What'd Red Do This Week

Back in the habit, so let's see what I need this week, shall we?

Citizening

• Reached out to local reps about the tax plan that, SURPRISE, benefits rich people and businesses. 
• I had reached out last week about the ridiculous, stupid, and vindictive? (cos it feels vindictive) healthcare plan. While my local rep voted against it (which I mean, come on, I'm kind of responsible for) it passed the house. Now all of those who DID vote for it need to hear from everyone who is angry at that decision.

Reading

I finished The Particular Sadness of Lemon Cake and now i'm making my way through both White Trash and We Are Never Meeting in Real Life by Samantha Irby. I went on a bit of a requesting spree at Netgalley and I'm SUPER EXCITED ABOUT THIS.

Listening

I'm all caught up on My Favorite Murder which is both a pleasure and a curse so I've had to find other podcasts. Or go back to neglected ones. So I listened to a few episodes of Stuff You Missed in History Class, some Freakonomics, and then a co-worker mentioned another true crime podcast, Up and Vanished, which I've been binging on. Form pageant contestant and teacher in a small school goes missing and the case has been cold for 11 years. Yuuuup.

Watching

Still some Burn Notice, but also been going through the new Bill Nye Saves the World. Oh and Jeopardy! which I started watching again, at least when the DVR is working. Sometimes it decide that every other show will record BUT NOT THAT ONE. Rude.

What'd Red Do This Week

I know I haven't posted awhile, but I am back and let's see what I've been up to

Citizening

• It's mid-month which means donation time. This month went to the ACLU again because man, this administration is keeping them busy.
• Reached out to local reps to support Net Neutrality.
• Reached out to the chairman of the FCC to keep Net Neutrality protections in place.
• Reached out to local reps to not allow the DT admin to cause a government shut down
• Reached out to local GOP rep to continue to vote no on the AHCA

Reading

I finished up an ARC of Rich People Problems, the third book in the Crazy Rich Asians series. It was just as shallow as the others and while it had its problems, I couldn't put it down.

I picked up a copy of Nancy Isenberg's White Trash yesterday from a local indie bookstore, as part of independent bookstore day so I'm going to be starting that. And I have a copy of The Particular Sadness of Lemon Cake sitting on my shelves so I'm starting that as well.

Watching

I've been rewatching Burn Notice on Netflix which is a ridiculous but also lots of fun show about spies. And also, pretty much every time we turn it on, Tom or I quotes the SNL sketch "What Is Burn Notice?" because it's ridiculous. (I'd embed the video, but Hulu...) 

What I'm saying is, I recommend both Burn Notice and the sketch.

Let's see how this week goes

What'd Red Do This Week

I know. I didn't do much. I'm sorry. I know how important it is to not lose momentum and to not lose steam and to not get discouraged.

Even if I just want to spend my time doing this.

Citizening

• Added name to the ACLU petition that the NCAA stand strong on their promise to not hold any championship game in North Carolina until they repeal (not this change that actually didn't make anything better) for LGBT people
• And then a follow up to the head of the NCAA Mark Emmert who didn't stand strong. Thanks, guys.

Reading

I finished re-listening to Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince and am in the process of re-listening to the associated Oh Witch, Please podcast episodes. Which is an A+ way to spend time, I recommend it to everyone.

I'm also reading Chuck Wendig's Invasive which is creepy and while not my fav of his stuff, still something I have trouble putting down. 

Watching

We finished VEEP season 5 so now I am super excited for the new season, which is starting soonish. I just watched Louis CK's latest standup that's on Netflix, which made me laugh and groan in equal parts. We're also rewatching Arrested Development and I can't decide who does my favorite chicken imitation. Probably Lucille because I love everything Lucille does. 

Listening

I guess I covered this before, with Oh Witch Please. And continuing MFM and How Did This Get Made. Oh and some of the Book of Mormon soundtrack, especially "You and Me (But Mostly Me)" because my fav musical character are self-centered people trying to do right, but really just focused on themselves. (OK, so the only other example I can think of right now is Galinda with "Popular" but whatever, that's enough.) You guys are swell.

What'd Red Do This Week

I know it's late, but hey, better last than never, right? So let's do this

Citizening

• Reached out to local rep about SJ Res 34 that rolls back FCC regulations on internet privacy.
• Signed ACLU petition and Cory Booker petition about anti-immigration order. (I understand that petitions are/can be less effective than calling but in cases where it's backed by either my local rep or else a large organization, I figure I can go with those.)
• Reached out to senators about push to roll back Title X (per Planned Parenthood prompt)

Reading

Read The Stepford Wives for the first time and OMG it was excellent. Obviously I knew the general story already cos it's not a new thing but it was so much better and contemporary feeling than I thought. Now I'm reading Chuck Wendig's Invasive.

