So, 2020, huh?
Let’s see…the Trump Impeachment started us off.
Kobe Bryant and his daughter died in that helicopter crash and that kind of rocked our household. So sad. π
Then we were told about a deadly virus that was loosed upon the world. I believe we will never know for sure how this happened, and there are a ton of conspiracy theories and finger pointing if you’re into that. No matter what or how, though, the coronavirus is now everywhere.
All of a sudden, we’re in the middle of a pandemic and people all over the world are dying and continue to die; however, it didn’t appear to affect the young as much as the elderly and infirm.
All over the world, borders closed and international travel and even domestic travel, in some instances, came to a screeching halt.
People hoarded toilet paper and cleaning disinfectant which led to a shortage. I think we still have a Clorox wipes shortage. I should have invested my money there. Other shortages included masks and personal protective equipment for healthcare workers; though on June 1, I think we’re okay with PPE at the moment.
We’ve lost so many healthcare workers. *smh*
We shutdown all non-essential work and were told to shelter-in-place to slow the spread. Schools closed. Medical procedures were put on hold. Some doctors stopped seeing patients except through phone calls or videoconferencing.
Many argue that all work is essential. I’m not here to argue.
Stocks plummeted.
We’ve had massive layoffs and unemployment has reached all-time highs.
Zoom and Face Time has become a thing that people do. I know video calls have been around for awhile, but we haven’t really used them on such a massive scale. Meet George Jetson, everyone!
Into late spring, I suppose you can call it the inevitable backlash as people who are β sick and tired of being cooped up, forced to social distance, not able to go to work or are forced to work from home, not allowed to go to church or go to school, and are forced to wear masks out in public β have reached their breaking point.
As businesses started opening back up, people came out in droves to beaches and parks and other places to congregate and socialize over the Memorial Day Weekend.Β Not everyone was wearing a mask. Social distancing? Pffftt. There’s controversy whether most masks are protective or not.
Stocks have started climbing back up, though.
We’re still trying to come up with a vaccine. Still, despite measures to slow down this virus, we have over 100,000 deaths in the US since this ordeal began.
Retailers and restaurants are going under at alarming rates.
We now see children who initially didn’t seem to be affected by the coronavirus coming down with something they’ve dubbed Multi-inflammatory Syndrome β six to eight weeks after being exposed.
Now some asshole cop has set the US on fire with the killing of Mr. George Floyd, all of it caught on camera.
Protests, riots and looters, oh my. People are angry and scared. I think the killing of Mr. Floyd is just the spark that has unleashed so much of this anger. Some will argue that the riots and looting aren’t about Mr. Floyd at all and that this is part of some other force using Mr. Floyd as an excuse to decimate society as we know it. I dunno. What do you think?
Doesn’t anyone even remember Covid-19? Am I the only one screaming at the protesters, and rioters on TV, “Where are your masks? Put your masks on! Social distance, people! Just because you can go back out into public doesn’t mean the pandemic is over!”
Now the National Guard has been called out to help bolster law enforcement because destruction has been so intense and extensive.
SPACEX!!!!!!!! has been the one bright blip since the nightmare of 2020 began. If you missed the launch on Saturday, you can watch Bob and Doug’s Excellent Adventure here.
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It looks like I picked a good year to stay at home and work on my book. Writing a book is hard, y’all. We still haven’t received our stimulus checks at our house. That would be welcome right about now. Also, even though I decided not to pursue a career in counseling, I still use the education I received from my bachelor’s in psychology and master’s in counseling as my family and I have continued to weather the storm of 2020.
I hope everyone is doing much better than the state of our country as a whole appears to be doing right now. I know some of you have had your own brushes with Covid-19 either because you got it directly or because you’ve had friends or family members come down with it. My best wishes for a speedy recovery to you and yours. Please take care and stay healthy. Wear your masks. Social distance. Wash your hands for 20 seconds. Don’t touch your face. You know the drill.
I’m interested in your predictions for the second half of 2020? Do you think things will get better? Do you think things will worsen? Have you been profoundly touched by this clusterfuck that has been 2020? Are you adjusting to a new normal or has this started to affect your mental and emotional well being? How are you coping/ dealing/ adjusting?
