I’ve been overwhelmed by the drama of everything lately, more than usual, more than even this new era of “normal.” The news, the internet world, the real world… everything seems to be so much. Things I’m thinking about or reading about, in no specific order because nothing seems to have order anymore:

• Roseanne being cancelled and all the internet argument and hot takes. Lots of images comparing the Roseanne’s “free speech” and NFL protests, like they are somehow equivalent in some way. Are we all hypocrites loyal to our teams?
• Pusha T and Drake are going after each other for some stupid reason. I’m team Drake, for the record, not that it matters. I don’t get why people get so wrapped up in these beefs.
• Russia is murdering people – former spies and journalists – in other countries. It makes me wonder if the USA is doing the same thing. It makes me wonder how we can even bring justice to the world.
• It is fucking hot and steamy. It’s only been 6 weeks since we had 16 inches of snow. I hate the heat. Our schools in St. Paul are not air conditioned, nor is most of the school I work in. It’s unbelievably tough to work.
• The entire Trump-Russia and Michael Cohen and Robert Mueller thing is overwhelming and increasingly difficult to follow. It’s frustrating.
• The shooter in the Stoneman Douglas (Parkland) shooting recorded videos before the incident. They were released today. I don’t know what public purpose they serve. I don’t know why we needed to almost revictimize the victims. This case also leaves me thinking about how prosecution should work in cases like this. The guy has offered to plead guilty if the death penalty is taken off the table. Would these videos have gotten out if they had just accepted that plea? I don’t know.
• The United States government has a policy of taking minor children away from parents at the border. People are coming here seeking refuge, seeking a new life. We are terrorizing them.
• There is confusion about the 1,500 missing children. Apparently they aren’t missing, because they were unaccompanied minors who were placed with family or in homes. After that, they are not tracked, which is probably a good thing – why should the government track people who are with their families? Still, it’s confusing and I am having trouble figuring out who is benefiting from which narrative. Mainly I just want people to be safe and happy.
• International relations are scary. So many things to consider, so many things to worry about.
• So, so much more.

I am overwhelmed by everything. I am having trouble disconnecting and figuring out what is substantial and what is just a spectacle. Nothing seems to be real or honest anymore, and I know that’s part of the propaganda. It’s working. I’m tired. I can’t keep up. I’m sad and angry and anxious. I’m trying to be hopeful. It’s really hard.