Warning... this is an adult site. If reading or viewing things about what gay men do sexually with one another bothers you - you should not read this blog. This blog is a reflection of my adventures and thoughts. Some are fun, some not so pretty. I won't name names, or kiss and tell... but I will live to tell. And baby, trust me - I am gonna spill it all over your pretty little party dress. Enjoy!
This is not a pity party, dears. Just something I happened to become aware of!
I was reading Sixpence's and Bob's blogs the other day, admiring how many responses they get. And that's when it struck me...
Their blogs are very forward thinking - they grab on to things that are happening now; they talk about them, present them, offer an opinion or a reaction.
Then I looked at my own blog... and it seems rather stuck in the past.
Old, vintage gay pulp fiction - ancient gay history.
Quizzes where my answers tend to be about things that took place thirty years ago or more.
Comparing versions of songs, most of which played on jukeboxes way back in the day.
Old, vintage movie posters and movie trivia from a bygone age.
Celebrating female singers, many of whom have shuffled off this mortal coil, most of whom have lengthy, auspicious careers behind them.
Everything I write about is from the past... mine, someone else's, or a matter of history.
Ruminating. Stirring ashes. I'm not sure why I'm so fixated. I talk about a self who hasn't existed for decades.
I do appreciate the now. I certainly like myself better these days. And I'm generally happy. No complaints, really.
As for the state of the world? Well, it leaves a lot to be desired, which is why I don't write about it too much because it's all so negative. I get frustrated that, other than vote, I have very little sway in any of it.
I don't care for modern celebrities very much. It seems to me that they can't hold a candle to those of the past. The most celebrated among them? Well, it's all industry politics, social media, spin, P.R. and money, money, money.
Does that mean all my best days are behind me?
Hardly.
And I look forward to the future; I don't fear it. I think retirement is going to be awesome. Such an adventure. I have no idea what the third act holds in store. So many possibilities.
Just as I look forward to a future world where things may very well turn around and greatly improve.
But, for now, I seem mired in the past.
I assume its the comfort of knowing.
We know what happened in the past - mostly. Others have documented it. Facts are facts. There is no uncertainty. There are no surprises.
That, no doubt, is the appeal.
And I talk about myself in terms of my past because that, too, is known.
I'm still making my peace with some of it. Sometimes it's fun to reminisce.
But it's important not to get stuck back there, where nothing can be altered.
What this all made me think about was something an anonymous stalker used to ask me over and over again... who am I writing this for?
The answer has always been 'myself.' A little selfish, but, hey... it's a blog.
What I write about is so narrow in focus. I just really dig the graphics. And the music.
It's been two years and four months since I rebooted this blog. I quickly set upon a course and haven't altered it, but on occasion.
I guess we'll let it ride for now.
But I am aware of my odd little picadillo.
File it under 'fun from the past'...
File It Under Fun From The Past - Marianne Faithfull
Update: Things have returned to normal and I was credited with the 1,042 views I would normally have. Yes, I realize that globe doesn't tell the whole story, but frequently there are as many as eight or nine people looking at it - so, I'm not delusional.
I went in and looked for emails from google. I thought they were spam. One sent me to approve robot.txt. from various somethings - there were six of them. I had to test each one to see if they were compatible with my site, if they passed, I would then hit the submit button. I don't know if that has anything to do with anything, but I did that. There was also a lot of mumbo jumbo about pages not being indexed and... I don't even know what that means. Something about videos and photos, I think. I didn't mess with any of that.
Anyway, this morning it is back to normal and, yay.
We now resume our regularly broadcast schedule.
Kizzes.
--- ---
This is odd.
But this is what I have learned.
Apparently Google has a new analytical program.
So, instead of the 900 to 1,000 clicks a day I used to rack up...
...now, it shows that I have 14-28 clicks a day.
I'm very sad.
I liked watching those clicks add up. It satisfied my ego. (Yes, I have one!)
Well, now I will just have to be content with... I don't know...
I have to find a new reward system.
The writing is reward enough? Having the opportunity is reward enough? Getting to share whatever I want with fourteen people a day... reward enough?
Well, enough.
I'll just keep doing my thing.
Even if not as many people as I thought are watching.
