Happy Memorial Day Weekend

As we slowly come out of the big sleep that was social distancing we can celebrate Memorial Day. Here is an oldie but goodie.

Public restrooms in the age of Cholera

Today I took a walk in my local park. Regretting a recent cup of coffee, I was about to perform in the wooded area one of those  tasks that are easier for men than women to execute when I was surprised to see that the restroom was open.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IUZEtVbJT5c
The bathroom was open!

Another indication that we may be entering phase 1 on the way to that glorious day when I can join the regulars at my favorite bar in enjoying the pleasures of drink.

Being nostalgic, I remembered one of the happiest days of my childhood, when I joined my father and my oldest brother in joining the men in urinating into the trough at Yankee Stadium. Nothing makes a nine year old kid feel more like a man than joining the throng at a major metropolitan ballpark on a hot summer's day. All that beer and soda has to go somewhere.

Face masks

A new cottage industry has sprung up in America. The selling of face masks. I got mine from a member of a meetup group and I now possess two cloth masks which I can wear when I go to the store. I take one with me when I go to the park but have recently noticed that most people aren't wearing masks there and anyway, there aren't that many people that you can't avoid them. I just don't breathe when I pass a hiker or dog on a walkway. 

Masks can also be used as fashion statements. You can spend serious money on one if you choose. Lately, because I'm old, I can get a free one from my local senior center. They are also finally cropping up at the Shop-Rite (for sale). 

I have noticed most people are wearing the standard hospital blue models. I have a more fashionable brown cloth model. When they open up the coronavirus museum in a couple of years, there should be a nice assortment of the things on display. 

The other thing I have noticed is that men seem to be growing beards. Below the masks I have noticed lots of facial hair among the masculine set. I am also growing a beard. It allows me to feel that at least I am doing something productive during my sojourn. 

May in the time of cholera

So now it's May. Here in New Jersey most parks are now reopened, including the neighborhood one near me. I was excited ( it doesn't take much to get excited about these days).  I no longer had to sneak into Pennsylvania for a hike. I wore my mask, as recommended, but discovered most people were not wearing them. Anyway it wasn't that crowded, except at the entrance near the pond.

I've discovered that connecting the mask flaps with a rubber band and wrapping the thing around my head is easier on my ears and makes the mask less likely to fall off. It almost fell off at the ShopRite yesterday and I was afraid of being arrested.

Walking in the park. Buying wine. Life's little pleasures in the time of cholera. I've noticed a group of mother's and kids are gathering together at the green area where I live. Looks like they are having fun. Hope they cleaned up the dog droppings.

One of the high spots of life today is watching the governor's daily briefings. Each governor is different. Andrew Cuomo reminds me of a college professor teaching calculus to reluctant freshman. California's governor is folksy. Murphy of New Jersey reminds me of a library director on his semi annual staff meeting. Congratulating the staff but reminding them to mind their p's and q's or their recently obtained privileges may be revoked.

Editor's note: Recently I discovered a Kindle book that may be fun for 99 cents. It follows an out of work librarian following Jack Keroauc's journey to Denver. It's called It must be the altitude.

The new oil crisis

The crisis now is that oil prices are low and storage tanks are filled. Apparently that can lead to the price of oil being below zero. Right now in New Jersey you can get gas for about $1.80 or so a gallon. It will be interesting to see if the price of gasoline could go below zero.

You drive to the gas station. He fills up your tank. Then you give him your credit card. He deposits ten dollars to your account. You leave with a full tank of gas and an additional ten dollars on your credit card. I need to wash my mask.

Baseball in the time of cholera

The latest theory going around is that baseball will be played this year in indoor stadiums in Arizona and Florida starting in July.  No fans in the stadiums.  The players will stay in hotels and get bussed to the games. This might be interesting.

The biggest problem that I see is that able bodied male athletes should not be asked to be chaste for an entire baseball season. I can see players getting a little rough and fights breaking out. Perhaps a cotillion of ladies of the evening can be given special dispensation to hang out in the hotels to keep the boys of summer amused.

Better things and Breeders

It's time for my second blog on Better Things. Now that I'm home all day, I have not missed an episode and proudly can tell anyone that I am a feminist, and can prove it by never missing this show.

Although I still like the show and like that the kids are "growing up" and becoming a tiny bit less obnoxious, I now notice a dream like, disjuncted feel to this season. There is no real plotline to the shows, they are almost like  Robert Altman movies, and it is a little jarring. I'm used to a sitcom where there are lots of one-liners, and a plot that is introduced in the beginning of the show and resolves at the end.  And I'm used to a laugh track that tells me when something is funny.

 I liked the scene where the kid, Mom, and Grand mom were cooking in the kitchen. It felt like a real family moment, but it really didn't introduce a problem that was supposed to be resolved by the end of the show. The New Orleans show was also nice, but again where was the plot?

The show that precedes Better Things on Monday nights is Breeders and I have also been watching that while waiting for Better Things. It's not bad, it's a somewhat dry family oriented comedy, of British extraction. Like Better Things, it features children. The twist is that they are raised by a couple that are not married. The show also features parents, with her father being featured, now dying, and his father suddenly turns up in an episode. This one is not a must see for me but as a captive audience, I will probably become a regular viewer.