Category: Uncategorized

Stacey was able to get Marc and Alana into the prison to interview Diane. Stacey, normally a very quiet rule-abiding lady broke a few rules. She was able to pass Alana off as a relative.

Other than their tour of Alcatraz the only prison those two have ever been into is the one they share with themselves. Diane was brought to the meeting area. She looked at Alana liked they knew each other. She was just happy to have a visitor. Marc opened the conversation by saying he remembers Jerry from camp. Diane wept. She went on to say she was in a loving crazed but abusive relationship. Both liked to get high. Jay tended to break bottles of beer and spirits. For some reason, he loved to play with glass. He sometimes threw it at Diane.

She would tell him to stop. But was too damn high that she never realized he was shooting it at her.

She said when she gets released she would file for divorce. She loves Jay. But can’t be with him. She wanted Jerry. But she needs a  safe place to live, a job and legitimate caretakers while she worked. They asked if Jerry ever played with the glass that Jay tossed at her.

Diane smiled. She said sometimes he picked it up by accident. He cut himself a few times. Nothing major.

He never really cried.

Marc and Alana looked at each other. The guard came and said time was up. They bid farewell. The two walked out. They knew they had to see Jerry. They had to figure out testing him. They wonder what Anat knew. They still didn’t want to adopt him. But maybe keep watchful eyes over him.

As we know our health clubs were shuttered when the virus took hold.   A few hours before closing time, I went to New York Sports Clubs for my last workout It was empty. Sad.

What were we to do? Many people created new workout plans. Most of us did the standard stuff. We used whatever kettlebell or resistance band we had in the house. We went to the parks and tied the band to the fence. Then the parks closed.

Many of us, myself included tied the band to the fence outside of the park. And did our jumping jacks, running in place and stretches right there. We went for long walks. Sometimes we did early morning and late afternoon walks.

We ordered some dumbbells from Amazon. We lifted in the living room or outside. We are doing all the standard stuff we’d do in the gym. We miss going because of all the equipment has that our NYC apartments can’t fit. And we wouldn’t get it any. It’d make our dwellings too crowded. And don’t forget how much noise we’d make.

But to make the workouts more exciting there are some cool things to do. I watched a YouTube video featuring some pro athletes showing their ways of coping without being able to go to the gym. I’m not talking about athletes like Jeter or A-Rod, who both have home gyms that make any of the gyms in NYC look like dumps.

One showed how he’s been working out with a broomstick. You can do chest and shoulder presses, bicep and triceps exercises and a host of other stuff. If you try hard enough you might be able to fly away from all of this craziness. Not sure where’d you land that’d be ok. But fly.

I’ve lifted heavy food bags, and containers of Tide are great. Of course, the weights will change based on many potatoes you bake or how much laundry you do. But it does work. And of course, putting an extra umph until sweeping and mopping not only gets your floor cleaner but also tones you up.

There are so many ways to stay in shape. Who knows, I may never go back to the gym. These methods are far less expensive than the monthly fees the gyms charge.

Other posts can be viewed at:

“Pandemic Watch: Community groups stepping up,”

https://mitchellthoughtsblog.wordpress.com/2020/06/15/pandemic-watch-community-groups-stepping-up

“Pandemic Watch: Have masks replaced fuzzy dice in windshields?”

https://mitchellthoughtsblog.wordpress.com/2020/06/09/pandemic-watch-have-masks-replaced-fuzzy-dice-in-windshields

“Pandemic Watch: How will we be entertained?”

https://mitchellthoughtsblog.wordpress.com/2020/06/08/pandemic-watch-how-will-we-be-entertained

“Pandemic Watch: Communicating via video,”

https://mitchellthoughtsblog.wordpress.com/2020/06/03/pandemic-watch-communicating-via-video

“Single Life,”

https://mitchellthoughtsblog.wordpress.com/2020/06/02/pandemic-watch-single-life

“Pandemic Watch: Seniors and lifesaving phone calls during the pandemic or other times,”

https://mitchellthoughtsblog.wordpress.com/2020/06/01/pandemic-watch-seniors-and-lifesaving-phone-calls-during-the-pandemic-or-other-times

“Pandemic Watch: There are places I remember.”

https://mitchellthoughtsblog.wordpress.com/2020/05/28/pandemic-watch-there-are-places-i-remember

“Pandemic Watch: Creating a new fashion statement,”

https://mitchellthoughtsblog.wordpress.com/2020/05/27/pandemic-watch-creating-a-new-fashion-statement

“Pandemic Watch: Sitting on your stoop,”

https://mitchellthoughtsblog.wordpress.com/2020/05/26/pandemic-watch-sitting-on-your-stoop

“Pandemic Watch: What does a four-year-old think about our situation?”

https://mitchellthoughtsblog.wordpress.com/2020/05/21/pandemic-watch-what-does-a-four-old-think-about-our-situation

“Pandemic Watch: Will my nephew ever know how good it was?”

https://mitchellthoughtsblog.wordpress.com/2020/05/19/pandemic-watch-will-my-nephew-ever-know-how-good-it-was

“Pandemic Watch: What will happen when I get released on parole?”

https://mitchellthoughtsblog.wordpress.com/2020/05/15/pandemic-watch-what-will-happen-when-i-get-released-on-parole

“Pandemic Watch: We live in interesting times,”

https://mitchellthoughtsblog.wordpress.com/2020/05/14/pandemic-watch-we-live-in-interesting-times

