2022 started the same as 2021 ended with COVID-19 in the spotlight. The highly contagious Omicron was beating down on the world. Aside from the news reporting this oppressive phenomena, it got personal on a few levels.
I was in meetings with several community health centers (CHC) overwhelmed with staff shortages and increased patients as a direct result of the pandemic. In one meeting, the CHC was trying to determine whether to temporarily close their doors. The concern was longer wait times was congregating patients, with and without COVID, in the same building. These healthcare teams were facing devastating decisions. I felt/feel horrible for healthcare teams on the frontlines of this pandemic… for two years. So even though I’m vaccinated and boosted, I isolated in January with limited interactions and social activities. Chicago also tightened up and added to its mask mandate with vaccination proof to enter restaurants, theatres and fitness centers. I completely agree with this limiting of social interactions of the unvaccinated especially between Omicron and the two weeks following the holidays.
At the very beginning of the month, I had plans to have brunch with a friend. On Thursday, I texted her that I felt more comfortable hosting her at my house than eating at a restaurant. She agreed. On Saturday morning, she texted me that she had a sore throat. We decided to postpone. She texted me the next day. She was tested and had COVID. After two years of living in a semi-hermit state, I couldn’t believe I almost had COVID for brunch.
I turned down all theatre review requests. Although I wanted/want theatre back, I did not feel I could promote going to see plays with the out-of-control contagium. I ate at restaurants twice in the late part of the month. I had lunch with Bill. And a nice dinner out with Collin and Marc. I enjoyed dinner and a movie at Bilger’s. I hosted Collin at my place. I also had an overnight at my parents. And last Saturday, Scubi and James hosted a homemade focaccia tasting for Bilger, El, Billy V and me. DELIZIOSO!
Yet, mostly I stayed home. I watched some good stuff and some crap. I liked “Harry Potter Reunion Special”, “The Other Two” (2 seasons), “Tender Bar”, “Hotel Transylvania #4”, “Marilyn Monroe Reframed” documentary series, “Friends Reunion”, “Falling for Figaro”,“And Just Like That” and “Gilded Age”. I loved “Don’t Look Up”, “Death to 2021”, “Julia” (Julia Childs documentary), “Encanto”, and “Jim Gaffigan’s Comedy Monster”. I didn’t love “Lady of the Manor”. I really disliked “Eternals”.
I’ve also…
- Work! I’m plugging away on a narrative for another multiple year, million dollar Federal government grant. And we are deep in planning mode for an in-person conference in May (fingers crossed). Our theme is Inspire, Reimagine, Lead #IRL2022. Planning a conference is always stressful with unknown factors like attendance and sponsorship. The pandemic adds a huge layer of ick!
- Working Out! My 10K steps daily quest is at 31 days. My 2022 goal is 350 days hitting10K steps. And I worked out with Josh twice a week. Although I did not get to yoga this month, I’m hoping to go on Saturday.
- And I hit level 5904 on Candy Crush and completed 5 puzzles. After Rich taught me, I took up the daily Wordle (until NYT charges for it). I also made mushroom soup, salmon quiche, sausage quiche and banana bread. I was so excited to slow cook French onion soup yet ended up throwing it away. I learned the hard lesson that there is a difference between cooking sherry wine vingarette and cooking sherry wine. And I donated blood at the Wrigleyville drive.
I’m continuing to adhere to my new practice adoption based on James Cleary’s Atomic Habits. My morning ritual is to first read for 30 minutes to an hour. In January, I read 4 1/2 books.
*A Fatal Grace by Louise Penny. I finished the second Chief Inspector Armande Gamache’s book. It’s set at Christmas time and already makes me want to go to Three Pines for the big Christmas Eve party and the curling competition on Boxing Day.
I’m reading Louise Penny’s Gamache series in order. It is a perfect read especially for winter. Penny is an extraordinary storyteller. She creates colorful and flawed characters that become friends. It’s so engaging!
* The Cruelest Month by Louise Penny. A second seance goes completely wrong.
*A Rule Against Murder by Louise Penny. A family reunion has sibling rivalry and unexpected consequences.
*The Brutal Telling by Louise Penny. I’m only half-way through this one. And I’m more than a little concerned about Olivier and the Bistro.
*Elaine’s: The Rise of One of New York’s Legendary Restaurants by Amy Phillips Penn (freebie on Audible). I listened to the series of essays and interviews on the experience of eating at Elaine Kaufman’s restaurant. During its hey day 1963-2011, Elaine hosted celebrities and literary types. Elaine had a soft spot for struggling writers -love that- and often fed them. Her eccentricity made her a tour de force,
*What We Don’t Talk About When We Talk About Fat by Aubrey Gordon. I’m half-way thru listening to this. I love it! It talks candidly about fat shaming, anti-fat bias, the unimportance of the BMI and the new body positivity movement. Gordon shares some gut-punching stories of fat people treated cruelly on airplanes and in the grocery stores. I highly recommend for anyone like myself that is fat and grapples with my own fat-phobia.
February is here! Chicago’s two day winter storm got down-graded to a 24 hour wet, icy messy. Although we didn’t get the snow dump predicted, the wind is still howling. And I’m so grateful that my commute only entails changing this Mac for my PC, a mere steps away. I continue to appreciate my health, home and happiness. The positivity rate for COVID is down. And my positivity is UP! Usually, I dislike February. As hard as I try, I feel I mispronounce it with a weird garbled twang. Plus, even though it’s a short month, the days are dark and cold. Yet, this Febr—- month I’m heading out for a pandemic respite. And I’m so looking forward to it! Please continue to stay safe, mask up, and be kind.