Life in Elsewhere has had its emotional effect on me. I feel blah. I am edgy, I am angry, fearful, and I am lonesome for my family and life as I knew it. And, I miss the freedom to come and go and simply be.

My belief that our Democratic way of life would never be threatened and that man is basically respectful and good is gone. I am beyond upset by the actions, lies, and unkindness of ‘the so-called higher-ups’ from Government, huge corporations, and those in all types of entertainment… all for self greed. Darling, I am appalled by the hate toward others displayed by gangs of thugs, many paid (again greed), to do the unthinkable with no conscience and no concern for the innocent. I watch in awe at the dismantling of our history and say to myself, “What right do these people and groups have to disrupt the lives of all decent Americans?” and I actually feel sick inside. That is a mouthful! But, that is how I am feeling.

The Day to Day

I feel uncomfortable that I am in this state of mind but rationalize that I did not bring any of this on myself. It is natural to feel the way I do. It’s emotionally healthy to express myself. No, I don’t lie in bed and bemoan the situation. Yes, I put on my red lipstick and spritz myself with Baccarat 540 before I leave our apartment in the sky with America. Yes, I am busy, busy, busy every minute of each day but often, with a sigh.

I also began first-time yoga lessons, started cooking in my Wok again, doing meet-ups on Zoom, watching lots of documentaries, learned to shop on Amazon, packed up my beloved Shangrila in California, and bid her a loving farewell and I am now unpacking. I have learned a lot and that is a biggie. After all, a woman has to be interested if she wants to be interesting! Right, darling?

New Chapters

For those of you who read my Sunday Story last week you learned we sold Shangrila; the secret name I gave our home. You know about the love I have for my little olive tree and my housekeeper for twenty years, Rosa. One of the many bonds I had with Rosa was our love for nature. So, on the last day before I left forever, my Olive Tree left Shangrila, too. She now sits in Rosa’s yard and I am beyond happy to know that she will be loved and cared for and Rosa will feel daily joy. You must remember darling, where there is a will there is always a way! I am smiling and not sighing as I tell you this.

Now back to sighing…

The Ages of Mankind

The Prehistoric Period was the first age in history. There was human life but no records to document human activity. The Prehistoric Age was followed by Early Civilization, then Classical and of course The Middle Ages led to the Renaissance and on and on. Every age saw positive change until the age I call–the “Elsewhere Age.”

The COVID-19 virus was the culprit that moved the civilizations of the world into the Elsewhere Age. The virus arrived with a gust and literally caught the world population off guard engulfing every citizen’s life (except for the Chinese government and the scientists in Wuhan) with dread. Life in the world was changed dramatically. Unlike the other Ages that changed due to progress, Elsewhere has appeared to change due to a pandemic and the honest inability of governments and doctors and scientists to know how to handle this plague.

To this day the citizens of Elsewhere do not know if COVID-19 was accidental or an act of Germ Warfare, by the Chinese Government.

Fear in Elsewhere

I believe Elsewhere is in a state of decay, but, I have a positive outlook that the decent people of Elsewhere will win over COVID-19.

I am not old fashioned. Believe me, darling. I get what is going on as do you. Nothing outside our home life is normal or pleasant. Personally, I see my beloved America in a state of moral and physical decay. However, I have hope that out of bad will come good. The majority of Americans will not let this continue.

I remember one day in March the population of the world (7.594 billion people) was told not to leave their homes. A shiver went down my spine when everybody except the citizens of Sweden, who were told to continue life as they knew it with caution, obeyed. In the USA, 328 million of us did exactly what we were told.

What gives me the shivers is how government can control its citizens with one word… fear. We ran into our homes and life stopped. Just like that! Family life ceased. Businesses closed. Social engagement with friends was taboo and children were not allowed to go to school. All forms of entertainment–theatre, movies, and sports were not curtailed. Life as we knew it ceased to exist.

Something to Think About…

I was frightened when 328 million of us obeyed our Government instantly. And, I did not think our Government should go to the extreme of shutting down our entire economy. And now I know my instincts were correct because two days ago WHO, the World Health Organization said, “It is not advisable to have shutdowns.” (See article HERE) 

We still have not heard the last of masks. One minute it is “don’t wear a mask.” The next minute it’s, “Wear two!” Darling, we will learn to be smart from being dumb.

