November

[raven]

I'm having a bad few days, mental-health wise. After a week or so on the up, I then decided that sleeping eighteen hours out of every twenty-four was quite, quite reasonable. In the words of my favourite author, if I did sleep any more, I might as well be dead and save on my board and lodging. When awake, I have been grumpy and entirely unable to get anything done. It's been... special. Still taking my pills, of course. I continue to be therapied at. I wish the sun would come back, that would help. Last night I tried to cheer myself up by trying something new with my eye glitter. This time, liquid metallic green with a layer of green glitter with a touch of silver on top of that. It worked, but I might not wear it anywhere but to a Hallowe'en party.

Anyway. Tuesday, November 4th. I'm looking forward to it. I really, really am. Because, well, I don't think that Barack Obama is the messiah. I don't think he's going to change the world forever. But I think he's a nice chap with a good sense of humour, with sensible policies, who inhaled in college (that was the point) and has kids who make fun of his pants. And when he speaks, he gives the impression of being intelligent, witty and charismatic. That's... that's great. I can go with that. I can endorse this whole-heartedly. I wish I could vote for him, but I can't, and I wish I could donate money to his campaign, but I can't. I can, however, sit up all night on Tuesday and drink. This is what I plan to do.

(In the meantime, John McCain is aware of the internet.)

In the meantime, it's cold and wet and cold again. It's November, I guess. Still here.

Despite the gloom, though, it has been a good and robust day for democracy as an abstract concept, which is actually what I meant to make this post about before my brain abruptly went south for the winter. This morning at half eleven shimgray and I were woken by the local councillors, who wished to know our opinions on the local council and its many achievements, and to leave behind a leaflet about their surgery. ("Bob and Oscar's Rolling Surgery" - srsly. I am not making that up. The leaflet has a picture of them being cheery. It's all very English.

(The thing is, though, I couldn't actually think of something I wanted to complain to the council about. The bin men come regularly and recycle. The roads are well-lit. The speed limits are low enough to make life easy for cyclists. The leaves are swept by small men on comically enormous blowing machines. It's as though... stuff gets done. My council wants to know my opinion, and I can't think of anything because I think it's doing pretty well. I think this is definitely a sign of a healthy democracy.)

Also, yesterday I found out that Sefton Council want to know if I wish to vote in Sefton. I'm a little torn on this issue - I am quite fond of Sefton Council, as they are cheerfully hung between Labour and the Lib Dems and accordingly also get a lot done. I don't know. Local government is usually unexciting, but it's a nice thing to wake up on a Sunday morning and be reminded that I'm a citizen. I'm still amazed at the concept of democracy, don't mind me. Am reading The White Tiger at the moment, the Booker Prize winner, and thus feel bound to qualify that: legitimate democracy, it's really great.

The day has been spent, also, watching The West Wing and avoiding an essay on EU preliminary ruling procedure. I like uncodified constitutions and the common law, I like being part of a system from within; I was never quite sold on the concept of political science, despite studying it for three years, because structural and constructivist political analysis is rigorous and academic but... dry. It has no style and no ticker tape and wet mornings waving placards and rosettes, it deliberately avoids telling you that you are an ordinary person in an ordinary place and you matter. Which is well and good and exactly how it ought to be, but makes me glad I'm now within and not without. Woman is by nature a political animal, I guess.

I would be a bad feminist if I had uncritical faith in the liberal democratic system, and a muddy thinker, too - but I kind of think that there are times and places for considered debate, and other times for sitting back and thinking oh wow, we made this.^[1]

---

[1] yes we could.

Comments

[thistlerose.livejournal.com]

I really like Obama, but I don't think he's the messiah either. Nor do I think I'd want a messiah for my president. He's intelligent, compassionate, aware of his strengths and limitations, and willing to ask questions if he doesn't know the answer. He'll represent this country well, I think. After eight years of that crass idiot Bush, that's something we desperately need. I really think Obama wants to earn back the good will of the rest of the world, and I think he can do it. At any rate, he 's much, much more likely than McCain, who can't even be courteous to our allies!

[loneraven.livejournal.com]

I like him, too. And you know, a US presidential candidate whom I like, rather than despise or tolerate, is kind of awesome.

[deathbyshinies.livejournal.com]

I'm glad you're still here! And also am really sorry about not getting in touch with you re: coffee - as you might have gathered, my professional life has kinda gone splodey (in a very positive, but rather time-consuming way!) over the last week :D

Let me know when you have spare time again? I understand if it's not for a while :)

[loneraven.livejournal.com]

I'm still here! I have spare time... sometimes. When you're free, do let me know, and I will arrange something. :)

[emily-shore.livejournal.com]

*hugs*

I will be thinking of you and doing some volunteering on your behalf. Take care of yourself...

[loneraven.livejournal.com]

You too. :) Happy election day!

[gamesiplay.livejournal.com]

How is The White Tiger? I hear good things but probably won't get around to actually reading it for years, as I am staunchly working my way through the Bookers from... the beginning. 1969 is pretty far from 2008, who'da thought.

and other times for sitting back and thinking oh wow, we made this.

YES. Yes, this. Beautifully put.

I can, however, sit up all night on Tuesday and drink. This is what I plan to do.

GOD, CAN I COME PLEASE? This is allll I want to do this Tuesday night, and I can't. WHAT ELSE IS DEMOCRACY FOR???

[loneraven.livejournal.com]

I'm about halfway through and am enjoying it, so far. It's not a long book, so definitely worth looking at, it won't take you more than a couple of hours.

OF COURSE YOU CAN. I mean, dude. Hop on that plane right now and you'll make it in time. :)

[hips-lips-tits.livejournal.com]

i will be at work on tuesday nite. which is the absolute perfect place for me to to be, i think, since i have more or less promised that if mccain wins i will most definitely off myself. i don't think there's really any hope after that. not by a long shot.

(i work in a mental health crisis unit, if you didn't know. if people say things like 'I'M GOING TO KILL MYSELF' then the cops write up some paperwork, bring them there, and we hold them for 72 hours. i told my mother today that i am just going to go ahead and pack a bag to take with me, because if mccain wins i am going to slit my wrists with my voter registration card.)

[loneraven.livejournal.com]

Oh, honey, you cracked me up. I'm hoping and praying that there will be no need for bloodshed by voter registration card!

[jacinthsong.livejournal.com]

(In the meantime, John McCain is aware of the internet.)
Yeah...it's that thing Al Gore said he invented, right?

[loneraven.livejournal.com]

Oh, Al Gore. I still feel bad for him even now.

just-discovered-your-DW reply

[brainwane]

So I am super American and I am curious about what you mean when you say

I like uncodified constitutions and the common law, I like being part of a system from within

The first time I learned that the UK doesn't have what I think of as a constitution, my brain rebelled, and I am still cautious when thinking about it. I would love if you would expand on this.