Changes and frustrations

[missroserose]

Moving is finally over; it only took about three times as long as it should have thanks to weather. See, originally, we'd planned to have use of a box truck, so we would've been able to move everything over in one trip (two at the most). However, thanks to a foot and a half of snow plus a cold snap, we weren't able to use the box truck, so we ended up hauling everything in our friend Chris' small pickup truck. It took thirty-odd trips from the Valley to North Douglas and back, but eventually we got everything moved over, and the original apartment cleaned. So now I'm just fighting exhaustion from exerting myself more than I have in months. (The problem with being a bibliophile: lots and lots of very heavy boxes to sling around when moving.) And let's not forget the unpacking. Lots and lots of unpacking.

Mass thanks go to Chris for not only lending us his truck for three days but also helping us for something like fourteen hours on Sunday. We literally couldn't have done it without him. I realize that, being from the South, he has the "help your friends when they need it" gene, but this went above and beyond the call of duty.

So far, the new place has been great; it's slightly larger and much much nicer. (Hooray for having our own washer and dryer!) The water pressure's somewhat less than the other place (probably as a result of being so far out in North Douglas), but it gets blessedly hot in the shower, which is what I care about most. We may have to get rid of an item of furniture or two, however - we acquired a desk with a chair from Adam and, now that the theater will be in the living room, have no real need of a second coffeetable. There might be room for it, though - we'll see what happens when we get all the boxes out of the way.

Unfortunately, the desk came at the expense of our friend, who is on his way to Colorado as I type. I can't blame him, though - he made a good effort of living here, but being on his own was just too expensive in Juneau (and the dark didn't help his depression issues any). Brian and I really, really miss him, though. We're hoping he'll be able to meet up with us for PAX later this year.

In completely unrelated but rather annoying news, I've recently learned that in order to vote in the Democratic Caucus on Tuesday here in Alaska, I have to be registered as a Democrat. Longtime readers of this blog will likely be unsurprised to learn that I always register as an independent on principle; while it's true that my views generally align more with the (vaguely) liberal party, I don't agree with them on everything (especially their absolutely paranoid views on natural resource development in Alaska), and I'd rather not align myself with a particular party anyway. (You never know - the Republicans might one day come up with a candidate I'd like to vote for. It could happen.) But apparently the caucus is Dems-only, and while it's not like it'd be hard to register as a Democrat and then re-register after the caucus, the principle of the thing bugs me.

What's kind of annoying is that normally, I wouldn't even let it trouble me - Alaska's such a small state, population-wise, that it rarely has any influence on the outcome of national-level elections, so I'd just figure I may as well not bother. But the primaries have been so hotly contested this year - on both sides, but especially among the Dems - that for once, Alaska does have the chance to make a difference. And even if it doesn't, I like Obama enough that I'd want to make the gesture.

Grrr. While I'm glad that we have the political process that we do, I really really hate the politics of it.

Comments

[cyranocyrano.livejournal.com]

The Republican party recently closed its primaries in California. And I can completely understand why. This process is how a private affiliation of voters choose the person they're going to put on the general ballot for election. Inviting us independent voters to participate is kind of like asking a bunch of strangers to help me decide what color to paint my house.

The fact that I have to pay for it pisses me off, and the fact that, as usual, it's an entrenchment of the protection of the powerful and a way of making certain the rich stay rich, is pretty much the subject of a long winded treatise that I will type on my Underwood in the deeps of the forest.

[joyfulleigh.livejournal.com]

You're the second person in a week to tell me they want to register as a Dem so they can vote for Obama in the primaries. Interesting.

In my state, Independents can go either way. Anyone can pick up either ballot. So I guess everyone has a choice: vote for the one you want, or try to sabotage the opposing party. But you can't do both!

L.

[joyfulleigh.livejournal.com]

And p.s. I love this icon!

[roseneko.livejournal.com]

Thanks! I stole it from cyranocyrano, it's up for grabs with credit to Rosefox.

[roseneko.livejournal.com]

See, that makes a lot more sense to me, and is more or less why I registered as an Independent in the first place. I can't say as the "try to sabotage the opposing party" hadn't crossed my mind, especially in elections where the choices were so totally uninspiring.

That doesn't surprise me too much about Obama, though. It seems like he's the first candidate we've had in ages with enough charisma to inspire that kind of devotion in people. And his high-falutin' ideals about change and unification certainly don't hurt, especially in people my age who haven't known anything other than a strictly partisan style of politics. I just hope he turns out to have more than ideals and charisma behind him (although preliminary glances through his website and voting record and such are hopeful).

