I love Rick Astley! Yesterday, when I was bored out of my mind, I poured over his music videos on YouTube. The songs helped me to momentarily return to the '80s when life was simpler, clothing styles were horrendous, and I was 20 pounds lighter. Then I read about the continued popularity of “rick-rolling”—when a seemingly innocent hyperlink to some relevant site or additional information instead leads to a link to Astley’s music video “Never Gonna Give You Up.” Suddenly, I realized that since March 2020, the whole world has been rick-rolled. Well, maybe not actually rick-rolled, but perhaps COVID-rolled. No matter where you wanted to go or what you wanted to do, an ominous, unwanted COVID-19 “link” would always pop up. A wedding? Sorry, you’ve been COVID-rolled. A birthday party? Again, COVID-rolled. How about a funeral? Family reunion? Haircut? Airline flight? An outing for groceries? Yup, COVID-rolled again. (In the interest of transparency, I might or might not have been joyously swigging after-Christmas wine while warbling along with Rick and cursing COVID.) I just wanna tell you how I’m feeling Gotta make you understand (It's) Never gonna go away Never gonna set you free Always gonna float around and infect you Always gonna make you cry Never gonna say goodbye Always gonna spread those germs that affect you.
January 7, 2021
My very close friend of 44 years was just admitted to a hospital as a psychiatric patient. She has had lifelong issues with her mental health. Her daughter brought her to the emergency room of a major hospital in this area this morning. This evening , I finally spoke to her. There are no psychiatric beds available in any psychiatric hospitals in this area. There were 25 other mental health patients in the ER who were there before her. She was finally admitted to a medical floor. At least she will be safe. People will be watching over her. What chance does she have? This is so unfair!! I feel like screaming!! Mental health issues during Covid have multiplied. This is a world crisis.
October 8, 2021