Going to michfest has been a form of radical self care.  It is radical for several reasons.  First, shedding my heteronormative, capitalistic, consumerist self.  That is radical, to peel away the patriarchy which seems to cling like sunburned skin, itching to be scratched, feeling the pleasure of peeling it away and wincing when it pulls too hard, places we are more attached.  We are attached to our oppression in ways we don't understand, can't see until we are separated from it.  

A fest friend is debating whether to come to fest again this year without her partner or buy a boat, which she and her partner can share and enjoy together.  No contest for me:  fest.