Hi, Buffistas? Lots of love and ~ma to you (especially to meara, WS, and Vonnie and neighbors, but I've been skipping and skimming so it's extended to others as needed).
This Tuesday we are having municipal elections all over the country, and I'll be working as ballot box secretary (here it means to organize the place where the voting will take place, recognizing the people who are supposed to vote in that ballot box by ID, and solve issues if they arise. It also means that I am supposed to be there from 6:30 am to 22:00 pm, stay for the process of counting the votes, re-arrange the place back into a classroom, and get that ballot box back to city hall). While I am mostly doing this for the money (it is my budget to get a new bed), stories from the US made me aware just how much it is important. There is only one group of population I can think of that sometimes is having trouble to vote for lack of a fixed address (Bedouins), so it kind of escaped me. While the voting % isn't that high, it is a sabbatical day so that people will be able to vote, and the ballot boxes are open from 7:00 am to 22:00 pm.
In other news, I am moving in December and only now am able to search for places as only now there are ads for apartments that will be available in December. I suspect I will continue to be stressed about it until I will find a new place with a nice and good and not a serial killing roommate (no budget to live on my own in a place that isn't an abandoned warehouse in this city, I'm afraid).
Hang in the there, WindSparrow. Monday is tomorrow.
{{WindSparrow}} FWIW, I also signed up for Red2Blue and although I am sure I was following the directions never managed to get texting. I didn't get too bummed about it when I saw the vast numbers of successful volunteers. Also, I have received about 10 texts myself from various organizations, so I feel good about the GOTV efforts in general. Also, you do so much for so many. All of us here have been comforted by you so many times. Take care of yourself and know that loving thoughts are being sent your way.
The Pittsburgh mayor is reminding me why I loved living in Pgh so much. The only place where I couldn't see the ocean that I would consider living in again. My heart breaks for them. eta: and at the same time I know they will come together as a community to comfort each other.
WS, do what you can. If what you can do is take care of yourself, that's the most important thing. I'm at the point of waiting to see how the midterms turn out, and if my anxiety doesn't go down, I'm off to my psych for more meds. Which I kind of hate, because I've been relatively stable for a long while, and this makes me feel like a failure. But I'm damn well going to need it for another two horrible years.
WS you have to take care of your self first. Like the instructions for airplane oxygen masks...get yourself secured and then help others.
Also what you do every day for this in your care is amazing. You bring so much joy and light to the world.
I haven't done anything for get out the vote. Except bug Matthew about voting.
{{{WS}}} What everyone else said.
msbelle's advice also made my allergies act up.
Good luck Shir! That's a very long time to be there, I hope it all goes well.
So depressed by this week in this country. So much violence and hatred.
Shir, that is a tough job but it is so important.
I... am recognizing this urge to say "stop being kind and understanding to me!" as a symptom of the anxiety. In a better time I may be able to chalk it up as a victory.
It's absolutely a victory, WS. It means you can take a step back and realize that what your anxiety is telling you isn't necessarily the truth.
That is a huge victory, WS! You most definitely deserve kindness and understanding.
