Truth! Preach! I’m in the San Fernando Valley and saw the fire come over the ridge toward Encino. Packed to evacuate. No electricity for days. And thankfully, you and I are still standing, we still have a voice… we can still speak for others.
oh, and I’m with you: withhold federal tax payouts if you-know-who f*cks with us. We’re the fifth largest economy in the world, let’s act like it. They need us more than we need them! Just sayin…
I’m so glad you’re okay, Rhonda. And yes, we’re the lucky ones. I’m so tired of the vitriol, it’s toxic, and meanwhile it’s all misplaced rage. We should be directing it toward the people who could not give one shit about any of us - and it shows! Instead we’re giving them all the power. Well, we aren’t, but too many of us are, and all of us are paying the price. Hugs from Santa Monica, thank you for being here. Stay safe ❤️🩹
Former firefighter here to say your gratitude is enough. Those signs saying, “Thank you firefighters!” buoyed my spirits and kept me going through many long shifts and long seasons. We got criticized and attacked on a pretty frequent basis, too, and every word of kindness and thanks was a powerful antidote.
I really don’t know what has to break in a person’s basic human decency to attack a firefighter. That’s pretty much the essence of biting the hand that feeds you, smh. And I did drop off doughnuts before I saw your comments, but they seemed happy to have them (or they pretended to be happy convincingly 😬🤦🏻♀️). I’m going to keep dropping things off as time goes by, meaning as a regular thing months from now when people aren’t inundating them with gratitude and doughnuts. I used to bring my kids there when they were tiny, and they’d always give them a tour and let them climb in the truck and slide down the pole as long as there weren’t any emergencies. They’d even give them little fire hats when they had them. Firefighters are the best. Thank you for your service from the bottom of my heart ♥️
It’s a gift to be able to put the jumble of emotions so many of us feel into succinct words; thank you for sharing your gift in what are some very tough times. Love and peace to you, Ally, and as trite as that sounds it’s the best I can do, feeling utterly helpless. When it comes to grief and horror, people (US Americans in particular, sorry to say) have a very short attention span. Two or three days of headlines and we want fresh grief and horror and new pictures to prove it. Take Gaza, take Sudan, take Ukraine, take Sandy Hook. The inferno that is currently LA is in ‘good company’ (sorry again), and the only mainstream newspaper that hasn’t sold out to ‘clicks’ is the Guardian (i.m.o.): Sorry for your loss, but let’s move on before we bore people and loose subscribers. (The NYT has a weekly ‘news quiz’?)
The abject cynicism of the billionaire tech bros soon to be in charge knows no bounds, and you are a much better person than I am to be worried about their dark souls – I just want them to rot in whatever hell there is FOREVER. Totally agree with Eileen that we must find a way to disentangle ourselves from their evil webs. And when this shitshow is over (I like your scenario), we will rise from the ambers and reconfigure. Love and peace. Love and peace. Love and peace. And maybe, one day, equality for ALL. xxxooo
Love and peace to us all. I think many people are feeling utterly helpless whether there are literal fires raging around them or not. It’s just playing out in a very visceral, physical, primal way where I am right now. I think those of us paying attention always understand how vulnerable we are. And yes, it’s getting more and more important to find news sources that respect and understand the importance of journalism … and human beings who care about each other. I sure do care about everyone here, you all are incredible and I’m very grateful 🙏🏼❤️🩹
It’s worth everything, as was your reminder last night that I’m not contractually obligated to be positive all the time. I must have thought I’d signed something in blood somewhere along the way. Good thing that isn’t the case, and good thing I have you. You have me, too ❤️🩹🙏🏼
I'm hanging by a thread, too. And I'm super bounce-backy. Please rest when you can. I'm sending so much love to you. To California. To this poor, broken planet.
