Music - Shelter in Place Day 4 - COVID 19 Life

Every morning I wake up with another song in my head. I don't remember that being a daily occurrence prior to this, but perhaps I am just more aware.

Some friends an I have been sharing playlists on Spotify. It is a really nice way to stay connected. Music is better for me right now than streaming shows. I have a lot I need to get done around the house and music keeps me going.

Are you listening to anything new or any music really touching you lately?

Economy vs. Lives? - Shelter in Place Day 3 - COVID 19

Okay people, how is this whole capitalism thing working for you? We have politicians pushing the economy over people's lives! The same people against raising the minimum wage. Who is keeping things stocked on the shelves? Minimum wage workers. Who is bringing your delivery order to you? Minimum wage workers. Who is cleaning and sanitizing the hospitals? I really don't know how much they get paid, but I can guarantee it is not enough. I try to make a point when I'm in the hospital with a loved one to strike up a conversation and thank the person cleaning the room. We never got into actual number, but believe me it is not sufficient for putting their lives at risk every day.

I realize I'm probably preaching to the choir, but now is the time for us to figure out what we do want. We CAN and HAVE TO come up with something different. Capitalism as we are currently practicing it, does not serve the common good. Heck, it doesn't even serve anyone but the 1% and people lives are at stake (not just because of COVID 19). 

So that is the task of the moment. We have a little bit of time to dream up a better world. What are we going to come up with?

Anxiety - Shelter in Place Day 2 - COVID 19 Life

Super high anxiety day. I feel the need to get all the people I love under one roof and care for them.

Went for a walk today. It helps to get outside. Thought about how very fortunate I am to be able to take a walk. I am trying to balance my anxiety and feeling of panic with the little things I appreciate.

I saw sanitation workers out collecting garbage and I hugged them mentally for the work they do. I saw our postal worker and felt the same gratitude and love for them as humans continuing to go about their daily jobs while so many of us are only doing the work of staying in place. Which gets me to the frustration I have with people NOT staying home. Yes, get outside and walk, ride bikes, etc. but stay the hell away from each other and STOP going to the store every day!

I appreciate the fresh vegetables we are still able to eat and how we have enough food without hoarding. We've been eating better than we do when I'm producing a show and have no time to cook.

I took a nap today and felt so much guilt since countless people are working tirelessly at the hospitals to get ready for the victims of this virus.

What are you appreciative of today? What did you do to feel less anxious?

Random Alone Thoughts - Shelter in Place Day 1 - COVID 19 Life

Anyone else feeling alone with their thoughts? I need to take a break once in a while during the day from Facebook. I've been doing a lot of producing of theatre lately so I spend more time than "normal" on social media getting the word out and connecting.

Now, the theaters are closed and we just were given the "shelter in place" mandate (a little late, in my opinion). So here I am thinking with no outlet. I don't want to just call a friend, things are very complicated here at home, and no one reads blogs anymore so I can get personal and intimate with very little risk.

This post is just a list of random thoughts while I go about my pandemic life.

1. I hope we (humans, Americans in general, privileged white people specifically) learn something from all this. Yes, as a vegan, I am definitely upset that all the warnings vegans/environmentalists/etc. have been posting for decades have been completely ignored and everyone suffers from the destruction of wildlife habitat and the continual consumption of sentient beings. Is this the wakeup call we have all needed? I hope so, but I know that our memories tend to be short.

2. I don't like wasting water...who does? I am washing my hands like I did when Parker was first born and in NICU. I soap up my hands without water, or with a little water if using bar soap, and scrub for a short song length then rinse and scrub for a Happy Birthday length. I try to us lotion often, but my hands still look like lizard skin right now.

3. I took a shower today and it felt like a luxury to touch my face without worry.

4. I think about all the healthcare workers all the time and fear for their safety and appreciate all they do, but I also think constantly about the postal delivery people, grocery workers, garbage collectors, etc. who are also putting themselves at risk.

5. I've read drinking tea can be helpful. I guess it can't hurt and I love tea so I'm clinging to that one.

6. I worry about all the local businesses I love and how they are going to survive this time. All my friends who work in the service industry who have no income now.

7. My main thought is my worry about my eldest, Parker. He is 20 and lives in the twin city to ours, closer to campus, and has a roommate who works at Target. I've asked him to move home during this, but he hasn't accepted. He has a congenital heart defect so tends to be higher risk. I think I'm going to push harder for him to come home.

How are you all? What are you random thoughts?