Thoughts of a Common Man

One of my friend’s said: “Enjoy the down time.” Yeah. That’s not going to happen. I started to get massively annoyed in the early afternoon. As we’ve discussed plenty of times, I need a plan for the day! I need to know what I have to do and then I do it. There’s nothing on the schedule! I can’t do anything! Can’t run to the store... ...can’t clean anything... ...can’t even get up and let the dogs out because I feel like garbage. But every hour appears to be passing like a month... ...and it’s early on. This has to keep going for some time, and I don’t want to whine about it because there are millions of people just staying home. But I had been getting out. Up until today I could still plan a few things because I could get to the store or go to a couple of jobs... ...and I had felt all right. I don’t know about you but I can’t watch the ticker roll that counts the number of cases and the growing number of the dead. I certainly don’t want to hear anythin...

We watched all of Ozark season 3 on Saturday. We got a late jump on television on Sunday because I was feeling lousy but eventually watched the Tiger King - that’s some story! And then... ...we ordered pasta! From Olive Garden. It was pretty not great. But I wasn’t all that hungry anyway. And then... And then... And then? “I’m going to go to sites,” I said as I was leaving the couch for the bed. “Yeah, good luck with that,” Kathy said. “You’re grounded.” And of course, I know that... ...I have some symptoms and would never compromise anyone. (Shocked how it all came on so sudden). But so far so good. Just a little off so far...temp hasn’t creeped much higher than 99. Cough is okay. Energy levels are low. “For two weeks or so,” Kathy said. “You can’t venture out for at least that.” “I’m pretending,” I said. “Sites, grocery store, dinner and feeling great!” “All. Righty. Then.” It’s gonna’ be a tad slow.

Not the easiest time, peace of mind wise, to come down with a bug. The scratch in my throat wasn’t just a laryngitis thing after all. It’s kinda’ weird how things seem to coalesce at night, but on Friday I woke up a little before 4 a.m., and I immediately knew that I’d be waking up sick. By the time I dragged myself out of bed around 7:00, I was officially worried. The beginnings of a head ache, sore throat, nasal drip, chest congestion. Uh yeah, just what they’re talking about. I read a lot of case studies. Men and women who felt like this and then it all went downhill. “I don’t want this!” Chatted with some friends and it dawned on me that I couldn’t be making a run out into the public. I can’t be infecting others... ...and if I’m grounded... ...bigger problem... ...’cause Kathy still can’t move around very well. Checked for a thermometer. We had one but the battery was shot. And then an amazing friend decided to be simply amazing. Kim dropped off a ther...

I woke up on Friday morning with a scratchy throat. My first thought was: “Oh no.” I was heading to a job site where one member of the crew had gone home with a fever. My task was to convince the rest of the crew that they’d be just fine. Just wash those hands. Thought two: “This is insane.” I caught the news of the day. The United States has more confirmed cases than either China or Italy. Both of those nations had been devastated. We are on track to obliterate their numbers and we had advanced warning. We chose to undersell what might happen. My third thought: “Why aren’t more Americans angry that we were totally unprepared? Why did we not order the necessary equipment? This is criminal.” Stumbled upon Trump doing a briefing. He’s bright orange. His eyes are disturbing. He can hardly breathe. He can barely read. He has a hunch that we won’t need so many ventilators. Is that the same hunch that told him it was no worse than the flu? Or that churches would be fi...

Here are some of my favorite things. Television shows: 1). The Sopranos 2). Breaking Bad 3). House 4). Better Call Saul 5). Homeland Favorite Sports Teams: 1). 1998 Yankees 2). 1990-91 - Buffalo Bills 3). 1996 Yankees 4). 1977 Yankees 5). 2009 Yankees Favorite Actor/Actress 1). James Gandolfini 2). Robert DeNiro 3). Claire Danes 4). Bryan Cranston 5). Hugh Laurie Favorite Sit-Coms: 1). The Odd Couple 2). Seinfeld 3). Family Guy 4). Cheers 5). Modern Family Favorite Musicians: 1). Really? You’re wondering? Bruuuuccceee! 2). The Rolling Stones 3). Mark Knopfler 4). John Mellencamp 5). The Beatles So, there you go. Thought a little about some good things. Because this is truly becoming exhausting. Stay healthy. Stay hungry. Stay alive.

Who do you know who is disposable in your life? Someone who has lived too long? Someone who is sick and you think has suffered enough? Your crazy aunt? The mad neighbor down the road? Here’s the thing, I can’t think of anyone... ...who I believe should be sacrificed... ...or who should have every chance to not suffer respiratory distress, and have their lungs filled to the point of drowning. Easter Sunday? That’s the day being bandied about as the day when America should be up and running again. Any idea how we arrived at that day? It’s a beautiful timeline. Know why? So the churches can be packed with people!! During a pandemic!!! While the curve is steepening!! Damn, that’s terrific. Thank God it’s been declared over after Donny T. evaluated the data, decided that the scientists and doctors were just being too careful... ...and, oh yeah, Larry Kudlow was there too. He agrees with the huge, orange menace because we need the money! I can’t even h...

My brother Jim has taken over as the family chef. Now that Trump has declared the virus over on Easter, cause it’s “beautiful” we can all leave the packed church during a pandemic and have our final meal at Jim’s place. Come on by... ...he cooks enough for 100 when 8 people are showing up. And today is Jim’s birthday... ...like Kathy he will be pretty much confined for the celebration. This is certainly a weird time to celebrate. Yet, I’m looking forward to the long talk we’ll have because like all of my siblings, Jim can make me laugh. There’s no doubt that Jim is the son who was most like Dad... ...a tad off! And as Jim grew, he was always right on top of Dad. A chip off the old block was a saying that was started for Jim and Dad. We called Jim a lot of names (we all had a bunch of nicknames). Chimp, Pet (he was on Dad like a loyal pet), booger (Dad said, ‘this kid is like a booger on my finger’) You get the idea. But here’s the thing... ...Jim was also ...