When last we met, things seemed quite positive: of course, I hinted at the possible spread of a contagion, but I was full of praise for shows and restaurants now closed indefinitely because – due to said illness – the world changed forever in a very short space of time.
I admit I’ve been very worried about people and things, but trying to stay as normal as possible whilst thinking a lot about a film by Lars Von Trier which I watched a few years ago: a surreal creation, entitled Melancholia, about the world ending and everyone preparing for it in different ways as the titular planet headed for earth, looming ever larger with nothing anyone could do about it.
The omnipresent news of Covid-19 spreading and subsequent measures being taken, evoked memories of that movie, and it very quickly felt like the end of the world as we knew it. Initially, I felt far from fine, but have grown to accentuate the positives in possibly the most negative era of our lifetimes, and so devote this month’s blog to the good things about the way we have been living a little differently: still working, but thinking more carefully about everything given the restrictions imposed.
Activities
The day before things changed dramatically was Mothering Sunday, and taking Boris’s advice, we went for an afternoon walk in the Springtime sun. I think we saw Don Carlo on his daily stroll around Blundellsands; just my luck that, on the first proper day of covering up, the need for social distancing left me wondering further whether it really was him because I didn’t shout over for a selfie so as to avoid unnecessary worry. This exercise became a welcome highpoint of days spent indoors (not exactly writing frightening verse) but teaching from – and at – home.
Shopping for essentials, too, became a surreal experience as I queued up outside businesses awaiting being invited inside, only to see sad, desolate shelves which had been ransacked by the more fortunate few. Still, home baking wins for many – and, as some of our favourite restaurants closed indefinitely, it was admirable to see so many try to keep calm and carry on with home delivery services – I’ve been making bread and more memorable meals than would normally be possible.
Comfort food is what we need right now so it’s just and fitting that Jamie Oliver should be presenting his recipes daily, given that he has been involved in several other social projects linked to eating over the years. Many clamoured for the promotion of other chefs to this important role, without realising the privileged background and grammar school education one in particular had had. Anyway, I’ve made Jamie’s Veg Chilli – which went down well – and we’re going to do the pizzas next. Even been cleaning up more, with the help of an amazing revelation: Pink Stuff, which works wonders when the shops had little else on offer.
(Wow, how this blog has changed from an introspective MA Fine Art project to recommending cleaning products, ten years down the line!)
Then, when time allows, DIY… with an impending Ikea delivery due next week, any spare time has been spent painting and tidying up the garden so easily neglected in the tumult of term time. It’s been quite calming to paint walls and ceilings whilst listening to myriad…
Podcasts
The best ones I’ve listened to recently were the Adi Dassler, Elvis and George Best episodes of Evil Genius, in which the panel discussed the good and bad sides of said icons; the always brilliant Two Shot Podcast which I have started to contribute to – the Karl Pilkington episode was particularly hilarious, especially when he discusses the seminal quiz show ‘Bullseye’. Go listen. Then, there’s the surreal Everything is Alive which is like nothing I’ve ever heard; however, it does evoke memories of past projects such as the one for which I won a prestigious Orange Futures award back in 2002.
Here I am, as I was back then:
It’s basically interviews with objects brought to life: for example, a married couple made up of a Sharpie pen and its lid, or a real highlight, the magic 8 ball who only answers questions with real 8 ball responses. Then, of course, there are those on football-when-there-is-no-football (Guardian football, Nessun Dorma and the excellent Kevin Quickly which covers 90s football, my era) bringing back nice memories, as did my choices this month of…
Music
Working from the comfort of home allowed morning listening of my back catalogue of CDs, many of which had been neglected for years. I’ve been particularly enjoying Gomez and Bill Ryder Jones, as well as new releases by Blossoms, Tame Impala and (of course) Morrissey.
