The weather heard me complaining yesterday, and decided to humor me. I was sitting in Borders, waiting for the heat to ease up before I tried to go to sleep, when the entire building started shaking. In case anyone doesn't know, every Borders building is a huge, solid cement block. It takes a lot to get it shaking. In this case, it was the thunder and lightning that was making the lights flicker.
I've always mocked people afraid of thunderstorms. Every time we would get one in SF, that one magic night out of the year, I would pull a chair up to the window and sit and sip hot cocoa and stare. I've lived through supertyphoons, and relished every minute. Yet I don't think I had ever really seen a thunderstorm before. I understand now. Those things can get crazy! I still love them, but I definitely understand the people that run and hide now. There was a little more fear mixed in with the awe on this one. Anything that has the power to shake 500 square feet of cement and steel has my respect.
The rain has been coming and going, which is perfect for me. It means that the temperature stays down, and my bed remains dry. Hurray for dry sheets!
I've pretty much just been cruising north all day. I stopped in Seneca Falls, NY to pay my respects to my foremothers, and to peruse the multiple history museums devoted to women. Inspiring, and yet, a little depressing. Did you know that the first African-American female millionaire made her fortune by selling beauty aids like hair straighteners and skin bleachers? I want to do something to subvert standards, but it seems like in order to have any influence at all, you have to sell and praise those messed up standards. Otherwise, you're just a loony yelling in the corner, that all the cool kids laugh at.
Like the Green Party. There is an image that has haunted my political thinking for years now. During the last presidential race, Nader and his running mate Winona LaDuke came and spoke at SF State. They were both eloquent, with incredibly valid points, and their speeches went over great with the liberal, hippy audience. Some time later, I saw a bit on the news about a Bush speech in California. There was a brief mention of a small group of unnamed war protesters outside, accompanied by video footage. Right in front was LaDuke.
How sad is it that a well-spoken political activist who ran for frickin' VP is not able to get her name even mentioned on television? Nader only got mentioned so often because of the closeness of the race; up until that point, even he had been relegated to the "also ran" section, maybe mentioned once or twice on national television. Anyone railing against the way things are doesn't seem to have a chance against the massive machine that is called media.
Sorry, just venting. I don't get worked up often; it's just that right now, I don't have anyone to let it out on. Back at home, I have a fabulous conservative friend, and we regularly engage in shouting matches. I like to think that she is a little more liberal now, due to me. Of course, I'm probably a little more conservative as well. Still, it's the only way for me to work out my beliefs. So if there are gaping holes in the above vent, it's just because I have had only my own brain stewing on them.
How did I get here? Oh yeah, loony in the corner. Speaking of loonies, I am now on my way up to the Jell-O museum. I hope it's still there. I read in a more recent book that the nut museum lady was thinking of taking her show on the road. I do hope that is what happened. I can't stand to think about all those nuts lying alone, despondant somewhere.
I am TERRIFIED of t-storms...Jacob was totally laughing at me last night because every time the lightning flashed I would jump out of my seat, literally. I think I was more scared than the dogs.
P.S. We like it when you get worked up about things! It keeps the blog hopping. :)
Posted by: Carrie | June 13, 2004 at 10:32 AM