shadowkat | Day #75 of Self-Isolation in Epidemic Central

Today I hunted things to make me laugh, and gave my allergies a break from the outside world. As much as I adore Greenwood Cemetery, it is not great for allergies - specifically hay fever and tree pollen.

Things that made me laugh?

* Hannah Gatsby's Douglas on Netflix. (One of the few comedians that works for me - her aggressive, angry, in your face style of comedy works for me. It has an honesty that many lack. To date only Hannah Gatsby and Trevor Noah have worked for me on Netflix.)

* Man in Australia Builds a Giant Kookaburra during Lockdown and then takes it through various neighborhoods

* Former NASA Engineer builds a Squirrel Obstacle Course

After tossing and turning most of last night, my body just ached, everywhere seemed to hurt, I'd woken up with a sinus/tension headache from hell at 5:45 am. Tried to go back to sleep and gave up, and got up at around 6:45 am. Took a shower. Meditated for about twenty minutes. Made breakfast. Watched television. Then dozed or napped off and on until around 10:30am, and hopped on Facebook to watch my church's live stream of their worship service via Zoom. They telecast it on Facebook and Zoom simultaneously. I usually watch on Zoom, but didn't feel like it this morning.

In the last of the church's program worship services, the Rev. Michael Crumpler - a black gay Christian Unitarian Universalist Minister, and our interim Minister - provided a moving service on the George Floyd incident in Minnesota and the protests that have erupted across New York State, the United States and various European cities over the weekend. The music selections were various protests songs written by Pete Seeger and others. The service was moving, but I was at this point emotionally exhausted and spent, and so tired of the horrors humanity inflicts on each other. I've been watching my friends on FB, and there were violent protests in Phoenix, Arizona, Scottsdale, Arizona, Denver, Colorado, Columbia, South Carolina, London, England, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, as well as New York. During our service they provided various links to donate - which I, in turn, provided to you all in a separate post. I've also provided the links on FB with a donate button. That's all I can do right now. That and continue to vote with conscience and live my life with kindness in my heart for all people.

I am not near the protests - in that I don't see them or hear them in person. They are about twenty or thirty minutes away by subway. So I was oblivious to the protests that occurred last night across the State - in Rochester, Syracuse, Buffalo, New York City, and Albany, and around the country. Philadephia was apparently also on fire last night. I do not want to discuss them - right now. I've already posted what I did in regards to the situation, and provided you all with a link - for what you can do.

Factually - this is what the New York State Governor is doing in regards to the protests. He's assigned Attorney General Letitia James, who was elected to her position NOT appointed to investigate and review all the actions. Ms. James has already requested that the individual who was pepper sprayed by a police officer send her a copy of the video.

This is what the NY Governor stated in his email to me this evening:

Before I turn to the latest COVID news, I want to address the violent protests in our state and across the nation. The outrage we are seeing is a response not only to the killing of George Floyd, but to the continuing racism in this country that is chronic, endemic and institutional. It is collective hypocrisy. We are good at telling people how they should live their lives and how they should act but we still discriminate on the basis of skin color. We don't need to lose the passion or the outrage—we need to direct it. Like a laser focused on real, positive change.

That's how George Floyd does not become just another name in the long list of people who should never have died.

That's how his death won't be in vain.

A note on protesting safely. If you or someone you know intends on peacefully protesting tonight or in the future, please remember that Coronavirus continues to be a public health issue in our state and there are simple steps that can be taken to help reduce the spread of COVID-19: Wear a mask, bring hand sanitizer and keep to smaller groups.

I didn't cry today. I think I am emotionally spent. Today, I kind of collapsed numbly in front of the telly and nursed my headache. It is gone now - thankfully.

Mother and I talked. For reasons I don't quite understand, she's getting my father a hair cut next week -- apparently they are allowing hair cuts now.
I'm still scared about the dumb virus but others don't appear to be. Then my brother texted me about a handshake and some unknown guy in a photo, who may or may not be L Ron Hubbard, at the marriage of Karen Black and Kit Carson. (My brother is married to Kit Carson's niece.)

After that, I watched a few episodes of The Great on Hulu. (It's overrated satire in my opinion. I didn't find it funny at all, just kind of aggravating and slow. I do like Catherine and her maid-servant, but I don't like anyone else, and the quicker Peter is killed off - the better.) So, I jumped over to Hannah Gatsby's Douglas - which was hilarious. (Particularly since a family member's name is Douglas - so it was rendered all the more hilarious due to that. And well, I strongly identified with her spiel on the anti-vaxers. I relate to her brand of humor, so much so, that I'm wondering if I might be on the Autism spectrum. I don't appear to be, although I have had various family members - mainly on my father's side, think I am. What I personally think - is that we like to label people who aren't like us, put them into a box, and then walk away satisfied that we've figured them out.)

Anyhow, Gatsby is a female comedian that I can relate to. It's rare that I relate to a comedian. I've tried several and right now the only two that made me laugh are Trevor Noah and Gatsby. American comedians tend to annoy me. I do not know why exactly.

It's a beautiful day outside my window. I've not been out in it, although I did open a window for a bit. My allergies are thanking me for this. My eyes don't hurt, and I don't have a sinus headache, nor do I feel congested any longer. So, I may have to limit the number of walks I do? I walked 4.4 miles yesterday, or about three hours. I may do another walk after work tomorrow.
Or even during lunch. Pick off times. Or early in the morning. Variance is key, I think in these off-kilter times.

My mother tells me that she's struggling to get out of her rabbit hole, which she feels she's fallen into and wants to stay. I can identify, I feel much the same way. I want to stay there. Safe. The world outside my window is pretty, but scary, and I'm not quite sure what to make of it at the moment. I pray the worse is over, but I know it isn't. This is just the beginning of Act II. As long as we have evil people in power...things will continue to get worse, we have not hit rock bottom yet.

So I leave you with this photo taken a few days ago...which, for me, at least, helps keep things in perspective. Who are we..but the memories and footprints we leave behind...and even those, even those will fade with time.

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wpadmirer

Pat and I love Hannah Gadsby. We were SO glad to see another special from her.

I had seen the giant Kookaburra, but I had not seen the squirrel obstacle course! Thank you for sharing.