Hello from Isolation Zone West

Granted the past year has been different in the sense that I haven't had much time off at all. But the few weeks I've had off between freelance gigs, I mostly used that time up to work on the latest novel. During that time, I pretty much never went out except to the store. It's not like this period of social distancing is new for me.

I'm surprised at how well the family is taking it. It helps that we have our separate rooms to retreat to when we need privacy. Baby girl has her own room, and computer and the solace of a guitar and art supplies. The other half has the office, and I have my choice of bedroom or living room with an ever-resent cat at my side or on my lap. Life is fine. The only fever we'll get from two more weeks of this is cabin fever. Even then I take walks twice daily to get my source of vitamin D which is important because it keeps your immune system strong.

I'm not yet ready to start digging into writing yet another novel especially because the one looming before me in all it's rough, ugly, underdeveloped skeletal form is in sore need of an overhaul and a workable outline, as the plot is going to be much more intricate than the one that is due back from the proofreaders a week from tonight. It's too much effort and I'm still drained from finishing the last one which wasn't really finished until the beginning of this month.

Yeah I'm being hard on myself a bit, but I don't like wasting time and sitting around knowing that I could be more productive. But sometimes you just can't. Besides, the new work is still in the hunting and gathering stage. I'm still observing and absorbing information and I have to have all the pieces ready to put together puzzle-like, even if they don't end up looking like a put-together puzzle in the end.

The Mayor of L.A. has now ordered bars, nightclubs, pubs to close and restaurants to only serve takeout or delivery until March 31st. No doubt Caviar, Postmates and Uber Eats are thrilled, but there are a lot of bartenders and servers who will be out of work for a few weeks. Even though it's necessary, it won't be easy.

Musicians are on my mind as well. Since streaming services paltry royalties royally screwed them over, the only way they have any chance at making a living (besides having a "real" job) is playing live and selling their merch at the show to willing customers. With shows being cancelled left and right, a lot of bands will be struggling. I wish I could help them all. But it's not just bands who will be hurting.

Either through mandatory closures or voluntary ones, a lot of small clubs will no doubt be going dark and silent, too. They can maybe afford a few weeks, but I somehow doubt they'll be able to pay their employees for very long. What happens to them?

I find it strange that acts of God are covered by insurance companies. Natural disasters, and even war. But pandemics don't fall under force majeure because they don't damage property. Not that a pandemic happens all that often, but how often do earthquakes cause irrevocable damage? I've lived in L.A. for a decade now. I've certainly felt them, but none have caused severe damage in the city proper. And yet people still pay for earthquake insurance. You'd think tacking on a couple bucks extra for pandemic insurance would be enough.

I keep telling people that in a month or two all of this will behind us. While that will most likely be true, I also think some good lessons will be learned, too. As a positive side effect, perhaps the number of flu illnesses will drop this winter, too.

Here's hoping.