Notes from Maine - 2021/02/14
I think it’s time to shave my head again. I kinda look like a homeless version of Richard Marx from 1987. Even when I go out to get the mail, I put a hat on. I would hate for a passing car to see me and then crash into a tree while they pondered why anyone would let their hair get like mine is now.
Maybe tomorrow.
For the moment, I’m busy killing time.
I have to leave the house a few days from now, and the mounting dread is consuming a lot of my energy. On Thursday, I have to take my father to one of his appointments. I can’t imagine what the point of the visit is. I scheduled this appointment two months ago for a problem that he hasn’t had since about… two months ago. This was just the first appointment I could get.
Finn got his sutures out last week. When we got back home, I discovered that they missed a couple, so I just took them out myself. What was the point in driving him all the way down there if I was just going to have to do it myself anyway? The same thing happened with Dad last summer. The nurse came to remove his sutures, but she couldn’t see well enough to get them all. Plus, her hand wasn’t very steady.
I guess the point to both appointments (my father’s and Finn’s) is that it’s good to see a doctor every now and then so a problem doesn’t slip by?
I really don’t know.
I’m about eight months overdue for my physical. I think I’ll wait another six or so. This probably sounds like I’m against doctors. I’m really not. Some very nice surgeons saved my life about ten years ago when my appendix came close to bursting. Then, a different surgeon stuffed my intestines back inside when they tried to pop out a couple of years later. Those two experiences left me with a pretty high opinion of medicine in general. I’m just not a big fan of going to a doctor’s office right now. There are too many sick people hovering around those places.
My friend is a nurse at an assisted living facility. One of her co-workers refused the vaccine, got COVID, and then spread it to some of the patients. Last I heard, the outbreak was contained to four patients.
I watched a Dave Chappelle (comedy?) video where he talks about getting COVID. He put in place tons of safeguards and testing so he could continue to do comedy shows, but he got it anyway. Some people scolded him for holding public events during the pandemic and he fired back that they were stay-at-home cowards.
Here’s what one article said about the video:
While the “overwhelming majority” of people wished him well, there was a faction of “cowards,” who said, “You see that, Dave Chappelle? That’s why we stay inside where it’s safe and we never try anything,” he said.
I’m not sure how to feel about any of this anymore. I don’t know if I’m a coward or not. Last year, I followed guidelines because I didn’t want to be part of the problem. Then, when my father was living here, I had to be ultra strict because I couldn’t bear the thought of making him sick on top of everything else he was dealing with. Even now, I’m not sure if I’m trying to protect myself, or just not hurt someone else by breaking the guidelines. At least my father has had his first shot. He should be safe enough soon.
About four years ago, I wrote a book about an imaginary society where they took accountability out of the hands on the citizens. It’s a little odd, and it’s called Beneath the Cut. I have it for free on Amazon and BookFunnel right now if you haven’t read it. Please share it with a friend if you’re so inclined.
