This is Tuesday, November 8, 2016.
I wasn’t sure if I would post this at all. I’ve had a lot of thoughts and feelings…and it felt more wrong to keep them to myself!
Things have felt really different ever since Tuesday, November 8. Also known as Election Day here in the USA. I documented this day, partially because I knew it would be historic but not for the reason I expected. I’m still processing what happened, the betrayal I feel, the sadness, fear, and anxiety my friends and those in my close circle feel…I’m trying to acknowledge and read about what happened but at the same time protect my heart and my brain because I’m so sad and feel so exhausted for the people at the front lines of this struggle for humanity. The humanity to say “we exist, we feel things, we want change” without the response of “stop being so argumentative and pipe down.” And I also acknowledge the privilege I have as a white-passing, healthy, able-bodied person from a stable household and supportive family…so I want to give as much space to listen to people who aren’t in my position to say and feel what they need to say and feel. My ears and heart are open.
I know this many be reactionary, but this is my personal blog and I want to remember all of this as it’s been an emotional rollercoaster for everybody close to me. As of today, and the moment I’m in right now, I can’t really help but distinguish everything as pre- and post- election day. The day I learned that my bubble is real and it feels like the minority. Been thinking about how I haven’t really felt truly like the minority in a long time. My friends have really always been from diverse backgrounds, we’ve all shared similar ideas about progress and diversity and change in the world. I didn’t really know the rhetoric that was being talked about on the “other side” of this, beyond our social network bubbles. It does seem there is a common theme of anti-establishment talk, and hope for less socio-economic tension…so I hope bubbles burst, people unite, realize words matter, discussion flows, and we can all stand up for those in danger.
I just wanted to put this day out there, because I feel so fundamentally different because of it’s outcome. Also gonna link to this because I think it’s beautifully written. (I don’t know Eric, this was shared by a person I do know). Extending love to everybody who sees and reads this. Everybody. Sincerely. Ok. Here we go.
(and another housekeeping note – I’ll post the rest of Alaska DSLR pics next, and the rest of my weekly photos are up in Flickr, ready to get updated, and I’m planning on getting all of this pre-election happy Sarah stuff up as soon as I can. It feels healing…)
I was up and puttering around when I felt some overwhelming need to pick up the camera. I’ve been fighting off a cold and it finally won…and then I gave it to Zach. He’s been a lil’ baby since.
Good morning, Su!
Morning, Twoo!
Dirty mirror, cleaner face.
I take my first round of meds for the day.
I’m off from work today, texting my co-worker friend to beware…
I let them out into the world.
My bangs are wet because I was too lazy to push them back when I was washing my face. I think my mom would say I definitely still have “sick eyes”. Puffy, glossy…swollen.
Some kitchen clean up needs to go down.
Cleared up the counters and got started on my dinner.
Scrolling through the Internet, the election has been on the top of everybody’s minds for sure and today is the day. The day!
Peeling carrots, chopping celery, prepping for a soup. Here’s the recipe I’m following, by the way. Found it just by googling…first time trying it.
Sweaty sick Waldo bedhead, bundled in sweaters and sweatshirts, peeling garlic…all while the pups watch.
The onions really got the best of me
He’s vertical! He won’t let his fever stop him from fulfilling his civic duty…off to vote.
Alright, goodbye soup! See you in 8 hours.
Washed all the dishes, tidied the dishes.
Got this text. Nailed it.
Getting myself ready for the day, even tho I’m feeling a little stinky still.
On Sunday, I sat down with my mom and dad and we finished this entire puzzle in a day. Time to take it apart because it’s just taking up precious living room space. *Sadface*
Back in the box. I enjoyed this one though! The last puzzle I attempted was too hard because there were no edge pieces. WHY!
Put my clothes and face on as much as I possibly could.
Zach came back and agreed to come with me as I drove over to my polling place.
“Clothes” aka wearable blankets are the best outfits.
Grabbing the camera from trigger-happy Zeen, ended up taking a semi-glam portrait that looks like a selfie I swear my arm actually can’t support the big ass camera ahah.
My dusty car and Dobby and Zeen
Little dog face in the back of this Prius
Passing downtown LA
Made it to my polling place at the library!
I did it!
Proudly wearing my sticker.
