It seems that this is the season for the expression of very strong opinions about everything that swirls around us.   A few weeks ago I wrote a blog about Typhoid Mary because she was asymptomatic and compared her to those today who are asymptomatic for Covid19 and used this as a set up to implore folks to wear masks.   I was taken aback by the vigorous opposition comments to my blog. I realized far too late that I had stumbled into a symbolic political mine field. 

I’m still angry when I think about it — angry at myself.Several years ago, I was at a small wedding reception dinner and found myself at the bar with the father of the groom (I was from the bride’s side).

I’m obsessed with my new Peloton! As soon as our power came back on, I hit the bike. The instructors are from all over the USA and the UK. Streaming from California to New York, Canada and London. I can ride LIVE, or hit a virtual trail. New friends, sending High-Fives through each intense breath. Today, my girl Robyn from Brooklyn, lined up some Lady Gaga, my girl Madonna and some songs from Rent! Positive and full of life. Each ride reminds me of how precious and enjoyable life can be everyday.

  When my children were young, we didn’t use the word “hate” in my house. Instead, when a particularly strong emotion moved us, we said “disliked with a hot burning passion”. I really disliked my blog last week with a hot burning passion. I had hesitated to write about what was really on my mind and so I wrote a silly piece about my change in shopping habits.

  Prior to the pandemic, I rarely, if ever, gave out my cell phone number professionally. I only gave it to clients  in limited cases. I never felt it necessary as my voicemail at my office is automatically sent to me via email. And I am constantly checking my email.  

The week just past I got to enjoy my outside office a bit more. Interestingly an important component failed midweek. My external monitor just went kaput. Fortunately, I had a temporary backup at hand. The week before Marisa asked me if I had an extra external monitor. I did but not on site. I was able to retrieve it before last weekend; I kept it deployed elsewhere (the photo upper left suggests it location) for when set up shop at client’s office nearby.

I have noticed that many a Covid Conversation ends up with the question-What are you watching to help pass the time?   The availability of streamed movies, TV shows, plays, and lectures is great, but I have found that for me, the most consistent form of comforting entertainment has been listening to Music.   Since JFK’s assassination, music has played a major role in helping Americans heal, hope, vent, and escape. The Beatles music brought joy in the winter of 1964 after the Kennedy Killing.  

FDR famously said in his 1933 inaugural address: The only thing we have to fear is fear itself. To me his meaning was that no matter how dire the situation may appear fear can only make things worse.     With all that is swirling around us in these scary times, 2020 will surely rank amongst the worst years of the 21st century.  I fear, you fear, we all fear.