Often it's the Opposite of What you Might Expect, COVID edition

(to the tune of "Often it's the Opposite" from Psych: The Musical)

Often it's the opposite of what you might expect.

Try to think to logical, you're usually incorrect.

Think with so many deaths the public won't re-elect?

It's the opposite of that,

the opposite of that

(public)                        But we're open

(me)                             Immaterial

(public)                        But we're safe now

(me)                             Inexact

(Senator Murkowski)  You don't think the governor has learned to quickly act

Try to be irrationale, you’ll free your head from pains

Pretending that we’re better now, will free the commerce lanes

Think the public sees that it's not all just candy canes

It’s the opposite that 

Yes, we’ll re-elect the rat

Often it’s the opposite of what you might assume

Think that you’re safe from spreading, I’ll explain things over zoom

Bet without precautions, increased cases won’t resume

It’s the opposite of that, 

My faith has gone kasplat

It’s the opposite of that,

it’s the opposite of that

Little Things Have Many Meetings

The OPENAIR Circus is returning to in-person classes in 2021.  There's a bit of effort going into it and it's not going to be like the Circus I know and love... but it's something.

Here's the thing, I've heard people say "I'm so happy the Circus is returning to in-person" but none of that has impressed upon me that it's a good thing or that I should be happy about it.

To understand this reaction, let's start with the obvious, which is that my feeling is that the pressure to return to in-person classes ignores that some fundamental parts of what makes the OPENAIR Circus what it is will be missing due to the restrictions we're putting in place... restrictions without which I would not be willing to participate in bringing in-person classes together this year since there is still COVID-19 spread and, even if stopping the spread among vaccinated people weren't important, the population we serve is not eligible for vaccines yet.

But there's something more subtle than frustration about what we're doing and why.  There's something that's more problematic.  Such gratitude about returning to in-person ignores all the effort that went into putting last year's program together and suggests that roughly one third of what we're doing this year isn't worthwhile or at least is not as worthy as the other two thirds.  And what we did last year certainly was not nothing.  And the third of classes happening online this year is not nothing.  And suggesting otherwise is not nothing.

Usually, when someone says they're thankful for something you're working on, it makes you feel good.  But when they're thanking you for something you have reservations about... when they're thanking you and it makes you feel like they're dismissing other efforts you feel are just as worthy... that doesn't feel good.  It may even make you feel worse.

And I don't expect to feel "good" about this year's program in general.  I don't expect people to socially distance after having seen the large gatherings of lots of families at a local park.  I don't expect the vaccinated parents to wear masks without confrontation, despite the simple fact that the studies that have shown that spread is lessened by the vaccines also have shown that spread still can and does happen... and despite the parents being in the same household as those that are not eligible to be vaccinated.  No, I don't expect "good" to be something I feel this season... regardless of whether people express that they are thankful for in-person classes.

So, if you're in the OPENAIR Circus and thankful for the in-person classes, you can thank another organizer but don't thank me for the in-person classes themselves.... if you want to share your appreciation for the program with me, find another way.  Show your appreciation by coming up with something else to be thankful for or by following the social distancing and masking rules we've put in place.

As You Return To "Normal" (aka, One Introvert's Plea)

There are a few things I would ask you to consider as you return to your "normal".

Forgetting the potential that your return is folly and that it is not yet safe to begin opening up the floodgates of network, there are still things to consider and contemplate.

This last year has demonstrated how extroverts very much dominate all conversations around what "normal" should be.  To me, as an introvert, this has very much given me the feeling that society does not consider me to be valid.  And that's fine.... but to my extrovert friends, I see you.  I've heard your explanations that it is human nature to not be like me... so, you know, that was lovely.  And to my introvert friends, know that you are valid, despite what the world (including your friends) may be proclaiming.

For those extroverts interested in seeing your introvert friends, perhaps you should consider how to change your approach with them as you try to coax them from their isolation.  Consider making your re-introduction of yourself low key, low energy, and low pressure.  A small gathering is ideal.  Consider also making it clear that you value their friendship and miss them specifically, not just seeing people. 

For those who are posting about wanting to give all the hugs, consider for a moment how that might impact your friends who are not as interested in that form of expression of affection.  Consider adding to your exuberant exaltations of how you will be hugging all of your friends upon sight that you will of course be asking for consent and perhaps that it will be limited to those who you think are into that sort of thing.  Also, keep in mind that your expression of interest in giving a hug may be pressure placed upon some, an unwelcome pressure that applies stress in an already stressful situation.

For those that are super excited to return to gatherings and exuberantly inviting friends and foregoing any precautions, you'll have to forgive those of us that are still watching the spread and are more skeptical about the position we all find ourselves in.  You should also be aware that some of us are watching, are not impressed, and, indeed, are taking notes.

