THINGS THAT MADE ME HAPPY IN FEBRUARY

 

I came out as Jenny Blake Isabella on Sunday, February 9, on Facebook and my other social media. The response from the comics community was overwhelmingly loving, respectful and supportive. I admit I got a little teary reading comments from surprised long-term comics friends. There were, of course, naysayers, but those were expected. Overall, the comics community proved to me that we are some of the best people we will ever know.

Saintly Wife Barb and I flew to Pensacola on Thursday, February 13, for Pensacon 2025. It’s my favorite event and I knew Jenny (and Tony) would be warmly welcomes there. I was not wrong. That first day of the convention was amazing. I ended up doing a solo panel on my comics career that was very well received. I caught up with old friends. I was looking forward to more of the same on the remaining two days of the convention and, beyond that, continuing my transition to my authentic self over the months and years to come.

As we should have learned by now, man plans and God laughs. I got sick on Saturday and was only able to come to the convention on Sunday for a couple hours. We flew back to Cleveland on Monday, February 17, my wife’s birthday. A few days later, I was admitted to Medina Hospital.

I had contracted a particularly nasty case of Influenza A. I felt miserable. There were some other issues as well, but those will be discussed at a later date. I was discharged, but I still felt really awful for many days. Except for one doctor’s appointment, I haven’t left the house in over two weeks.

I am on the mend, albeit slowly. On Sunday, March 2, I finally felt well enough to start writing again. As Jenny Blake, I wrote an eight-page script I can’t talk about yet. As Jenny and Tony, I have also written some Last Kiss gags. If it were for my minor mobility issues and the lingering effects of the flu, I would be feeling pretty good right now. Actually, I do feel pretty good, just not as good as I would like.

I’ve canceled all of my convention and other appearances through July. I had to put some other things on hold. Still, it’s great to be able to resume blogging again. I was unable to post my daily “things that make me happy” for much of February. But I want to share the shortened lists of those joys with you. Here are the things that made me happy in February before I was laid low by the flu... 

                                                                         

 

February 1: Akronomicon. I had a wonderful time at Akronomicon, hanging out with old friends, making new ones and chatting with the nicest fans anywhere. These are challenging times, but there are good people here in Ohio and beyond.

February 2: Linda Miller at Akronomicon. Best known for her role in King Kong Escapes, Linda is simply one of the most delightful guests you can meet at a convention. I love when we’re both at a convention and can spend some time together.

February 3: Victoria Price. It was a thrill to meet the daughter of Vincent Price and be her next door neighbor at Akronomicon. Her dad’s work and her work as an author and activist made the meeting memorable for me. 

                                                                         

 

February 4: Akronomicon. Burt Gummer lives! We never saw a body at the end of the last Tremors film. I assume he’s taking some private “Burt Time” with his stockpile of MREs. An award-winning cosplay from the convention.

                                                                         

February 5: Jenny’s Christmas ornament. My dear friend Jess made this. Even if I end up with a Charlie Brown tree, I’ll have a nice ornament for it. The good friends who sent cards and gifts to Jenny also make me happy.                                                        

February 6: Forbidden Worlds Vol. 20 (PS Artbooks). It reprints issues #117-121, cover-dated January-February to August 1964. Four of the issues have absolutely incredible stories by editor and writer Richard E. Hughes and artist Chic Stone.

February 7: Green Opal Salon. My first appointment with the very cool Kylie went very well. My hair isn’t quite there for all I would like to do with it, but it’s a start. If I don’t stare in the mirror too long, I think I look cute. 

                                                                           

 

February 8: Godzilla now guards the entrance to my home office in the form of this fierce wall hanging. It was a Christmas gift from a family member. I’m going to sprucing up my office in 2025 and adding some art and such to the walls.

February 9: Coming out as transgender on my social media was one of the scariest things I have ever done. The love and support I was shown lifted my spirits and gave me hope. I’ll have more to say soon. For now...thank you.

February 10: Tokyo These Days by Taiyo Matsumoto. After 30 years as a manga editor, Shiozawa quits. He finds can’t leave manga behind. Against all odds, he starts planning a magazine of his own. I can relate to this big time.

                                                                           

February 11: The WeatherTech “Golden Girls Go Wild” Super Bowl commercial was a highlight of the game. My first reaction was a gasped “WTF?” but I immediately moved to laughing out loud. One of the most honestly hilarious ads in years..

February 12: Ghosts: “The Not-So-Silent Partner.” Notable for a heartwarming scene between Hetty (Rebecca Wisocky) and Thorfinn (Devan Chandler Long). The actors deserve supporting role awards for their great work episode after episode.

I was able to resume posting these things that make me happy on Saturday, March 1. You’ll get a full compliment of them at the start of April.

Thanks so much for visiting with me today. I’ll be back soon with more stuff.

© 2025 Tony Isabella