By the way, a friend of mine, Anne, is new to blogging and she just started her blog Treehugged.com. Her focus is on mental health, although she is quick to let people know she is not a mental health professional. Anyway, I wanted to give Anne a shoutout and welcome her to the blogging community. She brings joy and hope to blogging, and we can all use more of that! I hope you get a chance to check her out!
I was gone for a few months; but trust me, I needed the break. Right now, I think everyone needs a break. Or maybe everyone just needs to get back to work. I dunno. Anyway, I can’t wait to catch up with you. What do you think…about anything?
Also, music to start off June 2020 aka the start of meteorological summer. Let’s see… how about this because how can I not? ~
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Happy Summer, Y’all!
TTFN,
Mona
If you haven’t received your check by now, try this link (if it’s still there) at the irs.gov website. This is what it says: Check the Get My Payment Tool
The IRS website has set up a tool on its website called Get My Payment. Up until May 13, you were able to use this tool to provide direct deposit information to the IRS. You can still log on to get your payment status and the date you can expect to receive your stimulus check, or the date it was deposited.
Many people, however, have not had luck using the Get My Payment tool, or the information they get from the tool shows there’s a problem with their payment. The IRS has fixed some of the problems, including payment status for closed bank accounts and the ability to enter a zero for the question about refund amount or amount owed.
If you were able to enter your direct deposit information by noon (ET) on Tuesday, May 12, you should be able to log back in beginning Saturday, May 16 to get your payment date, which is likely to be a few days later. (If you entered direct deposit information late Tuesday or early Wednesday, you should be able to log back in beginning Saturday, May 23 to get your payment date.)
I don’t know if this will help you, but it’s a chance to see your status at least.
Welcome back!
Thanks Barbara. It’s good to be back. Also,that’s great information for those who are wondering when they’re going to get their stimulus money. I’ll let David know so he can look into it. π
It’s always going to be Len for me because they’re Canadian:-) And I agree–writing a novel is damn hard especially right now with all the stress and distractions. I’m halfway through Chapter 9 of a new project and it’s like trying to walk underwater sometimes. My opinion is that 2020 is going to get worse before it gets better but it WILL get better. Stay safe, my friend!
Hey Suzanne,
Canadians rock! I’m glad to hear you’re working on another book. Now that you have a few under your belt, does writing these things get any easier? I fear you might be right about things getting worse before they get better. I’m predicting two more major outbreaks from Memorial Day weekend and the riots. I hope I’m wrong. We all need to stay safe. My family distracted ourselves watching Celebrity Family Feud last night with the Queer Eye OG’s vs. the Queer Eye New Class. Hilarity ensued and I haven’t laughed so hard since I can’t tell you when. I understand that Celebrity Family Feud with RuPaul is supposed to air on June 14. Can’t wait! More fun and less whatever 2020’s been! Mona
I think all death, especially unnatural deaths, are untimely. George Floyd’s murder was particularly so, because it came at the peak of even some of the most cautious individuals getting fed up with the pandemic. It became the catalyst. The people who were previously too sensible to protest stay-at-home orders and wearing face masks in public were suddenly given an outlet for the frustration and anger that had been building since this all started.
Not that they wouldn’t be just as pissed off about the murder if they hadn’t just spent three months cooped up inside their homes, but I’m not convinced it would have taken the violent turn it has. It’s worth noting that the PROTESTS have been peaceful. The riots and looting are being started by people (usually white people) who are not actually part of the protests, according to eye-witness accounts. And yes, I do think those people are using George Floyd’s death as an excuse for mindless destruction. I also think many people are doing it to undermine the protests and the message behind them, but I won’t get into that.
La Mesa, CA is just down the freeway from where I live. I was supposed to go shopping out there on Sunday, now that things are opened. But that didn’t happen, because on Saturday rioters burned multiple businesses and banks to the ground. For obvious reasons, we elected not to venture out to see the carnage.
I don’t condone riots and looting, but I understand why they happen and why the people who really do engage in such activities in the name of justice feel like that’s the only avenue left to them. It breaks my heart that people feel that helpless. I wish there were more I can do, but my present circumstances prevent me from doing all I wish.
