Rant: I'm sick of the optimism around Covid 19.

[Tortuga]

Sorry to hear banana man. But I feel ya, I too am getting over all the bullshit surrounding this "crisis."

When this is done, can I buy a guitar off of ya? ;-)

"Banana man"

Had to say that before the lock

[Ostinato Rubato]

But I am not one to lecture people to "man up" or whatever because I don't know what their situation is, so I can only speak for myself.

In case Cody couldn’t tell, I was being facetious and play lecture ranting back.

Though I do think drinking, drugs, and sex help take the edge off. Highly recommended.

[ajaxlepinski]

The only thing I miss is gigging and jamming with my band. I also miss going out for sake and sushi... now we get take out.
Other than that, I really don't mind staying home and my g/f of 15 years doesn't mind either.
We have always gone to the grocery store at night to avoid the crowds.

Things are really slow at work so, I'm down to working three days a week and making less money.
Three days a week is great, the less money part sucks so, I have to buy less gear.

I dunno, it could be far worse... instead of 250,000 dead in the USA, it could have been 250,000,000.... that would really suck.

[GuitarBilly]

But I am not one to lecture people to "man up" or whatever because I don't know what their situation is, so I can only speak for myself.

In case Cody couldn’t tell, I was being facetious and play lecture ranting back.

Though I do think drinking, drugs, and sex help take the edge off. Highly recommended.

Well yes "cocaine and putas" have been strong allies of the Latin community through many crisis.

[Ostinato Rubato]

[Telephant]

Fuck living in fear of a 99.6% survival rate. And fuck anyone who mongers it.

[GuitarBilly]

[ajaxlepinski]

^^^ ^^^


If this had been the bubonic plague (transmitted by fleas on rats) instead of covid-19 (transmitted by people), everyone would have bought a bb gun and would be out there happily killing rats.
But ask people to wear a mask...

[clipless bumper]

.....I have to buy less gear.

I dunno, it could be far worse... instead of 250,000 dead in the USA, it could have been 250,000,000.... that would really suck.

But think how much gear would be available!!!!

[itchyfingers]

Had shows canceled. Trips cancelled. Vacations cancelled. 2020 Sucks! I think the only thing keeping me sane is guitars, exercise, and legal marijuana - it's amazing how quick that business became essential.

Mojo Bonano.

[Pepi]

[greatmutah]

This place has actually helped me stay sane. Being able to run BOTR again, even though none of us were playing out then, was a welcome distraction and much needed. I’ve had some highs and lows, like everyone. The working from home was cool, but then I started to feel isolated. I’ve mellowed out a bit on it and come back down to earth. We keep our circle pretty small. We do our grocery shopping weekly, pretty much switched to take out only for restaurants and really have been good about masking up. My wife is terrified of it. I keep her a little more grounded. Her mom and my mom alternate helping watch my son during the week. He’s not quite 2 yet and working and juggling a toddler is daunting. I need the help. Both of them are considered high risk too, so when we do go out, we make sure we take the appropriate precautions. Masking up, hand washing, etc. My dad is still working and he does the same too. I do make it a point to try to go out and still hit up my comic shop for books every couple weeks. A couple weeks back, I went to my old singers place and we laid down some tracks. That was great and needed. I ain’t gonna brow beat someone over the head online about what they’re doing or not doing, or how they’re feeling, because let’s face it, everyone’s situation is different.

I really wish this wasn’t going on. I’d been going to the local pool and swimming a bunch last year, and was ready to get back at it after the holidays (I got real sick during Christmas, and it lingered for a while. Everyone thought it was RSV from hell). Whatever gains I had made there are gone now and that’s a bummer. I love swimming. I could get in, swim 2000 yards or so and just relax and focus on my workout. I was hoping to start improving speed so I could pack more yards in an hour. With the holidays coming up, I’m not bummed about Thanksgiving so much, because I have a few relatives who would have turned it into a political rant and quite frankly I don’t care to hear it this year. Christmas will be fine because it’ll be close knit. Us and my son’s Grandparents from both sides. I do have some hope with the vaccines moving the way they have. I really hope the efficacy is as good as they claim. I hope long term there’s nothing to worry about outside normal vaccine stuff (sore injection sites, fatigue, etc). And I’ll probably be getting one. If it helps in the slightest for helping to not just prevent me from getting it, but also stop spread of it, then I’ll do it. I got too many people I care about to not try to help. Your outlook may be different on it and that’s fine. I’m not saying you don’t care for the people in your lives. We all have a different perspective on it.