Thank you so much, Katrina. It’s really strange for me to feel like this. I think it’s all just a little too much right now and somehow or another, the hateful comments obliterated me in a way they usually don’t. I have no armor left right now, I think. I know this is a temporary state, I’m a little better today than I was yesterday, and hopefully I’ll be a little better tomorrow than I am today. I will say volunteering helped a lot yesterday. There were a ton of people there helping, and this organization has already delivered 3 million disaster relief bags to displaced families around Los Angeles. That cheered me up. We’re gonna be all right, we just need to stick together. Right now I’m just fighting the good fight from my couch, under a blanket ❤️🩹 Sending love back. Thank you so much for being here 🙏🏼
Thank you so much, Rebecca. I appreciate that extra coming from you. I feel about the furthest thing from a rockstar at the moment, but I will take the wins anywhere I can get them right now, and I thank you for being here 🙏🏼❤️🩹
Thank you for bearing witness, for telling the parts of the story that matter most. I appreciate your anger and truth-telling, devastating as it is. We all need to live in truth now.
We must move all of our highest energies to Our People, away from Nitwit America, the Zombies, the Trads, the Bros, the Sanctimonious and the Cruel. This is when we coalesce our best selves and each other, and leave the unworthy to their own kind. Forgive, but never forget. Never allow them to violate our essential humanity again. May their rule come to an end as soon as it begins.
I can get down with this, Esme. I am usually pretty good about keeping my eye on the ball, focusing on the good, and directing my attention to things I can do that are helpful, loving, productive, etc. Definitely a time to pick our battles. Nonetheless, sometimes you see people being misjudged and treated terribly even on the internet, and it’s hard not to defend them. I can’t say I regret it, but I also know I can’t spend a lot of time engaging with that kind of heartlessness. It robs me of hope. So yes to everything you said and I’ll just be over here refilling my tank and saving my energy for the kindhearted people who need help out here, and everywhere else ❤️🩹❤️🩹 Thanks for being here 🙏🏼
There are no words to offer that even scratch the surface of what you and so many others are experiencing. Your raw and articulate words are heard, and I make space for your words and pain, expressed for yourself and for others, and promise to channel that energy towards doing good in this world to combat all of the destruction and hate. Praying for peace, protection, perseverance, and rest. ❤️
As always, well said. Bringing something to the firefighters is such a lovely idea, and I am positive they would appreciate it, whatever it is. I am in awe of them for their efforts. I wish it was their photos we were seeing in the top headlines. They deserve to be written about and photographed. They deserve to be awarded for the courage and bravery that the men we keep hearing about in the news instead have no idea how to summon because they are soulless, selfish, amoral creeps. Trump and Zuckerberg and Musk and Bezos could learn a thing or two from them. Masculine energy, indeed. Volunteer to run into a literal burning hellscape before talking to me about masculine effing energy.
I noticed that the fires are losing their appeal in the headlines. The shock value has worn off, I suppose? People are bored with it? I mean, entire neighborhoods and towns have been wiped off the face of the planet, and it's boring to the American public now. It's so disheartening to read stories about people who have lost everything that meant anything to them and then scroll to an article about tech billionaires preparing to celebrate the inauguration and donate piles of money in support of Trump. I mean, come on.
I think back to what you said a few newsletters ago about small acts of kindness and finding moments where you can help just one person and how that can be the way you make it through the days that seem really dark. That's the key to surviving whatever is coming next. Look for the light. Be the light.
I appreciate your words here so much, so thanks for summoning the energy to write to all of us this week. It matters more than you know!
Thank you, Kate. After everything, that’s what I’m coming back to again, too. I don’t know how we fight the insanity with a capital I or the greed or cruelty or utter disregard for ethics or empathy, but I do know there are a LOT of people in my community who need things right now, and will for the foreseeable future. I’m just going to keep focusing on what I can do and how I can help and try to fight the good fight that way. I think that’s the only way. I just hope we can also protect each other or hold on tighter or something. Sending you a lot of love. So appreciate you ❤️🩹
Oh, Ally. I am reading this in Australia and found it heart-wrenching. We have been watching and listening and are horrified by the apocalyptic images we are seeing but also by the disgusting, shameful rhetoric we are hearing from people who should never be in a position of power. My heart goes out to you and all affected by these fires.