For those that are gleefully announcing each activity "post pandemic", I feel I should remind you that we're not out of the pandemic yet.  We are very much still in the pandemic and if we're not careful, we may find that we extend the pandemic by quite a bit.  I know, I know, you're tired of hearing that and you're tired of the precautions and the CDC is trying to apply pressure to get people vaccinated in the only way they can think of and local governments are trying to get commerce and tourism going again so they can start taking in money and not provide assistance to those in need.... but wishing doesn't make something so and not paying attention to the situation doesn't make it go away.  

Quarantining on my Own

[to the tune of "Dancing on my Own" by Robyn]

The state of Mass is reopening

Do you think that it's safe again

there's a big black sky over my town

I know the spread's there, yeah it's still around

I go to check the cases

I just gotta see it for myself

I'm quarantining

watching you gather

    oh oh oh

the spread is still the-ere

why can't you see it?

    oh oh oh

I'm giving it my all

but you're not quaran-tining at all

    ooooh

I keep staying on my own

[I keep staying on my own]

Cases fall and rise again

each time we let dooown our guard

I'm crying into my coffee

and spinning around in circles

Emotionally worn out

watching you gather

    oh oh oh

the spread is still the-ere

why can't you see it?

    oh oh oh

I'm giving it my all

but you're not quaran-tining at all

    ooooh

I keep staying on my own

So close to safe, but still so far

    [we re-open, the cases rise]

But you don't see the cycle's there

I just came to say goodbye

Walking away while
watching you gather

    oh oh oh

I'm giving it my all

but you're not quaran-tining at all

    ooooh

I keep staying on my own

[I keep staying on my own]

I'm quarantining

watching you gather

    oh oh oh

the spread is still the-ere

why can't you see it?

    oh oh oh

I'm giving it my all

but you're not quaran-tining at all

    ooooh

I keep staying on my own

[I keep staying on my own]

[I keep staying on my own]

Cruel Summer

To the tune of "Cruel Summer" by Bananarama (oh stop it with the suggestion that there's another song by the same name)

COVID-19 and the people are coming 

to gather round
thinking it's safe cause the state has relaxed restrictions
meanwhile I'm praying (what do you pray?)
that I'm completely wrong
Cases are coming, the spread hasn't disappeared yet

It's a cruel, (cruel) cruel summer
spreading among the kids
it's a cruel, (it's a cruel) cruel summer

now you're here

The city is crowded, my friends want to play
and I'm forced to be
around everybody, but I just want to go away

It's a cruel, (cruel) cruel summer
asympto-matically
it's a cruel, (it's a cruel) cruel summer
now you're here

Gonna wish only it was

It's a cruel, (cruel) cruel summer
(fully vaxed) asympto-matically
it's a cruel, (it's a cruel) cruel summer

now you're here

It's a cruel, cruel summer
coming together again
it's a cruel, cruel summer
now you're here

and I just want to run

It's a cruel, (cruel) cruel summer
(fully vaxed) asympto-matically
it's a cruel, (it's a cruel) cruel summer

now you're here

and I just want to run

I Can Be Productive

Sung to the tune of "Can you Feel the Love Tonight"

I can be produ-uctiiive
And do aaaaaall the work
I will not... pro-cras-ti-nate at all
by writing out a song

So much work to do right now
but none of it of interest
and so I'll go emp-ty,,, the dishwasher
and wash the pots and pans

maybe I'll fold my clothes now
and put them in the drawers
and go and water the garden, just a bit
and fix myself a snack

but I can be produ-uctiiive
and do all of the work
I will not pro...-cras-ti-nate at all
from tasks, I can-not hide

you might find that I haaave
digressed just aaaa weee biiiit
but you know.
that I will get the work
done before it's due


and if I get the work done now
I can feel so proud
and I will be able to say I did
and go watch tv toooooo

It's a Trap as only Beauty and the Beast Could Tell the Tale

[sung as either the Candlestick from Beauty and the Beast or as Admiral Ackbar from Return of the Jedi]

It's... a..... trap, it's a trap, 

we must try to close the gap
for the Death Star is a firing 

and the plan has gone to crap

Shields are up, yes they are!
We can't handle the Death Star.

It is fully functional now

and we will not make it far!

Solo's team, where are they?

with their camouflage of grey

they should have those shields down by now

what happened I cannot say!

Cap-it-al, ships are there,

but they hardly seem to care

they aren't firing at all now

they seem almost unaware

Get in close, stay in tight,

we will still give them a fight!

Let the laser take their own ships.

We can't give into the fright.

That Skywalker said

the empire's good as dead

but they're here, get your gear

... IT'S A TRAP!