This Is The World We Live In

Howdy do everyone? How’s your day (or night, if you’re reading this after work) going so far? So here’s my question of the day – do any of you have what I call an “internal iPod shuffle”? Like, does a song and/or song lyric just magically pop into your head at any given time? No? Maybe? Just me? Anyway, today’s lyric that won’t seem to leave me alone is from Land of Confusion by Genesis, a hit from the mid-eighties or so.

This is the world we live in
And these are the hands we’re given
Use them and let’s start trying
To make it a place worth living in.

Lyrics source from: https://www.songfacts.com/lyrics/genesis/land-of-confusion. First of all, where is Genesis when we need them? Doesn’t that second verse of those lyrics seem to hit home right about now? But! Before I say ANYTHING else, let me extend a HUGE thank you to all the folks using their given hands to make the world a better place right now: our medical professionals, our first responders; our grocery store workers; our delivery drivers.

Anyway while trying not to eat everything, I got to thinking about the world we currently live in at the present time. It is a world of anxiety, fear, illness and dread. By and far, these are the scariest times I’ve ever lived in during these forty-six years of my life. My mother has never seen anything like it. I think the only thing that could possibly be close to a time like this is when polio swept the land and parents were afraid to let their kids outside.

Nowadays, we gotta hide not just the kids and wife, but EVERYBODY, because as I said in my previous blog Why I’m So Irritated Today and Why You should Be Too, CORONAVIRUS COMIN’.

And this is the world we live in right now. In brief: it’s scary as hell! Granted, there are only thirty four cases in Kern County so far, but that number is nearly doubling by the day! Additionally, according to Newsweek and CNBC, the cases in the US have already surpassed 86,000 and we don’t even know if that number is accurate due to the limited amount of tests to go around.

Personally? I’m freaking out. And isn’t everybody? Moreover, this is the biggest recession since 1929, and we are heading directly into it, like the Titanic into the iceberg. Hell, I’d venture to say that we’ve already hit said iceberg, and now we’re all scrambling for the stimulus package of lifeboats. That is to say, we’ll be scrambling into those economic lifeboats if that dipsh*t from Kentucky ever lets it pass.

Meanwhile, we’re all supposed to be just keeping our cool, staying home and engaging in our work or hobbies. Well I don’t know about you, but I’m about ready to run down the street screaming like a freakin’ banshee. Err, all while remaining at least six feet away from everyone else. Of course.

I don’t know, folks. I try to keep my spirits up, but it’s hard. Still, I am extremely grateful today to have a roof over my head, food to eat, people that love me, and my family is <knocks wood> healthy. Of course, I know it’s a lot more than some folks have, so I shouldn’t even be trying to complain. While I wish that things could go back to the way they were before the Coronavirus came calling, I know that when we come out of this it’s going to be a whole different ball game while America gets back on its feet. To be honest with you, I’m feeling pretty helpless; like I should be DOING something, but what can I do? Right now, all I can do is try to inject a little humor into a terrible situation. I hope that I’m succeeding and if not?

Well I’ll just keep trying. But if nothing else, I’m keeping myself sane. And to you reading this, I hope you and your family are safe and well. Lastly, please know that I’m sending long distance hugs to anyone who needs one.

Thanks for reading,

Meredith Silverman