Thank you so much, Pam. We’re in for a tough time here in Los Angeles and a tough time in this country over the next four years (I hope maybe we can turn things around, or at least add a lot more sanity and compassion to the mix during midterms, but honestly don’t even know if we’re going to have a government we recognize by then?!? Or if any more of us will be on the same page by then 🤷🏻♀️) Anyway, thank you for your kindness and support. I hit a low point this week, but I’m already pulling myself up. It’s really not like me to be knocked down in the first place, but these are strange and sad times. I’m very grateful to have such a loving community 🙏🏼❤️🩹❤️🩹
I’m with you on this. I’m more scared of regular people than I’ve been in a long time. It’s like they’re zombies. Something is missing and I don’t know how we get it back. It’s just more tragedy on top of what didn’t need more tragedy.
It’s so sad. It’s like it’s become a game of who can be the most vicious and smug. It’s really ugly and it’s the most heartbreaking and scary of all the things. Holding onto the kind and loving people that much harder, Kari 🙏🏼❤️🩹❤️🩹
Yep. Everything this Californian (and former Palasadian) is feeling right now. I stopped reading comments long ago but had to take a day off from checking Watch Duty as well. The reactions to the fire coupled with the direction our country is going - all just coalesced and it’s kicking my ass. I can’t imagine being directly affected by the fires and having to listen to that crap on top of it. Truly adds insult to injury. Unbelievable.
Yes, I’m usually good about not reading comments on the internet (except these lol), but then I started seeing posts about comments and how awful people were being, and I could not believe what I was seeing. And still, I should not have looked, nothing good comes of it. I just felt so enraged and horrified for people in our community being attacked while they were/still are devastated. It definitely did not help my nervous system or my outlook, my god. I ended up on my couch under a blanket. But that’s probably where I needed to be for a little while. It is all so much right now. My heart hurts for all of us, but we definitely have to pick our battles. I’m glad you’re safe and really grateful you’re here, Lisa ❤️🩹
Yep! I have a new puppy and although she’s a complete maniac🤪 she is also cuddly and affectionate and warm so she’s definitely earning her keep right now🐶. The worst thing about the mean nasty types is the realization that they’ve ALWAYS been there. They’ve sat at our Thanksgiving tables year after year even. But politeness and decorum and civility have deterred them from speaking their mind. Now, all bets are off as their anger and racism and prejudice are accepted -no- celebrated. It’s only gonna get uglier I’m afraid. Take care of you and those you hold dear❤️
Hi Ally, this was one of the most powerful essays I've read and whilst like hobbits in the Lord Of The Rings I wish we lived in different times and didn't have to witness these dark days, it's not my choice to make. I wish none of this had happened.
And even though there's no Gandalf to say: "So do all who live to see such times, but that is not for them to decide. All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given to us." you are here and quite frankly you're just as good!
I honestly seem to have more questions than answers on pretty much anything that's happening right now, but I know it's all at least a bit bearable because of you and a few other people, near me or somewhere far away.
I wish you and your family all best as always and I sincerely appreciate your writing. Words alone don't change reality but often give us enough to stand up and do something, or at very least keep going.
Thank you so much, Peter. I don’t know if it was a meme or just a comment I saw somewhere, but someone said something about being very willing to live in less interesting times. It made me laugh, and I’ll take the laughs where I can get them these days. I, too, would be willing. Sometimes I can get philosophical about it all and wonder how history will look back on this period, or (if I’m feeling particularly dark) if there will be anyone to look back on this period at all. It certainly is interesting and insane and violent and cruel and dumb and heartbreaking - and in the middle of all that there’s still a lot of beauty, art, joy, people falling in love, music, poetry, laughter, hugs, the ocean, dogs that look at you like you are the greatest creation in all of time, and people like everyone in this comments section, myself included, who will always believe the world could be so beautiful if only people would be a little kinder with themselves and each other. Please let it come to pass while we are all alive to see it 🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼❤️🩹 Thanks for being here.
Truth! Preach! I’m in the San Fernando Valley and saw the fire come over the ridge toward Encino. Packed to evacuate. No electricity for days. And thankfully, you and I are still standing, we still have a voice… we can still speak for others.
oh, and I’m with you: withhold federal tax payouts if you-know-who f*cks with us. We’re the fifth largest economy in the world, let’s act like it. They need us more than we need them! Just sayin…
I’m so glad you’re okay, Rhonda. And yes, we’re the lucky ones. I’m so tired of the vitriol, it’s toxic, and meanwhile it’s all misplaced rage. We should be directing it toward the people who could not give one shit about any of us - and it shows! Instead we’re giving them all the power. Well, we aren’t, but too many of us are, and all of us are paying the price. Hugs from Santa Monica, thank you for being here. Stay safe ❤️🩹
Former firefighter here to say your gratitude is enough. Those signs saying, “Thank you firefighters!” buoyed my spirits and kept me going through many long shifts and long seasons. We got criticized and attacked on a pretty frequent basis, too, and every word of kindness and thanks was a powerful antidote.
