So ITV and BBC are somewhat hand-tied to show the inauguration of Donald Trump. If you feel like he got enough, damaging, free air time during his campaign, or simply object to the proceedings, here’s a list of alternative things to do on your Friday evening. Just remember: watching is supporting.
Change the channel
Don’t want to stray too far from the sofa? Change the channel. It doesn’t matter which one, any will do. Top Gear reruns on Dave are dependably airing at all hours. Channel 4 will have some form of holiday home show no doubt. Alternatively cruise Netflix, iPlayer, Amazon Prime – anything other than adding viewer numbers to an already super-inflated ego.
Do a chore
Washing? Hoovering? Dusting? When was the last time you polished all the handles on your cupboards or descaled the kettle? Now is the time. Set aside 5-7pm tonight to do all those things you know you should have been doing. Tax returns are due on 31st Jan, so if you haven’t done them yet, it’s the one time on earth they’re a pleasant alternative.
Stay at work/school
Get some extra credit, kudos and with any luck overtime pay. You could finish those last things on your list so you have a nice clear plate for Monday’s inevitable emails. Alternatively…
Drink or dine
Take your comrades to the nearest bar (that won’t be televising the inauguration) and drink like the apocalypse is coming. Grab your friends, a passing stranger and comfort them as best you can using the tools of Carlsberg and expensive crisps. If you’re hungry, find a nice restaurant and treat yourself – you’ve earned it.
Start a new hobby
Any of those new year’s resolutions not work out? Start another! Fill the world with better things to combat the bad that’s now taking place. Try a new language, search ebay for an instrument, put real consideration into which martial art you’d learn if you had the time, energy and money. Try cooking that cuisine you’ve longed to master. Remember, self-improvement is the best form of therapy.
Waste time on the internet
YouTube – check out Alec Baldwin’s ever-wonderful Trump impressions from Saturday Night Live. They’re hilarious and spot on. Alternatively, check out something else going on in the news that deserves more column space than the president-elect’s ego-show. How about Sporcle – the quiz site designed to steal your soulful and teach you along the way. Highlights like ‘famous facial hair’ and ‘badly drawn famous faces’ are endlessly amusing, but you can always learn about geography, history or sports too.
Literally, anything else
Try caricature. Call your mother. Leave the country. Honestly, do anything else.
While this might all sound like a joke, there’s reason behind it. Trump didn’t actually get the most votes, Hillary did. Russia tampered with the results to help Trump win, because they feel he would be a better president for them. Suddenly the ‘rigged’ system that Trump has been moaning about since preliminaries is a-ok, because he “won”.
That says nothing for the fact he’s also a terrible person. Trump has been caught on tape boasting about objectifying and groping women. He has encouraged violence at rallies and even told bouncers to strip protesters of their coats before throwing them outside into minus temperatures. He mocked a disabled reporter in front of a press conference of his peers as the world watched. All of this has incontrovertible, recorded evidence – it’s not up for debate.
How the man is still getting inaugurated with all this in mind is incredible. And while half of America and everywhere outside Russia refuses to accept this is happening, many are still going to tune in to watch it. I understand: it’s like car crash TV. But every extra viewing figure is another number for Trump to boast about.
We can’t have a say in who America votes for, but we can protest it every step of the way. Don’t tune in tonight. Talk to your family, hang out with your friends, or simply read a book for a couple of hours. Don’t become a feather in that man’s cap or another bullet to his very volatile ammo. Don’t let the rare opportunity to take a stand without ever having to leave your seat pass you by.
The Protest March
If you, like me, really want to demonstrate your disdain and dismay for Trump’s election, join the march happening in London tomorrow. On Saturday 21st of January, protest marches will be happening across the UK and globally to coincide with Trump’s first day in office.
Organised primarily by women, everyone is welcome and encouraged. The route begins outside the London US Embassy (24 Grosvenor Square, W1A 2LQ) and runs a 1.2mile course. There’s disabled access and a shorter route should you need it. Protesters will begin congregating at 12, but won’t actually march until 2pm.
If Trump wants the world’s attention, let’s show him he should be careful what he wishes for.
The post Alternatives to Watching the Inauguration Today appeared first on Felix Magazine.
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