Dealing with Democracy

The past two days have been full of contemplation, disappointment, anxiety, sadness, and some anger, disbelief, and embarrassment. I'm not sure how to process it all. So I've been looking towards our leaders for guidance. I've found some solace and some direction from Hillary Clinton herself, President Obama, and surprisingly Aaron Sorkin and Michael Schur. 

I'm not yet done licking my wounds. But I will be. And then I'll fight. I'll use my privilege to fight for those who cannot fight for themselves. We all can fight harder, give more, be better for our children and our futures. Let's have faith that the majority is willing to do the best by our fellow Americans. We will move forward. Let's do it together. 

Hoping

Eight years ago today I went to work and tweeted this. I had early voted weeks before; I'd canvassed on the weekend in Gary, IN; I was all in for Senator Obama to become president. It was just down to that knuckle-biting day. Two questions weighed heavily - Would Obama be elected? And would I get tickets for the rally?

Obama was spending election night in Grant Park and I wanted to be there with him. Todd ended up skipping work to volunteer in Indiana because they were quasi-promising tickets to the event at the end of the day. A couple lucky friends received emails throughout the day that they'd been selected to attend. Late in the afternoon Todd texts, we got the tickets! 

We meet a few blocks away from Grant Park. Masses of people surround us. We wait. Slowly we are all let in, tickets checked. We wait and wait.  So many people full of hope and anxiety and energy. 

Then, finally it is called! Obama wins! We all cheer and cry and high five and hug complete strangers.  And not long after he takes the stage and makes an historic acceptance speech. 

I don't think I've ever been a part of something so energizing. The night was such a victory, and we had such hope and spirit for the next four years. A crowd of a quarter million was a community that night. 

Next week I won't be at a rally, but I will be cheering hard for another historic evening. 

Start again

Fall to me is always like new year's. The weather is changing, the leaves are changing. All the transition allows for new goals, new outlook, a new wardrobe :) But it's a much better time to gain a new perspective than the dead of winter. 

Built from scratch

My biggest source of enjoyment and frustration -  

Singular They

I'm a language lover, and I've heard a lot of chatter about singular "they" again recently. It makes complete sense to me to use when intentionally not specifying a gender. NPR talks about it.  

October begins.

Hands down my favorite month of the year.  

Start

Feeling a bit behind in many facets of my life these days. So on my to-do list I've started to break things down into actionable items. "Sell old stroller on Craigslist" becomes  "get stroller out of basement". It isn't a new concept by any means, but it certainly does help get started. And provides some satisfaction to be able to check it off (even if the people who email me from Craigslist never actually show up.) 

Fully engaged.

Trying to remember to just do one thing at a time. And to do that one thing well.  

Gratitude

First time using a Pentel Fude Touch Sign Pen. I've always liked the Pentel Sign Pen, but the Fude Touch provides some great brush-like flexibility. Will definitely be getting more colors!  

Head up.

I love how so many of the Olympics stories reinforce the power of positive thinking.  

Thanks by Emerson

Love this simple and comprehensive prayer by Emerson. Trying something new with my capitals, inspired by some of Alexander Girard's lettering for the Compound Restaurant. 

Find your tribe

Your people fuel your power.  

Also it's Miniatures Week for Calligrabasics on Instagram, so I'm trying some tiny lettering! 

Edit June 2020: I should not have used the word tribe here, as it is a word that has been appropriated from indigenous people by white folks. When white people use tribe in reference to their squad/circle, it white-washes indigenous people and degrades their cultures and traditions. Indigenous people all over the world have fought and are fighting their own governments to gain recognition as a tribe or nation. White people should not so carelessly and flippantly use native language, as I did. Instead of removing this post, I’m editing it as a lesson for all readers.