L'Shana Tova

[martasfic]

A very happy, holy, and above all healthy day to all who celebrate it. May you find the best kind of rest.



Because I'm lucky enough to have a job with benefits, today was a paid holiday from work, meaning I had an extra long weekend. So I went down to Brooklyn to the closest thing we have to an actual indoor shopping mall on the theory I might be able to do some in-person clothes shopping. Unfortunately the few clothes stores that reopened either don't have plus size clothes at all or have a combined women's section that has maybe 1-2 racks in that size range. I've also been leaning toward buying a new laptop so thought I'd brave the sales, but for whatever reason I ended up being overwhelmed. I'm not sure if it was the crowds or not being able to research online, or if I'm just not ready to pull the trigger. But I didn't do that, either.

Then I went to the supermarket (a proper mammoth-suburban supermarket!) across the street, and found some Crystal Light drink mix in unusual flavors. Yes I still need clothes and want a better laptop, but emotionally, I scratched the same itch for less than $10, so that's not nothing.

And then-then, I went to some socially distanced, outdoors Rosh HaShannah services down in Prospect Park. It was actually pretty good- they set up "pods" for about 4-6 folks situated around a speaker and lots of apple and honey sweeties, so you got to be a little communal without being packed with several hundred folks. The couple I was sitting by had a puppy and it turns out he will become friends with anyone in exchange for belly-scritches, at least for the afternoon.

Now I am back home and properly tuckered out. How did I do this out and about thing every single day of my life? It seems unlikely.

Comments

[avon7.livejournal.com]

I just went INDOOR SHOPPING MALL!!!!!! it's like when you are watching old TV shows and I want to keep shouting 'Put your mask on!' I guess one day these things might seem normal again.

And L’shana tovah u’metukah .

[marta-bee.livejournal.com]

It does feel decidedly odd. I think we can chalk it up to that uniquely brand of American foolhardiness, combined with the fact that my city is taking COVID restrictions relatively seriously. I had to show proof of vaccination to go in the building and at each shop, and I had to wear masks, for instance. So it feels relatively safe, even though it's probably still not wise. There were definitely some smaller stores I skipped because there was just no way to isolate.

On the other hand, I'm a big proponent of the COVID version of diet "cheat days." It's been a truly long lockdown, and I think the very occasional day of doing something that probably wouldn't get the CDC stamp of approval helps me keep up being responsible better than if I was constantly being "good" and resenting it. All that said though... yes, it does feel like a blast from the past to go into that situation. It was a nice day out, but I probably won't do it again for another eighteen months, if then.

[shirebound]

Thank you for the sweet greeting. Awww, a friendly New Year's puppy makes everything better. ♥

[cairistiona7.livejournal.com]

It's a measure of how our attitudes have been re-molded by the pandemic, that unease of being out shopping amongst large crowds. I'm not afraid to go shopping anymore, since I'm vaccinated, but I do still wear a mask and keep my distance from people, because I live in an area full of anti-vaxxers and, stupid though they are, I don't want to inadvertently get them sick. But there have also been times when I've popped into a store... or seen a movie... sans mask (because popcorn) and while I have a twinge of unease, I don't have any actual fear. Ask me again when the anti-vaxxers have incubated a worse strain, though! That's actually my only big fear these days.

All that said... I'm glad you were able to comfortably celebrate your holiday.

[marta-bee.livejournal.com]

There are definitely some ways my comfort level has changed. For me, the biggest one is spacing out in the lines. If there's just 2-3 feet between me and the person before/after, it makes my skin crawl- though I'm vaccinated and wearing a mask, and have reason to assume the people around me are, too, after all this time it just feels like they're invading my space.

I think if you could snap a finger and wipe COVID out entirely, going back to how things used to be would still feel weird and more than a bit icky. :-)

[marta-bee.livejournal.com]

Thank you! And yes, finger-licks from a friendly puppy make pretty much everything better. :-)

[engarian.livejournal.com]

Happy Rosh HaShannah to you as well.

- Erulisse (one L)