What's On My Mantel 2(021)

It's the Delta Edition of the Adelaide Pandemic Lockdown and I've been thinking again about the British Mass Observation diarists of World War Two. My brain has clearly distorted the purpose these people served, as what I write about is not for the benefit of the government nor likely to influence public policy. What I mainly remember was that they used to write about their mantelpieces. Perhaps I fixated on this because I don't have a mantel, and on days like this, I strenuously long to have one as having a mantelpiece would be conducive to me having a fireplace with which to stand in front of and observe the things on the mantel so that I could write about how I feel regarding them and then influence government policy.

Nevertheless while not having a mantel nor having dragged the patio heater and gas bottle through the back door and into the living room for observation, I have still observed and felt in general. The theme for today is single digits.

I have enough milk left for 9 coffees. The lead time for online shopping delivery is currently five days. This is disastrous, but a sacrifice I am willing to make between now and next Friday. I do have over 5 litres of skim milk if I get desperate.

Despite having a 2.5km radius and a maximum daytime temperature of 9 degrees... I failed to reach my step goal of double-figure thousands. But I should beat it after I walk to the bathroom and brush my teeth.

Every dumbbell I used today was in single-figure kilograms. But I am also in single figure weeks since my operation. My strongest movement is a bent over row into triceps extension (7kg). My worst is a lying bent arm external rotation stretch, where I use a 1.5kg dumbbell to pull my arm back what feels like a single digit number of degrees.

Types of beans consumed today: 1.

Days until next Friday: 8.

Blue Professional

The Scenic Route

Murraylands.

Today's planned adventure was a road trip with Vanessa and Nash. Destination: up the freeway to Mannum Falls. (After the traditional mini cream puff and coffee.)

Nash enjoying the scenery and wondering why she works every day.

I have no photos to share of that part of the journey, for sad but obvious reasons.

After arriving home and eating some of the BBQ Pumpkin soup I invented yesterday I walked to the supermarket to get some things for dinner. I also took the scenic route, enjoying the boring as fuck streets I have walked around a million times since COVID19, but that are still much better than walking along the edge of an expressway.

I also did some weeding, shaved, and bought new discounted Woolworths gift cards. Finally, I endeavoured further to repair the kitchen cabinets. I could probably pay a handyperson a small fee and they'd fix those hinges in less than fifteen minutes. Alas even when it comes to chores I am apparently taking the scenic route...

Life Goes On

Three Lifehacks to sum up a Tuesday

If your dish brush is looking tired, greasy and sauce stained, put it in the dishwasher the next time you run it. The sensor wash ran overnight in my Miele and I woke up this morning to crisp, white bristles (and no melted plastic).

If cold mornings or evenings are causing your winter showers to take longer than needed, and you're working from home, jump in the shower when you have a ten minute gap between video calls. The time pressure will motivate rapid cleaning and drying, with no lingering to justify keeping the hot water running.

If you hate the effort of washing up all the different bits of a protein shaker you can use a kitchen funnel to feed protein powder directly into a nearly finished bottle of supermarket milk. Squeeze a few ice cubes through the mouth of the bottle and then shake that until mixed. Also a good strategy if you just can't fit 750ml of milk in your shaker.

Van Gogh Dead

I attended Van Gogh Alive tonight to experience some culture for thirty minutes.

I was promised an "incredible multi-sensory experience", which I thought would be a challenge in 2021 where touch is prohibited and breathing through your nose is strongly discouraged. Nonetheless there was sight and sound, and the marquee on an empty lot was considerably warmer than my living room.

I'm not an art critic. I am privileged enough to have seen Starry Night in (puzzle form and in) person at the MOMA and my recollection of the minute I saw that piece was that it blew away every other bit of artwork in that entire museum. Something about the brushwork and the texture and the colour and the size of the thing just made it leap off the wall. The rough, bumpy strokes meant nothing alone, but combined they forced my brain into seeing a half-real, half-fantasy night sky.

Despite the giant displays and sound effects, having Van Gogh's portfolio rammed through my eyes at a steady pace did not compare to the moment in the MOMA. It was informative and comprehensive, and there was plenty of vibrancy and brushstrokes to appreciate, but I'm not sure the digital enhancements or selfie-taking crowd really enriched the experience. I don't think this is the best way to immerse yourself in impressionist paintings.

I suspect Vincent might agree.