The beauty of isolation

Reality and rationality dictates that the world and people do not change overnight.  Whatever delusions people had or mythologized, leading up to the inauguration of President Biden, have been blown completely out of proportion and into some kind of sadly thwarted fantasy.  What we experienced before hasn't dissipated, except for the political party dictating.  And from all I see and hear - especially from the keyboard warriors - is a continuation of childish, boorish behavior.  I want no part of it, nor do I intend to participate.  

Hence, my resounding embrace of being at home and not spending time on social media.  Work hours aside, there is nothing to entice me.  I rarely post on Facebook now - only pieces I've written or the podcast link and wishing "real world" friends a happy birthday; the rest I ignore.  Twitter is a momentary glimpse, and I may have an exchange with one person I find intelligent, kind and charming - and the same applies for Instagram.  

I'm not disparaging anyone, but being at home and not interacting with people in general is something I don't need.  I'm fine in my solitude; in the peace and quiet and calm.  It keeps stress to a minimum and I don't have to be entertained, stimulated and I don't crave the physical desire for other people to be around me.  Liz is here; Roxy and Bailey are here and I'm genuinely content.

If there's one thing I'd like to do when this is all over is to travel again.  That I've missed and I appreciate the idea of seeing something new that interests me.  But it will happen in time and I am patient.  Until the  time we go back to work at full strength and I can book a trip, I'll continue to savor this time alone at home.  I'm very fortunate that I can make the best out of a very unusual (and for some, illness aside, difficult) situation.

The beginning is the end is the beginning...

Only nine days into the year everyone was waiting for and nothing has changed for the better - not even slightly.  All hell broke loose on Wednesday in Washington D.C.; intolerable acts committed against this country (in the very thwarted name of "freedom") - now retribution from the opposing side is just pouring more gasoline on the fires, still burning...  New York City may head into another lockdown period - and for who knows how long - since the mayor is criminally incompetent (and only interested in his virtue-signaling) and the governor only cares when it garners him accolades.  

People are still acting as irrational and as insane, frankly, as they have for the better part of five, six years.  And yet, all I hear (or see, on the hideous social media platforms) are platitudes and being dictated to.  About what I should think; how I should feel; who I should vote for - and the cliched, tiresome buzzwords like "empathy" are empty and have no place in my lexicon or purview.

At least I did manage to live long enough to reach my 56th birthday.  Nothing special, especially since it's not a "milestone" birthday.  But at least I'm still here, which must count for something positive.  There are many people in worse conditions. 

I'll stick to counting my blessings and remain an autonomous entity - let the keyboard warriors continue their own imminent downfall.

A happy new year?  We have yet to see.  Patience is still a virtue.