“Pandemic Watch: Dressing during the Covid-19 pandemic,”

https://mitchellthoughtsblog.wordpress.com/2020/05/13/pandemic-watch-dressing-during-the-covid-19-pandemic

“Pandemic Watch: Yes, it is Monday,”

https://mitchellthoughtsblog.wordpress.com/2020/05/11/pandemic-watch-yes-it-is-monday

“How skills I learned as a teen in the scouts help during the Covid-19 pandemic, “

https://mitchellthoughtsblog.wordpress.com/2020/05/04/how-skills-i-learned-as-a-teen-in-the-scouts-help-during-the-covid-19-pandemic

“How the Covid-19 pandemic causes us to rethink old habits,”

https://mitchellthoughtsblog.wordpress.com/2020/04/30/how-the-covid-19-pandemic-causes-us-to-rethink-old-habits

“Traveling on public transit and being outside during the Covid-19 pandemic,” https://mitchellthoughtsblog.wordpress.com/2020/04/29/traveling-on-public-transit-and-being-outside-during-the-covid-19-pandemic

“Grocery shopping during Covid-19. Or anytime,” https://mitchellthoughtsblog.wordpress.com/2020/04/28/grocery-shopping-during-covid-19-or-anytime

“I want to help restaurants during the pandemic. But…,”

https://mitchellthoughtsblog.wordpress.com/2020/04/27/i-want-to-help-restaurants-during-the-pandemic-but

“Masks and gloves,” https://mitchellthoughtsblog.wordpress.com/2020/03/30/608

“Trashy Parks,”

https://mitchellthoughtsblog.wordpress.com/2020/01/07/trashy-parks

 

 

 

 

Like me, I am sure many of you are involved in various groups that give back to their communities. Many of us spend our evenings after work or on weekends planning fundraising galas to help kids in need, creating programs for summer camps and in religious organizations.

Since the virus took hold, in many ways I’ve felt useless. I haven’t been able to do much of this. I offered to deliver holiday meals. The organization never got back to me. I am not surprised. It was very unorganized during “normal times.” Perhaps I was better off.

But some of the groups I am involved with have shown that they care and have stepped it up during this crisis. Every morning, I do something with a wonderful group in Maryland. I have good friends there and they sent me the links. This organization’s programming is great. When you log in most people are present right on time. I am one of the early birds and have gotten the chance to chat with a few people before the event starts. I’m making new friends. That’s good. Their presenters have PowerPoint (PPT) slide decks on their screen outlining our discussion. We can do Q&As.

Another group I am involved with recently did a call to let us know what the status is of the kids we are helping in the Holy Land. Again, they had a PPT deck. It was very well organized. I haven’t done much with them for the last year or so. Part of the reason is that they were doing reorganization and my timing.   The baseball playoffs got in the way. Should have done work with them. I cried at the end of the playoffs A few weeks ago, I sent them a note to offer my help. We spoke and I’m back. I launched its newsletter several years ago and their blogs. All will be back. I’m pleased to be at the helm. In another group, I’m teaching kids every Sunday morning. I used to set up for them in the old days. That’s before we were doing our sessions via Zoom.

My camp group, which offers so much to today’s youth, I’ve stepped up some activity to keep people interested since the virus has shuttered our summer programming. We are creating digital events. No, it is not swimming in Rock Lake, going to Indian Cliffs or fun campfires in Hidden Valley featuring a lot of characters. But our fire will burn.

Digital volunteer work is keeping me busy. It is not the same. But it is exciting to see how groups are pushing to keep you involved. For those groups that are trying harder than ever, whenever we can get back to normal. Or create a new one, I will be with you.

 

Other posts can be viewed at:

“Pandemic Watch: Learning from scammers,”

https://mitchellthoughtsblog.wordpress.com/2020/06/16/pandemic-watch-learning-from-scammers

“Pandemic Watch: Have masks replaced fuzzy dice in windshields?”

https://mitchellthoughtsblog.wordpress.com/2020/06/09/pandemic-watch-have-masks-replaced-fuzzy-dice-in-windshields

“Pandemic Watch: How will we be entertained?”

https://mitchellthoughtsblog.wordpress.com/2020/06/08/pandemic-watch-how-will-we-be-entertained

“Pandemic Watch: Communicating via video,”

https://mitchellthoughtsblog.wordpress.com/2020/06/03/pandemic-watch-communicating-via-video

“Single Life,”

https://mitchellthoughtsblog.wordpress.com/2020/06/02/pandemic-watch-single-life

“Pandemic Watch: Seniors and lifesaving phone calls during the pandemic or other times,”

https://mitchellthoughtsblog.wordpress.com/2020/06/01/pandemic-watch-seniors-and-lifesaving-phone-calls-during-the-pandemic-or-other-times

“Pandemic Watch: There are places I remember.”

https://mitchellthoughtsblog.wordpress.com/2020/05/28/pandemic-watch-there-are-places-i-remember

“Pandemic Watch: Creating a new fashion statement,”

https://mitchellthoughtsblog.wordpress.com/2020/05/27/pandemic-watch-creating-a-new-fashion-statement

“Pandemic Watch: Sitting on your stoop,”

https://mitchellthoughtsblog.wordpress.com/2020/05/26/pandemic-watch-sitting-on-your-stoop