You know... I got that little globe in the upper right. It shares geographically where people are tuning in. I think there's a lot more than 14 people...
But, until I find a solution... I guess I'll just have to eat this shit pie.
This is quite simple: five topics: what do you currently adore / deplore?
Today's focus is all about various media.
Now, keep in mind, this isn't about all-time faves and flops. Focus on the last six months. Think: recent views, listens, reads, etc. They don't have to be recent releases, simply whatever it is your eyes, ears and mind happen to glom onto since late spring.
There's only five topics. Explain your choices, if you wish.
Let's dive in!
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Music
Adore:
Chill In: India II - Various Artists
Compiled by Alejandro Seoane, a musician from Argentine, who specializes in putting together culturally-specific compilation albums, this one is a feast for the ears.
I have never been much of a fan of Eastern Indian music, but this collection grabbed me by both ears and held on for most of the summer. I just happened to find it in a dollar store bin.
I adore all the female vocalists. Lila Liu's The Love Supreme is everything I could hope for. Orleya's I'm Waiting for Love (Original Version), likewise. While Dew's Please Say Good-bye is positively lovely. Very sensual. Very exotic. Seonane changes up the sound just enough to keep things interesting, as if cleansing the pallet before every new deep dish is served.
I would love to host a make-out session and use this as the soundtrack.
Deplore: Voyage - ABBA
Deplore is rather harsh, it's more a case of being 'disappointed.'
Those of you expecting another Waterloo or Name of The Game or Knowing You, Knowing Me?
Don't hold your breath.
My expectations (along with billions of other people's) ran rather high when I learned that this release was finally going to happen. I really should have thought it through.
They're grandparents.
The last time they got together and released anything new was 1981! Now, I must say, that 1981 release is my favorite album of theirs. The song, The Visitor, for example, seemed to indicate a new era for the group. The songwriting had actually grown leaps and bounds, so I was thinking... what's next? But that was not to be. They split up.
Radio silence for decades with lots of rumors circulating about a possible reunion. And then, just when we'd all given up hope, this arrives.
At first listen, I was crushed. They seem focused on recreating a lot of their lesser songs, with all the stodgy musical clichés intact, topped off with some truly cringe-inducing lyrics. They're all too old and too rich to be this naïve. But, further listens have revealed that this album was most likely not intended to reestablish themselves as worldwide hitmakers or for anyone other than the country they call home, Sweden. It's a valentine of sorts to tide over their fellow countrymen during these perilous times.
Okay, perhaps their UK audience was kept in mind as well. That might help explain When You Danced With Me which, with its quaint Sottish/Irish leanings, sounds as if it could have served as the theme song for Jam And Jerusalem.
The songwriting is all over the place. They resurrect a leftover from 1978 (Just A Notion), sprinkle in Chess-like nuggets (Ode To Freedom, I Still Have Faith In You), and attempt to provide insights into domestic situations (I Can Be That Women, Keep An Eye On Dan.) What's puzzling is, none of it works well next to one another and one can't help but wonder why they didn't have something more intersting to write about.
Fighting the lethargy, there are a trio of pop songs that bring to mind the ABBA of old (No Doubt About It, Don't Shut Me Down, Just A Notion), while Little Things harkens back to the treacly pleasures of Like An Angel Passing Through My Room. There's also a bit of urgency to be found in the form of the curious Keep An Eye On Dan, a saga whose story escapes me. I mean, get it - she drops of the kid, the kid reminds her of her ex... so? What? I don't understand it's purpose.
The songs range from mawkish (I Still Have Faith In You, Little Things) and naïve (Bumblebee) to tepid, but effective, ear candy (No Doubt About It, Don't Shut Me Down), with the worst of the bunch (I Can Be That Women) landing squarely in the what-were-they-thinking? pile (a truly terrible idea, terribly executed with excruciating lyrics). I think The Boyfriend put it best when, upon first listen, was heard to say, "It's like eating mac n cheese and finding chunks of wood in it." Disconcerting, to say the least.
Adhering to the old tradition of a solid ten tracks, as in the halcyon days of vinyl, at first glance, the album appears truncated - something that by the time you've listened to the whole thing, you come to appreciate.
