Unsubscribed to the Economist (Day 96)

After about eight years of reading, the editors on the Checks and Balances podcast last week hit the final straw for me. I'm allergic to anything that's super popular, and during my time as a subscriber the Economist went from this somewhat erudite (though not always correct) source of information to something that's being quoted by everyone. They are one of the only mostly centrist outlets available, and though I'm about as left of center as you can imagine, I found it a tolerable way to find out what other people were thinking. 

But I'm not blind, and it occurred to me that much of what I was seeing in establishment journalism that I can't stand--something that critiques both the left and the right, not on their merits, but because there is a bias toward maintaining the status quo--is exemplified by the Economist. And when I heard John, Idris, and Charlotte critiquing the New York case against Trump and his hush money to a mistress, I was done. 

Yes, it's a wonky case--but have you ever seen Trump? It occurs to me as everyone is positive that democracy itself is on the line in this election, naysaying holding a criminal insurrectionist to account for any of his crimes isn't helpful.

I've gotten some good recommendations to fill the void, but frankly, I don't miss it. Just that much more time for me and books. I mean, those things never got anything wrong...

Deb in the City

Audre Lorde had a point (Day 95)

For the master’s tools will never dismantle the master’s house.

-Audre Lorde, Sister Outsider: Essays and Speeches, 1984

I thought of this as soon as I heard that Harvey Weinstein's conviction in New York had been overturned. When my husband told me, all I could say was "Of course," because many of us had been bracing ourselves for this... maybe since 1984, when Lorde wrote this.

I looked up the quote, and then I saw the rest of it:

They may allow us temporarily to beat him at his own game, but they will never enable us to bring about genuine change. And this fact is only threatening to those women who still define the master’s house as their only source of support.

Lorde was right, as many of us have come to know, but boy, did I hope that wasn't going to apply to the law. (Yes, I have been paying attention to the Supreme Court, why do you ask?)

So... now what do we do?

Deb in the City

Off-track, and I'm okay with it (Day 94)

I have a goal of transcribing one-thousand words a day during the week. I gave myself a walk on Monday because it was the first night of Passover, which means there was a lot of cleaning and cooking. I gave myself another break on Tuesday because it was my anniversary and if my husband was going to take the day off, so was I. I was did plan on resuming today, but instead I spent three (3) hours on the phone with Mass Health. Not for me, but for someone else, and in the middle of the ordeal I cried (and that's not something I ordinarily do on administrative calls). The issue is resolved now, but the executive branch of Massachusetts should be ashamed of itself. Needless to say, I didn't get transcribing done today, either.

I am happy to get back to it tomorrow--I legitimately look forward to it--but I'm not going to try to make up for lost time, because it occurs to me that, at least in this instance, that's just another way to lose more time.

In slightly related new, I am officially over vegan ice cream, so over it that if someone offered me a way to eat "real" ice cream, I wouldn't be interested. I needed a comfort food (see above), but for the last three months every time I've had ice cream I've felt disappointed and empty. I asked my husband what I should substitute, and we ended up coming to rice pudding (with dates and not sugar, thank you). That's something that can be served both warm or cold, and there's a lot you can do to dress it up. And, not for nothing, much less expensive than a jaunt to my local ice cream shop. I think they'll be okay without my business.

Deb in the City

Anniversary (Day 93)

My husband and I walked 12,000 steps through Back Bay and downtown Boston before 4 PM. 

Related #1: The shoes I bought last week are not fit for purpose.

Related #2: That might not have been my best idea on five (or so) hours of sleep. 

Still, I enjoyed lunch (and caffeine) with my husband. Next year's goal: more sleep (and better shoes).

Deb in the City

First Night of Passover (Day 92)

Tonight was the first night of passover, which means I've been planning for a week and spent a couple of hours cleaning and cooking for a small dinner with my husband and two of our children. I'd have pictures except I was too busy doing things. 

We had a very brief hunger- and labor-themed seder before we ate. I had intentionally overcooked so we were all full, but now I have lentil kofta stew and kugel left over to eat as well as asparagus to put into a besan omelet, tzimmes to put into a smoothie--no, really, it's prunes and sweet potatoes--date and peanut charoset to make something Larabar-esque, and chocolate covered dates and bananas just because. Seriously, I don't need to cook for a week.

I feel humbled by my good fortune even in the throes of some stressful news. Dayenu indeed.

Deb in the City

Trees and Environmental Injustice in Massachusetts (Day 91)

My husband and I participated in a Zoom webinar called Why Trees Matter for Green Development. I want to say it was fantastic, but I'm outraged.

The scientific grounding--which should be accepted information at this point, but no--was thorough and thoughtful, and I've got a name to add to my list. But the three case studies were horrifying. Two of them were in Boston proper, and one of them practically right down the street from me. For all of Boston's posturing about working with neighborhoods to deliver smart reform--for all of Massachusetts' departments touting their environmental record--you still have the state shrugging about removing four acres of wood from a predominantly Black neighborhood and shrugging when that neighborhood appeals for a review. 

What really got me was seeing footage from the "cranberry" industry that were allegedly deforested to create bogs but were really valued for their sand. The pictures made me think of West Virginia after a mountain had been blasted.

I'm reeling, but it inspires me to action, not my bed.

Don't know how I'm going to get involved, only that I will.

Deb in the City 

A day late (Day 90ish)

No post yesterday because I was busy doing my day, and it got away from me. Got to have lunch with the future in-laws and my daughter, then came home and cooked a lot, in pre-prep for Passover.

Today is shaping up to be *very* interesting, so I will be back. 

Deb in the City