(no subject)

The 2016 election has really messed with my sense of civics.

I am not a fan of popular elections. What's popular isn't always right. I also believe the voice of the little guy often gets drowned out. It's why I have always been happy with the election process we have up to now: It allows for larger states to NOT dominate elections, and the Electoral College to make sure that we don't fuck up as a nation electing nonqualified people to office.

But this year...it all worked as it should...against everything I believe in.

While I have my issues with the winner takes all aspect of assigning electors, I have been okay with the electoral college apportioning of votes. It keeps California and/or Texas from dictating the election at the expense of a Wyoming or Rhode Island.

But in this case, it got Trump elected.

But that's okay - because the electoral college is supposed to keep that from happening. I knew Republican pledged electors wouldn't vote for Clinton, but they should have at least not voted for Trump. And yet they did. In fact, only two Republican Electors voted for someone other than Trump (and a few more WANTED to, but were replaced)...but five decided not to vote for Clinton.

And in this case, it got Trump elected.

It's like the process worked...but it was PLAYED. Played like a violin.

I've never trusted politicians. Anyone who seeks the kind of power politics affords immediately loses my trust. But this...I've tried to wrap my brain around some of the logic behind what I see in politics...and it's gone from "Trying to govern the people fairly" to "My way is the only way." Two big parties (although mostly ONE big party) throwing tantrums to get their way, and the people in the middle losing out.

I really fear for the future of America. The processes are being played, the politicians are playing it, and the uneducated electorate is eating it up.

(no subject)

The 2016 One Sentence Year in Review:

Greater than the death of flesh is the death of hope, the death of dreams...and against this peril we can never surrender.

The future is all around us, waiting, in moments of transition, to be born in moments of revelation. No one knows the shape of that future or where it will take us. We know only that it is always born in pain.

2015: ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
2014: Sometimes, by losing a battle, you find a new way to win the war.
2013: All changes, even the most longed for, have their melancholy; for what we leave behind us is a part of ourselves; we must die to one life before we can enter another.
2012: Here at last, on the shores of the sea, comes the end of our Fellowship.
2011: Seeking to forget makes exile all the longer; the secret of redemption lies in remembrance.
2010: Sometimes life has a way of moving you past wants and hopes.
2009: FINEST K.O....YOU LOSE.
2008: Jump...Jump now!
2007: Darkness was upon the face of the deep, and the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters.
2006: The show must go on.
2005: What to have, what to hold: A poor man's roses, or a rich man's gold.
2004: You like me! You really like me!
2003: Once more...with feeling!
2002: Wow...that could have gone better.
2001: I hope you die and get ate by worms, Milkman Dan.

(no subject)

I was ill, I couldn't really go out, let's listen to shortwave. Here are today's contacts. New ones in green (well, not WWV, I've been getting WWV for a LONG time, I just now decided to add it).

(no subject)

At the beginning of 2016, I made two New Year's resolutions. For the most part, I kept both.

The first, we'll, that one was private, and I'm happy to say I followed through with it just fine.

The second was to treat the comics as my Second Job. I'm glad to say that up to the election, it worked fine. In fact, I'm likely going to have to pay taxes on my earnings on the comics this year. Unfortunately, after the election, my mood tanked, and I haven't drawn since.

Something I have done is start streaming regularly, even though it's mostly gaming streaming. IT gives me something to do when I can't draw.

So new, resolution? Get back to drawing as my Second Job. Work the streaming into that somehow, so I have content every week at least. I can't really promote my Patreon while game streaming, if the CONTENT is there, I can push the comics during it.

But first, get over this flu!

(no subject)

2016 has been a disaster equal to 2001 for me. 2001 had a few instances of Very Bad moments. But 2016 has had a lot of small incidents that went badly.

But there was one major spotlight in 2016 I can't go without mentioning: The new position at work.

Having my own team at work is something I'd been pushing for since almost the day I got to Nintendo. While there was some hesitation once it's was finally offered, taking it has been an eye opening, and a very very very good, experience. It may be temporary, but I'm hoping, it'll be permanent in the near future.

I'd like to thank Chris who, I believe, was instrumental in getting me that position by having me run our department for a few days earlier in the year.

And, for everyone I've ever reported to over the years? I'm sorry for everything. I'm so so so sorry. :D