Beyond Boxes Blog

Welcome to the new home of my on again, off again blog, Beyond Boxes. My plan is to post here regularly on a variety of topics my autistic mind finds interesting and pertinent. They may range from science (astronomy to zoology) to current events including climate change impacts and the state of US politics to art including architecture to literature and entertainment. I think in systems, so I see connections amongst them all. I’ll try to make those connections explicit as I blog, but if I don’t please do ask me to clarify.

Trapped in a Maelstrom

7 January 2026

I’m seeing more and more posts on social media about people feeling overwhelmed, needing to tune out or otherwise escape from the constant bombardment of “news”, much of which is actually lies, especially today after ICEstapo murdered a woman in cold blood in Minneapolis.

I’ll not dig into the legalities, Joyce White Vance, Jay Kuo and others have that covered. I’ll not psychoanalyze, Mary Trump has that one down far better than I could because of her personal knowledge and expertise. And I won’t second guess Heather Cox Richardson or Timothy Snyder on relevant historical events and processes. Each of them has specialist knowledge to which we should pay attention. 

I’m a generalist, once labeled a “Renaissance woman” in a headline about my taking on a new position. As an autistic woman, I see patterns, connections, linkages that transcend boundaries of all kinds. As an abuse survivor, I have far too much intimate knowledge of how abusers think and behave. Like many other survivors, I spotted the similarities between Trump and other abusers a long time ago. We raised our voices in warning. Too many shushed us. 

Like the corporate-funded politicians who kept insisting on “proof” of climate change, delaying taking meaningful action to ensure profits keep rolling in as long as the gaslighting works – and that’s what it is, gaslighting – too many demanded we wait for “proof” before acting. Those same people are likely to be the ones who will persist in insisting that the level of evidence readily available still doesn’t constitute what they’d consider “proof”.

It’s past time we ceased allowing them to veto necessary changes. Perhaps it’s time we stopped providing them with a forum, or at least an audience. Years ago, while in that job that got me labeled a Renaissance woman, I joked with a colleague from a northern tier state that some climate change deniers would persist in denial even while sipping margaritas under palm trees north of Minneapolis in January. Some people will never admit reality. They should not be entrusted to make important decisions!

Likewise, so many are clamoring for the release of the Trumpstein files (yes, I am conflating, but I see no reason not to at this point) while ignoring the statements of the victims. Let them speak. BELIEVE THEM. Yes, keep demanding the files, but cease ignoring the other clear evidence.

The gaslighting and lies persist because too many are still in denial. Too many are desperately clinging on to a fantasy-reality that never really existed for most people. It privileged white males over all others, capital over labor, profits over people. That bygone era was never as rosy as they insist on painting it. If you weren’t a white male, your rights were second class (at best). I’m old enough to remember.

To set things right requires us to collectively grasp how delusional we’ve allowed ourselves to be. How the myth of “American exceptionalism” has exceptionally destroyed America. [aside: I despise the use of the term “American” to refer to only the US. There are more than 20 countries in the Americas. That term shouldn’t be monopolized by only one.]

Congress is AWOL in time of domestic terrorism and war. Clearly, we cannot depend on the GOP to do the right thing. They’ve had many chances and couldn’t be bothered to use any of them. Neither could Dem leadership, though some rank and file members are proving themselves capable. Some courts are standing up, but too many on SCOTUS are too enamored of rewriting the Constitution to suit their “originalism” ideological goals. Clearly, they cannot be trusted to keep their oaths of office, never mind following the Constitution, which is their job. 

We have a lot of work to do, once the current crises are ended. I wish I could say I saw a clear path through, but I don’t. We must muddle through as best we can, individually and collectively. 

It falls to us to stand up where they’ve all failed. Daunting, I know. But every abuse survivor has had to learn lessons that apply here. Listen to us and the experts who’ve studied fascism and authoritarianism. Those intent on destroying democracy want you to believe they’ve already won, so you’ll give up. Don’t. Believe we can get through this. Then act on that belief. Do what you can, with what you have, wherever you are. No act of disobedience is too small. Each can plant seeds.

But be prepared to give up some things you’ve grown accustomed to, at least temporarily. Our fight for democracy will not be without costs. One set of examples quickly comes to my science fiction fan’s mind: on one side are those urging boycotts of corporations that capitulate (Paramount, Disney), on the other are those who want to consume what those corporations are selling (Star Trek, Star Wars). 

I wish everyone who’s looking forward to new seasons, new films, etc. would stop and think briefly about what they’re signaling if they retain subscriptions or go out to see films. They’re signaling the corporations should persist in capitulation, that there will be no consequences for it. 

But there must be consequences. 

So, for all of those looking forward to the next experience in either universe I have some questions:

1) What price are you willing to pay now to help stop the rise of fascism? I guarantee the cost of prevention will be much lower than the cost of the cure if we don’t succeed in stopping this now.

2) Will the world end if you don’t see the show or film right now? Will just a little bit of delayed gratification be life threatening? Is the cost of delaying that gratification so unreasonable you can’t consider it? If so, I hope you spend some time re-examining your values, quickly. Time is running out.

3) Never mind WWJD, what would characters you admire in either universe do when faced with fascism or authoritarianism? Or rather, what did they do? Imitate them!

Continuing to deny the link between personal gratification and corporate misbehavior may seem trivial when it’s just science fiction. But if we continue to fund rogue corporations, without demanding accountability for their misbehavior, the consequences could be world ending (climate change) and life threatening (PFAS, income inequality, etc.). 

