On protection and politics

I went to a local bike store to buy a new helmet last week. While I am not sure my head hit anything during the collision, I am also not sure that it hit nothing. When in doubt, buy a new helmet. I was quite happy with the Specialized Align II model, so I was looking for "The same, again." The store had one in my size in stock but it was matte black which was exactly the colour I didn't want. So instead, I went about getting the store to order one in an appropriate colour. My first choice would have been the same "safety ion" high visibility green as my previous few helmets, but that would only be available in November. I settled on "deep orange".

I have been working my way through Star Trek : Deep Space Nine on DVD. There was one episode which really caught my attention. It is titled "Melora". It features a certain Ensign Melora arriving on the Deep Space Nine station. She is a member of a species that evolved on a low gravity world and needs external mechanical apparatus in the form of an exoskeleton and a wheelchair to exist comfortably on the station. She is rather determined to be as independent as possible and abruptly refuses various offers of help as well as taking offense at legitimate expressions of concern. As someone who is currently handicapped, I empathized with her and sensed her frustrations at having to explain herself, again. About 30 years ago, someone told me that the character had first been written as a permanent cast member who would represent the physically handicapped but for various reasons, the idea was rejected but later revived as a guest character. Anybody who tells you that the current Star Trek series are "woke" has missed the point that Star Trek has always been socially progressive.

Today is election day here in the True North, Strong and Free. The co-worker who gives me lifts was happy to drop me off opposite the high school where my polling station was. For one thing, it meant that she would have a simpler drive home. I was a little surprised that the polling station was in a part of the high school that I had not previously been to, namely a second floor gym. It was accessible via an elevator, but I could not be bothered to walk the extra distance. It was much simpler to climb the stairs. The election worker at the top of the stairs tried to encourage me to fill out a comment form prior to voting. However, I again couldn't be bothered so I simply voted for the Sensible Party and left via the stairs. The same election worker tried to direct me to the elevator.