Notices by that one JNL (jordinn@zirk.us)

I grieve for the family of, and for the loss of, Hannah Lynch. She sounds like a truly amazing person-in-formation, who really did have everything ahead of her.

What I wish is that we could humanize and uplift and also really feel the searing loss of every teen like her from Gaza.

We are ALLOWED to know Hannah Lynch's name and ENCOURAGED to grieve her loss. Her beautiful face is put in front of us, and we are invited to join in: look at what we've lost, look at what we've lost.

We aren't even to know the names of the teens, some of whom look a lot like Hannah, turned to ash or left for dead in the rubble.

If you have not known Gazans before, you probably don't even believe that the teens of this land were also fucking brilliant, so many of them. They were so beautiful.

Much better day today. I'm about out of energy and have done little, physically speaking (3100 steps on my pedometer, out of which I swear 2100 were spent looking for where I put my tea), but I did some political economy reading for school and in general have felt mostly-human-but-under-the-weather, as opposed to essentially-dead-and-worsening. Yesterday was bad and last night was truly godawful but trajectory straight upward all day.

Paxlovid is fairly remarkable stuff. Grateful.

My takeaway from reading today plus experiencing my life this past week is that 1. much of the Western world is in the throes of an Omicron-level covid surge, with geometric case spread, 2. if you don't want it and you're not in lockdown mode you to need to be VERY savvy, have a great fitting mask and assume that you ARE being exposed basically constantly 3. with this level of constant exposure, it's not going to take an hour or a lot of intimacy for you to get it 4. having covid still SUCKS. 👍🏻

Things we did not bring and ended up buying: hiking poles. reusable water bottles. reusable store bags (whywhywhywhywhy what have we all done)

Things we did bring and ended up repurchasing anyway: sunblock products in many varieties. basically infinite takes on French and Swiss antiperspirant.

Things we felt it neccessary to carry with us to Europe: bananagrams. 12 books, some unreasonably heavy, including a D&D gamemaster handbook. an unopened and heavy bag of Molly's Suds detergent. Jackets.

Things we did not use AT. ALL: see above 🙃

Thing I brought that seemed a little ridiculous BUT WAS NOT IT WAS AMAZING I AM BRILLIANT: my foam pillow, giver of joy, harbinger of middle age, whatever whatever.

If we were doing it again we would buy zero paper travel guides. Lonely Planet is IMO not what it used to be--twenty years ago it truly explained how to do life; now it's basically Fodor's but heavy--and we consulted them basically never.

The Swiss rail pass for 15 days was expensive but genius--we didn't have to prebook anything, it made nearly everything (even the Mont Blanc Express) free and the few things that weren't were half off, and direct booking by trip is $$$$$$.

Things that are pretty affordable in Switzerland (compared to the things that are not, and compared to the US and Canada which is where we otherwise spend our time): buying food and cooking your own meals (groceries were comparable with or cheaper than Vermont and Newfoundland), renting a car, renting an Airbnb in the Alps during the summer (we got two weeks for less than what we paid for ONE in the Netherlands)

Things that are absolutely unbelievably expensive in Switzerland: dining out, hotel nights in the 3 largest cities, entry fees, bottled water, tap water, peeing in public, per-trip rail tickets, Swiss citizenship

Overall, we very much recommend the trip. Switzerland was as gorgeous as you imagine, and we found it easier to visit than we had feared. I really do recommend Valais as a region in which to base yourself- it is a place with TONS of personality, and where the two tallest Swiss mountains are. If you like hiking and trains you will be in heaven, and it's possible to do on a general 'Europe' budget.

That's a tough act to follow, but the Netherlands is truly equally rad. They were worthy partners.

Neither spouse nor I have become more conservative as we've moved into middle age (we've actually been radicalized across a number of vectors). What I have become, however, is much more pragmatic. I am fine to talk theory and it's important to hold ideals, but at the end of the day (and the conversation, even) I want to know what we can accomplish together IN THE WORLD. I honestly consider 'workability' a MORAL issue, because harm happens in real time.

An attempt was made on a fascist presidential candidate's life by a second-amendment nut emboldened and enabled by that candidate's actions, rhetoric, and previous presidential tenure.

We can land the responsibility for ALL of this loudly where it belongs.

Liberal values DO NOT require you to lick the opposition's balls. Not under any circumstances. Not under these circumstances. Not at all.

No apologies. No 'tone down the resistance.' No handwringing.

Communicate what we're here for.

@aral oh shit, sorry. Thanks!! Will fix.

https://jewishcurrents.org/the-law-cannot-let-itself-see-the-nakba?token=WLiNtT4mHXfF8G6YSm4xj1bodkEXyZAY

*Figure out a savings plan that will allow you to have some cash in hand.

*Check ALL of your documents. Is there anything you might need that is expiring, or that you need to order? Renew your drivers' license. Your college transcript is important if you are applying for priority immigration.

*If you have a vehicle you depend on, is it in good working order? Plan ahead; this is not a good time to let your registration lapse, etc. Windshield wipers. Keep gas in the tank.

The other thing you can do that will help more than anything is to make a point to get to know your closest neighbors. Run over with a couple of flowers in a mason jar and a card with your contact info. 'Hey, I know we don't talk much, but I'm here if you need anything. Name, #.) If you can give it to them in person, that's even better. 'Hey, just wanted to say hi. We love living here and are so glad to be neighbors. I'd love to give you my contact info if you ever need it.'

People may not be ready for mass action, and that's why you need to prepare to collectively support and act as a group, while also thinking through the actions you need to take in your more intimate spaces. Who in your circle of care could be most endangered if the political situation continues to trend quickly toward fascism and tight control of people's bodies, speech, and movement? Do you need to have a plan for saving money across the next few months? Are your important documents in hand?

Hell yes we did

https://religionnews.com/2024/06/24/unitarian-universalists-vote-for-action-on-palestine-climate-lgbtq-issues-and-covid-19/

#unitarianuniversalism

@hannu_ikonen the inaction is maddening, and the relentless offloading of responsibility and consequences to all of us is infuriating.