high of 94, up to 86 now, feels like 90.
Jul. 31st, 2002 12:49 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
rootofnewtmy typical summer attire has not been donned this year.
part of the reason is i'm trying to see whether or not my UV allergy is back. i have some lesions, but not the huge, seeping ones. i have some mottling, but that might be due to other factors. no joint swelling yet, either.
i've also just not taken the time to unpack my gloves, scarves, etc. My lightweight long-sleeves all wore out last summer and I haven't replaced them.
i carry my parasol on days when my skin or eyes are super sensitive. sometimes i wear a hat.
i've also spent lots of time in the yard and at the beach and really wonder why i should bother. of course, if i were reacting like i did from 1996-2001, i'd be covered in a heartbeat. it was *painful* and very difficult to look at.
there's another very real reason. only those who are muslim or allergic to the sun dress the way i did. and we all know how common UV allergy is, so despite some very telling factors, plenty of folks assumed i was swathed from head to toe for religious/cultural reasons. i was occasionally harassed by racists when i would dress that way. most of the time, folks ignored me--after all, DC is pretty homogenous and has a sizeable muslim population.
a year ago, i didn't care and even stood up to those idiots who were cruel. i'd usually be ready with a biting retort (most effective against teenage boys). i'd sit with muslim women on the metro if a seat was available (and invariably, the only free seat would be next to a woman in a chador). i'd chat with them as they'd be curious about my attire (my hair wasn't always completely covered and i was paler than a skeleton). i always spoke the truth--why shouldn't i? and they were appreciative when i'd sidle up and say hello when they were getting stares or whispers after 9/11.
i wouldn't avoid any of these women today, but i'm not dressing in head-to-toe black, either.
so why am i a chicken now?
well, this whole "informer" idea is one reason. the other is that people can be STUPID and i have no desire to place myself in harm's way right now, especially while living in the boonies, where i have to drive quite a while without seeing homes within sight of the road.
i'm annoyed that our government is making my law-abiding life more difficult simply by creating a culture of paranoia. i'm irritated with folks who can't think for themselves.
i'm also thankful that i'm not sweating under layers of cotton and silk.
i'm going to go shower now. then i'll probably don some shorts and a tshirt before i head into town.
part of the reason is i'm trying to see whether or not my UV allergy is back. i have some lesions, but not the huge, seeping ones. i have some mottling, but that might be due to other factors. no joint swelling yet, either.
i've also just not taken the time to unpack my gloves, scarves, etc. My lightweight long-sleeves all wore out last summer and I haven't replaced them.
i carry my parasol on days when my skin or eyes are super sensitive. sometimes i wear a hat.
i've also spent lots of time in the yard and at the beach and really wonder why i should bother. of course, if i were reacting like i did from 1996-2001, i'd be covered in a heartbeat. it was *painful* and very difficult to look at.
there's another very real reason. only those who are muslim or allergic to the sun dress the way i did. and we all know how common UV allergy is, so despite some very telling factors, plenty of folks assumed i was swathed from head to toe for religious/cultural reasons. i was occasionally harassed by racists when i would dress that way. most of the time, folks ignored me--after all, DC is pretty homogenous and has a sizeable muslim population.
a year ago, i didn't care and even stood up to those idiots who were cruel. i'd usually be ready with a biting retort (most effective against teenage boys). i'd sit with muslim women on the metro if a seat was available (and invariably, the only free seat would be next to a woman in a chador). i'd chat with them as they'd be curious about my attire (my hair wasn't always completely covered and i was paler than a skeleton). i always spoke the truth--why shouldn't i? and they were appreciative when i'd sidle up and say hello when they were getting stares or whispers after 9/11.
i wouldn't avoid any of these women today, but i'm not dressing in head-to-toe black, either.
so why am i a chicken now?
well, this whole "informer" idea is one reason. the other is that people can be STUPID and i have no desire to place myself in harm's way right now, especially while living in the boonies, where i have to drive quite a while without seeing homes within sight of the road.
i'm annoyed that our government is making my law-abiding life more difficult simply by creating a culture of paranoia. i'm irritated with folks who can't think for themselves.
i'm also thankful that i'm not sweating under layers of cotton and silk.
i'm going to go shower now. then i'll probably don some shorts and a tshirt before i head into town.
