It's easy to discount another person's experience, or if not exactly discount it, at least misunderstand it in some fundamental way.
While Nero fiddles in the White House, parts of our country are burning. The catalyst was the death of George Floyd. Maybe that's not quite right. George Floyd's death was one of many wrongful deaths of African Americans at the hands of the police. Add to that the systematic racism embedded in our way of life, and the class barriers that, while ill-defined, are nonetheless there, and you have a final indignity at the end of a long list of indignities. That's not quite right either. Unfortunately, it won't be the final indignity. I think that's where the anger and helplessness that fueled this new wave of anger comes from. People talk a good game about being one country, but we're not even two countries, as many of us have thought over the last few years. We're many countries, existing in the same physical space, passing each other in the dark as we look over our shoulders to make sure we're not being followed. As a middle-aged white male, my experience has been one of privilege. That means I don't have to think or talk about racism if I don't want to. It doesn't directly affect me. I was born into a position of power. If I had been born female, or if my skin was a different shade, or if I was gay or transgender, or if I had been born in another country, I'd be at risk. In some ways, it took me a long time to fully begin to comprehend that. It's so much easier to blame one's problems on the "other" than it is to look in the mirror. It is so much easier to quietly benefit from a system based on inequality than it is to speak up. It it so much easier to circle the wagons around a comfortable life than it is to do anything substantial. I'm at least partially guilty of the last. I am comfortable. I have the luxury of sitting here typing this. I have electricity and I just had lunch, and other than a gnawing in the pit of my stomach about how Covid-19 is going to affect my employment in the near future, I don't really have much to worry about.
There is a lot of conversation about the fires and other destruction, with all of the predictable talking points being dragged out for the umpteenth time. I haven't been to any of the protests, so I can't speak from first-hand experience. I also fear a spike in Covid-19 cases in a couple of weeks. People attend protests for different reasons. The majority are there to actually protest. After all, there is strength is numbers. Many voices speak louder than one. Some are there for their own selfish emotional reasons. Some are there to wreak havoc, either because they're pissed off or because they just like breaking and stealing things, or they just get caught up in the herd mentality of the event. Some are there not to protest, but to make the protesters look bad by causing damage. Some are undercover cops. I'm sure I left out some reasons that I haven't even crossed my mind. It's a complicated situation, but what isn't complicated is the anger. The anger that has always been there is being vented. Historically, the protests come and go but nothing changes, at least not fundamentally. Comfortable people tend to react to these protests with fear, which eclipses any understanding or empathy. Understanding and empathy are crucial right now. Taking a good, long look at ourselves is also crucial. Don't react to anger with anger. React with understanding. That's a step in the right direction.
My stepdaughter really wants to be at the protests, but being a veteran of protests, she has taken on a more advisory role for the less experienced while she continues sheltering in place. My daughter, who is still at her mom's sheltering in place, texted me a link of resources for being an ally and donating. I'm proud of them both. Where will this all end? It won't, I'm afraid. I think it will be just another flare-up. The chaos can't be sustained indefinitely. What good will come of it? Conversations like this one, maybe. More people becoming aware that there is a serious problem that continues to be ignored. Ignorance breeds fear, fear breeds hatred, hatred breeds violence. Lets start by becoming less ignorant. If I could pick my least favorite human characteristic, it would probably be willful ignorance. This seems to be the root cause of all of our societal ailments. Of course, willful ignorance serves the rich and powerful. "Keep the masses dumb and that will keep them compliant, and we get to hang on to all of our money and power while they squat in the ruins of our excesses."
And yes, I think you can both deplore the violence and destruction and support the protests. At the same time, hitting the rich and powerful right in their money is a great way to get attention. It's a shame that small business owners and private citizens end up being collateral damage time after time. Anger on this level is like a force of nature though. If you have very little or nothing to lose, a bit of cathartic chaos hits the spot. Right now we seem to be in a perfect storm of chaos and uncertainty.
The trick is, I think, to have empathy. Be kind. Try to understand. Add something positive to the conversation. Try to listen more than you speak. I always tell my students that listening is a much harder skill to master than speaking is. Right now, that's very obvious.
Sunday, May 31, 2020
Sunday, May 10, 2020
Backyard Birds During the First Two Months (!) of Sheltering In Place
We're about to start week 9 of sheltering in place, and for me at least, the time has gone by quickly. I'm thankful that many of my interests are compatible with not leaving the house. The main exception these days with my relatively new obsessiveness with taking photos of birds, but the backyard has been a boon in that arena. Since mid-March, I have added 7 species to my list of birds seen in the backyard. The first, way back on April 5th, was either a Rufous or an Allen's Hummingbird. The two species are hard to tell apart, especially the females and juveniles. While I saw a male a couple of times, it was always gone by the time I got out there with my camera, but I did get a couple of photos of a female (or possibly a juvenile).
Next up was an Eurasian Collared Dove, which is of course an invasive species here, but I was still excited because I hadn't noted this species previously (I say "noted" because I've only been really paying attention to birds for a year or two, so while I may have seen one before, it wouldn't have mattered at the time). It was sitting on top a pole at the far end of a neighbor's yard, looking for all the world like a miniature gull until I zoomed in.
This was followed by a sighting of a Double-crested Cormorant quickly flying past. I did get a photo, but was of even poorer quality than usual.
The beginning of May came with three new additions. Over at the end of the neighbor's yard, I've now seen a female Western Tanager a couple of times, and a Black-headed Grosbeak once.
The most unusual sighting happened while I was scanning the sky. I often hear the noise from flocks of California Gulls as they wheel around in apparent confusion high above. They're probably wondering why all of the parking lot snacks have been replaced by inedible disposable gloves. While scanning, I saw a couple of small, dark silhouettes high up to the south. They looked like Turkey Vultures, but I took a few photos anyway (I love Turkey Vultures, but I have some nice close-ups, so I knew that taking pictures of distant ones wasn't going to result in anything better that what I already have). When reviewing the photos, I realized that they weren't Turkey Vultures. They had the same basic shape and coloration, but there where lighter patches where there shouldn't have been, and one of the bird's heads caught the light just so, revealing coppery gold plumage. They were Golden Eagles. I had always read that they tend to stay away from built-up areas, and sure, as the eagle flies, they weren't far from the hills, but still it was unexpected to see them above the suburbs.
