Yesterday, we moved back to the orange phase in this wonderful world of COVID. We are just over a month away from Christmas, and we’re regressing as this virus makes waves again. I realized that this shift to the orange phase has troubled me more than the last one, more even than the original lock-down early in the year. But why? We just went through this a month ago. The regression to orange lasted about two weeks, then we returned to yellow and life went back to our (current) normal. What’s different this time is that I am seeing the real possibility that Christmas 2020 may not be anything remotely close to what I consider normal. And that’s bothering me.
With Hallowe’en fast approaching, I thought it was time to face up to one of my fears.
As a child, I was scarred by a movie. Both scared and scarred. I had nightmares for a week following my viewing of said movie. I have not seen this movie again, until today. I’ve decided that I was tired of being a slave to this horrific nightmare that has engulfed nearly my entire life. It was time to take back the power. It was time to confront the monster.
A few weeks ago while on a road trip with my wife, we were listening to a podcast when I came across a quote that resonated deeply with me. We were listening to Busy Philipps’ new podcast Busy Philipps is Doing Her Best. Busy was talking to comedian Ron Funches when he said:
Get rid of all expectations, but don’t lose hope.
– Ron Funches
Although Ron was talking about how he learned to deal with his son’s autism diagnosis, I found that this was an approach to life that we should all be adopting.
Over the past while, I have felt as though I am lacking in inspiration. I haven’t posted as regularly as I used to, and the quality of my posts has been somewhat lacking in my opinion. It’s as though my muses have taken a break.
It’s been some time since I’ve checked in with a new blog post. Rather than drop in with another long blathering post, I’m going to take a few moments to just see how everyone is doing.
Over the past few months, I’ve gotten into the routine of listening to podcasts while I’m working. I’m always on the look out for new, interesting podcasts to listen to, so I’ve found myself searching for topics and just randomly listening to some in the hopes that they will catch my interest. One of the ones I’ve recently come across has been quite entertaining. It is called Haunted AF.
Hosts Julie Fisk and Rebekah Black present real ghost stories as shared with them by their listeners. For anyone who likes a good spooky story, this is a fun podcast to check out.
While listening to the stories this morning, it had the effect of jogging my memory about a few experiences that I’ve had over the years. One in particular came to mind that I thought I would share.
It’s finally happened. After four months of physical distancing, mask wearing, hand washing, staying home and staying safe, I finally reached my breaking point.
A few days after our wedding in October 2011, my wife and I made an offer on a house. A day or two later, we had purchased the home and left for our honeymoon the following day. Two weeks later, give or take, we moved in. It was a whirlwind entry in the world of home ownership, and one that we have been very thankful for during the past eight-and-a-half years.
First time home owner!
Now, we exit the world of home ownership in the same whirlwind manner.
Over the course of the past nine weeks since we’ve begun physical distancing, Isabelle and I have continued working from home. Despite the fact that we’ve maintained a “normal” working routine, we have still found ample opportunity to relax, put up our feet and watch some movies and TV series.
Here then, is our current watchlist. Maybe it’ll give you an idea for something to watch.
I wanted to take a moment to add my name to the litany of folks who are thanking you for your efforts and positivity throughout this pandemic known as COVID-19.
Though I am known to be an emotional man, it takes something special to reduce me to a blubbering 41-year old mess once a week; and that’s precisely what you do. With every single episode of Some Good News, you have not only brought tears to my eyes, but you have brought out the full-blown waterworks. (I should specify that they are tears of joy and happiness, not of anguish and despair!)
Despite all of the panic, fear and hardship that is going on globally, you take your time and energy to highlight stories of pure love, joy and positivity. You are a true Light Worker, spreading Light and love across a global platform. And do not think that this is not without worth. I, like so many others, feed off of this love and goodness in humankind. It is sometimes difficult to have faith in humanity when you see what is going on in the world, but your weekly broadcast renews that faith in me deeply. To see so many people giving of themselves, of their time, their services, their money, their love… it fills my heart to overflowing.
So thank you, John, for your part in spreading Some Good News around the globe and being part of the Light Brigade. I truly cannot express how important what you are doing is to so many people. I look forward to seeing you grace my screen again in the near future.
Yours most sincerely,
Chris
PS. You may not have heard this song yet, but it’s by a Canadian hip-hop artist from here in the Maritimes. His name is Classified and he released a new song recently called “Good News“. That’s the link to the YouTube lyric video. I think you’d enjoy it.
For any of my readers, if you have not heard of John Krasinski’s YouTube series, Some Good News, I urge you to click on the link and check out the videos. You will be hard-pressed to find more joy-filled moments than he has brought together. Spread the love.
