Category Archives: America

America, American Politics, Chicago, Diversity, Storytelling, Travel

Another American City

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I’m talking about Chicago, folks. Probably one of the most fun cities to visit, in my opinion.

And the evil regime in the White House has directed their troops to invade it. It’s shocking, isn’t it? And as it happens more and more (and it will, though eventually I do believe their luck is going to run out based on “we, the people” pushing back with all we’ve got). But let’s not let the shock wear off. That’s what this administration wants. Let’s not let this ever become normal. Because it’s not, and it should never be.

Now that I have that off my chest, let me share a few anecdotes about my relationship with this great American city.

I have close family there. People I love. I’ve visited them there both when I was younger and when I was older. With my family of origin and with the family I made with Mr. NOA. I’ve visited there with a girlfriend of mine, taking the Amtrak to get there, and staying with her childhood friends who live there. The friend we stayed with was living her best single life, in her own condo right in the heart of the city. The view from her floor-to-ceiling windows was spectacular. The four of us ladies had a night on the town like no other. It culminated in us, drunk and happy, traipsing through an “adults only” store (you know the kind), giggling like a bunch of 13-year-olds.

Another time I visited this great city was with Mr. NOA. At Christmas, his gift to me (a humongous surprise), was a weekend in Chicago to celebrate the New Year (it was probably 2008). We went out on the town, getting all gussied up, me in a fancy black dress and heels, Mr. NOA in a handsome gray suit with a lavender button-down underneath. We had a very fancy schmancy seafood dinner and later many, many alcoholic beverages to ring in 2000-whatever it was.

I drank far too much that night. More than I possibly have ever in my life. The next morning was rough as hell, a sobering reminder of the nightmare of being hungover, which I hadn’t been in years. We had tickets to see “Addams Family, the Musical” at a theater downtown for that afternoon. I rallied, but not after sipping cold water while sitting as still as possible on our hotel room bed, watching “Shameless” on cable. Ironic, I thought at the time, that I’m watching this show for the first time, a show which, it could be argued, features the city of Chicago as one of the main characters.

I was hooked on that show from that point on. Upon our return home, I proceeded to watch each and every season that was to be found, and when new seasons started, I devoured them like a fiend.

I can’t help but wonder what the Gallagher clan would think, or more interestingly, how they would respond to the ICE insurrection happening in their beloved city right now. They’d surely be raising holy hell.

My wish for the people of Chicago is that they don’t back down from this fight. Not that they should try to cosplay what Kevin, V, Carl, Ian or myriad other characters of “Shameless” would likely do (because I suspect it would not be pleasant for the insurrectionists; not that there should be a goal of keeping these ICE insurrectionists comfortable with what they are doing). I like the subversive sort of trouble that I’ve seen in the news recently in Portland, where ICE has also set up shop, where folks don their blow-up costumes and dance in the streets alongside these ICE goons. To me, that’s the secret sauce to changing the tide in this country, in particular when it comes to our lively, diverse American cities which are being undeservedly harassed at the direction of the occupants of our White House.

Fortunately, the citizens of Illinois have a tough, common-sense, benevolent Governor, JB Pritzker. He is a leader. He is a helper.

It just so happens that the very first concert Mr. NOA attended together, back in about 1988, was “Chicago”. This was a band that I have enjoyed ever since I can remember. We booked a bus trip to the Twin Cities for this concert. We were by far the youngest people on this bus, which we found hilarious.

No doubt you know which musical artist is going to be featured at the end of this random blog post today, but this is one of my top favorites from this band. I think the line “listen children, all is not lost all is not lost” feels especially apropos for this particular timeline.

America, American History, American Politics, Travel, Washington DC, White Privilege

I Love D.C. AND Hate What’s Going on There

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I’ve had the incredible fortune of visiting our nations’s capital on several occasions over the last 15-ish years. The majority of those times, it was on account of Mr. NOA being a federal employee who, from time to time, has to attend work meetings in D.C., and I’ve tagged along. Most of those visits have produced blog posts.

