“And so it is
Just like you said it would be
Life goes easy on me
Most of the time.”
Damien Rice
This is a tricky one!
Yesterday was the shortest day of the year, there’s hope in sight, longer days, tulips, daffodils… But let’s get through January and February first, shall we?
I am desperately trying to make sense of this year, 2020, the year that is supposed to give us all proper vision. And in some ways it has – stay with me folks – so much good has come from desparation, change in habit, social distancing. It made us look for friends in places we didn’t think there were any, it made us consider again whether we really had to take that train, it made us miss hugging and cuddling and french kissing a stranger…
“And they became recluses, and writers, and artists. Sculptors, and dancers, and dreamers of dreams. Hermits, poets and painters, and prophets. Stewards of mankind. Believers in love. And the world grew quiet and opened her eyes. And humanity finally listened.”
Kalen Dion
It’s been a really tough one for me. Don’t get me wrong, I understand the need for social distancing. I actually like the fact that I’m not being forced to share a train ride with thousands of strangers daily. I love that, when I go outside, it’s because I want to and not because I have to. But I cannot walk into my favourite restaurant and hug every single person I know so well who’s working there. I couldn’t even hug someone goodbye on their journey away from this island.
I was looking forward to Christmas – I seldom do but since I’ve been able to spend it in the company of one of my best friends, it started meaning something again. And, yes, I have been harping on for weeks on the wireless that exactly such measures and the cancellation of Christmas was needed. Forgive the political rant, it’s all necessary but all weeks too late! Even Angela Merkel has more balls in her pants than our pfoah, pfoah, waffle, waffle, prime minister. Sure, theatres need to be closed while Primark can stay open? How ridiculous! People, buy your crap online, you don’t need a store to buy something you’ll be throwing away after having worn it once! You shouldn’t be buying that crap anyway…. but I digress. Theatre is a life saver, it’s necessary, it’s a fundamental right and need.
So I am left feeling utterly empty. On one hand because I have to protect myself by putting blinkers on. If I let go, I fall, fall victim to the Black Dog. And I’ve been there before many times. On the other hand cause that’s all that’s left after this year.
Don’t worry, I’m fine, really. Just not quite there yet.
Have a wonderful Christmas everyone, if you’re on your own, call me, you know where to find me. My virtual (God, I hate that word!) door is open.
And, 2021…? Well, I think it’s best to approach that one with a very open mind…
Frank Loman 