Watching

Just finished watching Captain America: Civil War and that was super swell fun times. Now we're finishing up the latest season of VEEP, which is a little depressing because it's way less of a satire than it should be.

Listening

Still more My Fav Murder (oh guess what, I get to go see them live cos Tom is an excellent birthday gift giver), still more How Did This Get Made, and I binged on S-Town the other day. 

Working Out

Well, not nothing. I managed some time on the stationary bike but that was about it. Let's see if I can do better next week. (Not that I did any today.)

What'd Red Do This Week

OK another busy week but DON'T WORRY, stuff still got done. Let's dive right in

Citizening

• Reached out again about the AHCA because OMG. I've seen the list of what it would not cover and am really curious what it WOULD include. And hey, victory there! Now we just need to make sure they don't do whatever they can to destroy ACA
• I had a legit nightmare about Gorsuch so figured I should probably reach out about him again

Reading

Read Today Will Be Different by Maria Semple which wasn't quite as good as Bernadette but Bernadette is still one of my most favorites so hey, big shoes to fill there. And I still enjoyed it. And all the Seattle talk. Now I started both The Stepford Wives by Ira Levin and Invasive by Chuck Wendig, which I did not realize is in the Zer0s series, but here we are.

Watching

More of the same. We're finally catching up on the last season of Veep which is a treasure. Right now I'm watching Shrek cos it was on TV when I turned it on and that seemed like a good enough reason. Watched some Trevor Noah stand up, some Futurama (though not super into the movies they made when they brought the series back but whatever, still love the Professor), some Bob's Burgers. T

Listening

I should drop this section cos it's nothing interesting. More My Fav Murder which I'm almost caught up on so...crap. Listened to Hamilton again. Of course. 

Working out

Since keeping track of my citizening has helped keep me going, maybe I should include workouts I do (or more recently don't do) here. I did manage to find some yoga that was similar to the classes I was taking till my gym closed for renovations almost a year ago (grrr) so I managed some of that this morning. And I'm trying to get back to doing the stationary bike. We'll see how that goes.

What'd Red Do This Week

This was a busy week so I didn't do nearly as much as I wanted to.

But let's see what I managed.

Citizening

• Reached out to my local rep (again) to vote against Trumpcare
• Made my monthly donation, this month went to Planned Parenthood again, since healthcare (or you know the decimation of it) is top of mind

Reading

I finished up Sing, Unburied, Sing by Jesmyn Ward the other day and OH MAN you guys, it was so good. Except I'm not supposed to write a review for it until we're closer to the release date, which is in September. So in the meantime, hey, it's excellent so maybe keep that in mind. I also finished Feminist Fight Club which was a good time, even if there were maybe too many puns (which, I KNOW, not a complaint I thought I'd have). Next up is Today Will Be Different by Maria Semple because Where'd You Go, Bernadette was so good.

Watching

Nothing super exciting here. Still powering through Futurama. Watching Planet Earth II. I did watch The Force Awakens and very much enjoyed it, more than the other movies (even original trilogy, sorry). Oh and there's been college basketball on but that's not really my choice and I know very little about what's actually going on. 

Listening

Same ol', same ol'. A bunch of MFM. Some How Did This Get Made. I may start Last Podcast on the Left soon, per a coworker's recommendation. I shall also be avoiding Sword and Scale per multiple coworkers' recommendations that everyone should stay away from this lest they get nightmares. 

What'd Red Do This Week

I may be fighting a massive headache now, but that didn't stop me from getting stuff done this week and then posting about it here.

Citizening
I didn't do quite as much as I was hoping but I still got some stuff done.

• Reached out to local rep to support HR 111, the resolution to look into Trump's conflicts of interest (biz & Russia)
• Reached out to local rep to urge him to put actions behind his words that he does not stand for the anti-semitic attacks happening across the country to actually DO something about it, including pushing back against the statement that the attacks are actually being committed by Jewish people and/or democrats to to "make others look bad". 
• Contacted local reps again about Russia, especially after the news that Sessions met with Russian ambassador twice during the campaign AND THEN LIED ABOUT IT. (I reached out pre-recusal and plan to continue to push for resignation and keeping pushing for investigations.)

Reading

I just finished up Between the World and Me by Ta-Nehisi Coates that a coworker lent me and am working on Sing, Unburied, Sing by Jesmyn Ward. And I just picked up a copy of Feminist Fight Club on sale, which is exciting.

