"I’m only really there when I have to wait for the bus." Garrett, I just love this line. I, too, have been thinking over how we perceive our communities and their challenges, and collective failures of imagination that are exacerbated by collective media encouragement of the same. But all of that is big stuff and I just want to say I really like that sentence. That's what I've got today. 😀
I've written a ton about it here, but the major arc of my year was seeing the city I'd lived for a decade suddenly become completely taken over by white supremacists for six weeks, violently cleared out by cops bussed in from all over the place, and then subject to awful simmering ongoing fash shit until I gave up and moved away-- back to a city I'd lived in and that I adore and where I am personally much happier, but wow, it was a grim experience to see a place I-- if not loved, then at least one I considered home-- get overtaken like that. So really, the story of the place I lived WAS the story of my year in 2022.
Anyways, I wish I had had stay and fight energy for my old city, but I was all out of it. But moving has given me more energy and optimism, and I'm looking forward to getting to know my neighbourhood and neighbours, even though living in my second language here makes that a more intimidating proposition.
Also, All This Could Be Different sounds great, adding it to my list!
This is something we of course come back to a lot here; when is it right to stay and fight/when is it right to find a place where staying and fighting is a bit easier. I have no doubt you made a tough but good call, but there's also heartbreak there, of course.
Also, um, not to give too much away vis a vis the gift exchange, but maybe don't move TOO quickly on buying your own copy of All This Could Be Different :)
I've been helping a friend, who is struggling with a chronic illness, with his bills and overdue payments. (Note to self: make sure essential payments are on autopay before becoming incapacitated.) As I've been on hold and talked to people across the country who couldn't solve the problem, I have been somehow hyperaware of how difficult it is for them when callers are rude and demanding. (Well, we all know that this behavior has been encouraged in all sorts of ways.) I can make a difference by being patient and communicating that I understand they can't control the situation, especially when their computers are slow or they can't get to the screen they need or they have to push the situation up the chain and I won't hear anything for days. This isn't local where even grocery checkers are often distant because I have to wear a mask. But, still, customer service employees are part of my community.
This is such a good point and a necessary reminder. One of the ways that this system keeps us all angry and exhausting is by putting working people on the front lines receiving other regular folks' rage at the brokenness of it all, while the system itself gets off scot free. It's so easy to take your anger on inflation out on the clerk at Albertsons, or on a cruel healthcare system on the person with the thankless billing or medical scheduling job.
"I’m only really there when I have to wait for the bus." Garrett, I just love this line. I, too, have been thinking over how we perceive our communities and their challenges, and collective failures of imagination that are exacerbated by collective media encouragement of the same. But all of that is big stuff and I just want to say I really like that sentence. That's what I've got today. 😀
Thanks Nia.
I've written a ton about it here, but the major arc of my year was seeing the city I'd lived for a decade suddenly become completely taken over by white supremacists for six weeks, violently cleared out by cops bussed in from all over the place, and then subject to awful simmering ongoing fash shit until I gave up and moved away-- back to a city I'd lived in and that I adore and where I am personally much happier, but wow, it was a grim experience to see a place I-- if not loved, then at least one I considered home-- get overtaken like that. So really, the story of the place I lived WAS the story of my year in 2022.
Anyways, I wish I had had stay and fight energy for my old city, but I was all out of it. But moving has given me more energy and optimism, and I'm looking forward to getting to know my neighbourhood and neighbours, even though living in my second language here makes that a more intimidating proposition.
Also, All This Could Be Different sounds great, adding it to my list!
This is something we of course come back to a lot here; when is it right to stay and fight/when is it right to find a place where staying and fighting is a bit easier. I have no doubt you made a tough but good call, but there's also heartbreak there, of course.
Also, um, not to give too much away vis a vis the gift exchange, but maybe don't move TOO quickly on buying your own copy of All This Could Be Different :)
:0
I've been helping a friend, who is struggling with a chronic illness, with his bills and overdue payments. (Note to self: make sure essential payments are on autopay before becoming incapacitated.) As I've been on hold and talked to people across the country who couldn't solve the problem, I have been somehow hyperaware of how difficult it is for them when callers are rude and demanding. (Well, we all know that this behavior has been encouraged in all sorts of ways.) I can make a difference by being patient and communicating that I understand they can't control the situation, especially when their computers are slow or they can't get to the screen they need or they have to push the situation up the chain and I won't hear anything for days. This isn't local where even grocery checkers are often distant because I have to wear a mask. But, still, customer service employees are part of my community.
This is such a good point and a necessary reminder. One of the ways that this system keeps us all angry and exhausting is by putting working people on the front lines receiving other regular folks' rage at the brokenness of it all, while the system itself gets off scot free. It's so easy to take your anger on inflation out on the clerk at Albertsons, or on a cruel healthcare system on the person with the thankless billing or medical scheduling job.