I got a rockin' pneumonia and a boogie woogie flu (Johnny Rivers)

Photo by Kelly Sikkema on Unsplash

Wie geht's?

This has been an interesting week. I tested positive for covid-19 on Monday morning.

This doesn't feel like anything special anymore - as in, it's rampant through NZ communities now, and, of course, the world is pretty bored with Covid-19 by this stage.  

For what it's worth:

As a vulnerable Boomer, I'd been keen to get triple vaxed a.s.a.p., so I got a mild dose of Omicron, but even covid light knocked me around - sore throat, fever, runny nose, cough. All pretty much happened simultaneously.

Day 2 and 3 were the worst but things have improved since the fever broke and the nose has now dried up (after sneezing my way through a whole box of tissues).

What I'm noticing now on day 4 and 5 is how little energy I have. A simple walk to the outside rubbish bin leaves me puffing. I've been self-isolating and working from home during all this and checking emails and writing reports has been about the limit of my energy reserves. Now it's just a heavy, meh, feeling.

This too shall pass.

As I keep reminding myself, any day above ground is a good day.

Plus, glass half full - the good thing is that I've had it and can get back on life's crazy train.

Love and peace - Wozza

Always remember that you are absolutely unique - just like everyone else (Margaret Mead)

Wie geht's?

All things Covid-19 hog our thoughts these days. As most of NZ is aware - some anti-vax/anti-mandate protestors have based themselves close to the Beehive in Wellington (notice my admirable self-restraint with the adjectives there?) and claim to represent me (as a Kiwi). No thanks.

Now, I'm struggling to understand the world at the best of times but those protestors who then get Covid and must go to hospital on the taxpayer dime take the biscuit. 

Plus - Anti-Vax people are worried they will catch Covid from me (because I'm triple vaxed). Say what??

Am I once again in Bizarro world?

My beef is mainly with the news media though - there will always be unhinged people among the hoi polloi. I have to wonder how long a few nutters with tinfoil on their heads would last if they weren't making the 6 o'clock news each day. They love an audience, and unfortunately the media obliges them all too readily. 

In other news - Mr V Putin (of Russia), in a classic bully move, invades a democratic neighbouring country, then claims he's being attacked and puts his nuclear arsenal on high alert - thus ensuring a heightening of tension and the possibility of mutual oblivion.  

Sigh - just another day on Htrae (a.k.a Bizarro World).

Love and peace - Wozza

Life is a rollercoaster, just gotta ride it (Ronan Keating)

Wie geht's?

Is it just me or do you also see increasing numbers of glitches in the matrix?

We live in challenging times, do we not? I sometimes feel like I'm experiencing a really bad dream but I keep waking up and this seems to be my reality.

Gone are the 'be nice to each other' messages as Covid-19 retightens its grip - a half-nelson I feel.

There are protests, roadblocks, border checkpoints, patrols, inducements to get vaccinated and test test test and recriminations.

I see Kiss bassist Gene Simmons has called the unvaccinated 'the enemy'. 

I can't do that - some of the unvaccinated are my friends, but there is the argument posited about that the unvaxed pose a potential risk to themselves and others (so, me).

It seems that both sides of the argument around vaccination can't see the other side's point of view.

The Auckland borders (another glitch - I still find it hard to believe there is such a thing as a border in NZ) are about to open and the consequences of that are pretty plain and grim.

Already cases have crept to our Central Hawke's Bay doorstep as the weekend saw reports of cases in Woodville - a little town about 40 minutes away on our way to Palmerston North, on our side of the Ruahines.

So it won't be long before it's everywhere in Nu Zild. It's inevitable, as Smith says in The Matrix.

Me? I'm still going to attempt to play nice - even though I share some of my fellow Kiwi's frustrations. I really don't want to think of my fellow Kiwis as enemies. As Yoko Ono says - try not to be angry, it is not good for your health.

Life is very much a rollercoaster - especially in 2021 NZ.

Love and peace - Wozza

Kia kaha

Photo by National Cancer Institute on Unsplash

Wie geht's?

Thanks to Covid-19, if you live anywhere except New Zealand, you are probably sick and tired of being sick and tired, lacking energy, plain tuckered out and cream crackered!

Our children live all over the world, including Covid hotspots like California and Victoria in Australia.

They've been in lockdowns, off and on, for ages but along with a lot of people they continue to aim to do the right thing and remain safe.

We're lucky because they remain in high spirits and ease our worries about their situation.

However, the longer the world battles with lockdowns and Covid-19, fatigue is a real issue. That may be moral fatigue, zoom fatigue, or caution fatigue.  

New Zealand leaders took early action, closed borders and reopened the economy in stages when it was safe to do so. It helps we are isolated down here at the bottom of the world, but it's been a blessing having strong leadership making decisive decisons.

It can be done. Stay strong world.

Love and peace - WNP

He waka eke noa (we are all in this together)

Photo by Shane Rounce on Unsplash

Wie geht's?

That simple German phrase (how are you?) is very apposite right now.

For some time now, I've been using it as a welcome on these posts in honour of my much missed friend - Margo Buchanan-Oliver. She always wrote that on letters/cards/emails - whatever - always opened with that phrase. Her first thought was to ask after others.

With Nu Zild on lock-down to prevent the spread of Covid-19, it seems even more important to be kind, to reach out to others - especially the loved and dear ones, but also strangers and even estranged family members, to consider the effects of our actions on others.

The human race is a selfish one generally, so this is a good wake up call, albeit one paid with a heavy price.

At my work (OneSchool Global, NZ) students, parents, teachers and support staff are now working from home, and the new arrangements have paradoxically brought us closer together.

For one thing I have a window into everyone's home via zoom😆

Social media platforms and the internet have been a godsend. Speaking personally, staying connected has never been as important as it is right now.

Love and peace and stay safe - Wozza

You can make the mountains ring or make the angels cry (The Youngbloods)

Photo by Vonecia Carswell on Unsplash

Wie geht's?

Community is important. It can be an amazing force for good, and it cause huge problems. The current focus on a global pandemic is producing new concepts to us all: self-isolation (and the disregard for it) and social distancing are two.

People appear to be struggling with both because, as a species, we crave community and social interaction.

Having to isolate ourselves and distance ourselves from others is foreign to our nature. We want to connect to others.

I'm currently in Gisborne, visiting my other campus and, turns out the hugs and handshakes are too natural a greeting to avoid. I'm here, connecting with Gisborne staff and students because we are a community of two campuses. I also believe that until otherwise instructed, normalcy is important.

However, given the current climate which tends to breed paranoia and fear (that person sneezed!), it feels a little weird being here, in a hotel room, far away from Jacky.

Remaining connected via my phone and computer is great though, and makes me wonder what this would have been like in the time before internet and cellular phone networks arrived.

The good news is we will come out of this, life will change but it will go on - until the next pandemic. The good news is that this event has paradoxically brought us as humans closer together. The good news is the internet keeps us connected. The good news is we will learn lessons from this whole event.

I hope you, my family and friends, and any random blogosphere readers out there, are all safe, and remain that way.

Love and peace and a virtual hug - Wozza