These are interesting times. Car-crash-interesting. You want to look away but can’t. The world is struggling to contain COVID-19, human rights protests are happening around the globe, and people are once again fighting police brutality. The American government is an unbridled shit show with an election for the soul of the nation happening in November. It’s a time for us all to do some soul searching and learn more about ourselves and the world around us. My eyes have been opened to a few things that have led me to look inward.
I have been lucky to have had a career in the Navy where the only color people were was blue. It wasn’t perfect by any means, but working with folks of every color and background taught me to respect folks for their character and deeds rather than their race. I made friends and learned more about society in that microcosm than life in the civilian world would’ve taught me. It also set me up for culture shock when I transitioned into retirement. It makes me angry and uncomfortable when people get treated unfairly. We need an angry grandmother to knock some sense back into people with a wooden spoon.
COVID-19 is making matters worse all around. It amazes me that people are putting politics over science. People throwing tantrums and getting violent over being asked to wear a mask in a public area leaves me wondering what went wrong. It's no different than putting on a seatbelt when you get in a car. The people throwing infection parties are even more stupid. What's next? Hemlock tasting parties? My only hope is when the dust settles from all of this, more people who believe in science and compassion have survived than the people who don't.
My favorite conspiracy theory is that nose wires in mask are 5G antennae that give you the 'rona. Human capacity for stupidity is boundless. This is proof.
The pandemic has also made us put a bunch of new procedures in place. We’re metering customers, have health guards up at the registers, hand washing stations at the entrance, and are practicing physical distancing. We disinfect after every transaction. It’s a little bothersome, but better safe than sick. Honestly, I’m happy to have customers back in the store. I missed the social interaction. For the most part, customers have been understanding when it cones to the be sanitation protocols. I’m grateful not to have had a bad situation yet.
During quarantine, I stayed at home for about six weeks with severely limited trips to make supply runs. Being a natural introvert, isolation didn’t really have much impact. I caught up an binging Netflix and did some heavy gaming. Shopping was a major activity too. The challenge was keeping it limited to what was needed and not impulse buying. The wife and son stayed occupied doing their stuff and things. My son worked from home for a stretch. The dogs and cats did their best to help him every day around the time his video calls were happening. It was an adjustment for all of us. He’s back at his office now, and I’m back at the store. The missus is still waiting to go back to work.
The one thing I have really mixed emotions about lately is social media. I use Twitter more often than Facebook and Instagram. Lately it seems like any look is a look into the abyss of toxicity people are wallowing in. I’ve been un-following and scrubbing my friends list much more than I ever expected to. I can’t take the craziness some folks are radiating. It’s as if being behind a screen gives them permission to rip apart folks with different opinions. Not having it on my timeline is liberating.
There are bright spots though. Some folks out in the Twitterverse I’ve never met in the real world, have been helping me stay sane. Katie O’Shaughnessy, @katieshox, is my favorite person on the internet. Her reaction videos for “The Walking Dead” on YouTube are a near perfect blend of character and story analysis and delightfully wicked sarcasm. She’s also taken the time to chat about the state of the world with genuine concern. Give her a follow and a watch. You’ll be happy you did. Katie’s a gem. Vernon Reid, @vurnt22, isn’t just a brilliant guitarist with Living Color, his knowledge of music and popular culture are unmatched. From movies and comics to music, I enjoy seeing his point of view. Lou Diamond Phillips @LouDPhillips, has turned into the goofy uncle we all need. Always engaging and fun with his followers, he’s quick with a dad joke or a cat photo. The Dollyrots, @theDollyrots, are a family-friendly punk, pop, rocking good time of a band. If you’re not following them or listening to their music, you’re missing out.
Since I started writing this about three weeks ago, the mall interior stores have been allowed to open. It's been a learning experience for all involved. Folks don't get why some of the stores aren't open yet. They are opening as their companies allow, and they don’t e-mail me daily updates. I’m just a guy selling shirts and jeans. Oh, and please pull your mask up off your chin. It’s not doing any good down there..
