Sunday, April 26/20
I came across the YouTube video put together by the BBC around the Live Lounge series they run with musical artists that they've dubbed the Live Lounge Allstars performing the Foo Fighters classic "Times Like These" from each of their respective homes around the globe.
That simple fact is amazing in and of itself but combined with the incredible quality of the actual video and the words of the song completely blew me away and made me feel some serious tears.
These are some of the most trying times that we've had to face in our lives, the most comparable I can think of would be what our grandparents and parents faced during World War II. I think that was the last time we could point too where we were all united in a common cause.
I'm doing my best to remain upbeat while trying to understand what is happening all around me, the conflicting news stories about how long this pandemic might last, the surging demand by some of the fucking stupidest people in the entire world that the very actions we've had to endure to stop the spread of Covid19 are removed or rolled back.
Please remain safe, care for one another, and offer to help those who can't help themselves while we beat the spread of this insidious disease and push our way from the current darkness to sunshine, life-sustaining sunshine that will allow each of us to once more bask in its warmth and grow as a collective of warm-hearted people.
None of us walk this path alone, if you ever think you do, reach out to me and I'll more than gladly talk to you about any worries or pain you are experiencing. I might not have a solution for you but I promise to have a shoulder to lean on and listen to your concerns, sometimes that alone is enough to help us persevere when we thought all was lost.
My name is Marcus and the last 6 1/2 weeks have shown me that when the times get tough we do have it in ourselves to reach out and help one another. My hope is that when we do crest this problem we don't forget what it was like to be there for each other, that we learn that simple smiles and compassion cost us nothing and yield amazing results.
The YouTube video can be found here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7GElP4YdrBE
I've probably watched it about 15 times already............
I can be reached at ooasm2018@gmail. com for those wanting to talk or just comment on the world around us.
Monday, April 27, 2020
Sunday, April 12, 2020
Happy Easter
Sunday, April 12/20
I'd like to take the time to wish everyone a very Happy Easter.
I hope you are doing well in these trying times, staying safe and practicing our new norm of social distancing.
I was out yesterday to get some groceries and it dawned on me that people are walking around like it's the end of days, almost as if the four horsemen of the apocalypse are bearing down on us with death and destruction to be rained down upon us.
I literally stopped in my tracks at that thought and decided that enough was enough.
From that moment on I made it a point to make eye contact with each person I passed, to smile at them, and to wish them a good day. I thanked the teenager working the checkout for being there so I could get groceries to sustain myself and will continue to do so for as long as this lasts.
I stand in my living room at the front window in the morning and late afternoon before and after my work from home workday concludes and watch people as they pass by taking a daily walk. I gently tap on the window to get their attention and when they look up I smile, offer a small wave and a thumbs up.
None of this is magical. Nothing I am doing will suddenly make things right, nor will it eliminate the scourge that is Covid19.
No, it won't do any of those things.
But it does remind people, and more importantly myself, that we are not in this alone, that through group efforts and assistance we can and will prevail.
God, or whatever name your chosen diety goes by, doesn't give us impossible tasks to meet head-on.
Nope, He/She rather gives us tests to meet and beat, to allow us to develop as a person and as a people, to show our worth not only to those around us but to ourselves as well.
Trying times show us who we really are and who we truly can be when we set our minds to it.
My name is Marcus and I get stronger every single day knowing my heart is pure and my eyes are wide open to the possibilities.
I'd like to take the time to wish everyone a very Happy Easter.
I hope you are doing well in these trying times, staying safe and practicing our new norm of social distancing.
I was out yesterday to get some groceries and it dawned on me that people are walking around like it's the end of days, almost as if the four horsemen of the apocalypse are bearing down on us with death and destruction to be rained down upon us.
I literally stopped in my tracks at that thought and decided that enough was enough.
From that moment on I made it a point to make eye contact with each person I passed, to smile at them, and to wish them a good day. I thanked the teenager working the checkout for being there so I could get groceries to sustain myself and will continue to do so for as long as this lasts.
