Inauguration Day

I almost decided to stay silent. I didn't see a point in expressing my feelings when so many others spoke them much better than I ever could.

Alas, it's Inauguration Day. Today, I am heartbroken.

Many Trump supporters call people like me *snowflakes*. They tell us to go kill our selves. They tell us they will drink cups of liberal tears as they take back their nation from the liberals (as though the amazing country we all live in somehow belongs to them and their ideals alone). They believe God answered their prayers and gave our country Trump and I wonder if they really understand Christianity at all since this is a man who has lied, cheated, adulterated, and rose high at the expense of so many others (just look what he did to honest Americans with his Trump University scam). He is now an American President who refuses to show his tax returns and says avoiding paying taxes makes him smart. He has made a career out of finding every loophole imaginable to benefit himself. He goes into office with more than 50 lawsuits against him (including ones where he is accused of sexual assault). His narcissistic ego consumes him to the core and his thin-skinned petulance becomes clear in his all night Twitter tirades (because God forbid you don't agree with him). While not shocked that he was elected, I am no less horrified.  It has nothing to do with Donald Trump the Republican and everything to do with Donald Trump the terrible human being...his supporters can call me what they want, but I can never respect a man as small as Trump, office of the President or not. I have disagreed with Republicans on many social issues but respected their positions on fiscal responsibility and often admired them as people.

Donald Trump is so much different.  People should be afraid...so much is at stake.

• People should care that their President can't even rise high enough to let an insult roll off of him.
• People should care that their President wants to overturn Executive Orders that keep women, minorities, and LGBTQ safer.
• People should care that their President, who claims he is going to *drain the swamp*, yet appoints some of the most wealthy, corporate cronies with more special interests than experience. And those he appointed with experience have an oppressive voting history.
• People should care about the rights of others...a woman's right to choose, a gay couples right to marry who they love, a Muslims right to wear a burqa or hijab, and an immigrants path to citizenship, etc.
• People should care that their President has no respect for women, has bragged about assaulting them, and has insulted anyone who doesn't meet his standards for beauty.
• People should care that their President has mocked people with disabilities, insulted Gold Star families, and Civil Rights Activists.
• People should care that their President lies constantly and even when he is fact checked, sees no reason to retract (which reveals exactly what he thinks about the intelligence of his supporters). 
• People should care that their President is quick to repeal the Affordable Care Act without another option in place. The ACA is flawed and needs work but has many great moving parts to build off and improve upon. It seems the move to repeal with no alternative suggestion is more about dismantling Obama's legacy than  it is about the millions of Americans who count on the ACA for their healthcare.
• People should care that their President is making us a worldwide laughing stock but that the joke is now no laughing matter and the global economy is at stake.
• People should care that their President isn't diplomatic and that already his Tweets and statements have the potential to put our Nation in danger.
• People should care that their President defends Putin, a war criminal and oppressor, and undermines the US Intelligence when they reveal that Russia interfered with the US election in favor of a Trump presidency. 

Because I care about these things, many Trump supporters  will think I'm not patriotic. They will forget the terrible way they spoke about President Obama and his family...many times these attacks were personal and had nothing to do with disagreeing with Obama's policies. I am not sorry to say that I have no respect at all for President Trump. I believe him to be an illegitimate President that Russia helped elect, who didn't win the popular vote, and who refuses to sever himself from his business (giving the business to his sons is a bunch of crap) in order to devote himself to the best interests of Americans.

I can't be silent. I have to lend my voice to those in need of solidarity. I need to give a hand to anyone else feeling down right now. We have four years left.  Let's make them count by checking Trump at every turn. Let's get out and vote in 2 years to replace stagnant members in government. Most importantly, let us never forget that LOVE TRUMPS HATE.

Cool Things to Get Into: 2017 Update

I have posted before about cool things I'm into but since my curiosity  is never satiated I'm always looking for new and exciting ways to enrich my life and imagination.  Depending on the day and the climate of my particular attitude, a long commute can be a great space of time to fill with stories, news, theories, and more. Because my commute is what it is, it allows me the time to devote myself to my favorite podcasts without getting in the way of my other interests and obligations.

So here it goes...some of my favorite suggestions for making your 2017 a little bit more fun.

