Chilling with the dead and the deer.

On Monday, I stepped outside for the first time since the 12th to the mailbox. It was a brisk jaunt around the neighbourhood lasting about fifteen minutes. I made it back home without coughing in public.

The next day, I had a proper outing when Yann and I went down to the beach with the binoculars. Five minutes into settling on the edge of the concrete walkway, I was looking at an eagle and a seal within the same field of view. A little later, we saw an Anna’s hummingbird hanging out in the bushes. What a treat! Until we realized that the beach was also teeming with teenagers drinking out of thermoses and throwing pebbles at each other because that’s what teenagers do when they’re not getting an education. Our reaction was more or less this:

After running away from the teens, we made a quick stop at the grocery store, where I stayed outside as to not freak people out should I start hacking. I was disappointed to observe so many people discount WHO’s advice to maintain social distancing. A woman decided to wait for her friend by standing within arm’s reach from me. She may not have been sick, but I was on the tail end of my bout with regular coronavirus. (Note that coronavirus is an umbrella term for respiratory tract infections. It’s super unlikely I had COVID-19.) I took care of the social distancing for her and stood under a dinky tree in front of the grocery store parking lot.

Yesterday was to be my first day back at work, except it was decided that the store/bike shop would be closed at least until the end of the month. The positions Yann and I were interviewed for two weeks ago have been put on hold. In the meantime, we’re out of work.

Yann and I took a walk to Ross Bay Cemetery. “Look! Our destiny!” I said when we arrived.

I don’t mean soon, though.

We counted six deer who were lounging in the burial plot of their preference. This one was connecting with Joe’s spirit:

Yann noted that we were now a part of history. Of course, many historical events have happened throughout our lifetime, but I’d never been a participant until now. (Yann endured the 1998 Ice Storm.)

I don’t know what our destiny actually is. I plan on eating up time with some arts and crafts. I have reactivated my personal Instagram account. Yann and I have started the Wild Wild Country docuseries on Netflix, which is already worthy of writing a recap, so that might be what’s coming up. The running time of the whole docuseries is six hours, but it’s not like I don’t have the time.

I’ll probably also deviate from my usual Monday and Thursday posting schedule with bonus nonsense. It’s your destiny to welcome them!