Daily Ramblings – Free Writing Friday – We Have a New Species: The COVID Hermit

Tags

Active, Clubbing, Covid, Friends, Hermit, Hobbies, Peace, Quiet, solitude

I was thinking about all of the impacts COVID has had on my life and others, and one of the things I ran across today as I was searching for a topic to write about is this phenomenon called COVID hermits. COVID hermits are those folks who have decided to continue the COVID lockdowns, despite it being lifted. They still have food delivered and left outside their door. They still stay in and continue life as it has been for the last two years.

I am stuck home predominantly because of my Dad. We need to watch him because he is unstable on his feet and can’t really do too much for himself anymore. He needs help dressing. He needs help getting up and down from his chair and he needs a walker to move around. But you know? I have become a COVID hermit too.

I get out, but not as much as I used to pre-COVID. I’ve adapted my life to this new lifestyle and actually enjoy it. I don’t need to eat out. I don’t need to shop that much. I don’t need to interact with others in person. I have always been a loner, other than hanging out with my family and close friends. I’ve never been a “clubber” or found myself feeling left out when I see my friends posting the clubs, parties, or other events they are participating in on social media. I enjoy a good movie, a good gaming session, a good book, writing, and listening to some good music. That’s really all I need.

Sometimes, I miss the social nature of hanging out with workmates at the local hangout, but now that I am retired and have moved back to my home state, the need to get out there just isn’t something that drives me anymore. I enjoy the solitude, the calm, and just doing my own thing.

The articles I have read about Covid hermits all seem to be on the negative side of things. I guess if you’re looking for clicks on your article, it makes sense. Many people click on articles that are negative, unique, horrific, and all the rest. Why do you think the news is so popular, even today? Bad news, sells.

Personally, I think people should do what makes them happy. If you are an introvert and would prefer a good book over a party, a good movie with some popcorn in the comfort of your home theater, rather than a normal theater–so be it. Enjoy it. There’s nothing wrong with continuing your COVID life now that you are used to it. There is also nothing wrong with folks getting out there like they used to pre-COVID.

Regardless, enjoy your life. Stop worrying about labels. If you enjoy clubbing, dancing, hanging out with your friends in person, go for it. If you’re like me and have learned how nice it is to just stay home, you can do that as well.

Well, folks, that’s it for today. I hope you have a great weekend and have an easy time of it on the last workday of the week. Here’s to a good book, a cup of coffee, and some relaxing music–paradise!

Until next time…

Dave

Daily Ramblings – Thinking Thursday – World War II

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bravery, Death Camps, Ghettos, Humanitarian, Iseult Gillespie, Nazis, Nuremberg, POW, WW!, WW2

Each year around Memorial Day I watch a lot of war films. The recent wars, the War in Vietnam, The Korean War, WWII, and WWI. This year I gravitated to watching some documentaries on the prison camps, the Nuremburg Trials, and the Holocaust. What a horrific time in our history.

During this time, there were many heroes that helped the Jews, and many others escape the death camps. This is but one story.

If you want to watch some of these videos, I’d highly recommend documentaries on Auschwitz, Nuremburg, and documentaries on the trial of Adolph Eichmann. Warning: These documentaries are not for the faint of heart. They are very brutal and tell some harrowing stories of torture, medical experiments, and deprivation of all kinds.

Well, I realize this content is not the typical cheery, happy-go-lucky content I normally put up here, but Memorial Day always causes me to reengage with War films, because it helps me remember of the sacrifices so many have made for our country and the inhabitants of many other countries. Despite the brutality of the camps, there are so many stories of bravery and self-sacrifice.

Well, that’s it for today, folks. I hope you have a great Thursday!

Until next time…

Dave

Daily Ramblings – Wisdom Wednesday – Groucho Marx

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Article, Comedian, Comedy, Funny, Grouch Marx, Quotes, Wikipedia, YouTube

She got her looks from her father. He’s a plastic surgeon.

Groucho Marx

She got her looks from her father. He’s a plastic surgeon.

Groucho Marx

I intend to live forever, or die trying.

Groucho Marx

The secret of life is honesty and fair dealing. If you can fake that, you’ve got it made.

Groucho Marx

A hospital bed is a parked taxi with the meter running.

Groucho Marx

Groucho Marx was an American comedian. He was part of a group called the Marx brothers. In their day, they were the equivalent of many of our modern day comedians. Here’s his Wikipedia link to learn more: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Groucho_Marx

I hope you enjoyed today’s quotes, article, and video. Happy Wednesday, all.

Until next time…

Dave

Daily Ramblings – Ted Talk Tuesday – Self Talk

We all do it. We have talks with ourselves all the time. Is it healthy? Is it normal?

Watch this video and find out.

I hope you enjoyed this one. Have a great Tuesday, folks and enjoy the short work week.

Until next time…

Dave

Daily Ramblings – Motivation Monday – Don’t think. Do.