In addition to these relative rarities, we have the regulars. There is a pair of Bewick's Wren (pronounced "Buick's", I recently learned) and a pair of California Towhees nesting in the yard. The Towhees love stealing chicken food. A Black Phoebe is drawn to the yard by our abundance of flies. House Finches may or may not have a nest in the avocado tree. I've seen a fledgling hopping around on the wire begging for food, supplied by a very patient mom.
We've run out of bird seed for the feeder though, so the finches are slightly more distant now. There are a couple of Lesser Goldfinches that I see almost every day, and a pair of Anna's Hummingbirds who regularly visit. There is a crow who hangs out above the other neighbor's yard, and due to its slightly less dapper appearance and tendency to ignore scrutiny might be a juvenile.
Oh year, there is a trio of Brown-headed Cowbirds who like hanging out on top of the power poles. Their courtship displays are fun to watch (or at least I assume the weird head movements and such are courtship displays). I managed to get a relatively close-up shot of the female when she landed on the fence recently.
Working from home continues apace, with one day merging into another. This week, I managed to go up to camp three times, once to check the nature lab, once to film some distance learning segments, and once to take a hike through Sanborn Park with my friend and co-worker, Jellyfish. The main difference between business as usual and our current situation is that there a lot more people on the trails during the week, and many of them can't seem to hold onto their stuff. There was a small pair of shorts floating in the pond (the one we've dubbed "Newt York City") near the visitor's center at Sanborn Park, a couple of lost hats, extra bits of micro trash, and of course the usual bags of dog shit (don't get me started). We've probably been noticing a few more animals than usual, but that's only because there aren't 20 kids trailing after us. Even when kids are quiet, they're loud. I've been taking photos on trail too, but I'll save those highlights for another post.
On my Tuesday excursion, I even took a trip up the hill to visit Skyline Ridge Open Space Preserve, which was the first time I've been hiking anywhere besides Sanborn Park since mid-March.
Next up was an Eurasian Collared Dove, which is of course an invasive species here, but I was still excited because I hadn't noted this species previously (I say "noted" because I've only been really paying attention to birds for a year or two, so while I may have seen one before, it wouldn't have mattered at the time). It was sitting on top a pole at the far end of a neighbor's yard, looking for all the world like a miniature gull until I zoomed in.
This was followed by a sighting of a Double-crested Cormorant quickly flying past. I did get a photo, but was of even poorer quality than usual.
The beginning of May came with three new additions. Over at the end of the neighbor's yard, I've now seen a female Western Tanager a couple of times, and a Black-headed Grosbeak once.
The most unusual sighting happened while I was scanning the sky. I often hear the noise from flocks of California Gulls as they wheel around in apparent confusion high above. They're probably wondering why all of the parking lot snacks have been replaced by inedible disposable gloves. While scanning, I saw a couple of small, dark silhouettes high up to the south. They looked like Turkey Vultures, but I took a few photos anyway (I love Turkey Vultures, but I have some nice close-ups, so I knew that taking pictures of distant ones wasn't going to result in anything better that what I already have). When reviewing the photos, I realized that they weren't Turkey Vultures. They had the same basic shape and coloration, but there where lighter patches where there shouldn't have been, and one of the bird's heads caught the light just so, revealing coppery gold plumage. They were Golden Eagles. I had always read that they tend to stay away from built-up areas, and sure, as the eagle flies, they weren't far from the hills, but still it was unexpected to see them above the suburbs.
In addition to these relative rarities, we have the regulars. There is a pair of Bewick's Wren (pronounced "Buick's", I recently learned) and a pair of California Towhees nesting in the yard. The Towhees love stealing chicken food. A Black Phoebe is drawn to the yard by our abundance of flies. House Finches may or may not have a nest in the avocado tree. I've seen a fledgling hopping around on the wire begging for food, supplied by a very patient mom.
We've run out of bird seed for the feeder though, so the finches are slightly more distant now. There are a couple of Lesser Goldfinches that I see almost every day, and a pair of Anna's Hummingbirds who regularly visit. There is a crow who hangs out above the other neighbor's yard, and due to its slightly less dapper appearance and tendency to ignore scrutiny might be a juvenile.
Oh year, there is a trio of Brown-headed Cowbirds who like hanging out on top of the power poles. Their courtship displays are fun to watch (or at least I assume the weird head movements and such are courtship displays). I managed to get a relatively close-up shot of the female when she landed on the fence recently.
Working from home continues apace, with one day merging into another. This week, I managed to go up to camp three times, once to check the nature lab, once to film some distance learning segments, and once to take a hike through Sanborn Park with my friend and co-worker, Jellyfish. The main difference between business as usual and our current situation is that there a lot more people on the trails during the week, and many of them can't seem to hold onto their stuff. There was a small pair of shorts floating in the pond (the one we've dubbed "Newt York City") near the visitor's center at Sanborn Park, a couple of lost hats, extra bits of micro trash, and of course the usual bags of dog shit (don't get me started). We've probably been noticing a few more animals than usual, but that's only because there aren't 20 kids trailing after us. Even when kids are quiet, they're loud. I've been taking photos on trail too, but I'll save those highlights for another post.
On my Tuesday excursion, I even took a trip up the hill to visit Skyline Ridge Open Space Preserve, which was the first time I've been hiking anywhere besides Sanborn Park since mid-March.
Monday, May 04, 2020
Week 8
This is the beginning of the 8th week of sheltering in place. Other than going to the pet store around the time it started, getting gas last week, and going up to camp once or twice a week, I've gone nowhere. The funny thing is, I don't mind much. There is always something to do. For example, I just wrote the 168th page for the animal field guide project I've been working on. That's one page for every vertebrate (and a few invertebrates) we've seen around camp. I have photos for nearly all of them as well.
I've been adding to my list of backyard animals (a definition that includes animals seen from the backyard, not just ones physically in the backyard), and some interesting ones have cropped up. I'll share photos soon.
I'll share my Facebook post verbatim describing a backyard moment earlier today:
I was out in the backyard earlier, enjoying the breeze and birdsong, when out of the tree came a glittering cascade, like a faerie waterfall. I almost walked right through it, but then stopped to wonder what could be causing such a thing.
It's a good thing I did.
Squirrel pee.
After it was done peeing, I took its picture. I'll publicly shame the little beast the next time I share some photos.
Currently listening to: My Brightest Diamond "From the Top of the World"
I've been adding to my list of backyard animals (a definition that includes animals seen from the backyard, not just ones physically in the backyard), and some interesting ones have cropped up. I'll share photos soon.
