Dept. of the Weekend

[kaffy_r]

Saturday, and the Sun is Shining

I'm temporarily camped in my livingroom, because the chair I have in the office seems apt to bother my back. (I have to figure out how to make it a pain free sit-down, because Bob mentioned last night that he misses me being there. He said that I should stay where I'm most comfortable, but I don't want him to be lonely, and I miss him. But I digress.)

Being out here, with a temporary office set up on the livingroom table allows me to see the building's courtyard, which one of our residents has turned into a flower-filled vision, with some help from a couple of the other residents. It's really gorgeous, plus I can see some of the cats in other units as they observe the world outside their windows. 

***   ***   ***

The SCOTUS decisions of  the past week made it hard for me to put pen to paper; desolation does that. But desolation isn't the proper response. I reminded myself that I have postcards that I'm going to be mailing to potential Democratic voters in swing states, so I'm not completely inert in this fight for democracy. 

The UK election, despite showing an unnerving uptick in Reform votes, did overwhelmingly kick the Tories out. Starmer, despite having some disconcerting resemblance to Tony Blair, and despite the mountains he's going to have to usher his party and his country over, has a chance to heal some of the near-fatal wounds the Conservatives delivered to the UK's infrastructure. Good on him, and all the luck in the world to doing that job. 

I spent Independence Day with two friends, who are living in a long-term house rental while their own house is repaired from a fire. Bob wasn't able to come because his bad tooth and sinus was acting up. The three of us went to see the fireworks in neighboring Skokie. We had to park a fair sight from the actual fireworks site, but once one of my friends got over her annoyance at that, it was a ... I was going to say a lovely experience, but it wasn't quite. I loved seeing so any Muslim-Americans there to celebrate in a country where too damned many of their fellow citizens and neighbors hate them. A lot of smiles back and forth. 

But something happened to me half-way through the fireworks. I love fireworks. I love their percussive whump, and the cobalt blues, Emerald City greens, golden chrysanthemum explosions - but over the past couple of years I've become more aware of how awfully fireworks treat people with PTSD or other conditions; how horribly they affect pets, and this July 4th, I suddenly was close to tears as I heard a night bird, and saw it flying as fast as it could away from the area. When a tiny firefly with its frail green light flew close to my face, so fragile - yeah, I had to swallow those tears. 

I don't know if I can allow myself to attend fireworks next year. 

Today, I have to go and get some groceries in order to make some chili for tonight. And then I'm going to complete my current 9,000+ crossover fic. Swear to god I will. 

What's everyone else doing?

Comments

[cmcmck]

Recovering from being up all night watching the election results!

I now hope Starmer will drop all the culture wars shit he's been peddling because the Tories were.
I'll not feel safe until that gets dropped for good and all (if indeed it does).

[kaffy_r]

I heard somewhere that Starmer actually listened to She Who Must Not Be Named at some point, for some reason. I hope he's gained some wisdom and empathy since then. He needs to recognize the basic hate-filled reality of that world view. And if any community in the UK is threatened by that worldview, he should back away from SWMNBN as quickly as possible.

And I hope you've caught up on your sleep!

[bibliofile]

Desolation seems like a reasonable response to me. As long as that's not the only response we have, especially over time. At least that's what I tell myself. Right?!?

Yay for quality time with friends. Though now I get indignant at unnecessary booms too, on behalf of all the creatures (humans included) who are bothered by the phenomenon.

[kaffy_r]

At least that's what I tell myself. Right?!?

You're right. It's hard, and I'm truly frightened, but I'm working hard to turn desperation into determination.

I wish there was a way to prevent the harm that traditional fireworks impose on people without having to get rid of fireworks, but that's not possible. Here in Chicago, the use of backyard and alley fireworks range from the occasional Roman candle to near-professional displays in some backyards or small parks. Unfortunately, a lot of the amateur displays are ... really amateur. So far, one dead and at least one with terrible injuries, including the loss of hands. Gah.

[bibliofile]

The year I lived by St Gertrude's, I wasn't paying attention to the out-of-doors until I realized that someone seemed to be setting off an awful lot of things in the alley. I went to investigate (fire bad!) and found a display set up by professionals in the St G's parking lots (the parts enclosed by lockable chainlink fencing). After, a few people went around with buckets for donations and got mixed responses, which was sad. Until then, I'd no idea that there was a middle ground between the metropolitan events and the shitheads tossing M-80s into the dumpster behind the Irish biker bar.

[kaffy_r]

The city would very much like that middle ground to disappear.

went around with buckets for donations and got mixed responses

I agree; that's sad.

the shitheads tossing M-80s into the dumpster behind the Irish biker bar.

Oh, what a picture that paints!

[beccadg]

...but over the past couple of years I've become more aware of how awfully fireworks treat people with PTSD or other conditions; how horribly they affect pets, and this July 4th, I suddenly was close to tears as I heard a night bird, and saw it flying as fast as it could away from the area.

While I was sad to hear that some places that have tried drone shows the last couple of years have gone back to fireworks, I really like how drone shows are so much quieter, and displays can be done with drones that can't with old fashion fireworks. I hope places at least consider doing some of each so people who can't handle fireworks can enjoy a show before things get all loud and smokey.

[kaffy_r]

some places that have tried drone shows the last couple of years have gone back to fireworks

Oh, that's too bad! Bob and I have talked about how much cooler some of the drone displays can be. I wonder what caused those places to switch back; price? Or people saying that they prefer the booms and hisses of fireworks?

I like your idea of hybrid displays, too.

[beccadg]

I wonder what caused those places to switch back; price? Or people saying that they prefer the booms and hisses of fireworks?

In the short news story I saw on it, the town managers that spoke about it made it sound like people preferred the booms and hisses. I don't recall the reporter asking if price was an issue though. It would've been a good question.

I like your idea of hybrid displays, too.

Thanks! I figure the drones could be done earlier in the evening, and the fireworks could be saved for the big finale. I mean growing up around here a simple fireworks show didn't start until 9pm, it lasted all of 30 minutes, and it saved its best stuff for the last five minutes of the show. Plenty of room for drones with that if it doesn't cost a whole lot more...

[bibliofile]

> and smokey

Yes, exactly. People are much more attuned to air quality in these literal days of "oh look, the world is on fire again".

[kaffy_r]

I forgot the smoke part of it - it's actually the smell of gunpowder that sticks with me.

[beccadg]

I understand the smell being an important part of it for some people. It's the lines in the national anthem, "the rockets' red glare, the bombs bursting in air, gave proof through the night, that our flag was still there." I get an attachment to both the sound and smell of fireworks on the Fourth of July for some people. I just like the idea of a quieter less smelly way of lighting our flag up.

[beccadg]

Yep. As an autistic I'm sensitive to the noise and as an asthmatic I'm sensitive to the smoke. I did watch fireworks as a kid, but generally at a distance. My parents only took me to see some up close once.

[elisi]

I shall ignore politics and just say 'Happy writing'! <3

[kaffy_r]

Thanks! If I can finish it today, I will undoubtedly do The Dance Of Ficwriting Joy. Heh.

[elisi]

TODAY? I didn't realise it was that close. Happy happy writing! <3