Hello, I blog!

When placed in the hands of the wrong person, power can wreak utter and irreversible havoc.

“He only wants to stay there for the title. He only wants to stay there for his ego. He needs to get out. He needs to do the good thing, but I don’t think he’s capable of doing a good thing.” – Murkowski

It scares me to no end how someone like Donald Trump could become president. Or how he could have even become a presidential candidate to begin with. Surely, the person who can wield absolute power over the United States of America (and indirectly, the world – heck, he can order a nuclear strike unchallenged, if he wants to) should be thoroughly screened before he takes office, doesn’t he?

So, where did all this go wrong? Apart from Donald Trump being utterly deranged, something is wrong with the process. Because there are other deranged people out there beyond Donald Trump but they are not sitting in the White House throwing tantrums and manipulating people.

Astronauts are required to go through intense psychiatric assessments – to evaluate if they have any personality disorders, their abilities to cope under pressure and work in a team, their decision making thought processes and more – before they commence their space training. I do wonder if there’s something similar in place for presidential candidates.

The damage is already done. Unfortunately, he has too much charisma (used for the wrong reasons) and has amassed a manic following. So Trumpism will remain long after he is kicked out of the White House. The damage is almost irreversible, if at all.

Ah well, these are the things where I can only sit here and ponder about the world.

I’ve been trying to consume less news because it’s been a really trying time, and it’s better for my mental health. (In fact – limiting your exposure to news is highly recommended as one way to preserve your sanity in this highly unstable world.)

But part of me is also feeling uneasy about sticking my head in the sand and pretending that everything is okay when so much shit is happening in the world – like the blatant challenge to democracy by a sitting president, the unchecked proliferation of lies and how he enabled the storming of Congress (which brings me to another question – is their security THAT bad?!).

Thank you, Twitter, Facebook and Instagram for finally shutting him up. You guys have finally come to your senses, although I cannot believe it took you this long.

Another random thought – I’m so glad to be born in 1986 where I’ve had the privilege of growing up in a relatively stable and quiet era. Today’s kids must be thinking – wow, adults are so screwed up.

Today’s world is a terrifying place to be.

1st January 2021 is just another day.

If you’re thinking how 2021 is going to be the year we can finally travel, when borders are going to reopen, when we can finally gather in large groups after the virus magically disappears overnight, sorry to be a mood dampener, but it’s just not going to happen.

While the clock strikes midnight, essential workers are still going back to their same battles. Some return for their shifts in the ICU. Others are still battling Covid-19, or have family members and friends who are battling Covid-19. Others are still mourning loved ones they’ve lost to Covid-19.

Many are still coping with disruption to their daily lives due to lockdowns and telecommuting. Some still struggle from friction after being cooped up with others in a small space. Several resume their roles delivering food, groceries and necessities like the unsung heroes they are.

If you’re out there revelling in the festivities (with safe distancing, I hope), or are safe and comfortable at home surrounded by family (like I am right now), you’re the privileged few. Remember this.

Yes, 2020 has been tough, and I agree it’s time to move on. But 2021 is not going to, and cannot start on a blank page. 2020 was just too significant (in a bad way) to simply “drop and let go”.