- What the fuck just happened today? - This is a once-a-day newsletter that details what happened that day and includes links to news sources if you want to read further. I hate what's going on but I feel like I should stay informed. If you can keep from doomscrolling news all day, then this is a way to keep up with current events without getting overwhelmed. If you don't want to sign up for the newsletter, you can read it directly on the site.
- 5 Calls - The best way to get your elected officials to take note of how you feel is to call them. Social media comments go nowhere, there's no guarantee that emails or letters are even read. However, when you call them, the office staff make a note of what you're calling about and the officials get a daily tally sheet stating what was on their constituents' minds. This site makes it super easy for you to call. Enter your ZIP code and it will find out who the appropriate people are for the issue you are concerned with. I just checked and there are now 25 issues you can choose from the site. Once you choose an issue, you will get a page with a script you can use when calling. I absolutely hate calling people on the phone for any reason and this makes it so much easier. You should especially call your representatives who are on the other side. They probably don't give a damn what you think but you deserve to be heard and the time and space your call takes up is one less call from a constituent who totally agrees with how things are going these days.
- What can I do to fight this coup? - Great article listing 3 main ideas and the actions you can take to achieve them. Doing an action won't solve anything on its own but this is a starting point.
- How to Stop the Power Grab - An article that I think is worth reading. It details that the person allegedly in charge, while seeming to have all the power, is actually weak and points out what makes that so. The article highlights an important point, which is that Democrats are hobbled in what they can do because they are in the minority. They can do more than they have so far but the major point is that we need to stop looking to them to fix this. They can't. Increasingly, it seems that the most effective way to accomplish something will be society mobilizing as a whole. Strikes and protests! Join them and let them see our numbers!
- 50 Protests, 50 States, 1 Movement - The first protest organized by this movement resulted in 80 protests throughout all 50 states. There is a whole calendar of events listed on the website, from more protests to buy-nothing-except-local days.
- Know Your Rights - Protesters Rights - If you do decide to join a protest, make sure you know your rights before you go!
- The Dice - 35 - Really good article on how to take in all the information that you're being bombarded with these days without getting sucked in and spiralling.
So yeah, that's what I've got for links this week. I know, I usually try to keep it light and upbeat (or just weird) but this is important. People have to realize that they aren't powerless and there are ways for them to express themselves. Also, just as important, there are ways to protect yourself from getting overwhelmed with news and daily events.
This was a pretty crappy week for me physically as I had an arthritis flare-up. Not sure what triggered it - could've been a weather change. It got so bad that I had to ask my son to go buy me a walker because the cane just wasn't enough. Thankfully, that seems to have come to an end, I'm at my usual level of decrepitude and the walker has been put away for now.
In the middle of this horrible flare, I had an appointment to get my passport. This is something I'd been meaning to do forever but things just kept happening. I had a passport years ago when I was an Army wife and we lived in Germany but I let it expire and haven't had one since. I'm not planning on leaving the country but I did want to get that done because even months ago I had the feeling that government might not be working very well in the near future. I paid extra to get it expedited and allegedly it will be ready in 2-3 weeks (plus time in the mail). We'll see.
Listening
Reading
I was so happy with the previous 2 books I read, the Egyptian mystery series. The next book I chose to read was something from my library wishlist, The Harper's Quine by Pat McIntosh, a mystery set in 15th century Scotland. Kobo tells me I am 43% through the book and I could not care less about who got killed, why or the people investigating. The book is full of dialect and terms that are not explained, making it very clunky to read. I also have some other nitpicks with it but I think I'm just about to DNF it. I was trying to make my way through it but I don't think I want to anymore.
Not sure what I'll be reading next. I'll have to go through my stash of bundle buys and see if anything appeals.
Watching
- The Apex Predator We Still Don't Understand - All about the Komodo Dragon. Is it actually venomous? Jury is still out on that one.
- Canada's Darkest DNA Secret - The Acadians - I didn't think this was dark so much as interesting. The title caught my attention because this is part of my family history.
That's it for this week.