I really don’t know what has to break in a person’s basic human decency to attack a firefighter. That’s pretty much the essence of biting the hand that feeds you, smh. And I did drop off doughnuts before I saw your comments, but they seemed happy to have them (or they pretended to be happy convincingly 😬🤦🏻♀️). I’m going to keep dropping things off as time goes by, meaning as a regular thing months from now when people aren’t inundating them with gratitude and doughnuts. I used to bring my kids there when they were tiny, and they’d always give them a tour and let them climb in the truck and slide down the pole as long as there weren’t any emergencies. They’d even give them little fire hats when they had them. Firefighters are the best. Thank you for your service from the bottom of my heart ♥️
It’s a gift to be able to put the jumble of emotions so many of us feel into succinct words; thank you for sharing your gift in what are some very tough times. Love and peace to you, Ally, and as trite as that sounds it’s the best I can do, feeling utterly helpless. When it comes to grief and horror, people (US Americans in particular, sorry to say) have a very short attention span. Two or three days of headlines and we want fresh grief and horror and new pictures to prove it. Take Gaza, take Sudan, take Ukraine, take Sandy Hook. The inferno that is currently LA is in ‘good company’ (sorry again), and the only mainstream newspaper that hasn’t sold out to ‘clicks’ is the Guardian (i.m.o.): Sorry for your loss, but let’s move on before we bore people and loose subscribers. (The NYT has a weekly ‘news quiz’?)
That said, I’m hopeful people are waking up to the fact that the status quo is indefensible and find community on websites like yours. Several of the WaPo’s and LA Times’ best journalist have quit and found a better place on Substack, for example https://mail.yahoo.com/d/folders/1/messages/703160?.intl=us&.partner=sbc&.lang=en-US
The abject cynicism of the billionaire tech bros soon to be in charge knows no bounds, and you are a much better person than I am to be worried about their dark souls – I just want them to rot in whatever hell there is FOREVER. Totally agree with Eileen that we must find a way to disentangle ourselves from their evil webs. And when this shitshow is over (I like your scenario), we will rise from the ambers and reconfigure. Love and peace. Love and peace. Love and peace. And maybe, one day, equality for ALL. xxxooo
Love and peace to us all. I think many people are feeling utterly helpless whether there are literal fires raging around them or not. It’s just playing out in a very visceral, physical, primal way where I am right now. I think those of us paying attention always understand how vulnerable we are. And yes, it’s getting more and more important to find news sources that respect and understand the importance of journalism … and human beings who care about each other. I sure do care about everyone here, you all are incredible and I’m very grateful 🙏🏼❤️🩹
Even if I run out of words, I won’t run out of space for you to be in. For whatever it’s worth, I’m here friend.
It’s worth everything, as was your reminder last night that I’m not contractually obligated to be positive all the time. I must have thought I’d signed something in blood somewhere along the way. Good thing that isn’t the case, and good thing I have you. You have me, too ❤️🩹🙏🏼
I'm hanging by a thread, too. And I'm super bounce-backy. Please rest when you can. I'm sending so much love to you. To California. To this poor, broken planet.
Thank you so much, Katrina. It’s really strange for me to feel like this. I think it’s all just a little too much right now and somehow or another, the hateful comments obliterated me in a way they usually don’t. I have no armor left right now, I think. I know this is a temporary state, I’m a little better today than I was yesterday, and hopefully I’ll be a little better tomorrow than I am today. I will say volunteering helped a lot yesterday. There were a ton of people there helping, and this organization has already delivered 3 million disaster relief bags to displaced families around Los Angeles. That cheered me up. We’re gonna be all right, we just need to stick together. Right now I’m just fighting the good fight from my couch, under a blanket ❤️🩹 Sending love back. Thank you so much for being here 🙏🏼
I feel like helping others is always the way back to sanity. And a warm blanket. That, too. XO
Absolutely concur, and I write this from under a warm blanket ❤️🩹
Sending love, and I hope you get some sleep soon. So impressed that you can write so vividly given the circumstances. You’re a rock star.
