Day Fourteen - Moby, Madonna and Material Girls

Day 14! And I feared I wouldn't be able to maintain this. A week of social distancing and a week of lockdown. And the predictions are that this is going to get worse before it gets better. This could turn me into the proverbial ostrich. I am not liking what I'm hearing from a number of quarters.

I've realised this blog is starting to be very music/morning walk driven. I hope that doesn't become tedious for people who are reading it. But I do what I do! It's thoughts as they occur to me and so often I do my 'best' thinking while I'm walking!

Today on the 'pod was Madonna's Material Girl where she happily admits she IS a material girl. That got me thinking about whether our material age has been forced to an end with this virus? Perhaps people will realise that having the latest designer gear or the most up to date model of the iPhone doesn't protect you from a virus that doesn't willingly discriminate. And if you stay at home your massive four wheel, fuel guzzling pantechnicon is of little use to you. And from there I started to consider our physical selves. One or two people have said they end up spending all day in their PJs because, what does it matter? No one will call, no one will see them. Personally I don't get that. If I'm in my PJs it means I'm either ready for bed or I'm sick. One of my friends was identifying a similar attitude in that because she wasn't going to work she wasn't bothering with makeup, doing her hair in the morning but she's re-evaluated that, quite sensibly, identifying that this 'thing' doesn't mean we drop our standards and let ourselves go.  But trips to the hairdressers/barbers are out. I'm envious if you have the skill and ability to do it yourself. I don't! I had a decent cut not long before social distancing was implemented. I'm glad about that. I prefer short hair, it's easer to maintain but I fear I'm going to turn into a long haired layabout before this is over! When I go out for a walk I wear a woolly hat and the headphones over the top. It's caused a Tintin type quiff! I'm keeping it for the time being. ;)

I've been a bit concerned about my productivity over the last couple of days. The time isn't dragging so far but I don't think I'm filling it as well as I might. Yesterday I hoovered but I'd do that anyway. This morning I've washed the kitchen floor which I would do anyway. I have sorted and cleaned a couple of closets. I've ended up with bags to take to the charity shops but of course I can't take them to the charity shops because the charity shops are closed!! So now I've given myself storage issues which has curtailed my enthusiasm. As always I turn to the written word to soothe me. I'm still not reading as easily, concentration remains elusive, but I am enjoying the writing of this diary.

Worrying yesterday about appliance failure leaked over into a conversation with my brother. In his small flat he has no freezer so he has to go to the shops perhaps more frequently than he might if he could freeze meals and buy frozen foods. Going out increases his risk of exposure. I suggested he buy a small counter top freezer. He reckoned he had thought of that but there's no where open to buy anything. So he'd have to do it online. He lives way out in the Shropshire countryside where the mobile signal is iffy and his place is tricky to find as it's up a track that goes through farmland. I can't see anything more than a modest van being able to negotiate it. I suppose the point is that something like a lockdown throws up these previously unconsidered challenges.

I had a potential family issue that I've just heard is resolved. My sister in law had an MRI of her whole spine as she has been in such pain.  But in addition to the spinal problems they identified some nodules on her thyroid gland. She had a biopsy and was due to see someone today. This occurred pre COVID-19 including the making of today's appointment. We were concerned because we felt that if all was well they'd tell her over the phone. They were insisting she come in. So we were thinking the worst. Of course given that coronavirus is taking priority over all other conditions and that cancer operations have been cancelled, certainly in my local hospital, we were even more worried that she might not get the life saving treatment necessary. Potentially another victim due to coronavirus. But I'm so relieved. I've just had a text from my brother saying the appointment has been cancelled but they told her the nodules are benign.  They want to scan again in three months time to check. It's only when something like, this happens that the wider impact of this situation hits you. I'm terrified of having something wrong with me whilst we're in this crisis because it is highly likely I won't get the treatment I might need. Of course that goes for everyone. The impact of coronavirus spreads its tentacles further........

Stop it! It's getting gloomy again! Have to stay positive. Let's think of something good. Another track I listened on to my walk this morning was Moby's Go. I realised I hadn't listened to Moby in a while. Back in the 90's  Play was my favourite album for months. So I'm deviating from my 'alphabetical play all my CDs' regime to put Play on again. What a damn fine album this is! He recorded it in his bedroom! I had a thing for Moby for ages. He's related to Herman Melville  which I think was part of it!  I think if anyone asks me where I've been walking during this lockdown I'd have to say, in a cheesy way - down Memory Lane.

Something else that lightens my mood from time to time are some of the silly jokes on Twitter. Here's some examples:-

To whomever who stole my glasses.
I will find you.
I've got contacts.

Hands up if you enjoy stretching?

At the third stroke it will be 8.43 precisely, my precious.
The Tolkien clock.

What’s the difference between ignorance and apathy? 
 I don’t know and I don’t care.

Gotta keep smiling. That's quite hard when you're in lockdown alone. That's probably why I chuckle at these jokes which might have just raised a groan pre lockdown.