Like everyone, I’m anxiously awaiting the day when a vaccine is created that puts an end to the pandemic that has sent us into the twilight zone. It will be fabulous to ditch the f*cking masks and gloves that make us look like weirdo safe crackers. Better yet, getting together with friends and relatives will be back on our agendas, and the outlook will be fair or better for those businesses that were able to survive the dark times. Until that day arrives though, the overall picture, I believe, will continue to be anything but pretty.
Fortunately, life has been okay for me and my wife Sandy since coronavirus struck our part of the USA in March (we live near Philadelphia). Nowhere near as okay as it used to be, but okay enough. You adapt as best you can, after all, and try to deal with reality decently.
Among other things, the pandemic has forced me to make major adjustments to time allocation, as many of what had been my normal, much-enjoyed activities are only memories right now. That’s because, for health and safety reasons, my volunteer jobs were suspended and most of the usual outside-the-home entertainment choices that Sandy and I indulged in (socializing, cinemas, music venues, restaurants, museums) are unavailable, for now anyway.
So, how have I, a lazy septuagenarian, been filling the 16 or so hours of freed-up time each week? Well, for one thing, the living room sofa and I see more of each other than ever before. Upon its sensuous cushions I while away the time, alternating between scratching my balls and twirling the five strands of hair that remain on the crown of my head. Yes, I’m proud to report that my fellas are hanging in there okay, considering my advanced age, and that the strands of hair look damn studly. Thanks for asking!
Now, the scratching and twirling account for about nine of the 16 hours, and largely are confined to mornings and afternoons. What about the other seven hours? In a word, television. You see, in early April I really began to miss the kicks I’d been getting for ages at concerts, cinemas, etc. This ol’ boy needed to get entertainment from somewhere. And I wanted to do that with Sandy, my partner in kicks-experiencing for lo these many years. Television was the obvious outlet.
It’s not that I’m a stranger to the tube. In fact, I once was a highly dedicated viewer. But that ended about 12 years ago. Since then I’ve watched TV mostly in shortish sessions and mostly late at night, compulsively and expertly flipping channels. That pattern now has expanded. Yeah, I’ve retained the late night regimen. But, in addition, several evenings a week at around 8:30 or 9:00, Sandy and I head upstairs to our bedroom, which contains the bigger and better of the two TV sets in our home. We then proceed to lose ourselves for an hour or more. Doing so is nothing new for Sandy, who always has racked up admirable numbers of evening hours in front of the home screen. But, as noted, it’s been more than a while for me.
And you know what? I love it! Laughing, gasping, oohing and aahing together has been fun. Together, of course, is the operative word.
And what have we watched? Good movies, such as The Two Popes, The Wizard Of Oz, Saving Mr. Banks, and Standing In The Shadows Of Motown. And a not-so-good one, Roma, which won an Oscar as 2018’s best foreign language film but which left me blank.
And entertaining series, two of them (Modern Family and Curb Your Enthusiasm) on network and premium-channel television. The others (Sherlock; Lilyhammer; After Life) were on Netflix, which has become one of my greatest pals. Man, we tore through the Netflix series zestfully, usually chowing down two episodes per sitting (no binge-watching for us, though. Maybe Sandy has the energy for that, but I don’t). And we’ve only scratched the surface of what the Netflix library holds.
Yes, without a doubt we’ll keep watching TV together till outside-the-house entertainment opens up, and probably not stop even then. I’ve learned that there’s a whole lot to be said for TV togetherness. I used to know that, but had forgotten. So, at least one positive development has come out of the pandemic.
Girls and boys, in conclusion let me say this: The last few months have been disorienting to most, probably all, of us. What adjustments have you needed to make as a result of coronavirus’ far reach? How do you spend the extra hours that you might have found yourself with? Finally, which shows and movies have you been watching on TV? I’d be glad to hear your thoughts about any or all of these items.
Yeah, Another Blogger 
Landed here a bit late. Sounds as if you’ve found your rhythm, with Sandy, who must be pleased.
I re-watch some brilliant old and newer classics on BFI (British Film Institute)
Two years ago I was on amazon prime, having pressed a wrong button by mistake. When they renewed the membership without asking me I cancelled. This saved me from binge watching popular series, so addictive. For the same reason I avoid Netflix, and also haven’t watched TV for years, too overwhelming. I’m reading and re-reading books, discover good articles, compare news around the world, watch interesting Your Tube docs, and write the occasional Haiku.
The demands of my garden keep me sane, and watching birds ☼ I miss meeting up with friends the most.
One of these days I need to get back into doing a final editing round for ‘Shapers,’ the sequel for Course of Mirrors. This needs concentration, which evades me in the present surreal atmosphere.
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Hi. You’re spending your time productively and wisely, I think. And doing lots of reading always is a good thing. Take care. See ya!
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My husband has subscribed to a streaming channel that has old TV shows from the 1960s & 70s, so we’ve started watching Bewitched, The Brady Bunch, and The Partridge Family. I love all of them, as cheesy as they are.
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Oldies but goodies!
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I have watched The Crown, The Witcher and Unorthodox on Netflix, but have spent most of my extra time cooking, baking and gardening. I have been working a few days a week too, so I guess I don’t have as much time as some -but there is no shortage of things to do! Ciao, Cristina
PS-if you haven’t already seen it, I would recommend Schitt’s Creek which is now on Netflix
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Hi there. Between working, gardening, cooking and watching TV, you’re well-occupied. My wife liked The Crown a lot. Last night we watched the first two episodes of Space Force, which stars Steve Carell. They were pretty funny. The show is on Netflix.
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“I find television very educating. Every time someone turns on the set, I go into another room and read a book.” – Groucho Marx
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That’s a good one! Hi, and thanks for stopping by.
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We’re currently re-watching Lie To Me, and finding it’s still entertaining, and we’ve pretty much forgotten most of the plots, so that works, too.
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Amazingly, I added a comment to your latest piece at the same time you added one to this story.
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Isn’t the internet amazing?
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So Dish Network on channel 199 has “Spring Escape”. It’s a CG of a mountain valley and cabin. Pretty much being a rock sitting at the corner of the property. The snow slowly melts, then flowers come in. Then a couple of butterflies flit by, a fox walks past. The scene turns to night for a while, and a thunderstorm rolls through at one point. Slowly the foliage changes to fall. A bear scratches his back on a tree. The leaves fall, winds pick up. Snow falls lightly, the creek ices over. A deer passes as the snow deepens. At evening, lights come on in the cabin, and smoke comes from the chimney. An owl hoots. A cougar crosses the field.
And we are back at the beginning of the loop.
It takes a half hour or so to go through the whole year.
Best thing on TV.
Slainte,
Paz
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Nature is entertaining!
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Oh, for that vaccine day! I’d just like to know if my kids are going to be learning from teachers this fall, or from NOVA…
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A vaccine can’t come soon enough. It will help to relieve all sorts of societal problems.
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LOL! 😍. There is always YouTube!
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Hi AOC. YouTube is incredible. Billions of things to watch on YouTube.
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Especially too, while we are on the internet…!
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Yay, Modern Family! I haven’t watched the final season as of yet, I’m waiting for it to hit Netflix. But I love Hailey. I know everyone finds her ditsy, but I find her to be the most down to earth. For the first half of lockdown, I binge watched the entire New Girl series… with no regrets. I would do it again.
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Hi. I think you’ll enjoy Modern Family’s final season. I like Hailey too, but I think that Manny is my favorite character.
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