“Pandemic Watch: What does a four-year-old think about our situation?”

https://mitchellthoughtsblog.wordpress.com/2020/05/21/pandemic-watch-what-does-a-four-old-think-about-our-situation

“Pandemic Watch: Will my nephew ever know how good it was?”

https://mitchellthoughtsblog.wordpress.com/2020/05/19/pandemic-watch-will-my-nephew-ever-know-how-good-it-was

“Pandemic Watch: What will happen when I get released on parole?”

https://mitchellthoughtsblog.wordpress.com/2020/05/15/pandemic-watch-what-will-happen-when-i-get-released-on-parole

“Pandemic Watch: We live in interesting times,”

https://mitchellthoughtsblog.wordpress.com/2020/05/14/pandemic-watch-we-live-in-interesting-times

“Pandemic Watch: Dressing during the Covid-19 pandemic,”

https://mitchellthoughtsblog.wordpress.com/2020/05/13/pandemic-watch-dressing-during-the-covid-19-pandemic

“Pandemic Watch: Yes, it is Monday,”

https://mitchellthoughtsblog.wordpress.com/2020/05/11/pandemic-watch-yes-it-is-monday

“How skills I learned as a teen in the scouts help during the Covid-19 pandemic, “

https://mitchellthoughtsblog.wordpress.com/2020/05/04/how-skills-i-learned-as-a-teen-in-the-scouts-help-during-the-covid-19-pandemic

“How the Covid-19 pandemic causes us to rethink old habits,”

https://mitchellthoughtsblog.wordpress.com/2020/04/30/how-the-covid-19-pandemic-causes-us-to-rethink-old-habits

“Traveling on public transit and being outside during the Covid-19 pandemic,” https://mitchellthoughtsblog.wordpress.com/2020/04/29/traveling-on-public-transit-and-being-outside-during-the-covid-19-pandemic

“Grocery shopping during Covid-19. Or anytime,” https://mitchellthoughtsblog.wordpress.com/2020/04/28/grocery-shopping-during-covid-19-or-anytime

“I want to help restaurants during the pandemic. But…,”

https://mitchellthoughtsblog.wordpress.com/2020/04/27/i-want-to-help-restaurants-during-the-pandemic-but

“Masks and gloves,” https://mitchellthoughtsblog.wordpress.com/2020/03/30/608

“Trashy Parks,”

https://mitchellthoughtsblog.wordpress.com/2020/01/07/trashy-parks

 

The two friends hadn’t seen each other in ages. Tzipora was very busy treating people, who had head injuries that affected their vision. She and Eran were doing well and trying to have a baby. She is hoping to be pregnant soon.

Alana was glad her pal was happy. They stayed about 8 feet from each other and screamed as they walked along Battery Park City. To the best of her knowledge, Tzipora was the only one who knew of Alana’s powers.

People have seen her in action. They’ve seen Marc and Anat, too. But surprisingly there have been no mentions in the press or social media.

Alana asked Tzipora how Stacey was. That’s the quiet girl she saved in the bar a year ago.

Alana hasn’t been out with any of her friends since then. She’s been on her own or just with Marc. Stacey was one of the controllers in the NYS Department of Corrections. Tzipora said she was fine. She met a nice guy.

They were taking it slow. But Stacy was happy. Alana gave the abbreviated version of the recent happenings with Jerry and her parents. But had to get into the prison cell to talk to Diane.  No one has any idea where Jay is.

Jerry was doing okay in the child protective services center. Anat filled out the papers to get him as a foster child and hoped she’d do okay and can go through the adoption procedures. She does want him to have a dad. She had the number of the cop she thought was cute when Diane was arrested.

Anat was unsure if she should text and set up a Zoom date. Anat’s never been on a date. She’s never been out with anyone. She continued to practice shooting her raisins and other dried fruits. She knew she had to find and take out Jay. She didn’t know if he or Diane had any powers. If Diane did, Anat worried she’d use them to cause a riot while in prison.

Tzipora said she’d see what she could get out of Stacey. But reminded her that Stacey plays by the rules. But Stacey does owe Alana one. Of course, she has no idea how Alana got the nut away from her. Tzipora always pays careful attention and always liked Alana. Still does.

We all have nicknames.

They are given to us by our parents, friends, enemies and who knows whom else? Mine include Vampire, Bat and Shelpion, those were given to me in my camp, Chappegat Hill (Chappy), Ten Mile River Scout Camps, Narrowsburg, N.Y.

At SUNY New Paltz, my Tau Epsilon Phi pledge name was, Fudd. My frat jacket has my name sewn into it. Alhaquot Aptonen interpreted, as Stormy Speaker is my Vigil name. That’s because I spoke with bolts of lightning when I played Meteu, the medicine man and how I served as Netami Sakima, chief of Aquehongian Lodge #112.

I love all of these names. I am stilled call many. It doesn’t bother me.

In camp, everyone had one. Some were funny. Some were “insulting”. But we were kids. We had the Dentist, Space Ace, Fireball, Bubba, Rock-N-Roll (R-N-R) and thousands of others. No, we had millions of others. Bucket Butt, the Office Girl (he cleans buckets), etc. We often took people’s real names and made ever so slight changes.

Let’s talk about a few of these people.

The Dentist. I named him in ’87 or ’88. To this day, I do not know what his given name is. My assistant scoutmaster (ASM) and I were on the Kunatah Ball Field. My ASM has many nicknames. Some came from things “My Leader” did to him in the dark ages. My leader could be a novel or a movie. One day. I learned so much from him. I am who I am in many ways because of his teachings.