I'll share my Facebook post verbatim describing a backyard moment earlier today:
I was out in the backyard earlier, enjoying the breeze and birdsong, when out of the tree came a glittering cascade, like a faerie waterfall. I almost walked right through it, but then stopped to wonder what could be causing such a thing.
It's a good thing I did.
Squirrel pee.
After it was done peeing, I took its picture. I'll publicly shame the little beast the next time I share some photos.
Currently listening to: My Brightest Diamond "From the Top of the World"
Thursday, April 30, 2020
Working From Home
I'm nearing the end of a second week of working from home, which is different from my "on call" status the previous five weeks of sheltering in place. I have mostly been working on our camp's field guide project, making a page for every vertebrate animal seen at camp, as well as a fair number of invertebrates. As of this morning, I had four more pages to complete, but then I went on an animal counting expedition with a couple of my co-worker friends and we saw a new bird. Well, not new, but new to us, so now I have to make a page dedicated to the Warbling Vireo.
We have also been filming little videos in an effort to remain relevant even though no kids will be coming to camp until we don't know when. We've got a YouTube channel, Facebook page, Instagram, and something called Tic Toc which was new to me before all of this.
As I type, I can see a bird darting into and out of the one of the trees in the backyard. It's busy. It's either one of our resident California Towhees or the local Black Phoebes.
More to come. Now it's time to go eat pizza.
Currently listening to: Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan "Bandit Queen" soundtrack.
We have also been filming little videos in an effort to remain relevant even though no kids will be coming to camp until we don't know when. We've got a YouTube channel, Facebook page, Instagram, and something called Tic Toc which was new to me before all of this.
As I type, I can see a bird darting into and out of the one of the trees in the backyard. It's busy. It's either one of our resident California Towhees or the local Black Phoebes.
More to come. Now it's time to go eat pizza.
Currently listening to: Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan "Bandit Queen" soundtrack.
Saturday, April 18, 2020
Who To Blame?
All hopped up on God and Twitter, the Red Hats have plopped themselves down on the capitol steps to... uh, I'm not sure what exactly they hope to accomplish.
I get that the longer businesses are shut down, the more money the majority of us bleed. I get that people want to go back to work. I even get that subsistence hunters could argue that ammunition is a necessity. What I don't get is that this is a numbers game, and that the greater the number of people with the virus, the longer the shutdown is going to last. Mass protest is just going to result in more cases, and more cases is going to result in more economic damage, let alone the fact that it also is going to result in more deaths. It's pretty monstrous to talk about the deaths as a sad necessity, but one somehow less important than the ailing economy. Our inequities have never been more obvious, and to see the Red Hats stomping around in front of capitol buildings and blaming it all on the democrats is laughable. Blaming it on the power elite I can see, but looking at this along party lines is ridiculous.
Our ability to think for ourselves doesn't seem to be much in evidence here. Our ability to emotionally react to sound bytes and Twitter triggers, however, seems to be very much intact.
My own daughter once mentioned that I tend to use my rational mind to the exclusion of my emotional one. I think she thinks my answers to questions are unremittingly logical. This is often true. I would rather be too logical than too emotional though, especially when there is much at stake. My one goal as a teacher has always been to guide students toward thinking for themselves, because I see a great lack of this ability in our society. Look at the photos of the recent protests (no, I'm not going to link them here) and ask yourself: have these people really thought this through, or are they just desperate and angry and need someone to blame? They'll probably find somebody to blame when a number of them come down with Covid-19, and it will almost certainly the democrats. Never themselves. They've learned that lesson from the great gas ball in the White House. Deflect, deflect, deflect.
I get that the longer businesses are shut down, the more money the majority of us bleed. I get that people want to go back to work. I even get that subsistence hunters could argue that ammunition is a necessity. What I don't get is that this is a numbers game, and that the greater the number of people with the virus, the longer the shutdown is going to last. Mass protest is just going to result in more cases, and more cases is going to result in more economic damage, let alone the fact that it also is going to result in more deaths. It's pretty monstrous to talk about the deaths as a sad necessity, but one somehow less important than the ailing economy. Our inequities have never been more obvious, and to see the Red Hats stomping around in front of capitol buildings and blaming it all on the democrats is laughable. Blaming it on the power elite I can see, but looking at this along party lines is ridiculous.
Our ability to think for ourselves doesn't seem to be much in evidence here. Our ability to emotionally react to sound bytes and Twitter triggers, however, seems to be very much intact.
My own daughter once mentioned that I tend to use my rational mind to the exclusion of my emotional one. I think she thinks my answers to questions are unremittingly logical. This is often true. I would rather be too logical than too emotional though, especially when there is much at stake. My one goal as a teacher has always been to guide students toward thinking for themselves, because I see a great lack of this ability in our society. Look at the photos of the recent protests (no, I'm not going to link them here) and ask yourself: have these people really thought this through, or are they just desperate and angry and need someone to blame? They'll probably find somebody to blame when a number of them come down with Covid-19, and it will almost certainly the democrats. Never themselves. They've learned that lesson from the great gas ball in the White House. Deflect, deflect, deflect.
Wednesday, April 15, 2020
Numbers Are People
The latest data I've seen is the following:
Total number of cases in Santa Clara County: 1793
New cases today: 127
Number of cases in California: 26,963
Number of cases in the U.S.: 637,333
Total number of confirmed cases: 2,083,384
U.S. fatality rate: 5%
Global fatality rate: 7%
Of course, this data relies, to a certain extent, on the availability of testing materials, which are in short supply. Our federal government is failing us in a most egregious way, but on a state level, at least some governors are stepping up. I'm thankful to live in a state with a governor who is actually taking action.
I imagine that if everybody could be tested, the fatality percentage would drop a bit, since at the moment it seems that in a lot of places, only people who are showing specific symptoms are being tested. It has been mentioned, after all, that some people have the virus, yet are asymptomatic.
It's hard to wrap my brain around these numbers. Each number is an individual. Each individual has a story. In my social circle, there are a few people who have gotten Covid-19, but as of this writing, they're all on the mend.
Total number of cases in Santa Clara County: 1793
New cases today: 127
Number of cases in California: 26,963
Number of cases in the U.S.: 637,333
Total number of confirmed cases: 2,083,384
U.S. fatality rate: 5%
Global fatality rate: 7%
Of course, this data relies, to a certain extent, on the availability of testing materials, which are in short supply. Our federal government is failing us in a most egregious way, but on a state level, at least some governors are stepping up. I'm thankful to live in a state with a governor who is actually taking action.