Watching

Saw Hidden Figures for a work screening, which was pretty swell. The black employee network set it up and yes, while I realize I am not a black employee it was (of course) open to whomever wanted to attend. And they did a panel that my boss was part of after talking about the movie and women in STEM and POC and WOC and that was cool stuff. Coincidentally I was also meeting with my book club this week to discuss the book Hidden Figures so what good timing.

I've also started watching a bunch of standup on Netflix. I used to watch all the standup shows (Comedy Central Presents, Premium Blend, whatever specials) and not sure why it's taken be so long to embrace all of the stand up on Netflix but I am and that's fun.

Listening

Same ol' ALTHOUGH How Did This Get Made just did an episode about Surf Ninjas and since that TERRIBLE movie has a special place in my heart (and I'm sure the taped-off-TV copy we had is in a basement somewhere along with the Three Ninjas saga) I was extra excited, even if June and Jason weren't there for the episode.

What'd Red Do This Week

At some point, I'm going to quit being impressed with myself by actually getting this posted. Not yet, so GOOD JOB, ME!

So let's see what I got up to this week:

Citizening

• Reached out to local reps and Sessions to support Title IX and help protect transgender students
• Reached out to local rep to thank him for actually showing up to a Town Hall (which I couldn't make), for saying he would stand up and push for independent investigation into Russian connections, support the free press, and stand up against the crazy spending from the Pres, while also sort of reminding that we would be watching to make sure he actually does these things.
• Watched the next Town Hall (because there were so many people they had to have two). There was lots of yelling from the audience, some good stuff from the Congressman, some less good.
• Booker signed a letter along with other senators about an investigation into the Russian connections, but since Menendez didn't, I contact him again about supporting these efforts.
• Reached out to local reps to push back against the White House's press ban and general rhetoric about fake news

Reading

Just finished up The Misadventures of Awkward Black Girl, still listening to Order of the Phoenix (I seriously may re-listen and then do my own readalong about it, because OMG I want to discuss the stupidest smallest details as well as bigger things such as Ron being swell), and going to start Between the World and Me that a co-worker is lending me.

Watching

Work is hosting a private screening of Hidden Figures along with a panel discussion about the importance of STEM, and I am PRETTY EXCITED about that. Otherwise, it's the usual stuff. I have sort of soured on The League in its last season(s). I've learned that where I have trouble DNF-ing books, I am 100% cool with dropping a TV show the second it no longer interests me. So while I'm cool stopping right now, we're still finishing it cos Tom is a completionist. I also watched the first episode of The Santa Clarita Diet and I am undecided if I'll watch anymore. I didn't hate it, and I am a FAN of most of the cast, but eh.

Listening

I essentially keep going back and forth between My Favorite Murder and the Moana soundtrack, which makes for strange bedfellows, but there you go.

What Red Did This Week

Look at this, three weeks in a row. Oh man, that's pretty impressive, me.

This time it's even on the right day. (Right date = the day I planned on posting this).

Citizening

• Reached out to White House (per ACLU reco) about the leaked Executive Order that would allow people to discriminate basically against anyone not white, Christian and straight
• Reached out to local reps about concerns about the ongoing news of the Administration's ties to Russia because OMG YOU GUYS
• Reached out to my local rep about the amount of money Drumpf is costing taxpayers, because the terrible things coming out of the administration spans all topics, and since my local rep is a Republican, I figure this is something that will appeal to that side. Also WTF STOOOOOP
• It's the middle of Feb, so I made my monthly donation, this time to the Southern Poverty Law Center.

Reading

I finished up Hidden Figures by Margot Lee Shetterly and am just about done with All Our Wrong Todays by Elan Mastai and deciding what to start next (Do I read The Misadventures of an Awkward Black Girl by Issa Rae? Sing, Unburied, Sing by Jesmyn Ward? Invasive by Chuck Wendig? Something else entirely?) I'm also still listening to Order of the Phoenix but for some reason chapters 11-14 are not loading properly, which is a PAIN.

Podcasting

Still more of the same (My Fav Murder, How Did This Get Made?, Oh Witch Please). I haven't started it yet, but I did subscribe to the podcast Can He Do That? which is from the Washington Post about Tr*mp. I haven't listened yet because for the most part podcasts are my lighthearted escape (yes, even when I listen to Stuff You Missed in History or Freakonomics or Serial) and this just seems like it will be a stress causer. BUT it also seems like something I should know about.

Also, I was listening to My Fav Murder at work when someone snuck up on me and asked what I was listening to. Since he caught me off guard I didn't think to make up something else and just sheepishly said "Oh, um, well, it's My Favorite Murder. So. Yeah." Luckily he was fairly cool with this and we talked about some other podcasts and I didn't get an email for HR or something. 

