Election nostalgia

As fall has arrived, I've enjoyed the trees changing color and the weather becoming crisp. But I've also struggled as these sights and feelings bring back memories of a year ago when it seemed impossible that Donald Trump would be elected president. There are three specific things that have been bringing on waves of nostalgia (the sad, hopeless kind).

1. Teaching political science students. I have three groups of them this fall, just like last year. As we go through the same lessons and activities and discussions, I can't help but remember those exciting days in October/November 2016 leading up to the election, when I was so sure we were about to get our first female president.

2. Hearing any Katy Perry song, but especially Roar (the one HRC used in her final campaign ad released just a few days before the election). I remember the first time I saw that campaign ad and it gave me goosebumps. Go ahead, watch it. I'M NOT CRYING TEARS OF DESPAIR AND LONGING FOR WHAT CAN NEVER BE, YOU'RE CRYING TEARS OF DESPAIR AND LONGING FOR WHAT CAN NEVER BE.

3. This is the weirdest one: DAVID S. PUMPKINS. He's been popping up a lot lately and every time I see a picture of him or hear a clip of that skit, allllll the feelings come rushing back. It was such an intense experience in the 10 days or so right before the election, watching that skit over and over again. It's still funny to me, but also a little bit sad-funny, because it reminds me so strongly of a pre-Trump world.