I struggle with the whole "proud to be an AmerIcan". Most of my clients chose to be here. It's the best place they've found to raise their kids and work and that's huge. But this country also discriminates against them in so many ways. Not just because they are immigrant - undocumented or otherwise- but because of skin color, religion, poverty, and lack of education. That said, I will share one story:

A Kenyan client came here to seek asylum for herself and her children. She told me that her son used to shake and cry when he heard a siren because in Kenya, sirens meant police coming to hurt you. She said that after two years here, she knew she and her family were safe because her son now knew that in the US, if you called, the sirens meant the police were coming to help you.

Squee! And so begins home ownership!

Squee! Isn't it great? I'm about to go paint my bathroom a difficult shade of green, AIFG!

Do people define AIFG as "and it feels good" or "and it's fucking great"? I use the latter definition, myself.

There are a lot of things about America that disappoint and anger me (things already noted by others), but I actually do love my country, so I guess that makes me a patriot.

I guess I should note that I don't feel anti-American either. I certainly recognize that things are often worse in other countries and there are still many freedoms and possibilities here.

But my heart doesn't swell with pride when I see the flag, you know? I'm just too conscious of how that kind of patriotism, that sense of nationalism is a way to cover over deeper issues and manipulate people.

Stephanie, that story made me tear up a little. I'm so glad she and her family feel safe now.

Aww, Stephanie, that's awesome!

I am perfectly okay with myself and others having a nuanced view of America. Best country? Eh, maybe. Mine? Yes.

That said, I am ouchy today because I ran in the "firecracker 5k" last night. Ow. But new personal record, 38:10!

The height of my patriotism extended to being a marshal at the neighborhood parade. I ended up working so much that I did not have a chance to walk with the group I levered into line up yesterday.

I did, however, create a hat that was Ascot inspired.

Side view

Front view

I'm a float!

It was hot, hot, hot but a lot of fun. I love how homey and Go Team Capitol Hill it is.

We even had a group of Greyhounds parade.

The final group was a fan favorite...Princesses! Loads of neighborhood toddlers in sparkly dresses.

They FAR outshone the Miss USA contingent.

I should say that I'm not in the 'these colors don't run' school of patriotism.

I'm a fan of considered appreciation and rational criticism. Paraphrasing Jackson Browne says it for me.

I am a patriot and I love my country. I love my country...it's all I know. But what I see with my eyes, is not what I feel in my heart, and I cannot turn my back this time.

I'm proud to be smonster's friend.

DAWWWWWW OMG THE FEELS. Love you, hon. You and Tom are so fabulous and make my life so much better in so many ways.

And I know what you mean. I vacillate between "AMERICA! FUCK YOU" and "AMERICA! FUCK YOU this is my goddamn country too and I'm not going to let a bunch of xenophobic mouth breathers define what it means to be American."

I have nothing planned for today. I have a lot of cleaning and stuff I need to do, but I want to just fuck off and go see Magic Mike or something. We'll see. I might have an OKC date tonight. I slept for thirteen hours and I feel kind of stoned, so I guess I needed it. Still bummed about missing that party, sounds like it was lots of fun. Dancing on tables and the whole thing.

Please forgive the serial memememe.

Yesterday, the cat care kerfuffle that I thought was resolved blew up again when my friend came home and told me...in not so many words...that I am a bad friend because I did not somehow divine that she was in 'crisis and crying out for help.' Those last words are hers.

Now, I have no criticism for how anyone spends their money unless they are hurting someone else. BUT, I think I can be forgiven for not realizing that making travel plans to go to a VERY first world country to study a...and this is coming from ME, a pretty out-there thinker...course on how to use colors and tuning forks in Chinese Astrology...constitutes an excuse to be rude the someone who cares about you.

I'm shaking my head in mild disgust, at the same time I'm worried that this is all part of an age-related issue. She is 70, and very active...a total health nut...but her agitation seems to be getting worse and worse.

I hope this isn't actually a precursor to some terrible trend.

I'm proud to be smonster's friend.

Hey, me too!