I imagine that if everybody could be tested, the fatality percentage would drop a bit, since at the moment it seems that in a lot of places, only people who are showing specific symptoms are being tested. It has been mentioned, after all, that some people have the virus, yet are asymptomatic.
It's hard to wrap my brain around these numbers. Each number is an individual. Each individual has a story. In my social circle, there are a few people who have gotten Covid-19, but as of this writing, they're all on the mend.
Sunday, April 12, 2020
Backyard Activity and Online Music
As I type, a pair of House Sparrows are rummaging on the ground in the backyard, grabbing prize chicken feathers to, uh... feather their nests with. The local mockingbird has been singing its little mockingbird heart out. The Bewick's Wrens thought about moving into the decorative watering can cavity nest I hung on the side of the chicken coop, but I think they changed their minds after I noticed them. I've also managed to get up to camp at least once a week, which means I get to photograph birds who don't visit our backyard. The weather has been a mixture of bright, sunny days and pouring rain, plus everything in between. It has been a typical April, in that regard at least.
I've also been enjoying the occasional live music via Facebook. I've already seen two excellent Xambuca shows, and this morning watched hurdy-gurdy innovator Guilhem Desq do a show, during which he took the time to explain things in both French and English. I wouldn't have thought of this, but an online show with an international audience is tough to do if there is any talking involved, at least if you want everyone to understand you. Much appreciation for artists who are entertaining us all with live music!
Currently listening to: Simon Finn "The Distance Between Stones"
I've also been enjoying the occasional live music via Facebook. I've already seen two excellent Xambuca shows, and this morning watched hurdy-gurdy innovator Guilhem Desq do a show, during which he took the time to explain things in both French and English. I wouldn't have thought of this, but an online show with an international audience is tough to do if there is any talking involved, at least if you want everyone to understand you. Much appreciation for artists who are entertaining us all with live music!
Currently listening to: Simon Finn "The Distance Between Stones"
Saturday, April 11, 2020
Current Numbers
The latest data I've seen is the following:
Number of confirmed cases in Santa Clara County: 1484
New cases today: 42 (technically, that was yesterday's number, since today is not over yet)
Number of cases in California: 22,095
Number of cases in the U.S.: 551,155
Total number of confirmed cases: 1,779,616
U.S. fatality rate: 4%
Global fatality rate: 7%
Number of confirmed cases in Santa Clara County: 1484
New cases today: 42 (technically, that was yesterday's number, since today is not over yet)
Number of cases in California: 22,095
Number of cases in the U.S.: 551,155
Total number of confirmed cases: 1,779,616
U.S. fatality rate: 4%
Global fatality rate: 7%
Entitlement
We are one species among many. Our basic needs are food, water, shelter, and space. The more space we have, the more likelihood of obtaining the three other needs.
We are running out of space. There are currently around 7.8 billion people on the planet. There are checks and balances that stop populations from getting too large of course. Famine and disease will really do a number of a population. Our technology has allowed the human population to grow perhaps more than it would have otherwise. Our ability to quickly transport food and other supplies anywhere in the world is unmatched by any other species. Of course, along with food and supplies, we can just as quickly transport viruses around the world, as is currently obvious. Disease is not only a check and balance, but a symptom. We are killing our host, or at least its ability to sustain us. Hello check. Hello balance. Sure, that might sound alarmist, but think about how this relatively mild (compared to, say, the Black Death, which killed somewhere between 30% and 60% of the population of Europe) pandemic has affected society. Imagine if something more serious happened. All of those post-apocalyptic movies and TV shows got it pretty much right, I'd say. Mass chaos, followed by the end of modern society. I don't think it would take as much as people think it would. Many of us are pretty comfortable in the here and now, and we don't handle it well when that comfort is taken away. To tell you the truth, I don't know how I'd handle it.
This event is unprecedented. Sure, there have been pandemics before, but at least in recent times, none have had this kind of effect on our day-to-day lives. Many people have reacted with grace. Many people have reached out with compassion. Many of us have found ourselves with unexpected free time. Good things are coming out of this. Lightbulbs are popping into existence above our heads. We find ourselves evicted from our comfort zones and forced to get creative in ways we're unused to. There have been stories about increased wildlife presence in cities (although it has been there all along, just less bold) and decreased air pollution. Underneath it all is the worry that tragedy lurks in the wings. In many cases, tragedy is center stage.
This event has, in some ways, magnified our best and worst traits. For some, especially those working essential jobs, it's more of the same but with an added dose of uncertainty and danger. Disease is terrifying, after all. Unfortunately, there are enough emotional midgets out there in the population making things more difficult
Entitlement is an ugly word. We are not entitled to anything. I think some people are finding that their power and influence aren't as useful to them as they once were. I've heard many stories of people working essential jobs (mostly grocery and food service related) being yelled at or otherwise abused by people who are frustrated by not being able to have the things they think they are entitled to. "WHAT DO YOU MEAN YOU'RE OUT OF CHEESE? DON'T YOU HAVE ANY IN THE BACK?"
We're not entitled to food.
We're not entitled to water.
We're not entitled to shelter.
We're not entitled to leave our fucking disposable gloves all over the parking lots outside stores. We're not entitled to abuse people whom we view as somehow "lower" than us because they work service jobs. Nobody respects you if you yell like an asshole. Nobody is going to want to help you if you yell like an asshole. If you must make an ass of yourself, do it at home in front of a mirror. Maybe then you'll realize how ridiculous you sound. Take a moment to reflect on why you're being an asshole. Use this pause to work on your personal growth.
Unfortunately, I think this opportunity is lost on the people who really need it.
Some of us are luckier than others. Some of us have the luxury of reflecting on this pandemic in relative safety and comfort. Many are not so lucky. As for us. We're pretty lucky. Jeanine hasn't worked since the shelter in place happened, but she is keeping busy and even selling a few things online (something she had started doing before this happened). Right now, she is in the yard, putting up balloon flowers and rabbits. I have been home from work, but I'm still getting paid. The week after next, I will be expected to work a 40 hour week from home, but I'm actually excited about some of the projects I plan to work on. I'm a little worried about summer, when pay is not guaranteed, but we have a plan B and a plan C in place. Like I said, we're lucky.
Schools are closed for the rest of the school year. Willow is still sheltering in place at her mom's. I've heard vague rumors that the 2020/2021 school year might start as late as November. However, there is nothing I can do about any of this, so I'll just focus on the things I have control over.