At any rate, I hope nothing but the best for everyone. Despite the rollercoaster ride. Be safe guys. Health, emotionally, spiritually, whatever you guys need to do to keep going.

[ajaxlepinski]

.....I have to buy less gear.

I dunno, it could be far worse... instead of 250,000 dead in the USA, it could have been 250,000,000.... that would really suck.

But think how much gear would be available!!!!

There's definitely something wrong with me because I LOL'd!!!

[Bonano]

Thanks for all your responses. Ranting and getting a response has had a therapeutic effect - sorta. I'm pretty sure I'm coming off the apex of a second brush with depression of some sort (all new to me).

I guess I validate my own existence by my level of productivity, and I just don't feel as productive as I used to. I'm a high school teacher, and the first thing that was taken away from me was that social environment, energy, and purpose. Then over the months I've gained at least 15 pounds, and add to that all the other things that comes with being on the "wrong side of 40" that have only been amplified because off all this. And like Fretless, just seeing the desperation in the lines and stores breaks my heart too.

Now I feel that all my soft naivete has been exposed. I feel like I might've actually been living a charmed life until all this. Now I'm wondering if I sound like a spoiled bitch complaining about trifles.

I never learned to escape in drugs and alcohol. I was just not around people who did drugs. With alcohol, I'm pretty sure I have that "Asian flush" which is some condition common with Japanese and Koreans - sump'n about bodies breaking down alcohol in two stages, and Asians lacking an enzyme to break down alcohol at that second stage. I dunno. I just turn bright red and my heart starts racing and feels like it's ready to burst. I've never experienced a "good time" from drinking.

I think I make up for this by eating. But during the initial quarantine/lock down in March, everything was closed, so we trained ourselves not to go out, and learned to cook at home. My family and I dearly miss those outings. We used to talk in the car on the way to our favorite restaurants and over our meal. None of that now. We kinda graze independently.

Shit, I'm ranting again. Maybe you can tell that GGF'ing is about as much social-media'ing as I do.

Again, thanks. Some of your responses shined more light on my situation, and others showed me not to take things too seriously. It helps.

[GuitarBilly]

Thanks for all your responses. Ranting and getting a response has had a therapeutic effect - sorta. I'm pretty sure I'm coming off the apex of a second brush with depression of some sort (all new to me).

I guess I validate my own existence by my level of productivity, and I just don't feel as productive as I used to. I'm a high school teacher, and the first thing that was taken away from me was that social environment, energy, and purpose. Then over the months I've gained at least 15 pounds, and add to that all the other things that comes with being on the "wrong side of 40" that have only been amplified because off all this. And like Fretless, just seeing the desperation in the lines and stores breaks my heart too.

Now I feel that all my soft naivete has been exposed. I feel like I might've actually been living a charmed life until all this. Now I'm wondering if I sound like a spoiled bitch complaining about trifles.

I never learned to escape in drugs and alcohol. I was just not around people who did drugs. With alcohol, I'm pretty sure I have that "Asian flush" which is some condition common with Japanese and Koreans - sump'n about bodies breaking down alcohol in two stages, and Asians lacking an enzyme to break down alcohol at that second stage. I dunno. I just turn bright red and my heart starts racing and feels like it's ready to burst. I've never experienced a "good time" from drinking.

I think I make up for this by eating. But during the initial quarantine/lock down in March, everything was closed, so we trained ourselves not to go out, and learned to cook at home. My family and I dearly miss those outings. We used to talk in the car on the way to our favorite restaurants and over our meal. None of that now. We kinda graze independently.

