November 2023 Edition
Remember, remember the 9th of November...
A special note:
Hi All,
Thank you so much for subscribing to this newsletter. As an anti-procrastinator, I usually put these together several weeks in advance. However, I wanted to take a little extra space before to recognize the genocide being inflicted on the Palestinian people and the alarming unwillingness of the United States to call for a ceasefire.
I have been trying to do what I can by joining the Jewish Voices for Peace when they marched in Baltimore on November 1st and joined the National March on Washington on November 4th. I witnessed and participated in passionate, peaceful and respectful protests and I learned a lot from the speakers - many included other indigenous populations who have undergone the similar atrocities of colonialism. Here is one speech that I recorded, which gave me a brand new perspective:
I find it hard to exist while an entire group of people are being carpet-bombed and burned with white phosphorous. Seeing traumatic videos of survivors. Learning that journalists who are showing the realities of what is happening are being labelled as terrorists. When we finally cry for justice or express hope for a future, it is labelled as hate.
Somehow, life goes on in my privileged bubble, where I get to do every single thing I did before. I am open other ways to get involved but it is hard not to get disheartened. As a dual citizen of the Unites States and Canada, countries built on the horrific torture and genocide of Native Americans with their prosperity 100% attributed to slavery, it’s clear that if we denounce what is happening, we’d have to face our own hypocrisy. So we censure anyone in the government who is not a coward, and move on.
Anyways, here’s the rest of the newsletter:
Blog Post: Savor and Digest - I woke up one morning and felt inspired to write this poem. Don’t read into it too much.
Project Warrior Podcast: Connection Matters - Since Season 3 of the podcast is over, I thought I would share this throwback to Season 1, Episode 2. I had a lot of fun putting it together, Russet is one of my favorite characters!
The Buzz: I did two marathons within two weeks! It nearly broke me. Baltimore rained and it was hilly but I persevered. Ocean City was 26C/79F and all on roads with tons of cars zooming by. Not fun at all. And I didn’t even win the costume contest! Also, I certainly do not recommend going to Ocean City if you are a person of color. They don't take too kindly to that.
Anyways here are some pictures of my medals and costume:
Recommendation: Sick of physical junk mail? This Washington Post article has recommendations of how to fully unsubscribe, including CatalogChoice.com - an organization owned by The Story of Stuff Project, who’s done some pretty great things to reduce waste!
Olive: Every time I think this cat has found all the cozy places in the house, she discovers a new one!
Do you enjoy this newsletter? Perhaps you know someone else who will too:
Thank you for sharing that speech. Everyone needs to hear it.
I loved the poem and congrats on your marathons!