Out of curiousity, who are you planning to vote for? Or are you not going to bother with the primaries?

And lastly, a belated happy birthday to you.=) (I haven't glanced through your LJ in a while, and I should probably just add you to my friendslist, since none of my current meatspace friends actually update their blogs anyway...)

[joyfulleigh.livejournal.com]

I agree about Obama, and I'll be voting for him on February 12th. I am angry at everyone right now, Rose. The Repubs for obvious reasons, and the Dems for not trying harder to prevent the atrocities of the last few years and for not making more of their congressional majority in this past year in particular. I don't dislike Hillary, but I associate her with the Democratic Machine. Don't get me wrong -- the Machine has its place. But I want my vote this year to send a message to my party that the status quo is not acceptable to me. I need the kind of change Obama stands for.

And the charisma doesn't hurt, either. After eight years of screaming at my television, I want someone who inspires me. Obama makes me feel good, and I think that matters in a president.

And thanks for the birthday wishes! It's a little daunting to enter a new decade, but I'm trying not to make too much of it. I don't think I'm any wiser now that I'm officially in my 30's, but I do feel like every day I give less and less of a damn what other people think of me. I'm on my way to being one of those old ladies who knows exactly who they are and speaks their mind to whomever, whenever. Can't wait to fully actualize that philosophy! :)

Not sure that my LJ is all THAT interesting, but I'd love to be considered a "friend" all the same. :) I have a feeling we'd get along well IRL.

L.

[roseneko.livejournal.com]

I agree about Hilary. I have a lot of respect for her - she's fought long and hard to get to this point - but her oft-touted "experience" is entirely within the status quo, and I am totally ready for something different. In a way, I feel sorry for her; she's spent so much time accumulating said experience, learning to play the game, and is finally ready to make her big run for President - only to find out she's waited too long, and people are so sick of this game that they're willing to follow someone who promises that he'll invent a new game with better rules. (Although I have my doubts about how different the new game will actually be; it's probably appropriate that The Who's "Won't Get Fooled Again" is playing right now. But I'd still rather vote for the ideal, even if the reality turns out to be less than promised.)

I don't blame you for being angry. I've developed a pretty comfortably hard shell around the subject of politics (see above re: growing up in strictly partisan age), and you might've noticed that even I've been jolted out of my shell enough to rant angrily from time to time. If we don't get someone in office with the strength, charisma and intelligence to turn this country around - especially in the eyes of other nations - I think this administration will be the point where historians identify the decline of America from the perch of "greatest country in the world", where we've sat basically since the end of WWII. But then, nothing lasts forever.

And I think you're right - charisma matters a lot more. People are at their happiest and most efficient when following something they believe in, which requires a leader who can make them believe in it. That's partly why I think Obama will make a good president, despite the fact that people criticise him (justifiably) for being fuzzy on specifics in his speeches - if anyone can convince America that we can be a great country again, he can.

And on the subject of aging, have you ever read Jenny Joseph's famous poem "Warning"? It's the one that starts out When I am old I shall wear purple/With a red hat that doesn't go, and doesn't suit me. (http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/warning/)" It's always been one of my favorites. =)

[joyfulleigh.livejournal.com]

I am familiar with the poem and think it describes my attitude right now quite perfectly, although I don't see myself joining the Red Hat Society. Ever.

:) L.

[roseneko.livejournal.com]

I assume that you have a reason for the second part of the statement, so I must admit to some curiousity - I know next to nothing about the Red Hat Society other than the fact of its existence.

[joyfulleigh.livejournal.com]

The Red Hat Society was started in my hometown, so I've seen groups of Red Hat ladies all over the place. Although you and I both know and love the poem of origin, I feel like it's taken on a meaning that's exactly the opposite. Suddenly seeing a woman in a purple dress and red hat is no longer a symbol of originality and self-awareness, but of conformity to some group's dress code! I'm totally turned off by that. Not to mention the actual purple/red regalia is not appealing in the least, and if I'm going to wear something "gaudy" I want it to at least be pleasing to ME!

Can you tell I was never in a sorority in college? ;)

Of course, if people find it fun and meaningful then by all means they should sign up. I'm not against it for everyone. Just for me.

L.

[roseneko.livejournal.com]

Ah, that makes sense. I do think it's funny how so many groups start out as a reaction to established norms and a means of differentiating themselves, but end up becoming so large that they become one of said norms. See: Goth subculture, Episcopal Church, etc. =D

I wasn't too into sororities, myself, but that might've been because every sorority girl I ever met was the sort who sublimated her own identity into that of the group (and was rather boring as a result). Fortunately, most of the women I've met who were sorority girls in college grew out of that.