Shit, I'm ranting again. Maybe you can tell that GGF'ing is about as much social-media'ing as I do.

Again, thanks. Some of your responses shined more light on my situation, and others showed me not to take things too seriously. It helps.

Dude, it's not only you. Depression is affecting a lot of people right now. This has been a hard year in so many levels and there's still a lot of uncertainty about the near future. I think I don't have a predisposition for depression at all and my life hasn't been affected too much so I'm doing fine but I've been seeing a lot of my friends and family struggle right now. Whether is sadness,depression, anger etc a lot of people are not handling their emotions well at the moment and it's understandable. Social media is particularly toxic these days, specially if that's currently your main form of social interaction.
If you can, try to get some professional help, counseling etc, there's absolutely nothing wrong with it.

[greatmutah]

What Billy said. I missed my normal 6 month checkup with my psychiatrist back in April, never rescheduled and put it off until now. Unfortunately trying to schedule it now means he’s backed up til January but I should have known better going in. Full disclosure: I have depression also, with bipolar tendencies and the shit show that is social media and the news does not help so I completely empathize with anyone feeling the same way. And dude don’t feel bad for venting. Ever. Unless you’re rage-tearing people down personally but that’s not what’s happening here. This is a good place here with good people who are pretty down to earth. Someone else’s situation doesn’t necessarily diminish yours. It’s just different and being able to see that perspective and acknowledge it in a constructive way can really help. Maybe give you a different outlook or perspective on your own situation.

[JiveTurkey]

Don't apologize for venting Bonano. It's tough out there. Keep your head up.

[linthat22]

But your extra guitars........

[Ostinato Rubato]

Thanks for all your responses. Ranting and getting a response has had a therapeutic effect - sorta. I'm pretty sure I'm coming off the apex of a second brush with depression of some sort (all new to me).

I guess I validate my own existence by my level of productivity, and I just don't feel as productive as I used to. I'm a high school teacher, and the first thing that was taken away from me was that social environment, energy, and purpose. Then over the months I've gained at least 15 pounds, and add to that all the other things that comes with being on the "wrong side of 40" that have only been amplified because off all this. And like Fretless, just seeing the desperation in the lines and stores breaks my heart too.

Now I feel that all my soft naivete has been exposed. I feel like I might've actually been living a charmed life until all this. Now I'm wondering if I sound like a spoiled bitch complaining about trifles.

I never learned to escape in drugs and alcohol. I was just not around people who did drugs. With alcohol, I'm pretty sure I have that "Asian flush" which is some condition common with Japanese and Koreans - sump'n about bodies breaking down alcohol in two stages, and Asians lacking an enzyme to break down alcohol at that second stage. I dunno. I just turn bright red and my heart starts racing and feels like it's ready to burst. I've never experienced a "good time" from drinking.

I think I make up for this by eating. But during the initial quarantine/lock down in March, everything was closed, so we trained ourselves not to go out, and learned to cook at home. My family and I dearly miss those outings. We used to talk in the car on the way to our favorite restaurants and over our meal. None of that now. We kinda graze independently.

Shit, I'm ranting again. Maybe you can tell that GGF'ing is about as much social-media'ing as I do.

Again, thanks. Some of your responses shined more light on my situation, and others showed me not to take things too seriously. It helps.

Dude, it's not only you. Depression is affecting a lot of people right now. This has been a hard year in so many levels and there's still a lot of uncertainty about the near future. I think I don't have a predisposition for depression at all and my life hasn't been affected too much so I'm doing fine but I've been seeing a lot of my friends and family struggle right now. Whether is sadness,depression, anger etc a lot of people are not handling their emotions well at the moment and it's understandable. Social media is particularly toxic these days, specially if that's currently your main form of social interaction.
If you can, try to get some professional help, counseling etc, there's absolutely nothing wrong with it.

Our family therapist said yesterday that there’s a joke (not joke) in the mental health professional community about everyone - their friends, family and acquaintances too all experiencing adjustment disorder. Pretty much the whole world is walking around with a clinical diagnosis right now.

