Another dispatch from the CoronaClusterf***

Hi folks, thought I'd take some time to check in.

I am still at home and doing the "shelter-in-place/stay-at-home" thing, and I have to be honest with you, I am in no hurry to get back to "normal" (whatever that even IS anymore). It's not that I don't want coronavirus to end (of course I do), but with over 100,000 Americans dead--and the rate of infection only slowing slightly--I am still not quite chomping at the bit to return to my physical work space.

The news is almost constantly depressing, but even more so lately with yet more black people being murdered by cops, our idiot president acting like, well, an idiot every single day (and offering no leadership during this pandemic). When the news isn't about the ever increasing death toll and unemployment tally, it is racist bullshit occurring and our "president" behaving like a racist asshole. It is exasperating, exhausting, and nerve-wracking, but I at least feel that I am in a somewhat protective cocoon working in my house and going out only occasionally to walk/run in the neighborhood or pick up takeout from local restaurants. 

Okay, enough of our current clusterfuck.

In other news, I actually did something I rarely do: I finished reading two books on exactly the same day. And more amazingly, in the time that I was simultaneously reading them, I gave them equal time. Usually when I try to read two books at the same time, one of them gets way more attention than the other. The books were David Bowie: The Oral History by Dylan Jones and The Narcissism of Small Differences by Michael Zadoorian. The Bowie biography was equally dishy and intelligent. The multitude of interviewees manage to weave together a full image of David Jones (the actually reserved middle class kid from Bromley) and his public persona, David Bowie. At 500+ pages, it may be more Bowie than most need, but I thoroughly enjoyed it.

I am so thankful that Michael Zadoorian published a book when I most need some escapism. The Narcissism of Small Differences is another of his novels focused on residents of greater Detroit. Under the shadow of the 2009 recession. Joe and Ana are aging Ferndale hipsters trying to negotiate adulthood and figure out what they want from life. Like most of Zadoorian's books, the journey is as important as the destination. The small moments in these characters' lives are lovingly detailed, and the book is full of crackling dialogue. Minor characters like the pot-smoking, philosophizing urban explorer Brendan and the wiseass screenwriter Chick are as enjoyable as the main characters. (If Michael Z. decides to write spin-off books or stories based on these dudes, I'm on board). I also love all the references to locations, products, personalities, and bands from Detroit and Michigan. Another stellar offering from Mr. Zadoorian.

Next up: finish reading David Maraniss' Once In a Great City (another book about Detroit) and finally get started on Margaret Atwood's The Testaments. We'll see how that goes.

Well, I have worked on this blog post for about two days, now I'll put it to bed and publish it.

Two months of "shelter in place"

I feel as if I've settled into a routine now. The "new normal" is just "normal." With the pandemic still continuing with no end it sight, this normal will also continue with no definite end in sight. I say no "definite" end in sight because my workplace's tentative plan is to slowly open back up after Governor Whitmer's stay-at-home order expires on May 28. Of course, if she extends it, then that goes out the window.

I am in no hurry to go back into the public. As long as there is no effective treatment or vaccine for this horrible Covid-19 disease (and whenever I read about it, Covid-19 sounds like a disease out of a horror movie), I would much rather stay at home and limit my outdoor adventures to the bare essential trips. I will work and stay at home for as long as necessary. I do not want to put myself or my family in any unnecessary risk.

I have been spending my time editing and correcting ebook and eaudio records for the library, which is about as exciting as it sounds. It keeps me busy and makes me feel as if I can contributing in some small way. And honestly, I never realized how bad these records looked until now. They were in desperate need of editing and correcting. None of them have call numbers or genres, many don't have subject headings, and there is other incorrect or missing information.

This has also been the time that I have received an "anime education" courtesy of my older son. We have been watching a lot of Japanese anime. So far, my favorites have been the moody noirish Cowboy Bebop and One Piece. If you have any interest in epic Odyssey-like tales (with a healthy dose of goofy comedy), I highly recommend One Piece. One caveat however, at over 900 episodes, it will probably take you at least three years to watch it. We are probably at about episode 60.

So what else have I been up to? I have been running and walking through my neighborhood. That is my form of exercise. I am sure I have probably mentioned that in previous posts. Not too many people outside at one time, so plenty of space for physical distancing.

I am also currently reading a long, informative, but plenty dishy biography of David Bowie. It's called David Bowie: the Oral History (by Dylan Jones) and I am finding just the sort of escapist read I need right now. As for the dishy part, let's just say I know way more about Bowie's sex life than I ever wanted or needed to know. Thankfully, there is enough about Bowie's music and creative process to counterbalance all the stories about drugs and fucking.

That's all I have for now. Stay safe,everyone