Did you ever think that you would be alive to see a pandemic? Of course you didn't, because we all think that major tragedies like global pandemics and world wars are the sorts of things that only happened in the past and certainly not during our modern and civilized times. And yet, here we all are in various states of isolation, silently watching on from our windows as the world seems to fall apart around us. And even though history allowed us to see the patterns of time that showed us that another worldwide flu would arrive again (just like it has every other 100 years or so) to create widespread damage and havoc. We still, in spite of our better knowledge, just weren't prepared enough for this on a global scale. And for that reason we were too slow to respond, too inexperienced to know how to deal with it and in some parts of the world, absolutely shit at containing it.
COVID-19 has now officially changed every person's life on the planet in some way, shape or form. No-one can really say that they have not felt the effects of COVID-19 and be telling the truth, because it is impossible to not be feeling the effects in some way. Even if it is only something as basic as the way that you shop, things are not the same, things are different and people are behaving differently as well. Never before have I looked at people going to events, out for dinner or engaging in simple gatherings in movies or on TV with such an intense longing. The simple act of being out for coffee at a cafe or walking through the gardens and seeing children playing happily or having a gathering of friends and family around for a meal or a drink; these things all seem incredibly desirable and appealing in ways that they have never been before.
And what this has all made me realise is, that not only do we take all of this freedom and socialisation for granted most of the time, but also how desperately we need each other, in ways that we may not have appreciated before. People need people, they just do. We weren't meant to be alone, we aren't designed to be solitary creatures. Humans are meant to roam in packs and being in isolation has made that all the more prevalent for me, and that's a pretty big comment when its coming from an introvert like me because I usually crave isolation and alone time; but clearly too much of it is not ideal for anyone, not even the introverts of the world.
Sure there may be some people who are still loving all this separation from society, and at first I think that the novelty of it all did seem slightly more magical and ideal than the reality of the situation actually is. I know that there were a lot of people who were high fiving themselves over the possibility of working from home, but now that the reality and the loneliness of that has really sunk in, truth is that it is not easier or more desirable to be at home 24/7.
For this reason, I have chosen to be on site at work for two days a week, directly working with the children of essential workers. It is actually nice to get away from the confines, routine and monotony of working from home. You can only do so many Google Meets and Zoom conferences before you start to go a little bit bonkers from all of the screen time. And having a reason to go for a drive and get out of the house that isn't related to groceries or exercise is actually a pleasure. Yep, you heard it here, physically going in to work is actually quite pleasurable. I never thought that I would ever say that, but there you have it. Turns out that COVID-19 really has changed me and maybe I am not as much of an introvert as I thought that I was, or maybe this is just a consequence of too much time at home.
I cannot deny it, I sure am missing my regular trips to the movies and the dinners and drinks that usually accompanied those journeys. I guess it is true, you really don't know what you've got 'til it's gone....'cos man oh man I would really love a choc-top ice-cream, a double feature movie in a huge spacious theatre and some friendly face to face, after movie chatter right about now! Ahhh, to brighter days and wider spaces ahead my friends, but in the meantime - stay well and yeah you know, even though you don't want to anymore, stay at home!
COVID-19 has now officially changed every person's life on the planet in some way, shape or form. No-one can really say that they have not felt the effects of COVID-19 and be telling the truth, because it is impossible to not be feeling the effects in some way. Even if it is only something as basic as the way that you shop, things are not the same, things are different and people are behaving differently as well. Never before have I looked at people going to events, out for dinner or engaging in simple gatherings in movies or on TV with such an intense longing. The simple act of being out for coffee at a cafe or walking through the gardens and seeing children playing happily or having a gathering of friends and family around for a meal or a drink; these things all seem incredibly desirable and appealing in ways that they have never been before.
And what this has all made me realise is, that not only do we take all of this freedom and socialisation for granted most of the time, but also how desperately we need each other, in ways that we may not have appreciated before. People need people, they just do. We weren't meant to be alone, we aren't designed to be solitary creatures. Humans are meant to roam in packs and being in isolation has made that all the more prevalent for me, and that's a pretty big comment when its coming from an introvert like me because I usually crave isolation and alone time; but clearly too much of it is not ideal for anyone, not even the introverts of the world.
