Not much is happening locally. (Meanwhile conservative news constantly pushes the idea that my liberal city is suddenly rampant with crime, even though crime stats show a decline since 2019.)
But there was a tsunami warning this morning, so I checked a live cam and ... all I saw was joggers and locals chatting while gazing at the sea with dogs and kids.
The only news yesterday was a dad dressed as superman leading a sea of kid bicyclists riding to school. Cute.
When I first moved here, bike culture was at its peak. I used to do critical mass rides with thousands of bicyclists riding together as one joyful organism, taking over the streets with our little bells, getting cheered on and high fived by pedestrians, riding through the tunnels and squares in collective excitement. Happy to see these traditions being handed down to the little ones.
My brainwashed small-town loved ones only ever call in a dramatic tone of panic, freaking out about some "news" they saw on youtube and belittling me for living in a city as if I'm the one with my head in my ass. Their urgent scolding usually happens while I'm doing yoga to harp music, or while I calmly watch the sunset out my window. "Your city has gone crazy!" they yell chaotically.
Granted, I do live in one of the "bad" neighborhoods, meaning, poor. And yes, sometimes there are stray bullets, but the same happened in my small town. I'd argue crime there is proportionately worse considering population size. The difference is, we have competent resources here. And I don't have to fear break-ins like I would if I lived on a ground-floor home with no neighbors to call 911. And I never have to hear ignorant comments like the ones that disturb my inner peace back home. Gay isn't an insult here and feminism isn't a bad word and our air isn't laced with pesticides. I love my rural roots but... I don't miss being told I'm going to burn in hell every day for not being baptized. I can't believe that's even a real thing that happened. It's still 1492 in some places.
The culture-starved suburbs were even less pleasant, for me. Life went smoother upon moving to the city. Much less drama. Funny because, you'd expect the opposite.
I remember my dad being so angry when he visited once because he saw a no-pants subway ride group frolicking around that day. I thought it was great fun, but somehow it made my dad angry to see people enjoying life. I guess that's the kind of person he is. I guess that's the kind of person I am not. I enjoy fun and good humor. I am pretty sure that's a sign of mental health.
I'd like to have more fun (after omicron dies down.) If we can collectively agree to have more fun instead of letting political news emotionally manipulate us, as a society, we may survive.
8:18 a.m. - 2022-01-15