I’m being good and writing even though I’m not inspired to write. Being a pro means performing on demand. I once read in The Straight Dope that was the defining talent for male porn stars. I said “porn” so now more people will find this via googling. Back when I was on Diaryland I knew what people were googling when they found my diary. I miss that.
I just had a holiday treat, a video chat with Emily, her daughters, and Emi. I got to see my once-a-year family. They were dressed fancy for dinner in wigs and costumes. I was in my usual hoodie. Then they started playing with filters and I found how to do it on my phone. After that this is what Emily and I looked like.
I now need to message video chat with everyone so I can play with this. I’m ten years old.
I was bad today and didn’t go out even though I need eggs. Or was I good because I didn’t expose myself to COVID-19? Everything must be balanced. I am careful when I go out. I always wear a mask and spend minimal time in the store I am not within 6 feet of anyone for more than the time it takes to check out. This does not constitute a major risk as long as everyone else is masked. If everyone lived like that for a month to six weeks we’d have COVID-19 licked and almost go back to normal. That is easier said than done. The US is not as singular as many think; we have a significantly lower new death rate than Greece, Italy, Belgium, Portugal, UK, and Austria. That group has new death rates per million of 6.4 to 11.6. Our 3.6 is about the same as the Netherland’s 3.4 and France’s 3.3. The rest of the rich world has rates under 2.3 and some have gotten it down to 0.0. If we could just get down to Canada’s 2.2 we’d be eliminating 39% of the deaths. The point is wear a mask, socially distance, and be careful.
I’m frustrating myself now. I have made a conscious decision to not do that. Telling people they’re wrong, even when you have the evidence on your side, is not effective. How can insist that other people accept evidence when evidence says that doing so is not effective?
I’ll think about good things. I am not going to get to go caroling with Terre Roche or spend New Year’s with Warren and Tina, two of my annual traditions. I suspect that Pesach in in Norwalk won’t be in the cards, but there is an outside chance it will. I have no idea when it is this year. Jewish holidays sneak up on you. I think it’s a scam to get people to buy Jewish calendars. If everyone at the Seder gets vaccinated will we be able to get together? I’m not confident but it’s possible. The first annual tradition that I’m cautiously optimistic about is the Sunset Singing Circles in May and June. They are outdoors. People should be vaccinated by then and it doesn’t involve that many people or go on for a long time. Falcon Ridge is August, I’m feeling even better about that. It too is outdoors but involves far more people often huddled closer together. I’m not going to rely on my judgment, I know more than most people, but a far cry from what I trust. If Fauci and company are behind it. I’ll go. I’m counting on Thanksgiving next year. Things are going to look quite different with a vaccine and a president with a coherent policy. We’ll know a lot more by the spring. I’m going to hug everyone who is ready for hugs when I can.
Now I’m starving. I will make the country style ribs I took out of the freezer. I wonder when I’ll have to shop for meat again. I had loaded up. I should take the meat bin out of the freezer and take stock. Last time I did that I found some shaved beef. That was exciting. It’s like finding buried treasure. OK, enough writing, time to eat.
Wise Madness 