(no subject)

Would anyone on my friends list like to give a good home to any of the following:

A Colecovision video game system with controllers

An in-the-counter dishwasher (I'm told it still works)

An Amiga 2000 computer with a bunch of accesories and software

A suitcase sized hard shell plastic wheeled case (originally a travel case for a projector I think)

One or two computer monitors; 17" I think.

A touch screen LCD display (you have to remove it from the aluminum shell it's mounted in). It's about 15" I think, and requires a driver that I haven't tracked down but I think posicat has.

A small Linksys 5 port 10/100 network switch

A 286 luggable computer

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I'm going to list these on Freecycle and/or Ebay later this week too, so jump up if you'd like them.

(no subject)

I'm not sure what the perfect ending to a long day of feeling like you're getting nothing done interspersed with disagreements with one's partner would be, but what it definitely isn't is watching a documentary about people committing suicide because of out-of-control credit card debt. "What do you do when you get stuck in a depressive loop?" I asked Andrea as we were lying down for bed together.

"Sleep it off." was her response.

Hopefully if I waste half an hour or so on the internet first, I'll be tired enough to do that.

After seeing Maxed Out, I feel frustratingly, angrily, impotent; not just about the issue of debt, but about everything. More and more it becomes clear to me that 'If you're not outraged, you're not paying attention' is gospel truth, but what good does that outrage do? What the hell can I do about evil corporations, bigoted politicians, and willing abandonment of civil liberties? How can I make anything any better when I can't get organized enough to clean the litter box every day and pay my energy bill on time?

Another person whose journal I read writes letters to elected officials and other influential people on a regular basis. I've thought about doing that. I might even start when I get a few other things done. But does that even do any good either?

How much effort does one person have to expend to make a difference? Is it more than can be reconciled with a life that involves things like free time and hobbies? Is it possible to have any significant effect on public thinking, or political decision making, without spending nearly every free moment of your day engaged in knocking on doors, or arguing politics? Does even that much do any good?

I just want to make a difference. I want things to be better for people; for everyone. And I just don't know how I, or anyone, can do that. Sometimes, I don't even know how to do it for myself.

How stupidly mopey am I feeling right now? I was going to set the 'mood' for my post to depressed, but I couldn't. The thought that that little purple flower face would be there in my journal for all eternity, tears rolling down it's face, is too much to deal with.