Quarantine & Chill

Sistah's, how y'all feel? Bruthas, y'all alright?

Me, I'm just chillin'. Been braless since March 9th. Every time I've had to go out I'd just throw on a coat because I refuse for my tits to be in unnecessary bondage. I haven't had take-out since March 10th. I feel like I've cooked more meals and washed more dishes in the last month than I did all 2019. It also made me realize just how much I used to eat out, how much money I spent on food, and how much I've saved in the last 30 days. 

Working from home has been easy. Most of our events are postponed/cancelled until further notice, and some of our conferences are now virtual. Team meetings are audio only via WebEx and not Zoom so I've been wearing my hair in a protective style under a bonnet for weeks. I decided to take my two strand twists down today and fluff out my curly fro. I now live in pajamas, lounge wear, and workout clothes. 

A couple of weeks ago, Mom sent me cans of Lysol, a big bottle of hand sanitizer, disinfecting wipes, and masks since they are basically nonexistent in NYC. I was down to my last half-full can of Lysol so her corona care package really came in handy. Thankfully, I already had plenty of gloves and other cleaning supplies. 

I've been binge-watching random things on Netflix (like Queen Sono and Tiger King) and Hulu (Little Fires Everywhere). SPOILER SIDENOTE: I can't wait until Wednesday cause Mia KNOW she wrong for taking that $12,000, kidnapping that baby and making her live a vagabond life with her. Then how does she get mad at Pearl for innately wanting a better, more stable life that she could have had all along. Maybe Mia feels like she's trying to right her wrongs by helping Bebe get May Ling/Maribelle back. It's so good and messy! Chile...

I'm also weirdly obsessed with true-crime TV so I've been glued to Dateline, 20/20, and a lot of Snapped and serial killer shows on Oxygen. Speaking of which, I was interviewed for an article, "Why True-Crime TV Has Become So Popular During the Coronavirus Pandemic" by Alaina Demopoulos. 

 “It’s the realest stuff on TV besides the news. It’s true stories of average people living their lives, and then a certain thing happens and it goes from sugar to shit.” 

That's also the best way I can describe what we are all currently going through. On March 1st, I was in Harlem at the Apollo Theater celebrating the birthday of a legend. A week later on March 9th, I started working remote as a precaution. On March 11th, Trump gave his Presidential Address regarding the coronavirus pandemic after the NBA cancelled the season when Rudy Gobert from the Utah Jazz tested positive. On March 14th, my team got word that we would be working from home until further notice. Things haven't been the same since. 

Today, Govenor Cuomo announced that New York surpassed a grim toll of 10,000 deaths, but the upside is that we seem to be plateauting hospitalizations and flattening the curve. I try to stay informed, but I had to scale back when I realized my vibe was off. The 24 hour news cycle and constant mobile notifications about the rising cases and deaths and how healthcare workers on the frontlines and other workers in various industries were being mistreated was depressingly affecting my mood. We all really owe them a debt of gratitude for putting their lives on the line to help us!

So I channel my anxiety into something healthy and productive. I have different sized weights, a medicine ball, and Total Gym 1400, but I really miss running on the treadmill. Even walking/running outdoors is a risk when you realize social distancing at 6 feet minimum is not effective. I found this article on FOX13News. "To avoid the droplets, they recommend staying 15 feet from others when walking, 33 feet when running or cycling at a slow pace, and 65 feet when running or cycling at a faster pace," reports Jennifer Holton. 

I was staring at my calendar this past weekend thinking... I have tickets to see Janet Jackson at The Garden on July 14th. Will outside be open again then? I have front row seats to see Chris Tucker on April 10th at the Beacon. It's been rescheduled for July 30th. Will outside be open again then? I bought tickets to see Alicia Keys at Radio City on August 13th as a birthday present to myself. Will outside be open again then? Will I even be able to take an international trip for my birthday this year? Wow... I'll be 36 in four months. 

With Trump wanting to reopen business as soon as possible and reports of people who were infected with COVID-19 are becoming reinfected after supposedly *recovering*, it makes me wonder if we're jumping the gun to get back to normal. There still hasn't been nationwide testing,  and healthcare workers on the frontlines are still having difficulty getting tested. People who are infected can still transmit the virus even if they are asymptomatic. So if we haven't tested everyone, how can we possibly reopen businesses and schools without a resurgence happening? 

I don't have all the answers, but I figured it is the perfect time to invest in the stock market and bitcoin. I opened a Robinhood account on March 16th and started buying shares on the 17th. Even with all the volatility, my portfolio is doing pretty good, and I got a lot of free stocks from people when they signed up using my link. *Shameless Plug* lol... start your investment journey today using Robinhood and get a free stock! 

I've had solo dance parties with DJ Nice and upwards of 150,000 viewers. I've had a Zoom session with my line sisters on our Sweet Sixteen Deltaversary. I've checked in with friends daily sharing memes and videos about 'rona that make us laugh even in times of heartbreak, pain, and uncertainty. I've sanitized my apartment more times than I can count. I've rearranged and reorganized closets and drawers. I've watched movies I've been wanting to see but could never find the time. I've listened to music - everything from the Goo Goo Dolls ("Iris" is still my jam) to Jay Electronica and JAY-Z wax poetic on A Written Testimony (the whole album is FIRE). I'm actually listening to "Shiny Suit Theory" as I type this blog post up... 

My God, it's so hard to conceive
But it all falls perfect, I'm like autumn is to trees...

These times are hard to conceive, and it's forced us to slow down and really take time to appreciate things and people that matter. I'm so grateful that I still have a job. Since mid-March,  16.9 million Americans have filed for unemployment, and many businesses have closed. I'm so grateful I have a roof over my head. I was just in Monroe, LA in January for a funeral, and tornadoes ripped through the airport and some residential areas causing severe damage last night.

I'm so grateful that I have more than enough healthy food to eat when I see thousands of cars lined up at food banks on the news. I'm so grateful that I live alone when I've seen articles and social media posts of couples breaking up and a surge in domestic and sexual violence because women and children are quarantined with an abuser. I'm so grateful that I have my mom and friends to call and text when I need to talk and check-in with them because it's vitally important to protect your peace and mental health.  

I know it's been tough and a real adjustment this past month for everyone, but it's so paramount to count your blessings cause we gon' be alright! I know people who have died from COVID-19, and it's not a hoax. Black people can get it, and we seriously need to continue social distancing and staying at home as much as possible as we collectively battle this invisible monster. This too shall pass, and when it does I can't wait to see you guys on the other side! 

Peace and love! xoxo