There is sooooo much going on right now! I don’t even know where to start.

I know. It’s been a very long time since I’ve posted. I keep saying I’m going to post weekly, but clearly that hasn’t happened. I have a lot to say, especially these days, so hopefully you’ll be seeing more from me.

Of course, the top news of the day is that we are in the midst of the Covid-19 pandemic and an unprecedented anti-racist uprising/revolution in the United States.

Black Lives Matter

Unless you live under a rock or completely off the grid somewhere, you know there has been a mass awakening across the U.S. to the horrors of white supremacy culture and the realization that we live in a racist system that is literally murdering our black, brown, and BIPOC siblings. In fact, Black Lives Matter may be the largest movement in U.S. history! Of course, while this understanding is new for many white people, it is definitely not new for black folks. In fact, a lot of black folk are wondering why it’s taken us so long to catch up.

SAY THEIR NAMES

Support Black Lives Matter

No institution or organization in this country is immune to white supremacy culture attributes. So, while we are all working remotely and dealing with the fallout of this “new normal” from the Covid-19 pandemic, Up With Community is helping to guide my firm through a major organizational and structural shift with the goal of becoming a truly anti-racist organization. There is a LOT to do. It’s all quite overwhelming. I am simultaneously excited and terrified. These changes, both internally at my job and in the U.S., are long, long, lonnnnng overdue.

I am blessed to work with so many amazing, super smart, caring people, so while I know it’s going to hurt (as real change often does), I also have faith that we can do this.

Now for some Woo…

Reading Chani Nicholas’s recent post about her upcoming workshop has given me some extra hope. She talks about how the New Moon on July 20 “is meditative, contemplative, and reflective. It uplifts what is slow and steady. It asks us to adhere to the lineages and traditions that are sound, sturdy, and adaptable enough to be a bridge between this moment and a future full of care for all. The second of two New Moons in Cancer in a month… we are getting a double dose of Cancerian wisdom; know how your origin stories are shaping your present moment.” She says the Full Moon in Aquarius on August 3 is “poised to shake up the status quo with fortitude for the long run, this disruptive Full Moon is foreshadowing a major astrological arc of 2021. Systems change is the signature here.”

I’m here for all of it!

Shelter in Place

So, I’ve been sheltered in place since Friday, March 13. I’m in several high risk categories, including being immunocompromised, so I haven’t left my home except twice to go to my infusion appointments at Kaiser and then come right back home. And it looks like I will be sheltering in place for the long haul. I have to say that I am grateful that over the years I’ve become more of a homebody. At some point in my life, I went from being worried I wouldn’t have anything to do on the weekend to being relieved that I didn’t have plans and could stay home. If I’d been forced to say home like this 10 years ago, I would not have the same sense of calm about not being able to go anywhere.

My interim workspace is looking good, but I do need a different riser for my laptop and monitor. It’s not the most ergonomic setup ever.

Apocalypse but make it fashion

So, masks are the new shoes… I now have a ton of super cute masks, most of which I bought from Etsy.

Looking for some cute masks from some awesome makers? Here’s some links:

This is one of my faves on account of the fact that they have Walking Dead masks: https://www.etsy.com/shop/StuffandthangsStore

And yes, that’s my natural hair color. Since shelter in place started my partner has started cutting my hair. Don’t worry, I’ve dyed my hair green since that picture was taken.

More Etsy shops that sell masks:

https://www.etsy.com/shop/KrakenWhip

https://www.etsy.com/shop/flowerbyleatherE

https://www.etsy.com/shop/Vivsprojects

https://www.etsy.com/shop/LifeinVinylShop

I hope everyone is hanging in there! Feel free to drop a comment and let me know what you’ve been doing to get through the day and/or fight for justice.