04/28/2020

Almost 700 Texans dead in 9(ish) weeks, (they say it was in the U.S since late Jan).
Over a million cases in the U.S. alone now.
Still so much we don't know. Texas is almost last in testing. Stats are likely highly false.
And the governor issued a phase one "open" on Friday.

Seriously, I thought they'd come around if people (Texans especially) were dying...600+ now, with no sign that it's turning down... and "let's open up! All kindsa crazies are coming out of the woodwork...

I saw a tweet that said
"The fact that #LockdownEnd is trending shows we have an entire generation who were raised without ever hearing the word "No".
No, you can't go to the pub. No, you can't go to the beach. No, you can hang out with your mates. Find some discipline and start giving a shit.

But really - it's not just a certain generation, it's our society. It's decaying. It's decayed.

(so I remember) Here's my day today:

It rained last night, BB doesn't like the thunder so she came in waking us up.

Woke up, Jamie has taken to jogging now, so I waited for him to get out of the shower. 

Watched news in bed. 

They're talking about the balance of privacy/being tracked and societal health. 

Brought to mind 1984. But really I see better now how we can give up privacy for self-preservation...or is it really?

Pushed Jamie out of the bedroom cause was rushing me. Too much energy. 

Made my coffee that he makes me, not sure why that's a thrill.

 I specifically pace it to where I only drink on Tuesday and Thursday's just so I can enjoy it more. I wonder what that says about me?

Log into skype and outlook - kinda work, but not really. There's not really anything to do. I'm not sure how I still have a job really. 

On a conference call the Publisher threatened to "wipe clean" the sales staff. Pretty sure he made a girl cry too. 

Lunch, i made ramen noodles. Jamie's go to is a turkey sandwich. We listen to the Unplugged History podcast. 

He went to the store . The lines are less, so it's not taking him as long anymore. 

I wipe them down now with disinfectant when he gets in. 

We've gotten pretty good at not wasting food, it's all about the freezer rotation and creative ideas on what else to do with potatoes. I thank god that jamie likes to cook. He's locked in on the sour dough bread right now...

We pick up food maybe 4 times a week now though?

I surf fb through the day, the suburban women comments (and commenting myself),  my musicians are constantly streaming, so i catch up on a song or two and we pitch in periodically.  Just think, all those bands and singers and servers and never ending...I think it was 23 million out of jobs now? Just...wow.

So I pitch in to World Central Kitchen cause Jose Andres. And Community Foundation cause Clay Jenkins...people that are doing things to help. 

I eat, I have shelter. I'm safe. Family's still safe. No big debts. We have money saved up. 

So many don't. 

With always, in the back of your mind thinking, how is this going to end? 

It's almost 4 now, I'm about to review docs for the Dems chairs online meeting. That's probably going to be a mess...it already has been. I've kinda separated myself from it for these weeks. Yes, I will crawl to vote if I have to...otherwise "meh" on that drama. And that'll take up the rest of the night.

We're watching 30 Rock, Schitt's Creek, After Life. I'm side watching Vice News, Trevor Noah, a KPop series an author reco'd and Songland. Jamie , Ozark, Better Call Saul and his reality trash shows. We play games too some days. Started playing "Nines". Lisa taught it to me on a zoom party the other day Will do another on Thursday. . She slept til noon on Saturday! She's used to being alone but like Norma...this all has to take a toll on another level when you're just alone. 

He pulled out some frozen chicken for dinner. 

Saw we're fixing to get some really bad maybe tornado weather tonight after that so...

4/8/2020

Looked it up, today is my 24th day of self-quarantine. Since March 15th.

We cut our trip to Vermont short, Boston was getting hit pretty hard and even going was a little nerve-wrecking. Half our plane was empty, which hadn't happened since I can't remember.

We're sharing an office, my hours have been cut and 20% less pay, but I still have a job and insurance..so that's good. I'm really not sure how long that can hold out.

Needless to say - I get that this is unprecedented, but it was not a total surprise. I was starting to prepare when I heard about it in January.
I loathe how my Republican representatives have handled basically everything. The "hands off to keep making money" approach is not conducive to a pandemic. People are dying and the snarky shit comments from them are vile.

I didn't think I could be further resolved to get them out - now someone (not them) needs to get us organized.

Calgary Banff

We just got back from Calgary/Banff - it's strange going back to a city you grew up in as a child. Everything seems so much bigger in a child's memory.
Ate/drank at Briggs then we went to the hockey game - in the same Saddledome that was there 25+ years ago. I liked the feel. And first time on the glass...i liked it, and didn't. Couldn't see anything going on, on the other side of the rink.

Off to Banff the next day - we paid for the shuttle to pick us up - i think if we were ever to do it again we'd either rent a car, or just uber to the airport and take that bus direct. No uber but Taxi's were readily available (and reasonable).
We loved the Juniper hotel - a little bit outside of city center was perfect - i think Banff town itself is just on that verge of being a little too touristy.

First day we got dressed and just went to the Fairmont (the castle) yes touristy but gorgeous views - their waldhaus pub was a gem and the dinner at Vermillion was wonderful. Sit at the bar for the view. Went up the 8th floor - rumors that the Shining was inspired by that ghost story. Didn't see a ghost bride. 

2nd day - Breakfast at Juniper yum (and lovely) Greg A. from tours by locals was great - picked us up at 8:30...Lake Louise is super tourist spot, maybe because it was iced over there was nothing that really stood out...several other spots in/around Banff felt better. Minnewanka...ate lunch at the art centre, great view otherwise meh.
Dinner at Bison was pretty good. And we decided to rent a car instead of taking the 6:45 shuttle back. Best decision we made AND the shuttle graciously refunded us back 100%.
Back to Calgary - Viv and Mark picked us up - curling, sitting at the bar upstairs, dinner downtown - we tried to go to a speakeasy Betty Lou's but it was a no go.
We had a great time - will we go back? Probably not... but so glad we went.