Fear not, dear reader, at least not those of you familiar with cult-classic film and literature. We are not in any imminent danger of having our planet destroyed, via implosion by a Vogon (race of bureaucratic aliens) demolition cruiser, in order to make way for an intergalactic bypass. There is no need to seek out your closest locally available alien cohort and plot your terrestrial escape. So take off your bathrobe, put away your towel (but always know where it is) and relax. The dolphins aren’t going anywhere just yet. However, if you have the means, now would probably be an ideal time to hitchhike your way off our blessed mud ball.
The aforementioned references are derived from “The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy” novel series by Douglas Adams — circa 1979 — for those who are literarily handicapped.
WRITER’S NOTE: We are stepping onto the threshold of what could be viewed as a political argument (for those who think everything is a political argument). But don’t turn it into one. It would be pointless, as this writer does not believe in politics and feels it is all pretend. In addition, I profess to know little to none of political matters, i.e., when referencing right and left wings, I’m just trying to figure out what type of bird we’re talking about.
Though it was previously professed and profoundly promised not to peruse pandemics and present potential panic propaganda, it is presently pertinent we do so. Whether it’s part of some twisted political agenda (which we’re not going to discuss), some governmental form of population control, act of terrorism, accident or an eviction notice from Mother Nature is irrelevant. The D-variant is here and there’s little to nothing you can do about it and ignoring it has yet to make it go away.
Let’s quell any delusional lingering notions of things ever “getting back to normal.” Can anyone even remember what “normal” was? Whatever it was, isn’t what it is and will nevermore be; because it is what it is and will be what we make of it. So stop looking back. Accept that you will have to redefine normal and come to grips with that definition. Or be stuck walking in a circle backwards for the rest of your life.
Understand that things are going to get a lot worse before and if they ever get better. So prepare for the worst and just hope it doesn’t get any worser. This may seem like an utterly hopeless point of view, but take a realistic look around. Then take any hope you can find and hang onto it for dear life. It’s a sparse commodity these days.
In case you haven’t noticed, we are casually strolling sideways towards and precariously tip-toeing along the edge of another round of pandemic/quarantine conditions. The death toll is climbing. Stores, work places and schools are reissuing mask mandates. Whispers of closings, reduced hours and home-schooling are beginning to flitter about. Vaccination and follow-up boosters are gradually becoming a mandatory requirement… if you want to go anywhere other than home in the near future. All the signs are here, leaving some “prior-to” prep time. Compared to the last go-round where we were tossed blindly, head-on, into the chaos created by COVID-19.
So now that you’ve been forewarned about the warning signs, it’s up to you to act and act appropriately while doing so. Buy some extra masks and get used to the idea of wearing them. There’s no room here to argue their effectiveness versus government mandated policies, so we won’t. Purchase extra toilet paper. Do not fill up your vehicle like an insane hoarder! Stockpile some staples and non-perishables, at least a month’s worth. The less you go out the less chance of exposure. Plot out low-cost home improvement projects, get a hobby and seek out forms of entertainment aside from social media, you may have some free stuck at home time coming. Staying busy makes the time pass faster and more pleasantly.
Most importantly and above all: DON’T PANIC!!! Sure our world may be on its way to hell-inna-handbasket. But that’s no excuse to go bat s*** crazy. We have to stay cool and work together no matter what tomorrow may bring. Nothing may happen at all, but there’s nothing wrong with being prepared for nothing.
I welcome almost all questions, comments via FOCUS, or E-mail me at [email protected]. Hope to hear from ya, until then try and stay focused! See ya.
