Never Far From Home

 

I have attended 2 of the last 3 days of the 2011 Taipei Game Show, but more about that later.  For tonight, a moment of unrelated indulgence.

On my way home from the TGS tonight, standing on the platform in the City Hall MRT station, I was watching the crowds of high school boys all around me going through their pictures of the day.  Its not that this bored me, but I am an inquisitive person and so at one point I glanced up and looked at the screen hanging above the platform.  The screen was a flat screen t.v. monitor that are common in MRT stations.  Among other things, weather, eta for trains, and local news will frequently be broadcast.  Tonight, there was a scroll going up the bottom of the screen with world news blurbs. 

Much to my surprise I saw WISCONSIN on the news.  I couldn’t believe it.  I momentarily forgot about all the gamers surrounding me and stared at the screen.  70,000 protesters, it said, were showing their displeasure of Walker’s proposal to dismantle the public workers’ unions. 

The world is watching.

I never thought I would see my home on the news half way around the world, but I happy to see I can follow the protests even while waiting for the subway.

I love living in Taipei, but I have to admit that I really do wish I was back home right now.  I know many people who are in Madison right now and my spirit goes with them.  I am so proud of each and every one of them.