4/14/2020 0 Comments Where the hell are weA wrenching wench covid 19 update ... or something like that But mostly I'm gonna ramble about what I've been doing these past few weeks and maybe I can try and realize and validate some feelings and the events that have taken place. Hoooold on. So as of today I have been home for 27 daze. And damn, time doesn't mean too much anymore. Currently the Governer says we have to stay home until April 30. 10 more days. We shall see how the next few weeks unfold.
I keep telling people "that's the hardest part, the not- knowing" And the not being able to understand why I have so many emotions and can barely name any of them. One of my roommates told me to listen to Brene Brown. Listening to her helped me name this giant mood, a 'F*cking First Time'. Which could not be any more true. I've expierenced so many firsts thus far, we all have. Our first pandemic, our first quarantine, our first time applying for unemployment. This is my first time ever being out of school, and out of a job at the same time since.. well.. I got my first job when I was 15, so for ten years. (And I understand that may not sound like a long time but y'all gotta understand that's almost half my life time) Millenials were raised in a society that told us worth and merit come from a production of something.. money mostly. So raise your hand if you've heard a negative narrative or shameful thought attached to the idea for applying to unempolyment for all of this. That's a fun new idea we get to combat. And what I find especially hard about all thattt is that my job as a bike mechanic, in some states, is essential! I would still be working if I lived in California, or Oregan. Many of the people I follow and support online are still working in their communities to make sure people are mobil during this time. It sucks to sit on the sidelines and watch that. No other way to say that one. As far as I am aware, Michigan simply does not have the infrastructure, nor the data to logically deem bike shops as essential right now. It's definetly a privilege to be able to stay home and be safe and happyish. There is a lot of fear out there and I can only imagine the extra hurdles, logistically and mentally it would take to go to an essential job right now. Everyone is (for the most part) working really hard to help out and do their part either working and keeping us healthy and safe and fed, or staying home. So I'm totally understanding why I am not going to work and staying home. But still, sucks. I started quarantine out by writing down what I would or did do every day. So that I would be able to realize I am productive and don't get bored. I stopped writing lists a week after I started. Here's some stuff I've done so far: cleaned and organized my room cleaned out my email inbox - it was at like 2,700 constructed a bench/ shelf for my room planted flowers and repotted some babes cleaned my bikes cleaned the basement reorganized my bike shop set up my 27.5 wheel set tubeless my boyfriend and i drove around town 'icing' our friends by leaving smirnoff ices' in their mailbox's cooked some really good food eaten lots of candy and cookies read steve martins biography made a painting made a bench/ shelf thing lots of dog walks lots of talking to the dogs one 65 mile bike ride painted and worked on a collage So for the next 10 days I'm building a wheelset for the gary fisher and maybe work on a few of my friends bikes if I can work out some arrangements. My roommate and I have also planned a small garden and will be starting the seeds soon! I have also been watching a lot of tv and movies. I created a Kanopy account which is through the library system and it's free! There you can find some excellent docmentaries, art movies and old films. I'm discovering new music too! Shout out to Spotify for having such a great algorithm that knows exactly what I like. Our local radio station WYCE has also been laying down some sick tracks. Here's a playlist I made to listen to during any and all of the above listed activities. Below are some photos of the most recent version of my basement bike shop, what my dog has been up to, and some art I've been playing around with. Be well, ride on.
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AuthorLiz is a bike mechanic in Grand Rapids MI. She is one of two female mechanics in the city. She holds a Bachelors Degree in Drawing and has one dog and one hedgehog. Archives
March 2021
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