I always seem to start by apologizing for not writing. The problem is that the more time I have to write the less I have to write about. I just came up with two thoughts; I can write about music I don’t hear live, and I can write about current events. Writing about my personal thoughts and feelings is the best but requires an emotional effort.
I have an idiot story. Despite the cold and snow, I made a shopping expedition to Stop & Shop. This required some prep. I usually bring a wheeled shopping bag but with the snow and puddles from snowmelt on the ground I didn’t think that wise. When I carry bags my back hurts. I decided to opt for my two-shoulder backpack, not my usual sling bag. As I was not planning on spending more than 20 minutes in the store I opted for the less expensive mask option, a tied and tucked surgical mask under a cloth mask. That’s simple to do, here is the official CDC guide on how to do it.
https://youtu.be/GzTAZDsNBe0
You put the cloth mask over the surgical one. That’s important. The problem was that I didn’t want to walk the two miles to the store doubly masked. I just wanted the cloth mask to wear for warmth. That’s the serendipitous discovery of the pandemic, cloth masks are the way to keep warm in wintry weather. I put on the cloth mask and put the paper mask in my pocket to put on at the store. I also put on my Totes overshoes. I’ve written about them before. When I was a kid everyone wore what we’d usually call boots or galoshes over our shoes in the snow or rain. They keep you from getting your shoes and feet wet. Somewhere along the way people decided that this was unfashionable and cold wet feet were an acceptable cost for looking good. It got to the point where I couldn’t even find galoshes in stores and gave up on them. I would be forced to wear my heavy, warm water-resistant boots which I then had to keep on when I went indoors. Then I looked on Amazon and found that Totes still make their wonderful slip on overshoes and bought a pair. I just looked; they don’t sell them anymore. This pair will have to last forever. By the time I reached the store I was very happy I was wearing the Totes, they were covered with water. I had been walking through puddles and getting splashed along the way but kept dry and warm inside them. Then I got to the store and reached into my pocket to get my carefully prepared knotted and tucked facemask. It wasn’t there. Somehow in all my other preparations it did not make it to the store. When I got home, I found it on the floor. It probably fell out of my pocket when I took my gloves out. I should have thought of that. Why didn’t I? You know, I’m an idiot.
Last night I went to the Knick game, they were playing the Spurs. I had mixed feelings about going. Was this taking a foolish risk? Most of what I read says it’s a risk but not a large one [One Way Masking Works by Olga Khazan – The author is not a doctor and this is far from definitive but it’s not an outlier opinion and it’s what I could find quickly]. I wore my KN95 the entire time inside Madison Square Garden and the subway. I only took the risk to see Alan, he has season tickets and sports is how we socialize. He goes to every Knick, Ranger, and Jet game and as an anesthesiologist works with people close up every day. I’m taking far fewer risks than him. I’m going to John Platt’s On Your Radar tonight. That’s my risk budget for the week so I won’t see Deni Bonet at the East Meadow Library on Thursday night. I’ll watch that online. You can too.
I was foolish yesterday and didn’t record Gord’s Gold during the day. I am usually hesitant to record during the day because street noise can make it impossible. As it was it stayed quiet. My plan was to record after the Knick game but there was too much noise from in the building. I couldn’t start until 1AM. Then a new problem hit, the heat was too noisy. I had to wait for that to cut off. I didn’t finish until well after 2 AM and didn’t get to sleep until 3:00. I woke up at my usual 8 AM. I wasn’t too surprised or upset when I fell asleep in late morning.
Now I’m off to Gord’s Gold. Wish me luck. I’ll get tested next time I pass a test facility without a line or go out of my way to get a rapid test the next time I have plans. I have no plans until the 31st but I’d like to get together with friends before then.
Wise Madness 