I stand in my living room at the front window in the morning and late afternoon before and after my work from home workday concludes and watch people as they pass by taking a daily walk. I gently tap on the window to get their attention and when they look up I smile, offer a small wave and a thumbs up.
None of this is magical. Nothing I am doing will suddenly make things right, nor will it eliminate the scourge that is Covid19.
No, it won't do any of those things.
But it does remind people, and more importantly myself, that we are not in this alone, that through group efforts and assistance we can and will prevail.
God, or whatever name your chosen diety goes by, doesn't give us impossible tasks to meet head-on.
Nope, He/She rather gives us tests to meet and beat, to allow us to develop as a person and as a people, to show our worth not only to those around us but to ourselves as well.
Trying times show us who we really are and who we truly can be when we set our minds to it.
My name is Marcus and I get stronger every single day knowing my heart is pure and my eyes are wide open to the possibilities.
Saturday, April 4, 2020
The Email Nobody Wants to Receive
Saturday, April 04/20
So my Saturday morning started off with a message I'm sure no one wants to ever see these days.
It appears that one of the staff at the Shoppers Drug Mart I frequent has tested positive for the Covid19 virus and as it turns out I might have been exposed as well, I checked the dates against my receipts and found two that match so now I'm playing the waiting game.
It looks like I'm about halfway through the time frame where I could start to experience symptoms and am happy to say so far so good, keeping those fingers crossed, dotting all the i's and crossing as many t's as possible.
This all comes on the Friday announcement by the provincial government that we can expect approximately 1,600 deaths from Covid19 if we continue with the current procedures and could see as many as +10K if we don't. I say we stay the course and try and keep that number as low as possible, what say you world?
So while my Saturday hasn't had the start I was hoping for, I'm going to do my best to remain positive and upbeat, nothing else I can really do as I already am eating well, hydrating, and getting rest.
I think it was only a matter of time until these things started to happen as unless we literally went into 100% lockdown with absolutely no human interaction it is impossible to completely eliminate the potential of someone developing the virus, and let's be honest here, that is not a real option in this day and age.
My name is Marcus and I'll deal with the hand life sends my way.
So my Saturday morning started off with a message I'm sure no one wants to ever see these days.
It appears that one of the staff at the Shoppers Drug Mart I frequent has tested positive for the Covid19 virus and as it turns out I might have been exposed as well, I checked the dates against my receipts and found two that match so now I'm playing the waiting game.
It looks like I'm about halfway through the time frame where I could start to experience symptoms and am happy to say so far so good, keeping those fingers crossed, dotting all the i's and crossing as many t's as possible.
This all comes on the Friday announcement by the provincial government that we can expect approximately 1,600 deaths from Covid19 if we continue with the current procedures and could see as many as +10K if we don't. I say we stay the course and try and keep that number as low as possible, what say you world?
So while my Saturday hasn't had the start I was hoping for, I'm going to do my best to remain positive and upbeat, nothing else I can really do as I already am eating well, hydrating, and getting rest.
I think it was only a matter of time until these things started to happen as unless we literally went into 100% lockdown with absolutely no human interaction it is impossible to completely eliminate the potential of someone developing the virus, and let's be honest here, that is not a real option in this day and age.
My name is Marcus and I'll deal with the hand life sends my way.
Friday, April 3, 2020
Amidst the Worry Came a Moment of Joy
Friday, April 03/20
Well, we are through week 3 of the Covid19 Pandemic and though the times are stressful and the future unknown let us take part in simple acts we see all around reminding us that all is not lost and we shall persevere and see a brighter day in our futures.
One such moment came for me this morning as I was sitting at my breakfast nook enjoying an English muffin and a nice glass of ice-cold milk. There are times a glass of ice-cold milk is like nectar to my taste buds, better than a beer on a hot summer day.
