*May contain strong language and material that some people may find offensive!*
Date: Tuesday 24th March 2020
Location: Huddersfield
Specifically:
Reality: Still squatting on Alex’s couch
VR: Took an hour long tour around the solar system visiting the planets and there moons.
Well I’ve reported on more than one occasion that no one around here seems to be panicking - much less stay indoors in self-imposed isolation. This image posted on good old Facebook sums up the local thinking ... although it helps if, when saying ‘put kettle on’ you place both thumbs in your pockets and lean backwards slightly (see photo below for demonstration!).
On waking this morning (I use the term
loosely) it would appear no one is staying put judging by the amount of; traffic, people wandering around, children playing, neighbours gossiping (no there isn't a prize for guessing what they're talking about). I know there are certain reasons for people to be out - exercise, collecting medicine, essential shopping etc but I’m sure it wouldn't involve this many people in such a small area. Methinks some people are not playing ball and listening to the advice of old BJ.
Between us I don’t think either Alex or myself are doing particularly well. Despite the fact that we are both very independent people who are happy in our own company neither of us cope well with enforced isolation - where the situation is out of our control.
I’m particularly terrible at this - I become irrational and unpredictable. Even I have no idea how I’ll behave. Somone once caught me flying a drone around a large grassy area. He took exception and tried to take a photo of me with his mobile camera. I responded by dancing around him, waving my arms about and hiding behind shrubbery. On another occasion someone rang me from a company to sell me something - I proceeded to roar and scream like a demon to the point where the guy arranged for the police to call round.
I know what to do of course. I’m aware that the best course of action is to maintain a routine, to keep busy, to stay active, to eat healthily and get plenty of exercise. But for some teason I find myself, at times, just sitting and staring into the middle distance.
My next move is proving more difficult than I thought. Prior to the government quarantine regulations I would have carried on as usual - travelling to steampunk gigs, staying in the area for a while, moving on and teaming up with my friend Kat. Now? Dunno. If I’m honest one thing that is making it difficult is that I‘ve got my feet under the table at Alex’s - acclimatised to living in a house again, not to to mention having a friend for company.
But I can’t leave if any longer I have been hibernating at Alex’s for the winter months and now it’s time to set up home elsewhere. Reluctantly I begin moving my stuff out of Alex's and into Hymie. I can't impose on him any longer. I’ve gone over my alloted time as it is (I should have moved out last Friday).
I’m not going to let it get me down though, it’s important to have a routine - in any case anything is better than having endless conversations about the virus!
CHARITY
It’s good to see so many organisations and individuals being charitable. I personally have been offered places to park during the current health crisis, friends checking up, strangers offering helpful advice and information, organisations offering freezes in repayments - kind’ve restores some of
my faith in humanity.......
.... then there's this message from Barclaycard..
“........ your payment for card ending **** is due today, it needs to reach us by 23.45 to avoid a £12 late fee.“
Pay up or we’ll fine you!
Cheers Barclays - “Supporting you during the coronavirus outbreak”
TODAYS BEST FACEBOOK HUMOUR
From the kitchen where I’m stood washing a few dishes I hear the sound of a bell ringing. I wondered if perhaps the abbot from Kirkstall priory had followed me home and was lurking around outside. Nothing, apart from a few mysterious shadows cast by the trees, assorted gardening equipment and flapping underwear left on the washing line. I certainly couldn't see anyone with a monk on (though Alex's neighbour has been looking a bit miserable recently). Then, as if in a scene straight out of the middle ages, someone starts shouting “bring out your dead, bring out your dead”. Someone has s very sick/strange sense of humour. The chant is followed by “shurrup yer daft bleeder and gerrin ’t f***in ‘ouse”. Just what we need. Not!
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