Back to the Dentist, I said to the ASM that’s the Dentist.” The kid was getting ready to play ball. Just like any other young scout. My ASM said, “why”? I said look at him. He always has a toothbrush in his mouth.

I got my vampire and bat names in 1983. It was my first morning in camp. I woke up an hour or two before the wake-up call. I sat on the picnic table and stared at the snake in the tank. I was near the “Palace”, our office. My ASM was just getting up. He saw me. I was 12. He was very old at the time, around 47. But we all thought he was a hundred. I miss him dearly.

He asked if I was ok. I was fine. He said well then you are our vampire. He announced to the troop. The name stuck with me forever.

Space Ace was a little space. He was a nice kid in camp. He always said, “I am from Erph.” That’s how he got his name.

All of the aforementioned, sans the Dentist, was from my Troop 521 / 721. I knew nothing about him.

As for Rock-N-Roll, he was one of Camp Kunatah’s staffers. Kunatah was one of TMR’s camps. Chappy at one point was its own camp. Eventually became part of Kunatah. Chappy closed after ’88. Kunatah closed a few years later. Sad.

Back to Rock-N-Roll. He was in his early 20s. He’s a strange cat. He used to yell at me for driving the “Truckster,” the Chappy station wagon over 2 MPH on the camp roads. We were able to go much faster. I was 17 and had my license for a few months. I loved the Truckster. I used to blast U2 and Depeche Mode, as I cruised along.

Rock-N-Roll would stand on the podium in the dining hall during meals and rock-n-roll on it. In other words, he bounced back and forth. One day my ASM pulled his socks down. We wore those goofy, way too big green scout socks. I hated them. I still have a few pairs hidden away. The last time I wore them was maybe 30 years ago.

One day, a good friend, an alumni buddy from Camp D1-Kotohke, made a comment about his socks. R-N-R replied, “I know you weren’t talking about me.” My friend yelled back, “Yes, I was”.

Poor R-N-R almost fell off the podium. Laughter burst out in the dining hall.

Some of the names were given because the kids were your traditional awkward teenagers. We were shipped off to camp. Some of us loved it. Some of us couldn’t wait to go home. I think you know where I stand. We all took our share of teasing. We had many laughs. We still do.

Anyway, nicknames are fun. We all have them.

I have a few dear friends that every day sends hundreds of emails and texts reminiscing about these great times.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

As someone who has spent his working life in PR/marketing, it is my dream to have my company’s story covered by the AP, Bloomberg and Dow Jones Newswires. The story would be in front of thousands of eyes. In the old days, the local newspapers would take the wire stories and add them to their coverage of the news or let the wire story stand on its own.

As things progressed or digressed when news went online you’d see your story on every news website. When the coverage is good it is a marketing person’s dream. We would all celebrate in the office.

Over the last few years, we’ve now seen the rise of citizen journalists reporting on Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter and other sites.  These methods are becoming and/or replacing the traditional wire services. I helped create the initial socia media outreach at one of the companies I worked at. I was on a team of people coordinating this at two other places of business. Not any different than getting your news announcement covered by the wire services. We love comments, likes and shares. The online conversations spark interest in our products and services. Yes, we know there will be negative comments. Proper responses are created.

Of course, we have our posters. Thanks to Covid-19 this has enhanced. These are the people that now wire services. In many cases, they are the town criers. They post every story from every news site on social media apps. Some post commentary at the top. I looked at most. They just copy and paste the lead graph of the news clip. Some are adding their commentary. Much better.  Some write their own clip. Like everything it is can be useful or harmful.

With the onslaught of social media, we’ve all noticed many things. Too many. At work, people are generally happy with the splash we’ve made. Of course, we constantly research competitors to compare their metrics to ours.

Community group social media is another animal. I run pages for several community groups. These organizations span a wide array of activities. Recently one of my organizations has witnessed major jumps in its visibility. Over the last few weeks, we are getting thousands of views of our photos. Our page likes have increased over 200 percent and people reached have increased over 1500 percent.

Many people across the country are sharing, liking and commenting on our material. We are asking for people to send their stuff. They are. Sounds great, doesn’t it? I am not complaining. We are creating conversations. I’ve met new people from all over the USA.

Remember social media is like the wire services. You see the same copy everywhere. For some it gets overwhelming. Why? It just does.

Many people in these groups are retired and until recent times have only been using social media apps to share photos of their grandkids, nieces, nephews and group gatherings. Or never used it at all.  These days we’ve noticed an uptick in social media usage. Many people who were tired of it are back.

Many have joined multiple groups that all focus on the same topics. So naturally, the same copy and photography will be splashed across all of these groups. I’ve gotten complaints from some saying, I saw this on the 8 different pages I belong to. Or, why are you posting photos of these people?

As far as those who are members of many sites, I chose the old tell don’t yell protocol. Sure, I was annoyed that they were complaining. But then the thought triggered in my mind they are not marketing people. Perhaps they are new to social media? Due to our lockdowns, they are probably bored and itching for new stuff. I explained the visibility needs and that while anyone can access these sites they are spread out by activity and geography. The person was quite thankful for me reaching out to explain. It felt good.

