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This DISCLAIMER pertains to all stories in the A 60-YEAR-OLD-MAN WALKING section of this website. Regardless of whether the story is prefaced with "Fiction" or "Non-Fiction."
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, places, events, locales, and incidents are either the products of the author’s imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental. |
Get up and go, go, go.
There are those who will try to knock you down + tell you, you are not worthy.
There are those who will seek to break your spirit, to reduce you to their level.
If you keep pressing on, accept your imperfections, place kindness over greed. Resist envy + jealousy. If you give more than receive. Listen more than talk. A day will come, where you can accept you are a good person regardless of your flaws.
Own it. Love it. Share it.
There are those who will try to knock you down + tell you, you are not worthy.
There are those who will seek to break your spirit, to reduce you to their level.
If you keep pressing on, accept your imperfections, place kindness over greed. Resist envy + jealousy. If you give more than receive. Listen more than talk. A day will come, where you can accept you are a good person regardless of your flaws.
Own it. Love it. Share it.
HUMAN
Storytellers tell stories.
One Human.
60.
“Freaked Out.”
A15-year career killed.
For nothing, the human has done.
Livelihood, replaced by fear, uncertainty.
Nowhere to go. Nowhere to turn.
Upsetting.
A story is told.
‘The Man’ doesn’t like the story.
‘The Man’ only sees $s -- humanity is an inconvenience.
‘The Man’ doesn’t care who they destroy.
A friend is complicit.
Heartbreaking.
‘The Man’ lashes out—adding chapters.
An ultimatum.
Passive. Aggressive. Threats.
One person. Alone. Scared. Human.
‘The Man’ claims he’s done nothing wrong.
‘The Man’ willfully chooses to destroy a life.
Life. Death. For. A.
Living. Loving. Human.
One Human.
60.
“Freaked Out.”
A15-year career killed.
For nothing, the human has done.
Livelihood, replaced by fear, uncertainty.
Nowhere to go. Nowhere to turn.
Upsetting.
A story is told.
‘The Man’ doesn’t like the story.
‘The Man’ only sees $s -- humanity is an inconvenience.
‘The Man’ doesn’t care who they destroy.
A friend is complicit.
Heartbreaking.
‘The Man’ lashes out—adding chapters.
An ultimatum.
Passive. Aggressive. Threats.
One person. Alone. Scared. Human.
‘The Man’ claims he’s done nothing wrong.
‘The Man’ willfully chooses to destroy a life.
Life. Death. For. A.
Living. Loving. Human.
The difficulty is riding shotgun with the guilt of justification.
A FRIEND OF MINE I’VE BEEN IN CONTACT WITH TESTED POSITIVE FOR COVID-19
Sorry about channelling the outgoing US buffoon by using ALL CAPS.
Ever since the day I was terminated from my job, way, way, way back in March, I’ve adhered to the CDC guidelines for my safety and the safety of those around me.
I’ve walked, walked, and walked, mostly with one other person, rarely coming into contact with anyone else, except to order take-out food.
As time passed, like everyone, I got anxious for human contact. Thankfully, The Bubble concept was proposed, much like telling two friends who tell two friends, stopping at six.
But we are humans, we are flawed, and besides, how can we possibly trust our Bubbles?
John could be part of Mary’s Bubble of six who could be part of Tony’s Bubble of six and the Bubbles quickly turn into who knows: Kevin Bacon.
Ever since the day I was terminated from my job, way, way, way back in March, I’ve adhered to the CDC guidelines for my safety and the safety of those around me.
I’ve walked, walked, and walked, mostly with one other person, rarely coming into contact with anyone else, except to order take-out food.
As time passed, like everyone, I got anxious for human contact. Thankfully, The Bubble concept was proposed, much like telling two friends who tell two friends, stopping at six.
But we are humans, we are flawed, and besides, how can we possibly trust our Bubbles?
John could be part of Mary’s Bubble of six who could be part of Tony’s Bubble of six and the Bubbles quickly turn into who knows: Kevin Bacon.
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And besides, many of our economic lives are in peril, unfortunately for some, ruins.
Because of the flaws in us, the humans, eventually as time went by, we either don’t know anyone who’s been diagnosed with COVID-19, or we are quite frankly bored with our lives being turned upside down. The key element to extrapolate from this is: life —which indicates living.
The Grim Reaper is lurking. Almost 1.5 million global deaths scream from the grave: he’s having a glorious time. Maybe glorious is the wrong choice of words.
More time passes, more complacency kicks in, and Kevin Bacon’s bubble grows.
