Stood up

So I was supposed to go out on a (1st) date today, but apparently she was devastated after learning that she will be laid off from her job. She was there for 8 years. I feel bad for her... although I don't know her very well, she seems like someone who thrives on being busy. Of course I will sound like an asshole for saying this, but I preface this empathy with the hesitant assumption of honestly. My gut says that she is being honest and wants to hang out again, but I will watch basketball and make breakfast tacos in the meantime.

On another entirely different note, the prospect of Donald Trump running for President is frightening. Although he fits very familiar prerequisites: white, rich, maniacal, and outright imperialistic... there's another quality that makes especially sad if he continues this bid. If he gets a nomination or even a "good" run at the thing, we will reach a point of "no return" where manufactured entertainment controls nearly every aspect of our lives. We already see the immense influence it has on our culture, social interactions, and the economy and we will soon witness the political power of star appeal and incessant visibility. Never mind his DIRECT call to invade Libya for oil or his history of displacing poor, working folks from their housing or calling Obama an African Muslim (he doesn't like ANY shade of brown, does he?), most white politicians probably don't disagree with him off-the record, but what he has clearly demonstrated is that our political system is not just broken, it's a fucking joke. It's a playground for the rich and mentally ill.
But of course, despite the overwhelming pessimism of today's times, the real work always comes from the bottom. You keep your ear to the street and you might hear the train comin'. If not, build the train, right?