Still, even if their voices show a bit of age, it is ABBA and you will find a number of the songs sticking in your head. I also have a feeling, as we approach the holiday season, that Little Things will end up being added to the rotation of LOVE 104's annual month of Xmas songs.
Well, with all that said, put it in perspective, dears.
If one imagines a group of grandparents getting together and recording a pop album? It certainly could have been worse.
Or so I imagine.
Movies
Adore:
Cruella
I finally got to see this Halloween weekend. It was streaming on Prime for only $2.99. I can't tell you how much fun I had watching it. It mixed a whole bunch of my favorite things together: epic storytelling with a twist, a nod to the punk fashions of Vivienne Westwood, and plenty of old-fashioned movie magic and mayhem.
Emma Stone acquits herself quite nicely in the titular role, with the rest of the cast doing a bang up job of the rest of it. As Disney backstories go, this one is given a complex, psychological reading which pays big dividends. As prescient and distasteful as the notion is, only the briefest of allusions are made to the idea of a coat being made of Dalmatian skins - which is a good thing because that would have been a deal breaker for me.
Colorful and quite mad, this is one film I think might bear repeated viewings.
Deplore: Halloween Kills
Oh, my. This MAGA-era piece of crap limped its way to the screen on Halloween. The Boyfriend signed up for a trial subscription to the NBCUniversal's streaming service, Peacock (terrible reception - it stalled out over a dozen times), which, upon watching this monstrosity, was canceled promptly.
It's all sorts of wrong from frame one.
Picking up where the re-reboot (2018's rather stellar Halloween) left off, Jamie Lee Curtis is inexplicably thrown into a hospital bed for the bulk of the film. Why you would bother to hire Jamie Lee Curtis and do this to her is anybody's guess, which also much sums up the state of the average viewer's mind as they witness this film unfolding before their eyes like some tribute to the accomplishments of the orange ogre's time in office.
Yes - this is one for the MAGAts. I was aghast, but that appears to be the target audience, with it's constant cries in favor of mob rules vigilantism, rampant sexism and racism. Poor Omar Dorsey is given little more to do than stand around with his mouth agape - not at the atrocities being committed by Michael Meyer, but by those being done by his fellow citizens.
Tired sloganism and brutish actions abound, as, at one point, we're treated to a modern retelling of The Hunchback Of Notre Dame, all the while, franchise favorite Michal Myers continues to bemuse us with his tired, nothing-can-stop-him antics. Yes, he's a Weeble - he wobbles, but won't stay down.
The dialogue is terrible. The acting? Horrible. The plot? Unimaginable in the worst of ways. Characters lack motivation. Monologues that make the baby jeebus cry unfold without rhyme or reason. This is a failure on every level possible. And the violence is so unnecessarily graphic, it makes you wonder what kind of creep was getting off on this in the editing booth.
Do yourself a favor - if you have any fond feelings for either the original movie or 2018's re-reboot? Avoid this one like the plague. For, like the plague, it will destroy parts of your mind and body, until you lose all will to live.
Television/Cable
Adore:
Call The Midwife
We're in season three (which is not very good), and it's quickly becoming a bit of a parody of itself, but season one is dynamite in a bottle. The acting is quite good (bravo, Miranda Hart), it's very, very BBC, and each episode had me in tears (which quickly dried up sometime during season two.)
Based on Jennifer Worth's memoir of the same name, Call The Midwife is historical (although the poverty presented is quite fantastical) and dramatically electric. I'd resisted watching it, even though my youngest sister kept pestering me to watch it. During a recent cat-sitting week at her home, I finally relented and am damn glad I did.
While I very much doubt the remaining seasons hold out any hope of returning to the brisk heights of season one, I do plan on watching all seven seasons. After all, I am a completist and remain intrigued by the dramatic arc of several of young nurses, stories I'm most eager to see to completion.
Deplore: Big Mouth Season 5 - The Christmas Special
What the hell?
What a wretched little cash grab is this!
I adored this groundbreaking animated series. I have no idea who the intended audience is (is this sex education for tweens?) and while the humor frequently borders on cringe territory, you actually develop an affinity for this band of middle school freaks. Sadly, the overall quality has been tapering off ever so slightly since season two, taking a deep dip with Season 5. The worst of the bunch? The Christmas Special. It is god awful.