Sure there may be some people who are still loving all this separation from society, and at first I think that the novelty of it all did seem slightly more magical and ideal than the reality of the situation actually is. I know that there were a lot of people who were high fiving themselves over the possibility of working from home, but now that the reality and the loneliness of that has really sunk in, truth is that it is not easier or more desirable to be at home 24/7.
For this reason, I have chosen to be on site at work for two days a week, directly working with the children of essential workers. It is actually nice to get away from the confines, routine and monotony of working from home. You can only do so many Google Meets and Zoom conferences before you start to go a little bit bonkers from all of the screen time. And having a reason to go for a drive and get out of the house that isn't related to groceries or exercise is actually a pleasure. Yep, you heard it here, physically going in to work is actually quite pleasurable. I never thought that I would ever say that, but there you have it. Turns out that COVID-19 really has changed me and maybe I am not as much of an introvert as I thought that I was, or maybe this is just a consequence of too much time at home.
I cannot deny it, I sure am missing my regular trips to the movies and the dinners and drinks that usually accompanied those journeys. I guess it is true, you really don't know what you've got 'til it's gone....'cos man oh man I would really love a choc-top ice-cream, a double feature movie in a huge spacious theatre and some friendly face to face, after movie chatter right about now! Ahhh, to brighter days and wider spaces ahead my friends, but in the meantime - stay well and yeah you know, even though you don't want to anymore, stay at home!
FOUR ROOMS
Release Date: 1995
Rating: MA 15+
Running Time: 98 mins
Four hotel rooms, four stories and four different directors. This collaboration from Alison Anders, Alexandre Rockwell, Robert Rodriguez and Quentin Tarantino was unfairly beaten into submission by critics in the '90's. Sure it has some transitional issues as it flows from story to story and it's not the most laugh-out-loud comedy that you're ever going to encounter, but it has enough offbeat characters and strange occurrences to make it a worthwhile viewing.
Ted the Bellhop (Tim Roth) is overworked and underpaid on his New Years Eve shift at the Mon Signor Hotel. He valiantly tries to appease some rather odd and demanding guests over the course of the evening, getting himself involved in all manner of strife by just trying to do his job.
Each room is a different tale, the first is called The Missing Ingredient and involves a witches coven. The second The Wrong Man is a domestic dispute, the third (which was my favourite) is called The Misbehaviors where Ted finds himself childminding for a rather unusual family, and the final story which features Tarantino himself is called The Man From the South in which Ted gets dragged into a bet.
The second half of the movie is far more entertaining than the first, the acting becomes more spirited and the story lines are more fleshed out and adventurous, and despite the critics scathing reviews I thought it was a comedy worthy of my time.
FINAL SAY: I'm in a situation that I can't begin to explain.
3 Chilli Peppers
Release Date: 1995
Rating: MA 15+
Running Time: 98 mins
Four hotel rooms, four stories and four different directors. This collaboration from Alison Anders, Alexandre Rockwell, Robert Rodriguez and Quentin Tarantino was unfairly beaten into submission by critics in the '90's. Sure it has some transitional issues as it flows from story to story and it's not the most laugh-out-loud comedy that you're ever going to encounter, but it has enough offbeat characters and strange occurrences to make it a worthwhile viewing.
Ted the Bellhop (Tim Roth) is overworked and underpaid on his New Years Eve shift at the Mon Signor Hotel. He valiantly tries to appease some rather odd and demanding guests over the course of the evening, getting himself involved in all manner of strife by just trying to do his job.
Each room is a different tale, the first is called The Missing Ingredient and involves a witches coven. The second The Wrong Man is a domestic dispute, the third (which was my favourite) is called The Misbehaviors where Ted finds himself childminding for a rather unusual family, and the final story which features Tarantino himself is called The Man From the South in which Ted gets dragged into a bet.
The second half of the movie is far more entertaining than the first, the acting becomes more spirited and the story lines are more fleshed out and adventurous, and despite the critics scathing reviews I thought it was a comedy worthy of my time.
FINAL SAY: I'm in a situation that I can't begin to explain.
3 Chilli Peppers
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