Others have complained that I shared their photos without their permission. Some don’t understand that once you post something it is pretty much open to the world. And most are dying for people to share their work. It can help them make money, show their boards they are working, etc. I chatted with them. We understood each other.

As for the people complaining about posts of people they don’t like. Or activities they don’t care for. I don’t care about every activity I post. I may not like everyone in the shot. I do not dislike them. But they aren’t the people I want to hang around with at the campfire. However, I am aware that you need to include everyone and everything.

It has been an interesting learning experience. I have enjoyed helping people learn the ins and outs of social media apps and new ways of communicating. I am still learning.  It gets a little crazy. But what fun would we have if we didn’t get a little crazy?

Please read the “official” newswire stories. But keep telling your stories.

Other posts can be viewed at:

“Pandemic Watch: Have masks replaced fuzzy dice in windshields?”

https://mitchellthoughtsblog.wordpress.com/2020/06/09/pandemic-watch-have-masks-replaced-fuzzy-dice-in-windshields

“Pandemic Watch: How will we be entertained?”

https://mitchellthoughtsblog.wordpress.com/2020/06/08/pandemic-watch-how-will-we-be-entertained

“Pandemic Watch: Communicating via video,”

https://mitchellthoughtsblog.wordpress.com/2020/06/03/pandemic-watch-communicating-via-video

“Single Life,”

https://mitchellthoughtsblog.wordpress.com/2020/06/02/pandemic-watch-single-life

“Pandemic Watch: Seniors and lifesaving phone calls during the pandemic or other times,”

https://mitchellthoughtsblog.wordpress.com/2020/06/01/pandemic-watch-seniors-and-lifesaving-phone-calls-during-the-pandemic-or-other-times

“Pandemic Watch: There are places I remember.”

https://mitchellthoughtsblog.wordpress.com/2020/05/28/pandemic-watch-there-are-places-i-remember

“Pandemic Watch: Creating a new fashion statement,”

https://mitchellthoughtsblog.wordpress.com/2020/05/27/pandemic-watch-creating-a-new-fashion-statement

“Pandemic Watch: Sitting on your stoop,”

https://mitchellthoughtsblog.wordpress.com/2020/05/26/pandemic-watch-sitting-on-your-stoop

“Pandemic Watch: What does a four-year-old think about our situation?”

https://mitchellthoughtsblog.wordpress.com/2020/05/21/pandemic-watch-what-does-a-four-old-think-about-our-situation

“Pandemic Watch: Will my nephew ever know how good it was?”

https://mitchellthoughtsblog.wordpress.com/2020/05/19/pandemic-watch-will-my-nephew-ever-know-how-good-it-was

“Pandemic Watch: What will happen when I get released on parole?”

https://mitchellthoughtsblog.wordpress.com/2020/05/15/pandemic-watch-what-will-happen-when-i-get-released-on-parole

“Pandemic Watch: We live in interesting times,”

https://mitchellthoughtsblog.wordpress.com/2020/05/14/pandemic-watch-we-live-in-interesting-times

“Pandemic Watch: Dressing during the Covid-19 pandemic,”

https://mitchellthoughtsblog.wordpress.com/2020/05/13/pandemic-watch-dressing-during-the-covid-19-pandemic

“Pandemic Watch: Yes, it is Monday,”

https://mitchellthoughtsblog.wordpress.com/2020/05/11/pandemic-watch-yes-it-is-monday

“How skills I learned as a teen in the scouts help during the Covid-19 pandemic, “

https://mitchellthoughtsblog.wordpress.com/2020/05/04/how-skills-i-learned-as-a-teen-in-the-scouts-help-during-the-covid-19-pandemic

“How the Covid-19 pandemic causes us to rethink old habits,”

https://mitchellthoughtsblog.wordpress.com/2020/04/30/how-the-covid-19-pandemic-causes-us-to-rethink-old-habits

“Traveling on public transit and being outside during the Covid-19 pandemic,” https://mitchellthoughtsblog.wordpress.com/2020/04/29/traveling-on-public-transit-and-being-outside-during-the-covid-19-pandemic

“Grocery shopping during Covid-19. Or anytime,” https://mitchellthoughtsblog.wordpress.com/2020/04/28/grocery-shopping-during-covid-19-or-anytime

“I want to help restaurants during the pandemic. But…,”

https://mitchellthoughtsblog.wordpress.com/2020/04/27/i-want-to-help-restaurants-during-the-pandemic-but

“Masks and gloves,” https://mitchellthoughtsblog.wordpress.com/2020/03/30/608

“Trashy Parks,”

https://mitchellthoughtsblog.wordpress.com/2020/01/07/trashy-parks

 

If you grew up on the south shore of Staten Island and certain parts of Brooklyn you probably remember people driving their Caddys, Camaros, Trans-Ams and Vettes with their foot out the window, an arm on the roof and fuzzy dice hanging off the rearview mirror. Many of the students in my high school and neighboring schools drove like this. Music was blasting out of their cassette players. Usually, Madonna, Prince or some dance music. You had your headbanger music, too. New wave was the best. Many of the fuzzy dice drivers were clad in their Z. Cavaricci’s, parachute pants, spandex and leg warmers. Chains with their names and religious medallions added to the touch. Let’s not forgot the cigarettes and the big hair.

The fuzzy dice was the trademark. So many students cruised around in their daddy’s Caddy’s. Who am I to talk? I had one, too. I never had fuzzy dice or anything off the windshield. I played new wave and wore a lot of black. Still do.

