The Next Two Weeks.......

 

This evening we were really looking forward to going to play Trivia at the Monday Night Good Will Social Club League.  I don't know if it is really a league, but, it sure is to me.  Prior to the pandemic, our week rocked it almost every Monday.  There were big prizes to be won.  Like a free beer for the next week.  Our time was especially strategic as the first place team is required to sing a karaoke song chosen by the crowd.  Our goal was to finish second.  It is harder than it sounds because that meant strategically letting other teams "overhear" an answer to an especially tough question to level the playing field. We had other tactics but I can't disclose them all.  

Then, the shut down happened.  No trivia.  Having to spend our lives online.  Then, the circuit breakers or whatever.  There always seemed to be something.  Then, things basically came back to normal.  Sure, mask mandates continue but I sort have resolved myself that we will be wearing masks for the rest of our lives.  Korea has been doing it for a while.  If wearing a mask is now part of our lives, well, I can live with it.  

Now, this latest set of restrictions, or circuit breaker, of whatever you chose to call it, I have to say it feels different.  Not that I was complacent.  I wasn't.  I have always respected this virus and all of its variants.  But, these new two week restrictions just feel a little different.  In previous restrictions, there was a great sense of the greater good.  We were all in these together.  In many ways, the pandemic was the great equaliser.  The rules applied to everyone in the same way.  There was so exceptions for status or white male privilege or anything else, we were all in this together.  We learned a lot.  We learned to value our relationships, that we felt local business was important, and we learned not to take anything for granted because it can go away.  This new two week restrictions feels different.  It feels like we are tired of standing together and want to stand divided.  On literally everything.  These new restrictions just feel like we have perhaps contributed to them being needed.  It feels like some people did get complacent or just fed up and didn't follow the guidelines.  Previous restrictions just seemed necessary and in our best interest.  I have to be honest, what is starting tomorrow, feels somewhat punitive.  Of course, everyone in my circle will follow the latest restrictions.  They are public health guidelines after all, but, it doesn't seem like we are all in this together anymore.  It just feels different.  

So, I really was looking forward to trivia this evening.  I might have even persuaded our team to win just so we could sing karaoke.  Quite frankly, I was wanting to scream out "I Will Survive" through my mask.  Just looking for an opportunity to release some emotion.  And, this might be my last evening out for a while.  

Sadly, trivia was cancelled.  Although the new restrictions technically don't start until Tuesday, the spirit of them started Friday evening and things began cancelling.  No trivia.  

Instead my husband and I went through a kitchen cupboard to determine if there was anything we could throw out.  We both agreed on one item early.  Then, there was these two plastic cups.  That sparked a very spirited debate.  He wanted to toss them and I wanted to keep them.  

Part of me was wondering if this is what the future two weeks held.  The two of us looking for things to do and having spirited debates about nothing.  We have been known to have spirited debates when we are both on the same side.  Regardless, I was positive that I had prevailed and we were keeping the glasses.  

So, I was a little shocked when I threw out my orange peel and found that these two glasses were in the garbage.  Some that know my husband are likely cheering now because he had the balls to stand up to me.  I could have retrieved these glasses out of the trash, wash them, and put them back in the cupboard.  Instead, I decided to cheer for my husband too and was really happy that he had the balls to stand up to me.  (As long as this is a one off and doesn't become a habit)  So, instead all I did was take them out of the trash and into the recycling bin.  

The next two weeks aren't going to be fun.  But, that is odd since for the first two months of a complete shut down, we had nothing but fun every evening.  Regardless, there is going to be public health restrictions for the next two weeks, and things will be re-evaluated.  That is our reality.  And, we have the option to chose our responses.  I shouldn't be forecasting doom and gloom when I have the ability to control my reaction and look for the positives.  

There is an old saying that if you are looking for what is wrong you will find it.  Conversely, if you are looking for what is right, you will find it.  Lots of truth in that.