My Daily Struggle in the COVID-19 Lockdown

Another eventful week. First, America is seeing an increase in states turning into hotspots. Except for New York, these are states that did not take the pandemic seriously. So far, thankfully, this is not much of an issue in Illinois. We are still in Phase 4, which allows us to enjoy the summer provided we use social distancing (or, as The Wife calls it, "physical distancing"). In fact, we went to a restaurant for the first time in months yesterday! Another beacon of hope: scientists found a COVID-19 vaccine this week, and it passed its first test! Sure, nothing is final, but a glimmer of hope is still hope. We are closer to the end of this pandemic now than we were months ago. Rejoice! Now for some unpleasant news. The savage rioters are at it again. They have destroyed church statues, Confederate statues, and they are now going after Christopher Columbus statues--specifically, the one in Chicago's Grant Park. Personally, I despise Christopher Columbus, and I ...

This was another humid day. I really hope they find this vaccine soon because I am tired of wearing masks. I cannot wear them outside because I start wheezing. There are even stories of people fainting from ingesting too much carbon dioxide. Carbon monoxide is lethal, but a certain amount of carbon dioxide, dear friends, is also lethal. I keep seeing people outside wearing masks when they do not need to, such as when they are by themselves or the closest person to them is well over 6 feet away. This is not the right weather for prolonged use of masks! When I went out today, I only donned my mask when I entered a store or confronted a stranger. This is the only time we need these masks. It seems like we are darned if we do and darned if we don't. So, it is the middle of the weekend. How many Chicagoans will be shot by Monday? How many will be killed? How many of these will be children? Pardon the sarcasm, but is that not what we have come to in Illinois, where no one can enjoy a s...

Last week of work before vacation. Huzzah! I'll still go to my Saturday job, though. That's a cakewalk compared to social work, and I get free pastries! I probably should go easy on the pastries though. I already have the gut of a woman who is 5 months pregnant. Just kidding! I bought my tickets to the monastery, I confirmed my itinerary with the Reverend Father, and it is all settled. It is going to be great to get away for a few days, to be in the middle on nowhere and commune with the Lord in contemplation and reflection. In actuality, I knew about this place for over 10 years, but this is my first time going. It was my plan that, if I were not married by 40, I would settle all debts and join a Lutheran monastery. Well, that didn't happen, but the principles of a monk have not really departed from me. In fact, I consider myself sort of an independent friar. Both monks and friars take similar vows, but friars do not separate themselves from society. Instead, they serv...

Most of today was good. I returned to the office, and I was in for a busy day. It was great to be back. I will not miss being exiled from my office and having to lug around the dossiers of all of my clients. We still cannot drive people, but it's a start. I have had so much on my mind this week, but I am going to focus on two things tonight. First, I often reflect on why it is so difficult for younger people to go to church. Sure, some are bored by the liturgy or do not thing Christianity or church life are not hip and sophisticated enough. In my life, I have been a member of 4 churches, and all four have certain things in common. First, there are those who make the most noise on Sunday but live godless lives all other days of the week. Next, there is petty bickering back and forth and just general meanness. After all, why give up having fun with friends when you can just go to church and be around a bunch of mean people who do nothing but yell and argue, right? Third, those who ...

This has been quite a day. First, Jewel was several hours late with groceries for my site because ten people allegedly called off today. While that is a shame, someone should have called me. Instead, their workers kept telling me that the groceries would be ready "in ten minute. Instead, they had to deliver groceries to my site after 7:30. This is the third time they have done this to me, and the last. I shall simply find another location to patronize. Well, there seems to be good new and bad news. The good news, that pig Chauvin was finally arrested and charged with murder. The bad news? They forget to arrest his accomplices. After all, they could have helped Lloyd, but they just stood there while Chauvin murdered Lloyd. The are accessories to murder, and they should be arrested also. More bad news? Minneapolis is burning, and the 3rd precinct police station was burned to the ground. I even read about how an African -American man had saved for a sports bar and was about to open...

Macchiavelli. Those who have taken Humanities in college have learned at least a little about Niccolo Machiavelli. He was a Renaissance diplomat who taught his contemporaries how to maintain power yet extend mercy and reason. One thing I remember most about him is how he asserts it is better to be feared than hated, which is why you can execute a man's father for a petty crime, and he might forgive you as long as you leave his inheritance alone. Hence, Machiavelli was, if anything else, a pragmatist. He was ruled by reason. I have seen little pragmatism in the George Lloyd matter this week. Before I continue, I want to commend the many police chiefs across the country who have condemned this hate crime and called it what it is: murder. Now, I wish to denounce Hal Marx, the mayor of Petal, Mississippi, who said, "if you can talk, you can breathe," referring to George Lloyd's last words. Has this man even graduated high school? Seriously?! It does not take an asth...

An angry world has become angrier. A frightened world just became more frightened. Minneapolis is on fire, and looters follow angry protesters, ruining what could be a noble movement. People express bitterness against the police--those who are sworn to serve and protect. While some officers uphold their oath, others choose to serve their hatred and protect their egos on steroids. As a result, Mayor Frey is demanding the arrest of the villainous swine who lynched George Lloyd. Every single organization with an agenda has expressed outrage. Conservative groups, liberal groups, religious leaders, actors, singers, and politicians finally have something in common: they have seen a gross injustice, and they are outraged. Even with all the sadly ironic division during the pandemic, only now are people starting to hold hands and sing kumbaya. All it took was the murder of a Black man. I'm glad it is finally happening, but how long will it have the right effect? Who will ruin it, like the...

I am going to digress a from my usual topic to discuss a topic that has really upset me. By now, you know what I am talking about when I tell you about the name George Lloyd and the city Minneapolis. This is a man who was murdered by Derek Chauvin, the Klansman in blue, in broad daylight and on film. Yes, he was resisting arrest. Yes, he probably was passing counterfeit bills. Still, there are ways a belligerent perpetrator can be detained and transported without chokeholds, which have been proven to be unnecessary and deadly. I have even seen footage of a man with a weapon apprehended without injury to either party. Therefore, there is no reason an unarmed man should be killed by one officer, with the blessing of three other officers. There is no reason why a cop should kneel on a man for five minutes, FIVE MINUTES, especially when the man stops resisting. Especially when he is pleading for his life, saying "I can't breathe! Everything hurts!" Don't believe me? Wat...