I was just saying that if you were watching a movie where the richest man in the world was looking for “super high-IQ small-government revolutionaries willing to work 80+ hours per week” for FREE, you would think “well, that’s not plausible”. Super high IQ people don’t work for free. But dumb broke people think voting for rich bullies will make everything right….ok.
And if the senate confirms these upcoming scumbags, I hope they get voted out by people who lose benefits, pay more due to tariffs…but who am I kidding.
All I can hang my hopes on is that the system was already pretty janky, if it gets dismantled, let us attempt to build it back better. It’s not going to be pretty, but you know those people who fought for civil rights that we read about in crusty social studies books…WE ARE THOSE PEOPLE NOW.
As always, you are lovely and wise and thought provoking. And not alone. ❤️❤️❤️
Yes, when I look for silver linings (and I dig for them these days), I tell myself that maybe this dreadful and unthinkable turn of events is what was needed to really reset. Things haven’t been okay for far too many people for far too long, and until everyone in this society is cared for, we’re going to be screwed whether we know it or not. And other times I just my head at the absurdity of it all.
But yes, when I look back in history, it’s always the people who stood up for others or threw their bodies in front of them or hid them or fought for them who I respect the most. So yeah, if that’s who we are now, and it seems like it is, then that’s reason enough to come up out of the rabbit hole and fight like hell. And if I get to do that with people like you, that’s kind of all I need. Love you. Thank you for these fantastic comments, you’re the best ❤️
What my revolutionary daughter has been saying all along! What with the Democrats becoming gun-toting, police-loving, tough-on-the-border 'moderate Republicans' for years. Time for a radical change.
It’s such a crazy thing to be in the middle of all that need. I didn’t see it coming and felt like I “should have” but both of my parents declined back-to-back on opposite sides of the country. My mom first, during the pandemic, and then my dad. It stretches you to your breaking point, or at least it did for me, and it’s also kind of an isolating experience (or again, maybe that’s just how it felt to me). I was in a nether world with my mom the last month of her life in the ICU, and then this crazy year with my dad trying to make sure he didn’t kill himself by running with his walker, which he fucking did. (Run with it, not kill himself as a result. Congestive heart failure did that.)
And it’s hard for anyone to relate to the nine million roles you’re playing in one day, especially the nutty stuff like dealing with parents who can’t hear unless you yell or freak out at the cardiologist because they want a very normal form filled out. Anyway, I’m very grateful this made you feel seen, and if you ever need support, please message me. I mean that. I’m sure you have lots of great people in your life, but no one should go through that without the ability to vent to people who get it. So I am volunteering. Sending you lots of love. Try to be gentle with yourself ❤️ Also, Nightbitch. Omg.
All of this ⬆️⬆️⬆️ Ally. Anyone who isn’t already angry/sad/worried just doesn’t yet understand that we will all be negatively affected by the results of this election. The only ones who will benefit already have more privilege, power, and money than anyone needs or deserves. 🫂
This is what I tell myself, but his supporters are so remorseless and intractable. Things are going to have to get really bad before they’ll consider it might be a result of putting this horrible person back in office. The very sad thing is, I think things are going to get that bad. But I’m glad you’re here, Steve. You’re a keeper 🤍
That may be the case, Ally. What a nightmare. You and I have discussed before the things we learned in meetings. I believe whatever happens, I’ll have to remember what I have control over. I won’t be any good to my family, friends, or community if I live in fear, hopelessness, or cynicism.
And, yes, I’m sticking around! At this time, more than ever before, we need to be with good, kind, likeminded friends and family (in real life and in our online communities).
Another perfect post where you seem to tap into all that's going on in our minds and hearts.
It's so mindboggling when people who voted for the orange clown and his deranged posse ask us why we seem "so angry". One of my neighbors who tried to get the HOA to force me to take down my VOTE sign before the election since she was "offended by it" (the T is a uterus), ran into me yesterday and asked with her fake concerned-voice "Do you feel better honey? You seemed so upset last time I saw you" which was the day after the election. It took all of my good-girl indoctrination not to yell "oh fuck off" in her face, and I just said no and walked away.
One of the best lines I read last week was in Margaret Killjoy's essay which was “I ask not to be safe from my enemies, but dangerous to them.” Fuck the "good girl" indoctrination, that is the energy that I'm hoping to bring to 2025.
