The 2020 Mostly Staying At Home Pandemic Blues

It's been a long time since May. That's when the seriousness of the pandemic set in for me. In the months since I have remained optimistic (mostly) with occasional bouts of melancholy and periods of dullness. The current political climate has not helped matters. And now it's snowing. That whole Seasonal Affected Disorder (SAD) thing is real. I get it every year, usually a little later than this. But after all it is 2020 so nothing is as usual. 

It's been tough. We normally would've taken at least two trips by now. Another one in October is not going to happen, either. I miss traveling. I miss live music. There have been some concert events that still happened but I am avoiding crowds so they just weren't something I wanted to attend. And one anticipated big show didn't happen at all, and likely never will. I miss my friends. A few I still see once in awhile in person. But it's different now. No handshakes or hugs. I miss human physical contact. I miss sitting in a crowded restaurant with a lively buzz in the background. I know some of you are thinking it's an over reaction and the virus is not as serious as it's being made out to be. But I'm 65 years old, with a heart condition and an uncommon type of asthma. So, if I'm going to error, it's going to be on the side of caution. 

In spite of all that...or because of it...every so often I take a day to seek out a few of the simple pleasures that lift my spirits. Yesterday was one of those days. I went to the record store and the library. Two places that never disappoint. As Penny Lane said in the movie Almost Famous, "...if you ever get lonely you can just go to the record store and visit your friends." That doesn't apply to just being lonely. It fits for any time you just need a little lift, because it's true. You always have a friend at the record store, even if you don't know their name.

 I found a copy of Heart of Saturday Night by Tom Waits. I've had the cassette tape for a long time but never owned the record. It's playing right now as I write this.                                                                

    Let's put a new coat of paint on this lonesome 'ol town                                                                                     Set 'em up  we'll be knockin 'em down                                                                                                              You wear a dress, baby  I'll wear a tie                                                                                                               We'll laugh at that 'ol bloodshot moon                                                                                                               In that burgundy sky   

Next stop - the library. Checked out "The Portfolios of Ansel Adams." I've seen most of his photographs, including personally viewing some of his original prints, but this book organizes them in specific related collections. I noticed something I hadn't thought about in detail. I noticed that the main feature of nearly every photo is either the lighting or the sky. It's rarely both. I like how I am continually discovering new concepts and interpretations when I view familiar art. New to me anyway. 

The other book is a book of essays that includes a topic I have been interested in for years. It's a summary of the lawsuit being brought by Wile E. Coyote against the Acme company. The case is based on the repeated failure of Acme products used by Coyote in his efforts to catch that damned roadrunner. The opening statement reads, in part, "Injuries sustained by Mr. Coyote have restricted his ability to make a living in his profession of predator. Mr. Coyote is self-employed and thus not eligible for Workman's Compensation." 

He is seeking compensation in the amount of $38,750,000. I hope he is awarded the full amount.

Looking out the window again I see it has stopped snowing. Things are looking up.

Roger O'Dea     10/17/2020