The “new normal” we hear so much about isn’t better, isn’t worse, it’s just different. I tell myself this so often it’s becoming a mantra. Until there’s a vaccine, people following safety measures, and a government that shows leadership instead of cans of beans, we’ll be stuck here. While we’re stuck here, keep hanging tough. Establish a routine, include time for meditation and try to get exercise. You may want to limit the amount of news you watch too. Seeing then death toll from the pandemic, the cesspool of politics, and the unkindness in the world can bring you down. If you’re in bumming, reach out to family and friends. They can give you an emotional lift.
Most of all, we should all try to be more like Ringo Starr and spread peace and love every chance you get. Until next time, stay safe, stay healthy and love each other.
The pandemic has also made us put a bunch of new procedures in place. We’re metering customers, have health guards up at the registers, hand washing stations at the entrance, and are practicing physical distancing. We disinfect after every transaction. It’s a little bothersome, but better safe than sick. Honestly, I’m happy to have customers back in the store. I missed the social interaction. For the most part, customers have been understanding when it cones to the be sanitation protocols. I’m grateful not to have had a bad situation yet.
During quarantine, I stayed at home for about six weeks with severely limited trips to make supply runs. Being a natural introvert, isolation didn’t really have much impact. I caught up an binging Netflix and did some heavy gaming. Shopping was a major activity too. The challenge was keeping it limited to what was needed and not impulse buying. The wife and son stayed occupied doing their stuff and things. My son worked from home for a stretch. The dogs and cats did their best to help him every day around the time his video calls were happening. It was an adjustment for all of us. He’s back at his office now, and I’m back at the store. The missus is still waiting to go back to work.
The one thing I have really mixed emotions about lately is social media. I use Twitter more often than Facebook and Instagram. Lately it seems like any look is a look into the abyss of toxicity people are wallowing in. I’ve been un-following and scrubbing my friends list much more than I ever expected to. I can’t take the craziness some folks are radiating. It’s as if being behind a screen gives them permission to rip apart folks with different opinions. Not having it on my timeline is liberating.
There are bright spots though. Some folks out in the Twitterverse I’ve never met in the real world, have been helping me stay sane. Katie O’Shaughnessy, @katieshox, is my favorite person on the internet. Her reaction videos for “The Walking Dead” on YouTube are a near perfect blend of character and story analysis and delightfully wicked sarcasm. She’s also taken the time to chat about the state of the world with genuine concern. Give her a follow and a watch. You’ll be happy you did. Katie’s a gem. Vernon Reid, @vurnt22, isn’t just a brilliant guitarist with Living Color, his knowledge of music and popular culture are unmatched. From movies and comics to music, I enjoy seeing his point of view. Lou Diamond Phillips @LouDPhillips, has turned into the goofy uncle we all need. Always engaging and fun with his followers, he’s quick with a dad joke or a cat photo. The Dollyrots, @theDollyrots, are a family-friendly punk, pop, rocking good time of a band. If you’re not following them or listening to their music, you’re missing out.
Since I started writing this about three weeks ago, the mall interior stores have been allowed to open. It's been a learning experience for all involved. Folks don't get why some of the stores aren't open yet. They are opening as their companies allow, and they don’t e-mail me daily updates. I’m just a guy selling shirts and jeans. Oh, and please pull your mask up off your chin. It’s not doing any good down there..
The “new normal” we hear so much about isn’t better, isn’t worse, it’s just different. I tell myself this so often it’s becoming a mantra. Until there’s a vaccine, people following safety measures, and a government that shows leadership instead of cans of beans, we’ll be stuck here. While we’re stuck here, keep hanging tough. Establish a routine, include time for meditation and try to get exercise. You may want to limit the amount of news you watch too. Seeing then death toll from the pandemic, the cesspool of politics, and the unkindness in the world can bring you down. If you’re in bumming, reach out to family and friends. They can give you an emotional lift.
Most of all, we should all try to be more like Ringo Starr and spread peace and love every chance you get. Until next time, stay safe, stay healthy and love each other.
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