Stick in the Mud

When will it be okay to play?

I’m sort of standing at a crossroads. I dunno. Which way should I go?

As states are relaxing their restrictions and reopening, people seem to be acting as if this whole pandemic thing is over.

In MN, Governor Tim Walz, due to pressure from Republicans and rural small business owners, reduced his Stay At Home order to a Stay Safe order. Restaurants are due to reopen June 1st and today, many workers are returning to the office. Small retail businesses are also now open for business.

Fortunately, I work for a company who has decided that those who are able to work from home should continue to do so. I plan to continue to work from home until they insist I come in. First of all, I like working from home. Secondly, I am still scared.

But what about my day to day activities?

And what about sex?

My gut tells me it is too soon. That this whole Covid 19 thing still has a way to go. In MN, we haven’t even hit our peak. So I can’t and shouldn’t risk doing anything.

However, the rest of the world seems to be breaking out the party hats.

I spent Friday at the prairie, chilling under my favorite oak tree and getting me a little sun. Typically, I would also be getting me a little something-something, too. However, I am still insisting that people remain six feet away from me.

As I was walking to the prairie, I noticed that there was actually a group event taking place at the activity center by the three hole golf course. Some type of bike trek. Tons of people standing in groups.

Driving home, I couldn’t get over the number of people out and about and partying on their front door stoops. At one bus stop, there were over two dozen people shoulder to shoulder waiting to board a bus. No one had on a mask.

Grocery stores have also relaxed their restrictions. If you want a sanitized cart, you now need to do it yourself. And, again, people are running around sans masks.

If feels premature.

Thing is, it won’t be long before this relaxed attitude trickles its way down to the likes of Grndr, Scruff, BBRTS and A4A. The Quick Connect Ads feature on BBRTS remains closed, for now. But, given the number of times dudes wanted to hook up during the lockdown, now that it’s been somewhat lifted, I imagine many will begin acting on those desires.

I’m going to have to remain strong; a stick in the mud.

A Stick in the Mud: (idiomatic, derogatory) A person unwilling to participate in activities; a curmudgeon or party pooper. Have a little fun sometimes and don't be such a stick-in-the-mud. (idiomatic, derogatory) More generally, one who is slow, old-fashioned, or unprogressive; an old fogey.

But I don’t wanna….

I want to take advantage of the freedom and flexibility that working from home offers.

I want to take advantage of the warmer weather, make like George Michael, and get ‘Outside’.

I want to capitalize on the stored up lust and unbridled horniness of all those oh-so tempting guys who have been hitting on me while on lockdown.

I don’t wanna be a party pooper.

That said, doing the right thing is not exactly my mode of operandi. I mean, just look at my history. Making bad choices seems to be in my DNA.

But, no…

For now…

…until things appear safer…

I will remain a stick in the mud. 

Outside - George Michael