homework” which he uses for men who want more than to shower him in compliments.
However the 34 came and that was a sign from the universe.
For anyone that takes the trolleys they may have noticed this as well. My favorite thing lately has been the fact that the digital time on every trolley is WAY off, decades off. This trolley was set to January 3rd, 1980. Alejdandro and I discussed what age our family was that year (similar to our current ages). I joked about how they should have been at the club.
A few minutes later the actual real clock on our phones hit midnight.
I’m sure you are all VERY interested in how the story ends and boy is it GOOD (My best hint is that it ends with an offer of bread pudding), but alas I wasn't paid to tell you what I was doing on March 9th. Okay I wasn't paid at all, but it's a figure of speech.
Forreal today has been such a great day, perfect for my day in the life. Did I purposefully try to pack my day with fun adventures and aesthetically pleasing activities? Well, yes! Is my day to day actually kind of like this? Also, yes! My life is my community. I am surrounded by people I adore and have something to learn from. In exchange I share my love with others and that means everything to me. I live a full life because I love trying new things. I embrace change, freedom, connection. And for that my days are bright. I’m really grateful that I got the opportunity to share with you my eternal sunshine (I just had to do one last one reference). I’m just happy to be in such a good place right now and to have the ability to document and display my joy. I'm really giving “girl who is going to be okay.”
If you see me around, come say hi. I’d love to meet you and become friends, lovers, enemies, friends to lovers to enemies, or a secret other option.
Goodnight Philly. Thank you for being you. Kisses!
Much Love,
Cory Tschinkel
Cory Tschinkel is a January capricorn. He may picture short but is a lengthy 6 foot 2 maybe 3. Cory works as a community outreach coordinator AND has a part time position at an after school enrichment program. Last week they got a haircut and further imaging can be found @cory.tschinkel