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Achieve, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Execute, life hack, Mind Tricks, Monday, motivation

I recently saw a TikTok by Arnold Schwarzenegger. It shows him explaining his morning routine. He feeds his animals, he gets on his bike, he rides to the gym, and he works out. He used the words, “Don’t think. Do.”

How many times have you let your mind talk you out of something you know you need to do, but end up losing to the internal argument you have with yourself? I know I have. You come up with all kinds of justifications as to why you can miss a day of work, blow off your homework, or put off some other important task.

I think Arnold’s advice is good. If you just execute without thinking, you’ll get the job done. You’ll get that thing off of your to-do list. Then you can think about how disciplined you are, and how you got that thing done for the day.

With the things we enjoy, we don’t normally go through these mental gymnastics, but exercise, writing, literally anything we deem as work or somewhat uncomfortable, we will always be tempted to blow them off for something more comfortable, like binge watching a television show, playing some video games, or doing something else we identify as more enjoyable.

You can’t fight yourself on multiple fronts. So, I wouldn’t try to “force” yourself to do too many things your internal workings are rebelling against. Pick one or two things you want to turn into habits and apply this way of thinking to them. Don’t think about them. Do them.

To build an exercise routine, I knew that if I did not go first thing in the morning, or on the way home from work, I would not go. I would come up with some lame excuse and it wouldn’t get done. So, I get up, mix my pre-workout drink, and head to the gym. I don’t give myself time to think about it. When I get to the gym, I’m ready to go. Once, I’m done, I always feel a sense of accomplishment.

You can use Arnold’s technique for anything you want to get done. Give it a whirl. You have nothing to lose.

Until next time…

Dave

Daily Ramblings – Spiritual Sunday – Taking Care of Yourself Physically

Tags

controlling stress, drinking water, eating, electrolytes, Exercise, physical health, Sleeping, well being

Most times our body gets sick, it’s trying to tell us something: to eat foods, wear clothes, or do some other thing that is better for us.

Sri Harold Klemp – The Loving Heart

There is so much information out there on the web about doing this, eating this, or exercising this way or that. It can be really confusing. The key to physical health is to listen to your own body and experiment. Some things will work; others won’t.

I like to stick with the basics when it comes to self-care. I drink water, I exercise, I get enough sleep, and I take a multivitamin. I tried out some of the diets that are online, and none of them worked for me, because they were hard to sustain. I enjoy food, and to me, if you take away something I enjoy, it won’t be long before I am eating that again. So, enjoy the foods you like. If you enjoy cakes, and donuts, and pies, and all the sweets I do, eat them in moderation. Breakfast is my favorite time for a cake or donut, along with a nice cup of coffee. The rest of the day I don’t eat too many sweets. I enjoy them in the morning as my first meal. Then I eat the hearty stuff. I’ll usually have a dessert with dinner once in a while, but breakfast time is my favorite time for a warm cinnamon role, or something along those lines.

The key to anything having to do with health is to do what you can do. Many folks have disabilities and physical ailments that are hard to deal with. Take a walk if you can. Do some basic stretches. Do some Yoga poses. It doesn’t take much to get in a good workout. You also do not have to do these every day. Listen to your body. If you’re run down, eat more during the day, and move a little. If you’re sore, take a day off. I have found that physical exercise and nutrition is all very individual.

Oh, and don’t forget a nice hot shower or bath. If you have access to a sauna, this is also a terrific thing to do. Just remember to hydrate when you’re done. The sauna helps you sweat out impurities, but you are also dumping essential electrolytes, so make sure you drink a Gatorade or PowerAde when you’re done. I’ve been looking at electrolyte drinks online but haven’t decided on one yet.

If you are stressed, I have found soothing music is the trick. It calms me right down. But you may have a different methodology for controlling your stress. To each his own.

Well, I hope you are all enjoying your Memorial Day weekend. Have a great Sunday, folks!

Until next time…

Dave

Daily Ramblings – Gaming Saturday – Major V Tournament

Tags

Call of Duty League, Call of Duty Mobile, Champs, CODM World Championship, Control, Hardpoint, Major V, SnD, Warzone

I’ve been watching the Major V tournament in Toronto, Canada. Boy is it exciting! So many upsets. Day 3 is today, and it will feature the teams that are still left in the competition. If it is anything like Day 1 or Day 2, it will be a real banger.

Here is a video of the first day’s action in case you’re interested or missed it:

The majors feature three game types. Search and Destroy (SnD), Hardpoint, and Control. There is no team death match or any other game type in the tournament. There are also limited weapons, score streaks, and perks. No thermal sights are allowed either.

It is all designed to eliminate any overpowered items that are available in normal versions of multiplayer that are present in the game, so aiming skills, reaction times, and knowledge of rotations and game play are the only things that come into the game.