The real discovery of self isolation, though, is a new love of classical music, especially Scala FM – the laid back birdsong and calming movies / musicals scores have been the perfect soundtrack to troubled times. It’s also a nice accompaniment to…
Reading
Before things changed, I taught a class about Ray Bradbury, because his short story ‘There Will Come Soft Rains’ felt very relevant to current events. In it, a series of machines and objects continue to carry out their daily chores and routines in an imagined future – 2026 – without any of the humans they thought they were serving. I taught about the story not to scaremonger, just to show that a story doesn’t always need people in it, but it really got me thinking. As I said, health worries and money concerns are prevalent for all of us, meaning sleepless nights and anxieties. At home, the first time my little girl excitedly made contact with the friends she misses so much (the screams of glee are heard several times daily since) brought tears to my eyes: none of them fully understanding the enormity of this absence.
As an escape, I’ve tried to avoid the news where possible. I have instead read about Ancelotti’s leadership; updated my self on world events (especially Italy – the troubles in Palermo, where we should have been going next month for my belated birthday treat, and this incredible account of how life is on the mainland there) but also created a distraction for the whole family of a daily puzzles hour. This has often involved a quiz: so many have been shared by friends and families and that togetherness has made a real difference. And, thankfully, it stopped us from turning on the…
TV
Many things we have watched have actually helped: Joe Wicks and old Everton matches on YouTube; the dawn of Disney+ (although High School Musicals 1-3 can do one now) where The Mandalorian was excellent, Mickey Mouse memory-making, Honey I Shrunk The Kids reminding us of happier times; on Netflix, the brilliant Ozark (and weirdly watchable Tiger King) then on Catch Up: War of the Worlds (which made the city look amazing) and then Breeders, which is basically my life story, and The Trip to Greece: more of the same perfection.
Plus, there was time for a film one night: Film Stars Don’t Die in Liverpool, an emotive and beautiful tale… also, the Tyson Fury documentaries I caught up with. He may divide opinion (especially withhis own opinions) but I have a soft spot for him, having grown up in the same town where he now lives, and I really admired how he opened up about his own demons before trying to help others in a similar boat. One of the best sports stories of all, Rocky, seems to be being replayed out before our very eyes.
Also, despite not playing, Everton have also helped me maintain a decent level of mental health, thanks to…
Social Media
FaceTiming family members, even fleetingly, has become essential. House Party, despite concerns. Even TV programmes have used presenters’ homes and technology to keep calm and carry on. However, in a fortnight when I dread to think how many WhatsApp messages I’ve received from bored friends and colleagues (ranging from heartfelt enquiries and shopping recommendations, to inappropriate jokes about a serious subject and quizzes I wish I had the time to do) it was refreshing to actually see something good on social media and the Thursday evening Clap for Carers project we love taking part in to show our admiration and respect in a small but symbolic way.
In terms of football, lots of individuals have made a difference but as a Blue it was great to hear the positive impact the club and its employees have had on many vulnerable groups and individuals: teaching languages, sharing nutritional advice… Again, I filled up seeing the phone calls players and coaching staff were making (as well as Bill Kenwright) and, as if the surreality couldn’t bite any more, my own two were transfixed by Lucas Digne’s soothing bedtime story the club put out.
And Finally…
Eight years ago tonight, I was finalising my wedding speech. It was inspired and underpinned by the lyrics of a little known Courteeners song, ‘The Last of the Ladies’ and it had the refrain tattooed over my heart as a reminder of that important life event.
That I had the luck a few year later to – somewhat embarrassingly – proudly show the writer / singer of said song, said tattoo, was more than serendipitous given we were celebrating an anniversary that very day, but symbolises some of the magic moments we have spent every 5th April in memory of that day.
I’m talking a carousel themed restaurant whilst enceinte in Nice; L’Enclume in the lakes; discussing music choices with Adam Reid at The French, Manchester; getting shown around the kitchens at Northcote; last year, Pep’s Catalan on King St with David Silva, that sort of thing… all of this brings us to this weekend and our ‘bronze’ wedding anniversary. The world is a different place to what it was on the seventh; even a few weeks back, when I excitedly booked Six by Nico by way of celebration and instead will now be celebrating indoors with a takeaway, if we are lucky.
Spending such a period of time with the family is a blessing, and I suppose links nicely back to the vows we took on that Thursday back in 2012 about sickness and health and all that… though I never expected anything like this to prove it.
Stay safe; look after each other.