Not one laugh. Nada.
Hosted and buffeted by a pair of puppet-ed Hormone Monsters, each animated segment hits the pavement hard with a deafening thud. All the skits are so bad, I won't even bother telling you about them.
Distasteful, this is an unnecessary and ill-logical addition to the series' canon. When it appears as a standalone DVD at your local big box?
Do the world a favor.
Take a flamethower to the whole lot.
Books
Adore:
Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine - Gail Honeyman
Perhaps I have Miranda Hart on the brain. I sort of adored her sitcom, save for the forced, unnatural romance and subsequent 'specials.' It possessed a sort of hard-to-pinpoint charm and Hart, of course, is a totally winning and refreshing personality. (Though I must warn you, do not read her book about her dog, as it overstays its welcome and will have you questioning exactly what sort of garbage publishers foist on the unsuspecting public these days.)
As I read this book, I could think of no one else but Hart in the role of heroine Elanor Oliphant, for this novel is as curious as is the source of Hart's charisma.
Hinting at a tragic past, the reader witnesses Eleanor's transformation from socially-autistic slug bug to most capable in the room with ease, thanks to Honeyman's deft, kindly way with words. Yes, there's an odd romance thrown in - but it's rather believable, acting as an unpronounced catalyst, aiding and abetting Eleanor during her journey.
If you like light character studies and nontraditional rom-coms (ones where all the people do not look or act like they're in a Hallmark Movie), then I recommend this book as a great diversion. Take it on your next holiday and devour it. It's a fast read and one that's well-worth your time.
Deplore:
For Love - Sue Miller
Sue Miller is one of my favorite authors.
Or, at least she was.
During the past two years, as I have become more and more aware of the role privilege plays in people's lives, it has soured me on a number of modern literary assumptions. Long before this latest movement, I lamented and despised how, on television and in the movies, everyone always seemed to have the perfect apartment (although how they afforded them, I have no idea), perfect jobs, perfect hair, etc. Not only did I find it boring, the lack of reality felt troublesome. What were the writers and designers trying to tell me, the average viewer? Well, now, this jaundiced eye has fallen on the literary world, with Miller being its first victim.
To those of you who think 'woke-ism' is a terrible thing and a knee jerk liberal reaction? Well, fuck that noise. It's a movement - one that's as important as BLM, #MeToo, and Critical Race Theory - all good things! It's about self-awareness, accountability and personal growth - none of which is a bad thing (though something I suspect those who take issue with the movement are quite lacking.)
FYI: Evolving as a human being? GOOD.
Privilege has always been... I've simply never questioned it or it's role in my life. Now I do, and I find its appearance in the media presumptive and off-putting, especially when those who are so-privileged have the audacity to whine. Which brings us back to Miller and this book.
It seems that other than her first novel, The Good Mother, Ms. Miller has been trafficking a brand of east coast elitism, albeit offset with a bit of quirkiness, all along. It reaches fever dream levels in For Love.
Not only did I find every single character heartless and unlikable, I also grew to loathe their (Miller's) intellectual autopsies regarding what it means to love another human being. At times, it felt tedious and ridiculous. Ridiculous because... you can't intellectualize love. Love is a living, breathing thing.
Granted, I was under the mistaken impression that this was her latest work. It is not. It's actually from 1993, and, somehow, I had missed reading it. I've read all of her other works. - which I enjoyed. This one had me wanting to throw it across the room.
The writing is not bad, by any means. It's totally up to her usual high standards. But the tone is so presumptuous, it eventually suffocates the novel as a whole, leaving the reader wondering why she bothered. There's no joy to be found. No relevant epiphany, save the sort of bloodless realizations the main character, the anemic, academic Lottie seems to endlessly bring to the fore.
This book made me angry. And not the good kind of anger. This anger? It's as inert and futile as every single character populating this work.
Bah!
Blogs/Pod-Casts/Sites/Feeds/Websites
Adore:
Jamendo Music
Of course, I love my blog family (see those listed to the right.) I really couldn't choose one of you over the other and I do my best to comment on your posts on a daily basis (although I am frequently quite tardy to the party.) Forgive. Life gets in the way.
