Jackie posted the other day: comment your pandemic book title. The others were all too funny so I didn't post but mine was Love in the time of COVID.
Much could be said about what we're going through right now, in the world and in our communities, but I don't know if I want to be able to look back on how horrible everything is right now. All I know is that I'm safe, and everyone I know and love is also safe. My parents have been absolute hermit troopers. My brother and I shared a deep concern that they would hold onto the routine of every day life, but to be honest with economic shutdowns as they are, there is not much opportunity to socialize unless you want to engage the clerk at the grocery store or the pharmacy.
I continue to work and I am required to go into the office every day. We were offered to work from home and when I said ok they abruptly withdrew the offer and banned me from the office for 2 weeks. Declaring that I was self-isolating and was not welcome to come back, not even at night. This after our fearless leader returned from Florida and came into the office. With no regard for anyone's safety. I dared to address this with him on the phone telling him he was NOT allowed to come in. And he said yes he was, especially if no one was there at night or on the weekends. Two days later it was announced that breaking self-isolation was illegal. Without further discussion he stayed at home for two weeks. Perhaps this is why they turned around and passed the same fate upon me. This I will never forget or forgive. I will carry anger, hatred and resentment against them for the rest of my days.
My car has been in the shop for almost 3 weeks. My replacement clutch that went in 18 mos ago was also defective. My mechanic told me that in his 12 year career he has replaced three defective clutches and two of them have been mine. After this was replaced, under warranty, I showed up to pick it up and it was revealed to still not be functioning. It was partially my fault for saying "OK I'm coming now byyyeee" and partially their fault for not saying, "Don't come just yet." It turned out that the transmission was also toast. I stood outside the dealership and watched them test drive my car. Three loops around Lorne Park, each time it drove past I caught glimpse of the four-way flashers being left on and each time my heart sank further into my stomach. They spent the next 4-5 days fighting to get the transmission also covered under warranty and they were successful. I was ready to walk away and tell them to keep it. Fiat transmissions are not serviceable, in such that they cannot be rebuilt. They do not produce parts. Failed or broken transmissions need to be replaced in full. I luckily did not need to make that choice. I remember I told Sim once that I was driving Pippa's first car. Thinking that I would drive it for 14 years, as all other cars I've owned, and then Pips could drive what would then be a beater until it broke down in the middle of Bathurst and Dundas. Perhaps now with a new clutch and transmission we will make it. But I hold an envelope up to my head and ask, "An event that will happen in 2021" and when I open the envelope it reads "Julie's first car bonfire".
I'm slowly trying to make the most of my time at home. I finished a course at Sheridan and have signed up for a second. I've focused on making more food from scratch. I've started and almost finished a knitting project. I've sworn off tv while I refocus my life towards activities that will enrich my life. There is much left to do to make 2020 a year of improvement and redemption.
In maybe the only hopeful news I've had lately Jackie gave birth to the most beautiful squirmy wormy. She joined us on what will be known going forward as "Birthday". I can't wait to see her and hold her and squish her little baby fat. Why can't this disease do what the Cheeto commands and just go away. GO AWAY COVID. What kind of story will this make in the future. When all the dead are buried and remembered, and the living are vaccinated. Remember the time the world experienced a plague? YES WE WERE THERE.
