Like Now

The New Normal During The Pandemic is In Flux

As we round the bend into a year of this, the comfort of NOW is what we can hold onto. And that means finding gratitude today, even if we have a very weird relationship with Thanksgiving as a holiday (all props to my Native American fam). This year for us it may mean no family gatherings.

So, while contenting myself on being able to proudly detail my not getting my mom’s red velvet cake, not my aunt’s mac and cheese this year to my nutrition conscious eating friends, this no holiday food thing has struck me cold. There are not enough ZOOM family calls that can make up for that second plate and then the nap over football with family all over the house. Even though you can make dinner yourself, or get a Popeye’s Cajun Turkey, it’s not the same as everybody bringing their specialty and it all going down. Dang.

Not to mention all the relationship intrigue of the holidays. Family missing the new exes, meeting the new significants. Folk hooking up as they find themselves in the same town at the same time. Lot of re-kindling and opportunistic smashing. So who’s in town and even more important, when are they leaving? And do they come in time to quarantine? And where do they come from, a spreader locale?

So much is so different. And we have such new concerns. Like peeing. The act of. The location being paramount. I remember my friend Toni; she knew where every public bathroom in New York City was. I have been out and saw her husband or friend call her, give out our location and have her direct us to the nearest restrooms. But now, with all the bars and restaurants shut down, where do we go? Most of male friends keep a “pee” bottle, an empty water, or soft drink plastic container (with cap, cap being essential) under the driver’s seat. There is nothing worse than being stuck in traffic, or not being able to find an exit, or nearby bush and tree. Not to distract your driving, but as you go along any highway, you most likely will see a car, emergency lights on and often a guy or gal rushing back outta the nearby wooded area. And while guys are mostly point and shoot, woman…eh, another story all together.

I have a woman friend who has the open the front and rear car door and squat move down to a science. Only the puddle is the evidence. And from my women Lyft and Uber drivers, they employ the necessary technology to work during their shift. And speaking of Uber and Lyft, they really know where the active, cleanest public restrooms are. The tip is to scout the essential services. Bars etc., are all at management discretion. I know, I’ve promised to purchase something just as soon as I return that key after using the restroom in coffee and food shops. All grocery stores have restrooms, usually very clean, many have both public and employee bathrooms. And if you ask, you can get lucky at subway stops.

Even money is out of fashion. With CashApp and Venmo, who wants to touch dollar bills anymore? The cellular card swipe gadget lets even credit cards become preferential currency. Most stores, if open, have plastic on the credit card scanners , and gloved cash transaction cashiers. Even the street weed dealers are using apps for transactions, enabling them to travel with the increased safety of not money AND weed on the them at the same time.

So, while we mask up and wash our hands the Like Now, is full of much more measured activity. That first kiss between lovers? Better be love, cause a lot’s at stake. And Black Friday every day from now on. Yaaay…oh, it doesn’t mean that.

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