Ray Chill @raychill@aus.social

I never expected to do anything but share snippets of poetry on Mastodon, and occasionally engage with fun, smart, and talented individuals I've met here since occasionally dropping by over the past 4 years on another instance. Eventually maybe share photos of my crafting and beautiful surroundings.

I never imagined I would start following politics as closely as I have been recently. It always seemed like some abstract process, removed from me other than at election time.

I was too busy trying to keep myself above water. The best part about going to uni has been coming to understand the reality of structural disadvantage: I like to think I have choices, the reality is that my options are limited by systems designed to favour the wealthy. So I go to uni to learn how to dismantle the machine.

It's been a startling thing to realise I have much to say on public policy these days. I've been wondering how to present myself here - what to excise and what to showcase. I didn't know how to address the constant state of inadequacy that comes from being told I am not important, not eligible, not worthy, that I can't compete.

So what keeps me going? I know that I am capable and intelligent. I believe that people are waking up, becoming angry, demanding change. Mostly, day-to-day, I shoot for making my friends laugh, and providing a loving home to my children.

So hello, this is an #introduction of sorts, and here are some tags:
#poetry
#crochet
#art
#socialjustice
#BTPM
#auspol

Not going to lie, I’m fairly envious of @KnittingRob’s next level knitting skills. May have just been ogling all the glorious things to keep hands warm!
And finished so quickly!
In other news, I have found my long-unfinished Reyna, and it’s coming with me to the new house.

My brain is breaking. There is discussion of web browsers on the radio on a pop radio station and… I’m not sure what to do because I don’t know if I actually want to listen.

I was in the room when Tony Chor apologised. I have danced with him, and forgiven his sins. Charisma +++

Today I realised “The Castle” is well and truly a grownup film - released in 1997, it is 25 years old! #TIL

So today, I put my money where my mouth is and bet on the election. Yes, really.

I went into the poll knowing how I was going to vote in the senate. This has never happened before. I also went into the poll actually having met a couple of senate candidates. This has also never happened before. I was confident in my house of reps vote for 1 & 2, but holy wow was it a fight for who I should put last.

Shockingly, there was not a democracy sausage or baked good in sight at either primary school I attended. (I went to the second primary school to vote in search of cake after the first one failed to deliver.)

I’m making the big call. #AlbumBowl 1994: Portishead’s “Dummy”.

It’s almost 4am Sunday morning, and somehow I’m watching the Norwegian Savage Garden meets whoever did “What does the Fox Say?”