this is all I have to say, because I don't know what to say.

"I wish the ring had never come to me. I wish none of this had happened."

"So do all who live to see such times. But that is not for them to decide. All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given to us. There are other forces at work, Frodo, than the will of evil. Bilbo was meant to find the ring. In which case you also were meant to have it, and that is an encouraging thought."

(no subject)

November 3rd, A Softer World - Look at this

I watched Kerry's speech in the break room at the office this afternoon. A coworker I do not know laughed and laughed at Edwards, while tears streamed down my face. I didn't think I was going to cry, but I'm far more rattled by the election than I imagined I would feel. I am in so much physical pain as well, which makes even sitting in my office chair agonizing. Damn my wasted fertility.

I cried, because I had let myself believe we had a chance of changing things and because I believed that people would not vote on their fears and hates. I cried because I had let myself believe.

I cried because there are eleven states where the majority of the population thinks some of us are less than human and less deserving. I'm so appalled and angry and sick by that development that I can't even come up with a coherent statement on the subject.

The lack of turnout amongst the 18-24 demographic has also filled me with rage and disgust. You didn't fear Puff Daddy, but you should fear me. Fair warning: if I find out you were able to vote and you didn't, I will personally bitch slap you. Damn it.

I have the cold comfort that so many people did go out and vote. It annoys me that Bush claims a historic and decisive victory when it was anything but decisive. It was so damned close. It was a little over a hundred thousand votes in fucking Ohio of all places that made it so. The overall race was so close that it can't truly be called decisive.

Frankly, it scares the hell out of me that Bush won the popular vote. It sends a message to the world that we are afraid, and that more than half our country wants to stay with a leader who brought us into debt and war. What must the world think of us now? It makes me so sad. It makes me so goddamned sad. I'm scared for all of us.

In a few days I'll be calmer. I won't be ready to just start weeping. I'll be able to read the news again. In a few days, I'll be ready to deal with what comes next and to figure out what I can do. Just give me a few days.

Vali's Comfort Food Meme

Share the recipe--yours, someone else's, gourmet, gourmand--of something that you like to cook and eat when you are feeling down for the count.

Here are mine:

( Lemon Meringue Pie )