This was written for Circle of Titles in 2016, when I was assigned the title “Strategies to Live,” which felt super relevant given the then-recent Presidential election which was at odds with my safety as a trans person.

It took me five years to release this album, and I kept on feeling like it was too late to release this topical song, and yet, somehow it manages to remain topical.

Lyrics: Strategies to Live

You can hide yourself down a deep, dark hole Or hoist yourself on a really tall pole Anything that’ll help you get away

You can do heavy drugs to numb the pain, or Ask a surgeon to remove your brain So you can fit right in and start to play

Change your face and change your name Hide everything that brings you shame Or go on a preemptive sneak attack

Dig deep into the viper’s pit Embroil yourself in petty shit Just commit ‘coz there’s no turning back

Oh, I wish I didn’t worry oh so much Oh, I wish I could feel fine Oh, if only all my hopes weren’t out of touch I wish my safety wasn’t on the line

If you’re accused of doing a bad crime Want to hide for a very very very long time Consider all the possibilities

Make a run for President Convince the people you are heaven sent You might just win and then you are home free

Even if you’re caught lying Everyone gives you points for trying It’s not that the bear stakes well, it skates at all

Even if you destroy the world It doesn’t matter, you can fuck every girl And then you can go home and take your ball

Oh, I wish I didn’t worry oh so much Oh, I wish I could feel fine Oh, if only all my hopes weren’t out of touch I wish my safety wasn’t on the line

In the long run everything will be fine It will just be a matter of time, in Twelve billion years this will all be gone

In the meantime just try to survive The world is better with you alive Outliving him is a reason to go on