Well, a pandemic- that's what's happening. I mean, that's really the big news. Hell, you'd think it's the only news.
As of Friday, my "regular" job was still going. I have no idea how long that will last. While we do provide services for a busy airport and a major market city, an airline, and a major manufacturer of PPE, I hesitate to label anything I do as "essential." Nobody's going to get sick or die if my job isn't done. With all of Gwinnett County (where I live and work) under a Shelter in Place order, it remains to be seen whether I'm asked to report as normal tomorrow.
Fortunately for all of us there, the shop is more than big enough for everyone to maintain six feet of distance between each other.
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In the absence of karaoke on Saturday nights, my weekend days are freed up for a while. Yesterday, I spent about three hours in the garage, straightening up the mess. That's about the closest I get to going outside most of the time (I'm very pale, and burn very easily for someone with (once upon a time) dark brown hair and brown eyes. I also spent about an hour outside last night with the AC repair guy (yes, the AC crapped out right as it started to get too warm to be comfortable).
This morning, I feel like my head has been stuffed with cotton (some would argue that's possible, because that's what passes as brains for me) and some sort of gremlin is pounding on it with a mallet. Freakin' pollen.
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I have never been comfortable with cafeterias or buffets. Plenty of people have called me weird for this, but I think our current situation makes my discomfort perfectly normal, no?
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What are you guys doing to occupy yourselves, if you're isolating?
I'm pretty much a hermit most of the time anyway, so I haven't really changed my habits much- other than not going out with my coworkers to Zapata's for lunch once a week. I'm reading and watching TV- and spending far too much time on the 'net, sprinkled in with cleaning.
Like I said, pretty much my normal routine.
Any movies or TV to recommend? I've been enjoying The Outsider (long time Stephen King fan) and I'm going to watch Star Trek: Picard soon, too. Plus, there are a few episodes in this season of The Walking Dead left, so I have that. Also, Supernatural only has a few episodes left before the series concludes.
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When this guy first came around, I could've sworn I heard his name as Jabberwocky. But I also read Eminem's name as E-mine-um, so...
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Something truly wonderful I've been seeing is all the musicians and performers who are taking to social media to share- be it Jamiroquai or Bob James or Dave Stewart or Levar Burton, or even local MC Lexx, who spun a Facebook Live version of the Havana Night that he normally would be doing a Mojito's Cuban American Bistro here in Norcross.
Support them as best you can, if you can.
Support them as best you can, if you can.
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Speaking of Levar Burton, I absolutely adore that- when he asked for recommendations for books in public domain to read so as not to violate copyright laws- Neil Gaiman gave him blanket permission to read any of his work. Gaiman then one-upped himself by giving teachers everywhere blanket permission to use his works for recorded assignments.
As big a nerd as I am, I've never read any of Gaiman's work. That move assures that I will, though.
As big a nerd as I am, I've never read any of Gaiman's work. That move assures that I will, though.
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Austin City Limits has made its online archives available for free. In a statement on their website, Austin City Limits said
the move was "a gift to music fans during the current live music moratorium."
They statement said the "series will make fan-favorite episodes from the recently broadcast Season 45 available for streaming, in addition to the entire slate of programs from the previous two seasons of the acclaimed concert showcase. Over 35 ACL instalments will be available to stream free online offering a wide variety of music’s finest from every genre."
"While live music is grounded and with the postponement and cancellation of countless tours and music festivals, ACL aims to keep its spirit alive, providing new viewing options for the house-bound…There’s something for everyone."
"The power of music has sustained people in difficult times throughout history and ACL encourages fans and folks to please enjoy these gifts from their archives."
the move was "a gift to music fans during the current live music moratorium."
They statement said the "series will make fan-favorite episodes from the recently broadcast Season 45 available for streaming, in addition to the entire slate of programs from the previous two seasons of the acclaimed concert showcase. Over 35 ACL instalments will be available to stream free online offering a wide variety of music’s finest from every genre."
"While live music is grounded and with the postponement and cancellation of countless tours and music festivals, ACL aims to keep its spirit alive, providing new viewing options for the house-bound…There’s something for everyone."
"The power of music has sustained people in difficult times throughout history and ACL encourages fans and folks to please enjoy these gifts from their archives."
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Like everyone else, The National has postponed its tour, which was currently supposed to be crossing Japan. To support the people behind the scenes to make those shows happen, the band says they are donating all profits from their merchandise sales to their crew members.
"Our crew are the lifeblood of our touring operation and have become family through the many years we’ve worked together," front man Matt Berninger posted to Instagram.
"As uncertainty looms over the state of the live concert industry, we will direct all profits from merch sales through our webstore, new @ntlcherrytree fan club enrollments, and sales from the Cherry Tree members-only store to support our crew members throughout this crisis to the best of our ability."
"Our crew are the lifeblood of our touring operation and have become family through the many years we’ve worked together," front man Matt Berninger posted to Instagram.
"As uncertainty looms over the state of the live concert industry, we will direct all profits from merch sales through our webstore, new @ntlcherrytree fan club enrollments, and sales from the Cherry Tree members-only store to support our crew members throughout this crisis to the best of our ability."
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Atlanta rapper Future has teamed up his FreeWishes Foundation with Atlanta Sewing Style to make masks for healthcare workers and patients who have been hospitalized with Covid-19.
Atlanta Sewing Style is made up of over 500 local designers who will create and sew the masks before delivering them all to local hospitals.
Stephanie Jester, the rapper's mother and co-founder of FreeWishes said "(there) is so much that needs to be done during this crisis and if everyone can step up in some way, we can all get through this together as we serve our community."
Foundation co-founder Tia-Wilburn Anderson added it was "important to my brother, Future and I that we are of service to our community, especially during this pandemic and throughout the year…This is why our family created the foundation."
Atlanta Sewing Style is made up of over 500 local designers who will create and sew the masks before delivering them all to local hospitals.
Stephanie Jester, the rapper's mother and co-founder of FreeWishes said "(there) is so much that needs to be done during this crisis and if everyone can step up in some way, we can all get through this together as we serve our community."
Foundation co-founder Tia-Wilburn Anderson added it was "important to my brother, Future and I that we are of service to our community, especially during this pandemic and throughout the year…This is why our family created the foundation."
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Without getting off on a rant or getting preachy, I'd just suggest that- when this crisis subsides- that we all remember who helped, and who didn't, and treat the accordingly.
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Birthdays today include: Astrud Gilberto (80); Chad Allen- original lead singer of The Guess Who (77); Vangelis (77); Terry Jacks (76); Bobby Kimball of Toto (73); Perry Farrell (61); and John Popper of Blues Traveler (53). #MusicalBirthdays
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