That is a fantastic quote. And yes, that good girl programming runs deep. I am generally not someone who likes confrontation. It’s never my intention to hurt anyone. But I’ll be damned if I’m going to keep my mouth shut these days, and if you voted for a ticket that’s going to put me, my daughter and 99% of my friends in danger, then don’t expect me to be polite about it. I’m not willing to contain my rage, incredulity or despair to make people who don’t respect me feel okay about not respecting me (or, in many cases, themselves, either)🤷🏻♀️
And I really have zero tolerance for faux concern, or willful ignorance, let alone blatant bigotry.
God, yes, to all of this. I am so behind on Substack reading and I got to this and just nodded. Everything feels strange and surreal.
I was in the deli getting lunch, and Christmas songs were playing and it felt...off. I am all off kilter. I haven't felt right since the election. Nothing is as it should be.
Yes, I am struggling to find some holiday cheer right now. You’re catching me at a bad moment, too, because I woke up feeling really down today. I will find some cheer for the sake of my kids, my son will be home Friday and that will be good. I have a living tree being delivered today, and maybe the smell of pine will help, too. But it’s not a fa-la-la year for me over here! Go figure. Sending you hugs and love from the other coast 🤍
Hi Ally, I really loved this metaphor. Funnily, Alice looking at The Matrix is my profile pic here haha. I often catch myself not having anything specific to write back, as your essays always cause a bit of a tornado in my mind, which would seem like a Wizard Of Oz story and I can't seem to find the right words. I quite like the state of thinking and pondering you leave me in. I love your curiosity and imagination though I must say I never imagined we'd be living through what we're living right now and I have a bad feeling it's gonna get worse.
I'm sorry I have nothing concrete to say, I just wanted to say thank you for being here and writing. It's one of my favourite things to do, just stop by and see what you're been thinking about. It gives me some consolation to know there's still hope.
Hey Peter! There’s zero pressure to say anything concrete around here. Scattered thoughts are always welcome 🤣 And just the fact that you stop by and care about what might be on my mind is more than enough. That’s very cool about your profile pic, I hadn’t noticed! And I feel as you do, I think we’re in for a helluva ride, but I’m so thankful to be traveling with such incredible people. Thanks for being here, love to you and Anneke!
This pretty much sums it up Ally. I don’t even know what to say most of the time. I was the angry one at thanksgiving dinner — not sorry about it. It’s rage inducing when you seem to be the only one at the party who notices the wildfires leaping the fire breaks.
They should AT LEAST give us free LSD if we have to deal with this bs.
In all seriousness, I hate that for you. It is so painful and mind-boggling and infuriating to have people who say “I love you” but don’t vote like it. But I love you and I will always vote like it. Hugs, love, dogs. And friends who will be there no matter what. Things we can count on 🤍
For someone claiming to have only fragmented thoughts, you make a whole lot of sense in this down-the-rabbit-hole-themed, beautifully-as-ever written essay. I love Allyson Wonderland and would rather live in her world (evil queens and all) than the one we’re currently caught in. ‘Black Friday deal on horrifying white people!’ made me laugh, although it’s decidedly not funny. But YOU are, Ally, and aren’t art and humor the most precious survival tools we have? When the entire country goes gaga, only DADA can explain the mess. Keep feeling your feelings and keep writing them down; you’re a lifeline to many.
Thank you so much, Helia, truly. I always appreciate your comments so much. And yes, gallows humor is an essential survival tool, especially now. It’s gotta be top 3 in the authoritarian takeover starter kit for devastated citizens lol. Love you ❤️
Rita. That’s like the best thing ever. I don’t know if you could have said anything better than that. That’s the way to fall for sure, and let’s just not let go. I feel sure we’ll be okay that way 💙🥹
I was just saying that if you were watching a movie where the richest man in the world was looking for “super high-IQ small-government revolutionaries willing to work 80+ hours per week” for FREE, you would think “well, that’s not plausible”. Super high IQ people don’t work for free. But dumb broke people think voting for rich bullies will make everything right….ok.
And if the senate confirms these upcoming scumbags, I hope they get voted out by people who lose benefits, pay more due to tariffs…but who am I kidding.
All I can hang my hopes on is that the system was already pretty janky, if it gets dismantled, let us attempt to build it back better. It’s not going to be pretty, but you know those people who fought for civil rights that we read about in crusty social studies books…WE ARE THOSE PEOPLE NOW.
