Electing to Muse before the Laundromat
I tread lightly with this post. Like a teen on a floor full of squeaky floor boards late at night.
It has come to pass.
Someone with no military experience is to be Commander-in-Chief of the Army and Navy.
Someone with no political experience holding office is to be Head of State and Head of Government of the United States.
I shudder.
I shudder because someone who has problems editing himself and can’t help but display his racism and misogyny is to communicate with other world leaders.
I was advised by a friend of many, many years that I have no right to ‘complain’ because I didn’t vote. That I should become a citizen and do so, THEN I could complain.
I rebutted with the fact that I am here legally and have paid taxes (beginning at 14).
I reminded her that I have a son who is a citizen and worry for his future.
I also mentioned that throughout this entire campaign, I didn’t once comment on her obvious support of a candidate I abhorred.
And let’s face it, if ever there were a time I’d want to become a citizen, it certainly wouldn’t be now.
Besides, now I’m over my fear of flying – perhaps I’ll enjoy a deportation? Would be nice to see my family and friends in England again.
But, in all seriousness:
He plans to dismantle the Affordable Care Act (which, I JUST signed up for!) which will effectively increase the premiums out of working class reach.
He plans to change the tax brackets (removing the largest one & increasing the lowest) which will only serve to add to our National Debt.
God only knows what his other plans are – we didn’t hear much about them during his campaign. (I mean, other than the notorious ‘wall’)
But you can be sure that Pence and the Koch brothers have quite an outline for him.
And that is all I will say.
I hope I’m wrong. I truly do.
Sadly, regardless of any success he may achieve in ‘making America great again’ – the person doing it is still someone who has zero respect for women. Someone who bullies, spews hate and lies. Someone who does not apologize or accept responsibility for past indiscretions.
Someone who does not tread lightly.
Musings from home and mostly about Facebook.
Facebook.
People use it for different reasons – different ideas, different content.
Me?
Musings from the Laundromat: Eyeball edition.
My right eye is still asleep. Not sure how that’s possible, but it’s managed to accomplish it.
Laundromat has an odd atmosphere today. Even Laundry Lady concurred with that. She’s half asleep too, but I’m pretty sure both her eyes are working.
Glaucoma Man isn’t even chatty.
Him: Anything new?
Me: Not really.
Him: Same stuff just older huh?
Then he walked off to the vending machine. Very unlike him. I should have mentioned I only have one functional eyeball – that’s something new.
More people have descended upon the ‘mat now – the room is abuzz with various machine sounds and an assortment of patrons. The radio is now on and being drowned out. That, or one of my ears is sleeping too.
Chatter from the front of the room – and Glaucoma Man is folding his wash. He never has much. Just a tiny red mesh containers worth.
And he never says goodbye.
Just hurries out with his red bag in tow.
I wonder what he does after he leaves? Does he just sit in his trailer and watch TV?
No secret what I do.
I have the social life of a corpse.
I’ll put the laundry away … Walk my dog around the yard. Tidy the house then spend too much time with my dear friend Netflix.
Hopefully I can do that with just the one eye.
Time, screams and empathy vs lethargy.
When I heard the agonizing scream from outside to the table I sat notarizing documents upon, I knew something horrific had happened.
Then I heard the second “NO!!!!!”
I could barely focus – immediately the empath in me had eyes watering and vision blurred.
I absolutely felt the sorrow.
I had just seen the gentleman last week. And when I say ‘Gentleman’ I mean that truly.
This was a happy, loving, GIVING person. Fortunate due to the effort he’d put into his life and … suddenly gone at 56 and alone in his chair when he did so. His wife was here waiting for his arrival when she got the news. He passed alone.
He wasn’t sick. He had plans, as we do. But, time doesn’t factor that in for us does it?
A long time client and very dear friend to two of my bosses.
Today was filled with tears because, when someone I love is hurting, I FEEL their pain in a visceral way.
Also, I had experienced this person so recently and knew what kindness and generosity he shared.
_______________________________
I found myself questioning again ‘The Higher Power’s’ choices.
One of my dearest friends started chemo today.
I’m ashamed to say, a fact I found out later in the day after receiving no response from her.
I was sick last week – and isn’t it silly that I didn’t want to visit her in my condition considering hers? But, I didn’t want her immune system compromised for her impending procedure.
The woman who has given of herself and loved the helpless and hopeless.
Why not the pedophiles?? Why not the evil at heart???? WHY???? Why the good ones? And don’t come back at me with ‘He has a plan.’
What plan would any father have to subject his smallest, youngest children to cancer? To famine? To fear and war?
None I say.
I’m a little bitter right now if you haven’t noticed.
_______________________________
As we wept, I considered the fact that the two most affected already have a plan.
They want to spend the rest of their days together. Retired.
And I’ve been looking at my life too.
What do I want for myself?
Nothing material, that’s for sure.
But with every ‘spell’ every ‘bad day’ physically, I find myself contemplating my last days.
And bottom line is:
Preciousness of the time I have remaining.
It could be gone in a minute.
Then I remember what is important.
I always do.
People. Service. LOVE. Loving others. Friends, family, strangers.
Not cars or clothes or cash.
It’s never been those things for me. And I’m grateful I’ve always had that attitude.
But I DO ask myself is:
THAT is what is important.
So, if my last day on the planet is tomorrow – I hope I’ve fulfilled that last one at least!
Musings from home after the Laundromat
SO! I announced last night I was doing a Live video from the laundromat for my usual ‘Musings’. What I didn’t factor in, was the fact that if it’s not on YouTube, it doesn’t make it here.
I went through with the Live.
Tangent … You know when you pause a movie and even the most gorgeous actor looks weird? Yeah. That’s the look of me on the still of my video.
I woke up late, headed out and oh my gawd! What could have been an amazing laundromat live feed turned into more people than ever BEING there, and in and out.
I set up outside on the curb, with the laundromat behind me and even that wouldn’t work. People! People everywhere!
So, I sat in my car and went through with the live feed.
I HAD to!
I said I would do it and I did.
Kinda terrifying – I mean, there’s no editing available, no photoshop available. You’re literally putting yourself out there as you are.
Here’s some more still shots – oh so flattering.
Yesterday morning I sat outside and turned my iPad on and saw Amanda aged 60. No joke. I think our future generations are going to have more wrinkles than us just because they’re constantly looking down. I’m going to hold my iPad up from now on.
I had fun with the live feed and felt sorta liberated. OK, I felt like I followed through, which is kinda the same.
Wish you could see it.
I used the words ‘And’ & ‘Um’ a lot. So, you missed out on that.
I am going to have to work on that. I don’t want to be an ‘and’ ‘um’ person.
Lesson learned.
I’ll also try a video later so I can fulfill my promise here. Although, I’ll be answering the same questions I had – but … Maybe differently. I shift a lot. What was then, was then and true. But, moments later, I’m different too.
Debauchery Soup 