Thursday has come round again. It’s the night of the Great Clap. There seemed less noise tonight though I and my neighbours were out as usual making as much noise as we could. I presume the Prime Minister was on the steps of Number 10. Or maybe not, since it has been leaked that the government intends the impose a pay freeze for frontline workers. It seems an odd way to show appreciation, especially when there seem no plans to impose higher taxes on the wealthy. Rainbows in windows are all very well, but practical, financial rewards would show more of the appropriate recognition promised by government.
Thanks
Some twenty-five years ago the BBC made a celebrated version of Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice with Jennifer Ehle and Colin Firth in the lead roles. It’s being repeated on BBCFour. Such has social distancing been impressed upon me that I find I am quite distressed how close together the characters on the screen are standing. Move apart, I want to order them. It quite distracts me from the plot. It’s just reached the point where Lizzie refuses Mr Collins’ offer. Other than the social distancing issue, I am thoroughly enjoying it. I watched the National theatre’s Anthony and Cleopatra which I missed when it was in rep. Wonderful. The NT had a brilliant display of costumes a while ago, and there were quite a few from this production, plus photographs of the actors on stage. It’s going to be a great day when the theatres open once more.
My list of things I want to do is growing. Walking is still top, but book group which means sitting round a table with friends, and that plus having a meal with friends is something I miss. The idea of sitting in a darkened theatre while actors take me and everyone else in that space to a different place through a combination of great writing, great acting and great direction is a brilliant shared experience. Most of the audience may be strangers, but there’s a bond you feel that is magical.
My daily to do list is more prosaic but equally important, from putting the empties (sounds more decadent than reality as most were my 0.05% lagers) in the recycling bin, taking the daily walk or cycle, to planning the next podcast, each day has its own structure. Today I baked for the first time in ages, rhubarb and apple cake using aqua faba instead of egg, and my silicon American muffin cases. OMG, they are delicious. I had curry and brown rice as my main, so a bit carb heavy tonight.
I didn’t get all my to do list done today. That probably means it was too long. Still, it means some things will either fall off the list or will reappear like an unwelcome guest over and over again. Sounds a bit like Covid 19.
Stay safe, keep well.
Isobel (and Cat)'s Blog 
Looking forward to watching the Anthony and Cleopatra. Started on Macbeth from the Globe last night and woke up in the middle of the 1987 Tony Awards. Youtube is dangerous that way. Not to mention the hangover from the time travel. Cheers!
I think my daily to do list is, also, too long!
Though today I did very well!
… and, mind you, daily clapping in Barcelona is much less powerful than it was two weeks ago when lockout was stronger and figures about ICU Covid-19 patients, Covid-19 infected people and Covid-19 deaths were much higher.
There are rumors that next Sunday will be the last clapping session
Really, already? Isn’t that a bit premature or do you think it is indicative of people’s desire to put this time behind us?
I have the same anxiety when I watch commercials on our US cable networks. The people are way too close and intimate. Are tv screens big enough to portray life in the age of social distancing while still focusing on facial expressions to tell the story?
It’s strange isn’t it? I have a similar reaction when I see friends, a married couple, walking together.