So rather than single out any of our knowns, I thought I'd share one of the internet's best kept secrets.
am going to call out Jamendo Music.
I've been enjoying this site for a long time, downloading and ripping CDs for my car - hours and hours of free music, given generously by this site and its artists. It is a treasure trove of unheard wonders.
Simply search for Seth Power and you will discover the caliber of artist to be found. That we never hear any of this music on the radio demonstrates the stranglehold the old model of the music industry still has on our airwaves. These 'super stations?' Not so super. And somethings got to change. Remember when individual deejays got to chose the records they'd spin? There really should be a radio station sharing these fresh voices.
The site is easy to navigate and there is music to suit every taste. If you've grown tired of EDM-influenced pop that all sounds alike or whatever the current flavor is - hit this site to expand your musical boundaries. It's great fun and a testament to just how much unsigned talent is out there in the universe.
Deplore:
XHamster, PornHub
These should be renamed: Time Waster and Rabbit Hole.
I despise how one takes the time to indicate one's viewing preference (straight, bi, gay) and yet still must endure ads and suggestions for content that has nothing to do with said preference. I don't want to see vagina. I made it very clear that I am looking for man on man stuff. So spare me the sight of all those hard-looking fake titties and abused clitties.
Then there's the matter of the search engines which are totally useless, never truly cluing in on what it is that you're looking for. Why is it so difficult to stay on point? I distinctly entered 'outdoor gay bukkake gang-bang,' so why am I looking at two gym bunnies going through the motions?
I turn to these sites when in need of a little visual stimulation. And it never fails: the fifteen minutes I've allotted myself for self-pleasure, inevitably drags its way into well over an hour and a half.
Yes, it's free. But when you factor in the frustration and loss of time and sleep?
No. Not free, at all, I'm afraid.
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Well, that's all for today.
Your turn. Adore? Deplore? What's on your current list?
Leave your answers in the comments section. You know I love to hear from you.
And the wonderful thing about opinions? There are no wrong answers. It's all a matter of personal choice as filtered through our own very unique vision.
Last Thursday I celebrated a bit of a milestone; it's been a full year since I returned to the blogsphere.
This would never have occurred without the Covid pandemic and all the necessary changes to our day-to-day lives. While it can hardly be viewed as a half glass full scenario, reconnecting with the part of me that enjoys writing and the wonderful people that populate the blogsphere is something I am grateful for.
Yes. In this day and age? We need to take our 'wins' where we can find them.
It took me a month to regain my footing, but once I got my programming down, blogging became something I found challenging and enjoyable again. I think I've found a nice balance between offering something informationally substantial, while keeping it fun; an accurate reflection of who I am at this point in my life.
All the posts have not been 'winners', but meeting a self-imposed deadline, the constant editing (even after posting), playing with language, and coming up with content have provided me with endless hours of self-entertainment. And I have surprised myself; I had no idea I still had this kind of discipline and moxie.
Has it become a bit stale? Perhaps.
The purposeful programming dictates the content - it sometimes feels a bit regimented - and I must admit, I'm aware of the occasional drop in quality. But that standardization is also an aspect of what's kept this a constant challenge.
In the future, I may shift gears (I had no idea how much classic gay pulp fiction was published in the 1960's and 70's!) and some change is inevitable; we are all in the process of picking up the pieces of our old way of life. Just this week my workplace announced a date when we will be returning to the office and this summer, the prairie calls. But for now? I plan on carrying on as is.
I want to say thank you to all those who follow the blog. You are part of the reason I keep writing. The fact that you clicked that little follow button acts as a vote of confidence which I greatly appreciate.
And please forgive me if this all sounds a bit too self-referential and egotistical. Because it certainly has not been all about me...
The real treasure in all of this? My fellow bloggers.
You only need look to the right side of my blog and find the list of those who have served as inspiration, fine examples, and support during the relaunch of Wonderland Burlesque. I adore reading these blogs on a daily basis and thank them for putting up with my non-stop, unfiltered commentary.
There's a true community to be found here; a real connection. It has rather redefined the term 'friendship' for me. I frequently bemoan the fact that as I've gotten older, I've no friends, but that's not true.