I am not blaming anyone in the medical field or government because COVD-19 is very much a mystery and medicine is a ‘practice’ and government officials listen to scientists and doctors. The culprit is China and they should be punished by every world government. It boggles my mind that China is not in the news.

Big Tech in Elsewhere

I know that everything I am doing on Social Media is being watched. They know where I live, what I wear, where I travel and certainly what I buy. I cannot stand their intrusion into my life.

Big Tech has shown its true self during this pandemic. There are only two industries that call their customers users, the illegal drug industry, and software companies! This is a social dilemma when 50 designers between the ages of 25 and 30-years-old are impacting the minds of 2 billion people. Big tech is a threat to our Democracy, to the minds of young and old and at no times have I experienced this blatant power grab happening than during the Elsewhere Age.

I Don’t Like What I’m Seeing on Social Media

These companies create social division by taking one side over another, often with misleading information. They have the power to turn our democratic society into a socialistic society; where the ruling class determines how all of us, except the very very rich, live. These companies are thriving on conflict instead of unity and on misinformation instead of solid truth. There are studies that show that false information or fake news gets six clicks over honest news or accurate news that often gets zero clicks. The attention-based business model of social media companies cares about one thing… driving up their advertising revenue.

These big tech companies, Facebook, Twitter, and Google should not be allowed to regulate themselves and play with our minds through their algorithms. I do have faith their wings will be clipped, big time.

By the way, I’m using incognito on Google and the app DuckDuckGo for privacy.

Watch the documentary, “The Social Dilemma” on Netflix. And also watch, “What Killed Michael Brown,” written by a Shelby Steele.

Shopping on Amazon

If it weren’t for Elsewhere I would not be shopping on Amazon because I like to walk into shops, talk to the salespeople and get their advice. And, I like to look and touch items and support shop owners. But alas, what is a girl to do when she is forced to stay home and shops are closed or have limited inventory? She can’t stop shopping, right darling? Admittedly, I love to shop on Amazon while using my Honey App on my laptop to save money; but with guilt and sadness for the shopkeepers.

Elsewhere is Not Social!

I love, like you, interacting with people in my family and friends and the taxi driver–I support taxis! And, I am a people person and I am sad to say I have gotten ‘house lazy’ not ‘stir crazy’ living in Elsewhere.

I have learned to do almost everything from home. Haven’t you darling? I can even see my doctor from home! I don’t, but many women do. As well, I have learned to shop for all my needs and for things I love. For food, I use the Instacart shopping and delivery service–I find this to be the best. I also use Amazon Prime’s free shipping.

I recently bought new dishes and satin hangers for my granddaughter’s first apartment. I also bought Zinc vitamins, a new 2021 calendar and was going to splurge and buy a newer model of my beloved Vitamix Professional Series (recommended by the Culinary Institute of America.) But, after making a smoothie for breakfast, I still love the one I already own.

As well, I shop at NET-A-PORTER, MatchesFashion, The Real Real… I can call any salesperson at any store and have a delivery in a matter of days. Unfortunately, I have become almost 100% self-sufficient staying at home.

Sounds marvelous but it is not healthy, mentally, and physically. We need daily fresh air, socializing with others; hugs and kisses from our families. We should be able to hail a taxi and go to the theatre or a football game and see one another’s face.

Some Final Thoughts on Elsewhere Living

We are not living life as life should be lived. We are social animals hiding behind masks. And, the sad part of all of this is that after eight months of hibernation we are more or less getting conditioned to this. And, dear Dr. Fauci announces a few days ago that, “We may be able to spend Thanksgiving with our families in 2021.” What kind of positive statement is that to announce to an already depressed public?

If I use one word to describe what is missing in our all of our lives in Elsewhere it would be exuberance; that quality of feeling energetic, excited, and cheerful. I am as busy as ever but I am out of sorts because Elsewhere has deprived me of normalcy.

Do you feel as I do? Let me know in the comments at the bottom of this page. I want to hear your opinion. And remember, let’s be kind to one another. 

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