Currently listening to: Doc Wor Mirran "The Soundtrack of Death"
We are running out of space. There are currently around 7.8 billion people on the planet. There are checks and balances that stop populations from getting too large of course. Famine and disease will really do a number of a population. Our technology has allowed the human population to grow perhaps more than it would have otherwise. Our ability to quickly transport food and other supplies anywhere in the world is unmatched by any other species. Of course, along with food and supplies, we can just as quickly transport viruses around the world, as is currently obvious. Disease is not only a check and balance, but a symptom. We are killing our host, or at least its ability to sustain us. Hello check. Hello balance. Sure, that might sound alarmist, but think about how this relatively mild (compared to, say, the Black Death, which killed somewhere between 30% and 60% of the population of Europe) pandemic has affected society. Imagine if something more serious happened. All of those post-apocalyptic movies and TV shows got it pretty much right, I'd say. Mass chaos, followed by the end of modern society. I don't think it would take as much as people think it would. Many of us are pretty comfortable in the here and now, and we don't handle it well when that comfort is taken away. To tell you the truth, I don't know how I'd handle it.
This event is unprecedented. Sure, there have been pandemics before, but at least in recent times, none have had this kind of effect on our day-to-day lives. Many people have reacted with grace. Many people have reached out with compassion. Many of us have found ourselves with unexpected free time. Good things are coming out of this. Lightbulbs are popping into existence above our heads. We find ourselves evicted from our comfort zones and forced to get creative in ways we're unused to. There have been stories about increased wildlife presence in cities (although it has been there all along, just less bold) and decreased air pollution. Underneath it all is the worry that tragedy lurks in the wings. In many cases, tragedy is center stage.
This event has, in some ways, magnified our best and worst traits. For some, especially those working essential jobs, it's more of the same but with an added dose of uncertainty and danger. Disease is terrifying, after all. Unfortunately, there are enough emotional midgets out there in the population making things more difficult
Entitlement is an ugly word. We are not entitled to anything. I think some people are finding that their power and influence aren't as useful to them as they once were. I've heard many stories of people working essential jobs (mostly grocery and food service related) being yelled at or otherwise abused by people who are frustrated by not being able to have the things they think they are entitled to. "WHAT DO YOU MEAN YOU'RE OUT OF CHEESE? DON'T YOU HAVE ANY IN THE BACK?"
We're not entitled to food.
We're not entitled to water.
We're not entitled to shelter.
We're not entitled to leave our fucking disposable gloves all over the parking lots outside stores. We're not entitled to abuse people whom we view as somehow "lower" than us because they work service jobs. Nobody respects you if you yell like an asshole. Nobody is going to want to help you if you yell like an asshole. If you must make an ass of yourself, do it at home in front of a mirror. Maybe then you'll realize how ridiculous you sound. Take a moment to reflect on why you're being an asshole. Use this pause to work on your personal growth.
Unfortunately, I think this opportunity is lost on the people who really need it.
Some of us are luckier than others. Some of us have the luxury of reflecting on this pandemic in relative safety and comfort. Many are not so lucky. As for us. We're pretty lucky. Jeanine hasn't worked since the shelter in place happened, but she is keeping busy and even selling a few things online (something she had started doing before this happened). Right now, she is in the yard, putting up balloon flowers and rabbits. I have been home from work, but I'm still getting paid. The week after next, I will be expected to work a 40 hour week from home, but I'm actually excited about some of the projects I plan to work on. I'm a little worried about summer, when pay is not guaranteed, but we have a plan B and a plan C in place. Like I said, we're lucky.
Schools are closed for the rest of the school year. Willow is still sheltering in place at her mom's. I've heard vague rumors that the 2020/2021 school year might start as late as November. However, there is nothing I can do about any of this, so I'll just focus on the things I have control over.
Currently listening to: Doc Wor Mirran "The Soundtrack of Death"
Thursday, April 02, 2020
Sunday, March 29, 2020
Humans Being Human
Jeanine tells me that she read on an online chicken forum (yes, there are forums for everything) that chicks are currently hard to come by. Apparently, people are panic buying chickens. They're going to have to wait awhile before chicks will be old enough to lay eggs, but maybe they're already planning for future pandemics. I'm thankful that we've had chickens for years, although there were no eggs in the coop today. I hope people aren't coming over the fence and stealing them.
On the flip side of that, a woman on our block has been stress-baking loaves of bread and distributing her surplus to neighbors. I've been ignoring the doorbell, but Jeanine answered, so now we have loaves of bread. I admit I was irritated at first, because technically we should all be keeping our distance, but it really was a sweet thing for her to do.
A little earlier in the week, or possibly last week... what day is it today anyway? ... the doorbell rang, which I ignored. Jeanine opened it to find an elderly woman wanting to know about our Little Free Library. Apparently, she was desperate for reading material because the actual libraries are all closed. Again, I was irritated in the moment, but afterward decided that it was nice to be able to help her. I even found a book out there a few days ago that I want to read. Also of interest was a board book about vampires. Usually people dump the worst sort of trash in Little Free Libraries - self help books, books about Jesus, and flavor-of-the-month popular culture junk, so it's nice when interesting things appear.
Here's a photo of our resident backyard Yellow-rumped Warbler, taken out the back window while I paused Tarkovsky's "Ivan's Childhood" yesterday.
It seems that this whole stay at home thing is hard for the majority of people.
Also, I got news that friends in the UK actually have Covid-19, although thankfully not serious cases (as far as I know).
We're looking at another month of hanging out at home.
Currently listening to: Fossil Aerosol Mining Project "Scaath Catfish"
On the flip side of that, a woman on our block has been stress-baking loaves of bread and distributing her surplus to neighbors. I've been ignoring the doorbell, but Jeanine answered, so now we have loaves of bread. I admit I was irritated at first, because technically we should all be keeping our distance, but it really was a sweet thing for her to do.
A little earlier in the week, or possibly last week... what day is it today anyway? ... the doorbell rang, which I ignored. Jeanine opened it to find an elderly woman wanting to know about our Little Free Library. Apparently, she was desperate for reading material because the actual libraries are all closed. Again, I was irritated in the moment, but afterward decided that it was nice to be able to help her. I even found a book out there a few days ago that I want to read. Also of interest was a board book about vampires. Usually people dump the worst sort of trash in Little Free Libraries - self help books, books about Jesus, and flavor-of-the-month popular culture junk, so it's nice when interesting things appear.
Here's a photo of our resident backyard Yellow-rumped Warbler, taken out the back window while I paused Tarkovsky's "Ivan's Childhood" yesterday.