The origin of the fuzzy dice is traced back to air force fighters, who placed it above flight instruments during World War II. It was supposed to represent the high degree of risk during the flight and was for good luck.

In many states, it is illegal to have them or anything hanging off the rearview mirror. It is considered a distraction. Many of the aforementioned drivers had air fresheners and religious emblems hanging with their dice.

Thanks to Covid-19, I’ve noticed many cars with masks hanging off the rearview mirrors. Instead of driving with their foot out the window, people are driving with the masks on and the windows closed. Sometimes they open them. Bear in mind, I don’t live on Staten Island anymore. I do miss it. I’ve seen memes saying that people who drive with masks on with the windows closed have the same intelligence as the people who need the instructions for cooking a Pop-Tart. I never liked them.

The pandemic has caused us to witness fashion changes, people growing beards, coming to work in your PJs and doing our work and play via video conferencing. With all the changes, I guess our driving statements can change, too. Just be safe.

Other posts can be viewed at:

“Pandemic Watch: How will we be entertained?”

https://mitchellthoughtsblog.wordpress.com/2020/06/08/pandemic-watch-how-will-we-be-entertained

“Pandemic Watch: Communicating via video,”

https://mitchellthoughtsblog.wordpress.com/2020/06/03/pandemic-watch-communicating-via-video

“Single Life,”

https://mitchellthoughtsblog.wordpress.com/2020/06/02/pandemic-watch-single-life

“Pandemic Watch: Seniors and lifesaving phone calls during the pandemic or other times,”

https://mitchellthoughtsblog.wordpress.com/2020/06/01/pandemic-watch-seniors-and-lifesaving-phone-calls-during-the-pandemic-or-other-times

“Pandemic Watch: There are places I remember.”

https://mitchellthoughtsblog.wordpress.com/2020/05/28/pandemic-watch-there-are-places-i-remember

“Pandemic Watch: Creating a new fashion statement,”

https://mitchellthoughtsblog.wordpress.com/2020/05/27/pandemic-watch-creating-a-new-fashion-statement

“Pandemic Watch: Sitting on your stoop,”

https://mitchellthoughtsblog.wordpress.com/2020/05/26/pandemic-watch-sitting-on-your-stoop

“Pandemic Watch: What does a four-year-old think about our situation?”

https://mitchellthoughtsblog.wordpress.com/2020/05/21/pandemic-watch-what-does-a-four-old-think-about-our-situation

“Pandemic Watch: Will my nephew ever know how good it was?”

https://mitchellthoughtsblog.wordpress.com/2020/05/19/pandemic-watch-will-my-nephew-ever-know-how-good-it-was

“Pandemic Watch: What will happen when I get released on parole?”

https://mitchellthoughtsblog.wordpress.com/2020/05/15/pandemic-watch-what-will-happen-when-i-get-released-on-parole

“Pandemic Watch: We live in interesting times,”

https://mitchellthoughtsblog.wordpress.com/2020/05/14/pandemic-watch-we-live-in-interesting-times

“Pandemic Watch: Dressing during the Covid-19 pandemic,”

https://mitchellthoughtsblog.wordpress.com/2020/05/13/pandemic-watch-dressing-during-the-covid-19-pandemic

“Pandemic Watch: Yes, it is Monday,”

https://mitchellthoughtsblog.wordpress.com/2020/05/11/pandemic-watch-yes-it-is-monday

“How skills I learned as a teen in the scouts help during the Covid-19 pandemic, “

https://mitchellthoughtsblog.wordpress.com/2020/05/04/how-skills-i-learned-as-a-teen-in-the-scouts-help-during-the-covid-19-pandemic

“How the Covid-19 pandemic causes us to rethink old habits,”

https://mitchellthoughtsblog.wordpress.com/2020/04/30/how-the-covid-19-pandemic-causes-us-to-rethink-old-habits

“Traveling on public transit and being outside during the Covid-19 pandemic,” https://mitchellthoughtsblog.wordpress.com/2020/04/29/traveling-on-public-transit-and-being-outside-during-the-covid-19-pandemic

“Grocery shopping during Covid-19. Or anytime,” https://mitchellthoughtsblog.wordpress.com/2020/04/28/grocery-shopping-during-covid-19-or-anytime

“I want to help restaurants during the pandemic. But…,”

https://mitchellthoughtsblog.wordpress.com/2020/04/27/i-want-to-help-restaurants-during-the-pandemic-but

“Masks and gloves,” https://mitchellthoughtsblog.wordpress.com/2020/03/30/608

“Trashy Parks,”

https://mitchellthoughtsblog.wordpress.com/2020/01/07/trashy-parks

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

“That’s Entertainment,” by the Jam kind of describes today’s times. “A police car and a screaming siren,” “Feeding ducks in the park and wishing you were far away,” Two lovers kissing amongst the scream of midnight. Two lovers missing the tranquility of solitude.” These pulled lyrics all end with the chorus, “That’s entertainment, that’s entertainment.”

What will become of our entertainment? Anyone who knows me knows I have many interests. Like everyone else since the virus took hold, they’ve been put on hold indefinitely. I’ve gotten some of my money back. More refunds are pending. Some you have to fight for. Thanks, Ticketmaster.