However, the virus is still ranging. Sure, I have a friend who lost three family members to Covid, but that was in Brighton Beach, UK. Not here.
Sure, the US is in a crisis, but not to worry, we have a wall; don’t we? —and viruses can’t get past a wall; can it?
The news keeps bombarding us with upsetting news about a dark winter, yet many people in the States can’t give up one Thanksgiving, because…it’s unfathomable to understand.
Sure, we all hate wearing masks—unfortunately, some selfish bleeps are running around as anti-bleeping-maskers trying to impose their selfishness on others. I will not mince words here, if you are an anti-masker you are a selfish prick, and likely a supporter of the outgoing buffoon down south. If you don’t like what I just said, don’t vote for me.
I like to grab a few pops and conversation with my Bubble at a local watering hole. My Bubble consists of six friends plus a couple spares I feel I can mostly trust; people mature enough not to be selfish, people in my demographic range.
But then, the Bubble cracks, a friend announces he’s started going to the gym again. His selfish decision, I do of course understand the importance of fitness, however; my friend going to the gym questing vanity, isn’t thinking about the people in the Bubble or the people who serve him. A hard decision was made: BEAT IT.
Another friend decided social butterflying at the watering hole was an okay thing to do.
A hard decision was made: BEAT IT.
And the Bubble shrinks.
Vanity is a strong drug, as is social interaction, but with vaccines on the horizon, I am going to be selfish, I want to stay alive.
I decided our Bubble table needed guidelines.
Because of the flaws in us, the humans, eventually as time went by, we either don’t know anyone who’s been diagnosed with COVID-19, or we are quite frankly bored with our lives being turned upside down. The key element to extrapolate from this is: life —which indicates living.
The Grim Reaper is lurking. Almost 1.5 million global deaths scream from the grave: he’s having a glorious time. Maybe glorious is the wrong choice of words.
More time passes, more complacency kicks in, and Kevin Bacon’s bubble grows.
However, the virus is still ranging. Sure, I have a friend who lost three family members to Covid, but that was in Brighton Beach, UK. Not here.
Sure, the US is in a crisis, but not to worry, we have a wall; don’t we? —and viruses can’t get past a wall; can it?
The news keeps bombarding us with upsetting news about a dark winter, yet many people in the States can’t give up one Thanksgiving, because…it’s unfathomable to understand.
Sure, we all hate wearing masks—unfortunately, some selfish bleeps are running around as anti-bleeping-maskers trying to impose their selfishness on others. I will not mince words here, if you are an anti-masker you are a selfish prick, and likely a supporter of the outgoing buffoon down south. If you don’t like what I just said, don’t vote for me.
I like to grab a few pops and conversation with my Bubble at a local watering hole. My Bubble consists of six friends plus a couple spares I feel I can mostly trust; people mature enough not to be selfish, people in my demographic range.
But then, the Bubble cracks, a friend announces he’s started going to the gym again. His selfish decision, I do of course understand the importance of fitness, however; my friend going to the gym questing vanity, isn’t thinking about the people in the Bubble or the people who serve him. A hard decision was made: BEAT IT.
Another friend decided social butterflying at the watering hole was an okay thing to do.
A hard decision was made: BEAT IT.
And the Bubble shrinks.
Vanity is a strong drug, as is social interaction, but with vaccines on the horizon, I am going to be selfish, I want to stay alive.
I decided our Bubble table needed guidelines.
At the time of this typing, in the neighbourhood of 10,000 people were dying daily from COVID-19. A sobering fact. The pandemic is raging everywhere. Not only is it imperative to take Bubbles seriously for our own well-being and safety, it is also imperative we adhere to strict self-enforced Bubble Guidelines to ensure the safety of the staff at the establishments we come in contact with, and to ensure the writer of this story is still alive to finish typing this story.
A few Bubble Guidelines needed to be put in place.
All of this is at no offence to anyone. We are in the heart of a once-in-a-century killer pandemic, and those of us who enjoy each other’s company (in my Bubble’s example), well, many of us are in high-risk groups.
Screw that, there is not a person over the age of fifty who doesn’t have underlying health conditions. If you don’t, you are the exception.
A few Bubble Guidelines needed to be put in place.
- You are only allowed ONE BUBBLE (preferably only 6 people) but allowing for a few extras if you feel you can absolutely, 100% trust their behaviour and you know they have a burning desire to keep living.
- You are allowed to interact with others from a distance of at least nine-feet, preferably outside, if you stop to talk to someone on the way to the washroom, you are teetering with expulsion from the BUBBLE, if you decide to walk MASK-LESS to the bar and share food with someone outside of the BUBBLE, you will be banished. No offence.
