Perspective

I doubt I'm the only one...who, considering themselves well-read and prepared for whatever this virus had in store, got their asses kicked; mentally and emotionally, if not physically. My first trip to the grocery store following a self-imposed, "pre-Gavin For President 2024", state-wide, "shelter-in-place" mandate, brought me to my knees. Three days later, my failure to find a thermometer (ours having died the first time we tried to use it - god damned digital crap!) when our fifteen year-old Riley got a fever, had me in tears, going into and out of each of the 11 stores in which I tried to find one. A week of processing these two experiences, finally led me to understand one thing. How we deal with this situation each of us now faces, is all about perspective...

And here's the wisdom (?) I've stumbled upon...
* "We can only do what we can do". We can't do anything about the incompetence coming out of D.C. or down the street at the Capitol in Sac. And getting our boxers bunched up because of daily circus we see on the tube is a bigger waste of time than ordering a diet Coke with a large plate of linguine. The only thing ANY of us can do, is follow the protocols for keeping ourselves and our families virus free, sane, and active. When safe and possible, we can look in on our elderly neighbors, family members, or those with pre-existing physical conditions (those being the most susceptible to catching the damned thing); if we're going shopping or running errands, see if they need anything. Keeping them out of a store, even one time, may save their life. Perspective...

* "Find something of purpose to occupy your time". Call your mother. Everyday. Send a message of support to a friend or family member who's in a rough patch (they should be easy to find). Maybe find a virus-friendly service project in your community. Sew masks for your local hospitals, friends and neighbors. Make batches of homemade anti-bacterial soap. Bake me a batch of cookies or some banana bread. The more productive you can be, the more control you'll feel you have over this situation. Beat the bastard. Perspective...

* "It could be worse". I've found it always helps me get through the day if I do the "three-minute-drill". I take a piece of binder paper or stationery, set the timer on my iPhone (shut up, Dorri!), and for three-minutes, without taking the pencil off the paper or stopping writing, I make a list of all the things that come to mind, regardless of how small or seemingly insignificant they may be, that I am grateful for. The feeling you'll have after you do this the first time, is, embarrassment. For most of us, we'll realize how much we actually do have, and how the incessant whining of the last two weeks, because we cant get our nails done or get a tee time, made us sound like spoiled brats. If nothing else positive comes from this viral kerfluffle, I've been given the blessing of getting to hit the reset button about what things are truly important. And what, isn't. Today IS a great day to be alive, and with all that's going on around us, my friends, THAT is perspective...

Three-dot-info...Nothing new on the virus-specific horizon today, but I did just see a new report with some interesting things we can do to literally help prepare our bodies to fight the virus, should we get it. It's pretty sizable and I don't have a link, so I'll go through it tonight, fact-check it all, and post it tomorrow, or maybe the next day...

Thank you, Greil...many moons ago, back in the day when there was only one of me with twice as much hair, an author named Greil Marquis (brother to famed SF/Pleasanton chef and former BGP stage warrior, Neil Marquis) penned an interesting book entitled "Stranded"; it's premise was that, stranded on a desert island (that had an unlimited power and food supply), with only a photograph and ten records of your choice, that would be the only music you would ever have to listen to again, what albums would you choose. Which gave me an idea. I have posted a list of my entire digital music collection. It is comprised of studio releases and board recordings I have gathered over the years, as well as a few compilations I have put together for my own enjoyment.

And, to help pass the seemingly endless days, simply go to: https://www.dennisjonesphotography.com/music-library stroll through the collection, choose a combination of ten (10) albums, shows, or compilations, and e-mail that list to me at: daj0410@gmail.com and I'll have them to you within 24 hours. Then, enjoy. And be safe.

Until next time (and pardon the typos!),
Den

PULL UP A STOOL...

Where all other libation locations are closed for business, here at the Three-Dot-Lounge, we're dusting off the bar stools and re-opening; giving everyone who is "shelter-in-place" the opportunity to pull up a stool and relax. What'll you have?...

Setting the stage...Let's make this perfectly clear, this will not be a forum for pointing fingers or laying blame for who or why we're in this situation or that it was allowed to get this bad. This blog will be to present the latest, verified, information we can find, productive perspectives and insights, ideas and outlooks I can find (and you can offer) to help us all get through this whack-a-mole experience. Until further notice, this blog is all about helping each other ride out the wave. My friends, we can and WILL do this...

On the battle lines...We're all familiar with the TP Challenge. But many don't know that both Lowe's and Home Depot carry TP. And your lesser known retailers (Rite Aid, Wallgreens) are usually the last to have their shelves go bar. But beware. Rite Aid has jacked up their TP prices almost double. And yes, they have been reported for price gouging...Samoa Saviors...Was at Wal-Mart, getting ingredients for my world famous chicken/veggie soup the other day, and the Girl Scouts, hawking their delicious, "danger to diabetics" wares just outside the doors of the establishment, were taking time to help elderly store customers to their cars and unload their carts into their trunks. Even amongst the chaos and uncertainty, the heart of humanity will reveal itself, and a calming hope for another day, shall be revealed...

And on a related note...If you're healthy and have a little time on your hands, think about checking up on the elderly in your neighborhood, or in your family; parents of friends who live out of town, etc.; and see if you can do their marketing, or run an errand or two. The lives you save, may be theirs...

Tube binge (or not to binge)...There has never been a better time (that I can think of) where binge watching on streaming channels has (or will) become a more standard, albeit temporary, part of our way of life. While a reintroduction to books is an exciting idea, among the tv series now available on Netflix, and hereby recommended are: The Crown, Madame Secretary, The West Wing, Designated Survivor, The Ranch (hilarious!), The Kominsky Method (once you get past the first episode), Lucifer, Grace and Frankie, Sense8 (my fave!), and many many others. If you have a fave (or a pan), let's hear from you...

The real deal...An objective look at this situation we're in, after having listened to the true experts and people who know, I'm thinking this thing isn't going to be over any time soon. And, we're all in it together. If you have ways you're getting through this; easy, inexpensive recipes; ways you're finding to pass the time; ways we can help others; a good joke; whatever...please, let's hear from you...

Stay healthy. Stay positive. Stay six feet apart. Stay hydrated.

Stay Home. Save Lives.

Until next time,
Dennis