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Jamie's avatar

I felt more hope yesterday than I have in many many months. I'm in such a dark place with my employment situation or lack thereof that it just feels hopeless. And then the rest of it that's not my personal hopeless it's hopeless for my country. But not now. Kamala Harris gives me hope!! We're going to have to fight like hell and they're going to pull every dirty punch they possibly can. But I think we have a chance now with all the energy and support rallying around her. It's a beautiful thing to see!

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Anne Belov's avatar

I’m so sorry you are in a personal dark place. I wish I could do something. Here’s to hoping we can finally have our first woman president.

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Jamie's avatar

Thanks for saying that I know that you would if you could. I mean one thing you could potentially if willing is if you know anyone who might be interested in buying a piece of panda history, I'm selling my FedEx Panda team jacket that was worn by one of the staff members that flew Tai Shan and Mei Lan to China. Panda Groups won't allow me to post there. If you can think of anyone who might like that sort of thing and want to buy it would be happy to talk to them one-on-one in chat or email Etc. If not I certainly understand and I appreciate the well wishes either way! Let's go Kamala!!! Madame VP is coming!!

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Anne Belov's avatar

Can you write up something that I can post on the Panda Chronicles about your jacket? I wish I could afford it, but while I’ve been working on my show for 10 months, I never know if there will be a paycheck at the end of it.

If you can write up something that I can copy and paste into the chronicles, I can have interested people send their contact info via the contact me page, which is not public. Maybe that will reach the right person.

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J. Lombardi's avatar

As always, remarkable work AND excellent comment that mirrors my journey these past few months…as I waded through the miasma of trump all the time! (love your comment on news pundits & reporters now intent on making news rather than reporting it). My deep depression was lifted this week with this remarkable change! Mr. Biden showing he truly put the nation first & the revelations of the brilliant character and energy Ms Harris has immediately displayed. Chiaroscuro!

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Deb Lund's avatar

Love the art! AND Yes—HOPE! I so relate to this, and while I haven’t crawled back into that dark place, I also haven’t completely kicked off all the covers (My feet get cold). But each peering out, each imagining, each morning brings in more light. Yes. Yes. This could work, and as the thought grows, I’m able to get up and face the world of my life with a bit of awe, the beginnings of shaking off a bad dream, the resolve to stay awake.

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Anne Belov's avatar

I know there is still more evil to come, but even a little respite of hope is helping me get out of bed in the morning.

More light.

More Light.

We must do this.

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Diana Sutton's avatar

A definite gloom has been lifted by Kamala. There is now hope and sunshine and laughter again. I am liking her VP choice too; he is full of love and empathy and consideration. And he smiles a lot!

And there are pandas again in SD!!

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Anne Belov's avatar

I felt like the clouds lifted with the ascension of VP Harris to the presidential candidate. I had faith in Biden, but the news orgs and the pundits just wouldn't let up, creating the possibility of a self fulfilling prophesy.

Biden did the patriotic and selfless thing of stepping aside and endorsing Harris. I think she will be a wonderful president, and going from never having heard of Tim Walz 3 weeks ago, to thinking "why the hell have we never heard of this amazing guy?" I couldn't be happier.

The darkness is definitely lifted, even as it threatens around the edges.

The danger is not gone, but becomes less likely every day.

Plus we have pandas in Pandiego!!!! surely this is a sign!

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Martha Olivares's avatar

Wisdom with a side of (fantastic, evocative) art!! Bravo 👏 👏

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Anne Belov's avatar

Thank you! Your comment gave me a real lift.

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Virginia Neely's avatar

Your paintings are wonderful. Not being American, I try to avoid too much comment on US politics. We have enough of a situation here in Canada. But I can't help thinking T*** is pure evil and if he's elected, it will be the beginning of the end of the world as we know it.

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Anne Belov's avatar

T**** IS pure evil, no doubt. Yes, our neighbor to the north has troubles indeed, not the least is the fires spreading across the northern reaches, and down towards the border. It is 100% of our refusal to face what fossil fuels are doing to the planet. I wonder if we are going to leave anything beyond embers and floods to the children of today.

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Virginia Neely's avatar

It's more than just fossil fuels, though they definitely play a part. It's the endless ravaging of the natural world so we can have more "stuff" we don't need.

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Anne Belov's avatar

Totally agree.

One of the unintended effects of not have much disposable income is having to evaluate how much I think I need something. That said, I have way too much stuff and often think about how I got here. I am really good at re-using and re-purposing stuff.

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Virginia Neely's avatar

Same here. But then, I was brought up that way, for which I am thankful now, though I wasn't when I was a kid.

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Anne Belov's avatar

Ha...same. I appreciate it now, but definitely not then.

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Lucilla Teoh's avatar

Mei Xiang: Can my family and I come to the exhibition? I think Bai Jie Jie might want to come too.

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Anne Belov's avatar

Of course you can! I would be honored!

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Sue Clancy's avatar

Love it all - the art and the hope!!! 💚💚💚💚💚💚

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Monica P.'s avatar

When I first started to read this, I didn’t realize where you were going. Yes, now we have hope! We can’t sit back and take it for granted. I (we) need to push forward not ever going back to what trump has in mind in Project 2025, his platform. Your artwork is beautiful. Thanks for sharing it and your thoughtful words with us.

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Anne Belov's avatar

Thank you. When I started writing, I wasn’t entirely sure where I was going either. Through the last 10 months of worrying and making paintings about light in the darkness, I wasn’t entirely sure where we would end up.

I’m glad we have something to hope for.

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ljknh's avatar

Your words are as beautiful as your art.

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Anne Belov's avatar

Thank you. without hope we are lost. (also we are lost without pandas)

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