We’re too many days to count into Oregon’s stay-at-home order, and it’s impossible to ignore the tedious normalcy of this new largely isolated existence. Every day, I check the Coronavirus Dashboard and the Oregon Health Authority’s statistics (today, we are up to nearly 1.2 million cases worldwide, which includes over 300,000 in the U.S. and…
Author: nitahaley
Mom, wife, attorney, writer, and social justice activist.
Corona Mania
Two weeks ago I could not have imagined the prevalence of the following concepts disrupting our daily lives: Social Distancing School Closures/Home Schooling Cancelled St. Patrick’s Day Celebrations and Gigs Building Closed/Mandatory Tele-work Lock-Downs Curfews Elbow Bumps Toilet Paper Hoarding Test shortages Presumed Positive Flattening the curve Respirator Shortage Restaurants Closed Gyms Closed Cinemas/Theaters Closed…
Rat Race Beat Down
It’s been many moons since I have felt so grossly over-promised, recklessly misled, and genuinely mind-fucked in the workplace. Today marks 5 years, 10 months, and 21 days since my tenure commenced as a contract paralegal for the Bonneville Power Administration (a sub-agency of the Department of Energy, an agency of the executive branch previously…
The Tale of Two Cities – in One Portland
While I spent my last local-life-in-Portland weekend indulging in multiple live music performances (Cary played Friday night at T.C. O’Leary’s; Kathryn Clare rocked the Old Church to honor her newest album release) among heart felt tunes, solid food, stiff drinks, and lovely friends, another Portland community was grieving the tragic death of yet another one…
Impeachment Fatigue
This week was a grueling one – a house guest I avoided as much as possible while trying to not appear overtly rude (I hope I was able to achieve that – I did not elicit feedback), job interviews and a skills assessment, and an historic impeachment trial I couldn’t turn away from (is it…
Unwanted House Guest
Yes, I feel like an extreme bitch for suggesting that I – a privileged, educated and employed, home-owning woman – believe such a thing as an unwanted house guest exists. But in my world it, perhaps more accurately he, does. The embodiment of this nuisance is no stranger to me. He stayed with us in…
Rite Aid Counter Encounter
Last night, I made a routine stop at our neighborhood Rite Aid – my common go-to for Busch Light. (Don’t judge. How can I resist an 18-pack of tall boys for the smashing value of $13.99? That’s equivalent to a case of beer for less than $15. Drink up. Revel in the savings and financial…
Pocket Poetry: Busch Light Budget
I am a Busch Light budget with a gilded heart of deep generosity that leaps from my chest and leaves the bank broken and bills rotting in the abandoned soil of fertile minds evading the education trap robbing this land – of proud, free, and brave – from critical thought. Suffocating in student debt. Guns…
Birthday Bonanza and Holiday Highs
Another holiday season is upon us, and we went BIG to mark my 40th! The night was a smashing success – the space was rocking with music and dancing, drinks, and many friends – new and old! Cary coordinated the music, which included everything from Irish tunes to John Prine and Jet covers. The affair…
Neat Imperfections 