“It makes me feel really stupid, I have a very hard time comprehending it.” “It makes me feel bad. I feel less intelligent.” “I just get frustrated.” When I…
The grand reopening edition
At some point during this crisis I sort of forgot things were generally closed around the state; malls, theaters, that sort of thing made sense, but I also forgot even…
Tom Nook is not your friend: debt, peonage and tarantulas
It was kind of a lucky break for Nintendo to release Animal Crossing: New Horizons when it did. With COVID-19 raging and the world succumbing to a decided lack of…
Have You Heard: the no more meat edition
In general, I would consider a pandemic to be the kind of situation where you just kind of let things go and adapt, but there are a lot of things…
The “yep, still at home” edition
The worst part of this whole quarantine, I think, is the fact you have to stare at all these massive projects in your residence that you’d totally do if you…
Government small enough to die of COVID-19
I want to go back to the pre-Trump days and argue a long-standing point of political philosophy: the cherished Republican ideal of small government. Remember when Grover Norquist said, “I…
The return to normal
As locales like Georgia and Las Vegas rush to open the doors to their businesses during this pandemic, Oregon and Washington remain wary. Although normal might mean getting a haircut…
The benefits of being a registered independent
When Senator Bernie Sanders dropped out of the 2020 United States Presidential Race on April 8, the fallout was palpable, especially among those who identify as independent. Many of Sanders’…
Have You Heard: The Stuck At Home Edition
At somewhere around week three of sheltering in place, or whatever we’re calling it these days, I began to have bad insomnia. Now, when you have a traumatic brain injury,…
Have You Heard: The “I’m Sorry, What?” Edition
I don’t know what to say to y’all right now except I’m so, so sorry we’re all locked inside or working in an essential position, our hobbies and socializing on…
Have You Heard: The Work From Home Edition
There’s a certain amount of frustration that comes out of being locked inside for weeks. It’s that specific cluster of anxieties, boredom and just general malaise. It’s like you are…