56. On fictional virtual cities

Things are looking a little different today.

Like everyone I know, we anxiously awaited the US election results, constantly refreshing web pages with the tabulations as they came in. Outside all of the noise, this is yet again the demonstration of the importance of on the ground activism, collation building, and the mobilization of those coalitions. My friends in the US have been especially happy after a very tough four years. Although the work of social change is never going to be over, there needs to be time for a moment to pause and exhale. Maybe we aren’t quite there yet.

But back here and in the local neighborhood, it is like a new Melbourne - coming out of 100+ days of lockdown. I had expected the city streets to be very quiet still but there’s quite a buzz on them. And the cafe strip near us is almost back to ‘normal’, except for the ‘for lease’ signs. I don’t expect it to last but the vibe and energy this week - coming out of lockdown is notable. I live in  with the highest economic impact, largely a result of the number of neighbors employed in arts, culture, hospitality. For those friends overseas going into another lockdown, I don’t quite know what to say.