Listening

As I predicted last week, I'd probably spend the week listening to the Book of Mormon soundtrack and yup, that's what I did. Current fav song from the show, "You and Me (But Mostly Me)" because I heart songs by pompous people (What's up, "Popular" from Wicked.)

What Red Did This Week, again!

Alright, hey, another week and I'm still trying this whole "weekly wrap up but mostly let's keep myself accountable for this activism stuff". Except clearly I'm a bit late with this. It was a busy weekend full of sports (both basketball and hockey), multiple bar stops, and The Book of Mormon. Which was ALL KINDS of fun, but did not actually leave me time to write this. Or get to a computer in general.

I did manage to get pictures of some amazing paintings of possessed demon animals from one of the bars we were at. This is but a small fraction of what they had and I loved them all.

Anyway, let's see where we are

Citizening
I am discussing with a friend if it makes sense/is worth it to email reps to say "Thank you for fighting against everything that's terrible right now." It seems like good thing and especially where I figure they're getting a lot of crap, maybe hearing "Thank you" would be nice. Or maybe it's just something that basically gets ignored cos there are a billion other things they're doing. But anyway, my senators voted against both Devos and Sessions, so thanks guys. I've also reached out about Bannon being added to the NSC. And I reached about about the Extreme Vetting EO (again) because it's awful and let's keep that one top of mind. There's a town hall meeting coming up soon but unfortunately I am not around that night (though I am debating changing some plans around).
Since I need lots of help with this whole citizening stuff, I've got a couple resources.
The first is It's Time to Fight which Sarah shared and is SUPER helpful.
The next is Indivisible: A Practical Guide for Resisting the Trump Agenda which I am newer to but am looking forward

Also this isn't really citizening I guess but Cory Booker has a book club and since I am clearly a FAN of reading, this was pretty exciting. They're doing a FB Live event tomorrow for it and since the first book is one I have already read, The Sixth Extinction, I shall try and watch it.

Reading
Still reading Hidden Figures and finished Goblet of Fire so I'm about to start Order of the Phoenix but this is around the time it is hard for me to keep going. But I shall push through!

Podcasting
More of the same. More Oh Witch Please. More My Favorite Murder. A little bit of How Did This Get Made. This section is gonna get old real quick. (Except you should prob listen to all of these cos they are pretty fun.)

Listening
I probably won't do much of this topic either, since I am boring and this doesn't change much. I was listening to Hamilton while walking around the city this weekend and decided, I've probably listened to this enough, perhaps I should mix things up. At which point I put on The Hamilton Mixtape because I'm good at stuff. Since we saw Book of Mormon I'll probably listen to that soundtrack  few times this week.

What Red Did This Week

I've tried to do these type of "what'd I do this week" weekly wrap up type posts (like Sarah always does and they're swell) but it takes a lot of effort to get 2 normal things posted during the week so thus far this weekly post deal hasn't happened yet. But now I have something I want to accomplish. And that is being held accountable for calling my reps because everything is terrifying and as much as I hate making calls, I hate the direction things seem to be going and I can't look myself in the eye if I don't do something. That and when I do make these calls, I want credit because I am pathetic and need adulation and approval.

So how'd I do this week?

Citizening
Thanks in large part to Sarah, mentioned above, and my friend who actually works in politics, I have gotten some excellent advice and pointed to some great resources and so I called my rep and both senators because the whole nonsense Muslim ban and the Gorsuch nomination and H.R. 7 and H.R. 490 (both measures to make it near impossible to get abortions). SURE, I didn't get through to anyone on the first try, but I left messages and sent follow up emails and signed up for everyone's newsletters to stay on the front line for what they're doing. I also set up a spreadsheet (cos I am stupid nerdy and lurve me a spreadsheet) so I can keep track of what I have done and what I want to do.

I've also started donating since the election, each month to a different charity. So far I've given to the ACLU, Planned Parenthood, and the Human Rights Campaign and am in the process of deciding what charity to give to in February, so if you have good recommendations, please send them my way.

Reading
Making my way through Hidden Figures as part of book club and listening to Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire audiobook. I'm also currently watching Goblet of Fire because it's a weekend so naturally Freeform is running an HP marathon.

Podcasting
When I haven't been listening to HP I've been doing podcasts. This week it's been My Favorite Murder. I need to stop subscribing to podcasts so the newest episodes download, since I instead have a habit of listening to ALL the back episodes

Watching
The League which I am enjoying despite some problems I may have with it (like, you know, the female representation). By the way, I am TERRIBLE at watching shows when they first come out. Not for any good reason. I guess stubbornness? Like, don't tell me what to do, even if that thing is watching something awesome.

So, let's see if I can keep this up. (Weekly writing more than citizening. I better be able to manage the citizening.)