Fortress Of Good Fortune

The Pandemic has brought out the best in a lot of people: the first responders, the nurses and doctors, the ordinary citizens. We've all heard the stories and feel encouraged about humanity.

But what about the other types? People who are capitalizing on the Pandemic, finally receiving vindication (even if only temporarily).

So here's a tongue-in-cheek look (or maybe not-so-tongue-in-cheek, ha!) at what I've observed in 2020:

The Utopians/Planners

You just know these guys were rubbing their hands in glee when the pandemic started. In the inner circles of the various governors, they knew they could finally shape human behavior with political clout behind it. These people are the ones who plan Utopian communities, laying out how people will live, shop, work, etc., conveniently forgetting that human beings don't always follow the rules, but now? Here was their chance to issue those how-to-live orders!

The Killjoys/Puritans

There are always people who love to rain on someone else's parade. In this case, literally, as the first to fall to the pandemic were the St. Patrick Day parades in March, especially missed here in New England. And there are people who aren't even Christian fundies who have been eager to cancel Halloween for good. This year they got their wish, as trick-or-treating was out and so were parties. If someone somewhere was enjoying themselves, the Killjoys were ready to stamp them out! Special nickname: the Burgermeister Meisterburgers!

The Scolds

The Scolds love to do just that: scold. They made it their business to go up to perfect strangers and harangue them about wearing masks and if they were holding gatherings or attending them. Parties were a big no-no, and Scolds delighted in reminding people of this fact.

The Narcs

The Scolds' cousins, the Narcs, are those people who go around informing on their families and friends, kind of like in Communist Russia back in the day, as to whether or not they are following the Party line. Narcs are grown-up Tattletales who are now being encouraged to inform on their fellow citizens! Believe me, they are enjoying themselves.

Yep, you should follow the rules in this Pandemic, but some people were just a little too enthusiastic. ;)

Well, I just found out yesterday that It's The Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown! won't be on broadcast TV anymore. It's moved to Apple+, a streaming service. Same for A Charlie Brown Christmas.

I don't like it. The airing of these specials gives you a communal feeling. Streaming is a niche. I don't care if they're offering it free for a few days. A lot of people are going to miss out.

One thing about the days of the Big Three networks? What they showed was free, and usually accessible, as eventually everyone ended up owning a TV, especially as prices went down. Now you pay for cable and, in addition, streaming services.

Did you ever own a DVD or DVR something but come across that show or movie when channel-surfing, and you decide to watch it, anyway? Because you know other people are watching it at the same time, not just you as with a DVD/DVR.

It's our human need for connection. That's why if movie theaters go the way of the dinosaur, it'll be a sad thing. Despite the overpriced tickets and concessions, it's still a communal experience. Huh, I'm an introvert and I'm pushing for communal experiences! 2020 is defintely a weird year.

Goodbye, 54 years of tradition! >:(

Yay for the holidays! Sure, they can be a pain in the buttinski sometimes, but there's a special feeling at this time of year, isn't there? My sister and brother-in-law helped me put my tree together and we decorated, and I finished putting up the Christmas decorations inside and out today. My cards are mailed and my presents are bought, though a few will have to be bought closer to the holiday because I plan to get my sis some good chocolate and don't want to purchase it too early.

We had a good Thanksgiving, eating turkey, gravy, green beans almondine, butternut squash, mashed potatoes, stuffing, salad, and cranberry sauce. Tom and the Pats putting a beatdown on the Jets was the pumpkin pie of the day! ;)

I like to get things done early for the holidays so that I can sit back and enjoy them instead of rushing around like a crazy person. I don't go near a mall until after January 1st.

Is this what our society has come to? Now the stores open at 8 P.M. on Thanksgiving Night! I saw people on the news who'd camped out in tents the night BEFORE Thanksgiving like they were waiting for the Macy's Thanksgiving Parade giant balloons to come down the street. Screw eating with the family, right, unless it's a hot dog on a stick over the Sterno? And the mob scenes! They only have so many sale items available. I wouldn't be aggressive enough to grab one even if I was first in line. I get wanting deals as prices are crazy but seriously?

Looks like it's back to Bob Cratchit days and now employees can expect to work on major holidays. Can't let the CEOs be a million or two short in their paychecks, now can we?

Ha, ha, this is a split post: happy at the beginning and ranty by the end. ;)

Bah, this day is just dandy! All sorts of crap happened this morning and then to top it off, I get an e-mail saying my extra userpics packages expire in 12 days! Just what I needed to brighten my day! So in 12 days you'll see a lot less pretty icons from me and no paid account after a few months, either. I can't do extra anythings right now, my budget is so tight. :(

So, trying to get things organized writing-wise. I feel like chucking all my fic, pro and fan, into the disposal. Just one of those days!

You know, the more I think about this reboot, the rage increases! I stopped caring about canon eons ago, but this...this...the 'new emphasis' for Superman takes the CORE ESSENCE of the character and twists it. The GENIUS of his origin is being despoiled! *shakes fist at DC*

Bruce's core essence remains the same, Clark's is completely changed, and Diana? She's always messed with by DC, so that's nothing new.

*scatters rose petals at the feet of the Goddess of Fanfic*

How ironic is it that Smallville is now more true to the character's essence than the new canon will be in the fall?

Oh, well, what can I expect from a company when, back in the '80s, when a writer asked Editorial if he could write Barbara as shot in The Killing Joke, the reply was, "Sure, cripple the bitch."

This is a semi-ranty Mcrant, heh heh, and half feeling sorry for myself. Just bummed over the lack of LJ notifications. My inbox is vewy, vewy qwiet! ;) If you've commented on older works, I don't know it because of the absence of the notifications. Just letting you know in case! If you want me to know you've commented on something I wrote eons ago, comment here and I'll reply. I shudder to think how many messages I'll get once the backlog clears! *facepalm*

( Cut to spare my flist from my woe, heh heh )

Well, it appears my boy was luckier than we thought! The driver who ran the red light and hit him is 21 years old, and has been driving since he was 17. He already has had his license suspended at least 5 times, once for DUI, several times for not getting an inspection sticker, and numerous other violations, totaling six pages!

WHY are people this irresponsible allowed to continue driving? This idiot routinely ignores driving safety, already with a rap sheet as long as your arm, and is still driving around! He nearly clipped a woman getting ready to cross the street that morning with her dog. He could have killed her!

*gnashes teeth*

Of course I'm angry because it was Tom, but I'm just as angry that it could have been any other innocent in the other car. It INFURIATES me about our lax drunk driving laws and other violations that are allowed to pile up while this idiot still drives, putting his own father in the hospital. The guy had to be cut out with the Jaws of Life, for cryin' out loud!

*seethes*