My world through a video screen. TV, Desktop, LapTop, IPad, IPhone. The new normal. Social distancing, self isolation, Pandemic, ventilator lottery, Covid-19. The new reality. Never in my life did I think this would be the world we live in. As an Asthmatic, this worries me, a lot. Every sneeze, every cough, every ache and pain, mild panic grips me. It seems at times like we are living in a Hollywood movie or Epic novel, the stuff of a twisted writer's mind. The book I am reading right now, "The Stand" by Stephen King, chillingly close to our new now, what a stupid choice by me to be reading right now.
The reason I am writing about this is because of an casual encounter I had yesterday while shopping for groceries. My wife ( Deb ) had me on a mission to find her some flour so she could do some baking ( mmm, banana bread ), and someone had said that Superstore had flour. Well they did, I went there and I grabbed 1 bag , all we needed, and headed for the cashier. Well on the way, I ran into Sifu Melanie Beckett. At first, my mind couldn't process that I know this person and that she was actually here in person and not just some video call. I was at a loss for words at first. I didn't have time to plan what I would say, you know, the new norm. I had to go "old school" and just chat. It felt like a bubble popped around me. Suddenly, the world was back in all it's colors, smells, and sounds. It was almost overwhelming. It was liberating, I wanted to let loose the verbal diarrhea monster and release all the pent up "isolation" that the new norm has been stockpiling inside me. Luckily for her, I remembered that no one, especially someone with a small child at home, wants to spend to much time in public right now so I shut myself up, said "goodbye" and re-entered the new norm.
Now don't get me wrong, I am extremely lucky in my situation during this time. My son is at home from school safe, my wife is being very smart about having to work in the public (no choice - banker), other members of my family are either safe at home or as safe as they can be, none of us sick. I get to see some or most of them every day ( lucky them, LOL ), and I know that not a lot of people have that kind of luxury. I am still working so I am one of the lucky ones. Financially we are good, heath we are good, connecting with love ones ( phone and face time )we are good, online Kung Fu ( thank you thank you thank you ) we are awesome, so all in all, I can't complain because things could be SO much worse.
What I am getting at is that I hadn't realized how closed in my world was becoming. I was starting to get used to living through a video screen and didn't even realize it. The small talk ( my favorite ) is gone, it's get in get out. Almost everything is on the phone or a computer screen, very little outside personal contact. I understand the importance of this right now but that doesn't make it any easier.
How to adapt? I don't have the answer, sorry. Everyone must find there own way through this. Just remember to lean on friends and family whether it is video, phone call, email ( mail if you want to go old school ), or stand out in your backyard and talk to your neighbors, etc. They are going through this with you, just not "with" you. If you need me for any reason, call, text email, whatever, I'll answer - I promise.
780-970-3590
donbjorkquist@hotmail.com
Now to Kung Fu. Oh wait, that was about Kung Fu. "How so" you ask? Silent River Kung Fu Online. That's how. As close to being on the mats as we can get right now. The first online class came out on Friday, I have watched it twice already, going for a third later today. Going to book my 1on1 later today when I have a better idea of some pertinent questions to ask. While it is still not 'being there" at the Kwoon, isn't the real question, "where am I and what am I doing?". If I am doing Kung Fu, does it matter that right now it is in my living room. Isn't it important that I am just doing Kung Fu, location be damned for now. Seeing the participation of fellow students during this time via Zoom warms my heart. I hope everyone keeps it up, I know the Bjorkquist clan will be there every step of the way. The new norm may stink, but just like my chance encounter yesterday with Sifu Beckett, when the new norm becomes a thing of the past, just think about how awesome - no, check that, awesome doesn't go far enough, just think how supercalifragilisticexpialidocious everything will be. The world will be awash with old sensations made new again. This isolation will hopefully have made us better humans, able to understand what has happen and make some positive changes for the future.
Just think how those mats will feel the first time you set foot on them again, gives me chills. Every break fall, every slide step, every bow in bow out, new again. Seeing your fellow classmates, for real, the Alter, the pictures on the walls, the smell of the wood, all of it. I will savor it all like never before.
Miss you all.....
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