Things I've missed during this COVID-19 pandemic:
I've missed going to the movie theater to watch first-run summer blockbuster movies, superhero movies, comedies that won't make me cringe (those are rare anymore), anything that looks good by Pixar, those sort of things. I have streaming at home like Disney Plus, thanks to a Christmas present last year, but the experience of the large theater, the decent-sized crowds oohing and aahing and cheering and laughing... I miss that.
I've missed browsing the bookstore. Yes, I work in a library, but it doesn't hurt me to go checking out all the other books and magazines the library can't carry (we ARE running on a city/county budget, people).
I've missed the occasional road trip to where my friends are, the ones I grew up with in high school and some I've made in my time living around the Tampa Bay area. I miss driving out to the Pinellas beaches. I miss revisiting Tarpon Springs, finding a gyro place to eat (sorry but Plaka's closed). I miss visiting any beach overall, it's been years since I went and just sat and enjoyed the view, the overwhelmed senses of watching and feeling and smelling sand and water and sky (no tasting though).
I've missed the chance to travel this summer, nothing major like I hope to someday - I desire a visit to Vegas and the Grand Canyon, I desire a trip to Ireland, I desire a trip to Prague, I desire a trip to Japan - but still a chance to go somewhere scenic and spiritual and fun (no, not Disney. Well, okay, MAYBE Galaxy's Edge). I did have plans to visit the Ta-Nehisi crowd this September, but that's on hold as well. Sigh.
I'm missing the weekend jaunts I take to places where I can sit and write, away from the distractions of home.
There are other regrets, but right now these are the things I know are missing in my life.
I have to accept this, because the risks of COVID are too great to ignore at my peril and everyone else's.
Perhaps another time, when a vaccine is confirmed, when life can return to a semblance of normalcy.
Perhaps...
1 comment:
My life isn't really that different. I already didn't go out that much. I wear a face covering when I go to town, and all of the stores have social distancing, but the staff are still friendly, and if you pay attention you can tell when they're smiling behind their masks...
I did have some hopes to see some live music this year, Lucius, or maybe Rising Appalachia, but that's not gonna happen.
I certainly hope our government does something to help independent venues survive this apocalypse, because many of the best ones seem to be going under or close to it.
-Doug in Sugar Pine
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