Rex Whistler, Self Portrait 1934.

The next few weeks are going to be hard for many of us in the US. The new regime is going to come out of the gate in full attack mode. The LGBTQ community, people of color, immigrants, women, the poor and even our (already broken) health industry are going to be targeted.

This is an attempt to exhaust us with a game of civil rights whack-a-mole, and there is no doubt that some of us are going to feel absolutely wrecked every time we look at the news.

Here is my advice on surviving the next four years

Limit your exposure to the news, it's fine to check the headlines, but

Order a big roll of postcard stamps from the USPS and buy some cheap, blank, postcards.

Sending physical mail can be more effective than signing online petitions, and it has the added benefit of getting you away from the computer. I personally prefer writing postcards because it feels more like I am taking tangible, physical action.

If you are especially organized, you can pre-print address labels for your representatives. I am 100% not that organized.

The ACLU has a guide on what to say here: https://www.aclu.org/writing-your-elected-representatives

Most importantly, don't fall into despair. You are not alone in this, there are millions of us out here who want to see a kinder world.

We've got your back.

I have been a long time supporter of Google and they are very entwined into my online existence. I realize my voice is probably of very little consequence, but this enrages me.

After writing to them to express my displeasure, I am going to start the process of disentangling myself from them. My phone is a Google Pixel, but there are things I can do. I am already using Duck Duck Go as my default browser and email address. I am investigating Proton.me as an alternative email and storage client.

I have already divested myself of Amazon (except for my Kindle), and Instagram. I have stripped all my content from Facebook as I need to use Messenger to be in contact with relatives. Now Google. It is a sad world today.

Seriously, Google? You actually changed Gulf of Mexico to Gulf of America on Google Maps?

What the fuck?!

The Ladies Alexandra, Mary, and Theo Acheson

John Singer Sargent

1902

Self portrait by Norwegian painter, Adolph Tidemand [1814–1876]

I got to see her perform a few times when I lived in Chicago. This is a great loss and she will be missed.

JONATHAN BAILEY as FIYERO in WICKED (2024)

DREW STARKEY AS EUGENE ALLERTON Queer (2024) dir. Luca Guadagnino

Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande singing “Defying Gravity” together at the Oscars