Though you are all people I have never met, I still consider you friends. You have all shared so much over the year and have been a huge source of comfort and support during this pandemic, as well as sharing the pain we experienced during the orange ogre's final year in office, the trepidation experienced during the 2020 election, the fear felt during the insurrection on Jan 6th, and our combined outrage surrounding the death of George Floyd.
We've cheered one another on. Battled the same dragons. Wished each other well. Decried the same injustices. And celebrated each small victory.
So, the title of this Weekend Onesie is a bit of a misrepresentation; for I have not been dancing with myself...
Oh, no! Is this a pop-quiz? I didn't do my homework last night!
Oh, wait.
We're all adults. And this isn't science class.
Yeah, don't worry, I'm not here to test your knowledge of how the virus works or where it came from or which conspiracy theory really speaks to you personally.
Naw.
I want to learn what you've been doing during the pandemic, how hopeful you're feeling now that the vaccines are more easily available, and how you view life after we reach herd immunity via vaccinations. What (and who) will you do? What won't you be doing?
Spill it, Helen!
Things are looking a bit more hopeful (don't you think?).
Let's dive in...
1/ Have you been isolating? Starting date? How large has your circle of contact been? What activities have you continued to do?
Isolating since March 15th; the day they told me at work to pack my things. Sigh. A year, folks. SMH.
My circle has three people in it: my mother, my ex-husband, my boyfriend. Twice, I have visited my youngest sister and her husband in Madison. I see my other younger sister when she drops in to check on my mom. That's it. A tiny life.
I go grocery shopping. Used to be on Sundays, but too crowded, so now go Friday afternoon.
I go running. I walk a lot. I have one place I order take-out food from, because I trust them. There were two, but I stopped using the other one because the delivery dudes didn't wear masks.
Yep. A tiny life.
It's been good... in ways. I can't believe it's been a year.
Gloria Gaynor keeps singing in my damn head.
2/ Are you going to get vaccinated? Or have you already been vaccinated? Which one did you get or do you hope to get?
I am in the process; one shot in. I just happened to pursue this rumor and lucked out. Got hooked up with a sympathetic lady at a clinic on the north side and she let me in. Second shot is on April 7th. So... my coming out celebration will commence on April 21st. Yes. Fireworks.
Yep. Something tells me this blog is going to suffer (more than it already is).
I got the Moderna. and had no preference. I just wanted it done.
3/ For those of you who are younger, on what date do you hope to be or will be full-vaccinated? (Keep in mind, the CDC recommends you wait 10 to 14 days after being completely vaccinated for the vaccine to become fully effective.)
Hmm. A bit redundant, but I'll answer. April 21st. (P.S. No. I am soooo not younger.) I will be free as a bird then... within reason.
I really lucked out.
For a change.
4/ How effective do you think the vaccines are? Do you trust the science?
I believe they are 96% effective and trust science 100%. Science is my friend.
Because... what else have we?
Look, I spent half a century believing in SKY GOD.
I think I can extend a bit of that magical thinking in the direction of science.
I trust Dr. Fauci. He's a good egg. If he'd been put in charge from day one I believe we'd all be further down the road with less dead.
5/ How concerned are you about the virus variants (UK, Brazilian, South African)?
Not much. They are more contagious, but so far, they are the same thing... the same flu.
I know they are still unsure whether a person who is vaccinated can carry the virus and transmit it to others... but, if my circle is all vaccinated, then that is much less of a worry.
6/ After you are fully-vaccinated will you continue to: Socially distance? Wear a mask in public?
I plan to work from home until they drag my sorry ass into the office. Even then, I am negotiating that I get to WFH at least two days a week. And I am moving to a four-day week.
My circle will not get much larger. I don't plan on travelling for another six months, perhaps longer.
I might have the occasional 'special guest star', but will work to keep it brief and in as neutral an environment as possible.
I will wear a mask in public (and may try it with my 'special guest stars', too... ooh, pandemic role play!). I have a pair of jeans that are so worn they are naturally doing that ripped look that everybody pays big bucks to attain. I took a seam ripper to the ass seam and made myself a discreet hole. YES! Pull up to the bumper, baby (but keep your mask on).
I will keep my distance from others. Have always had issues with people in my personal space. Now, I have science to back me up.
