Feest Isolation Days – 9 July
Whew! What a lot of choices for a Wednesday evening. The weather was wet and cold but the opportunities on Zoom were varied and all experiences were from the warm and cosy comfort of our lovely home. We couldn’t have our nibbles and drinks with friends in the soaked garden, but there was song and exercise and plenty more on offer.
Zoom singing is great. It only took me a few goes to realise that I can be the star of the show! I can sing along with the Soprano soloists! No one hears me sing (except for the husband and occasionally the neighbours) and its fun. Singing along with a soloist is as good a way as any to learn how to improve your singing I reckon and there is no danger of anyone spotting the wrong notes I hit as this is all done while muted and wearing headphones. Verdi’s Requiem is a stretch at the best of times but it gets the blood pumping. A masterpiece of choral music. Sadly, I had to leave the choir for an hour to do my regular Wednesday evening Zoom Pilates. This one on one with my lovely Simone from Auckland is a feature of my week that I won’t let go anytime soon. After three bike rides in a row my back was feeling a bit sore, and within an hour I felt better. Better enough to scoot back up the stairs to rejoin the sing through of the Verdi. Thankfully, someone else was lost and asked what movement we were on, and what page! I was back in full (ish) voice.
The other Zoom options were a Novel writing evening with a published novelist and a Playwriting Course normally held at the Bristol Old Vic – both of which I would have loved to do but music and Pilates won the day. Life’s always about prioritising even in lockdown. Maybe especially in lockdown.
Which shop am I willing to enter, am I happy to go away and stay somewhere else? What about restaurants? Hmmm. These decisions are beginning to be upon us. The answer to the shops is easy. Not many. A health food shop that sells flowers was safe, I’ll do that again. Staying away? Nope! Restaurants? Nope! These are a long way off yet. Yesterday the Chancellor unveiled his money saving plans for people who head to eateries like Wagamama. He surprised customers at a Waga in London by serving them. Where’s your mask RIshi? No mask. Customers didn’t seem very far apart and none of them wore masks either. Not a good advert for dining out in my book.
With great reluctance but with as much caution as I can muster, I plan to visit a hairdressers shop next week. I’m sure I’ll be fine, but the thought of even worrying about this is weird. It’s just a haircut! My long hair is thick and heavy and needs attention. I know I can’t hold my breath the entire time, so a mask it will be. And no talking. Now that will be a challenge!
I’ll let you know how it goes.
What are you willing to begin to do again? Knowing what you will and won’t do as we ease into the new normal is useful. It’s all about setting your priorities.
Don’t forget your masks! Unless of course you’re in New Zealand. To you fortunate folks, don’t forget to book your tickets for the next Symphony Concert. I can’t wait until that can be on the top of my to do list! I wouldn’t mind not singing along one little bit. Enjoy – you lucky people!
With love
Kathy x