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Archives from 2002-2006

There has been a lot of flip-flopping about masks and whether we should be wearing them in public or not, but it seems the CDC has settled on a recommendation to do so. I realize it is borderline criminal to complain about a precautionary measure during an actual pandemic, but I will say that my heart sank when I read that, because it just makes everything even more real/depressing/confusing. Wear a mask but there are no masks to be found and we’re all up shit creek right now so here’s a PDF for making your own poorly-constructed paddle also do NOT touch your mask after going out so good luck with that maybe try taking it off with tongs?

I know there are so many people working so hard to get us through this but there is certainly an overpowering feeling of being on our own, isn’t there?

The kids started their first day of school-run online learning today and I can’t yet report on how that’s been going because they each sequestered themselves in their bedrooms out of full-bodied paranoia that a parent would interrupt their Zoom broadcast. Well well well, how the tides have turned. I’m sorry, son, were you trying to concentrate on a video call? BUT I JUST HAVE THIS ONE VERY IMPORTANT QUESTION TO ASK RIGHT THIS INSTANT.

Three things that have been cheering lately:

Re-discovering geocaching. Dylan got hooked on geocaching during a recent stay with John’s parents and we’ve really been enjoying taking him out on searches during the last week or so. He’s logged more than 50 finds now, and it’s just so great to see his excitement each time.

Playing Jackbox games. After dinner each evening the four of us sit down for a game of Fibbage and Quiplash, which we view via the Apple TV while playing on our phones. It’s ridiculous and raucous and never fails to provoke laughter and shit-talking.

Hunt for the Wilderpeople. It has become enormously difficult to agree on a family movie, but we all re-watched this last night and it was just such great medicine. None of us chose this skux life, but we’re making do.

I’ve already forgotten what it was really like, back when Covid-19 seemed like a China thing, then seemed like a germaphobe thing, then suddenly became a holy shit this is really happening thing. I know at the beginning the news was coming in with such spooky rapidity it felt like actual sea changes were taking place every hour or so, I was driven to write here more often just to feel more ruddered to the now.

Now we’re in this long quiet held breath of a moment that’s been stretching on and on, which initially felt really scary — like standing on an emptied beach waiting for the approaching tsunami — but currently mostly feels … boringly anxious? Anxiously boring?

(I’m speaking for myself, to be clear. I know there are probably a lot of people who would really prefer to be occasionally bored.)

Our school district has been scrambling to get online learning in place and that is supposedly starting up next Monday (April 6). I’ll be interested to see if the kids complain more or less about having real assignments from their actual teachers instead of whatever vaguely educational nonsense I’ve been coming up with to keep them busy.

Keeping them on a schedule has been pretty important, not only so the adults can work but because Dylan in particular needs some structure to his day or things go sideways. The same is true for me, actually — so far, quarantine weekends have been some of the hardest times.

I did get out of the house during a break in the rain yesterday and went on a hike on a local hill, which felt remarkably normalizing until I got to the top and saw that the couple of scattered benches there are now covered in warning tape and signs. Truly surreal, I suppose every potential contamination point must be considered but a bench out in the middle of nature at the end of a grueling-ass trail?

That particular change felt weird and sad, but I’ve been trying to change my perspective on everything we’re all currently doing to limit our exposure to one another. It’s so difficult — even us hardcore introverts are missing our people terribly — but it’s so generous. It’s such a strange but caring thing we are all in the midst of.

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