Its been ten years and nothing's changed - yes it has - for the worse

I was lying in Sheana's Yin Yoga class that she was doing online in her apartment; Noe Valley in SF. I was relaxed in some twisted posture and looked out to the sky, through her super old windows, that the super old landlady doesn't want to replace. I saw an Om symbol at first and then it started looking like Arabic writing, in the sky, it was beautiful; its gotta be cold up there, over SF, in August.

Today I just wrote my religious exemption for the Covid vaccine, the first one, since I'm sure by the time someone reads this there will be many iterations. So much reading, panic, fear, stress, from this last year. Relationships lost - just like in '16 when Trump got elected - so similar. I can't help draw those parallels, since it feels the same. One side just ignoring common sense and now I'm "on the side" of many Republicans who I thought were bonkers; they probably still are, but we agree that we do not want an authoritarian government. Definitely the first time I ever considered moving to Florida or Texas. Maybe the Dakotas, where they let all their old people die from the start, but they're doing great now! Wonder if the same was true with Sweden, where they haven't done much, but I assume their frail population was more protected somehow. Maybe all those gun-tottin' douches were coming upstairs in their parents house and infecting everyone, when needing a break from their video games, or video porn; who knows.

Here I am, balancing it all, still working, exercising, writing my friends in Denmark, Colorado; don't even know if I know anyone in New York who isn't vaccinated. They all are, even the kids. It's heart breaking, judging from what experts have been saying from the start, and are now saying with more definitive stats and research results. Iceland coming out and saying vaccines have minimal efficacy at this point and that it's the vaccinated getting sick, Israel, same thing. It's game over - so hard to remain optimistic - and I just found out today that Bill Gates' dad was a eugenicist! Holy crap. If nothing else, I'm learning more about this country's sick history. And right on cue, my sister writes me about a Newsweek article stating that a "Doomsday" variant is coming; what a joke.

"...and that has made all the Difference" (i.e., What can I do?)

My first entry notes on an idea for a handbook/pamphlet on how to grasp and/or tackle the sad state of affairs that the U.S., and as a result, the rest of the world finds themselves in (e.g., economically, socially, politically).

How to perform the basics in life, while "boycotting"/not-supporting those that do harm to the world, and continue to perpetrate destructive unhealthy legislation and practices.

Shopping: Don't buy what they're yelling/selling. How does your food taste really? Don't forget to compare it to the real thing every now and then. Shopping guides that point out non GMOs.

Saving & investing: Move your money (i.e. credit unions)

Don't believe the hype: Please don't fall for the scare-tactics and heckling about endangering business or the economy by living on your own terms - you could never do as much damage to the economy and laws that has already been done - be brave, courageous and radical; you'll probably discover that what you end up with are your very own unalienable rights (i.e., "Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness") (see US Constitution: http://www.usconstitution.net/declar.html), and these unalienable rights are "...not contingent upon the laws, customs, or beliefs of any particular culture or government")

Your attitude and practices to maintain serenity/spiritual fitness: Helping others (see the documentary Quantum Activist)

Maintaining physical fitness/overall health

Working: Who and what are you working for on a daily basis (at least send their money to a good place)?

Where to live: Scandinavia, EU, liberal cities, cooperatives, transition towns (see Totnes)

Get organized: Unions are busted, but get with those that can be trusted (e.g., action networks)

Get real: Do you believe in change - that it's possible - even for yourself? Do you want it bad enough? Rocky I style - let's keep it simple - back to basics (see Zeitgeist for the run-down and exciting proposals for alternative styles of governing/living); we can most definitely do better for ourselves and Mother Earth.

Compare and despair: "What you resists, persists", so don't fret, but living in a suppressive/stressed environment can give you tunnel vision, so here are some things to look forward to - freedom's just another word for something else you choose ;o)