*really* take care of yourself this week

Hey folx,

I had some grandiose plans for this blog post.

I had a few thoughts: one option was to talk about my cold last week -- how I tested negative for COVID and the precautions I take at my shop to stop the spread. Super EXCITING right?

But informative nonetheless.

The other thought was to go into my past and talk about how I got into tattoo. It's a weird story and also, I think it could be helpful to talk in depth about the bajillion (exact amount) hours I have trained and all the random techniques I have learned along the way. Again, another informative piece.

BUT...I gathered that you may be feeling like I'm feeling right now.

LIKE...incredibly irritable, on edge, a humming anxious engine just waiting, waiting, waiting until tomorrow. (Although let's be real, we probably won't know any exacts by the end of tomorrow, but I hope you get what I mean).

If you haven't gathered what I'm referring to yet, maybe you're comatosed out of preservation techniques or something...I dunno. But it's the election dude, the election is tomorrow.

There's so much I just can't understand from the other side of the political spectrum.

Members of families that prefer to protect gun rights over protecting women's rights to their bodies.

Folx preferring to continue to gaslight scientists and doctors because their individual freedoms are superior to any courtesy for the collective. And let's add that wearing masks now has this machismo taste to it, so if you comply therefore you are weak? What?

People preferring to protect the rights of embryos over fighting for living, breathing babies locked in cages at the border.

I don't get it.

I never will.

I was telling my parents last night that if roles were reversed, if Captain Orange was a democrat, I could put my political ego aside to do what's right for the collective. If Trumpet was a democrat and acted just as he is now; I would make the switch. I would look at the whole picture and do what is right for the betterment of all.

So again, I just don't get it.

On our walk this morning, I told Easton that if things go south, that moving outside of Portland for the next 4 years is not an option. And furthermore, any travel would have to be only to very liberal areas.

Life currently is incredibly unsafe, but I can't help but think that if we were anywhere outside of liberal, progressive bubbles, some sh*t could very possibly go down. That scary road thinking that someone would see my girlfriend and I, an interracial gay couple, and "teach us a lesson."

No wonder I can't sleep.

I know things are heavy right now so forgive me for adding that extra layer right there...but I wanted to share my thoughts with you.

The most important piece -- please, please take care of yourselves and each other this week. Baths, booze, chocolate cake, whatever you gotta do my friend...no judgement here.

Light some candles, say some prayers, meditate...that's all delicious too.

We'll talk soon and I have only LOVE for you. Seriously.

xo,

Emily

photo from the incomparable @beyonce