I missed an opera. Lincoln Center was a pleasure to work with on the refund process. I’m a NY Philharmonic subscriber, scheduled to see several shows in November and December. The fall opera was season was just canceled. I’m sure it is only days till other venues at Lincoln Center cancel. My Alarm and Ringo Starr shows have been postponed. The Pet Shop Boys–New Order Unity tour met the same fate. I didn’t get to sip some new wines. The tasting was canceled. Still waiting for “Black Widow”, Wonder Woman-1984” and “X-Men the New Mutants,” Eventually they will come out. I wish they would have just let them play on Fios and other providers. And of course, I’ve already missed several Yankee games. At least the Yankees are undefeated. Sadly, so are the Red Sox.

I am happy the refunds are slowly and I mean slowly coming in. However, I would have rather heard “68 Guns”, “Temptation,” and “Yellow Submarine.” Right now it seems all we all hear is the Pet Shop Boys’ “What I’ve done to deserve this?” What have we done? No one knows. But this begs the next question, what will entertainment look like in the future?

Some thoughts.

• We’ve heard about potential comeback back of drive-in movies. Cool. I don’t own a car. What about folks like us? They’ve spoken about doing the same for concerts. Can’t see how this would be fun? Don’t you wanna be singing “Blue Monday” in unison with Bernard Sumner at the Garden?
• They are talking about baseball without fans in the Stadium. Imagine that? The Red Sox would come town and not hear the Bronx cheer. Maybe the Yanks can play it over the sound system. No need for them to play much else between innings. On that note, I did prefer when they didn’t make the two minutes and five seconds between innings a show. Although I didn’t mind the groundskeeper’s “YMCA” routine
• How will we attend events at Broadway theaters, Lincoln Center and elsewhere? Will each get half of a row to ourselves? How much will they jack up ticket prices? Will people go? Will we able to afford it? Will we feel safe to attend?

Don’t forget to get to and from any of these entertainment options, most of use NYC Transit. Pre-virus meltdown the service was shoddy. Will we feel comfortable riding it? How much crazier will it be?

Let’s jump to the next series of entertainment.

I’ve been listening to some great new bands. I first heard Brewster Moonface at the Coney Island Brewery after the New Year’s Day Polar Bear Plunge. Loved ‘em. Went home got their album from iTunes. Saw them at Desmond’s Tavern, NYC a few weeks later.

I discovered the Austin, Tex.-based Weird Wolves. Great band. So dark. So lovable. I chatted with them and asked them to come to NYC to perform. They said they hope to. Then came the virus.

Both bands have been performing regularly online. They’ve been releasing some new music and chatting online with fans. They’ve mentioned during their jam session how much they miss performing live in a bar or club. But are trying to make things work online. They get decent visibility online. No matter the time zone, people are tuning into their shows. It is worth it. But it’d be so more worth it to see them somewhere in the City or at Coney Island.

What about live theater? Will it become drive-in, too. A guy I went to camp with runs an improv theater in the Bay area. It has been shut down. He’s been doing some online shows. Fun. But akin to live music, theater is meant to be in person. You want to feel the performance.

Next, when we can return to these venues will we be forced to sit in our seats with masks and gloves? How uncomfortable. How will we eat our hotdogs, peanuts and ice cream at the Stadium? Or Sip our Coney Island Mermaid? We will be pulling our masks on and off all night.

Now that’s entertainment. Or is it?

 

Other posts can be viewed at:

“Pandemic Watch: Communicating via video,”

https://mitchellthoughtsblog.wordpress.com/2020/06/03/pandemic-watch-communicating-via-video

“Single Life,”

https://mitchellthoughtsblog.wordpress.com/2020/06/02/pandemic-watch-single-life

“Pandemic Watch: Seniors and lifesaving phone calls during the pandemic or other times,”

https://mitchellthoughtsblog.wordpress.com/2020/06/01/pandemic-watch-seniors-and-lifesaving-phone-calls-during-the-pandemic-or-other-times

“Pandemic Watch: There are places I remember.”

https://mitchellthoughtsblog.wordpress.com/2020/05/28/pandemic-watch-there-are-places-i-remember

“Pandemic Watch: Creating a new fashion statement,”

https://mitchellthoughtsblog.wordpress.com/2020/05/27/pandemic-watch-creating-a-new-fashion-statement

“Pandemic Watch: Sitting on your stoop,”

https://mitchellthoughtsblog.wordpress.com/2020/05/26/pandemic-watch-sitting-on-your-stoop

“Pandemic Watch: What does a four-year-old think about our situation?”

https://mitchellthoughtsblog.wordpress.com/2020/05/21/pandemic-watch-what-does-a-four-old-think-about-our-situation

“Pandemic Watch: Will my nephew ever know how good it was?”

https://mitchellthoughtsblog.wordpress.com/2020/05/19/pandemic-watch-will-my-nephew-ever-know-how-good-it-was

“Pandemic Watch: What will happen when I get released on parole?”

https://mitchellthoughtsblog.wordpress.com/2020/05/15/pandemic-watch-what-will-happen-when-i-get-released-on-parole

“Pandemic Watch: We live in interesting times,”

https://mitchellthoughtsblog.wordpress.com/2020/05/14/pandemic-watch-we-live-in-interesting-times

“Pandemic Watch: Dressing during the Covid-19 pandemic,”

https://mitchellthoughtsblog.wordpress.com/2020/05/13/pandemic-watch-dressing-during-the-covid-19-pandemic