As always, you are lovely and wise and thought provoking. And not alone. ❤️❤️❤️
Yes, when I look for silver linings (and I dig for them these days), I tell myself that maybe this dreadful and unthinkable turn of events is what was needed to really reset. Things haven’t been okay for far too many people for far too long, and until everyone in this society is cared for, we’re going to be screwed whether we know it or not. And other times I just my head at the absurdity of it all.
But yes, when I look back in history, it’s always the people who stood up for others or threw their bodies in front of them or hid them or fought for them who I respect the most. So yeah, if that’s who we are now, and it seems like it is, then that’s reason enough to come up out of the rabbit hole and fight like hell. And if I get to do that with people like you, that’s kind of all I need. Love you. Thank you for these fantastic comments, you’re the best ❤️
There will be days to fight and days to rest. We will support each other through all of them, because that’s what we do. Love you 😘
What my revolutionary daughter has been saying all along! What with the Democrats becoming gun-toting, police-loving, tough-on-the-border 'moderate Republicans' for years. Time for a radical change.
And as always Eileen, you too hit the nail on the head.
Caring for ailing parents and young child. That's my life/fulltime job rn, thanks for making ME feel seen, Ally.
It’s such a crazy thing to be in the middle of all that need. I didn’t see it coming and felt like I “should have” but both of my parents declined back-to-back on opposite sides of the country. My mom first, during the pandemic, and then my dad. It stretches you to your breaking point, or at least it did for me, and it’s also kind of an isolating experience (or again, maybe that’s just how it felt to me). I was in a nether world with my mom the last month of her life in the ICU, and then this crazy year with my dad trying to make sure he didn’t kill himself by running with his walker, which he fucking did. (Run with it, not kill himself as a result. Congestive heart failure did that.)
And it’s hard for anyone to relate to the nine million roles you’re playing in one day, especially the nutty stuff like dealing with parents who can’t hear unless you yell or freak out at the cardiologist because they want a very normal form filled out. Anyway, I’m very grateful this made you feel seen, and if you ever need support, please message me. I mean that. I’m sure you have lots of great people in your life, but no one should go through that without the ability to vent to people who get it. So I am volunteering. Sending you lots of love. Try to be gentle with yourself ❤️ Also, Nightbitch. Omg.
All of this ⬆️⬆️⬆️ Ally. Anyone who isn’t already angry/sad/worried just doesn’t yet understand that we will all be negatively affected by the results of this election. The only ones who will benefit already have more privilege, power, and money than anyone needs or deserves. 🫂
This is what I tell myself, but his supporters are so remorseless and intractable. Things are going to have to get really bad before they’ll consider it might be a result of putting this horrible person back in office. The very sad thing is, I think things are going to get that bad. But I’m glad you’re here, Steve. You’re a keeper 🤍
🫂🫂🫂
That may be the case, Ally. What a nightmare. You and I have discussed before the things we learned in meetings. I believe whatever happens, I’ll have to remember what I have control over. I won’t be any good to my family, friends, or community if I live in fear, hopelessness, or cynicism.
And, yes, I’m sticking around! At this time, more than ever before, we need to be with good, kind, likeminded friends and family (in real life and in our online communities).
Another perfect post where you seem to tap into all that's going on in our minds and hearts.
It's so mindboggling when people who voted for the orange clown and his deranged posse ask us why we seem "so angry". One of my neighbors who tried to get the HOA to force me to take down my VOTE sign before the election since she was "offended by it" (the T is a uterus), ran into me yesterday and asked with her fake concerned-voice "Do you feel better honey? You seemed so upset last time I saw you" which was the day after the election. It took all of my good-girl indoctrination not to yell "oh fuck off" in her face, and I just said no and walked away.
One of the best lines I read last week was in Margaret Killjoy's essay which was “I ask not to be safe from my enemies, but dangerous to them.” Fuck the "good girl" indoctrination, that is the energy that I'm hoping to bring to 2025.
https://margaretkilljoy.substack.com/p/we-are-the-strange-and-scary-things
And I always love your comments, Sonbol. Thank you so much for being here 🙏🏼♥️
That is a fantastic quote. And yes, that good girl programming runs deep. I am generally not someone who likes confrontation. It’s never my intention to hurt anyone. But I’ll be damned if I’m going to keep my mouth shut these days, and if you voted for a ticket that’s going to put me, my daughter and 99% of my friends in danger, then don’t expect me to be polite about it. I’m not willing to contain my rage, incredulity or despair to make people who don’t respect me feel okay about not respecting me (or, in many cases, themselves, either)🤷🏻♀️
And I really have zero tolerance for faux concern, or willful ignorance, let alone blatant bigotry.