- If you share life stories about hook ups, gym visits, group gatherings with others, you will be banished. No offence.
- There may be exceptions on individual basis if the people you spend time with are adhering to strict safety guidelines.
- You are allowed to go to your job and still be part of the BUBBLE if your place of employment adheres to strict safety guidelines. If your work doesn’t, you will be banished.
All of this is at no offence to anyone. We are in the heart of a once-in-a-century killer pandemic, and those of us who enjoy each other’s company (in my Bubble’s example), well, many of us are in high-risk groups.
Screw that, there is not a person over the age of fifty who doesn’t have underlying health conditions. If you don’t, you are the exception.
The day I was going to present these suggested guidelines to people in my Bubble, I received the news that one of the Bubblers had been diagnosed with COVID and I may have been exposed and have been asked to quarantine until December 1. Nobody is monitoring me. I could just keep doing what I was doing, which wasn’t high risk and did not involve coming in contact with anyone. I hate wearing the mask, but I wear it. I don’t hang with anyone outside my Bubble. As said, I want to keep living.
Thus far into my quarantine, I’m okay and everyone around me is as well, including those who could have been exposed. My friend who was diagnosed is tired, he’s lost his appetite, and most encouragingly, he’s at home bored.
His positive diagnosis has changed my Bubble Guidelines to a more selfish bent.
My new Bubble Guidelines when I’m allowed to return to my Bubble have been reduced to a few questions and if you answer yes to any of these, I will not sit with you, no offence.
Thus far into my quarantine, I’m okay and everyone around me is as well, including those who could have been exposed. My friend who was diagnosed is tired, he’s lost his appetite, and most encouragingly, he’s at home bored.
His positive diagnosis has changed my Bubble Guidelines to a more selfish bent.
My new Bubble Guidelines when I’m allowed to return to my Bubble have been reduced to a few questions and if you answer yes to any of these, I will not sit with you, no offence.
My new Bubble Guidelines when I’m allowed to return to my Bubble have been reduced to a few questions and if you answer yes to any of these, I will not sit with you, no offence.
- Have you gone to the gym (unless it is your home gym or some magical gym where you are the only person allowed)?
- Do you have other Bubbles?
- Did you just walk over to someone sitting at the bar and share a chicken wing before the staff had a chance to ask you what the hell are you doing (after the people in the Bubble discussed who should be in the Bubble)?
- Have you hooked-up with any strangers?
- Have you gone to a party with people outside of your Bubble?
- Do you think COVID-19 is a hoax and is no worse than the flu?
- Have you ever attended an anti-mask rally?
- Do you like Trump?
- And, if you answered yes to any of (1-7) and are sitting at my Bubble—my Bubble will burst and I will not sit with any of you, nor will I search for a new Bubble.
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I know this sounds harsh, but I want to be around (alive) (1.) to be vaccinated so that I can take off my friggen mask, hit to the gym to pump up the guns of fading glory (2.), have a Bubble bath (alone), hook-up with a stranger (NOT, unless the stranger is exceedingly hot), start a mask-wearing rally at the end of the pandemic, and on, and on, and on, and on…
These are my rules, I do not expect anyone else to adhere to them, but if you don’t, I’d much rather sit alone. Translation: see 1) through 9) above.
That’s all for now.
Wait, one last thought: every anti-masker, virus-denier, no-new-normal-spewer should have to register their names and if they test positive, they should be denied healthcare, and refused vaccines; and for the rest of their lives, be forced to follow Trump from Casino to Casino when his life shifts to a Greatest Hits Trump Rally Tour. Seriously.
Overheard in a USA Airport.
A Passenger travelling for Thanksgiving
“We can’t stop living our lives.”
The Virus hanging with the Reaper
“Yes, you can.”
These are my rules, I do not expect anyone else to adhere to them, but if you don’t, I’d much rather sit alone. Translation: see 1) through 9) above.
- There is no point getting vaccinated if you are dead. Harsh. I. Know.
- Why the hell are people in my demographic going to the gym during a pandemic? No offence. The question is rhetorical.
That’s all for now.
Wait, one last thought: every anti-masker, virus-denier, no-new-normal-spewer should have to register their names and if they test positive, they should be denied healthcare, and refused vaccines; and for the rest of their lives, be forced to follow Trump from Casino to Casino when his life shifts to a Greatest Hits Trump Rally Tour. Seriously.
Overheard in a USA Airport.
A Passenger travelling for Thanksgiving
“We can’t stop living our lives.”
The Virus hanging with the Reaper
“Yes, you can.”
