The old joke I taught to many computer professionals was the last words of a red shirt on Star Trek or the next victim in a horror flick, “What was that?” Yes, people would say the computer f**k up this and data disaster that, and all I would say in response is, “What was that?” Yes, watching the messages on my phone for Trump’s return, “What was that?” came to mind.
The morning started more hopeful for us liberals, around 7:30 for me. I rose a bit later, my phone waking me. It is hard to know when to roll over and return to a brief sleep on damp days, usually filled with waking dreams, or to rise. I know I could easily sleep until 9.
Aside: I am struggling to recall Tuesday due to the lack of sleep (I was up at East Coast Time to talk to some friends in the Eastern USA after an unwelcome election result). I will try to cover the essential items with only a few lines of politics, as I am liberal.
Liberal coffee on an election morning always tastes bitter, and Corwin had left me coffee, so this was especially bitter after reheating. The bitterness reminds me how far we have to go. I did taste those goals (that seem a little more out-of-focus this post-election morning): Justice, Compassion, and Community. Hope seemed to warn me that it would be a hard day, but I was always happy to see Hope in my cup.
Breakfast was a banana with coffee and some oatmeal (instant pumpkin spice with pecan from Trader Joe’s). I wrote slowly in the morning as I had no plans. When my cup was empty of reheated coffee, I made more coffee. I was happy to see no severe violence in the election other than some weak bomb threats reported from Russia. Deciding that I had not heard from anyone and had all this food in the freezer, I fixed Trader Joe’s Mandarin Chicken and started that on the stove. I also made some jasmine rice to go with it (water and rice, simple).
Shiva and Subha told me they wanted to meet, so I scheduled a meeting at the Tous Les Jours Bakery at Beaverton Town Center for 4. I watched the election news as the first polls closed, and Air Volvo took me to the bakery. I also took a call, which was an excellent distraction while waiting for 4, and later, Shiva and Subha were running late.
It was great to see Shiva again; he resides in India, and we try to meet when he is in town. Subha and he and I caught up. We talked about all my travels and how I am feeling. Subha and Shiva shared their experiences at the company. They were surprised by my Brooks shoes (no Air Force Ones for me). We had only an hour, but we enjoyed, as always, each other’s company and will try to stay better in contact. I headed home at 5:30 in Air Volvo.
Before this, I received news that my new Dungeons and Dragons Dungeon Master’s Guide 2024 order had been canceled; my credit card did not clear. Frustrated, I ordered another one and used PayPal to pay for it. I received immediate access to the electronic version, and the new one would show just before I flew to Michigan next week. I lost my discount when purchasing all the books together–Growl. I thought the next book would also likely fail, and I would have to order it, too.
Deciding I needed a break from election news, I headed to the local gaming store, Guardian Games, Aloha. There, they had a stack of DM manuals, and not minding having two, I bought one with a recipe. The store person was useless and slightly unfriendly, and I tried to engage them in talking about the newest games or ideas, “I am too busy to play games,” was the incredible response from the guy running the gaming store. I walked next door to their other gaming table section, was greeted, and asked about my health. We talked about some possible role-playing games and scenarios. We both enjoy the new content for Lord of the Rings being generated for the role-playing game by the same name. The material fills all the maps with ruins, encounters, and stories. We both agree it is like getting more Tolkien. Feeling better now and with some exciting stuff to read, I headed home.
I read the book and found various excellent distractions from getting anything done. Soon, it was near 4. I also received the unwelcome news that the cancel email was wrong. Now I have two inbound to the Volvo Cave. F**k.
Later, I returned home and started to watch the election. The New York Times (NYT) had a ‘needle’ showing awful news for us liberals. The Democrats were winning and losing states by much smaller margins than expected. While North Carolina took a while to call, the NYT needle was already guessing that Trump would win. Yike!
It did not improve, but I did not surrender until after 11. I could see that the Midwest states were swinging over to Trump. There were not enough votes left to make up the difference. I was happy that Fox News was carefully calling states and matched the NYT and CNN. I got a text after midnight that Trump won the election.
I was miserable and felt I should no longer risk publishing a blog or having a Facebook account. I am concerned, still am, that my blog could, assuming I will be out there protesting the usual stupid things, be used to attack me or my friends. But Dondrea reminded me:
“I believe … that the most important thing that we have and will have to focus on is each other. The worlds that we build to support and love the people who are important to us. Our communities … will be our beacon.
It is what we have to hold on to with all of our strength.
I will try to be and do that … I will continue to try to be and do that … it’s all I know. I give my strength to that every day. “
It is a good message for folks wearing blue or red hats. I suspect the perfume of tear gas will soon be mine to enjoy. The blog will continue, as the risk, and words are worth the investment.
From my sermon on Sunday:
“With the election only a few days from now and unlikely to resolve anything, I suggest you remember the truth…
Remember, we are the gumbo, and it will be great.
God bless the United States and We the People.”
Thanks for reading.
(From FaceBook)
Alohawild (Michael Wild's) Website 