It seems that this whole stay at home thing is hard for the majority of people.
Also, I got news that friends in the UK actually have Covid-19, although thankfully not serious cases (as far as I know).
We're looking at another month of hanging out at home.
Currently listening to: Fossil Aerosol Mining Project "Scaath Catfish"
Social Distancing Scoreboard
At the moment, California gets a "B" on the Social Distancing Scoreboard. Most San Francisco Bay Area counties rate an "A", while it seems that the people who didn't study mostly live in the Central Valley and the southeastern part of the state.
Friday, March 27, 2020
It Goes To Eleven
It's going on 11 days since Santa Clara County entered shelter in place mode, and over a week since the rest of California followed suit.
I find that I'm actually being more social than I was before this all happened. I'm not at work, so my time is completely my own. Of course, all of this new-found sociability is happening at an electronic remove. I'm also starting to fall asleep (and awaken) slightly later than my norm, but not to the extreme that Jeanine and Eva are. My current morning routine is to get up, check e-mail and Facebook while eating breakfast, and then go watch movies or shows until noonish. I just finished watching the U.S. remake of the French TV show, The Returned (Les Revenants), which is in turn based on the French film, They Came Back. Despite owning it on DVD, I had been putting off watching it because I'd already seen the original(s). The main selling point for me is that Zoe Keating (along with Jeff Russo) composed the soundtrack. Despite the fact that I knew the story, it was enjoyable. It's a shame it was canceled after just one season. Oh, well. At least I now know there is a season 2 of the French show.
I'm now a veteran of two Zoom meetings. It looks like schools will be closed until at least the beginning of May.
Recent visitors to the yard (or nearby) are as follows:
Eastern Gray Squirrel
House Finch
Chestnut-backed Chickadee
Bushtit
Yellow-rumped Warbler
Mourning Dove
California Towhee
Northern Mockingbird
Lesser Goldfinch
Fox Squirrel
American Crow
Black Phoebe
Anna's Hummingbird
House Sparrow
Bewick's Wren
American Robin
I'm thankful to be able to be comfortable and entertained in these uncertain times. Good will come of this in unexpected ways, although so will grief and uncertainty. Right now, we live one day at a time. The big picture stuff is more or less out of our hands.
Currently listening to: Mahsa Vahdat & Mighty Sam McClain "A Deeper Tone of Longing - Love Duets across Civilizations"
I find that I'm actually being more social than I was before this all happened. I'm not at work, so my time is completely my own. Of course, all of this new-found sociability is happening at an electronic remove. I'm also starting to fall asleep (and awaken) slightly later than my norm, but not to the extreme that Jeanine and Eva are. My current morning routine is to get up, check e-mail and Facebook while eating breakfast, and then go watch movies or shows until noonish. I just finished watching the U.S. remake of the French TV show, The Returned (Les Revenants), which is in turn based on the French film, They Came Back. Despite owning it on DVD, I had been putting off watching it because I'd already seen the original(s). The main selling point for me is that Zoe Keating (along with Jeff Russo) composed the soundtrack. Despite the fact that I knew the story, it was enjoyable. It's a shame it was canceled after just one season. Oh, well. At least I now know there is a season 2 of the French show.
I'm now a veteran of two Zoom meetings. It looks like schools will be closed until at least the beginning of May.
Recent visitors to the yard (or nearby) are as follows:
Eastern Gray Squirrel
House Finch
Chestnut-backed Chickadee
Bushtit
Yellow-rumped Warbler
Mourning Dove
California Towhee
Northern Mockingbird
Lesser Goldfinch
Fox Squirrel
American Crow
Black Phoebe
Anna's Hummingbird
House Sparrow
Bewick's Wren
American Robin
I'm thankful to be able to be comfortable and entertained in these uncertain times. Good will come of this in unexpected ways, although so will grief and uncertainty. Right now, we live one day at a time. The big picture stuff is more or less out of our hands.
Currently listening to: Mahsa Vahdat & Mighty Sam McClain "A Deeper Tone of Longing - Love Duets across Civilizations"
Tuesday, March 24, 2020
A Week In
We're a full week in to sheltering in place. I went up to camp to deliver some food supplies to our nature lab today, with the intention of doing a little walk and photographing birds. Of course, it rained. The only worthwhile photos I managed to get were of the deer herd cropping grass on our lower field. I'm trying to get a better photo of a Wilson's Warbler, and I could hear it down in the meadow, but never managed to actually see it. Maybe next time I'll be more successful.
After I got home, I got some photos of one of the pair of California Towhees that live in our yard. It had a beakful of nesting material.
Jeanine went out to deliver clean clothes to her mom, who lives in an assisted living facility. They're closed to visitors, so she has to hand things off at the door. She also went to the store for a few supplies and found many of the shelves bare. The self-serve lines were nonexistent, presumably because everyone is terrified of touching surfaces. Not that I blame them.
Against the advice of smarter, more experienced people, Resident Rump is making noises about getting things back to normal in time for Easter.
Check out the global numbers of Covid-19 cases here. They've just added a breakdown of cases in Africa.
Our local county (Santa Clara) numbers are here.
Currently listening to: Boris "Love and Evol"
After I got home, I got some photos of one of the pair of California Towhees that live in our yard. It had a beakful of nesting material.
Jeanine went out to deliver clean clothes to her mom, who lives in an assisted living facility. They're closed to visitors, so she has to hand things off at the door. She also went to the store for a few supplies and found many of the shelves bare. The self-serve lines were nonexistent, presumably because everyone is terrified of touching surfaces. Not that I blame them.
Against the advice of smarter, more experienced people, Resident Rump is making noises about getting things back to normal in time for Easter.
Check out the global numbers of Covid-19 cases here. They've just added a breakdown of cases in Africa.
Our local county (Santa Clara) numbers are here.
Currently listening to: Boris "Love and Evol"
Monday, March 23, 2020
Interacting While Isolated
I've now engaged in my first remote work meeting. If nothing else, this pandemic is making me try new things. I'm a bit of a technology-phobe with borderline Luddite tendencies, so I really do need to be prodded to do this kind of thing. We're going to try to play music together the next time we meet.
