This unforgettable and seemingly never-ending pandemic is turning out to be the great equalizer. Barista and superstar alike are home, padding around in their jammies, trying to entertain themselves and retain a grip on what remains of their sanity.
Many of us take refuge, comfort and yes, even enjoyment in poking fun, looking for the humor, and trying keep their attitudes on the lighter side. Watching funny Tik Tok videos has become something of a national pastime. And don’t get me started on Facebook cat memes.
Early on in the pandemic, in March of last year, I sent an email out to our clients to let them know that we were remaining open during the pandemic as an essential business. I tried to inject a bit of humor into the email and was promptly “humor-shamed” by a thin-skinned client. Attempting to feel badly about upsetting a client, I just couldn’t get there. Everyone handles stress and worry in their own ways; humor and light sarcasm happens to be mine.
A year and more later, we’ve come to see that even rock stars (especially rock stars?) have had their lives completely changed. Imagine a bullet train slamming into a steel wall that was unexpectedly dropped in its path. These world-famous musicians spend a huge part of their lives on the road, going from city to city, country to country, continent to continent, living lives out of suitcases and needing a tour of their own homes once they get there just to remind them of where the snacks are.
So what does Mick Jagger of Rolling Stones fame do when he’s stuck at home for a year? Why, write a song of course! Creative people have an extra dimension allowing them to express themselves and their feelings in ways that ordinary slobs like myself do not. However, the ordinary slobs can enjoy these creative expressions, another way to keep a positive outlook.
Jagger, with some back up help from Foo Fighter’s Dave Grohl, produced a funny, sad, creative and rocking video called Easy Sleazy, which I’ll call an Ode to COVID 19. Watching it, one realizes that superstar or barista, we have all had similar experiences this past year, and, if given the choice, I for one would rather laugh about it than cry.