As for the second half of 2020, I certainly hope we’re due for an upswing! I’m hoping that once more places open up and life can get back to a modified version of normal, people won’t feel quite so desolate and destructive. I’m looking forward to going to the beach once the parking lot opens (street parking is nigh-impossible), and hopefully the meditation garden if they ever open their doors again.
Anyway, I’m glad you’re back! I’m back, too. We can be back together. Yay!
Adie,
Yay! I’m glad you’re back, too! I’m looking forward to something “normal” whatever that means. I guess it would just be nice to eat at a restaurant again and feel like that decision isn’t going to be my undoing. Your take on the protests and riots have so much merit. I feel like there’s so much going on behind the scenes (which scenes, I’m not sure), and that makes me feel a little paranoid. I dunno. I guess that’s just me. I hope they open up the meditation garden again soon. I know you appreciate it and it gives you peace! Please give me your blog address (again) because I think I have one or two that are outdated and I want to be able to find you! Love you so much and it’s great to hear from you! π Mona
I understand feeling paranoid. There’s a lot I don’t know and don’t get to see. The news only covers so much and everyone is selective about what they post so as to best get their own point and opinion across.
Pup and I ate at IHOP last Wednesday, in their dining room. WHAT A WEIRD EXPERIENCE THAT WAS. We also went shopping, which felt like committing a crime. We’re supposed to go on Saturday to have dinner with my dad, but given everything that’s going on I’m not sure if that’s still a plan.
I am currently documenting my health/wellness journey at lemonaidanxo.wordpress.com The old Aidan Mayhem site is still up for posterity, but I have no plans to post there again. lemonaidanxo is the only blog I’m keeping at the moment.
Thanks for the heads up on your new blog, Adie! I’ll update my records so I can check you out on the reg! I hope you can still have dinner with your dad if not out to eat, maybe at your place if that works. You said it, everything is just a weird experience! π
The world is a very strange place right now and frightening for many reasons. All weβre doing is hanging on for dear life… and wearing masks to protect others who are doing the same.
That, and drinking.
π
River,
I wholeheartedly agree! If I go out, I want to be drunk on mojitos or margaritas…OR BOTH!!!!! But I’d rather everyone take a deep breath, though, get their stuff together and let’s get back to normal. Then we can commence with the drinking. So, yeah, drinking either way! It’s good to hear from you, my friend! π Mona
As sad and scary and strange as things are at least Bob and Doug’s Excellent Adventure gave me a smile. Those hosers really took off, eh? The world may be fractured but at least the thrill of space exploration can bring people together. That and free beer, although you really shouldn’t put a mouse in a beer bottle.
I have no predictions for the leeward side of 2020, but I am glad your friend Anne has joined the blogoverse. We’re all experts on our own mental health, hopefully, and sharing what works for one person can help others.
Hey Christopher,
I’m so glad you brought up the space launch! You know, I don’t think I’ve ever wanted to travel to outerspace before, but I’m starting to re-think my stance on that! It’s getting a little too uncomfortable down on Mother Earth. Also, cheers to free beer! Cold, free beer — it’s in the 90’s where I am and the airconditioning has gone out. *sigh* It’s good to hear from you, my friend! π
I watched SPACEX! Very exciting! (They listened to AC/DC while launching!) Mona, it does feel like itβs the end of the world, as we know it! I believe someone DID steal my sunshine… Iβm hanging out ON the sun, soaking it up. (Great songs!) 2020. WTF. Heartbreaking. π
Kim,
I’m so sorry that we’ve all had to witness everything that’s happened in Minneapolis, which I suppose is a microcosm of what’s going on everywhere. Can you believe the protests have gone global? Anyway, I’m glad that there was something much more positive to watch this past Saturday! π
You’re back! Hooray! When I was a little kid I was absolutely convinced I’d be going to space one day. Watching the Space X launch brought back some of those childlike feelings. It seemed the whole country was excited about space back then. My hope is that this new push will give the country something to unite behind again. Sadly, I believe I’m hoping for too much payload for even a dragon capsule to handle.
Lee,
Wouldn’t it be great to send your beer can guy into space? That should really rally the country! Mona π