Headache haiku and my gratitudes

It's Saturday and i haven't written since election night.  Maybe a haiku will explain.

Drama fatigue ruled

after joy's exhausting rush

of crying headaches.

Being a political junkie, i can't help but comment on our president-elect.  He exudes steadiness.  i am so impressed with his demeanor and feel calmed by it.  Thank you BHO.  Thank you.

i made a list of comedians to thank, a day or two after the election, because i felt so strongly about how i would not have gotten through the last eight years without them.  D.L. Hughley described comedy as therapy when Larry King asked him if comedy influenced the election.

Firstly, there is Bill Maher.  He said, "I'm a cynic 'caus I love."  That's me, always questioning authority.  It's a bit of a curse, really, but i'm proud of it.  i like that about me and i love that about Bill Maher.

Secondly (or maybe firstly, it's hard to say), John Stewart's courage in the face of news media's coward position after the election of 2000 until Katrina in 2005, kept me going.  i would watch his show and know i was not alone in seeing the absurdity all around us.  

Next on the list is Stephen Colbert.  That press dinner where with comedy he lambasted the Bushies and the press and was a moment of clarification and cleansing for me.  Stephen Colbert spoke truth to power and power didn't see it coming.  

David Letterman came through for the country when we seemed to need him the most. There was the first show after 911 with Dan Rather and  the many days screed about the planet in hopeless peril.  When John McCain dissed him, David let him have it.  He didn't do it because he thought he was so special, David blasted him because John McCain had lost all regard for the truth.

Lastly, there is Michael Moore who is not technically a comedian.  But his documentaries use comedy to soften the blow of the hard realities his films portray.  Farenheit 911 and Sicko are great pieces of work but his best film is Bowling for Columbine.  He became a punching bag for conservatives and he took it over and over and over again.  He took the blows so many of us wouldn't have to.  i believe that with all my heart.  Haters need someone or something to direct their hatred toward.  When they are expending their energy on people like Michael Moore, they are NOT directing it at people like me who feel the same way but are more vulnerable to their poison.  Thank you Michael.  i know there has been a cost to you and you have my undying gratitude.

i'm getting another joy headache.  i am so grateful.

Now that's what i'm talking about! Read this short, short Naomi Klein post.

44

Mom, Dad, did you cry? Maybe get a little choked up?  Or was it just me?  Was i the only gooner in this family who cried?

Wynd was here last night with her son Thor.  We had a blast.  i drank a couple glasses of champaign, Thor had hot chocolate and Wynd redecorated my tiny dining room.  

This is how real Americans celebrate the taking back of their country.

Well that... and doing a happy dance with Thor (recorded on Wynd's cell phone for posterity)

Being the gooner i am, i was watching the electoral vote count and adding 77 to the latest numbers.  77 represented the number of electoral votes on the west coast.  i knew California, Oregon and Washington were going to go for Obama so i knew somewhere in the six o'clock hour that he had won.

But, we restrained ourselves.  We held off doing the happy dance until 8pm when the networks called it. 

John McCain, the 2000 version, gave a very gracious concession speech last night and i am happy for him.  His PTSD was brought out in this campaign, in my opinion.  Since i'm a gooner and eat up all this political stuff, i caught a short video clip of John McCain driving his car out of his own garage today.  Back to normal life for John (the secret service left his side at 6am this morning - that's how they do it, i guess... weird).  He gets to drive his own car and go where he wants. Nice!  Gods bless you John. 

And 44?  He got to have breakfast with his daughters this morning.  Nice.  i wonder if they talked about the puppy?

Love you all,

C 

LOOK WHAT HAPPENED!!!

Change has come to America, my brothers and sisters!  Celebrate today because work begins tomorrow.  Barack is not taking the day off or basking in the glow as they say.  He is putting together his cabinet and marching forward.

More later.  

Dia de los Muertos

Last night was my grandson's first Halloween trick or treat experience. He was a Star Wars, Darth Vader type goon.  Since it was suppose to rain i suggested he wear his winter boots.  Oh yeah, they made him feel even more powerful.  He pounced around my kitchen pointing his gun at bad guys.  So cute!  He's a warrior at heart and he makes me very proud.

But i really got a laugh today.  He came with his dad to say 'good morning' and i asked him about going trick or treating.  His eyes lit up and he started to tell me all about it.  When i asked him if i could have some of his candy he said yes and went to his house to get me some.  Paul and i continued talking and a few minutes later, here comes Lincoln with one of those tiny Dum Dum suckers.  

"Here you go Grandma."  I, of course, said 'thank you' and he bounded off after the dog or something, leaving me standing there with my tiny sucker.  Paul just looked at me, shrugged his shoulders and said Lincoln was being very 'protective' of his candy.  

Every time i look at that little sucker sitting on my kitchen counter, i laugh again.

We are blessed around here.  We have good friends.  We take care of each other.  As stressed as i am about finances right now, i am also feeling happy and blessed.  Travis bought Lincoln his costume and then came by to take him out trick or treating.  Then Danny came by to do the same thing but, of course, Travis had beat him to it.  Such good friends.

i wish i had a camera.  i will have one in a couple months though.  i've been at my job ten years now and they are giving me a camera at the ceremony in January.  Watch out world!  Pictures of Lincoln and the chickens and the garden.  i wish i could post one of my yard right now.  Mom and Dad would be so surprised.  It's all cleaned up and winterized.  

i am still getting raspberries; can you believe it?  i keep thinking i've picked the last one and a week later i get another handful.  Raspberries make me happy. 

November 1st is The Day of the Dead in Mexico.  So, today is the day i honor my ancestors and think about my family and friends who have passed. my ancestors were strong, they struggled, they persevered and here i am trying to be half as strong as they were.  i am so grateful to them and i honor them.  

Peace and love to all.

C