Thank you so much, Rebecca. I appreciate that extra coming from you. I feel about the furthest thing from a rockstar at the moment, but I will take the wins anywhere I can get them right now, and I thank you for being here 🙏🏼❤️🩹
Thank you for bearing witness, for telling the parts of the story that matter most. I appreciate your anger and truth-telling, devastating as it is. We all need to live in truth now.
Thank you for being here, Rita. Love and appreciate you all so much ❤️🩹❤️🩹
We must move all of our highest energies to Our People, away from Nitwit America, the Zombies, the Trads, the Bros, the Sanctimonious and the Cruel. This is when we coalesce our best selves and each other, and leave the unworthy to their own kind. Forgive, but never forget. Never allow them to violate our essential humanity again. May their rule come to an end as soon as it begins.
I can get down with this, Esme. I am usually pretty good about keeping my eye on the ball, focusing on the good, and directing my attention to things I can do that are helpful, loving, productive, etc. Definitely a time to pick our battles. Nonetheless, sometimes you see people being misjudged and treated terribly even on the internet, and it’s hard not to defend them. I can’t say I regret it, but I also know I can’t spend a lot of time engaging with that kind of heartlessness. It robs me of hope. So yes to everything you said and I’ll just be over here refilling my tank and saving my energy for the kindhearted people who need help out here, and everywhere else ❤️🩹❤️🩹 Thanks for being here 🙏🏼
Right there beside you, Ally.
There are no words to offer that even scratch the surface of what you and so many others are experiencing. Your raw and articulate words are heard, and I make space for your words and pain, expressed for yourself and for others, and promise to channel that energy towards doing good in this world to combat all of the destruction and hate. Praying for peace, protection, perseverance, and rest. ❤️
Renée thank you so much. This is so kind of you. Really, I felt that right in my heart. You’re a gem 🙏🏼❤️🩹🥹
As always, well said. Bringing something to the firefighters is such a lovely idea, and I am positive they would appreciate it, whatever it is. I am in awe of them for their efforts. I wish it was their photos we were seeing in the top headlines. They deserve to be written about and photographed. They deserve to be awarded for the courage and bravery that the men we keep hearing about in the news instead have no idea how to summon because they are soulless, selfish, amoral creeps. Trump and Zuckerberg and Musk and Bezos could learn a thing or two from them. Masculine energy, indeed. Volunteer to run into a literal burning hellscape before talking to me about masculine effing energy.
I noticed that the fires are losing their appeal in the headlines. The shock value has worn off, I suppose? People are bored with it? I mean, entire neighborhoods and towns have been wiped off the face of the planet, and it's boring to the American public now. It's so disheartening to read stories about people who have lost everything that meant anything to them and then scroll to an article about tech billionaires preparing to celebrate the inauguration and donate piles of money in support of Trump. I mean, come on.
I think back to what you said a few newsletters ago about small acts of kindness and finding moments where you can help just one person and how that can be the way you make it through the days that seem really dark. That's the key to surviving whatever is coming next. Look for the light. Be the light.
I appreciate your words here so much, so thanks for summoning the energy to write to all of us this week. It matters more than you know!
Thank you, Kate. After everything, that’s what I’m coming back to again, too. I don’t know how we fight the insanity with a capital I or the greed or cruelty or utter disregard for ethics or empathy, but I do know there are a LOT of people in my community who need things right now, and will for the foreseeable future. I’m just going to keep focusing on what I can do and how I can help and try to fight the good fight that way. I think that’s the only way. I just hope we can also protect each other or hold on tighter or something. Sending you a lot of love. So appreciate you ❤️🩹
Oh, Ally. I am reading this in Australia and found it heart-wrenching. We have been watching and listening and are horrified by the apocalyptic images we are seeing but also by the disgusting, shameful rhetoric we are hearing from people who should never be in a position of power. My heart goes out to you and all affected by these fires.