Walked to find some food, but the little place on Mission I was thinking of going to wasn’t open on Tuesdays, unfortunately. Passed by Yoko’s namesake, Yoko’s Antiques!
I was going to get a snack, but quiches here were like $7! I used to love this place as a kid. My dad would take me here every Sunday after our bike rides together. It actually seems bigger as an adult (I feel like it’s usually the opposite, right?)
As we were sitting there and I finished up a coffee, Zach started getting chills again and quietly requested we get back so he could sleep.
Back to the car, listening to the new Reply All, a podcast about the Internet.
Sick boy.
Quick pit stop to pick up some soup
Looking…so…healthy.
Always happy to have me home! ❤
Just after noon
Pho for the heart
Noodle cam
I saw this at Ralph’s on Monday when I was picking up some medicine. I’m a sucker for those “oddly satisfying” putty and sand Instagram videos. I was hoping these would make that fun crunchy sound.
Unfortunately it’s not super crunchy, but still nice to play with.
Googled “fat chihuahua…” for research okaaay
Worked on a simple little card for my aunt and uncle’s 50th anniversary party that is coming up.
Hello face
I got this minerals poster a while back when the alchemy show at my work opened, and I finally got around to putting it all together and finding a place for it to hang.
I love it! Too bad my fan isn’t too cute, but I’ll probably add and subtract a few things on that little table.
Starting work on my Alaska photos part 3!
He’s alive
Double chin for the win. Heating up some water for some tea. My throat is really hurting.
Should give gecko’s cage a good clean while the water heats up
Let him crawl around while I move out all the plants, give him fresh water, and change the paper towels.
Always gotta make sure the sticks go as high as possible because gecko loves sitting at the top.
Put gecko back into his spot (you can see him upside down)
Throat coat for me, earl grey for Zeen
*gimme gimme more gimme more*
Back to my workroom
Been doing a bit of freelance design work, talkin’ with a job.
It gets dark so early now.
Warm atmosphere
Goodbye workspace! Officially closing my computer and joining Zeen who has moved into the living room to watch live election coverage. My friend Sara is also coming over, so I should finish up my crockpot soup before she arrives. We’re supposed to go pick up dinner ahah.
To finish up the recipe, just need to shred the chicken and add it back in with some noodles.
Close bid for Florida, ultimately of course it went Red
Finishing touches.
Tweedy helping us cope with the slowly trickling in results
Sara arrives! We rush over to the Japanese market to pick up a few things. She wanted to make mochi tonight and brought her own mochi flour.
Grabbed some bento boxes to eat back at my place
Wandered to find some treats to put inside the mochi
Bought too many things from the clearance section
Stopping for some mochi donuts on the way out
Stuck in a little commuter traffic
Yakisoba and some karaage chicken with rice and sides.
Finished up our bentos and then got to work on the mochi
Mixed the mochi flour, sugar and water. Heated it up in the microwave in increments of a few minutes, mixed mixed mixed and did it again.
Got this result!
Then we formed them into little balls and put chocolate almonds and strawberries inside.
Sara loved it, but for me the texture was still a little bit off. Maybe needed more time in the microwave. But for how fast it was to make…pretty good!
And now the stressful part of the evening truly begins.
Following thoughts on Twitter as I also begin to panic and text close friends.
Saw Van Jones’ comments as it happened live. It’s a really moving clip, shows just a taste of the panic that I was seeing from people online and from my friends.
I was kind of numb, in shock…and the shitty foam slime stuff came in handy as a stress toy.
More throat coat
More panic
And then this happened.
More twitter thoughts and panic and scrolling and wondering if anything is real
And this happened. I started crying. I texted friends, everybody was so crushed and just so confused and hurt.
Zach went into research mode
It was getting late, needed to try to get to bed.
What do we do now?
Finally got into bed around 1 am…
But definitely couldn’t sleep. Cried more. Worried. My mind was racing. What now?
*Note from me now: Since this night, I’ve come together with my best friends, I’ve cried and hugged people I love, I’ve vented with co-workers, I was witness to and walked in a very compassionate rally in Downtown Los Angeles, and I’ve read as much as I can, listened to as many people as I can. Empathy. Education. Compassion. Listening. Moving forward.
Much love friends.
SLEEPY WALDO 