I mean, a year ago to the day, I was making jokes about “Corona” virus using Mexican beers as a prop so Covid was definitely on my radar.
But no, I did not expect a full shutdown of most parts of society, working from home for months, wearing mask for the bulk of the year, watching professional sports broadcast from empty stadiums, and all sorts of other massive changes to my everyday life!
The floundering Flames shocked the hockey world by firing their coach late Thursday night (after a victory even!) and announcing that former coach, Darryl Sutter, who led them to the game seven of the Stanley Cup Finals in 2004 before coming up short, would be retaking the reins of the team.
That run was when we lived in Calgary, about six blocks from the infamous “Red Mile”, and one of the best experiences of my life!
We’re into the same month as when Covid became real and the world shut-down mid-month so I’ll likely be posting a few different retrospective posts, whether it’s “Throwback Thursday” or not over the next few weeks.
Those vignettes led to the character being developed and expanded into a 10-episode series of half-hour comedies which initially seems like a typical “fish out of water” story of an American football coach being hired to coach a British football team but become a larger story about optimism, trust and seeing the good in everyone.
In our increasingly polarized world, perhaps not a surprise it became a hit after all?
With vaccines rolling out, certain states (probably prematurely) removing *all* Covid restrictions, and other leaders speculating about the light at the end of the tunnel (or maybe not?), it’s time for a list…
I won’t have to wear a mask at work or going into stores
I’ll go to a concert in person instead of watching online.
Minot shopping weekend – here I come!
We’ll run programs in the library again where dozens of people come together to learn, enjoy, connect.
I’ll choose to sit on a plane again
We’ll put the Lysol wipes back under the bathroom sink where they belong instead of having them by the front door.
The CNN “Death Counter” on-screen graphic showing cases, deaths (and now vaccines thankfully) will disappear from my TV completely.
People will stop arguing in Facebook comments. (Just kidding!) 🙂
There will be real people attending sporting events instead of empty arenas, cardboard cutouts or a wall of video screens showing fans watching on Zoom.
My kids will be able to give their grandparents big, prolonged hugs without fear of killing them (unless they squeeze too hard!)
