Weekend Coffee Share: Election Week

If we were having coffee… well… first I’d ask how you are doing. Are you feeling okay? How are you holding up?

This has been a long week. It really does feel like there was a dramatic shift in my world and I am coming to terms with what that means. For me, I’d have to explain, I have very strong feelings of conviction that there are certain things I now need to focus my energy on. I’d let you know that I’m still trying to figure out exactly how to articulate what it is I am feeling, and figure out exactly what form that action needs to take — but I’ve started in small steps with blog posts and sharing information where I can.

This week got further complicated by the crashing arrival of a cold.  It started to sneak in on Monday, by Wednesday it had taken clear hold, and I had to leave work early on Thursday because it was so overwhelming. I was just a zombie, and barely managing to keep my eyes open (not to mention barely keeping the headache at bay).  I slept most of the rest of the day on Thursday, and a good chunk of Friday, so hopefully I’m on the recovery end of things.

I’ve been following the protests that are happening downtown. The first night I

Honestly, I have a hard time thinking of anything else that’s happening in my life right now – election fallout, gathering resources, and figuring out what my plans of action will be have been taking most of my time and energy.  What energy I’ve had that hasn’t been swallowed up by work and fighting this cold, that is.

So, I’ll tell you a little about some of the things I have been working on and trying to put together.  I’ve been trying to spread word about #SafetyPin, a good way for people to visibly signify that they are available to help those in need (and a commitment, as far as I’m concerned, to do so).

Every night I’ve also been watching the protests unfold in Portland.  I know that they’re complex – a number of different groups coming together in protest, reaching numbers that are being estimated above 4,000 some nights.  I caught a very early part of one of them in person on my way home from work one day, since I came home from work super-early on Thursday I didn’t encounter them that night. I’d tell you that I’m really upset that a group decided to take advantage of the protests on Thursday night to turn it into a riot.  There was certainly some property damage on Wednesday night (I got pictures of some of it on Thursday morning), but that first one stayed primarily peaceful.

I’ve got some ideas for people I want to invite to write Passionate Geek posts in the next few months (and I am of course always looking for people who are interested in writing posts on anything their are passionate and geeky about).

I also have another series idea in the works, exploring different art-forms and expressions of diversity and justice.  This is still a very vague plan, but I’m trying to put together some book recommendations and  talk to some artists I know about making things happen.

I’m still fighting this cold, and really that’s taking top priority for me.  I hate being sick, and I need to get rid of this thing.  In some ways it’s nice because it’s an instant reminder that, no matter what I’m stepping into and how much I’m taking on in additional projects, I need to remember to take care of myself.

It took me over 30 years, but I might have actually learned the importance of Self Care.  Finally.  Woohoo!

So I’d finish up my tea (yeah, that’s how I’ve been feeling… I’m drinking TEA not even coffee right now), and sit back to listen if you wanted to tell me more about your week.