Speaking of remote meetings, the show Talking Dead, which is a discussion show immediately following new episodes of The Walking Dead, broadcast the same way last night, with host Chris Hardwick and guests all chiming in remotely from (I assume) their homes. Hopefully this doesn't become the new normal, but our modern society has become a place where we really don't have to leave our houses if we don't want to. Sociologically, this is interesting. Obviously, human contact is important, and the extroverts and the needy (emotionally and otherwise) among the population are going to suffer more than most, but hopefully we'll learn something from all of this. Not that I'm downplaying the plight of those in need, mind you. In addition, I've already read articles about improving air quality in China and Italy, and I imagine we're going to see it in more places as time rolls on. The UK is going into lockdown mode now as well, in order to stave of a situation like that which devastated Italy.
I think this is all going to last a lot longer that we've been told. Our societal shortcomings are going to rise to the surface like bloated corpses around a shipwreck.
Currently listening to: Laibach "Laibach Revisited"
Speaking of remote meetings, the show Talking Dead, which is a discussion show immediately following new episodes of The Walking Dead, broadcast the same way last night, with host Chris Hardwick and guests all chiming in remotely from (I assume) their homes. Hopefully this doesn't become the new normal, but our modern society has become a place where we really don't have to leave our houses if we don't want to. Sociologically, this is interesting. Obviously, human contact is important, and the extroverts and the needy (emotionally and otherwise) among the population are going to suffer more than most, but hopefully we'll learn something from all of this. Not that I'm downplaying the plight of those in need, mind you. In addition, I've already read articles about improving air quality in China and Italy, and I imagine we're going to see it in more places as time rolls on. The UK is going into lockdown mode now as well, in order to stave of a situation like that which devastated Italy.
I think this is all going to last a lot longer that we've been told. Our societal shortcomings are going to rise to the surface like bloated corpses around a shipwreck.
Currently listening to: Laibach "Laibach Revisited"
A Week In
This time last week, we were a few hours from learning that five San Francisco Bay Area counties were to be asked to shelter in place. Over the course of the week, that mandate extended to the rest of California. Unfortunately, this is going to prove to be unenforceable. I think a lot of people can't figure out what to do with themselves at home.
Fortunately, I'm not one of them. For better or for worse, I've always had a tendency to accept things as they happen. Admittedly, this change is unprecedented, but it has quickly become the new normal.
Emotionally, I'm doing okay, although sometimes I jump at phantom symptoms, worrying that they might not be phantom. Jeanine is still painting every day, but so far, I've been consuming art rather than creating it. Eva is going a little stir crazy, I think. She has done a little painting as well, but is mostly planted in front of the TV playing video games. Willow is at her mom's house, and reported to me that she had a slight fever.
I'm supposed to have a Zoom meeting at 1:00 PM today. This will be my first attempt at joining a remote meeting. I missed one late last week because I didn't check my work e-mail. Other than that, I'll see where the day takes me. I've still been getting up relatively early, while Eva and Jeanine have been staying in bed late. I predict that I'll slowly shift toward being more nocturnal as things progress.
The economy is tanking, which means we should expect unwise decisions from our federal "leadership" sometime soon. This may last longer than we think. One hears so many conflicting stories online. That's the thing, there is no calm Voice of Reason at the controls. Instead we have a Voice of Chaos. Self-interest and power make poor bedfellows.
Support the arts. They are a balm for the psyche during such times.
Written to the tune of: Animal Machine "Thrashing Drive Vegetation"
Fortunately, I'm not one of them. For better or for worse, I've always had a tendency to accept things as they happen. Admittedly, this change is unprecedented, but it has quickly become the new normal.
Emotionally, I'm doing okay, although sometimes I jump at phantom symptoms, worrying that they might not be phantom. Jeanine is still painting every day, but so far, I've been consuming art rather than creating it. Eva is going a little stir crazy, I think. She has done a little painting as well, but is mostly planted in front of the TV playing video games. Willow is at her mom's house, and reported to me that she had a slight fever.
I'm supposed to have a Zoom meeting at 1:00 PM today. This will be my first attempt at joining a remote meeting. I missed one late last week because I didn't check my work e-mail. Other than that, I'll see where the day takes me. I've still been getting up relatively early, while Eva and Jeanine have been staying in bed late. I predict that I'll slowly shift toward being more nocturnal as things progress.
The economy is tanking, which means we should expect unwise decisions from our federal "leadership" sometime soon. This may last longer than we think. One hears so many conflicting stories online. That's the thing, there is no calm Voice of Reason at the controls. Instead we have a Voice of Chaos. Self-interest and power make poor bedfellows.
Support the arts. They are a balm for the psyche during such times.
Written to the tune of: Animal Machine "Thrashing Drive Vegetation"
Sunday, March 22, 2020
A Brief Excursion, Then Rain
Earlier today, I briefly left the house to drop a couple of things in the mailbox and to get some pet food (crickets, rodents, and cans of silkworms and snails). The streets were quiet, but not deserted. The door to the pet store was open, presumably so nobody would have to touch the handles. Inside, everybody awkwardly stood a little further away from each other than normal.
Now, the sky is a monotonous gray and rain is spattering against the windows. It's weird how the pandemic coincided with plummeting temperatures and much needed rain. The previous weeks were almost summer-like.
Currently listening to: Hackedepicciotto "THE CURRENT"
Now, the sky is a monotonous gray and rain is spattering against the windows. It's weird how the pandemic coincided with plummeting temperatures and much needed rain. The previous weeks were almost summer-like.
Currently listening to: Hackedepicciotto "THE CURRENT"
Saturday, March 21, 2020
A Couple of Things
I went out for a walk along the Los Gatos Creek Trail a couple of days ago. Most people seemed oblivious to the six foot personal space bubble we're all supposed to be maintaining, so the next time I go on a walk, it's going to be somewhere more remote. This Red-winged Blackbird also seemed unconcerned with my proximity, continuing to sing as I took photos.
At home, I saw a Bushtit taking advantage of the nesting fluff (a present from Jeanine) I put in the yard awhile back. I've been considering putting some of my own hair out there too, and just learned that pet hair can only be put out if said pets haven't had recent flea treatments. I guess that would apply to human hair too, but I haven't had any flea treatments, so mine should be okay.
This is the first time I've seen a Bushtit in the yard.
The Northern Mockingbird was hanging about as well.
I watched a couple of things today, or should I say a couple of Things? To be precise, John Carpenter's "The Thing" and the prequel, also called "The Thing", which came out a few years ago. The movie was on my mind last week when I though we were still going to be expected to go to work. The movies are about paranoia and isolation. The isolation is geographical, since the setting is Antarctica, and the paranoia comes from the fact that the titular Thing replicates human beings. Anybody could be a deadly alien being. In fact, it is compared to a virus at least once over the course of the films. The Covid-19 virus could be inside any of us, which makes any kind of close contact especially dangerous for people with existing health problems and/or the elderly. In short, the films are quite relevant to current events.
