Do I go out and shop now or do I write first? Which is procrastinating? I’ll write first. After I shop I have to change and wash up. It’s now four hours later and I did neither. If that surprises you, welcome new reader of Wise Madness. I had a good excuse. I got a phone call then got a delivery. Then a streaming concert and then … . This is as good a time as any to write. No streaming concerts for over an hour.
I’ve done so much socializing the last two days. That’s a good thing. I’ve talked on the phone with Fred, Carolann, and John. Fred is usually one of the people I speak to the most but that’s because we see each other in person. We never talk on the phone except to say, “I’m here!” when we are meeting. It was great. Who else can I discuss the effects of COVID-19 on concert going and visa versa? Well plenty of people but Fred is informed on both topics. Fine I have other friends that are too. You’re a tough crowd, keeping me honest. I had a zoom meeting with Ethan. These were all pretty in-depth conversations.
The new Chicks with Dip video of What a Wonderful World came up the three phone calls. This makes sense and Carolann is in it, John premiered it on his blog, New Folk Initiative , and Fred and I are friends and fans of everyone involved.
If you want to make happy have those people sing that song. Congratulations to Katherine Etzel for putting that all together. I was talking to her through the process. She was, to use the Star Trek metaphor, endeavoring to make mnemonic memory circuits using stone knives and bear skins. Like Mr. Spock she succeeded, and even better Edith Keeler didn’t have to die. I have totally confused some of you while making others happy. That’s what I do.
As I was busy having direct contact with friends I eschewed parts of some wonderful streaming shows. A phone call or zoom is a lot closer to being with a friend than watching a streaming concert is to live music. There are few things I appreciate more than my friends, not even music or food. Well most food. One of my deliveries was a bag of mixed Hersey’s chocolates pretty heavy on the Reese’s Cups. What were my culinary adventures? For breakfast, this morning I had something I haven’t had in ages, scrapple. In the last food delivery, I got scrapple and Taylor ham. I’m a strong New York partisan but I have to give PA and NJ credit when they deserve it. Those two foods are great. I did something new with the scrapple. I layered in into my eggs ala Horvendile. This version was a frozen waffle with real maple syrup, with two poached eggs, covered with a slice of American Cheese, topped with the scrapple. Each bite tried to have a bit of each ingredient. How many of you just felt sick? How many got hungry? Tonight made an Italian sausage in the air fryer. Add that to the list of things it makes great.
My other two deliveries today were items of clothing. I ordered pajama pants through Amazon. The description said:
Made from 100% Polyester super soft fleece fabric. Pack of 2 pajama pants. Comes in Assorted Colors of Black, Grey, Plaid Red and Blue. Features drawstring waistband, non-restricting leg openings and button fly front. Wash well without losing shape. These pajama pants are the most optimal for casualwear, sleepwear, and lounging.
I opened it up and there was only one pair of pants. I figured they just forgot to put in the second pair. I tried calling Amazon, but the usual customer service number is out because they are overwhelmed. I went to the chat option but didn’t get a human being but an AI. I tried to get it to understand what was wrong. I chose missing or defective item. That’s true. Then it gave asked if I wanted a refund or a redelivery but then without me being able to choose they gave me a refund. I now got the pants for free. My options were either me paying twice as much as was advertised or nothing. If I could talk to someone I’d explain what happened. I’m sure if I could they would have just given me the credit and let me keep it. Amazon customer service is excellent. While I’m sure they would do that I’m feeling guilty. It doesn’t help that I would be honoring the boycott today if there was something I needed to order. Amazon appears to not be treating their people right. I am not giving them the benefit of the doubt, but I have no direct knowledge of the truth. My natural sympathies are with labor, but I don’t blindly believe anyone.
The third delivery was the best, facemasks made by Amy Kucharik. Now I can protect the world from Novel Coronavirus in style.
I’m watching Amy was I write this, and I had to take a break. She’s performing and Facebook and Zoom at the same time. People on Zoom are supposed to be dancing along. But then she did a song that featured kazoo and asked us to join in. You know I can’t turn that down. I have to kazoos right by my chair because I’m me. I’m so talented I played them both at once. I had the advantage that she has our mics on mute so nobody could hear me but me.
Now to give Amy my full attention.
Wise Madness 