Thank you so much, Pam. We’re in for a tough time here in Los Angeles and a tough time in this country over the next four years (I hope maybe we can turn things around, or at least add a lot more sanity and compassion to the mix during midterms, but honestly don’t even know if we’re going to have a government we recognize by then?!? Or if any more of us will be on the same page by then 🤷🏻♀️) Anyway, thank you for your kindness and support. I hit a low point this week, but I’m already pulling myself up. It’s really not like me to be knocked down in the first place, but these are strange and sad times. I’m very grateful to have such a loving community 🙏🏼❤️🩹❤️🩹
I’m with you on this. I’m more scared of regular people than I’ve been in a long time. It’s like they’re zombies. Something is missing and I don’t know how we get it back. It’s just more tragedy on top of what didn’t need more tragedy.
It’s so sad. It’s like it’s become a game of who can be the most vicious and smug. It’s really ugly and it’s the most heartbreaking and scary of all the things. Holding onto the kind and loving people that much harder, Kari 🙏🏼❤️🩹❤️🩹
That one hurt.
Love and light to you.
Thank you, Paul. Love and light to you, too. And jellyfish.
🫂🫂🫂
Hugs back to you, friend ❤️🩹
Yep. Everything this Californian (and former Palasadian) is feeling right now. I stopped reading comments long ago but had to take a day off from checking Watch Duty as well. The reactions to the fire coupled with the direction our country is going - all just coalesced and it’s kicking my ass. I can’t imagine being directly affected by the fires and having to listen to that crap on top of it. Truly adds insult to injury. Unbelievable.
Yes, I’m usually good about not reading comments on the internet (except these lol), but then I started seeing posts about comments and how awful people were being, and I could not believe what I was seeing. And still, I should not have looked, nothing good comes of it. I just felt so enraged and horrified for people in our community being attacked while they were/still are devastated. It definitely did not help my nervous system or my outlook, my god. I ended up on my couch under a blanket. But that’s probably where I needed to be for a little while. It is all so much right now. My heart hurts for all of us, but we definitely have to pick our battles. I’m glad you’re safe and really grateful you’re here, Lisa ❤️🩹
Yep! I have a new puppy and although she’s a complete maniac🤪 she is also cuddly and affectionate and warm so she’s definitely earning her keep right now🐶. The worst thing about the mean nasty types is the realization that they’ve ALWAYS been there. They’ve sat at our Thanksgiving tables year after year even. But politeness and decorum and civility have deterred them from speaking their mind. Now, all bets are off as their anger and racism and prejudice are accepted -no- celebrated. It’s only gonna get uglier I’m afraid. Take care of you and those you hold dear❤️
Hi Ally, this was one of the most powerful essays I've read and whilst like hobbits in the Lord Of The Rings I wish we lived in different times and didn't have to witness these dark days, it's not my choice to make. I wish none of this had happened.
And even though there's no Gandalf to say: "So do all who live to see such times, but that is not for them to decide. All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given to us." you are here and quite frankly you're just as good!
I honestly seem to have more questions than answers on pretty much anything that's happening right now, but I know it's all at least a bit bearable because of you and a few other people, near me or somewhere far away.
I wish you and your family all best as always and I sincerely appreciate your writing. Words alone don't change reality but often give us enough to stand up and do something, or at very least keep going.
For your words, I'm always grateful.
Namaste 🙏♥️
Thank you so much, Peter. I don’t know if it was a meme or just a comment I saw somewhere, but someone said something about being very willing to live in less interesting times. It made me laugh, and I’ll take the laughs where I can get them these days. I, too, would be willing. Sometimes I can get philosophical about it all and wonder how history will look back on this period, or (if I’m feeling particularly dark) if there will be anyone to look back on this period at all. It certainly is interesting and insane and violent and cruel and dumb and heartbreaking - and in the middle of all that there’s still a lot of beauty, art, joy, people falling in love, music, poetry, laughter, hugs, the ocean, dogs that look at you like you are the greatest creation in all of time, and people like everyone in this comments section, myself included, who will always believe the world could be so beautiful if only people would be a little kinder with themselves and each other. Please let it come to pass while we are all alive to see it 🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼❤️🩹 Thanks for being here.