In other news, the "shelter in place" order is now statewide.
At home, I saw a Bushtit taking advantage of the nesting fluff (a present from Jeanine) I put in the yard awhile back. I've been considering putting some of my own hair out there too, and just learned that pet hair can only be put out if said pets haven't had recent flea treatments. I guess that would apply to human hair too, but I haven't had any flea treatments, so mine should be okay.
This is the first time I've seen a Bushtit in the yard.
The Northern Mockingbird was hanging about as well.
I watched a couple of things today, or should I say a couple of Things? To be precise, John Carpenter's "The Thing" and the prequel, also called "The Thing", which came out a few years ago. The movie was on my mind last week when I though we were still going to be expected to go to work. The movies are about paranoia and isolation. The isolation is geographical, since the setting is Antarctica, and the paranoia comes from the fact that the titular Thing replicates human beings. Anybody could be a deadly alien being. In fact, it is compared to a virus at least once over the course of the films. The Covid-19 virus could be inside any of us, which makes any kind of close contact especially dangerous for people with existing health problems and/or the elderly. In short, the films are quite relevant to current events.
In other news, the "shelter in place" order is now statewide.
Wednesday, March 18, 2020
Day 3
This is Day 3 of not being at work. Originally, there was some confusion as to whether my position was considered "essential" or not. Apparently, it's not, which, under the circumstances, makes perfect sense. In fact, I was surprised that there was any confusion about it. I teach kids. There are no kids right now. Case closed.
I'm actually really enjoying sitting at home and catching up on my book reading, movie watching, and music listening. I'm in the middle of "Dancer's Lament" by Ian C. Esslemont, which is part of the Malazan series originally kicked off by author Steven Erikson (I finished his 10 book "Malazan Book of the Fallen" series recently, and it's epic in every sense of the word - if you're looking for a series to start while avoiding people, this is the perfect one, since it is easily over 10,000 pages in length). Movie-wise, I've watched Richard Stanley's "Color Out of Space" (loved it!) and re-watched Aleksei German's "Hard To Be A God", based on a novel by the Strugatsky brothers. It's a stunning piece of work, and features more mud and rain that the bleakest of Bela Tarr's films. Right now, I'm in the middle of the "Films of Jorg Buttgereit" blu-ray box set. I've seen all the films before, but the blu-ray has all sorts of extras, plus it's a serious upgrade from my old VHS copies. I'm thinking about sitting down with John Carpenter's "The Thing," next. Maybe I'll even rewatch the prequel that came out a few years ago. I might even see what's new on Netflix. I'm living the introvert dream right now.
I've also compiled a list of other things that need doing. So far though, I'm perfectly content to indolently entertain myself. It has been cold and rainy, which has stopped me from doing the other thing I've been doing a lot of lately, photographing birds. Maybe tomorrow...
Oh, and the toilet blurped up a bunch of water and flooded the bathroom this morning. Add that to the power outage a couple of days ago, and things are quite comedic around here. Plus, we have rats in the walls. We've had them for awhile, but it's more on my mind when I'm home to hear them scrabbling about.
Currently listening to Sainkho Namtchylak/Ned Rothenberg "Amulet"
I'm actually really enjoying sitting at home and catching up on my book reading, movie watching, and music listening. I'm in the middle of "Dancer's Lament" by Ian C. Esslemont, which is part of the Malazan series originally kicked off by author Steven Erikson (I finished his 10 book "Malazan Book of the Fallen" series recently, and it's epic in every sense of the word - if you're looking for a series to start while avoiding people, this is the perfect one, since it is easily over 10,000 pages in length). Movie-wise, I've watched Richard Stanley's "Color Out of Space" (loved it!) and re-watched Aleksei German's "Hard To Be A God", based on a novel by the Strugatsky brothers. It's a stunning piece of work, and features more mud and rain that the bleakest of Bela Tarr's films. Right now, I'm in the middle of the "Films of Jorg Buttgereit" blu-ray box set. I've seen all the films before, but the blu-ray has all sorts of extras, plus it's a serious upgrade from my old VHS copies. I'm thinking about sitting down with John Carpenter's "The Thing," next. Maybe I'll even rewatch the prequel that came out a few years ago. I might even see what's new on Netflix. I'm living the introvert dream right now.
I've also compiled a list of other things that need doing. So far though, I'm perfectly content to indolently entertain myself. It has been cold and rainy, which has stopped me from doing the other thing I've been doing a lot of lately, photographing birds. Maybe tomorrow...
Oh, and the toilet blurped up a bunch of water and flooded the bathroom this morning. Add that to the power outage a couple of days ago, and things are quite comedic around here. Plus, we have rats in the walls. We've had them for awhile, but it's more on my mind when I'm home to hear them scrabbling about.
Currently listening to Sainkho Namtchylak/Ned Rothenberg "Amulet"
Tuesday, March 17, 2020
Sheltering In Place
Sometime yesterday, we learned that five San Francisco Bay Area counties were going under mandatory "shelter in place" orders, although the wording was somewhat squishy. Essential services are to remain open, and people can still apparently still go out to exercise (just not at a gym - those are supposed to be closed). I guess that means I can hike if I want to, although it has been raining off and on since Saturday.
My first response when hearing about our impending house-boundedness was to run out to the book store. Jeanine went to Safeway. She reported lines stretching to the back of the store. Recycle Books was empty except for employees. Barnes & Noble still had a number of customers though. I didn't manage to find the direct sequel to the book I'm currently reading, but I did buy four books. Later, I ordered the one I want to read next on Amazon, although today word comes that they're now only shipping essential and high-demand items. Damn it.
In the evening, we had a power outage. Figures. It interrupted the documentary on crows I was in the middle of watching. I sat by the window and read a few pages until the power came back on.
This is going to be interesting.
My first response when hearing about our impending house-boundedness was to run out to the book store. Jeanine went to Safeway. She reported lines stretching to the back of the store. Recycle Books was empty except for employees. Barnes & Noble still had a number of customers though. I didn't manage to find the direct sequel to the book I'm currently reading, but I did buy four books. Later, I ordered the one I want to read next on Amazon, although today word comes that they're now only shipping essential and high-demand items. Damn it.
In the evening, we had a power outage. Figures. It interrupted the documentary on crows I was in the middle of watching. I sat by the window and read a few pages until the power came back on.
This is going to be interesting.