That’s a wee taste of my perspective from inside the maelstrom that is today’s reality in the US, and is metastasizing to infect other nations as well. 

Farewell, 2025

31 December 2025

As 2025 wraps, I’m struck by contrasts: many positive firsts for me personally, but so many negative ones for so many others, too many of which are due to the current experiment in fascism. Their negative behaviors won’t disappear, I’m just choosing to focus on the positive, just for a few moments, to replenish energies and get ready for the next challenges.

And we know there will be more challenges coming our way in 2026, because the only way out of our current situation is to work through the negative firsts of 2025 like: the DOGE fiasco, ICEstapo, a Do Nothing congress and a complicit SCOTUS, chaotic tariffs, endless elite entitlements, repeated Epstein files dodges, the enshittification of the Oval Office, and the ultimate symbol of all that’s wrong, the unauthorized East Wing demolition achieved without any oversight, pushback, or other attempted restraint on the destructive impulses of the malignant narcissist who should never have been allowed to run for office again after Jan 6.

Doing my best to avoid dwelling on all that negativity flooding the zone right now, setting a more positive tone for 2026, working to avoid another episode of autistic overwhelm. I used to live every day in a state of overwhelm, but the last one happened 30 April, so what I’m doing is working.

My personal 2025 firsts included publishing my first novel, Things I Wish I’d Said*, a first book royalties payment, the attendant first signing of my book with hands shaking just a bit. Slightly less shaking for the next two – close family – but back again for the final two to be delivered in NY. Not for friends or family, but for people my intuition said I needed to share the book with. Inconveniently, without any context for the “why” of that need. Perhaps the recipients will know.

Delivering them was complicated by the over-use of my sprained ankle the evening my cousin and I saw Waiting for Godot, my reward to myself for finishing the book. I chose my footwear poorly that Thursday night. Should have worn comfy clothes and ankle support boots; chose to wear dressy clothes and shoes instead to celebrate the book publishing. Nearly 4 miles later, the slight sprain was aggravated to moderate, and whiskey was required. Fortunately, though I usually prefer The Macallan’s single malt, my superbly organized and thoughtful cousin had a bottle of Jack Daniels on hand, which worked wonders.

The play and entire cast were (yes, I’m going to say it) “Excellent!” But the experience was upgraded to “Outstanding!” when the audience was reminded that Alex and Keanu would be back out shortly to do a brief Talk Back session, so another first – didn’t know Talk Backs were a thing. Never happened at any London’s West End performance I attended. Then, on the way back to my cousin’s, it started to snow. Just flurries, no accumulation. I love watching snow fall… A magical end to a most excellent day.

The final book deliveries had to happen that Saturday due to the expected snowstorm that night, and my return to California on Monday, so, with neoprene ankle support, proper walking boots, and a sturdy walking stick, I braved NYC streets again. And found myself in the midst of a Santa-con. Another instance of “I didn’t know that was a thing”, so another first for me: seeing so many holiday onesie-clothed people madly running around the streets of Manhattan. Once my deliveries were complete, more whiskey.

Sunday morning, we woke up to a snow-covered cityscape, something I haven’t seen in quite some time. Leeds (UK) 2016 – 2017 is the last one I remember.

Wisely Ubered to the airport Monday, looking forward to a meal at a restaurant I’d scented during the layover on my way to NYC. Sadly, the meal wasn’t another amazing first. It was a disappointing one. The food was bland and tepid, the service rather indifferent. I didn’t have high expectations, this was airport food after all, but the scent promised much more than what was delivered. I don’t think that was due to any professional cook/baker snobbery on my part, just odors that promised more than taste delivered.

Restoring a more positive tone to the trip, while waiting for my connecting flight, I started a conversation with a woman who also writes (poetry) and lives in the Bay Area, so another first – a fortuitous opportunity to talk to someone local about independent book stores, doing readings, connecting with other authors, etc.

I returned with souvenirs, both happy (the play) and bittersweet (the last items from my late cousin, Felix. Apparently, I’m the only other hockey fan in the family).

There’s a final first for me: actual New Year’s Goals drafted on 24 December:

1) write more regularly, particularly this Beyond Boxes blog.

2) record the audiobook for Things I Wish I’d Said. Caveat: I put a big hurdle in my own way when I was finalizing the characters, del and Sam. From del’s perspective, I wanted Sam’s to be a voice that ranged from deep and obdurate (or even dark and threatening) to sweet and sexy because she saw all of those qualities in him. I chose wisely for the descriptive comparison but poorly for the audiobook prospects. Unintended consequences. Now I’m in “OOPS!” mode because I’m sure I can’t afford Keanu Reeves’ rates for voice work, even if he had time and interest. So, if anyone knows of someone who does a good imitation, please let me know!

3) learn to play guitar; in preparation I bought myself one just before Christmas.

But those goals can wait until next week, except guitar. I started that on the 25th because I wanted to. Otherwise, I deserve a break. Time to recombobulate. Reset. Recharge. Ready for what 2026 has in store…

At least my ankle has healed enough to manage my usual 2 mile walk!

For today’s blog outro? Roxy Music’s More Than This, which has been rattling around in my mind, playing occasionally and unexpectedly, since October.

*shameless plug: Things I Wish I’d Said is currently available in three editions: ebook and artistic fonts paperback (both from Amazon) and a more dyslexia-friendly fonts ebook (Lulu bookstore). The ebooks will be for sale through this website soon.

Top of page image: Wallpaper by Linda on WallpaperSafari