So I'm sitting there and I hear the slamming of a car door, making me get up and look out the kitchen window to see who is out front, wondering if my son was coming over early, silly me as that would mean getting up before noon after another all-nighter with his friends in the virtual world.
Nope, not my son but rather my next-door neighbors' parents, well Erin's folks to be exact.
Now my first thought was what the hell were they thinking coming over, they are both in their late 60's so prime target for exposure to the virus and Kyle and Erin have a little guy born last year.
As I watched, Erin's dad placed a cardboard and paper candle on the front porch and then joined his wife in the middle of the front yard and held a banner wishing their grandson a happy 1st birthday.
He saw me watching from the window and smiled and waved at me, I responded by miming wiping tears away as it made me sad that they weren't going to get to actually hold the little guy on a such a special day but still made the effort to pass on their love to him.
All-day long I noticed the same thing repeated with Kyle & Erin's siblings, all stopping by to stand in the front yard and wish Ryan a happy birthday.
I mentioned this to a coworker on a zoom call and how self-isolating isn't as bad for me given my own tendency to act that way most of the time but the one thing I did miss was being around my daughter and her family. She asked if I was thinking of doing the same but told her I couldn't do that as my grandson is older and would be more upset to see me outside and not be able to come and give poppa a hug.
I make it a point to smile at people as they walk past my place or sit next to me at a stoplight, waving to those I know, just trying my best to remind people that they aren't alone.
My name is Marcus and please accept a virtual wave from me to let you know you aren't alone.
Today's musical suggestion is "Up In The Air" by Thirty Seconds to Mars. For those interested in the unique YouTube video created by the band I've added a link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y9uSyICrtow
As always, I'm here if you have any questions, comments, or just want to talk ooasm2018@gmail.com
Well, we are through week 3 of the Covid19 Pandemic and though the times are stressful and the future unknown let us take part in simple acts we see all around reminding us that all is not lost and we shall persevere and see a brighter day in our futures.
One such moment came for me this morning as I was sitting at my breakfast nook enjoying an English muffin and a nice glass of ice-cold milk. There are times a glass of ice-cold milk is like nectar to my taste buds, better than a beer on a hot summer day.
So I'm sitting there and I hear the slamming of a car door, making me get up and look out the kitchen window to see who is out front, wondering if my son was coming over early, silly me as that would mean getting up before noon after another all-nighter with his friends in the virtual world.
Nope, not my son but rather my next-door neighbors' parents, well Erin's folks to be exact.
Now my first thought was what the hell were they thinking coming over, they are both in their late 60's so prime target for exposure to the virus and Kyle and Erin have a little guy born last year.
As I watched, Erin's dad placed a cardboard and paper candle on the front porch and then joined his wife in the middle of the front yard and held a banner wishing their grandson a happy 1st birthday.
He saw me watching from the window and smiled and waved at me, I responded by miming wiping tears away as it made me sad that they weren't going to get to actually hold the little guy on a such a special day but still made the effort to pass on their love to him.
All-day long I noticed the same thing repeated with Kyle & Erin's siblings, all stopping by to stand in the front yard and wish Ryan a happy birthday.
I mentioned this to a coworker on a zoom call and how self-isolating isn't as bad for me given my own tendency to act that way most of the time but the one thing I did miss was being around my daughter and her family. She asked if I was thinking of doing the same but told her I couldn't do that as my grandson is older and would be more upset to see me outside and not be able to come and give poppa a hug.
I make it a point to smile at people as they walk past my place or sit next to me at a stoplight, waving to those I know, just trying my best to remind people that they aren't alone.
My name is Marcus and please accept a virtual wave from me to let you know you aren't alone.
Today's musical suggestion is "Up In The Air" by Thirty Seconds to Mars. For those interested in the unique YouTube video created by the band I've added a link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y9uSyICrtow
As always, I'm here if you have any questions, comments, or just want to talk ooasm2018@gmail.com
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