“Pandemic Watch: Yes, it is Monday,”

https://mitchellthoughtsblog.wordpress.com/2020/05/11/pandemic-watch-yes-it-is-monday

“How skills I learned as a teen in the scouts help during the Covid-19 pandemic, “

https://mitchellthoughtsblog.wordpress.com/2020/05/04/how-skills-i-learned-as-a-teen-in-the-scouts-help-during-the-covid-19-pandemic

“How the Covid-19 pandemic causes us to rethink old habits,”

https://mitchellthoughtsblog.wordpress.com/2020/04/30/how-the-covid-19-pandemic-causes-us-to-rethink-old-habits

“Traveling on public transit and being outside during the Covid-19 pandemic,” https://mitchellthoughtsblog.wordpress.com/2020/04/29/traveling-on-public-transit-and-being-outside-during-the-covid-19-pandemic

“Grocery shopping during Covid-19. Or anytime,” https://mitchellthoughtsblog.wordpress.com/2020/04/28/grocery-shopping-during-covid-19-or-anytime

“I want to help restaurants during the pandemic. But…,”

https://mitchellthoughtsblog.wordpress.com/2020/04/27/i-want-to-help-restaurants-during-the-pandemic-but

“Masks and gloves,” https://mitchellthoughtsblog.wordpress.com/2020/03/30/608

“Trashy Parks,”

https://mitchellthoughtsblog.wordpress.com/2020/01/07/trashy-parks

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Anat waked into the child services agency. Jerry was in his bed. He saw Anat and jumped up. He smiled. Anne said that was his first smile since he got back here.

Anat spent her allotted time with him. She spoke to Anne about adoption or foster care.

She left. As she walked out, Alana and Marc went in. Alana saw them. But walked away. She didn’t want a fight. She knew they’d have a better chance to get Jerry. They aren’t married. But at least he’d get a mom and dad. But she wasn’t sure if they want him. Marc and Alana never discussed adopting him. They were just visiting to check on him. They saw his dad fight. They wondered if he has any powers.

Alana and Marc knew they had to take out Jay. They kind of figured Anat wanted Jerry. They thought that’s why she cleaned herself up. They dreamed of kids. But knew they weren’t cut out for it. In their minds, if Anat wanted him, who were they to stand in the way?

They would fight her if need be. But now had a new fish to fry. The police did search the camp with the rangers. They did not find Jay. However, he could still be there. It is a 12,000-acre piece of property. He could be hiding at any of the closed waterfronts, the dam, the sawmills or the bog. In the 80s a kid fell in the bog. His brother panicked. There are hundreds of other spots. They need a military search crew made up of ex-campers to scour the place.

Alana and Marc needed to find out more about Jay. Marc remembers he was bounced out of different groups in the camp. He was not well liked. He didn’t know him well. He is a few years older. He did remember when he fell in the dining hall during movie night and got lots of cuts when a few glass soda bottles that he was carrying shattered. Maybe some of the glass was lodged in his body? Marc was up on a hill in his group’s office eating pizza and watching “The Rocky Horror Picture Show” when that happened. But heard the screams and remembered running down the hill. The camp thought Marc and his friend were nuts when they came into the dining hall. They were dressed as Dr. Frank-N-Furter and Riff Raff. Those were the days. His group often did their own programming, which was far superior to what the rest of the camp did.

Snapping back to 2020 they needed to figure out how they were going to interview Diane and see what they could learn. Alana had a friend who works for the department of corrections. She had to work it.

While Marc and Alana were plotting Jay’s takedown, Anat was filling out the paperwork to care for Jerry. Anat still had no clue about Jerry and his glass fighting powers. But she knew she’d be ready to fight for Jerry with all of her power. She almost wished she could team up with Marc and Alana.

Anat spent the next two days searching for Jerry and Jay. She was planning on taking out Jay. Little did she know the child she so wanted was in the hands of Marc and Alana.

Marc and Alana pulled into the Grover M. Hermann Hospital, Callicoon, NY. Jerry got stitches and was doing just fine. Marc and Alana told the police they were in the camp to check things out with the ranger staff. Marc is on the camp’s board.

Marc knew that was not the case. But Marc was buddies with the rangers and they’d vouch for him. They never thought they’d find a kid tied to the old throne in a section that’s been closed for over 6 decades.

They gave the cops an abridged version of how they rescued Jerry and said Jay chased them along the trail. And passed out at the camp’s gate, as Alana was racing to the hospital. Marc told the police what he remembered from the mid-80s about Jay and noted that was the last time they saw each other.

The police called the NYPD. Detectives went to Diane’s cell and interrogated her. After a few days in prison, her head was clearer. That’s cause she wasn’t drinking or taking drugs. She said she got married because she was pregnant.

Jay was abusive when they dated. But promised to stop when Jerry was born. He got worse. Diane came from a battered childhood. Jay’s wasn’t much better. Diane was always trying to do better. Sadly, she always sunk back into her old ways. She was happy Jerry was found and will be okay. She wondered if she’d ever get him back. She wasn’t sure she should.

Anat was reading news sites and saw on NY 1 that Jerry was found. The story was quite brief. It mentioned he was found in the middle of the woods in the Mid Hudson Catskills Region. Marc was quoted saying that he and his girlfriend were camping and heard screams and they found Jerry. Anat saw that and went nuts. She hoped they weren’t going to try and adopt him.