ᴀᴊ 🪦👻

A little day trip out to the coast

I'd like to put into words just how much the election results in the United States mean to me even though I’m not an American. I don't cry much, but I found, to my own surprise, that I was choking up on Tuesday night as the returns rolled in. I was born and raised in Canada, where we don’t engage in the level of overt and unabashed patriotism of our southern neighbours. In fact, while most people spoke warmly of Americans themselves, their displays of patriotism were seen to be a bit too much, too over-the-top. Garish. “Sure, we get being proud of your country but maybe just turn it down a notch, eh?” As a product of this upbringing the pomp and bombast never quite resonated with me. I would say it was corny (and honestly, I still think that can be true at times). It also can’t be overlooked that many Canadians really enjoy imagining themselves as quite similar to Americans, except just a bit more humble and polite. Oh, and with fewer guns. There is a streak of smugness and superiority in there for some, too, though they generally don’t say so in polite company. This remained my view by default for years; it was one of the many things I just accepted without really questioning it.

Me looking at that poll

The fat lady hasn't come on stage to sing yet, but we can all hear her warming up in her dressing room.