A jog through January

Recapping what Mercury has been up to and what's next on the agenda

and

Jan 24, 2025

Welcome to 2025 everyone! I’m so grateful for each and every one of you who subscribe here on Substack, this newsletter and media hub is really my baby and it makes me so proud to see it growing!

Since we’re starting off a new year, I’m going to take a moment to introduce myself again - I’m Basil Forest and I’m the writer behind every substack post! I work very closely with Mercury and my job is mostly to help keep her on track to meet the goals that she has set. We’ve been working together since 2022 when she hired me to be the show manager for her weekly burlesque show.

A quick rundown on my history and what lead me to this opportunity:

I’ve been chronically online since I got my own computer at the age of 7
I was homeschooled until 11th grade and I was given a lot of freedom to explore my own interests - I spent a lot of time at libraries.
I started doing circus arts and performing at 15 - I’m primarily a hoop dancer with some aerial experience
My dad has worked in cabinetry and construction my whole life and my mom loves HGTV - I grew up around home improvement projects and design concepts.
I’ve always been a huge science nerd and I have a healthcare background
I’ve been volunteering with a harm reduction and peer education nonprofit since 2014 - Peer education and harm reduction are essential perspectives that I view everything through
I’m an all-around creative person
- I love writing and have put extensive amounts of time into studying clear communication
- I’m a photographer - if you’ve been to one of Mercury’s events, I probably took your photo!
- I sew and do fiber arts, especially crochet
- I absolutely love cooking and eating good food. I’ve been primarily plant-based since I was 12
I came up in the punk/raver DIY scene so my first thought is usually, “Okay, how can I make that with what I have access to?”

And for the answer everyone is waiting for: my big three are

Capricorn Sun
Pieces Moon
Scorpio Rising

But that’s enough about me, I’m not what you’re all here for!

Mercury gave us some recommendations of her best repair and maintenance books:

Here’s some links to find those books on Bookshop.org

@mercurystardust What's the best Home Repair Book #booktok #lgbtqia #DIY

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Our comedy queen thought she was really funny with this repair advice for a broken stovetop

@mercurystardust @iván Things happen so hang in there. #DIY #homerepair #lgbtqia #Trans

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Mercury is very accustomed to modifying approaches to make DIY more accessible. For example, you can watch this video of Mercury talking through lightweight drill options for her spouse, ZZ. If one way to solve a problem isn’t working for you, don’t be afraid to try something else!

@mercurystardust I got a text from them quite upset that they were in pain from using my drill to hang curtains so I came home with some lighter and more accessible options for them. #EDS #Lgbtqia #t4t #Trans #DIY

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Next up, we have a new renter-friendly fix for a broken towel rack - including a way to make this happen without a screwdriver!

@mercurystardust Towel Rack keeps falling off the wall? I got a trick for you. #renterfriendly #DIY #Trans ##Lgbtqia

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Mercury wanted to take a moment to say, “Thanks Hank Green!”

For my own Thanks, Hank contribution: I would not have made it through my anatomy and physiology classes without the help of Crash Course A&P! I have shared Crash Course with every instructor I’ve had, and some have even added those videos to their teaching materials! Having such an amazing example of how media can seriously help facilitate and motivate learning has had a lasting impact on me and how I produce my own educational materials.