That's right... vampire rules, baby. You don't get to come in unless I say so!
I don't think much will change with my situation for at least six months and perhaps a year. I will be going to the prairie this summer, though. I need me some air and sun and... sigh... mens.
7/ What activities will you resume once you are fully vaccinated? Which activities will you refrain from?
Sex is on the list. Not sure what that entails. Hope my anxiety doesn't ruin it.
I have always been about wet wipes, cleanliness and hand sanitizer. So, I think I'll still be airing on the side of caution.
I want to go to art museums.
I won't be travelling. I won't be shopping for the sake of entertainment. I won't be going to concerts or events.
No happy hours. No restaurants. Too soon. Though, I might sit on a patio for happy hour, maybe. But I would have to have a mask.
No... my anxiety monster says that will not be happening.
I could see myself going to Chicago for a trial travel thing... late fall? We'll see how the virus plays out.
And that's just it. If something alters the perceived course of this pandemic, all plans fly out the window. So, I think it's best not to get my hopes up too much. Not to plan on anything for awhile.
Life will unfold and let us all know what is possible and what is not.
8/ Did you or someone you know have Covid-19? How severe were the symptoms?
I did not. No one in my circle had it, either. I had a scare, but it was just a severe migraine.
My youngest sister's husband got it. He was being forced to go into the office every day. He isolated, said it was like a bad flu and got over it in two weeks. He isolated upstairs and my sister isolated on the main floor. They have a big ass house. She brought him food, but they never saw each other. She was fine. Never got it. He fully recovered.
And the ex-husband has a tool of of cousin who got it twice. YES. Twice. The second time, he thought he needed to share it with his 85 year-old mother, whom, under normal circumstances, he never, ever visits. He's a terrible human being (MAGAT). His daughters both have babies... one year-old twins and a newborn. Dude never isolated and everybody got it. Even the babies. He's like, "I survived it, so get over it." He's lucky. And privileged. And an azzhat.
We used to be close. Now? I hope I never see him again.
9/ What do you think of the Biden administration's handling of the pandemic? His recent Covid-19 Relief Bill?
Biden gets an 'A'. I was going to say 'A-', but why quibble? I need Kamala to step up and drive, though. Underserved communities and minority communities need to hear from her. It would be a win-win. I am a bit disappointed her profile isn't higher already.
I am surprised, actually - that our government was able to get its poop in a group. Based on what we witnessed while the orange ogre was in charge, I thought apathy and incompetence was the norm.
Nice to see something work, for a change. Still holding my breath. But so much more hopeful. And the stimulus package? It's a step in the right direction.
10/ How has this effected/changed you? How has it effected/changed the US? Our world?
I am scared. All the time. All the stuff I took for granted? Gone.
My force field no longer works and, it turns out, I am not Sue Richards, The Invisible Girl.
I've always been a loner. So, this is all in my wheelhouse. That said... I still need me some strange once in awhile.
It's a nice coincidence that this is occurring at the same time spring has sprung. That's where my hope comes from... that time will take care of all of this.
But my world? It's small. It's going to remain so for some time. When life boils down to the basics you are given an opportunity to really appreciate and be grateful for what you have. And I am... grateful. For the small things that populate my life.
Like words, for instance. This blogging thing has been my saving grace. Yes, I use words as a shield, sometimes, but also as a means of expression. For me, that's flying... that's transcendence. To simply put words together and communicate something. Create a picture. Share a story.
So, thanks. Thanks to you, all.
In a way... It's been a wonderful year.
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Well, that was a bit of a chore and a snore.
Sorry. But some things must be written out in order to be sorted out. I think it's a wonderful opportunity to define ourselves and mitigate our hopes and fears.
Wishing you all the very best.
I hope that you don't mind me commenting on everything on your blogs. I don't mean to be a nuisance, just supportive. This is such an interesting community and I appreciate all that you share. Holding a mirror up to yourselves, the world gains a glimpse of you. I, for one, appreciate those glimpses. They help define what is human. And also, in the case of the members of this community... what is good.
Be good to yourselves.
And, as always... thanks for reading.
And now? Doctor porn (There's soooo much of it out there!). Enjoy.