After this tournament, Champs is in June and will be hosted in Las Vegas. There is also the Warzone tournament this year and then the Call of Duty Mobile World Championships. It should prove to be an exciting year.

Well, that’s it for today. Day 3 will kick off in a few hours and I have some errands to run before it kicks off. Have a great Saturday, folks. You can watch this on either YouTube or Twitch.

Happy Gaming!

Dave

Daily Ramblings – Free Writing Friday – Memorial Day Weekend

Tags

Armed Forces, free writing, Friday, Gratitude, History, Homage, Memorial Day, Thanks, Tribute, Weekend

Memorial Day is a U.S. holiday to remember those who have paid the ultimate price for our freedoms and way of life. It is a solemn day, and is typically a day where cemeteries are visited, speeches are given, and homage is paid around the world to all of the men and women who died for the freedoms many countries enjoy today.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Memorial_Day

Arlington cemetery is an awe-inspiring cemetery, where many of our fallen heroes are buried. There are also many cemeteries in the Pacific Islands, Normandy France, and even parts of Italy. Wherever we fought, there are those that are buried there and celebrated by the local townsfolk, whose lives were transformed by the young boys who died fighting in their towns and backyards.

Many of you have relatives who served, who died, or are currently serving in one of the Armed Forces today. You know how special this weekend is.

Happy Memorial Day, all.

Until next time…

Dave

Daily Ramblings – Thinking Thursday – Wrestling with Fate

Tags

Adapting, Ancient Greece, Bankruptcy, Dan Finkel, Disaster, fate, Learning, Life, Separation, Sickness, Situations

I hope you enjoyed this short video and had some fun with it. It is a math problem and one that requires a knowledge of factoring.

Here’s another video explaining the origin of Fate in Ancient Greece.

So, can we change our “fate”? I would say yes, but it depends on the individual. Some folks are so mired in the belief that their fate is permanent and unchanging that they never escape its grip. Others, however, adapt, overcome, and recreate their futures by changing themselves.

We’ve all heard the statements “doomed to fail”, “everything he touches turns to gold”, or “it was in the cards they were dealt”. Can you change all of this? Of course we can. We can change the way we think about things. We can accept what is, and be grateful for the lessons life brings, regardless of what these lessons are.

We also have an innate freedom to choose. We can choose how we “react” to our circumstances. In one case, a person may feel doomed, down and out, or even defeated. In another case, a person could feel blessed, on top of the world, and learn something.

So if you ever feel like life is dealing you a bad hand, step back and think about the things you are learning. Sometimes we learn about what not to do, rather than what to do.

I have learned that life is what you make of it. Being separated from my wife sucks, but it has also taught us that marriages are unique. What works for us, may not work for others. When my wife tells people she is married, and they realize that we are in different states, so many people are taken aback. We are so programmed to define things this way or that. For us, it works. My wife can continue to pursue a career she loves, and I can help my mom with dad, who needs help doing everything, even getting dressed each day. We love one another, and give the freedom to one another to do what we need to do.

This is just one example of dealing with fate. Was this situation my and my wife’s fate? Who knows? I really don’t care. We have learned a way to circumvent this challenge by using Facetime, writing letters, and getting together at different times of the year. She knows I am always here for her, to help whenever trouble strikes. She is also here for me. She answers the phone whenever I call. She talks with my Mom and Sister whenever the opportunity arises.

There are so many things that can happen to us that we cannot predict. We can’t predict whether we will get sick. We can’t predicat a financial calamity. We can’t predict a natural event destroying our home and life. All we can do is make the best of our situations as they arise, knowing that all is exactly as it should be.

Well, that’s it for today, folks.

I hope you have a terrifc Thursday. Remember: Things are done for us, not to us.

Until next time…

Dave

Daily Ramblings – Wisdom Wednesday – Johannes Brahms

Tags

Composer, Harmony, Johannes Brahms, Melody, Rythms, Wednesday, Wikipedia, wisdom, YouTube

Without craftsmanship, inspiration is a mere reed shaken in the wind.

Johannes Brahms

A symphony is no joke.

Johannes Brahms

Composers in the old days used to keep strictly to the base of the theme, as their real subject. Beethoven varies the melody, harmony and rhythms so beautifully.

Johannes Brahms

Straight-away the ideas flow in upon me, directly from God, and not only do I see distinct themes in my mind’s eye, but they are clothed in the right forms, harmonies, and orchestration.

Johannes Brahms

Those who enjoy their own emotionally bad health and who habitually fill their own minds with the rank poisons of suspicion, jealousy and hatred, as a rule take umbrage at those who refuse to do likewise, and they find a perverted relief in trying to denigrate them.

Johannes Brahms

If you’d like to learn more about this composer, here is his Wikipedia link: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Johannes_Brahms

This is a long one, but it is a sample of Brahm’s work. I hope you enjoy it.

Well, folks, it’s Wednesday and the middle of the week. I hope all of you have a great day!

Until next time…

Dave