God, yes, to all of this. I am so behind on Substack reading and I got to this and just nodded. Everything feels strange and surreal.
I was in the deli getting lunch, and Christmas songs were playing and it felt...off. I am all off kilter. I haven't felt right since the election. Nothing is as it should be.
Yes, I am struggling to find some holiday cheer right now. You’re catching me at a bad moment, too, because I woke up feeling really down today. I will find some cheer for the sake of my kids, my son will be home Friday and that will be good. I have a living tree being delivered today, and maybe the smell of pine will help, too. But it’s not a fa-la-la year for me over here! Go figure. Sending you hugs and love from the other coast 🤍
Hi Ally, I really loved this metaphor. Funnily, Alice looking at The Matrix is my profile pic here haha. I often catch myself not having anything specific to write back, as your essays always cause a bit of a tornado in my mind, which would seem like a Wizard Of Oz story and I can't seem to find the right words. I quite like the state of thinking and pondering you leave me in. I love your curiosity and imagination though I must say I never imagined we'd be living through what we're living right now and I have a bad feeling it's gonna get worse.
I'm sorry I have nothing concrete to say, I just wanted to say thank you for being here and writing. It's one of my favourite things to do, just stop by and see what you're been thinking about. It gives me some consolation to know there's still hope.
Hope you and your family are well.
Wishing you all the best as always 🥰
Namaste 🙏
Hey Peter! There’s zero pressure to say anything concrete around here. Scattered thoughts are always welcome 🤣 And just the fact that you stop by and care about what might be on my mind is more than enough. That’s very cool about your profile pic, I hadn’t noticed! And I feel as you do, I think we’re in for a helluva ride, but I’m so thankful to be traveling with such incredible people. Thanks for being here, love to you and Anneke!
This pretty much sums it up Ally. I don’t even know what to say most of the time. I was the angry one at thanksgiving dinner — not sorry about it. It’s rage inducing when you seem to be the only one at the party who notices the wildfires leaping the fire breaks.
It’s like the rabbit hole without the LSD.
They should AT LEAST give us free LSD if we have to deal with this bs.
In all seriousness, I hate that for you. It is so painful and mind-boggling and infuriating to have people who say “I love you” but don’t vote like it. But I love you and I will always vote like it. Hugs, love, dogs. And friends who will be there no matter what. Things we can count on 🤍
Wow, thank you for this, it felt cathartic.
I’m so glad to hear that, Kara. And I’m happy you’re here 🤍
For someone claiming to have only fragmented thoughts, you make a whole lot of sense in this down-the-rabbit-hole-themed, beautifully-as-ever written essay. I love Allyson Wonderland and would rather live in her world (evil queens and all) than the one we’re currently caught in. ‘Black Friday deal on horrifying white people!’ made me laugh, although it’s decidedly not funny. But YOU are, Ally, and aren’t art and humor the most precious survival tools we have? When the entire country goes gaga, only DADA can explain the mess. Keep feeling your feelings and keep writing them down; you’re a lifeline to many.
Thank you so much, Helia, truly. I always appreciate your comments so much. And yes, gallows humor is an essential survival tool, especially now. It’s gotta be top 3 in the authoritarian takeover starter kit for devastated citizens lol. Love you ❤️
😤 the patriarchy.
Indeed 😤😤
😁🤣💕
This post has me feeling like an Alice who fell down the rabbit hole while holding hands with a good friend. 💙
Rita. That’s like the best thing ever. I don’t know if you could have said anything better than that. That’s the way to fall for sure, and let’s just not let go. I feel sure we’ll be okay that way 💙🥹
I am very good at not letting go 🥹
Same ❤️
I am a paid subscriber to very few people Ally and you are one of them. Posts like this are but one of the reasons. Thank you.
Thank you so much, Biff. I appreciate that from the bottom of my heart, truly ♥️