Bookish Jen

I know! I took a look at that commercial, and thought to myself, "I think I need to leave the room."

Campaign merch like hats, t-shirts, etc.? Sure. But I've never seen any President hawk tacky shit like bibles, sneakers, fake money, cologne, etc. But Trump could sell a jar of his farts, and the MAGA crowd would buy them...and then complain about not being able to buy gas and eggs. And I can't link from my phone, but apparently Brett Ratner is making a documentary about Melania Trump for Amazon Prime. Excuse, but what has Melania Trump done to warrant a documentary?

Metaphor for 2025, and maybe the next four years?

I'm currently reading the novel "Under the Influence" by Noelle Crooks. It's about a young woman named Harper Cruz who leaves NYC for Nashville to work for a major influencer named Charlotte Green. Charlotte Green is one of those "you go, girl" boss babe types with a huge devoted following and whose workplace is quite cult like and dysfunctional. At this point, Harper is kind of seeing how thinks aren't so rosy with her job and Charlotte. Apparently, Crooks used to work for influencer Rachel Hollis. I'm not too familiar with Hollis, but what I've heard of her hasn't been too positive. So if this book is based on Rachel, well, oh boy! Charlotte/Rachel is completely off the rails. But at least readers get an entertaining book out of it.

My sister and her family are driving in from Kansas City so we're not celebrating Christmas until the 29th (and watching the Packers). So tomorrow, I'm going to make lunch my main Christmas meal (turkey, mashed potatoes, gravy, and then a slice of cheesecake for dessert). After that, I'm going to gym, and because it's the first night of Hanukkah, I'm going to have latkes for dinner (or as my shiksa Catholic mother called them, potato pancakes). Of course, I'll call my loved ones to wish them a "Merry Christmas." I don't mind spending the actual holiday alone. I used to work in retail, and all I wanted to do was hide under the covers on Christmas Eve night and Christmas Day to decompress.

It's been over a month since Cheeto Mussolini was elected, and I'm still so numb. I worry so much what another Trump regime will bring us (nothing good). During his first regime, Trump didn't seem to be surrounded by so many sycophants. But this time? It's truly scary how unqualified his inner circle is. RFK, Jr. wanting the FDA to revoke approval for the polio vaccine? Shudder. We really are in a world of Idiocracy, and unlike the movie, it's about as funny as a stroke. I'm not looking forward to the next four years...

Was it Seamus? There were so many Schementis at Melissa's house, I couldn't keep track of them.

Heck, they'll blame Obama's tan suit.

Good. Now let all the Trumpers' heads explode.

I guess they can dish it out, but they can't take it. I've had a lot of them call me horrible names and accuse me of horrible things (one just called me a pedophile) on social media, but if I just disagree with them or agree with someone who disagrees with them, they get all huffy and claim they are being persecuted. It's crazy. I was just thinking that the upcoming inauguration is on MLK, Jr day (oh, the irony). If Kamala Harris would have won, I would have watched the swearing in while wearing my Chucks and pearls and enjoying a glass or two of prosecco. But because Cheeto Mussolini is being sworn in that day, I refuse to watch it. I'm going to look for volunteer opportunities that day. I've been wanting to get back into volunteering for some time now.

I wish I could like this post a million times.

I'm finishing up "The Nutcracker Chronicles: A Fairytale Memoir" by Janine Kovac. I was able to interview Ms. Kovac for my blog and she sent me an advanced copy of her book to review for my blog. It's about her life as a ballet dancer and her involvement with the iconic Nutcracker ballet. She also connects this with her life as a girl, growing up, marriage, raising children, and working outside of the world of dance. I really like it. It's very charming.

I agree with what's been mentioned upward about this thread. I'm so glad it's here, and I hope it continues. This thread has truly been a healing balm during a very difficult time. And I'm glad we can talk about the election, politics, and social issues without ripping each other apart. It's been nearly three weeks since the election, yet it seems like three years. I'm still so numb, hoping to wake up from the nightmare of the upcoming Trump presidency. And with his cabinet picks, I'm afraid our world will become a mix of Idiocracy, Mad Max, The Handmaid's Tale, and Dr. Strangelove. At this point, I try to stay positive. I still have my job, though I live in fear I might get laid off and I will have difficulty finding a new one. I worry about the prices of everyday items going up. Already, I'm figuring out ways to cut back. I probably won't go all out for Christmas, and any idea of indulging in a little fun or self-care will be put on the back burner. And on top of that, I got a whopper of a cold and was feeling really low for over a week. Yesterday, was the first day I went to the gym in quite a while. I just didn't have the energy to workout. And working out is like therapy for me. I truly need it. Also, because I'm a glutton for punishment, I decided to get into the MAGA mind and checked out the book "Domestic Extremist: A Practical Guide to Winning the Culture War" by a woman named Peachy Keenan (yes, that's a pseudonym). Despite living what she considers an ideal enviable life (she's a SAHM of five, whose husband makes enough money to support them living in the LA area while she writes her right wing screeds), her book is just one grievance right another. And she takes endless snot-nosed mean girl swipes at feminists, the LGBTQ community, pant-suited girl bosses, single women, people with no children or small families, etc. I'm like, "Get off the cross, lady. We need the wood." Well, I can't wait to write a scathing review of her book for my blog.

I get to listen to podcasts while on the clock as long as I wear my ear buds.

The United States is becoming a scary a dangerous combination of Handmaid's Tale, Idiocracy, and Mad Max.