Shit is real, the country is experiencing a communication breakdown, and we don’t see an end to it. And I didn’t remember that you were a high school teacher. Holy shit. Distance learning is hard on parents but I have truly felt bad for the teachers right now. This is literally the hardest time in American history to be a teacher. All your guys’ job descriptions just expanded with like 99 new duties.

Hang in there. PM if you need that connect you never had. jk kinda

[Beef]

Thanks for all your responses. Ranting and getting a response has had a therapeutic effect - sorta. I'm pretty sure I'm coming off the apex of a second brush with depression of some sort (all new to me).

I guess I validate my own existence by my level of productivity, and I just don't feel as productive as I used to. I'm a high school teacher, and the first thing that was taken away from me was that social environment, energy, and purpose. Then over the months I've gained at least 15 pounds, and add to that all the other things that comes with being on the "wrong side of 40" that have only been amplified because off all this. And like Fretless, just seeing the desperation in the lines and stores breaks my heart too.

Now I feel that all my soft naivete has been exposed. I feel like I might've actually been living a charmed life until all this. Now I'm wondering if I sound like a spoiled bitch complaining about trifles.

I never learned to escape in drugs and alcohol. I was just not around people who did drugs. With alcohol, I'm pretty sure I have that "Asian flush" which is some condition common with Japanese and Koreans - sump'n about bodies breaking down alcohol in two stages, and Asians lacking an enzyme to break down alcohol at that second stage. I dunno. I just turn bright red and my heart starts racing and feels like it's ready to burst. I've never experienced a "good time" from drinking.

I think I make up for this by eating. But during the initial quarantine/lock down in March, everything was closed, so we trained ourselves not to go out, and learned to cook at home. My family and I dearly miss those outings. We used to talk in the car on the way to our favorite restaurants and over our meal. None of that now. We kinda graze independently.

Shit, I'm ranting again. Maybe you can tell that GGF'ing is about as much social-media'ing as I do.

Again, thanks. Some of your responses shined more light on my situation, and others showed me not to take things too seriously. It helps.

Dude, it's not only you. Depression is affecting a lot of people right now. This has been a hard year in so many levels and there's still a lot of uncertainty about the near future. I think I don't have a predisposition for depression at all and my life hasn't been affected too much so I'm doing fine but I've been seeing a lot of my friends and family struggle right now. Whether is sadness,depression, anger etc a lot of people are not handling their emotions well at the moment and it's understandable. Social media is particularly toxic these days, specially if that's currently your main form of social interaction.
If you can, try to get some professional help, counseling etc, there's absolutely nothing wrong with it.

Damn, Billy nailed it. Take care of yourself man (and the rest of y'all take care of yourselves too). Hope things get less painful soon.

[Zozobra]

Things are rough right now and the uncertainty about when, and indeed how, this will end is compounds things immensely. My mental health has been all over the place. I'll go through relatively long period of being well adjusted and then crash headfirst into utter dispair. I didn't get out of bed until 2 PM on Friday as I just couldn't see the point; one more groundhog day blurring into an endless grey existence. I managed to talk myself around and went on a walk to get a kebab which improved my mood. I've been much better since.

Is there any point to my writing? I'm not sure? You just got to run your own race and try your best to make it out as unscathed as possible. My life isn't particularly out of whack because of covid. I still have a job and am arguably financially better off for working from home. I know a lot of people aren't that lucky and I can't imagine what that must be like but I don't let that comparison minimise my grief and my emotional response to what's happening. This whole thing sucks. It's ok to feel like shit from time to time. It's inevitable.

[Bonano]

Sorry to hear banana man.

Y'know, the irony is "Bonano" likely means "good year."

It was the name of a local Peruvian restaurant that had great rotisserie chicken and this garlic sauce called "aji" or "ahi." Fuck, I could drink that shit. They used to serve a whole butterflied chicken on, literally, a tray full of fries. Fuck, I miss that place and Peruvian food: their fried rice ("chaufa"?), their ceviche, lomo saltado, etc.

[Pepi]

Guitar Center filing ...

https://www.msn.com/en-us/money/compani ... d=msedgntp