As an American who loves this country in spite of its flaws, I am sickened that the rotten-to-the-core tRump administration has chosen to use military force to take over the city of Washington, D.C. under the guise of combating crime. It wasn’t necessary nor requested, and it’s not cool. The DOJ actually reported not long ago that crime in this city is at its lowest in the last 30 years. The real motivation for this action is , of course, to instill fear in the people of our nation’s capital and to assert control over American society. To live out their fascist fantasies.

The times I have been in D.C., I’ve got out on my own, whilst Mr. NOA was busy with work, to explore the city using the Metro. I always feel safe there; both in the Metro and navigating the city. Now, I understand that my white privilege likely contributes to that sense of safety. Yet, I am a woman. One not trained in karate and who doesn’t carry a weapon or even pepper spray in her bag while there (or anywhere else for that matter). And while traipsing around D.C. on my own, I’ve never felt the need for any of those sorts of “reinforcements”, if you will.

It appears that soon, the monster in the White House is going to send a pack of his acolytes to review the exhibits in the Smithsonian’s museums, to determine which pieces are “woke” and therefore not to his liking, so they can be removed. This seriously pisses me off. They are literally attempting to whitewash history, depriving visitors from learning the realities of American history. This evil regime has attacked DEI and dismantled the US Department of Education, so it tracks that the Smithsonian would also be in their crosshairs.

Have you visited Washington, D.C.? If so, what did you see or do there that enlightened or amazed you?

As a fan of “good trouble”, I’m hoping to see my fellow Americans who are working, living, or just visiting D.C., in this perilous moment of American history, bring their subversive, creative selves to the table in opposition to this madness. I’m thinking something like a peaceful, dancing flash mob (perhaps to the tune of Twisted Sisters “We’re Not Gonna Take It”) on the National Mall. Or a pop-up improv group performing anti-fascism sketches outside the Smithsonian. Perhaps an outside interactive art installation highlighting our uniquely American experiences. I know, I know, these types of resistance activities will not solve the problem of our beloved Smithsonian being ransacked by these evil goons, but I’d sure love to see footage of these kinds of things. To boost morale, you know what I mean?

I firmly believe that We The People will prevail in the end, but just in case tRump gets his way with messing with our beloved Smithsonian, here’s a little photo collage of pics I’ve taken during visits there of “woke” exhibits that educated and inspired me. I’ve included a few other pics of other places I’ve had the pleasure to check out in D.C. over the years as well.

I hope you enjoy this collaborative cover of one of my favorite protest songs because “we’re right, we’re free, we’ll fight, you’ll see”!

4th of July, America, democracy, Diversity, Hope, Mindset

It’s the 4th of July

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And I’ve got some thoughts and feelings to share.

I’m hesitant to celebrate this day, because I’m just so disappointed in where we are as a nation. My heart feels heavy and my natural optimistic tendencies are waning.

As you all are likely aware, the bill that strips the poor of their health care, will likely lead to the closure of rural hospitals (like the one my newest grandson was born at), takes food away from families that rely on SNAP, greatly increases spending for the ICE thugs to kidnap and disappear both law-abiding undocumented immigrants and American citizens alike, while giving billionaires tax cuts that will surely not “trickle down” to benefit working folks like you and me, passed in the Senate yesterday.

My fellow Americans, the country we grew up in is not the same. It’s been reshaped by greed and cruelty. We have fallen so far. Our nation’s people have been monumentally manipulated by power-hungry, evil actors.

My biggest hope is that we’ll somehow get ourselves out of this horrific mess. A revolution, powered by the people of America, is needed now. I sense it is coming. I pray it will be peaceful, but I recognize that is unrealistic. There’s too much anger (the righteous kind) amongst our populace and we’re scrappy…right? There’s so many of us that did not consent to this baloney.

Suffice it to say, I’m unable to muster any sense of pride in America today.

The best I can do is continue to speak out, stand up for what is right, and focus on the America that could be. The America that celebrates the immigrant. The America that feeds the hungry and lifts up the poor. The America that stands for due process and the freedom to love, live, and pursue each citizen’s own version of happiness. The America that works to preserve democracy, the health of our planet, and the well-being of all the people living here.

So, Happy Independence Day to those who celebrate and those whose heart is just not in it this year.

I may not be proud of America at the moment, but I love her anyway.