What I'm listening to:

Podcasts:
The Loaded Couch: Fantastic variety show about beer, video games, TV, movies, and general hilarity with a great host dynamic. They have a consistent show format with regular weekly releases.

Limetown: There isn't enough I can say about this awesome series. It is a continuous mystery so you will have to start at the beginning but it is such a cool format. It takes shape through the perspective of a
journalist who will stop at nothing to find out where 300 people from a testing/research site called Limetown, have disappeared to. The closer she gets to the truth, the stranger and more dangerous the episodes become.

Forever Fallen-Doctor Who Short Trips: Besides the story being written by my good friend Josh Wanisko, it is also a great insight into the power and conflicts of our choices. It helps to be familiar with the Doctor Who universe but to listen to Josh's story, it certainly isn't necessary. I'm extremely proud of my friend's story and the positive acclaim it has received and am so happy to recommend it.

Myths and Legends: Folklore and myths from around the world are featured on this podcast. Obscure figures from Greek mythology, sinister origins of familiar fairy tales, and strange superstitions, make this a well
rounded and enjoyable show to listen to. Episodes tend to be in the 30-40 minute range so are perfect for the commute to and from work.

The NoSleep Podcast: Scary fiction at it's finest! This podcast is in the same vein as Wicked Library and Tales to Terrify which I have reviewed in a previous post. There are definitely stories that will make your heart race and your stomach flip. Leave the lights on!

YouTube: A Song of Ice and Fire Channels
My obsession with Westeros is only surpassed by my hunger to sink my teeth into any good analysis on the moving parts that drive the series. Some channels are devoted to the story and shedding light on the mysteries and unanswered questions the series leaves in it's wake.

Preston Jacobs: Great theory-crafter with intelligent reviews and insight into all things ASOIAF. My favorite videos include: Deeper Dorne, Prepping for Winter (analyzes released sample chapters by George R.R. Martin), and Littlefinger's Mistake.

The Last Harpy: Short dynamic analysis on all the theories that keep us obsessed fans awake at night. Great channel!

What I'm reading:

The Witcher Series: My amazing husband bought me the books that inspired one of his favorite games, The Witcher 3. We both tend to share similar interests so it's pretty easy and refreshing for us to recommend new things to each other. We never run out of things to talk about. The story is filled with all of the usual traits of the Fantasy Genre and yet stands alone in it's uniqueness and beauty.

What I'm playing: 

A Game of Thrones Living Card Game-Second Edition: This is a deckbuilding, faction based, strategic card game highlighting the military tactics, intrigue, and power struggles of the great Houses of Westeros (in the vein of Magic but VERY different). I got into the game during the First Edition and fell in love with it. It has a very competitive environment for play and I have been lucky enough to play against some of the best players in the Meta and attend some store championships and draft tournaments in the NYC area. I'm not very good and don't have the time to devote to improving that I wish I did, but I do love to play when I can.  It is a great time to get into the game for new players because to catch up with the current card pool you wouldn't have to back track too much. The core set and two House expansion sets are released and the monthly chapter packs are only in their second cycle. (Each cycle is themed and is defined by 6 chapter packs of 20 new cards @ 3x each.)

Happy New Year...Without Resolutions

I don't really believe in New Year Resolutions. I tend to be capricious, which may seem whimsical to some, but it is a major component in the war I wage with myself.  I can be so hard on myself regarding all the things I should be doing, about not living up to my potential. As a woman who lives with high functioning depression, sometimes I feel the pressure of needing to "do it all", and struggle with the weight of it when I take too much on.  I don't focus on the things that I have overcome, I focus on all the things I have yet to overcome. Self improvement is a process, not a resolution. Resolutions don't leave much room for failure which is kinda why I have never been good at them.

I'm going to try to be less hard on myself. I'm going to try to devote more time to complimenting myself for hurdles I have clumsily cleared (like having social anxiety and still taking the Committee Chair position in my son's Cub Scout Pack, despite how harrowing it felt at first). I'm going to try to be less distracted and more submersed in the things I enjoy. I'm going to try to give myself more free time.

The process of self improvement is to kind of imagine who you want to be while knowing you are meant to be who you are right now...and being okay with it enough to enjoy the ride.

Amanda Palmer wrote the anthem to my life and I listen to it at least twice a week.